Smarts and Stamina - Latest Comments

Re: 5 Lazy Ways to Get in Shape

Marie-Josée Shaar — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:56:38 -0000

Welcome, Terry! Good to have you here!

Thank you for your endorsement of the SaS Compass! Hope your exploration helps you on your way to ever-greater smarts and stamina! ;-)

And here's to Karel's Life Habits podcasts!

Very best,
MJ

Re: All This and Coffee Too!

Marie-Josée Shaar — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:53:41 -0000

That's a great concern to have, Terry! Very glad that you open up this discussion!

I would definitely recommend staying within your comfort zone in terms of range of motion when you are not warmed up. For some person, that may mean kicking at knee height. Kathryn, my co-author on the book and the author of this post, happens to have pretty flexible hamstrings, so she can comfortably go higher.

And remember that kicking is just one idea. You may prefer to do calf raises, squats, neck stretches, hip rotations - whatever feels adequate to you.

Re: 5 Lazy Ways to Get in Shape

Terrykosowick — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:05:06 -0000

I love your integrated approach to wellness including sleep, food, mood, and exercise! It just makes SO much sense. I first heard about you in one of Karel Vrendenburg's Life Habits podcasts and am now exploring your web site.

Re: All This and Coffee Too!

Terrykosowick — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:57:40 -0000

Great idea! (The front kicks) But, I would be concerned that, without some kind of warm up, I would throw my back out - which would clearly hinder any aditional exercise for a while.

Re: Smart Way to End Your Afternoon Snacking

Marie-Josée Shaar — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:11:09 -0000

My friend Alan responded to the email version of this post by saying (and I quote):

"Thanks for the great tips! I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now and I feel great. Good advice on napping early (not after 5) and setting an alarm. THANK YOU!"

So if you're still not sure you'd like to try, take it from Alan: it works! ;-)

Re: Let’s Manage Our Stress Before the Holidays Kick in…

MJ Shaar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:24:34 -0000

Thank you Steve! And thanks to Odette and Michelle at Organic Soul for sharing their wisdom!

Re: Let’s Manage Our Stress Before the Holidays Kick in…

Steve — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:12:58 -0000

MJ,
This is a timely and valuable post. Rarely will you find so much usable wisdom in one small blog. Well done!

Steve

Re: Tired of Boiled Broccoli?

MJ Shaar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:51:09 -0000

That's a good point, Jeremy. I read on the SproutSavvy blog not too long ago that "fit people eat for nutrition, whereas fat people eat for pleasure." And I agree: food's primary function isn't and shouldn't be entertainment, so sometimes accepting a slightly less pleasant taste should be part of the strategy. (In fact, we have a chapter on that in the book too!) Just like we teach our kids to appreciate different flavors, it'd be good if we could keep teaching ourselves as well, always in a healthier direction.

Re: Tired of Boiled Broccoli?

Jeremy McCarthy (@jeremymcc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:00:56 -0000

My article in next month's Organic Spa Magazine is called " Your Problem is you Think Food Should Taste Good." I think we spend too much time talking about how to make healthy food delicious in stead of just accepting the fact that not every meal is going to taste like a cheeseburger. Sometimes we need to suck it up and eat boiled broccoli for the simple fact that it is good for us. That being said, it's great when you can find a delicious recipe that makes veggies more enjoyable. I usually take a month off of meat every year. In general, it is a month I don't enjoy, but I always manage to find one or two delicious vegetarian meals that I would not have otherwise sampled because of my proclivity for more carnivorous fare.

Re: The Charm of Imperfections

MJ Shaar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:32:35 -0000

Thanks for the feedback, and for the book recommendation, Jeremy! I'll check out Freak Factor - sounds like a good read! ;-)

Re: The Charm of Imperfections

Jeremy McCarthy — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:51:51 -0000

This reminds me of the book "Freak Factor" by David Rendall. He encourages people to be successful by focusing on the things that make them unique as opposed to trying to be more homogenized and normal. Naturally, the challenge is to find the right balance so you don't wind up accepting in yourself things that are not healthful and that could be changed while not getting hung up on minor imperfections that everyone has. I like your advice for Missy because you help her to accept her physical differences while still encouraging her to exercise for the psychological benefits. Well done!

Re: Why Working Out Every Day is Easier than Three Times a Week by Jeremy McCarthy

MJ Shaar — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:58:29 -0000

Hummm... how about we reframe the "problem"? Yoga is very healthy in very many ways, and so falling in love with it and doing more of it really can only be a good thing (unless someone becomes a true addict and can't engage in other things as a result, but that's not what we are discussing here...). So the "problem" really, is having the impression that there are so many more important things that we can't get to it, no? In this case, how about we say that the problem is modern lifestyles, or overcommitment (which in many cases is the same thing)?

Re: Why Working Out Every Day is Easier than Three Times a Week by Jeremy McCarthy

Alice — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:56:13 -0000

Great recommendations.It certainly holds true with yoga - 20-30 minutes a day is an awesome practice for the long haul. The "problem" is that you unfortunately fall in love with yoga and then just HAVE to do more because it feels so good.

Thanks for the article.

Re: Busy but Not Rushed!

Fresh Eyes — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:20:24 -0000

Indeed, taking that extra time truly does add up. Thanks for sharing.

Re: 2 Great Blogs Talk About SaS This Week

MJ Shaar — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:19:19 -0000

And here's another one - this one about relaxing better and faster! ;-)
http://sproutsavvy.com/health/...

Re: 2 Great Blogs Talk About SaS This Week

MJ Shaar — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:33:09 -0000

Sprout Savvy also posted one of my articles today. If you want to know why sleeping more can help you weigh less, check it out here: http://sproutsavvy.com/beauty/...

Re: Why Working Out Every Day is Easier than Three Times a Week by Jeremy McCarthy

Tim Cole — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:07:34 -0000

Extremely useful thanks, It is my opinion your trusty audience will probably want further information similar to this carry on the great work.