Perseverance – Do I Have It?

I mentioned a few weeks back that I was adding yoga to my fitness routine in hopes of increasing my flexibility and balance. I have taken several classes, with a few different instructors, but I just can’t get with the program. I always workout first thing in the morning which gets my blood pumping to all the tight muscles and stiff joints, but to take a yoga class before I am sufficiently warmed up is not very beneficial. I tried a late afternoon class and found that I was tired from my long day and didn’t have much energy, and felt out of place with all the regulars. Next I tried at home with a DVD and did better since I could pause it and practice the poses. However, I continue to be frustrated, as I am not noticing much improvement in flexibility or balance. After each session I want to give up.

Upon further evaluation, I think I am making some progress. I was able to balance better today and might be limbering up somewhat. To achieve my goals though, I have a tall mountain to climb. Do I have what it takes at my age to conquer that mountain? It would be so easy to walk away and forget yoga…again. Instead I am going to stay with it and inch closer to the summit with each session.

I am going to step back and find a beginner program that will not discourage me, and realize that yoga is not something you learn in a week or month, but a continuing process. For me it will be slow going, but if I do succeed in making the physical changes I long for, the rewards will be life changing.

As with most achievements in life, the harder you work for something, the more you appreciate it. Someone who inherits money is likely to piddle it away, while money that is earned with blood, sweat and tears, is treated with the respect it deserves. I will continue my quest to flexibility and…persevere. Wish me luck.

Finding Personal Peace in an Imperfect World

My mother was the picture of peace. She was always cool, calm and collected in the midst of what I considered a chaotic household. With seven people living in a relatively small house, I struggled to find the quite time I have always needed to read, study, or just think.

As a teenager I remember arriving home one evening planning to get busy on a report due at school the next day. There, on the living room floor, were two of my brothers having a boisterous wrestling match. The television was blaring at no one in particular. From down the hall I could hear my sister and her friends laughing and dancing to window rattling rock and roll music, while my baby brother cried from his playpen in hopes of joining the wrestling match. In the midst of it all, my mother sat quietly reading one of her beloved novels, totally oblivious to the madness. I, however, turned around and headed to the library.

The next day I asked her how she remained forever calm when our home was so disordered and nerve-racking. She quietly explained that this is who she was. “I am the mother of five children and I am most at peace when you are all at home. When you are all around me, I know you are safe and well, and I can relax.” I had to let this sink in for a while, but I came to understand that my mother was comfortable in her own skin. She knew who she was, where she fit in world, and that she had value as a human being. Over the years I have learned to follow my wise and loving mother’s example.

Accepting who I am and being content is at times challenging, but when I can focus on the center of my being, I can find peace there. As humans we tend to waste a lot of our time wishing our lives were different, better, or somehow more fulfilling, when satisfaction can be found within each and every one of us. Rather than wishing your time away, think about your own self-worth and whom you are important to. Enjoy the richness that is family, friendships, and experiences of all types. Accept your place in this crazy world, and know that people do depend on, and value you. Once you have discovered this about yourself, you will have peace.

Practicing What I Preach

In conjunction with the release of my book ‘Living Fit After Fifty’, http://www.bearheadpublishing.com/, I thought I would post about my personal experiences with exercise. I am about to turn 59 years old and have old injuries and miscellaneous aches and pains depending on the weather, time of day, or what I have been up to. I still try very hard to ignore these signs of aging and keep up with my fitness routines. It would be pretty hard to sell a fitness book if I let myself get out of shape, right?

In my book I recommend that exercisers change their workout routines to avoid plateaus and boredom. While considering how I would next change my routine, I decided to try yoga. I have tried yoga in the past but never stuck with it because, by nature I am not a flexible person, and I struggle with balance. These issues made my past attempts at yoga unsuccessful, probably because I gave up too soon. Now I realize that yoga could be exactly what I need to limber up my unyielding body and improve my balance.

I located a class at a gym nearby that worked with my schedule only to discover - once I was well into the class - it was for advanced students. I had a tough time but hung in there to the end. The next day I woke up with a seriously strained neck. My first thought was that yoga was not for me and that I should forget about it. Then I thought I should try going about it differently.

Searching through my supply of exercise videos and DVDs, I found a yoga tape for beginners. After a few practice sessions at home, off I went to another class. This one was more user friendly and I did much better. I plan to return tomorrow morning for another go at it. Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/HainesCarol for tweets about my progress with yoga and my complete fitness program.

