Site Reminder

Just a quick note to remind you to go to

betholdfield.ca

to find my daily blog posts. Just bookmark the page or make it a favorite and you can easily click and continue to enjoy.

We just installed a new counter to keep track of visits.  It is hard to start back at zero when I have almost hit 15,000 views on this sight but the new site will be better for future projects.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Beth

New Location For My Blog

betholdfield.ca

You can find 'Today's Blog' at the above location.

This is my new website.

Instead of having both a blog and a website, I wanted all information pertaining to me to be in one location.

The most popular posts from the last 16 months are highlighted on the main page in a 'slider,' and you can find all of the posts when you click on Blog.

You can still comment on the posts but you have to provide a valid email address to do so.  Your email address will not be published or sold. When you comment I receive it directly.

I hope that you will continue to read my blog and I do hope that you keep in touch!

Please Bookmark my website so that you can easily click and enjoy my posts!

Thanks.


Sincerely,
Beth

Music or No Music in Fitness Classes?

It is wonderful to be back teaching fitness classes again. You all have returned in fine form!

Many renovations have been done to our room. One of the improvements is the replacement of one of the speakers for the sound system. For the last few years, there were no speakers on the right side wall which meant many people could not hear the beat when in that area. Well now that it has been replaced, some people who prefer a quieter experience, have no where to hide from the noise, which has me thinking about the part that music plays in our fitness classes.

I personally need music to feel motivated when I work out. I change my music selection every class to try to appeal to all ages. Some clients have complained to me that the volume is far too low and than occasionally, someone will say that it is too loud.

Last Spring, I tried to find a happy medium and I will do so again over the course of the session. If you like the music loud, try to be closer to one of the four speakers in the room and if you need to hear less sound, than chose your spot accordingly.

When we have 50 people in the room it is very hard to please everyone and the more bodies that we have in the room, the louder it has to be as the sound gets absorbed.

The good news is we have music to make the experience that much more enjoyable.

See you tomorrow,
Beth

Your Body is Your Tool!

I want you to think of your body as the tool that you have been given to live life on this earth to the fullest.

Each joint, muscle and tendon have a specific function to perform and if you neglect to use them in the manner in which they were designed to be used, you cannot be surprised if you discover one day that they won't do what you want them to do.

When we are young, we take these body parts of ours for granted. We get busy. We neglect our health and formal exercise. The problem comes when we get older and those parts start to break just from regular living, because they have not been taken care of properly. The tools have rusted in the box so to speak.

The good news is it's never too late to start taking better care of yourself. Dust off those workout clothes and get busy moving your muscles and joints in the way that they were meant to be moved.

Yesterday, before class, we had a serious discussion about how we all have to keep moving. Some of us may really dislike getting to the gym, but our bodies are so much better off compared to people who put off doing formal exercise. By the way, the social aspect of attending classes, makes exercise fun and the time passes quickly.

I have to say that my students are in incredible shape.

I see the results of hard work and dedication.

I continue to be amazed and inspired daily.

Thanks for a wonderful summer session and see you soon.

Sincerely,
Beth

My Student, the Celebrity Walker!

I have known Paul Michetti for almost twenty years. He has been attending my classes, two to three times per week, on a regular basis. I would love to take all of the credit for his physical stamina but the secret to his good health is his love for walking.

To be completely honest, I hate walking. I can dance for hours and hours but walking is just not my cup of tea. When Paul tells me that he just got back from a 25 km walk, all I can ask is "why?" I know that it's great exercise. In fact, I tell most new clients to begin their training with walking. It's easy on the joints and you can challenge your heart if you walk up hills and go for long distances. The best exercise is the one that you will do regularly!

Recently, The Montreal Gazette, did a feature on the various walking groups around Montreal. Paul is highlighted in the article. He takes care of membership for one of the associations. After reading this piece, I actually want to try it. Walking in a group, looking at the passing attractions, over 6 km, sounds doable and kind of fun.

Paul wants us to know that in the beginning, he was walking shorter distances. "Lest people think that I started walking 6-8 km a day right off of the bat, it should be known that I always walked at lunch time when I worked. Then when I worked closer to home, I used to walk to and from work 3 km each way almost every day. That kind of launched me to where I am today."

I've always been amazed by Paul's interest and love for this sport. It's keeping him fit and young.

If you've always wanted to join a walking group, follow the link at the bottom of the blog and get in touch with Paul. You'll be happy that you did!

Let me just add once piece of advice. Walking a few minutes every day with your dog is one thing, but going for a hike over long distances is a serious sport and you need to stretch afterwards.

Right Paul!!!

I have included some pictures of my husband stretching the muscles in his legs. These stretches should be done after your walk.

The first image shows a stretch for your hamstrings. Make sure that you hip hinge forward. Don't round your lower back. If you lift your toes, you will also stretch your calf.

This stretch is for your quadriceps. Make sure to sit straight and get your knee lined up under your hip. You can hang onto your pants or use a strap to pull your ankle toward your bum but if you have knee pain, work in a pain free range of motion.

This stretch will stretch your hip flexor. It will also stretch your quadriceps and your calf. 

While it is important to keep active, it is just as important to stretch after we work out, to avoid tight muscles and subsequent injuries.

Hope this helps and follow the link to learn more about the local walking scene.

http://montrealgazette.com/life/on-walking-the-walk-for-exercise-endurance-and-socializing

See you soon,

Beth

Vacation

I will be teaching today but this afternoon I am leaving for vacation.  We still have one more week of mini summer session. I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I have. And I hope you have registered for the Fall session.

Blog resumes next Tuesday.

Bye for now,
Beth

"Just Eat A Piece of Pizza Will You!"

A good friend said this to me once when she grew tired of seeing my green drinks.

"Just eat a piece of pizza will you?"

I would love to enjoy a piece of pizza the way I used to before discovering my allergy to gluten. I do make a gluten free version but let's face it, some things like pizza and pasta are very hard to replicate without wheat flour. I have learned to appreciate the gf versions but my memory is very strong and sometimes I would rather go without, than eat a substitute for the real thing.

Those of you who know me well know that I love cooking just as much as I love to exercise. That is the secret. You can have the occasional treat, in fact I recommend it, but you also have to move more when you consume those treats.

Life is about balance and most often if there is weight gain, the balance is off.

We have choices to make every single day. Each day you get a new opportunity to make better choices about every aspect of your life.

I choose to eat well, and exercise daily.

Get moving and keep enjoying life.

