Fitness: Get Energized, by Sandra O’Brien

As I write this month’s article, here in Oakville, there are slow but sure signs of spring approaching. Rainy days are replacing the seemingly never-ending snow storms of this past winter. Warmer temperatures – that is, temperatures above zero – inspire us crazy Canucks to roll down the car window and deeply inhale the fresh air. That first warmer day after a long cold winter, always inspires a feeling of being fully alive and hopeful for the unknown that lays ahead for me.

And with warmer days ahead, that always means fewer bulky layers of clothes, and more exposure of our bodies and skin – a sure fire way to motivate you to bump up the fitness regime if you have fallen off the wagon over the colder months. There are many benefits to allowing yourself to move in to an expectation of looking and feeling your best this year. Excitement and never ending energy, beyond what you have ever known before, are available to you, if you are open. Moving into the wonder and euphoria of life just takes the decision to do so. It’s not complicated. Taking a few action steps daily will go a long way to increasing overall wellness and energy.

Ingesting “dead” food items will never help you to feel fully alive. If you are eating items that resonate zero life force, how can you expect your body to work at ideal levels? If a “food” can sit on your countertop or fridge and after one week has not wilted, grown bacteria or looks uneatable, you probably do not need to ingest it. If the food comes in a box, bag or plastic container, your body most likely does not know how to process it fully. Eat foods that came off a tree, vine, bush, or grew in the ground, or flew, walked or swam. Drink a minimum of half your body weight in water daily. Adopt a daily meditation practice.

For me, one of the fastest ways to get out of a funk and feel alive is to move. Dancing, taking a yoga class or doing a body weight workout will get the energy moving through me and before I know it, I am feeling alive!

Try this at home workout to get energy shifting in you.

First, warm up with five minutes of skipping, jumping jacks or running.

Now, repeat the following set of exercises, keeping your core engaged, and breathing. Rest as needed, but not more than needed. You want to keep the intensity high:

  • 10 Jump Squats
  • 10 Burpees
  • 10 Pushups

I suggest that beginners complete one to three rounds. Those with intermediate to advanced fitness levels should aim to complete four to ten rounds.

Spend five minutes stretching when finished.

Life is short. Spend each and every minute making choices that move you towards a state of joy. Discover ways that allow you to maintain this feeling. Commit to doing these activities daily.

Namaste,

Sandra


Sandra-photo
Sandra O’Brien
 is mother to the world’s three most fabulous children. She is also a Law of Attraction Life Coach, Personal Trainer, yoga instructor, published author and Reiki healer. Her work has been featured on CityLine Television, and The Toronto Star. She is owner of Muskoka Hot Yoga, and Muskoka Goddess, offering hot yoga, tabata bootcamps, personal training and coaching. She created the Goddess Creation system, a female fitness program to blowtorch body fat, sculpt sexy lean muscle and empower women everywhere to be the best version of themselves, inside and out. She enjoys dancing, reading, hiking in the forest, meditation.
For more information on Sandra, please visit www.muskokahotyoga.com.