Post hot yoga......

It has been a few days since my first hot yoga class.  I did melt.  I also did not learn a thing....of that I was very disappointed.

When I walked in the door, I was very specific to say I had NEVER done yoga....and I needed guidance.  I was assured that (insert Yogi's name) was a great instructor and easy to follow.  Before I go much further, let me describe the room.

IT WAS DARK.  Yep, the floor was lined with battery operated candles and 1 maybe 3ft lamp that had a paper shade.  The room was long and mirrors on 2 walls.  Did I mention it was dark??  Just making sure.....

The center did let me borrow a yoga mat.  Why invest in one if I was not sure of a commitment?!  I did bring a towel and a bottle of water.  For those who don't remember, I am blind in my left eye.  My girlfriend was sitting on my right side and we were trying not to giggle.  There was one gal stretching.....this girl would pick up one butt muscle and realign herself and then do the other side.  She even did a pose where she did almost a handstand with her knees on her elbows (or at least that is what it looked like.....(repeat with me) IN THE DARK!)

I saw this gal walk in and put her iPod in the station and she wandered down towards the front of the room.  She stood in a corner. She was our Yogi.  I wanted to raise my hand to let her know I NEED HELP, but I did not.  Class started and she told us to sit on the brick....OK,  that part was easy!  I was excited that I got the first move down!!  woot woot!  That was the last of my excitement....

This yogi had a very thick accent.  I could barely understand her.  I did know the child's pose and the downward dog before I walked in so I was sure I could do something positive in class.  Yeah, blew my knowledge in the next 3 minutes.  I kept trying to see what the others were doing but checking out the person on my right was hard not to be overly obvious.  I tried checking in the mirror what others were doing to no avail.  I could not see in the dark.  I started to wait to see what people were doing and then try to get into the move.  Oh, and one instruction was if you don't or can't do the move, transition back to the child's pose.  My knees still hurt!!  I spent a great deal of time on my knees!

The class went on for an hour.......oh, and did I mention that it was 85*?  My ice water cooled off quickly!  Totally drenched, no idea what I was doing, and on my knees.

There was a favorite part........yes, before walking out too!  There was a point where we all lie on the mat and the yogi comes around and puts a cool washcloth on your forehead and it is scented with lavender and eucalyptus.  I could have stayed there forever for that wash cloth!!

I am not totally turned off to yoga.  I am going to find a center that has lights and can guide me from one pose to another....and maybe I will try it again hot someday.

Outside my comfort zone.......

Making this summer bucket list has started to pull me out of my comfort zone.  I am guessing this is a good thing?!  At least I am hoping it is a good thing!!

Tonight I am trying HOT yoga!  I have never done yoga and I don't like anything HOT unless it is a boyfriend!  Sometimes I can be shallow......my true colors are coming out!  HA!

I can guarantee that I will NOT be in this position!  I am so out of shape......well, I have lost some of my flexibility since my foot surgery.  I have not been back to my first love, jazzercise, and the stretching I do at home is not enough.  I get that doing yoga warm (80*) is keeping the muscles warm and maybe I won't get hurt.  My girlfriend is coming with me so we may be laughing at each other and disrupting the class.  We will TRY to behave ourselves!!

Some of the next things that are on my list are getting drunk and painting...well, it is really called Vino van Gogh.  You get 2 drinks and an appetizer as part of the package and are taught how to paint this picture (the martini).  I have several friends going with me and we are excited about going.  What better time can be had with your besties, wine, and a blank canvas?

I have purchased vouchers for a winery tour and wine tasting....my friends and I just need to pick the date and go.  It is super exciting!  I have some friends (online friends) coming in for a few days for a mini reunion.  We have 3.5 days full of fun scheduled.  I got a package to make some fresh mozzarella from scratch; I am pulling out my old quilt that has been in a box for 3 years and finishing it......the list goes on.

I will post and update about the hot yoga tomorrow......if I don't melt and die....but I am sure we will have fun and if we pee our pants laughing, who will know?  We will be sweaty!

The Summer Bucket List.......oh my!

