Not Rotting

"You do Have to Age, But You Don't Have to Rot" Chris Crowley

 

I highly recommend this book and the very similar original version for men; Younger Next Year. Both are written in a very humorous down to earth -no holds barred, tell it like it is way. Chris Crowley and his Co-author Henry S Lodge MD alternate between science (Henry) and hysterically funny practical advice and directives.

 

Based on their wisdom and ideas I'm beginning Level One (see The Younger Next Year One-Size-Fits-All Exercise Program way in the back of the book.

 

 My Level One goal will be to do 45 minutes of long and slow exercise 6 days a week, starting with whatever I can do and working up. Right now I walk the dog(but not every day because he is a difficult dog) for about 12-15 minutes. A hill is involved too so maybe I deserve some extra credit. Achieving this goal will require some extra dog work and courage not to mention will power and a little more time. But Chris and Harry say it is vital for the rest of my life.

"Life is an Endurance Event: Train for it" C.C.

 

I totally believe this and hereby pledge to start-as soon as it stops raining...

On to the CORE

There has been a pause while I assessed what I’ve accomplished so far- feeling more energetic and like I can actually get more done-and where to go next.

 In the meantime I have been trying out a weight loss idea in order to lose a few pounds and be able to wear some of my favorite clothes. It has turned out to be the easiest and most successful regimen (for me) that I have ever tried.  Here’s the deal: I eat a modest normal amount of food (around 1400 calories or so) on 5 days of the week and “fast” with 600-700 calories on two non-consecutive days. So far I have been losing a little under 1 lb a week.

The reason it’s easy for me is, I get to eat pretty much what I want on-non fasting days including chocolate, butter, pasta, etc. On fasting days if I see a donut or cookie I want, I don’t have to wait until I’ve reached my goal weight to have it. “Oh, I can have that tomorrow.”

A typical fasting day:

1.      Breakfast:   ½ cup plain low- fat (not 0 fat) Greek yogurt  with a small handful of blueberries and 5 chopped walnut halves.

2.      Lunch: ½ package salad greens, hard boiled egg, a chopped carrot, small tomato, 2T Feta cheese and some non fat dressing.

3.      Dinner: 12 boiled shrimp with seafood sauce and green beans.

If I’m desperate for a snack I might have a tablespoon of nuts.

I don’t actually measure all this except for the yogurt; these amounts are only to give you the idea.

As an unexpected bonus I have found that over time my appetite on non-fasting days has decreased and I get full faster and have decreased some portions without intention. 

Increasing energy will continue to be an ongoing process. I’ve found that it is connected to everything. Time to move on: my next goal and concentrated effort will be Body Strength with emphasis on Core.

The book that inspired this journey-Mentor/Mindset Monday

 

Buy  this Book
 

Deepak Chopra wrote this book published in 2001. In he says that although we cannot change our chronological age, he proposes that we "reset" our Biostat -(your set point in consciousness for your physical and mental capacity and the way you feel and look) between your chronologica age and up to 15 years younger. You will then set your intention to be, feel and look that age.  

 

"The "normal" experience of the body and its aging

is a conditioned response....

a habit of thinking and behavior;

By changing your habits of thinking and behavior,

you can change the experience of your body

and its aging."

 

The idea is that then you will consciously and unconsciously begin to change to the younger intended age. Along the way, you observe how others at your new age dress, act, look (hairstyles, clothing), even their gait and posture.

Clarity I

As part of my Younger Project I've been working with Christine Kane at Uplevel You and reading her blog. Here she talks  about a practice of focus for getting business results.   http://tinyurl.com/m8vtvg9
She talks a lot about clarity and I find this very helpful. Clarity for me is:

• How many by when?
• What exactly needs to happen to do this?
• What are the components of this package, presentation, campaign
• What is the purpose of this activity, conversation, appointment?

As a creative, my mind flits about and sees possibilities, ideas, and shiny new objects. Then I get overwhelmed with thoughts of what to do first, what about this, what about that?   I find that writing helps me to clarify my thoughts about all sorts of things. Here's a quote from Christine's Blog about writing and clarity:

"1. First off, the ritualistic act of uninterrupted writing teaches you how to focus.

2. Clarity comes from writing.  Nope, the many voices that constantly drone on and on in your brain is NOT thinking.  THAT would be noise.  When you write, you slow your mind down enough to acknowledge where you are, recognize what you’ve accomplished, and see what’s challenging you.  This level of clarity is vital."
The complete post can be read here.http://tinyurl.com/m8vtvg9

 

Imperfect Action II

 

Imperfect Action II

My beginning project was to be more active to raise energy. I got my current dog in order to be motivated to walk more and to have companionship and a greater feeling of security when walking. Of course it has turned out to be more difficult than I expected; he doesn’t especially even want to go for a walk (who ever heard of a dog not wanting to go on a walk?) because he is afraid of other dogs and is quite reactive. This has naturally put a pall on my enthusiasm, having to lure him into his harness with a treat, and then spend the entire walk in dread of seeing another dog. I’m sure he is feeling the same way so it is easier to just not go at all. Nonetheless I am continuing to torture both of us and even increasing the length of the walks!

I do think this past month my energy has increased.

·        I have started decluttering. I had a queen size mattress and large bed platform with drawers I wanted to go away. Providence moved and provided a needy woman with no bed and so off it went.

·        I joined a belly dancing class in hopes of reducing my waist and belly; turns out that you don’t actually move your belly but your upper torso and legs. Oh well, it may do some good anyway.

·        I started going back to my Unitarian church and be uplifted spiritually.

·        I joined a coaching program that I have wanted to join since last year but thought it was too expensive for me. Saying “YES” raises my energy!

