January | 2018

Resistance to Exercise: It’s kind of like eating your brussel sprouts

Resistance to exercise, it’s a thing. We all know it’s good for us just like peas or brussel sprouts but do we do it? February is on its way and with it cold days and more snow. As Canadians we are used to it but it still can make you feel like hibernating. This means that we can find a multitude of reasons not to exercise. “I’ll wait till it’s sunnier outside.” “I don’t want to leave my warm house to go to the gym”. So what can we do to get ourselves moving?

Create a weekly exercise plan

Write it down, put it in your phone. Whatever it takes, but make a commitment to yourself. If you make a date with yourself for spin class or Zumba you will be more likely to go. Some gyms even have apps that allow you to put your classes in your calendar and add reminders. It is a great way to set yourself up for success.

Try You Tube

Well, it doesn’t have to be You Tube but it is a great place to start. There are lots of videos to choose from. For example, if you are looking to start a daily yoga practice, you can do this from the comfort of your own living room with Yoga with Adrienne

Adrienne leads people through 31 days of yoga and if you finish that there is bedtime yoga, yoga for anxiety and even yoga for weight loss. These videos range from 6 minutes to 30 minutes so they can fit into most busy schedules.

Find a Friend

Do you have a friend who is an avid gym rat or maybe one that keeps talking about getting fit? Buddy up and make plans to sweat together. Set a night that you can walk together after work or try a membership to a nearby gym. If you don’t have a friend that fits the bill, then find a group. Usually there are team challenges you can sign up for and join some like minded people. Check out your local gym or maybe even a boot camp group. The idea of a team is for support and encouragement. You may even make a new friend in the process. If you are the type that will never let others down but puts you last on the list, then this might just be something to keep you focused.

Tap it Out

If you are fantastic at coming up with excuses not to go to the gym, then perhaps trying a bit of EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique would be helpful. Here is a tapping meditation on resistance to exercise from Nick Ortner’s site the Tapping Solution. It is a short 12 minute exercise that might just get you started.

Hygge: Living the Hygge Life

This is definitely the winter to learn more about hygge. The first thing to know is that it is Danish and is pronounced “hue-guh”. It is about getting cozy and embracing simple moments and feelings. It is about the things that make us feel grateful and happy.

For those of us who feel like we are living in the arctic this winter, it makes perfect sense. Hygge is hard to explain but when you feel it you will know you are living the hygge life.

Create a Space for Hygge to Happen

I think my cat embraces this best. He picks the perfect spot, the one with a bit of sun that has the soft throw for him to curl up and just be. This space is where your brain and body are triggered to slow down and relax a bit and have a moment of calm amidst your busy day.

The author of Hygge House sums it up well on her blog Living Hygee, as leisurely charm. It is a space that signals it is time to gear down, sip on a cup of tea, read a book, have a chat with a friend or maybe even nap.

Be Present

Yes, you have to show up and be present to have the hygge state of mind. You have to be willing to unplug and just enjoy some of the simpler things in life. If you show up and be present and create the intention, hygge can happen pretty easily.

This winter we are opening our home up to friends once a month to drop in and enjoy something warm to eat and a board game or two. We’re hoping to create a space for friends to feel welcome and loved. We’ll see what happens but at the very least we will have an evening at home with good food and a few laughs so what could be better than that?!

Hygge is a Feeling Not Something You Can Buy

Now this is a bit tricky because the bread proofing basket and jars for your sour dough starter are things that help you create the feeling of hygge. The feeling you get from creating the perfect sour dough loaf is what we are talking about.

To create the feelings you want you may wish to surround yourself with a few things. Yes, you may buy a beautiful tea mug or a candle but they are just props to set the stage. Choose a few things that make you feel happy, cozy, and warm in your heart and your body too.

We’ll leave you with a How To map to get you started. Check out our Pinterest board for a few more ideas. Enjoy the journey and you will be living the hygge life soon!