Thursday, August 29, 2013

3 Days

A weak-ass attempt at RHC today.  I mean, my abs got a workout, but the pulled muscle in my back is really limiting my ability to stretch and fully extend anything.  I think I'm going to take 3 days off and let my back heal.  It just isn't getting better as long as I keep doing yoga, and I think I need to let it rest.  I'm still going to do 90 workouts in 90 days though - I'm just going to have to double up on 3 of the days to make up for it.
I mean, no one said they had to be consecutive days...
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days
7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC
8/23/13 - Day 32: Energy
8/24/13 -  Day 33: RHC 
8/25/13 - Day 34: Energy
8/26/13 - Day 35: RHC 
8/27/13 - Day 36: RHC 
8/28/13 - Day 37: RHC 
8/29/13 - Day 38: RHC

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Back Pain

My lower back is still hurting a lot, so it's another RHC day.  I've got a heating pad on it now, and I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days
7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC
8/23/13 - Day 32: Energy
8/24/13 -  Day 33: RHC 
8/25/13 - Day 34: Energy
8/26/13 - Day 35: RHC 
8/27/13 - Day 36: RHC 
8/28/13 - Day 37: RHC

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Hip Hip Hooray

Another day of Red Hot Core...I seem to have pulled a muscle in my lower back somehow - I don't think it was during yoga - probably lifting my kiddo or something, but the last thing I wanted to do was yoga.  Made myself though, and just took it easy on moves that challenged those muscles.  

I did measure myself this morning, and my waist measurement is down 3 inches from when I started DDP Yoga.  All other measurements are the same.  I'm pretty happy with that - not much (or any?) weight loss, but I am seeing some results.  So three cheers for Red Hot Core!

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days
7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC
8/23/13 - Day 32: Energy
8/24/13 -  Day 33: RHC 
8/25/13 - Day 34: Energy
8/26/13 - Day 35: RHC 
8/27/13 - Day 36: RHC

Monday, August 26, 2013

Discouraged But Not Giving In

The weight loss end of this journey is just not shaping up for me.  I've done LOTS of things over the past two years to lose weight, and haven't had much success.  I can lose a few pounds every time, but gain it back, or else get so hungry that whatever plan I'm doing becomes unmanageable.  Here are a few of the things I've attempted over just the last few years:

High carb, low fat
High protein, low fat
High protein, low carb
High fat, low carb, moderate protein
Cardio/Low calorie
Paleo
Gluten free/dairy free

Yes, I feel better eating no gluten, and in general I feel better eating low carb.  These things are good to know.  But I want to lose weight too.

My current eating plan (high fat, low carb, moderate protein, tracking calories and maintaining a calorie deficit, on average) isn't working out.  I do find that I can go long periods of time without eating but I'm not losing weight.   So this plan is out.

I have a new plan I'm going to try based on the book The Plan.  I'll give details if the results look promising in the first couple of weeks.

As far as yoga, I feel like I'm getting stronger and my waist seems to be less in-the-way...I'll check measurements tomorrow.  Maybe I'm down in size a bit even though the scale isn't cooperating.  The streak continues.  Energy yesterday and RHC today. 

Till tomorrow.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days
7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC
8/23/13 - Day 32: Energy
8/24/13 -  Day 33: RHC 
8/25/13 - Day 34: Energy
8/26/13 - Day 35: RHC

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Day 42

Did RHC today...I feel like I'm copping out whenever I do RHC in place of a longer workout, but then I remind myself that I did NO exercise for like...years.  And if I want to do "real" yoga 3-4 times a week and do RHC on the other days, I'm doing ok.  You got that, guilty subconscious?  I'M DOING OK!

Whew....glad I got that cleared up.

I've been experimenting with the font for the workouts listed below in my "90 Workouts in 90 Days" section...I guess I was trying to shrink it (see last post) because I thought it might be an inconvenience to my many MANY readers to have to scroll down past all those days.  I've done that my whole life - try to make myself small and invisible to avoid inconveniencing others.  Well, I say that's BULLSHIT and I'm going to stop.  In fact, today to celebrate my new-found confidence, I'm going to INCREASE the font of my 90 Workouts section.  That's right.  Scroll away.  I don't care how long it takes. 

Ok, I'm going to log off before I get completely out of control.


