Tag Archives: exercise

Positive Attitude Action Plan

Posted on by

plan_into_action-pic

After 16 weeks of striving to develop a positive attitude, I’ve found that it still doesn’t come easily, but it is coming easier. I hope it’s easier for you to be positive as well. If you missed any of my blogs on the subject, please refer back to my website at www.TamiBrumbaugh.com.

Here is a review of the main points we practiced and my plan for keeping it going.

  1. Stop the stinking thinking. You have control over your thoughts. Catch them before they get off track and send you into a spiral. MY PLAN: When a negative thought pops into my head I realize it, grab it, and tell myself to be done with it.
  2. Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones. Count your blessings. What are you thankful for? MY PLAN: My family and I are still writing blessings on small pieces of paper and placing them into our Blessing Jar. We will read them on Thanksgiving.
  3. Accept that life isn’t fair and move on. God will help you through it. MY PLAN: I will remember that fair doesn’t mean equal, and that comparing myself to others will only make me unhappy.
  4. Get exercise. Release those endorphins. A workout or a walk outside can do wonders. MY PLAN: In addition to my regular walks and workouts, I am still doing yoga moves whenever I have a spare moment.
  5. Find a way to help others. It gets your mind off yourself. MY PLAN: I refer back to the list of 30 ways to focus on others whenever I am struggling for ideas.
  6. Stop whining and complaining. It brings others down. MY PLAN: I use the Complaint Vent Journal when I need to whine a bit.
  7. Pump in the good. Listen to positive music. Read a positive book. Talk to a positive person. Pray. MY PLAN: I’ve put the 25 songs with positive messages on my phone, and hope to add more as I stumble across them.

For those of you who have mastered all seven suggestions, God bless you. For the rest of us mere mortals, keep striving. With continual effort, we can become positive people.

Thighs and Yoga Pants

Posted on by

 

funny-baby-excercise-picture

There are so many physical fitness experts giving exercise plans through their websites, videos, and blogs. I am not one of them. I make myself exercise, and sometimes I actually enjoy it, but I don’t claim expertise on the subject.

I do have personal experience feeling the difference exercise can make on my attitude. Not only do I feel better knowing I just did what I could to battle my ever-expanding thighs, I also have a surge of energy and endorphins. The endorphins are wonderful little chemicals that interact with the receptors in my brain, reducing my perception of pain and making me a happier person. Hopefully you have felt an infusion of joy from endorphins as well. If not, get ready for a drug-free boost.

I find that I need variety in my exercise. If I do the same exercise routine every day I tend to get bored. Some of you are probably die-hard runners, so this might not be true for you. I see you with your muscled legs and zero body fat and know what you are doing is effective. I wish I could be more like you. But no, running every day is not my thing.

Here are the methods of exercise I like to bounce between the most:

  • Biking
  • Walking
  • Kick-boxing
  • Gardening (doesn’t get my heart-rate up but I can feel it afterwards)
  • Aerobics (while I watch Netflix)
  • Yoga
  • Dancing (don’t judge—my moves aren’t great but I keep moving)
  • Pilates

Exercising at least 20 to 30 minutes three days a week is good, but I aim for at least five days a week. This helps me sleep better, reduces my stress, and remember those endorphins I mentioned? I want them more than three days a week.

The last two months I have added a super short workout to my morning routine. I’m guessing I’m not the only one with crazy mornings. By the time I make breakfast for my kids and drive them to school, I barely have time to get ready for work myself. I can’t seem to squeeze in a full workout because I am not a morning person, but I can squeeze in a five minute stretching or yoga routine, and it helps my attitude immensely. Like I say, I am no fitness expert, so I will show you a routine from Tara Stiles that I enjoy. You don’t want to watch me doing these moves in yoga pants. (Thighs—remember?)

 

Let’s get those endorphins flowing and feel our attitude change for the better!

 

 

Calm Crankiness

Posted on by

 

exercise-picture

One of our autistic students came back from a long weekend and was tired and cranky. When I say cranky, I mean he cried and threw tantrums for three hours. Multiple people tried to step in and soothe the poor little guy, but he would have none of it. All our breathing techniques, squeezing and hand rubbing were failing. Attempts to distract fell flat. The other students were covering their ears and getting stressed. So were the adults. Our room is rarely quiet, but oh my.

Finally, it was time for recess. I managed to thread his arms through his jacket sleeves and coax him out the door. It was windy, and at first he refused to budge and just fumed on the sidewalk. Kids galloped past him. I held his hand and we started walking around the playground. His tears slowed. We walked faster. His tears stopped. Eventually he let go of my hand and began running around on his own. When we finally bustled back into the classroom, his tantrum had ended and he was able to start learning. Thank the Lord.

Now there are no guarantees that exercise will calm every storm, but it wasn’t all by chance. Research shows that exercise causes changes in different chemical levels in the body, which can have an effect on our psychological state. Endorphins increase, giving us a positive feeling that fights depression. Exercise also boosts the neurotransmitter serotonin, helping us keep calm.

So when we start feeling down, a walk or workout can do wonders. Our mind set can change, helping us regain a positive attitude.