No More Bday Lunches!!!!!

Day 8: 6:30pm w/Lisa

Boy was it a bad idea to attend a birthday luncheon at work today, but duty calls. We went to Sizzler's and I have only been there once in my entire life until today. I got the salad buffet and was shocked that it was rather good. There was items available other than salad, but I was very conscious of my intake so I avoided all the fried foods and dessert which was so hard since I LOVE dessert! I thought I ate pretty light w/a small bowl of clam chowder, some salad, and a bit of spanish rice. Plus, there was still more than 5 hours for me to digest!

OMG....I definitely paid for my slight lunch splurge in class. I felt fine at the beginning, but was trying pretty hard to keep the food down before we even finished eagle and for those who has yet to try Bikram....that was barely the WARM UP :'( I struggled throughout the entire class, but managed to finish strong so I'm pretty happy about that. On a high note, Lisa was super generous with the fans and opened the doors to let cool air in. Also, those bean bag sucker were not even used tonight to seal the door slit in the bottom so little bits of cool air crept in throughout....SCORE!!! Another day another reminder: eat SUPER LIGHT before Bikram even if you have hours until class!!!! Until my next post....namaste <3

My wardrobe for Day 9:

Day 7 = 1 Week Completed!!!

Day 7: 6:30pm w/Valerie

So excited to finish off week 1 strong and that I did!!! The class was full as usual, but I was able to snag my comfort spot in the 2nd row near the door on the right of the room. However, room got really hot real fast and I found myself yearning for a bit of cool air either from the fans or the space under the wood doors. Fans did come on a few times, but no cool air slipping thru the door since those bean bag thingy were like weights glued to the door tonight =(

Completed my postures with determination and focus. Especially during half moon pose since I was silently preaching "love handles be gone" repeatedly to myself!!! I really focused on my form the entire class instead of depth and got right back into it when I fell out of a pose. Valerie gave out such strong energy and it was nice to feel that energy. I believe the few goals I have for this challenge are to hold all postures for the entire duration and not take a seat throughout class.

I have now been drinking a cup of water with a teaspoon of the Himalayan Pink Salt Sole added every morning that was recommended by Ching and I am definitely not having dehydration problems. I am still putting Emergen-C in my yoga water bottle and drinking skim milk and fresh juices, but I feel that the sole solution is helping me with my energy in the latter half of my classes. I'm usually pretty drained when standing series is completed, but these pass few days have been very different. I'm sure my consistent practice the last week had something to do with the additional energy too, but I can't help to think that the sole mixture played a vital role as well. Whatever it may be, I'm feeling stronger and this is definitely welcomed!! Until the next post....namaste <3

My wardrobe for Day 8:

Time for a Cleanse?!?!?!

As I was sitting in my car during my lunch break, I remembered that I still have the Blessed Herbs Cleanse at home I need to use!! I was suppose to do it a few months back with some of the other yogis at BikPas, as recommended by Jeff, but I didn't end up starting it with the group and kept pushing it off my to-do list =X With the holidays around the corner, I just didn't have to will to go through with it and either did my lil sis, Dayna, who I convinced to purchase it with me since there was a huge discount to buy 2. What better a time to do it then now along with the challenge!!! I know it's kind of crazy since I'll be on liquids only for 9 days, but I feel as tho it's now or never. I've been reading a lot of the fellow challengers blogs and there was so much about healthy eating and such that motivated me to really want to start on a clean slate this year....literally on the inside and out. I'm still trying to pin a start date down since I want to be a bit further into the challenge to get use to the daily practice and minimized food intake. However, posting it on here makes me feel like I need to be accountable to do it so there you go....I have now committed to also completing a 9-day liquid cleanse from Blessed Herbs!!!...ahhhhhhhh (If anyone is curious about the cleanse, you can find info @ BlessedHerbs.com)

On a side note....was wearing my LuLu Paris Pink (waited 2 yrs for this pink to come around again) tank last night and was so sad that the color was still bleeding all over the place :'( I had already pre-soaked it in vinegar mixed water once and cold water 3 times to rid of the bleeding plus a wash!!!! Note to self: must wear all black with Paris pink items and use my darkest Manduka towel!!!

5th & 6th Day in the bag!!

Day 5: 8am w/Tom

First time taking Tom'a class and his dialogue was so eloquently delivered. I was moving thru the postures focused on his voice and my breathing. It was a really good class. There was an ease the entire 90 minutes which was amazing!! Felt great to finish off the week strong. =D

Day 6: 4:30pm w/Val

I always enjoy taking Val's class so I was looking forward to start this week well. The beginning few postures was difficult since I couldn't focus and was feeling light headed. I was frustrated when I kept falling out of Standing Bow Pulling Pose =( Val saw my frustrated face and reminded me to be patient. I listened and actually had a rather pleasant class. I'm glad I stuck through it since I was very close to just giving up and rest the entire class. =X

It's only been less than a week since I've committed to the challenge and I'm feeling a little bit stronger and struggling less through class already. I'm so looking forward to other changes!!! Until next time....namaste <3

Forgot taking pix of my Day 4 & 5 wardrobe =P Here's my wardrobe for today (Day 6) and tomorrow (Day 7).

3rd & 4th Day..many lows & some highs..

