Thursday!

4 1/2 miles on the track!!  Rain rain went away just in time.  No time for yoga, had to give hubby a ride to work. 

Moving- Please be patient for longer postings!!

Namaste.

Server down??  OH NO!!!  I'm still not sure it's all working right - but we'll see.

So last weekend... Friday - 4 miles plus yoga.

Saurday- 7 miles plus yoga...

Sunday REST.

Monday REST - I'm not cheating here I have a floating rest day in my weekday schedule, I just don't always need to use it.

Tuesday - 4 miles plus Yoga

Wednesday - 5 miles, plus meditation.... usually meditation is a given after yoga, but I did stretching and skipped the yoga this am.  Lack of sleep, I needed to restful meditation this am to rejuv and be ready for me day.  Apparently I need to pack up - we're moving this weekend, so you can imagine how quickly I need to be moving from here till Sunday and possibly afterwards, depending on how this goes.  I know it will go Beautifully, I just have no idea how long it will take, how we;'re going to move stuff from point A to point B, animal arrangements, the list goes on :)  Anyway this isn't about running - so I'll stop rambling about it. ha ha.

Looking forward to next week when I up my mileage again !!  YAY!  But everyweek I also look forward to me rest days... please don't think that this is easy, friends.  It's challenging, but it's rewarding as well.

I hope today brings you blessings and joy!  Namaste

Friday!!

Well... you wanna know how far out we are in the sticks?? SO far it is like an obstacle course driving to the track, trying to avoid the deer and fuzzy things running around. And well, sometimes you just can't miss. This am was such a time. Poor thing is in the ditch on the side of the road now. However, by divine intervention, our vehicle is only slightly dented (size of my hand), and I suffered no injury at all. So run I did.

4 miles. It was actually very very nice. I maintained a conversational pace, which I cannot stress how challenging this is for me. I mean I'm not running with anyone with whom to converse. But this morning I felt so calm and peaceful, I didn't feel like pushing myself, I just felt like running. JUST running. It was really nice.

Basic Flow Yoga, have I mentioned that other than sun salutations this is my favorite? Maybe you've guessed. Love it!

So now we have errands to run, after my shower... oh hey speaking of which - I stink. I did a little reading on the topic. From my research it turns out that the more fit you are to more you sweat when you run. Isn't that interesting?? The more detoxed you are the more you sweat when you exercise. Fascinating! So shower then running errands. It sounds like we run everywhere really. Well, I'm not going to. I'm going to take my time. I'm going to do my best to meet each moment with a sense of appreciation and peace. Each moment is new, I'm learning to value this.

I hope today brings you a new level of happiness, my friends. Namaste.

EaZay Thursday!

3 miles on the track. Nice. I was happy to run only 3 as last night was a late night. Full days with lots of kiddies, scouts, and all the other things involved with family life - well, let me just say - whew!

So 3 happy miles. Yoga - Basic Flow!! Naturally, as I mentioned before I work in some extra items to work on chakras (clearing/aligning/etc). Butterfly is terrific for Root Chakra work. Anyway- lots of fun poses. Enjoyed every one.

This week I have noticed that I've been enjoying more and more little things - appreciating so much. We truly are blessed with wonderful children and spending time with them is a blessing, even if my body would prefer a nap. I am noticing that I am allowing myself to be less cranky (lack of sleep. lol) or short tempered. Which used to be a difficult thing for me. I have been enjoying the sunshine, like never before. The sunrise I am blessed to witness as I run my laps really lift my mood and improve my day. Sounds like such a little thing, but I gain perspective watching the sun break over the horizon and slowly illuminate the sky. It's truly lovely.

Time to really begin the day with the hustle and bustle while trying to flow through the moments with a clear and calm mind remembering that I am one with nature and the universe. *sigh* what a beautiful thought. I am so glad to start the day with such a mindset. I feel so blessed.

May you day bring you bright blessings of joy and comfort as you fulfill your purpose this day. Namaste.

Tuesday and Wednesday!

Alrighty - due to scheduling I didn't post yesterday a.m. Bad me. So here is the post for yesterday ANd today!! YAY me.

Tuesday: 4 quick miles on the track. I say quick, not because I suddenly developed super speed, but because I was on lap 12 before I knew it, then lap 14... by then I was just having so much fun just from surprise that my run was going by so quickly.

