Namaste

“Yoga is the control of the whirls of the mind (citta).” – Yoga-Sutra(1.2) 

“Yoga is ecstasy (samadhi).” – Yoga-Bhashya (1.1) 

What is Yoga? 

Yoga is as scientific or as spiritual as you would like it to be. It can be asana, meditation, a stretch, or a song. Through experimentation, stillness and movement, yoga unveils love and fear in raw forms without any crutches to grasp onto – besides your own breath and bravery. Yoga is hearing breath in the body, while changing muscle memory. Yoga is an understanding that asana, sensations and thoughts change daily, and we can forever learn in the bodies we inhabit. Above all, yoga is just a game –flowing through yoga classes, situations, relationships, and finding happiness in jokes and wide smiles. Remembering that all the tools we need to be living liberation are on this earth, in this body, right now. 

Oh how wonderful the last two weeks of reconnecting with my body and rediscovered my love of yoga has been. I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed the calm and quite of a daily practice.

I find myself centred, grounded clear of mind and soul.
I am strong, invigorated and powerful, sensations and feelings I have never found in going to the gym or while running.

These feeling are somewhat addictive and I am on my mat now daily, from 20 - 60 minutes, lost in my practice.  I have a new recycled & eco friendly mad on its way to me as I type this (thanks amazon.ca) and cannot wait to unroll it tonight and again loose myself in the power and peacefulness of the asanas.

Thanks to the wonders of the interweb, I have been able to download amazing classes from http://www.yogadownload.com and no longer have to fork out big cash monies or race from work to get to class. I can practice in the tranquility of my own home and then flop into bed, relaxed and ready for a solid nights sleep.

And what a pleasant suprise, Mr. P has started to join me in my daily sessions. Who would have every thought?!  I think the fact that he realized a few months ago that he could in NO WAY touch his feet with his fingers made the decision a little easier :)

He says he now can appreciate the athleticism required in yoga, but is not yet sure of the breathing, meditative mind and "cheesy music" of the classes. He will get there ... come little grasshopper, to the calming and peaceful world of yoga.

Revision

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/

A Very Cool Idea

How many of you would think that you could avoid a grocery store for a year? Sound crazy right? Well maybe not so much, and after reading this I think that it may actually be more doable than not.

http://www.takepart.com/news/2011/06/24/family-of-three-pledges-no-grocery-stores-for-a-year

Now THIS is what a Woman should look like

Not a twig with no shape, not a hard, cut athletic figure, but someone with curves, who is toned and soft, with hips and a bust ... this is my inspiration.

This is British glamour model Kelly Brooks and she is what women should feel to look like ... not this:

Wise Words from Jillian Michaels

Ya BOB!

Celebrity fitness trainer and vegan Bob Harper has announced his new line of vegan supplements.

And they are GLUTEN FREE TOO :)

Harper’s Vegan Supplements

Village on a Diet

I have admittedly become a fan of this show. As with Biggest Loser, I find myself more interested in the people and their stories and background than their weight loss. I feel for them, I want to see them succeed. And while I have defeated my weight demons (for the most part), there was a day when this little 5'0 gal was pushing 170 lbs. I was not so TINY then.

So I get it, I know where they are coming from. Plus there is no cash carrot dangling in front of them. They have to want to do this for themselves.

I bring this all up because I have been following this VOAD review column and find it interesting that the author chooses to pick apart the people and attack the production of the show.

Its only episode 3 and he is making noise about various things, like the fact that food and diet choices are only now being addressed (again, its EPISODE 3, not 12) and that the participants are being told to overhaul their diets in full and start from scratch. He complains that there is "No discussion of calories, just the same old, "servings". Ummmm, why on earth is that an issue? Screw calories, these people need to learn to eat right and learn to eat less. 10 oz of steak is too much for ANYONE (no steak at all would be preferable of course), let alone an obese 23 yr old mother.

Sure, the CBC is out to make profitable TV. Is that any sort of secret?

