Excuses are like armpits, everyone’s got ‘em and they stink!

As far as walking goes, I’m in the same place I was last month what a surprise-

I’ve done the same things.

What’s the quote? Insanity is doing the same thing expecting different results? Then it’s a fact, I’m insane!

Last month, June 1st, this is what I said:

“To Do List:
Physical Therapy 6 days each week:
Ride stationary bike 20 min.
30 modified pushups
Walk every two hours using a cane
1 hour physical therapy 5 days/week
Sleep 7 hours each night (that’s what I need)
I can do it~ I know I can! Next month it will be fun to see my progress!
I did that for about a week.

For the rest I of the month, I rode my stationary bike for 20 minutes and did 30 modified pushups 6 days a week. The same thing I’ve been doing for two years.

I could tell you lots of excuses as to why I didn’t do anything differently, but excuses stink. (You need to know that MS showed up active in my June blood work. I tell you that not as an excuse, but to let you know that if I can, you can.)

We all need to assess our circumstances and plan accordingly. What ever our situation is, exercise is a must.

So I’ll just recommit to adding a smaller amount of basic physical therapy exercises to my usual 20 minutes of stationary bike riding and 30 modified pushups.

This is what it looks like:
Stretches
20 sit to stands,
20 leg lifts from a sitting position.
Walk around the house with a cane 5 times a day

I spend so much time online (sitting), there is NO REASON not to do them. OK, Darlene Davis started an exercise challenge and I accepted. I won’t stop exercising!

If Darlene and I can do it, so can you!! Come on, join the Exercise Challenge!

Tell me in the comments below what you’re willing to do each week~ what ever exercises you’re able to do will improve your health!

Continuous effort not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential. ~Liane Cardes

There is a simple (not easy, but simple) formula for self-management. What ever undertaking we pursue we must put ourselves first. When we put into practice these actions our foundation for success will be laid.

Remember the flight attendant on the airplane instructs us if the oxygen mask is dropped down, to put it on our mask first, before assisting the person next to us, even if it’s our own child.

The fact is, if we don’t get the air we need, we won’t be around to help the one next to us.

So it is in life. Even though we have a natural desire to help those around us, we must spend the time and energy to lay the foundation in our lives.

In order to be successful in all our undertakings, whether they be business, family, or fun, we must take care of ourselves first.

As we learn to master the basics, we’ll be more equipped to create the life we dream of and help others along the way!

4 areas of necessity:

1. Food

2. Sleep

3. Exercise

4. Water Consumption .

Millionaires are hiring personal coaches to help them stay on-track with the basic four.

Following a proper diet contributes to a healthy body and opens the way to the life we desire. There are many food issues that block successful dietary self-management. We sometimes perceive we are fatter than we are. Sometimes we are actually over-weight and trying to loose the weight. Other times we might be the right weight but are ignorant to what nutritional value is in the foods that we eat. . No matter what is blocking us from having control, we must put diet on the top of our priority list and get control of our eating.

Sleep is necessary. Generally we don’t understand the importance of sleep. All we know is that we won’t be able to work or to think as well as we will when we are fully rested. Sleep deprivation is rampant. A large proportion of the problem is due to a high paced lifestyle causing the lack of time to get the sleep we need. Sleep deprivation can have serious effects on your health in the form of physical and mental impairments. Inadequate rest impairs our ability to think, handle stress, maintain a healthy immune system and moderate our emotions.

Proper exercise has many benefits. Gaining control of your body size and weight through fitness is an amazing way to increase self-esteem. You look better and are more confident which empowers you in everything you do. You will find that the self-discipline required and learned through regular exercise spills over into other areas of your life and you will be better able to make other necessary and desirable changes. For the greatest overall health benefits, experts recommend that we do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week and some type of muscle strengthening activity and stretching at least twice a week.

Drinking regular amounts of water is essential. A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day (10 cups). If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day.

When we lay this foundation every day, choosing primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, lay off the processed and unhealthy foods, sleep enough, exercise regularly, and drink enough water, the results are staggering.

If we want to create some real results in our lives, we must learn to master the basics.

When we do, we’ll be more equipped to create the life we dream of and help others along the way!

Leave comments below and tell me how you’re mastering these basic four.

Never a dull moment!  This really is an emotional rolller coaster! When I was younger, I’d hear people say, “at least you have your health.”  That never meant anything to me until I no longer had my health!  I am determined to get it back!  I’m going to exercise doing dance aerobics (to ’80′s music) and jump on the trampoline with my grandkids!

I’m staying positive, exercising regularly, eating right and my area of needed self discipline is sleep! I am amazed how poorly I do when I don’t get enough sleep! I’ve always felt that sleep is a waste of time! Now I realize it is necessary! I only need 7 hours of sleep a night and I have a hard time making myself go to bed! The days I do, I can stand and walk without pushing down on my walker you know, letting my legs do the walking and just use the walker for balance! See you next month!

Thursday, October 1, 2009 I’ve made the decision! The MS is in remission, the only thing holding me back from walking is ME! I’ve always said that if the disease was stopped, I’d be able to re-learn to walk. Now, I’ll prove it! I will continue to eat a predominantly alkaline diet, take my supplements, sleep enough, and fill my life with positive thoughts, feelings and actions! Check back in a month to see how I’m doing!