Then I came home to Deni Preston's Yoga focussing on backbends. Gotta loves those!! Mmmmm yummy!

Wednesday: 5 lovely miles on the track. I've been surprised at a few things I've found on the track. 1 - very few people get on it for very long. 2 - No one stretches out for more than a minute or 5 before getting in their car. 3 - most people out here are walkers. That's all cool and everything. I was just surprised. Well, the not stretching isn't cool... I would be soooo sore if I didn't stretch! I only stretch for about 10 minutes on the track, but then I come home and do an hour of yoga, getting warmed up again and stretching... because almost all of yoga involves stretching some parts of the body. And if I didn't do that - it would hurt so much the next day. I am finding however that I haven't been sore yet. I've had a little twinge here and there in my knees, so then I'll use my cho strap the nxt day and be mindful of my fott placements on my runs and engaging those tooties muscles as I run... but overall really no soreness to complain of.

The run was lovely. Really it was. I can tell already that my body is acclimating to the longer distances really well, as they get easier and feel faster with time.

Then I came home and did Yoga Basic Flow with Deni! I love this dvd set. It is so great to have Deni in my living room every morning helping me to pull in my bandhas, keep my dristi, be mindful of my alignment, etc. I just love the wonders of technology sometimes.

I hope this day brings you all peace and contentment. Bright Blessings, you lovely people!!

Namaste.

Monday night???

Yes, I got on the track at 7:30 pm and ran my 5 miles. Did a lot of stretching and came home and ATE!!! I wasn't very hungry all day, so I drank a few green drinks, but wanted to stay light if I was running as early (possibly) as 5 pm. And I usually have a or two green drinks anyway. My hubby's schedule is somewhat shaky. Running this late was not my plan. But it's done. It felt great, once I got over the large group of people at the highschool for the basketball thing that was going on inside.

At one point I was in "The Zone", and I swear a coupla times I heard someone "whooo hooo" - ing. Dunno what it was about, but it didn't distract me, just heard it and kept my stride. Was nice to witness myself do that - not get distracted. Granted towards the end, my cool down, I may attract attention... I tend to dance around as I try to slow down and then walk a while... a little shimishimi here and little funky march there... well who on earth DOESN'T dance to Queen??? I mean REALLY? I'm happy! I dance! So I probably look a bit like an idiot or a looney, but that's okay. I'm happy. I Feel good na na na na na na na!

So here I am, chowing down on some broccoli, carrots and a little sunbutter. Nummies. And as soon as it hits my tummy, I'm gonna pass out I think. This schedule I'm keeping right now is taking some SERIOUS getting used to. Whew.

Well, nighty night, ya'll.

Monday's Weather??

Wind, rain, thunder, lightening, and what?? HAIL?? Is that HAIL??? I love the weather out here. So obviously no running this am, maybe I'll get it in this pm (let ya know if I do)... if not I'll get those 5 miles in tomorrow, provided the weather cooperates!

SO this am, Deni Preston's Yoga with a moving emphasis. YAY! Turned the heater on high so I could sweat properly. YAY!! Detoxing is good for the body. I LOVE PIGEON!! Oh and CRANE!!! I love them!!! Probably just because they feel so good!!! Like the spinal twist at the end... which is like a free visit to the chiro - YUMMY!!!

Then meditation. I don't share much about meditation, except that it's a good thing, usually. However I will tell you that my meditation sessions are getting longer. 30 - 40 minutes is not unusual. I am working on clearing a few chakras, this week's focus is my root chakra, and I might stretch it to a two week application if my root chakra does not look as clear as I'd like by Saturday. Oh those negative emotions we store away. They are not even always ours! We're such silly mortals, you know?! Silly silly. Feeling like we're responsible for pleasing everyone, and everyone else's happiness and fulfillment... silly people. Well, I feel I'm very very close to having all of it purged. Because let's face it, if you don't make an effort to dump those toxic feelings, they collect and affect your health both emotional and physical. There is nothing on this earth that is purely physical. Everything has a spiritual.