See you in class!!!
Beth

Note to Students/Saturday Classes

Today you are able to register at the gym for the Fall session. I just want you to know that if the program fills up and you are left with no option for fitness, I give classes on Saturday morning in Pointe Claire.

I am also offering a Level 2/3 Line Dance on Monday afternoon. Some of my Level 2 students at the gym may be interested in trying some more complicated material.

I also give classes in my home studio. Please contact me if you are interested or if you fail to get into the program at the gym. Lets keep you fit!!!

betholdfield01@gmail.com

While I do give the Yoga class at the gym, some of you do not have access to it because of the program that you have chosen. The Core Class is a brand new class that I have developed and it will not be offered at our gym.


9 am: Core (Abs/Back) and Concentrated Stretch

          Mat required. Shoes optional. We are on the mat for the whole class.

10am: Yoga Stretch

           Mat required. Shoes optional. There will be standing poses.

BONUS ********** 11:15 am: Ultra Beginner  Line Dance – Free                          You will learn the basic steps and be dancing before you know it!            This is your chance!

Early Bird Special: Register before September 5^th

^{Have a great day everyone!}

See you soon,

Beth

Cancer Puts Life in Perspective.

Most of us know someone who has battled cancer.

Some of us win the battle.

Some of us lose.

Through the process we all learn from the experience.

Ever optimistic and positive, someone I know is doing all that they can to live fully despite the odds.

Through my tears, I remain speechless.

Yet my mind races.

What would I do?

If I were standing in the same pair of shoes, could I fill them as well?

Would I stumble around, trip and fall or could I manage to balance and walk tall?

Could I soldier on with such grace and compassion?

I have no answers but I'm learning as I watch this person navigate an ocean of stormy seas. They rise and fall with the waves of treatment, and look upon each new sunrise with an optimism that makes me feel ashamed for complaining about trivial things. The time we all waste on this earth is remarkable. I need to change this and fill my days with quality people and activities that bring me joy.

I'm learning to keep life in perspective.
To cherish what really matters.
To take the time to talk, listen, laugh and love.

Sometimes the best teachers come in the most beautiful packages.
I thank you.

All my love to you.
Soldier on!

Beth

Peer Pressure in Group X Classes: It's a Good Thing!

Some clients hate the gym. They prefer to exercise in the comfort of their own home, while others love the atmosphere of being in group fitness classes.

Peer pressure can be a problem in classes because some students tease each other, or try to push others to go beyond their limits. I've seen this happen on more than one occasion and I've stepped in to remind everyone to train at their own pace. While it's good to have support and positive encouragement, we have to remember to listen to our own body.

More often than not however, peer pressure has a positive effect.

For instance, some of my clients who are approximately 65-70 years young are in excellent physical condition. They are flexible, have great endurance and balance. Often when a new person joins the group, who is younger (55-60 years old), they suddenly see that they have a lot of work to do to achieve the same health. In this case, being around others motivates them to work hard and never miss class. Even when they share the same age as the majority of the class, new students see how fit they should be in comparison to their peers.

If you normally train alone, I highly recommend that you try a group fitness class and see how you measure up around people your own age. Working out alone sometimes gives us a false sense of security. We can become complacent and stop trying to improve ourselves physically and mentally.

Get to the gym!

See you soon,
Beth

Fall Classes

I can already see the Christmas holidays even though it's still summer.

Every year at this time I set up my class schedule for Fall and while others are still enjoying their summer activities, my thoughts are far away.

If you were attending my classes last Spring, my schedule remains exactly the same at the gym and I believe that registration is taking place next Monday. Check the website so you don't miss out!

The only difference that you will notice is my aerobics class is going to become an aerobic interval class. You will still get muscle conditioning, mat work and stretching but the aerobic portion will have some upper and lower body exercises mixed in.

This year I'm happy to offer my private level 2/3 line dance class again. I took last year off from teaching this class because I had accepted a last minute, afternoon teaching position. If you're interested in this class and have not received my email with the details, please contact me as soon as possible as you need to register before September 1st.

I know it's hard to pull away from the beauty of summer but take a minute to register for the upcoming fall activities. I look forward to seeing all of you in classes very soon!!

Have a wonderful day.
Beth

Cookies After Exercise?

If you're attending my mini summer session, you've noticed that I'm providing a few light snacks after the workout.  I've had many comments concerning this so I thought I'd repeat some of the tips that I've expressed in previous blogs.

If your goal is to lose weight, you need to spend (burn) more calories than you consume in a day. There's no magic pill or perfect exercise to help you achieve this. Any activity that gets your heart rate up and makes you break a sweat, will help you lose weight, if you're watching what you're eating at the same time.

If your goal is to lose weight, than you should either enjoy the treat and adjust your food intake for the remainder of the day, or pass.

What I've noticed after many of years of working with you, is most of you like to gather together after class for a coffee. Often there are homemade goodies to go along with the coffee or I've run into you at Tim's.

My goal is to provide a space for these meetings. Friends who exercise together, support each other and have the most success achieving their fitness goals. The best part of group fitness classes is the socialization aspect. 

Thank you for the lovely comments concerning my baking!  

Have a great weekend.

See you soon,

Beth

If You Can't Meditate, Concentrate!

I continue to hear clients say that they just can't get into the meditation aspect of yoga and I can understand this perspective.

The first time I experienced meditation, I was on an 8 hour silent ( yoga ) retreat and we began the experience with an hour of meditation.

I thought I was going to burst. I had driven two and half hours to get to this retreat. I was pumped and ready to get moving but we were asked to be still for what seemed like an eternity. My mind would not slow down. The leader had told us to try to resist the desire to shift our position or scratch those itchy places on our nose etc. She told us to focus on our breath and if we still could not settle, she asked us to isolate one sound in the distance and focus on that instead.

You know when someone tells you that you can't move or scratch what happens? I was suddenly itchy and felt the need to fidget non-stop. It felt terrible.

So I can understand it when people tell me that they will never be able to meditate.

If you are one of those people, maybe you can think of this aspect of yoga, as 'concentration' instead of 'meditation.'

In all fitness activities, you will benefit far more from the exercise at hand if you really concentrate on where you are, and what you are doing, in that very moment. If I teach you how to perform a squat, hopefully you're going to really concentrate on doing it well so you don't get injured.

If you are lying on your back, and I ask you to meditate, concentrate on your breathing. People generally only breathe into the top third of their lung capacity. Focus on breathing better. Equate it to any other exercise you would do at the gym. Your challenge is to do it to the best of your ability and eventually you will be able to concentrate for longer periods of time on other activities in life.

