The holiday season is now in full swing and that entails Thanksgiving, holiday work parties, friend bashes and of course the night of all gluttony and sin (Not Mardi Gras), New Year’s Eve. You don’t have to watch infromercials at three in the morning to know that physical fitness, exercise and diets are the buzz words for this and every holiday season.

Of course once the clock hits midnight and we all literally feel like pumpkins, we break out the good pens and script the news years resolution that tend to last on average two to four weeks. I know some of you are nodding your heads and holding them up proud knowing you kept your resolutions in tact. You keep telling yourself that.

After all the abs rollers are worn out and the running shoes are hung up to dry don’t lose focus on the most important part of your body, your mind.

Mental exercise and therapy are often overlooked. Many are stressed with the many trials and tribulations we are undergoing with the recession, health concerns, military deployment and excessive work hours. We are all human. We all can undergo a tremendous amount of stress but in the end, stress will always win over us.

This is a reminder to everyone young and old. Take time to relax. Listen to some quiet music, light candles, read a book you have been putting off, take a vacation by yourself and find some inner peace. Do not let work take over you. It will be there when you come back. Be careful and exercise your mind with stimulation, comfort and challenge but have fun with it.

This public broadcast message was brought to you by the Letter “P” and by the fine residents of Sesame Street.

I have come across some clients that complain about headaches during or after the massage. The main reason why this happens is because of dehydration. The massage acts as a diuretic, which flushes the water out of the system. Therefore I often advise my clients to drink ample of water either before or after the massage. You can know that you’ve had enough water when the urine is more watery than yellow, or if you go to the washroom at least 2-3 times after a massage. Furthermore, alcohol is a strict no-no before, during, or after a massage as it acts as a dehydrating agent.

If the headache stays for a day or two, its okay, but if it stays for a longer time like 3-4 days, you must see a medical practitioner. Prolonged headache could be a matter of serious concern. The headache might occur because of mental pressure or migraine.

If you feel that the massage therapist is applying too much pressure, you should exercise the option to either slow down the massage, or stop it entirely. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any problems that you faced during a massage, please post it below in the comments section.

The Massage Guru

I had yesterday off, and it was a weird sort of day. So depressed about the weather, I didn’t really enjoy myself fully. I did end up disposing of about 5 supermarket bags of magazines and tidied up the spare room. I also finished Jane Eyre. I didn’t have the patience to read it “properly” as in understanding every last sentence but I did enjoy it. I haven’t yet started on the Wide Sargasso Sea.

Today was just as depressing heading off to work – although by some miracle it has stopped raining this evening. I am wagging bellydancing - I don’t want to endure the endless rehearsals of our choreo plus I feel on the verge of a headache. Instead I came home and lay down and did a relaxation exercise. S is still doing the same – I hope it helps him. He has been driving me nuts with his constant whining about a couple of health problems at the moment, and I am not being very sympathetic - perhaps outwardly I am but inwardly its been driving me crazy. Anyway courtesy of music (Goddess by Troika) and aromatherapy (clary sage, lavender, melissa) I am feeling saner just now than I have in days. Not sure how long it will last.

A friend I haven’t heard from in ages emailed today and started his message off with “summer greetings” and “Don’t you feel that the wind and rain get just that little bit warmer when summer descends? The flooding in the garden certainly has a more mediterranean feel…… ” It gave me a good laugh. We don’t do very well at keeping in touch with R+S through the year, will try and do better I think.

Let me show you through these lines the importance of an assessment.

A fitness assessment is a systematic problem-solving method that provides basic information which can be use for making educated decisions about the progression of the aging process and its impact on your future health, decisions about appropriate exercises, therapy, treatment, or diet. In addition, gives insight information into past, present, and perhaps your future as well as covering present habits, hobbies, movement abilities, and past and present medical history. All of this information, is essential, to have a clear understanding of the current physical structure and function of your body.

