Day 79 - Surprise!

Betcha all thought I wouldn't be posting anymore, but I couldn't leave you hanging without telling you how the second detox went.

You might all remember the lessons learned from veganism post.   I have only one lesson learned from a raw diet: I never want to do that again.

Just kidding.  Well half.

The diet was really challenging and not so fun.  I found that eating raw trail mix, while filling, was not so satisfying after the first couple of cups...I also found that eating fruit, lettuce and nuts did not make for a very palate satisfying foodie adventure.

So I was ready to completely write it off as a terrible idea but then I noticed a few things happening:

1. I lost nearly 5 lbs - no joke - and this was after I was certain I had plateaud.  I've since put back on 2.5, but the other 2.5 seems to be stubbornly staying off.  My favorite kind of stubborn.
2. I noticed numerous other positive health impacts (but I will spare you the details).
3. I had increased energy and less stress.

Wheee!

Still don't want to do it again, but it is a terrific reminder to eat leanly and that our body reacts so well to what we put into it.  It is almost a Karmic reaction and not surprising given that we are composed primarily of what we eat.

This was solidified by the next day where I ate a whole lot of junk and found myself feeling like junk - lethargic, more sullen, heavy and unmotivated.

My natural motivation is finally starting to come back to me and for the first time ever I don't feel like I need to get back on the supplements.  I still have bad days, but the trend is upwards.  I can do this naturally, not because I have to, not because it is "better", but simply because I want to.

Days 37 & 38 - Balancing with Bibo

A man named Bibo came to visit.  Together we did yoga.  It was great.  Really nice to have a real life classmate.  We were both distracted by the buxom Mila Kunis lookalike (Meredith).  Why did she have to be in the front row for the balance class?  I pretty much go into an anime like nosebleed tailspin every time I see her so putting her up front and center in a balance class is a cruel distraction.

That Bibo guy was a lot more focused than I was though.

Today's strength workout was harder on him though - I'm pretty sure I heard a few "no...please..." groans coming from him.  Reminds me of my first week on the program.

I'll give a more detailed breakdown of the balance class next week, but suffice it to say, you need to do a little more than tree pose...

Given my poor hamstring flexibility and calf weakness it was probably my hardest class to date and I'm looking forward to trying it again.

Day 23 - Electrify that spine

I swear that Travis Eliot might have been the Rock in a former career.  He has so many catchy catch phrases like "Electrify that spine" and "See you on the mat" all of which sound like WWE catch phrases.  He truly is the people's Yogi.

My focus has been remarkably strange.  I no longer perve so much - even Lauren Eckstrom in brown yoga pants can't catch my glare when I'm on, but little things (like an errant $75 credit card charge) can drain 10-15 minutes of my workout on and off.  Really frustrating.  But I am getting better at pushing it out of my mind and coming back to my breath.

The cardio portion of the workout was actually pretty easy today.  Sadly because of my back condition I couldn't do certain moves like plow ("Darn!") and so of course I used that as an opportunity to perv on Lauren and the equally hot Patti who is super hot in that Brazilian muscular chick way (though I have no idea if she actually is Brazilian).  Of course she is not quite as hot as the uber beautiful Victoria Gracie from the Georges St. Pierre Rushfit series.

Image courtesy of http://cosasdenacho.siguealconejoblanco.com/marvel/las-ironettes/

Which I think is a site that pervs on the ladies from Iron Man 2

Yes I said Gracie.  In other words she could probably triangle choke you out in a few seconds and if not, her brothers/uncles would be sure to kick your a$$!  It was a hard day when I decided to quit the program due to shoulder and wrist pain, mainly because I wouldn't be able to see her beaming on a daily basis.

Anyway - the good news according to the doc and my X-rays is that nothing is broken or slipped in my scapula.  The bad news is that it is unclear what is causing the pain.  Doc suspects it is "muscular", but it could take a few weeks of physical therapy to improve...which I take to mean more yoga.  I'll just be careful when I electrify my spine...

Day 16 - Hotel Room Yoga

Nothing like doing yoga in a hotel room on a little laptop screen.  I guess I'm spoiled to normally be able to do it at home.  Anyway, the warmer weather here actually made for a more sweaty workout which I appreciated.  The cardio workout is one of the most physically demanding in the program.  Unfortunately, I mistimed things so I had to skip the last few minutes of the program and I certainly have not been keeping up with my meditation.


I suppose that even this update is a way of procrastinating from doing my meditation.

On the flipside, I got some sunshine and just generally had a really good time here catching up with friends, meeting new people, being in a new environment, etc.  Got to eat at the world famous "Tech Company" cafeteria and it was even better than I had heard.  Even got to see my brother for dinner so all in all a great day.

