Be open - try something new

Getting my body back - Day 92

Our Swiss chard is coming along really well. We've even made fresh salad out of the young leaves and added some lettuce with green onions, parsley, summer savory and carrot tops - quite refreshing, at least for some of us. Because Swiss chard is very new on our menu, it'll take some time for a couple of our younger ones to acquire the taste.

As with anything new, if it doesn't fit with what we're accustomed to we find it difficult at times to make the adjustments and open up to something new.

If you're faced with a new occurrence in your life or a shift in your routine way of living, ask yourself, "How is this or how could this be beneficial for me?" Because we know the nutritional value and health benefits of eating Swiss chard we were open to try something new and we're glad we did.

Even though we've had some of the younger leaves, we're looking forward to trying them at different stages - when they're medium sized and then when they're fully matured. By trying them at these different stages in their raw form, we not only get the nutrition but we get to experience the changes in taste, if any, and determine if we rather eat them young or fully matured or no preference at all.

When you open yourself to something new you can experience positive long-lasting life-changing results. The lessons learned may be invaluable and memories priceless.

Fuelling words: I am open to new positive experiences that brings me closer to achieving a healthy lifestyle.

Workout: incorporating exercise in daily routine.
Try a great arm exercise - baking oatmeal cookies or cake from scratch for the kids, the traditional way - wooden spoon, no electric mixer. Tone those upper arm muscles.

Changing Inside Out Now! Getting my body back - Day 14

Try something new.

Go beyond your comfort zone. Why not try something new?

Sometimes, being so completely absorbed in a routine, you may fail to recognize and explore fresh ideas and new methods. These ideas and methods may stretch you beyond your comfort zone but the rewards may lead to new opportunities and levels that you never thought possible.

My 10 year old daughter is into gymnastics and is quite flexible. When I watch her do cartwheels and perform the bridge I find it difficult to visualize me in those positions. I’ve never attempted a bridge in my entire life.

But today, as she joined in to exercise with me, she decided to do the bridge. My response would usually be, “I’m not going to try that because I’m afraid I might break something.” However, even though I’m by far no way near flexible as she is, I banished my fear and doubt and asserted the position to complete the bridge. My arms weren’t strong enough to lift me off the ground. I had to get my husband’s help.

Although my endeavour was unsuccessful in the execution of the bridge, I found myself using muscles that I’ve probably never used before. We did have a good laugh, though. Now I know that I need to do some more push ups to strengthen those wrists, hands and upper body muscles. What’s my new goal? Yup, I’ll be strengthening those muscles so I can do the bridge.

Trying something new could be intimidating at first, but it could open up other areas of your life that you’ve never given a chance to emerge. If you keep an open mind and really work at it, who knows? Maybe you might have something new to add to your portfolio.

Fuelling words: I try something new today. I work at it adding vitality and excitement to my life.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.