The Italian Treadmill:Is Movement Built into Your Life?
Before I "retired" from medicine to invest my energy in Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Workshops and Facilitator Training Program, I often heard patients say, "But I HATE to exercise." The truth is, I do too. But I LOVE to walk, hike, do yoga, and try new things. Love What You DoDuring our 25th anniversary dream-trip to Italy, we experienced the benefits of built-in activity. One morning, we took a ferry to Positano and walked along the streets shopping. Before we knew it, we were at the top of this hill: 
We walked nearly everywhere we went, often taking steep stairs or uphill inclines without thinking twice. I started calling it the Italian Treadmill or Italian Stairmaster (see more photos on the Am I Hungry? Facebook page). Not once did I stop to check a pedometer to see how many steps I'd taken (not that there's anything wrong with that!). Believe me, there were many times that I thought, If I was on vacation all the time or had this view, it would be SO much easier to be active! Then I realized that most Italians probably don't walk around thinking that. They just do it because it is part of their daily life. So where in your daily life could you build in more movement? Here are a just a few of the many ideas from chapter 17 of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: - Balance on one foot while you're cooking, washing dishes, or brushing your teeth
- Stretch while you're reading the mail
- Wash your car, walk to the mailbox, get up to change the channels, and walk to the next room instead of yelling
- Consider walking or riding your bike to work
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator
Do What You LoveOne of the problems with show, The Biggest Loser, is that it makes exercise look so hard and uncomfortable. No wonder they have to have a trainer screaming in the contestants' faces all week! It doesn't have to be like that. During our trip, we hiked the Cinque Terre, five quaint villages on the rugged coast of the Italian Riviera. Not once did I throw up or stop to check my heart rate. Here's the blog post about the hike - check out the amazing pictures! Maybe hiking isn't your idea of fun times. No problem. What is then? Take the Exercise Personality Quiz in Chapter 24 of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat. If you don't have the book yet, download this excerpt free. Mindful Movement MantrasI want to challenge you to do two things for your health: - Look for opportunities to build movement into your daily routine
- Figure out what kind of physical activity or exercise you like to do (or might like to do) and try it.
Tell me what you decide to do by posting a comment on my blog. I know it is easier said than done. I hope these mindful movement mantras from one of our new Am I Hungry? Companion Cards (see below) will inspire you: I was born to move! I am a fit and active person. I am amazed at my body’s capacity
to build more stamina andgrow stronger and
more flexible each day. If I’m too busy to exercise, I’m too busy! Regular physical activity
is more beneficial
than almost anything else
I could do with my time,
and gives me more energy
for living my life. I do what I love and love what I do! Eat Mindfully, Live Vibrantly!
Michelle May, M.D. P.S. Don't forget to take the Exercise Personality Quiz in Chapter 24 of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat. If you don't have the book yet, download this excerpt free. P.S.S. Health and wellness professionals: Please feel free to share the Exercise Personality Quiz excerpt as a PDF (as is) with your clients!
NEW! (Pre-order special just $9.99)
Am I Hungry? Companion CardsI can't tell you how often people say to me, "Michelle, I hear your words in my head!" That always makes me smile, because if I could, I would follow you around, whispering encouragement and gentle reminders to help you on this life-changing journey of mindful eating and vibrant living! You see, I know that the concepts I teach are simple, but they're not always easy. Replacing old, habitual, dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors takes practice. So I had this idea to create a motivational card deck: 52 cards that will literally change the way you think and feel about eating, physical activity, and self-care. I carefully chose the most important strategies, tips, and mindful moments from Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat and the Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Workshops. These 52 cards will help you create new, powerful pathways in your brain by putting Am I Hungry? tools, skills, and inspiration right at your fingertips! (And, it's way less creepy than me following you around, don't you think?) Pre-order Special!The cards are currently in production; order now and save! We'll ship them as soon as they arrive in less than 3 weeks. Just $9.99 - INCLUDES shipping and handling
What facilitators say about...
Am I Hungry? Facilitator Training OnlineOver 40 people have signed up for Am I Hungry? Facilitator Training Online already! Here are just a few of their comments: I would highly recommend it. I am impressed with the thoroughness of the program and resources available for facilitators. No stone has been left unturned, and the access to Michelle and her staff has been impressive. – Amy Fuller, RYT I loved the facilitator training for Am I Hungry? It took a lot of thoughts I had and coalesced them into a format that makes sense. I am excited about teaching the program and helping people. – Erica Griffin, MD Do not hesitate. It will be one of the best financial investment decisions both personally and professionally that you will make this year. – Cheryl Davis Check it out then email or call us if you have any questions! Training@AmIHungry.com
480 704-7811 | 
Michelle just earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association! 