While holding the yoga poses, the idea is to not entertain every thought about your discomfort. Acknowledge that you feel your muscles but don't give into the idea of giving up because it is hard. Try not to scratch those itchy spots for the duration of the pose. Try not to think about anything other than your breath. This exercise is about controlling your thoughts so they do not control you.

Eventually our yoga practice, helps us to handle events that come our way, over which we have no control. We learn to keep our thoughts in the here and now, and focus on what needs to be done to survive whatever comes our way, including the next yoga class!

Have a wonderful day and see you soon...
Beth

Thanks so much!

Yesterday was our first day at the new venue and I want to thank all of you for making it such a successful day!

I'm feeling my muscles today and I'm guessing that those of you who were in my strength classes are as well. Remember to be active today and do some stretching.

Remember that you have homework to complete and bring it with you the next time that we are together please.

Many of you have asked to have the recipe for the cookies that I made as a little after class treat. It will be available (for free) on my new website that should launch next week.

My regular blog posts will begin again tomorrow morning. Today I will be prepping for the new classes that start tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day and thanks again for your support.

What fun!!

Beth

Note to Students

I want to thank all of you who attended the last ten week session.  It was great to see so many people during the summer months. Our schedule was very different from the Spring session, and this was a bit hard on all of us, but you stuck it out and made the experience very enjoyable!

I want all of my students to know that I will have the same classes in the upcoming Fall schedule as had last Spring. I have no idea when the facility will be holding registration, but I am sure that this information will be on their website soon.

Our gym is now closed for four weeks but many of you have signed up for my private classes.

I'm happy to report that 5 out of the 6 classes being offered are full but one has few spots remaining so if you want to have more information please contact me via email: betholdfield01@gmail.com.

I'll spending the weekend and Monday, preparing for our mini summer session. So there will be no blog post on Monday or Tuesday.

Please note that although I would've loved to have everybody join me at our summer location, I only have so much equipment of my own. This is why I needed you to commit to the classes that you will attend ahead of time (essentially you are reserving your equipment not just your spot,) and this is why there is no drop in option.

Have a great weekend and I will see you on Tuesday or Thursday next week!

Beth

Power Poses for Easing Anxiety

There are many events in our lives that require us to be confident and self assured. Job interviews and confrontations with co-workers, are just a few examples of situations that can cause us to feel anxious.

I've attended many conferences on health and well-being over the years, and on more than one occasion we've been taught about power poses. Holding a power pose for two minutes before we step into a scary situation, can ease our anxiety tremendously.

Raising our arms in victory is one pose that feels great to assume. Imagine how you feel when you win a race, game or contest.

Another power pose that is often suggested, is standing with our hands on our hips. I think back to my mother when I see this pose. If she was unhappy with us, we knew it from the way she held her body. We weren't going to argue with her when she appeared looking at us in this stance!

I'm smiling in these photos because my husband makes me giggle when he takes my picture but even with the smile, I look more confident that I would with my arms by my side.

Try each of these poses for one minute right now and see how you feel afterwards. I imagine that with shoulders back and chest raised, you are breathing better and feeling stronger.

So before the next big event in your life, find a private space (maybe a bathroom stall or an empty room) and assume one of these poses for two minutes. I hope it helps to ease your anxiety.

Have a great day!
Beth

My Mother's Pearls

You just didn't mess with my mother.

She was one of the most brilliant women I've ever known. She knew the answers to all of my problems without needing to look it up on google. She commanded respect, in a loving sort of way and if you tried to give her anything but your best, she could smell that you were holding back!

As a teenager I can remember being embarrassed by my mother's confidence, especially when she was complaining about her food to a waitress. Both my dad and I would try to calm her down, but nothing could hold her back.  She expected her food to be hot when it arrived and if it didn't taste good, it was going to be replaced! She demanded excellent service and you know what? She got it.

The butcher in the meat department of our local grocery store, used to hide when he saw my mom approaching.  There was no way she was going to pay for spare ribs if they continued to hide the tough ones underneath the good cuts. She would make them undo the packages until she found one that she liked!

As a cashier, you hoped that you gave my mother the correct change or you were going to have a battle on your hands, and probably have to close the cash, count it and rectify the mistake right on the spot. And lord help the manager, if the item being purchased, scanned in at a higher price. Oh boy, it was hard to be with my mother at times. I would cringe during these experiences but I learned so much from observing her in action.

My mother served on various committees and this would take her away from us in the evenings sometimes. Watching her leave the house all dressed up, is one of my strongest memories. While she was gone, I would write notes and leave them on her pillow, telling her how much I loved her.

I used to love playing in her closet. I would put on her dresses, shoes and her pearls and parade around the house, pretending to be her.

The truth is I will never be as strong as my mom. She died in 2007, a day that was scratched into my mind forever with a rusty nail. Even in her dying she remained tough right up until the last breath.

I hear her whispering to me sometimes when I feel beaten down and ready to give up. She keeps me going.

Her pearls are now one of my most treasured possession. I don't wear them often but when I do, I swear I can feel her holding me in a warm hug.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Love, Beth.

Just Say "No!"

Balance can be hard to achieve if you are the kind of person who says 'yes,' to everyone and everything. Learning to express our sentiments clearly, is beneficial to our health. My son is living proof.

Josh, is a determined and wise young man.

When he visits, we have long chats and during these moments I learn quite a bit about him and myself in the process. Recently he was explaining to me how he handles it when people are demanding too much of his time.

"Mom, I have made a habit of saying 'no' instantly. If I really don't want to do something I tell the person right away."

He went on to explain that the first few times that he did this, it felt as if he was being a bit mean, but with practice it got easier and he's now happier and more carefree.

I have struggled with being a "people pleaser," myself. My desire to impress has often resulted in me being unhappy in jobs or relationships. Thankfully, I recognized this characteristic in myself about three years ago and I am actively working on being more like my son. Josh figured this out at 23, while it has taken me 47 years to piece it together! What a kid!

The key to speaking our minds is saying it with grace and kindness. At times we may offend people but I have discovered that it is better to be true to ourselves than to live with regret.

See you soon,
Beth

Family History Can Help You Heal.

I've ready many books this summer and one of the most interesting was written by Mark Wolynn, "It Didn't Start With You."

The premise behind Mark's book is that the roots of our anxiety, phobias and depression etc., may reside "in the lives of our parents, grandparents and even our great-grandparents" and that "traumatic experience can be inherited."

This book forced me to sit down and really examine my family tree and put myself in the shoes of my ancestors. It has been a fascinating journey so far and I have come to understand the importance of knowing our history.