Once upon a time I created a bucket list........a life bucket list.  There are all kinds of things on it......some crazy, some rather private but all things that I would really like to do before my time on this earth is done.  Well, most of them I need to do while I am spry (um, dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly....can't picture me as a 75 year old chick doing that!)

A friend of mine commented that she has put together a summer bucket list.  That intrigued me.  I have lots of things I wish to do, places to go this summer.  Some of them have happened! 
 

I spent a lovely weekend with sone friends in Lake Geneva celebrating birthdays.  One of our most fun trips was the tour on the Lady of the Lake boat.  We were on the water for over an hour learning the history of the homes (ok MANSIONS) and how they came to be.  It was perfect weather, the different stores were lots of fun...we even found a place called the Green Eyed Lady where they make scents for you with essential oils while you wait.  It was super cool!

Next was a quick trip to Minneapolis to visit with a friend and celebrate her birthday with tickets to the Kenney Chesney No Shoes Nation Tour at Target Field.  We saw Kacey Musgraves, Eli Young Band, Zac Brown AND the man himself.  OMG, it was 6 hours of music and did not feel long at all.  We had great people sitting around us and we laughed  the whole time......well, except when we got beer baths (as drunk people forgot which end was up on the bottle as they were getting amourous with their mate .....or I hope it was their mate/date!)

So far the summer has been grand.  Today I purchased a package deal for a winery tour of a vineyard and a wine tasting.  I have an old deal for a paint while you drink.......there are many choices in paintings....not sure this particular one is me but I will peruse their site to see what I like that I want to paint.  By the end of the evening who knows what it will look like......2 glasses of wine (or so) later!!

 

There is lots of time left of this summer, things to see and do.  No time to let grass grow under my feet.......and who knows, maybe this is the summer of dancing on the bar....... *wink wink*

I'M.......(fill in the blank)

I have been doing a lot of soul and self searching lately.  I am working on doing things MY way for ME.  I know I will not always be right...and might even make people shake their heads.  In any case it is right for me at that moment.  It is my normal!  

I look at words and things people share on Facebook.  Impossible.....vs I'm possible; imperfect vs I'm perfect....the list can go on.

What I do realize is I AM POSSIBLE.  The impossible is the fear in your head.  It might not be right or reasonable.  I sometimes feel like yoga is impossible for me to do.  I lack the flexibility.  That is that inner devil talking.  If I make no changes the voices in my head win.  My answer to that is I am going Tuesday night to my first hot yoga class....now of that I am afraid!  I don't do heat well!!  I am, however, walking in and plan to do the best I can.......and someday it will be good as I will limber up and stretch the muscles I have.  I might even feel like the limber ballerina I once was!!   

I am also PERFECT for me!  I don't need to measure myself up to anyone else because we are all different.  I may, on occasion, be jealous of something someone is doing but that gives me the chance to make a dream of it myself!  We are human, we are flawed and I am embracing all my flaws.......each and every one of them!  I might even make new flaws every day as I retire others.  How lucky am I to be able to do all of this?!    

I have my whole life ahead of me and I plan to keep myself on my toes.....pushing the limits and having fun.  I might have to do something like a friend is doing......a summer bucket list.  Maybe mine will be a fall one but in anycase it will happen and at the end of the day, I will reflect on a beautiful sunset like this one started out to be and know how lucky I am and how juicy my life can be!  It is just waiting for me!

Working through the cleanse

I made it through the rain (detox/cleanse)......I can hear Barry Manilow wafting in the background if I close my eyes!

I was not doing this for weight loss, although some was anticipated.  I was trying to get different foods that act as toxins to ME out and finding my happy place with food.  I have a unique blood type (AB+) and I know what my blood likes and does not like.  The not likes are many of my favorite foods starting with chicken, pork,oranges, bananas to name a few.  I will admit, however, that after eating many of these foods I would spend a tremendous amount of time belching.  Such an attractive attribute when you are in the dating world!!

It comes down to trying the same things all the time and expecting different results.  How silly is that?!  Well, I have a few things that I have a new perspective on in the land of food.......

