Showing posts with label Naomi's Top 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Naomi's Top 10. Show all posts

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Naomi's Top 10: Favorite Physical Activities

As much as I hate getting out the door to get in some exercise, I always love the way I feel afterward. I mean, let's face it... exercise boosts your endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and happy people are better wives, mothers, and friends. So when I need a little happiness boost, here are the top 10 activities I do to put a smile on my face and some bounce in my step:


1. RUNNING- Like I've said before, running really gets me going. It gives me energy, makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something, and its one of the easiest things to get out and do for yourself.


2. WALKING- When I don't want to get sweaty from a good run, I like to go on a nice brisk walk. Sometimes with friends, sometimes alone, but either way I find it relaxing and peaceful.


3. BIKING- I love to bike because it makes me feel like a kid again. My balance seems to be getting worse with age, but its still fun to get out every once in a while and ride the trails.


4. SWIMMING- Swimming is a magical way to work out and is also one of the best ways to exercise if you don't want to stress out your joints or look really sweaty when you're done! And who doesn't want to spend a few minutes every once in a while feeling like a dolphin?!


5. KICKBOXING- I love kickboxing! It makes you sweat out your fat cells whilst simultaneously getting out all your aggression and negative energy. (I've obviously never taken a picture of myself kickboxing before, so this one will have to do. You can clearly see that I am making my aggressive face. Check out the fear in my little sister's eye!)


6. ROCK CLIMBING- This isn't a picture of me rock climbing either but... you get the gist :) Anyway, I love rock climbing because it provides both a physical challenge and a mental challenge at the same time. Every inch you make it up the wall is an inch closer to finishing the big puzzle of how to get up in the first place.


7. HIKING- Hiking gives your legs a good burn and your heart some good bounce time, but it also lets you connect with nature, and sometimes, really great friends!


8. HARD WORK- Good old fashioned hard work will make your muscles sore AND it will help you complete tasks and see an immediate result...which sometimes has to hold you off until you can see some good weight loss results :)


9. POLYNESIAN DANCE- Dancing is one of those great workouts that you hardly even realize you are getting. It is fun and challenging and really gives you a great opportunity to just let go!


10. PLAYING WITH MY KIDS- No matter how hard or often I work out, nothing makes my heart race more then playing with my kids! A 5 minute dance party with them will wear me out more then 30 minutes with Jillian Michaels! Plus, it gives me that great mommy-daughter time that makes me feel like I'm doing something right in the world!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Naomi's Top 10: Reasons I Run!

1. I like to eat... a LOT! And running helps me to regulate my weight.


2. There are a lot of hereditary diseases in my family and I want to improve my chances of staying healthy.


3. I love to play with my girls and want to continue having enough energy for them. Plus, I want to be a good example to them by living a healthy lifestyle.


4. Running gives me a common interest with my husband and has helped us to bond and become better friends.


5. Running is the only time my mind is free to wander and relax. It is my moment of calm.


6. Because of running, I belong to an automatic network of friends.


7. Running challenges me to push harder and be better. It is the thing that taught me how to be consistent and convinced me that I can do hard things.


8. Running has taken me to places I thought I would never be and has given me the chance to see the world from a different angle.


9. Running was my nemesis for so long that when I finally got off my butt and started to whoop up on it, I got addicted to winning (by beating the urge to stay on my butt, not by winning the actual race...that's not gonna happen in this lifetime!)


10. For the price of a good pair of shoes, I am guaranteed hours of fun and relaxation, moments of reflection and peace, good health, good friends, and good times!