Sorry I am late to the pubski, y'all! work It's my busiest time of the year, so... mental health I have been suffering mentally from it. rd95 has called me out for being a cranky bitch so I definitely need to add meditation back into my routine. Downloaded a noise loop app that I used to have on my old phone onto the new one and discovered that it has added a bunch of guided meditations. Some seem pretty new age bullcrappy to me but I did the 'negativity banisher' and felt a little better afterward so that's a start I guess. fitness So I decided that I need to make exercise a routine thing in my life. I determined that the easiest and cheapest thing would be running. Except that I am super out of shape and don't want to overdo anything, so I figure I would start with run/walk interval training in place on my back patio. That way I am covered from the elements while still being outside and have no excuse not to but still get acclimated to exercising outdoors. Eventually once I build my legs and stamina up a bit I will attempt the real thing. I did get a shin splint the other day and I think it is because my shoes are worn out. I got new ones now so as soon as I am healed up I will be ready to go. In the meantime, I have been doing stretches and working with my weights so I don't miss a day.
I couldn't get into (guided) meditation because of all the new agey "imagine you're on a beach" crap. I honestly gave up until I found Headspace last month, after someone described it to me 'as the polar opposite of Facebook: introspective, calming, and making your life better': The exercises are easy and only 10 minutes. I know I sound like a salesperson but I honestly quite like it. :)
Definitely second the Headspace recommendation. I haven't used it recently, but I did back in v1 and it helped me through a difficult period in my life emotionally. It cuts out all the potential new-age and pretentious attitude that a lot of other guided meditations can sometimes give off. I've been considering returning to it recently. veen what's your email address (pm if you prefer)? I'll add you as buddy on there :).
Wow I've got to try this out. Meditation and general contemplation/slowing down is something I have not made time for but it is definitely necessary. The only such activity I take part in is going on leisurely strolls around the city. I live in the bustling centre of London but it's not too far to the nearest park.
This one was guided but not so much the 'imagine you're on a beach' kind but just a gentle voice talking through how to choose not to let negative things impact you and so on, otherwise I would have shut that right off. My normal meditation consists of just sitting and focusing on my breathing. Thought I would give this thing a go because I have a lot of negativity that needs banished right about now. And sometimes you just need to be told to let it go.
Yay! Running! Not sure if you have a goal with this, or already aware of Couch to 5k but it's an awesome little running plan if you're looking to get into it and (hopefully) enjoy running while you do!
I may be putting too much of my own experience into this innocuous phrase and its quotation marks but here goes. When my partner and I were first getting into yoga together, she made some remark about how 'It doesn't matter which video we pick, we're always going to do like six of the same poses just in different order.' While that's true to some extent, part of my experience with yoga is trying to allow something that is supposed to help to actually help. Going into it with the mental framework of "This 'stress relief' workout is basically the same as the 'shoulders and back' workout so it won't actually relieve stress." is unproductive at very best. I work to appreciate and value the intent behind the thing, and hey presto, I feel the effects more. If it helps, it helps. I'm writing this as much for myself as you or anybody else reading.'negativity banisher'
I did the thing with the intent to allow it to help me, and I feel like it did, although I am at the point where I pretty much have no chill and might need more than one session with it. My skepticism was more toward some of the other things in there that offered to help me clean my chakras. Being stressed out can cause tension in your body so the fact that the stress relief workout is the same as the back and shoulders workout should come as no surprise to anyone unless they just have no idea how the body works. Neck stretches are also wonderful when you are feeling tense.
I don't have much to add other than liking your approach to fitness. Three years ago I was sort of out of shape and decided to go for a walk. That turned into longer walks which turned into short runs which turned into long runs. Taking it slow is good. It might feel frustrating, but you're doing it right. When you decide to run more, I suggest watching some YouTube videos. Just search for "how to run." I used to get joint pain from running. I don't anymore. Running might seem intuitive, but it isn't always. YouTube has some great instruction.