First and foremost, COFFEE!  I was avoiding coffee because the creamer I put in my coffee has sugar.  I use the fat free vanilla but in going with the spirit of the process I eliminated coffee and drank black tea (or green tea) plain.  I have consumed tea on occasion but my favorite has always been that first cup of coffee in the morning..........**sigh**.  Over the weekend I did experiment with coffee again.  I was so sad.......it did not taste nearly as good as it used to and regardless of the time of day I tried to drink it I did continue to belch.  I even got a bit of heartburn or reflux from it.....what the heck!  I am thinking that I will substitute my cup of coffee with a cup of cocoa in the morning......at least for the winter.  I have to still use my Keurig machine!!

Next, I tried a sandwich and a bagel.  Not in the same day....but when I did eat the bagel it was nothing special.  I used to salivate waiting for Friday mornings in the office when we would have Bagel Friday....the Asiago cheese bagel was always my choice.  Once again, the reflux thing was acting up and the gluten just made me feel bloated.  Friday, I did not have the bagel but did opt for a club sandwich.  The weather was not the greatest, I was running late and forgot my lunch.  I had a simple sandwich......after one bite I deconstructed the sandwich. No bread...the bread was not as sumptuous a flavor as I was accustomed to.  Again, I was sad......

Now on the positive side, I am eating Greek yogurt again.....the plain kind!  I mix the yogurt with fresh and frozen fruit, some water and on occasion some fresh squeezed juice I get from Whole Foods.  That is a treat for me and so delicious because it is fresh, not from concentrate, no sugar added and I use so little my body does not reject it.  I am finding different local fruits and seasonal type fruits to add in.  I have a cookbook that does have some smoothies in it and I will be incorporating vegetables too at some point.  To sip on this for breakfast has been such a treat and something I thoroughly enjoy......and yes, I add a scoop of protein powder just to be sure I am getting all the fuel to light my fire and start my day.

I LOVE vegetables and I have been playing more with them.  Sauteing eggplant, zucchini, and onions to toss in pasta or quinoa has been nice.  Using different vegetables for roasting or grilling (depending on the season) to use as side dishes for turkey, beef, fish or protein du jour.  I am really excited to be looking outside the box for food choices.

I have had much less acid/reflux/heartburn.....whatever you want to call it.  It is a trial and error process.  I might be sad for the moment when I do react to a food but I know if I stay away from it long enough someday I can try it again much like I do with my dog and her allergies.

I am not a big fan of turkey....not even with extra gravy (I don't do gravy!) but turkey Italian sausage is palatable to throw in a nice escarole soup.  Shrimp and lobster are off my radar for the moment BUT I do love tilapia and tuna steaks.  I like fruit, not that it will be a substitute for chocolate, but the sweet edge has to be addressed......can't ignore what I might have a hankering for.

This is a great learning experience and I am feeling pretty good.  Onward.....

Half way through week 1 in detox land...

Last Saturday morning I woke up full of spunk and ready to start this detox/purification.  I had my shake powder, fiber powder, pills galore and my trusty blender.  (No, that is not me in the picture......one of my favorite chefs though!)

I can honestly say the first couple of shakes were rather shaky!!  They were nasty, gritty and I was having to choke them down.  Then I needed to follow it with 10 pills (vitamin/mineral type stuff).  Sheesh....I started to wonder if I was cut out for this!

Truly realizing that I was not going to consume gluten product came to more of a realization when I could smell peanut butter toast.  *sigh*  It made me salivate.  I could not have a cup of my favorite coffee......well I could if I wanted to drink it black but that is not an option for this East Coast girl.  I learned very young to drink my coffee 'boston' style!  I did  try some almond milk one time and another time I tried coconut milk.......just not the same.  I will settle for tea for now as I can tolerate that without sugar, honey, or agave.  I made it through breakfast with hard boiled eggs.  YUM.  That with an apple and I was golden.

A friend called and we were going to meet for lunch.....uh oh.....how am I ever going to order out?!  Gluten follows me.....no bread, no pasta.  With my thinking cap on, I actually had a small pork chop, baked potato, and spinach.  Hey, this was easy!  I made it through a meal without freaking out!!