In my practice, I have noticed that many elderly clients typically exhibit five or more chronic degenerative conditions. On the physiological aspect of their lives this may tend to shy away from the remedies (such a resistance training) out of fear injury or feelings of inadequacy. However, there are studies that show a great deal of promise for musculoskeletal regeneration. Musculoskeletal degeneration may not be entirely age-related, and therefore, it is believed that certain measures can be taken to prevent progression to functional immobility. Also, it has been show that many of the structural deficits that create this lack on functional capacity (loss of muscle strength and diminished proprioception) slowed down through training and sometimes can even be reversed.

But, guess what? Simply incorporating a properly structured and monitored exercise program can have a dramatic impact on the overall of your heath, change your well being and daily life and avoid an elderly time full of chronic degenerative conditions.

To understand the needs and specific problems of the individual before training a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) helps to determine and qualify a person for the kinds and levels of activity that they may be exposed to. Low to moderate to high activity levels may be indicated.

The PAR-Q aids in identifying people for whom certain activities may not be appropriate or who may need further medical attention. Identifying the quality of movement, such as simple joint rotation (shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles) will provide important information about a person’s functional capacity, and quality of movement as well. There are a great variety of assessments to determinate physical capacity including squats, sitting and standing from a seated position, or a single-leg stance, etc. It is important to understand that a fitness assessment is not designed to diagnose any condition, but rather to observe the individual structural and functional status.

Perhaps you should check throughout your variables (personal needs, money, location, time, etc) and find out the best help you can get: personal training, physical therapy, spas, therapy clinics, books, videos, etc. The important thing to get better is the commitment to educate yourself.

About Pedro Osses

Ex Olympic Athlete (Tae Kwon Do – 5° Dan), professional licensed by the National Academy of Sports Medicine of the United States, and active member of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA).

I know from being on my feet all day that your feet and legs can get very tired by the end of the day.

I’ve given this information out but never as an answer.  I’ve been telling clients to do this move to help relax their legs and feet.

It’s basically lying on the floor with your butt up against a wall and your feet up in the air resting on the wall.

PLace your feet on the wall while your lying down in front of it (face up – supine).  Walk your feet up the wall until your lower back is flat on the floor and your legs are up as high as you can get them.

Hold this position for about 10 – 15 minutes and then slowly come down and wait a few minutes and return back up if your think you need to.

For more information like this log onto my web site at www.CustomFitness.ca and sign up for our complimentary monthly Health & Fitness E-Journal.

