Day Five - Thirty Days of Celebration - My Quads!

Quadriceps, the four muscles of the front of the leg or thigh, are those muscles that stabilize the otherwise unstable knee joint. As I celebrate my quads, I noticed today in Bikram Yoga that my entire practice (of yoga) depends upon my pulling up and flexing the quad muscles. This offers stability at the base and the ability to move into more advanced poses. The quadriceps are responsible for knee extension allowing us to walk, run, kick, develope’ (or extend) in Ballet and prepare to dive off of a diving board. If you have weak knees, it is important to develop and strengthen your quadriceps. This will relieve pressure from the knees and assist in stabilizing your body. In celebration of my quads, I will take a hot bath and relax them after their strenuous yoga workout today. Oh, my happy thighs!!

Day Four - Thirty Days of Celebration - My Knees

Today I celebrate my knees. In 1994 I had ACL surgery on my left knee, a surgery I don't wish upon anyone. The surgery itself wasn't so bad, but the rehab...9 months. My knee experienced quite a bit of tendonitis and has had struggles in cold and damp weather ever since. Today I celebrate my left knee and my right knee for all that they've been through. These knees have supported the entire weight of my body for many years. They've allowed me to ski and dance and jump and play. My knees don't match one another in size. My left knee has a unique shape to it, has two screws inside and has a 2 1/2" scar which has been mistaken for a run in my pantyhose. "No, that's a run in my leg," I'd say.

My knees, despite their differences and their past, are beautiful, strong and resilient. Today I give my knees a break as it's my 'day off' from working out. Today I celebrate my knees!

Day Three - Thirty Days of Celebration - My Calves

As a dancer, I’ve always had strong calves. Today I celebrate them!! These calves have been so good to me. Not only do they look lovely, especially when wearing high heeled shoes, they feel good too.

Have you ever felt your calf muscles? Check em’ out!!! They’re pretty great. They begin at your heel and run up the lower portion of your leg.

They’re easy to strengthen by simply doing heel raises while brushing your teeth or drying your hair. Go as high on your toes as you can and slowly lower your heels. Your calves will be juicy and delightful in no time.

My calves have helped me jump rope as a little girl, jump long in field and track, and stay on pointe in ballet. (These guys really seek credit for those pointed feet). They’re a great assist in heel – toeing it around Chicago and certainly make my life easier when hustling through airports and up and down stairs. My calves are really great. Oh and they look good in knee-high boots, too. Yes, today is their day to be acknowledged, celebrated and loved. A little extra lotion and a deep tissue massage for my calves today.

Day Two - Thirty Days of Celebration - My Ankles

Ankles, that's right. Today I celebrate my ankles! Many, many, many steps have hinged on my ankles! These ankles have gone to battle hundreds of times and won despite twists and turns. My ankles rejoice at saving the day and assisting me with balance, grace and ease. During my ballerina years my ankles took all the credit for a well defined, pointed and arched foot in tendu, and for those beautifully flayed feet in arabesque (NCY Ballet style).
My ankles allow me to bike ride, walk on tippy toes and to crouch like a toad. Yes these ankles have supported and carried me well. I like them! Today I celebrate my ankles and they're getting a massage shared by my feet!

You know... ankles really are kinda cute!!

Day One - Thirty Days of Celebration - My Feet

Inspired by Queen, I’m taking on thankfulness for my body, altering the context for which I live around body image.

For the next 30 days I will celebrate my body.

Today I celebrate my feet!

My feet are amazing! These feet have carried me for 44 years. They have brought me through the terrible 2's and kindergarten, up through many years of education and play. These delicious, beautiful and strong feet have carried me through years of wearing high heeled shoes working at the Hyatt and standing on trade show floors. They've brought me throughout the US and several countries abroad. These feet have kept me stable and have allowed me to dance, wear point shoes and leap on a balance beam. My feet have stabilized me on rocky ground, carried the weight of my body at it's heaviest and have supported me while I carried additional loads. My feet are incredible, healthy, beautiful and strong. I'm happy to have such a fine pair of feet and look forward to where they will take me in the future. I love my feet. Today I celebrate both my left and my right foot. They're mine, they're beautiful and I love them!

This is Urgent!! (continued)

... At that juncture I pull all stops and I accomplish what there is to accomplish to ‘just get by’. This time, I’m not going to ‘just get by’. I’m going for it. No more making excuses and being reasonable about how I’ve been going off of my own program. I have a voice and I get to say how it goes. I say I will enjoy my life, my food, my body, my health and well being practices and I will get my health in order now. There is no tomorrow, there is only today and today and today and today. Today I am going to make a difference for myself for the rest of my life. What about you? Where have you been waiting for tomorrow before you start something? Do it now!! Your life, your fulfillment depends on it. I wish you the best, Delight.

Hearing it like it was the first time!

... told him my goal is to be in a bikini and look and feel great in it, by June 15, he really put the heat on!

Don’t forget what you said you want for yourself. You’re worth every effort it takes and sometimes it’s really going to take something for you to step up and do what it’s going to take. I’m with you, Sister, and you’re worth it!!