Week1 Sucked: Anemia, Insomnia and Clean Eating..

This week was hard. Let me re-phrase... Ahem... This week... BLEW. This whole post turned out different than I both wanted and expected. So let me explain.

Monday thru the weekend, honey was really sick. I consequently forced myself into a plateau. But in all honesty it was probably good to load up on some fattier foods for multiple reasons: 1-once I start eating better again and working out it shocks my body into losing weight and 2-since having a few foods I was craving I won't feel so deprived the next few weeks. Forced plateaus are the shit.

The first few days of eating clean are always difficult. But today, its gonna happen. I haven't wanted my goal more than after eating bad for a few days... the bloat and laziness makes me realize that this feeling isn't wonderful. I adore the strong feeling my body gets after a workout.

Anyway! Thursday, I went to yoga and was a mess on the mat. It felt like I was dealing with some anxiety in the room. It probably wasn't related to the heat, but more due to an emotional anxiety. Which lead to my next issue..

Insomnia.

Thursday night. I don't know if this was completely due to some kind of emotional anxiety or stress... Or if it was me being upset that I barely did my yoga practice, but I woke up staunchly at 2:30 AM and did not sleep. The rest of the night.

Iron Deficiency?

Okay... So in the last few weeks (and I am keeping in my mind diet hasn't been what it was, meaning clean eating- low sugar, high protein), I've noticed a few things going on that were bugging me: Insomnia...  (at first, I attributed this to my honey sleeping over quite a bit more and I'm a super light sleeper... but it has really become more than that), very tired during the day although I'm well hydrated, often very cold throughout the day, very tired during even light exercise mostly feeling very heavy on my way to work which is a short 20 min walk mostly uphill, and very random headaches.

Luckily (In a number of ways)! I happen to work at a hospital... I ran into a sports medicine doctor today who I had told about my weight loss quest months ago. He commented on how good I looked in my weight loss (as I've lost a good 25 lbs since I saw him last) and I told him that I only have a few lbs left but had been feeling extreme fatigue which ultimately causes issues in trimming those last few. He probed a bit more into my diet and symptoms. He informed me that it sounded more like an iron deficiency... To which all of those symptoms could be explained. He said for a very active woman who is of childbearing age, even if my multivitamin said 100% for my daily intake, I really should be getting in about 36-40 mg a day. After speaking with him, I zoomed to my computer to check out what my multivitamin contained. Only 18mg!

The science of it makes sense: Hemoglobin which is a protein in your blood that helps carry oxygen throughout your body needs iron for blood cells to be made at all. If you are deficient in iron, it is going to prevent your total body, every cell, bones to skin get enough oxygen and consequently making you very tired and fatigued.

Something that can help this is: increasing your iron intake in your diet. But for someone who has a restricted diet, this can be more difficult. You need lots of fish to continue this (which can also get expensive). OR you can take iron supplements. Key factor here, is to take vitamin C with the iron supplements, as vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron - Kinda like Vitamin D to Calcium. :) I just started iron supplement on Thursday night. I have slept better (but I always do on the weekends), we'll just see how yoga works out for me tonight.

Week 2: (August 30th-Sept 6th... Accounting for Labor Day and possibly being out of town)
Monday:
PM: Yoga
Tuesday:
PM: Yoga
Wednesday:
PM: Run home from WW.
Thursday:
PM: Yoga
Friday:
PM: Run to the gym, 60 mins cardio & 30 mins weights (arms & abs).
Saturday: Run to the gym, 60 mins cardio & 30 mins weights (back & legs)
Sunday: Rest.
Monday: Yoga

Ch-Ch-Changes

How often do we look at our lives and hope that in a year it will COMPLETELY different? Like night and day different? Never. And how often do we look at our lives and see that it is completely different than a year ago? Always.

The reality is that our lives are constantly changing. Our loves, relationships, tastes, wants, perceptions, needs, deep desires, the things we place importance on, our passions, our schedules, homes, vehicles, financial priorities, on and on and on.

"You have to give 110% to change 1%." -Bikram

It is funny how perceptions can and will change. There is something to lovely about being able to take your fears during yoga and using it to create your power. Can I be free in my practice knowing that if I give 110% I will always receive? Is that where my pulse really lies? To feel neither heat nor cold in the room. Or to not feel dizzy because really... I'm flying as I practice. Or my practice IS my rest, because I know I will change. My practice and my body and my mind will change.

