Yoga
I’m trying to get more into Yoga. Its so relaxing, and I need to work on my flexibility. (Though, the fitness instructor for the exercise class I went to this week said I was extremely flexible!) There’s a show on FitTV called Namaste Yoga, and its great. So, I’m trying to do the 20 minute class before bed a few times a week. I feel kind of like its not “real” yoga unless I pay some ridiculous amount to take a class at a studio, though – something I’ve never done. I remember reading some article about a woman who was very serious about yoga, and it was so derogitory to people who don’t take yoga seriously that it really put me off of yoga for awhile. I just felt like, according to yoga enthusiasts, unless I was willing to shell out big bucks and do it every day at a studio, then it wasn’t worth it and would just be a joke for me to try it at all. But, maybe that’s not true. If I’m getting some benefit out of it, then I should consider it worth my time. But, my other hangup about yoga is that its not very condusive to weight loss. That’s my understanding, anyway. That it improves flexibility and stress-management, but doesn’t burn calories like cardio or build muscle mass (and therefore raise metabolism) like weight training. I only have so many hours in the day, though, so I don’t really want to “waste” my exercise time on something that’s not going to shrink my butt! I know that’s pretty shallow… I’m so glad that exercising makes me stronger and healthier, but I’ll admit that my main motivation is to loose weight and improve my appearence, at least it has been since I started working out after having Ellie. Maybe now that I’m back into a size four and fairly happy with how I look, I could do more yoga for its benefits. But, there’s always a part of me that feels I would be happier and look better if I lost 10 more pounds. If I lost 10 more pounds, I would be the same weight I was when I got married after all…
September 27th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Jen, you look fantastic. In case Trav and I didn’t tell you when we saw you a few weeks ago, you really look amazing. We both commented on it to each other. Personally, I don’t think you need to lose more weight. It’s just a number (as you well know) and my guess would be that now you’re at a weight/size you’re happy with (as well as being very healthy!) you could probably use the relaxation, especially with the two little ones.
That’s just my thought on the matter. I don’t know if it makes a bit of difference to you what your sister-in-law thinks, but there you have it.
September 27th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
I don’t think you should lose 10 more pounds. You were stressed before the wedding and SKINNY. Now you look absolutely (thin and) GORGEOUS!