Anyway enough of my rambling. It's a lovely rainy morning. My little garden is getting plenty of water, even though I miss the humming birds - they'll be back. Rain is wonderful to wash old gunk away within our souls as well as off and out of our bodies. Cleans the earth and nature, which in turn helps sustain, heal, and nourish all living things. I will make an effort to go through my day feeling nourished and sustained by nature, taking all situations with a calm and clear mind and an open heart.

May this day bring you what you desire in your own heart as well. Namaste.

Restorative Sunday...

need I say more ???

Namaste, everyone.

Saturday!!

6 miles on the track!!! Whew!!! By the time it was done I wanted to keep going!!! Why oh why does it take me so long to warm up??

Ah well. It was good. Did some Yoga on the track and meditation at home. Then I just jumped into my day!! WHo hoo!

Due to scheduling difficulties I was late typing this up. I try, people, I try.

Namaste!

Real Quick - Friday!

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! 4 miles. run run run. lovely!

Then hop home and jump into arm balancing with Deni!!

Still getting into that one almost scarey pose, but it's less scarey now... process. It's all a process.

Brightest Blessings to you all! I'm not to going to ramble on today - just enjoy the wonderul feeling of health and wholeness. I hope you are too.

Namaste.

Thursday!

3 miles on the track after a measely 4 hours sleep. Well, at least yesterday's extra rest counted for something... I needed it. My calves felt much better, especially the left. I also found out a few things:

1 - I need a good two miles to warm up on chilly days.

2 - My calves are adjusting to my new foot fall. I used to be a heavy heel striker... but now I land on the balls of my feet. That plus the track, I do believe, require time for my legs to fully adjust to. Note: with this understanding I can't wait to begin doing striders... a whole new thing for my legs to get used to. lol.

Abdominal Yoga today... YIKES!! I work hard on my abs because I've had so many babies... they're weak weak weak. BUt they will be strong strong strong!!! You wait and see. The ab poses KILL, breath breath breath!! Granted in Yoga you are ALWAYS improving your abs, because of the constant bandhas, but extra focus is good once in a while. I can't handle it often yet - but I'm getting there!

It's a beautiful morning!! I hope you are all enjoying it wherever you are. Namaste.

WEDESDAY!

Morning, all! Funny thing- last night I woke up at 1 am, and got this feeling that I shoould make today a rest day and just do my yoga. I'm big into following feelings I get - so I reset my alarm and slept in a teensy bit. No running today. When I woke up later, to actually wake for the day, I find that my left calf has tightened up so much that I'm limping. While I'm brushing my teeth t's starting to loosen up a little bit, but I think that perhaps this was a good reason not to run today. At least this one body part needs a little more recovery. So tomorrow, back in the saddle.

Today - Yoga!! With whom? No one other than Deni Preston, of course. Yes, eventually I'll want to break it up a little more with a few other instructors, but for now I'm happy with my set of dvds.

After the first 20 mins or so I felt my calves start to open and lengthen, and my heels began to touch the floor again as I sayed on Down Dog. Big Toe Pose... what does it do?? It says, "Good Morning!!!" to your Hamstrings!!! As it stretches out the hams it stretches it out the calves as well. Half Moon is challenging!! But it feels so good!! Especially when you come out of it, ha ha! Wag the Tail - NOT a favorite! Did a groin opening after Traingles. WOW!! and YOWZAAA! But after the first 3 breathes it began to feel better and open up. Runner have tight groins... but like I mentioned, I am DETERMINED not to have that issue. The only way to keep those muscles open and maintain that fexibility I have (and increase it) is by doing poses that open this area of the body, like Wag the Tail, the Pliet Squat thing (I dunno what it's called), etc. So even when they make me wanna cry, I gotta tolerate it and breathe through it, and as I do breath through it I feel these muscles opening, and the tension decreases as I exhale deeper into the poses.

I love Yoga. It exposes all our weaknesses at once, then challneges us to improve then, maybe even one day to make them strengths.

It looks like it might rain today. awwwwww. I was hoping to get a little sun. Maybe I'll get a little gardening in before it does. So much to do. But it looks like I may be starting to get a handle on the timing of my mornings. It's not quite 8 am. And yesterday I was in the shower before 8 am. Tomorrow I'll just have to get up a tiny bit earlier so I can keep this schedule. I like it better this way.

I hope my ramblings have been fun to read. Brightest Blessings to you all! Namaste!

Tuesday!!

