keepin' it real

Every 'new" year I vow to join some kind of class. This usually means an "exercise class".

My intentions are good but having to go out when it is cold and dark, never mind snowy or rainy or when I kind of feel kind of crappy, just isn't going to work for me. Like I said, my intentions and heart is there but not my body. I mean how many times to do I need to tell myself "are you kidding me!? Really? Do you really think you going to make it to a regimented class at some specific time every single day!?!"

One of the reasons I keep going to Bonaire to go diving is that I do easy shore dives only when I feel like going. There is no regimented schedule of having to be on a boat at a certain set time nor do I have to wait for anyone. I dive when I feel like it.

The same thing has worked for me as far as working out in cell block #9 (my basement). I work out when ever I feel like it which usually means 6:00am right after I go running. I haven't fully woke up yet so before I realized I worked out or that I have to work out I'm already done.

This works for me!

I know some people are motivated by being around other people to get their 'workout mojo" going on. That is why they like organized group workouts and set schedules. It seems most people also like to work out in the evening or afternoon because at that time their muscles are warmed up. Seriously, this is when my body cools down. I wake up in the morning like a peice of toast popping out of the toaster. If I don't workout at this short window of opportunity then it isn't going to happen.

This year, I had realized I needed to step up my workout and thought about (actually fantasized since it would be a fantasy) of joining some kind of workout class. I kept thinking back about two years ago when I took a pilates class with my cousin. I enjoyed doing something with my cousin but at the same time it was excruciatingly painful to motivate myself to drive somewhere in the cold dark night to workout. The whole time I kept thinking to myself ,"Ok when does this class end?".

So this year, I bought myself a mini trampoline to jog on while I watch "judge Judy" on TV.

This is soooo working for me. This little 24 inch in diameter "jogger" is perfect. It is quiet, it is portable, and it does not require batteries or electricity. It is "pet safe". In other words, my birds would not get hurt climbing on it like they would with a treadmill or stationary bike. In addition to my regular workouts I've added jogging on this thing for just 30 minutes 5 days a week.

Another thing I've added to my "health improvement" new year is a supplement called "ovega".

My doctor ,as well as every health guru you see all TV tells you to incorporate omega-3s in your diet. Well, omega-3 is basically fish oil. And guess what? I'm no taking that shit no matter what. It was suggested to add flax seed/oil as a vegan alternative. Well, flax oil smells like fish oil!

Not only does it smell like yucky fish oil but also when flax oil is heated it turns in to the toxic chemical linseed oil! (This is a major compound used in oil paints).

Just recently I was reading this hippy dippy health magazine and there was an ad for "ovega". It is the real vegan alternative to omega-3. It is the algae plant food that fish eat that constitutes the main source of omega-3. So I went online and bought a bottle. There is no smell, taste or after taste. I am going to give this a go.

These are just two small steps in trying to improve my health.

Just two small realistic steps.

I am keepin' it real