As our minds grow wiser and our life experiences multiply, our bodies age. It is important we maintain physical activity into our senior years in order to aid this process. Staying fit means not only looking good, but feeling good as well. Exercise has many health benefits including an immune system boost and the development of stronger muscles to support brittle bones, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory strengthening. While it is certain that getting the proper dose of exercise can assist us in our senior years, it is equally true there are some dangers associated with keeping fit. Just glancing at the free weight section has our back in knots, and the treadmill threatens injury to our knees and ankles with its heavy-impact requirement. Our aging bodies prohibit us from pushing ourselves in the gym the same way were able to as youngsters, so we’ve got to get a little more creative in our exercise methods.

Walking

One great method of safely exercising that is perhaps most commonly employed by seniors, is walking. Walking allows for the exertion of the leg muscles and encourages joint flexibility by repeated use and motion. Taking a daily walk not only aids in maintaining ones physical condition, it also stimulates sensory activity, supporting sustained emotional and mental heath. Many seniors find social benefits in walking as well, choosing to walk in pairs or teams to promote social activity.

Swimming

Even less impact driven, swimming is another great way for seniors to stay in shape. Considered by some to be the single best method of exercise, swimming involves muscle exertion against the resistance of the water, respiratory strengthening by holding the breath during strokes, and complete cardiovascular workout as laps are completed, all without bringing harm to the joints. Swimming allows you to pace your workout to match your needs on a day-to-day basis; if on a particular day you are experiencing lower levels of energy or heightened pain, you have the freedom to adjust your workout accordingly. For a lighter workout try simply wading across the pool, or as deep as you can travel still keeping your head above water. The resistance created by the water against your body is enough to work your muscles a little and help release any tightness in your joints. On stronger days graduate to lap-work, beginning with single laps and moving up to multiple consecutive laps once your endurance allows for it.

Tai Chi

Another exercise method that has gained ample attention over the past few years is Tai Chi. Perfect for senior citizens, Tai Chi involves the repetition of slow, connected motions in a balletic and controlled manner. Originating in China, Tai Chi aims to create a sense of internal centering and balance while reducing stress. Its meditative quality allows for the calming of worrisome or intrusive thoughts associated with the busy world that surrounds us, and allows us to enjoy a moment of calm, focusing on our breathing and inner peace.

Many organizations offer outdoor Tai Chi classes creating an opportunity to celebrate nature and build core strength simultaneously. Another exercise method often practiced in groups, Tai Chi offers an opportunity to connect not only internally but with other human beings as well, promoting the sense of community that keeps us emotionally sound.

The three exercise methods discussed above are by no means the only ways for seniors to safely stay fit, rather suggestions for those in need of beginning direction. When exploring other approaches be sure that gradual strengthening and conditioning are the focus, not overexertion. Exercise doesn’t have to be extreme, only consistent, in order to be effective.

And remember, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program!

Photo Credits

Walking and Swimming From The Microsoft Office Clip Art Collection

Tai Chi – Some rights reserved by gigiscò

Guest Author Bio

Megan DeFilippo
Megan writes for Assisted Living Today, a leading source of information on senior care providing an Assisted Living Missouri guide.

Blog / Website: http://assistedlivingtoday.com/

Stay Fit Safely – 3 Great Outdoor Activities For Senior Citizens is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

My entire belief system has been altered in the last few days. Breaking out of old belief systems is a matter of breaking old patterns, which is not an easy thing to do.

Change your scenery, change your friends, change the position of your furniture, change your diet, change your routines, change your clothes, change your attitude. All these strategies work to change how you perceive yourself and the world. It only takes 21 days to break old habits and create new ones, and it is thoroughly addictive when you see what self discipline and focus can do.

New talents can be invoked and the oldest questions revisited at any age.

I happen to like repetition and familiarity, as well as change. So I incorporate these seemingly juxtaposed circumstances into something that works on all levels. When I’m lifting weights, for instance, every repetition charges my cells and forces them into a new potential state of being. Better still, when I’m pushing out reps that cause pain, I feel weakness leaving my body, old patterns snapping under the weight of the pressure I’m choosing to impose on myself. My muscles feel oozy and my mind feels light and I hear myself thinking great things once the pressure’s off.

The more you do (to a reasonable limit, of course), the more you become.

