Wellness Wednesday: Nature Walking in Urbania

In short, I don't believe we have to buy products to be physically fit. I believe lots of marketing critters would like us to believe it though. This does a real disservice to low-income people who might actually believe they can't have good physical health because they can't "afford" it.

Sorry. Ain't buying it ~ figuratively or literally.

As long as we have arms and legs, we can exercise free. There's no need for gyms, gimmicks or "special programs". You don't need special clothes. You don't need Jenny Craig or Nutri-System. You don't need Curves. It is, as someone said, "a big bowl of wrong"! Physical fitness is relatively simple. Move. That's all there is to it. Eat less. Move around.

I believe this strongly which is why my purchase this morning surprised even me.

While walking, it's nice to have something to listen to besides other people's car radios (especially those jerks who honestly believe we want to hear their bass a mile away), trucks, sirens and other urban sounds. So... I bought a portable MP3 player. I looked at a variety of them. I even looked at iPods but there's no way I am willing to spend that kind of money for something so frivolous. As long as there are other people who need food and water, I can't justify that kind of expense for something so completely unnecessary. Even spending $80.00 on a player is a stretch but at least I can justify it a little bit.

The MP3 player isn't for music. Truth told, music isn't all that interesting ~ but I discovered that the soul series on Oprah's website which features many inspirational speakers and even the TED talks can be downloaded in MP3 format. Listening to inspirational speaking is something I've always liked. That's probably why I am a talk radio fan as well. There are just some fascinating people on this planet and I want to hear what they have to say.

Coast to Coast radio also offers MP3 downloads of the nightly show. Since I often fall asleep in the middle of it, it will be a pleasure to listen to it during the day.

I'm also going to download nature sounds on it. There are no birds chirping or crickets here in the 'hood. This area is mostly concrete and strip malls. Sometimes I would like to hear birds, small animals, wind, rain or even the ocean.

I know this device is certainly not necessary for health and well-being. It's strictly a luxury - but sometimes that needs to be okay, too. If it keeps my feet moving, I'll give it a try.

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Just for today, I can also be found here, as if you don't get enough of me already!

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Sacred Life Sunday: Walking Meditation

I have an aversion to aggressive movement. Hammering a nail is uncomfortable because the jerking, pounding motions feel unnatural.

It's been a problem for me with many work-out routines in that it almost seems I have to be angry to make the motions meaningful.

That's why I've gravitated to things like yoga and tai chi. Qigong. Things that include slow, fluid movements and lots of stretching.

Lately I've been turning my walks into meditation time. (Sitting meditation drives me nuts. I have the attention span of an infant and just can't make it work.) Walking meditation serves the purpose of exercise for my body as well as my mind. It gives me a chance to pay attention to how my feet feel on the ground, the scents around me, the sounds, the atmosphere.

The best thing is that it really helps to somehow integrate my mind and body, to draw them together instead of always feeling somehow at odds with my body - as though it is something separate to be carried around. I've always had an incongruous relationship with my body and feeling disconnected from it.

Those who have a much faster pace of life than mine will probably find it useful for intentionally slowing down and feeling more connected to their environments, not mindlessly going from one task to another.

I've found that it's best to find a place where I will be uninterrupted by traffic. A local park, around the neighborhood or even in a large department store. All of those settings work. At least for me, I've found it needs to be outdoors, not on the treadmill.

Try it. You'll probably like it. :)

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MILF Friday on Saturday

As usual, I don't have a lot to report beyond a couple of pounds and perhaps another fraction of an inch.

It occurs to me though that taking a good multivitamin is essential to lose weight so I decided to look into that a bit. I've recently changed multivitamins and the new one is producing better results than the cheaper Target brand.

It turns out that I am at least partially right in my intuition about it. It's said that as we take the vitamins, it boosts the immune system so our bodies don't hang on to the fat in fear that more nutrients won't be coming.

Since I've been on the new one for a few weeks and pounds are beginning to drop off instead of just inches.

I am not an active person by nature. I live a very quiet, sedate life that doesn't include the usual busy-ness that many others experience. In some ways, my daily life is actually rather contemplative. I sit a lot. During spring and early summer, I walk a good number of miles but I need all the help I can find on the "off-season".

So this week's discovery is that a good multivitamin helps even those of us who are not overly active. Green tea also seems to be boosting my metabolism. I am still walking 30 minutes a day, even if it is only walking in place.

For the next few weeks, I have a motivator. I spent quite a bit of money (which I can ill-afford) on another shipment from Thailand. The wrap pants I bought are a bit tight so I'd better get the exercise on.

Chok dee (good luck) to all this next week. :)


Peace,

~Chani

Plain Jane....

It's almost time to go out for my "no damn excuses" 30-minute walk, per "You On A Diet". It is part of my exercise effort that's fallen to the wayside since the weather has gotten colder. If I ruled the universe, it would never get over 90 degrees and never under 60 degrees. I love a mild climate.

And I'm going to survive in Thailand.

Right!

Anyway, I went to the bedroom to begin dressing. It occurred to me that I have become very dependent on my "Thailand look". It's become a habit and part of my overall self-perception. It is too cold for it this month though and I've had to resort to my previous "plain jane" look. Capris and a fleece top are the best I can do without freezing my butt off, not to mention arms and legs.

Thai clothes are designed for warm weather. Last winter, I suffered it out. Not going to do it this year. Last winter, I froze for three solid months, all in an effort to keep "my look". (Ghod, I feel so shallow!) The fact that this has become such an important part of my daily life that I would risk getting sick and being very uncomfortable is telling in itself. It's telling me I'm an idiot!

Off for a walk. Hopefully, I'll think of things with just a bit more relevance.

Okay. So this is an insignificant and silly post. And I'm goin' ta hell for wasting bandwidth on the Internet this way. But... it's Sunday. :)

Hope everyone has a great day!


Peace,


~Chani, who really does have an IQ above room temperature...