40 Day Challenge(s)

November 15, 2010

2010-11-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of my Vegan Eating Challenge

Two years ago I went vegetarian and only held on to fish as my animal protein. But, over the last 2 weeks I have grossed myself out by thinking about what I was consuming. So I have given up the yummy fishes and am going VEGAN!!! This is not something I just jumped in to, I have thought it out and read various books over the last two years on vegan eating. Some of the books I agree with some I don’t. I also have great books on clean eating and raw eating. So it is through combining all this knowledge that I launched my vegan challenge. This does not mean I will only be eating tofu and other processed items. I will maintain clean and raw eating while incorporating tofu processed items to maintain my protein intake and add substance to some meals.

Sunday 11/14 I enjoyed,

Honey Nut O’s w/ Soy Milk

Soyogurt

Veggie sandwich (herbed goat cheese spread, bell peppers, spinach, tomato) on Rosemary Foccacia Roll

Pumpkin Cookie Sandwich with vegan Cream Cheese filling!!

Stuffed Bell Pepper – vegan ground beef, rice and veggies

Monday 11/15 I enjoyed,

TJ Blueberry Waffles w/ vegan Sausage (I have this most mornings)

Sugar Snap Peas (snack)

Fruit Leather (snack)

Stuffed Bell Pepper w/ veggie (bell peppers, spinach, tomato, cucumber) salad

Sugar Snap Peas (snack)

Fruit Leather (snack)

Triple Ginger Cookies ;) uummm

Shredded stuffed bell pepper (yea, its basically the unassembled left overs)

I promise not to track what I eat every day. I just want to give you all an idea of what clean vegan eating is. Much of it is twigs and berries but it all taste really great. I even shared with my carnivorous co-worker and she liked the stuff bell pepper, vegan and all. My department enjoyed the pumpkin sandwich cookies and didn’t have a clue the filling was vegan.

a new journey.... November 15, 2010

2010-11-15T16:15:00.001-08:00

I initially began this blog to track my weight loss and exercise but quickly got bored with the blog and the personal training. That doesn’t mean I have slacked off it just means I personal training and set gym time didn’t work for me. I have been walking 3-4 evenings a week averaging 1.5miles to 2.5miles each time. I have also been working to strengthen my yoga home practice and have some great beginning yoga and gentle yoga sessions set up through Yogadownload.com. I have opted to use this blog to track my personal challenges which will include weight loss and training but it will also show case what I am up to and who is influencing my life. Stay tuned……

July 27, 2010

2010-08-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

So my trainer has been MIA for about a week now. While I am concerned for his safety I welcomed the break from the gym routine. I meet with my new trainer today and wow. Really, seriously WOW. Biddy worked me for 1 ½ hours as he did his assessment and figured out where we would go from here. I enjoyed the session immensely and while I did watch the minutes tick away and wonder “when can I leave here, already” I did give it my all.We started the session with stretching, moved to weights, working my entire body, and then ended the session testing my cardio endurance. Which mean I got in about 45-55 minutes of Cardio today. While that may not seem like a lot, for me it was. I had really been slacking off on my pre- and post- workout cardio. When I was training with Shawnee I was doing 5 to 10 minutes of warm up on the treadmill or elliptical with a 20-30 minute cool down. When I switched to workout with Hugo I began forgoing cardio in an effort to get in and out of the gym in 60 minutes or less.

Over the last few weeks I have begun to walk with my Mom in the evenings for about 30 minutes or so each night. It has been working and I have noticed an increase in my cardio abilities. As well as a genuine desire to walk and sometimes to jog.

July 22, 2010

2010-08-01T16:35:00.001-07:00

Hello and Welcome Back!

This week it dawned on me that I had abandoned my blog. I have been working out with Hugo 2 to 3 times a week as well as walking in the evenings with my Mom. I have a renewed sense of getting in shape. Sparked by the awesome effects of eating healthy and feeling really shitty when I don’t. After doing the Raw Detox Diet in March with my buddy BB I felt great. I must admit it was tough but well worth it. While I have not maintained a completely raw diet, I have increased the amount of raw (fruits and veggies) I consume daily to about 75%. Many may read this and think “Raw! Does that mean you don’t cook anything???” Nope, Raw means uncooked or slightly cooked, the goal is to consume as many fresh enzymes as possible. This is done through fresh/living foods, mainly fruits and veggies. Much of the food we consume is dead, it has no living components in it, either because it is processed or a dead animal. So my new regiment is to add as much living food to my diet as possible. I have extended breakfast from a one shot meal to snacking over the course of hours on fresh fruit. Which may seem odd but, it really is not. Your body is expelling waste all morning, why do you think you pee first thing upon waking?? So to not disrupt this process I have fruit, which is easy on the digestive system and require relatively low energy to process. I down a glass of fresh juice when I get out of bed to get me going and then have in season fruit throughout the morning as I feel hungry. Now that it is summer I have bananas, watermelon, grapes, blueberries, strawberries and any other fruit I can get my hands on. I cut most of it up in the morning and pack it into plastic containers to enjoy throughout the morning at work.

For lunch, I have been including large colorful salads along with my cooked meal. Yes, you read correctly, cooked meal. I have one cooked meal a day, generally at lunch since it’s also the largest meal of the day. Making lunch my largest meal of the day and having a snack in the afternoon keeps my energy up and prepares me for the gym. After the gym I am usually starving so I have fresh fruit followed by veggies and a smoothie. For me having the fresh fruit and veggies replenishes the vitamins, minerals and electrolytes I lost during my workout. It also is a light meal which is easier for my body to digest and continue to burn calories post work out. I do use protein powder in my smoothie and I take vitamins with lunch. This isn’t to say I don’t get all my vitamins from food or that I feel I am lacking, I am just realistic about the nutritional content of the food we currently consume. I don’t believe it has the same nutritional value as it did 50 years ago due to a variety of manufacturing processes, planting/farming techniques as well as mineral depletion in soil. I also take supplements to ensure I am getting the correct amount of all vitamins consistently since I do mix up my fruits and veggies. If I am still hungry after my fruit and veggies I will have something a little heartier, like rice or mung dahl. I try not to go to bed with heavy food in my belly.

April 30, 2010

2010-04-29T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have to admit it has been an adjustment to switch trainers mid-stream. I really enjoyed working out with Shawnee, she was an amazing motivator and varied the workouts so much that it never seemed repetitive or like work. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy my workouts with Hugo but its not the same. I don't feel as worked out at the end of my hour. When I was done with Shawnee I was done. I had spent an hour to an hour and a half working out and doing cardio, enough to burn 500 calories easy, upwards of 1,000. Which may seem unrealistic but it was not. She mixed cardio with strength training and kept me moving for 60 minutes at a time plus a 5 min. cardio warm up and a 20 minute minimum cool down.

I know the solution is not to switch trainers or ask for Hugo to change who he is as a trainer but for me to get back into the cardio rhythm before and after workouts rather than trying to get in and out.

