Saturday, December 29, 2012

Bikram yoga - session 5

After a late night it was a bit of a struggle getting up at 6:30am to make sure I made the 8am class. My sister was too late and the doors were locked before she arrived. Had Bridget again same as the first session. Wasn't off to a great start as she was telling us what to focus on for the breathing exercise and I wasn't paying attention. I reckon it would be tough doing as much talking as they do for 90 minutes reminding you what to focus on and correcting individuals when the opportunity arose. At some points reminded me of an auctioneer. But in a useful way :)

Today I managed in the second set of on knees and feet, both apart, sitting back into a bridge - to get both elbows on the ground. It must have helped having knees 8 inches and feet 6 inches apart as I didn't make it on the first set. I also got 1 hand to heel for camel pose. Although my lower back is quite sore now. I still find it hard to look into the mirror for balance poses without falling over.

Finished class and bought a nakula coconut water can, it tasted alright and had my protein shake. At lunch i drank lots of Chinese tea and a bottle of water but maybe not enough. No headache but was a bit tired. I had taken in a Gatorade powder mix to the class - think I would have preferred plain water but still drank almost all of it before class ended. Really tender spot on my right lower back. Maybe I pushed myself too hard in the class?

Two more days left of the trial. Will see how I feel - especially now jase is back home :)

Friday, December 28, 2012

Bikram yoga - session 4

So I woke up yesterday feeling really sore. I didn't sleep well as I woke up about 4:30 and didn't get back to sleep until after 6. Woke up about 10:30 and noticed it was going to be over 30 degrees. So dragged myself out of bed and took the dogs for a 3km or so walk. After that I was feeling better. Thought about going to the 6pm session but then decided I really couldn't be bothered driving to prahran and I thought I'd go try out white guy cooks Thai as he was going to be in footscray park.

Didn't sleep well again. Probably fell asleep around 2am then woke up early again, dozed and got up at 9:30 to put the dogs out. Lazy morning reading as I found out there was a gunman loose nearby (that explains the helicopter over head for hours) so I wasn't in a hurry to leave the house. Made the mistake of going to a new fish and chip shop for a burger and fries. Felt awful afterwards. Was supposed to be meeting my sister for the 6pm session but she decided to go tomorrow. Decided to go anyway and make the most of my 10 day trial. Only 40 minutes early this time!! Again went into the room with 13 minutes to go. It was hot!!!

Different woman took the class today - I was impressed she remembered my name after our only interaction being at reception when I walked in and gave my name. The room was pretty fully. A girl set up near me and kept waving her towel around in getting set up which meant more heat waves for me (was in a bit of a grumpy mood). More of the same in the class. I found the heat harder than last class. I did feel better though in one move I wasn't the only one just standing waiting for it to finish. The majority of the class were. I can't seem to extend my leg straight whilst my hands are under my foot, which as I was reminded meant I hadn't even started the posture yet. However one leg was easier than the other balance wise.

The woman was good at getting the reminders through to you as you were trying to do the moves. She also seemed intent to get me doing a back bend thing on my knees with at least one elbow on the ground. She reckoned I was an inch off the ground. For the forward leg bend thing she spent time explaining the move to the group which was good. You make a hook with 2fingers and wrap around your big toes. Then walk your legs back to straighten them, then bend forwards. She looked really impressive in her demo. So second time around I attempted straighter legs and it killed. Apparently you had to straighten your legs and tighten your thighs, etc...

During the ground bit I got a bit over the heat (she did go and open the door when the ground work started so maybe the room was too hot again??). I think also I found it uncomfortable doing stuff like the bow move on my stomach as it made me feel a bit dodgy. But a little bit later got back into the swing of things though was still super happy when the class ended. Stayed and did some stretching then headed outside for coconut water. Left after a shower trying to make the local Vietnamese place before it closed for some dinner. Had a protein shake in the car. Was feeling better than last time. Had dinner and drank the last of the sugary flavored mineral water (bad), and had ice cream with m&ms (my own mcflurry!!). So really need to have some water!!

Supposed to be getting up for the 8am class and as its 10:30pm I really should head to bed. Still finding the class tough mentally!! Even after 4 sessions. Not to the point of wanting to leave, just to the "have we finished yet??"

A few positives however are that my shoulders seemed not to rise so much today, so I think my awareness of that has improved, my arms were looking good in the class, and I was in a better mood when I was at home after class than I was before. I really had to drag myself there today!!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Bikram yoga - session 3

So I've had 2days "off" since the last session. First day off my leg muscles were incredibly sore and then Christmas day kept me pretty distracted.

