Week 6: Water, Good for Your Body Inside and Out
by Tanja Djelevic | May 9th, 2008 | Comments (1)
topic: Fitness
Summer is coming and this week I would like to invite you to put your focus on water. Whether that water is on the inside or outside of your body — it’s going to do you tons of good. Drinking enough water when starting a new exercise program actually helps you burn more fat, and if that wasn’t enough — it also makes us less bloated. When the water balance is right in the body, it doesn’t have to hold on to water so bloating and water retention diminishes. A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. I squeeze some lemon juice in my water to make it more attractive to my senses.
It’s time to also think about water aerobics and swimming. Water takes the pressure off of joints and ligaments so if you are overweight, have knee or other joint issues, or if you are pregnant, swimming is something you can always do safely. Also, since you are moving your whole body while swimming you’re doing one of the best fat burning cardio exercises there is. It’s also something that can be a meditative workout. The repetitive motion while doing the breaststroke, cutting through the water, which is caressing the body, breath after breath, can help you release the tension and clear the mind from thoughts of worry and information. And knowing how important it is to take in enough oxygen, swimming trains your lungs to work more efficiently, which makes the whole experience a well rounded, highly effective workout for you on every level.
This week I would like you to challenge yourself with making it to a pool, inside or outside, and swim a few laps. Enjoy the experience with all of your senses, trusting that it is one of the best workouts you will have this week. Is it something you like? How does being in the water make you feel? Is this the workout you have been waiting to find for a truly joyful experience?
Let me know how it goes and Live Life Loud!
Tanja
It is so strange that I stumbled upon this blog today. I had been feeling a little off track this week– lack of sleep, stress, and consuming much more sugar than usual. I had been striving all week to treat each day with a fresh and balanced start, but it hadn’t worked out until today when I started drinking lots of water. I’m already feeling much more calm and at ease. In yoga and meditation there is constant attention to the breath, but I believe water also has an important role in the mind-body connection.