April 29, 2010

2010-04-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

I know I keep saying I am going to re-arrange my schedule to be more conducive to getting my health goals accomplished and week after week, month after month that does happen. Well folks, this week it did. I have cleared my Monday evening schedule to allow for more me time, which really translates to more Me & Hugo time. This didn’t come easy it meant sacrificing prime Saturday sleep and errands time to be at the Agency for 5 solid hours. My new schedule allows me to meet with Hugo 3 days a week right after work for an hour long training session. Yes, it really is a full hour he doesn’t let me slack off, unless my health is a factor. This schedule also means I only have one late weeknight to throw off my sleeping patterns so, in theory I should be able to get more sleep and improve my health. We will see how next week plays out. I am really looking forward to working out 3 days a week and seeing some awesome results.

Yes, I have also increased my fresh juice consumption. I am currently working on 16oz of Green Lemonade, as I update my blog. I have come to the realization that juicing is not that hard if you have the right machine. I currently use a 15+ year old Juiceman and it works fine, but I bought a newer and different brand juice which I hated because it was more work than I was used to. So I sent it back and am waiting for my upgraded Juiceman to arrive. I was able to make 32 oz of Green Lemonade from start (chopping and washing) to finish (liquid extraction) last night in about 20 minutes. I don’t think I have provided you all with the recipe for Green Lemonade. I have seen different versions of this recipe but here is the one I use which was given to me by Eleni of Long Exhale. I also add in spinach from time to time and carrots to increase the sweetness.

1 head lettuce- romaine

5 stalks kale

2 fuji apples

1 lemon

1 small

piece of ginger

Hope you enjoy!

April 28, 2010

2010-04-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

I would love to say I stuck with my weekly goals but I did not. My health, as usual, sabotaged me and limited my progress (Migraines, knee and feet pain). I have not been attending Kickboxing on Monday nights I dropped the class to increase my personal training time. I will be seeing Hugo 3 days a week starting May 3^rd and he has agreed to incorporate Muy Thai into my training to replace the kickboxing class I was taking. I have not tried to fit walking into my schedule at all. It was a great idea but it didn’t pan out so well. It really has been a struggle for me to find time to actually workout. By the end of my 12 – 18 hour work day I want to veg, just sit on the couch and chill. Most nights I do so for about an hour before I crash. Last week was really long and draining up late every night dealing with someone else’s problems, which is fine but it was draining. Spent the weekend hanging out with friends and really re-connecting with people I had lost touch with, which equaled limited sleep, about 5 hours per day. Not nearly enough for someone severely prone to migraines. So this week I have been going to bed at 8p and sleeping intermittently through the night. I did increase my green lemonade and Morning Boost juice intake which has been awesome. It did require more juicing time but was worth it. I found great BPA-free water bottle at Target for $1 and spent Sunday afternoon filling them. I did notice over the past week as my time became consumed with the needs of others my home fell into disarray. My home is a mess, an easy to clean mess, but still it was a reflection of how I felt last week. This little revelation always amazed. Days I come home all energized are days my house is in order. Days I come home and just want to veg and do nothing are days when my house is a mess. I am sure there is a psychological epitome in there somewhere but I am not awake enough to tease it out.

April 2010

2010-04-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have decided to incorporate a listing of monthly goals and accomplish them on a weekly basis. The purpose of my goals is to add value to my life and increase positive, lasting changes. Each week I plan to add something else to the mix. It doesn't replace what was previously there but enhances my progress and health.

Week 4/5:
Increase days of exercise:
Monday (Kickboxing), Tuesday and Wednesday (Walking 30-45 minutes), Thursday (Hugo), Saturday (Yoga), Sunday (Walking). Yes, I did leave Friday out.

Increase my consumption of fresh juices:
Green Lemonade, 24oz a day
Morning Boost, 16oz a day.
Yes, I realize this means more juicing and containers but it will be worth it.

March 2010

2010-04-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

March was a tough tough month for me physically, mentally and emotionally. February ended with me recovered from the flu and getting a new nephew. March began with news of my grandfather's failing health and a doctor telling me I had viral bronchitis. I flew out to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to see my grandfather and meet my great grandmother. When I arrived my grandpa was somewhat ok, within a few days his health had deteriorated so much we moved him to hospice care and he barely survived the night. Within less than a week of finding out my Grandpa was ill I was writing his obituary. The stress of my ill health and loosing my Grandpa were too much for me to cope with, resulting in a bout of migraines. I ended up canceling my workout sessions for the month and just focused on recovery, of mind, body and spirit.

As the month progressed, I slowly began to feel better. My drive to workout and do yoga slowly returned. Along with my training sessions. Unfortunately, I was unable to resume training with Shawnee due to finances, time constraints and distance. I did sign up for personal training at my gym, Powerhouse, with Hugo who is amazing. He really motivates me to work and keeps training fun. His training style is similar to Shawnee's which makes it a great transition and keeps me wanting to workout. My first session with Hugo was in mid-February before I got sick but due to my illness and family situation I was unable to return until March 25. I meet with Hugo once a week for an hour and he works me.

In addition, to my weekly training sessions I have also a added Monday night 60 minute kickboxing class. Which so far I totally LOVE. Its challenging, fun, a great workout and something I can do at my own pace since it is not combative. I am looking to add one more night of classes so that its fun and energizing but not extremely time consuming. I know I need to increase my daily walking but its hard when its just soo dark outside. I have been working on scheduling walking in on Tuesday's for 30-45 minutes as well as Wednesdays before clients and possibly Saturday's after morning Yoga or seeing clients.

I have truly reached my end. I don't want to be overweight any more. I also don't want to workout but I am unable to incorporate 5 days of yoga workouts. In the beginning of 2006, I was introduced to YOGA and it changed and rocked my world. I became addicted, like fat kids and cake, I truly couldn't get enough. I lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time as well as toned and defined my figure. It unfortunately did not last long, I started grad school that fall and continued to eat unhealthy, late at night, and didn't workout or do yoga. Which resulted in me reaching my highest weight ever. I basically gained 35 pounds in a 2 year period. With diet and exercise I was able to lose most of what I gained in early 2008 but was unable to keep it off. I had to have reconstructive foot surgery at the end of 2008. Which left me home bound for 2 months and on crutches and in a boot for almost 6 months. My recovery has been slow but progressive. Through the help of yoga, personal training, kickboxing and walking I am back on track and working to drop 40 pounds this year. Which seems really reasonable and possible. I know I can achieve this goal.

I really think it helps for me to be aware of what can sabotage me, and sadly I truly am my own worst enemy. I love sugar, like really, really love it. I must admit when I was dealing with my Grandfather dying I vowed to myself I would not eat my way through my emotions and I didn't. I made healthy choices, including a salad daily with my lunch (biggest meal) as well as eating fruit throughout the day.