Back today. Simon took the class, 6pm session. Ended up sitting for 20 or so minutes in a warmish car beforehand, but decided to go into the room 13 minutes before class started this time. The breathing exercise is still a killer, I'm sure I'm not doing it right. I seem unable to tilt my head backwards without bending my spine and managing to get my elbows together. Always happy when this ends.

This time I think I coped better with the heat, doing most of the standing stuff, apart from when I lost balance and waited til the next move. Lying down I started to suffer a bit from the heat, or just lost my mental state to block it out so well. I only drank about half my water this time in the class. I couldn't do the locus(t?) stuff without having my arms to the side, and doing a full stretch forward over straight toes made me feel ill. So second time round I just laid down for that bit, confusing the teacher as we were supposed to be lying the other way. I also struggled with the backward bend stuff but to be expected with my mega tight hamstrings and lower back.the heat for the first half of the class seemed less overwhelming but maybe i was more focused in my breathing and meditation. I made sure not to eat after 3pm, but didn't hydrate until lunchtime and just before leaving so I think all that water made me feel a bit I'll.

Afterwards my sister asked if it was hotter this time round and seemed to be struggling. So maybe the second class is harder than the first! Driving home I almost collided with a car who was in my blind spot, and head check visibility sucks in our car so despite making a headcheck I didn't see them until I had moved towards that lane. Hope they got a lesson about staying in someone's blind spot. On the freeway the sun glare was awful and an incident on freeway ramp where I cross the bolte bridge brought 2 lanes to a standstill, thankfully I followed the lane closed signs despite lanes not being closed to continue over the west gate.

Home eventually and was feeling kind of awful. I'd had a coconut water straight after class and finished off my water. I had a protein shake when I got home but mentally felt really out of it. Sat watching tv for a bit then heated up last nights leftover casserole. I only ate part of it before deciding my stomach didn't feel awesome. Muscles sore, brain fuzzy and sore stomach. Blegh. Hoping I feel better after a sleep. Home alone and usually don't sleep well when that's the case.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Bikram yoga - session 2

So I woke up early feeling sore - like I'd done a workout. Sore back in several places, neck, hips and legs. Had a piece of toast with butter and Vegemite with 2.5 hours until bikram. Allowed too much time to drive there and got there an hour before class. At least I got a park in the same place as last time. Bad thing about hydrating is all the bathroom breaks - but at least my Aussie toilets app came in handy! Ended up going to class and into the room 20 mins early. Outside temperature was about 30 degrees. Thinking maybe it would help to spend time just getting used to the heat inside.

Walking in to the room I think I was the 3rd person in the room so I was a bit early. The heat hit me as soon as I walked in - though everyone else I noticed walking into the room had a similar reaction (ie. making a noise of surprise). I got myself settled, did some stretching, moved my mat as the person in front of me was blocking my mirror view perfectly. Class taken by a guy this time. First breathing exercise and I still can't seem to lift my head up and back, without bending my spine - at least the guy explained that if you had a stiff neck you might have trouble with it, and explained it aimed to get you sweating. Sure did. Seems crazy that something so simply as breathing, moving your elbows and head gets you sweating profusely and feels difficult!

I'd like to say that I did better this class and I found the heat better but I didn't. Some of the standing up stuff I didn't do as I either lost balance quickly or was feeling a bit woozy. So I probably did less standing stuff than I did yesterday. Although the guy opened the door maybe 3-4 times as if the room was too hot. So nice feeling a cooling breeze but didn't last long. Was interesting having the guy lead the class although sometimes he'd be like - if your leg isn't straight you haven't started the pose yet. So if I can't straighten my leg I'm doing nothing so I should give up?? At least he tried to give me a slight variation for me for the japanese sitting in your knees with feet out to the side as I think my tight hamstrings were stopping me this time. I also still struggle with locus stuff - for some reason lying in my arms and hands is painful. I was probably more careful with my neck than yesterday but still feeling a bit niggly. I got through my 750ml of water before the class finished. After class I stayed to do some stretching then headed out to the cooler reception. Sat and drank coconut water. Had someone come up to me to tell me i had left all my stuff behind. As i was a little out of it, i looked next to me at my stuff a bit confused. Had a shower complete followed by a bitchy woman who came in and announced that everyone needed to hurry up (so she could shower). She walked out and back in again having another go at people. Eventually one lady walked out and the woman was like you're gorgeous, (pause) with this woman looking at her strangely. Then she goes you're the first person out and was the last in - which is rubbish as the last woman in went into my shower when I was done. But didn't bother pointing that out. Talk about killing the yoga buzz. As tough as it is you still feel a sense of accomplishment afterwards.

