Yoga, A Barn and Relaxation

This weekend I attended my very first yoga retreat.  A yoga retreat has been on my to do list (or 30 before 30 list) for a few years now, but to be honest I never thought I would actually go to one.  Since having a baby I figured that taking the time away and finding the money for it would never actually happen.  Well then the yoga studio that I go to had a local retreat for $50.  Yes, $50!

What I learned from this was that first of all you don't have to travel across the province, or across countries to have a successful retreat.  You just have to drive 15 minutes to a barn outside of town.  Once there, I knew that I was there for the day.  The baby was taken care of and I had nothing else to do except for immerse myself in a day of relaxation, fitness and fun.  And this barn wasn't just any barn.  It was beyond gorgeous inside and the fact that it was a rainy day was actually perfect.  It was so cozy.

I went with my sister Tali and our friend Kim.  We started the day with an hour and a half long vigorous yoga class.  The teacher Nerine is fantastic!  I have never been to a more difficult yoga class than one of hers, but that's what I love about them.  Sure I love that yoga can be relaxing, but I also love when I feel like I really worked out.  And let me tell you, her classes are a workout!  This class was perfect.  There were times that I had to come out of the lunges because my legs felt like they were going to collapse beneath me, but that's ok!

Next we had a delicious and healthy lunch.  My sister is always trying to get everyone to eat healthier, but I love pasta and chocolate.  But the stew we had that was made with veggies and chick peas and placed on top of couscous was delicious!

After lunch we went for a hike along the river.  It was pouring rain but I'm so glad that Nerine talked me into going.  When else are you going to go for a walk in the rain?  Sometimes it's nice to just let go.  I can admit that I can be somewhat uptight, so to let go of that and get a bit wet and dirty felt great.  

The afternoon had a rejuvenating yoga class, meditation and some adjustment massage.  It was all about relaxing. 

I think it was the most relaxing and fulfilling day that I have ever had.  If I'm going to have a baby free day it was exactly what I wanted to be doing!  I can't wait until the next one.

Post Partum Exercise

In my pre-Parker days, I would say that fitness was my hobby.  It was part of my daily routine and I took pride in how committed I was to it.  Then Parker came along.  I said that I wouldn't let a baby change my workout ways and that I would always have that committment to myself.  Well let's just say the first few months post baby were tough.  Parker required a lot of attention and I was exhausted and working out wasn't a priority.  I was also lucky to have lost all of my baby weight by 8 weeks post partum so I wasn't super motivated, although I knew that I had lost a lot of muscle along with that weight.  

Ready to workout!

 Recently though things have gotten easier.  Parker is napping and he entertains himself.  I can find time to work out at home while he's napping or while he's playing on his mat or in his exersaucer.  

But the workouts have changed.  I don't generally even try for an hour long workout because I probably wouldn't get it done before Parker needed something.  So my goal is to have short workouts as many times in the week as possible.  For some people this maybe wouldn't be enough, but for me, anything is better than nothing.  

Just for fun, the same outfit when I was 28 weeks pregnant

Some of the workouts that I do are:

• 30 day shred
• 30-40 minutes on the spin bike
• yoga - either at home or a local class
• Tabata workouts - I like this because it's done in 4 minute increments, so if I suddenly need to tend to Parker and I've only done 6 Tabatas, I still feel like I've gotten a complete workout done
• Mutu System - Mutu is a program that I purchased before I had Parker.  It is a system to combat diastasis recti, which is when your abs separate during pregnancy.  I was told at 18 weeks pregnant that I had 3 finger widths separation already, which then stressed me out for the rest of my pregnancy.  Apparently regular crunches with diastasis recti do more harm than good and so the system gives you a food and exercise program to follow to help bring your abs back together.  So then I had Parker and checked and my separation is one finger, which is basically nothing.... So all this to say, I use the exercises because they are good short workouts, but I'm not super committed to the entire system.  

My workouts are still my me time.  I spend most of my day putting Parker first and it's important that I do something for myself that makes myself feel good even if it's just for half an hour at a time!  Sometimes I feel guilty that I choose to workout rather than clean or do laundry, but I know that fitness is something that is important to me and I don't want to lose that.  Plus I want more babies and I know that being physically fit helped me feel good during pregnancy and labour and helped me bounce back quickly.  So I figure before the next baby I should still try to be in the best shape possible!

Speaking of which, Parker is napping so it's workout time!

Summer has Begun!

This was just a beautiful weekend.  We had amazing weather and a pool to lie beside.  It doesn't get much better than that.