I have also joined a dear friend in a raw eating lifestyle. It really is not what you are thinking. Its not about eating weird foods or not eating. Its simply about increasing the amount of fresh, live foods being consumed and working with the body to eliminate toxins. I suppose you are wondering how this is achieved. By eating fruit for breakfast (harvey diamond intro'd this concept 20+ years ago), a large veggie filled salad for lunch and another salad for dinner with a cooked meal, and watching how foods are combined. As well as consuming large quantities of fresh juice, especially Green Lemonade. The principle behind this particular diet (nutritional sense of the word) is to consume foods that exit the body quickly and do not stick. It is the sticking that causes problems, like weight gain, illness, etc.

Let's see how the next week progresses.

February 23, 2010

2010-02-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

I did make it to the gym last Wednesday night and got in 20 mins of cardio. I was beat and still had a nasty cough but I was proud of myself for going to the gym and really hitting the treadmill, weighted vest and all.

I was lame and cancelled my Thursday night session. I was beat and just wanted to sleep. I did make it up by doing bicept and tricept work with free weights and a little yoga Thursday night and Friday night at home.

Saturday I overslept and missed my gym yoga class and training session. That didn't deter me, I was able to reschedule with the gym trainer for 12p and I made it. Hugo kicked my ass with an hour of squats and kicks. I could barely walk and still had to go home and start making dinner for the my buds. I was sore Saturday, including a swollen and throbbing right foot, as well as on Sunday and Monday. Hugo worked me good.

I didn't workout Sunday, but I did make Papusas which required heavy lifting of grocery bags, and standing on my feet for hours.

I met with Shawnee Monday night and we worked on my upper body since Hugo worked my lower body days before. I will also be meeting with Shawnee tonight to work my legs and abs. I have a session scheduled with Hugo for Thursday since Shawnee will be out of town.

I really have gotten serious about my health and fitness levels. I strive to make healthy meal selections, even snacks, as well as make time to exercise, even when I don't want to, I do it anyway. Slowly it is becoming second nature and something I look forward to doing.

February 17, 2010

2010-02-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

Despite the coughing and constant need to catch my breath I survived my first post-flu workout. Shawnee really pushes me past my preconceived limits and propels me towards greatness. Last night’s workout consisted of my standard 5 min. elliptical warm up which for once flew by. Shawnee mixes in Cardio with Strength training, so I did alternating foot step ups, around the world squats with a 8lbs. and 12 lbs. medicine ball, along with standard squats while holding a 8 lbs. kettle bell. That was just the first 30 minutes we do more of the same alternating shoulders and abs. She also threw in boxing with weights to work my arms and focus on balance and stability. It was a great night that wore me out. I was in bed by 9:12p. I woke a little sore in my shoulders but that was about it.

I must admit I didn’t make it to the gym this morning. I had to be at work at 7a and chose to sleep an extra hour. Which means I will pay for it tonight when I hit the gym at 9:30p and still have to make lunch for tomorrow. I have my gym clothes and weighted vest with me along with a bottle of water so there are no excuses for me not to make it. It is after all on my way home from the Agency.

February 16, 2010

2010-02-17T07:02:00.001-08:00

So folks, last week I had high expectations of myself and I was rearin’ to go. I started the week with a 35 min. cardio session that totally amped me up and had me running a mile a minute through session. Did a little walking along the beach front. Had a great workout and headed home feeling great. Went home, made dinner and packed my lunch. By the time I got out of the shower and headed for bed I had a sore throat. I figured it was just the cold air and turned on my humidifier.

I awoke Wednesday with every joint aching and the worst sore throat ever. I couldn’t believe my body was betray me like that, after all we had a killer gym night. But it did and the betrayals just kept mounting. By Thursday I was as cold as a corpse and didn’t look much better. I fell asleep Wednesday night with aspirations of waking up well and heading to the gym in the A.M. that didn’t happen. I woke up miserable and still had to drag my broken, cold, and achy body to work. I drowned my sorrows in oatmeal and cough syrup and bundled up for the 8 hours ahead of me.

I survived the day and found solace in the Urgent Care waiting room. After a short wait and visit with MD it was confirmed I had the FLU. While it was comforting to have a diagnosis it was discouraging to know I would have to rest for the next few days and forgo my scheduled workouts and yoga classes. I had my weekend planned. I had training with Shawnee at 9am and was going to check out the yoga classes near the pavilion. I had a meet and greet training session scheduled with one of the guys from Powerhouse to see how they could further assist me in reaching my goals. It was going to be workout packed weekend. But that didn’t happen. I stayed home Friday and had hours of bliss, where I was flu free and able to function followed by hours of napping. I did make an effort to lift weights and got in 3 reps focused on my biceps and triceps. I took short walks around the building to get some exercise in and sun. It wasn’t a lost workout weekend but it wasn’t nearly as productive as I would have liked.

So now begins another week with an eye towards training and really getting all I can get out of my workouts. We shall see where tonight’s workout takes me. I am sure it will end in the sauna. I have already finished a 50 ounce bottle of water in addition to my tea consumption.

Websites

2010-02-09T21:52:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda with Eleni http://www.longexhale.com/

Personal Training with Shawnee Harkins http://www.shawneeharkins.com/

Gym's:
Powerhouse Gym Burbank http://www.powerhousegymsocal.com/
Easton Gym Santa Monica http://www.eastongym.com/

Yoga:
Yoga Blend http://www.yogablend.com/
Rising Lotus Yoga http://www.risinglotusyoga.com/
Yoga Download http://www.yogadownload.com/

February 9, 2009

2010-02-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

This weeks goal is to hit the gym everyday this week. Either to do Cardio or Train. 2 days down 5 more to go.

Started my week with a 35 min. cardio session in the late afternoon which really amped me up for session and gave me an excellent burst of evening energy. Because of the rain today I wanted to head down to Santa Monica right after work to avoid traffic and stupid rainy day drivers. I actually arrived 30 minutes early, giving me time to walk/run the beach side of Ocean Blvd. before starting my 60 minute session with Shawnee. Today's session focused on legs and low back using machines and my own body weight along with a closing balancing segment. While tonight's session was less cardio during the workout it was still intense. I was able to do more cardio after the workout and enjoyed it for once.

Looking forward to cardio in the morning at Powerhouse 5a here I come :)

February 2, 2010

2010-02-02T07:09:00.001-08:00

Hello World,

So what began as a 40 day challenge has expanded into a 365 day challenge. I was inspired many months ago by Dyana Valentine to challenge myself in a new way. I opted to work on my body. It may have been a rough, slow and sluggish start but I have kicked the year off right. I have enlisted the aid of a personal trainer, Shawnee Harkins. I have spent the last 6 years struggling with my weight and have decided 2009 was the last year. I am not looking to be as thin as I was in high school but I would like to get back to a healthy weight and active fitness level.