After walking back to the car and sitting for a but longer i drove home carefully, feeling a little niggly in my neck, left my water in the boot oops! Tried to keep drinking water after I got home. We ended up riding to highpoint on the motorbike thinking traffic and nightmare would be nightmarish. It so wasn't. So was very warm. High 30s. In highpoint it was still pretty warm so it was like bikram session temperature. But with more walking around.

Some Observations:
- enjoying the eye candy that was in the class
- sweating profusely (hoping that's a good thing), had been hoping I'd be slightly cooler in shorts and crop top but don't think it helped much apart from me seeing if I was engaging my abs
- my hips and legs are feeling worked out/stretched so must be doing something
- I think it was better drinking my coconut water immediately after the class but should have had more water soon
- I still got a bit of a headache that disappeared without drugs this time
- I don't think I coped better with the heat in class 2. Maybe class 3 :)
- I actually remembered a full change of clothes this time yay!! Still feels bizarre putting everything so damp in the washing machine. Was like I'd been swimming in my gear.

Taking a break tomorrow as it would be a struggle to make a lunch I'm going to after class, and I'm pretty sore (but in a good way), so I'll have 2 days off and be back on boxing day!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Bikram yoga - session 1

Arrived early and got myself registered for my trial $19 for 10 consecutive days, bargain!! Lots of people were in there laying quietly, all facing the same direction so I did the same. At first it was quite pleasant, the heat, a little bit unusual. When the session started we stood up and then the heat started hitting me. it's a pretty consistent heat, sometimes you notice more heat coming at you, and you sweat a lot. I think I needed the four litres I had drunk the day before.

The class is I think 26 forms and 2 breathing exercises. The teacher talked us through the movements but didn't demonstrate, so you had to watch what other people were doing to figure it out. I quickly learnt to not follow the woman next to me, the people in the front row were the ones to watch. Honestly can't remember everything we did. We did 3 forms/whatever they're called, and then had a water break together. At this point I noticed all the beads of sweat on me and that my face was going really red as it does when I run. We were told to drink at any time but to wait until a balance move was finished to not unbalance people with movement. Despite having a hay fever tablet the night before and the morning was still breathing through my mouth at times (bad sinuses) and felt a bit parched.

The moves themselves weren't too bad, you could work at your own level. A couple of times I felt a bit... Woozy is probably the best word for it.. So took a drink and rejoined later. You do the first part standing up and then move to the floor. I thought the floor part might have felt easier but I struggled. Either because I'd had enough of the heat, or just the stuff we were doing I'm not sure. A lot of the moves required sitting on your knees and feet, and then moving your feet out, or going into a camel pose and my ankles were too sore to do it. But when I struggled I just sat and had some more water and waited. I did feel a slight niggle in my shoulder, and had noticed in all the standing up moves I had to keep pulling my shoulders down. I didn't feel nauseous at all which I was a little nervous about beforehand. Whilst I wanted the class to finish up quicker than it did, I tried to focus on giving things a go. I didn't feel a massive need to leave the room. It wasn't a relaxing session for me though.

After class I did some stretching and then left the room, the cold reception in comparison felt great. I felt a bit light headed, but sat and had more water. Had a cool shower and realized I had brought clean track suit pants but no clean top - whoops!! Walked to the car and sat for a bit. Still feeling a bit out of it. Drove home to have a proper shower and get non stinky, had a coconut water and a long shower. The rest of the day was conscious that my back was sore in places, knots at the top of my neck and sore lower back. Went into the city for lunch feeling pretty out of it, but still trying to drink more water. When we stopped for petrol bought a mizone vitamin water and had half of it whilst waiting for the slowest petrol attendant ever to serve customers. After lunch, some shopping, and sorbets at the local cafe - got back home and by this stage had an awful headache. Ended up having a painkiller, a big glass of electrolyte drink and fell asleep for a bit on the couch. Woke up feeling heaps better.