Top Ten Relaxation Tips to Sooth your Mind and Body during the Holiday Season

During the holidays we are often surrounded with images of people who are happy, in love and enjoying the whirlwind of their lives. However, in reality this time of year can be tiring or bring up painful feelings. Wouldn’t it be nice to get through the season with just a little less stress and a few more moments and calm and peace? The following tips are designed to help you find relaxation during this busy time and also to improve how you are thinking or feeling about the moment and the season.
1. Find Meaning in the Season. Find or reconnect to a purpose, meaning or value during the season. Focus on the positive aspects of the holidays and the season.
2. Muscle relaxation: After a day on your feet, shopping, partying or otherwise extolling holiday cheer sit down and relax your muscles by tensing and relaxing each large muscle group, starting with your hands and arms, going to your head and then working down.
3. Do only One Thing in the moment: Doing just one thing can give you time to settle down in the midst of a frantic or chaotic day. Focus your entire attention on what you are doing now. Let go of the mental list making, worrying, party planning, etc. Put your mind in the present and focus your entire attention on physical sensations, such as walking, washing dishes, or decorating.
4. Give yourself a Vacation: You don’t need to go to Bermuda to take a vacation this time of year. Give yourself a brief break from all the hubbub. Get in bed and pull the covers over your head. Take 15 minutes to immerse yourself in your favorite book, take a long bath, ask your husband to make you dinner, or wrap up in a comfy blanket and watch your favorite movie.
5. Contribute: Contributing can give a sense of meaning and make you feel good about yourself. Give something to someone else, do volunteer work or do a surprising, thoughtful thing.
6. If you’re feeling down, do something Opposite to how you feel. Let’s face it, if your life isn’t picture perfect the holidays can bring up sadness, regrets and other painful emotions. Change your mood and how you’re feeling by engaging activities that are opposite to how you are feeling. Read emotional books,listen to emotional music or go to emotional movies. If you’re down, do something upbeat like call a friend, buy gifts, exercise, flirt with your husband, go out to dinner, take your children someplace special, say “I love you” or think of something you did well.
7. Self Soothe with Taste: Instead of going to a holiday party and grazing on appetizers without really tasting anything, choose one and slow down and really taste it. Or at home have a good meal or favorite soothing drink. Really taste the food or drink.
8. Comfort yourself: Do something nurturing, gentle and kind for yourself. Look outside at nature or at some beautiful decorations, listen to music that you find particularly soothing or sing your favorite songs. Surround yourself with soothing comforting smells, like the smell of pine, cookies baking or cinnamon. Massage your feet, put on a silky blouse or scarf or hug someone.
9. Deep Breathing: Lie on your back, breathing evenly and gently. Focus your attention on your breath, coming in and out and the movement of your stomach. As your breath in, allow your stomach to rise. Exhale fully pushing all the air out of your lungs. Continue for 10 breaths.
10. Clean the house: The holidays often bring extra chores and cleaning. Use them as an opportunity to self soothe, rather than as an additional stress. Divide your work into stages: straightening things and putting them away,then scrubbing and cleaning. Allow a good length of time for each task. Move slowly (3 times more slowly than usual) and focus your attention fully on each task. Maintain awareness of your actions and your thoughts if they wander. Bring them back to full attention on the task at hand.

a nice relaxing night!

My iPhone is my constant companion.

In a recent email survey at the office a question was asked “what would you take with you if you were on a desert Island” and nearly everyone replied  that I would take my iPhone (apart from my mum who said I would take “socks”.

It’s a fantastic tool, however, I find that the iPhone generally adds to the stress in my busy life.  Now anytime can be work time; there are always emails to respond to, the Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn to catch up on, and blogs to read. Instead of reaching the, perhaps obvious, conclusion of putting my iPhone away occasionally, I set out to see if the iPhone could actually help me relax.
Here are the best apps out there to de-stress with your favorite mobile device — of course putting the iPhone away may actually be better for your mental health.

1. Yoga Relax
I’ve heard that yoga is great for relaxing, but have never made it to a single class. This iPhone app is great for those who’d rather try out yoga in the comfort of their own home. For one, the sequence included in this app is actually possible for the yoga novice (i.e., me) to accomplish and did help me to relax at the end of the night. The visuals are beautiful and the audio explains what you should be doing so you don’t have to always be looking at the screen.

2. iZen Garden
I have to admit when I first saw this game I thought it would be dull. I was pretty sure any relaxing elements of a zen garden could not be transported to the iPhone. However, I have to admit I was wrong. It’s surprisingly satisfying to virtually rake my zen garden and reset by shaking my phone. iZen Garden has all the benefits of a zen garden with no sand on your desk; it’s clearly a win-win situation.
I also love how incredibly customizable this app is – you can change rake width and depth, rock shape and size, and add other elements to your zen garden. Personally, I found that the lite version has plenty of features, but if you just can’t get enough.

3. Gratitude Journal
Okay, so I know keeping a gratitude journal sounds incredibly cheesy. But, scientific studies show that people who are grateful and/or keep gratitude journals are less stressed, happier, and more likely to achieve their personal goals. With results like those I’m willing to put up with feeling a little silly.
The Gratitude Journal app is the perfect thing for the beginning journal keeper. I’ve been keeping one for three months now, and its bullet point format makes being grateful easy to fit into a busy schedule. Also, you can add a picture to your entries and export them. Of course, you could always decide to forget about being positive and keep a journal of grudges instead (I won’t tell).