Get over it. Watch the show and be entertained, get emotional and maybe even get inspired to get off your ass and move.

Weighty Matters: Village on a Diet episode 3 recap: Nobody yelled!

And if you want to read more abot the show and its the LIVE RIGHT NOW program, here you go:

CBC Winter Season Focuses on Canadians' Health

19th Annual Wellness Show

I love attending these kinds of events. They are always so interesting and educational .. and full of samples and FREEBIES! And who doesn't love a good freebie?

Choices presents the 19th Annual Wellness Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada Place. Designed to bring holistic living to the forefront, the Wellness Show features exhibits and guest speakers for all

ages. With upwards of 300 exhibitors, there is sure to be something for everyone at one of Canada’s largest health and wellness showcases. This year, the public has a number of engaging lectures and workshops to

choose from including the following:

• Two cooking demonstrations, focusing on buy local, eat fresh, will take place at the Celebrity Cooking Stage, featuring Choices' Chef, Antonio Cerullo and the winner of our Health Appetizer Contest.

• A talk on Eating Well with Diabetes featuring Choices' Dietitian, Nicole Fetterly, RD.

• A talk on Iron, It's in Your Blood, Or is it? featuring Dr. Cathy Carlson-Rink, ND, RM, Canada’s first naturopathic physician and certified midwife. (I will be at this one for sure!)

General admission tickets for the Wellness Show are $12.50, seniors and students are $10, children 6–15 years are $5, children 5 and under are free. Three-Day Passes available for $27. Tickets now available online at www.thewellnesshsow.com or may be purchased at the door. 

New View of Obesity

A very interesting article today on cbc.ca regading the outlook and reality of today's growing overweight and obesity issues/

Its a stright forward slap in the face kind of article and this is why I like it. Its time to stop pulling punches and to be honest about diet, health and exercise.

Here are some of the highlights from Dr. Arya Sharma of the University of Alberta

On YoYo Dieting:
"The minute you go on a diet, the minute you start losing weight the first thing that happens is your body says, 'OK we're going to shut down the furnace, there's not enough fuel coming in, we're not going to be shifting to fourth gear anymore,' and it happens automatically," he said.

On Stereotypes:
"We keep hammering home the stereotype of the fat, lazy slobs who are eating fast food all the time who are not moving, not exercising or not taking care of themselves, making poor choices, when there's very little science that actually backs this up."

On Exercise:
"'There's a million benefits of exercise. It does everything including improving depression, preventing cancer; it'll do a million things for you. The one thing it does not do is help you lose weight.'"

Read the full article here: CBC News - Health - Doctor urges new view of obesity

Why "exergames" Are A Crock

What's an "exergame"?

Wii Fit, Xbox Kinectis and PlayStation Move are all considered exergames.

And according to this article, unless you are elderly, you ain't getting fit using them.

“At this point, there is little scientific evidence to suggest that exergames can be used alone to meet current guidelines for physical activity in young people,” said Elaine Biddiss, Ph.D.

Read More Here: Why Wii Fit is Best for Grandparents - NYTimes.com

Ex-Vegans - A Rant

Over the last few weeks, a few articles and posts have popped up online about or written by ex-vegans, discussing how they came to toss their vegan lives out the window and each article seems to have the same effect on me.

They make me mad. Very mad. Angry even.

Not mad because "We" have lost one to the "Other" Team, but angry because they were so fast to flip and seeming so easily swayed back to meat and dairy.

Where was the conviction of choice? Where was the passion? Was it ever there to being with? Were these people every really on board or were they just tagging along for a ride?

When I made the CHOICE to become vegan I knew that I was going to have to be diligent and educated in order to keep healthy, fit and strong. I knew I would have to supplement my diet where needed (B12, iron, etc.) and that just removing animal products from my diet and not taking the time or care to learn how to replace them was just stupid and irresponsible.

Don't all people who make massive life changes realize that they will actually have to do some work to make it an effective change?

