THE Jog Blog – 60

March 8, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

We’ve all heard the enormous benefits of meditation: calming the mind bringing peace, tranquility and a state of wellbeing.

I used to find meditation challenging. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. My brain resembled the chaotic movement of a racquetball pinging off every wall with no real direction. It brought no sense of calm, clarity or wisdom but rather created more chaos, confusion and frustration.

Although I knew the benefits, I couldn’t seem to reap the rewards until…

I started to jog.

Yes, jogging is a wonderful way to meditate! It allows me to purge the negative, chaotic thoughts in a healthy way leaving my mind open. It also gives me the natural, happy high of endorphins that can last up to 12 hours!

I meditate two ways while I jog:

    1. I use mottos. Repeating a single phrase or word keeps me focused, centered and manifests the results I am looking for in my life.
    2. I run in nature, away from the cars, city noise and mass population.

        Running on a trail through fields or forest or jogging along the ocean or a gentle stream is proven to bring more peace and a sense of wellbeing. The calm surroundings bring you closer to yourSELF and away from the stresses of life.

In 1996 a study showed that negative ions – invisible air molecules released by trees, increase the oxygen flow to the brain helping to alleviate such things as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

SAFETY TIPS WHEN RUNNING ON TRAILS

  • TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND HOW LONG YOU WILL BE. Check in with them when you return.
  • CARRY ID – either your driver’s license safely tucked into a secret pocket or an ID bracelet.
  • RUN WITH A DOG.
  • BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. When you run on trails you have to watch where you are stepping so you don’t turn an ankle, but do be mindful of looking up, listening and using your instinct.
  • RUN WITH A FRIEND. Although you may want your alone time, find a friend who will not speak during this run. Respect each other by staying quiet, giving each time to reflect and meditate, yet keeping safe by jogging together.
  • BE VISIBLE. Wear bright colored, reflective clothing and stay on the trails. Do not go into completely remote areas and risk your safety.
  • DO NOT RUN WITH MUSIC. This is a time to be aware of your surroundings and to leave other stimuli at home.
  • CARRY YOUR PHONE. This is for emergency purposes only, not to check emails or texts.

Although it seems like a lot of rules when you just want a little peace and quiet, they are easy to incorporate and will keep you safe.

If you really want to get centered you could join the Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, Japan.

They trail run between 24 and 82 miles (38 – 132K) A DAY for a 1,000 days straight in order to reach enlightenment. WOW.

If you struggle with meditation, allow your footsteps to create a pattern. Listen to the rhythm. Be aware of your breath. Let go.

I wish you a beautiful weekend full of peace, quiet reflection and the beauty of nature. What a gift!

With a smile,

Tina

I LOVE Shoes!

March 1, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

I really LOVE shoes.

In my front hall closet alone, I have 48 pairs of boots and shoes. I come by it honestly as both my Mom and sister love shoes as well…or perhaps it’s just genetically part of woman’s makeup to enjoy a beautiful, well sculptured, finely designed shoe. (Insert happy sigh)

Today I am talking about running shoes.

Not the shoe I would have purchased just a few years ago, but one I now proudly put on every time I train to reach my jogging goals.

Although putting on a pair of stilettos can make me feel strong in a business meeting, putting on a pair of runners makes me feel STRONG in my LIFE.

Finding the correct running shoe is very important.

If you are currently running in old shoes you need to get new ones immediately. Why? Simply put, an old shoe doesn’t have the stability and shock absorption it used to have and this increases your risk of an avoidable injury.

When you set out to purchase a new pair of shoes make sure you wear the sock you intend to use while running. Because your feet swell, do not purchase a shoe that is too small! Oftentimes you will get a half to full size larger than what you would normally wear in a dress shoe.

I am blessed to get my shoes from an amazing source: LadySport.

They really know their stuff. They actually have a 39 page document you can download informing you all about heel counters, rocker soles, toe springs, medial posts, shanks, and board lasting, slip lasting or strobel lasting.

Click on photo to go to LadySport!

The staff at LadySport can talk to you about the foot bed, the foot frame, the cupsole, midsole and the saddle (giddy up!).

