I Conquered Bikram Yoga!

Yes, I did it! I went back to Bikram this morning for my third try and I have to say, it was SO much better than the first two! You may remember my experience on Monday was fairly disastrous, well, this one was completely different. I only sat out one full pose and the first set of another. Even though I was sweating buckets, I decided to 'embrace the sweat' and go with the flow! I breathed deeply and just focused on the pose at hand. I was a bit apprehensive before class, worried that I wouldn't make it through, but I told myself that if I could make it through a marathon with a broken foot, I could make it through a yoga class! And I did!!

I also took the lessons I learned on Monday and applied them today:

1. I woke up at 5:15am for the 8:00am class and went to the gym for a quick cardio workout prior to class.

2. I drank a cup of green tea at home and then at least 20oz of water prior to class.

3. the weather was much better this morning - low humidity

4. I put my mat down to save my spot, but then left the studio until just a few minutes before class started.

I definitely think these changes helped me get through the class and finish strong and feeling refreshed! Yoga tip: when finished with class, fold your mat in half and then roll it up. This way you don't get the floor dirtiness on the side of the mat that you use.

After class I spoke with a few other students and one suggested having an all-greens juice because just after Bikram yoga, your body is able to absorb all the nutrients from the kale and spinach more easily. So, off I went to give it a try. I had a few sips as I left the health food store, but decided I'd like it better cold. I also decided to add just a tiny bit of Maca Powder.

Gotta say, I read tons of great stuff from other bloggers about how much they love green juice and 'green monsters.' Let me just say, it must be an acquired taste. I also think it may have been better with the apple and not just all greens. Still, it was good for me!

Quick flashback to last night. I told you yesterday about the Cinco de Mayo dinner I had planned for Woody and me. Here it is:

Mexican inspired chili

Ingredients: 1 large can diced tomatoes, chopped yellow & orange peppers, 1 can drained & rinsed black beans, 3/4 container of Trader Joe's black bean & roasted corn salsa (it's in the refrigerated section). I also added a dash of chipotle and topped with avocado. I felt the kick from the chipotle, but apparently it wasn't enough for Woody!

Finished meal:

I made 'tortilla' chips by cutting two of Woody's whole wheat wraps into 8 sections and just sticking in the oven for about 15 minutes, turning over a few times so they wouldn't burn. I made them plain, but might add a little evoo and pepper or chipotle to spice it up a little. We also enjoyed our Cherry Sangria and a pear for some fruit!

Did you know that tomatoes are a super fruit?! It's true! Tomatoes are incredibly important to include as a regular part of any healthy diet. I never ate tomatoes when I was young. Ketchup and tomato sauce, fantastic. Actual tomatoes, disgusting! Thank goodness I have changed my ways! Tomatoes are full of vitamins and antioxidants, like lycopene, which some studies say can help protect against cancer and heart disease (especially when the tomatoes are cooked). While you may think of Italy when you hear 'tomato', it actually originated in South America, and after being transported to Mexico probably made its way to Europe (either Italy or Spain) through conquistadors. From there, tomatoes spread throughout the world over several hundred years, not making it to North America until the 1700's. Today, most tomatoes are picked unripe (still green) and treated with the chemical ethylene, which allows them to ripen in storage and while being transported. The shelf life is longer than vine-ripened, but the taste and texture isn't as good. There are many varieties available, all with health benefits, so add them to your meals however you can!

What lessons have you applied to your second (or third) try at a new workout in order to conquer it?

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Workout Stats:

10mi bike

3x10 hammer curls

3x10 hamstring deadlift, bicep curl, shoulder press combo

3x10 tricep extensions (ea side)

foam roller and stretching (by the way, it's best to start with the foam roller & then stretch)