The following is a sponsored post by Walgreens & the Way to Well health tour. Walgreens had no previous knowledge I pretty much LIVE at the corner of happy & healthy and all opinions are my own.
First, this misfit LOVES her Walgreens. Some women adore fancy shops–the Husband knew Id be overthemoon our new Oakland home is walking distance to the ‘Greens. Vitamins, snacks, nail polish, toys, gifts, cards, protein bars all under the same roof? Whats not to love?!
The second more important reason is the Way to Well tour was created for similar reasons to why I launched MizFit. I wanted to giveaway my knowledge to people who might not have the funds for a trainer. Walgreens started the tour to bring *free* health testing to communities with high incidence of the leading diseases & uninsured/unemployed members.
The tests, valued at over 100 dollars, include: total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, body composition, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, real body age and body weight.
I was honored to be invited to attend the 10,000th event (!) and share my healthy living knowledge with my community.
And yes. As soon as she heard—the child announced she was coming, too. We all love Walgreens around here.
Everyone was excited to get started serving the community.
Our community.
It isnt overstating to say we knew we had the opportunity to change lives through the tests offered and information shared.
The team and me!
They initiated me into the Way to Well tour crew:
Im official!
Next we headed inside the bus.
The doctors office on wheels behemoth where the testing takes place. I walked through each testing module & saw not only were participants assessed–they were given privacy and undivided attention as they were evaluated.
The bus was HIGH TECH heaven.
And then I was set free.
I mingled and shared healthy living tips.
I chatted with one woman about N.E.A.T. and helped her realize there were ways to squeeze calorie burning into her crazybusy life.
Another man & I brainstormed healthy eating options he could find inside Walgreens—somewhere he said he stopped virtually daily already.
More than anything I was moved by the stories.
One couple drove from over an hour away determined to get the health tests as they’d missed the bus last time it was here.
Another woman shared with me how glad she was for the Way to Well health tour stop in Oakland because for the past two years she’d thought she might have diabetes.
I felt proud of my Oakland community and grateful to play even a small part in the Walgreens Wellness Tour 10,000th event.
The event I attended is part of Walgreens’ Way to Well Commitment®. A $100 million initiative to improve the everyday health of Americans nationwide.
I knew I loved my Walgreens.
I just hadnt realized how much they loved me–the royal ME. the nationwide consumer ME.—back.
She was one of my first 5 friends on Twitter.. true. She inspired me to get my (big, incredibly painful Isis tattoo) after she did the Dr. Seuss sleeve. She clearly has a higher pain tolerance than I do. Like all of you, I love her warmth, her commitment, her real-live way of making it work on her own terms.
Here’s something you might consider, I hope it adds to your becoming more yourself, in all of the best ways.
One of the commonalities I’ve seen in women that make the big changes in their lives has been particularly interesting to me lately. But it really shouldn’t be…Once I named it for myself, it seemed obvious, but prior to that it hadn’t been as clear.
The women who contact me often hire me quickly. There is a certain kind of readiness. Sometimes it comes from a sense of “I have to do something” or a point of pain that gets their attention.
And sometimes it’s some of that mixed with something else. The something else is they begin to catch a whiff of who they are becoming. They sense who they could be in a stronger way than ever before.
The vision is bigger than the fear..and the excuses that come with fear.
Letting go of old patterns that create barriers to what your heart desires, on one level seems like it “should” be fairly simple (obviously we know it isn’t). If you’re unhappy, if you aren’t getting the things that you want and have a sense of what’s in the way it makes sense to drop those behaviors and find other ways to do things.
And yet it’s typically more complex than that. In our minds anyways. Which is where most of the push and pull takes place. What we believe we can or can’t tolerate.. how much discomfort there will be and whether we believe we are worthy of the challenge, fears of how big shifts in behaviors and choices may shake things up.
And it’s true.. there are shake ups when you get clear on who you are and begin to leave the rest behind. People around you may not love you for changing things up. But that’s a very big other topic. And if you’re in the midst of a breakthrough, you’re going to have to keep all of your focus on what you want most for you right now. Seriously.
But it’s also in our minds that it all unfolds, almost like magic when certain things are in place. And the big something I’ve noticed lately is when a woman, a woman really no different than you in any particular way, gets a whiff of a real vision for herself, what felt like obstacles are no longer a big deal.
Whether it’s changing your level of fitness, your weight, how you feed your beautiful body, or who you include in your inner-circle..the truth is that once you find the clarity of a new identity (what I call your Divine Identity), when it clicks in as something you finally see and feel for yourself.. the actions become inspired and not especially arduous.
