I made a commitment for 2012 to focus on a book written by Gretchen Rubin called the “Happiness Project.” I invited my friends, family, personal training clients and yoga students to take this yearlong journey with me.
One of the first things Gretchen talks about are studies that show regular exercise makes people feel happier. To exercise better is one of the goals.
I believe it is important to have exercise and wellness goals. My theme this year is “Change it up.” I am a true earth girl, a Taurus. I can get very comfortable in my routines, maybe too comfortable. So this year I intend to have more fun: The Happiness Hair Project - 31 hair styles in 31 days, be more creative in my workouts by trying new exercises and fitness classes like Pole Dancing, and challenge myself to a mud run. Like I said, I am earth girl and I love to get dirty!
I asked my yoga students what they wanted to get out of their yoga practice in 2012 and this is what they said;
- To be more challenged
- To learn to balance
- To do yoga four times a week
- To get stronger & more flexible
- To open hips & breath better
- To be once inch taller by practicing better posture
- To integrate mind, body by being mindful and paying attention in the poses
In my yoga practice I hope to find more space in my body, mind and spirit. I want to slow down and be in the present moment and become better at backbends.
Other happiness goals are as follows:
- Go to bed earlier. I gave myself a regular bedtime and it makes getting up a lot easier.
- Tackle a nagging task. - I scheduled my yearly medical check up and mammogram.
- Toss Restore and organize. - I cleaned out my closet and donated bags of cloths to the good will.
- Act more energetic and to feel better.
2011 was a very busy year with all the renovations at the gym. After a long commute home all I wanted to do was eat something quick, have a glass of wine and veg out on the couch. I knew better. I love being outside and walking my dog, cooking and eating healthy food, a beautiful salad filled with fresh vegetables all colors of the rainbow. I was finding it very difficult to cultivate the discipline to do the very things I know are good for me - the actions that make me happy and easy to do the things that don’t. I just wanted instant gratification! If that’s not a “rut’ than I don’t know what is. I would wake up the next day feeling low energy and the cycle would start all over again.
I am one month into my happiness project and feeling energized and excited about life.
Sleeping eight hours a night, eating my vegetables and whole grains, getting lots of exercise and having more fun. Not only do I feel happier, but also I even have a little spring in my step.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts,” Winston Churchill
“Happiness lie in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort," Franklin Roosevelt
