boost energy – Page 4 – Resilient Edge Wellness

Consistency is King

December 19, 2011kvanness01

You can’t overestimate the importance of regular exercise on your health.

The benefits of regular exercise and activity are well known. You don’t need me to recite the list to you here.

One of the most important approaches you can take to exercise is to be consistent about it.

Consistency is important for several major reasons.

First off, establishing a routine allows your body to become conditioned to the act of exercising. This helps with the adaptation process you go through, especially if you are just starting an exercise program or have had a lay off.

Your body comes to expect your daily or every other day workout. It is better able to assimilate gains in fitness, as well as recover from each workout.

By the way, this is one of the reasons that regular exercise over the course of the week reduces your chance of injury. The weekend warrior approach leaves your body more vulnerable to strains, sprains and so forth…not to mention increased muscle and joint pain.

Here’s another reason for consistency that is not as well appreciated as it should be: exercise can have a dramatic influence on your mood and energy levels.

This is one of the reasons why I always do my deep breathing and dynamic exercises in the morning. When I do my routine – such as the Dynamic Energy Routine in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume 2 – after as little as 10 to 15 minutes, I shake off the fog and approach my day with a high level of energy.

I also feel more confident about my ability to hit my goals for the day.

Exercise is one of the oldest = and best – tonics for depression and low mood. It activates naturally occuring hormones and neurotransmitters in your body. And it appears that the more consistently you exercise, the more benefits you receive from these natura, more powerful versions of Prozac.

Here’s one more reason to stay, or become, consistent with your physical activity: it helps boost your metabolism.

When you exercise every day, your body interprets this as follows: you are a VITAL BEING who requires plenty of energy to make it through each day.

Your body responds by revving up your metabolism, so you burn hotter throughout the day. Your body also changes the way it metabolizes the nutrients and calories from the food you eat. On the other hand, when you make healthy demands on your body, on a consistent basis, it metabolizes more of the energy from food into glycogen, to be stored in your muscles and liver.

Becoming a consistent exerciser may seem daunting to you – especially right now as you are rushing and bustling through the holiday season.

But you can start any time, even right now. Take a few minutes to stand up, stretch and breathe deeply. Feels good, doesn’t it?

Now, just imagine how good 15 to 20 minutes of stretching, moving, working your muscles, and breathing deeply would feel. How productive would you be…how much time would you save…how much more confidently and easily would you slide through your day and your “to-do” list, if you would just give yourself the gift of a few minutes of exercise each day?

Don’t just take my word on this. I encourage you to try it our for yourself.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

This Is Better Than Aerobics

December 17, 2011kvanness01

Warning: before you kick off your New Year’s resolution to work out and get in better shape, please read this message. It could save you a lot of time, wasted energy and frustration.

Did you know that your lung capacity is the best predictor of how long you will live?

A number of studies, including the very highly regarded Framingham Heart Study (which has been going on for over 50 years), have found that lung capacity is the best predictor of longevity.

The bigger your lungs, the more air they can process, the longer you live. Unfortunately, once you hit your 30s, your lung capacity begins to decline. In fact, depending on how active you remain, by the time you hit 70 you’ll lose about 50 percent of your lung capacity.

In order to improve and preserve lung capacity, you’ve got to build up a reserve of capacity.

You may think this means jumping into an aerobic exercise program.

No!

Aerobic exercise to a certain point is OK. But unless you are a marathon runner, there is no need to do that much aerobic exercising.

You will make a superior investment of time if you focus on your breathing exercises; perform shorter, more intense interval training two to three times per week; and include two brief, well-rounded strength training sessions per week.

In fact, you can even program your strength training so that it provides strength and lean muscle building effects while also giving you the cardiovascular work you need to improve lung capacity.

The truth is, aerobics can actually decrease lung size. Sure, your lungs may become more efficient. But their overall capacity declines.

On the other hand, focusing directly on your breathing – as with the exercises in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume II: The Dynamic Energy Routine is the surest way to build lung capacity.