What I have learned is that all the elements of my whole project are related to Raising Energy.  They get all mixed up and can only be done imperfectly. I just read a blog post by Steven Pressfield in which he discusses the book Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson: 13 principles for improv that relate to any endeavor one is trying to advance. (See my blogroll at right.) The very first principle is to say YES.

YES!

Play Dates and Treats

Play Dates and Treats

Julia Cameron calls them Artist Dates, and describes them like this.

“Artist Dates are assigned play.

The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore
something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly
“artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it.”

Here is a link to her website and blog:   http://juliacameronlive.com/

To continue with raising energy and throughout the next categories of my projects I am going to embark on some Play Dates. Here are some I have planned but there will be more:

·       Sephora-There will probably be multiple visits to Sephora for various make-up solutions.

·       Dances and dance classes like Country Western, Waltz, Belly Dancing (Pronounced Ballet dancing te he)

·       Personal trainer appointment

·       Pilates appointment

·       Personal Shopper or stylist

 

 

 

 

A New Sport

Aren't they pretty?

Having resigned from the gym I never went to I am in need of some exercise to raise my energy. I have decided to engage in sports instead.

Since I have never been any good at "ball" sports like tennis and golf (Made a D in golf at Duke ) and since my yard is an ongoing project I am declaring that Yard Work aka Gardening is my new SPORT.

Of course when you start a new sport you have to buy the proper equipment.

My first purchase (to allay my fear of lurking copperheads) is a pair of Sloggers rubberlike gardening boots. I just love them and anticipate that their beauty will motivate me to tramp around in the fallen sticks, leaves, poison ivy and who know what else is out there. They're comfortable, too!

Next I am looking for some great gloves that come at least half way up my forearm so I can reach down and pick up those sticks and other stuff like half buried dog balls.

To follow will possibly be: a small electric lawnmower, a weed eater. I will need to consult my neighbor about what kind she uses so successfully.

I have at least two other activities I am declaring to be sports: dancing and plein air painting. Each of these of course merits their own post.

 

 

 

The Jungle

My yard looks like this-

All .66 acres of it. Several copperheads have appeared and are now RIP. . My son has sent a crew to chop it all down and they're doing it. It is very necessary but at the same time scary: what will it look like? (Triage) Will everyone be able to see my needs paint house? (Yes). It is a work in progress and I am very grateful although feeling some shame about the appearance. Hopefully things will soften and grow back A LITTLE by fall.
Lately I am working on cleaning and decluttering. It is amazing how even just a little progress can create energy!

Imperfect Action I

I am plagued with unrealized perfectionism, always waiting for the perfect time, waiting for x until y is ready, waiting until the house looks better before I have company, waiting for better weather and so on. What time of day should I paint? Write?  Exercise? Call clients? Do housework? What is the perfect schedule? Health advisors say you really should exercise first thing in the morning. Artist and writer mentors assert that painting and writing should be done first thing in the morning and of course, real estate coaches are adamant that prospecting and lead follow up calls should be made first thing in the morning. I'm sure that musicians are also told the same.

In the meantime most of these things are either not getting done or are only done sporadically. This is frustrating and unproductive. It's also a huge waste of time to think about when to do what all the time. Some would see this as procrastination and I guess in a way it is but the real villain is perfectionism. Today on Facebook (which is what I do instead of any of the above)  I happened across one helpful idea and I'm going to try it. (Imperfectly)

The post was an article from Elizabeth Gilbert's blog and she wrote about the kitchen timer and 30 minute sessions. Her mother used this method to get Elizabeth to: learn French, practice the piano, write thank you notes, and more. You can read the complete engaging post. http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/the-most-important-tool-in-a-creative-persons-life-dear-ones-do-you-want-t/   She is currently writing her new book in 30 minute bites wherever she is.

I'm hoping this idea will relieve my obsessive thinking about time.

Energy is my ONE THING for May

I know I need more energy to work on any of the elements of my Younger Project. I've been reading The ONE THING by Gary Keller. It's all about focus. (more about this book later.)
First things first: I definitely need more energy.

Exercise- Every book and reference I read says that exercise is the most important element to implement in my life to create more energy. Of course when your energy is low it's hard to get going.
A little weight loss for better clothes fit- Knowing I look good raises my energy.
Declutter-Just looking at it drains energy.
Dance-this means going out at night so I'll need energy for this but it's FUN!
Clean up office and studio
Complete nagging tasks(Like returning those shoes that don't work)
Learn to take painting time and real estate business time

This morning I walked the dog early (7:15AM) to start the early walk habit as hot weather approaches. It was hard to make myself get dressed and do it but it felt great and everything was fresh. I feel fresh now

Younger Project First Post

Today is the start of I blog I have envisioned for over a year. I'm finally starting and letting go of all those rules and instructions that have been causing me doubt, confusion and hesitation. What if I don't do it right? One resource says to have 3 months of posts ready before starting. No way; that sounds very boring and just keeps me from starting.

For years I have concentrated on looking and acting younger than my age and it has been working. I have even been asked in astonishment by friends to see my driver's license if I mentioned my age.
Now, however, I have reached a point where I can feel my energy sliding, my outlook becoming jaded; it is time for a newly focused approach.

This blog is a project for me to record and sort out how to feel better, look better and most of all to have more energy. I am inspired by Gretchen Rubin's blog and book The Happiness Project, http://gretchenrubin.com/ especially her way of tackling her ideas into monthly themes.
I plan to explore and implement ideas around:

Energy
Reduce Menopot
Michele Obama Arms
Posture Gait
Clothing
Hair/ Skin
Mind
Something Social
Work
Home
Adventure
Health