Up before the sun, and one the road before he's even peaking out from under his covers!! Due to schedule I had to get outta bed BEFORE 4 am. I had to be back home at leats a 1/2 hour early. YAY! Yeah, sleep deprivation is the best, right? Ri-ight.



Aren't those lovely arms?? And just another exmple of how one should not fear sweat! It's great to sweat!

Not my best run, but not the worst. "A little tired" might be an appropriate phrase to us ein describing me this am. By the last mile I was feeling more energized. By the last 2 laps, I was feeling great! I might have gone a few more laps had I had the time to spare. But I didn't so I just did my 3 miles, plus cooldown and a quick stretch. Then home and onto YOGA!!

"It's Basic Flow, everyone! Are you ready for this?" - gotta love Deni Preston! you may eventually get sick of ready her name here... but that really can't be helped. So *smile*, she really does ROCK! Lots of poses I needed today. Big Toe is a MUST!!! I am so sore today. Youch! A good run, some yogam and EXCELLENT stretching is just what I needed.

The sun is up now, and a shower is calling my name. Bright Blessings to you all! Namaste.

Monday! Huzzah!!

Monday's are terrific days! Don't ya just love Mondays?? Okay maybe they're not the favorite day of the week, but they are my 1st run after my rest day which is N - I - C - E ! !



4 1/2 miles this am. I was late getting there, late starting, so I had some of the youth track runners (who apparently train during the summer months at the highschool) getting in the way. BUt they only did a few wamrups and left. It was a good run. The first few laps were, parhaps, not my best - but getting warmed up takes me a bit. However, I found my stride by mile 2 and then it was just grrreat. I am loving my Brooks PureFlows. This am they put the "Whoo" in my "hoo".

Since I was late and needed to stop at the local Walmart for a few things, I went ahead and did my yoga right there on the track. Many Sun Salutations, Triangle, Big Toe and Hand Under Foot, Pigeon and SCREAMING PIGEON!!!, Loads of stretching and a little meditation thrown in at the end. I'm working to clear out a few chakras, so I can't skimp on the meditation. Yeah- a few ppl stared as they walked around the track - I was the only runner there. But I was on the very outside lane, hopefully not in anyone's way. If I was in someone's way I didn't notce it. It was too wet to do yoga in the grass. Oh well. The Yoga felt AMAZING! The Stretches felt AMAZING! I love Yoga!

I was all sweaty in WalMart, but that eary in the am, no one's there who would care... and after I thought about it, I wouldn't have cared even if someone else had. Ha. I got my carrots and guacamole - mmmmmmmmmmm. I ate a banana on the way out the doors - YUMMY!!!

This week's long run goal is 5 or 6 miles, I forgethaven't decided. Last week I did the 5. I was only scheduled to run 4 this am, but it felt good so I went over. Tomorrow is an easy breezy 3. Looking forward to it.

I don't know how many of you are runners, but when you run you kind of think about it ALL the time. When you get those new shoes in the mail it's difficult not to put them on right then and try them out. It's difficult to rest on your rest day, or on the optional rest day - even if you feel your knees or ankle or whathaveyou needs a little more rest. During the day, after your run, you're thinking about tomorrow's run and the long run coming up, and next week's schedule. You think about the race, if you do races. You think about the food you're putting into your body for the optimal performance, weight loss, strength gain, muscle tone, whatever you're going for. But your brain is always thinking about running and aspects of that part of your life. Even after the race you're thinking about the recoop plan, the next race, etc. I'm even thinking about how to get a treadmill because THIS winter I GOTTA run!!!! I got plans, dude! How am I gonna save that much $$, I have NO CLUE! But it's gotta be done!!

Happy Beginning of the week to ALL of you!! Namaste.

Sunday- Rest Day!!

Restorative... YUM!! Need I say more... really? Deni Preston and her restorative is exactly that!! Restorative. It is as rejuvinating as it is restful. Yummy!

At the end of my yoga session, I did some serious meditation. Ooommmmmmmmmmm, oh wait that wasn't the mantra today. Hee hee. Today it was (pronounced) Nannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng. Mmmmmmmmm. Also yummy. Feeling free and easy now. And Ready to start a new week.

Namaste, everyone!

Saturday!!