These exercises tone and strengthen the muscles and structures that support healthy, proper breathing. Proper breathing can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and help you burn more calories.

Bottom line: you don’t have to subject yourself to long, boring bouts of “cardio” or aerobic exercise.

Whether you’re overweight and need to lose some L-B’s….or you are trying to gain weight and are having trouble putting on lean mass….a solid program of deep breathing, intervals and well-rounded resistance training is the way to go for optimal results.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!”

P.S. The combination of deep breathing with specific exercises in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume 2: The Dynamic Energy Routine, is a powerhouse. For even faster results, especially if you wish to lose weight and melt off fat, go with the Fire Up Your Metabolism Program. This program provides you with an excellent workout centered around breathing, dynamic tension, and movements that work the large muscles of the body. Visit the Best Breathing Exercises website for more information or to get your copy today.

Three Easy Steps You Can Take Now…to Help You Accomplish Your Goals in 2012

December 13, 2011kvanness01

What is the most common activity of people this time of year? Other than shopping, I mean.

It’s assessing – either consciously or subconsciously – how this past year has gone.

You look back at what has happened, what you have accomplished, and what you have left undone.

If you are consciously doing this, you are actually taking stock, either in your head or on paper.

If you are unconsciously doing this, you probably are feeling either really good about life….or you have a sense of unease or disappointment that you can’t quite shake.

Of course, as part of this process, a lot of people skip over what they didn’t get done this year, and move right into thinking about the new year. That’s because the new year is fresh and full of promise. So…they make resolutions. Probably the same resolution they made a year ago. Losing weight and getting more fit is one of the most common.

But you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to set your goals. Nor do you have to wait to begin preparing yourself for beginning to work toward your goals.

Yes, there’s nothing like momentum. If you can get clear on what you want to do in 2012 now, and begin to do a few simple things to prepare yourself…you will hit the ground running on January 1st.

Even if you are a little hungover.

Well, in that spirit, here are three simple things you can begin doing now, even during the hub bub of the holidays, to improve your health and explode into the new year with momentum:

(1)Drink lots of purified or quality bottled water. At least half your bodyweight in ounces, every day. Water purifies and detoxifies your body. It helps maintain your metabolism and energy at high levels.

(2)Take a daily multi-vitamin/mineral, vitamin C, and fish oil. If there were a law passed that limited me to only three supplements, these are the three I would focus on for general health.

Vitamin C provides so many benefits, I could write a book about it. Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. And inflammation has been implicated as a root cause or contributor to a number of different ailments and diseases, from arthritis and asthma to heart disease and Alzheimers.

(3)Do some deep breathing and/or dynamic energy exercises each day. Preferably first thing in the morning, to expand your energy and set yourself up for a productive and successful day.

Morning breathing and energy exercises are one of the cornerstones of the fitness and health principles I teach and follow.

Learning to breathe properly and developing greater vital capacity are two of the most significant steps you can take to ensure high levels of health and energy today….and years from now.

You can also do some deep breathing and light stretching in the evening. I tell you, there is no better way to relax after a tough day. Just a few minutes will have you sleeping like a baby.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-learn, fun to do series of exercises, consider one of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course volumes. Or, if one of your goals for 2012 is to lose weight and get in shape, you can try the exercises and other recommendations in the “Fire Up Your Metabolism” Program.

All of these programs are available at the Best Breathing Exercises web site – check em out at http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/productspage.html.

Like I said, these are simple things you can begin doing now. You’ll feel better, you’ll be healthier…and you will hit the ground in full gear for the New Year!

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

When Is Breathing More Than Just Breathing?

December 5, 2011kvanness01

Most people think of breathing as merely a mechanical process involving the airways and lungs. But it is so much more than that!

The lungs are the functional organs of respiration, as they are responsible for the active function of breathing and ventilation. So we naturally focus on them when we think about our breathing.

Howver, many breathing and energy practices embrace breathing as an activity that involves the entire body.

This is true on a number of levels.

From a physical standpoint, respiratory movement extends into the extremities. Also, breathing has a significant influence on all the physiological functions of the body. Breathing can also directly influence your mental and emotional state.

