Take the OM Yoga Challenge

"Come to a yoga class every single day for 30 days -- it can be any class from advanced to restorative to gentle/basics. The point is to show up and practice with others. This creates a two-pronged approach to our practice -- we are dedicating time and energy toward our own benefit as well as to others. By breathing together, showing up whether we are tired or in a bad mood, making a commitment to share quiet time and space together -- this is a concrete way to share the dedication of your practice with others."

Alrighty, I'm in but because OM Yoga is in New York, it might make it a bit hard (although really, it is time I visit my sister there!!). I won't necessarily go to a class every day because I'm not that financially equipped but I will do a yoga session each day. It'll be interesting to see how I go on both a mental and physical level.

I am also planning on eating less processed food and cook more. I've been a real slack arse in the kitchen lately and baked beans on toast can get a bit boring.

Archery - RSVP NOW

So who wants to become an Archer for a day? We've tried Nordic Walking, Hula Hooping...now it's time for Archery! Partners welcome too.

What: Come 'n' Try Archery
When: Sunday 29 October
Time: 12 - 1.30pm
Where: Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre
Cost: $20 per person inc. all equipment plus instruction
More info: http://www.archery.net.au/

Please RSVP via my email by Friday 29 September
phodis [at] gmail [dot] com

Archers so far: Cath & Craig, Eric, Jo & Tom, M, Mark, Mary & Dan, Sarah & Tom

Exercise Plan*

SAT 1 hr walk (AM) DONE
SUN 1 hr walk (AM), 2 ½ hr shiny yoga (PM) DONE
MON 1 hr walk (PM) DONE
TUE 20 min arms + abs (AM) DONE
WED 30 min walk (PM) DONE
THU 1 hr samadhi yoga (PM) DONE
FRI 40 min toning (AM) DONE

WEEK ENDING Friday 28 September
* subject to change depending on circumstance and what I feel like doing

This has been a busy, social week and I have been really slack with my exercise in the morning. It has made a difference in how I feel or is that maybe because of the booze?

Learning to Breathe

PRANAYAMA

Prana - "life force" or "life energy"
Yama - "discipline" or "control"
Ayama - "expansion", "non-restraint", or "extension"

Are you aware of your breath? Through your nose, breathe in and count to 4 while letting the air fill your throat, lungs and stomach 1, 2, 3, 4 and then breathe out letting the air flow out in reverse 4, 3, 2, 1.

Yoga is teaching me how to breathe properly again and I do actually find it challenging. When I am learning a new asana (pose) or doing something a little more difficult, I find that I hold my breath instead of continuing to breathe. When I am aware of my breath and do not hold on to it, I realise how much easier it is to go into a pose and how much deeper I can stretch.

I used to suffer from crippling anxiety "nervosa" and was prescribed valium and dex-amphetamines as a teenager. Not recommended by the way. No child should be given behavioural drugs when they are developing! Anyway, I finally learnt that breathing was the key when I started to panic (oh yeah, and eating breakfast...regularly!!). I had to take myself out of the situation until the feeling had passed and just breathe. Maybe that's why I am so drawn to yoga.

International Day of Peace

Today is the International Day of Peace. There are events happening all over the world. Sydney people, there is a 24 hour peace vigil at Victoria Park, Sydney Uni. There will also be a Peace Festival this Sunday held by the Ministry of Peace at the same location.

"Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu. May all beings everywhere be happy and free. And may the thoughts and actions of my own life contribute to that happiness and to that freedom." Indian Mantra

What a crazy 24 hours...

My birthday ended up awesome! A huge thanks goes to my partner Dan and all the people that sent me such beautitful and generous birthday wishes. Thank you, I really do appreciate every single one of you.

Cirque Du Soleil last night was UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE and there is no way I am going to apologise for swearing because that show was beyond words. I was gobsmacked. I clapped so hard and so much that now my hands hurt too. It was brilliant. Do yourself a favour and go see Cirque Du Soleil at least once in your lifetime. The money spent is worth it, every damn cent. It truly will take you out of the present and take you on a journey well beyond your wildest dreams.