Beginning on January 12th I launched a get fit program built around eating healthier meals and snacks, and started training with Shawnee Harkins at Easton Gym in Santa Monica. We meet twice weekly for truly action packed hour long sessions. I trained with her shortly in 2008 before my foot surgery and was amazed by the results. Initially I only wanted to be strong enough to carry myself around on crutches and our training enabled me to do just that. It has taken a year for me to physically be able to work out or even do yoga. Now that I am able to work exercise back into my life I am doing so full force. I will admit I could do longer home sessions of yoga and really get to my gym to do my cardio every morning. But it is already a huge feat for me to just drive to Santa Monica two days a week, that is 3 hours out of my day to burn 1,000 calories. Yes, you read that correctly, I burn upwards of 1,000 calories per training session with Shawnee because she combines cardio, stability, and strength training into every hour long session. She is also very creative in her sessions and while we are working the same body parts we do it in different ways each session. Tuesday’s session may focus on legs and abs, while Thursday’s session will focus on upper body and abs but she goes about them differently. I have had full body workouts that were totally new and not repetitive to any of the other sessions. I really enjoy the variety and creativity Shawnee shows in training me. In the moment I, at times, absolutely hate the exercise or how hard she is pushing me, but as I slowly make my way down the stairs and out into the fresh night air a sense of accomplishment washes over me. Prompting me to think, maybe its not so bad.

Two weeks ago, I joined Powerhouse Gym in Burbank and have been taking their Saturday morning yoga class and doing morning cardio. I selected their gym based on the size, 41,000 sq. ft. and the price. They run specials often and I was able to get a great price. Because of the large size of the gym, the amount of cardio machines, and the two sections of weights I am able to work out efficiently and in a condensed time span. They also offer massages which is a bonus, but I have not indulged myself yet. They also have a smoothie bar and supplements section with knowledgeable staff.

My Followers

2010-01-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to thank you wonderful ladies for following my external monologue. You three women truly inspire, encourage and empower me as I make my journey through life. I have learned so much from you ladies about life, living, fun, love and so much more.

I know you will all be rewarded in 2010. Much luck, love, family, health and joy!!!

December 2009

2010-01-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

As it turned out December was not a good health month for me. I was plagued by flu, migraines and a sinus infection. I did yoga as often as I could but with all the congestion I was unable to bend without becoming dizzy upon standing. I did work on my neck stretches and breathing when I remembered.

Now that the new year is upon us I have vowed to do more for me in the next coming months. I will return to my personal trainer starting Tuesday Jan. 5 and have committed to 6 sessions, 2x a week for 3 weeks.

I have started walking and hope to continue throughout this week. As my foot heals I am able to expand my walking trips from Target to the street. But I do make the most of my short walks by parking farther away then necessary and taking the longer route through the store. I must say I do enjoy my store walks since the terrain is level, lighted, and temperature controlled.

Catch you later in the week.

December 4, 2009

2009-12-04T23:22:00.001-08:00

Hello World,

I totally planned to come home and do lunar flow this evening. (It has been such a long day I don't even know if I did yoga today.) By the end of my paid workday I was feeling a little tickle in my throat but no big deal probably dehydration. I have had quite a bit of coffee in the last two days. By the end of 3 hours of therapy, two 90 minute session with different clients, my throat was done. I was really hoping I was not getting sick as I head to Griffith Park to see the DWP light show bundled in two scarves and yes no jacket. I hadn't planned on being outdoors today and figured my sweater would be enough but apparently not.

After being dropped back at my car I drove to Ralph's and raided the cough syrup aisle and the tea aisle. I drank my syrup in the car before I hit the road so it would kick in by the time I got home and while I do feel a little better my throat hurts. I have nettie potted my sinuses and am prepared to consume a hot tottie.

But it still makes me sad that I am too drugged and off balance to do my lunar flow. I am staring at the tails of my mat as they poke out behind my laptop and its as if the mat is mocking me. I know that may sound paranoid and I would be able to diagnose that properly but it is mocking me. I promised to return this evening and now I am breaking this promise. I really hope when my day restarts I will be well enough to hit the mat and start my day off right.

Good night world...catch you on the well side :)

December 3, 2009 part 2

2009-12-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

So like I promised myself, after laundry was properly put away, I hit the mat. I was searching for 20 minute Gentle Hatha Level 2 and itunes froze so I ended up with 20 minutes of Lunar Flow which was amazingly relaxing. My shoulders and neck are still a little tight but the rest of me is loose. I have noticed in the last few days my left size has tightened up. Monday my right hip was tight not allowing me to fully embrace Jathara Parivrttasana on my right side but not on my left which mystified me.

As I sit here writing this in double pigeon pose my hips are beginning to tighten up so I am off to bed. Catch you in the morning, ok so it is almost morning now, but it will be later in the morning or earlier depending on how you look at it.

----------------
Now playing: Yoga Download - Lunar Flow #1 - 20 min.
via FoxyTunes

December 3, 2009

2009-12-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

Good Evening World,

Ok so having my M.A. doesn't make me common sense smarter. I know darnedest thing really couldn't fathom why my back hurt so much in the mornings. Then it dawned on me, I slept on a couch for 7 days while on vacation and am returning to a super soft and plush mattress. So now that I have caught on to the problem and the solution, I feel really silly. Monday mornign I woke up with back pain and did a few stretches and yoga and wala I felt better. So Monday night I did evening yoga and had no pain Tuesday morning. I did a little stretching Tuesday night but no real yoga and I woke up in severe pain so after rolling around in bed to loosen my muscles I got up and hit the mat. I felt better but not all one hundred percent. So later in the day it dawned on me that duh I was readjusting to my mattress which months ago also left me with back pain in the morning.

All this to say, I now have a new preventative reason for doing at least 20 minutes of yoga in the evenings. So as soon as I get done typing this and put my laundry away I plan, no I will hit the mat so that I wake up pain free and can get a longer session accomplished in the a.m.

Since beginning pranayama breathing meditation 2 weeks ago, I have noticed an increase in my deep breathing exercises throughout the day and its calming affect.

December 2, 2009

2009-12-02T07:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning World,

I did sleep better and wake without back pain. My low back and right hip are still tight but a lot looser than Monday. I did my usually morning stretches in bed and then wondered into the living room to hit my yoga mat. I started with hip opening yoga but I was too tight for the stretches. So I switched to gentle hatha yoga for 20 minutes and felt refreshed before I hit savasana. I also took a quick little walk further invigorating my spirit before beginning my day.

Here's to hoping this filling stays with me all day.

December 1, 2009

2009-12-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

Good Evening World,

This morning I did my usual in bed stretches and floor work before leaving my room but only after struggling to get out of bed. I woke with great back pain and discomfort. I felt better after I stretched but was then rushing to get ready for work. I stretched a little throughout the day and my body eventually relaxed.

As part of my renewed spirit to get back into yoga and rebuild the foundation of my practice. I looked up the schedules and deals being offered at local yoga studios. It seems the best fits for my free days are at Black Dog Yoga in Sherman Oaks and Yoga Blend in Burbank. I have meetings this week but will start classes at Black Dog this Sunday. They offer 3 classes I would like to attend starting with a basics class, a beginners class mid day and ending the day with a restorative class. While this may seem like a lot of yoga in a day I really believe my body needs it and can withstand it. Also, Black Dog is offering 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $30 which I plan to take advantage of.

