10,9,8,7...1 Let’s start with the jog!  The music is blaring, heart rate begins to rise, beads of sweat are starting to form, then burpees, pushups, jump squats…legs are burning.  Pushups again? Arms are shaking, how many cycles? I’m tired, feel like quitting, but I won’t.  I can feel the energy in the room, everybody is tired, but they’re pushing through it.  It changes every time, it’s tough, it’s the last cycle, and I made it.  I was a badass again, I had to dig deep, but I made it, through the tough part…  the “first 15 minutes”, it pushes me to the brink every time, the trainers and other members all push each other to break through, to become more and why is it, and do more than I ever thought I could. And that’s the hurt that hurts so good?

Ilovekickboxing.com combines high intensity interval training, full body weight-bearing activities and stretching.  High intensity interval training or HIIT would be the warm-up or “first 15 minutes.”  It incorporates low to moderate intensity intervals (planks, pushups, and squats) with high intensity exercises like (jogging, burpees, plyometrics (jumping) & any other movements, which significantly increase heart rate.  HIIT being good for burning fat, increasing metabolism and sustaining caloric burn throughout the day, which recent research says is more effective than traditional cardio.  That’s only the first 15 minutes!

Join me next week as we glove up to train like a pro fighter & continue the discussion of why “it hurts so good.”

Reflecting over my 26-year life including childhood, calling myself a typical type A personality would be very accurate.  I was the straight A, perfect attendance; sit in the front row kind of girl.  I remember crying over a report card once because I had gotten a B+ and an A-.  In my mind then that meant I was certainly on the road to failure and certain doom with “those kinds of grades.”  To a point that type of behavior does serve a purpose; many tasks, goals, dreams can be accomplished but I wonder what’s the trade off?

            I observe those around me and I have always admired and begrudged the “Type B’s” of the world.  They appear so carefree, actually enjoying their hobbies and don’t seem all consumed with the world going on around them.  Is this true or is that just my high-strung impression? So where’s the balance? 

            The Type A and Type B are polarizing and of course everyone has some qualities of both.  I use it as an example because there are dichotomies everywhere.  Society promotes opposites, as a nation we want to be thin & healthy but over 60% of the population is obese/overweight, TV commercials are flooded with fast food & pharmaceutical advertisements, there is the beautiful and the ugly, the rich and the poor.  So where so where do we live in this chaos?

            In last couple of years, I have decided to actively work on managing my “Type A neurosis.”  There’s meditation, journaling, personal development, regular chiropractic care, and exercise, which includes Ilovekickboxing.com.  There is nothing better than being able to hit something which society views as acceptable.  At times I find it difficult to take time for personal growth, mental clarity and for fun while starting and operating two separate businesses. 

            New research is finally catching up with what exercise and chiropractic advocates have known for years.  Both are great for reducing stress, improving mood, reducing blood pressure and a myriad of other benefits.  The cavitations or “snap, cackle, pop” that comes with a traditional manual adjustment releases the feel good hormones called endorphins and activates proprioceptors in joints (including the spine) which facilitates muscle relaxation.  Exercise works similarly.  We have all heard of a runner’s high (caused by endorphin release), which can occur with any sort of exercise.  Not to mention picturing your irritations on a six foot heavy bag just waiting for you to pound them out. 

            Amidst deadlines, ringing phones, children, spouses and the laundry how do you keep your balance?  What are three ways or three things you do to help relieve stress?  I would love some comments!

Next time your stressed consider exercise and chiropractic care to help restore balance not only for your health but also for your life.