Tag: exercise

Sunday Morning Coffee Musings: The Scenic Route to Becoming Fit

FROM MY SPIRIT
Photo by Nicole Jackson 2023

I have lost 14lbs since last March and I would like it to be 16lbs by March 2023. It has truly been a struggle as some of you know from my blogs. Gifted with the challenge of diabetes after I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease, a few years ago I lost 12lbs after taking a Nutrition class from a CERTIFIED nutrionist in diabetes and after the doctor added a new med. I was not really working out consistently.

I have chosen the scenic route to weight loss and being fit. I call it the scenic route as it’s a long, slow way to lose weight. It’s a journey I have chosen to see as exciting as I discover new meals and recipes. I see it as a new way of making better choices. I see it as a reward for when I work out and I don’t really want to. Having Rheumatoid Disease and Fibromyalgia makes it difficult but, that is no longer my excuse for NOT moving my body. Because of the disease of Rheumatoid and the mystery of fibromyalgia, I am not supposed to do high impact exercise. But that doesn’t mean I cannot exercise at all. I have chosen the old-fashioned way of a healthier diet and exercise. A lifestyle change.

I have no huge goal. Therefore, I am not hugely disappointed if I don’t meet it. I am not doing this for an event or anyone. I am doing this for me. I’m not trying to be the size I was before I had my daughter 22 years ago but, if it happens, great! If I fall off or make the wrong choices I am not too hard on myself. I get back on track and keep moving forward. I just want to be fit. Less belly. I want to do all I can in my power to age well.

~Nikki

Mind Body Exercise Connection

FROM MY SPIRIT

As soon as confusion or anger arises your mind becomes cloudy. When you FEEL frustration and disappointment, you have trouble thinking or concentrating. There is no escaping the fact that there is a mind and body connection. Exercise can help you to CLEAR your mind and when you have a CLEAR mind you have clarity. You can think straight. You can gather the correct response and you can receive solutions to your issues. So, literally take a hike!

How does it work?

Part of the reason exercise enhances cognition has to do with blood flow. Research shows that when we exercise, blood pressure and blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better. – scientificamerican.com

Exercise can help provide: Sharper memory and thinking. The same endorphins that make you feel better also help you concentrate and feel mentally sharp for tasks at hand. Exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline. -helpguide.org

Before you “pop off” or go off go for a walk. Do some yoga. Pump some iron. Go for a swim. Jog. Wog (walk and jog combo). Taekwondo. Zumba. Go to kick boxing class. You get the picture ❤

~Nikki

Nature Walks and Thoughts

FROM MY SPIRIT

There is provision on the journey, on the path of life. It may not seem like it but, it is. There are wide open spaces to make mistakes, to play, to explore. There are narrow paths that squeezes things into you and squeezes things out of you. There are places to rest and recoup. (The benches along this path).

There are hills. The challenges are not the hills. The challenges are the doubts and fears in you. Challenge them and win.

There is water (saw a fountain) on the journey. Oh water is sooooooooo good. Water is wisdom. Water is encouragement and enlightenment. Water helps cleanse your body and nourishes your soul. Water is on the journey. You can find water in books, in church, in a mosque, among friends, and with spiritual leaders. Did you know you are 70% water? It’s in you!

There is a playground. Oh yes. On the journey you are suppose to have fun. Play. Laugh. Make friends. Find friends. On the journey, you are to play!

~Nikki

RA BLOG:YOGA, Shoulders and RA

RAFibroOAEtc., Uncategorized

Practice these poses on a regular basis and you will have very little problems zipping up your dress, washing your back, reaching your hind parts (lol) etc when you get older. Or if you are having those problems now the more you attempt to do these, or even simply grasping your hands behind your back, it will get better.

Someone is going to say “I can’t do that!” Well, yoga is not whether or not you can do a pose exactly like it’s done…it requires that you do the best you can and work your way to the pose or as close to it as you can. Over time, you can inch your way up to the middle of the back. It’s a slow process.I still can’t do either one of these if you are judging by the photos on the right. Yoga’s a no judgement, no competition zone. You may not even be able to close your hands all the way. And the other pose, where arms come around in opposite directions to the middle of the back, you can use a towel to gently pull up.

gomukhasana-arms

~Nikki