Starting over more or less

I always liked the first day of school each year. It was a new beginning that I welcomed over and over. Nothing like a fresh copybook on the desk in front of me to signify all the possibilities of a new year of learning. I thrived on that new start that held so much potential for exciting opportunity.

And today on January 1 we're faced with a new year based on the internationally accepted civil calendar we follow in our daily life. Although many cultures have their own traditional new year customs, whenever a new year is celebrated, it is for the most part a time to reflect on new beginnings.

What is it about human nature that we so enjoy a fresh start? As humans or Homo sapiens, we are wired to be a wise or knowing species. Our self-awareness and rational thinking separate us from other breathing entities, or at least they should.

So as many of you are doing, I'm pondering what opportunities lie ahead for me this year. I won't call these new year's resolutions, though, because most times they are forgotten, and these are things I think about all the time, not just during the transition to a new year.

The clean-slate, school mentality I like also works well for me on the first day of the new year, as it does for many. So here's my opportunity for a fresh start, a clean page in my copybook of life.

Eat less. During the holidays there's an over-abundance of everything good. I know I contribute to that when I make lots of scrumptious food for family. But I'm ready to detox in 2012. As a lifetime Weight Watcher who continues to check in monthly, I am ready to read the requisite new year program I received on December 31st for motivation. My plan is to continue to do the same as always--eat a wide range of foods in moderated portions--but I still like to read up on what's the latest and greatest in the health industry. I acknowledge that I like the lightness of being I experience when I eat only the amount of food my being needs to function in a healthy way. I'll admit I feel like a slug right now and look forward to the lightness of a new year.

Stretch more. Before the holidays I told one of my Jazzercise instructors that she wouldn't see me at her location while I was home for the holidays since I'd be attending class only near my home, "No worry," she said. "You're a lifer." That was nice to hear. I am, in fact, a lifer. I can't imagine not exercising and jumping around for stress relief. I do know, though, that I want and need to stretch more. I miss my yoga, which I didn't make time for in the second half of 2011. I'm going to do my best to fit more yoga into 2012.

Walk more. I'm a walker. I'm a hiker. Note to self: Get out as much as possible. It's too beautiful and invigorating to not make the time. Hubby and I already started on this one today. Yay! It was a great walk and a beautiful day to wish our neighbors a happy new year.

Dream less. Don't get me wrong. I never want to stop dreaming. I just want to be sure to...

Do more. I want to follow through on more of my dreams and ideas. Of course, I'll have to pick and choose, but I think it's important to mix it up to keep things exciting. This blog was one idea I dreamed about before that I made happen in 2011. So now to think about 2012. To have more time for doing, I'll continue to...

Purge more. Little by little, I'll get to every nook and cranny of my life and follow through on opportunities to simplify and keep only those things I cherish most. It takes time, but I'm confident it will get done. When I have less to manage, I'll use newfound time to...

Read more. I'm always reading. Magazines in print, news online, and numerous books started in various states of progress. Sometimes, though, I put off reading books because I know I'll be all-consumed and won't want to do anything else until I finish a book. I recently gave myself the gift of this luxury and started and finished a book one night during my holiday vacation. Yes, I wouldn't go to bed until I finished. So this year, I'm going to strive for more balance along with the goal of reading more books.

Relax more. I like to do things and see people. But I also like down time and being alone. This holiday I've enjoyed a few catnaps here and there, so I want to fit those in more whenever possible. 

Volunteer more. A Girl Scout leader over 25 years, a catechism teacher over 11 years, I've always enjoyed volunteering. But over the years, as work and family has consumed much of my time, I've had to cut back on volunteering to make time for my own healthy endeavors. In recent years, though, I've really enjoyed volunteering with my family through United Way. And hubby had always coached sports and just recently delivered toys to those less fortunate on Christmas Eve. We both agree we again want to fit more volunteer time in our life this year.

Write more. I really like writing and want to make more time for it. And finally,

Enjoy more. I don't think we can ever enjoy this wonderful life too much. There's so much to see and do and appreciate. No time for complacency or getting stuck in a rut. I want to continue to learn, explore ideas, and reinvent myself every chance I can. It's the little things that can mean a lot and I never want to forget that.

As I review my list, I see I've included more "mores" than lesses. A closer look reveals to me that I could have written "Stress less" instead of "Relax more." Maybe that's the "half glass full" in me at play. I like seeing the new year as a chance to start afresh, a do-over of sorts with the potential for more.

And for you, dear readers, here's to wishing you a wonderful year ahead with all the potential for whatever fulfills you and makes you happy.

Cheers! And let me know what you're thinking about for the new year. I'd love to hear.

Until next time, yours in fun and new beginnings...Therese

Jazzing it up

"In this world there's nothing I would rather do,
'cause I'm happy just to dance with you."

I love that Beatles song, formulaic or not. Anyone who knows me well or has been to any social occasion with me knows I love to dance. I'm the first one on the dance floor and the last one off. And I rarely miss a song through the night. I just keep going like the energizer bunny as long as the music "has a good beat and you can dance to it." Dancing just simply makes me happy. I experience a "no care in the world" sense of freedom through dance. And just like the anonymous quote, I dance as though no one is watching. I really don't care if I look goofy as I let loose and give it all I've got.