My grandmother was sent to Canada in 1900 at the age of 12 years old, with her younger brother, to find a better life. These two children arrived in Montreal as Home Children. They were immediately separated and she never saw her brother again.

My grandmother went on to forge a wonderful life but I can certainly see how this experience shaped my own mother. Mark suggests that if we know what happened in our family tree, we can begin to see the ripple effects on subsequent generations. We can start to identify patterns and in so doing, bring about change.

I have spoken about the effects of stress on our bodies and minds many times on the pages of this blog. Perhaps this book can help you to dig a bit deeper and help to bring balance to your life.

Have a great day,
Beth

Broga /Jock Yoga / Jo-Ga?

While driving home yesterday, I heard a discussion on the radio about yoga classes designed specifically for men.

One of my male clients actually brought me a clipping from the newspaper highlighting this new trend.

I am all for it!  Anything that gets men into fitness classes is a positive step in the right direction.

Typically men who make it to the gym, hide out on the machines. I see many guys peeking into my classes out of curiosity but these 'jock' types laugh when I ask them to join the class.

If my class was only for men, maybe they would feel more comfortable giving the experience a try.

Working out alone in the gym has it's advantages. You can exercise on your own schedule. You can work at your own pace and you can do it without engaging with anyone if you wish.

From my point of view, 'jocks' should add a class or two to their routine. It would open their eyes to new exercises and they would receive professional instruction on how to do the exercises safely.

If the class was just for men, these 'jocks' would build a community of support which makes the experience really enjoyable.

The instructor being interviewed said that his classes for men are less serious than typical yoga classes and the focus is on strength, instead of stretch. Men typically do not want to spend time stretching or meditating but once they are in the class enjoying the pump of it all, a teacher like myself can start to sneak in small snippets of tradition.  It is a win win situation for everyone involved.

Love it!

Have a great weekend.
Beth

Working Hard: Mentally vs Physically

There is a time to work hard physically at the gym and then if you are lucky there are classes that challenge your brain!

Line Dance is definitely a challenge for your brain. Once you know the steps it can be a wonderful workout but it is not meant to be like an aerobics class.

When you are in my aerobics class, the goal is to improve our cardiovascular system. I intentionally keep the steps simple because I want you to perform at your highest level, while paying attention to your posture and your intensity level. If you are stumbling through the class, trying to keep up to the teacher, you may find that the only thing you get out of the class is frustration!

The best part about line dancing is the way that it forces you to think! To get the steps for each dance you have to memorize the choreography and how it works with the music.  Once you have that dance under control, each time it comes up, you feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment and joy as you move smoothly around the dance floor.

The next challenge that arises in line dance is the similarity between the dances and how you cannot let one blend into the other!

This summer I had to teach my level 1 and level 2 classes together. To keep everyone interested, I chose to teach dances that were slow love songs. This way my level 2 students were able to learn some new routines, while my level 1's had a chance to keep up due to the music being slow.

Yesterday, for the last two minutes of class, I pulled out an old slow song that my level 2's knew very well at the end of last session. I did not teach it but went over one wall to jog their memory. I was trying to give them a moment to stop thinking and enjoy a moment of success from their past!  Well, unfortunately, the dance was similar to one that I had just taught both levels ( which I thought was a good thing) and most of the students were blending the two together for the first four walls! We persisted and about half way through the song, we were all on track with the dance.

As much as you can find moments of joy in dance class, you really do have to keep thinking.  It is such a wonderful hour of exercise for the brain.

Have a great day,
Beth

Tapping to Ease Anxiety

This post is for anyone who has ever experienced a panic attack or anxiety.

This spring when I was feeling overwhelmed, I stumbled upon a video on YouTube that claimed 'tapping' could relieve my anxiety.

I was all alone and had nothing to lose by trying, so I decided to follow along with the leader and see if the EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) could help me out.

The general idea is that we tap into our fears and through the EFT process we release emotional and/or physical responses. We tap on acupressure points along the body, while repeating affirmations about the anxiety, followed by statements of self-acceptance. 

Honestly, the science behind it is a mystery to me but my anxiety subsided. I felt relaxed and completely calm.

I now use this technique often, though I have not done it in public. It does look a bit bizarre to people watching.

Tapping is so effective that I have considered teaching it to my students in my Yoga/Relaxation classes.

The video is 9 minutes long. We all have 9 minutes to help ourselves feel calmer. 

It feels a bit silly at first but it does work.

I hope you give it a try and if it interests you, explore further!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tkTUO_s9A4

Let me know if it works for you!

Beth

Is Relaxation Hazardous To Our Health?

I finally have proof that though I can teach fourteen hours of fitness a week, for twelve weeks straight, and never miss work, I often get sick when I stop!  Many fitness instructors I know have experienced the same thing. Many people get sick in the middle of vacation and feel cheated.

According to Marc Schoen, PHD and author of "When Relaxation is Hazardous to Your Health,"a phenomenon called, the "Let Down Effect" can result in us getting sick once we eliminate the stress of work or a big project.

When we are under stress, our body is equipped to fight for survival but if we come to a screeching halt, and drop onto the couch for days, Dr. Schoen claims that this can "lead to biochemical changes that can result in a weakened immunity." (http://marcschoen.com/the-let-down-effect/)

I am happy to say that I have been quite healthy this summer because I kept five classes running, but even this small change, resulted in a calf injury. I stopped my daily routine of stretching because I was not longer teaching yoga everyday.

The best advice that I can give to avoid getting ill on vacation, is to keep doing a small portion of your fitness routine daily or weekly. It is so tempting to give in to our desire to do absolutely.

Many of my students continue to walk and stretch when they are cruises or tropical beach vacations. 

When I know that you are leaving on vacation for a few weeks, I tell you to walk and stretch daily and then I did not follow my own advice!

I look forward to getting back to our workout schedule in September but until then, lets keep active together.

See you tomorrow,

Beth

August Classes!

I'm happy to announce, that I will be offering classes to my students during the weeks of August and September, when our gym is closed.

I'm renting a hall in the Village of Pointe Claire.

Please email me for more information if you would like to join us.

betholdfield01@gmail.com

The classes will run from August 16 to September 8. 

Weekly class schedule:

Tuesday                 Thursday 9 am       Step                        Step 10 am     Line Dance            Yoga Stretch 11 am     Core Abs/Back       Chair Strength/Stretch

Once I hear from you, I will send you the complete information regarding pricing and location.

Have a wonderful day and see you soon!

Beth

Blog on Pause!