Someone commented to me recently that I was very different from the person I used to be when I was overweight. And I was offended. How could I be different? I have not changed! My body has simply changed! But, falling in love with Bikram and falling in love with fitness has changed me. It may not seem positive to all. But what is truly important, is to have people around you that support your life and health. The people I love and that really love me, understand how important it is to me. And those that don't, will naturally fall away. We can mourn those, or we can accept that it is a natural part of life that relationships change as well. And I can give 110% to those who love and support me being healthy and balanced yogini.

Double-licious!

Holy Double-licious. I did my first double. My FIRST double. Evar.
I am completely aware that many yoginis do this often, but I just haven't been to that level, or at least feel comfortable to attempt to bring my practice to that level. It was amazing to go through the first class knowing that I still had a whole other class to do! Apparently, however this is not something many do in the small city I live in. Because everyone else in class... thought I was nuts. But let me tell you: In the 2nd class (get ready for this) I didn't feel the heat at all. Practicing felt like a dance. You get in a zone and feel your body and just go. Which made me very aware that up until this point, I have not been present in my body. The whole idea actually geeks me out, but so often we get focused on our image in the mirror and correcting that, instead of feeling what the posture feels like. You look at yourself in the mirror, but be aware of what the extension and compression feels like. This actually REALLY helped me in holding standing forehead to knee.
Feel the calm and the exertion at the same time. Feel the oxygen go in and out of your lungs, giving you all the nourishment you need. Be aware that you have all the oxygen in the room. And my friend Mona was right, during the second class Camel posture, you feel like you're in the palm of God. The instructor, Justis, opened up the door during Fixed Firm, and it was beautiful to see the sunset while making the bridge. It brought the calm back to my mind and my heart as well as a thankfulness to be able to bend my spine.

And a thought came to mind: Sometimes in Savasana, I can feel when I've made up my mind that I'm not going to do the next posture. There are many reasons: a pain in the body, a nauseated feeling, can't catch our breath. But could it be more that we don't want to do a certain posture or don't push ourselves during that time in Savasana to mentally catch our breath because we know we can have a breakthrough in the next posture and our bodies want to fight it? Or perhaps that we can't imagine that in the next posture we will have a breakthrough.

Its just like running or going to the gym. Perhaps when we push ourselves when we don't want to do it, is when we have the best time of our life.

Thursday: Grrr! I hate antibiotics. I know this is gross but I had a super infected spider bite on my leg. I got put on TWO different antibiotics totaling for 6 pills a day for 10 days! And now I'm itchy. VERY itchy. Everywhere. It woke me up in the middle of the night.  So I'm taking it easy the rest of the week. Will be back in hard on Monday.

So now that I'm thinking about it... Autumn is coming. I was walking to work this morning and I could feel how cold it was outside. Autumn is coming, seriously. Which isn't an issue. Actually Autumn is my favorite time of year! And I'm thankful that this year, I have someone to cuddle with and keep me warm. My Sfeetypee (don't ask... its our silly made up pet name. lol). ANYWAY! I love autumn and everything about it (especially the flavors of autumn) so I REALLY want to be done losing weight before October. I don't have a lot left and I am the type of person that when I pick up steam, I REALLY keep it going. I'm like a train. Or a boat. So.... I've talked to my honey and our meals are going to be super simple, to keep the calories down... I'm back to high protein (plus I need to buy a car, and having less groceries to buy means more money). I tend to love these whole 6 week deals, they really get me going. So I'm gonna start over. Yoga is going to be for me, so my cardio and weights are going to have to be fit in around Yoga. And daily.

 

 

Week 1: (August 23rd-29th)

Monday:
AM: Run to the gym, 45 mins elliptical. PM: Yoga
Tuesday:
AM: Run to the gym, 45 mins elliptical. PM: Yoga
Wednesday:
PM: Run to the gym, 30 mins cardio & 45 mins weights (legs & back), run home from WW
Thursday:
AM: Run to the gym, 45 mins elliptical. PM: Yoga
Friday:
PM: Run to the gym, 60 mins cardio & 30 mins weights (arms & abs).
Saturday: Hopefully a hike or a run Or if I'm super lucky, Sfeetypee will want to go to Yoga!
Sunday: REST
(Not sure why I wore red with an itchy body...)

I'm actually excited about this. I can be done and just run and have my yoga be my primary focus.

REWARDS: (these are important for anyone trying to get to a goal..)

• BOOTS
• New Jeans
• A black yoga outfit (And this I REALLY want. Bad. I keep adding some to my cart and almost buying it)
• Letting myself take doubles in yoga!
• Blogging only about yoga!
• Posting all my before and after photos! As well as weights and measurements!!