Well I'm looking forward to going home and seeing the wife and kid.  I know it has been a rough week for the Mrs. so I am hoping I can bring back some California sunshine to her day.

So with an elevated mood that is definitely part of the goal - no?  Of course I did have supplements the last couple of days too. :-/

Day 13 - Tall glass of shut the hell up...

In the preamble today Travis tells us to put down our caffeinated beverages and drink a tall glass of yoga vitality.  The subject of this post is a reference to Ben Stiller's character in Happy Gilmore at this part:

But seriously dude - don't you know that it was Saturday last night so I caved and had a few too many meaning that I was up too late, slept too little and had a thumping hangover.  Not only did I need 2/3 a scoop of NoXplode today, but I also needed a cup of coffee before I got into my workout.  That said the workout was awesomely energizing.  Pretty sure I still needed the caffeine, but I was so pleased with how well the workout went given how hungover I should have been.  And the energy carried me through most of the day.  Only needed a little bit of tea here and there to see me through the day caffeine wise.

Still skipping meditation.  I know I need to be better.  Will try again tonight.

Day 12 - Get those toxins out

Wowza - today's detox workout was probably the hardest one I've faced so far, but also one of the most satisfying.  I had some of the best focus I've had yet.  I think the following contributed:

• Sleeping in and working out when the boy took his nap in the afternoon;
• A warmer living room; and
• Finding my breath.

This was perfect - especially b/c I did something very unnatural yesterday and zapped all my back hair. Yes, actually my 5th session of laser hair removal.  So painful and all for vanity, but yoga breathing helped sooooo much to avoid the pain.  Ironically the place I go to for hair removal also operates a yoga studio and I met the Yin Yoga teacher.  Go figure - maybe I will try it after I am done with the 108, but I still wonder if there is a contradiction in places that have that kind of focus on aesthetics also being a yoga studio.  Then again, I noticed while doing hardcore today that Travis Eliot's body is virtually hairless, yet he definitely has a healthy amount of stubble on his face.  Guessing that body is not naturally that (antonym of hirsute?)

Anyway - my few distraction thoughts today: Brazilian looking lady is named Patti (Patty?).  She is also hot.  One dude has a shitty blue tiger tattoo on his shoulder that reminds me of my best friend Bibo's shitty tiger tattoo.  That Lauren Eckstrom really is pretty hot.

Same thoughts as usual I guess, the key is that the frequency was much less.  I focused for most of the workout.  Still suffering on meditation though.

I also have a dilemma.  I'm traveling next week and thought was to do yoga in my hotel room by just bringing my DVDs, but after reaching out to a colleague to see if there was a good space she suggested a yoga class on the company campus.  I really want to check it out, but it is the same day as my cardio day so I don't think I could handle both workouts!

Day 10 - No Strength

Ok an overstatement, but still have this crook in my neck and not sure why it is not going again.  That reminds me I need some tylenol - one sec.

Ok I'm back.  Man its hard to stay natural when you are popping tylenol.   On the plus side I haven't caved to the evils of melatonin, energy drinks or increasing my dosage of NoXplode.  You 2 spammer readers as my witness I will be off NoXplode by the end of the first 36 days.

Man - it has taken me all day to write this much.  Not because I'm not motivated, but because work has become insane again.  It really makes me wonder whether I made the right decision.  Definitely something I need to meditate on if I could actually bring myself to meditate.

Despite the title of this post, I actually did have a fair bit of strength today and did well in the workout though Hardcore was only about 50%.  Ok, I'm pretty much passing out while trying to write this and I still need to meditate.  Maybe I try that meditate while trying to get ready for sleep trick again...maybe it will work this time....zzzzz

Day 9 - Neck Crack

Man that crook in my neck hasn't gotten any better yet.  Trying to figure out which pose or poses is doing it to me.  I don't have any problem while in the workouts, but something seems to be creating an issue.  Guess its a tylenol day.

Today's cardio workout was lot of fun.  I wore heavy sweats and a sweater so that I could survive the freezer that is my living room.  Good plan.  Definitely broke a sweat today.  I try and do a pushup between each sun salutation, but I started to fail towards the end and my upward dogs became cobras for sure.

I finally got around to watching the introduction.  Leggy brunette is Lauren Eckstrom.  You can find her here.  A suitably hot name for a suitably hot lady. 

 

Courtesy of http://laureneckstromyoga.com/?page_id=4

Have I mentioned that I love Yoga?

Apparently she is a yoga instructor in Santa Monica and teaches retreats with Travis (I've secretly been wondering if they are an item).  She lost like 6 lbs or something doing the program. (N.B. it was actually 16 but srsly folks? I fluctuate 10 in a day).

