What's your Happiness?

They say that you attract what you are. I think that is interesting in light of the essay question I had to answer today. I took an assessment test for entering college. So the topic of my essay was happiness. What it means to you and examples of how you try in your life to be happy. Of course my answer was about working out. Actually I couldn't think of a more perfect discussion to explain my reasons for going back to school. I have been a hairdresser for 15 years, and I love my job but..... there is this other desire, this other idea. I talk all day about diet and exercise. I think I talk more about this than I do about hair. I am amazed at how little people understand their bodies. I am shocked that they don't think that what they put in their mouth has any effect on the way they feel. I am not an expert - yet. Food is fuel. Let me say that again FOOD IS FUEL. Its not a reward, or a compensation in your life.

My answer about happiness is that taking care of myself makes me happy. Happiness is a state of mind. You control it. If you think that chocolate cake is going to make you happy, go for it. Working out makes me happy. I love to work out first thing in the morning. I use the time to think about my day, what needs to be done, what needs to be said, how I want to respond to -whatever. I like deciding how I want to be before everything hits me in the face and I'm just a deer in the headlights, ya know? Eating right is easier I think if you work out. When your muscles are sore its hard to think about eating pizza. You tend to think about how much more energy you will have to put out to burn the pizza. A LOT!! TOO MUCH!! Sore muscles help to keep you on track eating the foods that you can use as fuel, not a spare tire.:)

Your Experience

Have you heard the saying "its what you make of it"? I am a big believer of the power of the mind. I was really appreciating the outdoors this morning while out for my morning jog, when I passed this lady who was in agony. "Its sooo hot!" she says to me, out of breath, struggling down the trail. I couldn't help but think she was making it harder than it had to be. Yes, it was warm this morning, but if that is all you can think about while you are working out then your experience kinda sucks. Try thinking about it this way. The time that you spend exercising can be your personal time to mediate about anything you want. Anything. Really anything. I like to obsess over clothes I cant really afford. I think about all the things I want to buy. Actually it really helps me to decide what I really want, I'm really bad about buying stuff I don't need. If I'm thinking about shoes, I'm not thinking about the pain in my quads. Get it? Being angry is really useful for working out, I personally feel really fast when I'm good and pissed. Its very healthy to work out emotional problems with exercise, as with anything else it just takes a little concentration. Have you ever driven to work and when you got there you couldn't really remember driving there? Same thing, you're so busy concentrating on something else you were on autopilot.

Its so important to exercise often, you want to fight it or go with the flow? Its your experience, yours alone. You want to struggle or succeed? I look forward to my time alone with my body and my mind. Do you?

Everyday Life

One of my co-workers recently asked a great question regarding crunches. She has implants and says that traditional crunches are uncomfortable for her. When in a laying position with hands behind the neck actually doing the crunch her chest muscles activate and fight a little with the implant. This is not so difficult to fix. Many people have difficulties with the position of doing crunches. Its easy to use too much neck, chest, and arms, and not enough abs! I recommend she changes position to a lower ab work out. If you belong to a gym they usually have more than one machine to do ab work on. A "Roman Chair" is a metal frame that you hold onto with your upper body while your lower body is free to work. Start with straight legs then bring the knee to the chest and back straight. You wont need to do as many sets, theses are more difficult. Another option is an exercise ball. Its a great way to isolate the abs without any pressure on the spine. I really like Fitnessmagazine.com for looking up exercise routines, check out what they have on exercise balls.

There is ALWAYS more than 1 way to get anything done. Do not let something simple stand in your way. Sales people in training are told that they will get many no's before they get a yes, so dont give up on yourself. Keep trying different things until it works for you. I really believe exercise is a way of life, even if all you are doing is walking around the block. Get some fresh air, get your blood moving, enjoy yourself for just a few minutes - its your experience.