Stuck in a life rut?

Howdy! I hope you’re having a great start to 2008!

I’m sure some of you have made some goals/resolutions for the year, some of you did not. If you are feeling unmotivated or lacking the desire to make changes to your lifestyle-which will accelerate your weight loss-could it be that you need to spruce up other areas of your life first so that you will be even more happy (and motivated) to eat well and exercise on a regular basis? Are you stuck in a life rut?

Think about it for a minute. Do you live for the weekends? Do you have fun and laugh on a regular basis? Do you play often? Do you read new books/literature? Do you see movies, plays, musicals? When is the last time you visited one of LA’s many museums? Do you take advantage of all that Los Angeles has to offer? When is the last time you took a new course or class just because you wanted to learn something new? Do you like your career/job? What do you look forward to?

I feel that having a life outside of your work/family is an important part of staying happy and healthy. It is not easy staying balanced in today’s world-with work and family, it is often hard to find time for much else. I hear what it is like from mother’s all the time. NOT EASY!

However, I encourage you to find just one thing that you’d like to do (not exercise/fitness related) that will add to your life in some way, shape, or form. Then, find an hour or two out of your week where you can add in this new activity-schedule it just like you would a doctor’s appointment, or an appointment with me! :o)

For example, I LOVE health and fitness and exercising, but I know this can make me a very boring person when done to excess. When I was in college and training all the time, I was a pretty lame person. Cranky all the time, no time to go out and have fun (during season)-and when I did, I was thinking about how guilty I felt about being out and not being in bed.

I like myself much more now-I try to keep my life interesting by exploring other creative pursuits that interest me-music, concerts, plays, guitar playing (thanks Kate & Jon!), reading literature, watching documentaries, dancing, etc.

Yes, we all go through dry spells, but I always try to remember that if I am also staying creative and having a life outside of work and training, I will be a much better person, happier, and more motivated to do my job better!

What about YOU? What can you add (or subtract) from your life that will make you happier? There are so many options in Southern California, and in the South Bay alone. The South Bay adult school has so many courses to choose from. Courses on photography, meditation, languages, painting, drawing, improv, etc. etc. etc. And at a great price!

Sometimes just getting out the door is the hardest part. If you feel the urge to do something that you’ve always wanted to do-don’t wait any longer!

We all go through life ruts, but they can be broken. They can impact every aspect of our health and well-being. I feel that when we are well-balanced and keeping a good perspective on life, then it shines through in other areas of your life-work, exercise, eating, relationships, etc.

So, make it a priority this year to finally realize the non-fitness goal that you have been dreaming about!

All the Best!