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following are articles taken from our bimonthly newsletter, The
Buzz. If you would like to subscribe to the electronic or hard
copy version, please let
us know.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BODY ELECTRIC!
On August 14, Body Electric turned eight years old!
It seems like only yesterday that we were sitting in a circle at the Daily Grind, trying to decide what to call ourselves.
Here we are, eight years later, with eight scholarships under our belt, workshops, the Adventure Club, the Women's FitFest, the Women's Sports Book Project, The Buzz, and other projects - all going strong.
We wouldn't be where we are today without all the volunteers, board members donors, foundations and other supporters who have been there throughout our "formative" years.
Thank you all for believing in us!
WHAT'S YOUR OXYGEN?
What's your "oxygen?"
What is the physical activity that you look forward to every week? This is usually something that brings a smile to your face and sparkle to your eyes.
Your oxygen is what you absolutely cannot live without doing, just like you need oxygen to breathe.
For some, it is going for a jog at daybreak, or meeting friends for a beach walk, or taking a spin class with their favorite instructor.
Find your oxygen by:
- Trying new activities often. Make a commitment to try a new activity once a quarter.
- Ask your friends about the activities they participate in. Ask them for a guest pass to their gym or exercise class.
- Follow your passion - many non-profits hold or sponsor events annually. For example the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team-in-Training, and the Cancer Walk.
- Program your workouts to support your oxygen.
For example: participate in track workouts to improve running speed and technique, participate in masters swim to improve swim efficiency, join the Sierra Club hikes to improve endurance for walking.
- Practice time management to always make your oxygen happen.
Psychological and emotional health and well-being goes hand in hand with physical health and well-being. They cannot be separated.
Being true to your oxygen will clear your mind, in turn you'll be able to focus better on daily tasks and responsibilities.
- Think about what activities you've done in the past that have brought you joy. Making activity like child's play will refresh and rejuvenate your attitude.
For example, jump rope interval training, go for a bicycle ride or run on the beach with your dog.
- Use your resources to allow your oxygen to be a priority. Trade childcare with friends, include your family in your activity, or ask if your work hours can be flexible one day a week.
Find what you like to do and do it. Embrace it and live it. Make it fun and make it happen.
By Nicole Clancy, Certified Fitness Professional, Medical Exercise Specialist.
ADVENTURE CLUB CALENDAR
Ice Skating - December. Come celebrate the holidays with the Adventure Club and learn how to ice skate!
For more info, contact adventureclub@bodyelectric-sb.org
or 805.569.7144, ext. *2
ELLEN'S
JOURNAL
Part
three in a series, the following is an excerpt of the journal
of Ellen Durham, a woman who works full time, volunteers for Body
Electric, and is starting a new business on the side.
With our journal series we bring you the challenges and accomplishments
of an average woman: someone who, like all of us, balances a life
full of work, play, friends, family and occasional struggle.
We hope you find inspiration in their daily endeavors, and perhaps
decide to try something new and challenging yourself!
June 15 - Today I am feeling better, my body seems to be starting to recover from the accident and I was able to work out again. I tried it last week, too, but really all we were able to do is stretch out the muscles. They were too tight to do much of anything.
I think I figured out that I need to slow down even more, and focus on just a few things in my life - I had way too much going on again. Good lesson to learn.
It is a balance not only between myself and my family - but really myself and my hectic schedule.
June 27 - I am traveling for work again. I have been gone four days. I get so unmotivated to work out with the traveling.
The time changes, the different elevations and the long hours with the customer dinners make it feel as though I have little time to myself.
June 29 - I had a spare hour today in between meetings - have found a place that does pedicures! I have lovely pink toes and am now on my way to Kansas city for a family reunion.
July 4 - Have been in Kansas city many days now, am walking a lot but it is soooo hot and humid here! I can totally understand how people can get overweight, not wanting to be outside in the winter and not wanting to be outside in the summer.
I have been eating in restaurants now for ten days - if I haven't gained 20 pounds by doing so it feels as though I have.
I shudder to think how much sodium I have inadvertently consumed because no one publishes what the content is in the resturants.
I bought flavored seltzer water this week to discover it contains more sugar than soda, am learning to read the labels - as what I think may be healthy-looking isn't necessarily healthier for me.
July 11 - Home and eating normal home cooked meals again! Back to working out and am very focused again.
The dog is in heaven - I am walking him with me and we are getting into a groove where he can keep up with me.
The traveling definitely throws me off my schedule, so I have a pilates DVD now that will be traveling with me - I am hoping this will help.
July 17 - I am still sore from my pilates workout! I still love it and I love that I can see the changes in my body.
I am taking the dog for a walk in a few minutes - and I am looking forward to stretching out my legs so I can move without feeling like I aged 20 years!
July 28 - I am amazed that I still run into people who think traveling for work is great.
Traveling occasionally for work is great; traveling so much that my friends don't call because they know I won't be home - not where I thought my life would be.
August 5 - I think I have walked everywhere on vacation! And I have managed to squeeze in stretching and some relaxation too.
I feel like I may have gained five pounds from eating out - but I am navigating salads well and Ray and I are now splitting meals so we don't eat everything on our plates. It is working well.
August 12 - This day can't possibly get any longer. I started the day at 6 a.m. EST and am now in the airport waiting for my next flight home.
I left Boston at 6:30pm after working a full day and will arrive home in SB at 11:35pm!
I am tired already, and can't imagine doing anything this weekend other than laying on the sofa recovering.
August 15 - The week is starting out and I am just now feeling like working out again.
I think I caught something on the plane home and have been feeling funky all weekend. I am walking the dogs with vigor this week and plan to go out every day. Nice.
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