Now, it has gotten easier.  When in doubt, I consult my friends at Google.  Is oatmeal gluten free? YES!  Is brown rice gluten free?  YES!  What kind of pasta is gluten free?  The questions go on, but I am having fun with the answers.  The other night I really wanted some elbow pasta with tuna (a comfort food growing up) and the quinoa pasta was rather tasty.  I could enjoy that on occasion.

Friday night I will be done with the handful of 10 pills 3 times per day.  The following 2 weeks I will be down to 5 pills 2 times per day and a different pill 3/3 times per day.

I will admit that my energy level is starting to increase.  I am learning other issues with my body but that can all be corrected over time.  3 days into the program I had my first weigh in at Weight Watchers and was not pleased with the result but this kind of change is HUGE to my body and it is probably still trying to figure out what I am up to.  We will see what next Wednesday brings.

Onward and upward.........oh, and I did find some Udi's bread.  Toasted it is very nice with a smattering of peanut butter. 

Detox......and I don't mean alcohol!

Part of this journey is good health, feeling better, looking better, etc.  How better to attain this goal but by detoxing all my organs!

I have been talking to a pharmacist who also understands nutrition...sounding like fun, eh?  Well, looking at my blood work, she came up with some ideas as to how I might be able to gain more energy for starters.  See those vegetables above?  They are our friends!  I like veggies.....I also like them with dip!  Right now dip is not a friend!

I am trying the Standard Process detox/purification system.  It is a 21 day process.  I need to avoid gluten (bread, bagel, pasta....oh wait, I am Italian!!), refined sugars, dairy (except for butter), and artificial sweeteners.  Even as I write this I am sad......21 days without coffee??!!  What is up with that?  I never heard her say no caffeine, except I need something to be the cream in my coffee! Do I dare go to the 'other side' and try tea?  That I can drink without cream.....oh, and no agave nectar....waaahhhh!!

In all honesty, it is not a big deal.  I will survive.  Actually I will thrive!  I found a recipe today for a tomato sweet potato bisque.  Now you are thinking bisque means DAIRY!  Well, I found out that if I take silken tofu and puree it final product will mimic cream.  Really, I think I would like the final product without the cream anyway.  I also have a recipe for garbanzo beans and greens!  Another fav of mine growing up.  Grandma taught me to love my odd veggie soups.

I am also going to my favorite grocery store and looking for more protein that does not have the antibiotics/growth hormones.  I know it will be more expensive but in the end, I am worth it.  When we eat the 'normal' portion it in all reality is not that much more expensive......that's my story and I am sticking to it!  Whole Foods, here I come.  I can get the stocks for the soups and the protein there too.  I might even go so far as to make my own dry beans instead of buying cans!  Call me Suzie Homemaker!

I did a cleanse/detox a couple of years ago and I lost the heartburn that I occasionally get (more acid related), and the 'urpies' that I sometimes find after I have forms of dairy.  I am pretty sure it is food combinations so I will take the time to see if I can figure out what the offenders are while I go through the process.  Feeling better will be worth it.

As I read the info on this product, it is also supposed to make my skin more clear, hair shinier.......oh, and it does help with weight loss.  BONUS!  I am all for whatever it takes to make me the better me I can be!

Oops.....timer went off......time for more vitamins!  I will post in 21 days as to what the results are!!

It's just a number.......

How many times do we hear that.....it's just a number.  What do all these numbers mean?  Is it good if it goes up?  Down?  Sideways (just kidding!)

Let's start with weight......wow, that is a number!!  As a weight watcher's member it is a very important number that I track weekly.  I really like when I see it move down.  It is then an indication that I have done it right.......more fruits/vegetables; less bread, pasta.  More water, less wine (ok that is a stretch.....I don't drink that much) but I have followed the program as dictated....and there is a smile on my face!

Along with the weight going down, blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol all will follow in a downward spiral.  All of that is good!  One goal this year is to get off the little blood pressure pill I take.  All of these numbers can be critical for a person......especially if you have family history of heart disease, diabetes and the like.

