90 Days.
I am on a 90 day journey.
Yes, it is a fitness journey. And a food journey. And a self-esteem journey.
And it is going well so far.
My original goal when I started this journey was to 'fix' my body after the injury and then surgery that I had earlier in the year. To get my strength back and start to feel normal and not in pain every day. And to be able to walk up stairs like a grown-up as opposed to a two-year old. I went for physiotherapy and started a gentle workout regime and slowly started to heal and build up my strength.
I believe I have reasonably accomplished my first goal, but one can always be stronger!
My second goal when I committed in earnest and started working with a personal trainer, the amazing Jessica Zapata of Infinite Fitness, was to be able to fit into THIS bridesmaid's dress for my sister-in-law's wedding in October.
Tonight we had all of Natural Urban Dads siblings over for a BBQ and my SIL brought over the dress (we bought them in Calgary at a lovely little shop called Frocks, check it out if you are there). After everyone left, I tried it dress, fully expecting it to be WAY too tight for me to even do up the zipper.
And....
THE DRESS FITS!
So what does this mean? Is the journey over? Goal accomplished?
Um, NO.
This 90 Day Challenge is a journey of self-discovery amongst other things. Discovering just how far I can push myself (with the help of someone who does not see the limits I self-impose) and discovering what it means to live, eat and breath a healthy lifestyle.
I am doing things that I did not think possible with my body and my arthritis and my fake, metal hips and my crunchy knees. And maintaining a pretty clean, sugar-booze-pasta-bread-free diet too (with the help of the totally awesome Visalus Vi-Shakes). What kind of things you ask?
Well for one, (and trust me it may not seem like it to most people, but to me this is huge) I can JUMP! And there are some who even think that I can run too. Now I may not be the prettiest site you've ever seen doing these things, but I am moving and my body is moving in ways that it has not in many, many years.
And my body is changing too.
See....the numbers don't lie!
So to sum up...
Goal Number One-get stronger and heal from injuries. CHECK
Goal Number Two-Fit into the dress. CHECK
Now onto Goals 3 and 4...
I have three parts of my body that I really don't like. Underneath my arms (the waving part), my mommy-tummy (I call it the 5-pound breastfeeding burden) and my chubby knees! Goal number three involves the toning and tightening of all three of these areas along with all the rest of me too. Jessica tells me every time we work out that there is no such thing as spot reduction, and so I will continue to plug away and eat clean, workout and keep moving forward! And I know that these results will come with just a little bit more effort on my part.
And for Goal Number 4. I really want this goal to be something BIG. Something beyond fitting into those skinny jeans that have been hiding in the back of my closet for 4 years. I want it to be a challenge. A PHYSICAL challenge. And so far I can't think of what it should be. I am open to suggestions...
I'll let you know when I decide about Goal #4 and keep you updated on the progress I am making. Hopefully not too much or I'll be paying an arm and a leg for alterations! Oh, whatever, it will be SOOO worth it!!
In the mean time. Check me out in THE dress!!
Natasha~
P.S. Officially my 90 Day Challenge finishes on October 31. The journey however is one that I am committing to for a lifetime!
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Summer Blog Challenge posts for August 26, 2011
- Peter slices his way through a cop-out post: Crazy Wookie Cookies
- Shaun updates his progress on fundraising: Expedition of Truths
- Earl is out of the service area: My Name is Earl (J. Woods)
- Zita discusses what’s important: Ignite Strategic Solutions
- Brad has houseguests: Kick Me Out Soon
- Natasha is getting into shape: Natural Urban Mamas
- For Kim, a little empathy and understanding goes a long way: Nature Baby Bloggings
- Cliff prognosticates: Peer Pressure Works
- Tammy likes some hillbillies: Tam I Am
- Vlad : Analog Coast
- Chad broadens his gaming horizons: The Daily Grind
- Liam on old storytelling standards: In The Now
10 years later... and It's True!
I did something today that I have not done in about 10 years. And the fact that I have not done this thing is ten years, kind of makes me lame.
But hey, life happens, you move on, you forget your past....
...and then one day it happens.
You are sitting at the dinner table with your family and your precocious 4 and a half year old (the 1/2 is very important to him right now) comes up with what he thinks is a brilliant idea.
"Mommy, we should all go for a bike ride after dinner."
And really, it is quite a good idea.
Ever since Mommy started to work out on a more regular basis and eat better and talk about how we can all keep our bodies healthy, Little C has really has taken to this. He talks about how he is exercising (Sportball) and eating all his food and getting a good night's sleep so that he can grow and be strong too.
So going for a bike ride after dinner fits right in with our family's healthy living commitment, except for one thing....
....Mommy and Daddy do not own bikes!
At least not until today!
And after a little bit of a shaky start (10 years people!), and a few different test rides, Mama found herself a new baby!!
Ain't she a beaut!? I have yet to name her (because I name all my modes of transportation), but she is an Electra Townie and practically perfect for me! I am not going to be doing a whole heck of a lot of hard-core trail riding and the likes (way too jarring on my joints even if I had some wicked suspension), and I am in LOVE with the look and feel of a cruiser bike!