Us Canadians get what feels like 2 weeks of summer followed by 16 months of winter, and so we have to take advantage! 

And then there are two year olds.  Oh how I love two year olds.  2-4 are my favourite ages.  I just can't get enough of them.  Ryan says those aren't good ages because they are in diapers.  I feel like I can look past that.  But then again, I'm not changing the diapers of the two year olds that I know.

On Sunday morning we went on a big bike ride through a local park.  It's amazing that this beauty is right in our own backyard and we so rarely take advantage of it.  We travel all over the world to see beautiful sites and we just need to take some time to appreciate what we have 5 minutes from us. Plus, you know I love a good workout and that bike ride definitely felt pretty good.

It seems like we don't do it enough, but my favourite workouts are the ones that I can enjoy with Ryan.  Biking, hiking, waterfall hunting.  You hardly feel like you are working out because you are having fun and also sharing an experience at the same time.  Hopefully we have lots more of it to come this summer!

The Workout Mama Bootcamp

For the past 5 weeks, I have been participating in an online bootcamp put on by The Workout Mama.  Every week, Tamara would send us 3 different workouts to complete.  These workouts were challenging but doable.  I stuck with it, and completed these workouts every week and added in a few of my own.

I did take before and after pictures, but unfortunately I'm in a bit of a rut and didn't see any improvement or weight loss, so you aren't going to see those pictures.  

But despite this, I would highly recommend Tamara's bootcamps because I'm pretty sure the lack of weight loss is a me thing and not a bootcamp thing!  I have always had trouble losing weight, but eventually it just kind of falls off.  (She's doing another one in November and you can sign up here!  It's only $40 for a 5 week session, which I think is an amazing price to get 15 new workouts and some increased motivation).  It's a great way to change up your workout and get some new routines. 

I also found it easier to work out more frequently when I had three different workouts to try per week.  It's so easy to decide to skip a workout if you are bored with what you are doing.  But I never got bored doing these workouts.  Plus, they can all be done at home with some weights and a stability ball, so you can do them while watching TV.  It's a win win!

At the end of the day, fitness isn't just about weight loss.  It's about maintaining a healthy active lifestyle.  It's about creating good habits for myself that I can carry on for the rest of my life.  If you don't work out now, why would you start in 10 years?  Fitness makes me happier, both physically and mentally.  So although I would have loved to lose some of these extra pounds that I have added on, bootcamp was about more than that. 

Motivational images from here.

Toning it Up

Usually on Saturdays I try to find a new workout, whether it be something from Pinterest, or combining different moves to make a new Tabata routine.  This week, I decided to check out the Tone it Up girls. 

 

I hear about these videos all the time, but had never actually done one of the routines because I usually like to watch TV in the rec room while doing my workout.  But their workouts are about 10-15 minutes longs so I thought, I can make it through 15 minutes of working out in the office with the computer!

 

The first workout that I did was the Barre workout.  I've heard so many good things about Barre, but there are no Barre classes in my area.  The moves look so easy, but they weren't!

 

Then, because I didn't feel like 16 minutes was a sufficient workout (for a Saturday when I have a lot of time that is), I did the Bikini Love Handles workout.  I thought that both workouts were really good and I'm sure I will be doing more of them in the future.  They are perfect because they have enough videos to do something new every week, and the videos are short enough that if you only have time for a 15 minute workout, you can do that.  15 minutes is better than nothing!

{via pinterest}

Challenge Accepted

I went to a Ying/Yan yoga class last night, which is different from the typical Moksha class that I go to.  I guess it's more about a really challenging practice, followed by holding some more replenishing poses for longer periods of time. 

Basically my shoulders hated me about half an hour into it.

So, the teacher wanted us to do this:


{via}

And in my head I said: she crazy!  But she made it look so easy, and I couldn't do it.  So now I have been practicing at home because I just can't stand the fact that I can't do it, and it's nice to have something to work towards.

We also did shoulder stands.  This was even more frustrating when I couldn't do it because it looks so easy.  And guess what, it is easy!  I think that in class I was just afraid of being a spaz and everyone seeing me fall.  



{via}

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that from time to time, I like to challenge myself.  Yoga is so much of the same despite the fact that every class is different.  The postures may make me feel different from one day to the next, but overall I can do most of them.  I like having a few that I can work towards.  And also, how sweet will I look next time I pull out that top pose at a party!

Some Like It Hot

Source: Uploaded by user via Sami on Pinterest

Yoga is something that is very important to me. I have talked about it on the blog a few times before, but today I want to really focus on it.

