[Xmas Day 9] The Effortless Way To Active And Graceful “Aging” Continues
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
Hello, friends of Yours,Yan
🎄 On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…
THE TAO OF AGING
Remember a few months ago, how I shared I “effortlessly” lost some weight simply by taking long daily walks. Guess what?
I have lost another 15-lbs since.
As some of you may already know, the numbers on the scale weren’t my goal.
All I care about was to rebuild my natural energy, getting my total body strength and just be young again.
In my 20s, like most who were influenced by fitness influencers and the media, much of my fitness goals were aesthetics-driven as a way to mask my low self-esteem. But as I delved deeper into this world as a professional, I realized it was all vanity. Thankfully, I've now broken free from it.
Since then, I have endeavored to be "actively and gracefully aging", someone who focuses on sustainable practices for vitality and health resiliency.
Because what profits a woman if she hits the scale but loses her inner joy?
I truly believe that when we shift our lens to cultivate our health resiliency first, the weight “loss” will follow next. And all your other health and fitness goals too.
As a result of the past 12-months of rebuilding my health resiliency, what I gained is an integration feeling of wholeness and connection.
My immunity feels great, I don’t catch seasonal illness or the triple-threat.
I barely popped OTC drugs or have the need to see a doctor, except for the occasional visits to the TCM physician to “retune” any energy blockages or ailments.
In addition, in the last 2 months, I feel much more in-tuned with the nature and universe, somewhat like being in a harmonious state of clarity and being in the now.
The weight loss truly was a bonus, and I did so effortlessly.
How does health resiliency look like?
For example, as soon as I feel a little low in energy, I knew instinctively what to do and eat (or not to), and usually within 24 hours, my body is back to its optimum level.
If there are recurring symptoms, then it is telling me that either my nutrition intake, sleep, stress or movement is not balanced with the seasons. Usually, it’s the quality of sleep for me.
THAT to me, is what true health and well-being is. It is how health resiliency works.
The ability to use our body’s natural immunity to ward off seasonal viruses and bacterias in our surroundings, and should they “attack” us, with a bit of adjustment using the elements of nature around us, including ourselves, we can return to vitality quickly again.
As I walked on this path of being a “healer”, and starting learning more about the world of Qigong and TCM, I came to realize that healthy resiliency is not a new concept, but a philosophy and a lifestyle for many true health practitioners too.
I was blown away by what I had uncovered in various resources, books and research papers. I knew then I was on the right track this time, aligning to my soul’s calling once more as I now continue on this road of discovery.
What Can You Do Today For Your Health Resiliency?
Recently, a long-time client of mine reached out and decided she was ready to get her health back in order. Her main motivation was to lose the weight she gained since having Covid, and probably due to the entry into her pre-menopausal years.
For pre-menopausal women with shifting hormonal levels, it’s often tricky to manage all the symptoms that come with it. Not every pre-menopausal woman face the similar symptoms, or at the same degree, but from what I gathered over the years of training and experiences, what I noticed is that, there are the big 4 to manage.
Blood sugar management (i.e. mainly not too much sugar but also not too little sugar)
Cortisol management (i.e. not too much stress but just the right amount of stress)
Nervous system management (i.e. activating more of the para-sympathetic nervous system)
Thyroid & Sex hormones (i.e. having the right type of movement activities, in the right amount)
Of course, this is just a simplified overview for managing the pre-menopausal symptoms. There are other factors at play but this isn’t the purpose of today’s newsletter.
Going back to my client who is approaching 50
She self-confessed that she is a very ‘lazy’ and ‘unmotivated’ person. If I am not there with her, she would opt for the couch over exercise of any kind., even when there is a treadmill at her condo. “Shopping” is her favorite past-time, haha.
Coaching her has helped her to reframe some mental resistance, and she was open to try incorporating just 5-10 minutes of DAILY movement that make her sweat.
As soon as I saw the lightbulb click in her, I introduced her to the rebounder, since going to the gym is not an option for her. I was surprised that she did not hesitate to purchase one from Amazon which arrived in 3 days. (Thank you Jeff Bezos! )
We made some pacts with accountability and thus begin her daily movement routine.
Our goal was to get her into habit of just 5 to 10minutes of an activity that would activate her lymphatic system as everything was sluggish in her system due to her lack of exercise and sweating.
Oh, I forgot to mention that she also has hypothyroidism and a 6-year breast cancer survivor, so moving the lymph is even more important.
What resulted so far?
In 3 weeks, she lost 3-kg.
She was not only surprised but also felt better about her energy levels. Of course, the tangible results probably added more motivation and endorphins to her skeptical mind.
This goes to show a little movement a day, when done right and smart, has a positive cascading effect on our hormonal levels, men and women alike.
I was very heartened and grateful to witness the positive results, as for someone who has been so resistant to exercise, the mere fact that she would incorporate just 5-10 minutes A DAY is better than winning the Lotto ticket. (well, I lied. I still want to win that jackpot.:P)
COMING BACK TO YOU, MY READERS
I know it’s the winter solstice today. ❄️
For those who are living in the northern hemisphere, nothing beats cuddling up over fire, under the sheets, with a cup of warm cocoa or tea, watching your favorite Christmas shows, avoiding the snow outside.
But I like to encourage you to break into a nice little sweat, just 10 min for your lymphatic system .
And Rebounding is great way to do that.
(A quick short video introducing the rebounder - my fav sidekick)
💝 DAY 9 GIFT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
If Rebounding is not possible, another movement that’s really helpful is,
Modified Jump Squat with “heel clicks”
I have learned that this is an excellent way to get the lymphatic movement, without even stepping out of your house, rain shine snow or hail.
Here’s a short video I recorded for you.
Some key pointers to take note for this:
Full breaths in and out at all times with the move.
Hold Pelvic floor muscles. ( basically think your bladder is full and there is no toilet available)
Full movement as much as possible.
Weight shift front and back by rising on toes or to balls of feet
AND then back on both heels, like “clicks” to the ground.Repeat this until you break into the nice little sweat.
P.S. If you are feeling light-headed after a while, it might mean that you aren’t breathing properly, so do it slower first. If you have trouble balancing, just shift the body weight front and back, but maintain the arm swings.
If you are feeling pain anywhere, write to me. I would love to guide you to on this.
💝 YOUR TURN
Did you find this exercise useful?
How else are you caring for your health hand well-being for the rest of 2022?
I hope this has been inspiring and helpful during the holidays.
Remember:
A Rebound A Day
Builds Our Resiliency In Every Single Way
(I just made that up! 🤣)
Stay warm everyone.
Till Day 10 of Xmas-gifting,
Yours,
Yan ❤️
Psst…Read and find out what my true love gave to me on
[Day 1] My 12 Days of Christmas Gift For Your Health and Well-Being
[Day 2] What I Have Been Noticing In The Wellness Space And It Is Irking The He** Outta Me
[Day 3] What Do You Call The Spirit That Is In The Air, The Feeling That We All Share?
[Day 5] A Secret Tool That May Help You Stay In Your Lane For The New Year
[Day 6] How To Find Balance in Heightened Emotions For The Rest of The Year
[Day 7] How A Perfectionist Found The Courage to Collaborate
[Day 8] Do You Audit Your Friendships, Just Like You Would Audit Your Bank Balance?
💭 QUOTE FOR THOUGHT
“It’s better to pay the butcher than the doctor.” — Irish Proverb
🙏 Thank you for reading and supporting this newsletter.
If you enjoy today’s post, II deeply appreciate tips in my Kofi-jar, so that I know I am adding more value to your life.
Tips also allow me to tip other creative artists and charitable foundations close to my heart in this lifetime.