Laugh Now, Laugh Later, Laugh As Much As Possible!!!

Good Morning Good Lifers!!! TGIF...so stoked for the coming weekend.  It's gonna great, fantastic, and bombastic!  So today's blog is about Laughter/ Laughing!  I personally feel that Laughing is one of the very best things a person can do for themselves.  A good Laugh has almost infinite power, and I have experienced, first hand, the amazing power of Laughing.  Through all my peaks and valleys, ebbs and flows in my life, I have always had a sense of humor.  Laughter has served many purposes in my life; whether I am just thinking and sharing some crazy, nonsensical scenarios and stories to entertain others, or using comedy to mask my many insecurities, Laughter has truly been one of the biggest parts of my life, and I attribute much of my success and outlook on life to my sense of humor and ability to Laugh Laugh Laugh!!!  With all that being said, there is even some science that has proven that Laughter can create many positive physiological  changes in the body.  The following are some scientifically proven, changes in the body when a person Laughs....

In the last few decades, researchers have studied laughter's effects on the body and turned up some potentially interesting information on how it affects us:

• Blood flow. Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the screening, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved normally -- expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.
  
• Immune response. Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response, says Provine. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells, as well.
  
• Blood sugar levels. One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a tedious lecture. On the next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.
  
• Relaxation and sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin's memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.

 *Information provided by the following article on WebMd: 

 http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter

I think E.E. Cummings summed it up very nicely:

While Laughter may not be the "Best Medicine," it most definitely has health benefits; and besides all that, Laughing is FUUUUNNN!!!!!! So Laugh Laugh Laugh your booty off!!!

Much Love!

If I Did It, You Can Too!!!

By the age of 21, I weighed nearly 360 lbs.  I was miserable and making all the wrong decisions.  With an extremely poor diet, lack of physical activity, and an affinity to party,  my body, mind, and soul became extremely unhealthy; I was completely out of balance and my life had relatively ZERO homeostasis.  I knew I needed to change my lifestyle ASAP.  Rather than fall deeper into an unhealthy lifestyle, I decided it was time to take back control of my life; it was time to get healthy. I moved to Denver and hired a personal trainer; since then, I have not looked back.

To date, I have lost nearly 160 lbs and love life more than ever. Through dedication, discipline, and determination, I was able to completely turn my life around.  I have experienced, first hand, what it takes to make drastic life changes, and though the process is often hard, there exists no greater reward than the freedom of personal greatness, supreme wellness and optimal health.   

The path has been long and, at times, treacherous.  Throughout this process I had to dig deep within, battle my demons, face harsh personal truths, deny the tempting calls of my old lifestyle, and stay positive, even when I took a step or two back.  I came to realize that every decision I made brought me either one step closer to balance, or one step further.  We truly perform at our best when we have a healthy balance between our body, mind, and soul.   

It is important to realize and accept that you will run into many road blocks, make poor decisions, and lose sight of your goals.  A huge part of this process is learning to accept yourself in "success" as well as in "failure."  You must define what these concepts mean personally, and understand that the only person who can truly assess you is you!  The only failure comes when you let the road blocks deter you; when you fall down and never get back up.  Regardless of what success means to you, the only way to achieve it is to pick yourself up when you fall and refuse to let road blocks stop you from pursuing and achieving all of your goals in life.

Remember, this is a journey that has no final destination; the path to wellness is infinite and universal.  As I continue my journey to wellness and the pursuit of personal greatness, I have a mantra that I follow, “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Soul!” Once you can embrace this, you are truly on the path to greatness and living The Good Life.

There are few guarantees in life, but I will guarantee you this...If I Can Do It, You Can To!!!!

Live In The Moment

Good Morning Good Lifers!!! I hope you're all SUPER STOKED for a TERRIFIC Thursday!!! I know I am!!!

Today's blog is about the importance of staying in the moment.  Too often we get caught up, looking towards the future, and dwelling on the past.  Yet the truth is, the past is, just that, the past.  There is nothing that can be done to change it.  So rather than continually looking in the rear view mirror wondering what would have happened, what could have happened, and what should have happened, stay in the present moment, understand that everything that has happened is simply a part of what helps shape an individual into the person they are, in that moment; in the present.

People also get caught up gazing into the future.  Whether stressed about money or excited for a celebration, we all ignore what is going on in the present, and get lost in the what is to come; yet, we are not guaranteed even 1 more breath.

The moral of the story is this...if we can stay in the present moment, absorbing it organically, harnessing the supreme power of Universe, and cloaking ourselves in positive energy, everyone will find success in all aspects of life; everyone can live well and be great!

CARPE DIEM!!!

Never Quit!

Good Morning Good Lifers!!!! It's yet another BEAUTIFUL Monday morning in the D and I'm super stoked for a DELIGHTFUL day and a WONDERFUL week! Today's blog is about the importance of never giving up and refusing to quit!

