I love to exercise. I do. I never used to be able to say that. Exercise was a chore, a drag, I didn't like the pain, blah, blah, blah. That's all just excuses. (And that's the personal trainer in me talking.)
I truly enjoy pushing myself out of my body's 'comfort zone', and knowing that doing so is making me stronger, more efficient and healthy. My friend was talking to someone else about it (she's a lot like me), and she told the gal, "You have to get out of the comfort zone. You have to be hellishly uncomfortable." It's not easy, but once you learn how to do it, it's addicting. The endorphin rush you get when you're done, whether you ran 10 miles (or 2) or did a Shred, or whatever your hell of choice is, well it's pretty awesome. Besides, it keeps me sane. Relatively speaking, that is.
Oh, don't click off, I have a point. sort of
The point is, I lean towards trying to be a higher intensity, mind-engaging exerciser. But I've been drawn to try yoga for several reasons. I want to maintain my flexibility, and even get some back. It can be great for core strength.
I also tend to stress more than I should, and usually about things that are far out of my control. I thought it would be good for me. Others said it would be good for me. I want to try hot yoga (there's that comfort zone thing again), but in the name of not spending money I don't have, I used my cable On Demand and chose a 22 minute yoga workout. (which came on the heels of a 20 minute high intensity workout between run days) Complete with male instructor who looked like he was heading out to play basketball in the neighborhood park. Whatever.
Keep in mind, my "exercise room" is also my bedroom. Save the lectures, it's just what works in this house. Here's the things that went through my mind as I down dogged, or saluted the sun, or tried to wrap my knee around my shoulder and then do a convoluted hand stand:
Wow, I really need to vacuum.
Damn, this dog sheds a lot.
Is that bedspread crooked?
I should finish that magazine laying over there so it can go out with the recycle pick up tomorrow.
Did The Boy remember his workout clothes?
I wonder if The Boy is nervous about the SAT on Saturday.
Hell, I'M nervous about the SAT on Saturday and I'm not taking it!
This carpet really needs to be vacuumed.
Will business ever pick up again? Or is the market too saturated with providers like me now?
Should I start doing more training and less treatment?
Will Hubs new business succeed?
Can I launch a social media campaign to help him?
What the heck are we having for dinner?
Can I go get the vacuum before this next pose is over?
I should finish that scrapbook over there from 2008.
I should get rid of the knitting needles. I am NEVER going to learn to knit.
I hope no important mail got shuffled into that stack of papers over there.
I really want to get our taxes done early this year.
How did Hubs end up with that free subscription to Maxim Magazine again?
I have GOT to vacuum this floor!
Very 'De-Stressing', indeed. I'm sure you can guess that I vacuumed when it was over.
I'm trying not to be too hard on myself, since it was the first time. After all the basketball-clothed, hyper flexible dude on the tv said it takes practice. Not unlike doing 100 high knees with the jump rope or running a 10K. It takes practice.
***Ally
Tweet
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
12 comments:
And that is EXACTLY why I don't do yoga. If you figure out how to turn the brain off, let me in on the secret!
OMG this was freaking hilarious. I love your humorous side, Ally. It is delicious. I so understand the brain Not turning off, especially when you do things intentianally to turn it off. I don't do yoga, but I have those same thoughts sitting in my easy chair trying to de-stress with a glass of wine or a puzzle book. It works somewhat, but mostly my brain interferes and I do things like making my grocery list and planning my study sessions and/or my next gambling trip. I cannot turn my brain off. In fact, since I started this new (awful) job, I sleep-work when I go to bed at night. Yep. And? I am pretty sure they won't pay me for that.
Oh s@#t this is the second post I read this week that talks taxes and I have to put my work one in by Monday. See if I started doing yoga again I would remember...
I like your post so much, you are so funny without even trying.
I have done hot yoga and I love it. However, I don't do it for the zen factor. I'm also the one wondering what I should make for supper while everyone is downdogging...then I lapse into jumping jacks: true story.
See, you and I would be good for each other. We'd be all, "The one who vomits first wins!"
Sooooooo how do you get a free subscription to Maxim Magazine? Just kidding. Good luck with your yoga
I feel your pain. I am simply not cut out for yoga, and I tried for YEARS. I endured hot yoga for over a year and was miserable every. single. session. MISERABLE! My brain simply does not shut down, therefore, Ihave decided yoga is simply not for me. I just can't not let my mind go blank. And yes, I know that is a double negative. I strongly feel yoga was not meant for every body, but I will support whatever your decision you choose to perservere! Talk soon!
Thats why I most often have to exercise AWAY from the house. I'm too tempted to 'do stuff' between poses or exercise circuits. Unless its a 20 minute shred or a 45 minute zumba session, I'm likely to lose focus. :O)
Yoga isn't for everyone. I used to do yoga, and I found myself doing the same thing. Even at a gym, I was thinking about everything I needed to do, what was stressing me out, etc. for me, something intense is what really erases my mind. I never find myself thinking about making a doctors appt in Zumba when I am focused on te next step. So do what works for you- not what others say is good.
I tried the whole yoga thing once and it wasn't for me; I nearly hyperventaliated from all of the focus on my breathing! Good luck though!
I can not shut my mind off from thinking random thoughts like that either! I'm also with you on really pushing the limits with exercise. (However, that's only when I'm doing it.) *sigh*
It is SO hard for me to relax during yoga so I don't do it very often. I'm definitely an uncomfortable one. I like doing what is hard.
You are cracking me up girl. Cracking. Me. Up.
I can't do the "traditional" yoga cause if this girl twists the wrong way, I might piss my pants.
Seriously.
But I did partake in a yoga for bad backs (I think it was called vinyasa) and it was relaxing. For the mind? Not so much. I don't know how to stop the wheels from turning :)
Oh and the money thing. So damn expensive.
Post a Comment