Same thing happens when I’m doing cardio. I feel an elation that nothing else can provide because it’s my elation. It’s my choice to bring myself to these new levels of being. Time both stands still and rushes by instantly, as my life force courses through me and I lose myself in the throbbing sound of my heartbeat. My mind goes deep inside, in a vain attempt to escape the sometimes uncomfortable exertion, and I swirl into my chakras.

The mindset that is created from doing repetitions – whether it’s weights, steps, math, dishes, laundry or whatever – especially when you don’t feel like it – pushes both the mind and body into new levels of ability. Repetition, and exercise in particular, are vehicles – my blueprints and architect – to a better body and mind.

New neural networks are created every time we try something new: It’s like a secret room is added to the great cathedral of your own mind. As muscles grow from ‘repping it out,’ so does the mind’s ability to see and think outside the box of ‘just good enough.’

Laziness and doubt are easier than action and confidence. And although they are sometimes necessary, a body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, and in doing so, it moves the mind as well.

I have let go of being sure. I have let go of doubt. I have let go of perfection in reality but not in idea. Like Plato, I believe in perfect shapes, but to have one is no longer my goal.

As a result, everything I perceive now is more alive. The are subtle movements everywhere. Once mesmerized by emotion, I now feel what triggers the emotion. The emotions themselves offered something akin to a cheap buzz, but focusing on the underlying source of my feelings has greatly enhanced my perception. This process happens automatically – if one is willing to see it – when one moves, exercises and thinks oneself right into the uncomfortable realms.

Choosing to go into uncomfortable places not only makes one stronger and more confident, but better able to handle all things uncomfortable. It empowers you. The parts of you that once could not tolerate an ‘uncomfortable thing, place or person’, with practice, becomes accustomed to it, which allows you to reach further. What was once ‘too hard’ isn’t anymore. Which brings the mind into a state I like to call ‘oaaahhh yeeah.’ When you reach this point, the exploration of all that is ‘too hard’ becomes a fun and exciting journey, instead of a hard and annoying goal to accomplish.

Why? Because you chose.

Oaaaahhhh yeeeeah

Photo Credits

Standing Chakra Woman @ www.mandalas.com 

Bend The Spoon is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

Julia McLean offers some tough-love advice for the summer swimsuit season.

The season for diets is upon us. It is a given — exposing your blubber to public scrutiny in your cozzie (UK English for swimsuit) is a no-no. Your boobs are going to droop and you will be no match for the lithe 20-something athlete who does perfect back flips off the board at the pool on your luxury first-time holiday cruise.

You really don’t want to look like a classic Walmart shopper with rolls of lard leaking from under your braline or your tummy tumbling out over the top of your trews and your bum bursting out of the bottom of your bathers.

So, diet for God’s sake!

Last time, I went on a diet with Weight Watchers and it worked. (They don’t even pay me to say this.) I really went because I knew I was too weak-willed to keep to a diet unless I paid for a course. I did lose the 10 pounds which were excess to my requirements.

Mostly, I found that I eat very healthily, but my two shots of Scotch after work every day counted for too many points on their system! Recently, Weight Watchers in  the area where I live has gone online, and I really can’t be doing that. I like the human contact and the “shame on you!” the finger-wagging from the course leader.

This time, the Flat Tummy Club diet sounds like it will suit me fine, and today’s Times had the Flat Tummy Club top ten tips. I have taken the liberty of adding my caveats”

• Instead of obsessing about foods you find hard to do without, find healthy things you like to eat and eat lots of those. Fruit and veg rather than carbs.

• Do exercises that you can do in the time you have without having to go to the gym. I do them while I am applying make-up, curling my hair, or drying myself after a shower.

• If you know you are going to get hungry, take apple with you – it’s easy to carry and can be eaten without mess.

• Keep plenty of healthy snacks in the cupboard for the times you cannot resist – yoghurt, fresh fruit, dates and nuts, carrots.

• Drink lots of water – preferably one you like (San Pelligrino or Perrier with lemon or orange juice). Remember that tea and coffee count as your water ration BUT only drink proper coffee (none of your cafe lattes or powdered coffees – so go for an espresso/express with a bit of milk added, and make sure the coffee is “arabica” (“robusta” is not as good a quality, but more importantly, it has more caffeine and can set your nerves jangling). Drink good-quality tea – use leaves not tea bags, or drink green tea which is a good diuretic.

• If you drink herbal teas, watch the back labels on boxes to make sure you are getting quality tea without added flavours and colorants.

