September not only boasts the 30 Days of Self-Love here on Faith, Fitness, Fun, but also the celebration of yoga. It’s Yoga Month! You can even get FREE classes so check out www.yogamonth.org!

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I took part in some yoga today, just as I do every Friday. I even went out of my way today. Normally I go to the basic yoga class at my gym, but M wouldn’t allow it today. I got through 20 minutes of the class before I felt a tap tap tap on my shoulder. Someone had a bit of a ‘tude problem today and didn’t want to hang out in the childcare. I had to pack up my mat and head home with her. I wouldn’t allow that to stop me from downward dogging it! Thank goodness for resources like yogadownload.com. I tacked on another 20 minutes of free yoga with Baptiste Power Flow Yoga #3.

May not have been ideal, but it worked. It felt so nice to stretch out my legs and lower back. My lower back needs all the help it can get with the growing bump.

I admit that I found myself scrounging around for yoga options interesting. 6 months ago I would have scoffed at even taking the time to try yoga. I finally gave in and can no longer debate its benefits. It has only affirmed many of the things I believe and opened my horizons to new views of fitness.

You don’t have to sweat buckets to have a good workout. After my first class, I hurt! Holding moves and supporting your body weight definitely provide a challenge. I remember having to hold a deep chair pose for an interminable amount of time my first class. Talk about leg strength.

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It really does stretch you out and improve other areas of fitness. My hamstrings always get tight. It annoys me greatly, yet nothing ever seemed to work. Until yoga. I still have a ways to go in flexibility, but I can notice a marked improvement since I took that first class. I also don’t have to deal with soreness all the time and have it affect my other workouts.

It revitalizes energy and positivity. I can’t imagine leaving yoga class feeling worse than when I came. I always end with a big smile on my face and a pure feeling of empowerment. Perhaps it lies in the extra time to reflect peacefully or really feeling the strength in my body. I don’t know for certain what yoga does, but it’s something magical that’s for certain.

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Yoga draws me out of my comfort zone, which strengthens me in ways beyond physical fitness. I am not that great at it. I could improve by leaps and bounds, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t have to worry about any of that. My other workouts, when not pregnant, tend to be about pushing myself to new limits and seeing what I can achieve. Yoga, on the other hand, challenges me but at the same time allows me to just be. I know I can use that in my life, so I don’t foresee yoga going anywhere anytime soon.

• Do you like yoga? If you haven’t tried it is there something holding you back?
• What’s something that pushes you out of your comfort zone but helps you in some way?
• I will still be posting the 30 Days messages on Saturday and Sunday so please keep an eye out and participate! They might not post until around 12 noon EST though as I don’t wake up to write on weekend mornings.

Have a great weekend all! For my US counterparts, enjoy the 3 days off and the start of college football! 😀

Well, since high school at least. But today I did it. I actually ran 3.1 miles! It may not have been in a race. It may have been on a machine instead of the great outdoors. But I did it. Completely unexpectedly, and it feels awesome.

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As usual on Tuesday, I headed to the gym for Power and then a 20-30 minute cardio workout afterwards. I was a little disappointed in Power because the Tuesday instructor hasn't reviewed enough of the new release to teach it and we just did old tracks. Our gym started the Spring '10 release on Saturday and I loved it so much I was sad not to do it today. Nevertheless, it was still a good workout and I challenged myself just the right amount since I like to play Goldilocks.

After class, I hopped on the treadmill planning to do the same interval workout I did last week. One interval into it I knew that just wasn't happening. My legs felt like lead hitting 7.0 and I just wasn't feeling it at all. I figured I would modify and run intervals of a few minutes at 6.0, a minute at 4.0, a few minutes at 6.0, a minute at 4.0, lather rinse repeat until I was done.

Turns out, running at 6.0 felt good. I didn't feel the need to drop back down to 4.0 after a few minutes. So I didn't. I kept going, figuring I would get tired in a few more minutes and take a break then. But that need for a break never came. And I just kept pushing on. I even got an extra wind and bumped the speed up a couple tenths of a degree every few minutes, reaching a 6.6 speed for the last 5-10 minutes or so. I was loving my run. That has never happened to me before. No joke. Running and me do not normally bond so well. I like it for a bit, but it certainly does not like me, so then I decide to make the feeling mutual and stop.

But today was different. Once I got to about 20 minutes straight of running, I knew I wanted to reach that 3.1 mileage. I don't know why it got in my head, but it did and it was a goal I was determined to get to.

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I will admit the last 1/2 mile was starting to get tough on me. My calves were hurting (from the incline, from my stride, I have no clue but they hurt!) and I was reaching the point where I thought "I don't have to finish. I've already done more than anticipated". But I kept pushing. What was my motivation? Knowing how proud I would feel to do something I haven't done in a long time. Knowing that I would regret it if I stopped. Knowing how happy you all would be for me and celebrate with me on this small triumph of mine. Having something workout related to get excited about, which sadly I haven't been able to have in my life too much recently with my "going through the motions" workouts.

It may seem a small victory, but it was a big one as well. It reminded me of the fact that I can push through and endure anything. It shows me I can get through trials ranging from finishing a run to walking blindly in faith where emotions run high. I have overcome many challenges already in my life (binge eating, depression, competition prep! ;)) and they have given me the strength to do anything else I may set my mind to. Lift up each and every victory in your life. They are around you each and every day. Be proud of them; share them; own your accomplishments. Cross that finish line waiting for you in whatever challenge you are facing. Then celebrate it. No matter how small it may be. What is your victory today? And...how can I help my calves? 😉

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