Make a Date with Your Body February 20

This excerpt is from a book entitled "Coming Home to Your Body" by Carmen Renee Berry. 365 Ways to Nourish Yourself Inside and Out.

"Any woman who has a career and a family automatically develops something in the way of two personalities... Her problem is to keep one from draining the life from the other" - Ivy Baker Priest, 'Green Grows Ivy', 1958

Most women today juggle a variety of demands and obligations, often in service to the needs of others. Even though I am single, I rarely have a free minute to spare between my personal life and professional duties. Either I'm meeting writing deadlines, seeing clients, and presenting workshops or I'm spending time with friends and family. It's very easy to overlook on of the most important relationships I have - the one with my body.

Whether you are married or single, with or without children, we all have relationships that we value and therefore require attention. Make sure that, along with scheduling time to take your daughter to ballet class, take soup by a sick friend's house, meet your partner for dinner and attend the next committee meeting, you schedule time to relate to your body. Don't wait until your body has to get your attention by landing you in bed with illness or some other physical ailment.

Take out your datebook and make a date with your body. Plan something fun and nurturing like a workout at the gym, soaking in the hot bubble bath , or a soothing massage. Even though others are competing for your time and attention, put your body on the top of your priority list. That's one relationship you can't live without.

Fitness Seattle

No time like the present.

Are you ready for some change for the better? Some of us have let our New Years “Get in Shape” resolutions pass us by with hardly a flicker of a fight. I am writing to spur you to action. The Super Bowl is over, baseball season hasn’t started up, the Winter Olympics are upon us and they are all so inspiring! We are witnessing athletes who have overcome all sorts of challenges to get to where they are today . What about you and your fitness and nutrition goals; or, the goal to do the physical therapy on your list? It’s never too late to start or start over again. There is no time like the present.

Think of the summer weddings you’d like to be in shape for. Next summer is coming on fast. Don’t you want to fit into those shorts from last year or from a few years ago? You know that pair that has been in your drawer tucked away waiting for the time when you can hop into them again and go playing around uninhibited by extra weight and sluggishness? I am with you, people. I used to worry about fitting into my summer shorts, too.

So what are your excuses for not exercising or for not sticking with your food plan?

For starters here are some familiar ones:

I’m too out of shape to exercise

I can’t take time away from work

I have to shuttle children around

I need to attend to my parents

I don’t wanna go to the gym

It’s raining, windy or cold

I don’t wanna get up early

I have too much important business to attend to

My work load is enormous

I have several social obligations

I don’t have enough free time

Top Eating excuses:

I have to eat that because she prepared it for me

I don’t want to disappoint them

I don’t wanna put the fork down

It tastes soooooo good.

I love pizza

I love ice cream

Third helpings are ok because I am going to exercise later

And last but not least two more Big Ones:

I’m already in good enough shape

I need to find the right gym, trainer

Whatever your excuses are, I’ve had them too; or, I’ve heard them. But The truth is that they are holding you back from being your best self. Today in our country 66% of adults ages 20-74 are overweight. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 32% of those meet the criteria for obese.* I am not telling you this statistic to make you feel badly; but to encourage you to move! Start moving; or, get back into moving! The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults participate is some form of moderate exercise for 60 minutes on most days.* Get involved in whatever you enjoy doing. If you pick something you enjoy, more than likely you will continue to do it. If you like playing frisbee with the dog, or catch with your child, then go ahead and you’ll both get a workout! If you like swimming, that is easy on joints and can be invigorating. Some of the Seattle indoor pools have hot tubs, an extra bonus after a workout. One of the easiest forms of exercise is going for a brisk walk. If you travel a lot, don’t use the moving sidewalk or escalator at the airport, try walking or climbing the stairs; you’ll surprise yourself and be glad you did. Taking a lightweight exercise band with you is convenient.

Stretching for a few minutes a day can do wonders.

What can you do now?

Reach out for that physical reward

Call a friend who exercises and ask if they want to go for a walk.

Take the dog for a really long walk.

Make an exercise commitment to a friend and check in with each other weekly to discuss your goals. You are only limited by your mental excuses.

There is no time like present.

Do it now.

It’s ok to be gentle and start slowly; best not to overdo it and get sore. That will just create another excuse!

Don’t wait until next week or next month. Start from wherever you are now.

When I started my new lifestyle, I started having two pieces of pizza instead of four. I stop at seconds instead of going for thirds, even if it tastes good. In a restaurant, I usually take some home and enjoy it a second time the next day. My shorts fit year after year now and I still buy the same size! I park the car far from the entrance to get in the extra walk. It’s a lifestyle change. Don’t listen to those excuses listed above they are not useful for your physical wellbeing. Listen to your friends who have adopted movement into their daily life. Listen to your inner voice that tells you to get up off the couch, put the bag of chips down; and, go do something fun. Dust off that treadmill in the garage, pull out your sneakers, start your workout routine now; you’ll be so glad you did.

Janine Ivanelli is a Personal Trainer who lives on Magnolia and can be reached at 206-841-1965. Email janineivanelli@yahoo.com

*Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy by Staci Nix. Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis MO, 2009.