• Eat slowly, savour the food and you will digest more easily.

• Instead of strolling around the shops, try making your shopping trip into brisk walk.

• Replace white sugar with honey, brown sugar or maple syrup.

• Replace the industrial supermarket biscuits with quality Italian or French biscuits because they generally have proper ingredients (check back labels on all the things you buy and see how many preserving chemicals there are and how many “flavour enhancers” are added, powdered eggs/ powdered milk etc).

• My personal favourite is this:  don’t take as big a helping as usual and don’t go for seconds.

• Don’t stress out if you get greedy one day, remember that tomorrow is another day but also remember you want to lose weight because you are going on a holiday of a lifetime and you want your old man/partner/new boyfriend/ girlfriends to be jealous. Go for it!

Photo Credits:

Bikini Myrtel Beach, By ron miguel from North Carolina, USA (the concept of beauty) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

How to Diet for Swimsuit Season is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

After months of training, it’s finally Marathon Day for Jess. Will her body cooperate for 26 miles to the finish line?

At my last physiotherapy session I talked with my physiotherapist (PT) about the marathon and what my goal was. “I just want to finish it,” I told her. She understood, being a runner herself, that there was no way I wasn’t going to at least give it a try. We did one last little bit of work on my leg and hip, and she taped me up and got me ready the best she could. A little pep talk and a reminder to stand up straight, suck in my stomach and squeeze my butt. That ended up being my mantra as I ran.

The kids and I headed for Vancouver on Friday afternoon. We spent the day with my family and my dad took us all out to dinner. It felt like a celebration and, in a way, it was. With kids and life and a ferry ride between us I don’t get to see my family as often as I would like. With seven kids between us all when we all get together it always feels like a party.

When we got home from dinner, we sat down and discussed the plans for the morning. What was I going to do? I had said in many places that I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it, though in my heart I never gave up hope, and my silly head was playing miracle videos of me crossing the finish line in under four hours. Stupid head. I decided that at the four mile mark I would decide if I was going to attempt the whole thing. My family had their first stop around the seven mile mark so they would know if I wasn’t there by 9 am I was done. Why four miles? The fourth mile is always the hardest for me. The first two miles are for warming up and shaking out any cobwebs; the third mile is where I know if any aches and pains are getting worse or dissipating; and the fourth mile is where my cardio catches up and syncs with my legs. When I start mile five I usually feel amazing.

My brother picked me up at 5:45 in the morning and we had a great time driving downtown. My brother has been running for 25 years. He’s done dozens of marathons and half-marathons. He’s fast and smart and almost always injury free. He gave me lots of good advice and I realized how much I’ve missed him all these years and how happy I am that running has given us something to come back together for.

When we got to the Expo area we parted ways so that we could both go through our little rituals. I lined up for the Porta-Potties right away. The line was so long that when I finished I drank my bottle of water and lined up again. Fastest hour ever. As soon as I got out the second time I went to the start line and placed myself at the 4:15 pace bunny.

The first four miles were a blur. We wound our way around parts of Vancouver I didn’t recognize at all. I actually had no idea where we were. I just concentrated on my body and my form. Stand up straight, suck in your stomach, relax your shoulders and neck, squeeze your butt. Everything I could do to engage my core and take as much of the burden as possible off my hip flexor. Things felt okay. As I approached the 5k timing mat I glanced down at my watch and saw I was going at a nice pace, around 27 minutes. For the next few minutes, as I approached four mile mark, I did an inventory of my body: I was running without a limp as far as I could tell and my pain was about a three to four out of 10. Cardiovascular-wise everything felt fine. I knew I was more than fit enough to do this. Onwards.

As I passed the 10k mat (58ish minutes) I started looking around for familiar faces. We were passing through the Downtown Eastside and it was a strange dichotomy; running past prostitutes, homeless people and other people in generally poor circumstances made me feel very privileged to be running through their neighbourhoods. There were very few spectators along this part of the route. As I came into Gastown I saw my family on the side of the road. I veered over towards them and told them it was going well and I would see them at our next planned meeting place. As I ran away I felt bad that I hadn’t stopped and kissed them all, but I was at that point where I couldn’t stop. It was time to just keep moving. As we went into Stanley Park I started feeling a little fatigued and the pain was inching up slightly. I decided to go for the half-way mark and reassess then. I kept going over in my head what I really wanted. I wanted to finish, but I didn’t want to cause some major injury that would sideline me for months. I wanted to finish.