I closed my evening early with 25 minutes of yoga, a combination of back exercises and hip stretches. Here's to a better night sleep.

Sweet dreams world.

November 30, 2009

2009-12-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Good Morning World,

I managed to do 3 days of yoga last week in Puerto Rico for fun and enjoyment as well as pain management. 2 of my days were spent on the beach in Monique's Cove at Ocean Park. It was such an amazing experience to be at one and hear the ocean waves breaking just a few feet away. Looking up between poses and seeing the crisp, sparkling blue of the ocean was magical. It was an environment of athletic challenge from the runners and walkers passing to the surfers at sea, and me on my yoga mat. I have to admit I was not to fond of the special little creatures that kept crossing my mat as I was trying to get from one pose to another or the sand that is possibly forever embedded in my mat. But it was a fun experience, one I am looking forward to again. I totally felt like Mr. Monk as I constantly wiped sand and ants off my mat, it amused me on the inside. I normally love the beach and sand and don’t fret about the sand touching me, so I am confused as to where this weird and compulsive sensation stems from.

Getting up this morning for yoga was welcomed but filled with nostalgia. I enjoyed my practice this morning and tried my best to see the ocean in my mind’s eye. It was a great visual and motivational tool as well as a smile bringer. I am looking forward to more yoga sessions as the week progresses. I am feeling a renewed spirit to get into some sort of shape. Especially after the hike in the El Yunique Rainforest Friday nearly killed me. I was tired, my muscles ached, I was out of breath and it was sad. I wasn’t the only one in the group who felt that way but still it was not a pleasant feeling and I am ashamed of how far I have let myself go. I type this as I consume a yummy tootsie roll, what can I say they are one of my many vices. I do plan to get back to my Ayurvedic nutrition plan as it is focused to increase my health, mind, body and soul. I was really gun-ho when I started my Ayurvedic nutrition plan in the Spring and in the last few months have really strayed from it. Which is weird and surprising since I enjoy the new recipes I have found and all the new foods I am being introduced to. I have realized my problem is laziness. I would love to say because I no longer have a gym membership I cannot ride the bike or treadmill at 5:30am but that is just a stupid excuse. I live in a pretty decent and safe neighborhood and could walk the grounds at my place or the streets. I could also swim in my heated pool on the few nights a week when I get in early. So I am going to work on eliminating excuses and get by butt into gear.

That’s my story and I am hoping to stick to it. Wish me luck World :)

November 25, 2009

2009-11-25T04:18:00.000-08:00

Good Morning World,

I am currently in Puerto Rico and have been doing my yoga here as a practice and as a pain reliever. Sunday night I did a mini session of yoga in my friends living room while listening to the coqui frog sing. Monday we got up and did yoga on the beach in a little cove at Ocean Park it was amazing. The cove is surrounded by trees and is 15 degrees cooler inside than outside and peaceful. All through my workout I got to look up and see the ocean water ripple and watch the wave crash on to the shore and feel the breeze flitter over me. It truly was remarkable.

November 17, 2009

2009-11-17T07:07:00.000-08:00

Good Morning World,

I woke up rather easily this morning. I think it might have to do with my nightly meditation routine. I did get my evening walk in before clients last night and it was nice. Couldn't have been more than 10 minutes or so but it was invigorating and more exercise (cardio) than I get on any given day.

I got up and attempted a morning weigh loss flow yoga that was too heavy in bends making me dizzy. So I switched to back pain yoga and ended up with a mix of 20 minutes of stretching and yoga strengthening. My body is relaxed but my neck is stiff. Maybe a nice trip to the chiro is in order or a massage. Can't decided which would be easier on the pocketbook but still beneficial, hhhmmmm!

I am looking forward to my day and returning home to clean and do yoga. I am also excited about my upcoming trip to Puerto Rico!!!

Catch you on the flip side!

November 16, 2009

2009-11-17T07:03:00.000-08:00

Good Morning World,

Ok so I am not sure if it is the high from celebrating my birthday, again, with great friends and re-connecting with old friends but I feel great. I was briefly visited by the Migraine Ferry and a little achey from being on my feet all day Saturday. But I did manage to get about 10 minutes of yoga stretching in before I got really dizzy. I also did bedtime meditation with yogadownload. I really enjoy Sleepy Moon, which is for children, because it makes me smile as I fall asleep.

There is something about Sunday nights that turn into fitful Monday morning sleep. I woke up a few times during the night but was still able to get up and do 15 minutes of hip openers and leg stretches. I have my ipod shuffle and arm band ready for an evening walk around Burbank before seeing my kid clients. I had lots of energy this morning and sort of lost it after lunch. I have to say I have resisted the giant (gallon-sized) zip-lock bag of Halloween candy behind me which has Tootsie-Rolls in it; fyi: they are my favorite but contain skim milk which is my kryptonite.

(Ok, so I just realized all the brand names in this posting (and the last) and I feel the need to address it. I am not being paid by these people but maybe they should be paying me to advertise their brand.)

November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Hello World,

I was supposed to revamp my yoga practice to be something more manageable but that didn't happen. I wake up and its dark and I am discouraged. So I would fall back to sleep and wake up when it was light out and rush to get ready for work. But I noticed I wasn't as happy go lucky as normally am. I was moody, anxious, could feel tension in all sorts of weird places. But it didn't make me change my mindset and get back into yoga.

It wasn't until I was in NYC and was beat by the city streets that I ran back to yoga. Thursday October 29 I was in pain. My body hated me, not just "ohh sweetie you over worked me" but "you bitch, you traipsed all over the city without a care in the world and now you pay!" kinda hate. So at mid-night I was wearing my ipod shuffle and doing 30 minutes of hatha gentle yoga in hopes of mending some of the aches. Believe me it did. I turned the lights low, grabbed a towel to use as my mat, clipped on my shuffle, closed my eyes and set to work. There I was moving in the dark, in and out of poses. Thursday was probably the hardest day in NYC on my body. Yoga restored me. I was able to get through the rest of the weekend with minimal body pain. I did shorter stints of yoga over the weekend and it was great.

But that didn't last. When I returned to LA yoga didn't not come back with me. I spent the week of my birthday having fun without my friend yoga. Again, that too did not last. I had a fitful nights sleep. Tossing and turning unable to get comfortable. I woke up on November 9th in pain. My entire body ached, literally from head to toe. I had a crazy fear I had the flu, which if you know me scared the hell out of me. So I clammered out of bed, rolled out my mat, pulled up Itunes and found an appropriate yoga download workout. I did 20 minutes of gentle hatha and another 30 minutes of back yoga and I was still in pain. That's 50 minutes of yoga. Stretching, bending, twisting, relaxing and I was still in PAIN. So I left my boss a message saying I was coming in and hit the muscle relaxers and slept for 6 hours. I awoke feeling better, pain free but stiff. So I did a few more stretches and hit the streets. I did yoga two more times this week as a result of pain.

