Yo mamma is so...

Okay I must apologize as I have been on a bit of a hiatus. But I do have a good excuse, we had our little boy on December 11 and what a month it has been.

Christmas was mayhem with the new baby, with family celebrations and friends dropping in, time just got away from me.

I am waiting the full (recommended) 8 weeks before I start any exercises, other than walking. But as soon as I get my GYN's go ahead I plan on picking my running back up. YIKES! It has been so long. I am starting with a goal for a 5K race in June (Mount Albert Sports Day 5K) then I will be taking the "learn to run 10K" class again through Body Design and ready to run a 10K race after it is complete. I will see how I am once I start but a half marathon goal by Fall 2012 might be in the picture. Ah that's scary.

I hope everyone has had a great winter so far. I am excited to start thinking about my spring goals. I will also be taking the same FANTASTIC yoga class with Sandy in Mount Albert. Message me if you want to join, I would love some friendly motivation.

Talk soon!

Chakra? Say what-a?

Well Monday nights yoga class was Ah-mazing. So glad I went as I was contemplating a bail...feeling oh so big in the middle these days. But I left feeling incredible.

Thankfully, Sandy (our instructor) provided an unintentionally pregnant friendly class where there was little to no "on the tummy" positions and lots of hip stretches.
I also received a ton of complements from teacher and fellow yogis...which you can't help but love. Even though you have a hard time believing it, its always nice to be told that "you look fantastic"

The class was geared around Chakras. Interesting and confusing topic indeed. From what I can pull from it, its an Indian concept where there are 7 Chakras in total that align vertically down the spine. Each Chakra holds a certain energy and place in the body. Each chakra can be stimulated and used to heal through various yoga poses.

Image taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra

I know this is a pretty vague description but do some research, its extremely interesting and can get quite complex. You may get lost in it for a while.

Eating fat will not make you fat

Brandi McCarthy, RHN, CPT from Body Design held a seminar in Mount Albert on Tuesday night called "'dietary fat, cholesterol & Health risks.....what you really need to know"


The seminar was eye opening and full of extremely useful information regarding cholesterol and fats.


One of the most interesting parts was the idea that eating fats like meat will not raise your cholesterol. 


We are encouraged by Brandi to "Eat your meat" We have been mislead for decades that eating high fat leads to heart disease. There has been NO proof of this direct link. The human race has been eating meat since beginning of time. Meat is your saturated fats--these are good--monounsaturated fats are your oils--olive oil , nuts, seeds---and not to mention the Super Food of all fats---Avocados.

Image from http://dontforgetveggies.wordpress.com

What you need to stay away from is Polyunsaturated fats.


All of Brandi's seminars are available through Body Design, I highly recommend checking one out. It will change the way you buy food. 


Also check her site...she has a killer recipe for a noodle-less lasagna!

Lasagna without noodles? Delicious!!

Check out this amazing seminar offered in Mount Albert

Dietary Fat and Cholesterol, What you Really Need to Know. 
Tuesday, November 15th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm at the Ross Family Complex, Mt. Albert
Confused by dietary fat and cholesterol? Join the club! Cholesterol, fat and heart disease risk are hot topics right now and often completely misunderstood. This seminar will help you understand the "why's" and "how's" behind cholesterol and fat and give you the tools you need to make informed food choices without fear. If you have high cholesterol, Type 2 Diabetes or are at risk for heart disease this seminar is not to be missed. Fee is $35.00 + HST

Contact Body Design at Phone: 905-473-3888 or info@bodydesign.ca for all other info.

The cats and the cows

I have been using up the last of my vacation days (before I leave on maternity) and used one on Monday to visit a girlfriend of mine who lives in Hunstville.

We spent this BEAUTIFUL fall day walking the streets with her 2.5 year old Cali. We went into some cute shops along the main strip and got some Christmas gift ideas...probably should have just bought some things but I couldn't get in the mood with the 20 degree weather outside.

Unfortunately I had to miss Yoga class and I hate doing that. Its the only class I am doing right now.

I found a great prenatal stretch to do from home is the cat/cow stretch. You don't  have to be pregnant to feel the benefit, your spine gets such a good stretch from this.


image reference here

Make sure you move slowly from cat to cow pose to get a really good stretch.

I hope to be in class next week, I will be at full term (37 weeks) so we will see how that goes.

The power of the mind

Another great class, although the poses are getting tougher and tougher. I am not going to stop going though, even if I sit out a few, I know that I am still doing some good. Sandy of Body Design assures me that what I am doing is beneficial for my body and the baby's. 

This (above) was one of the new poses we did last night. Its called eagle pose. Great for improving balance and strengthening legs and shoulders. 

We talked about inner strength and goals and at this point I need all the strength I can get to make it through these next few weeks not to mention labour. I think a lot of these meditation ideas I have learned here are going to be so helpful when the time comes. 

Sandy also gave is a great quote I thought I would share; 

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny."     Upanishads

Loosen up...you're too tense

Okay everyone, fall is a weird time. We tend to start new things, classes at school, projects before winter and in this lovely province we call Ontario, its a very short season. I don't know how many times I have heard "are we already in the middle of October?"

Let's take the tail end of the fall and the beginning of...yes...winter (its inevitable Ontario) to learn how to unwind, loosen our joints and take care of our stiff necks and backs.

Many things cause stiffness, sitting at a desk all day, driving in the car, lounging on a couch, sleeping the wrong way etc. If we can learn to relax using some Body Design yoga techniques we can help relieve or prevent these types of unpleasant injuries.

Sandy (our Body Design yoga instructor) suggests this seated yoga move to help with back and neck pain.
 Click here for video instructions.

She also recommends this one for neck stiffness.
Click here for video instructions.

Overall another positive class. These yoga active poses can be done anywhere so keep it up and stay loose!