What works- Fitness

My journey has evolved from couch potato to gentle yoga lover to gym rat in just 3 short months.  I never thought I'd be one of those, but a nudge from dear sis-in-law was enough to get us both there daily.  For anyone who has yet to make the immense effort to begin their journey, I understand! I think it's harder to start than to stay going... something about momentum.  This is why we go daily.  If we take a day off because we are sore (not injured) or tired or deserve a day off, we know we will begin the downward slide back onto the couch cushion.  Neither of us want that, can afford that, or deserve that.  As much as it scared us to take the leap, we found that 2 weeks passed by very quickly and we are well on our way to developing a new lifelong healthy habit. I have surprised myself daily to find my limits are mostly imagined and I am able do more than I ever gave myself credit for. I am not promoting joining a gym, because I know not everyone can do that, but if you can get a workout, walking, or healthy eating buddy, there is so much more energy added and staying power is multiplied.

Music!  Oh the joy of music!  Use a mp3 player, plug in to Pandora, or turn on the radio to set the pace faster than you would pace yourself and make the time go by so much faster. Without music, I found I was concentrating on the wall in front of me, to the random numbers on the equipment, and especially the clock.  It would tick tortuously slowly.  Today, sis and I plugged into Pandora with a splitter and laughed the hour away listening to 80's cardio; oh the memories!  Definitely helped us go faster, push harder, and we added a good 30 minutes to our usual routine easily.  It also works in the opposite direction for cool downs and stretching/yoga to slow down and breathe deeply as you ease into your day or slip into bed.

Workouts don't come without a price (and so many rewards), but the price is what you feel first.  Sore muscles and fatigue are normal and a part of the process.  Not a lovely part, but a part.  I tend to repeat Tom Sobal's saying over and over, especially after we started an Arms/Abs/Tush class twice a week: "Pain is weakness leaving the body."  Ps, you have to read his story- what a guy! http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1006053/1/index.htm  Anyway, I found an article of things to try when you get sore that may spark an "Aha" moment for you here... http://www.livestrong.com/article/422215-how-to-naturally-relieve-muscle-pain-from-working-out/

Variety is the spice of life and getting fit must include all the spokes of the wheel in varying degrees.  You will find that some will come easier than others: Eating better, sleeping well/long enough, giving the mind time to daydream/wind down, working up to a sweat and breathing hard (not asthmatic, just enough to know you are working hard), and endurance/strength exercises.  Also, this is probably part of the 'mind' part, but get out into nature at least once a week.  Hearing the sounds outdoors, getting some sunshine, and breathing fresh air does wonders. If you don't feel like you've gotten out of the old habits just yet, try to do each one of these things just once a week, and probably not all in one day ;)  In a month, you will be wanting more and the hard spokes will be easier.

I am going to say it again, yes again:l logging/journaling makes a huge difference between success and failure.  When you cannot see, in concrete numbers, the expense of what you are eating, the balance or imbalance of nutrients, or how much activity you are getting, you WILL lie to yourself about how good you've been, OR you will excuse yourself into bad habits. Let me go another degree and say that, if you have buddies doing it with you, and everyone accountable to everyone, you will behave better when things get tough. 

Lastly, my favorite excuse prior was not having enough money to do things 'right.'  But all of it can be done as simple and free as the outdoors for a long walk, or using gallon jugs/canned food/body weight for lifting..  If you are online reading this, there are millions of classes and videos here for free for anything under the sun.  I even learned Qigong and Tai Chi here at one point. You can find and learn any activity you feel like you can do- just be sure to use all your major areas upper and lower. There are online logging sites mentioned in my previous posts, and music here as well to wind up or down with.  If you have trouble sleeping, two tricks sis and I talked about this week were to count down from 300 by 3's (worked for me the other day in 20 counts flat) and breathing deep in and out for a count of 2, then 3, then 4... up to 20.  The eating part, well, you decide what you will trade up for this week, water instead of soda?  Wheat instead of white? Fruit instead of cookies? You get the drift...

