Week 2 - Operation New York

Week 1: 78kg
Week 2: 77.1kg
Loss/Gain: - 900g

Not bad considering my first week was still a little patchy. The coffee is still flowing and the treats still miraculously appearing in my hands, straight to my gob but I'm hoping that this is my final crazy week at work. Then, I can go crazy over my Chemistry exam Monday week. At least I'm moving my arse for 30 minutes a day minimum. And hooping, love the hooping after my yoga in the morning. Will be back....off to Emir Kusturica and the No Smoking Orchestra tonight!

Operation New York

I'm now officially 78kgs. This is what happens when you start getting too busy, stop exercising and fail to decrease your calorie intake to compensate for the lack of activity. I've also somehow become a junk food vegetarian! Stop me now please.

Fact of the matter is, I have to exercise and eat less. If I don't use it, I'll lose it. I know I'd rather go down fighting!

Since I started studying this year (while continuing to work full-time), I got busy. Real busy. Finding time to exercise and do everything else is a challenge. I've allowed myself to be slack and 6 months down the track, I've put on 5kgs. Not crazy but I can feel it and I'm definitely less fit. I walk up the road and I'm already puffing now. What's with that? Study basically means me sitting on my arse more now. I really miss that feeling of being fit and on top of the world. I know my brain and memory is affected too. So what am I going to do about it?

OPERATION NEW YORK and no bullshit. It's time to get real again and as a blogger many moons ago said, just do it *waves to Kateypie*. I've got 12 weeks until I turn 30 and go to New York. This body is going to turn 30 and be fabulous!

Kathryn over at iDiet is also on a similar kick but focusing on transforming her body more so than losing weight before she heads to Japan. She reminded me why I started blogging in the first place and it's a great way to get your thoughts down and track your progress. I also get motivated by seeing how other people do whatever it is they focusing on as well.

MY PLAN

• blog every Saturday and weigh in
• eat more wholefoods, less processed foods
• no coffee - how did that get in again? Late night study, that's what...
• work - take proper breaks
• study - don't leave things to last minute, like assignments
• exercise - 30 mins of cardio minimum every day, no excuse inc. walking, yoga, hula-hooping and weights

I'm feeling good now and more in control. The past couple of weeks have been mental at work and trying to study around that has been hard. I know that I'd be more able to cope if I was eating better again and exercising instead of making excuses. Too busy? Pfft. My parents are from Eastern Europe, had 5 kids and still manage to run a farm 24/7. Now their going to be grandparents too! Not me, my baby sis is pregnant. My sister-in-law is pregant again too. I want to be the kind of Aunty that runs around with the kids for years to come.

Lots of good things to look forward to...

Welcome Winter Solstice

This is a bit of a repeat on my post from last year but I like to follow the seasons and celebrate them...

The Winter Solstice (Midwinter) is the shortest day and the longest night of the year, marking the astronomical beginning of Winter. There are so many interpretations of why people celebrate The Winter Solstice but the main reason is to celebrate rebirth.

In Pagan religions, this is the night the Great Mother Goddess gives birth to the baby Sun God. From this day, the hours of sunlight begin to lengthen and the power and strength of the sun grows.

Southern Hemisphere: 21-22 June
Northern Hemisphere: 21-22 December

Also known as: Yuletide, Yulefest, Jul, Juletid, Julfest, Jül, Jól, Joul, Joulu, Jõulud, Joelfeest, Géol, Feailley Geul, Christmas, Christmas in July, Midwinter, The Winter Solstice.

The Winter Magic Festival is on again this year in the Blue Mountains but because of weekend classes, I can't make the trip up but I will be making some mulled wine to keep me toasty warm!

Happy Winter Solstice!

Off the Mat Into the World

One of my favourite people and yoga teachers, Sarah Trestrail, is trying to raise money this year for the Off the Mat Into the World campaign. The aim is to raise $20K for the Cambodian Childrens Fund specifically. She is the only yoga teacher in Australia doing this so whether you donate $1 or more, it would make all the difference! Also, all the events she does this year will go to this cause.

