All is Well by Louise Hay and Mona Lisa Schulz

I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for review purposes, I was not financially compensated for my opinion. That said, I rate this book at a full 5 out of 5 stars. Brilliant. This is a home run. Louise Hay has brought so much public awareness to the mind/body connection since the 1980's, and now Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz has taken those ideas to a level of deeper understanding. If you've enjoyed any of their previous works, this one is a no-brainer, you'll love it. And if you're new to the idea that our thoughts manifest in the body as conditions, you'll enjoy it too. The research that backs up the theory is astonishing. The authors do a great job of explaining how thought patterns affect the human body, and then go on to teach an integrated treatment approach; never a one size fits all prescription. The reader is given a lot of information on the seven emotional centers, and how and why they affect they body the way they do. At the end of each section case studies are offered, and their treatment plans are detailed. Patients were given daily affirmation work to help heal and strengthen their mindset. Diseases were treated, not just with medical drugs, but through adjustments in nutrition, supplementation, visualization, and exercise or activity levels as well. This book gives me hope that more people will get the lesson, and start taking responsibility for their health. This is a very empowering book. It could very well change, or even save your life.

You Can Trust Your Life

You Can Trust Your Life is the new 4 disc DVD intensive from Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson, two beautiful souls who are responsible for bringing a lot of good into this world. This 2 day seminar was filmed in front of a live audience, and manages to entertain while getting across some very deep spiritual teachings. If you're new to the ideas of consciousness, or a veteran on the path, there is much to benefit from here. The interaction between these two ladies, and the audience is delightful, and inspiring to watch. They certainly walk their talk. They really go deep in this seminar. I particularly enjoyed the section on "tapping", or Emotional Freedom Technique. The question and answer period with the attendees was most enlightening. Positive thinking, affirmations, and mirror work are powerful techniques. The practicality of each is given a thorough examination. For instance, the difference between an affirmation and a denial is discussed, and expertly explained. You will learn life saving, and life changing tools in these lessons. If you're interested in improving your life, your self esteem, becoming more grounded in the present moment, and/or discovering your true potential you'll discover a lot of valuable information and inspiration in You Can Trust Your Life. I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the DVD set from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Don't Be an Icarus

Over-training leads to underachieving. Recovery is just as important as the workout, because muscles don't grow until they heal first. Over-training can also halt weight loss, as it can slow down the metabolism. Work with your body, not against it.

Circuit Training

A few years ago, my middle son heard me preaching the benefits of circuit training clients and got all kinds of jealous because he thought we were doing "circus training." It's exciting in its own way, however, as circuit training combines the benefits of resistance training with the benefits of cardiovascular exercise by treating your heart and lungs to an intensity, sadly, missing from a lot of weight rooms. This type of training is particularly beneficial if you live in an area where winter weather prevents you from performing outdoor activities or sports. This type of training is great for busy people, as you can get a very intense workout in quickly. You'd be surprised at what 15-20 minutes of this can do for you. It's pretty simple. You just pick a handful of exercises, and perform a set of each, one right after the other with no (or just a little) rest. You'll instantly feel the workout your heart and lungs are getting. As with all exercise, avoid over-training. A basic upper body circuit could look like this: Execute 6-12 repetitions of the following exercises, using a moderately challenging amount of weight- Dumbbell Bench Press, Barbell Curl, Chin-ups, Tricep Kickbacks, Dumbbell Shoulder Press. Rest, Repeat until you begin experiencing momentary muscle failure

Here's a Full-Body Circuit utilizing your own body weight as resistance: Burpees x 10-12 reps Lunges x 6-10 reps; Squats (as low to the floor as you can) x 10-15 reps; Push-Ups x 10-20 reps; Crunches x 10-15 reps; Chin-Ups x 4-10 reps Rest, Repeat Give yourself a good minute and half rest between circuits when you're just starting out. Obviously, if you have heart or lung issues this is not the workout for you. Talk to your doctor before starting a new workout program, and if you can afford to hire a trainer you can save a lot of wear and tear on your body, while amplifying your results. I'll see you at the "circus." Be well, Friend.

sports-tracker.com

I've started using the sports-tracker app from sports-tracker.com I like it a lot so far. You can take pictures on your run, and it uses your gps to show where they were taken. Fun way to integrate a little art into your workout. I've really started logging some miles lately, so it's nice to have a little something extra to do besides focus on form and breathing.

A Course in Weight Loss by Marianne Williamson

This is a beautifully written, spiritual approach to weight loss. Marianne Williamson has taken her years of study of A Course In Miracles, and applied them to the subject of losing weight and keeping it off. Even though I, personally, come from a more atheistic perspective, I was still able to get a lot out of these 21 lessons. The cognitive dissonance, and "food hell" of overeating and food addiction are thoroughly examined. Marianne does a fantastic job of explaining that binge eating is not by any means a loving act, but an act of violence against yourself. She sums it up brilliantly with the words "What you feel, you feed." Anyone, with even a little experience with emotional eating would get a lot out of this book. "> (Blogger is confusing me this morning, and I need to get out and run, so if the link isn't working you can find it at hayhouse.com, amazon, or your local bookstore if you still have one.)

Inspiration or Desperation?

Why not eat and exercise to improve your health from a place of inspiration, rather than wait until you have to do it from a place of desperation?

Supplementing Meals

A supplement is supposed to mean: in addition to. I'm getting a little concerned that some of my fitness hero's are preaching the old Slimfast approach of drink over half your meals. To think a man made powder, that shakes into a nutritious drink, is better than anything grown naturally is just absurd. It's convenient, but if you're serious about "eating clean" you have to wonder if the processed food of meal supplement shakes and bars are really worth the high price.