Reflections on the Movement Resolution
I once again did not quite live up to my intended resolution, but feel I made some really good progress this past month in pushing myself to be a bit more active during this season where I just mostly want to hibernate. Its so easy for me to be active when its not snowy and wintery. I bicycle five times a week. I hike twice a week. I garden semi-daily. I go swimming. I go birding. That was exactly why I chose February for this resolution--I knew it would be more of a challenge in February. I could do it standing on my head come June or July.
I was struck down with a nasty cold the second weekend of February which left me absolutely unwilling to do anything resembling exercise for four full days. I also missed a few other days for no really good reason. In the end I averaged 25 minutes of conscious movement each day. Not too far from goal. I am okay with that.
The movement of choice mostly consisted of walking and yoga with a little dancing thrown in. I can't say as I am surprised, but a little more variety would probably make it more enjoyable.
But, in pushing myself and making a conscious effort to get moving more I discovered some really fun and exciting new things in the yoga arena. First, I discovered Kundalini yoga which I quickly became quite smitten with. I personally get a whole lot out of the emphasis on breath, energy, and the spine in Kundalini practice. As a spinal arthritis sufferer it seems perfect for me. Several days of practice in a row and I could feel things I'd never felt before. It was amazing. It was almost like a drug. My back felt loose and light like a fluffy cloud. I slept the night through without back pain. I'll say it again: it was amazing. I also discovered how yoga practice day after day really increased my flexibility--and I've always been rather flexible. After just three days in a row I could bring my head down to my knee during a simple hamstring stretch. I was pleasantly surprised. My forehead was quite far from my knee on the first day.
Matt and I went snow-shoeing for the first time this past weekend--we borrowed a couple pairs of snowshoes from a friend. Matt and I were both quite keen to try it out--even though it was double-digits below zero and the light fluffy snow wasn't ideal. We tromped about the yard and neighboring park. I think it would be wonderful to expand my options for outdoor activities during the winter. I love to walk. Why not walk right on top of the drifts?! I might have look into investing in a pair of my own.
I was struck down with a nasty cold the second weekend of February which left me absolutely unwilling to do anything resembling exercise for four full days. I also missed a few other days for no really good reason. In the end I averaged 25 minutes of conscious movement each day. Not too far from goal. I am okay with that.
The movement of choice mostly consisted of walking and yoga with a little dancing thrown in. I can't say as I am surprised, but a little more variety would probably make it more enjoyable.
But, in pushing myself and making a conscious effort to get moving more I discovered some really fun and exciting new things in the yoga arena. First, I discovered Kundalini yoga which I quickly became quite smitten with. I personally get a whole lot out of the emphasis on breath, energy, and the spine in Kundalini practice. As a spinal arthritis sufferer it seems perfect for me. Several days of practice in a row and I could feel things I'd never felt before. It was amazing. It was almost like a drug. My back felt loose and light like a fluffy cloud. I slept the night through without back pain. I'll say it again: it was amazing. I also discovered how yoga practice day after day really increased my flexibility--and I've always been rather flexible. After just three days in a row I could bring my head down to my knee during a simple hamstring stretch. I was pleasantly surprised. My forehead was quite far from my knee on the first day.
Matt and I went snow-shoeing for the first time this past weekend--we borrowed a couple pairs of snowshoes from a friend. Matt and I were both quite keen to try it out--even though it was double-digits below zero and the light fluffy snow wasn't ideal. We tromped about the yard and neighboring park. I think it would be wonderful to expand my options for outdoor activities during the winter. I love to walk. Why not walk right on top of the drifts?! I might have look into investing in a pair of my own.
I like hearing about your goals. I set myself one small goal to work this past week: work on becoming more positive. I have a lot of negative self-talk & I always imagine the worst possible scenario. So I made it a goal to write down 1 thing positive from the day prior, adding 1 each day, until I reach 10. I just finished day 7 (posted on my blog in fact).
ReplyDeleteI think that positivity makes so many other things possible. Good goal.
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