YES!!! I was out of bed by 4:15 am !!! GO ME!!! My body protested, but I did it. 5 miles. Was fun. 20 laps, was still fun. I think I enjoy the track. NO ONE else came that early on a Saturday... at least not today.

I think I might need another knee strap (alos known as a cho strap)... we'll see. The longer the run the longer the cooldown needs to be, or it HURTS to stop running. I don't like to stop running right off... it really does HURT. ESPECIALLY any run over 6 miles. Once I start running more than that it really does cause that much discomfort to stop. I can do a 10k and stop, then walk without much discomfort. But 8 miles... can we say "ouch"? SO jog jog jog, then walk walk walk... then walk some more. Then stretch!!

I have the lasting burn in my legs this am. I figure in the next few weeks it will develope into an olmost constant feeling. I'm okay with that. FEEL THE BURN!! WHOO HOOO!

This am I have the oil burner on to infuse the room with some vanilla - y scent while I practice my yoga!! LOVE IN' it!

Deni Preston's Yoga focussing on arm balancing! Are you stoked or what?? Well, I'll be honest... these arm balancing are NOT easy! In fact there's one I'm kind of scared of - I feel like I'm gonna do a face plant right into the wood floor when I do it... and I'm still not doing it right. Fully extending I would almost be kissing the floor. Makes me nervous. But approach approach approach. Like a toddler with new food- just keep reintroducing over and over again - eventually I'll get it. There are other balances that are difficult but I LOVE them because I can do them now. Like Crane!1 I love Crane!! Just floating up there, balancing on my hands. That's kewl, dude! It took a while, but I got it... like triangle actually. Once I let go of that selfjudgement, I find I can accomplish so much.

And I'm starving!!! Green drink being consuming as I type now. This a.m.'s Green Drink consists of 4 oz coconut milk, 8 oz of water, 4 ice cubes, a generous handfull of romaine (gift from a very nice neighbor), a tiny slice of avocado, and two little slices of cucumber, with a touch of honey. I made a lot because I am sharing with our youngest daughter. Don't ya love how kids seem to think that no matter what YOUR food is yummier than whatever they're eating - even if it's the SAME THING?? She still is convinced that the beverage in MY cup has hidden yummliness. Silly girl.

Okay, now that I've almost finished my breakfast, and I do believe a snack will shortly follow, I do believe a shower is calling my name. Tomorrow is my rest day... now that I'm in my running mode I'm gonna have a hard time NOT running. I'm gonna hafta be satisfied with restorative yoga in the a.m. Gulp gulp gulp- yummy!!

Senind you all lots of love and a beautiful day!!! Namaste.

FRIday!!!

3 miles. Not my best run. I was COLD!!! On my way OFF the track my butt was STILL freezing!!! I was also a little tired... which was exasperated by the cold! However, it was not my worst run. I still enjoyed it, I observed my fatigue, I also observed that maintaining the conversational speed was a challenge. My body wanted to go faster, I believe this is because it wanted to get warmer! My MP3 player was all charged up, which helped me get my speed back down when my breath became reactive.

I remember when I was training for this race, the first time. Every single day after the 2nd week of traing it felt like my buns and thighs were constantly on fire (even while I slept). This morning's chill actually had me looking forward to that.

An hour of yoga with Deni Preston. While I wanted to jump into RESTORATIVE, I felt that Basic Flow would benefit me more today. So I denied myself, and felt a lot better after doing so. The Yoga warmed me up while my space heater ran. If I had done restorative I would have remained chilly. So Basic Flow was a better choice.

I added my own poses into the program, as some of the instruction on how to get into poses I don't need anymore and takes up time. Why waste the time waiting, when I can use that time for another stretch or pose? That's what I mean! So extras were added.

I need to figure out what takes so long in my mornings... getting everything done, including typing the posts up, is taking me (what I consider to be) too long. I know it's a 20 min drive one way to the track... so that takes time. And when I get home I take out the dogs, care for whomever is up already, sometimes get the boys outside to their chores, etc... but I need to figure out how to get it all finished before 8 am. That would make me happy. I'm gonna give myself a little time to figure this out, and with little ones I don't expect perfection everyday. But taking until 9 to get into my morning shower is not acceptable. So I'll think on it, and get a plan of some kind and begin to apply. Because if I feel this takes too long to document, I'll stop... which will dminish my focus on training... it's adomino effect from there as you can see. That is also NOT acceptable. So I'll just make it work. *smile* it's all a process!