Take the time to breathe deeply and gently for several cycles. It only takes a few deep, gentle breaths – in through the nose, out through the nose – to “feel” your breath moving throughout your abdominal area.

Now feel that you are breathing into your lower back. Gently, slowly, breathe into any areas of tightness from too much sitting (like I’m doing right now to relax my back).

Next, stand up and take a few deep, gentle breaths all the way down into your feet. Breathe in energy and lightness; breathe out fatigue and stress. “Feel” yourself breathing in that energy and lightness through the top of your head. Feel yourself exhaling the fatigue and stress through the soles of your feet.

If you’re game, take it one step further: “feel” yourself breathing in energy and lightness through every pore in your body, and into every body part – so you feel like you are absorbing air from all over your body, not just through your nose. As you inhale, feel the air permeate into the deepest parts of your body.

As you exhale, “feel” yourself exhaling fatigue and stress through every pore in your body. See the old, stale air move out like smoke or steam and dissipate directly into the air around you.

Each of these stages of breathing provides a slightly different feeling and effect. When you have practiced this way for some time, you will begin to truly understand that breathing is a deep physiological process, not just a mechanical process.

Couple this understanding with a few minutes of practice each day and you be blessed with greater health and energy

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. One of the best ways to achieve a relaxed, calm state and focus on what’s important is through your breathing. In the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume I: Invigorate and Rejuvenate, I teach you how to breathe completely AND how to coordinate your breathing to simple but powerful movements that spread energy effortlessly throughout your entire body. To experience the sensation of being relaxed, in rhythm, and in control, order your copy of program today at the Best Breathing Exercises website.

Put Yourself in Time Out

August 18, 2011kvanness01

That’s right. I’m not talking about that staple of parenting:
putting your kids into Time Out.

I’m telling you to put yourself into Time Out.

But first, let’s talk about your state.

What state are you currently in? Not where you live. How do you
feel?

Right now, I feel pretty good – BUT – mildy irritated. A call that
was supposed to start at 2pm was moved – after the 2pm start time,
mind you – to 2:30pm. Now I just got an email that it may be
moved again.

To top it off, it’s not a call I typically enjoy. So having to
accommodate to the change in schedule is even less appealing.

Hey, I got things to do and places to be! I had my afternoon all
mapped out in terms of what I wanted to work on – including this
email to you. And now I have to “recalculate”, as my GPS system
sometimes tells me when I am driving.

Most of the time, you are either in a positive state or a negative
state. There’s rarely any neutral time in your life. Unfotunately,
many people report being in a negative state the majority of the
time.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress and pressure of your
day. You may start the day with great plans and positive
expectations. But invariably “stuff” pops up that takes you out
of that “constructive” mindset.

That “stuff” may derail your plans for the day. So you planned on
eating a healthy lunch. But that noon meeting was scheduled at
the last minute. So you grabbed something quick or – worse yet –
ate something out of the vending machine. (Been there, done that!)

Or you planned on working out after work. But the babysitter is
sick, so you have to be home with the kids.

It’s easy to get frustrated when these things happen. It’s hard
enough sticking to a nutrition plan, or an exercise program, as
it is. When life throws in all of these extra obstacles, it can
make achieving your goals seem quite daunting, if not impossible.

Well, I don’t have the magic answer that will make all those
obstacles, energy depleters and time wasters go away.

But I do have a suggestion for how you can “take back” most or
all of your energy and focus.

The quickest, easiest way is to take a Time Out – yes, put
yourself in Time Out – and practice a few minutes of deep
breathing.

Doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just sit (or stand) and
gradually slow and deepen your breathing.

At the same time, focus your thoughts internally, on how you are
feeling.

You can actually breathe into the stress and tension by breathing
into the tight spots in your body.

As you breathe into these tight spots, imagine that every breath
is chipping away or unlocking them, piece by piece. Every
inhalation is surrounding them. Every exhalation is releasing
them or carrying pieces of them away.

Just a few minutes of this type of breathing and visualization
will naturally relax you. It will help you focus more positively
and constructively on what is really important in life.

