yoga

Happy First Day of Summer!

June 21, 2011 By Debbie 2 Comments

: click on this fun ecard to spread happiness!

It’s a new season! I just love summer! My favorite time of the year. Love being outside, the longer days, no homework for the kids! Now I just need to slow down and savor it!

I have had a nonstop spring-just been gone so much with my mom being ill (and out of town) and other trips I had already planned-both business and fun. It has been too much! I just said to someone the other day, I am having the craziest spring, just can’t seem to stay home and I am so behind on everything! My friend looked at me and said “It isn’t spring anymore, it is summer!” Oops! Where did it go?

One of my friends that knows me well says that I live in my head! I think that she means I am not living in the present, always thinking about what I need to do next, my to do list, etc. instead of just slowing down and enjoying now! Guess I need to do yoga more, it is all about being present! (here I go again with that word DO!)

But then I also think that this is a season in my life where I don’t have control. With my mom being ill I don’t know when I will have to drop things and run on down to Dallas again. This sandwich generation thing is not always fun-being pulled between my husband and kids and the needs of my mom and sister in Dallas. Maybe I am supposed to be learning to say no more and not overschedule myself. It is so hard for me to do! But I am learning that I can’t control everything and I need to trust that everything will fall into place as it is meant to be.

Is it just me or do you all have these struggles too?

Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz at the Broadmoor

April 12, 2011 By Debbie 2 Comments

Jazz Chick Hoodies at Earl Klugh Weekend Today I am writing this from the Colorado Springs airport. My husband and I just had the best time at the Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz at the Broadmoor. It is our 5th year to go. We had an incredible time-along with Earl Klugh we saw Peabo Bryson, David Sanborn, Brian Culbertson and Nnenna Freelon. We just loved it! They have many activities over the weekend-my favorite is the morning yoga classes. We have gotten to know Earl and Denise Klugh over the years and for the past 3 events, Happy First has made “Jazz Chick” hoodies for them. I am so honored. It is so fun to see people wearing them!

Fun Fitness Goals!

March 14, 2011 By Debbie 1 Comment

It’s Motivational Monday again! This is part two of my health and fitness goal setting.

Last week I focused on a healthy diet, this week I want to focus on exercise goals.

I love to work out, I just was in a rut last year and needed a challenge. I was running some and doing videos that I had dvr’d on FitTv on cable. My favorites are Cathe Friedrich and Total Body Sculpt with Gilad (I think he has been around at least 20 years!) but I needed to change it up. I still do their workouts from time to time; if you already have FitTv on cable and can dvr, this is a great free option!

Choose a fitness plan

I needed a new fitness plan to follow: a new goal to work towards and check off each day. The following are some fitness ideas.

P90x workout

I started out with p90x workout. I love it because you can do it from home using their videos. I love the variety. One day is lifting weights focusing on arms, chest, back or legs, the next day is yoga or kenpo (kickboxing) or plyometrics (jumping). Every other day includes a great abdominal If you want to start with a version that is not quite so extreme, try the Power 90 . P90x can be an hour+, the Power 90 is 30 minutes. Check them out.

Running

About 6 weeks into p90x I decided I wanted to get involved with Team in Training (TNT) because they contribute to my cause, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and I love to run and wanted to be outside. I decided to train for my first half marathon, which I completed in October. I did the San Francisco Nike Women’s marathon. It was incredible!

So even though p90x is a 12 week program and I only did 6 weeks, it is ok to switch goals as long as you are doing something! After my October run, I switched back to p90x this winter because I don’t like to run in the extreme cold. Now that it is warming up I am running again, training for the San Diego Rock and Roll half marathon in June with TNT.

I am not saying jump in and train for a half marathon. Set small goals like running a mile and then entering a 5K-there are lots of runs to choose from. Find a buddy to run with or join a running group.

Yoga

Another form of exercise I do that is essential for me is yoga. It is a great workout and just the balance I need. I need some stretching to balance the running and the weights. I go to Inner Peace Yoga in Tulsa (they carry the Happy First line!) and their classes are wonderful. They have a variety of classes for every level. Another thing I love about yoga is it is nonjudgmental. You focus on what you can do and don’t worry what the other person is doing. Every one has their own journey. Inner Peace has a happy atmosphere! It is fun to see familiar faces; the friends there keep me going.

Golf

I also love to golf. I love to be outside and have fun with friends and work at getting better at something (I have a long way to go with golf, but still love it!) I started out with some friends that were at the same level as me and we took lessons together. We have a blast.

Fitness Club or group

There are many good fitness clubs out there. My friend Lori loves Gold’s Gym because there are so many classes (spin, weights, yoga) to go to. She also likes the pool since she is training for a triathalon. My friend Erica owns Fitbootcamptulsa in Broken Arrow, OK. A group of moms meet at 5:30 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and have a different challenging workout each time. It is great to have a group to be accountable to and have fun with!

Pick a form of exercise that is fun and works for you. Set some goals within that plan. Get out there and do it! You will feel so much better!

What fitness ideas do you have?

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