I started my morning with 20 minutes of Morning Flow yoga from YogaDownload.com. When I started, I was still in my PJs and feeling groggy, but by the end, I was wide awake and ready to start the day. The relaxation poses mixed with the “flow” of this session were great for someone who is just starting their day (or even rolling out of bed). The backbends woke me up and the down dogs and forward bends stretched my very tight hamstrings. I liked the “wheel” pose a lot, too– even though, I couldn’t hold it for very long. It requires a very different type of strength than lifting free weights! It was fun, though, feeling like I was in 4th grade at recess again! š
Yoga Challengers: On Day #3, what challenges have you experienced so far?
Breakfast
Today’s breakfast was inspired by a oat mixture that my sister made last weekend. When I arrived at her house before her hair trial, she was eating her breakfast, which was a blend of oats, cottage cheese, and blueberries. It looked very delicious and very filing. I made a mental note to buy these ingredients at the grocery store so I could try the combo myself.
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In the mix:
- 1/3 cup cooked oats
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tsp of honey
I loved this combo!!! It was sweet, refreshing, andĀ substantialĀ all at the same time. Although, I think I will use more oats and less cottage cheese the next time I make it. I like my morning meal heavy on the whole grains! š
NEAT
I read about NEAT in last month’s Natural Health magazine, and thought you guys might be interested.
Non-Exercise Activity Thermogensis (or NEAT) is a term coined by James Levine, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine at the May Clinic, who has been studying the effect of routine activity on weight loss and fitness. He believes that you can lose more weight by making your life less sedentary than by going to the gym. I actually sort of believe it, too! Here are some NEAT ways that I move more in my daily life:
- I take the stairs, two at a time for an extra glute workout.
- I carry 2 canvas bags while doing my grocery shopping instead of using a cart.
- I contract my abs or do “casual” toe raises (I don’t want to look like a weird-o) while waiting in line.
- I fold laundry standing up, but I keep the laundry basket on the ground, so I have to bend over each time to pick up an article of clothing.
- I grab my iPod and take walks during my lunch break.
- I clean for exercise.
- I do one-legged squats while brushing my teeth. (I have one of those electric toothbrushes with a timer, so I switch legs at the halfway point.)
- I park at the far end of the parking lot to fit in some extra walking.
- I sometimes get off the subway a stop early and walk the rest of the way to my destination.
