It's funny when your routine changes--either in a minor way or in a way that completely shifts your life--how hard it is to fit certain necessities back in.

We're sort of starting from scratch here in Arizona. New house, new jobs, new doctors, new almost everything. And since my benefits don't start until Sept. 1 (holy crap is 90 days a long time!), I've been without the nearly constant companionship of Dr. C for about six weeks now. While I know he's always available to me and said he would keep in touch and continue to monitor CareLink when I update until I get a new endo, the distance somehow makes things different.

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We all know the importance of exercise and the many benefits we get from it. Today I would like to give some ideas about different ways to achieve a solid workout. Many of us have daily or weekly routines that we follow. We spend each workout doing the exact same thing as before. I want to stress the importance of mixing it up.

For example, if you are a die hard cardio fan then try adding in some various resistance exercises. Let's say that you take a walk each morning for 45 minutes. You might walk the exact same trail at the exact same intensity. Next time, consider the following variations.
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One winter evening, I had a reminder of how good I used to feel after a walk. It was freezing outside, but the walls of the house were closing in. The kids were screaming, there were dishes to be done, dinner to be made, everyone wanted something from me, but Super Mom needed a vacation.

"I'm taking the dog for a walk," I said to my husband.

Off I went, but not on my normal walking route. My intention was just to clear my head and to be alone. To just take a leisurely walk. But I could feel the drive to walk intensify. My sneakers pounded the pavement and that sound of rubber on asphalt and grinding sandy dirt under my shoes was all I could hear on that evening in my sleepy town.

Man, this feels good! I thought to myself.
Man, oh, man, does this ever feel good!

I walked farther and farther and kept going faster and faster. My face was freezing, my nose was running, but by God I wasn't stopping. (READ MORE)