A New Life's resolution - Day #36 (Physical)

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Day #36 - Physical

According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The physical dimension of wellness encourages cardiovascular flexibility and strength and also encourages regular, physical activity. Physical development encourages knowledge about food and nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Physical Wellness encourages consumption and activities which contribute to high level wellness, including medical self-care and appropriate use of the medical system.

In honor of Valentine's day this Sunday, this week is "Hugs, kisses and all my love" week!  This week I'm going to share some of the things that rock my world and maybe make me Me.
 
The 3 things I love in the realm of the Physical aspect of wellness are:
 

1)  Workout clothes.  I know it sounds silly, but one of the ways I have of encouraging myself to work out is to have clothes that I feel comfortable in.  Having great workout shoes, fabulous sports bras or cute yoga pants are so much more fun for me than old shoes and stained t-shirts.  I realize that I'm just going to sweat and stink them up, but I do so love wicking socks and an accurate heart rate monitor.  It may not be true for a lot of things, but for me, sometimes working out is all about the gear!  If it were the 80s, I would be all about leg warmers and leotards and Olivia Newton-John's "Let's Get Physical"!
 

2)  30 minutes on a treadmill accompanied by Alex Trebek.  It's a new routine I've hit upon, but I am loving getting to the gym around 7 PM, lifting a few weights, then heading up to the cardio area where I flip on the TV from 7:30 to 8 for Jeopardy with Alex Trebek.  It's amazing to me how fast time goes when I am answering quiz questions.  I don't pay attention to the sweat pouring down my forehead or the cramp in my calves when I'm trying to remember what the largest province in Canada is.  It's the closest thing to a diet pill and a time machine rolled in one that I've found!
 

3)  Walking Sasha when the weather is nice.  There's a saying that I once heard that if your dog is overweight, YOU aren't getting enough exercise.  I think there's probably something to that.  Even if there's not, it's enough to get me out and walking with Sasha.  When the temperatures are mild and the sun is shining, there's nothing better than a stroll though the neighborhood.  In the year since I've gotten her, I've met more people in my neighborhood than I had in the 8 years I lived here before.  When I'm walking with her, I am free - free to explore, free to think, free to feel the wind in my hair.  Besides, who wouldn't love spending time with that fuzzy little face?

A New Life's resolution - Day #34 (Social)

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Day #34 - Social

According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The social dimension of wellness encourages contributing to one's human and physical environment to the common welfare of one's community. Social Wellness emphasizes the interdependence with others and nature. It includes the pursuit of harmony in one's family. As you travel a wellness path, you'll become more aware of your importance in society as well as the impact you have on nature and your community. You'll take an active part in improving our world by encouraging a healthy living environment and initiating better communication with those around you. You'll actively seek ways to preserve the beauty and balance of nature along the pathway."

Today we spent another lovely day at the farm.  For her 11th birthday, Troy's niece, S, decided she wanted to bring a few friends for a weekend visit to see her grandparents' lovely farm.  That seems like a great gift to ask for, in my opinion.  Their house is always cozy and relaxing for me.  I assume that she feels the same.

As I've said before, Troy's nieces and nephew are really good kids and their behavor this weekend was a perfect example of exactly how well behaved they are.  They (the 3 older girls (age 10 or 11) as well as W (age 9) and A (age 6)) watched TV together, ate meals at the same table with one another and went sledding on the big hill.  At no point did I hear any arguments occur.  Somehow these kids have figured how to get along swimmingly.  I know that wasn't the case when I was younger and my little brother was around.  I was too cool to have him tagging along and there were ALWAYS arguments.

During this blissful weekend, the thing that occurred to me was exactly how important friends are to girls (of all ages).  There's a place in our hearts and our souls that our girlfriends fill in a way that no other playmates or friends can.  We can feel free to giggle or cry, play dress-up and swoon over the cute boys.  There's a freedom in being ourselves with our girlfriends whether we're silly or sentimental.

As we age, keeping those ties with other women becomes more and more important.  The other women in our lives are the ones we can go to when we need a shoulder to cry on, a casserole recipe or dating advice.

I'm fortunate enough to have quite a few amazing women in my life.  With these women I workout every week, read books every month, eat chocolate and take trips every year.  A few weeks from now will be time for our annual "Chick Flick Film Festival".  It's a day of sappy movies, tissues and lots of junk food.  I can hardly wait!