Dancing Queen as portrayed
on a popular greeting card.

Now I don't know about you, but I don't get out dancing with hubby or girlfriends as much as I'd like. So if dancing is the stress relief my body and soul need, that's not so good for me. But I've found a way to satisfy my need more frequently. Jazzercise®. I'd known about Jazzercise for many years, but just never made the time to try a class. 

Jazzercise.com tells you that the 60-minute group fitness class combines "dance-based cardio with strength training and stretching to sculpt, tone and lengthen muscles for maximum fat burn." Sounds like a good workout, but the best is that the routines are so much fun!

All the latest in music, across all genres, from oldies to classical to hip hop to reggae to pop. There's always a good song to move to. Jazzercise is "a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing." And they're not kidding when they say you'll dance yourself fit and change the shape of your body! Depending on the intensity you choose, you can burn up to 600 calories in a session!

I worked my butt off all year
to fit in this dress...literally.

I can vouch for their claims since Jazzercise was the exercise that helped me achieve the look I wanted as the mother of the bride for my youngest daughter in 2008. When my daughter got engaged, my one request was that she give me time to get in shape. She said I looked fine, but I went with my gut instinct that I could feel and look better. And I'm glad I did!

As a lifetime Weight Watchers® member since 1989, I've always appreciated that eating healthy is a lifestyle, not a diet, but also knew that exercise must play an important role in maintenance, too. And to be honest, at that point I knew I had let work and life get in the way of taking care of myself in the way I knew I should be. Although I certainly wasn't alone when tired at the end of a long day to put off exercise and say I'll work out next time, I knew I needed to find something that would inspire me and keep me motivated, even when I didn't have the energy. 

I realized that attending Weight Watcher's meetings weekly, instead of monthly, wouldn't be enough. As a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to cook and eat, I knew working out had to be just as important again in my life to get me strong and allow me to continue enjoying the culinary delights I liked. So in January 2008, I knew I needed to kick it up a notch, as Emeril says, to push my metabolism into high gear to get my body and mind in the shape I wanted to be for my daughter's wedding.

I joined the Jazzercise program and religiously attended classes three to five times a week. I worked hard and saw incremental results through the year, which motivated me to keep going. By the end of the year at the wedding in December 2008, I had lost 20 pounds and 25 inches to walk before my daughter as the best mother of the bride I could be for both her and myself.  

Ready to dance with my family.

Just as James Brown sang, I felt good, as I was announced with hubby at the reception. I knew I had worked hard through the year, yes, on all the wedding preparations with my daughter, but also to look the best I could for her big day.




Dance as if no one is watching. It feels good.
Even if it's just at home, by yourself.

 

I've always been a fan of group exercise, from aerobics to step to Pilates to yoga. But with no other class on its own did I reap the benefits I saw when I committed to Jazzercise that year. I continued with that commitment and have never looked back.

I've been fortunate to find local classes near work and home that combine my love of dancing with exercise. I'm never bored since the music is always changing and the steps are easy to pick up. Every song really only has three or four moves that are repeated, so you become an expert before you know it. And who cares if you miss a step? No one. Just keep moving. You're dancing for you and no one else.

So where am I today with Jazzercise, almost four years later? For the first time in many years, I never find excuses to pack my gym bag and I rarely miss the Jazzercise classes I schedule into my week. Why don't I miss as easily as I did with other classes? It certainly isn't because I choose to prepay. I've done that with plenty of gym memberships and classes over the years and I still missed for various "important" reasons. I think the change in attitude now is because I know I'll truly have fun dancing when I get there. I'll relieve the normal stresses of everyday life, get a good workout, and will come away feeling strong with the energy I need to handle whatever challenges lie in front of me. And I've accepted the potential that I'm a better version of me when I take care of myself.

As with so many activities I participate in, I've met nice groups of women at any classes I attend. An added bonus with the international Jazzercise franchises is that when I travel for business or pleasure, I'm sure to find a Jazzercise location wherever I am and I've taken advantage of that benefit many times. No matter where I attend, I can jump right in and dance along to familar routines and get a great workout. I've even inspired friends to join me. It's a good thing!

Group photo at a Jazzercise benefit to raise money for breast cancer
with Tim Robbins, professional dancer and choreographer.

Now I've had opportunities here and there to try ballroom and belly dancing, disco and country line dancing, ballet, diva dancing to Broadway tunes, and hip hop. I'd love to someday take a zumba or salsa class to mix it up. I don't think I'd ever meet a dance class I wouldn't try. But I don't have easy access to all that right now. So I'm happy with my Jazzercise and the mix of walking, hiking, and yoga that I currently fit in my daily life. Maybe I'll also get back to swimming at some point when I make the time. But for now, JZ, as I affectionately call my weekly Jazzercise routine, does it good for me.

During a few recent doctor visits, the doctors said to me independently that I should continue with whatever I'm doing. So I'll heed their advice and keep on Jazzercising, hiking, and doing some yoga here and there. It works for me. But I won't stop looking for other activities that spark a new interest to keep me moving. After all, mixing it up is what makes life exciting.

What activities inspire you and keep you going? Let me know what you enjoy. I'd love to hear from you.

But if I see you on the dance floor, don't forget to dance like no one is watching! I'm happy just to dance with you.

Until next time, yours in fun and dancing...Therese