I meant to post this e-mail that I sent to friend's and family last Monday.
Great Evening All
I know you all are tired of me talking about my Bikram practice BUT I CAN'T STOP. I just have to share my experience this evening. I missed class for 8 days because of holiday parties, holiday concerts and holiday hanging so I expected to have a terrible class today. My favorite instructor was off today so I made sure to go to a class with an instructor I enjoy. I opted for the 6:00PM with Vivien. I enjoy her class, she knows me well, shows genuine interest in everyone's practice and makes me laugh.
I arrived to class about 20 minutes early so I had ample time to relax in the heated room and practice peaceful meditation. Though my meditation was anything but peaceful. I was considering all of the eating I had done over the past eight days-- fast food (both burger chains), drinking liquor, sweets and I did not pack my lunch or second breakfast all last week. I just knew the class was going to be horrible. I laid there thinking about how I would feel when I had to do standing backward bending and the dreaded Camel. I was pleasantly surprised when the opening breathing exercise did not bother me; I remember thinking this isn't bad at all. Usually, when I retox (bad eating or drinking --I've never done both to this extent-- 8 days) the opening breathing exercise is BAD.
The class was perfect, Vivien gave me plenty of compliments and came over to my mat and whispered something about how much my practice has improved. After class, I took my savasana and got right up- I was not dizzy. Oh, Camel didn't make me feel like I was going to hurl and that was amazing because the day after Thanksgiving was MY WORST Camel and I was practicing over a week straight at that time.
Okay, I'm about to bring this long story to a close. Class was over and two young sisters (one thin and one very thick) were in the lobby as I was getting my things and the thin one asked me how long I was practicing. I told her I had been practicing since May. She said she was following my lead during class and could not believe how flexible I was. Then her friend said, "Your commercial motivated me to come back to my second class." Today was their fourth day of Bikram. I asked her where she saw the commercial and she said it was on the web-site. I remembered filming but I didn't know what they were going to do with the commercial.
DISCLAIMER: I LOOK TERRIBLE it was filmed after class and I know I look mean in the class. I'm just focusing on my practice. Also, update since the filming I lost 5 pounds. I wear a baggy, belted size medium and 10 for bottoms and large for tops. I can't even tell you what size my boobs are but they have gone down.
Anyway, I'm almost done. If I haven't dragged you to a Bikram class yet and you are here in the tri-state area, know that I will be dragging you some time early in the new year. If you are not near me and I don't visit you soon, please try Bikram at least once. It will change your mind, body and soul. It will change your world! I am taking my Aunt Lucy, Grandma, and two cousins to Bikram before my birthday. There is great healing energy in the room.
Okay, enjoy the commercial- I begin at 49 seconds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue_uP8iSGOg&context=C343a65bADOEgsToPDskLMPUbR5x711S6iybUI0Glr
Info on Bikram- Tomoko is my favorite instructor!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64NOtjRt04o&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thirty-Eight-38, Thirty-Eight-38, Thirty-Eight-38!!!!
I'm down 38 pounds from Feb 14, 2011 when I weighed in at a my weight loss challenge meet-up. On Valentine's Day 2011 I weighed 251 pounds. Today I weigh 213 pounds. I feel GREAT!!!
So what have I been doing since my last update? Okay, I did not make my 60 day Bikram Challenge. I was trying to go to 60 classes in 60 days. Life happened and I was only able to get to 44 classes in 60 days. I felt bad when I missed my first few classes but I quickly got over it. I started a new job and my whole schedule changed, it took a few days but I re-prioritized my life and came up with a new yoga schedule. Instead of trying to go every day and getting upset when I would not be able to make it to class I decided to aim for 5 days a week. It's been working, I go every Saturday and Sunday morning (2 days down) and then I go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is a bonus day. If I feel like going, I go. If not, I'm good because I by Friday I have 4 days in and my 5th can be Friday or Saturday.
I also started going to the gym. I try to go a few days a week but I'm not too concerned with the gym. I know that sounds crazy but my priority is Birkram Yoga, not the gym. The yoga makes me feel great. I can sleep at night, my period is back, I don't get hot flashes anymore, my skin is soft and glowing and I am truly happy. My postures have greatly improved and each week I notice something new about my body in class. I'm sticking with Bikram. When time permits, I'll hit the gym. For now it's Bikram and walking with Freda.
