have you forgotten?

Leo Buscaglia (never heard of him? Look him up!) once wrote:

We are so ruled by what people tell us we must be that we have forgotten who we are.

As far as health and well-being is concerned, it is easy to be in a place where we are just following along a path of beliefs about living that were taught to follow...and blindly I might add. We've had our curiosity about things, ourselves included, pounded out of us by well meaning people.

Just think of how we have been conned into buying things we don't need, eating things that are not nutritious or providing any benefit to our bodies, seeing images that make us feel miserable and cause us to lose track of how beautiful and good life really is.


Now picture yourself alone, quiet, peaceful. Going inside yourself to remember who you really are. Listening to yourself to find out how it is best to take care of yourself. What do you like to do? What do you want experience? What does your body need to eat? How does your body want to move? How do you want to love?

Maybe this winter can be the time when you will sit and reflect on these questions...not to have your life ruled by others, but by you... remember?

I'm still here!

Wow...I guess I've been pretty negligent in posting regularly since August! One the one hand, I've been pretty busy with work, exercising and socializing. On the other hand, I'm able to post today because I'm home sick!

I want to share with you my recent experience with a 6 week weight loss program. Even health coaches need coaching at times too! I went to the first session and had my weight measured, my body fat measured, and my body water % measured. This analyzes my TMT or Total Metabolic Testing. Annette Alfieri, a local clinical nutritionist lead the group (small and intimate, about 6 people). Each week we focused on a different topic which educated us on what, how and when to eat. Now, I pretty much know what to eat....but what surprised me was how little I knew about when and how! Each week taught me something new, and I was held accountable by having to keep and hand in a food log which Annette graciously reviewed and added suggestions as what to keep and what to delete!

There was also a great list of snack and meal suggestions that included all the combinations of foods that provided the best combo of nutrients. I don't want to give away the details of every week, but if you are serious about getting healthier, I highly recommend Annettes "Lighten Up!" program. Her website is www.lightenup.biz and her phone number is 203.450.1064

A new life begins!

Today's blog is dedicated to Giada Noel Toscano, born at 8:50 am on August 14, 2011!

Congratulations to her parents Jennifer and Vinny Toscano!

The greatest wealth is health!! ~ Virgil

She is spectacular!

Are you ready for Yoga?

Here in Westport I have discovered a wonderful place to practice Yoga. I started yoga a few years ago when I thought it was time and I was ready. I wanted to get the full experience from yoga, not just the physical exercise which I knew was beneficial, but the spiritual aspect of it too. I found a great studio in Norwalk (yeah Saraswati's Yoga Joint!). Loved it, but when Kaia opened up in Westport, and it was a 3 minute commute from door to door, I decided to give it a try. They have really tried to create a full experience for their students, and I think they have succeeded. Take a look at their website to see all the additional services they offer besides yoga.

I'm going to concentrate on the yoga aspect. At first I tried the basic classes which included a Kripalu Flow, Basics, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Gentle. The basics class was really helpful for understanding the poses and proper alignment of them. It also helped me to ease into understanding the terminology which can be overwhelming!

After a few weeks of these classes I was ready for more of a workout so I went to the Vinyasa Basic/Intermediate classes. This level provided more of a continuous flow of poses that do get your heart rate up! I have not tried the Hot Yoga classes just yet, but my husband has and loves them! There are so many more classes than the few I've mentioned, so please check out the website.

Yoga has really helped me to tap into my body and how it moves, to feel what it is capable of on any given day, and to be more present and aware. I never fail to leave a class without feeling calm and centered. In fact, when I do not go to class for a period of time and then return, I wonder why did I ever stop going!?

Kaia has a great deal for people who want to try out all the different class options. It is the 30 days for 30 dollar deal and it is perfect for getting in a lot of yoga for a great price. When you are ready, this is the way to go and the place to go!

Pangs of Guilt

guilt (gltn.

1.

a. The fact of being responsible for the commission of an offense. See Synonyms at blame.

b. Law The fact of having been found to have violated a criminal law; legal culpability.

c. Responsibility for a mistake or error.

2.

a. Remorseful awareness of having done something wrong.b. Self-reproach for supposed inadequacy or wrongdoing tr.v. guilt·ed, guilt·ing, guilts

To make or try to make (someone) feel guilty.

Ah...the pangs of guilt: When someone is disappointed by you. When the scale does not read the right number. When the relationship is not working well. When you ate the wrong thing. When you didn't accomplish all you set out to do...today or in a lifetime. When the kids make mistakes. When you haven't gone to the gym. When you are not meeting expectations that others have of you. When you are not meeting the expectations you have for yourself. Can you fill in your own here__________________?

The opposite of guilt? INNOCENCE. Freedom from sin or moral wrong. All of the pangs of guilt are self-inflicted. All guilt does is sabotage oneself of the freedom of understanding that those judgements are unnecessary and get in the way of living life more freely, more joyfully.

So, dispense of the the guilt. Treat yourself kindly. Forgive.

The Pangs of Guilt

The joy of movement!

Remember what it felt like to fly on a swing?! I remember the pure joy of feeling as if I were flying...the higher I went the more exhilarating it was!

I have been making an effort lately to move more. The more I move, the more I realize that I've been taking for granted the fact that I am capable of participating in most physical activities that I would like to. How fortunate that I can wake up in the morning and choose from a variety of options how I would like to move that day. How can I not take advantage of this?!

Our bodies are such incredible machines that need to be maintained and taken care of...we are meant to move, and the more we do, the better it is for our whole being.

So, I will keep moving and enjoy the fact that I can!