4. MyMeditation
Both yoga and meditation have been shown to actually change our genes’ response to stress (in a good way). You certainly don’t need an iPhone app to meditate, but I found MyMeditation helpful even if simply as a reminder as you’re looking at your iPhone screen.
My Meditation has a timer, so you can set how long you’d like to meditate for and also has background sound that’s aimed at guiding your breath. It’s relaxing, simple, and a no-brainer as the lite version is free. If you’d like more control over breath counts and music you can upgrade to the paid version for $2.99

5. ZenBound
If you’re not really the meditating kind, this game is the next best thing. Despite playing in my loud office, I was instantly transported to a world where for some reason my goal was wrapping rope around objects. The concept sounds silly, but once you try the app, you’ll understand why I’m recommending it.
I have never seen an iPhone app that was so suited to the iPhone itself. The game looks beautiful, the sounds are immersive, and the gameplay is seamless — it fires on all cylinders to deliver an amazing, and relaxing experience.

So thats it… my top five applications to help you relax.  On top of these, I listen to various podcasts and audio books.

If you have found any iPhone apps that are great for relaxing, then please feel free to share it with me in the comment box below.

So did you torture yourself and actually get on a scale after all that food? Sure hope not. Scales are not only inaccurate, they’re also discouraging. Don’t believe me? Get on the scale first thing in the morning, then mid-day, then right before bed. Your weight will be different every time. All in the span of maybe 16 hours. Scales. Total illusion.

Don’t do it. Back when I was a Personal Trainer, the first thing I’d tell my clients (especially the ladies..who seemed to be completely obsessed with this weight thing) was THROW IT OUT! Or give it to the Goodwill. Just get it out of your house. You don’t need it, it won’t help you, and it’s essential for you to see your training from a different perspective.

Did they? Not all of them. But I can tell ya this: the ones who did always had better results in a much shorter time. Why? Because they got it. Not at first. But eventually. Here’s the deal:

It’s not about your weight. It’s about size…and how you FEEL. Point in fact: if you were to train with me (or any other good trainer) and begin to build muscle mass, you’d actually WEIGH MORE. Oh yes  you would. Cuz muscle weighs more than fat (in terms of size). What I mean is, if you took a chunk of fat the size of a grapefruit, and a chunk of muscle of the same size, the muscle ‘grapefruit’ is going to weigh more than the fat one. So, weighing yourself when you’re trying to lose weight is totally self-defeating. Anyway…kinda got off subject here…

What I was about to say was that I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving festivities and didn’t get all bound up in that guilt crap. Like I said earlier…forget the calories. Now we’ve got several weeks before all the Christmas and New Year’s Day festivities begin…more parties, more food, more drink. More (gulp!) calories. So how are you going to move through all this without gettin’ yourself all in a tizzy?

Here’s a little suggestion: Every day, from now until the parties are over, start eating more frequently in smaller portions. If you’re one of those who eats 3 times a day, start eating 6 times a day. More frequently…SMALLER PORTIONS. Here’s what’ll happen: your body is going to crank up its metabolism. It’s going to start burning more efficiently. It’s going to process the food you eat faster than when you’re only eating 3 times a day. Because…it can only process so much at one time anyway. Did you know that? If you eat, say, 1000 calories in one sitting, your body is likely to actually USE about 600 of those calories (depending on your body, and how much you move your butt during the day). So where do the rest of those calories go? You guessed it. They get STORED. Stored = fat. Unless, of course, you happen to be into hard-core resistance training, in which case some of it will be turned into muscle. But let’s not get off track again..