Had I not gotten rid of my headache I don't think I'd be going back tomorrow, I'd have a few days off). Mainly because I don't want to spend my holidays feeling like I did today. My back has been a bit crackly so will be interesting to see how I feel in the morning. I am glad though that this yoga place let's you drink in the class - maybe its better if you don't breathe through your mouth but I'd have struggled heaps more without water breaks. The parking in prahran is a nightmare though!! The teacher was helpful though giving direction to my sister and I if we were doing something not quite right. For example there was one bit where you were standing one one leg, other leg over the top, toe behind your calf, then you had to have a certain arm above the other kind of entwined, and she's saying your thumbs should be facing you... So then you had to figure out what you were doing wrong as your thumbs were facing the mirror.

Let's see how I go with round 2 - here's hoping for no headache!! :)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Relaxed too much with the food side of things

The weekend was a mixed bag. Went to a BBQ with a few ciders and ended up drinking those, a champagne cocktail (that was truly awful but I drank it instead of leaving it) and a captain Morgan spiced rum and coke! On the plus side I found myself not wanting to drink coke! I also ate a hamburger, salads and a veggie skewer stick thing. Oh and prawns and more salad. I would have previously had that and a sausage and a chop.. So that's kind of something. But I drank too much and was hung over on Sunday. On Sunday I had scrambled eggs, beans and hash browns. Lunch was tempura fish and prawns with fries and pickled zucchini ribbons. Also had a glass of Pinot noir. Dinner was a 180g burger with potato chips (big ones), a piece of bread and butter and a glass of red wine.

Monday involved visit to the gym, part of a berry banana smoothie for breakfast but then got to work and was ravenous. I think I ate 3 Quakers oat cookies, banana, lunch was reheated pasta bolognese with gluten free pasta, a fruit mince, some gluten free salt n vinegar chip things, and some snack things that look like twisters but are like curry flavored and crunchier. dinner ended up being Japanese as jase was working late so we shared haramaki rolls (little veggie I think spring rolls with mayo), and I had wafu steak with bean shoots, zucchini and a bowl of rice, and a glass of Japanese plum wine.

Tuesday went to gym again (more strength training - slowly increasing the weight). Had the other half of the banana berry smoothie, a protein shake with full cream milk (as opposed to my usual almond milk), 3 Quaker oat cookies, another fruit mince pie, lunch was a soup of vermicelli, veggies and prawns. I think it maybe had MSG in it as I was super sleepy afterwards and a bit headachey. Also had a small valia yoghurt. Dinner was chicken fajita using old el paso kit with chicken, capsicum and onion, I probably had 1 more than I should have.

Wednesday got up early and had a banana smoothie, was going to go for a run but was headachey and tired so I went back to bed. At work I had a milo, 3 Quaker oat cookies, lunch was spring rolls and beef noodles (were oily this time). A different fruit mince pie, a couple of tangy chips (bad desk neighbor hehe) and a small yoghurt. Got home and had a mini wagon wheel and some chocolate. (I won't be buying a whole packet again!!) dinner was teriyaki beef and lots of veggies and udon noodles. With dinner i had a glass and a half of nice red wine. Also had a coconut water as I hadn't been drinking enough water.

So I kind of think that's why I put on over a kilo this week. It's a little annoying as I don't like seeing the weight go up but on the plus side I'm probably a better weight now as I didn't mean to lose as much as I did. I've lost a lot of will to eat good "12wbt style" food - which I'll need to get back to keep fitting into the size 8 and small clothes I bought on the weekend!!

Thursday - we have no milk so jase probably won't go to the gym, lunch is free burrito day at Guzman y Gomez (if the queue isn't insanely long). Dinner will be something with beef as that is what I took out of the freezer.

Friday is our last day of work for the year with a long lunch planned to finish the day. I'm having a chicken club sandwich and probably a cider.. Or two. We're also having a secret Santa morning tea before lunch!

On the plus side likely to be trying out bikram yoga for a 10 day trial starting on Saturday!

Lessons learnt:
- I need to drink less
- I need to have healthy low calorie snacks at work so that when I get bored I'm not mowing through the calories
- I need to go back to planning out my meal plan instead of largely winging it
- keep drinking water even after I get home
- don't buy a packet of wagon wheels
- get out of the habit of getting home and snacking on chocolate

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Week 15 & 16 - trying to establish good habits

Monday - home sick with a bad cold, had to cancel on my boxing session

Tuesday - back at work, but no workout, slept badly

Wednesday - Emma and toms Christmas run - 10km around albert park lake. Was really cold and windy. Started at 16 degrees then got colder. Didn't feel like an awesome run with it taking awhile to warm up (we missed the aerobics workout until the pat on the back part), had a sore foot for a lot of the run and then my other leg/thigh hurt for the last 2 kms. But apart from stopping and getting water 3 times (walked a short bit) I ran the whole way and picked up the pace for the finish. Time was something like 60:00:59. Was hoping for 6 min kms and then got sick so was hoping for 6.5 min kms on race day so I beat that :) was nice having running buddies and met an online friend who I'd been chatting to for years :) per race had 2 gatorades which tasted so sugary compared to drinking water! Had lost 700-900grams which I hadn't wanted to lose (morning weigh in)

Thursday - jase didn't go to the gym so I went back to bed.