Today started out with a walk and then a great brekky with a really good friend (you know who you are!) and her man who paid for not only my brekky but Dan's. How lucky are we and then it was time for missy here to get her hair done. I was ready for a chop and it was gonna happen, today. I was thinking of going red but I only recently dyed my hair black so I've got to wash it out a little before we hit the bleach. I got some extensions instead, blue ones (plus 4 black ones). I love it! I've had long hair for so so long that now I feel really free and refreshed. Dan reckons I look much younger and hell, I just feel so god damn funky. Definitely a great way to start my 28th year. Pictured is me with my spunky hairdresser Melissa from Doppelganger Hair. More photos click here.

ENNY: from memory (and I've got a shoddy one), extensions are $5 each (random pieces, not whole head) but I'd have to check. My whole style and cut only cost me $65 but I was given a pretty darn good deal. I was prepared to pay far more coz this girl spends the time on you and knows how to cut.

Exercise Plan*

SAT 1 hr walk (AM) DONE
SUN 1 hr walk (AM) DONE
MON 45 min shakti yoga (AM), 30 min walk, 1 hr walk (PM) DONE
TUE 20 min arms + abs (AM), 30 min hooping (PM) DONE
WED 1 hr walk (PM) DONE
THU 40 min toning (AM), 30 min walk, 1 hr samadhi yoga (PM) DONE
FRI 30 min walk (PM) DONE

WEEK ENDING Friday 22 September
* subject to change depending on circumstance and what I feel like doing

My Weight

Age: 32 (B. 1978)

Height: 178cm
Before WW: 100kg (I stopped weighing at 100kg!)
Started WW: 19 Mar 2005
WW Start Weight: 92.4kg (lost about 10kg before start)
WW Goal Weight: 79-63kg
Reached Goal: 15 Sep 2005 (75kg)

Current Weight: 78-70kg (fluctuates)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

How did I lose the weight?

I joined Weight Watchers finally and learned about nutrition and how exercise plays such an important role in maintaining a healthy functioning body. I also did a lot of self study. You need to educate yourself! Calories in, calories out. It really is that simple but you have to WANT to do it. You have to WANT to be healthy. You have to WANT to exercise. You have to WANT to cut the crap out of your thinking and out of your mouth.

What exercise did I do to lose 30kgs?

Walked. Walked for an hour (roughly 8km/hr) 6-7 days a week. That's all! I now incorporate yoga, running, hooping, boot camp and cycling into my life most days of the week.

It really annoys me when well known trainers say that walking isn't enough. It was for me, especially to get the bulk of the weight off to start. For fitness, strength and tone though I did need to start upping the intensity but I worried about this once I lost the excess bulk and was more confident.

My three key points for weight loss:

1. HONESTY
2. NO JUNK IN THE HOUSE
3. MOVE YOUR BUTT EVERYDAY ON PURPOSE
   (not just incidental)

365 Days Later

I finally went along to my first yoga class last night without a buddy. Yep, all by myself and if you know me well, you know how much of a big deal this is for me. It was awesome and one of the best classes I've been too!

A year to this day I reached my weight goal of 75kg and maintained my weight with no fear of gaining it back. It really was simple once I got it and it did take me a few years to get it. Eat well and exercise hey... well, for 80% of the time anyway. Weekends are my play time!

I have grown so much as an individual over the past 2 years on this journey and have made some very special friends along the way as well who have played a big part in my success. You all now who you are!

Now it's time for my birthday. I've woken up to nothing, no surprises, no decorations and the first time in a long time, I have to work on my birthday. Feeling a little miserable but I am sure as the day progresses, I'll get out of this morning funk. This is a tough birthday for me with my current family situation. Birthdays are like Christmas Day and New Years to me and the pressure to enjoy them are too much for me. I wish I woke up in Melbourne today with a good old fashioned cooked breakfast waiting for me and a day of no responsibilites like work or the care for anything. Oh well, c'est la vie.

We have tickets to Varekai tonight though and I am really looking forward to it. I love the premise of the show so I am sure I will be weeping by the end of it. Then tomorrow, I am getting my hair done and who knows what that means. I feel like a chop, a severe chop. I also want to go a rusty kind of red. Need a change from all this black.

