Hot Yoga time

I'm so excited to get to class tonight and try hot yoga again. I've been thinking about class all day and even put my beach towel, water, and matt by the front door. Class starts at 5pm so I'm already drinking my 32oz water bottle and eating a banana. I've read that you should go to yoga on an empty stomach. Do you? I hope I have enough energy for class as I want to give it 100% tonight. Ready...let's go!

Downward dog

Today I tried a core class for the first time. I've tried beginning yoga classes at 24hr fitness and thought this might be similar. This class was great for a beginner like myslef that needs to work on getting back in shape. As you might know, a core class works on abs but also worked my entire body. Downward dog, upward dog, and lots of sun salutations. My instructor took lots of time to describe each movement in detail. I can't remember all of the names but I do remember the "dogs" and sun salutations. Also, the warrior pose. I feel great right now! I feel energized and can't remember the last time I felt this alert. Coffee does not give me this same feeling. Can't wait to take another core class.

Coffee: A workout in a cup

I slept so great last night and feel well rested this morning. A little thirsty but no headache. My body feels like I've jogged about 2 miles on a treadmill. Nothing extreme, just a little sore in my legs. I'm still feeling the first workout.
I was craving my usually coffee this morning but decided it was probably best to have a glass of water first. I love my morning coffee and don't want to give up one of my favorite vices. I once heard coffee called "A workout in a cup". Great line. I think Starbuck's should use this in advertising. Two cups of strong coffee this morning and some cereal. Time to start the yard work I've been putting off all week.

Core Yoga?

My Yoga studio offers hot yoga as well as core and ashtanga. I'm not sure what the core class accomplishes, but I'm sure it will involve my abs. I hope to make the noon core class today and try and get this mid section of mine a little tighter. Well, a lot tighter. Got on the scale this morning and gained back 1 pound. I'm now at 218. Must be the water settling back in my body. Time to get some breakfast with the family. Cereal and a banana. Yum! Next time I have a chance, I want to have a conversation with my yoga instruction on proper nutrition. Any ideas for some food to eat prior to a hot yoga class? Leave me a comment. Off to breakfast.

Time to get on the scale

I woke up this morning still thirsty. Could it be from yoga or the Pizza that my wife brought home last night? I made sure to drink plenty of water before bed and limited my pizza (only 2 slices). I feel like I could splurge a little on the diet since I had gone to yoga. Time to get on the bathroom scale and check my weight. 3 pounds lighter. 217 pounds Yeah! I even had pizza last night. This is so cool! Off to the fridge to see what's for breakfast. Something fruity and light.

Water, water, and more water

I can't believe how much water I'm drinking today. I drank two 16 oz glasses of water after yoga last night and today I've had three more glasses. It seems like I'm going to the bathroom every 30 minutes. So glad I'm at home today. I had my two cups of coffee this morning and still have a slight headache lingering from yesterday's workout. More water may do the trick.

First hot yoga class

Amazing! I survived and feel 10 pounds lighter. Actually, just 2 pounds, but I feel great. I found a yoga studio close to my house that specializes in hot yoga and has a 30 day trial period for new members. I read their website before my first class and made sure I drank plenty of water and brought a large towel. I could not believe how much I sweat! I completely soaked through my t-shirt, shorts, underwear, and beach towel. This must have been part of the detox process I have read about. Have you every experienced this detox process? Some of my first thoughts as I was putting my towel down and looking around the room at some of the younger and slimmer bodies--can I survive 90 minutes, will I have to leave the room, will I faint, or should I try my best and lay down if necessary? Have you had these thoughts in class?
At first I could feel the intensity of the heat and humidity and started to sweat. Class started and my mind was racing and I was a bit nervous. After about 5 minutes and several postures I forgot about the people next to me and began to focus on my own body and breathing. This new breathing process called Pranayama is intense and different than my typical breath. The teacher explained pranayama breathing and took several small breaks throughout the class to demonstrate. Lot's of beginners in the class and I felt more relaxed. 60 minutes into the class and we started the floor series. I was ready to stop but told myself to continue at about 50% effort. I was a little sick to my stomach and a little light headed and decided to continue but at a much lighter pace. After all, this was my first hot class and I did not want to ruin my first experience. I'm glad I paced myself as the next 30 minutes was not easy. After about 70 minutes into the class, I took childs pose, and rested while still doing the pranayama breathing. 90 minutes is up, and I'm soaking in sweat, and ready to stay on the ground for the rest of the night. I think the teacher called this corpse pose? Perfect name. I'm dead tired and don't want to move.
Driving home my head hurts from a slight headache and I'm thirsty? Has anyone experienced a headache after Bikram or hot yoga? I thought I drank enough water before class but maybe I need more. Time for a shower and something fruity for dinner.

My first post 9/2/07

I can't believe I'm actually writing down my thoughts as I begin another journey towards fitness and weight loss. My initial thought for creating a blog was to help my accountability so have a written record that I can review and document. When I picture myself for a moment I think I'm just like the 17 year old boy 5"11" 158 pounds running around the tennis court for hours on a beautiful summer afternoon. The reality is I'm 34 years old 5' 11" 220 pounds male, married, with two wonderful children and after a doctor's checkup told that I am borderline obese. I knew I was out of shape. Well, probably the worst shape of my life but not obese. That was about a month ago in late July and the doctor told me I need to incorporate more exercise in my life and eat healthier. This is the exact reason I didn't want to get a physical! Being told exactly what you already know. My doctor did have some good news for me. Cholesterol was great and blood pressure was excellent. She gave me a lot of junk literature stating how you should stretch and breathe. Something you would expect to give to your grandmother or grandfather. I needed some serious exercise that would give me lasting results and hopefully quickly.
After high school I attended college and quickly added 20-30 pounds. I lost a lot of the weight after getting married but found myself gaining all of the weight back after starting my first job. Everyone ate lunch at their desk and did not take an actual break from work. This unhealthy eating was almost like binge eating on the job. Trying to cram an entire sandwich while working on the computer in just a few minutes is not healthy, especially when you don't exercise and repeat the same eating habits the next day. Ten years later and I'm in the doctor's office and she tells me I should be 175 pounds rather than 220 pounds. 45 pounds over weight! How am I ever going to lose this weight and get healthy again? I thought of all the exercises I've done in the past: running, biking, swimming, going to the gym, tennis, and yoga. My favorite sport activity has been tennis. Loved it the first time I played back when I was 7 or 8. Unfortunately, I haven't played more than a couple times since high school-16 years ago. I also love yoga! I worked for Bank of America and they offered free gym membership to employees and one of the classes I tried was Ashtanga yoga and Bikram Hot Yoga. The Bikram or Hot Yoga was taught in a non heated room and only did half of the 26 poses. But I still gained an appreciation and understanding of what Hot Yoga can do for your body. I want to look for a Yoga studio near my home and take a few classes in the coming week. I hope to post another message after my first class. If anyone has any thoughts on Yoga, weight loss, or tennis and fitness please feel free to leave me a message. Thank you for reading my first post.