I’ve made a commitment to do more cardio in my workouts so I’ve been riding the bike and walking on the treadmill. I enjoy salsa dancing as a form of exercise and fellowship. If I could dance salsa all the time that would be great. I am committed to do more cardio in other ways so that means I need a little help to keep me pumped up. I was listening to one of my workout playlists which consists of 11 songs.
A few of the lyrics stuck in my mind as I was walking on the treadmill. I love music and movies as great teaching tools and reminders of life lessons. Songwriters are artists and often say things more eloquently than we can through their expressions of songand art. A few excerpts from these songs are below – they are great reminders of things about life- these are a few wonderful reminders of knowing who you are, being comfortable with who you are and being hopeful.
Who are you? are you really a gem – then don’t be a hard rock and pretend to be someone you aren’t
Lauren Hill’s – Doo Wap Song -“That Thing Called Love” – for the girls – “don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem. Respect is just the minimum.” For the guys – “How you gonna win when you ain’t right within…come again.”
Are you comfortable in your own skin?
Mary J. Blige’s – “Work That” –
“Let em get mad
They gonna hate anyway
Don’t you get that?
Doesn’t matter if you’re going on with their plan
They’ll never be happy
Cause they’re not happy with themselves ”
What are you hopeful about?
India Arie’s – “There’s Hope”
“There’s hope.
It doesn’t cost a thing to smile.
You don’t have to pay to laugh.
You better thank God for that.”
Music changes your brain chemistry and helps when you exercise. One of my workout playlists is below:
Whatta Man- Salt & Pepa
I Am Not my Hair- India Arie
We B. Doing it -Quincy Jones
Georgy Porgy- Eric Benet
There’s Hope – India Arie
Doo Woop(That Thing) – Lauren Hill
Bring it On – Seal
Hit the Road Jack- Ray Charles
Shoop- Salt & Pepa
Just Fine- Mary J. Blige
If That was your Boyfriend – Michelle Ndegeocello.
Let me know any lyrics that resonate with you by leaving a comment below.
barbarafaison
Barbara J. Faison is author of the book, Why Struggle? life is too short to wear tight shoes and the audio program, Be Still: Learn to Meditate in 10 Minutes a Day. Salsa dancing, yoga and daily meditation are some of the ways she lives her life by design. More at www.dontstress.net.
Barbara:
The best form of exercising for me is dancing. Jazzercise gives me the combination of dancing with great music without realizing I am working out. Salsa is my favorite way to release tension and get a good workout in the process. Nice blog.
Barbara, as one who also needs more exercise that’s fun, I have to agree. This is great and your blog looks great too. Looking forward to more articles on this topic.
Peggy,
Thanks for the comment. I had to find someway to get the cardio in, the music definitely helps.