Punxsutawney Phil 125th annual weather forecast!

Hello!  So, lucky us, early spring predicted per the furry rodent; and I hear from numerous weather men that - "Ground Hogs Lie" Well, actually, it's a committee of 14 men in Tuxedo's with top hats who make this decision. Based on what factors? Perhaps it's what people want to hear. It was time to hear an early spring arrival since it has only been predicted 16 times since 1887. I do silently hope the prediction is correct. I will admit though that the thought of early spring, does beget the issue of the continual get into shape mode. In pursuing the physical part written in my blog yesterday, Getting to The Heart of the Matter our work-outs provide plenty of encouragements & necessary nourishment's for a stronger body & stronger yet still -mind-. Yes, there may be a disconnect at times and exercise remains PERMANENTLY on your to do list (which it should be)..without actually doing it. Enter what I call the only thing you need to get moving: D-I-S-C-P-L-I-N-E.

Allowing exercise to become an option will most assuredly create an easy-out for you and your mind set. So, knowing that at least 6 more weeks of winter before the official start of spring begins, what else do we need to get rolling?

Get moving with jumping jacks, jumping rope, or just start to improve our inner wellness by making a pledge, a commitment to yourself to do at least one new - power based fuel driven exercise per week at least 3 x a week, and once on the weekend, so you can at least start to chart your success! Get jumping!

One of my favorite purchases a long time ago, was a red vinyl jump rope purchased from the American Heart Association; at least 25 years ago. I started jumping rope for barely 5 minutes and eventually managed 30 minutes with ease after time investment and yes, D-I-S-C-P-L-I-N-E. Jumping rope is no easy feet but amazingly you will be surprised that once you start, you will recall any time in your life as a child or a young girl or woman, you jumped rope! We can rule this, once again, yes we can! Your heart, the largest muscle in the body will train enormously from this activity, as will your lower torso. As always, please check with your doctor to get medical clearance prior to starting any physical exercise program.

Take the challenge. Take up this old time sport, or start with some simple jumping jacks. Get the blood flowing, feel empowered and it's surely go to make an impact in your daily living! 

For the novice or experienced, feel free to visit this web site by the American Heart Association at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Educator/FortheGym2/JumpRopeSkills/Jump-Rope-Skills_UCM_001270_Article.jsp 

Once you literally jump start to a commitment of heart wellness in some manner, shape or form, you can feel good about getting a "jump" on your hearts wellness. Amazing what we will do to get in shape to eat those dark chocolate treats calling our name. 

Did I mention, a  healthier alternative to those tempting chocolate hearts is creating one of your own? One of my favorites is below, a knitted heart created by Kristin at Knitty08.

Photo Courtesy of Kitty08

 

The heart that is in this box comes from a free pattern over at http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/PATTheart.php

The reason I so love this graphically depicted knitted heart, is that we only think of just a one dimensional heart shaped image; especially around this time of year.. for Valentine's Day. This reminds me clearly that it is a complicated muscle, with many intrinsic functionalities that need to perform accurately and uniformly.  So, I ask- if we can see our hearts, might we able to see what fulfills our life?  Do we know what’s truly inside of us? 

Coming up next, more on that to come in the Emotional Heart of the Matters.