I did it ... at the gym

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So ... I did it! I went to gym for the first time in months ... well, that’s not true because I haven’t been to the gym in about 4 years. Long story short, I really am not much of gym fanatic at all, actually I’m not a fan, so a few weeks back I returned to the gym to renew my lifetime contract (yes, the one I let lapse those 4 years ago).

Wait ... it’s not as bad as it seems! It’s not that I haven’t been without exercise.
You see, I love walking!!
I also love nature!!

Put those two together and before I knew it I had been walking the kilos off in pure bliss for years and years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from a runner over all this time ... I started walking and progressively and very naturally moved along to a little walk-run-walk-stroll-walk-run kinda thing. But something changed near the end of last year – something even more natural and progressive!
I got bored with walking and with fighting the summer sun and having to make sure I walked really early to avoid sunstroke by 730am and in the end, I simply stopped.

Don’t believe the theory that a pattern is formed in a certain amount of time and is then a way of life ... I’ve seen people return to smoking after 5 years – what happened to the pattern then?

Goal versus purpose ... that’s what happened!

Don’t make me do anything that’s not fun! It’s the benchmark to anything I do in my life and exercising my body is no different.
Lugging a body that is well over 40kg’s to the gym is exhausting enough. However, to be met with the rules that are laid on about exercise is diabolically destructive to the ‘body’ who is most probably more frightened of the thought of exercise than you are of any one of your snake, spider, confined space phobias.

EVERYBODY should move their BODY ... it’s as natural as having sex or eating ... FULL STOP!!!

For so many of us, it’s not that natural a process and we need a little support along the way ... so we go the gym and sometimes we even go as far as having a personal trainer. We are so excited to just be there, even though our bodies have some catching up to do with our new found enthusiasm.

And then it begins ...
We are hit with science, theory and more often – speculation!
If you don’t do more than 20 minutes you are not burning fat!
You have to get your heart rate to this and you have to get your muscles to do that! Weight training... .. like yesterday already! Move faster ... do another rep! Feel it burn! Yes, it’s supposed to feel as though you are going to die ... you made yourself FAT ... this is what it takes to get THIN!

Wait ... isn’t fat to thin a goal! With the long term success rate of weight loss being as low as 2% - 20% ... do you think that goal is working??
Wow, I’ve just had a moment where I thought I was generalising and then I remembered that I don’t think I’ve met anyone in my lifetime who’s not concerned about their body mass in some way or another ... so back to my point!

Everyone else in the world seemed to be watching “the biggest loser” with such awe, yet I thought there was nothing more unrealistic and degrading under the sun. Maybe I watched it as a ‘fat person’ and empathised with the excessive training regime that must have been a total shock to the body. We don’t shove people into Formula one cars because of the G force it pulls and not just anyone can go up to space ... yet when it comes to exercise we are told to push, push, push!

Google it ... see how many of the ‘biggest losers’ are a success story today!

I did it ... found myself a personal trainer and embarked on losing weight after a friend of mine told me that he couldn’t put the photographs of our December holiday on display because I looked like a hippopotamus! Tactless ... yes! But then again he was a very, very dear friend (at the time) ... and gay (so from where he was standing I really would look hideous on the mantelpiece!) ... so I will always love him for that!   

I lugged my heavy body off to the gym and was hit with rules and statistics to weight loss that equated my body to being thrust into a car driven by Michael Schumacher overdosed on red bull.
I was forced to walk on a treadmill at a pace that was beyond my leg, arm, brain coordination – for 30 minutes! Oh, did I mention that was the first day? I don’t have to put you through the next 30 minutes ... it’s too painful to remember anyway!
I’m sure some of you are saying ... that doesn’t sound so bad ... well read on and maybe all you need to get from this blog entry is a little bit of empathy for those bodies that you criticise for not being able to do the scientifically specified amount of exercise to lose weight.

I’m not arguing science ... I am, however, telling you that from the day I was marked the ‘hippo’ and ran from the gym screaming in fear, I have steadily and very simply walked off well of 30kgs. In the four years, I have also been in the success bracket of those who have kept their weight off ... and so I think I have the right to give the exercise fearing individuals some great advice.

