Ladies Who Launch

Why I Chose To Study Ayurveda

Earlier this year, I earned my Diploma in Ayurvedic Sciences. Wait, before you roll your eyes and click away dismissing this as another health fanatic blog, I'd like to tell you how Ayurveda is changing my life and assure you that this is not just another "New Age" or "yoga-nazi" voice.

I first experienced the benefits of Ayurveda when I traveled to India and stayed at an Ayurvedic Resort. I chose that type of vacation at the time because I was in dire need of a fresh start in my life - my job, personal life and physical body all needed some TLC. Physically, I suffered from chronic back pain, which, I typically treated with a cocktail or glass of wine at the end of the day. Yes, I exercised and went to yoga (good yoga studios on LA's Westside) and no, it never completely eradicated the pain.

After two weeks of eating freshly prepared Ayurvedic food and receiving medicated oil massages on my knee injury (chondromalacia patella) and aching back, I felt revived. The chondromalacia patella cleared up after 5 months of constant nagging pain that worsened over time and had been locking up at night. My back pain was markedly better. You might be thinking that anyone would feel great after two solid weeks of pampering and may be right. In any case, this turn around in how I felt caused me to be curious about what was in those massage oils and what was it about that "vata balancing" food that helped me. I took up the formal study of Ayurveda so that I could learn to make myself feel that good all of the time, not just while on vacation.

Two years and one diploma later, I am still learning and still implementing changes to my life. I'm not one for diving into to the ice cold sea. I put a half of a pinky toe in, then sit under the sun umbrella and think about why I should bother to put my foot in. I'd say I'm about hip deep at the moment. I want to share with you what my feet are experiencing down below the water's surface. Maybe you'll want to put a toe in, too.

I think I can.... I think I know I can..

Judith George is the founder of Reel Invitations.

Finish More Magazine's 1/2 Marathon. That was and still is my New Year’s resolution. Not being much of a runner I knew I was taking on a very large challenge for me. Something I could never see myself doing. But that was part of the allure. What would happen if I actually completed something I could never imagine myself able to do? What would that mean in other areas of my life?

So it’s now a week away and I’ve kept up my commitment to myself. It took me awhile to officially “sign up” however. For awhile I wanted to leave myself an out - just in case. I didn't think I could go the distance. I turned to Jeff Galloway Book’s “Galloway’s book on Running,” for inspiration. In one portion of his book he talks about taking walk breaks. Saying that it’s better to run for 5 minutes and walk for 1 minute than to run for 20 minutes and take a 5 min walk. The shorter times keeps your muscles from getting fatigued and worn down sooner. Essentially allowing you to run longer and farther. Even though I’m the type of person who feel it's better to push hard to the end his words made so much sense. Besides there was no way I could realistically try to run the whole thing.

The 5 to 1 suggestion made me wonder what if I applied this thought to my life? Most of the I feel like all I’m doing is running to keep up. With having my “day job” and then going home at night and weekends to work on my business. Every minute seems to be spoken for. What if I took the 5 min – 1 min approach to my life instead of the don’t stop til you drop mind set. What would that mean for me? I know that this also would be a challenge for me. I’d have to take baby steps. Real baby steps like shutting down my computer an half hour earlier at night so I can wind down before bed. Even leaving my day job 15 minutes earlier would give me some extra time to walk slower to the subway. I’m betting little moments like these can take the edge off – at least it has for my running. Building my business will take time. A marathon of another kind. So I need to enforce some training here too. I want staying power .

This weekend is the run. It's a 5-1 to the finish. Oh maybe a 4-1 or 3-1 on hills. Either way it's to finish! Wish me luck!

Style Flash From DressZing: Workout Wardrobe

New York Incubator Member Susan Sommers of DressZing offers tips on how to look good while working out.

My Secret Workout Weapon

Happy New Year. Since January is the month when many people resolve to lose weight and tone up, I thought I'd share my secret with you for sticking to a workout plan.

 

Although I like the results of exercise, I hate to do it. For the last six months though, I've been addicted to spinning. The classes I attend mix cardio, flexibility and strength to the best music around. While finding a great class is essential for staying with a plan, it's not my secret.

 

My exercise outfit is. When I like what I wear and in it, look like the athlete I'd like to be, I'm more apt to work out. My favorite brands are Lululemon. Nike, Adidas, Moving Comfort and Champion. But there's a lot of good stuff out there at all price levels.

 

So guys throw out those old gym shorts and ragged top and ladies, that pair of old tights and baggy T-shirt. Get yourself some cool gear and it will make all the difference. Some ideas:

• Go techno: Look for clothes made of high-tech fabrics that wick (keep the moisture off your skin). Nike has a fabric called Dri-FIT: blends of cotton and polyester and polyester and spandex that keep you cool and dry; other brands have different mixes. Avoid pure cotton. It absorbs sweat, becoming a sodden mess when wet.

• Get sleek: Select a look that skims your shape, rather than hiding it. The outfit doesn't have to encase you like a sausage, but it shouldn't be baggy and shapeless.  For women, bootcut tights are chic and flattering, topped with a fitted tank. For men, think Lance Armstrong: sleek bicycle shorts with a tank top.

• Spotlight your assets: Consider cut and proportion when selecting workout wear. If you have great calves, bicycle shorts are the answer; great arms, go sleeveless. (If you don't like your arms and can't find a top with sleeves, buy a long-sleeved exercise T and shorten the sleeves to just below the elbows). Always wear supportive undergarments... they will also visually perfect your body.
  

• Color up: All black is sexy and slimming, however a burst of color can really brighten your mood. Think about black bottoms with a colorful top.

• Pack it in:  Get a good-looking gym bag to carry all your stuff and always stock it with a clean outfit and socks. 

Whoops. Gotta go to spinning class. I have on black cropped bootleg tights with a semi-fitted Lululemon dusty pink tank, which extends over my hips to elongate my torso. Best, I got it on sale.