It's Friday . . . AGAIN! I can tell baseball season has begun in our home because with all three boys playing there isn't a night off and it's often like Hartsfield International planning the comings and goings for games and practices.  So, I love a little down time this afternoon.  I used it to use my new favorite "fitness toy".  It's a Massage Ball and boy does it help get to the tight spots!  It's especially good (PAINFUL!) in the hips, bottom and back.  It reminds me a little of Medieval Weapons.  See the resemblance?   

I had a really tight spot on my left side between the hip and lower back.  I just couldn't get it with the foam roller and a tennis ball didn't seem to help.  So I brought in this big gun . . . I must confess it brought tears to my eyes, but it did the trick!  I'm all good now!  
That brings me to the Fit Tip.  I have a couple of "go to" post-workout helpers that make the recovery just a little bit sweeter.  So, I thought I'd share . . .

Here you can see a red foam roller.  I've talked about using a foam roller before, but I just have to repeat myself because this really works.  It usually winds up in our family room with any number of us rolling out our backs, hamstrings, quads or hips while watching TV.  There is a blue heel wedge that is a great way to stretch the calves and heels.  My youngest has had some heel pain lately so he's stretching and I'm prone to plantar fasciatis, so it's a must after running.  The black thing is an ice bag.  I think this gets the most use in our house!  There always seems to be a sore pitching shoulder, tennis elbow, knee or twisted ankle that needs icing.  I believe ice heals anything!  And, last but not least, is the newest addition:  the massage ball.  So far I'm the only one that has braved this "hurt so good" device.  

On days like today, it's a really good thing.  On Fridays I teach back to back classes so wind up being a wee bit tight and sore.  (I try to also squeeze in a little cardio so I usually need a little more than a normal stretch - so in come the "torture tools")  

Today I was especially tired after my classes - I think I was just really hungry!  So, I whipped up a really quick and tasty AND healthy combo of eggs and spinach.

All this actually does go to a FIT TIP . . . WORK your muscles, at times BABY your muscles and then FEED your muscles!  You'll feel so much better inside and outside!

Have a Fabulous Friday!  If you live near me, take care as it sounds as if storms are brewing.

Whew, it's Friday already.  How did happen?  Having a Monday Holiday makes for a short week and also really messes with my scheduling.  So, this week while I was doing my normal, nerdy health and fitness reading rambling I ran across an article that inspired this post.  The article touched on the fact that when we think about health and wellness, we often fall into talking about weight and physical appearance.  For example, look at the health magazines on the shelf.  The cover models are sickeningly perfect in appearance (should I remind you that I recently posted on photoshopping?).  The fact is, even the "health" and "fitness" magazines focus on an ideal of outer beauty and often neglect the inner health and well-being of persons.

I think of how often I have given a compliment with words like, "you look great"or "you are so skinny".  Admit it, you have done the same thing.  Also, I will admit that if you give me one of those compliments I will prance like a peacock!  So, those types of words go right into feeding the media obsession with weight and looks.  

I am around so many fantastic and inspiring women each week.  I am so impressed with their accomplishments, strengths, intelligence, attitudes and natures!  I am equally impressed with their outer strength, fitness and beauty.  Everyone is different - whether in the amount of push-ups they can crank out, how flexible they are in touching their noses to the floor in a straddle split, how fast they can run their suicides or how quick witted they are to make me laugh.

This FRIDAY'S FIT TIP is to challenge you all to compliment another on anything OTHER THAN THEIR APPEARANCE.  NO COMPLIMENTS ON WEIGHT LOST OR GAINED, SKINNINESS OR PRETTINESS. I'm sure those around you have so many other things going for them that make them healthy and fit.  This exercise is about shifting our mindset about what is healthy.  2012 is about GETTING HEALTHY, BEING HEALTHY AND STAYING HEALTHY.  

Now this is not to say I do not want to compliment someone on how great they look, how fit they are, but it made me think about also telling people all the things I am thinking about them!  I know people have talents and qualities - so rather than just thinking them, I am going to say them.  Let's see if we can make a week of looking past the outer appearance and get to the "real" strength and qualities of those around us - and tell them!

On another note, I had a really great breakfast this morning - so great, in fact, that at 3:00 pm I'm still  not hungry!  I had a little extra time mid-morning and I was starving so I knew I needed something filling.  I wanted something warm as it cold and rainy here.  I had kale for a soup tonight so I took a handful and sauteed it in olive oil.  In the same pan I cooked two eggs (and yes I included both yolks.  If you want to just do eggwhites, which I do at times, it will be just as good!)  Can  you get more healthy, good for you and filling?  
   Look at that, you know you want some!  So, second FIT TIP:  eat breakfast!

How do you compliment others?  Will this make you rethink?
What is your filling breakfast?