The truth is that there are many things in life we cannot control.  From other's behaviors to the weather, and everything in between, we attempt to control things we simply cannot.  However, one thing that we absolutely can control is our decision to quit, or not!  More often than not, it is the ability to persevere, overcome, and keep going that truly leads to success in life.  Often in life, it are those things that knock us down, test our patience, & challenge our wills, that will ultimately prove successful; enriching our lives and the lives of those around us.  Those who attain success in life have been tested over and over again and given opportunity after opportunity to simply take the easy road out and quit; however, they quite simply, REFUSED TO QUIT!

Happy Monday! Refuse To Quit!  Refuse To Fail!

September Is Here...Fall Is Coming!!!

August has ended and September is officially in the house!!!  We all know what that means....FALL IS IN THE AIR!!!!  As we move from the heat of Summer, to the temperate weather of Autumn, here are some great tips to ensure a flawless transition from your Summer workout programs to your new Fall plan!!!   

Have Fun Outside with Autumn Activities

Hike to see the leaves changes, check out a corn maze, or just be outside to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Organize a weekend trip with friends and family.

Get Involved in Community Events

With the fall season comes many holiday themed local fun runs and events. Look in the newspaper for Halloween runs, turkey trots and reindeer romps. According to a 1991 summary report by ERIC Digest, a specific goal such as a race to train for increases adherence to an exercise program. Signing up with friends or family will hold you accountable for completing the training.

Head to the Trails

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year for getting outside. Grab a friend and find some local parks or trails to walk, run or ride a bike and take in the view of changing leaves.

Dress for the Weather

When weather gets cooler, it can deter people from going outside to workout. This problem can be mediated by wearing wind-shielding clothing and dressing in layers. Proper attire and accessories (hats, gloves, etc.) that cut down on bulk but still allow for warmth make outdoor fitness more enjoyable as the chill of fall approaches

Drink Water

Stay hydrated even when the temperatures cool down. People often feel less thirsty when it is not hot outside, but staying hydrated is just as important in the fall as it is when the sun a blazing down. When fall rolls around, remember to stay on top of your fluid intake to help with both exercise recovery and appetite control.

Drink Tea

Drink more tea to warm up for the cooler temperatures. Green tea and black tea contain antioxidants that help ward off diseases during flu season so you can remain healthy and active as the season shifts.

Avoid Holiday Candy

According to the National Institutes of Health, on average, non-obese adults gain about a pound a year around the holidays. In addition to creating unhealthy habits, accumulation of this weight over time can lead to obesity. Be sure to pack lots of healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day to help deter you from grazing on sweets that pop up in the office, at home or at holiday parties.

Turn Fall Chores into a Workout

Raking leaves or gardening can burn around 150 calories every 30 minutes. Turn these chores into a game by setting small, achievable goals to help pass time and burn away fat.

Exercise Early in the Day

Try to work out in the morning or during the day. With the time changing and it becoming darker earlier, it can feel as if it is later in the day than it really is. This can make people more tired than usual. Getting into a routine of working out early will guarantee the workout gets done and still allow time in the afternoons and evenings to relax.

Vary Activities

As the weather cools down and summer ends, it can become difficult to stay motivated. Trying a variety of different activities and varying workouts, will help keep a fresh spin on exercise and allow for confidence to build within a wide range of activities.

Source: www.livestrong.com 
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/98340-10-tips-fall-fitness/#ixzz2dpsuJFhB

The Rose That Grew From A Crack In The Concrete

Hey there Good Lifers! I hope your Tuesday has started off with a BANG of positive energy, good vibes, and love!!! I took a few days off from the blog, but I am back with a vengeance!!! Today's blog is centered around a poem; a poem with an unbelievably strong message.  The metaphors used in this poem are powerful, beautiful, and ooze truth!  It speaks to overcoming the obstacle life throws at you, breaking through the barriers that try to hinder you , and refusing to fail, regardless of how long and bumpy the road gets.  We all have concrete constraints to break through, so let us be the roses that rise, bloom, and live beautifully!

Without Further Adieu, I Give You.....

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

By: Tupac Amaru Shakur

#TGL  #ATD  #LivingTheGoodLifeAllTheDays

Find Nature

Happy Thursday Good Lifers!!! Hope You All Are Having A Great Week!  Let's Talk About Nature Today...In Specific, Let's Talk About The Importance of Connecting w/ Nature to Create Harmony and Balance in Your Life.  Just One Look at Nature and You Realize That Nature is Nearly Flawless!!! Humans Are One Of, If Not The Only Species On This Earth That Not Only Ignores Nature's Laws, But Fight Them Too!  Every Organism, Process, and Event Has A Role; A Role That Is Perfect.  Nature Is The Universe and The Universe Is Nature!!! Let Us Not Fight It, But Embrace It and Learn To Listen To It's Harmonies!  Have A Great Day Today, and Take A Couple Minutes To Enjoy The Universe...Enjoy Nature!