It's not just Bikram, the gym and walking Freda. It's what I'm eating or what I'm not eating. I'm eating better. NO SUGAR!!! NO COFFEE!!! NO WHITE ANYTHING-- RICE, BREAD, POTATOES, PASTA. I'm only eating poultry one day a week, not eating beef and eating a whole lot of veggies. The other big change is I replaced breakfast with a fresh fruit protein shake. The shake is loaded with goodness like-- strawberries, blueberries, clementines, watermelon, cucumber, ginger, and limes. I use protein powder and depending on my mood skim milk, soy milk or unsweetened apple juice. The first week I replaced breakfast with the shake I lost 7.4 pounds!!!
All is well, I'm on track and enjoying the new things in my life. I just need to stay focused and keep the course.
So what have I been doing since my last update? Okay, I did not make my 60 day Bikram Challenge. I was trying to go to 60 classes in 60 days. Life happened and I was only able to get to 44 classes in 60 days. I felt bad when I missed my first few classes but I quickly got over it. I started a new job and my whole schedule changed, it took a few days but I re-prioritized my life and came up with a new yoga schedule. Instead of trying to go every day and getting upset when I would not be able to make it to class I decided to aim for 5 days a week. It's been working, I go every Saturday and Sunday morning (2 days down) and then I go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is a bonus day. If I feel like going, I go. If not, I'm good because I by Friday I have 4 days in and my 5th can be Friday or Saturday.
I also started going to the gym. I try to go a few days a week but I'm not too concerned with the gym. I know that sounds crazy but my priority is Birkram Yoga, not the gym. The yoga makes me feel great. I can sleep at night, my period is back, I don't get hot flashes anymore, my skin is soft and glowing and I am truly happy. My postures have greatly improved and each week I notice something new about my body in class. I'm sticking with Bikram. When time permits, I'll hit the gym. For now it's Bikram and walking with Freda.
It's not just Bikram, the gym and walking Freda. It's what I'm eating or what I'm not eating. I'm eating better. NO SUGAR!!! NO COFFEE!!! NO WHITE ANYTHING-- RICE, BREAD, POTATOES, PASTA. I'm only eating poultry one day a week, not eating beef and eating a whole lot of veggies. The other big change is I replaced breakfast with a fresh fruit protein shake. The shake is loaded with goodness like-- strawberries, blueberries, clementines, watermelon, cucumber, ginger, and limes. I use protein powder and depending on my mood skim milk, soy milk or unsweetened apple juice. The first week I replaced breakfast with the shake I lost 7.4 pounds!!!
All is well, I'm on track and enjoying the new things in my life. I just need to stay focused and keep the course.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Two Weeks Down 46 Days To Go
I completed two full weeks of Bikram Hot Yoga-- everyday for 14 days. I feel great, I'm happy and proud of myself. It's been almost seven years since I made a real commitment to my health and kept it for longer than a few days. I'm taking it one day at a time and trying to be present and get as much as I can out of my yoga classes.
I'm getting better in my postures (but I still have a lot of work to do), the heat in the studio doesn't bother me anymore, I'm losing weight, I'm sleeping more, no aches and pains, no headaches, NO HOT FLASHES, my skin is glowing, my mood is even, and I'm feeling better than I have in a very long time. This Thursday I went to my doctor and he said I looked great, my pressure was normal, my sugar was 113 and it was about an hour after I ate. Dr. Kapoor was amazed at my weight loss; he said that twice. He asked me what I was doing and I told him Bikram Yoga. He asked all of the details about the class, the room temperature, the way I feel before- during and after, the cost and how long I planned on practicing every day. I answered all of his questions and told him that I am in a 60 day self challenge and that I hope to make Bikram Yoga a part of my life for the rest of my life.
I'm getting better in my postures (but I still have a lot of work to do), the heat in the studio doesn't bother me anymore, I'm losing weight, I'm sleeping more, no aches and pains, no headaches, NO HOT FLASHES, my skin is glowing, my mood is even, and I'm feeling better than I have in a very long time. This Thursday I went to my doctor and he said I looked great, my pressure was normal, my sugar was 113 and it was about an hour after I ate. Dr. Kapoor was amazed at my weight loss; he said that twice. He asked me what I was doing and I told him Bikram Yoga. He asked all of the details about the class, the room temperature, the way I feel before- during and after, the cost and how long I planned on practicing every day. I answered all of his questions and told him that I am in a 60 day self challenge and that I hope to make Bikram Yoga a part of my life for the rest of my life.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Day 10 Done-- Bikram Yoga!!!