Thank you for tuning in daily to see what little snippets of wisdom I have to share.

During the month of July, I will be creating a new website that will still feature a daily fitness blog, but the site will be divided into sections to reflect my diversified interests.

Many of you know that besides sweating alongside you in the gym, I also love to write fiction, poetry and cook. I am currently working on three writing projects. A fitness guide, a novel and a gluten free baking book.

My hope is that the new website will offer those in my different communities, one place to experience all that I have to offer. Each section will feature a daily or weekly blog post, so if you love waking up to my fitness ramblings, you will still be able to do that!

I will not be publishing a blog for this month, as I must dedicate all of my free time to completing the new website.

Many of my students are currently on summer break from fitness, so it is a good time for all of us to get outside and enjoy this lovely weather!

You can still reach me by email and there are close to 300 posts that you continue to enjoy from this past year!

See you at the gym or in August on my new website.

Beth

"When Life Gives You Lemons..."

All I could do yesterday was laugh. No point in getting frustrated or upset.

I had prepaid for my gas and then threw my wallet and keys onto the drivers seat. While pumping the gas, my car decided to lock itself. I won't get into what I must have done wrong, as I know that my car has a built in 'lock itself" feature. In all 392,000+ km, it has never been a problem.

I finished pumping the gas but all the while I was considering that I am out in the world 'naked.' No cell phone, no wallet, no keys, just my smile. 

"No big deal. The world is a friendly place. I will get some kind of help."

The gas attendant was clearly having a worse day than I was.

Long story short, and a line up of about 6 patrons later, she could not find the CAA phone number. So I asked anyone in line if they had CAA because it is written on the back of the membership card. To my surprise, not one person was a member but then none of them offered to 'google' the number for the attendant, to help speed up the process. I was surprised by the lack of desire to help a stranger but I did not let it bother me. Maybe these folks are having a bad day too.

Eventually she found the number but then her portable phone would not work. I was Amazed at the difficulty I was having but I thanked her and went over to the next business.  

Oh and did I mention I was supposed to be at a doctor's appointment in 20 minutes that I have waited over six months for. All I could do was laugh. At least it was sunny. Somehow I managed to not get caught in the torrential rain that was hitting our area intermittently all day.  So I was quite happy. The walk was short and pleasant. I would not let this situation get the best of me!

It took me forever to find the manager of the restaurant but he did let me use the phone and he actually 'googled' the CAA number and found it.  Then there must have been a new attendant on the phone because it took her much longer than usual to locate me. Again I did not get angry or frustrated. It happens. We all have bad days at work and in life.

CAA was actually there within 30 minutes of locating me.

I watched as this total stranger managed to break into my car effortlessly without any alarm going off. I of course thanked him but wondered secretly about his character. I thought to myself, "wow what a skill to have. Knowing how to break into any car at any time without the alarm going off." Again I laughed. "What is the point of the alarm I wonder?"

I was officially 10 minutes late for my appointment but over 30 minutes away by car. So I called the office only to find out that they stopped answering the phone 5 minutes ago!  Now I was upset but laughing in disbelief.

For those of you who live in Quebec you know all too well that we often wait an hour or more to see the doctor once we arrive in the office! There is no way that she has seen all of the patients! 

I was correct of course! I arrived and told them my story and they fit me in before the end of the shift!

A happy ending to what otherwise could have been a disastrous story. I really believe that our attitude affects the outcome of our experiences.

I am still laughing and so happy that I stayed the course and did not give up. Still amazed at how easily he broke into my car....

Have a great day and see you soon.
Beth





 

Sleeping is a Fat Burning Activity!

Yes, it is true. According to Dr. Natasha Turner, we actually burn fat while we sleep. I have included the link to the video of her explaining how this works, at the end of my blog. It is very informative.

During the television segment, Dr. Turner calls sleeping "a great fat burning activity." This caught me by surprise but of course it makes sense because our body repairs itself while in sleep mode. She goes on to explain the hormone component of this fact and it is worth reading.

While this does not mean that you can cancel your gym membership and spend all day napping in bed, it does mean that if you are having trouble losing weight, maybe you are not getting enough sleep.

Most clients I know who are struggling with weight loss, have terrible sleep patterns. They generally go to bed very late and wake up often, before falling out of bed, groggy the next morning.

Lack of sleep can lead to cravings, which can lead to poor eating, which can lead to poor sleeping. It really is a vicious cycle. Dr. Turner explains how hormones are negatively affected by poor sleep and how this translates into weight gain.

I am not a doctor, so I will refrain from giving you any advice on how to get more sleep. I will tell you that you need to address poor sleep habits, if you are struggling with weight loss.

It is not always about what you can accomplish at the gym when it comes to losing weight.

Look at where your calories are coming from, how stressed you are feeling and how well you are sleeping at night. If there is a problem with any one of these three things, than you need to seek help if you really want to lose weight.

Dietitians and your family doctor are your best resource when it comes to learning how you can improve your sleep quality and your life balance!

I on the other hand, can help you burn those extra calories once you climb out of bed and get to my class.

(http://www.marilyn.ca/HealthFitness/segments/Daily/June2016/03_16_2016/BellyFatBustersPt2)

I hope this helps.
See you soon.
Beth

Doing Nothing!

I am making a conscious effort to take it easy this summer! I am teaching less classes than in years passed and I am spending more time reading, writing, cooking and gardening. Sometimes, it is only when we slow down that we realize how out of balance we have become.

The truth is I actually crave doing nothing! I have always been the one who goes on vacation and just sits on the beach. Now I see that I can recreate the feeling of vacation, in my everyday life. I guess I am getting older and wiser.

I found this poem by Thomas Merton about doing just that!

Nothing Doing - Thomas Merton

Some of us need to
discover that we will not
begin to live more
fully until we have the 
courage to do and see
and taste and experience
much less than usual...
There are times, then,
when in order to keep 
ourselves in existence at
all we simply have to sit
back for a while and 
do nothing. And for a man
who has let himself be
drawn completely out of
himself by his activity,
nothing is more difficult
than to sit still and rest,
doing nothing at all.
The very act of resting is
the hardest and most courageous act he can
perform.

It really is all about balance. We can work hard but we have to rest in equal proportion, in order to stay healthy and happy.

If you are looking for me this summer, I will be smelling the roses in my garden.

See you soon,
Beth

Health in 6 minutes?

While browsing the books at Chapter's yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the number of books promising 'quick fix' solutions to all weight loss issues. What struck me is the focus on speed. Almost all diet or exercise books promise to help you achieve your goals, with a very short time investment from you.

