Maggie Downie, Author at Personal Euphoria: Pilates & Fitness Classes in CT

About Maggie Downie

Thank you for giving your time to stop and read my blog. I hope it encourages you to keep moving. Move and the body will be happier. And when you're moving you can hike, run, swim in Jell-O, race over non-Newtonian fluids, travel the world or build igloos--if that's your thing. If not, you can watch me do it. This is just a spot to try and feel good about life.

The Manchester Road Race

I ran the Manchester Road Race for the first time. I’d planned to dress up as a turkey, which seemed fitting, but when I got there I soon realized that what my costume provided in warmth, it lacked in creativity. My favorite costume was a group of guys who dressed up as different Robin Williams characters—Aladdin, Mork, Mrs. Doubtfire and Patch Adams. There were considerably better turkeys too.

The Easter Bunny & a Turkey run the Manchester Road Race

Matt, my beau, went as the Easter Bunny. The crowds loved him. People stopped him for a photo-op, a high-five and even a shot. If I ever lost him, it wasn’t long before I’d hear from the crowd a roar of excited children and adults explode with, “The EASTER BUNNY!” I only had one crowd member react to my tailored turkey. I was right behind Matt when a little girl excitedly let out the reaction of the day, “The Easter Bunny, “ she proclaimed eyes wide and full or wonder, “And a turkey.” It wasn’t said with disgust as much as utter disappointment […]

The Manchester Road RaceMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:14-04:00

Turkey Trot: A Great Exercise to Reduce Neck Pain

One of my favorite exercises (because I think it feels great) is the Turkey Trot. This is a perfect time of year to do it. To top it off, everyone looks super cool when doing it. Well, maybe not, but it’s good for you.

In our world of TV’s, PC’s books, and cooking at a counter where you have to look down so you don’t chop your fingers off, our heads tend to be forward and down. This exercise is really helpful with giving the back of the neck muscles a little relief while helping to strengthen them and ultimately reduce neck pain. If you are prone to neck pain, try it. It’s simple and it just might provide a little relief. And, it’s one you can do anywhere (your car, the gas pump, the office, while watching TV—the possibilities are endless).

Check out this video to learn more, but here are some tips to remember:

Try not to tuck your chin
Think of moving from your ears
Be gentle. You don’t have to force the motion firmly

Turkey Trot: A Great Exercise to Reduce Neck PainMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:14-04:00

Seventy-Five & Moving

Last week I was in Paris with a very close family friend celebrating her 75^th birthday. I’d joked before leaving that I was going on a senior citizen’s cruise. It wasn’t technically, but it was a Viking River Cruise. I’d been on one a few years ago and was the youngest by about 40 years. Plus, they advertise on PBS. I watch PBS, but prior to Downton Abbey, who predominately watched PBS? They are seeking seniors.

When I arrived I realized I was in the same boat, literally. I don’t mind that age group. People kept telling me I must be bored. First of all, I’m rarely bored. And second, just because you’re older than me doesn’t mean you bore me. Every year we should all be filled with more fascinating stories and life experiences. Seniors should be more interesting. I like people. The people on that ship did not bore me.

Ann hikes to Rich the Lion Hearted’s castle

My friend Ann is 75, and she pushed herself to climb a steep hill to get up to Richard the Lion Hearted’s castle. She wanted to […]

Seventy-Five & MovingMaggie Downie2017-10-25T16:07:07-04:00

On Death & Mourning: A Little Comfort

Not our typical blog, but if it helps you feel better, it helps you move better.

I went to a funeral the other day. The role of the priest, minister or rabbi is always a tough one when someone dies. They have to console the inconsolable. The priest at this funeral wasn’t great. He kept insisting that the dead person was just sleeping, and that it would be accurate to tell kids the dead are merely sleeping. As a child that would have terrified me. I’d never go to bed again.

But then he said something that filled me with happiness. Ultimately, his words were not overly profound, but I’d never had someone put death quite this way. Full disclosure: I’m not religious or spiritual—a fact people are often surprised to learn. I don’t have that gene. But like Mark Twain, I appreciate people who do. There are moments I wish I could believe in something to experience a glimpse of comfort when tormented by grief, but more often than not I’m happy believing in the fallibility of science.

I’ve heard many people say we should be comforted to know that when we die we will be reunited with the person whose life […]

On Death & Mourning: A Little ComfortMaggie Downie2017-10-25T14:26:32-04:00

Decisions, decisions, but will your remember in six months?

I have a new motto: “Will I remember six months from now?” I find myself using it a lot. Our world bombards us with choice. Options are good. I like variety, but many of the choices don’t matter a lick. That’s where my 6-month motto comes into play.

Should I have gluten-free pizza for dinner or g-free pasta? It doesn’t matter a lick.

I was finding myself getting hung up on stupid stuff and wasting time on decisions that just don’t matter, having mild anxiety over meaningless problems. So now, when I feel stuck, I ask myself, “Will I even remember this in six months?” Almost always the answer is no. And then I just make a choice. Because I know it doesn’t matter.

It works in other capacities too. I’d forgotten some leftovers that I was really looking forward to at my Grandma’s house. My mom and Grandma felt bad that I’d forgotten them. My Grandma partly felt it was her fault for not reminding me. Life is hard enough. That mild guilt isn’t worth it. None […]

Decisions, decisions, but will your remember in six months?Maggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:14-04:00

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