May 12, 2011 Suzie

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Y5xFmLg2k&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

It was that time of year, mother’s day, hard to believe it had been a whole year since I had done a fun run.

Mother’s Day, A day of thanking our mum’s for the wonderful work they do and reminding them how much we care.  It is also a day to put your sandshoes on and hit the pavement for a good cause.

Last year was my Mothers Day Classic debut, I had never ran over 1km straight in my life let alone 8. I saw an advertisement for it a few months before and quietly decided I would do it.

I took to the streets 3 times a week to train and prepare, I worked hard because I was dedicating it to my Aunty Anne who fought and conquered breast cancer.  For 8 solid weeks I trained, the day finally came and I ran 8km continuously. “Don’t stop, just don’t stop” I told myself and when I wanted to give up I thought of how hard Aunty Anne fought and it kept me going.

The Mothers Day Classic raises money for breast cancer a very worthy cause. This year as I was jittering before the start line in the cold it was such a lovely sight to see so many people of all ages and sexes dressed in pink, so happy and motivated to do their part.
In all honesty I didn’t train as hard or long for the run this year, I have to say it actually took me a few kms to gear up, I could definitely tell a difference! It proved to me what a difference training properly can make. I was however ecstatic that my hip (chronic injury) held out and felt good, it is the longest and hardest I’ve run with it in a long time.

As I ran over the finish line (thank you to my boyfriend Mark for getting the footage of me finishing up) I felt quite proud and almost a little happy I got up early on a Sunday – almost!

The sense of achievement after a race is almost intoxicating, it amps you up for future events and makes you feel like you can do anything. The fact that you are running for a good cause made me feel warm on that very icy Sunday morning.

Next event? City to Surf 🙂

April 30, 2011 Suzie

Who would have thought a sweat box could be so relaxing!

“What is Bikram Yoga? Bikram Yoga is a demanding series of 26 postures (asanas) and two breathing exercises (pranayamas),which is suitable for all ages and levels of ability.

Each posture stretches and strengthens specific muscles, ligaments and joints needed for the next posture. The Bikram method also stimulates the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood to 100 percent of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order.

Bikram scientifically designed this 90-minute program to deliver total health through the balancing and strengthening of every system in the body in order to prevent illness and injury, promote weight loss, and limit the effects of aging.

In addition, the series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination and self-control that increase mental clarity and reduce stress. Bikram yoga is done in a heated room to warm your muscles, prevent injury, allow a deeper workout and cleanse the body by flushing toxins.”
www.bikramsutherlandshire.com.au

Admittedly I am the type of person who likes to jump into things. None of this easing into things business I like to go for it. A friend had suggested we give Bikram yoga a go, and of course having never done a yoga class in my life I thought it would be a great experience. I’m pretty flexible I thought. That was before attending my first class.

Bikram yoga is 26 poses performed in 37 degree heat (it felt more like 40). The entry to the room was enough to make me squeamish, a heavy metal sliding door that reminded me of a human sized oven. As I approached the instructor said, “whatever you do don’t leave the room, if you feel sick just sit down, you can’t exit”.
What was that I “can’t’ exit? I put the claustrophobic feelings aside and entered.

It was indeed a sauna, there were already about 20 people basking in the heat building up a sweat. I followed suit allowing my body to adjust to the heat. After about 10 minutes of pretending I was laying on a beach on a tropical island I was climatised.

We began the class with some breathing exercises, this I found to be the most uncomfortable part of class.
We had to cup our chins and raise our elbows as far up as you can before tipping your head back to an unnatural position and letting out a bellowing “arrrggghh” from the pit of your stomach. The room fills with a noise you’d hear in a B grade horror movie.

The poses were challenging and after the 90 minute ordeal you feel like every single muscle in your entire body has been worked.

Doing the poses in heat definitely spiked up the heart rate. During the rest period between poses every part of my body was pulsating, I was very aware of all the blood rushing around my body.