The big deal is breaking through the heaviness of the identity you’ve been dragging around. The one you’re really attached to. The one you can’t quite believe isn’t wholly and completely “you”.
It’s hard to modify that one. The breakthrough comes as more of a “swap”. Just as you no longer wear the outfits (do you?!) that you wore in junior high because you’ve outgrown them. You found a new “look” for yourself..it’s a bit like that.
Here’s how you know what that identity, the one you’re stuck to might be. Over the course of a couple of days, listen closely to a very particular way that you’re defining yourself. Specifically what follows the words “I Am” in your daily language? You may be rolling your eyes right about now, even tempted to stop reading this (I am a bit long-winded in most posts, but hang in..).
You’ll get a very clear, if not particularly inspired, sense of the exact shape and size of your current self-identity. It may sound something like “I am so out of shape”, “I am so out of control with eating this week”, ” I am never going to get into those jeans”, “I am always like this”… You get a sense of what I’m saying. I didn’t say this was a fun exercise. But knowing where you are helps you know what you want to create.
The reason you’re reading this blog and others like it is to catch the energy of another kind of belief..
A different vision, other potential ideas that you’re putting in your back pocket. “for later”. But real change comes in present-time, in you making the decision to shine in the world.
This is an identity makeover…
Just the parts weighing you down (yes, pun intended.. those beliefs are energetic ‘weight’). The parts that support you, that bring you love and connection and wellness and confidence.. hold on to those.
In my 25 years of helping women with eating and weight related issues, the biggest shifts occur when women change their identity. In the present.. not in the “Someday when I …” way.
It happens on a dime when your vision gets crystal-clear and you’re holding it and can feel it in a visceral way, it becomes a beacon calling you forward-even if what you see in the mirror is not yet matching up. You live a new presence, new beliefs, walk in a new energy and it shows before you lose an ounce. You feel it course through you, and can’t help but begin to take small actions.
It’s a makeover that lights you up from the inside and informs every choice you make from the moment you fully connect with it. It’s yours, and your Intuitive Body knows exactly how to guide you.
It’s a gorgeous beautiful thing to witness, and to live. I want that for you.
With love from my heart to yours…
Lisa Claudia Briggs, MSW is an Intuitive Psychotherapist, Mentor, and Author of “Recovering Beauty”. She is the creator of IntuitiveBody.com and has been mentoring women around the world for 25 years.
For more blogposts and your free copy of “The Energy of Weight Loss: 7 Essential Secrets” go to Intuitivebody.com
It’s not(fingerquote)a mom-thing(unFQ) as Iloathe when women denigrate other women by implying their lives are easy by virtue of the fact they have no children.
She used in reference to me a phrase it had been far too long since Id used to describe myself:
shauna reminded me Im a teller of stories.
As I mulled her words for the rest of my dayI paid close attention to the stories I long to tell.
The Tornado smearing thick, sticky slashes of white nail polish on her fingers so they could be “fancy like Mama’s feet.”
A man clad head-to-toe in gold, riding a spray-painted gold bike (gold balloons tied to handlebars), wearing a gold helmet, biking down sidewalk and realizing no one gave him a second glance but me.
Feelings of being awkward & alone as I waited for school release and no mothers responded to my myriad attempts at conversation.
(photo unavailable)
These are the stories Im called to share because they’re about me and they’re about you.
Blogging is storytelling because creating relationships—even in social media—is about the story.
It was always all about the story. It was always the result of a phone call which made me shout YES!! It was always about longing to share my history on a topic and the sponsor was merely the launching pad for my storytelling.
I also considered partnerships I declined.
There was never anything “wrong” with the company—it was because I had no story to share.
No moment of this fits perfectly because… or I need to talk about you because the story there helps me better share my story in the process.
Storytelling…blogging…is about entertainment, normalizing life experiences & stories.
I shared the story of my move. You normalized.
All of these disjointed realizations coalesced when Shauna said:
You are a storyteller. Whatever topic you choose—fitness, motherhood etc—you are a teller of stories.
I am a storyteller who’s currently using the medium of blogging to weave her tales.
with me there’s *always* a story…
Unlike fiction—where I create a world & stand firmly on the outside—I play a central character & share my stories in an effort to find my way within a larger, social media world.
I believe we’re all called to be the superheroes of our own own journeys & work through our stories in order to make sense of our lives.
And you?
Do you view blog-reading as storied entertainment?
Are you a blogger who’s a sharer of stories rather than conveyer of information?
Do you think bloggers lose their SPARKLE when they blog about anything *but* their tales?