Then there are numbers, healthy numbers, that going up are good.  I see you scratching your head but give me a minute to explain.  Stamina, steps, exercise...these are all numbers I like seeing go up.  I have a fitbit, a type of pedometer, and I wear it faithfully.  For several months I have not been able to exercise at Jazzercise or take Sassy for the walks she became accustomed to. Since New Year's eve I have been trying to go back to the 10,000 steps per day.  I have found that the days I do go to Jazzercise it is easy to hit that mark.  The other days I really strive for 7,000 steps.  With time and persistence I will get back to where I was.  I don't like the feeling of exhaustion walking up the stairs with a full laundry basket.  It has been a long time since that was a problem for me.  I am not taking this lying down.....I am on my feet moving!!

Other numbers we track.......age.  I am not getting any younger but refuse to be labeled old.  I will keep moving and looking great.  Money.....well we can all use more and I hope that I am investing well.  Blessings........boy I count those daily.  My friends and family are high on the list of blessings I have.

On that note, I need to go do some homework.....another number I track.....my grades.  I never thought going back for masters #2 would be so hard but if it is worth doing it better be done well.

until next time......

And so it goes.....

Yum.....I love guacamole!  I love avocados in general.  I have been experimenting with a panini maker I received for Christmas.  Last night it was a tuna melt with avocado.  Very thin slices of avocado......it was decadent.  I can't say it was point friendly but I had planned for the sandwich for dinner and it was ok.  It was so ok that I saw a 1.4 lb loss on the scale this week.

At my meeting this morning we talked about our successes and how we achieved them; also talked about how we would sustain the momentum this week.  I thought about that.

The last few weeks I have been cleaning my spaces (fridge, pantry, house in general) and most everything is point friendly.  This includes the glass of wine I might choose with dinner or a splurge of ice cream after dinner.  Did you know the beauty of Weight Watchers is that there are no forbidden foods?!  Seriously!  I love ice cream.....skinny cows, dairy queen, you name it.....I like it!!

What is even nicer is that if I choose to exercise, I can have more points to eat!  I try not to use my activity points because I have the extra 49 per week.  I NEVER use both the extra and activity points.  That shows a lack of self control!  This is a healthy journey and there is nothing healthy about being glutenous in any area of life.  Everything should be in moderation.

So, to celebrate my success this week, I will take the dog for a walk before dinner and maybe indulge in a cup of hot cocoa as a treat.  I really don't want to give myself food as a reward for success.........isn't that how I got in this mess??!

Seriously, I am saving my rewards that I am earning for my cruise.  Maybe I will get a new pair of shoes or a new swim suit....something that will reflect the hard work I am putting forth to be a healthier (and sassier) me!

Movement......is it all it is cracked up to be?

To me, the answer is a resounding YES!  Try spending a very extended period of time in a boot to keep your foot mobilized.  Try having 3 foot procedures keeping you on crutches (and begging the doc to let me just walk...no depth perception makes crutches harder).  Try having an infection wreaking havoc with the healing process......and lastly being forced NOT to participate in my beloved Jazzercise for virtually 9 months.

I can honestly say, in the 17 years I have been jazzercising I have never missed more than a week due to a cold, vacation, or some malady.  This has been excruciating.  For most of this time an exercise bike was the only activity that the doc would allow but I am not a big fan, so I opted to do it very infrequently.  I could have been doing some weight work or ab work on my own, but that is why I joined Jazzercise.......I do not do well on my own!

Walking was a challenge after getting the release from the boot.  My foot did not have a lot of feeling and the muscles were tight.  I was given a stretching routine that I do use.  It does make things feel a bit less weird.  Right now, about 1/3 of my foot is still numb.  Not unexpected but still is weird.  Even the dog has been missing her long walks through the park and around the neighborhood.

I finally got off the pity pot the other day when I realized I needed to move.  I am recommitting myself to a healthy lifestyle and that most definitely includes exercise.  New Year's eve I took my first jazzercise class in months.  It hurt and I felt like a new student as most of the music I had not danced to this year but it was good.  Yes, my foot was swollen at the end of the class but a little ice and I was golden.

Sassy has been getting mini walks through the complex here.  She is finding all the old smells as new and having a blast......and most important I am wearing my pedometer (a fitbit ultra to be exact).  I have gone from getting maybe 500 steps in per day to closer to 7000 steps per day.......all without indulging in jazzercise.  I am moving toward my old goal of 10,000 steps per day and I can see it in the horizon.  