Ten down, fifty to go!!!
My classes this weekend went very well. I am sore but mentally I feel so much better. At each class I find myself pushing just a little further in at lease one pose. My instructor, Laura, complemented me quite a few times yesterday and that made me feel good. I felt good about the compliments because I know that the compliments mean I am doing better at my poses and my goal here is not just to finish 60 classes in 60 days. My goal is to achieve perfection in every pose. I want to experience all of the great benefits of all of the poses and I can only achieve that if I achieve perfection in every pose.
I am feeling so much better about the place I am in right now and I am striving to get to an even better place. I believe Bikram Yoga is helping me to get there.
My classes this weekend went very well. I am sore but mentally I feel so much better. At each class I find myself pushing just a little further in at lease one pose. My instructor, Laura, complemented me quite a few times yesterday and that made me feel good. I felt good about the compliments because I know that the compliments mean I am doing better at my poses and my goal here is not just to finish 60 classes in 60 days. My goal is to achieve perfection in every pose. I want to experience all of the great benefits of all of the poses and I can only achieve that if I achieve perfection in every pose.
I am feeling so much better about the place I am in right now and I am striving to get to an even better place. I believe Bikram Yoga is helping me to get there.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Back Again
It's been six months since my last update and so much has happened in that time. While all of it is relevant and directly relates to my latest health and fitness challenges I won't recount all of the ups and downs-- I'll just say that I SURVIVED IT ALL!!!
So, I'm back again.
This time,like all of the others I plan to stick to it, continue my journey, improve my health, make healthy eating and exercise routine and a part of my life from now on... yada, yada, yada. I know, I've said it all before. What's so different this time. This time, all of the things doctors have warned me about for years are actually my reality-- high cholesterol, diabetic, morbidly obese (defined as body mass of 40 or more), migraines, flashing lights in my eyes, hot flashes, irregular period, lack of energy and mood swings. I'm sure there are some other symptoms that I just can't pin point right now.
How do I beat this? There is so much to beat....
My endocrinologist says my diabetes and cholesterol can be controlled and quite possibly eliminated with diet, exercise and weight loss. The migraines, hot flashes, irregular period, lack of energy and mood swings are all a result of stress. My gynecologist performed hormonal testing and there is no reason why I should be having hot flashes and missing my periods. I am way too young for menopause or perimenopause. When I realized that stress was effecting me like this I was so mad at myself, I was making myself sick. I decided that I could and would turn this around.
Upon diabetes diagnosis, my doctor gave me a medication that would help to control my blood sugar and help make my body produce more insulin. It's a once a day injection that I take every morning called Victoza. The medication slows up digestion and decreases my appetite. The medication is helping with my weight loss. I began taking the medication on Thursday, April 28, 2011 and at that time I weighed 242 pounds, today I weigh 230.2 pounds. I am happy with the weight loss but I know that just taking an injection and barely eating will not truly solve my problems and help my beat all of this. I decided that I needed to do more.
What would I do? I couldn't just do the usual gym circuit, I needed more. I needed something that would work my mind, body and soul. On May 1st my brother told me he was going to Bikram Hot Yoga of Rego Park. He as singing the hot yoga praises and told me that I should try it out. I googled it and learned that it was yoga in a 105 degree room. I have never really tried yoga outside of a yoga dvd and the heated room did not sound too appealing. I read about all of the great benefits of Bikram Yoga and decided to try it out.
My first day was Saturday, May 21st. The class was 90 minutes of PURE FIRE!!! The heat was unbearable, it was humid, there was a little funk in the room, I sweat more than I ever have in my life, my body could not easily get into all of the poses, my fat body was getting in the way, I was the biggest person in the room, on the second pose I thought I would pass out, I was dizzy, I felt like I would throw up and I hadn't eaten for the day. I stuck with it and tried to do each of the 26 poses and the two breathing exercise. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done with my body. When I walked out I was dizzy. I had to sit in my car for about 15 minutes before I could drive off. About an hour later I felt great. That night I expected to sleep through the night but I still didn't sleep too well. I had less hot flashes and I felt good.
