Thanksgiving, I'd have to say it's my favorite holiday. I think it's because it has nothing to do with gifting, dressing up, war, religion or any of the other fluffy stuff typically associated with holidays. Well, maybe a little with religion, or the freedom to believe what you want and how you want, that is why the pilgrims came here right? anyway, it's about giving Thanks. Simple & to the point. Blessings shared with everyone from the community to the neighbors, friends & family. To whatever, or should I say whomever, whichever God you choose to believe in, if you believe.

With the holiday season comes not only parties, feasting and various forms of merriment, but over-indulging, sadness and depression. Missing those no longer with us, feeling lonely away from home & loved ones, and I'm going to say just this once, FAT.

How can we help to combat these feelings? One way is to reach out to someone or some  folks who don't have anyone to be with over the holidays. You have no idea how rich you'll feel and so will they. Adding just 1 more place setting at the table can work miracles.

For those away from home, have what we used to call, an orphan holiday meal. Invite everyone without their family nearby to a pot-luck. A group get-together is so much fun and everyone can contribute something.

As for the over-indulgence, don't save up your eating calories for the 1 big meal of the day. Eat your usual breakfast, lunch and snack meals throughout your day. That way you won't gorge yourself with  all of the candy, cakes, chips & dips etc. before the meal, drink plenty of water along with the libations, and remember portion control. Have a little of everything, eat only until you're satisfied, not stuffed like the turkey.

Hmmmmm, the biggie, depression. This is the tough 1. But try to get together with friends if you can't get with family. Or...go volunteer at a place serving the homeless, even better! Get outside, being outside really does give you a lift in the spirit much like sweets. Really, I'm not kidding. 30 min. of sunshine, even just being outside can release some serotonin, if I remember right, giving you a much better internal feeling. Call someone you miss. Chances are, they miss you too and would love to hear from ya. Visit a neighbor who might be alone and you'll see them light up and so will you. Try to keep up with your regular workouts, endorphins released will continue make you happy and you'll be proud of yourself.

Be present, be thankful for what you do have. You have this wonderful gift of life. Enjoy it.


Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Last Saturday after teaching my class in the morning, I went to take a couple of bellydance classes. I hadn’t gotten 100% better from the virus of the prior week. I made it through the first class which was a Beg. class, but clearly I wasn’t well enough to even attempt the 2nd one.  Even my dance teacher asked me about ¾ of the way in the class how I was feeling. I said “pretty warm,” and she stated that I looked warm.  I’d made it through the entire work week, even getting in a couple of strength workouts but I didn’t try to push it too hard.  Oh well, I went home & back to bed. I did stop at the store on Fri. to get something medicinal to fight this thing. Back at work I did again manage a couple of strength workouts and a Tabata bike workout and even took a Cardio Combat class! Me!

It was fun to try something different. It’s good for your body too. Changing things up makes your body respond differently meaning, respond period.

Our body’s have this amazing ability to adapt to whatever we ask of it. So if we do the same workout day after day, week after week, month after month…you get the idea right? Well, when that happens the body just maintains itself, its strength, function, weight, etc. That’s why any trainer should tell you to change your workout routine every 4-6 weeks if you want to continue to effect a change in your body. That’s why your workout gets easier. The body has adapted to the challenge.

Have you done a particular strength workout and noticed that when you began it, it was tough to do? Maybe you didn’t make it through the entire set of reps, but after a few repeats of the workout for a few days or weeks, it’s easier. You are able to do all of the repetitions/set and maybe even add a set to make it tough again? Well, that’s adaptation happening. The body has risen to the challenge and has gotten stronger, leaner.

So, to continue to change your body, you, either, have to increase the weight, change the exercises, change the cadence or speed/rhythm of the repetitions, change something!  

Where I work, it’s such a safe place to try new forms of exercise. We have so many amazing instructors who are masters in various types of fitness. Some dance, aquatics, strength, cardio so it’s a smorgasbord or cornucopia, if you will, of possibilities. If I have an open hour, which does occasionally happen, I’ll try a different kind of class. Hey you never know, you might surprise yourself and find a new format.  A new & exciting challenge and your body goes,”Hey, what’s this?” And it has to work differently. Not a bad thing at all.