Friday - cant recall.

Saturday - went for a run along the river but ended up mainly power walking. Had 3 new people come to the group workout so was good to chat about how they were finding the program. Still burnt over 500 calories in just over an hour. Had a few drinks at a friends birthday BBQ - got home and fell asleep. Eventually got dragged out for Thai for dinner. Had a can of lemonade as I was feeling so dehydrated (and lots of water too). First sugary drink in ages (apart from the gatorades).

Sunday - rest day

Monday - went to gym with jase, somehow strained my back/neck. Really must take the time to stretch afterwards too. It tends to be an express workout so we can get home and off to work on time. Headache formed!

Tuesday - no gym for me, neck still niggly. Dinner was out with the round 3 ladies that I've been working out with. Enjoyed a few ciders and mushroom risotto. There were lots of yummy looking desserts but figured I probably shouldn't with the extra cider.

Wednesday - gym in the morning, went light to ensure I didn't injure myself again. No xtraining class for me though, came home and made dinner (gluten free pasta with a cheeky glass of wine). We weren't going to the gym tomorrow as new equipment was getting setup. Gained I think 500g but making up for last week's loss that I didn't want.

Thursday - ended up taking the dogs for a walk whilst temperature was in the mid 20s. Did a few short sprints with yoshi. Boxing session planned for after work.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Week 14 - back on the exercise wagon

I'm sure this week will have gaps. My memory is shocking and I didn't record as I went along.

Monday - bad day of eating. Went out for a pasta lunch (penne con pollo e fungi - so not healthy), and might have shared a bottle of red wine with other people. Monday night did boxing in the park with 2 other ladies. Started a bit late waiting to see who would show up (couple of no shows and late cancellations), ended up doing a light warmup followed by a rotation of 2 people boxing and third person circuiting. Would have had 4 but someone couldn't find us :( dinner - Cajun chicken with sweet potato wedges and steamed veggies.

Tuesday - lunch was dumplings as a thank you for me giving away two taste of Melbourne tickets. Mostly vegetarian probably too much. Dinner was sausage casserole (probably not 12wbt friendly with a small amount of mash, whilst I cooked my bolognaise sauce.

Wednesday - weigh in day. Not surprisingly gained 900g from last week. Went to local gym with jase. After trying to do mb's workout - rower machine broken in that it didn't recognize I was rowing and was a stupid simulator thing so just started beeping at me annoyingly, no assisted chin up machine, chest press machine broken thanks to previous person so that only half the range of motion you were actually lifting weight, ended up doing a bob Harper circuit for posture. Must have done something as i was sitting taller during the morning. Lunch was bean and beetroot salad with a small amount of light cream cheese (really wasn't liking the ricotta). Snack of steamed egg bun. After work raced home to cook my pasta bolognaise (found a nice rice pasta which was gluten free), then off to xtraining class. Intense!! Involved things like hover on slam ball, move in plank position to ground, then rest (all timed). There were I think 2 other rounds with Burpees, kettle bell swings, ball slams, military (overhead press), dead lifts, step up where you were supposed to lift kettle bells up over head but I couldnt do that with 8kg kettle bells!!). I didn't do the rounds full on as I wasn't going to push myself to the extremes and likely strain my back but it was still a killer workout!

Thursday - went to the gym with jase and just did what he did. Was feeling really good until I got out of the car in the city (going to work). Then I was feeling it! Weighed myself in the morning again and had lost 700g.

Friday - can't recall.

Saturday - run along the river with the usual crew 8km! Can't recall too much but had my Christmas party for work where I only intended to have a couple of drinks as I was feeling pretty ordinary!! But I got a lift there and people kept offering to top up my glass so I drank a lot of champers and ate a lot of finger food.

Sunday - cant recall apart from being very hungover.

I stopped updating this hence why it got really vague by the end.