I've had many clients tell me that they have no time to exercise. These 'quick fix' books are trying to attract clients who want a fit body but don't want to put in the time. They seem to want it for nothing and they are willing to buy any book that promises them it is possible.

The cold hard truth is there is no quick solution. Losing weight is hard and it takes commitment on many different levels that require time and energy. While a trainer can make a program for you that is condensed to fit your lifestyle, sustainable change involves alterations to your whole routine.

The simple fact is you have to move more and eat less.

You must exercise and fuel your body with the proper foods that will satisfy your appetite and will give you energy to be active. You cannot expect to lose weight by exercising for just ten minutes every morning, keep eating whatever you want and then sit for ten to twelve hours a day. I am not fond of book titles that make unrealistic promises, so be wary.

There is no magic pill that replaces exercise and proper eating.

From my experience it's the clients who build their lives around their exercise routine, who have the most success. They select the classes that they want to attend or the physical activity that they will do every day and then they never let anything interrupt that commitment.

I have also found that the clients who join a gym, have more success than the clients who try to do it on their own at home. Inevitably home life gets in the way of the workout in the living room.

The only good thing about these books is that they get people thinking and moving, even if it is just for minutes a day. My hope is that it will move them to speak to a trainer at the gym or join a class.  Often it is knowing that we have a gym to go to and that people are expecting to see us, that keeps us on track with our exercise goals.

I am very proud of my students who are fully committed to their workouts. I know how hard it is but I think you also know that the real benefit comes when we begin to feel so good, that we cannot imagine giving up!

See you soon,
Beth

My Motivation.

It amazes me how excited I still get seeing brand new students achieve success. Many of you were in the first line dance class of the summer session yesterday and saw me giggling with joy. Let me explain.

I have many dedicated students who have been with me for years and though I get to see you improving aspects of your fitness, I tend to take it for granted because you are all so capable. I am still happy to watch you succeed but there is nothing like watching a hesitant beginner, with low confidence, come into the class and rise above the challenge, to the point where they are smiling and laughing.

I was teaching a level 1/2 dance class yesterday which is a already a challenge because I have to try to keep the class interesting for each of the levels. Within this complex group of dancers, I then had five students who had never danced before. So I had to keep it simple enough and hope that the beginners would feel fabulous and want to come back, yet interesting for the experienced dancers.

All of the beginners mastered the easier dances after several walls. They started out missing steps but before the song was complete, they had found the beat and were dancing right alongside the experts.  This never ceases to make me smile from the inside out!  I just cannot get enough of seeing their eyes light up. I get the same feeling watching any of my dancers, master a complex dance after several weeks of practice.

I was reminded yesterday of just how much I love teaching!

Love it.

Have a great day and see you tomorrow.
Beth

Orthotic Bliss!

Francois Blondin doesn't know this but I think of him often and I thank him every time I teach aerobics or line dance.

Below you can find all of his contact info and I suggest that you call him if you have any foot pain at all.

I have a bunion, which was becoming very painful to the point where even walking was difficult! I simply could not imagine giving up teaching fitness but admittedly it was getting harder and harder to hide my discomfort.

My physiotherapist did all that she could to fix my foot issues with exercises and stretching but she suggested that Francois could take care of my biggest problems with orthotics. The result has been life altering. I went from wondering how I was going to be able to continue teaching fitness, to dancing like my old self in no time.

I started wearing the orthotics in January and I have needed two simple adjustments since then ( included in the original price). I wear a night splint and a toe spacer that is custom made. The secret to success when it comes to working with Francois, is that everything is custom made to fit your foot. He is personable and he truly wants to help you alleviate discomfort and pain.

I waited far too long to go and see Francois. My only regret is that I did not see him a year ago.
Don't delay. You will be so thankful that you addressed your foot issues sooner rather than later.

See you soon,
Beth

Vacation Balance

It is just as important to rest, as it is to exercise!

I've had a wonderful vacation.

I worked very hard at doing absolutely nothing but relaxing.

Some people take vacation from work to site see and whirl through guided tours of this and that. I am the one who stays parked on the beach with a good book and some snacks for the entire day, only to look forward to doing it again the next day!

Though I did not make it to a beach this passed week, I read a few books. I wrote poetry. I did soul collage (this involves cutting images out of magazines that impress or speak to you in some way and assembling them on a card to form a new image. For me it is a form of art therapy.)

I worked in my gardens for hours. I made delicious gluten free treats and ate them all.

Most importantly, I stayed home 90% of the time and fell back in love with my sacred space in the woods.

I slept and slept and slept and dreamt about how I can do more of this over the summer.

Happy first day of summer.

See you in class tomorrow.
Beth

Vacation Post

I will be on vacation for one week after today's classes. I want to thank all of my students for an amazing Spring session. In the picture, above you can see a heart on my shirt if you look closely. I truly love what I do and I love my students but we all need time off occasionally.

After ten weeks of fitness, one thing remains very clear to me: the 'over fifty' crowd has received the message that exercise is not optional but necessary for health and balance in our lives.

Two of my students sent me pictures yesterday of their vacation on the beach. They were excited to show me that they kept up their yoga routines by the water. They looked so young and vibrant!  I love seeing photos of you being active outside of class. We must remember that exercise is what allows us to keep doing the activities that we love. Bravo!

I also want to thank those students who danced up a storm at my end of the session line dance party on the weekend. We certainly had a great evening.

I will not see you at the closing BBQ. I am giving myself the entire week off to rest up and create new programs for our summer training.

Have a wonderful week. I will start writing new posts again on June 20th.

See you soon,
Beth

Yes to Women's Circles!

If you are a woman and have not had the chance to be a part of a women's circle, I highly recommend that you give it a try.

I am currently involved with one circle and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. My only regret is that I did not learn about it sooner. Meeting these women actually resulted in me joining two other creative groups. It is so refreshing to step out of our comfort zone and meet new people.

Women from all ages and backgrounds make up my circle. Which has been very eye opening for me personally.

The idea is to gather together and share our stories. This is not a typical tea group where everyone talks over one another or people break off into groups to chat. We start with a short greeting time, enjoying some refreshments together and then the circle forms.

We take turns talking about whatever is on our minds. No one can offer advice or interrupt us while we are speaking. While it is our turn, we are holding the stone and when we are done we pass it along to the next person. At the end, the stone is placed in the middle and someone may pick it up again if they feel the need to continue a thread of conversation, however you must ask permission to offer advice to someone in the circle. The whole point is to express ourselves.