Eat more often in smaller quanities and drink more water. (you’ll be amazed how much better your body runs when you do). Stay off the scale. And for Pete’s sake…quit worrying about what’s coming. This is not the time of year to be doing a major make-over…nor is it the time to add even more stress to an already stress-filled ’season’. Stress also messes with your metabolism (bet ya didn’t know that either). The more stressed you are, the harder it is for your body to process the food you’re eating. Cuz it’s too busy tryin’ not to have a freakin’ heart attack. So then….to recap:

Eat more frequently.

Eat smaller portions.

Drink more water.

Quit stressin’.

ENJOY YOURSELF!

End of lecture.

My goal as a teacher of Tantra and as a sacred sex educator is primarily to help people come back to their innate, inbuilt sense of knowing; to help them uncover the wisdom about love and sex that their bodies, hearts and souls already have. This is actually not hard to do at all. It’s usually a very exciting life affirming, and sweet process. We just have to slow down a bit & enjoy the ride…

Tantra leads to better sex and more intimacy, but also it’s a way to find a deeper connection with your own inner essence. It’s a spiritual journey of opening to the divine. Learning about love is an adventure, an adventure that’s probably one of the most exciting, rewarding, and worthwhile experiences on Earth! 

Excerpted from “Sex for the Soul,” an Audio Home Study Course on Tantric Sex

Thinking of a system that works best for you will be a task to itself.  First, you have to make a list of all your daily or weekly tasks, and the number of hours you have to accomplish each one of them.  Another tip is to start with the most important or immediate tasks.  In doing your schedule, you ought to leave enough time for rest and relaxation. 

You can revise your system if it doesn’t work.  As you get comfortable with it, you will be surprised at how much you can accomplish.  You will become organized and time-efficient.  Of course,  it will not guarantee that you can accomplish all the tasks that have been assigned for a given day.  A few taskmasters are really tyrants in disguise, but don’t say that to their faces. 

For all you know, they might be doing you a favor.  Being trusted to do something is another way of saying that you’re capable of accomplishing the task.  And gradually being assigned more difficult tasks implies that your skills and abilities are getting better.

While you are still  a high school freshman, it is wise that you develop a system this early.  In school, you’ll have tons of academic works, and extracurricular activities on top of the chores your folks will make you do at home. 

Many of these are exciting:  a funny role in a theatrical play, being a scout leader, etc.  But you might find a few that you’d rather let somebody else do.  In the end, however, you might still need to accomplish them just the same.  Systematizing all you tasks will not only make them easier;  you’ll more likely even do them better.

today i have been blessed with peace and quiet! i had a lovely lie in til about half 10 then just got up and lazed about the house! had a shower and got ready then got my eyebrows waxed and then came home again and watched some daytime tv while writing out text msgs from my survey about conducting! then went to visit my granny and then just spent then night in with my mum and dad!!

gettin an early night ready for probably a fairly busy day in work tomoro! the lights are being turned on in ballyclare…by…scooby doo!! woopwoop!!

anyways…its been a good friday!

greensleeves…goin to bed with a smile on her face!

Spirituality and personal well-being

Many cultures practice prayer and spiritual rituals and believe it affects their health (for example Christianity).

Spirituality plays a central role in self-help movements such as Alcoholics Anonymous: “…if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead….”

If spirituality is understood as the search for or the development of inner peace or the foundations of happiness, then spiritual practice of some kind is essential for personal well being. This activity may or may not include belief in supernatural beings. If one has such a belief and feels that relationship to such beings is the foundation of happiness then spiritual practice will be pursued on that basis: if one has no such belief spiritual practice is still essential for the management and understanding of thoughts and emotions which otherwise prevent happiness. Many techniques and practices developed and explored in religious contexts, such as meditation, are immensely valuable in themselves as skills for managing health and aspects of the inner life.

In my opinion, the best way to follow me here, is also the way I want you to approach sex:  Relax, don’t think too much! Just feel, sense and breathe. Let my words sink into that deeper part of you that knows intuitively how to use what I’m saying for the most pleasure, the greatest joy and your highest good.

