Over, Under or Around

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course-

It’s always a pleasure to start the week with a beautiful message.

Especially when Melissa stops over from Sweet Wholesome Health!

Over, Under or Around

What happens in the face of adversity?  Do you give up when something (ex. an injury) holds you back from your routine?  Sometimes it’s so off-putting that all we want to do is feel bad for ourselves, throw our hands in the air and give up on everything we have worked for. We get used to our scheduled activities that keep us healthy and then a wrench is throw into the works.  It can be so hard to continue to move forward when you feel like there is something blocking your entire path.  In the past I would even convince myself that maybe it’s a sign and that I should never have been doing it in the first place.

Whether you believe in signs or not, this is not the time to give up. It is a chance to reflect, grow and adapt!

Here are some thinking points to aid you Over, Under or Around your hurdle:)

  1. Change direction.  Pivot and go down a road you always wanted to try.  Maybe it’s more yoga and less running for a while or spend time learning a new skill, building your spiritual practice or growing your relationships:)
  2. Re-evaluate your goals-  what do you want?  Has it changed?
  3. Set goals and a timeline for your recovery-  use this time to explore something, use your time in a new way and know that you have opportunity while you recover.

When something in your life throws you off … You have a choice.  You can adapt or give up.  It may seem easier at first to give up, but take some time to think about all the accomplishments you are giving up, the loss of momentum and your emotional state.  Are you feeling uncomfortable, sad and maybe depressed?  To adapt, you have to get outside the box, put thought into your next move and step up.  You might fall along the way, but you will also feel strong in your ability to be flexible, determined, and open!

Every day we should be looking for opportunities to challenge ourselves, get outside of the normal, comfortable and prepare ourselves to embrace the unknown.  Find a way to live and love your life every day no matter who or what stands in your way:)

The Plan-

The Workout-

To awaken the senses and prepare for another long week that ominously awaits us.

A brisk Walk/Trail Run/Hike … Anything outdoors.  Followed by:

A free-flowing, graceful Sun Salutation series until you find balance and your breath effortlessly carries you from movement to movement.

Notes:

We honestly cannot say thank you enough to Melissa for writing such an inspiring post, especially on a Monday.  Her message is always pure and honest … In essence the polar opposite of our abrasive and cantankerous style you have grown to love?!?  Be sure to head on over to Sweet Wholesome Health to say hello today … ENJOY!!!


Good Boy Mudd

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smarts-

There really is no need to set up this video for you this morning … Its brilliant:

Where were we?!?  Diversions!

More times than not it seems that we have forgotten all about the simple diversions in our lives that help us to decompress from our daily concerns.  For many of our Dear Readers this moment of forgetfulness can be found in at the local gym, a yoga mom class or a trail run in a nearby park.  This sacred refuge can also be found in our gardens where tilling soil can clear away the stress of a rough day.  For many others chopping up some veggies in the  kitchen sweeps away the frustrations of our nagging boss at work.  We may also find relief  chatting amongst friends one night down at the pub or out in the bright sunshine during a weekend morning walk  with a close friend.  This place may also reside on the inter-webz.  Where we can roar with laughter at a  silly pooch jumping on a trampoline.

Wherever this place is for you, peeps it is vitally important for us to go there regularly.   The more you punish yourself Running, Training, Lifting, Dieting?  The very people around you don’t get the best of you!  It very well may be  in these quiet diversions that we find peace …  Sh!t Son!!!  Did you see that dog try to do a nose-stand!?!

The Plan-

The Workout-

We were just finishing making a sandwich when you stopped over for a visit, how nice of you!

Happy Hips Warm Up followed by a nice 30 Minute Trail Run, and finishing with a Happy Hips Cool Down.

If you want to add some zing to your sammy?  Just add, oh let’s say … 100 Hard Style KB Swings after the Trail Run.

Notes:

Let these numbers marinate in the old noggin for a spell:  10k and 30 minutes.  Go ahead and say these numbers out loud at your desk … 10k, 30 minutes!

You Got Smoked By a 13 Year Old Dude?!?

To be a kid again?!?  We spend our whole entire adult lives trying to be young in body.  How about young in heart and mind?  Be well today and ENJOY!!!


