If you'd like to learn to mediate or need help in this area, John Edward, author of Understanding Your Angels and Meeting Your Guides, has a wonderful audio tape with some amazing exercises.

I love mediating exercise in which Mr. Edwards teaches; how to * breath in Universal positive energy and force out any negative energy you are holding in your body. Giving your body permission to surrender your negative energy.

I'd like to give you permission to rid yourself of all negative clutter and stuff in your bedroom.

If something reminds you of how much weight you've gained, get rid of it!

If something makes you sad or unhappy, get rid of it!

If something brings back bad memories, get rid of it!

If something makes you feel dated, get rid of it!

If something is broken (you'll never use it again or will cost more to fix then replace), or irreparable, get rid of it!

If something from your past would embarrass your loved ones after you gone, get rid of it!

If something doesn't mean anything to you any longer, get rid of it!

Wall by wall, inch by inch, surface area by surface area, all clutter and stuff that you've STUFFED into one place you should be able to go to to relax, reflect, make love, sleep, and meet your Spirit in morning can be sorted through using my TEASER technique. (For a FREE copy of my TEASER, click: mailto:teaser@sendfree.com?subject=tohaveclutter ) This is an autoresponder; you will receive TEASER via email within seconds of hitting send key.

Nine Additional Steps to Get Started:

1. Decide how much time you have or are willing to dedicate to creating your own personal paradise. 2. Set a timer for length of time you have set aside to declutter. 3. Take phone off hook. 4. Turn off computer and TV. 5. Don't answer door. 6. If you have children, make sure they have an activity to do or have someone watch over or play with them (or maybe they can help ). 7. Stay focused by NOT leaving room. 8. Do NOT bring anything else into room you're decluttering that doesn't belong there. 9. Do NOT run out and buy storage items until AFTER you have sorted through your stuff!

Remember it's not about being neat; anyone can straighten or tidy up. It's about utilizing your bedroom and space for what it's meant to do - a place to rest soul and Spirit.

For more Organizing Tips and Exercises for your Master Bedroom, click http://www.overhall.com/masterbedroom.htm

Look to this day! For it is life, very life or life. In its brief course Lie all verities and realities of Your existence: The bliss of growth; The glory of action; The splendor of achievement; For yesterday is but a dream, And tomorrow is only a vision; But today, well lived, makes every Yesterday a dream of happiness, And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day! --Kalidasa (Translated from Sanskrit)

Look for ways Universe spoils you today and everyday.

For additional help: The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard, Janet L. Hall, FSII has a FREE newsletter, OverHall IT! at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm and many organizational products for your office, home, and computer at http://www.overhall.com/products.htm Janet is a Professional Organizer, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your stuff, and your environment.

Copyright 20001 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as article is kept intact, this copyright notice and full information about contacting author is attached

A Kegel should also be performed simultaneously after a modified crunch to support pelvic floor, which receives downward pressure from contracting abdominals. The spine should be slowly curled forward while head and shoulders are lifted 15-20 centimeters and waist kept flat on floor. The feet should be unrestrained to avoid using assistance of hip flexors. The movement is performed with outstretched arms held straight toward knees to emphasize rectus muscles and then rotated diagonally to opposite knee to involve obliques. As greater strength is gained over time, arms can be folded across chest and eventually held alongside head to increase resistance.

To overcome inertia, movements should be smooth, without sudden jerks.

Regular breathing is necessary. Exhalation should occur as muscles tighten and inhalation as muscles relax.

More abdominal exercises can be found at: http://www.womenfitness.net/programs/strength/exercises.htm#ABDOMINAL

One to 3 months following childbirth, a complete vigorous workout can be performed, including aerobic exercises for stimulating cardiovascular system, resistance exercise using body's own weight, machines and hand-held weights for developing overall muscular strength, and stretching exercise for improving joint flexibility.

Drinking plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise is important. This practice helps prevent dizziness from either hypovolemia or hypoglycemia.

Walking and non-weight-bearing aerobic activities, such as stationary cycling and water exercise (e.g., swimming, aerobics, and jogging) are recommended & are best during early recovery stage. Jogging before involution of uterus to its pre-pregnant size causes excess weight to push down on pelvic floor. Pelvic organs, most frequently vagina and uterus but sometimes bladder or rectum, may protrude when support is inadequate. Ligaments surrounding joints also need time to recover from increased laxity from pregnancy. It is a good idea to wait 3 to 6 months before jogging. Heavy breasts may also be difficult to support against bouncing.

A heart rate maximum of between 135-150 is recommended during first few months postpartum (ACOG, 1994). A 5-minute warm-up should precede working at prescribed heart rate. A duration of 10-15 minutes is appropriate to start with, working up gradually to 45 minutes within a month. If walking is chosen, good shoes with adequate foot support are a must to avoid shin splints or other orthopedic problems. Cross training (alternating activities) is an effective method for preventing overuse workout syndrome injuries.

It is recommended that 8-10 different strengthening exercises utilizing major muscle groups be done at least twice a week. If a machine on which resistance can be adjusted is used, setting should be heavy enough to allow at least 8-12 repetitions, depending on exercise. Upon completion of a set, sensation in muscles should be one of moderate fatigue. The set should be stopped two to three repetitions shy of maximal fatigue. This assures an adequate overload stimulus but protects against overdoing. It is recommended that two sets of each exercise be done with a 1- to 2-minute break between sets. If desired, after 1 to 2 months of consistent workouts, a woman can perform a circuit-style weight program in which she advances from one exercise to next with only a 15-second pause between exercises. Besides strengthening muscles, this format also provides a significant cardiovascular stimulus.

Women must be careful when stretching after childbirth because joints and soft tissues have increased laxity. This is due to increased secretions of relaxin and progesterone during pregnancy, resulting in softened ligaments, cartilage, and cervix to prepare for delivery. These hormones do not return to pre-pregnancy baseline levels for several months in breastfeeding mother, so she needs to be especially cautious. The muscles needing greatest attention are those that may have shortened during pregnancy and may include those of lower back, hip flexors, chest, hamstrings, inner thighs, and calves. Best results are achieved when flexibility exercises are done following aerobic phase of workout and before strength exercise.

Conclusion

A regular regimen of physical exercise, coupled with eating a low-fat diet, may be undertaken during lactation without detrimental effects to health of mother or to growth of infant. The benefits of weight and fat loss, especially from lower body, and improved mental outlook and long-term prevention of certain chronic diseases clearly outweigh any risks.