Click on image to go to LadySport website!

Their knowledge is extensive and you know when you purchase a shoe from LadySport you are getting the most current information.

As you can see, they also have lots to choose from so you have the opportunity to try different styles and models to get just the right fit.

I wear Mizunos. I’ve tried other brands but that particular shoe seems to make my feet happy…and a happy foot makes a happy Tina.

Investing in a proper running shoe is key to a HEALTHY, SAFE and SUCCESSFUL running program.

RUN STRONG. RUN FAST. RUN SAFE. RUN HAPPY!

Have a wonderful weekend! Today we MARCH into SPRING and I can’t wait to see the new flowers, happy birds and sunshiney days!

With a smile,

Tina

THE Jog Blog – 59

February 23, 2012 By Tina Moore 1 Comment

Sometimes you have great jogs. They are easy, effortless and you feel inspired. Other times you aren’t motivated so it’s tough to get yourself out the door. And don’t forget the times when you are out there, feeling pretty good but your legs feel heavy, your body is tired and you move slower and with more effort.

Those are the times when you need JOGGING AFFIRMATIONS.

I believe affirmations have incredible POWER. They are like an internal coach, mother, friend, teacher, mentor, and guide. I use my jogging affirmations all the time:

  • They keep my mind busy thinking POSITIVE thoughts instead of negative thoughts.
  • They create a VISION of what I want to see as the end result. (See my MARATHON blog for proof on how it works!)
  • They give me ENERGY when I may have been feeling tired, weak or slow.

Your affirmations should resonate with YOU. Keep them short so they aren’t difficult to repeat. Because I am a musician, I like the ones that fit the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground. It’s a meditative rap!

THIS IS A GREAT JOG!

I FEEL GOOD; I FEEL STRONG.

I AM GRATEFUL TO JOG.

JOGGING IS MY GIFT TO ME!

THESE HILLS ARE EASY!

I AM STRONG!

I HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY!

I FEEL FREE.

I FEEL ALIVE!

LOOK AT ME GO!

BURN BABY BURN.

I AM AMAZING!

THIS IS MY TIME.

WHOO HOO, I AM FABULOUS!

I LOVE MYSELF!

I AM ROCKIN’ IT!

GO BABY GO!

Remember your thoughts have enormous power. You don’t want to weigh your body down with negative thoughts when you are having a tough time.

  • Think positive.

  • Think energy.

  • Think power.

  • Think strength.

  • Think success!

I’d love to hear your affirmations! What works for you? Have a JOY-full, loving and empowered weekend my friends.

With a smile,

Tina

 

THE Jog Blog – 58

February 16, 2012 By Tina Moore

When your BODY isn’t allowed to exercise due to injury or illness, your MIND starts to become over active instead.

For the past 5 or 6 weeks I have not been able to exercise due to pleurisy. Prior to that, I was only jogging about once a week because of a bad cold so this has been an 8 week endeavour with little or no exercise.

On the weekend, I started to put on my awesome red ‘marathon’ shirt, the one I earned for participating (running my buns off) in the full marathon in October when I came to a screeching halt.

The negative voice inside my head said:

“You don’t deserve to wear that.”

I immediately went to the mirror so I could look myself in the eye and cried:

“THAT’S A HORRIBLE THING TO SAY. I RAN A FULL MARATHON! 42 KILOMETERS! I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO WEAR THIS SHIRT. SHUT UP AND QUIT BEING SO MEAN!!!!!!!!!!”

Then I got mad.

How DARE you make me feel anything less than PROUD, JOYFUL and HAPPY about running my marathon!

How DARE you try and put me down, make me feel ashamed and bad about mySELF.

That run was a year in the making with the training and commitment.

That run was an incredible day in my life and I’ll be damned if I let some small, insignificant, stupid negative voice in MY head ruin it.

SCREW YOU NEGATIVITY! (Cheers and applause)

Because I haven’t had exercise for my stress and anxiety (an outlet to process negative thoughts and emotions), I haven’t been feeling well and my sense of SELF has been compromised as a result, the negative voice saw an opportunity.