Release of my book 'LIVING FIT AFTER FIFTY'

Today I can finally announce the release of my book 'Living Fit After Fifty - A Guide for the Post-Menopausal Woman'. Even though it is targeted at post-menopausal women, anyone can benefit from this book. I hope everyone will support me and order this helpful guide. Your mothers, sisters, aunts and friends will all want a copy. Get yours at www.bearheadpublishing.com. The e-book version will be available on the Bearhead Publishing site about the middle of February, 2012. The book and the Kindle version will be available on Amazon about this same time. However, I am sure all of you will want a hard copy to use as a guide for living fit. It is compact and user friendly.

This is not a diet book. It is my story of finding a long-term plan that is workable in the real world. The plan address attitude, weight training, cardiovascular exercise and of course eating properly.With sample menus, recipes, and success stories, it is all you need to start Living Fit After Fifty.

Being at peace with your body is important to your peace of mind.

Book Update!

My book “Living Fit After Fifty” is on the UPS truck as I write this. It will be available at long last by the end of this month. I had no idea publishing a book was so complicated or that it would take so much time (my extended trip to Italy didn’t help, but it was worth it). Thanks to those of you who have been waiting patiently. Remember, good things come to those who wait.

As soon as I have the books in my hands, and it is up on the publishers website, I will post purchase information here for anyone interested.

Quote of the Week

“A room without books is like a body without a soul”

                           ~Marcus Tullius Cicero

I finished the book I was reading a few days ago, Ken Follet’s ‘Fall of Giants’, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also really liked his ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ and ‘World Without End’. ‘Fall of Giants’ was a great read, as I love to read about history and Follet seems to follow the facts pretty closely. During the time I was reading the book I was watching ‘Downton Abbey’ on Masterpiece Classic, which takes place during the same period and involves some of the same situations, making the time before World War I come alive for me. Between the book and the show I immersed myself in the past. As with all good books, it was a let-down when I came to the end.

My mother was an avid reader and as soon as I learned to read she got me started on the classics. I thought I had died and gone to heaven reading ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘Jane Eyer’. I have had a book by my side ever since. I usually have a stack of books on reserve, but for once I am caught up. Unlike all my reading friends, I have not made the switch to an E-Reader because I like the feel of the book, and am slow to accept change. Now that I have nothing to read, I see the value of electronic reading.

I was going to wait to find a new book until next week when my book club meets, and I learn what our new selection will be, but I am lost without a book. When I came across Cicero’s quote, I completely related to it. I don’t know if I can wait five days to start a new book. My birthday is coming up, I guess I will go ahead and ask for an E-Reader. In the meantime I will be going to the bookstore for something to fill the void.

As we move into the electronic age, I wonder if we will lose our libraries and bookstores. Will our homes be barren of bookcases and bookshelves? Will they become, as Cicero wrote, without a soul? I think I will start holding on to favorite books, and maybe even start collecting them. Once I join the electronic reading world, I will still always want to have books around me. Books are part of who I am.

Quote for the New Year

“Before you act, listen.

Before you react, think.

Before you spend, earn.

Before you criticize, wait.

Before you pray, forgive.

Before you quit, try.”

            -Ernest Hemingway

If we could all follow this guide as we begin the New Year our lives would be so much simpler. Lets consider the quote one line at a time.

“Before you act, listen.” So many times we say things we don’t mean because we have not taken the time to listen to all aspects of a situation. Listening can be the most important part of a conversation, argument, or discussion. We already know our side, but unless we listen completely, we may not have all the information we need to form our opinion. Listen carefully, and you may end up changing your mind.

“Before you react, think.” Consider the consequences of a reaction before it is too late to take it back. A moments’ pause to think may save you from yourself. Regrets are no way to start a New Year.

“Before you spend, earn.” What could be more basic, yet so ignored? It seems the whole world is financially irresponsible today. From countries going bankrupt, to friends and neighbors losing homes they should never have purchased in the first place. What is so hard to understand about a budget? For me the stress and worry of living above my means cancels out any pleasure I might gain from buying something I can’t really afford. In 2012 resolve to manage your money instead of letting your money manage you.

“Before you criticize, wait.” Do we really need to criticize at all? It might do more harm then good and you may end up hurting someone. Instead think of something to praise a person about and then offer a positive suggestion. Human beings are so fragile. Be gentle with each other.

“Before you pray, forgive.” Forgiveness will free your heart to pray sincerely. Holding on to anger and resentment will restrict the flow of love coming to and from you. Release your negative energy and make room for peace.

“Before you quit, try.” I hate to hear someone say, “I can’t.” Especially when they have not even tried. How do you know you can’t if you don’t try? Try new things and you may be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Follow Hemingway’s suggestions and give yourself the gift of peace, thoughtfulness and success as you begin this New Year. Best wishes to all.