A Common Path » Exercise http://acommonpath.com Seeking a Better Life Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:44:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Exercise Away Holiday Stress http://acommonpath.com/2009/12/28/exercise-away-holiday-stress/ http://acommonpath.com/2009/12/28/exercise-away-holiday-stress/#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:05:29 +0000 Stephen Thomas http://acommonpath.com/?p=505 Exercise is a great way to put away holiday stress. The problem with that is that it is not easy to stay with your routine. It has been a few days since I have done any sort of exercise. I haven’t done my yoga and I haven’t gone for my walks. It isn’t that I didn’t want to, but holiday visitors and upset schedules played havoc with me!

It felt great to do my yoga practice this morning and it even felt good to go out and shovel some snow! Just to use my body for something other than to sit around or stuff food into was a delight.

The holidays can bring a lot of stress just in the upsetting of our routine and schedule. We may think we are spontaneous, but most of us are creatures of habit, at least to some degree.

If you are one to love spontaneity, then use it to do something vigorous and invigorating. If you love routine, then find the self discipline to stick to your daily dozen, or whatever it is you do.

When Aunt Mable comes over and uses up your time, instead of stewing about it, find a way to be present to her and then do something physical when she leaves.

Exercise, using your body in some way is a great way to leave stress behind. Don’t let the holidays take it away from you!

Namaste!

]]> http://acommonpath.com/2009/12/28/exercise-away-holiday-stress/feed/ 0 The Benefit of Regular Exercise: snow days. http://acommonpath.com/2009/12/16/the-benefit-of-regular-exercise-snow-days/ http://acommonpath.com/2009/12/16/the-benefit-of-regular-exercise-snow-days/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:52:33 +0000 Stephen Thomas http://acommonpath.com/?p=481 I do yoga. I also like to walk for some aerobic exercise. Well, I don’t
Bowflex Series 7

Bowflex Series 7

always like to walk, but I know I need it and once I get out there, I enjoy it. This time of year, I have a harder time. I dislocated my right knee three times, twice on ice and I am just a little hinky about walking with snow or ice on the ground. I also know that there is great benefit to regular exercise.

An alternative to walking outside is using our Nordic Track skier. I don’t like using it because I get so bored staring at the wall. I have a book holder on it, but it is pretty hard to read and I am skiing along. The other problem with this infernal machine is that I don’t use it often and when I do get back on it, it really gives my lower back a workout.

That’s not bad, mind you, my lower back, although flexible is not as strong as it could be because I sit in a chair at the computer too much. So, when I get on the Nordic Track, I have to watch it for the first week or so or my back gets so sore I can hardly get out of bed.

One of these days, I’m going to buy a treadmill. I have been looking at them and I want to get a good one. I hate buying things that break after I use it just past the warranty period. I have been looking at the Bowflex Series 7 and it looks pretty good. I don’t know anyone who has one. If I did, I could use it and see if it is everything I want it to be.

Well, I guess I will try the Nordic Track again tomorrow as it is blowing and snowing outside and the windchill is subzero. Maybe Santa will bring me that treadmill.

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