After reading these posts I feel that these cases of ex-vegans are isolated and relate only to those that are mis or under educated, lazy and basically stupid. And I really don't care how that sounds. Harsh, fine, mean, fine. I really don't care.

People like these make it hard for the rest of us to be taken seriously and to be respected. They make it seem like its all crap, when in fact it's just them; they were the ones that didn't do the work to being with and are now suffering.

All in all, I guess what I am ranting about is this: IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A LIFE CHOICE, BE EDUCATED AND INFORMED ABOUT IT AND USE YOUR HEAD!

Wanna read the articles that got me all riled up? Here they are:

Do Ex-Vegans’ Stories Make the Case Against Vegan Diets? | The Vegan RD

A Vegan No More

A Review: The Vegetarian Myth

Let Them Eat Meat

And that was a nice little Monday rant ... now back to work ....

The Vegan RD | Thoughts On Being Vegan: A Dietitian's Viewpoint

NOW this is a resourse page!

If you are at the start of, or just begining to think of adopting a vegan lifestyle then go no further than HERE:
The Vegan RD | Thoughts On Being Vegan: A Dietitian's Viewpoint

This amazing site has it all covered: Health, Eating Guides, Nutrition, Recipes and loads more.

And its very accessible, easy to read and not at all intimidating.

So give a whirl, do you homework and then MAKE THE CHANGE!

Making the Connection: Chapter 2 Fitness

Detox Phase II

Phase I of the detox was the prep. Now I am on to Phase II – Liver detox

My naturopath gave me 21 days of MediHerb LivCo tablets to take 3x’s a day and according to my googling, the LivCo tablets will do the following:

*Aid in the elimination and cleanse the liver
*Enhance the productions of antioxidants in the liver
*Increase the natural synthesis of proteins in the liver
*Support healthy liver function
*Protect again the damaging effects of free radicals

That all sounds pretty good to me. I'm still feeling great from Phase I and am still sleeping better and feeling well rested every morning.

I'm also still drinking at least 1.5 litres of distilled water a day and I have noticed a big difference in my skin and complexion. Almost no acne now (FINALLY! At 31 … geeze) and a more even tone and texture overall.

Again, as before, these are all good things.

I have also started a massive overhaul on my gym routine. Aside from adding in at least 20 minutes of running, I have started working on the circuit training as outlined in the Jillian Michaels’ book MAKING THE CUT. It’s a pretty intense workout based on circuit training, plyometrics and stacking and it’s kicking my ass, literally.

The promise of the plan is to, as you can gather from the title of the book, get cut. And of course, she says that you can make this promise a reality in a mear 30 days. I suppose if you do nothing but work out everyday and follow her routine to a T then sure, you may get ripped in 30 days. Me, I’ll be more than happy to look “cut” by June. That’s me being realistic.

I already hit the gym 3 times a week and so sure, I’m game for adding a few more days in there to make it an even 5, but that’s it. I have a life, school and work to balance outside of the weight room so that’s as much as a commitment as I am able and willing to make.

But just from the last two days, I think that June is more than realistic. I am gonna look ripped, and toned and strong on the beaches of Thailand.

My Fitness Personality

Took a quick little quiz this morning that was sent to me in my weekly Healthy Monday newsletter from about.com and thought it was pretty darn accurate:


Your answers indicate that you tend to be more of a leader than a follower, that you like to be in charge and that you're likely a goal-oriented person. (YUP!) You may enjoy the process of setting goals and mapping out the steps you need to reach them. You're also disciplined and self-motivated, so you may not need a buddy or group activity to keep you supported.

Because of these traits, you're the kind of person who is consistent with exercise and doesn't have a problem committing to a regular exercise program. You may lean towards more athletic activities and you may also have a tendency to get stuck in exercise ruts from time to time, having difficulty changing things up on a regular basis.