Day 3: 6:30pm w/Nafisa

Class was not as crowded as it has been the last 2 days, even tho it was 48 instead of the max capacity of 50....yay!!! I settled into my comfortable 2nd row near the entrance and was thrilled that even with that much people, I was still able to see myself majority of the time. Class once again went pretty horrible =( I could not focus for the life of me and sat out on quite a few 2nd sets of postures. Bad me!!!!!! However, the few postures I managed to survived thru was good as I went pretty deep into.

Nafisa was very good in calling out everyone so there was a pressure to really show up and persevere. It also helped that she was very nice to keep the room temp a tad cooler than her usual. My 2nd bad class out of 3 is somewhat discouraging, but I know things will get better.

After class, I rushed to the nearby Trader's Joe to buy dried fruit and Himalayan Pink Salt (to help with replenishing electrolytes.). Got quite a few different versions of dried mangos and a bag of banana chips. I went mango madness!!!! However, so sad that they were out of the salt. Gotta hit up another one STAT!!!

Day 4: 6:15am w/Bernadette

Wow, I was amazed that I actually was able to drag myself out of my warm bed!!! Felt like I was just there....wait....I was!!!....10 hrs ago. Upon arriving, I was shocked to see so much people. I've done quite a few 6ish morning session throughout the years and it's usually rather empty, but it felt like there was as much people as the afternoon 4:30 or 6:30pm classes. It was nice to have this much energy and it warmed up the usual cold room quicker!

Class was great today....FINALLY!!!! I set up in my comfortable spot and was able to really focus and concentrate in my postures. I did fall out a few times during the standing series, but I jumped right back into it. I really pushed myself and it felt good. Today is starting out amazing....until tomorrow....namaste <3

Second Day Recap

Day 2: 6:30pm w/Erin

Class was torturous!!! After the extremely crowded 1st night, I parked myself in front of the mirror in the right corner of the room and it's was a bad choice. Not only did I keep hitting the mirror and corner....it was beyond hot!!! I was way too far from a fan or door to feel any cool air when Erin did turn on the fan or open the door to let air in :'( I did however, got to see myself in the mirror the entire time, but it didn't help me one bit tonight. So yet again I'm back on the hunt for the perfect placement. Side note: Erin was great and encouraging, it was just one of those bad days for me.

Class for me was full of fall outs in postures and worst....sitting out totally!!! Plus, I was feeling bloated before class and thought I'll be fine as class progressed, but it didn't happen so it was quite uncomfortable for me in most postures since it almost always require one to suck in their stomach or lay on it..ouch!!!! To make things worst, I finally got measured after class and OMG....the numbers sure did motivate me to continue to work hard in every class. I can't recall the exact numbers to put on here....but maybe it's my subconscious that's blocking it out for me =P It's a new day today so new outlook and adjustments for me :D Oh yea, I also took the studio's recommendation and made reservations for majority of my classes for the next 2 months! Namaste <3

Forgot to take a pic of my Day 3 wardrobe so this will have to make due:

The Start is here!!!!

Ok..so I've decided to start my post now and finish it off after I complete my 1st class later tonight since so much is going on in my head and body.

It's now noon and there's another 6+ hours to go until class =X I am having a mini panic attack for some strange reason to go into that hot room even tho I've done so many many times before. It also doesn't help that I waited till today to start hydrating. I knew I should have started Monday so forcing a ton of water in me today was an epic bad decision. I have been needing to use the bathroom every half and hour and forgot my water at home so as I'm finishing the last reserve I have at work, I am dreading my only option of faucet water :( Knew I should have picked up that bottle with the filter (I think it's called the Bobble) at Target when I saw it on sale a few months back to avoid situations I'm facing today. Another damn epic fail on my behalf!!!!!

Oh yea....to top things off....I need to be measured tonight before class for the "New You" part of the challenge. I'm sure the numbers I see will make me ill, but guess it'll motivate me to work hard and compare the results after. Ahhhhhhh...wooooo saaaaaahhh
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Time: 10:45pm

Yay!!!! First day conquered and I'm actually feeling pretty good and clean now that I've showered. Sitting on my bed finishing up this post and it's off to bed I go.

I took the 6:30pm session with Jeff, who is an amazing and tough teacher. I was a tad bit afraid since I've been away from this practice for a while now and was just not up for a tough class, but I am glad I did since I ended at a decent time and he was gentle to us. The one pitfall was that class was extremely crowded. Seriously, I was no more than a foot between my neighbors and I couldn't see myself in the mirror almost the entire time. There was a lot of apologizing going on since I kept touching my neighbors and they the same =P O well, it looks like it'll be crowded like today all the time and if I can survive my first day, I'm sure I'll be fine. Note to self....maybe position myself on the 1st row right in front of the mirror!!!!

First class was not too shabby for me. I didn't have to sit out of postures too many times and got pretty deep in some poses. I'm actually shocked that it went that well since I had such low expectations today! I'm sure I'll feel the pain tomorrow morning, but it's definitely welcomed as it's a sign that I'm trying hard and doing my best. What a great start to this challenge. Also, my studio posted a two month calendar for each challenger in the changing rooms and I was thrilled to put on my 1st star for February 1st =D

O yea, I also finally met a fellow challenger, Ching, who's blog I've been following since taking on this challenge. It's so nice to know that someone is going through the same things and great to see a friendly face in class. Her blog is such an enjoyable read so check it out at www.highlikeaballerina@blogspot.com

Tomorrow is another new challenge as class is different each day. Wasn't able to get measured tonight, it'll wait till tomorrow then. I'm hoping for the best and am ready for whatever is thrown at me. Until then....namaste.

My wardrobe for Day 2: