Image: Damian Brandon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We live in a world of constant motion. Even if we aren’t moving our bodies, our minds are reeling with various lists of things to complete at work, at home, at the gym.

We have multiple devices with alarms, reminders, and ring tones that also vie for our attention.

Last year, when I asked people if they were able to go to the gym without their music, the response was a resounding “no way!”

It is a pace at which our bodies and brains can’t function for long periods of time, yet many people can’t seem to turn things off and tone it down.

So I it was great to read Pico Iyer’s The Joy of Quiet and the benefits of quiet and stillness; of a setting that doesn’t demand your attention, but instead let’s you search out what interests and inspires you.

Use this as a reminder to tune out of the barrage of information and recharge whenever possible – your mind and body will thank you.

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day and I am once again challenged with which story or anecdote to share to make a lasting impression.

Last year, I talked about how sports brings solace to so many girls and women and that still rings true for me and so many others.

This year, I keep thinking back to an interaction I watched at a local playground recently and I purposely didn’t use the word “better” in the post title because instead of focusing on ‘winning’ I wanted to focus on action and ability.

In watching this group of kids, I was reminded that while we still have a ways to go to gain equality with the time and resources dedicated to girls athletics, we’ve also come a long way in the conversations and interactions that children are able to have as it relates to their sports and activities.

Here is the story:

A group of about 5 – 6 eight year olds were playing on this large spinning ring and each is trying to stand on the ring while the one of them pushed it around and made it pick up speed.

A girl and a boy were standing next to each other as it spun and he proclaims, “I do gymnastics” – trying to explain, I’m guessing, why he was still standing as the others jumped off.

“So do I,” the girl replied her stance solid, not losing her focus or her balance.

And within a couple of minutes, the boy couldn’t keep his balance anymore so he jumped off, and the girl stood proud and finished another rotation. It wasn’t an “I beat you” grin – it was, instead, an “I did it. I’m as strong as I want to be.”

Once the spinning stopped, they all decided to sit and take a break and instead of going to separate sides of the park – girls versus boys – they sat down on the ring and started comparing cuts and bruises and stories about how each came to be.

And I sat there thinking about how awesome it was to see girls and boys playing in a way that wasn’t focused on gender so much as ability. Thinking about how years ago, girls had to just look on and long for the opportunity to do what boys do and how much better we all are for the changes that are occurring every day to ensure that girls have the same athletic opportunities that boys do.

Anything you can do, I can do.

And do it, we will.

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now that we’re several weeks into 2012, how have your New Year’s resolutions fared?

Have some already been derailed completely or is your energy being drained instead of replenished as you strive to reach the goals?

If you feel that you are constantly pushing toward your goals, why not take a walk on the yin-side?

In his article The Yinside of New Year’s Resolutions, Bernie Clark reminds us that both yin and yang have their place – and that as we resolve to do things better or different (yang-focused) we will also benefit from acceptance and not actively trying to change or improve something (yin-focused).

Since accomplishment comes in many forms why not integrate yin and yang into your day?

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The amount of sugar people eat on a daily basis is a continual source of conversation and concern, as is the importance of eating a healthy breakfast.

So, it’s important to know how much sugar is in your favorite breakfast cereal to determine if you’re unknowingly sabotaging your efforts to cut back.

Take a look at this list of breakfast cereal sugar content from the Harvard School of Public Health to get more information and to make informed decisions on what’s best to start your morning out right.

If you’re surprised by any of these results and have to run to you box on your shelf to read through it, don’t forget to look for the other names for sugar.

Here is the story behind the “commercial” that hasn’t yet made it to prime time television.

Image: John Kasawa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With the start of any new fitness routine, people will share their opinions on how to get results but sometimes these (un)wanted pieces of advice aren’t as factual as they could be.

Below is a list of fitness myths from around the web. Were any of these myths presented to you as fact?

• Outside Magazine – The 10 Biggest Fitness Myths (the comments are as interesting as the article)
• WebMD – Top 9 Fitness Myths — Busted!
• SparkPeople – Top 6 Fitness Myths and Truths
• AskMen – 9 Fitness Myths

Each person approaches the start of a New Year differently. For some, it’s a time of resolutions and lists, while for others, it’s a time of goal setting, and, you guessed it, lists.

There are also those who are just looking to tweak what is already working for them so it’s less resolution-making or goal setting, but more integration into an established style.

Regardless of where you fall in the mix, the four ideas listed below are sure to get 2012’s healthy goals started!

1. These tips to jump start workout plan from fitsugar are fairly straightforward but are also very effective if you implement even one of them in 2012.
2. Leo Babauta’s zenhabits provides “A Compact Guide to Creating the Fitness Habit.” fit guide
3. The 100 Days Challenge, which I blogged about last year here is back with a with a 2nd annual 100 days challenge event. John Bingham is once again at the helm and reminds you of the ‘rules’ and goals in his “Getting Ready For the Challenge” post. To join the challenge, you can swing by the new 100 days challenge Facebook page.
4. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t focus as much on the physical challenges (like the squat challenge, plank challenge, or the above 100-days challenge, etc.) but instead on shifting how you approach health and fitness then the Live Well 360 30-day challenge is a great way to start the year.

Thank you to everyone who read my guest post “3 Motivational Tips to Overcome the Winter Workout Blues” over at the Daily Burn blog and then stopped by to enter the giveaway.

A winner has been selected by the grand wizard otherwise know as the Random Number Generator and that number is:

Commenter #8 is Beka.

Congratulations!

Exert. Hydrate. Repeat. Gift Bag 2011

A big welcome to all of the Daily Burn readers who are visiting after reading my post on “3 Motivational Tips To Overcome The Winter Workout Blues.”

For those who haven’t read the article, stop by the Daily Burn here and check it out!

As a thank you for stopping by, not only do Daily Burn readers get a 10% discount on the Original Words towel collection with the code “dailyburn” until December 15th, 2011 but we’re also giving away one gift bag (a $40 value) to a lucky reader.

Entering the giveaway is easy – just leave a comment below with the answer to this question:

What motivates you to stay healthy?

Giveaway Rules

• One entry per person. If you leave more than one comment you will be disqualified.
• The giveaway prize is one (1) gift bag of the winner’s selection. T-shirt selection is subject to availability.
• The giveaway begins December 8th and ends at midnight EST on December 15th, 2011.
• This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada. Void where prohibited.
• You must leave a valid email in order to be contacted if you are selected as the winner. The winner must respond within 24 hours to claim the prize or another winner will be selected.

Image: vorakorn kanokpipat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you feel a shift in cravings as the Winter chill takes hold?

Have you ever wondered what it is that triggers your body ‘asking’ for certain foods – especially if they aren’t the best for you? Daily Transformation’s post talking about what your body really wants when it craves certain foods sheds some light on cravings and what can do to satisfy them.