Best Exercises for Your Personality

You tend to go solo when it comes to fitness and, because you're so disciplined, it's easier for you to stick to a more regimented routine. You might enjoy activities where you're in control -- of your movements and your schedule -- rather than following along in a fitness class or video. Just a few ideas:

Walking, Running or Cycling
Any one or all of these activities might appeal to you because you're in charge of these kinds of workouts. There's no instructor to follow, no rules -- you create your own workouts and move at your own pace, which is just how you like it. These activities also offer opportunities to improve; you can go faster, find bigger hills and increase your distance. Tracking these things might help keep you motivated.

Training for Races
Beyond basic running or walking programs, training for a race (whether it's 5K or a marathon) may be a good goal to set for yourself. Training for a race requires specific, timely steps which may appeal to the goal-oriented part of your personality. You may also like to get your competitive juices flowing.

Strength Training
While strength training is good for all of us, it might appeal to you more than the average person. Lifting weights is a solo activity that requires a specific plan as well as a specific list of exercises for each muscle group. You might enjoy the act of creating your own program just as much as carrying it out and keeping track of your progress.

Martial Arts
Though more of a team activity, martial arts offers many aspects of training that fit your personality. The moves you learn are regimented, require regular practice and you also have the ability to earn different belts and move up into more complicated training programs. Because you may prefer to exercise alone, pursuing something with group interactivity may actually be good for you, helping you learn how to rely on and support others. (I did LOVE boxing when I was training with my PT and am dying to do more ... does that count?)

What to Watch Out For
Because you're smart and self-disciplined, there are some downsides to that personality type that could cause some problems. Just a few things to watch out for:

•Being inflexible. You like routines and habits, but they may turn into ruts if you don't make changes now and then. Make it a point to take stock of your situation every few weeks and make changes in your schedule, workouts or activities to keep things fresh.

•Being afraid to try new things. You're good at a variety of things, but you may also have a tendency towards perfectionism. That may stop you from trying new things, since it's hard to be perfect on your first try. Test your boundaries every so often with new activities and allow yourself to be bad at them.

•Being a know-it-all. You may spend time researching exercise and fitness. You may also have a lot of personal knowledge about fitness, which can keep you from having an open mind about new ideas. Listening to what others have to say, even inexperienced exercisers, can teach you more than you realize.

Run, Run, Run .... and Detox

This week has seen the start of a few new developments in the land of Moi.

One of them was planned; the other has been more surprising.

The planned event was the start of my first ever detox/cleanse. Oh what a sterotypical Vancouverite I have become.

So far it’s been pretty chill. Nothing more exciting than 45 drops of Chelidonium Plex which is: a “combination of specific homeopathics synergistically formulated to promote hepatic, renal, lymphatic and intestinal detoxification and drainage. Liver function can be impaired by stress, environmental pollutants, narcotic and alcohol abuse, and chemotherapy treatment, leading to hormonal imbalances, headaches and immune suppression. Clinical studies show detoxification to be effective in helping individuals who suffer from allergies, arthritis, headaches, fatigue as well as environmental and chemical sensitivities. Chelidonium Plex is indicated for all conditions that associated with liver dysfunction, including fatty degeneration, high cholesterol, and constipation; for heavy metal toxicity and skin disorders; and for all conditions that require detoxification and lymphatic drainage such as from the overindulgence of food and alcohol” in 1.5 litres of water each day for 14 days to ‘open the doors of my detoxification organs: liver, digestive track, skin and kidneys” in prep for my bigger, more involved cleansing - that party starts on the 18th.

I am going about this cleanse with the help and direction of my naturopath after inquiring about doing the Wild Rose Detox that a few of my friends are doing right now. His suggestion was to avoid the health store cleanse kits, and rather start off a little gentler since this would be my first cleanse, working my way up to the big guns.

But nothing to note happening yet, just peeing a lot.

The second development has been the more suprising one. And it has been that of a new relationship. Well, more like the return of an old relationship, one that I actually broke off a few years ago and thought that I would never return to.

But something happened over the last few weeks and it seems that I've had a change of heart.

But may not be what you think.

I have rekindled my relationship with running.

Over the last month or so I have had a very strong desire to run. I can't really pin point why, but its been almost overwhelming.