I first tried yoga about 3 years ago.  I came out of that class feeling invigorated and surprisingly happy.  Since then, I have tried to make hot yoga part of my weekly exercise routine.  I usually try to go once per week.  I would go more, but the studio is half an hour from home and it's just not convenient enough.  If I had a studio around the corner though, I might be an unlimited yoga, I don't do any other exercise type of person.

Some tips for hot yoga:

• Don't expect to be good at it immediately:  like any exercise, it takes practice and you will never be perfect.  The other people in the class aren't judging, they know that everybody has to start sometime.
• Every day is different.  Some days I feel awesome, some days I can't hold a balance posture.  Yoga makes you realize how little control you have over your body.  But on strong days, it's amazing how much control you can have.  That might not make sense to many people.
• Hydration.  Drink a lot of water before and after class
• Don't feel like you need to push yourself every day.  Even now, there are times when I get light headed during a class and lying down is the best thing for me at that point.
• Don't worry about the sweat.  A lot of people tell me that they don't think they would like it because of the sweat.  I don't like to sweat either, who does?  But this sweat is cleansing and it doesn't really seem to bother me, so give it a shot!



 

Source: myyogaon.tumblr.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Someday...

Reasons to do yoga:

• It's a full body workout: cardio, strength, flexibility
• You can lose weight doing it, I have seen it happen
• Relaxation: there's just something about it that leaves you all relaxed and happy afterwards
• It makes your body feel good: I notice my back hurting if I haven't been to class in a couple of weeks, my whole body feels better if I go to a class
• It makes you more aware of your body and its abilties and inabilities

Basically, I recommend yoga to everybody because you can get whatever you are looking for out of it.  It's really a mind, body and soul workout.  Also, if you want to try it, a lot of hot yoga studios have trial deals.  A month unlimited for $40, or  a week unlimited for $20.  As long as you go a couple of times, it's worth the money.  So what's holding you back?

Winter is Good For Something

Two years ago for Christmas, Ryan gave me snowshoes.  We used them once and it was an unhappy experience for me.  Take note: don't take your DSLR snowshoeing for the first time.  You fall in the snow and freak out when it gets wet.  So finally, after our winter storm, we had enough snow to go snowshoeing.  That's right, we didn't once have enough snow last winter to use them. 

This experience was more enjoyable.  I didn't fall once, so that right there is a bonus.  And I brought my waterproof camera along, which I was much more comfortable with. 

We probably snowshoed for 2 hours or so.  Which is a lot, considering I was tired after about 15 minutes.  It's not easy, but it's kind of fun and is a great workout! Which justified the 2 glasses of wine I had when I got back to the house....

Snowshoer down! (And it's not me)

Apparently it's going to get hot and rainy in the next few days, so that may have been our first and last snowshoe for the year.

Fitness Friday: Fitness Wear

For this Fitness Friday, I'm going to talk about something very important, the clothes that you wear while working on your fitness.  Many people may disagree, but I like to look good while I'm working out.  I don't mean that I need to have my makeup and hair done, that's just ridiculous.  I judge those people in the gym.  But if you are wearing clothes that make you feel good but are comfortable and can move in, I feel like it can only help your workout.

I swear by Lululemon.  If anybody reading this is unlucky enough to not know what Lulu is, it's a Canadian yoga apparel brand.  But they don't just do yoga.  They also have a lot of clothing focused on running, spinning or just working out in general.  And then some of it is just great to wear all the time!

Groove Pant

The groove pant is a mandatory Lululemon item.  Ok maybe not mandatory, but it's where most people start.  They are expensive (almost $100), but I am still wearing the pair that I got about 6 years ago.  And they are fabulous.

Wunder Under Crop

I also love my wunder unders.  You can get them in a full length version as well, but I love the crops in the summer because I can wear them all the time, whether I'm working out or not!

Back on Track Tank

They change up their shirts so often, that I couldn't find anything that I actually own.  But they do have a lot of tanks, sweaters and shirts.  They also have different lengths of shorts that are tight, or looser, if you prefer.  They are great for hot yoga. 

By the way, this isn't a sponsored post, despite the fact that I have exclusively talked about Lululemon.  I just really love their products and think that everyone should own a little lulu.  Did I mention that Lulu makes everyone's butt look fantastic?  If that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will!

Fitness Friday

Source: loseweight-safe.com via Kaileigh on Pinterest

I'm linking up with Desirae today for Fitness Friday.  I have thought about doing fitness posts for awhile now, so this link up seems like the perfect opportunity!

