try

Sometimes I create a goal (diet, specific yoga posture, exercise program...) and focus on what I need to do to make it happen. That's when the "struggle" begins. That one goal becomes this HUGE effort that does not feel like any fun to try and do. So now I've spent minutes, hours, days trying to figure out why it is too hard to do. Sometimes it'll keep me up at night. But, all the while I am miss out! During all that thinking, I have already burned time, energy, andrenaline....I think the key is TRYING. At least I know if I TRY, then I can make an educated decision whether it's going to be a "yes" or a "no". Oh, but then I can go into the thinking of the "what if's" of trying. But I won't go there.

I may faulter a few times in my efforts, but most of the time, the FUN IS IN THE TRYING!

balance

"...everything in balance, including balance".  Now, there are yoga balancing poses, which challenges one to be able to stand on one foot, or on two hands. There's balance in nature with environment and animals. But, then there is the balance of life. All that we think, speak and do must be done in balance, otherwise we could throw off the harmony in our lives and others'. As with all things, there's a give and take. That, too, can be a balancing act.
To me, balance is eating a huge plate of eggplant parmigiana and walking my dogs after, a couple of miles to burn off the calories I ingested. Or better yet, walking 4 miles in the morning, doing Yoga/Pilates/kettlebells in the afternoon, then taking my kids out for a movie with a big bucket of white cheddar buttered popcorn with a big soda and peanut M & M's.  NOW THAT'S BALANCE!!

inspiration

I find that doing any workout (gym, walk in the park, etc.) needs a little flame to get you going. In most cases, it's a goal to reach (e.g. class reunions, weddings, social events, losing weight 'before' the special event, etc.). So when these "special reasons" to workout aren't around, is there any reason to stay on that workout schedule? Besides feeling good, which I think is a pretty nice addiction, it almost becomes a necessity. The need to be healthy enough to get to that "feel good" after a workout should be enough, right? Eventually, the "special reasons" become just little add ons to the necessities of life. Unfortunately, as we get older, that awareness becomes part of the driving force to staying healthy. Besides, who doesn't want to feel good, look good, and spread that vibe of good health wherever they go? It's a pretty nice contagious feeling!

Passion

The depth of any workout success comes from the heart. It is not limited to the cardio-vascular aspect of a workout, but the desire, energy and intention behind a workout. I personally know that after a rewarding workout (long walk, bike, Pilates or Yoga, or even just playing with the dogs ,which can be a workout) the feeling of incredible joy and satisfaction comes deep from within my heart. All of a sudden there is immense love for everyone and everything flowing through my veins. It's PASSION! Of course, there is definitely some sweat involved, but the euphoria is so exponential! It's worth the mental, emotional and physical detox. The best part is it puts my day back on track for success.

Friendship and Fitness

There's nothing more heartwarming than sharing the endorphin rush of a good walk, workout, bike, or run with the ones you love. It is a great way to be updated on current events, brainstorming for a solution, venting over hardships and conflicts, or just having a great laugh over situations that are funny enough to share. Creativity can be enhanced, fresh ideas can rise to the surface and friendships can be empowered. Time flies and what can be drudgery can be fun and rewarding. It's a powerful way to get fit and happy, all in one package! It works with dogs, too. They're great listeners!

"The Sweet Spot"

There's nothing more rewarding than accomplishing a physical challenge: one that involves nothing but you and your body (oh, and gravity!). If we seriously, intentionally, make a challenge for ourselves and set the goal to achieve it, IT CAN BE DONE!  Realistic, true goal setting.
In yoga, the challenges often are postures that defy gravity and body weight/build, etc. But given a challenging posture and a DESIRE to achieve that pose can be one of the most simplest rushes one can experience. The self satisfaction of knowing that no one and nothing had anything to do with this but "me, myself, and I". I become motivated, very present with myself and start the inner dialogue ("Can I do this" or "Why am I doing this"). Then comes the conversation with myself ("No, I think the pelvis should tilt more" or  "I need to engage my core more and stop thinking about my feet").  Believe me, much effort and energy is needed to have these conversations with myself. But then comes the stillness of the "SWEET SPOT": all becomes quiet..........the inner dialogue diminishes.... the adjustments have been made...and BAM! I'm in my pose with effortlessness. SWEEEET!  

Able minded/Able bodied

Okay. Race is done! 13.1 miles in Central Park and I did it!! It was so zen. What I find so amazing about the whole experience is the physical preparation I went through (with alot of help from my walking buddy! - Thank you!!), the mental preparation, then the mental/physical preparation (aka "the head trip").  Do we psych ourselves up for an event or do we psych ourselves out? Hmmmm! Through this whole process I realized it was both - all the way up to the last minute!
I was well prepared physically, nutritionally, psychologically for the race. Then came the "head trip" of "what if.....?" "What if I can't do 13.1 miles?" "What if it is too cold?" "What if it's too hot?" "What if it rained?" The answers to all the "what if's" became : THEN DON'T DO IT!  I already walked 13.1 on my home turf, who needed this old race? Blah! Blah!Blah!
All the way up until the day of the race came these questions/doubts. But then it dawned on me that I am ABLE to do this (I did it at home, why not NYC?). I am ABLE to get through this whether or not I finish in time. I am able to get through this because I had my kids there rooting me on! How could I not succeed?
The reality of all this is not that I was able bodied, but able minded. My mind just needed to RE-MIND my body. Mind over matter = success!
And so these fleeting thoughts passed. The race was run. The day was absolutely perfect. The support team (my 3 kids) were by my side. It was a complete success.
And so the  moral to the story really is to have that glass of chianti and that tiramisu the night before a big race and everything will be alright!!