The park was very difficult for me. There were almost no spectators and the pack had spread out enough that I was pretty much on my own. As I went through a water station I was discouraged and angry to see they were out of cups. I scanned the ground to see if I could find a discarded one, but there were none. One of the volunteers just poured water in my mouth. (I had decided not to wear my fuel belt because it is big and clunky and I knew there were lots of water stations on the course.) I hit the half-way mark at 1:58ish and decided to keep going because even if I did stop, there was no way anybody would be able to come and get me. We went through the second water station in the park and again it was empty. I started to panic and said, “You mean there is no water for the rest of the course?” I kept going, but I felt my chest fill up with emotion to the point where I had to stop and grab it and force myself to calm down so I could breathe. I’ve never had that feeling before. I spent the next mile or so alternately weeping and feeling hopeless.

As we turned the corner out of the park, there was a Saucony cheer team and one of the volunteers saw me and shouted out my name and then ran along with me for a bit, encouraging me and telling me I could do it. It was all I needed. A short while later I saw my family again. It was around mile 16. I headed straight for them, pulled out my ear buds and hugged them all, fighting back more tears. I told them I was struggling a bit, but was pretty sure I could finish. I also told them about the water and they pointed just up the road and said, “There is water right there! Go, Babe!” As I ran away from them I got that same filled-up heavy feeling in my chest and I had to stop again for a moment to hold my chest and let the emotion out. More tears. I walked through the water station and had two cups of water and a cup of Gatorade. Then, I did something I’ve never done in a race — I used the washroom.

I headed back out and right away I saw my oldest daughter, my sister and my mom. It was around 18 miles. They were all crying. I gave my daughter a huge hug, told them all I felt good and I’d see them at the finish line. As I ran away I looked back and saw my daughter running after me, waving. Nothing can describe the huge emotions I was feeling at that point, all magnified by exhaustion and pain.

The next and last part of the run was an “out and back” over the Burrard Street Bridge. In the middle of the bridge I got a cramp in my side and stopped for a moment to stretch – it was at exactly that moment that the elite runners passed on the other side of the bridge on their home stretch. Inspiring and amazing. I cheered for them all. The woman who was in first place had the most joyous smile on her face; it perked me up to get going again. Shortly after that stop on the bridge everything started hurting more and more. By mile 19 I was having to stop and walk every few minutes. I tried stretching, I tried changing my stride, I even tried a limping run. It just kept getting worse. The pain was becoming intense with both the impact and the lifting of my right leg. As I passed the 30k mat I started arguing with myself about what to do. Stop, keep trying to run or walk the rest of the way? At mile 20 I knew there was only 10k to go. I calculated how long it would take me to walk that far. As I was limping along, the 4:15 pace bunny went past and then the 4:30. I was discouraged and angry. I was so close. At 20.76 miles and three hours and 27 minutes I spotted some volunteers and walked off the course.

I asked them for a phone and they didn’t have one. A man close by saw what was happening and handed me his. I had tears streaming down my face as I dialed the number. I couldn’t even speak for a moment and then managed to say where I was. I sat alone for a few moments on a street corner a block away from the sounds of the race and had a big cry. I thought about all the people I was letting down, all the time I had dedicated to this, how close I had come. It was a hard few moments. And then my family came and swooped me away.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy Jess Howard

Parts of this article were previously published May 5, 2011 on http://www.hopebomb.com

Marathon Day is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

As marathon day approaches, Jess is in pain and not sure how she will run the 26 miles.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks. I’ll admit that here.

The marathon is days away and I have only managed one good run and three really bad ones in the past two weeks. As always injuries are sidelining me. I have been trying to maintain my fitness level with lots of workouts at the gym and the pool. I am still in good shape, but I can’t run, even this morning, without excruciating pain in my hip (or be more precise, in my hip flexors, a group of muscles that run up the inside of your thigh, through the groin area and attach at the lower back). They are the muscles that lift up your leg.

I’ve had intense (and painful) physiotherapy sessions, I’ve had ShockWave Therapy and massage. I ice and I stretch. I do special exercises and roll out my muscles. I’m doing everything right, but things are not really improving.

I am in “taper” mode right now, so the lack of running is not devastating. At least that’s what everyone keeps telling me. But I missed my last long run. Missing that run has really screwed up my mental fitness. My mind can’t wrap itself around running 26 miles when I had to miss that last 20 mile run. I’m just not sure I can do it.