It may sound a bit odd but it is a very moving experience. Too often, when we are speaking with our friends or family, we are planning what we will say to them when they finish speaking, instead of actually listening. In this situation we are simply holding space for the speaker and because you cannot comment, you are actually listening and really taking in what is being said. It is amazing how much you hear, when you actually listen!

It is wonderful to speak from the heart and not worry about what someone is going to offer as advice. Instead of only playing situations and problems out in our minds, we can vent our feelings in a safe space and then let them go. No judgement.

The most important lesson that I have learned from this group is that it does not matter how old or young you are or how much money you have, we share the same stories. Too often we feel like we are the only one on the planet going through a situation and that if we only had this or that, things would be better.

I hear and see parts of my life in all of the stories that are told at every circle. I have learned that my experience is not unique and that we should never feel alone.

I had never tried anything like this before. I only knew one lady casually before jumping into this experience. It was a bit terrifying at first but I am so glad that I gave it a try.

'Our greatest life, lives on the other side of our fears.'

Have a wonderful day everyone.
Beth

Help A Senior!

I teach a chair muscle conditioning class in which we often sit to lift our weights but we also use the chair for balance during the standing exercises. Despite the use of the chair, my students work very hard and they are fit!

A funny thing happened last week that is still making me laugh and smile.

The building that I work in has an extensive children's program and there was an event for parents and their kids taking place beside my fitness room. I had left the room for a minute while the students were setting up their chairs and when I returned to sit down and get started, I noticed that there were several chairs set up but not in use in the middle of the room.

Whenever I notice an empty chair it concerns me, as it means that someone may have left in distress but ten or so empty chairs is bizarre to say the least! I asked everyone what was going on?

The students started to laugh and explain that a young man, who was waiting in the hallway for the other program, came into our class and began setting up chairs at random. He had been watching my students take chairs off of the dolly and of course he saw that there was a need and he jumped in for the rescue. It was clear that he was trying to help and he had no idea that this was a fitness class.

We took a few minutes to giggle and then praise the young man for jumping in to the aid of seniors but I had to ask my very fit crowd how often this happens to them in their daily lives? How often does someone younger offer to help them lift or carry something? Does this bother them?

What came out of the conversation was the message that they are not insulted when anyone offers assistance. Some seniors mentioned that it does not happen often enough, so when it does they are very grateful and they make certain to thank the person properly.

It doesn't really matter if someone is helping you because they think you are 'too old' or 'too young' to handle something.

What matters most is that people are offering to help one another.

This was a refreshing moment last week. Too often we are rushing and walking right by people in need. Taking a moment to smile and offer a hand to another human being makes everyone feel wonderful.

We need to do more of this!

Have a great day everyone.
Beth

Last Class?

One of my small group personal training classes is ending today, for the summer.  The students are understandably worried about this interruption in their fitness training, as I have never taken such a long break before but I see it differently.

Most of the clients that I work with have been with me for many, many years and as a result, their bodies can get used to my style of training. This particular class is very fit, however change is still beneficial. This will force them to try new classes and new experiences, which will ultimately lead to improvement all around.

Remember that the most important fitness rule is to keep moving but if you are always 'moving' in the same way, injuries can develop. I see it as an opportunity for them to develop different skills (perhaps through a new sport), meet new teachers and participants.

We tend to get into 'fitness ruts' and stick to only what we are good at. If you are one of my students, you have learned safe training techniques, that you can take into any fitness activity.

Remember to keep your body in alignment no matter the activity. Posture first!
Remember to gauge the intensity of the workout through your breath.
Listen to any pain signals your body may give you and discuss them with your teacher/trainer.
Preview the class before attending, if you can, and see what it entails.
Do not let anyone push you beyond your limit if it makes you uncomfortable or if it feels unsafe.

I will miss this particular group of people very much but in order to be an effective trainer, I also need to give myself a break occasionally.

Happy training!!!

See you soon,
Beth

Don't Look For Perfection Here.

I am not perfect.

I have never claimed to be perfect.

In fact, I have waited in the shadows, letting other people go ahead of me, feeling that they were the perfect one.

Then it occurred to me, that I could just be me. Flawed but full of good intentions to share. I will never be all things to all people, so there will always be critics. My time is now. None of us should let the fear of what others may think of us, stop us from living our lives.

Instead of watching life pass me by, I have jumped in full throttle this passed year. I have listened to my heart. I have found myself in weird situations and succeeded in turning things around to my advantage. I did not run for cover and hide in the face of challenge.

I am making mistakes every single day but guess what? That is where the joy is. I laugh more now than ever before. Putting my unique spin on classes, dances, food and entertainment. What are you good at? Find ways to spend as much time as possible doing what you love. When you do, you will find happiness.

In living my life, instead of dreaming my life from the sidelines, I have met others who are doing the same. We attract exactly what we need, when we need it.

We wake up each morning with the chance to take our first steps toward the life that we want.

Will you try?

Beth

Your Life in Six Words!

The idea is not mine but I find the challenge interesting. We all have stories to tell but can you simplify your story into six little words?

Here are some examples that I found from an old Oprah magazine that are quite creative. ( The Oprah Magazine, February 2012, volume 13. Number 2. pg. 126-127)

"Every 20 years, I reinvent myself." - Wahana Vellutini.

"Abandoned at 5. Learning to thrive." - Melinda Hui.

"I am more than a twin."- Diane Campbell

"Surfing life's ripples, wishing for waves." - Karen Barbier

"Might as well eat that cookie." - Paula Deen

"I have time to fix this." - Taneika Head

The beauty of this exercise is that it gets you to think about your life, where you have been and how far you have come. I chose to highlight the positive examples that I found but there are plenty of negative ones as well.

We only have a few minutes to make an impression when we meet someone for the first time.

At the gym, I can predict the degree of success that someone will have in my class based on our initial meeting. How do you feel about yourself? What are your goals? What can you tell me about yourself that will highlight your strengths and weaknesses?

When you are speaking, I' m looking at the words that you use to describe yourself. They tell me where you are on your fitness journey and how easy or hard it may be to help you achieve your goals.

In my work as a fitness instructor, clients often have very little time to convey their thoughts to me as classes empty out and others arrive. People often run up to me to get their point across. I do my best to tune in and be present for everyone at that point.

I must admit that I really appreciate the kind words that come my way on a daily basis. I know that those people have given great thought and chosen their words carefully.

I do my best to forget the words that are meant to cause pain. Those moments are difficult as I have to shake off the feeling and turn around within three minutes and use my words to encourage, support and inspire.

