10 Steps To Your Best Year Ever!

Happy New Year! May the coming year be your best year yet! And filled with good health.

Here are just a few steps to think about and hopefully help you to your best year(s) ever!

1. Decide to be Happy. Ignore and forget the inevitable  stuff that gets in your way. Put those negative thoughts and feelings aside as soon as you start to experience them. Turn them into a positive. Find something better - or more pleasant - to focus on! You're in control. Decide to choose a happier life!

2. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise - of your choosing - every day. Even if it's just a nice walk with your favorite loved one(s).  Want to lose some weight,  enjoy life more or achieve a better level of fitness? Kick it up to 45 minutes a day!

3. Turn off the TV for 30 minutes every day and read something positive. Or go to bed a little earlier and get a great night's sleep!  The point is - enjoy that TV a little less and all that life has to offer  a little more. You can always hear about the news tomorrow - or who won the latest round of your favorite talent show!

4. Get outside - connect with nature. Breathe in some of that fresh air and contemplate the all the beauty nature has to offer!

5. Choose to eat healthy foods. Enough said. You know!

6. Set reasonable goals - and write them down. Experts suggest that written goals - have a better chance. While you're at it write down the steps you plan to take in order to reach those written goals.

7. Evaluate your progress and decide to adapt your goals or the steps you need to take to reach them. Take a few minutes each evening to decide what your priorities are for the following day. Every weekend or so - take an honest look at where you are. What's working and what maybe isn't worling so well?

8. Enjoy the Journey. Share some time with those you love. Or find someone new to enjoy this great life with. Try something new. Pick up a new sport or pasttime. Get out there and enjoy life. Life is short - don't we owe to ourselves to make the most of this brief time we have?

9. Forgive yourself if you falter. Everyone who accomplishes anything meaningful has to overcome obstacles. If you fall down or fail. No Worries! Get back up! Persist!

10. Laugh more! Find something funny to read or watch on the tube. What have you got to lose?  Except that frown on your face or the worrisome thought which get in everyone's way from time to time! Take the advice of that master songwriter back in the 80s - Don't Worry - Be Happy!

And just 1 final thought - or bonus step. Learn to Love yourself and share your love with as many others as you can. Practice random acts of kindness as often as you can. Share your Love.

And Have Your Best Year Ever!

Stretching Your Body and Mind

    Have you ever noticed a dog or cat wake up? Observe their instinctive movements: the gradual but vigorous stretch in every direction, the deep breathing, the sympathetic extension and staying of the limbs at the climax, then the gradual giving up of the activity and the moment of restful satisfaction.

Stretching in this way is one of the most natural, even primitive instincts in all animals.
Certain simple movements are taken by practically every animal on awaking under normal conditions. Among these are yawning, deep breathing, expansion and stretching. These exercises form a part of the process of awaking. It is the change from the position of lying down to that of standing up. Many of us rarely takes the few moments to practice these simple exercises.

Between the moment of awakening and standing erect man possibly takes more time, whines more and does less than any other animal on this wonderful planet we share!

Of all the provisions of nature to meet this crucial moment in animal life the stretch seems to be most important. Why men neglect the stretch is curious. Man seems to lack something of the vigor of the animal instinct on awakening. He lives a more rational life, and it is necessary for him at this time to make certain decisions and exert firmness and resolution.

Science has carefully explained the stretch, but men seem to refuse to take the lesson. The stretch extends the body so that the veins, where congestion is most liable to take place and where pressure of blood is weakest, are so elongated that the blood flows more easily from the arteries, where the pressure is strongest, through the veins back to the heart and circulation is equalized and stimulated.

The benefits of stretching may be enjoyed by anyone who will take the pains on waking up in the morning to stretch easily, for a few minutes, then rest a few moments and note the effect. He will feel a great exhilaration all through the body. He will feel a sense of harmony. Thanksgiving seems to arise from every cell at the fresh blood and life.

Take a moment when your mind is free. Focus your attention to receive joy instead of gloom, love instead of hate. You can exclude the thought of evil or you can yield and allow the tempter to desecrate your shrine. Whichever choice you make, these first moments of your day's living will color the whole course of the coming hours.


Can you wake as wake the birds? In their joy and singing share?  
Stretch your limbs as do the herds, And drink as deep the morning air?  
Quick as larks on upward wing, Can you shun the demon's wiles, Promptly as the robins sing,  
Can you change all frowns to smiles?

Can you spurn fear's coward whine, Meet each day with joyous song?

Then will angels guard your shrine, Joys be deep and life be long.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving!

    Do you give yourself a gift at Christmas time?  Maybe you prefer Judaism and their traditions during this wonderful season. Whatever your beliefs this holiday season, maybe you can find some time to get something just for you. Go ahead - its Okay to indulge yourself a little. Invest in your own health and fitness.

    Your options run the full spectrum from a few bucks to over a thousand.  Maybe all you need is a new pair of running shoes. Or - your first really decent pair of walking / running shoes. How about a jump rope? They cost like $10 and should last you a couple years - or longer! Buy yourself some inexpensive hand weights or dumbbells and get hooked on building a scuplted, more muscular look for yourself in the coming year!

   Maybe you've seen the endless onslaught of infomercials for this or that super workout system. Great! If one of those happens to catch your interest - Why Not? You could start with a few free fitness videos from your neighborhood Family Video store. Or check out Amazone for some different choices. You don't ned to spend a small fortune at the gym or fancy health club to get your body into better shape!

   Try some good old fashioned calisthenics - you remember the exercises we all learned in middle school and high school. If the weather in your neck of the woods is better suited for polar bears and Hockey players - try some simple - and effective - indoor fitness equipment to help you keep your waistline slim and trim this Winter!