Natural Urban Dad picked up a nice Specialized Crosstrail bike for himself and then we went to Toys R' Us and got Little C his first pedal bike too. C has been cruising along on a running bike this past year and has great balance so he just needs to work on the pedaling aspect now! His running bike will be passed on to Princess L so that she can get the hang of the balance part as well.
So we have the bikes and now we just have to get ourselves all ready for our first family bike ride...
I am thinking tomorrow!
Natasha~
Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein
Natasha's Pick of the Week: Infinite Fitness
So remember a few months ago when I was all "I'm having a pity party cause I dislocated my hip and then had knee surgery and now I am all bloated and lopsided and I need a personal trainer"? Well, I found one. A REALLY GOOD ONE!
Her name is Jessica Zapata and she is co-owner of Infinite Fitness Personal Training.
And she is KICKING my butt!
I have been working out with her and doing my homework workouts at home and also trying to maintain a pretty strict diet that she has put together for me for the last 4 weeks and I am very happy to report that it is all working!
I have lost 4 pounds and am feeling so much stronger already.
It also helps that Jessica and I have a whole lot of fun while she is kicking my butt too. I am sure my abs are getting an extra bit of a workout because of how much I am laughing when we have our sessions together.
Take last week for example. We were in the middle of a workout and I casually mentioned that I can not jump. And to prove it, I then demonstrated my lack of jumping skills. (This is when you picture me trying to jump, but I look more like a two-year old, lifting my heels off the ground and not quite getting ANY AIR).
Jessica said to do it again and so I tried, again. I squeezed my knees together (cause I am afraid for my poor arthritic knee babies), scrunched up my face in DEEP concentration and jumped what was likely a quarter of an inch off the ground. And her response was, "Why are you squeezing your legs together like that, you look like you are taking a poop?"
So now on the agenda for our next session is "Jump Training".
Because here is what I have learned in the short while that I have been with Jessica. There is no such thing as CAN'T, there are only modifications. So, essentially I don't get to weasel my way out of doing ANYTHING. Burpees, yes, there is a modification for that. Push-ups, yup, those too. And now, even jumping!
And for even more of a test of my will power and resolve, I am going to do the "Body by Vi" 90 Day Challenge as well. I am really looking forward to this and will keep you updated as to my progress. I have a lofty goal of losing ~15 pounds by the beginning of September.
My good friend and fellow blogger, the awesome Jennifer Banks is also on a similar quest. Together we are going to keep each other in check and blog and tweet about our respective weight loss and habit changing journeys. Come along if you like and see what happens, maybe you might be inspired to join us too!
As for me, I had better get to sleep now. Tomorrow is workout with Jessica day and I feel like I may be in for a world of hurt...the good kind that is!!
Feel the burn peeps,
Natasha~
Boobfest!
Now that I have your attention, you may be asking me...What is Boobfest?? Boobfest is a celebration and a fight!
It is us coming together to celebrate women (and our boobies) and also fighting the big bad beast that threatens our lives (and our boobies).
I am talking about breast cancer.
The statistics about breast cancer in Canada are staggering and down right scary.
Among Canadian women, breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer with as many as 23,200 new cases diagnosed in 2010, nearly twice as many as lung cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among women, and is expected to take the lives of 5,400 Canadian women in 2010.
Breast cancer is also one of those diseases that you know is bad. Very, very bad. Until it hits close to home or at your home, you just don't know how bad. My good friend Jen (you can find her fabulousness on Twitter @JenBanksYEG) lost her mother-in-law to this disease and just this past year, the big bad beastie hit close to home for me when one of my friends (who is younger than me and a mom of young kids) was diagnosed and is currently undergoing treatment. It becomes harder to think that it won't happen to me, or you, or someone you love. So something has to be done...
You all know I am a fan of Twitter and have met so many wonderful people through this amazing social media site. Not least of these is the super-cool Dee Brun, AKA, The Cocktail Deeva. She is a smart sassy woman and is the founder of Boobfest. Dee lost a good friend to breast cancer and started Boobfest last year to raise funds and awareness for her Weekend to End Women's Cancers Walk.
I signed up for this year's Boobfest Twitter party and then thought...hey, wouldn't it be fun to have a live party here in Edmonton as well! I asked Connie Peters of Modern Mama to help me organize the event and then Jen Banks came on board too! We have harnessed the power of Twitter and have been amazed at the level of support and donations that have come pouring in from local Edmonton businesses and individuals for the party and silent auction!
The Edmonton Boobfest Party is being held THIS THURSDAY, March 31st from 5-9PM at D'Lish Wine Bar. Tickets can be purchased HERE and make sure you sign up for the official Boobfest Twitter party HERE.
There are TONS of prizes to be won from both parties and ALL proceeds from the tickets and the silent auction in Edmonton are going to the Alberta Cancer Foundation and our local Weekend to End Women's Cancers.
Please join us and like a good bra-come out and support the 'girls'!
Much Love,
Natasha~
**Boobfest logo used with permission and created by the awesome Big Daddy Kreativ**
One year ago a small Indian man in a Speedo changed my life.
