fitness confessions
I know I have been guilty of a little “exercise-bashing” on this blog… my hate of all things cardio hasn’t been a well kept secret or anything.
A few weeks ago, I entered and won (!) a give away on Sara’s blog… Fit to Blog. I must confess, I entered due to the fact that a bag of cacao beans were included in the prize. I didn’t take much notice of the other spoils on offer (for the record… stevia, psyllium, vegan chocolate, a gym bag….) I never win anything anyway. Ha.
Anyway, imagine my surprise when a) I won and b) I won a 6 week training programme with Kerryn including a fitness programme, nutrition advice and online support/guidance.
Yeah, I’m kinda afraid. Honestly though, I’m quite excited… we are starting the programme on Monday, and after recently joining a local gym I have actually been quite inspired fitness-wise. I’ve been pretty honest and open here about my struggles with depression and anxiety, and let me tell you a bit of exercise and getting the heart pumping really does wonders. I notice on the days I go to the gym in the morning, I have so much energy for the whole day afterwards… plus my mood just sky-rockets. The difference is amazing.
Anxiety is a funny little arse-pain: in my experience, you have to keep testing and proving that little sucker wrong. Going to classes at the gym, and simply leaving Misty in the creche for an hour have been good such tests. I tend to over-analyse and examine any new situation/event and spend days beforehand thinking about all the things that could go wrong. A useless waste of energy basically. By just saying ‘stuff ya,’ to my anxiety and actually doing these new things, instead of just thinking about doing them (and finding a bazillion different reasons not to) I come out on top. A win for the little guy.
Going to an actual yoga class (for the first time in years) has made me accountable to the fact that my home practise, while good, wasn’t enough – motivationally speaking. By challenging myself and taking a Vinyasa class (I usually favour Hatha/Yin) I’m working my body and mind in so many different ways. I have always shied away from more dynamic yoga practises… I’m not the most self-confident person, and would rather avoid situations/challenges than end up looking silly. It’s been a nice surprise to find myself rather enjoying a different style, and relishing the challenges this new practise brings to my “yoga-table” if you will.
Anyway, the point I’m trying to get to is that I’m going to use this 6 week training programme as an opportunity to learn about gaining strength and stamina which will hopefully benefit my yoga practise. Feeling strong in asana is something that I want to really focus on, and I think focusing on building a little more muscle can’t hurt.
I know what this looks like… I’m not even going to say it. Anyway, due to my increased activity level my appetite is even crazier than usual. I’m trying to up the amount of (vegan) protein I’m consuming, while not getting stuck in a same-same day to day of eats.
This is a new snack-favourite, even though it may resemble one of Misty’s nappies. A chia pudding made with one of my sweet bean dips: Chia seeds, black beans, banana, coconut milk, coconut sugar, cacao, lucuma and a sprinkle of sea salt. Deliciously ugly.
28 Responses to “fitness confessions”
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- - June 21, 2012
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Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
Good luck, fair one! I’ve recently had to cut back on any and all exercise again, just when I’d started getting back in the groove. A bit frustrating, but long-term is more important than short-term. I’m having to look to breathing exercises and yoga stretching to beat back my anxiety.
And, of course, as you say, doing exactly what the anxiety tries to prevent you from doing. Such an evil Catch 22!
xoxo
Learning to BREATHE properly is so SO important, Hannah – it’s overlooked far too often
What an unexpected win!
It sounds like it could be a great outcome though, and as you say, tackling anxiety is an amazingly empowering experience.
Yes, telling anxiety to piss off (excuse my French, I have a potty mouth) is quite satisfying
I relate to your description on anxiety sooo much. When I think about all the things I haven’t done in my life just because I let anxiety win… well it’s sad really. I’m getting better about tackling this with age, but it still is a constant struggle.
I have been ending each day with an hour long run or walk (usually as the sun sets)… I find it has really helped me unwind. It is nice after the stress of the day to get out for a an hour alone once my husband gets home from work! It also is starting to get insanely hot on this side of the globe, so evening or very early morning workouts are def preffered!!
Your evening “you” (run/walk) time sounds just perfect…. us Mamas totally need a little time out every day!
I hear ya on anxiety…. I too have to stop myself dwelling on the things that anxiety has kept me from in the past… these days I use that as motivation NOT to let it win any more
I know exactly what you mean. I used to go to the gym when there was one in Ferrymead – sadly that place bit the dust. I occasionally do a month of hot yoga in Christchurch but it’s sooo expensive I can’t really justify doing it regularly.