   Want to encourage your children to adopt healthy habits and enjoy life more? Sign them up for a winter basketball league - or whatever sport they express interest in. Get them a jump rope or a bike. They will be far more likely to adopt healthy habits if they see us doing it too! Make fitness a family affair this Winter - and for the coming New Year!

Enjoy the Holidays More

  The weather outside is splendid – if you’re a polar bear. Or happen to love playing Hockey on a frozen pond or an outdoor rink. Many here in North America can enjoy all four seasons.

Winter is really great for all the indoor activities we so enjoy. Entertaining, cooking and enjoying good company in a nice warm home make winter special for many.

Getting outside and enjoying nature can pose a challenge when the wind-chill is at single digits or lower! The daily jog is refreshing indeed. If you’re like me you might find it way easier to get some exercise indoors on these freezing cold winter days. Isn’t it so much nicer to flip on the DVD player and enjoy a favorite comedy while you burn away those holiday calories?

Millions of Americans face the challenge of moving our running and exercise time indoors from November to April. Joining a gym or health club is - for many - not a good option.

Growing numbers of avid health enthusiasts are opting to put low impact exercise equipment right in their homes. They are avoiding the expense of that health club membership. No more waiting to get on your favorite rowing machine. Or that treadmill with the clear view of the TV screen.

If you’re like me you might prefer working out before the rest of the family wakes up. Those early morning sessions on the rowing machine are an excellent way to get your heart pumping and burn off a ton of calories! All before you even step outside!

Enjoy a nice warm cup of your favorite coffee or tea and then hit the rowing machine for 15 minutes. Jump rope or work out with your exercise ball for a few minutes. They say that ab exercises done on the ball are more effective!

The possibilities are practically endless. And you don’t even have to get out and brave the cold. Make this your best year ever and invest in some simple low impact exercise equipment for your home. You can easily turn that unused corner of your basement into your very own fitness center!

Health experts agree – the quickest way to lose weight – and keep it off – is with daily exercise and healthy eating. Start getting in shape fast and enjoy the benefits of a healthier, sexier body!

Winter Workout WonderLand!

    This Weekend many in North America are feeling an early taste of Winter! If you plan to head outdoors today for your daily run - you may want to warm up indoors, before exposing yourself to the frigid air.  When you warm up indoors you'll reduce the strain on your heart. You'll probaly feel better about venturing outside as well, because you'll be warm already.

   Running - or any outdoor activity can put extra strain on your heart as it tries to pump blood to your extremities. Walking will help relieve some of this strain by dilating the  blood vessels in your legs. The trick is to warm up slowly, to allow your body to adjust to the coldness.

    If you don't warm up when it's freezing outside, you could set yourself up for severe chest pain or worse - like a heart attack. 

    Before you head out into the Winter Wonderland you may want to dress in layers. Wearing multiple layers enables you to adjust your attire as you go, according to the weather and your level of activity.

    For your inner layer (the one closest to your skin), try light wool blend long-johns or cotton thermals. Some avid runners are using  garments made from a synthetic fabric such as polypropylene, which wicks away perspiration from your body.

   Then add an insulating layer - like a nice warm sweater, or hooded sweatshirt for warmth. Many Winter running enthusiasts find the new synthetic fabrics do a better job of keeping you warm and dry than either wool or cotton. If that works for you - fine! The key is to wear enough layers to keep you both comfortably warm without preventing you from moving freely!

    If you're getting snow or sleet , wear an outer layer that protects you from wind and rain. If you can - choose a fabric that's waterproof. Keep that cold ice and snow away from the inner layers!


    If you're like many of us you may prefer working out in the warmth and safety of home! ( Why get all bundled up and drive miles through the arctic air to a fancy healthy club? ) Get yourself some simple home fitness equipment and put a favorite comedy in the DVD player! Enjoy yourself while you work off those extra pounds!

   

Happiness

    Do you want more happiness? A great sense of self esteem perhaps? Would you like to develop a fresh, new outlook on life?

   Share your Love with others. Anyone. As many others as you can. And just watch how much love you get back!  If you want to cultivate love, create harmony in all your feelings and faculties. Remember that all that is pure, holy and virtuous in love flows from the deepest fountain of the human soul.

   Most beautiful in morning and evening, but warmest and steadiest at noon. It is the sun of the soul. Life without love is worse than death; a world without a sun. The love which does not lead to labor will soon die out, and the thankfulness which does not embody itself in sacrifices is already changing to gratitude. Love is not ripened in one day, nor in many, nor even in a human lifetime. It is the oneness of soul with soul in appreciation and perfect trust. To be blessed it must rest in that faith in the Divine which underlies every other motion. To be true, it must be eternal as God himself

    Without love there would be no organized households, and, consequently, none of that earnest endeavor for competence and respectability, which is the mainspring to human effort; none of those sweet, softening, restraining and elevating influences of domestic life, which can alone fill the earth with the glory of the Lord and make glad the city of Zion. This love is indeed heaven upon earth; but above would not be heaven without it; where there is not love, there is fear; but, "love casteth out fear." And yet we naturally do offend what we most love.

    Love blends your heart in blissful unity, and, for the time, so ignores past ties and affections, as to make willing separation of the son from his father's house, and the daughter from all the sweet endearments of her childhood's home, to go out together and rear for themselves an altar, around which shall cluster all the cares and delights, the anxieties and sympathies, of the family relationship; this love, if pure, unselfish, and discreet, constitutes the chief usefulness and happiness of human life!