Could it be that in 2 months I will again be participating the annual Vancouver Sun Run?

Oh right, that!

Yup, again I will be running 10 km though the beautiful Van City with a gazillion strangers, all just for fun. Ok, not a gazillion, but a good 60,000 people take part in the run.

So here I find myself, back in the saddle and LOVING it. I forgot how Zen running can be, how calming and relaxing it really is.

And I am shocked with how fit I actually am. When I first did the run a few years back, it was painful. I could barely run 10 minutes without feeling gross amounts of pain and total exhaustion. I was so out of shape. This time however in my first run in years I was able to bang out 30 minute no problem, at a good and steady pace without any pain or fatigue, just a good sweat and a solid heart rate.

This bodes well for my 2010 goal. The goal this time is to finish the run in less than 60 minutes. That will be 10 minutes faster than my previous time.

I am confident I can do it.

Wish me luck!

Updates & New Reads

First off let me just say – I AM SO SAD ABBY IS OFF BIGGEST LOSER. That woman is amazing and for me a true inspiration.

Ok, so now that that’s out of my system lets get to it:

I have officially finished my sessions with my trainer - SAD SAD SAD :(

BUT - in our last session together something clicked in me - I have no idea what it was or why it happened but I have a renewed determination and drive at the gym.

Maybe it was the reality that I was now going to be on my own.

Maybe it was realizing that this is all about me and no one else.

Whatever it was, who cares, right, because in the end it's all about me sticking to my plan and reaching my goal.

GOAL = 120 lbs for 2010

So, Mr. Kiwi gave me one last ass kicking, handed me a workout program and said goodbye.

AHHHHHHH!

Um hello, do I even need to tell you how scared I was at that moment?

But the moment passed and since then I have been kicking my own ass, spending 3 hours a week at the gym, sweating it, pumping iron and killing the cardio.

I also made the decision to really try and kick start things and committed to changing my diet in a rather radical way.

I had been thinking I wanted to try a detox or cleanse, but after researching them I decided it was not for me.

I am not a heavy drinker, I am no longer a smoker, I don’t eat processed foods.

So instead of relying on herbal laxatives and supplements, I opted to go back to the GI diet plan of eating only LOW GI foods, started drinking mass amounts of water, added a B12 complex vitamin to the mix and ditched wheat, sugar, caffeine and most dairy (I'm still hanging on to my plain skim yogurt but am looking at soy alternatives).

And DANG I feel amazing!

I have crazy amounts of energy and am no longer lethargic or find it hard to get out of bed.

I sleep like a baby and right through the night, no something I have done in, well, years.

I am more focused and clear thinking.

I feel like a new person!

And BONUS - I have had NO cravings. Sure, I had a moment of wanting when a classmate brought in a Starbuckers and the smell wafted over to me, but it didn’t make me run to the coffee shop. Instead, I brewed myself a steaming hot cup of organic tie kwan yin oolong tea and sipped myself into heaven.

I did have a few minor headaches in the first few days, mostly later on in the afternoons, but nothing at all serious or even Advil worthy.

And the proverbial icing on the cake = I LOST 4 LBS IN 5 DAY!!!

My jeans are notably baggier in the bum and hips and I even got a " looking good Erin" compliment at school today

I don’t see myself falling off this wagon, but I am still not going to count my chickens before they hatch.

I don’t want to jinx this.

But enough about me. Here’s something I wanted to share with you:

My GF posted this site on her FB page, as she is starting her journey into a new healthy lifestyle and I gotta tell you - LOVE IT!

http://vivaciousveggie.wordpress.com/

Its written by a Holistic Nutritionist who’s aim is to make others “aware of the benefits of good nutrition, the range of conflicting information available to the consumer is often confusing”

I suggest you check it out.

Happy Healthy Living

The Biggest Loser

** UPDATE **

Hawt damn, my girl Shay lost 17 lbs in a week!!! And Dan hit 12 lbs - WOW!

Rock ON - Rebecca lost 18 lbs ... you go girl!

