Getting my body back Friday - Take a deep breath or two!

How does deep breathing help you maximize your workout?

Are you deep breathing when you exercise? What are the benefits of deep breathing?

Deep breathing relaxes the body and removes the resistance to receiving oxygen to the body cells. Now, I'm not talking about the shallow chest breathing habit that we've gotten used to. What I'm talking about is breathing where the breath goes down deep into the abdomen and the abdomen and ribcage expand and contract.

When you're deep breathing, oxygen goes to the muscles allowing you to be able to do more reps especially when you're weight lifting.

When I'm jogging I find that I need more oxygen intake than when I'm walking. I find myself feeling out of breath faster even though I'm breathing in through my nose. So, to solve this problem, I take alternate breaths; two deep breaths in through the nose and let it out, then deep breaths through the mouth and let it out.

Make sure you're feeling this in your stomach as you breathe out. Since I started doing that, I found that I have more energy; I could jog faster and longer. That's amazing for me. I actually have to make myself stop cause I feel so energized.

Another thing, I try to keep a rhythm when I'm jogging - deep breathe in, deep breath out, deep breath in, deep breath out. You got the idea, plus it adds some fun to it and keeps you focused.

Today I challenged myself for one more round but felt at the time that I didn't have the energy to make it. Instead of giving in to my body, I went deep within, took some deep breaths and got the energy I needed to finish the last lap.

What about you? Do you deep breathe when you're exercising? How is it working for you?

Praise - Part 2

Getting my body back -Day 71

The Habit of Praise

With the same measure in which we have made criticizing a habit, we equally and with an even greater measure, need to make praise a habit and a lifestyle. As we honour those around us, not just our families but those within our communities and even the stranger, we are honouring ourselves. For whatever we put out will come back to us in the same measure.

How to make change a habit

1) As with all things, you need to make a conscious decision to let praise be a dominant part of your thoughts, words and action, and therefore, become a part of your lifestyle. "I make a conscious decision to praise."

2) Shift your mental thinking of the way you see others, change your perspective. Purposely look for the good and praise it.

3) Look for the good in every situation no matter how bad things may seem. Praise the good.

4) Repetition and practice. Retrain your subconscious mind to be in total agreement with your conscious decision and yield its power to aid you when you consciously praise.

When you make that decision to praise instead of criticize and you're in a situation in which you would normal go toward the negative, you'll remind yourself to find and praise the good.

Fuelling words: I find and praise the good each day as I get closer to achieving my ideal weight.

Deep breathing, stretching, walking and integrating interval exercises during the day.

Experience the essence of life - Part 4

Getting my body back - Day 63

Breathe in life, exhale stress and tension. Feel the air as the freshness travels through your nostrils filling your lungs and relaxing your entire body.

Breathing deeply gets your bodily functions pumping and releases toxins from your body promoting fat-burning.

Shallow breathing cheats you of the benefits you get from deep breathing and is the result of bad breathing habits and busy schedules.

When you slow down or stop and focus on deep breathing, you're allowing yourself to reconnect with nature, with God.

As you breathe in, visualize inhaling new life, greater strength and positive energy. Exhale and release heaviness, depression and negative feelings.

Deep breathing helps to clear your mind and allows you to focus your attention on whatever it is you're working on.

Fuelling words: With every exercise move I make I take a deep breath allowing oxygen to flow to my muscles.

Now that the good weather is here, incorporate exercise into your daily routine even as you go outside and are working around the house.