Reimagining Your Own Health

Hello All--

As Brooklyn Strength's newly appointed resident blogger, I'd like to start us off with an overview of the philosophy that should be the basis for any fitness regimen: challenging your mind before you challenge your body. If I've learned any thing on my road to health, it's been that my body is a machine and I need to treat it as such. It needs fuel at regular times (i.e.: balanced meals and snacks every 4-5 hours) and it is capable of working harder, doing more, and pushing further than my mind could ever imagine. And therein lies the conflict: the mind is unbelievably powerful and can talk us out of anything, tear us down before we even try. So often I see that the main block between someone becoming the healthier version of themselves and keeping things how they are is not an injury or a busy schedule, but rather when they let their mind and body fight with each other, rather than finding a way to work together...and then workout. One strong mind paired with a capable machine of a body is tough to beat!

So once you can wrap your mind around working with your body instead of against it, you can re-imagine what you're capable of and what is possible for a healthy you in your life. Here is a list of small mind-bending things we can do in our daily lives that will only push us to a greater, calmer, and healthier self:

1. Instead of worrying when you're bad at something on the first go, laugh at how stupid you look and keep going. You should have seen me when I first starting doing minute-bursts of Plié Hops. Goodness gracious, I looked ridiculous and they were so hard I was huffing and puffing and grunting like a woman possessed. But, I kept doing them anyway, and practice only made better. I still make hilarious noises in reaction to my shaking inner thighs, but I know I'm pushing myself to a stronger me, and why not have an excuse during the day to jump around doing something silly?

2. Re-imagine what exercise is everyday. Bring what you learn in your Brooklyn Strength sessions into all parts of your day: stretch in the morning and before bed, roll out on the foam roller, draw your shoulders down and keep your spine in neutral when you're walking to the subway, when your at your desk, when you're standing in line at Duane Reade; bike to work, bike to Brooklyn Strength, go for a brisk walk with your kids or pup, and so, so important, breathe deeply into your belly all the time.

3. Eat regularly throughout the day and drink lots of water. It sounds simple, but it's actually more challenging than we'd all like to admit. Don't work against yourself: you need energy, and the more regular you are with balanced snacks and meals, the better your metabolism will be. Eat breakfast. Eat Breakfast. Eat Breakfast.

4. Lastly, treat yourself well throughout the day. Take a conscious break from screens. Light some gorgeous Red Flower candles at night, read a book, find some silence, somehow, everyday.

I hope this has been a good start toward retraining your mind and reimagining your life! YOU GOT THIS!

Each week I'll be signing off the blogosphere with my own version of health platitudes that I think suit our real-lives a lot better. So, until next time:

Jump around, eat a granola bar, and kiss someone on the face.

Madeleine