Now I am ready to be taken on a magical journey... "The word varekai means wherever in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai." Cirque Du Soleil

More word about the new Blogger...

I can only comment on blogs that allow anonymous comments but please know that I am reading! I reckon the new Blogger will be really cool when they sort it out, with lots of new tricks like being able to lock your posts etc. Click here for the Official Blogger Buzz.

Email from The Blogger Team below:

Hi there,

Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, users logged in to Blogger in beta accounts are currently unable to comment on unmigrated Blogger blogs. However, note that all Blogger accounts will ultimately be switched to Blogger in beta, so this should only pose a temporary problem. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you'd like to comment on an unmigrated Blogger blog but have already switched to a Blogger in beta account, as a workaround, you can create a new, regular Blogger account. Then, you may use that account to comment on regular Blogger blogs.

Finally, please note that Blogger users that have not yet switched will still be able to comment on Blogger in beta blogs. However, the links to their profiles are currently not working properly. Our apologies for the commenting messiness. We appreciate your patience during this transitional period.

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Motivated

It's been 6 weeks since I became serious about exercise again and I'm starting to see the benefits. I like the tighter arms and abs and general core feeling of strength. The centimeters are dropping off my waist and thighs too so although I'm not losing weight anymore, I'm getting smaller. Most days I feel like I'm walking on air and seriously, its motivating writing down my plan at the start of each week, blogging it and updating it as I go. Sometimes I can't do things that I've listed but I try to fit in something else to compensate. As long as I move for at least 30 minutes each day.

The next few weeks I want to make yoga my main practice so I'll start with 2-3 sessions per week and see how I go. I'm also really looking forward to Shiny Ruby's Spring Rejuvenation Yoga Workshop. I'm still a beginner (hopeless going from standing to downward dog and back again) so I am a little nervous but I've made a promise to keep pushing myself and getting out of a comfort zone that is potentially negative to my growth. I know that just like with my weight loss, persistence is the key to succeeding so I'm going to stick with it.

Exercise Plan*

SAT 1 hr shakti yoga, 30 min hooping (PM) DONE
SUN 1 hr walk (AM), 30 min hooping (PM) DONE
MON 50 min toning (AM), 30 min hooping (PM) DONE
TUE 45 min shakti yoga (AM), 1 hr walk (PM) DONE
WED 30 min walk (MD), 30 min hooping (PM) DONE
THU 40 min toning, 30 min walk (AM), 1 hr samadhi yoga (PM) DONE
FRI Rest Day coz it's my day!

WEEK ENDING Friday 15 September

* subject to change depending on circumstance and what I feel like doing

DVDs I am using:
10 Minute Solution: Target Tone for Beginners
Yoga Shakti - Shiva Rea

Exercise Plan*

SAT Rest Day, hungover! DONE
SUN 1 hr walk (AM) DONE
MON 20 min arms + abs (AM), 1 hr walk with Cath (PM) DONE
TUE 20 min thighs + buns (AM), 30 min walk (MD), 30 min hulahooping (PM) DONE
WED 20 min arms + abs (AM), 30 min hulahooping (PM) DONE
THU 20 min thighs + buns (AM) DONE
FRI 30 min walk (MD) DONE

WEEK ENDING Friday 8 September

* subject to change depending on circumstance and what I feel like doing

A Big, Fat Piece of Cold, Hard Truth

My partner sent me this link that struck a cord with me. I finally decided to do something about my weight because someone gave me the cold hard truth. Like this writer, I had to stop making excuses.

Exercise Plan*

SAT Rest Day DONE
SUN 1 hr walk (AM), 20 min arms + abs (AM), 1 hr hulahooping (AM) DONE
MON 20 min thighs + buns (AM), 1 hr walk with Cath (PM) DONE
TUE 30 min arms + abs (AM), 30 min walk (Lunch) DONE
WED 40 min shakti yoga (AM), 20 mins hulahooping (PM) DONE
THU 40 min arms, abs, thighs + buns (AM), 30 min walk (Lunch) DONE
FRI 30 min walk (Lunch), 30 min hulahooping (PM) DONE

WEEK ENDING Friday 1 September

* does not include incidental walking etc. and subject to change depending on circumstance and what I feel like doing