If you would like to donate, please select the Seva Challenge and Sarah Trestrail from the drop down menu - click here

I don't usually respond to people asking for donations and wouldn't expect anyone else to either. My reason is that I already have my preferred charities that I donate to regularly like Oxfam but having a think about what you could donate in general anyway and to what charity each month can really make a difference to someone less fortunate than yourself. Think about it...

Yoga Teachers & Schools

This is a list of notable yoga teachers and studios who I have taken classes with since 2005. My sincere appreciation to Patty Kikos and Sarah Trestrail in particular from Samadhi. These women are awesome, so nurturing and so giving.

Samadhi Yoga Newtown, Australia

Samadhi is a yoga and natural therapies centre. This is where I completed my 8 weeks beginner's course twice. The first time was with Sue (and Sam) and the second, with Amelia (and Patty). I highly recommend this place because the teachers here are fantastic and they incorporate the spiritual/philosophical side to yoga as well. Jivamukti classes with Sarah Trestrail, Doug Whittaker, Keith Kempis and Mick Barnes are da bomb!

Dancing Warrior Yoga St Peters, Australia

Mid 2009, I started attending twice weekly morning practices at Dancing Warrior with Nikki Elwin, and occasionally attend classes by Mathew Bergan. The yoga at this studio is based on Ashtanga, synergy style. I highly recommend trying the classes at this studio. Focused on good alignment, breathing and no fear. Fantastic teachers and fellow yogis.

Ashtanga Yoga Space Paddington, Australia
The Ashtanga Yoga Space opened in 2005 for “the love of the practice”. I completed a Mysore Beginner's Course with Rochelle Wagstaff in 2008 and can not recommend this course enough for an introduction to the Mysore tradition. I now have the confidence to practice independently.

Yoga Supplies

iyogaprops - for all kinds of yoga gear.

Lululemon have stores in Australia. The clothing range is beautiful, colourful and well constructed so expect to pay for it.

Jade Harmony Yoga Mats

For stockists in Australia, please visit Empind. To make it cheaper, get together with a bunch of yogis and order more than 10 at one time!

Manduka Yoga Mats

You can find them in Lululemon stores in Australia now or shop online direct from Manduka.

I received the Saka Pinda Yoga Backpack as a gift. These guys know how to construct bags and make them not only functional but beautiful. They are the MAC of Yoga Bags.

Yoga Warehouse NSW, Australia
For all kinds of yoga gear. The Randwick store closed down in 2007 but you are still able to buy online.

Skidless Yoga Towel/Mat by Yogitoes
I bought the hand towel and they are everything they say they are, amazing! Sold at various outlets. You can find them in Lululemon stores in Australia now and online at Empind.

Enlighten Up!

Thanks to Stella from Shiny Yoga for posting this video on her blog - definitely one to share around. I hope it comes out to Australia or we can get our hands on it in some way. Official site - Enlighten Up!

Yoga Mats & Absinthe

While the boys are downstairs trying out and reviewing a hundred year old absinthe - yes, for real - it's quite an event for them, I'm upstairs researching yoga mats. I'm not a fan of the aniseed flavour so more for them!

So which mat to buy? I'm looking at either the Jade Harmony or the Manduka. I've always bought my mats from Yoga Warehouse but I keep hearing things about these other two. If anyone reading my blog has any experience with either of these two mats - what are the pros/cons you have experienced?

The obvious con for me would be shipping to Australia. To buy a manduka, the cost of shipping is almost the same as the cost of the mat which isn't cheap. The Jade Harmony seems to be cheaper.

ABSINTHE

• Absinthe - Reviews, Culture & Lifestyle, Australia
  
• Absinthe Salon, Australia

YOGA MATS

• Jade Yoga
• Manduka