If you have women in your life that are special to you, let them know.

To all my girlfriends, thank for you being in my life.  I love you all.

A New Life's resolution - Day #33 (Emotional)

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Day #33 - Emotional

According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The emotional dimension of wellness emphasizes an awareness and acceptance of one's feelings. Emotional wellness includes the degree to which one feels positive and enthusiastic about oneself and life. It includes the capacity to manage one's feelings and related behaviors including the realistic assessment of one's limitations, development of autonomy, and ability to cope effectively with stress. The emotionally well person maintains satisfying relationships with others."

I love my puppy, Sasha, for so many reasons.  One of the many showed itself tonight.

Here in Indiana, we got quite a bit of snow today.  It started snowing around 9:15 this morning and it's still going strong.  I'm not a big fan of snow or cold weather and after my dreams of spring the other day, I was feeling a little down about the fluffy white stuff.

But Sasha changed all that.  I suited up in all my winter gear, clipped her leash onto her and we headed out for a walk.  When I first opened the door, I don't think she was thrilled at the prospect of walking around in it, but that lasted only a moment.  As we headed out on our walk, she frolicked and romped around chasing little balls of snow caused by her footfalls.  Some may call the frozen water falling from the sky "snow", but I think it should be called "doggy crack"!  She was crazy!  And before I knew it, I was laughing out loud at her enthusiasm.

I left the house feeling grumpy and blue at the weather, but I returned a little chillier, but with a much lighter spirit.  Maybe these fuzzy little creatures can teach us how to find the joy in every day.  I know I'm going to pay more attention to the lessons she has to teach me.

A New Life's resolution - Day #32 (Intellectual)

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Day #32 - Intellectual

According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The intellectual dimension of wellness encourages creative, stimulating mental activities. An intellectually well person uses the resources available to expand one's knowledge in improved skills along with expanding potential for sharing with others. An intellectually well person uses the intellectual and cultural activities in the classroom and beyond the classroom combined with the human resources and learning resources available within the university community and the larger community."

Part of paying attention and being connected to what's going on around me this week means to live up to my word, I think.

I have a great group of women that I get together with about once a month.  We call ourselves the Book Babes and we're a book club by trade, but essentially it's a reason to get out of the house and read some books that we might not otherwise consider reading.  We've been meeting for about 7 or 8 years (YIKES!) and I used to be really good at keeping up with the books.  In fact, I could sometimes be a stickler when someone else didn't want to discuss the book's ending because they hadn't finished it.

Alas, I fell off of the wagon a while back.  I won't mention how long ago because I don't want to embarrass myself too badly.  Let's just say it's been a WHILE since I've finished one of the books.  If I'm honest, it's been a while since I've started many of the books.  Somehow I always find a way to make myself busy with something else.  I really enjoy conversations that start from the subject matter in the books we read and unfortunately I know that my inability to finish a book has stunted that conversation for quite a while.

But this week I'm going to try harder.  I swear.  Our next book is "The Reader" which I actually read back when it was one of Oprah Books.  I promise I'm going to get to the library or Half-Price Books and pick it up.  I'm going to head to a coffee shop or shut down my blog window over a lunch hour (gasp!) and I'm going to read.  Maybe I'll even pick up the next Harry Potter book in my series and get to work on that one too.  I'd love to be able to cross something off of my list.

A New Life's resolution - Day #31 (Spiritual)

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Day #31 - Spiritual

According to http://www.definitionofwellness.com/, "The spiritual dimension of wellness involves seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe."

Tonight as I was driving home and trying to come up with something to blog about for my spiritual dimension of wellness, I saw the sun.  Not the Son, mind you, but the sun!  Here in Indiana during February, the sun becomes a somewhat mythical creature akin to a unicorn or a yeti.  But, alas, I witnessed it with my very own eyes!

With sights of the sun come thoughts of spring.  It's like a fresh breeze rushes over my soul at the mere thought of warmer weather and clear roads.  A young girl's thoughts immediately turn to....

MOTORCYCLES!