I sleep restlessly every night. My leg causes me to wince whenever I try and turn over, reminding me constantly that maybe, just maybe, I won’t be able to do this.

In the big picture, I realize that if I don’t do the marathon the world isn’t going to end. Nothing will change and I can just keep training for another race. For me, though, this marathon means everything. One year ago I decided to start running to try and stop the chronic cycle of depression and destructive behaviour that had ruled my life for a decade.

I wanted to see if i could go a full year without depression and suicidal thoughts. And I have. I feel better than I have since I was a child. I feel alive and strong and able to handle the emotional roller coaster that my body throws at me.

Somehow the thought of completing a marathon one year later has kept me focused on running. It has been such an amazing year and I have such a strong desire to run this marathon that the constant breakdown of my physical body feels like cruel punishment. But all three of the half-marathons I have done this year were done under similar circumstances. I keep that thought in my head too because I know I can do this and I know I will do this.

Photo Credit

“Blue flip flops” koalazymonkey @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

Marathon Training Week 10 and 11 is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

Running takes more than physical energy. It’s also a mental pursuit.

October 22, 2010

Apparently, I am writing a running journal for a guy who doesn’t run — not running every day and not training for races either. WTH? On one side, at least I write something everyday. On the other, in addition to my typing skills improving, I don’t have to buy $80 gloves with waffle treads and neutral posting for my fingers, or faux Olympic training jackets for my hands, to which my speedy fingers are attached. I type in my fingers’ aerobic zone; sometimes I do anaerobic interval-like sprints with the necessary repeats involved. Correcting errors is just like doing running intervals too fast — it’s a typist’s version of pulling a hammy or tweaking that Achilles).

Is there a point to this? Not likely.

I’m hungry. I didn’t run early so I’m not likely to run later. I will run tomorrow— and now, I’ll have lunch highlighted by two ibuprofen, a Diet Pepsi and a handful of unshelled organic salted peanuts (how do you salt a peanut with the shell on and then take the shell off and still have a salty peanut to eat?). Don’t ask, don’t know.

October 23, 2010

Whenever I stop running everyday, for whatever reason, I find it difficult to start up again. My bent is to make it into some grand scheme in need of complex strategies and tactics. My friend Bob told me something that made sense: Get your ass out and run! In the end, that’s the deal.

Ran today for an hour. Come tomorrow, I will get up and do it again (Jackson Browne reference?). I have the idea to think about base building, i.e. just running for the next two months and letting my body readjust to all the surgeries, both medical and age related. Getting older and slower means re-adjusting what you can do and how fast you can get to a certain point.

Come the new year, if the running has happened, when the running happens, I will pick an event to aim for, maybe Napa, maybe Austin, maybe New Zealand. Then, in celebration, I will eat ice cream and put an end to the darkness and chaos in my life that ice cream’s absence brings (to paraphrase Don Kardong).

Photo Credit

“Untitled” desbyrnephotos @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

Tarmac Meditations #45: Get Your Ass Out and Run! is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

Jess’ love of running returns, and she sets her sights on the marathon.

The thing about running is you either get it or you don’t. You run or you don’t. For some, like me, it’s the best addiction that life has ever brought you. Running fills my Joy Jar. It let’s me work through all the crazy thoughts in my head; it helps to heal my heart from years of depression. Every time I run — regardless of how painful or difficult — I come out of it a little bit better, a little bit more able to cope with life. The miles pounded out are filled with rage and grief and sorrow — and they open up the door to bliss.

I wish I had taken pictures of myself before I started running so that I could compare. I would love to have a set of photos of me taken in unflattering light, arms and legs spread, dressed just a bikini from one year ago. I haven’t lost a ton of weight, if any. You won’t be seeing me running around in short shorts and a running bra. But, if I had those photos you would see something. You would see that my face and body exude the health and joy that running for a year has given me.

I ran an eight-kilometer race last weekend. It was the hardest race I’ve been in. Distance isn’t as much a marker for difficulty as I thought. Throughout the race, I followed a woman who looked to be in her 70s. She made it look easy. Trailing her brought me so much hope and inspiration. It made me realize I can do this for a long time still; that I don’t have to worry about age; it’s irrelevant.

I have that marathon in my sights now. My body is responding to all the work I’ve been doing to strengthen core areas. I am strong. More importantly, my head and heart are back in. I can hardly wait.

