I must be doing something right this time around because there isn't nearly as much pain involved. A lot of people have asked me recently "Why the new interest in working out/running/etc.?" And that question is usually followed by the statement "You look just fine..."
Ok people, this has nothing to do with the way I LOOK. If cared enough about the way I look to push myself this hard I may also be caught leaving the house every day showered, never wearing clothes I had worn the day before, and always with my hair neatly in place and make-up perfectly done. As of right now, that has yet to happen. And I am ok with that. And might I add that I think it's a shame that the majority of people seem to think appearance is the only reason to maintain some sort of exercise routine.
My first reason for doing this is my health, which at times in the past has been scary and way below par. I am an asthmatic with allergies. Now these have their secondary health problems as well. Like poor circulation. Last time I got sick I noticed that my legs had a purplish tint. That is not normal. And not awesome at all unless I was going for resembling some sort of star trek-like alien life form. This is due to lack of oxygen and can lead to all sorts of gross things, like tissue death. Gross.
Another reason is that I hate being such a damn wimp. I guess around the time I left my childs father and dealt with anxiety for the first time in my life, and felt emotionally weak I felt motivated to change that, but the thing is, you can't rush recovery from an abusive situation. So I started to try and change what I could, my physical strength and well-being. Most of it centered on relaxation, but to be completely honest, I was so exhausted from trying to be nice to myself and be a good mom by myself that I didn't have the time or energy.
And a third reason is that I get bored really easily. Now that I have these long stretches of time when my daughter is with her father, I find myself getting bored. And when I get bored I become apathetic and lazy. And then I just feel like a slug. The best part of the running part of this new plan is the rush I feel after a run, and the new energy that lasts for hours after a run. I love that I can feel my body changing, breathing better, running longer and faster, I just feel more alive.
It just HAPPENS to be a nice side effect that my legs look less chicken-like as this all progresses.
I just found a yoga routine that centers on abdominal strengthening. Oy. Thats the only sore spot I have right now. There is one exercise where you lay flat on your back and lift your legs into the air, keeping them straight. I did what felt like a million of those yesterday. It also happens to be a part of my warm-ups for my runs, and damn if it wasn't the hardest part today. But, the warm-ups have been doing wonders for the run. I think that is part of the reason i haven't been sore.
Anyhow. I feel good. (Despite being bitter about probably not going to Anne-Marie's solstice party today, lame car troubles.)
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
I can smell the summer
Two weeks left in this term, one of which is finals so I only have to go for two days to take a test. I cannot begin to tell you how very relieved I will be when Tuesday of next week rolls around. I love my classes this term, but I am feeling a bit squashed. I am also looking forward to having all online classes for the summer.
Lately, I have been taking really poor care of myself, which is bad timing because the pollen is out in full force, which makes me want to hide inside all the days of my life. This is not conducive to having a five year old. So I am making these resolutions for summer:
1) Continue exercising at least five days a week, even though I won't have the fancy school gym to do so. I will be picking the couch to 5k program back up, and tailoring my yoga routine to counter the running, so flexibility and relaxation. I tend to through in pilates with it too because who doesn't want killer abs?
2) I am starting the detox over since I let it go during week one due to youth con. After detox I am going to try and maintain a 60% raw food diet, and no processed foods. And eat as local as possible. More rant on that one later.
3) Get those damn tomatoes planted, as well as a second round of greens and peas.
4) Get rid of at least 50% of the shit in my house. It is insanely cluttered and I am sick of it. My mother is moving out in a month or so and I figure it is the perfect time to purge myself of all the posessions wearing me down and organize what is left. With this also comes taking the coat closet and turning it into a dry goods storage so I can buy larger quantities of bulk foods.
5) Learn to can foods from Sara, and get a better food dehydrator. Preserve as much food as possible. This of course means an excuse to spend lots of time berry picking.
6) Take my daughter into the woods and camp as much as possible. Today in global health we learned about nature defecit disorder and it is terrifying. And it's an excuse to go camping without feeling so irresponsible.
Lately, I have been taking really poor care of myself, which is bad timing because the pollen is out in full force, which makes me want to hide inside all the days of my life. This is not conducive to having a five year old. So I am making these resolutions for summer:
1) Continue exercising at least five days a week, even though I won't have the fancy school gym to do so. I will be picking the couch to 5k program back up, and tailoring my yoga routine to counter the running, so flexibility and relaxation. I tend to through in pilates with it too because who doesn't want killer abs?
2) I am starting the detox over since I let it go during week one due to youth con. After detox I am going to try and maintain a 60% raw food diet, and no processed foods. And eat as local as possible. More rant on that one later.
3) Get those damn tomatoes planted, as well as a second round of greens and peas.
4) Get rid of at least 50% of the shit in my house. It is insanely cluttered and I am sick of it. My mother is moving out in a month or so and I figure it is the perfect time to purge myself of all the posessions wearing me down and organize what is left. With this also comes taking the coat closet and turning it into a dry goods storage so I can buy larger quantities of bulk foods.
5) Learn to can foods from Sara, and get a better food dehydrator. Preserve as much food as possible. This of course means an excuse to spend lots of time berry picking.
6) Take my daughter into the woods and camp as much as possible. Today in global health we learned about nature defecit disorder and it is terrifying. And it's an excuse to go camping without feeling so irresponsible.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
my yoga teacher
is not who I was hoping she'd be.
It's a lesson in communication. That is how I am choosing to look at it. We walk into the studio, and there is way too much incense which automatically gives me a headache, luckily she puts it out before we begin. However, this being the first class of the session, you would assume that an instructor would spend time asking questions like "do you have any injuries you are recovering from, or sensitive areas?" One would assume that you would certainly do this before going and stepping on someones hands while in downward dog and shoving their shoulders in and up.
Golly gee, thanks, I had totally forgot what it felt like to make that shoulder injury flare up, thanks.
I did have a little chat with her. I was nice, I was polite. Which was a big feat considering how neaseous I felt.
We will see what happens next week. I am pretty particular about my stress relieving techniques NOT causing more stress, yes I know, outrageous standards, but what can ya do?
It's a lesson in communication. That is how I am choosing to look at it. We walk into the studio, and there is way too much incense which automatically gives me a headache, luckily she puts it out before we begin. However, this being the first class of the session, you would assume that an instructor would spend time asking questions like "do you have any injuries you are recovering from, or sensitive areas?" One would assume that you would certainly do this before going and stepping on someones hands while in downward dog and shoving their shoulders in and up.
Golly gee, thanks, I had totally forgot what it felt like to make that shoulder injury flare up, thanks.
I did have a little chat with her. I was nice, I was polite. Which was a big feat considering how neaseous I felt.
We will see what happens next week. I am pretty particular about my stress relieving techniques NOT causing more stress, yes I know, outrageous standards, but what can ya do?
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