Hello my name is MizFit (hi mizfit!) and Im a fast walker.
It’s not so much if we’re ambling together but alone I tend to walk purposefully—with a destination in mind.
A destination and, typically, said destination has a time associated with it.
I stride purposefully, quickly, and exceedingly mindlessly.
As a result, my recent trip to NYC was a tremendous gift.
I had meetings (for which I got fancy & took a cab) yet for the most part my time was my own.
I still wanted to do my daily meditation–but was hesitant to “waste” any of my precious NYC-time in the hotel room.
Ill save this for home!
Enter the notion of breath walking.
Breath walking, a blending of walking and Kundalini yoga, was initially designed for people lacking in stamina and flexibility.
Quite frankly the only thing I have going for me in yoga is my stamina and flexibility—so Ive always scoffed at never made time for moving meditation.
Quite frankly Id still not have made time to try it had I not read an article (on the flight to NYC. there are no accidents) which described it this way:
In walking meditation we use the experience of walking as our sole focus.
Continuous stepping + measured breaths + a mantra = a breath walking, NYC strolling misfit.
I practiced moving meditation each morning during my trip and have tried it a few times since Ive returned.
It rocks. It’s super challenging. Here’s why.
Why moving meditation ROCKED:
Breath walking is a needed change. It was perfect when I didnt want to meditate indoors. It was invigorating *and* I felt part of the city. Now home, Ive found breath walking (instead of haul-a** walking) a way to intersperse meditation into the zaniness of my day.
It works *with* my monkey mind. Ive grown better at stopping distracting during meditation but Im far from perfect. Ive found my mind SLOWS during breath walking as it tunes into/becomes more aware of bodily sensations. This still isnt completely emptying my mind—but it’s better than distracting, fretting thoughts.
It makes sense! Walking rocks (walking 75 minutes weekly may add two years to your life. walking 64 minutes daily may add 4.5 years.). Meditation rocks. Why not walking meditation?!
It’s easy and fast. Commit. Pull on your shoes. WALK! There are specifics (addressed below) but more than anything it’s choosing a mantra and walking slowly. It’s focusing on how your body feels as you move, how your breaths flow in & out, and on the releasing tension from your physique.
Why breath walking was a challenge:
I struggled with inward focus. When I meditate at home Im rarely visually distracted as my eyes are closed. In New York it was a challenge not to ‘sight-see’ and at home it’s a challenge to watch where Im going yet not grow distracted by people or things in my path.
Im a wonky breather. Who knew? During breath walking you match your breath with your stride. Im getting better at slowing down both pieces—but initially Id have been panting had I matched my breath with my steps.
I cant walk and tap at concurrently–yet. It’s suggested as you breath walk you tap your fingers (thumb to pointer, thumb to middle etc). While this sounds easy–it consistently trips me up. My mantra (I am stress-free) fits perfectly with the taps and yet, while trying to focus inward and move *and* not bonk into anything, I’ve consistently forgotten to tap.
All things considered Im smitten with the notion of moving meditation.
It wont replace my morning minutes but I enjoy how breath walking brings meditation to mundane activities from walking to school to strolling to the post office.
Now you.
Have you tried breath walking?
Do you meditate with a mantra? Care to share?
Did you see me BONK! into a pole the first time I movingly meditated in my ‘hood?(<—-please say no even if you did)
This is a by-request guest post. And not from me. From the seven year old. The seven year old who’s sick of the snacks her mama be proffering.
Please to enjoy. I know she will…
YES you can! And today we are sharing some recipes that will help you make quick, fun, and nutritious treats that your kids will love. You can even make them together! A great way to inspire kids to learn more about food and create new memories in the kitchen.
Everyone loves chocolate, ever have it with pumpkin fudge?
Click here to get these two amazing recipes and more!
Our Purely Classic cookbook is filled with many more kid-friendly recipes that are allergy friendly. You can purchase our cookbook right off our blog here.
The ancient Chinese called Kombucha the “Immortal Health Elixir.” The fermented tea purported to help detox live, prevent and treat arthritis, and was an immune boosting, probiotic.
It took years, but finally the misfit decided it was time to try Kombucha.
She was ready for all the body help she could get.
Her Tornado of a daughter, however, was not. Pretending to consume—lid firmly affixed—was the closest this mini-misfit would get.
So her mother, ever the woman to practice and not preach, took one for the proverbial TEAM, ripped off the lid and drank.
First time.
On video.
Now you.
Have you KOMBUCHA’ed for years? Noticed health improvements?
Do you brew your Kombucha?
Do you, as I shared in the video, want your “health drinks” to TASTE healthy?