We meet a few other people.  I was totally going to raz on the guy I like to call sweaty Marky Mark in a future session.  Then we find out he was addicted to Aderol and Anti-depressants and yoga gave him his life back.  Now I just feel like an a$$h*le (which I am, but I don't need YOU to remind me).

Obv last night's meditation was a failure so won't go into it.

 

Day 7 - Mountain Poses & Pranayama Meditation

January 6, 2014

Bet you guys were worried I already gave up.  Nah, just late to the party because I had a crazy day getting back to work.  Happy New Year to me.  I don't promise to always update on the day of, but I will try to post something on each of the 108 days.  After a while I'll stop the workout posts and post on other fun yoga related topics since it might get boring/creepy to hear me go "aaarrghhh Travis no please not the PLOW"..."aarrghh that brunette chick in the leg warmers is SOOOOOO hot...." for 108 days.

Well today's workout was actually the first one I failed at.  How can I fail a day about breathing and meditation? You'd think you just have to show up.  Well you underestimate the ability of my little one to pick impeccable timing to get up early.  His moans turned into cries and then into screams and wails.  Sheesh.  I had to go get him.  Plus Travis was going on about being grateful to grasshoppers or something and I'm not exactly the grateful type.  When others are grateful for getting over a cold I wonder why they had to get one in the first place.  A deeper more metaphysical conversation for another time.  Oh and it was -15 today so definitely wasn't feeling grateful, particularly when I had to dig my nanny's car back out of the snow again.

I tried to make it up by doing 10 minutes of meditation this evening, but I got through only 7 and then started checking Instagram...I'm not even sure I should be calling myself the Mediocre Yogi right now...

Day 5 - Detox

January 4, 2013

I had a much better meditation session last night and get this - I actually fell asleep without melatonin last night.  It wasn't right after meditation, and I was up for an extra hour or so longer than I wanted to be, but I fell asleep naturally, which for those of you who know me is quite an accomplishment.

I wake up this morning and take only half a scoop of NoXplode.  In case you are wondering what that is, it is my pre-workout igniter.  I've been using it on and off (more on) since 2004 so after 10 years of use I can be relatively sure it is not something that will kill me in the short run.  In the long run on the other hand...

Image courtesy of www.bodybuilding.com

I buy it from BodyBuilding.com (direct link to product) because they have great prices, great customer service, helpful reviews and are always doing awesome promos with freebies.  Ok, enough with the free commercial for them.  But seriously, if you do wish to supplement, consider using them or another online vendor.  You can save over 50% on retail (read: GNC) prices usually.

OK - back to yoga.  Today's workout is called Detox, but I've been fooled enough over the last few days to know this will be anything but easy.  Plus yesterday's workout was supposed to be the less athletically intense midweek break, so in the words of Tony Horton - "Get Ready, Cause it's coming"

Cast of characters has changed again.  Mila Kunis out, Asian girl back in. Scar chest back in too, but no nipple rings. (They are just accessories??!)  We learn his name is Jason when at one point he is feeling "a little spunky".  Erm - no comment Travis.  Otaku dude is still here, but he looks less Otaku and more French/Eurotrash artsy dude.  What a transformation! Can't wait to see what I become in 108 days.

Workout involves a ton of twists, which are difficult, but sooooooo satisfying.  Definitely manage to work up a great sweat.  

Also I realize that I want to be a yoga instructor when I grow up.  Am I drawn to the meditative calm? Nope.   The lean chiseled physique? Nope.  The ability help guide people through a journey and improve their lives? Nope.  What other profession makes it so acceptable for a dude to get so hands on and be thanked for it?  I notice this as Travis adjusts the leggy brunette's pose by slowly and delicately pressing her against her bare upper thigh.  To be fair he does later adjust one of the men's poses by adjusting his ankles...

Maybe since I'm a well known creeper I'm reading too much into it, but I remember all to well the "interesting positions" that Bryan Kest placed his students in.  I mean, I think you can get the gist by looking at the covers for power 2 and power 3.

Bear in mind folks that prior to doing the Ultimate Yogi this was the best yoga I had ever done. 

Photos courtesy of the amazon.com listings at here and here respectively.  No I don't still have a VHS player, I bought the 3-in-1 DVD set and honestly recommend it highly.

The practice was fantastic, but I'll save details for the next time I do the workout.  Last thing I wanted to mention today is that I completely bungled the diets in my earlier postings.  It is not each 36 days.  Each diet lasts for the 3 days leading up to the sun salutations. Phew.  Ok - I'm going to give them a shot!