The mere thought of the wind in my hair (or at least through the visor of my helmet), a full tank of gas and a wide open road ahead of me immediately makes me feel closer to God (or at least reminds me of my mortality!).  It's hard to describe the feeling of suiting up in my fabulous pink jacket and pink gloves, inserting the earbuds to my MP3 player, popping on my gorgeous pink helmet and setting off down the road heading to destinations unknown with tunes that I love flooding my head.  It is the epitome for freedom for me.

Alas, last year I didn't ride that much.  GASP!  What?!?! I KNOW!  I blame Sasha, the world's cutest puppy.  (I still haven't figured out how to get her wiggly butt strapped onto the back of my bike.)  But this year, no more!  I will ride like the wind.....  Or at the very least I will commute to and from work.

Unfortunately my lack of riding last season has put my bike in a less than ideal state.  She's dusty and dirty from being in the garage and I'm not sure how her battery is for a charge.  So, this weekend as a way of connecting to my spiritual wellness, I will give her some TLC and see to her needs.  Maybe it will even be my own personal "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintainence".

A New Life's resolution - Day #30 (Occupational)

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Day #30 - Occupational

According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The occupational dimension of wellness is involved in preparing for work in which one will gain personal satisfaction and find enrichment in one's life through work. Occupational development is related to one's attitude about one's work.' Traveling a path toward your occupational wellness, you'll contribute your unique gifts, skills and talents to work that is personally meaningful and rewarding. You'll convey your values through your involvement in both paid and unpaid volunteer activities that are gratifying for you. You'll know when you're on the correct path for career wellness, when your work and hobbies become exciting."

Originally I set up this blog to chronicle my first 101 in 1001 list.  Since then it's grown into a place for me to vent, commiserate with my bloggy friends, talk about my own issues and even share a laugh or two.  At the heart though, it's still about my "bucket" lists.

On July 16th, 2009, I moved onto a new list.  Despite my desire to cross things off of my list, the items on it tend to slip my mind from time to time (101 items is a lot to keep track of, ya know!).  So this week is about paying attention and being aware.  Yesterday, it was about being aware of what my body was telling me.  Today, it's about keeping my list items at the forefront of my thoughts.

What's a better way to do that than to make the list into something I see every day?  This weekend I will do just that.  Stay tuned for the results of my list married to all the creativity available from the cricut!  I can hardly wait to share!

A New Life's resolution - Day #29 (Physical)

If you're just joining us, check out the explanation of my "New Life Resolution"


Day #29 - Physical

According to www.definitionofwellness.com, "The physical dimension of wellness encourages cardiovascular flexibility and strength and also encourages regular, physical activity. Physical development encourages knowledge about food and nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Physical Wellness encourages consumption and activities which contribute to high level wellness, including medical self-care and appropriate use of the medical system.

I've been working pretty hard physically the last couple of weeks.  I really have.  While I haven't quite hit my goal of 10,000 steps a day (that darned Wednesday always slows me down), I have increased my average steps per day by more than 2,000!  Woohoo.  Yeah, me!  I've also been to the gym to work out 17 out of the last 33 days.  (Thanks to Troy and Rachael for your support and keeping me company).  Given my workout regimen and that I started lifting weights last week, by Saturday evening after my grocery shopping excursion, I was exhausted!

My usual solution for this is to keep going.  After all, if a little pain is good, then a lot is even better, right?  HA!  Since I'm trying to start a new life for myself, I figured a new way of behaving was in order.  My solution?  A lovely bubble bath!

While Troy and I have separate houses (since we're not married), he is generous enough to allow me to occasionally bask in the glory that is his jetted tub.  I guess when he and his ex-wife designed the bathroom, they decided to go all out on the tub and I am the lucky recipient!  While I put away the remainder of the groceries, he drew a bath for me (complete with bubbles and a glass of wine)!  I know you are all drooling and wish you could be so lucky!  After I shooed him out, I poured my aching muscles into the tub, set the jets on low and sat back to sip my wine.  It was most definitely what the doctor ordered.

So, in the spirit of that body (and soul) nourishing act, this week is all about paying attention.  If I hurt too much, I'm not going to overdo it.  If I want a piece of chocolate, I'm going to indulge in a small piece.  If I wake up sleepy, it's lights out early the next morning.  I think our body sends us messages about what it needs.  This week I'm going to try to listen.