_________________________
90 Workouts in 90 Days
7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC
8/23/13 - Day 32: Energy
8/24/13 -  Day 33: RHC

Friday, August 23, 2013

Friday Energy

Energy today...and the streak continues!

I haven't really made use of the TeamDDPY community as of yet.  I keep meaning to stop into the online chat, but I hesitate. I always feel like I'm crashing someone's party.   Maybe I'll stop in and say hi this weekend.

That is all.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC
8/23/13 - Day 32: Energy

Drunken Yoga

"I am not a role model!" - everyone on television or in sports who does drugs or gets drunk.

Yep, RHC today.  In fact (and this is kind of embarrassing, but this is my blog...if I can't tell you, who can I tell?) my husband and I really wanted alcohol today...he, because of job stress and I, because I wanted to celebrate a small professional accomplishment today.  Yes, it's true...we use wine to unwind and to celebrate.  Maladaptive and yet so common.  Anyway, after 1 and a half drinks I said, "Oh no!  I have to do yoga!"  So I did RHC while under the influence.

It wasn't any easier.

But I did it!  And now my abs are resting quietly.

Ok, that's all.  Just wanted to tell on myself about doing drunken yoga. 
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner
8/22/13 - Day 31: RHC

Thursday, August 22, 2013

12 Step Inspiration

Fat burner again yeterday.  I'm so glad I was inspired by Margie Collier to do the 90 workouts in 90 days. When I first started this blog I checked out all of the DDP blogs out there, and she talked quite a bit about 12-step programs she had been involved in.  When you first get into a 12-step program, they say you should attend 90 meetings in 90 days.  Well, I figured if that's what it takes to quit an addiction, maybe that's what I needed to do to quit my addiction to sitting on my ass.

Fat burner actually felt good at moments...like, I was happy DURING the workout for brief and fleeting periods of time.  I'm interested to see how long it takes till it's FUN.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 8: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 9: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 11: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 12: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 13: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 14: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 15: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 16: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 19: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 20: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 21: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 22: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 23: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 24: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 27: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 28: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 29: RHC
8/21/13 - Day 30: Fat Burner

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Stronger

I notice when doing RHC now I'm able to daydream during some of the moves, whereas I used to have to concentrate fully on the discomfort I was in.  I must be getting stronger! 

Yay!
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 27: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 28: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 29: Fat Burner
8/20/13 - Day 30: RHC

Monday, August 19, 2013

Still Wanna

Fat Burner is probably my favorite workout so far.  Don't get me wrong...I'm not to the point yet where I'm jonesing for my yoga or anything.  My strength and flexibility are still limited making these workouts hard for me.  But one day I'll come on here and surprise you...I'll come on and say, "I LOVE YOGA."

For real. I will.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 27: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 28: Energy
8/19/13 - Day 29: Fat Burner

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Day 36

I decided to try doing my yoga earlier in the day, rather than leaving it for the very end when all I have time for is RHC.  I don't get all these people that say Energy is a "lite" workout.  If you're engaging through the whole thing, it's kind of kick ass!  Or maybe I'm just really out of shape.  That's entirely possible.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 27: RHC
8/18/13 - Day 28: Energy

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Fasting Blood Sugar - Graph 1

Well I've never enjoyed doing core workouts...but I've done them the last 3 days because the alternative is a longer workout.  Maybe one day I'll have a toned tummy again.

I thought that since one of my goals is to gain control over my blood sugar I'd share a graph of my fasting blood sugars since I started DDP Yoga.  Here it is (click to enlarge):



It looks like things are trending in the right direction.  When I started my fasting blood sugar was always around 120 - very close to Type II Diabetes.  Now, it's averaging more like 110.  Still firmly in the pre-diabetic range, but improving.   All exercise is good for blood sugar management.  It's just a matter of finding an exercise you can stick with.  This is one I can stick with.

The Nutritional Ketosis eating plan may or may not be helping.  I've been on low-carb diets for long periods of time and still had high blood sugar.  So it's hard to say if that's helping, but I doubt it's hurting anything.