Bikram Yoga of Rego Park gives first timers a deal 15 consecutive days of unlimited classes for $25. I decided that I would go for 15 consecutive days. On day two my instructor said that Bikram Choudhury, the creator of Bikram Yoga maintains that 60 consecutive days of Bikram Yoga will change your life, body and mind. Right then I decided that I would do 60 days.
Today is day 8. I am going to the 4:15pm class. I have been to seven classes in the past week and it has been quite a challenge. I am doing a little better in the classes but I still have a hard time. It is a challenge while I'm in the room but I feel so good that I have to keep going every day. I am sleeping more, the hot flashes are almost gone, no headaches, everyone says my skin is constantly glowing and that I look great, my skin is softer than it ever has been, my mood is even and good, I'm not letting little things bother me and I am in a good place.
I will post some updates as I continue on this journey.
So, I'm back again.
This time,like all of the others I plan to stick to it, continue my journey, improve my health, make healthy eating and exercise routine and a part of my life from now on... yada, yada, yada. I know, I've said it all before. What's so different this time. This time, all of the things doctors have warned me about for years are actually my reality-- high cholesterol, diabetic, morbidly obese (defined as body mass of 40 or more), migraines, flashing lights in my eyes, hot flashes, irregular period, lack of energy and mood swings. I'm sure there are some other symptoms that I just can't pin point right now.
How do I beat this? There is so much to beat....
My endocrinologist says my diabetes and cholesterol can be controlled and quite possibly eliminated with diet, exercise and weight loss. The migraines, hot flashes, irregular period, lack of energy and mood swings are all a result of stress. My gynecologist performed hormonal testing and there is no reason why I should be having hot flashes and missing my periods. I am way too young for menopause or perimenopause. When I realized that stress was effecting me like this I was so mad at myself, I was making myself sick. I decided that I could and would turn this around.
Upon diabetes diagnosis, my doctor gave me a medication that would help to control my blood sugar and help make my body produce more insulin. It's a once a day injection that I take every morning called Victoza. The medication slows up digestion and decreases my appetite. The medication is helping with my weight loss. I began taking the medication on Thursday, April 28, 2011 and at that time I weighed 242 pounds, today I weigh 230.2 pounds. I am happy with the weight loss but I know that just taking an injection and barely eating will not truly solve my problems and help my beat all of this. I decided that I needed to do more.
What would I do? I couldn't just do the usual gym circuit, I needed more. I needed something that would work my mind, body and soul. On May 1st my brother told me he was going to Bikram Hot Yoga of Rego Park. He as singing the hot yoga praises and told me that I should try it out. I googled it and learned that it was yoga in a 105 degree room. I have never really tried yoga outside of a yoga dvd and the heated room did not sound too appealing. I read about all of the great benefits of Bikram Yoga and decided to try it out.
My first day was Saturday, May 21st. The class was 90 minutes of PURE FIRE!!! The heat was unbearable, it was humid, there was a little funk in the room, I sweat more than I ever have in my life, my body could not easily get into all of the poses, my fat body was getting in the way, I was the biggest person in the room, on the second pose I thought I would pass out, I was dizzy, I felt like I would throw up and I hadn't eaten for the day. I stuck with it and tried to do each of the 26 poses and the two breathing exercise. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done with my body. When I walked out I was dizzy. I had to sit in my car for about 15 minutes before I could drive off. About an hour later I felt great. That night I expected to sleep through the night but I still didn't sleep too well. I had less hot flashes and I felt good.
Bikram Yoga of Rego Park gives first timers a deal 15 consecutive days of unlimited classes for $25. I decided that I would go for 15 consecutive days. On day two my instructor said that Bikram Choudhury, the creator of Bikram Yoga maintains that 60 consecutive days of Bikram Yoga will change your life, body and mind. Right then I decided that I would do 60 days.
Today is day 8. I am going to the 4:15pm class. I have been to seven classes in the past week and it has been quite a challenge. I am doing a little better in the classes but I still have a hard time. It is a challenge while I'm in the room but I feel so good that I have to keep going every day. I am sleeping more, the hot flashes are almost gone, no headaches, everyone says my skin is constantly glowing and that I look great, my skin is softer than it ever has been, my mood is even and good, I'm not letting little things bother me and I am in a good place.
I will post some updates as I continue on this journey.
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