For some reason I was able to trust my body’s “knowing” with regards to food yet was slow on the proverbial uptake with heeding its messaging about workouts.
I created a workout plan. I followed said plain. Period.
I do think some of missing the intuitive exercise message happened because of LOVE.
I met the weights. I was smitten with the weights. I felt strong and powerful when hoisting the weights. I ignored my body’s cues to back off & rest from the weights.
It took another kind of love (the groovy kind. the child kind.) for me to realize the power of intuitive exercise.
It’s how I already live. Mindfully. Daily. I start with meditation. I eat. I segue to work (my approach is still mindful). Why would I change when it comes to exercise? With hindsight this makes sense. When I was deep in the throes of not deviating from my “program” no matter how fatigued it would have sounded crazy. We know–when we’re honest with ourselves–if we wanna skip a workout because we’re feeling lazy or our bodies need the rest.
Ive already done the over-training thing…and it sucked(technical term). I didnt know much when I first started exercising. I lifted & GREW. I lifted more more more & shrank (muscle) andheld on (to body fat) and grew(exhausted, crabby, sleepless). If Id have listened to my body back then Id never have over-trained.
The older I get the more rest I require. This could just be me or it could be common—but all that matters is Im heeding my body’s signals. Sure, Ive been tempted to get caught up in the internet hype. Challenges! Competitions! People exercising twice a day!! yet I force myself to stop, be silent and listen to what my body needs. Life is my sport. I might *look* better if I exercised longer/harder—but I wouldnt feel better & that’s what’s important to me.
Im a misfit. A rebel. Ive shed the MUSTurbation in favor of trusting myself. Living intuitively is all about trust. It’s creating a life routine which consists of doing/eating/whatever’ing a variety of things whenever your body seeks them. Exercise is no different.
many days my body seeks playful, gentle fitness
None of the above means I love all exercise (although Im far more CARDIOsmitten since I discovered the Street Strider).
For me it means exercise —whether Im sluggish or super motivated–is never a punishment & always a gift to my body.
And you?
Have you spent time discovering what your body wants with regards to movement?
Do heed your body’s messages of exhaustion/pain?
Have you considered your WHY behind exercise lately?
Im not fretting about getting ahead or charging the workplace.
Im turning up the tunes, dancing with the child and letting all else fall where it may.
I can do that. For sure. For today.
Two women I adore are turning THIRTY. It’s today’s BIRTHDAY post I wrote for them which prompted my remembering to Roc-away. Happy Birthday Lori and Michelle & thank you for making me remind myself what’s important.
Whether you chimed in on instagram or hit the streets of your ‘hood the fact this became a group-thing made it all the more fun.
And, as with many ventures where I start out thinking this is so not about me! Im doing unto others!!, I learned a great deal about myself along the way.
It wasnt all pretty.
Allow me to elaborate.
I learned people really do want to smile. I tried not to linger awkwardly after I taped up signs—but I frequently did anyway. I spied people slink over grumpily to check out what Id left & watched the slightest of glimmer of grins spread across their collective faces as they read. That, coupled with my raging HELPERS HIGH, made this misfit smile, too.
I learned many of us need more patience. From me (seriously people. take what you need and GO. I wanna see what you ripped off! I cant hide here watching all morning! Do it!!) to OAKtown at large. I came. I taped. I RETURNED to the scene of the crime taping and *patience* was typically the first word GONE!
I saw someone rip at this one. Yep. For PATIENCE.
I learned I underestimate the brain of a seven year old. Id erroneously thought she’d happily join in with the pre-school neighborhood taping but wouldnt grasp the nuance of the poster. She loves pink. She loves tape. She loves playing before school. I figured we’d tape-together on that fun, superficial level. I was wrong. Which brings me to my final learning moment…
the child’s taping pride & joy
I learned I grew too caught up in the doing unto others & forgot the home-front. (A lesson Im doomed to repeat till I get right) I saved a sign for us to put up after school. I was excited for the Tornado to choose the location & to go out for snack after. I was tired. She was tired. Id gotten up at 4a to work & she was wiped from school. Longstoryshort we parked & I realized Id forgotten my wallet. She, in her inimitable seven year old way, pressed a few of my buttons and I snapped.
The car grew silent, she ripped the last sign out of my hand, waved it in my face & shouted through her tears:
I need love!!
Her shout was like a slap in the face.
A great slap. A reminder slap.
The rest of what transpired is personal & offline stuffs.
I unplugged.
We decided to save our final sign.
It’s now hung in our kitchen so she can always take what she needs/show me what shes “missing.”
Mon, May 6, 2013
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