I thought about doing yoga last night before I retired to bed after Potluck Bday dinner but my feet could not hold me. I had done to much on them and I could barely prop them up without additional pain. But I am looking forward to a gentle stretch yoga before lunch with the family. I woke this morning with a lot less pain but the stiffness was there. Because I could not stand last night I was forced to take medication to ease my foot pain. But this morning is different and I plan to take charge via YOGA!!

October 21, 2009

2009-10-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

So I have come to realize as much as a I love yoga the schedule I am keeping is actually doing harm. Crazy I know but part of this challenge is to take care of me. I wanted to improve myself body, mind and spirit. But that is not happening and I finally figured out why. I have too much to do in a day and try to cram each and everything in everyday. I wake at 5am and hit the ground running, for the most part, some days I start at 5:30a and go until 11pm. Not because I am a narcissist but because I have taken on a lot of responsibilities. I get up and I hit the mat and its awesome and then I go for a quick little stroll around the apartment building and its great. Then I come back to the house shower, dress and sit down breakfast. Which wouldn't be bad except I generally get this all done before 7am.

By 8am I am burned out and in need of a yoga fix because caffeine is not working and doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy inside. I just don't know. My diet is fine and yummy and balanced. But I can't seem to quite my mind to really enjoy and focus on my practice because it has become a chore. Something I need to get done and crossed off my list rather than something I look forward to and brightens my day. So with this in mind I have decided to alter my 40 day challenge and not make it consecutive. My week is so jammed pack with things to do and get done that I figured I could cram yoga into but I can't. I should have realized three weeks ago when I began to have migraines every weekend.

So in order to take care of me, mind, body and spirit I am going to augment my 40 day Yoga routine to be Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. With the occasional spontaneous session thrown in. So beginning Thursday Oct. 22 I will begin my challenge anew. I also want to pick a weekly workout and follow it through all week. Changing daily didn't better my practice or strengthen my body, mind or spirit. I believe it actually weakened them possibly causing more harm. So this start over will have a weekly focus aimed at building and strengthening my practice.

Yoga Plan:
Week of Oct. 22, 24, and 25: Yoga for Weight loss beginners 20mins. with the goal of working up to Yoga for Weight loss beginners 60mins. over the next three-weeks.

Even though I will be in NYC from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 as long as I take my Ipod with me I can continue my workout even if its only for 20 mins. as well as incorporating walking into the mix.

So wish me luck as I re-start my 40 day challenge!

Day 25: October 14, 2009

2009-10-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Good Morning World,

I started my day with Yoga in Bed and standing stretches. It was great but with the rain I totally want to wonder the city streets enjoying the rain with no where to go or be. But unfortunately I have to get ready for work and actually leave with a predetermined destination. Arrggg.

My morning breakfast of 9 grain porage was awesomely refreshing but a reminder that my day had begin.

Off I go to see the Wizard!

Day 24: October 13, 2009

2009-10-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

Good morning to you, Good morning to you. We are all in our places with sun shiny faces and this is the way we start a new day!! - that is the song my mommy used to sing to wake me up when I was in elementary school.

I awoke this morning before my alarm and began my in bed stretches. It was soo nice and comfy in bed that I gave myself a few extra minutes to stretch and get my mind going.

Once out of bed I hit the mat and began a new workout. Half in I realized maybe I should have started with a different routine. But hey what would life be without challenges. I didn't finish the yoga workout I started with the great women of Namaste Yoga but I am off for a walk to complete my morning. If its not raining when I leave work I plan to take a nice little walk around the 'hood.

Happy Tuesday All!!

Day 19 thru Day 23: Oct. 8 to 12, 2009

2009-10-12T21:09:00.001-07:00

Ok so I kinda fell behind in my own blog. Last week was rather fun, in an interesting way. Jack required an emergency visit to the Dr. Wednesday and Thursday I locked myself out. I was busy trying to gather all my belongings, including my United Way potluck Salad, before my 6:45am ride showed to take me to work. I was actually really busy at work and found no time there to write my blog.

How did I exercise last week. I did my yoga stretches, office yoga, and focused on meditative breathing throughout the day and at night. I did notice that I slept better and fell asleep quicker but my mind was still racing. I was calmer throughout my day and have been since incorporating evening meditation and office yoga.

I think I might be a tad bit lighter, my scale agrees but it often lies. My pants are noticeable larger causing me to sagg at work. Yes, even with a belt.

I have really enjoyed discovering new ways to incorporate Yoga into my life. From Namaste TV and Yoga Download to re-introducing Yoga in Bed into my life. Its just amazing how it permeates and is readily available to take with me and stay with me.

I have spent the last few mornings doing my Yoga in Bed stretches from memory but decided this morning to pull out the book and do them all in the proper sequence. I plan to do evening Yoga in Bed before sleepy time meditation. Yoga Download has a really cool kids meditation that I like to do also. It reminds me to embrace my inner kid and have fun!

Ok Kids I am off to bed! which now is a 30 minute production once I hit the sheets.

Day 18: October 7, 2009

2009-10-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

Last night was night 2 of my new evening ritual of meditation in bed. Before I could get to the ritual I was visited by the Migraine Fairy who was very generous in her migraine service. I went to bed early (8p) with the help of sleepy-time medication and the meditation ritual. I slept all night but woke up groggy and it has followed me through the day. Even doing Office Yoga didn’t combat it but really I had already had 3 cups of caffeinated tea and was still not up. But I functioned I got all of my work done, unless you count a full 30 minute yoga session this morning. I have come to realize I cannot do yoga sleepy it can only end badly. While today is one of my longer days I am going to try to get a little yoga in before bed.

Even sitting here typing this up now I am contemplating skipping supervision to relax and take a nap. Ok really it would just be me going to bed early. It would also give me a chance to make fancy salad for the United Way potluck luncheon and put together lunch. But really when I leave work I will feel rejuvenated and have all sorts of energy. It is amazing how that extra burst of energy only seems to come after quitting time as I cross the street to Jack.

(I could swear all this talk about migraines is calling the Fairy. Sometimes I think she is related to Tinkerbell!)

Day 17: October 6, 2009

2009-10-06T16:09:00.001-07:00

As promised I ended my night with a nice meditation in bed and was significantly more relaxed and eased into sleep quicker. I woke at 5a and was awake and ready to get up but I dawdled and ended up sleeping another 15 minutes and it made me sleepy causing me to struggle out of bed. I did get up and do 23 mins. of gentle hatha with a little stretching at the end. Took a quick brisk walk around the complex while inhaling the cool and dewy morning air. It was refreshing to be out in the open so early. It really made me long to have carefree days free of mandatory time commitments but full of money to pay the bills. I already know how I would spend my days were that all possible. But since it currently is not I went on about my day and hauled myself up and out of the house, off to work. I have come to realize I am most productive between the hours of 5a and 8a, after which time I need a 2 hour nap and then I am good to go.

