Tai Chi and Me

I did 30 minutes of Tai Chi today, and I'm pleasantly surprised that my back is feeling better. I've had lower back problems since I was a youth when I first injured my back. I pulled some lower back muscles again this past Tuesday doing a simple task...reaching down to get the nightlight out of the outlet in my child's room. I didn't pull it as severely as I have on previous occasions, but it still incapacitated me for the most part, on the second day particularly. I've felt better today in general since my back has had sufficient rest and I had been using my Better Binder to support my back and weak abs (they split during my 4th pregnancy). I was able to do so much more today, but I still needed to lay down a few times to rest my muscles so they wouldn't rebel on me. I felt impressed and motivated that I should try out my new DVD: Tai Chi Flow for EveryBody. I've had it for a few weeks, and I just seemed too busy to do it. Well, today was the day to try it. I went into it telling myself that I would be cautious and listen to my body. Gratefully, Tai Chi is slow moving and easy on every part of the body. There was a couple of movements that I was extremely gentle with or altered for by back.

I love Carolyn Cooper's explanation of how Tai Chi is connected to our body's different energy systems. I came away from my experience feeling much stronger and looser in my back. I didn't feel so tight and in pain. I love learning about and enacting changes to my energy systems!

If you're looking for a non-heavy breathing, seemingly light workout for your muscles and mind, I highly recommend Tai Chi. I'll try and report back here my experiences and how it's helped me.

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Other things I've done today:

• 10 Kegel exercises - I need to remember this simple thing every day
  
• Drank 4 cups of green smoothie and lots of water
  
• Ate lots of yummy, healthy Watermelon
  
• Hugged my kids
  
• Updated my blogs
  
• Had a few minutes of quiet time
  
• Read Fablehaven - book 1
  
• Kissed my husband and went on a date
  
• Stayed up insanely late trying to get my two-year old to get him to sleep

Summer

What I love about summer...

...eating cold watermelon and watching my kids let it drip down their chins
...all the summer fruits to eat and preserve
...watching the kids run through the sprinklers
...hearing my kids' squeals of absolute joy
...long summer nights where the sun finally goes down after nine
...watching the plants in my garden thrive
...picking raspberries from my own bushes
...making trips to the library with my kids for books to keep us occupied on really hot days
...my a/c that keeps us cool and comfortable
...day trips with my family to enjoy places outside of home
...walking in my home after being on one of those day trips and lounging around until dinner time
...learning new things with the children and not being on a schedule imposed by others
...holding hands and watching the sun set with my sweetheart
...relaxing under the stars and enjoying a quiet evening after the kids go to bed
...seeing my kids asleep after an exhaustingly fun day and know they'll be ready for it all again tomorrow



I posted the above on my family blog, but I thought it would be fun to share here too. I find it difficult some summer days to get up and get going because of the heat. Doing exercise, for me, is best when the sun isn't up yet or has just gone down. I tend to stay close to home when I exercise, but being indoors makes me feel cooped up. I love to be able to see what is outside of my own walls. What place(s) have you found that best suits your exercising outside of your house? Do you have an exercise partner that goes with you? How do you keep up your exercise routines in the heat?

Five Gratefuls

Because I need to remind myself often of what I'm grateful for to stay positive and put my situation in perspective, I'm sharing a few with you here:

1) I am grateful that God gave me an amazing body that can heal itself when I allow it to.
2) I am grateful that my body is very forgiving.
3) I am grateful that I have a strong body and spirit.
4) I am grateful that I have the power, with God's help, to break the chains of my addictions.
5) I am grateful for the support system of people who love me and cheer me on, no matter what!

Still plugging along

I managed to gain pounds back. I let it really get to me for a while, but I'm again in the mindset of literally letting it all go. I am slender, fit, trim, and active!!!!

I lost 2 pounds since last Wednesday. I went walking the last 4 days, not including today, and boy do my calves hurt. I like having the hills in my neighborhood for an extra challenge, so I'll push through the pain (within reason!) and keep going. I'm so excited for the future and to have the body I truly want to have!

Ick

I've made some not so good choices this week in my eating. I only went walked on Monday morning. I've been busy, busy with my kids and our homeschool activities (I'm not sitting down all day), but I could use more exercise nonetheless.

My stomach is not feeling well today. I'm not sure if it's a "bug" or just something I ate yesterday. I'm hoping whatever is causing it is short-lived.

On a good note, my sister-in-law should be having her first baby today or tomorrow. They're inducing her due to her doctor's recommendation, but the baby will be here soon. We haven't had a new baby in the family since my youngest was born about 26 months ago. I'm excited for her and her husband!

Day 5

I didn't walk Thursday or Friday. I just couldn't get myself to do it. I think my body is fighting a cold. I've been so tired lately...and no, I'm not pregnant. :D I'm still going to keep trying even if I need to take small steps at a time. I'm getting nutritious foods in my body for the most part. I need to work on my water intake. My sweetheart, David, makes sure I get a green smoothie every day. That's 3-4 cups of liquid a day at least. I do drink water throughout the day, but usually only when I'm thirsty. I need to change that and step it up a bit. My no-refined sugar diet is still going strong.

Walked: 28 minutes
Ran: 2 minutes

I walked outside today near my home. It was a bit chilly, but the sun was shining. It was beautiful! Oh, and there's nothing like listening to her while walking. ;)

I'm grateful to be exercising again. That's been a huge hurdle I just had to jump over.