Day 27 of New Year New You

Happy Friday!  Its the last Friday of the month!  Doesn't it seem like you were just reading Day 1 of our challenge yesterday?  Well before you get sad because you realize Jan 31st is really around the corner, keep your head up we are still taking it one day at a time and you NEVER know what I might offer for Feb. :)

So let's get started with Day 27:

Fitness:
OOOOMMMM!  Treat your body to a yoga class today!  Usually take yoga on Friday? Then try a different type like:

• Bikram
• Ashtanga
• Iyengar
• Prana Power
• Kundalini 

Allow your body time to find repair and restoration.  For some the body might just embark on a new experience and way of working out those tired muscles.  Never did Yoga before?  No problem, just let he instructor know you are new and I am sure he or she will be glad to help you out.

Food:
Savor your food!  Slow down today and enjoy every meal, even the quick snacks.  We have taste buds for a reason.  Use them!  No eating in front of the TV, computer or while talking on the phone.  Have your meal in front of you and enjoy the flavors, maybe try to notice what seasonings were used especially if you are at a restaurant.

If you're doing the cooking, you should be savoring the fruits of your labor not woofing it down.  Its even nicer with a friend.  Share the experience.  Make it fun: Imagine yourself having that glass of Red wine in an Argentina Vineyard or sitting on top of a mountain over looking the ocean while you eat a Mango.

Taste buds do more then tell us we don't like something, they create memories.  Feel the textures, taste the flavor and enjoy every bite. Its been said good food can be "orgasmic!"

Well it has been said.......  :) So go there if you dare.

Self Growth:
Break away!  Did you know that 90+% of women sit around and have "fat talk" and I don't mean about other people.  How many of us are guilty of comparing diet trends, or our weight to our friends who just happens to be taller then you?  

Go ahead admit it, you have number envy! Are you competitive when it comes to your friends body image? Do you fall into the traps set out by main stream media and tabloids which happen to be sitting at the check out right next to the M & M's and Twix Bars.  Ironic!  Or worse have you allowed family to scar you with self body images that you can't seem to shake?

Misery loves company.  Nows the time for you to BREAK AWAY from the negative chit chat and surround yourself with positive outlooks. Don't get sucked into the "have nots" i.e. taking a compliment and turning it into a negative:  "Wow you look good" your response: "Really do you see this jelly roll." Stop agreeing with a friend who might say, "ugh I feel fat", and you say "me too".  You are just adding fuel to the fire and body bashing never gets us very far.

Smile! Take a compliment and remember that we have LOTS to be grateful for when it comes to our bodies, from head to toe.  Make it a LOVE YOURSELF day EVERYDAY!  So what if you put on a few pounds, on the bright side you aren't starving or missing meals.  :)

Until Tomorrow,

Taj

photo:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/easypickle/16823755/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 2

Hopefully we are all off to a good start!

My Day 1:  I finished 64 ounces of water, took a 45 min walk - had lunch - 45 min walk back. Couldn't throw anything away since I am not at home.

How about you?  Leave a comment here or on the Face Book Page.

Did you get your journal?  FYI iPhones, iPads and Droids work also.  Use your journal to jot down what you did the day before like my entry above and track your progress

Time for Day 2:

Fitness: 
I'm sure many of you are off today.... So take advantage of it, go for a walk outside (weather permitting)  if you have a pedometer put it on and enjoy the city.  Your task: take 2,000 steps = 1 mile If you are feeling motivated keep going.  Let me know tomorrow how far you walked!

Of course you can also jump on a treadmill to complete this task as well.  BUT why not get out into your neighborhood or maybe explore another one.

Just FYI an average of 100 calories are burned per mile while walking. Remember you, your pace, terrain, level of hydration and sex (male vs female) will cause results to vary. But don't get caught up in the calorie burn... Just get moving!

Food:

Here is a nice recipe you can try today or anytime:

Cooling Cucumber Salad

8 oz organic brown rice penne pasta

1/2 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp sea salt 

1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

2 tbsp sesame oil

6 small or 4 large cucumbers slices on diagonal into 1/4 inch thickness

1 large organic carrot grated or chopped 

1/2 red onion peeled and sliced into half moons (optional)

Bring a pot of water to boil season with salt (separate from above salt or use olive oil)

Cook pasta until al dente

While pasta is cooking, whisk together vinegar, salt and pepper then and sesame oil

Toss veggies into the bowl with dressing

Drain pasta and add tot he bowl with veggies and dressing

Toss well and serve (adjust seasoning as needed) 

Don't have time to make the salad, stop by Chopped, Souper Salad, Whole Foods or even McDonald's for the garden salad.  Using Vinegar and Oil is better then Ranch and Blue Cheese.  

Self Growth:
Write down 1 thing you'd like to learn to do this year.  Put it somewhere you can see DAILY like on the computer, the fridge, the dash board of your car, in the bathroom etc.

Before you get overwhelmed remember we are approaching things one day at a time and you can always double up if you miss a day here or there. The challenge is all about approaching things from a different perspective.

Until Tomorrow!

Taj

photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindejesus/4880728619/sizes/s/in/photostream/