Body Language

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The body is especially important to me as I have studied it for many years for my career. I believe it really is the greatest piece of art and science ever.

As a Personal Trainer, I am always interested in learning more about the human body; form, function and movement.

We were meant to move and when we choose not to the body starts to react subtly in negative ways. Injuries happen easier with a tight body, illnesses start to develop more often and  certain diseases set into the cells of a body that has been bombarded by  stress, poor eating and sleeping habits and  just plain disregard for all of the wonderful and magical things that it does for you each and every minute of your life. If you looked at any single body part and paid attention to its form and function, you would truly be in awe and would appreciate all that it does for you.

It is constantly giving you messages but if you’re not listening then you will surely miss out on what it is trying to tell you. We have all heard the following expressions- “I have a gut feeling” or “What does your heart tell you?”

It is constantly communicating with you. It tells you when it has hunger, thirst, has to get rid of waste, needs to move or just needs to rest. It is always reacting to the outside world as well as to others positive or negative energy.

Happiness, fear, excitement and sadness will bring forth some sort of physical response and chemical reaction to the body; a raised eyebrow, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, a tear, a smile or a deep belly laugh.

 To become in tune with your body, all you have to do is raise your awareness, take a breath, listen to it and let yourself feel what you need to feel from your most trusted source. It will guide you if you let it.

I love the fact that I get to make a living from helping others keep their most prized possessions happy and healthy.  I always say that your body is really the only thing that you own and will be the only thing that travels with you throughout your lifetime. Friends, family and others may pop in and out of your life and material possessions may get lost or stolen, ruined or given away.

Your body is the only thing guaranteed to be with you from your first heartbeat to your last so take care of it and it will take care of you.

 

In Pursuit Of Balance For Maximum Wellness

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With every new year that approaches, millions of us make resolutions to change our lives in one way or another. Will this be the year that you finally quit smoking, drinking, eating too much or will you finally decide that this is the year that you’re going to get into better shape?

  As a Personal Trainer I see the change that comes every January; the unfamiliar faces of the determined in the gym. They all have the same look in their eyes; a bit of apprehension mixed with enthusiasm. Day by day and week by week those well intended people and their new shoes slowly disappear.  They all had good intentions mixed with great new outfits but they didn’t have the one thing that’s vital to obtaining any goal, COMMITMENT.  I wholeheartedly believe that the first step is always commitment.

When you commit to something it can take you in many interesting directions and to people and places that you never knew existed.

What I have figured out through a great time of reflection is that if you don’t have balance in your life then you really aren’t living but merely existing. I definitely enjoy having balance for maximum wellness and I definitely feel it physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually when I don’t.

A motto that I came up with over 20 years ago and use to this day professionally and personally is

“Total fitness is a broad umbrella-like concept that encompasses the body, mind and spirit so

Let The Body Work, Let the Mind Relax and Let The Spirit Play.”

To achieve Balance for Maximum Wellness you have to do one thing this New Year. You have to choose to either say YES to things that you previously would said NO to or say No to things that you previously would say YES to. That’s it.

Still having fun! -Lisa

The Cold Truth-Can You Get A Cold From Just Being Cold?

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Did you know?You use 67 muscles to cough. That’s 10% of all of your muscles.The fastest sneeze recorded was 166.7 km/h. Now you know!

Can you catch a cold from just being cold?

When you talk to people about why they have a cold you get the same old answers “It must be the change in temperature. One day it’s warm, the next it’s cold.” Is that why we seem to get more colds in the winter months then in the summer months? You would think so, right? WRONG.

Despite what mothers have been saying for generations, you’re not going to get a cold from not dressing properly for the elements. Sorry mom.

The reason why we seem to get more colds floating around is because in cold weather and with the air being drier, a virus can spread easier and live longer. Add to that the fact that you’re inside more often and therefore are more exposed to each other.

If you get a cold, get plenty of rest. Now is not the time to exercise. Your body needs its energy to recuperate; not to expend on a treadmill or lifting weights.

A natural cure for nasal congestion would be a saline nasal spray and sore throats can be relieved with lozenges or a salt water gargle. The hype about Echinacea is just that, hype. Recent studies have proven that it is not effective in preventing colds or lessening the duration of them.

Nothing CURES a cold but what has been proven to help is good old fashioned chicken soup. There’s something special in it that helps plus the steam helps to clear the nasal passages. It’s true. FEED A COLD. Along with rest, your body has to be well nourished to help it recover.

Most importantly try to prevent getting a cold in the first place by washing your hands with soap and water and by keeping your immune system strong. Try to keep fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth as these are the entrances for the virus.

If all else fails and you end up with a cold, look after yourself or better yet, have someone look after you.

Thank- You, Thank- You, Thank- You.

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Give_receive cartoon

Those are two words that I never get tired of saying or hearing. I think that gratitude is something so easy to do and it should be practiced as often as possible.

At the end of every single training session that I have with my clients, we stand face to face, close our eyes and with every deep breath that we take, we think of one thing that we are grateful for. We do this three times and my clients and I always are grateful for the chance to practice gratitude. It is one of those things like meditating that I make a point of adding into my day. It feeds me in a way.

So many people are more than happy to tell you about all of their complaints all day. “I’m so fat, I hate my job, I have no money, my relationship sucks and my( fill in the blank) hurts all the time.” Now the funny thing is that all of those above mentioned things can be changed by the person’s choices. Instead of complaining about your weight, be thankful that you are fortunate enough to have food on your table. Millions don’t. You also have the ability to make better choices regarding what you are feeding yourself whereas many don’t.  If you are able to move, be grateful for that; many are bed ridden. Moving and nourishing your body will get the weight off if that is what’s needed.

Unfortunately, many people hate their jobs. In fact it is said that 4pm Sunday is dread time- the time when people start thinking about returning to work on Monday. How sad is that? When someone complains to me about their job I always tell them to be grateful that they have one as many don’t. That immediately shakes them out of their thoughts.

No matter what your situation is you are always better off than someone else. Remember that. Many people would love to complain about the little things that most of us routinely complain about.

I remember a few years ago on social media a photo was going around with a young girl who was crying and clearly having a tantrum because for Christmas she didn’t get the correct colour for her new cell phone. At the bottom was another photo of a person who without proper shoes had tied pieces of cloth onto large pop bottles and attached them to their feet. Kinda puts everything into perspective real fast, doesn’t it!!!! That person would give anything to walk a mile in YOUR shoes. Would you do the same?

Appreciate everything that you have been given, good and bad. Always be grateful!!

What are three things that you are grateful for on this day?

Name “The Baby” Contest!

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9 months ago my baby (an idea) was conceived. The idea was Balance for Maximum Wellness with the blog, YOUR MIND CHANGE- C Things DifFerEnTly™ and the mascot of that idea is a little female cartoon character who looks just like her mama, but cuter.

Now that she is in the world, she needs a fitting name. I can tell you a bit about her and will show you some pictures so that you can get an idea of her personality.Lucy_creativefinal

First off, she came out being 4 years old and always will be. She likes to play, is independent, active and adventurous; travelling, meeting new people and having unique experiences are definitely important to her.

She spends a lot of time in her imagination. She is curious, loves chocolate, music, playing with her puppy, Lulu and is always interested in learning about herself and the world around her. If you need more info about her, just ask.

Use your imagination and help christen my little one. If you name is chosen, you will forever be known as the Godparent and will receive a special thank you.

It’s time to play. Help her find her identity. Give the girl a name so that she can get out into the world to start all of her adventures.

Please comment on this blog post with the name. Contest closes June 20, 2016.

Thanks.

Lisa  (aka Mama of the nameless girl.)