fitness

workouts, youtube videos, physical therapy, arthritis, low-impact

Yoga Review: Emotional Release Flow by O’M Yoga

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I needed something this evening. Little did I know it was this yoga practice.

Let’s get to it.

5 Things that Rocked:

Makes you sweat. Some yoga practices are for days when you’re looking for something softer and less aggressive. When I’m looking to sweat, I go for an O’M Yoga practice – never lets me down.

Plenty of mods. I consider myself semi-intermediate in the practice of yoga, but because of my body shape, and weight, I tend to need modifications. This practice was awesome with tons of modifications to get just the right stretch in an accurate position. Mary does a great job of explaining what modifications might look like, and letting you know that… it’s ok if your shape is different, you’re on the mat, that’s what matters.

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5 Quick Fixes When Migraines Attack

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A few days ago, I experienced the worst migraine in the history of mankind… ok, maybe not mankind, but definitely within my lifetime. For a great illustrated guide to what the life of a migraine, check out this infographic. 

I’m that person who used to brush off those who suffered from migraines, (Sorry! I was stubborn, and now I know better!) thinking they were just bad headaches. I now understand the horrific pain that is a migraine.

I’ve experienced a couple before, but this one, this came with:
• flashes of light
• stiff as a board neck
• pain so bad I couldn’t sleep, or move
• extreme light sensitivity
• body aches
• vomiting

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Bananas, Gatorade, and Water

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If you’re here just for the freebies (no judgement if you are!) download them here:

3 Awesome Quote Phone Wallpapers to keep moving forward
One | Two | Three

I’m running a marathon. Twenty-six point two miles, 5.5 hours, just me and my thoughts. I put mile after mile behind me, and once I finish I realize, one of the most important keys to my finishing was the food and water stops. Sometimes it’s water, cold and refreshing. Other times, it’s Gu, a banana, or Gatorade. Regardless what was offered, in this race with just finishing as my goal, it was a place to rest, pause, accept where I was, and keep moving forward.

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The Final Pose

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I just finished my 40 minute yoga practice (check it out —> Yoga with Adriene / 40 Min Beginner – it’s ‘yummy’!) and found I was surprisingly inspired by the final pose, the corpse pose, savasana.

I was inspired by how difficult it has always been for me, and maybe for others, and yet how restorative it is. I did some research and found that I’m not the only one that feels the difficulty. According to Yoga Journal, the pose is described as feeling like ‘nothing’. It’s beautiful! That’s exactly it. However, in my experience, a lot of work goes into that wonderful ‘nothing’ feeling. Yoga Journal suggests, when you find yourself ‘trying’ to experience the pose, to allow your brain to descend to the back of your skull (weird I know, but it works!), and to think of Abhinavagupta’s (you can read more about him on Wikipedia) wise saying:

“Abandon nothing. Take up nothing. Rest, abide in yourself, just as you are.”

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What I Learned From My Failed Whole30

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A Whole30 is 30 days without any sort of processed foods: no alcohol, no dairy, no processed stuff. It’s hardcore.

I’m the kind of person who likes to do 20,001 things all at one time, and believe that I can give 100% to each and every thing. Yeah… no. Not happening.

I am choosing not to look at this as a failure, but a learned lesson. I learned more about myself than I would’ve than if I hadn’t tried. And to me, that’s a success. This life is a journey, and the more I can learn about myself, the better.

I learned I lack discipline, right now. I can work on that. I can get better at that.

I learned that I’m focusing on getting my medication for my diagnosis of bipolar depression and anxiety right now. That’s my priority.

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Base Training Begins

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Base training is the safe and injury-free way of beginning to train for a race. For me – it’s starting from scratch and building up to a place where I can comfortable put the miles in for a marathon I plan on running in November of 2016. It will be my second marathon and I plan on killing it. But, I need to arrive to the starting line with weight lost, my fitness right, and God on my side.

The base training I’ve chosen was found on competitor.com

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If The Past is This Good, I Can’t Wait for the Future

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Anyone else struggling with waking up in the mornings to work out?

I was hoping after our wedding, I’d have a little more energy to get my butt up and to the gym! However, that has not been the case. I’ve researched a little on how to beat that desire to stay in that cozy comfy bed. The three things I found most legitimate, and helpful were:

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Gun Powder and Lead

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Yep. That’s what girls are made of.

I hope all my readers are having a wonderful Valentine’s Day! This fiance of mine did very well. Flowers, a wonderful dinner, and a cruise around town like we used to do. It was perfect. Whatever your perfect may be – I hope that’s how your day went.

Well, I’ve been kicking butt and taking names! I’ve stayed on track, and my eyes are focused up. The last three days have been killer:

Thursday (Day 4 of 1/2 training):
Cardio: 2.5 mile runWeightlifting: Kettlebell swings (20 reps, 10 lbs.), Deadlift (barbell only, 5 sets of 5), Lat pull-down (3 sets of 8-12, 40 lbs. – this one hurt a little!), Bent-over row (3 sets of 8-12, 10 lb. dumbells), Incline bicep curl (3 sets of 8-12, 10 lb. dumbbell)

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