And it can help short circuit any destructive behaviors. Like
eating a candy bar instead of something more healthy because
you’re stressed out. Or yelling at the kids because you’re cranky
because you missed your workout. Or letting you blood pressure
and heart rate elevate because you choose to be angry and
frustrated.

Again, this is no panacea. And it’s not always going to work
100 percent of the time.

But it’s a lot more pleasurable than the alternatives. And it
helps you assert control over your life and your behavior in a
very powerful and intelligent way.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Whether you want to improve your energy levels…enhance
your ability to manage stress…or you really want to lose
weight and finally stick with a healthy nutrition and fitness
program….

An effective strategy is to center and focus with the help of
deep breathing. Best Breathing Exercises programs can help you
do just that.

, Karen Van Ness, 2011

The Case For Mindfulness

August 16, 2011kvanness01

I was driving around yesterday, running some errands. I realized
at one point that I had totally zoned out.

You know how it is when you are in the car, perhaps listening to
some good music, and you get completely tranced out.

Before you know it, you are five miles down the road and don’t
remember one bit about your trip.

This was brought to my attention by none other than my son, Miguel.

He notices everything. He often sees something that I have not
attended to, then asks me questions about it. of course, this
compels me to respond and pay better attention.

The adult is tranced out, while the child is totally excited and
immersed in the world around him.

Hmmmm….I think Miguel is trying to teach me something.

Not that it’s wrong to daydream or lose yourself in your thoughts.
Quite often, you are working out problems and coming up with
solutions to challenges during these ruminative periods.

But there’s a lot to be said for mindfulness as well.

For example, I believe that the more focus and concentration you
put into your workout – whether it’s breathing exercises, or
cardio, or lifting weights, or yoga – the better the results you
will achieve.

If, as you exercise, you think about the beautiful physique you
are sculpting, or the high levels of energy and health you are
developing, or your increased ability to handle challenges and
manage stress…well, not only will you enjoy your workout more.
You will also create a positive energy that will stay with you
after your workout.

And you will truly feel your body as you put it through its paces.
This body awareness, this sense of self, is very empowering.

One of the reasons I admire the Japanese is because they practice
mindfulness as part of their daily lives.

Let’s take something as simple as a cup of tea.

Here’s my method: boil the water as I do something else. Let the
tea steep for five minutes as I do something else. Drink the tea
as I read or work or watch TV. Finish it within five minutes
and move on to something else.

Contrast this with the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Everything is choreographed down to the smallest detail. The host
and the guest each have a role. Nothing is hurried.

The participants enjoy the delicious tea. And they benefit from
this wonderfully tranquil and uplifting respite from their hectic
lives.

See if you can create these wonderful moments of total attention
and mindfulness for yourself. Totally focus on the activity of
your choice – whether it’s drinking a cup of tea, or reading a
good book, or exercising.

I think you’ll find these moments will add to your appreciation
for, and enjoyment of, life.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Would you like to improve your energy levels…better
manage and even transform stress…or “finally” lose the weight
you’ve been trying to take off?

Your best strategy is to begin by getting centered and focused
with the power of deep breathing. The Best Breathing Exercises
programs can help you do just that. For more information on the
program that could be just right for you, visit
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com.

Psychology Over Mechanics

August 8, 2011kvanness01

Recently we enrolled our son Miguel, who just turned 7, in
tae kwon do classes.

He’s excited and enthusiastic. And I’m quite proud, since one of
my life-long loves and passions has been martial arts. A chip off
the old block, as they say!

Miguel in his fighting stance, ready for action. How's that for enthusiasm?

One of the most important lessons we are seeking to teach Miguel,
with his TKD lessons as well as with his other activities, such
as soccer, is the importance of showing up.

You’ve heard that saying, “Ninety percent of success in life is
just showing up”.

It’s attributed to Woody Allen, and I believe he actually said
50 percent. People grabbed hold of the thought and embellished
a little.

But he has a great point. It’s true that, very often, we avoid,
dismiss, or shy away from the meetings, classes, events and so
forth that could really make a difference in our lives.