I can't tell you how excited I am... this is going to be soooo good! :)

I Need a Yogi

... For all my yoginis out there just lookin for a yogi. ;)

Week 4: August 16th-22nd

Week 4:
Monday: Yoga
Tuesday: Yoga & Yoga (*My FIRST double ever*)
Wednesday: 45 mins cardio & 45 mins weights (legs & abs)
Thursday: Yoga
Friday: 45 mins cardio & 30 mins weights (arms & back)
Saturday: Yoga? Or running.
Sunday: Rest

Results from Week 3:
Weight from Wednesday (8/11): 123.8 lbs

Monday: I didn't go to yoga... Honey was home sick (sorta... he got stung by a bee on his foot... apparently a good excuse to play hooky), so I took care of him. And by take care, I mean make sushi. And by make sushi, I mean ROCK making sushi.
Tuesday: Well, today was my 6 year anniversary of shattering my spine. And I rewarded my body for still being functional by going to YOGA! Haha.. And I left commenting how delicious yoga was tonight. I have to comment on another yogini's blog... if I can find it. She mentioned a certain product called Essential Electrolytes stating that it helps with cramping, spasming, and stitches. I bought this off of her recommendation. And Voila! No side stitch. Not even at night. Amazing.
Wednesday: Woah! I ran all the way home from Weight Watchers without stopping! Its so sweet  (2.35 mi in 29:13 minutes). Also did some good body work. Funny side note: as I'm waiting for the elevator afterward, I was checking out my arms & triceps in the mirror and a guy walks up and asks "Can I have two tickets to the gun show?" BWAHAHAHAHA! Guy, I don't know if you heard but I did like a thousand. ;)
Thursday: I hate using this as an excuse, but I didn't take my essential electrolytes before class. By my own admission, I really have a hard time adding in something new to a routine. Like taking essential electrolytes. Due to the fact that I ran and lifted weights on Weds, I was really stiff and really could have used the EE.
Friday: Note to self: Stop eating french fries! I haven't had them in a while and my mom's smelled good at lunch (yes we work in the same place). I only had about 5, but holy hell! I was heavy after!... And then I didn't work out. Not because of the fries but because my Handsome made me go to the doctor for the gnarly spider bites on my legs. Bad infection. I hate medication (and they make me really tired) but in this case... I'd rather take antibiotics over losing my leg. Yeah. :(

Total Results

So, it has been a LONG while since I've posted results. And I know I'm still getting them so, I've decided to have them taken just to see how it's workin! Seeing results are SUPER motivating for me!


Date:       1/26/10    2/16/10    3/9/10    4/8/10     8/11/10
Weight:      150.5    146          141         138          125
(Circumference In inches):
Bicep:          13        12.5          12          11.75         11
Chest:          37        37             36.5          35           34
Waist:          36.5     35.5          34.5          32           31
Hips:           41.5      40.5         39.5         38.75       37.5
Thigh:         25          24.5         24             23           22
Calf:           16          16            15.25        15          14.75

BMI:          35.2%   33.4%     32.3%      29.3%      26%

So my body fat is more than I wanted it to be at this point, which means I lost some muscle. I think I just need to get back into some high protein habits so I can try to purely cut fat. :) I'll post another one of these when I hit my total goal of 115.

10 Tips from a Non-Runner

I hate running. It's boring and whatever. It's whatever to me. Anyway, I can appreciate this about running: it does take discipline and disciplined breathing- like yoga!

1. Just do it. If you want to start running, just go. Do a little at a time.
2. Breathe. Learn your breathing pattern and quick. (For me, I always do 3 steps in, 3 steps out to keep it nice and slow)
3. Good shoes. Invest in some good running shoes. Not just trainers. Running shoes are made to withstand the impact of your body weight as well as cushion the impact so your back and legs don't take as much of the impact... making it so your body doesn't hurt (as much) the next day or days after.
4. Stretch!
5. If something doesn't feel right, change it. For example, I can't carry water, I have to run slow, and if I listen to music it has to be something slow or classical. It's all that works for me...
6. Try to keep running. It takes more energy to stop and re-start again than it does to keep running.
7. Endurance over speed, at first.
8. Dress 10 degrees hotter than it actually is outside.
9. Running on a treadmill is completely different than running outside. Try both.
10. Forget what you look like.

As someone who just wants to be athletically fit, and I'm not training for anything specific (at this point :)  Ha!...) those are my tips. AND if there is ever a zombie out break, I'll be ready! Rule #1: Cardio.