Going Poo-less 2

If just baking soda and water was just not attractive enough for you to make the switch, try this instead.  I vacillate between both of these, depending if I run out of one or the other mid-shower ;) This came from Homestead Community Post's website, though I do not remember which member donated this idea.  I am going from memory and from my own tweak, so it may vary from the original post somewhat.

When my garden was up and running, I harvested as much herb as possible and filled a mid sized pasta pan with rosemary, mint and lavender cuttings.  I covered this with water and boiled for 15 minutes.  I then put a cover on it and let it cool to room temperature.  While this was cooling, I poured household borax into a rinsed milk jug until there was about 1" at the bottom.  When the tea was cooled, I strained this and poured the 'tea' into the jug and filled the rest with water.  This jug was sloshed around until the borax was well incorporated; it will not totally dissolve).  This sat overnight and was ready for use the next day. Essential oils are optional. Pour it into smaller squirt bottles and use as a shampoo rinse.  Scrub your scalp well with this formula and rinse well.  Your hair will feel super clean and the herbs will bring health to your scalp and hair.  Note: If you have light hair, use chamomile instead of rosemary to brighten your hair.  The gallon lasts a LONG time!  Pennies per wash :)

Shower essentials

I already told you about the homemade shampoo and rinse I use in a previous post, but I wanted to mention a couple other things that are very useful, frugal, and healthy to use in and after the shower. 

I make my own soap and experiment with this every once in a while.  I've made exactly 2 batches from a basic soapmaking book, so I am no pro, but the results were awesome.  I collect waste fats from chicken and beef in a large plastic sherbet container throughout the year and keep it in my freezer.  I render this using a basic soapmaking book when I am ready for a batch.  If I am not ready to make a batch yet, and I run out of room in the container, I render this anyway and can it for later use.  I understand this could be used for homemade candles as well, but I am banned from making candles because I am a firehazard in my own right.  More about that another time ;) Anywho, the batch of soap I made the second time has lasted me two years and counting, as I have only used half. The bars last FOREVER!  I am super content to know that I am not bathing myself in chemicals when I shower.  It also works as a shampoo if you really want to economize, but it can be drying unless you make a moisturizing bar; mine was basic lye soap. 

The second vital thing I use is virgin coconut oil.  I use this as a salve to prevent shaving bumps/burns and it is very soothing, moisturizing, and antibacterial. 

I made homemade deodorant out of this with baking soda, arrowroot, and essential oils.  This is my favorite product as it has worked better than any deodorant I have ever tried, including many natural store-bought options.  And yes, it also is missing harmful chemicals. 

Lastly, I did a cleaning and threw out all my store bought creams, moisturizers, gels, lotions, and treatments.  Instead I made up a batch of raw shea butter, virgin olive oil, and essential oils as a facial/hand/elbow/kneecap/foot moisturizer.  Not only did it make my rough skin go away, but it makes my face feel like velvet.  I think it is plumping up my fine lines on my face and neck as well. I really love how it feels throughout the day.

 If you want more exact recipes, I am happy to post an update.

***UPDATE***I tried to link most products I've used at the Amazon link below especially for harder to find items...

Hand cream (useful for everything else!) is as follows:

1/2 c Raw unrefined Shea butter
1/2 c Cold pressed virgin olive oil or almond oil
1-2T Virgin Coconut Oil
5-10 drops cedarwood essential oil
10-15 drops orange essential oil

Place shea butter and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl and melt 1-2 minutes at a time, stirring occassionally, until all lumps are gone.  Put olive oil in a blender and place on low speed. Pour in the shea butter mixture in a slow stream until it is all incorporated.  Pour this into a container and add the oils to your liking.  I found that the olive oil has a strong aroma and it is hard to completely wipe it out.  Not a bad thing and it doesn't linger on your skin, but if you are not partial to it, use almond oil.  I like the healing effects of olive oil though, so it stays in my batch.  Let this set a few hours until is stiffens some.  Use sparingly up to what you need, instead of slathering too much initially.  Update how it's worked for you!

Me