Fitness is something that is very important to me.  I started working out back in University when I gained a few pounds (a few being like 20) and I haven't looked back.  Not only does it help me to maintain my weight, but it makes me generally happier.  I enjoy finding new work outs that challenge me.

That leads into my topic.  TABATA.  The latest and greatest fitness craze.  I have actually only done it twice, but so far I love it.  We have fitness classes at my office at lunch and so I did the first one there.  It was tough!  But I came out of that workout feeling awesome.  Then I did one on my own at home last weekend.  I found this Tabata clock online and used it on my playbook while watching taped TV episodes.  Multitasking people!

Basically, Tabata is a series of 8 exercises.  You do a 20 second interval followed by a 10 second rest, and you do that 8 times.  I believe there are a few different ways of doing this.  Some people do the 8 exercises one after another and then repeat that whole series 8 times.  The way my fitness instructor does it is to repeat the same exercise 8 times in a row.  Then you take a 2 minute rest before you begin the next sequence of 8.  Trust me, you need that 2 minutes once you get to the 4th circuit!  When I'm repeating the same exercise, sometimes I will add variations.  Or if I am doing a weights exercise, I will alternate and do 4 of one exercise and 4 of another.

The great thing about Tabata, is that time flies!  It's about an hour long work out once you add in warm up and cool down, but it goes quickly and you definitely feel like it was worth your time at the end of it!  And everyone wants to feel like it was worth their time at the end of a workout.

Row Row Row Your Boat

This weekend I learnt to row.  I had been wanting to row for a long time.  I wished that I had of joined the rowing team while I was in University.  This was because it's a sport that you can pick up at the age of 18.  Most people don't go to university with rowing experience when they join the team.  Also, it's an amazing workout.  Rowing works your whole body.  I saw those rowers at school and they were buff.

So after the Olympics this year, I thought, why don't I just do it?  There are 3 rowing clubs nearby me, so I looked into one of them, and they were having a two day learn to row session this weekend.  5 hours on Saturday and 5 hours on Sunday.  So I signed up.  I tried to get somebody to do it with me, but there was no interest.  So I went alone.  That is terrifying enough without even adding to it that I had to get into a tiny boat on a dirty river.

There I am, in the middle.  See me?  Oh no wait, that's the Olympic team, I am definitely not in that picture.

{via}

Unfortunately I don't have any photographic evidence of this adventure.  You are going to have to take my word for it.  Let me tell you this though, it's not as easy as they make it look in the Olympics.  

Over the course of the weekend I spent time in a one person, two person and four person boat.  The one person was very difficult.  Hence why I ended up in the river.  With seaweed wrapping around my legs.  After a minor panic attack I got back into my boat.  The two person was tricky, because the boat is still very small and the movements of either person can cause it to tip.  The four person boat was awesome!  It was so steady that we could all stand up in it at the same time.  And you can really get moving!  Since it's very unlikely to tip, this is when I felt like I got the best workout because you can just row hard without worrying about movements.  I learnt the most from the one person though because every time you do something wrong, you know about it.  If you do something really wrong you are swimming.

So I may or may not go back.  It was fun, but it's a self motivated sport and I don't know if I would be good at that when I don't have to go to practice.  Also, just to show why I don't do outfit posts, here is what I wore.  What can I say, I'm an athlete.   I just hope the river stench comes out of these clothes.

I'm a Yogi

I don't know if someone who takes a six month yoga break can consider themselves a yogi.  I don't know what happened.  I just was down to one pass, didn't want to take the time to go to a class and didn't have money to buy more passes.  Yoga is expensive you know!

But....I went back.  And it's my new resolution to go once a week again.  I don't go more than this because the studio is half an hour from home and I have to kill an hour and a half after work to go on my way home, so once a week is basically my limit.

So Wednesday was my first day back in forever.  I was scared.  Yoga is hard.  It's hot yoga that I do, and when you aren't used to the heat and haven't been in it for awhile, sometimes dizziness takes over.  But not this time it didn't!  I was phenomenal.  I was balanced.  I was flexible.  I didn't have to take any breaks.  It might have been because it was a brand new teacher and it was easier than most classes....but I prefer to think that I'm just awesome.

I came out of the class feeling energized and refreshed.  Happier.  Proud of myself.  Yoga gives you this indescribable feeling.  If I could do it 7 days a week, I would.

It's good to be back.

This isn't me.  But I do know her.  It's the lovely Pauline from Power Yoga Canada