Abby ain't no slacker either at a loss of 15 lbs. Woman, you have a strength I wish I knew ....

------------------------------------

** UPDATE **

Good gawd, now Mo got me going, geeps I need some tissues ... and what?! Shay is 43 yrs old physically but really only 29 ... Jesus ...

Feeling real good about my 135 lbs frame right about now ...

------------------------------------

** UPDATE **

Phew! She's back and Jillian is well up in her face tellin' her like it is!

Oh and Bob is so hawt when he's kickin' ass.

------------------------------------

** UPDATE **

WTF! Shay just bailed on me ... she best be back after the commercial break ...

------------------------------------

I am about 45 minutes into Season 8 of the Biggest Loser and am already crying ...

The stories the contestants told at the start were heart wrenching, BUT none of them used them as excuses, just as their histories and as reasons why they are committed to changing their lives. For some of them, its now or never ...

I'm cheering for Daniel and Shay to lose the most and my heart is with Abby.

Oh and I am still fully in love with gay-face Bob :)

Back to the Begining

Well I'm back to being fat.

UGH

Its not like I don't know how it happened ... I know exactly how it happened.

Its called eating crap and sitting on my ass.

I think I have to admit that I have may have a binge eating disorder and some serious body dysmorphia issues at play here ...

Like last night: I binged on 2 MASSIVE Big City cupcakes and 2 bowls of Cherrios - AFTER eating a big roast beef dinner with potatoes, Brussels sprouts, corn, peas, carrots and gravy ...

Motivation is gone - Depression is kicking in ...

I have to shake this off and get moving again ....

Is this the way its always going to be?

Me, fighting my body and eating issues for the rest of my life, only to reach a goal and then fall off the deep end and end up back where I started?

I don't remember it being this hard before ... Before I was able to just DO IT.

A friend recently commented that maybe I should have my thyroid checked, or that maybe I just need to realize that now since I'm over 30, that this war is now just going to get harder and harder ...

UGH

The Kettlebell Swing & The GRIND

This week Kiwi added some Kettlebell action into my usual mix of free weights, medicine ball and bosu/swiss ball exercises, which is rad since I've always wanted to work with them but never felt comfortable since I don’t know what the hell I am doing ... hence Kiwi's presence.

He started off by getting me to do a bunch of these little babies: The Kettlebell Swing

They may look easy, but DANG they are hard. But also really fun - gets the blood rushing, the sweat pouring and the core working.

“The kettlebell swing… is the brutal distillation of everything ketttlebell training is about: power, explosiveness, flexibility and lung searing cardio”

That's the thing about Kiwi that I really dig. He mixes it up each session, always adding in new exercises onto what we have already been working on.

And we have been working HARD. Twice a week for an hour, he beats the crap out of me, and I take it.

Which is why when my alarm went off at the CRAK OF FREAKIN' DAWN (6:30AM) this morning, I got up, brushed my teeth, threw on some clothes and got ready to meet some friends before heading over to Grouse Mountain to take on the Grouse Grind

For the first time, today I felt the effects of all my hard work.

Fondly referred to as Mother Nature’s Stairmaster, “The Grind” is a gnarly, extremely steep and mountainous 2.9 km "hike". It’s a full on challenge of rugged terrain and climbing, up an approximate 56 per cent slope (30°), which begins at the 300-metre-elevation Valley Station of Grouse Mountain and climbs to 1,100 metres at the Peak’s plateau

OH and did I mention it has a total of 2,830 stairs?

So clearly it's no walk in the park. Right, we all know that and know what we are getting into.

But today, dare I say, it was noticeably easier than the last time I did it.

All the lunges and squats clearly have paid off, because I was like a freakin' GAZEL on the trail, with long, strong strides and steady pace.

Before I knew it, I was at the top enjoying the view and a well earned smoothie.

So I guess what I am saying is that while The Grind is still and always will be a challenge, the time in the gym is CLEARLY paying off.

Which is EXACTLY what I wanted and I love when I get what I want!