When we relax deeply enough, when we drop inward into who we truly are, we will experience our inherent well being and power. Without having to do anything to get there, when we allow space and silence, we will feel the benevolent, joyful, loving nature of the universe.

Sex is a great way to help us relax into that effortless natural state and so is meditation. Both paths are equally valid. These postings are about the first path, about learning how to allow our sexual nature to take us to the divine.

Excerpted from “Sex for the Soul,” an Audio Home Study Course on Tantric Sex

Having a day off means my alarm goes off at 8A.M. instead of 6A.M. I get to lie in bed for a few extra minutes, wishing I could sleep til 10. I stay in sweatpants and wear a flannel shirt that’s a hand-me-down from my father. I turn on the music and it stays on for hours as I move about the house.

I try a new pancake recipe, and breakfast goes onto my plate already nibbled. I do all the dishes after I eat, which I never have time for when I’m running to catch the bus.

The Rock Band overhead starts at 9:45A.M. By 10:15 I’ve decided that if you can’t beat em, join in, and head upstairs for the free concert. I really do have a lot to do, but….

…

It really was a quiet, slow day. I needed one. I have a lot that I need to get done, but sometimes taking some time to relax is important too. We watched an Arnold Schwarzenegger flick, which was a silly Bond imitation but redeemably funny. I finally got to catch up a bit with family and friends via Skype and cell phone. I love my job, but not having the time to be in regular communication with my friends and family makes me more aware of how few friends I’ve made locally. Hopefully I can rectify that soon.

My body is stuck in the rhythms of my workday, so I’ve been getting steadily tired since 3P.M. Leaves me completely uncertain what I did with my day. Hopefully I’ll get a good night’s sleep and feel more rested tomorrow. I really do have to get some things done tomorrow.

young woman jumping in the air

young woman jumping in the air

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the whole of thursday was spent somewhat lazily. not that i was not using my time well, i just didn’t study because i had A DAY OFF! *beams* spent time with my mummy the whole day. got picked up from hall, where i stashed some clothes into her car so as to start the “moving back” for the holidays. then we went to Wessex Village near one-north to find this little cafe that’s supposedly to have really good reviews called “Colbar”. unfortunately, it seems that westerners don’t really have good taste for cafe food. i think the food was quite horrid. or maybe it was because we were the first customers for the day? hopefully if i ever go back, they’ll cook something to save their name.

then went down to hollandV to get some banking issues settled. not really optimistic about certain things right now because there’s not many good deals. hah. but at least that’s one thing off my mind for now. and we bought a christmas tree! (: yeyness. christmas is coming already. seems so soon. sighs. it’s gonna be december in a couple of days and the year’s gonna end. time flies so fast, and that’s just an understatement. had a little lunch at crystal jade’s la mian xiao long bao. did a little more shopping for other random things, ate some traditional dessert and then got sent back to hall.

upon return, i bathed, facebooked somewhat and then fell asleep till about 12mn. hah. and now, it’s a new day at 2:35am. sighs. i’m gonna finish two lectures and then get some rest. wake up at 12nn and continue trying to study. as you can see, the day was what i called relaxing, because I FINALLY GOT OUT OF CAMPUS GROUNDS! like, finally. it’s torturous staying here all week long, but i need to study and this is the most conducive place to do so.

and the whole thing that really made my day was that when i started the day, I SAW HIM! but i pretended not to. but just seeing him made me really happy because i thought that i wouldn’t get to do so until like zomg, next year? i wish the two people in the picture were me and him, lazing together on the beach. hah. but that’s about all i’m gonna be happy for right now. because i still have two more papers and one facilitation camp to go.

& then it’s Phuket and holidays for the rest of the “winter” break! <3
plus, CHRISTMAS is coming and i can’t wait! present shopping time!
i wonder why christmas is associated with red & green though…

Glynn House Inn: Guest Comments – Kila, Jason & Lexie

It breaks my heart to leave. My family was in need of rest and relaxation and we got so much more. The Glynn House epitomizes New England’s charm and hospitality. We will be back sooner rather than later. Thank you Glenn, Pamela and Ingrid for your recommendations and taking such great care of us…. we feel as if we are part of your family.

