Category: healthy living

Recently I discovered that my routine is seriously lacking in the muscle building department. Give me a couple hours of African dance and I can shake my booty with energy to spare! Try to do a pushup however, and I am at a total loss. So with that in mind I am going to do a “Plank-a-Day” challenge this month to try to build my core muscles.

Basically the challenge is exactly what it sounds like. One plank, each day, for as long as you can hold it. I did my first one last night and got near a minute.

Please note, I am not talking about this kind of plank (pretty sure I could hold this for much longer):

There is a great description on how to do a plank here (they also have videos on the site which are worth a look if you haven’t done the move before). It’s not the same as doing one in yoga practice where you are on your hands, but rather you rest your arms on the floor. There are even variations when it becomes easier.

Are you in? It would be fun to have lots of people doing it this month too!

I’m a walker. I love walking, not only because it feels great, but it’s also great for your body. I’ve never aspired to be a runner, always preferring to walk or hike over running. I admire people who run though! But even in my young years when we had to run a mile for school, I would usually walk it, and walk it just as fast as some people who ran it instead (got in trouble now and then for not following the rules, but walking for me was just always so much nicer to my body).

This video is well worth the watch, it explains how much walking can help improve health. It was really surprising to hear some of the stats!

But I am not shocked that walking would be such great medicine (especially when done outside)! What about you? Do you walk?

It may be the year of the Dragon, but I am giving myself a yoga challenge, so from now on I will call it the “year of the yoga”! There are conflicting ideas out about if it’s good to announce your goals or not. Personally I have found that having some sort of accountability is a great tool for me to get things done.

My yoga challenge: do yoga 3x a week.

Way back in 2004 I bought the most gorgeous yoga dvd ever. It became my favorite and honestly it is a challenging one! At least for me. It’s called Ali MacGraw – Yoga Mind & Body if you are interested in seeing it (though I am shocked to see how expensive it is now!). The scenery alone is worth watching, as it was filmed in the white sands.

So here’s the thing. I’m a flexible, relaxed, person. My body on the other hand, is not. I want to change this, gain flexibility, and of course, become healthier. Yoga has always been something I have enjoyed doing, even though I can’t even touch my toes without bending my knees.

However, photos like this are my inspiration, and I want to do these kinds of things! Doesn’t she look amazing?!

You can always do something. That’s kind of been a theme in my mind for a long time. It applies to everything, from fitness, to serving others, or even business. There is always something, no matter how small, that a person can do.

Today I am mainly thinking about it in terms of health. When you have health problems it can seem like you can’t do stuff. And sometimes you can’t do the things you once did, or do the things you want to do. But there is always something. For me it’s walking at least a mile each day (treadmill or outside), longer on days that I feel great. In this video, a wonderful lady named Ilona (who is 90 years old) talks about how she walks up the stairs everyday. What she says about it is pretty profound really, about the body getting stuck if it’s not used.

There really is always something you can do. It doesn’t have to be big to make a difference. And you certainly don’t have to be perfect! 🙂