Could be that we think we are too busy. Or we are intimidated or
afraid. Or we are not ready or willing to make the commitment
required.

I know the feeling well. There have been plenty of times over the
years when I didn’t feel like participating in a meeting. I knew
it would be boring, would go on for too long, and might not
achieve any sort of resolution.

But I went anyways, because I knew I might have one piece of
information that could move things forward, or get others thinking.
Or I could add moral support to someone else’s position. Or I
might make a new contact that would prove to be beneficial.

Same thing happens when it comes to your efforts to improve your
fitness or health, lose weight, or better manage the stress in your
life.

You may avoid doing anything because you are afraid of “showing up”.

You are not yet ready to make the commitment to follow through –
to be an active participant and put forth your best effort into
getting better.

Well, when you find yourself hiding or retreating from the
meetings, the classes, the workouts…or from getting the
information and programs you need…or from making the lifestyle
changes that could really move you forward….think about what
Woody had to say.

Just show up. Attend that meeting or class. Do that workout. Order
that book or program. Make a few simple changes to your diet.

Don’t put excess pressure on yourself. And don’t expect perfection.

Guess what: you don’t have to be perfect. In fact, you don’t even
have to be that good to begin reaping the benefits.

For example, Miguel isn’t that good yet. Although he and I have
“trained” together and I’ve shown him some basic stuff, in truth
he is just startigng out. He has a lot to learn.

BUT — he’s enthusiastic. If he shows up regularly for classes,
if he focuses and participates during class, and if he practices
a little each day outside of class…the sky’s the limit!

The truth is, all achievement, all self-development rests on a
very basic principle: “Psychology is 80 percent, mechanics is
20 percent.”

The mindset and attitude that you bring into the endeavour is far
more crucial to its outcome than the specific skills or knowledge
you bring.

Holding positive expectancy firmly in place can help accelerate
your efforts, especially when it comes to the major challenges
that so many of us face, like improving our breathing, losing
weight, better managing our busy lives, or regaining that vital
energy we used to have.

I’ve seen it time and again when working directly with clients
and students.

The ones who are positive and excited get the best results. They
improve their breathing. They reduce their levels of stress. They
lose weight (or gain weight if that is their goal). They feel
energetic and alive again. They begin achieving major goals in
other important areas of their lives.

AND — they enjoy the process.

The ones who are negative or feel like they are being imposed
upon do not get as good results – even if they are already in
better shape to begin with.

And they are the ones I very quickly cut loose. I have better
things to do, and other people to help.

I’ll leave you with some words of wisdom by Norman Cousins, from
“Head First: The Biology of Hope” (1989):

“Hope, purpose, and determination are not merely mental states.
They have electrochemical connections that play a large part in
the workings of the immune system and, indeed, in the entire
economy of the total human organism….

“The modern physician, therefore, will prescribe not just out of
the pharmacy or his little black bag, but out of the magnificent
apothecary that is the human brain, which can activate and
potentiate the healing system.

“The rosters of emotion are hope, faith, love, will to live,
festivity, playfulness, purpose, and determination. These are
powerful biochemical prescriptions.”

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

Save Yourself From the Scrap Heap

August 5, 2011kvanness01

“Many men and women go to the human scrap heap….They have not
known just how to pump the human bellows – the lungs; get energy
out of every ounce of fuel, keep their arteries and veins clean,
kidneys and liver from being poisoned.”

That’s a quote from an old book on breathing.

Even in the “old days”, when the importance of breathing for good
health was more widely accepted, the doctor who wrote this book
felt compelled to do so. He was concerned about the diseases and
conditions he observed in his patients, as well as the people
around him.

Today, it seems like we are even more removed from the natural
healing and invigorating results of proper breathing.

I think a lot of this has to do with the advent of modern medicine
and all the wonderful medications and drugs that have been
developed.

Coming down with a cold? First action for many people is to take
medicine to help tamp down the symptoms.

Got a headache? Take two aspirin, or extra strength this or that.

