Get A Move On

Dearest Loves,

Life is crazy and it seems impossible to find time to exercise.  We all know it’s good for you but it doesn’t always fit in the schedule as Priority One. I’ve been the overworked, mother of two, working 60 hours a week, and I know how hard it is to make “you” a priority. There have been times I have fallen short of being my best self. However, in my quest of living my most positive life, I have come to understand that being positive is not just an emotional/mental intention – it is physical.  It is TIME to make YOU a priority.  I am “simply positive” that if you take care of your body, your body will take care of you and every part of your life will feel more manageable.

It’s never too late to start being your best self.  Studies have shown that even people who begin a moderate exercise routine mid-life significantly reduce their chances of major illness as they age. I am no Jillian Michaels; I’ve never run a 10K and you will never, ever, ever find me at a Soul Cycle class. I am, however, a middle-aged woman committed to staying as active as I can. When life gets rough, it’s easy to crawl under the covers and sleep/eat/whine. Negativity breeds negativity.  The more I move, the more energy I have and the better I feel….and guess what?  I am POSITIVE you have the time.

Don’t think you have the time to join a gym?  No problem.  If you have two working legs and a pair of shoes you can go for a walk.  Have a mobile phone? Download a great app (Down Dog, 7 Minute Workout, Fitocrocy).  Track your 10,000 daily steps with your iPhone.  Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Need to run to the mall?  Park as far away from the door as possible.  Just do it! 

Recently I drove with my son to Chicago, which was a four and half hour drive.  I burned hundreds of calories on this trip.  How?  I put on heart-pumping, hip hop music and car-danced like a maniac.  Thankfully my son was asleep or he’d have told me I was embarrassing him in front of the air (which he’s told me before).  I am certain passerbys on the freeway had a good laugh but guess what?  I’m never seeing them again and I probably made them smile. 

Ever heard of Task-ercizing?  I do it often.  Have a dance party while you are drying your hair, do squats while you are brushing your teeth, vacuum the floors as fast as you can. Working all day?  Desk-ercize – Google it; it’s a thing.  Think you have no time?  Shower-cize – okay I maybe made that one up, but I do calf raises and isometric holds while I’m conditioning my hair.  TMI?  I promise the Paparazzi aren’t waiting for you.

Is date night dinner and a movie for you? Is your idea of family time playing video games on your couch? Mix it up.  Go to the batting cages and hit your weekly frustrations out. Need to reconnect with your loved ones after a busy week? Go for a long walk after dinner.  Give paddle boarding a try.  Check out a cardio drumming class.  Too many errands to run? Grab the family and have a contest to see who can find items the fastest – there is always an opportunity to move.  Make a commitment to yourself to Get Your Move On!

Your homework this week is to set a goal to move 7 days this week.  It doesn’t have to be intense…just get out there.  Every Day!  You CAN do it!

With light, love & POSITIVITY,
Dena