Pars Pro Toto

All I want is a warm bed, a kind word and unlimited power-

Be like the tiny grass that grows
In the crevices at a giant mountain’s foot,
Be like the fragrant jasmine flower
Which fills the air with perfume sweet,
Stand like a rock if destiny cruel
Showers you with hardships, big and small,
Be sweet as rock candy to people in distress,
O naive one, just be one among all.

The Plan-

The Workout-

Something new and something fun peeps so please pay attention.  Otherwise your face will find itself in a heap.  A bloody one at that …

A rather quick and sweat inducing Warm Up of your choosing followed by:

One Arm High Planks (Hinge-Walkout to a high plank pose)

Key points- Index fingers facing straight forward in-line and directly underneath your Shoulders.  Index fingers are directly in-line with your Shoulders\Hips\Ankles.  Practice this while standing!  Your eyes remain neutral, facing forward.  Draw your breath in through your nose and tighten your midsection as you walk out (this is critical!).

Here’s the deal hot shots-  The most important bit to doing this movement initially is to practice:  Index (booger picking) fingers in-line as stated above.  Your Walk Out alignment must be spot on!

Play around with this for 15 minutes or so.  Try Superman Style (Arm forward, thumb up), Or try our preferred style: Hand on lower back with palm facing up!?!  Followed by:

Not For Time …

10 Hinge-Walkout Perfect Push Ups

10 Hard Style KB Swings (Snappy hinge peeps,  these are not squats)

250 Perfect Push Ups and 250 Swings sounds just about right.

Uncle Mo says:  You’ll only fall flat on your face once peeps!

Notes:

Redirect your attention today.  Clear your mind and thoughts while trying something new, like our super-duper engaging one arm high plank.  Challenge yourself  in a way you never have before.  And no picking out new kicks and making a play list are not challenging.  Now Fantasy Football on the other hand … Have a beautiful weekend and ENJOY!!!


Don’t You Give Up Now

The Sage knows without traveling, Sees without looking, And achieves without ado-

When was the last time you bit your tongue and took a giant step back?  Did you overhear a discussion at the pub that was patently ridiculous?  Maybe someone left a rather rude and untimely comment on your latest blog post?  What are some other situations that you finder rather hard not to intervene and say something?

Our message today: Take to heart the knowledge of things that are in our  control and those that are not.  What happened yesterday can stay there, in the past.  And who knows what will happen tomorrow … Right?!?

The Plan-

The Workout-

Find a nice comfy spot outside and give this one a go:

High Knee Skip … for a little bit

Crossovers … for just a little bit

Butt Kick Sprint … for a spell

Thread the Needle Reverse Lunge … for a fair amount of time.

When all is said and done?  Go out and do what you enjoy the most!

Notes:

Have a brilliant day and ENJOY!!!


Grappling With Forgiveness

To return to the root is to find peace. To find peace is to fulfill one’s destiny-

Long painful story made short:  In order to reach our goals we need to forgive ourselves first.  That’s it, we promise.

What happens when you set a goal for  yourself and then fail to reach it?  Run a marathon in under 2:30:00?  5k Under 20 minutes?  Go a day without forgetting something important, are just a few examples.  Failing to reach our goals happens to all of us each and every day.

For many,  simply finishing a race is not enough.  We want each and every event to be a record smashing success.  Breaking goals and records each and every time we head out of the door.  If only this was true  …

What race are you running? And what are the failures, big or small, you’re kicking around in your head this morning?  Did you have a great race this past weekend, but finished in such poor shape that you vowed never to put yourself in another similar situation again?

Over the years and through many failures along the way.  One thought rings true:  You will always have another chance, Next weekend, next month and hopefully next year.  If you’re facing a recent failure learn to accept and forgive yourself first (Lance Armstrong is a prime example) .

There is no good reason to punish yourself after a failure, no matter what it may be.  Forgive and take the next step forward.

**We originally had penned a really nasty post brim full of seething words aimed at this whole Lance Armstrong debacle.  Remember:  Write drunk – Edit sober … **

The Plan-

The Workout-

A nice quick Warm Up consisting of either a Pulse Trail Run or Hill Sprints?

25 Hardstyle KB Swings (heavy – ish)
Cartwheels (To each side)
Standing Broad Jumps (Full and Open Hip Activation)

Lets try to keep this program going for 30 minutes shale we?

Notes:

Forgive and move forward.  Hey, sometimes it’s rather hard to forgive ourselves … Totally normal peeps!  Have a great day today and ENJOY!!!