Photo Credit

“A Brand New Day” Thomas Hawk @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

Marathon Training Week Five and Six is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

New Medicine is a more involved, integrated approach to health care. Moira Gardener shows you how to build your New Medicine toolkit.

Think about health care in terms of everything for body, mind and soul. Look at health as the gift it is — and think New Medicine. The term New Medicine thinking originated from how I personally view taking care of my health. It is a response to observing people who don’t understand the modern health care system and were either frustrated with it or didn’t really think about the role they play as consumers.

Become an Active Participant in Your Health

New Medicine means being an active participant in your health care, someone who does the research and teams up with professionals (yes, plural), and is open to alternatives. It’s adopting a way of thinking and begins with an attitude check-up. Sometimes illness itself is a step in the right direction — if we need to be stopped in our tracks. Likewise, pain is not always a bad thing; it is a stop light to make us look closely at what needs to be examined. View that stoplight as preventive medicine — when you pay attention, treatment becomes easier.

New Medicine thinking goes back to starting the day with gratitude in the form of a quiet moment of prayer or meditation, finding an affirmation, a joke or a word for the day — soul food. Call it whatever you wish, but it is the springboard that launches us into our health.

To get into a good frame of mind, do something fun or creative, or rediscover play. Laughter is not only fun,it’s necessary and it has a positive chemical impact on the body. Laugh Yoga is a good tool with which to begin a New Medicine health kit.

After this, ask yourself, “Am I doing my basics (exercise, rest and diet)?” Invest time in anything that gets the blood moving and the heart rate up. Walking seems to receive the most votes from the health profession. If there are mobility issues, focus on what you can do. Perhaps water exercise or armchair yoga are good alternatives. The old adage of use it or lose it was never more true when the goal is to remain mobile.

Seek Out Information

Doing research on your areas of concern is important. Asking questions is key. I learned how important it is to do the research when I became ill and had to make some lifestyle choices, like slowing down and making dietary changes. Today, the information highway makes research easier. Part of your research may also involve networking to find answers.

Work with Health Care Professionals

A crucial part of New Medicine thinking is working with health care professionals. What is it you require? Is this reasonable? In New Medicine, a good general practitioner (GP) is the first line of defense, steering you through the system, doing what she/he can do for you, then opening up his/her network of specialists. When you acquire a GP, you also acquire that GP’s associations as well.

In New Medicine thinking, you become an active participant within a network that contains a variety of health care providers. One of the great things is the emergence of active living clinics that are synergistic in nature and incorporate a variety of therapies for the benefit of clients. Add to this a naturopathic practitioner to take on some of the roles of the old school doctor, such as treating flu and colds, and providing diet advice, counselling and vitamin therapies.

Finally, in times of stress, remember that an invaluable practitioner is the counsellor. It takes a courageous individual to reach out and say, “I need help.” A good counsellor is one who gives you tools to adjust your thinking and, when you have learned how to use them, pushes you off to do what you can now do for yourself.

The New Medicine Mindset

There are a myriad of alternatives out there so make them part of your tool kit. Look to your research and your practitioners, then seek out healthy alternatives. This can include anything you take in mentally or physically. There are a lot of buzzwords — anti-oxidants, glutothion, orthomolecular medicine, alkaline diets, and books filled with information on supplements. There are vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. How do you know what’s best? As an active participant in your health care, do the research and persevere to find a personal fit you can live with.

Now that your health kit is filled with active participation, research, health care practitioners, and a few alternatives that work for you — congratulations! You’ve moved into a New Medicine mindset.

Photo Credit

“Dawn on Riversdale Beach” Neville10 @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

New Medicine Thinking is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

Getting ready for a spring marathon proves to be a struggle for Jess — but she’s not giving up.

It has been a tough week. I’ve been discouraged and worried. My leg hurts. It hurts all the time. Well, not all the time. It hurts to run and that sucks.

I have a running coach who provides me with a weekly workout plan. This week I did two days of cross training at the gym. Usually I do 60 minutes of cardio on the elliptical and bike, and then a 30 minute core workout and stretch. I also did four days of running. Each time I did a 10km run, alternating between running and walking.

It all sounds good when I write it down. But in reality I struggled through every workout and spent a large amount of time icing sore legs and feeling sorry for myself.

I said over and over on Twitter and DailyMile: “I just want to run.”