OK, well maybe not directly, but it was a year ago today that my BFF dragged me to my first Bikram Yoga class. I had never ever taken a yoga class before, mainly because I never thought I could do it. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, 2 prosthetic hips, a frozen shoulder and a bum knee - needless to say, my range of motion is somewhat limited.
Well, I agreed to go and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself!
Bikram Yoga is a series of twenty-six asanas (postures) and 2 breathing exercises done in 90 minutes. The series is conducted in a heated room (think 103 degrees and 50% humidity) to warm up your whole body and allows you to work deep into your muscles, tendons and ligaments, changing your body from the inside out. And for this reason, it is THE perfect kind of yoga for someone like me.
Birkam Choudury developed the series after he sustained a debilitating knee injury at the age of 17 that had doctors telling him he would never walk again. He refused to believe them, had himself carried back to his yoga teacher's Bishnu Ghosh's school in Calcutta and 6 months later his knee was healed. He went on to develop yoga schools in India and Japan and then brought his teachings to North America.
The heat and humidity can be daunting for some, but for me, they are the main reasons that I can do this practice. My joints and muscles get nice and warm and I am able to get deeper into the postures. And I LOVE the sweat! I feel like it really does cleanse and detox my whole body. AND according to the calorie burning calculator, I can burn up to 955 calories in one 90 minute class!! What more reason do I need.
My practice has definitely changed in the year that I have been doing Bikram Yoga. I used to have to bring a towel into class for a lot of the floor poses involving my knees, but no more. I have developed way more strength in my legs and have better balance as well. I don't think I have lost a huge amount of weight doing this practice, but I do think that my body has changed. My butt is firmer and higher (according to my husband), my mama pooch is not as 'pooch-y' and I can really feel my abs under what is left of said pooch.
But the real joy of Bikram Yoga for me is that it is MY TIME!
Last Fall, I was not in a good mental space. I believe I was suffering from some late post-partum depression, I had no patience and was losing it more than not with my kids, and I was in the midst of a less than ideal business partner break-up. I was just NOT a happy mama. I started seeing a psychologist, had some long chats with my husband and realized that I needed to find some time and space that was just mine.
Bikram classes gave me that time and space that I desperately needed and that I continue to need to stay happy and healthy. Once I am in that room, all of my days troubles melt away with the heat and drip off of me in the sweat. I don't think about ANYTHING except my breath, I listen to the dialogue from my yoga teachers and I feel the energy in the room. And the icing on the cake is that after class I get to have a nice long leisurely shower, ALL BY MYSELF!!
I am now practicing at least three times a week and am now a regular at my yoga studio. I practice at an amazing studio in Edmonton, Alberta and am so grateful to all the amazing teachers and students that have helped me along the way and keep encouraging me to go deeper, reach farther and keep breathing.
I encourage you all to find your local Bikram Yoga studio and discover all the benefits this practice has to offer both your body and your mind!
Namaste, Natasha~
Happy New Year Everyone!
So, it's a new year, a new decade and yes, I am a year older (my birthday is January 1st). I am not sure how I feel yet about being two years away from 40, but so far it is OK. I mean, really, isn't 40 the new 20?? Or is that just in Hollywood? I have not made resolutions this year. I would call them more like life commitments. I started doing Bikram (hot) yoga a few months ago and have fallen madly, deeply in love with it! I have rheumatoid arthritis and had always assumed that I could not do yoga because of my joint limitations. Well, thanks to a friend who dragged me to a class, I am a complete convert. And the heat (it's between 95-105 degrees Farenheit) and 50% humidity just help to loosen up all my joints. I wish I had started doing this years ago!
Life commitment #1 - Bikram Yoga at least 2 and hopefully 3 times a week.
Now onto number 2. And this one involves baby #2 as well. I am sure a lot of you feel like this, that baby #2 just does not get the same level of well, pretty much everything that baby #1 did. I have been feeling like this lately with DD. With my son, I did so many mommy and me activities his first 2 years and he had quite a few friends all the same age as him. With my daughter, I feel like she is not getting the same level of exposure to these kinds of activities or to kids that are her age, and so I am going to change that. We started our library 'Fun for Ones' program today and we start swimming lessons for both kids in February. Our local community league also has a Tot time weekly and we are going to start attending this to--hopefully we can all make some new friends!
Life Commitment #2 - Increase the amount of activities geared towards my daughter and find some new friends for both of us!
I am finding that as I am getting older, I don't want the next best thing as much as I used to. I want to simplify my life, reduce my eco-footprint as much as I can and just find joy and peace in the simple things. I find that I am purging drawers, closets, storage rooms, toys, etc... constantly these days. We really just have too much 'stuff', which I am sure is the case for a lot of people. And in doing all of this, I hope to teach my kids a lesson about giving as well. Most of what is purged in our house goes to Goodwill or our local women's shelter.
Life Commitment #3 - Reduce the amount of excess 'stuff' in our house and our lives, re-use what we can and/or give to someone else to re-use and rejoice in the simple joys that everyday can bring.
I am sure that I will continue to add to this list, but I think it is a good start so far. I hope that everyone else has a chance to make their own life commitments and that each and every day is a good one (even for a few minutes)!
Cheers all, Natasha~