So Cardio Combat is based on MMA. Mixed Martial Arts. It’s boxing, kickboxing, cardio and strength & core work. It was fun. Apparently, I can punch & shuffle well. My speed isn’t so hot but solid. I found it funny that to do someone else’s workout is so much harder than my own. Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I do abs/core work, but this was different and made me struggle. I actually like that. It feels good to get out of my comfort zone. Push my boundaries, as it were.

Now naturally, I had to modify some things for my knee, but I basically managed the entire class. I still have to be smart about things.

Now does changing up your workouts mean you have give up what you like? No! I still take dance classes. That’s my love. But I will change my strength workout in another couple of weeks, I don’t always do intervals on the stationary bike, only occasionally. The other times, I’ll do a steady state ride or get on the rowing erg. 

Basically, keep moving. If you want changes to happen to your body, you just can’t do the same thing all of the time. I’m not so keen on the “crazy” types of workout formats out there. Yes, they work but they can really lead to some injurious issues over time. I also believe that some continuity is essential to be able to see some sort of progress.  Progress is a form of reward or gratification. Form & function. How often am I gonna need to jump up onto a 2-4’ box? But step up, maybe. Make sure the choices you make are sensible for you. Nothing should be  cookie-cutter.


By the way, I posted my current workout on the "Workouts" page. It's not fancy but it works! This workout along with the extra cardio workouts are gonna help. Like I said, not too into the "crazy" stuff.


If you've noticed I haven't mentioned Christmas yet, I won't until after Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time, thank you very much. I'm going to try & get a shopping page on here so you can purchase things like the Dang Rubs I've mentioned so much. But not yet...

This was my worst Halloween ever. It was like getting a banana in my trick or treat bag instead of a Snickers bar. Are you kidding?!?

I love this day. I'm from San Francisco for heavens sake where Halloween is a city-wide celebration. I woke up with my throat killing me on the right side and my back (on the same side) seizing up with every movement. I had to call in sick to work. I love dressing up for work! I was so bummed. Then I only had 1 little "superhero" come to the house to trick or treat which is 1 more than I had last year. What has happened to this event? I get so sad now for all of the little ones unable or not allowed to go out anymore.

I absolutely hate being sick.

Well, fall season is here and along with it come the holidays, parties, sneezes, sniffles and coughs. I was checking out my friend, Barbara Appelbaums' website, www.appelbaumwellness.com  and she had a great blog about protecting your immune system as you manage your way through the seasonal and weather changes.

This is from her site;

"Here is a list of easy tips to help you stay healthy during the change of seasons:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.  Without realizing it, you touch your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands all the time. If they are not clean, you are spreading germs.
• When you sneeze or cough, do so into the crook of your elbow. This prevents your germs from spreading to those around you and exposing them. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.
• As much as you may think you are being loving, stop hugging and kissing everyone. You do not know who might be sick and this only spreads illness. (This one is hard for me, I'm a hugger!)
  
• Get enough sleep. When you sleep your body and immune system regenerate and repair.
• Stay hydrated. Consuming the proper amount of water keeps your immune system strong.
• Try to get fresh air whenever you possibly can. Even on a cold day, crack your car window just a touch to let in the fresh air and allow any germs to escape.
• Exercise and eat healthfully.  This keeps your body in robust condition to ward off viruses."

I have no idea where I got this cold, I hope thats all it is, from but I'm thinking during jury duty. I was so chilled in the courtroom and then it was so hot outside. A couple of my fellow jurors where sneezing then. I didn't really start feeling weird until Tues. but I thought I'd won the battle. Apparently I hadn't, Wed. night I was down again, hard. I hate calling in sick but I didn't want to get anyone else sick either. I'd have been selfish to go in this way. I would've probably gotten worse anyway. That would not have done anyone any good for me to be there.

As it is, I'm still sneezing and stuffed up but my throat isn't as bad as it was and my back is feeling better too. Not perfect but better. I wanted to go see my friend K. and her 1 week old 2nd son this weekend but that's also on hold now. Boo-hoo! I get nothin'!

I did get in a couple of workouts this last week, both strength & cardio. It felt great to move again after the previous week of sittin' and eatin' but I might've overdone it. Who knows?

Just remember; pay attention to Barbara's tips above and stay home if you do get sick so you don't pass it along to anyone else.

Stay well and be active.

By the way, check out the RECIPES page for my "Easy Chicken Curry" that I made last night. Yummy!