There’s even a headache product you roll on your forehead, like
deodorant. Not sure how it works, but the commercials sure are
funny.

I’m very grateful for the wonder drugs and medicines that help
relieve our illnesses, whether acute or chronic. They have
reduced much suffering and helped alleviate much pain and
discomfort. But they have also caused us to forget about our own
natural instincts and intuitions..to move away from more natural
methods of handling illness and pain.

They tend to make us focus on the symptoms, and treat those,
rather than determine the cause of the symptoms and truly get
to the root of the problem.

If you have headaches on a regular basis, taking aspirin or
Tylenol may help you get through your day. But you better be
concerned about what is causing those headaches, and what you
can do to prevent them.

One chronic illness that hits home with me is asthma. When I was
first diagnosed, I was totally into the “give me medicine, and
more medicine, until this thing is controlled”. Problem was,
the more medicines I took, the worse my health became.

Mortality rates from asthma are increasing in modern times,
compared to times when they did not have asthma medications.

Why is that?

Given all the fancy medicines used to treat asthma, shouldn’t
mortality rates be declining? What did the oldtimers know, and
do, that we don’t?

One thing they knew about was the importance of deep breathing,
and regularly practicing proper breathing and getting lots of
fresh air.

As a (former) asthma sufferer, I made it my mission to find a
better way to overcome my asthma and get healthy again. That
initially self-centered motivation to gain back my health and
energy lead me to learning more and more about the power of
our breath. I placed more focus in my own training on breathing
and energy disciplines.

And I began to share my knowledge and experience with hundreds –
actually at this point, thousands – of others who, like you,
also want to improve their health, energy and sense
of control.

Seems simple, but it’s true: you can live longer and live better
by knowing how to breathe properly.

Learning – and regularly performing – proper breathing is almost
an art in itself. But it’s actually not hard to do.

It just takes a little time and patience. But I encourage you
to take the time to breathe. It’s time well invested.

As the good doctor said, “Save yourself from the scrap heap!”

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Get a crash course in proper breathing and how to breathe
completely and fully with the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy
Exercise Course, volume 1: Invigorate and Rejuvenate.
Invest just a few minutes of your time and you will feel relaxed,
rejuvenated, more calm and in control.

Harness The Force of Frustration

August 1, 2011kvanness01

When it comes to your fitness and health, you’d probably say that
they are important to you.

Yet how committed and consistent are you at taking action in these
two areas, each and every day?

It takes a lot to make significant changes in your lifestyle, your
schedule, and your attitude and outlook…changes that will propel
you towards greater things in your life.

It’s a lot more comfortable to stay where you are, with what you
know, and dream about “If only…”

If only I were thinner. If only I could put on more muscle. If only
I could get control of this stress and anxiety and live in a more
relaxed manner. And so forth…

Seeing the need to change, thinking you ought to change, even
wanting to change are all good. But they don’t quite get it done
when it comes to actually taking the consistent, sustained action
that will enable you to reach your goals.

No, it takes something much stronger. And that something
is…frustration.

Yes, that negative, nasty emotion. But it’s true, something very
negative can help you make positive changes.

I used to abhor frustration. I hated the feeling. I think frustration
and boredom are the two states I seek to avoid the most.

However, I’ve realized from my own experiences, as well as working
with others, that you’re not really ready to do the things and think
the thoughts you need to until you are at the end of your rope, and
ready and willing to do what it takes to get out of the situation
you are in.

If, for example, you get to the point that you are really
frustrated with your anxiety and levels of stress, and you don’t
feel like you are improving or getting a handle in this area…or
you are frustrated with your appearance and inability to lose the
weight you want to lose….then celebrate.

Get happy! Put your hands in the air and shout “Hur-rah!”

I’m serious. Because when you get truly frustrated, you are ready
for a breakthrough.

You are at the point where you begin to ask yourself the right
questions and look for the information or resources that can help
you.

So leverage the frustration you may be feeling and use it to
energize and support your efforts to change or improve.

Here’s one more thought on frustration: it can also trip you up.