Thank you again for reading.

Training Program!!

Yesterday I had to organize, make copies, fill in dates and so on before I could type up my thoughts and plans. Howevere I'm failry ready now:

I got this book from www.paperbackswap.com Which means I paid about $2.50 to send one of my books to someone else and got this for free. This is what I am basing my training on. This shows you a set up for training programs for whatever distance you're going for (almost, it doesn't cover a marathon and a half or other REAL distances). The author breaks up the training into 3 stages. The first stage being Road Work. Road work is simply the accumulation of miles. SLOW accumulation!! Since I am going for a half marathon this time, that's the program I'm looking at. This books sets up 17 weeks of training for you. Because of the fasting and the recoop time I feel I need, I added three weeks to the beginning - so my training will last a total of 20 weeks. My first week is almost done.

The second stage is Strength Work, which obviously deals with strangth building during those weeks. The Strength Work includes tempo runs and inclines!! WHohooo! Don't ya just LOVE a good hill?? The third stage is Track work. Track work involves 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1600-meter, and 3200-meter repeats. This gives you speed, the "tempo" that (hopefully) you'll run your race.

Right now, of course, I am in the Road Work phase. I'm starting out small, and building up. At the end of the Road WOrk phase the long run (n a Saturday) will be 16 miles. Then I enter into the Strength Work, which cuts the long runs back down to 10 miles. Just the thought gets your blood going, doesn't it??

I will share how this all goes, falls apart, comes together for me as I get through it. At this point I'm still surprised I'm getting out of bed as early as I am to drive to a track...

It's THURSDAY!!!

Are you excited??? Weather.com said to expect rain last night and today all the way through. Well, it didn't start raining on the track till I have 6 laps left. One my last go round it increased to an ALMOST downpour. The downpour kicked up as soon as I sat down in the driver's seat and shut the door. Who said miracles don't happen everyday? I got one this morning!

3 miles. 3 chilly miles. My MP3 player died at lap 4. I'm telling you, when you're running JUST for mileage at a conversational pace it can get a bit dull... so a little music helps. But I appreciates the track this morning because counting laps helped me keep up the right pace and a little internal chatting kept up my mood.

Today Yoga's sessions (after tunring on a space heater - wow I got chilly!) was Deni Preston's episode 106 Yoga with a balancing emphasis. Balance is really important. It is one of the first abilities we lose as we age, leave college and highschool activities like sports. Many adutls go to the gym and frequently workout, but can they stand on one leg without losing their balance? Unfortunately, many cannot.

Why is balance important? 1- It helps us prevent and avoid injury. Less falling less hurt. It helps us be careful. In the kitchen with knives or hot stoves. Balancing helps us to focus on these things and avoid what we consider silly mistakes, like a sliced finger or a burnt arm. 2- A good sense of balance helps up be balanced in other areas of life aside from our physical well being. Being balanced from our left to our right sides of our bodies feels good, but it also promote balance in mind and spirit, priorities, activties, and in making good, better, and best choices throughout our day.

The foot stretches were especially good for me, if uncomfortable. I am wearing new running shoes of a completely different style from the last ones. The Asics brand and style, I wore for several years. But I felt that my running styles had changed recently, and I needed less support and wanted less of a shoe. The shoes I wear now is very different in that there is less of it (between my foot and the graound) and there is less support. While my feet and legs are actually grateful for the change (the others were in reality causing problems with alignment and my knees) it is still taking some time for the muscles and ligaments in my feet to adjust. So the extra stretching was terrific. Standing Splits... now there is a challenging pose. Finding balance between being comfortably uncomfortable, pulling down the tail bone, getting just the right SLIGHT bend in the knee, keeping the feet flexed strongly, shoulders back, while hanging out half way in the air? Whew. Half moon is also a challenge. But I LOVE the challenging poses. I love the poses that challenge my flexibility and strength, my balance and focus.

But in the end I LOVE those spinal twists!! They're like a free trip to the chiro without the office. Snap crackle pop goes that warmed up spine and as everything goes back into proper alignment. Helps posture! I love good posture!! You can look like you lost 5 - 10 lbs with good posture!