Condensing my words is a way of life for me. Working with the public, I must be careful. I cannot always speak my mind and maybe that is a good thing.

Perhaps more of us need to hold in some of our ideas, process them properly and fully consider their impact before releasing them into the universe.

Try this exercise. Share it with me privately. It may give me a bit more insight into who you are at this moment.

My life in six words:  " Dance. Eat. Laugh. Repeat with love." - Beth Oldfield

Have a great day everyone!
Beth

Family Matters!

On the long weekend I had the pleasure of spending it with extended family. We all tend to get so busy with work and life that we forget about making time for visiting with nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

When  we do manage to get together we always take a family photo but this time I also suggested that we take a picture of our feet in a circle.

I had seen this in a magazine once and have always wanted to try it. Well I have to say that many members of the family thought that this was a weird request. I had people panicking about the state of their feet and others just wondering if I had lost my marbles.  Once we got everyone down on the ground and squished in close, I saw the magic happen as we formed a feet flower.  I was instantly thrilled with the picture and actually they all loved it as well.

There are all ages of people in this photo. No one has to worry about their hair or their clothes or their makeup. We know where we are in the circle and we all know how connected each of us is to the person beside us. Together we are family and that is all that matters!

Have a great weekend.
Beth

Fitness Tests?

Yesterday, I was reading through an old magazine and I found the following fitness test.

I work primarily with people who are 50 years old and older and I have to say that most of my clients can do all of the tests above quite easily. In my classes, we perform Sit-Ups by lifting our shoulders and head about 30 degrees off of the mat. No full roll ups. Be careful when doing the hip flexibility test if you have lower back pain or problems.  The tests are a fun way to see where you are at physically but are in no way a complete measure of fitness.

Another popular test that has come out as of late is the Stand-Sit Test. I have included a link that sends you to the Reader's Digest website where they tell you how to perform the test and score yourself. The idea is that we should be able to sit and then stand again without using our hands. I had my students try this one day and I have to admit that it was hard for a number of them.

http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/longevity-test/

The older the client attempting this test, the more likely they are to have some prior injury or physical ailment that could prevent them from achieving complete success. If you can do this test then I am happy. If you are under forty and cannot do this and have no physical injury or disease, than in my opinion you need to work on your strength, balance and flexibility pronto!

What is more important to me than fitness tests is your overall health and happiness. Are you active and trying to eat a balanced diet? Are you stressed and if so are you trying to find ways to release tension? Are you socially active and laughing regularly? Is there variety in your weekly workouts?

I recently read a Tibetan Proverb that made me smile.

"The secret to living well and longer is:
Eat half,
Walk double,
Laugh triple
And love without measure."


Don't stress about your ability or inability to perform fitness tests. The idea is to get you moving in the right direction. Look at these challenges as something to help you improve any weaknesses you may discover.

Have a great day.
Beth

Yes, I am like you!

I  meet many people young and old and always the first thing that they want to confess to me is the state of their health.

I often wonder if when people meet financial planners that they feel the same need to confess their money problems. I once ran into an acquaintance at the grocery store and she immediately started justifying all of the food within her cart.

When I am off duty, as in not in the gym, I am just like everyone else but rarely treated as such.

Yes, I eat junk food. Yes, I slack off and put on weight, though when I say this people usually slap me and say, "ya right!"

I even had a specialist tell me to leave his office because in his opinion, there was no way I was going to suffer the same health problems that some of my family have had and therefore he would not even listen to my concerns. He took one look at my physical self and would not let me sit down!

The point is I can see a bit of myself in every person. I may not know what it is like to have to lose 50 lbs but I know what it is to be self conscious about my weight and worry about what others think of me. I sympathize with this struggle.

I completely understand how injuries can lead us to become immobile and how eating can become a way to ease the pain. I see how people gain the weight and I know how hard it is to lose it in a society that socializes around food.

I know what it is to participate in an activity that is hard but necessary.

I know that the younger you are when you put on the weight, the harder it is going to be to lose when you are older.

I know many people in their late thirties and early forties who are in worse shape than the parents who attend my fitness classes. People always claim that retired individuals have time to exercise and that is why they are in shape. I agree to an extent but consider how much harder it can be for them to get to class because of arthritis or other age related health problems.  It is hard for everyone, no matter their age.

I know all of the excuses.

I know that life is busy and that it is hard to get to the gym but I also know the signs of people who have given up on themselves.

I know that at some point you will have to put yourself first on your to do list or you will be forced to deal with poor health because it has become so bad that you cannot take care of your loved ones.

I know that the last thing that you want is to become a burden to your friends and family.

I know that if you loved yourself more, you would address the issues that are keeping you from taking better care of yourself.

I know that you need someone to tell you that you are worth it!

You deserve to live life pain free. Your family is counting on you to be there to help them navigate life. They need you to be in the best shape that you can be. If you will not do it for yourself, do it for them.

Start today.

How are you going to get into shape?

Stop the excuses and get busy taking care of yourself.

Beth

Great Advice on Living Well.

I just listened to a Ted Talk that was shared with me on Facebook.

The talk is given by Anita Moorjani, a woman who died and came back to life.

What interested me about this talk was the advice she shares on how to live our lives.

I realize that many of you may not believe that there is life after death, so this is not the focus of my blog today however I feel that her advice is valuable and worth sharing.  I have copy and pasted the link to the Ted Talk at the bottom of the blog so that you can listen to it yourself.

Anita tells us that we need to focus on five important things while we are living.

1. We need to focus on loving ourselves. It is true that we spend more time criticizing ourselves than we spend forgiving our mistakes and accepting ourselves as we are.

2. She tells us to live our lives fearlessly. We often think that fear is protecting us but she claims it is fear that holds us back from living a full and happy life.

3. "The most important spiritual activity," in Anita's words is finding our joy. We are born smiling and laughing but some of us stop doing this spontaneously. She wants us to seek out joy for we are meant to be happy and laughing while we are here.

4. Life is a gift and we need to look at all the challenges that come our way as a way to learn the value of our lives. My modest health concerns used to drag me down but I do see them as a gift now.  They taught me to live each day as if it is a gift.

5. Anita says that it is important that we always be ourselves and embrace our uniqueness. This will ultimately lead us to find joy.

All of this is great advice whether or not you believe in life after death stories.

We are heading into the long weekend in Canada.  I hope that you spend it doing what you love.

See you next week.
Beth

http://isoulscience.com/2016/03/woman-dies-and-comes-back-to-life-with-this-incredible-message-for-humanity/