Although my ACTIONS were to give my body good, nutritious food, plenty of sleep and limit any cause of stress, my THOUGHTS were sabotaging any good I was doing.

It was a critical moment.

I cried. I ranted. I sat in my sadness for a couple of hours and then I changed my thoughts.

Is it as simple as that?

No, first I had to make THE DECISION to change my thoughts…it always comes down to that truth.

I had to get mySELF back into EMOTIONAL SHAPE.

If your doctor has advised you NOT to exercise for a certain amount of time, you must keep track of your thoughts. Negativity isn’t going to help you get better. Negative thoughts create a steady stream of difficulty that you are then forced to push through.

Stop the stream from its source: YOUR HEAD.

Replace mean, negative and untrue thoughts with positive, loving, kind and honest thoughts. Nurture yourSELF with compassion! You would never say those things to your family or friends, please do not say them to yourSELF.

Exercise your mind with kindness if you can’t work your body with exercise.

Nurture. Love. Respect.

Wishing you a kind and loving weekend my friends!

With a smile,

Tina

THE Jog Blog – 57

February 9, 2012 By Tina Moore 1 Comment

Do you know what pleurisy is? For those who have had it, their reaction is always the same:

“Oh no! You have pleurisy? That’s awful!”

What is pleurisy? According to the Canadian Lung Association, pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura; the two-ply membrane that both encloses the lung and lines the chest cavity. From experience, I can tell you that it causes intense pain each time you take a breath. It can be a complication of the cold virus and in my case, an anti inflammatory was prescribed.

The piercing pain didn’t allow me to move my arm or twist in a certain direction, cough, laugh, sneeze, sing or take a deep breath without severe, tears-to-your-eyes pain. Due to pleurisy, I obviously haven’t been able to exercise. Yes, no jogging! Sigh…

It is recommended to:

“Limit the movement of the lungs”

That is exactly what I had to do in order to limit the pain. In other words, I’ve been forced to chill out. Rest. Relax. Lay low. Don’t jog.

If you are injured and not exercising to the amount you were before there is something you need to remember:

DON’T OVER EAT!

When you work out, you can eat more food because you are burning more calories.

When you are injured, you aren’t burning the same calories so watching how many calories and where you are getting your calories is really important.

Empty calories from potato chips, processed foods, candy or other sweets should be limited or avoided all together. Instead, choose nutritious foods that not only will give you natural ingredients to build up your immune system but also give you calories that are healthy.

I will tell you a little secret.

I don’t have cable so I don’t watch TV during the week but on the weekends I like watching a movie. This is the time to sit and munch.

Instead of munching on my usual buttered popcorn, I have substituted for a POMEGRANATE.

I LOVE POMEGRANATES!

They are really good for you and keep you busy picking out the individual seeds as you watch a movie. Instead of feeling a bit bloated and enormously thirsty when I eat buttery or salty carbs, I feel clean. My body is happy.

Don’t get me wrong, I love popcorn but check out the health benefits of POMEGRANATES:

  • Packed with antioxidants
  • Loaded with Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, Folate and Vitamin K
  • Believed to lower risk of heart disease
  • Believed to lower risk of cancer, specifically prostate and breast cancers
  • Helps to reduce cholesterol
  • Fight cell damage
  • High in fibre (must eat the actual seed to get the fibre)

And ladies, apparently it helps fight erectile dysfunction so you may want to introduce POMEGRANATES to your man’s diet. Its lovely, juicy red seeds look beautiful in salads!

Watch the squirting of the juice as it can stain counters, hands and fabrics.

This weekend, pick up a couple POMEGRANATES and give them a try. If you can’t imagine watching a movie without popcorn, have a smaller bowl and then crack open a pomegranate. Your body will thank you!

WISHING YOU A HEALTHY, HAPPY AND JUICY WEEKEND MY DEAR FRIENDS!

With a smile,

Tina

PS. If you are returning to exercise after an extended injury or illness, check out my inspiring book “THE DECISION” for some helpful tips. Because I KNOW IT WORKS, I personally will be using it to get back into my training!

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »