Summary: PaleoJay’s Smoothie Cafe #80 Train like... a Kitten!I know- you are going to think that I, your faithful PaleoJay, have gone off my rocker! But I mean it- if there is ONE role model that we need in this fast-paced, sleep deprived, cortisol laden modern American and Western lifestyle that we have inflicted upon ourselves, it is the KITTEN! Or the cat, or any version of any cat being, of any size...How does a kitten live? Or any cat, for that matter- they SLEEP about 20 hours per day! GREAT START! They get up, and they STRETCH methodically, and then get started on their day... usually, they will, if domesticated, go to their food bowl and eat. If wild, they will start HUNTING. When they find some game, they RUN IT DOWN, kill it, and eat it- starting with the organ meats. (Great cat wisdom there!)Kittens, in particular, are great role models, especially for those of us who have NOT followed an exercise regimen, or are definitely NOT “kitten” aged any longer-Kittens know how to train to become cats; tigers or lions or panthers too!They start by methodically exploring their own bodies and movement skills, and gradually expanding upon them.First, they squirm and stretch- play act fighting and hunting with their little siblings, and with just random strings and reflections. (shadow boxing!) And it works!Their skills grow and grow- in a matter of weeks, and then a few months, a kitten becomes a fearsome CAT of whatever size it is meant to be, with gymnastic and athletic skills that are absolutely awesome to see! “But Jay” I hear you saying, “How does this mean anything to me??”Well, grasshopper, or preferably KITTEN: in a word- everything.Go thou, and do likewise- When you arise- STRETCH! Religiously, every morning! Have a regular routine, and follow it- It is really important.Next, eat a good, paleo-type of protein, and veggie rich breakfast! Religiously, again, every morning! Eggs, bacon, pastured steak and paleo coffee loaded with cream and coconut oil and cinnamon, a giant PALEO SMOOTHIE loaded with; well, with EVERYTHING a vital, strong human could possibly need or want!EXCEPTION: OR- if it’s a Sunday, or a day off, and you want to relax and don’t need to work, and want to emphasize your cat-like laziness and sleepiness- Drink the Paleo coffee, and that is ALL! You are going into your CAT hunting/fasting mode: Lay around... stretch... enjoy the lethargy, the pure luxury of reveling in not having to RUSH! Observe nature, pay real attention to it- the birds, the squirrels, the sounds of nature. MEDITATE ON IT. Your cat-like, primeval body is benefiting greatly- shutting down stress hormone (cortisol) production, revel in the very feel of the grass beneath your feet as you walk in the backyard. Think about how you will spend the day- if Sunday, you can go to church and feel the spiritual recharge and exchange between you and the divine that will energize you- a real meditation! Next, come home again, and, if hungry now, you can eat, but consider, just consider, kitten: maybe you would like to work out now. If you really listen to your body, you really just might feel this way- I often do...A kitten knows when it’s time, intuitively. You do too; you’ve just kind of... forgotten.Last week, I knew I should NOT work out! I didn’t feel guilty, I just KNEW that my body wanted to REST like a cat would.Tomorrow, I know that I CRAVE a good workout!! On the rings! One the P-bars!! Sprinting barefoot!!!HARD but short! It will feel fantastic- Like a cat running at top speed after hapless prey!!And so, to get back to the EXCEPTION DAY: Relax all morning, chill out. Meditate. Pray. Stretch. Enjoy the early morning (or late morning!)... Drink your Paleo coffee, loaded with ketogenic fats, and enjoy... Go to church. Meditate and pray again. Enjoy the feeling!Don’t eat- enjoy the feeling of not having to eat, to prepare or clean up, or anything but