Once you are on the path to losing weight, or gaining the upper
hand on stress, or improving your energy levels and sense of
control, you may at times experience little or no progress.

You may get frustrated at how slowly things are changing. Or you
may get frustrated at yourself for slipping up or backsliding.
You may think you’ll never reach your goals.

Well, once again, use this frustration as a tool to energize
yourself.

Don’t let it put you into a funk, or get so down that you give up.

Here’s a great quote I heard a long time ago, that helps describe
this point:

“How long would you give the average baby to learn how to walk
before you didn’t let him or her try anymore?”

That’s a crazy question, isn’t it? You’ll give your kid as long
as it takes, and all the love and support to help them, until
he or she learns how to walk.

And think how frustrated babies and toddlers can be at times,
when they are trying to master a new motor skill. But they keep
at it, again and again and again, until they finally get it.

Why not apply this same approach to yourself?

You are a goal-seeking mechanism. Your natural state is to
succeed.

However, your natural state is also inertia. Kinda like a “good
guy/gal – bad guy/gal” thing. This is the duality of our nature
as human beings.

Therefore, you have to get creative sometimes and use the power
of a strong emotion, such as frustration, to get you off your
you-know-what and into taking action each day toward your goals.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/

P.S

. I’d love to help as you leverage your frustration into
action with information and inspiration that can help you take
smarter steps towards your energy, fitness and life goals. Visit the
Best Breathing Exercises website for more on the products
and programs that can help you transform your health.

Prevention Versus Problems

June 27, 2011kvanness01

They say that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to “sell”
prevention to people.

We don’t respond to appeals based on preventing disease or health
problems, because we think they won’t happen to us….OR the
possibility seems so far off in the future, we just can’t get too
worked up about it.

But when the you-know-what hits the fan, and you are faced with a
health crisis – boy, does that get your attention.

You’ve probably faced a health crisis of your own. Perhaps it was
becoming overweight. Or being diagnosed as pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Or finding out you have high blood pressure.

It could be anxiety, which everyone experiences from time to time,
which suddenly becomes overwhelming and limits your ability to
function.

When you reached this point, chances are you were in disbelief.
Especially if you had experienced no major health problems prior
to the diagnosis.

I remember how incredulous I was when I was first diagnosed with
asthma. And I hear this from many people who write in. They can’t
believe it when they find out they have a chronic disease such as
asthma, or high blood pressure, or diabetes.

One typical reaction is to go into denial, at least to a certain
extent. Many people diagnosed with very treatable illnesses or
health problems don’t take them seriously, so they may not take
their medications or follow recommendations on lifestyle changes.

Doctors complain quite a lot about compliance – or more accurately,
non-compliance – with the medical and lifestyle regimens which
they recommend to their patients.

Hence the issue with prevention.

We often know what we should and could be doing. But we remain in
a state of denial. We have trouble visualizing what the long-term
outcomes could be for us if we don’t get in gear and make changes.
So we push off to tomorrow what we could be doing for ourselves
today.

Well, I know better than to fight against the current. The
programs available through the Best Breathing Exercises web site
are designed to help you improve your breathing, your fitness and
your health, as well as help you bust through any limitations that
current conditions or challenges may be placing on your life.
(Visit www.bestbreathingexercises.com to learn more.)

But – and perhaps I shouldn’t say this,’cuz I’ll blow the secret –
everything in my programs is also congruent with the most effective
and proven habits and practices that can help you achieve more
robust health and avoid or prevent illness and disease.

Whether you want to lose weight, or are looking for relief from
stress, high blood pressure, chronic pain, or anxiety….What I
teach and share with you will help you in your efforts to
transform your health and enjoy a more fulfilling life. It can
even help you age more gracefully.

Here’s a remarkable fact: researchers have determined that less
than one third of the loss of physical function and mental acuity
as we age is due to heredity, or our genes. More than two thirds
is due to lifestyle habits.

Habits such as regular physical activity, eating well, watching
your weight, getting enough sleep, and not smoking, can help you
live longer – AND have more vim and vigor throughout your time on
the planet.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/