Really, for me running is all about chasing that elusive “good run” — the one that feels like you’re flying and you could go forever. It’s a truly amazing experience. I know it will come back to me. I’m just having trouble maintaining focus, strength and hope.

As far as the marathon goes, I’m still feeling doubtful. I think as soon as I get one long run under my belt I will feel more optimistic.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m doing it. It might be pretty ugly. But one way or another I will be at the start line on May 1st.

Photo Credit

Vital Joy

Marathon Training Week Three is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN

Three men. Three diagnoses of advanced prostate cancer. One message of gratitude.

Three men in my life who I care about a lot have recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Each is relatively young, none of them know each other, but they have all managed to embrace their circumstances and express amazing perspective and positive attitudes. Although they don’t know what their futures hold they each in their own way are embracing their present living with fortitude, realism and resilience.

I noticed that Gary has “softened”. He appears more relaxed. He still expresses significant passion for the social and political causes that move him, but he does it with more focused energy and much less drama. He has a calmness and ease about him which is very attractive.

Ron, who often can be counted on for finding the humor in life situations, wrote a hilarious note to his friends following his surgery. In part he shared:

“The literature says that some bruising and swelling can be expected within the male globe and cylinder-shaped private nether bits, but I was totally unprepared for what occurred.  The whole mass was swollen up like a grapefruit…Ah yes, the catheter.  She will be with me for another week.  She?  Well, I named her “Cathy”, “Cathy the Catheter”.  We go everywhere together, and yes, we “go” everywhere together.  She also suggested that if I was a serious sports fan (lazy), I would retain the catheter (put her on retainer?), and by just running a long extension of surgical tubing to the toilet I could sit on the couch for days at a time, arising only to refresh the ice chest and push the next case of chips within reach.  And imagine, while traveling, never having to make rest stops, merely run a line out the window…then laugh as the cars behind start their windshield wipers. Ha.

…So good news, things are healing as planned and it only hurts when I laugh.  Ouch!!  And just be thankful I am not sending photographs.”

Don, a work colleague of mine, upon receiving his advanced cancer diagnosis, completely changed his diet, reinvigorated a exercise program and became a raw food vegan. In a note to his friends he wrote,

“I feel better than I have in years.   This whole experience has been a consciousness raising journey for me — for that I am grateful. It has changed me and helped me evolve my outlook to life and to my work with others…

Now I am fiercely determined to live and, at the same time, be at peace with whatever comes.  I have found a way to live with greater health, relate to my fellow humans with more compassion and serenity, and become a better citizen on our severely strained planet.”

Don sent a personal note to me and said, in part, “This has definitely been a powerful ‘upside’ experience for me… I have learned again how precious those in my life are and just how much of life is enriched with my family, friends, colleagues and clients. My life has meaning, vitality, endless surprise and delightful “synchronicities”.  I am truly grateful.

I truly hope that under similar circumstances, I am able to demonstrate a portion of the grace that my friends have.   It’s been inspiring to learn from and be part of their journeys.

Please share your own stories about being resilient in challenging times and of course pass this on to others who could use a bit of a boost in their lives.

These are examples of what I’ve learned and shifts I’ve experienced:

• Although I’ve experienced significant loss in income and savings I have never felt richer and more solid in my life
• I feel clearer about my purpose and less anxious about the future
• I am putting more effort into life and enjoying it more
• Creativity is flowing doubts are abating
• More loving/more loved
• Giving more to others/questioning myself less
• More settled AND more creative
• Much clearer what I don’t want/less focused on what could-should be
• Less pushing/more trusting
• Less dramatic more adventuresome
• More commitment/less wasted energy
• More focused/less wasted time
• More discriminating/closer friendships and more meaningful relationship
• More comfortable in my skin/finding life working easier
• Having less needs/receiving more abundance in all forms
• More ease less drama

Questions:

1. What have you learned about yourself during these challenging economic times?
2. What are you most proud about?
3. What has surprised you about your capabilities and any shifts you’ve made in your thinking and actions?

Steve Goldberg is the co-author of Finding the Upside:  Practical Wisdom for Challenging Times.  You can read more about and purchase the book at:  www.findingtheupside.org

This post was previously published on www.upsidematters.org on September 26, 2010

Softening, Engaging the Funny Bone and Expressing Gratitude: Three Friends’ Recipes for Dealing with Prostate Cancer is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN