Where Am I?

The question of "where" may seem like the least interesting to write about in this little series of self-discovery and self-improvement. In the broad sense, there are only a few categories; home, outdoors, gym, professional offices. Once you have already identified your "whats" and your "whos", the where really just falls into place. If you want to swim, you have to go to a pool or outdoor body of water. For karate, you go to a dojo. Not a terribly interesting topic for conversation. So let's look at some less obvious wheres.

Where to find supports and resources?

This will depend somewhat on your community, how far you are willing to travel, or how comfortable you are with the internet and technology.

Alberta Health Services - AHS has a variety of programs available for people, some general and some specific, like for new diabetic patients. Some examples are nutritional counseling, healthy pregnancy and exercise programs. They also have addictions supports, if you are trying to get healthier by reducing the unhealthy habits.

Local Health Authority, Public Health Offices, Doctor's Office - These services vary. In the past my doctor's office has had a nurse practitioner who met with patients who wanted to make health and lifestyle changes. Before that, they had a physiotherapist. At the moment they have a psychologist. Our public health office has counselors available for children at no cost. Since I live in a small town, these little extras mean a lot. It's a bonus any time we don't have to drive to another town.

So next time you are sitting in the waiting room, stop playing on your phone and take a look at the posters and brochures. To my knowledge all of these programs are free of charge, and if people don't use them, we will lose them!

Local gyms are an obvious choice. Take a look at their website or notice boards. They sometimes have some extra services available. Take advantage of the extras. Some facilities include a free session with a trainer when you get a membership, or at the very least have someone show you proper use of the equipment. There may be ongoing drop in classes as well as a 6 or 8 week session of a specialty. We took family kayak classes at our pool a few years back, and aquafit classes are included in memberships. 

Don't discount facilities when you are away from home either. In Canmore, the leisure center has a family day pass. For a reasonable fee, we could come and go all day to use the pool and climbing wall. After my swim, I left the kids there and went for a massage!

Check out your local playgrounds. It has been a new trend to install workout equipment along side the children's equipment. Most communities have maps available of their walking trails. Try a new route once in awhile to keep it interesting. Plan a mini road trip with your walking buddy. Go to another community or neighbourhood for your walk and find an interesting coffee shop or café to reward yourself after (or pack a picnic, I love picnics!)

Take out picnic at Bower Ponds

Private instructors offer a variety of class types, from chair yoga for seniors to get fit boot camps. Some are ongoing, some are a few sessions, some are workshop style. For years my boss has hosted a summer ladies' retreat that includes yoga, massage, hiking and horseback riding. What an amazing way to start the summer.

Our local FCSS/Community Resource office has taken a variety of groups into the mountains for hikes, From teens (my boys loved the Troll Falls hike) to seniors. They also offer ongoing walking groups for all ages, sports camps and even clown camp. They also support our community garden, a great way to promote healthy life choices!

Check out local papers and newsletters to find out about community events that may appeal to you. Maybe you will find a volunteer opportunity that will get you out and about, like a creek clean-up day or snow shoveling for seniors. Then you can feel good about yourself in two ways (and maybe make a few new friends too!) When we lived in a more remote community, my husband was a volunteer firefighter. The training was provided by the county, and it pushed him to be physically fit and created a great camaraderie among the group.

Where may vary by season, stage of life or other circumstances.  The pandemic has drastically increased the number of classes or opportunities available online. It has also had the effect of getting people outdoors more, as they develop cabin fever or look for replacements for their indoor activities. Almost every weekend had people posting winter hiking pictures on facebook. I have never seen so many frozen waterfalls! Walking isn't my favorite pass time, but Rodeo's eyes are hard to resist, and her company makes it way more fun! 

Where In My Home?

This will, of course, depend on what you want to do, what kind of home you have, and who you share it with.

Remembering to take vitamins, meds, etc. - I was always terrible at remembering to take something everyday. For me, having it in the bathroom by my toothbrush and deodorant helps, because I don't ever forget to use those. My youngest keeps his things on his bedside table, my oldest in the kitchen cabinet. Everyone found what works for them.

Remembering to moisturize - I'm always barefoot, year round. My co-worker who gives me pedicures gets very annoyed with me if I don't moisturize. The only way I remember to do it is to have the lotion on my bedside table.

Yoga and stretching - My craft room is my happy place, I want to linger in there. So it's the ideal place to set up my mat and resistance bands. I know me. If I have to put away and take out equipment every day, it's not going to happen. Like trying to sew, if the kitchen table is your only workspace!

The garage - Our garage is more of a large shed. Last fall we re-organized it to make half of it a Den for the boys. Teenagers need a place to hang out and be loud! We got a roll end carpet, a mini fridge, a microwave, and moved a TV and x-box out there. We also got a punching bag and hung it from the ceiling on a pully system. When the boys are hanging out, it's pulled up flat against the ceiling. When they have to work off some pent up energy, they can let it down. 

The backyard - For me it's a place to get dirt therapy. For the boys, it's the firepit. Donovan's favourite form of exercise is chopping wood.

The bedroom - Many types of equipment can store easily in an under the bed organizer that can just slide out when you need it - mats, resistance bands, free weights. You can mount a mirror behind the door. The bedside table is a handy place to keep a journal, books or other resources that you use.

The bathroom - Don't laugh, I'm serious! I often recommend neck stretches in the shower, and I have a hip stretch that the bathroom counter is the perfect height for! If you are tracking your weight, that's where most of us keep the scale.

The kitchen - There is a lot of wait time while cooking, the ideal time to do a couple of stretches.

Where to Watch Videos 

 This depends on a few things:

    What type of device you have to watch them on (TV, computer, phone)

    Do you need wifi, access to outlets, etc.

    Is it loud (your sleeping family may not appreciate high energy, bass beat, cardio music at 6 am) 

    How much space do you need, aerobics need more room than yoga

    Floor type (high impact on cement is not ideal, your massage therapist might get grumpy at you!)

    Can you see the screen from your position (I don't like yoga on a TV or computer, because I have to do neck contortions to see the positions. I like it on my phone so I can move it with me, or pause it while I adjust.)

    Do you need a place to store videos, equipment, shoes, etc. You don't want to have to gather items from all over the house every time  you put a video on.