In case you're feeling the winter-blues like I was, you made need a little reminder to bring ya back. So, switch it up, try something new, and remember, fitness is supposed to be fun!
I tried a new class at my gym called Body Flow (another one by the fabulous Les Mills.) After months of being a little too skeptical about the class or too busy to find the time (ok, you could call it lazy...) I decided to give it a try. After just one class, I was HOOKED! It’s a combination of Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates (I like to think of it as “Yoga for those who have a little trouble focusing,” because you’re in, you’re stretching, your moving, you’re flowing, you’re listening to good music, and, before you know it, you're done, feeling longer and leaner!) Discovering this new class reminded me how fun fitness can and should be; especially varying your workouts, challenging yourself to try new things, allowing yourself the time to do so, and doing more of the things you really enjoy. I challenge you to try a new workout this month too, you may just find yourself hooked!
Secondly, I discovered acupuncture and got my runner’s high back! Way back when, I decided to give my knees and body a little break from running. Summer was ending, fall was starting, the pain was getting worse, and taking a little running hiatus didn't seem like such a bad idea. One week, maybe two and I figured I'd be good as new!
...Summer turned to fall and fall turned to winter and still, I was feeling like the left side of my body belonged to an 90 year-old woman while the right side was good, strong, and capable. As you can imagine, I was totally unbalanced, physically and mentally. Five months after deciding to take a couple of weeks off, I'd had enough. I missed my runner’s high!
I decided to try something different; going to see a chiropractor, who guaranteed to "make me better," yay!! All I had to do was show up three times a week for the unforeseeable future. I was hopeful, so I did just that. And five weeks later, what did I notice? Nothing. Still half 90 year-old woman, half A'ok. Needless to say, I was disappointed, discouraged, and broke...
My next step was to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, when a friend told me to try acupuncture. Acupuncture? You mean that weird crunchy-granola, ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine with the needles?! Nah, not really my thing. No thanks, not a needle-lover, I'll pass, thanks. But really, when the choices are to continue to live in pain, (well, half-pain) crave that runner's high, go to a surgeon which ultimately may mean…surgery, (ah!) or try acupuncture, I had to give the needles...a shot!
So, I did. I wasn't sure if I really bought into the whole "good energy, bad energy” thing, but I listened (and closed my eyes during the needle part!) After two appointments, I ran for TEN whole minutes, the most I'd run in five months! After just three appointments, I was almost pain-free! So I tried running my usual route. I bundled up and pretended spring had sprung. I just couldn’t wait any longer!
In addition to becoming a true believer in acupuncture, (I even asked my fabulous acupuncturist, Mary Beth, to share some info below) I’ve been reminded not to take the amazing things our bodies do for us for granted. After months without it, I finally got my runner's high back and I can't even tell you how good it feels!
Ok, last thing last. I'm on day 17 of the 100 Burpee Challenge, and I've gotta say that 99% of the reason I've stuck with it this far is the committment I made to my MK sisters. Join us!! See, I HAVE to stick with it now that I put it in writing...!
Lessons learned here? Try new things! Get out there! Commit with friends! Inspire each other! Fitness is not only fun, but makes us more centered, powerful, healthy, confident, and capable of taking the world head-on.
Also, never, ever underestimate the power of a really good playlist!!
