What a mountain today.

Today I did battle with a mountain and the mountain won. I was supposed to trek into some ruins, but some riding lessons, backpacking in my youth and gym workouts weren't enough preparation. I should have thoroughly researched the trek. Over 20 years ago I did battle with another mountain and lost. Today I learned as I did then to stop while I was ahead and head back to a bed. Today, I also learned that mountains and I aren't friends and that is all right. In life, it is important to be thoroughly prepared and know your limits. My limit is riding a horse down a winding narrow path. Tonight I will sleep in a bed. My traveling companion, more prepared then I, is still on the trek and I wish him a journey of health and good weather.

Wednesday's words on exercise

”A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.”― Winnie the Pooh

Truth be told.....

This morning I ran into a fellow mom on my way to the gym and when I told her where I was headed, she called me an "over achiever" and two thoughts immediately popped in my head— one, thanks for the compliment and two, it's my wrist and not my legs, so why not get back to walking the track (and my mind and body thank me).

Wednesday's words...on to do lists

"You don't need a special device to make a to-do list. You don't even need a notebook. I feel somewhat ridiculous say this, but you'd be surprised how many people say they can't get organized until they take a workshop or hire an organizer or get the proper notebook. The back of an envelope will do. And the best thing about it? WHen you're done you can get rid of it."
—from My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper by Gabrielle Reece

Gabrielle Reece Biography

Connecting to nature

At the gym this morning, I got on the Elliptical and pushed the courses button for hike through canyons in Utah and when I was done, I not only felt the rush of endorphins, but also felt a connection to nature even though I had been indoors the whole time (and this is way better then mindlessly turning on the TV function for some "cop" drama).

Accountability

Recently I have thought of accountability as a partner (i.e. someone you meet at the gym that motivates you to work out) until my daughter made a Rainbow Loom bracelet and I dubbed it the "Accountability  Bracelet" and wear it when I go to the gym to remind me that I am accountable to her to be the healthiest I can and now I am wondering what else I can be accountable to her for, so I wear it  more often (I do go to the gym or yoga 4 times a week).

The power of FOCUS

I learned something in my yoga class this morning (and not new poses)—FOCUS, since the class is 1 hour and 15 minutes and most of us do our exercise all at one time to get it done, I learned the focusing for a concentrated period of time makes you more productive, so set your timer for 1 hour, don't answer the phone and email and put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your office door and see how much more work you get done.

(Tip: For those of you in a cubicle, hang a rope at eye level across the opening and attach the sign to that. I know this works because I used it when I had a work-in-a-cubicle job.)

Tuesday's Tip: Prepare ahead

Today at the gym, a woman forgot her sneakers since she was wearing snow boots and so my advice is to pack your bag (purse or briefcase, too) the night before so you don't forget anything in the morning rush.

Tuesday's Tip: Tying your shoes

My daughter explained to me that it was best to untie sneaker before putting them on to help the shoes last longer and I knew she was eight and I also knew that there was a lesson in this tip—doing things the right way first pays off in the long run (unfortunately I got the tip on the late side and my sneakers need to be replaced, but I will take better care of the new pair).

Wednesday's words: A reason to exercise

Joan Rivers' biography

Life is short or is it?

Yesterday, I learned that a woman I went to elementary school had died and she was my age, which got me thinking that life can be short and the way to extend it is to exercise, eat right and be positive and in reality we should all be this way without a death spurning us on.

(May the memory of Sarah be for blessing.)

A big shove goes a long way....

I don't normally exercise on the weekends, but today I put on my ankle weights and took a walk in Prospect Park, since my daughter said this morning "Whoever has the largest waist has to go to the gym today" and I was it, so on my way out the door I told her thank you (sometimes you need a big push to head in the right direction).

The week's accomplishments

This week I made it to the gym four times, so I thought about my other accomplishments—strengthening the mother-daughter bond by playing hooky from work and school with my daughter, shoring up my marriage with an awesome date night and taking some me time sitting on my butt getting a manicure and what I haven't accomplished...Friday night dinner, so I better head to the kitchen.

Wednesday words: Dog walking

Tip: Ergonomic Sitting

This was handed to me on the street in NYC yesterday.

Tuesday's Tip: Remember to breath

I heard this over and over in my yoga class and it got me thinking that if we took time on several occasions during the day to "remember to breath", that is focus on our breath, we could slow down, quiet or mind and in the end be more productive—so thanks to my yoga teacher, Evalena for reminding us to "slow down."

My dad, My daughter and a golf swing....

Today when I was at the gym, I realized that one of the exercises I was doing was like a golf swing which father taught me (Thanks, Dad!) and now I am wondering if my daughter is on the Ipad for an hour plus what am I teaching her.

De-cluttering in the rain.....

A rainy day is keeping me inside and allowing me to exercise my mind by getting a lot of work and organizing done, so my brain and desk are no longer cluttered—this is an awesome feeling.

Going back in history for Tuesday's Tip

#614
If you want to find out if your bathroom scale is telling you the truth, test its accuracy by weighing a 5 or 10 pound bag of flour or sugar on it.

From 1003 Household Hints and Work Savers, copyright 1947

Another Monday with the addition of HGTV

After a productive day (gym, bank, grocery shopping and folding laundry), I set down to watch HGTV with my daughter and discuss what she believes is the sorry state  of the house to which I informed her she 8 and she informed me that she would like to have an adult conversation with Bernard, a friend and interior decorator—what are we in for when she is actually a teenager?!