So if you are in the hood and see us meandering about the place, wave hi!  We will smile and continue down the road with a smile because we can move and choose to enjoy it all!

Tracking, Spaces, Routines

If it has not been obvious, I am a Weight Watchers member.  I have been for many years.....more off than on but that is a story for another day.  I even have the first cookbook the Jean N (can't spell her last name.....but the founder of WW).  My grandmother, God love her, thought her chubby granddaughter needed the help.

For the most part I am a faithful tracker........well, I did take a couple of months off.  I had my pity party that if I could not exercise, why track what I eat.  Did it matter?  I know it did matter but could not wrap my head around it.  What is crazy is I have been watching people around me losing like crazy.....why?  Let's say it together......TRACKING!  One high school friend has almost lost half his starting body weight.  How did he do it?  I eats the same thing every day for breakfast, snack, lunch and snack.  Dinner he varies as I am sure his family would get bored with eating the same boring chicken every night.

Tracking is not hard.  Is it necessary?  I really do think so.  Our mindless eating (one cookie won't kill me) will get us into trouble.  An extra point here, two there, no enough activity will help the pounds creep back.  Shoot, WW has apps of every kind, paper trackers, books....all sorts of tools to help us be successful.

In the new version of Weight Watchers 360, there are even more tools.  They are my title today.  I have recommitted to tracking.  I can do it on my computer, my phone, my iPad....they have made it very easy for me.....I can't screw it up!  Well.......you understand what I mean.

Spaces is one of my prides today (yesterday too) as I took the time to clean the fridge.  OMG the stuff that was in there that was old.  Some looked like a science experiment and other things just looked wilted and beyond their time.  I was sad for the money I was throwing out and have made a promise to myself that I will not let that happen anymore.  Food is too expensive to be lackadaisical with what I have purchased and not use it.  Once it was clean, I started cooking!  I looked up recipes (split pea soup....Emeril has a great one) and made 2 pots of soup.  Good old chicken soup and Split Pea (no ham).  I had purchased some chicken breasts and was afraid they might be bad.....luck was on my side and they were fine.  I stuffed them with low fat ricotta cheese and spinach, topped them with salsa and added a little white wine to it for added moisture.  All point friendly.  I went to the grocery and got fruit, frozen veggies and am good to go for the week.  My space in my kitchen is a good place for me.  Everything there is friendly and I don't have to worry about whether something will sabotage my journey.

Another friendly space is my bedroom AKA the cave!  No food is allowed in the cave, liquid beverage only.  There has to be a place where I don't have to worry about food.  The dog and I have our safe haven......and all is good there.

Let's face it, we are all creatures of habit.  Routine can be our friend.  I love knowing that I have my pedometer on and can challenge myself to move a little more today than yesterday.  I like knowing that I have a few things readily available for breakfast so no thought process needed there.  I have snacks to grab with no thought of failure. 

I need to work on my exercise routine.  More like get back to it.  As I said the other day I took my first class and although I did plan tomorrow to be number 2 it might have to wait for the weekend.  I say that as being an accountant, year end is surrounding me and those deadlines don't care if I want to work out.  I will get out and take Sassy for a walk.  She will love it.  She loves the cold weather and running around like a fool (a fool on a leash!)

I did have my first weigh in for 2013 this morning (ww at the office......greatest thing I did for me and my work buddies) and had a success on the scale.  That made my day!  I will allow the momentum and joy of that feeling today carry me through the week.  There is no such thing as failure UNLESS I say it is failure.  I make choices all day long.  If my choice is to indulge in a piece of chocolate, good for me.  If I bite it, I write it.  The word 'bad' is banned from my vocabulary unless I am talking about something spoiled.  I am not bad for making a choice......I am a human making a choice.  If I choose to have something NOT point friendly I have to give something up to accommodate it.

This is my year for success.  I know it.....I feel it....I will achieve it and unlike the celebrities who endorse WW, I don't have chefs, trainers and the like in my corner.  I do, however, have all my friends who cheer me on and for that I am the luckiest girl in the world!

See you soon!