When it comes to working out, or really, not working out, it seems that everyone has a good excuse. Sometimes it may be lack of time or motivation or lack of funds. My excuses are typically due to health issues. I had planned on going for a run this morning with my yoga teacher. Instead, I am home taking care of my youngest daughter who has some sort of stomach virus. Read: not pretty.
I was never quite sure what the old saying “a stitch in nine saves time” meant but the phrase was running through my head this morning. I attempted to go for a run following the Couch to 5k program. However, shortly after I started running, I developed a stitch on my right side. It was so painful! I slowed down to a fast paced walk but I still felt the pain. I tried running but I had to stop due to the pain. I continued to walk for an additional 20 minutes or so before I decided to return home.
I posted on FaceBook what had happened. One friend said it could be a combination of needing more potassium and also focusing on my breath. On Monday, if the weather holds out, I will be going for a run with my yoga teacher, Amy.
I know I have to be patient since running is new to me, but I am not a very patient person. Part of me felt that since I am a fairly active person, it would not be this challenging. Who knew? I don’t have plans on giving up any time soon.
This morning I had planned to go running with my yoga teacher. Unfortunately, we woke to rain and chilly temperatures. We both agreed it was not the ideal time to go for a run, especially since I am still recovering from bronchitis.
Instead, I ended up checking out a new yoga studio in my town. It’s called Baker Street Yoga. I had read an article and it peaked my interest. There are a few yoga studios in my area but this one is different: it offers hot yoga. I have done Bikram yoga in the past. Most Bikram studios keep the temperature at 105 degrees. Baker Street kept the temp at 90 degrees. Combined with the intense moves of Vinyasa yoga, I was in heaven. I really enjoyed it. My muscles felt wonderful as they stretched and trembled. Yesterday I took a weight class and so I was feeling a bit sore. I wonder how I will feel tomorrow?
As for running, I still intend to get back to it but when? These next few days are jam packed for me. But I will somehow figure it out!
Wow, it’s been a long time since I last updated my blog. I apologize. I have been very sick. Right after I returned home from my yoga retreat weekend, I started to feel achy and sore. I thought if I ignored it, I would feel better. Instead, I progressively got worse each passing day. I finally dragged myself to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis. I never had this before and I hope to never have it again. Weeks later, I am more or less back to normal except I am still coughing! I have not been getting much exercise besides an occasional walk.
However, despite feeling not my best, I decided to attempt to run this morning. I have always admired and envied runners. I have always wanted to experience that “runner’s high”. I have many, many friends and neighbors who run. So, even though I am still coughing up a lung, I decided to just get out there and see what happened.
Actually, I did do a bit of research before putting on my sneakers. I had heard of a program called Couch To 5k. For the first week, they recommend: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. However, another site recommended a bit more running: Week 1: Run 2 min, walk 3 min; repeat 6 times.
I started off with a brisk walk on the way to the park. I wanted to run around a paved path at a nearby park. Then, I started running. It was a lot harder than I imagined. I have not been able to work out in weeks since I haven’t been well and I really felt it. I felt so out of shape! However, I kept on reminding myself to take it easy. I am not even sure how long I ran. But, I am feeling good and proud of myself for getting started.
When reading the October 2009 issue of Shape magazine, I came across an interesting factoid. According to a recent survey co-sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, most women are not exercising to lose weight. In fact, their #1 reason to work out is to stay healthy. Not only that, 80% said that “even if there was a magic pill to keep fit, they’d still exercise because the love the mood boost it gives them.”
I was a bit surprised when I read that. Many of my friends complain about their weight and wanting to lose weight. I suspect that is their main motivation to exercising. As for me, it’s usually a little of both. I (usually) love exercising and feeling fit and strong but, at the same time, I want to be fit and lean.
Shape also features an article on the multiple benefits of exercise. The more days you exercise, the fewer sick days you will experience. The article states “work out for 30 minutes a day and you’ll catch half as many colds this year, according to a study in the American Journal of Medicine.” You will also sleep better, feel happier and feel less stressed. Sounds good to me!
This past weekend, I embarked on my annual weekend yoga retreat at Race Brooke Lodge. The retreat was led by Jillian Pransky. This was my third time at the retreat and it was amazing as usual. Jillian focused on grounding poses and getting us ready for the Fall and Winter. We spent hours practicing yoga, participated in an invigorating drumming circle, took two walking meditations (one in the rain) and to-die-for- healthy and yummy food. It was amazing.
Many friends, when they heard about my trip, commented on how envious they were of my trip. I know the feeling. I used to feel the same way when I heard other women talking about such trips. One mom took me aside and said “Just plan it. It’s not as if my husband plans this for me. Do it.” I took that advice. And, I share that advice with my friends.
