May You Reach Your Dream

Yesterday morning, I felt fine. Long story short, sparing the details, in the middle of the day I collapsed in public. At least it was in front of adults and not kids. (I teach.) But there is nothing more embarrassing than collapsing in public, let me tell you.

As I was being transported to the ER, I started thinking about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. (Doesn't everyone think about Maslow while in an ambulance?)

Beauty, as you can tell, is at the top of the pyramid of needs, with esteem and self-actualization. And when you are struggling with meeting things at the bottom of the pyramid, like physiological needs and safety (including my body health issue), that need for beauty certainly takes a backseat.

It's a curious thing, how it all works. How we as humans need food and employment and friendship and confidence before we can reach that coveted self-actualization. It sort of connects to the idea of "no excuses". Can we make eternal excuses and never reach self-actualization? Absolutely! On the other hand, at some point we just have to convince ourselves that our lower tiers of needs are satisfied *enough* and that we can, in fact, reach the higher tiers, even though we have some issues to overcome.

Many people I know have health issues.

They all continue reaching for their dreams.

So, was Maslow wrong? Can we reach for self-actualization when we are hungry all the time? I don't know the answer to that. But I do know that we just have to keep moving forward, because backward is just not an option.

 

My love to everyone who works through their adversity to reach for their dream.

15 Easy Fitness Tips for 2015

My New Year resolutions always include fitness. I start strong, keep up exercise during the summer when it’s easy, but by the time I get to the end of the year, I’ve stopped altogether. So, the New Year comes, and it’s time for me to get myself up and moving!


Beauty starts with being healthy. Here are 15 Fitness Tips to get you moving in 2015.

1. 15 minutes a day. Move for at least 15 minutes every day. Walk, run, bike, do yoga, whatever it is you like best. Do it for at least 15 minutes every single day.
2. Focus on aerobic exercise for the best workouts. Increasing your heart rate can be done through running, bicycling, dancing or swimming.
3. Find your max heart rate. 220 – (your age)
4. 15 jumping jacks can get your heart pumping!
5. Stretchingcan help you become more flexible.
6. 15 Sun Salutations every day will help you feel amazing! TRUST ME ON THIS ONE! It will not be easy but it is so worth it. *Basic Sun Salutation steps below*
7. Park far away from work, school or the store. That extra walk will give you more exercise.
8. Take the stairs, not the elevator.
9. Cut out soda, sugar and carb heavy snacks.
10. Don’t connect fitness goals to weight loss. For example, don’t say “I want to lose 10 pounds.” Instead, make your goal something you enjoy, like “I want to hike my local state park.” Or “I want to run a 5K in June.”
11. Make it routine. Do the same thing every day for a short burst of time.
12. Skip the gym. You can exercise at home, or outside. And it’s free!
13. Or try the gym, if you want to.  See myspecial Curves/AVON offer.
14. Dress for comfort. Wear sneakers that fit, and loose clothing that lets you move.
15. Keep it fun! If you are not enjoying the exercise, find something you like because if you aren’t having fun you won’t want to keep doing it.

Basic Sun Salutation

1.       Stand straight, roll your shoulders back and let your hands fall naturally at your sides.

2.       Lift your hands over your head and place your palms together.

3.       Gently bend backward.

4.       Gently and slowly bend forward and try to touch the floor.

5.       Slowly roll your spine up and return to a standing position.