But I digress back to the workout. It carried me through the day and made me look forward to doing an evening restorative and meditation series before bed.

Catch you on the flip side!

Day 16: October 5, 2009

2009-10-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend was evening packed. It seemed every afternoon/evening I was out and about spending hours on my feet. By Sunday night I was exhausted and my feet were done. That didn't stop me from doing my stretches and taking a nice little meditative nap.

I awoke with a struggle. But eventually got myself up, did a little in bed stretching and wall stretches before beginning my yoga routine. Not feeling a yoga high but I was still half-asleep.

Looking forward to mid-day office yoga and implementing a new evening routine. I plan on reducing my light exposure when I get home and doing an evening meditation to see if I sleep better tonight.

Morning Workout:
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Now playing: YogaDownload - Lisa Richards - Hip Openig Flow #3 - 25 min.
via FoxyTunes

Evening close:

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Now playing: YogaDownload - Jamie - Relaxing Meditation #1
via FoxyTunes

Day 15: October 4, 2009

2009-10-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

Today the only yoga I did was stretching, morning and night. I did spend the afternoon walking around the Citadel Outlets. It was a nice workout we must have walked from end to end twice stopping in over a dozen stores. I was good and didn't overindulge my favorite past time. I did get an awesome tea pot at Le Creuset.

I closed my evening with a nice relaxing in bed meditation. It did quite my mind but I have the bad habit of restarting it and off it ran for 2 long hours. I was not being mindful of my mind and body. I am going to get back into mindfulness and hopefully quick sound sleep by practicing what I learned from the sleep article as well as use meditation before sleep. Lets see how this changes my upcoming week.

How to solve 9 sleep problems - http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/25/nine.sleep.problems/index.html?iref=newssearch

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Now playing: YogaDownload - Jamie - Relaxing Meditation #1
via FoxyTunes

Day 14: October 3, 2009

2009-10-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

Good Night and Good Morning,

Day 14 came early. When I was driving home to get a quick snack after clients and before the movies I heard on the radio it was a full moon. Yes I didn't look at the sky as I was driving cause I was too busy looking at the road. Earlier this week I clicked on a yoga session that had to do with the new moon and preparing for the next chapter in your life, a rebirth of sorts. So when I found out it was a full moon night I decided then to do a late night moon focused workout.

So when I returned home tonight I hurriedly changed into my yoga ensemble and found a moon focused flow. After setting the mood, incense and low lights I hit the play button and then the mat. It was such an awesome experience to do yoga practically in the dark, the air sweet with nag champa and the soft sounds of traffic as I felt the cool air through the curtains.

As I exited the mat I knew I had to get this all down before it slipped away. Moon salutations have put me in a trance. I truly can barely keep my eyes open as I write this down. Not even sure if I am being coherent. I can hear the train in the distance so amazing and serene as it speeds through the night signlling all of its presence.

I bid you adieu for now. See you in a few hours.

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Now playing: Yoga Download - Moon Salutations Flow #1 - 25 min.
via FoxyTunes

Day 13: October 2, 2009

2009-10-02T16:16:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All!

I totally did not do my evening routine last night and for good reason. After leaving Eleni’s Ayurveda session I drove over to Crossfit Hollywood and received the shock of a week. I knew they offered intense workouts but I had no clue what kinda madness I was descending into. Crossfit seems to have a culture all its own. Everyone I met loved the workout and stated they were in the best shape of their lives and these were no couch slackers. A few of the people were new 3 to 6 months in training and looked great and felt great. The energy in the room was so positive and motivating. The air was definitely charged and there was excitement all around. I was truly amazed at the skill level of the athletes in the room. There was an amazing sense of friendship amongst the group class, when one of the members fell behind or was struggling the others would chant their name and send shouts of encouragement. It was a totally new gym atmosphere for me. Best part it didn’t smell like a gym. The workout they did doesn’t seem like something I could do in the next 3 months but possibly something I could do in the next 8 months. I am thinking Crossfit workouts might be my next 40 day challenge. The members and staff all seemed really dedicated to having fun and enjoying the Crossfit experience.

I got up this morning and walked to Starbucks to sample their new instant coffee mix which really did taste the same as their drip and then walked back home. Between the brisk walk and a shot of caffeine I feel ready to face another hectic day in the world of bob and rick!

I started writing this morning at 8am and am just finishing at 4:15. Wow today has been super fast paced at work today. While at times I felt overwhelmed having the extra endorphins really seemed to help get me through my morning and now a little office yoga has helped take the edge off and allowed me to refocus. That and a nice large cup of mango black tea latte!

Off to do the Agency thing. Ciao!

Day 12: October 1, 2009

2009-10-01T15:58:00.001-07:00

So last night was a bust for evening yoga or even meditation. I was so exhausted after seeing clients and Supervision that after a quick stop at my mom’s I went home and went to bed. To my credit I did manage to get a quick little walk in between clients and Supervision that was really invigorating. At the end of my walk I sat on a street bench eating my banana and rehydrating as I people watched. It was rather calming to just be able to sit out doors with no time restrictions or intruding thoughts. I was free to for 20 minutes. How often in a day do you get the opportunity to just sit and be? How often in a day are you able to seize that opportunity without feeling hurried, guilty or pressured to move on to the next thing? For 20 minutes yesterday I was able to seize the opportunity and just enjoy it to its fullest. Yeah I had notes to do and case scanning before presenting them in Supervision but at that moment it was not pressing. There was no urgent need for me to rush back into the agency. I had an hour to spend how I wanted to and for 20 of those 60 minutes I enjoyed the outdoors.

Waking this morning was tough I haven’t been sleeping well all week, frequently waking up in the night. But I got up and spent time on my mat focusing on stretches and warm up sequences that really did warm my body. I got up from the mat feeling like I had done a full 30 minute sequence. I got a brisk 5 minute walk in on my way to the car and it was calming, I was fretting about being late for work. I made it in to work with minutes to spare and have had a pretty decent day.

Totally looking forward to my Ayurvedic meeting tonight and exploring a new gym. The gym looks super intensive and for the serious athlete so we will see if there is a space for me. Plus the trainer is really Hot!!

Morning: Namaste Yoga various warm up routines

In Between Days: September 30

2009-09-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me this morning that I missed my Yoga high. Yesterday I got up did my 30 min. class along with some Ab work and a quick little walk around my complex inhaling the morning air. I was amped up til just about lunch. I really felt great. I was even a little perkier and more cheerful than my regular self. I know totally hard to believe but it happened. It was such a great feeling. And yet this morning I woke from such a restless sleep that I didn’t have the heart to really do my work out. I did most of it and a lot of stretching but I realize as I sit at my desk at 9:31am I am missing that great Yoga high. While I try to delude myself into believing a cup of coffee could replicate the effect I know it’s a lie. A blatant lie. But ohh how good it smells. I opted instead to do a little Office Yoga and was slightly rejuvenated but it’s a little awkward to sit at your desk eyes closed stretching when you are surrounded by high ranking managers. Now after lunch I do feel my spirits have lifted and I am looking forward to the rest of my day. Maybe a little more Office Yoga this afternoon or between clients.