Then Shavasana. Who doesn't just adore Shavasana? That deep relaxation after the hard hard work, sweat, and stretching to release left over tension. ooooooooh. aaaaaaahhhhhhh. mmmmmmmm. This naturally leads one into that lovely meditative state where we can clear chakras, free of minds and bodies of any leftover negetive emotions hanging out. This is where we can gain a good unbiased analysis of where we are, what we need, and so on. mmmmm. YUMMY! Slowly come out of it, reconnect with the here and now and the physical world around us. WONDERFUL way to start my day, I can tell you!

Thank you so much for reading! I plan on FINALLY sharing about the training program later on today - so stay tuned!

Namaste.

Fasting ins and Outs...

First let me say, I am by no means an expert in anything. I have no official, documented on paper education in anything on my blog. So if you find fault with any information here please say so and share how you see it, but also understand that I do not put forth these tidbits as absolute fact in your life. I share here - my truth - what I have found to be real and fact for me. This does not mean it must be fact for everyone.

There are many different kinds of fasting. You can fast from activties, foods, liquids, interactions, for various time periods from a few hours to days, months, even years. For example: sisters and brothers who devote themselves wholey to God, through whatever religion they are party to, they often seclude themselves off from the world, sometimes even family, past identity, old friends, locations, etc. Some do this for their lifetimes, some for only a little while, some for years. I feel that everyone is moved to do different things in their lifetimes based on what the Divine (whatever greater power you believe in, truly I believe thay are all have the same origin - the Divine) have to offer them and they acknowledge and accept. I believe that we are all set here upon this place and time and domension for a purpose. Some fulfill that purpose, some do not. Those that do, do so because they give it their wholehearted effort. Those that do no, either do not believe they have a purpose , or choose not to fulfill it. Fasting is one method of helping oneself to realize, accept, fulfill one's purpose here. Fasting allows us to set aside things of the flesh for a time, and focus on the more eternal perspective. Fasting helps us gain focus, vision, hope, and love. Fasting is, im my humble opinion, a glorious gift.

Many different religions have set times in their calendar to fast. However, I feel that oftentimes this becomes habit and therefore less fulfilling for the majority. We do it because it is expected, or we want to set a good example for our family/friends, to maintain a certain opinion from others, etc. I think it is more rare for members of these religions to spiritually gain through these set fasts, but I see the purpose in having the calendar. We all need a place to start.

There are loads of books on fasting. Juice fasting. Water fasting. Many go into the benefits, side effects, and so on. One that I highly reccommend is more on taking care of your body than specifically on fasting is: Own your Own Body by Dr. Malstrom. Another I suggest is The Cure by Brantley. That said I will break down a little of what I have found.

You can look up fasting on the internet and youtube, you'll find lots of info. Go with the info that resonates with you - things that "feel" right to you if you're deciding that this is right for you. There is a lot of bad info out there. But since, like I said, I am no expert I hesitate to just blab about how to fast, what it does etc. I will share about what it has done for me.

Toxins: in a nutshell these are anything in your body that your body cannot use, nor rid itself of without aid from you. Toxins are brought into the body through eating, drinking, breathing, vaccines/any shots/injections, manmade medicine, and through your skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body - everything that goes on it goes INTO it. Never underestimate your hand lotion. Muah ha ha haaa. No seriously - It's true, as much as it sounds outlandish, it's still true.

Toxins can cause just about everything from fatigue to cancer. I also feel that toxins almost always have an emotional link - a stored up emtion that holds it in your body. When one releases the emotion and then does what is necessary for releasing the toxin, both dissipate and disappear. Often times we try to release just the toxins, which inevitably return or simply refuse to leave the body. They are often stored in fat cells, and then are called cellulite. Cellulite is nothing more than toxins wrapped in water stored in your fat cells. When you release the toxins, the fat cells shrink. Makes sense, doesn't it? As we hold onto emotions, and continue to feed our bodies what does not nourish we store more and more and more toxins in our bodies. These create cellulite, as mentioned, or ailments, or both. Fatigue, skin issues, stomache problems, lung issues, heart trouble, etc etc etc. Am I saying that all physical ailments originate in emotions... no. But I'm not saying it because it is untrue. I am saying "No" because I don't know... yet. One day I hope to find that answer.

