2013 goals.. And the plan to get there

Eat healthier and keep active.
I will limit my treats, avoid the snack vending machine at work, stop eating dodgy fast food pizzas, fish and chips and hamburgers. I will take in 3-4 lunches a week to work. I will work out 4 times a week. I will participate in at least 2 group workout sessions a month.  I will walk my dog more.

I will try something out of the ordinary every 6 months.
In both halves of the year I will try something out of the ordinary - be it arial yoga, a group fitness dance class, pole dancing, ice skating or rock climbing.

I will continue to run.
I was originally aiming to run half marathon towards the end of the year but I'll have to see how my back holds up. I will continue to sign up to fun runs and try at least 1 outdoor trail run. I will run at least once a week. I will do the summer series run at the zoo in February, and the grand prix run in March whenever it is.

I will fit into the new clothes I bought.
At the end of 2012, I bought a bunch of small pants, skirt and dress. When I put weight on it goes on my belly. I want to be able to fit into the clothes i just bought and continue looking good in them. I will do this through diet, exercise and by creating a motivation picture board.

I will enjoy the journey.
I'm often too focused on "destinations" to properly enjoy the journey. I will try to remember to live in the present. I will reflect each week on what good has happened or how can I learn from my experiences.

I will learn to let go.
I can remember in vivid detail people who have wronged me and how. I want to learn to let that go so that I can be free of past pain. I will do this through reading, application of theory and meditation. I will listen to at least 1 meditation session a week. I can get angry but must let it pass.

I will organize more catchups.
I will make more of an effort to organize catchups with my friends and see my family more. I will organize 1 dinner a month with friends (or drinks) and catchup with family members at least every 2 months. I will continue to accept social invites that previously I would have declined.

I will use the stuff I buy.
I'm such a classic buy and save for a special occasion be it candles, nice underwear, makeup, etc. So I end up with things not getting used. I will start making more of an effort doing this at least once a month.

I will use my recipe books.
Tied into the last item. I have so many recipe books. Some of which I have never cooked from. I will make sure once a month I use a recipe from either a magazine or book.

I will use my camera.
I will set myself an assignment every month to ensure I continue to use my camera. I will start printing out photos for an album. I will have this started by march.

I will learn a new skill.
I will set myself a goal to learn a new technical thing for work every six months. I will relearn how to play classical guitar, and will sew something before July.

2012 in review

I usually have trouble remembering what I did a week ago let alone what happened in the year. So here are some highlights.

We got puppies!! A puggle called yoshi (who was supposed to be a lapdog but grew really big), and a staffy called bear (who is miniature size and sounds like a shorty pig a lot of the time). Having always been a cat person it's nice to have animals that want cuddles (well bear does at least, yoshi occasionally). My cat is coping a lot better than expected given he's an old grumpy cat. I think I've blocked out how tough having a puppy was - with it's need or attention and crying during the night. Not to mention the initial taking them outside to wee during the night with their small bladders!! They grew up fast though and I'm glad we got two even sometimes it seems like it would be easer with one.

At work one of my good friends got made redundant. An awful day that has hopefully worked out well for her, and forced me to find more lunch buddies to hang with. I got a lot of support in the day which whilst embarrassing was nice. Have settled into work (after starting in November of the previous year) though would be nicer if I didn't keep getting bounced from team to team.

I went and did a street photography course, putting myself out of my comfort zone with a lovely guy Eric kim. Spent a weekend learning stuff then roaming the streets of Melbourne taking photos of people. Met a couple of really nice people who unfortunately live outside of Melbourne but will still catch up with them from time to time. I also learnt how to use more of my camera functionality, and got some nice fireworks shots. Hope to do more of that in 2013. Photography fell a bit by the wayside with bad weather and more time spent getting fit.

We bought a jeep!! A bargain as the person who owned it won it in a tab raffle and just wanted to get rid of it. Hopefully we can use it for many drives, picnics and perhaps a few camping trips.

I did Michelle bridges 12 week body transformation challenge. Although mentally tough I lost at least 5kg on it and made a bunch of new friends. I ran a couple of outdoor workouts and have a few people who are solid workout buddies (as in reliable :)). Am hoping to continue healthy eating habits into 2013 and increase my fitness/workouts. Having joined the local gym with jase (assuming they're not grumpy I still aren't been back to pay - long story). I gave up coke zero!! A big achievement for me as I probably used to drink a litre a day. I also completed the spring into shape series, running 8kms in 2 of the 3 races and completed a 10km run in a time I was doing years ago. So my fitness increased!! I also did a boxing class and cross fit at derrimuts with Alison which I hope to do more of.

Jason stayed in Melbourne on Christmas day despite not seeing his mum and did my family stuff which was nice. Usually we'd either spend it apart or he'd stay in Melbourne if his mum was coming down. Most of our ten years has been apart though for Christmas.

We started getting new furniture for the house and getting rid of old stuff. It's difficult and often includes arguments, but we can now make better use of a few more rooms.

I'm sure i did other stuff but they're the main things i remember. Here's to 2013!

Bikram yoga - session 6

Had a day off from yoga - spent the day going to ikea twice and my lower back was incredibly sore.

On my last trial day I was a little bit dreading going to yoga but then felt a bit sad when Simon said (hehe) it was my last session. Which I already knew but different when he said it to me. Realized I had made the faux pas of walking into the studio with shoes on. As I followed someone else in I noticed they took off the shoes at the top of the stairs before walking further in. Was probably also a faux pas about wearing thongs in the shower but oh well!

Walked into the yoga room after getting one of the last remaining lockers and it was packed!! As it was nye day there was only 1 class at 10am. Managed to find a spot though. Funny how some people are either oblivious or uncaring, the room allows for two rows of mats so this woman sets up in the middle so no one can easily fit in front or behind her, despite how full the class was.

Class was same routine. Struggled with the bending sideways and going from a back bend to a forward bend as my lower back was still sore. In camel pose he encouraged me to put my second hand down on my heel, I didn't think I was close but I was reaching for the wrong spot. So second set I did that. It's easy to go through the motions without pushing yourself how you're supposed to. Really reliant on the teacher giving the right cues. Probably if you were going to seriously focus on it you'd benefit from a 1 on 1 session. Did most of the moves except for the second set where you put your heel on the other thigh then sit down. First attempt was really uncomfortable so I just sat and drank for the remainder set.

So I found bikram yoga tough, you need to remember to focus on stilling the mind, listen to the cues,not raising your shoulders, bracing your abs, and breathing properly, but you do get a sense of accomplishment from doing a class. It always astounded me how sweaty you could get, but sweaty hot looking bodies was a bonus to the class (although you're usually too busy to be noticing anything but concentrating on what you're supposed to be doing). I did find I felt better having a coconut water afterwards and then a protein shake (otherwise I'd be starving and then feel ill by the time I got home and could eat). I'm not entirely sold on bikram yoga, I probably should try a more traditional class and see if I get the same benefit, I didn't feel super energetic or flexible after doing it but then again only did it 6 times. I either got more flexible or just pushed myself harder as I seemed to achieve more in the last few sessions. But was also really sore. Not sure if it was a good or bad sore. A lot of the time it was draining so I'd probably be better off with an evening class if I did more of it. Definitely worth trying though especially with the trial offers all the studios seem to run!

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 :)

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!!

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.

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!