The Joy of Being Unique

Before anyone else calls me an "inspiration" because of the backbend post, let me just remind you all what I look like most of the time.

That ought to make you feel better already!!

I have been thinking how great it is that there are so many different ways to exercise and ways to be active. I have always wanted to be one of those people that could fly through the air in a gorgeous leap. My legs are flexible enough but I have never had the hops...the jumping gene. If I COULD jump, perhaps I would look something like this....

......but really I just photo-shopped a picture of me doing extended Adho Mukha Svanasana, or Downward Dog, on a yoga mat and looked like this!

Because of my muscle type and bottom heavy body make up, I am better at things like yoga, aerobics, weight lifting, walking....squatting.:) Whereas people like my husband, or maybe even you, are better at quick sports like tennis, basketball, track/running, or jumping over couches in a single bound (that's what Joe does). My point is, find the joy in your type of exercise. Find the method of exercising that makes you feel confident and yet can still challenge you. Then when you have found what you like and what really works for you, you can then keep your weight and muscles from plateauing by adding in a kickbox class, or try lifting weights, or try yoga, or racketball, or Dance Dance Revolution...try something new, knowing already what you are good at and what works best for you and your body.

The tricky part then, is to quit comparing and judging your body type or weight loss progression against someone elses. The path to being fit is just that...a path...it IS the journey. We will never reach "the goal" and then coast through the rest of life un-haunted by Ben and Jerry cravings. That is actually why we call yoga a practice...not a routine, not a work-out...but a yoga practice. Yoga, and truly exercise in any form, is a path of changes as our bodies go in and out of the different seasons of our lives. At times we will be able to run 6 miles, at other times, pushing a stroller to the park is breath taking (that was me three days ago). But if we always make an effort to do some kind of exercise...exercise that brings us joy...hopefully we will see over time a consistent improvement and growth in our health and in our body image. Be patient with your body, stay on the path, and find the joy in what makes you unique.

Fantastic Fiber

Before I get to the Fiber, I first want to apologize for accidentally sending the Backbend post to you again, and second I want to thank my dear friend Megan for decorating my blog! Isn't it cool?? Megan is really talented with blogs, computers, and scrapbooking...well and with motherhood, cooking, reading, sewing, etc., etc.!!! She graciously volunteered to design my blog and I LOVE it! Thank you so much...Superwoman!

So..Fiber! I had to start monitoring my fiber intake a few years ago when my health issues began and I have learned a lot about how fiber affects our bodies and as a result have become a total Fiber Fan! Sheri asked if fiber really soaks up fat. The answer is yes. When fiber is in our intestines it absorbs and attracts fats and also flushes out toxins before they can be absorbed by our bodies. Before you get all stoked about going on a fat-fiber diet, just know that although fiber does get rid of fat and toxins it's really not enough to result in significant weight loss...it's more like weight maintainence. Which is still great, right? It is best to eat "real" fiber with your meals, ie whole grains, beans, vegetables, etc. But if that isn't always readily available, Benefiber powder is an excellent alternative. It honestly dissolves completely in water and a few spoonfuls can be added to anything you eat.

If you start adding a lot of fiber to your diet expect two things:
1) Expect to have increased...how can I say this...flatulence! This actually will only last a short while because it is not necessarily to fiber giving you gas, but the fiber pushing old toxins through your colon resulting in, well, you get the picture. Stick with the fiber and the gas will decrease eventually (unless you are one of my brothers and then it NEVER seems to go away!)
2) The other thing to expect is a vitamin shortage in your body. Unfortunately fiber can also flush away good stuff too, like viatmins and minerals. So if you add fiber you'll want to increase your vitamins by taking an over the counter vitamin supplement or drinking one of the popular vitamin drinks like Noni, Xango, Bazi, Seven, etc.

In conclusion, it is my opinion that adding fiber to our diets is one small and easy thing we can do to improve our overall health.

The Backbend

I learned how to do a backbend as an adult. Personally I think it is one of the best poses you can do for your whole body. Think of how everything in life pulls you forward; gravity, poor posture, gaining weight, pregnancy, sleep, even everyday movements of bending over to pick things up, or hunching over a computer screen like I am right now!

Our bodies crave balance. As soon as I started doing backbends I felt like a new person. It was just the counter movement my body needed to combat that constant forward pull. The backbend or Urdhva Dhanurasana has totally changed my posture and how my spine feels in general. I still can't believe I learned how to do this pose with my big grown up body and tight back...and the best part is there is still a lot of room for me to grow within the backbend. I would like to see my shoulders open up more and my upper back flex deeper. And maybe even someday I will be able to lift my leg up like the girl in this picture!

I think this shows the true power of yoga and how it can stretch, strengthen, and truly change your body. I have seen it countless times in my students: a mother of 5 learning to do a headstand, a 60 year old man going into the splits, a 30 year old mother (me) going into a backbend without any fear!

The Fight for Fit

Thanks to Steve Ross and his revolutionary program called "Happy Yoga", I have learned that practicing yoga to music that I love is motivating and yes, fun.

Today I was listening to Bob Marley and the phrase Get up. Stand Up. caught my attention. I know the Rastafarian was singing about racism and standing up for rights, but when I heard that I thought it was motivating me to get healthy.

I have been feeling particularly out of shape lately and it seems I am fighting against age, gravity, sugar addiction, commercialism, poor self-esteem, and shear laziness to get healthy. But I know it is a fight worth fighting. Not only so I'll feel better, but so I'll be healthier and ultimately happier. So thanks for the encouragement Bob. Get up. Stand up. Don't give up the fight.

...and "Happy Yoga" is worth getting up for as well. It's on the Oxygen Channel every morning.