The first rule of fitness: Have fun!

Muddy Trail at English Point

Ah, I love a good, muddy trail run!

I love lacing up my trail running shoes and running through the peaceful forest...enjoying the scenery, watching wildlife, breathing in the clear, cool fresh air. And if the trail happens to be really, really muddy, so much the better! Last Thursday, I went to English Point, north of Hayden, Idaho -- one of my favorite trail running destinations for a slippery, slidey midday workout. I had a blast, even when I tripped and fell into the mud, covering my legs and splattering mud all over my face. (People looked at me funny when I got back to the trailhead.)


SPLAT! (Have a nice trip? Yuk yuk.)

In Oby's Wisdom! A Caveman's Simple Guide to Health and Well-being, I stress the importance of fun when you're getting your exercise. Two reasons:

1. You don't have to force yourself to exercise. You're already motivated. You won't be tempted to make excuses like, "I just can't seem to find the time."

2. If you're having fun, exercise will be good stress relief instead of becoming a source of stress.

I had planned my trail run the night before. Thursday morning was very busy for me -- lots to do and not enough time to do it. I also had a Toastmasters meeting that evening that I had to prepare for. If I had planned some sort of exercise that I knew I wasn't going to enjoy, I would have been dreading it all morning, and thinking of excuses why I should sacrifice my all important exercise. Then, whether I went or not, I would have been stressed. Afterwards, I probably would have been run down, and not as well prepared for my meeting as I should have been.

Instead, all morning long, I looked forward to going out for my run. I didn't get everything done that I wanted, but I did get a lot done. And afterwards, I was refreshed, energized and therefore more efficient. I was well prepared for my meeting and had a great time!

Now...just gotta wash my shoes!





Until next time,
Dr. Mark William Cochran
Chiropractor, lightworker, energy healer, writer, speaker
Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

PS: Here is this week's update on the Oby Phenomenon:

The most fantastic development so far: The Books Director for O! The Oprah Magazine has asked for a copy of Oby's Wisdom! It would be awesome if Oby were to have a review in O! Keep your fingers crossed!




You can now purchase or order Oby's Wisdom! A Caveman's Simple Gude to Health and Well-being at your favorite local bookstore. Here in the Inland Northwest, Oby is on the shelves at these locations:
Spokane: Auntie's Bookstore, downtown
Coeur d'Alene: Hastings and Borders
Sandpoint: Inquire Within, Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market, Zero Point and Vanderford's Books & Office Products

Book signings:
My next book signing will ae at Northpointe Borders in North Spokane, Saturday, June 19, noon - 5 PM. This will be a local author's day with about 20 different authors representing many different generes. This is going to be a great event. I'd love to see you there!

If you would like to host or help arrange a book signing, please let me know and we will make it happen.

You can also visit the official Oby's Wisdom website to purchase a copy. www.ObysWisdom.com

Buy Oby's Wisdom on Amazon.

Buy Oby's Wisdom at BarnesAndNoble.com

In India and other locations in Asia, Oby's Wisdom is available at Infibeam.com
(Free shipping in India.)

If you would prefer to read the book digitally, you can find Oby's Wisdom in various digital formats at:

Barnes and Noble's Nook

Sony e-reader

Other digital formats at Smashwords.com

Oby's Wisdom is now available in Apple's iPad store.

Coming eventually to Kindle.

Exercise is for elevating your spirit, not just your heart rate.

I have discovered the perfect exercise program. Two simple steps. Guaranteed to extend the years in your life and, more importantly, to improve the life in your years. It's a program that can be custom tailored to most people.

Step 1: Think of a few physical activities that you enjoy, used to enjoy, or have been wanting to try.

Step 2: Go out and enjoy them!



It would probably take more than ten fingers to count all of your friends, acquaintances and relatives that have plunged into a workout regimen but quit after a short time because they lacked the motivation. And…it may take all of your digits to count the number of times you have done that yourself. In too many lives, exercise without joy has become yet another stress.

Fun is the key to success.

One of my favorite activities is trail running. I enjoy other activities too, but trail running may very well be my favorite. You need only look at the three photos on this blog post – pics I took on a recent trail run – to understand why I love it so much.

We are all busy. We have too much to do and not enough time to do it. If our exercise regimen is something we dread, it becomes easy to ignore it. Why would someone leave something hanging that they have to do, to go do something they don’t like to do?

Physical activity is important for the whole person, not just for the physical body. Our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects are intricately intertwined. Your mind, emotions and spirit dwell in your physical body. The better each one works, the better they all work; when you exercise your body, you also sharpen your mind and nurture your soul. Physical activity makes you feel good deep inside. Being active is part of your core essence. You are designed to move. You must move. All living bodies are enlivened by physical activity.

The greatest benefit of exercise is that it elevates your spirit, not just your heart rate.