Don’t listen to what anybody says about how much the body needs in order to feel exercised. Throw the goals away and look at your body in its rawest form. It’s meant to move ... for very good reason! If anything does not move it becomes stagnant and eventually dies. Look at the waterfall that crashes over the mountain edge and tell me that is does not sparkle with activity.

Stuff the goals if you are exercising because you feel like shit and hate your body (that’s for another blog ... because I have had many years of that) ... find the core purpose for wanting to get up and move!

I’ll go first ... I couldn’t breathe too well in the end. Walking from the shops to my car was a mission ... that’s not a goal, that’s a purpose ... the purpose of life and staying alive. That one worked for me, go ahead and find your own ... not a goal, but a deep and positive purpose for wanting to achieve that goal. Not a negative statement ... but a POSITIVE purpose!

Now move ...
Even if you only walk a little faster in the shops (My sister and I did that today and contemplated skipping gym ... but we both know we’re a little beyond speed walking through a mall). A few years ago it was impossible.

I began to understand that it has absolutely nothing to do with science and everything to do with the intention and attention you pay to your body while doing any kind of movement. I just walked and I didn’t even do it consistently ... months went by without doing any form of exercise, but when I started to walk again, I took my whole body with me ... including my mind.
I took it with me because I certainly wasn’t leaving it behind to be seduced by the rules and the science and because I knew that if I just gave myself one moment to feel what it was like to move ... even if it was only for ten minutes and walking through a mall, that one day I would want more and more and more.

A few months ago, I wanted more! Walking was no longer enough and through the natural progression and never losing sight of my purpose (yet having no goals for my gym regime at all) and I signed up for the gym.

 I went to the gym for 40 minutes today ... and achieved more for my body than someone who ran a triathlon!

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'Project me' is underway! My first blog entry is done! Still goalless, yet totally purposeful

‘Project me' is underway! My first blog entry is done! Still goalless, yet totally purposeful http://tinyurl.com/yj7gjfd

Posted via email from jodene's project me

Untitled

‘Project me' is underway! My first blog entry is done! Still goalless, yet totally purposeful http://tinyurl.com/yj7gjfd

Posted via email from jodene's project me

Untitled

'Project me' is underway! My first blog entry is done! Still goalless, yet totally purposeful http://tinyurl.com/yj7gjfd

Posted via email from jodene's project me

Untitled

'Project me' is underway! My first blog entry is done! Still goalless, yet totally purposeful http://tinyurl.com/yj7gjfd

Posted via email from jodene's project me

Project me

Welcome to my blog that is Absolutely goalless Totally Purposeful ...

http://jodene.co.za/projectme

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Ask yourself: What if nothing changes?

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The history of April Fool's Day

The exact history of April Fool's Day, sometimes known as All Fool's Day is a bit unclear, however history tells that it started in about 1582 in France under the rule of Charles IX when the Gregorian Calendar was introduced and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.
The word of the change spread slowly in those times and some people never knew about it for a good number of years. Some more rebellious folk refused to acknowledge the change and carried on celebrating the new year on April 1. These people were called "fools" by the rest and became subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other pranks played on them.

This trickery evolved over the years and a tradition of prank-playing continued on the first day of April, eventually spreading to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Each country has introduced its own flavour to this day.

In England as well as South Africa, jokes are only played until midday as it was considered back luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon.


In Scotland, April Fool's Day is devoted to pranks involving the buttocks and is called Taily Day. Because of this, the origins of the "Kick Me" sign can be attributed to the Scottish.

In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends.

The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring.

Wherever you are in the world and no matter the exact history of this day, don't be surprised if You find yourself being fooled! Happy April Fools everyone ...