I was lucky enough to have the instructor adjust my hand positioning on one pose and he decided to help turn me into a human pretzel. As he pushed my knee further and further into the pose I was quietly cursing and hoping my leg wouldn’t snap and I would not tear any muscles. There is no way on earth my body could get into that position if I wasn’t so hot. Thank god!

The ick factor was definitely having around 30plus people sweating all around you. I can personally say I have never sweat so much in my life. At one point during the extended warrior pose I became very aware of the saturated girl in front of me. Her extended leg was hovering dangerously close over my towel and with every drip of sweat that fell from her foot the germ-o-phobe in me fought desperately to hold my pose and not move my towel immediately.
Yuck!

Towards the end of class I was very aware of the smell of cooking bodies. As quite appropriate at the end of class the instructor said we were now fully roasted.

After class I have to say I felt great, a personal success that I did not faint in the heat. I slept like a baby and went back for more a few days later. Be warned, after class you may experience a headache and your skin can break out. These are the toxins coming out of your body.

All in all a great experience, very calming yet challenging at the same time. During class my mind was totally focused on what I was doing, there was no room to think or stress about anything else. I definitely recommend it. But maybe a few normal yoga classes first would be a good idea.

For more information visit www.bikramsutherlandshire.com.au

April 29, 2011 Suzie

I love meeting new clients.

I have had enough meetings with new clients though to recognise a trend when it comes to weight loss.

I tend to hear the same things quite often. Some have unrealistic ideas about changing their bodies; I think this is largely a result of advertising and the media, which has a lot to answer for.

I would like to share with you a common conversation I have with a new client.

I am meeting a new client for the first time; we sit down and have a chat about goals and the like.

Me – So ___________, what brings you here today?

Client – I really want to lose weight.

Me – Ok weight loss is a great goal to have to get fitter and healthier, do you have an idea l weight in mind that you would like to be?

Client – Like 15kg I reckon, maybe more

(client does not have 15kg to lose, more like 6-8 at the most)

Me – That is a big goal, how about we start off by taking that goal and breaking it down into smaller goals, making it specific and measurable?

Client – Ok i’d like to lose 10kg by next month, it’s my birthday party, can I do that?

Me – Unfortunately that may be a bit unrealistic and unsafe. It does depend on an individual’s body and how they respond to a change to a healthier diet and exercise, but for a woman of your height and size I would say anywhere from 0.5 to 1kg a week would be realistic and ideal.

Client – But I could lose more?

Me– yes you may, but keep in mind at first your initial loss could be fluid so there may be more of a loss on the scales after that it may slow down. On the flip side your body may take a bit of time to get used to a change in diet and/or exercise.

Client – I’m aiming to lose 2kg a week, so that would be 8kg, that’s not bad. I also want to lose it from my tummy and my legs. I don’t want to lose it from anywhere else, my arms are skinny and I don’t want to lose my boobs so I really just want to lose this (client grabs hold of her stomach) and this (client slaps her outer thighs) ok?

Me – Client I wish I had a magic wand and could remove fat from those areas, heck i’d be over the moon and do it for myself, but unfortunately the body doesn’t work like that. It will choose where the weight comes off, for some people weight comes off their stomachs first and for others it’s the last place. It’s a bit of wait and see really.

Client looks disappointed and deflated

Me – However what we can do is aim to put on lean muscle by designing a weights program for you, this will not only increase your strength but it will turn your body into a fat burning machine long term. One kilo of lean muscle burns 100calories a day for doing absolutely nothing. It will also give your body a nice firm texture as you drop body fat at the same time. It’s an exciting time. Especially because you are so new to exercise I think your body will gain a lot from the introduction of a training program and altering your diet to some healthier choices.

Client– I just want to work on my stomach and legs, I don’t want to do any weights that will make me big and bulky, my legs are big enough. So just those areas please, I have to fit into my new dress in a month.

I take a moment to wonder if anything I said had been understood and as she points to her legs and her stomach again and sighs I have a feeling I have some educating to do.