Blood pressure is harder for me to graph.  I've started "borrowing" my husband's blood pressure medicine because I don't want to be diagnosed with hypertension.  I think once I get my weight down the blood pressure will return to normal, and I don't want another diagnosis that insurance companies can use to hold against me.  In any case, my blood pressure is altered by that medication at least some days.  When I test and no longer see numbers above 120/80, then I'll know that's gotten better.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 26: RHC
8/17/13 - Day 27: RHC

Friday, August 16, 2013

Day 34

Red Hot Core again today.  One thing I'm loving about doing these videos over and over is I get better at them every day!  Even if it's just one stretch or just one position - something is better every single day.  It's just like at the end of Energy - DDP says something like, "every day you'll get stronger and better."  It's true.  Commitment changes everything.  I haven't committed to anything to this extent for YEARS, till now.  It's very exciting.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 25: RHC
8/16/13 - Day 26: RHC

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Day ... uh ...33

Nothing really exciting to report today.

Kept it simple and short today with just Red Hot Core.  My gut can feel free to shrink at any time to show off the fab abs I'm developing.

So I'm over 30 days into this and going strong.  What's the difference here between this and every other time I've tried some form of yoga or some eating plan?  Why am I able to stick with this?  I'm not sure why I was so attracted to DDP Yoga.  I mean certainly the Arthur video made a huge impression on me.  That man has certainly inspired thousands if not millions of people to change their lives for the better.  But that's not it exactly.  I think I'm still here...still sticking to this because I built an entire structure around DDP Yoga in my life. 

I was on the fence about buying the videos.  $70 is a lot of money to me right now, and I've quit so many programs that I didn't trust myself to make it worth it.  But then DDPY came up with this blog contest. I don't see myself as particularly inspirational, but I LOVE blogging.  I have had a bunch of blogs over the years.  So that tipped the scales.  I bought the videos, got a blog, and then immediately went to find other people also doing DDP Yoga blogs.  We could support each other! 

The blog list in my sidebar is all people doing DDP Yoga, and I check in on them almost every day.  I think that's what's different about this.  I made this a big part of my life - it's not just a workout, it's a community, and for once I've been reaching out. 

Just an observation.  Change your friends, change your life.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy
8/15/13 - Day 25: RHC

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

A Brief Hello

Did Energy today.  Didn't really wanna...did it anyway. 

The end.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC
8/14/13 - Day 24: Energy

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Sore

I notice I'm sore every day now.  My legs/calves especially, but also chest muscles and glutes sometimes.  I don't take a day off so they don't really get a rest.  What I might start doing is Red Hot Core every other day in place of a longer yoga workout.  I don't know...right now I'm just doing what feels right each day.

So far I'm really liking my low-carb high fat diet.  I'm averaging in the neighborhood of 75-80% of my calories coming from fat.  My appetite is low, I feel no urge to cheat, and I would forget to eat altogether if I didn't get hungry sometimes.  My sleep isn't the greatest right now though...I know ketones can be stimulating to the nervous system.  Maybe that's why.  Hope that part passes.  In general I think the DDPY eating plans are awesome, and most people will lose weight and vastly improve their health by following them.  I've tried to eat that way - for months at a time - and I felt better but I didn't lose weight.  My metabolism is broken from years of yo-yo dieting and eating "healthy whole grains" promoted by the US Govt.  Newsflash: They're not healthy.  My body needs a radical plan...and I'm hoping I've found the right one.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner
8/13/13 - Day 23: RHC

Day 30!

So it's Day 30 of doing DDP Yoga.  And Day 22 of consecutive days of DDPY.  I almost really enjoyed doing Fat Burner today.  I mean, I'm hesitant because my enthusiasm is notoriously tenuous...but yoga was fun today!  I liked the flow of the video...it was what I hoped yoga would be like.

Ok, enough procrastinating...I've taken my Day 30 comparison pics.  Click on the Pictures tab and you'll see em.  In the last month I've lost 5 pounds.  That's not awesome, but it's pretty good and I'll take it!  Pictures...not a lot of visible difference weight-body-wise, but I can tell you I'm getting stronger and don't need to modify the positions as much.  And don't I look happier in the 30-day pics?  That's because I am.  I started feeling happier this month. 

Next month will be kick-ass.

Peace.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy
8/12/13 - Day 22: Fat Burner

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Commitment

I've been kind of sucking at the blogging lately.  What can I say - I'm less creative without alcohol and with an early bedtime.  It's been 7 days since I've decided to prioritize sleep and put away the wine glass.  I do miss it.  I feel kind of flat.