"When You Want to Fall Out, Is When Your Posture Begins"

Week 3:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Yoga

Wednesday: 40 mins cardio & 45 mins weights (arms & abs), I'm getting my body fat taken this day, so no running to the gym.

Thursday: Yoga

Friday: Run to the gym, 40 mins cardio & 30 mins weights (legs & back)

Saturday: Probably a run with my Handsome, or a hike, or Yoga..

Sunday: Probably just a run with my Handsome man.

Results from Week 2:

Weight from Wednesday (8/4): 125!!!!! (This is actually right on track for where I wanted to be!)

Me about to jump out of my skin after getting home from my run and learning of my success!

Monday: I have to say, I've been feeling a tad guilty for my eating habits. I want to see my body change and feel the changes again. I woke up feeling groggy and exhausted (due to the fact that I've been battling a touch of insomnia). But I have eaten well today and taking in lots of lemon water in preparation for yoga. After feeling a tad down for the morning, I realized that my eating had been perfect all day. I was continuing to let myself feel guilty for past mistakes. Like for having a cocktail last night (and yes, I'm fully aware I will truly do penance for that in yoga tonight). But today, is a new day. I can start today. I can learn to correct my eating and discipline myself for performance. To prove my point: I didn't drink coffee today. Not that there is anything wrong with coffee, but I always drink full fat cream. :)
In yoga, I was present... I was feeling some personal and emotional anxiety but was able to keep my breath and relax my mind during practice.
Side Note: There was a new woman who was obviously having a rough time, at the very end right before the last breathing exercise, Justis goes "Now, we'll do a quick breathing exercise then we do all the postures 1 time over again from the top." The woman looked like she was going to burst into tears... No one even noticed what he said! I just shook my head at him and said "That was cold." Poor lady!
Tuesday: I have to say... I think (*knock on wood!*) I may have broken through my plateau!!!!! I have to take extra precautions. ;)
Beth took note of my sit-ups a while back. She suggested that since my abs weren't strong enough to support the sit-up that I try to roll to the side for a while until I get stronger. However, she noticed that it was perhaps time that I try, once again, to do the sit-up. Prior to working on that point, I had a few break throughs:

• I didn't go as deep right away into Half Moon (Ardha-Chandrasana), and it prevented the side stitch. Pushing into the backbend really helped me push later into other back bends.
• I really pushed into the back bend of Standing Bow (Dandayamana Dhanurasana). Not to brag or anything, but my foot is a good 5 inches over my head... For only being 5'0" tall I think it's pretty good. And not only that, but I feel proud of me! Pushing hard into this backbend really helped me feel like I was executing properly. And let me tell you why, if I push hard and my hips are off, its going to push my foot crooked over my foot and start to lean me off kilter, and fall. If you push hard, and pay attention to your hips, you will notice that kicking becomes easier (kicking out and up) and your posture will feel stronger.
•  And then doing all the sit-ups. Wow. This really did more than I expected, gave me energy to continue and the hard blowing out really cools the body!

Yup! Stellar practice. I haven't had a day where I felt like this in the longest time.

Wednesday: WOOT! WOOT! I decided that I was going to try to run home from Weight Watchers, but it was hard to get there. BUT it completely PAID OFF! I weighed in at 125 lbs! DOWN 7 LBS for a total of 45 LBS LOST THIS YEAR!!! YAYYYY!!!! I literally said, when I stepped on the scale ,"That can't be right." It was a fabulous feeling. To talk about my goal with my leader as a matter of a couple of weeks to meet. Amazing feeling. So I ran home! I stopped a few times during, mind you I haven't run in evening heat since I started, I was carrying a pack, and it was only my 3rd run! (1.89 mi in 24:22- Not awesome but I feel proud that I did it)... And remember above when I crossed out... It's official... I broke my plateau in all walks of life.
Thursday: What a lovely night. As I was getting ready to leave for yoga, my honey showed up and we couldn't stop kissing and hugging each other; what a relief it is to be loved and lean on someone. I have had a couple of things bugging me, not issues with him but with myself and we really needed to talk about it. We laid on the bed and as I tearfully exposed my heart and fear that our relationship is just going to end out of nowhere our hearts grew closer and we both felt the release of being honest and open with each other. Normally I don't go on and on in my "journal" here about my relationships, but let me tell you... IN YOGA, the calm was with me. And the moral of the story, boys and girls, is that learning to open up to your emotions can and will change your practice.

A Whole Year Later.