Day 11: September 30

2009-09-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I did my Lunar flow, kept the lights low, did some light reading and totally woke up three hours later and then again a few hours after that. So getting up this morning was a bit of a struggle. But I did it and I am still longing for my soft bed. My shoulders are sore which has to mean I am doing something right.

I am really enjoying this 40 day challenge it is helping keep me focused on my goal and in a fun way thanks to the variety offered by Namaste and Yoga Download.

This morning's work out focused on stretching and twisting. Will continue with Office Yoga stretches.

Possibly ending the day with Lunar Flow or Gentle Hatha.

Day 10: September 29

2009-09-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

I often struggle with getting into bed and then actually falling asleep. So after reading an article on CNN.Com yesterday I decided to try out some of their tips. When I got home from seeing clients I kept the lights low, watched very little tv and did an evening flow and meditation routine. I think I slept longer before waking up once in the middle of the night.

I have to admit I woke up a little easier this morning with a lot less struggling to get out of bed. Once I did get up I repeated yesterday's routine of 30 minutes of and then went for a short walk around my complex. It was refreshing to stroll in the crisp morning air, listening to all the early morning sounds and breathing in the plant aromas. I totally have a natural high going.

I already have a time set aside for my slightly before noon Office workout.

Workout: Morning: Namaste yoga, Heart Openers and walk

Day 9: September 28

2009-09-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

Woke up fresh this morning. Got up did 30 minutes of yoga and then went for a short walk around the neighborhood. Who knew NoHo at 6:30am could be so beautiful and serene. It felt invigorating to be in the crisp cool air.

I had energy for most of the day. My energy started to dive just before lunch so I did a bit of Office Yoga and was refreshed.

I read an article on CNN.com about sleep habits and causes of poor sleep. There were lots of great tips about preparing for bed earlier, running your errands during the day as well as attending to home office task earlier in the evening rather than staying up late. There was also some tips on reducing the amount of light you are exposed to at night as it can be the equivalent of caffeine in stimulating the mind. Going to give it a shot tonight, will report back in the morning.

Workout: Morning: Namaste yoga, Heart Openers and walk
Afternoon: 5 min. Office Yoga
Evening: Yoga Download: 5 min. Abs, Lunar Flow #1, Relaxing Meditation

Day 7 and Day 8: September 26 and 27th

2009-09-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ok so my yoga workout was derailed this weekend by killer migraines. I will resume my workout tomorrow with a short morning walk and a nice tall dirty chai latte from Starbucks!

Day 6: September 25, 2009

2009-09-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

Totally slept in today and enjoyed drifting in and out of sleep to the beat of my favorite artist. Once I got out of bed I hit the mat and began my yoga routine. This mornings was a little shorter than most days but I am just as invigorated.

Today's routine mainly focused on warming up the body.

Workout: Yoga Download: 5 min. Abs
Namaste Yoga: Warm up stretches

Day 5: September 24, 2009

2009-09-25T07:14:00.001-07:00

Even though I totally over slept I still got up and did my yoga routine. It really is making a difference in my mood, spirit and thought process.

Workout: Yoga Download: 5 min. Abs and Hip Opener Flow
5 min Office Yoga!

Day 4: September 23, 2009

2009-09-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

Yes it was another struggle to get out of bed this morning. It was also a struggle to go to bed. What with all the new shows premiering this week. My restorative session last night helped me sleep through the night. So today I begin a new yoga class focusing on my shoulders. Tonight I will do Lunar Flow again and maybe a little meditation.

Workout: Yoga Download: Morning 5 min. Abs and Shoulder Openers
Evening Yoga Download Lunar Flow

Day 3: September 22, 2009

2009-09-22T19:45:00.001-07:00

I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. I was so warm and cozy and recovering from a migraine. But I had to get up and out of bed so I could get to work by 7:30a. (That soo didn't happen, there was a detour on my detour and so I was 1 min. late. Which really equals 15 my corporate standards) I got up and created a new workout playlist and it really got me through the first part of my morning. Afternoon stretches via Office Yoga helped me over the hurdle to finish my day. Well at least my work day was finished. Now comes my evening yoga set, mainly restoratative yoga.

Workout:
Yogadownload: Morning: 5 min. Abs, Morning Flow, and Office Yoga.
Evening: Lunar Flow

Day 2: September 21, 2009

2009-09-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

The process continues. Monday mornings are always hard for me. I struggle with getting out of bed but once I am up and out I go all day strong. I got up and did my yoga routine and loved it. I noticed I was calmer throughout my day.

Yoga Download also has a 5 min. office yoga routine that I try to do everyday.

Workout:
Namaste Yoga: Firefly
Yogadownload.com: 5 min. Abs and Yoga for Back pain

Day 1- September 20, 2009

2009-09-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

So my 40 day body challenge began Sunday morning and it was awesome. I decided Saturday that I was going to get up Sunday and do some yoga. Ya know what I did and it was awesome. I did a combination of Namaste yoga, which I record from Fit tv, and yogadownload.com. I did about 30 minutes of yoga and was amazed I made it all the way through. The last week or so I was only averaging about 15 minutes.

Workouts:
Namaste Yoga: Earth
Yogadownload.com: 5 min. Abs and Yoga for Back Pain

The Begining

2009-09-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

So my friend and mentor Dyana Valentine, who is known for challenging herself and others, has started a 40 day body challenge that intrigued me. It also inspired me. A year ago I started working out with a personal trainer and loved it. My training practice was derailed when I had foot surgery. As my foot heals I am slowly finding my way back to yoga. With the assistance of my Ayurveda nutritionist I began a slow individualized yoga program about 3 months ago. About two months ago I began using my yoga ball and doing an every other day workout. But I have to admit I wasn't really into it and did not give it my all. About two weeks ago I was turned on to yogadownload.com and found some really great yoga workouts that have really changed my outlook on my yoga practice. Strength and flexibility in my toe has also enabled me to return to standing and balancing poses.

So when I saw Dyana post her 40 day challenge I thought I can do that! So I have with the help of Namaste Yoga and YogaDownload.com. Using their programs I have been able to create my own yoga workout of varying lengths with a daily variety. Its so empowering to be able to structure my routine based on how I am feeling and what I want to focus on. And so began my own 40 day body challenge.

I am also working on reducing my junk food intake. For this practice I have been inspired by my friend Rebecca who always has great healthy snack and not prepaked ones either. She carries containers full of cucumbers and carrots, apples, celery and all sorts of other living snacks. So I went to Target and bought a bunch of containers and then headed off to Smart and Final for a cart full of fruits and veggies. I washed, rinsed and cut all the fruits and veggies and packed them into their containers for the week. My top shelf is so organized! This has allowed me to pack my lunch quicker and include filling and healthy snacks.

Resources:
http://www.namaste.tv/yoga.html
http://www.yogadownload.com/
http://dyanavalentine.com/