You are stronger than you think you are: kick your obstacles to the curb

If I plan to do what I’m doing for a long time (see What’s ‘in’ this season…), then I must quit talking about modifying my lifestyle and do it. If I hope to hike, work out, practice yoga and maintain a youthful spirit, these changes need to stick rather than serve as sporadic patches until the seams unravel. My mortality hit home the other night while I watched an eye-opening documentary about sugar, and its adverse effects on our bodies and minds, and realized my addiction to the sweet stuff will either set me up for an early grave or problems I’ve already begun to experience in small doses. I have a plan, however: to become healthier and stronger during the next 17 months, and to reverse any negative effects of poor lifestyle choices. If I am willing to sacrifice my time and effort for others, then I should believe in myself enough to make sacrifices for a greater me.

What is an obstacle you seek to overcome?

What the mind conceives: a good luck talisman for success

 

The other night at the gym, the women’s workout room was packed full of all ages, sizes and shapes. It can be a challenge, but I try to avoid comparison making. However, I must admit I struggled with envy over one woman. Not the way her hair remained perfect during her workout while my ponytail stuck to the back of my neck. Or how she didn’t break a sweat while she lifted yet I smelled, coincidentally, like an onion. Or how her outfit was color coordinated while I sported the throw-it-together-and-hope-I-match look. It was her pink workout gloves I couldn’t stop looking at. Seriously: pink workout gloves. In the past, I’ve attributed more focused yoga practices to a new mat or fun new shorts. So why not a stronger workout session with pretty workout gloves? Yes, I bought new ones. And yes, I lifted better. What the mind conceives, the body achieves. At least that’s the story I’m sticking to.

What is your good luck talisman for success?

Life as a yogi (in training)

[Image credit: lobster20]

You cannot always control what goes on outside.
But you can always control what goes on inside.
~ Mr. Yoga

Yoga reenergizes, reorganizes and revitalizes.
~ Bishnu Gosh

Bear with me while I ramble about my new addiction: Bikram (or “hot”) Yoga.  In a little over a week of attending the 90-minute sweat fest almost as many times, I’m already seeing results.  I don’t want to get overly excited but, after just two sessions, my digestive issues had lessened.  In addition, I’m becoming a little bit stronger from the inside out, and my flexibility is slowly improving (the main reason I decided to attend in the first place).  Like Mr. Yoga states, I cannot always control what goes on outside, but I can control what goes on inside.  So as I give myself the gift of Yoga, I believe I’m re-energizing my body, reorganizing my thoughts and revitalizing my spirit.  Better than a prescription any day.

If you’re a Bikram Yoga lover, what does it mean to you?