Fasting is a great way to rid the body of toxins... and old negetive emotions that no longer serve you, if indeed they ever did. Think about it. If you never flushed your toilet... ewww, right? Well, it's the same thing. If you're constantly putting in and never cleaning out you develope a cesspool - no matter how clean it started. If you NEVER wipe off the sink, even the cleanest person's sink will accumulate dust and debri.

What has fasting done for me? Over the years it has brought me closer to ... myself. I have released old baggage that weighed me down. I got tired of carrying it around and the side effects of it... fasting helped me kick it away. I didn't need it. So now it's gone. No therapy, just prayer and fasting and a touch of faith. Faith is the Divine, in myself. When ones dumps the emotional toxins one usually also dumps a bunch of physical toxins as well and this sometimes becomes what is known as a healing crisis in the fasting world. A Healing crisis is when your body gets rid of some many toxins at once into the bloodstream (1st step is ridding the body of it as one fasts), that it makes the faster ill. Hee hee, I like that term "Faster". Anyway, you can get ill while fasting, but it usually something you've already suffered from as you detox. The healing crisis usually lasts about 12-48 hours. Shortly thereafter followed by a tremendous feeling of energy and relief! - AMAZING feeling by the way. If you're juice fasting long term the faster will usually experience the first healing crisi around day 7, then again around day 14, and so on. The body decides how and what to detox of as you fast - the body is remarkable.

Did I get sick? Yupper. Several times. But like I said it resulted in almost a completely new me. A new me I LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Free of so much garbage!

Did I lose weight? Sure but ayone will when you empty your bowels. A lot of people lose up to a pound a day once they get started. But once you start eating again you gain about 5 lbs back as your system turns back on. It's understood that I began detoxing 6 months postpartum. I do not have the body type that automaticaly slims down once the baby is delivered. It used to take me 2 yrs to get back to prepreg weight. I was 155lbs give or take when I began the detoxing this time. I am now 125lbs, one major cleanse, and a few fasts later. I do want to make clear that while fasting I did lose a pound or two the most weight was dropped, for me, in between fasting. The first fast resulted in the loss of more lbs than the second. I was 125 before I got preg with the last baby, and usually am in between babies. I need to also point out that while yes, I am currently at prepreg weight I would have achieved this without fasting. I would also like to point out that I am actually SMALLER than I was before this baby. Lastly I would like to make clear that I am STRONGER as well. Fasting did not decrease my muscle, or strength. But it did decrease the cellulite. I am firmer have more endurance and stamina. And after each fast as I began to eat solids again I did regain 5 lbs, as is typical. But I have not and will not regain the rest of the weight because I have changed my eating habits. Before our 3rd child I weighed 135lbs. I was very physically active, and not what I would have considered unfit. I was happy with that weight (size 8), as I was able to carry to fullterm, having lost a baby when I weighed less. My theory is that I had too many toxins to safely carry to term. However, as I continued to have babies, I put on the odd 4-5 lbs each time that didn't want to leave without a LOT of effort on my part. The point is, the weight has been more easily lost since I started fasting occassionally a few years ago. I have also been healthier and given birth to healthier babies along with recooperating from birthing each time.

I also got rid of some old negative emotions that were hindering my developement. My relationships with my parents and siblings suffered a great deal because of the baggage I carried around. And now I have a great relationship with my folks and sibs. YAY! My relationships with my own family have improved as well due to my personal improvements and garbage dumps. Again- YAY me! No expensive therapist - if anything I saved money from going without solid food and enjoy benefits similar to seeing a therapist. I'm NOT saying that if you see a shrink you should stop and fast instead!!! NO NO NO!! I am only saying that this worked for ME!!

Anyway the point is I continue to enoy lots of physical manifestations of the emotional and spiritual beneifts of these last few fasts. Will I fast again? You betcha!! I feel I have a 10 day water fast coming in the near future. Not too near - I'm recooping from the last one first. Let's not get carried away, friends!

Well, that's pretty much all I planned on sharing on this... I'm done now. Thanks if you actually made it to the end of this post it IS LONG!!!! So congrats if you made it to the end. I only hoped you gleaned some important to YOU information is the reading.

Cheers!!