Day 21 - I did it!!!!

Day 12 of the 21 Day Yoga Challenge

So...on Jan 9, I decided to do Yoga Journal's 21 Day yoga challenge - for 21 consecutive days, I have to do 1 yoga practice, meditate for at least 15 minutes and eat at least one vegetarian meals. So for I've made it to day 12...and still on track.

It's definitely a lot of work, but I know it's worth it in the long run. I've also been trying to incorporate running into my routine...and I change up my yoga practices.

I've also challenged myself to drink at least one juice a day (as a meal replacement), drink at least 64 ounces of water a day and log my calories everyday. All in all I've been able to maintain the 11 lbs that I lost from eating better since December 26 and my 5 day juice cleanse. I think I may do another juice cleanse the beginning of February.

Still going strong with my healthy regiment for 2012.

Day 5 of Juicing...

So I have made it to day 5...didn't think I could do it...no food (meat, dairy, grains, nuts, etc.) but I did. I guess I have more will power than I thought!

I started gradually juicing last week, and have been only juicing since Thursday. I went to the doctor on Friday and told him about it...I was originally going to juice for 10 days, but he said I shouldn't do it for more than 5. While juicing, I have been doing some moderate exercise. I ran/jogged/walked on Friday for 3 miles and I walked for 12 miles on Saturday! I walked with my neighbor from Yonkers, through Hastings and Dobbs Ferry into Irvington and back! My feet were killing me (and I was hungry) when I got home.

So I'm in the home stretch...if you put your mind to something...you can do it. Yesterday, I helped my neighbor make pancakes...and I didn't have any! That was torture, but I did it.

Tomorrow, I can have food again...I'm going to ease into it...I'm looking forward to having lasagna at my friend's house on Saturday night =)

A new year, a new perspective...

So, when I last wrote, I was soaking up the rays in Jamaica. Today, it's a balmy 39 degrees...much improved over the last couple of days when it was in the teens!

Today is my first full juicing day. On Christmas eve, I watched the movie, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" by Joe Cross. It totally changed my life!!!! His journey was very dramatic, he juiced (only had juice) for 60 days!!! But he also had medical conditions and alot more excess weight (~100 lbs) than me. 12/26 is the last day I had coffee...today is 1/5 - the tenth day, since I haven't had caffeine. The first 2-5 days were tough...now it's a little bit easier. That's not to say that I'm never going to have coffee again, but I've made a resolution to myself to eat more healthy this year...and forever! This is all about long term sustainability. So, I'm not giving up bacon FOREVER, but...I know that I can't eat it every day like I used to. Maybe once a week, or once every other week...and eat turkey bacon when I can. My goal is to not have a muffin top when I sit down and I'd like to rock a two piece this summer!!!

On 12/26, I weighted 170lbs. After that, I made it a point to eat more healthy and try and drink juice once a day as one meal replacement. I also have been drinking 64-72 ounces of water a day. This morning I stepped on the scale and I now weigh 163.5 lbs. Not bad for 10 days!!!!

I've also tried to amp up my exercise...insert more cardio into the picture. For the past month or so, I've been trying to jog. I would "jog" for l-2 min, then walk, then jog, then walk....I'd go about 1-2 miles, then walk all the way back. On Monday, 1/1/12, I sprinted for 1-2 min, walked, sprinted, walked (4X when my normal was 2 or 3) for 1 mile, then I jogged (the whole time without stopping) back the entire mile home. I was so amped!!!!

On Tuesday, I went to my very first Zumba class, with my friend Yoli. I didn't think I was going to make it. We were "dancing" for a full 60 minutes! We didn't stop and there were NO SLOW SONGS! It was a workout!!! I was totally drenched when I left there...whoa! I may have to look into doing that once a week...or once every other week to change things up.

And the best part...I had a fabulous New Year's...with a great guy! We had a lot of fun...and I hope to have more.

Here's to everyone...Happy New Year, and all the best for 2012!!!