LIFE INSPIRED FITNESS: Keep It Handy
I bought some dumbbells a few years ago. For a majority of the time they’ve been in a basket, on the landing at the top of the stairs. I envisioned doing yoga and exercises there in the cozy space, but for some reason that space, and the weights, rarely got used. During the summer I put the dumbbells, along with my yoga matt and a few other exercise gadgets, outside on the back patio and a used them a lot. But when the fall weather hit, up they went to the landing, where they sat.
Last week, I decided that I need to lift weights again. Although I would like to lift heavier weights, I don’t feel comfortable going to a gym right now with the pandemic, so I stationed my tiny bit of workout gear on our kitchen floor. It’s not the perfect place, but they are visable, and accessible, which in my case, makes working out, much more likely. It’s hard to ignore the pile when they stare at me while I’m standing at the kitchen island making breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
The pile may not look that great sitting there on my kitchen floor, but gaining more tone is more important, and it’s not like I’m having company over with Covid anyway. However, when I can have people over again, maybe I’ll be a little more buffed. Whether it’s weights, your yoga matt, or your indoor bike trainer, try to store, or set up, your workout equipment where it’s handy, a place that is easy to access or maybe a spot in your house where you really enjoy going. Sometimes we need every little bit of help we can get to stay on track with our workouts. I know I do.
What helps you to stick with your […]
PEN TO PAPER: Missing You
With Covid-19, many of us can’t be with the people we love. And if we do get to see them, we need to be careful. My daughter is safe in Taiwan, but she is far away. And I’ve only seen my parent’s twice in the last eight months, at a distance. Today’s wiritng prompt is for those who we miss. It can be kept to yourself, or better yet, mail it.
WRITING PROMPT: Write a letter to someone you miss right now.
PEN TO PAPER: Picture Perfect
There’s nothing like using a photo for a writing prompt…
WRITING PROMPT: Take a look at this picture, set your timer and write…
LIFE INSPIRED FITNESS: Destination Inspiration
Often, simply having a destination in mind where you’d like to go, is all you need to get your body moving. Sometimes it’s a thundering waterfall or a stunning view from a mountaintop at the end of a hike, or a secluded beach at the midpoint of a bike ride. But an inspiring destination can also be as simple as your local coffee shop, where the thought of a warm cup of coffee, helps you get a mile or two in as you walk, or ride your bike, to start the day. Maybe it’s the pull of a neighborhood viewpoint where you like to walk your dog. Maybe it’s the local farmer’s market, a friendly gift shop or maybe it’s your local ballot box (a little reminder to VOTE).
Whatever the case, try using destinations for inspiration. This can help on a daily bases as well as throughout the year to change up your workouts. It’s also good to keep in mind when planning vacations. I enjoy hiking and my husband likes to bike, so we often plan our vacations with these in mind. Can we use bikes to get around the city? Can we rent mountain bikes to check out more parks, maybe ride to a lake? Is there a viewpoint to hike to? Maybe an awesome restaurant or bar that’s within walking distance (outdoor these days)?
If you’re having one of those days that you find it hard to get yourself going, think of one of your favorite spots in your neighborhood and go there. Walk, ride, or even skateboard, whatever you prefer. Or if just thinking of the destination inspires you (maybe it’s a quiet park or stairs with a view) you can even drive there and do a workout once you’re there. The key is don’t think, “I […]
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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PEN TO PAPER: Look At The World Around You
It’s pretty drab in Seattle right now. Grey skies, drizzle, drizzle and more drizzle. When I walk my pup to the view of the water, the clouds and fog are so thick, that on many days there is no view. This can be a downer, but if you think like a writer you can put your environment to work, even on the darkest of days.
There are always interesting things to write about. Look close. Go on a walk and watch as steam seeps out and rises from under the deck of the house you pass, notice the twisted trunk of the Italian Plum tree and the moss that creeps and covers it’s limbs. Feel awakened by the cool air that chills your sinuses each time you breathe. Be grateful for the splash of unexpected color when a blue jay drops onto the sidewalk in front of you and then flits […]
PEN TO PAPER: Reach Out
…And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us
but what stands before us
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first
we must first put our differences aside
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another…
– Amanda Gorman (excerpt from “The Hill We Climb”)
Today I’m talking poetry, something I know nothing about. I appreciate it and occasionally make an effort at it, but that’s about it. And I really like it as way to start a freewrite. In fact, after hearing Amanda Gorman read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the Presidential Inauguration, my writing partner Jenny and I, were inspired to write poetry. Read the “The Hill We Climb” in its entirety to get inspired for today’s writing prompts, and then take a deep breath, and go…
WRITING PROMPT 1: What inspires you? […]
LIFE INSPIRED FITNESS: Happy Hill Day
I’ve talked about how I like doing stairs. It’s a good way to get a workout in a short period of time and the set near me has a beautiful view of the city.
Yesterday I ran (okay maybe jogged is the right word) to a spot where I planned to do a few sets of stairs and run some hills. Well as I was doing my slow warm up jog, I came to a hill and it was so hard to go up it that I stopped and walked. And let me tell you, the hill was not steep!
I’m not sure what it is for me, but it’s easier to go a shorter distance at a faster speed, even up a hill, as opposed to a longer distance at a slower pace (except walking). That’s probably why marathons don’t sound very fun to me. The crazy thing is, last year […]
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