*This blog was written by my inspiring mother, Lorraine Cupido… enjoy!

I was searching for a hobby.  My inclination is always towards some type of physical activity and so I thought it was time to do something that was quiet and forced me to sit in one place and challenge my brain in a different way.  I also wanted to do something that would improve the fine motor skills of my hands.

My brother, David Young, is an accomplished and talented musician, teacher and composer of music.  I had always believed that he had inherited all of the musical genes in my family.  It never occurred to me that I could learn to play a musical instrument until one day, over Christmas I asked myself why I couldn’t learn to play an instrument.   I may not have the gift my brother has for music but I could still give myself the opportunity to learn and have fun.

I have since bought myself a guitar and have had four lessons.  I can now read music and without looking, my fingers are beginning to find the notes with fewer mistakes.

I am thoroughly enjoying my new hobby and I look forward to practicing.  I am so happy I challenged myself to go beyond my comfort zone.  I know I can do this!

Lorraine Cupido at Muskoka triathlon transition

The other day I had a chat with a young woman who works in our local grocery store.  She works full time and has three children.  She has lost 75 lbs since the winter of 2007 and she looks and feels great which is very obvious.  My acquaintance told me that she has lost enough weight and now really needs to tone her body but she doesn’t have the time.

I asked her if she has 10 minutes in the day to spare.  My philosophy is “10 minutes is better than no minutes”.  I then asked her if she has stairs in her house and if she has a couple of soup cans.  I explained how she could begin to tone her body in a short space of time with very basic equipment.  I informed her that the soup cans could be used to work on her biceps, triceps, back, and shoulder muscles and the stairs could be used to do lunges, stepping and stretches on.  I encouraged her to take her children with her while she goes for short walks and they can ride their bicycles along side of her.  Her face lit up when she realized how she could begin to become more physically active with little time and simple equipment.  Then I mentioned to her that she would likely get hooked on that great feeling that comes from moving her body and doing something good for herself.  That wonderful feeling comes as a result of the release of hormones called endorphins which are often mentioned in connection with the “runner’s high”.  My bet is that her short activity sessions will eventually become important enough that she will search for time for whatever activity she decides to pursue, and at the same time she will be setting a good example for her children.

Remember, “Some minutes are better than no minutes” and once you start making yourself feel good you will be looking for more.

This morning I had both the pleasure and honour of speaking to the training group preparing for the Vancouver Run for the Cure at the Denman Running Room.  I was inspired by this group of dedicated, strong, and courageous breast cancer survivors (along with a few supporters).  I am grateful for having had this experience.

I did not speak on the topic of cancer; I spoke about the ol’ mighty buttocks and its importance in the biomechanics of walking and running.  I talked about how our gluteus maximus and gluteus medius and minimus need to be both strong and firing properly in order to prevent injury and perform well.  We went through some exercises to improve the relationship between the neurological system and the muscular system to correct the muscle firing patterns as well as exercises to strengthen the muscles.

If you have experienced pain or tightness in your hamstrings, low back, or sacroiliac joint after running or walking your gluteus maximus could be to blame, while your gluteus medius and minimus could be the cause of pain in your upper buttocks and lower back, iliotibial band, and / or knee.  Getting to the root of symptoms is a good way to avoid pain in the butt injuries.  If you are training for an event or just running and walking a lot, consider getting assessed to avoid unnecessary injuries by identifying your weak links and targeting them with specific “pre-habiliation” exercises.

Again, I am thankful for my experience this morning and I wish you all a wonderful time at the event and I truly hope you reach your fund raising goals!  To everyone else reading this, look after your buttocks muscles and be sure to support the Vancouver Run for the Cure in some way!  Here is the Run for the Cure website if you would like to learn more about this amazing event https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/en/rl_vancouver.asp

Here are a few online resources that one of the women at the talk provided me with:

www.breastcancernowwhat.com (Great for women under 45 years old affected by breast cancer)

http://canada.thewellnesscommunity.org (Online support groups)

Lorraine Cupido - Bala Triathlon

I am a new student of Astanga Yoga at De La Sol Yoga Studio in Hamilton, Ontario. I am 55 years young and figured that if I did not try yoga now, then I probably never would. Now, I am hooked.

I have learned that my yoga practice is very personal and it is a life journey. It is a journey that will challenge me both mentally and physically. It is a journey that will challenge me to listen to my body. I am never in competition with the person practicing beside me; my yoga practice is for me. It is helping me to find inner peace and a new breath. Through learning this, my life is positively transforming as I am able to apply these lessons to life off of the mat. I am now more patient with myself; I am now calmer; I am now more observant; I am now more present. You cannot imagine how presence will bring you success in your life.

We are always encouraged to thank ourselves when we come to the mat. We are happy for what we are able to do and not disappointed with what we are not yet ready for. After all, the practice of yoga is a journey that we will move through our entire lives.

I have also discovered that I can take my yoga practice anywhere I travel in the world; yoga is what I make it! If you are fortunate enough to have yoga in your life, enjoy your journey. For those of you who do not have yoga in your lives, enjoy your journey! Life goes quickly and we need to appreciate being in each moment, just as we do in yoga! Slow your breath and appreciate your JOURNEY!

This blog was written by my mother, Lorraine Cupido. She is an inspiration to me and I know many of you will also find her words to be motivating. Because of this, I am making her wisdom available to you via my blog. Lorraine will be contributing on topics relating to health and motivation. My mother has been an athlete her entire life; she is now focusing mostly on running, road cycling, and yoga. She has been a coach, personal trainer, and physical education teacher. Her life has been dedicated to helping others live healthy and happy lives. I know she will offer you insight into life in a way that benefits you and those around you. Here is to the wisdom of a mother who actually always knew best!

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

~Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948

Unfortunately, when our schedules are full, our health is first to be sacrificed. When we are students, we forfeit our healthy diets and our exercise for the sake of our studies. When we are parents, we place our children’s needs before our own. When we are career driven individuals, we yet again position our health at the bottom of the totem pole of priorities. Why is it that we have seemingly set everything else in our lives ahead of our own health, the most prized procession? For without our health, how could we fit these precious and ostensibly important things into our jam-packed schedules?

Balance is necessary. I am not telling you to blow off studying in order to fit a run in the night before your final exam. I am however suggesting that by managing your time more effectively, you will not only find the time to fit in that run, but also craft a healthy dinner. There are many strategies available for improving your time management skills; however, one simple tactic is to place everything that you would like to accomplish in the day into your schedule. Of course this plan will be re-routed when your child falls ill or your boss demands a task be completed within an unrealistic time frame. However, if you attempt to adhere to your daily scheduling goals as best possible, you will feel liberated. You will be surprised at how much you can actually fit in to your day and you will be proud of yourself for prioritizing your health as best you can.

If you can only manage a ten minute walk or run instead of an hour at the gym, remember that something is better than nothing. Becoming fit is a real challenge, so hold on to your fitness as best you can for building from scratch is hard work. You can make your health a priority in your life; you just have to WANT to! Go get healthy!