Sincerely yours,

Kila, Jason and Lexie (the golden retriever) Mantell

Commack, NY

August 3rd

Just looking at these pictures gives me a nice shiver in my toes.

I need it. Lord knows I need it.

A tan, massages, clean sand between the toes, surrounding myself with absolute beauty, propping up my feet with an icy cold cosmo/mojito/mango smoothie as the sun sets, and thinking about nothing, nothing at all, except maybe where to get the next useless trinket for my friends or which bbq hut to grab dinner from.

They say sometimes paradise comes in the form of an unspoilt shimmery white island. Can’t wait.

Dictionary.com defines restoration as the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment; a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition; a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.

I for one could use a little restoration. My body doesn’t look or act like it did when I was 20. It has been somewhat neglected over the years. I plead a lack of time, and I confess to a lack of self-discipline. No time to shop for and prepare really nourishing food, no time or self-discipline to exercise properly, no time or self-discipline for meditation, and on and on. I also blame addictions. I am addicted to sugar at this point in my life. For that matter, I think I’ve been addicted to sugar my ENTIRE life. If I were a car, I would have died on the side of the road a long time ago. Sugar in the fuel tank isn’t a good thing.

A little over a year ago, I began a journey toward my own personal restoration. I had (and still have) a great job with good pay and good benefits, yet I felt as though I was burned out. I wasn’t using my talents the way I once did. The feeling of value and fulfillment just wasn’t happening. Since I thrive on being helpful and valued, this further contributed to the deterioration of my well-being. And so, on a whim, I started massage therapy school. While the nutritional side of things continued its downhill spiral, the feeling that I had something of value to offer others, something they needed desperately from me, blossomed. I began to feel alive again.

Along the way, we had an opportunity to purchase a 75 year old two bedroom cottage on an acre of land adjacent to our little farm. The little house faithfully provided shelter for its residents for those many years. Unfortunately, it was well beyond time for some much needed TLC. The little house was on life support for all practical purposes. My sweet husband and I looked at it with the eyes of pathetic idealists and began dreaming of its restoration. We talked about things we would do when we had the opportunity. Last May I recognized that opportunity. This little house would be my wellness center…my little massage studio. And so the restoration process began.

An old garage was disassembled and parts given new purpose elsewhere on our property. Some dead trees were amputated. The front yard was hardly a yard, and so it got a major facelift complete with new grass, bushes, and and herbal flower mix. By summer’s end, the yard was beautiful.

Our renters moved out by labor day and the labor really began. We decided that one of the bedrooms could be salvaged and restored quickly for use as my initial massage treatment room. However, the bathroom area, kitchen, and the other bedroom would have to be gutted. Money (or should I say credit cards) had to be stretched, and the proceeds from my massage services would be reinvested into the project as much as possible.

Restoring just one room and a half bath has proven both expensive and exhausting, yet it has been worth it. My husband and I have done all of the work ourselves. The massage therapy room is beautiful. Its decorations and energy are so relaxing and life supporting. The hardwood floors with their nicks and dings and squeaks are a lasting testimony to the family legacy and the memories contained in the old house. The rest of the house is patiently waiting its transformation to full restoration.

As I think about the the work that has gone into restoring my little wellness center, as well as the mountain of work that remains, it reminds me of how often we let our bodies ever so gradually slide into a state of deterioration. One day we wake up and realize that things aren’t working as well as they used to work. Body parts creak and crackle and ache. The core foundation (our gut) has sprawled and weakened. Our muscles have seized in places causing constant pain. Energy doesn’t flow like it once did, and we begin to watch life from the sidelines instead of participating fully. We then wait for the day when our bodies cease to be useful and we sit helpless as the proverbial wrecking ball moves closer into our space. Not a pretty picture, is it?