Once upon a time, I was a truly athletic girl. I was a swimmer most of my childhood and even as I grew out of that I tried a multitude of different sports: cross country, volleyball, tennis, softball and into my late teens into adulthood: Rock climbing. Long story short, I made an almost grave mistake of free climbing alone and fell 27 feet to a ledge 80 feet up a rock face, only to shatter my L1 vertebrae ending in a titanium spinal fusion of my T12-L2 (which is right on your waist line).

About a year later I met, Jason, who would later become my (ex) husband. We shared an unhealthy lifestyle of late night sundaes and deep fried chicken. Red flags practically lined the isle to the altar. When he cheated and left me inexplicably 10 months into being married, I was blind-sided and broken in half. June 2009.

In August 2009, I met a friend who introduced me to Bikram Yoga. As difficult as it was athletically, it brought up my deep seeded issues with abandonment. My father left our family when I was 5, returned again when I was 12 for 3 months and haven't seen him since. A marriage is supposed to be your most stable relationship, the most secure. As you take vows and make vows, your words are a promise. In my case, only to be absolutely shattered. So I spent many a practice in tears, working through physical and emotional wounds. At times, it was too much. I skipped a lot of yoga practices because it was simply too overwhelming to continue to delve into old and fresh wounds. And when I would go, I hated what I saw in the mirror and would ignore all the yogis and yoginis as I was convinced of their judgement of me.

In January of this year, it hit me that as much as I loved my ex, it was an unhealthy relationship and caused unhealthy habits of eating and exercise. I was 170 lbs at 4'11". I wanted to lose some weight and work on me. I began my practice of going just once a week. Then twice. Then three times. Then four. And here I am now. I still spend some practices sobbing through the postures; something about pushing my salt skin and my salt tears brings out my true emotions that I fear to feel and causes me to feel the power in the posture itself. Every time. It is pure beauty to be hurting so much and still carry on. Even more to be hurting so much and push forward on purpose.

On Wednesday, I weighed in at 125 lbs. I was so ecstatic I ran home... If you've been following my blog I just recently started running.

A year ago, I never would have fathomed that I would be where I am now. Not a size 4, not healed emotionally (almost), not carrying a healthy, trusting and loving relationship with a fantastic, open, and patient man. Not running 2.5 miles at a time. Not liking myself in the mirror. Not a yogini and definitely not pushing myself deeper into postures daily. Not loving all the yoginis and yogis in the torture chamber with me. Not loving life. Certainly not.

Imagine where I'll be in another year.

Officially Obsessed with Bikram Blogs

Yup... It's true. I officially follow, even more loyally than my own, 25 blogs that center around Bikram Yoga and the like. And I even get excited when someone else starts following mine, and more specifically, other Bikram Yogis and Yoginis. What's more, I had a geek attack when a yogini who just finished teacher training commented on my blog.

“Until one is committed there is always hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of vents issues from the decision, raising to one’s favor all manner of unforeseen accidents and meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would come their way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

And I think this is true all around.

When I feel committed, nothing stops me. I don't even notice others around. I think this may be why I have been drawn to endlessly reading other Bikram blogs... Thinking about it day in and day out, reaffirms my commitment to the practice. And to my goals.

To a Yogini, Stretching is a Whole Different Deal

Patrick: "You just really gotta stretch out before we run.."
Lacey: "Babe. To a yogini, stretching is a whole different deal."

Alternate Title: Week 2: Agust 2nd-8th

This may seem confusing. I realize that this should have said week 5... but I didn't do so fantastic for the last 4 weeks... So I started over this last week. :) I think now I am ready to commit!

Week 2:
Monday: Yoga in pm
Tuesday: Yoga in pm
Wednesday: Run to the gym, 60 mins cardio & 45 mins weights (arms & back)
Thursday: Yoga in pm
Friday: Run to the gym, 60 mins cardio & 30 mins weights (legs & abs)
Saturday: Probably a run with my handsome
Sunday: Also, probably another run

Results from week 1:
Tuesday: Oh dear yoga. How I love you. I left feeling strong, as I generally do. :)
Saturday: 1st day trying running with the boyfriend. We ran 1.36 miles, but I stopped at least 4 times. I don't wanna talk about it... It was rough. So I'm gonna start using this as a running diary too... Just so I can keep all of it together. (1.36 mi in 20.5 mins)
Sunday: 2nd day running. It was a bit easier, I tried running without music and it totally helped. I RAN 2 miles. Ran. I only stopped once and it was to turn around and rub out my side stitch... But honestly, I'm reaaaallllyyyyy looking forward to yoga tomorrow. (2.0 mi in 22.0 mins)