You need this hour as much as the earth does

This evening at 8:30pm, my best friend Greggie and myself are switching off all the lights and turning off the laptops, the television and the radio that usually have our attention. What are we going to do for an hour? We're going to lie in the garden and stare up the stars, in silence. It is something special to know that you do not have to be lonely, but you can still take a few moments out of your life to be alone.
For one hour, we have been asked to honour this planet that has given us all of herself. It is one thing to simply switch off your lights and replace them with a candle as you go about your business, but it is another to rely only on the natural light that surrounds you for a while and be conscious for that hour. What is even better is that new moon has just passed and there will be very little of her light to distract us from the darkness that we have an opportunity to indulge ourselves in. Let us face it, we complain about the darkness even when we are surrounded by light and I am sure many are going to moan about having to refrain from using the light that we do not truly appreciate anyway. No, I am not talking about the light from a bulb or from the sun, but rather the hope and the faith that you have as you wonder through the darkness in this unknown journey of life.
It is Greg and my wish that you do not only honour this blessed planet and give her a moment to breathe and heal for one hour, but that you pay yourself the same kindness. Use this time to also take a deep breath and revel in the darkness with only the faith of the stars as your guiding light. It does not matter if you will not be on your own, that might even make it all the more special, but do yourself a favour and STOP. Stop being afraid, stop fighting the darkness, stop and appreciate the gift of light and hope, stop ... and say "Thank you"! Thank you to this incredibly tolerant planet of our. Thank you to yourself, because if you were not as brave, resilient and powerful as you think you are, you would not be fighting on. Use this great earth of ours as a shining example and make the most of this one hour you have to honour all that is great on this earth and in your life.

PS. If clouds hide the stars, enjoy that lesson too, because their might be more darkness, but it does not mean they are not twinkling just above you. So are you dream!

Please write and share with me how you intend to spend your one hour tonight, or better still, tell me about your experience after. I would love to be inspired by you!

Go on a journey to truly meet yourself?

Who you intend to be is only changed once you tell yourself the truth about who you are … not who you think you are because of what others have done or said … but who you truly are.

If you have vision boards or do daily affirmations, the majority of it works around changing something about yourself; be it material or physical. Have you ever asked yourself why the change is so important to you? Do you know why you wish for the things you do?
If you don’t know yourself beyond others’ perceptions, you wouldn’t possibly know your heart’s desires beyond it either.

Everything in this world is neutral and only manifests into something once personal thought impacted it. The same goes for you …

No matter what you look like, what car you drive, whether you give coins to a beggar or love the partner who is right for you; none of this is your truth unless you do not allow yourself to be swayed by the perception of others.

Could you write a list of all those things that define you. The things that no-one else has had the power to destroy about you. the things that you know without anyone else’s approval? Like how beautiful you are, how unique you are, how brilliant, creative or successful you can be or how talented you are. What are the unique gift you give to the world every day? If only your perception has defined you, you should be writing lists of talents, gifts, offerings to the world, special characteristics and pure magnificence.

Until then, step out of your own shoes and look at yourself … really look. It’s not often we truly witness a miracle …

Try this exercise for a few weeks …Watch the thoughts that run through your mind about yourself and see how much of that is really your truth or something you have blindly believed due to someone else’s perception of you.
THEN, tell yourself the truth about who you really are … chances are, you’ll meet someone really special and unique along the way … YOU!!!!!

Write to me with any questions about this exercise or share you thoughts so you can help others meet the greatest person in the world - themselves!

How tarnished is your perception of yourself?

On Perception
Who you intend to be is only changed once you tell yourself the truth about who you are … not who you think you are because of what others have done or said … but who you truly are.

If you have vision boards or do daily affirmations, the majority of it works around changing something about yourself; be it material or physical. Have you ever asked yourself why the change is so important to you? Do you know why you wish for the things you do?
If you don’t know yourself beyond others’ perceptions, you wouldn’t possibly know your heart’s desires beyond it either.

Everything in this world is neutral and only manifests into something once thought has tarnished its place in the world. The same goes for you …

No matter what you look like, what car you drive, whether you give change to a beggar or love the partner who is right for you, none of this is your truth unless you do not allow yourself to be swayed by the perception of others.

Before you fight me on this, stop … go get a piece of paper and write a list about all those things that define you. The things that no-one else has had the power to destroy about you, the things that you know without anyone else’s approval … like how beautiful you are, how unique your features are, how brilliant you are at sharing your feelings, what a great son or daughter you are, how talented you are, the unique gift you give to the world every day. If only your perception has defined you, you should be writing lists of talents, gifts, offerings to the world, unique characteristics and pure magnificence.

Until then, step out of your own shoes and look at yourself … really look. It’s not often we truly witness a miracle …

Try this exercise for a few weeks
Watch the thoughts that run through your mind about yourself and see how much of that is really your truth or something you have blindly believed due to someone else’s perception of you.
THEN, tell yourself the truth about who you really are … chances are, you’ll meet someone really special and unique along the way … YOU!!!!!