The Psycho-Emotive of Training Successfully

Some folks ask me how I do what I do when I am injured, tired, or...just at my age manage to do what some 25 year olds could only dream of doing.  The answer is this:  I am a trained fighter.  I am trained to focus, not blink or shrink from an opponent, to show no emotion and stay clear on what my goals are.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you want to perform a sport better, train more efficiently or win a competition, you need to address the psychological and emotional side of who you are.  Imagery exercises can help you....stand in front of a mirror when you are alone and imagine you performing your sport, training or event.  Imagine how you will feel during the physical exertion;  drive your mind through the obstacles - both mental and physical and visualize yourself successfully finishing first in the race, scoring a 72 at the golf course, winning the fight and getting the prize.  Training your mind is equally as important when training your body for any sport or event.

Get Rid Of That Spare Tire Around Your Waist Today

For all you folks out there carrying around that spare tire around your waist - no time like the present to get rid of it.  Abdominal fat can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and overall malaise.  Hypertension and inflammation have also been linked to abdominal fat.   Situps alone won't do it for you.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you're walking around like the Michelin Man and would like to get rid of that spare tire of fat around your waist, enroll today in a cardio program and start melting that waist away!

Just Do It!

Yesterday, I had some free time in the afternoon.  It was a magnificient summer day in Manhattan; the robin's egg blue sky and low humidity just made me wish I were somewhere on a golf course, by a lake or stream, or anywhere other than the city.  I had already done the P90X Plyometrics workout in the morning, so I had playtime at my disposal.  I dumped my work clothes and got into my shorts, t shirt and sneakers.  Mountain bike and me was all I needed.  I took a rapid but easy pace up the beautiful West Side Highway bike path and stopped off at 97th St to sit on a bench and just take in the sailboats, waterfowl and atmosphere of the park.  I could have gone up over the GW Bridge, but the objective was to go for a leisurely bike ride and enjoy the afternoon.  Sitting on the bench allowed me some mental detox time; the physical exercise was just a nice stretch of the legs.  At the end of the afternoon, I felt refreshed and so happy that I was able to just 'go out and play' on a nice day.  Even though I didn't get out of the Big Apple, the river view, the park and the silent solitude was like a mini vacation.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have time to get out and play, then just do it!  Do it because you physically can participate in the activity and because you never know what tomorrow will bring.  We hear everyday so many stories about people becoming victims of terrible accidents, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural or man-made disasters that we should do all we can to make today the best it can be.  So, don't say to yourself "I'll do it tomorrow" when it comes to play (save that for cleaning the house or the garage), go out there today and JUST DO IT!

I Can, I Will, AND I DO!!!

No.....I'm not getting married for you wise guys out there!!!!  I'm talking about RUNNING!!!!!!
For a few months, every time I looked at the treadmill, I'd psyche myself out and that little voice in my head would say 'you can't, you'll look stupid doing 3 minutes on that thing, and you'll never run again'.

Two weeks ago, I told the voice in my head to SHUT UP!  I looked at the treadmill and said to myself, 'there's nothing wrong with you, get on that thing and just do your best'.  I CAN DO IT!!!!  Yesterday, I ran 45 minutes at an easy pce (approximately 4 miles), the last 5 minutes with 2.5lbs dumbells in my hands.  I feel great!!!!  Today, I'm going to do the same and make sure I get in my weight and strength training.  I've stopped saying 'I can't'. 

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Kill the little voice in your head that tells you you're no good, and tells you what you can and cannot do....YOU CAN, YOU WILL AND WILL DO!!....now, get out there and just do it!!!  No matter what you do, just try to do your best; speed, endurance and perfection can be attained; all you have to do is practice!

Trepidation and Self Intimidation

Yesterday, I took my first run in Central Park for the first time in about 2 years.  It started off not so good....uphill, downhill on the bridlepath.  What was wrong??  My stride was off, I was having difficulty breathing.  My head was running, not my body!  All I kept thinking about was "maybe I shouldn't do the hills - not good for the knee, maybe I should change my stride from toe strike to heel-to-toe, maybe, maybe, maybe.....".  There was so much noise going on in my brain, I couldn't hear my Crystal Method song blasting through my headphones.
.....so, I stopped and started to walk.  I realized I was afraid to run; afraid to damage my knee; intimidated by the trail I have run thousands of times.
Trepidation and Self Intimidation can sabbotage our best intentions.  When this happens, it's time to stop, take a few good deep breaths, and shut the noise off in your brain.  Quite often, that 'voice' in our heads makes up the most incredible stories why we can't do something.  In the end, we self-annihiliate hook, line and sinker.  All in the fabulous little skull we call a brain which is supposed to be intelligent.  Self Intimidation is counter intelligence and self terrorism.
Having thought about all this while walking up to the reservoir, I decided to adopt the Nike slogan and 'just do it'.  Shut off the brain, listen to my music, look at the beautiful reservoir and just run.  There was a man in front of me who was taking a good pace:  about a 9.5 minute mile.  Slow, but steady, I followed him.  I looked at the cherry trees, the clouds, the birds and before I knew it, I had done a loop around the reservoir.  It's approximately 1.3 miles.  Not much at all, but a victory after not being able to run around the block for 2 years.  As I walked through the park back down to 59th Street, I took in my surroundings and appreciated the fact that I have 2 legs, I CAN run, and I tried my best.  Today is another day.  I'm a little sore because I'm not in running condition, but that's o.k.
....I'll be back!
and I'm gonna leave the self terrorism home!!