Today our friends in Maine start their challenge to virtually trek up Mt Everest.
Be Inspired! If you’re feeling like crawling back in bed today, think of 5,000 Maine school employees who are jumping off and rocking toward healthy living as you pull the covers overhead. Be like the lobster and skedaddle back out of bed and into an exciting day where all kinds of people are inspired enough to move more, eat a little less, and decompress better from their many stressors.
You are not alone! Thousands of others are working out, walking, eating fiber, meditating, doing yoga, working on their character strengths for happiness, and trying to sleep better in our wonderful PATH Community.
To keep the fire burning, here are a couple of quick tips on making exercise a priority:
- Choose activities that you truly enjoy, and make sure you have a variety of options.
- Start with small, 100% doable goals that lead to bigger dreams.
- Make a commitment to yourself – renew it every single day (several times a day, if necessary).
- Announce your intentions to key support people who can help you stay accountable.
- Make essential equipment and clothing easily accessible.
- Map out where you’ll go and what you’ll do each day so the logistics don’t bog you down.
- Track your progress and make notes of the ways you feel different – no matter how small
- Make a plan to do activities with others.
- Reward yourself and celebrate as you go.
If you can’t think of anything to do to get you out and moving more, then just get up off your chair or couch right now and try this exercise with Olga:
Instructions:
- Start with your legs a little wider than shoulder width – comfortably wide.
- Put your hands on your hips.
- Turn your right foot out to 90 degrees and slightly edge to toe of your left foot the same direction (toward your right heel).
- Rotate your torso to the right.
- Tighten up your thighs (lifting the knee caps), your lower back and stomach.
- Exhale and bend at hips reaching your chest and head toward your right kneecap. The goal is to be able to touch the floor and rest your forehead on your shin – that’s advanced.
- Stop bending forward when you feel tension, not strain.
- Hold the pose for 30 seconds, then come back up to start and repeat on the other leg for 30 seconds.
Here’s the progression on how to get there:
This exercise, or “pose” as we call it, is named “Intense Side Stretch” in yoga. Experts say it helps loosen up the chest and shoulders, releases tension in the hips, improves balance, calms the mind, strengthens the legs, stretches the hamstrings, and improves digestion. Whew! A wonder drug? Perhaps.
It’s all better than sitting!
Let us know how you are making MOVING MORE a priority in YOUR life. See you on the PATH Ahead…