Yet just as my little wellness house has begun to experienced “ restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment; a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition; a putting back into a former position, dignity…”, so too can our bodies experience the same restoration. Our bodies have an amazing capacity to heal themselves with proper support. It is possible to clean out the engine and the fuel tank and replace the fuel with that which is designed to help us run leaner, cleaner, and better. Electrical systems can be re-established and damaged energy highways cleared of congestion. Muscles can be softened, gently stretched, and made strong again. Just as a 75 year old house can be given new life, so too can a worn out body be improved.

Restoration isn’t about going back in time. It’s about breathing in new life. Restoration doesn’t come cheap or easy. It requires tremendous effort and commitment. It’s certainly less time consuming and more economical to keep a structure in top shape than it is to go the restoration route. Yet restoration is possible, and through commitment to restoration, amazing things can happen.

The holidays are upon us and as usually happens this time of year, self-evaluation is in the air. It is a great opportunity to take a look at ourselves and make a decision….a commitment….to restoration. Something may have to shift a bit to make room for restoration. It may mean trading some TV time for workout time. It may mean giving up a daily soft drink to pay for a much needed massage. It may mean leaving work at closing time instead of taking it home or extending work hours beyond what is required. It could even mean a radical change in lifestyle to support new goals and desires. Dream big. Be an idealist. We’ve got an amazing “house” that’s asking for some restoration.

If your body and mind restoration plans include relaxation and improving the way your body works, I trust that you will take a look at the Superior Performance difference. Stop by the Superior Performance Wellness Center and see its potential. If you like what you see, as I believe you will, I encourage you to join me and my little wellness house on the path to restoration.

May this holiday season bring you much joy and a renewed commitment to care for yourself as much as you care for others.

Today I woke up to some Kashi Crunch cereal, plain Oikos Greek yogurt, and a little protein powder.

And left to workout, when I got home I had some lentil soup, with a multi grain cracker flat.

Today I met my friend S.R and we hung around the mall for awhile “black Friday = intense madness at the mall”. And went to see a movie, 2012 it is!

I enjoyed a nice cup a Joe from Nordstroms cafe, yes a department store with a cafe. The coffee however was a little strong for my liking but was better than any 7/11 coffee.

My 2012 review…

I’m not a movie critic, but I think I could give an honest opinion on the movie. I think they rushed the beginning, they made 3 years pass in a matter of 10mins, way to fast! And since when does the world sink after a few slight cracks? I don’t want to ruin the movie for you so ill let you decide for yourself. My rating 6/10.

A place I do want to try…

Pizza Fusion, 100% organic multi grain pizzas. Sounds good enough for me!

Thanksgiving breakfast was a crack “peanut butter” sandwich, with honey and a mini luna bar. Peanut butter& co makes peanut butter taste so good that its hard not to devour the whole jar in one sitting, I sometime hate buying it because of that very reason. However my breakfast of champions was very good and I was off to run a turkey trot in North Park

While waiting for the race to start many people bet life savings, cars, stock money, etc on me winning 1st place.

unfortunately the competition was a little harder than expected, and I took 2nd. Sorry for those who bet everything they had to live for! lol…

I had a 4.5mile finishing time of 29mins! I wanted to get under 30 and I did, so I’m thrilled!

After the run I snacked on a fullbar, pretty much a glorified rice cake. It kept me full up until thanksgiving dinner so I’m happy.

It even killed my craving for some of the delicious post-race snacks they had inside the boathouse. Who ever had one of those cinnamon rolls I want your feedback! Looked so worth the calories!

After thanksgiving dinner my family and I made a gingerbread house!

Which turned out awesome!

And crushed awesome, some for everyone!

Thanksgiving day was a blast, and today’s lesson is… Be thankful for everything, even if you dont make 1st in a race, be number 1 at work, or receive a perfect report card. Because being thankful for what you have is what thanksgivings about.