I just read this interesting blog post on Perez Hilton. He wrote all about Tracy Anderson’s shady past. Is this supposed to be new information!?! Has anyone ever heard of google??
Are you all as surprised as I am!?!? I just read that Madonna has terminated her relationship with Tracy Anderson. I wonder what type of workout Madonna will endorse next. I always found it hard to believe that Madonna used 3 pound weights. Give me a break!
It’s been a while since I last blogged. I apologize for that. I don’t know where the time has gone. On Monday, I was overcome with sadness because Conde Nast shut down four magazines, including one that I have been freelancing for the past two years. I was surprised at how I reacted to the news. My husband has been saying that magazines are dead. I know many others believe that. But, I refuse to believe it. I love magazines! I am a magazine whore! My neighbors and I share our magazines. We have a rotation amongst four of us. We all subscribe to different ones and then share them.
I am praying I still get paid for my work. My editor assures me they will but I keep on reading blog post after blog post from disgruntled now ex- Conde Nasters. It’s devastating when you see your world coming to an end of sorts…
I also immersed myself in energy work this week. On Tuesday, I went to my beloved yoga instructor, Amy, for my Tuesday class. Instead of the usual 4 students, there was only one other student. We sat on Amy’s couch, each of us holding a warm cup of tea to talk before class. Funny thing is, we never stopped talking. An hour and a half later, we were still talking. We talked and shed tears. All of us! It was amazing. Ever since that conversation, I have felt a shift. For the past few years, there was a part of me that I did not like. I saw this part nearly every day. I begged it to go away. I sought help. And, now, suddenly, it’s gone. Not completely, a small part remains but it’s a healthy, balanced part. That night, I climbed into bed at 8 pm. My husband was worried and kept on asking me what was wrong. “I am just exhausted. Maybe I am getting sick,” I responded. And off to bed I went.
I woke up on Wednesday feeling ok. I had a session with a Tibetan guru, Suren Shrestha. I had my own private healing bowl ceremony. The woman who came out before me simply glowed and radiated as she told her friend how amazing it was. Sadly, I did not have the same experience. It was a nice, relaxing session but I wasn’t sure I was altered in any way.
I did share with him about that part of myself I wanted to release and I know he did something. Pulled the negative energy out of me. Suren was a very kind and gentle soul. He was exactly how I imagined a Tibetan guru would be like! I am thankful I had the opportunity to meet him and experience his work.
On Thursday, I saw Amy again. She gave me a Reiki session and another Level 1 attunement. During the session, I had a couple of visions. It is so cool! Even after I left her house and got into my car, the world around me appeared different. I saw the number of one hour, 3, become a Sacred Symbol. I know, that sounds crazy right? But it’s true.
Oddly enough, ever since then, I have not had the same sensation when I perform Reiki. My hands do not get hot and I don’t feel the same draw as before. I don’t know what happened! Of course I called Amy who encouraged me to go with the flow. She explained that sensations change all the time. So, I am taking a deep breath and keep on plugging along. Going with the flow!
The past couple of days have been very magical. On Thursday, I received my Reiki Level 1 attunement. I shared the day with my amazing teacher, Amy, who led the class. Five other women participated. What exactly is Reiki? “The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”
I find it hard to explain in my own words what it is or how it feels. When I receive Reiki treatments from Amy, I tend to have visions. Most recently I have felt as if I were flying or that an Angel is behind me or that I am the one with these huge wings.
I will admit I had pretty high expectations of this attunement. I thought something huge and different would happen. I expected the world to look different, colors will appear brighter or more vivid. Out of the group, I was the only one who immediately experienced a warmth in my hands after I gave Reiki to myself. Later that evening, I gave everyone in my family (my husband and two daughters) Reiki. They all said my hands felt very warm but when they touched my hands, they were not warm! My youngest said “I’m falling asleep Mommy.” The amount of joy and love that surged through my body as I gave them Reiki was enormous.
I have been giving myself Reiki 24/7. I do feel calmer and more relaxed but it certainly doesn’t feel the same when Amy does it. During the class, she mentioned that giving yourself Reiki is like massaging your feet. It feels much better when someone else does it!
I am very excited to continue my Reiki journey. I will be seeing Amy next week for another treatment. She will also be offering further classes and attunements.
Last night, I attended a Healing Meditation done with Tibetan Singing Bowls done by Suren Shrestha. It was a very blissful experience. I felt so lucky to be one of the few participants who had a singing bowl placed on their heart chakra. It felt wonderful!
Has my life changed? Not really. But I have a feeling it will….