I wee bit of time away from the bub is good too. I don’t really get much of it while we’re travelling. I’ve enrolled him in a preschool for two mornings a week when we get home. I hope it goes OK!
Sometimes just an hour away from our little darlings is enough to revive and refresh ourselves, no? I mean, they must get totally SICK of us too huh?
Bummer that the hot yoga is so expensive in Chch… probably because it’s so friggin cold over there, they have to crank the heaters up so much and it costs them $$$ in power bills!
Yup it is a bummer because I really like it and it’s a great relief from the back pain I get from lugging around Reuby. It’s $165 a month or $18 a class which I just find completely insane. Who has that kind of money to spend?!!?
Have you thought about preschool? I’m waiting until after Reuby is two but I’m convinvced he will benefit from it. I think he spends way to much time with me and Lee.
$18 bucks a class is a JOKE! Have you checked out yogadownload.com? Its fantastic – heaps of classes (cheap… even free if you just want a short 20 minute class!) Would be great for you while travelling!
Misty goes to playgroup at the moment (I still go with him though) plus we are on a waiting list for ANOTHER (more education based) playgroup… plus looking at a few kindy options. I’d rather not put him in Daycare (it’s SO expensive… like up to $90 per day!) but we will see how we go – the trick is fitting in as many activities as possible for us.
Congrats on winning such a fabulous package! exercising is just like jumping into a cold swimming pool. I’ve just got to dive in head first or I’ll talk myself out of it! haha thanks for sharing! i know it will be a great experience!!
Oh yeah, I’m really good at talking myself OUT of exercising… to have someone holding me accountable for these 6 weeks is going to be good (and TOUGH!) Should be a good learning experience too though
What an amazing prize, you lucky, lucky girl!
I am totally with you on over-analyzing new situations to the point of feeling frozen. Often I’ll just avoid and make excuses, and I’ve done this a lot with exercise and physical activity. Good for you in using this unexpected prize as an opportunity to push past your comfort zone! I bet you will feel amazing as a result!
I know, sometimes opportunities just kinda present themselves to you, huh? A little challenge for myself… I’m actually really looking forward to it, plus there is not really a better time with my wedding looming
this is so exciting!! You will have a bubble booty in no time! email me if you need any support! YIPPEE!
Yay, thanks lovely Lindsay… I’m pretty excited – fancy that, ME embracing exercise!?! Cool I’ll drop you a line when I get going, watch this space for my GUNS of steel. Ha.
I’m looking foward to hearing about it. I’m pretty sure Kek actually killed someone with exercise previously.. or, it might just be a rumour…?
NOOOOOOOOO!
Also, I wanted to add that I have anxiety too. It doesn’t hold me back much during the day (I’ve learned to ‘act’ instead of ‘worry’) but I have not yet conquered the insomnia. Exercise helps a lot there, I might add, but when I’m stressed and busy I can quickly get into serious insomnia, which leaves me unmotivated during the day, hence unproductive and even more stressed. How is it that life is so anxiety producing for so many people? Surely it can’t be that we are all defective, it’s probably more that society is unsupportive and we all live under so much pressure.
Anxiety is such a prevalent thing these days, in particular for women… I reckon there are SO many contributing factors – PRESSURE is a huge one. The pressure to have the “perfect” life – career, family, body, money, success etc etc… especially since women CAN have both career/family these days, not just live the housewife life. To live up to societies “ideals” however ridiculous these may be.
Also environmental factors/diet- additives in food/medication (particularly birth control etc…hormone havoc ahoy!)
It’s a miracle if you DON”T suffer from anxiety, really!
I find yoga/meditation CRUCIAL for me, calming the mind is really beneficial – have you tried? If anything, it helps put life back into perspective for me
I have suffered from insomnia and it is HORRENDOUS, I feel for ya.
Don’t worry, Lou – I promise I haven’t killed anyone yet.
Here’s to a great six weeks!
Sara is trying to freak me out
I’m excited!!
Ignore her; she’s evil. Cute, but evil.
congrats on the win! i am also an avid cardio hater! i find the only thing i occasionally enjoy is a rocking spin class with great music or a nice swim!
Oh yes, you gotta have great music is you are going to do cardio
Makes it easier, somewhat, huh?
It does not look good, but is it helping?
It looks disgusting, but I promise, it tastes GOOD
Super foods ahoy!