Tomorrow is Day 30 of DDP yoga.  Tomorrow will also be Day 22 of my 90 workouts in 90 days.  I'm really glad I decided to do that.  There are a bunch of days that I wouldn't have done my yoga if I hadn't made this commitment.  Maybe even most days.  I don't love doing it yet - I'm still painfully aware of being out of shape and lacking in strength.  Those planks and crocodiles are crazy difficult for me.  I modify the plank and try/fail at the crocodile every time.  But anyway, I'm glad I'm doing this. I need to throw in some more challenging workouts here and there so I'm exposed to a greater variety of stretches and poses.

I've been experimenting in the last 7 days with a dietary approach that is unusual.  It's called Nutritional Ketosis, and involves following a high-fat, low carb, moderate protein diet.  I've also been counting calories.  I just have a really hard time losing weight and I've tried so many things.  This is slow going but it does seem to be working.  Official 30-day weigh in is tomorrow.  I do feel good following this way of eating.  No blood sugar highs or lows, I don't feel full and I don't feel hungry between meals.  It's hard to eat out, but I don't do that much anyway.  If this keeps working for me I'll outline my eating plan in greater detail.

I'm looking forward to taking pics tomorrow to see if there's any difference.  There may not be...I haven't lost a ton of weight yet.

No matter what, though, I'm sticking with it.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy
8/10/13 - Day 20: RHC
8/11/13 - Day 21: Energy

Friday, August 9, 2013

Identity

Did Energy the last 2 days.  I know it's the easiest workout but it's still pretty challenging for me!  It's getting easier each day though, and I keep reminding myself that there's no hurry - I've got the rest of my life to do the harder videos.  Right now I'm just trying to change my identity to become that person who does yoga every day. 

Till Tomorrow.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy
8/8/13 - Day 18: Energy
8/9/13 - Day 19: Energy

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Day 25 - Weird Changes

Got my heart rate monitor and wore it today for the first time during yoga.  My heart rate was up to 140 at one point, but spent a lot of time around 125 - right in my ideal heart rate zone.  Cool! 

So weird things I'm noticing lately.  Hot flashes.  Huh?  Just in the last week.  Also, I'm finding myself cold at room temperatures that I used to find too warm...like 74 degrees.  I'm wondering if some kind of hormonal changes are happening...and if so, are they related to the yoga?  Is that even possible?

I haven't been able to weigh in for for a while because my scale was pissing me off.  I would step on the scale one minute and it would show one weight, and then I'd step on 34 seconds later and it would show a weight that was 2 pounds different.  Unreliable.  So I got another one today.  Will check on my weight tomorrow.  Big weigh in and pictures next week though - Monday is Day 30!  I don't know if any change will be visible, but I do know things are changing on some level. 
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC
8/7/13 - Day 17: Energy

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Day 24

Just a quick update today.  Only had time for a short little yoga session so I did RHC.  I'm sore all over.  I guess that's probably good.  Looking forward to some of these moves getting easier over time.

Till tomorrow.
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt
8/6/13 - Day 16: RHC

Monday, August 5, 2013

Day 23

Decided to try one of the other videos that I haven't done yet.  Clicked through to Diamond Cutter but saw that it was 50 minutes.  Nope!  Not yet.  Below the Belt...ok, only 30 minutes or so...I'll give it a try.  Um...it's a butt-kicking workout!  Geez!  And of all things my shoulders are sore now from holding my arms up for so long during the calf raises. 

My heart rate monitor came today!  I'm going to learn how to use it tonight and then put it to use tomorrow.

Haven't lost much weight.  My diet strategy has been...kind of nonexistent.  I do feel like I'm getting stronger and firmer thanks to the yoga, but I know I need to get my eating in order if I want to lose weight.  It occurs to me that I shouldn't expect massive changes in the trajectory of my health and physique if I'm not willing to make massive changes in my lifestyle.

So that's what I'm trying to do.  
_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC
8/5/13 - Day 15: Below the Belt

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Day 22

Did a short but challenging Red Hot Core workout today.  Really wanted to rest so instead I just focused on the core muscles to give the rest of em a break.  Damn, my core muscles are weak.  Looking forward to how I'll look at feel about 6 months from now.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy
8/4/13 - Day 14: RHC

Sleep

Took the first step in my new lifestyle last night - went to bed at 9PM with my 3 year old.  Woke up this morning at 5:44AM - a solid 8+ hours of sleep and now I have some alone time in the morning before everyone wakes up.  It sounds dumb for going to bed to be this big obstacle to my health...but I really think it is.  I'm going to give it a solid week of this and see how I feel.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Day 21

Fasting blood sugar: 107
Blood pressure: 153/95 (ugh)

Just finished today's yoga.  Did the Energy routine.

I think there is a lot of long-term benefit to incorporating yoga into one's life. With greater flexibility and balance I think the risk of falling and breaking a hip at the age of 80 is a lot less likely.  Also there are certainly great benefits to living a life with better stress-management skills...and of course the benefits of keeping your heart rate up is well documented.

But I'm looking at some of these amazing QUICK results people are getting in 30 days...and I'm probably not going to be on of them unless I am willing to change some fundamental parts of how I live.  I think I need to go to bed earlier and just accept that what is currently my favorite part of the day - from 9PM till about 12 or 1AM, is just going to have to change.  My appetite and ability to control what I eat is greatly affected by how much sleep I get, and right now I'm just not getting enough.  I'm having trouble with my appetite today, and I know they're related.

I'm going to challenge myself.  For the next 7 days I'm going to go to bed by 10PM and see how things feel. 

It's just 7 days.  It's just 7 days. 

I'm somewhat resistant to change.  Ok, I'm a lot resistant.

I feel like if I can't stay up late at night I'll never have fun again...my husband and I will never have time for good conversations...I'll never get to drink wine again...I'll be old and boring.

This reminds me of a quote DDP put on Facebook a couple days ago:

Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed, but the least envied. - Charles Caleb Colton

Maybe I'm so focused on everything I'll be losing because I have no idea yet how good it'll feel to be healthy.  

I'd love to not have to carry around an extra 60 pounds anymore.  You know, that's almost the equivalent in weight to 8 gallons of water.  That's EXTRA weight I'm dragging around.

Ok, I'll try it.  I'll stop acting like a petulant 3 year old who doesn't want to go to bed.

_________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner
8/3/13 - Day 13: Energy

Friday, August 2, 2013

Day 20

Did Fat Burner today.  I was proud of myself for picking a harder workout on a Friday.  I could have slacked...and I didn't!

I also videotaped me doing yoga today.  O. M. G.  Not good.  On the plus side, I've got EXCELLENT footage to show how far I've come a year from now.  Sweet Jeebus. Seriously?  I'm too embarrassed to post it on here.  Let's put it this way.  Remember Arthur "before" his yoga transformation?  I hope to do yoga that well by Day 60.

Just keep plugging away, right?

Regarding the diet...I'm failing at parts of it.  I may have to count calories.

But an unexpected positive (and this may be TMI for some folks...) is my sex drive seems to have resurfaced.

Nothing in my world has changed except for yoga.

Diamond Dallas Page, my husband thanks you.

  ________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy
8/2/13 - Day 12: Fat Burner

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Day 19

Energy workout today.  I didn't really wanna but I made myself.  I feel kind of in a funk.  Maybe because I stayed up too late last night and didn't get enough sleep.  I'm struggling to go to bed at a reasonable hour because by the time I'm done parenting it's 9:30 or 10:00 and I desperately feel like I need some time to myself.  So I stay up, even though I'm typically getting tired around then, because I wanna have me time.  Next thing I know it's midnight or 1:00AM and I'm up around 7.

I know I could see faster changes if I did everything right and really committed to it.  I've clearly committed to the yoga.  I mean, I'm in it for at LEAST 90 days, right?  The eating I'm committed to sometimes.  I guess by definition that's not a commitment.

Room to grow, I guess.

 ________________________

90 Workouts in 90 Days

7/23/13 - Day 1: Energy
7/24/13 - Day 2: Energy
7/25/13 - Day 3: Energy
7/26/13 - Day 4: Fat Burner
7/27/13 - Day 5: Diamond Dozen
7/28/13 - Day 6: Energy
7/29/13 - Day 7: RHC
7/30/13 - Day 9: Energy
7/31/13 - Day 10: Energy
8/1/13 - Day 11: Energy