Wednesday, November 26, 2014

HOOOOT YOGA!






It's been a while since I posted on my blog (gotta get more consistent!) but I wanted to let you know that I have been AND LOVING hot yoga.  I don't know why I had such an aversion to it before, but I am officially in love with it.  I feel like I'm working harder than I ever have before, and its great.  I'm still having back issues (bulging disc) so I wanted to try this out to see how I felt and it was amazing.  I am listing some of the benefits so that you will see how it may apply to your routine if you so choose.  Also, the rates are fantastic!  I found a Groupon for the studio I go to in Schererville, IN at $39.00 for unlimited classes for the entire month.  If you would like to sign up for a regular membership I believe it works out to about $8 a class for about 15 classes a month.  Priceless for what it does for your mind body and soul.   I went in Vegas (found a Groupon there to for $22) and it was just as good..ALTHOUGH the men in the speedos and no shirts were a bit much!!!!...so needless to say, I was already sold on Yoga because of course I teach it, but the benefits of Hot Yoga, go far beyond anything I was looking for.



1. Flexibility: No, you won’t be forced into contortionist positions. The heat will allow you to safely reach new levels of personal flexibility in beginner’s postures, which is therapeutic for your body (see number seven). Plus, let’s be honest, being flexible is cool. You’ll be busting out Standing Bow Pose at your next party.

2. Strength: Your own body is your gym. This yoga is low impact and uses muscles you didn’t know you had—trying standing in a wide lunge for Triangle pose on carpet and not sliding! Also, a prime focus is on spine strength, which is key to a long healthy life!
3. Breath: The definition of Hatha Yoga asana is: stillness in a posture while breathing normally. With the added element of the heat, you won’t make it far if you don’t breathe deeply! If there is no breathing, there is no yoga. It won’t take long before you learn to breathe in a full and controlled manner.
4. Cardio: Your heart can work the same way doing yoga postures in a heated room as it does when running a mile, and you never even leave your mat. Particularly in postures when you are balancing and contracting your muscles at the same time. A 90-minute class can burn up to 1,000 calories. The way you stretch and compress your internal organs and glands also stimulates metabolism so you are burning calories quicker outside the room as well.
5. Detox: The heated room helps you to stretch more and get your cardio, but it also helps you sweat. The postures themselves are detoxifying for your muscles, organs, and glands and sweating furthers that.
6. Focus: Most Hot Yoga classes consist of the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises—and if not, there is almost always a dialed routine. The routine helps you to advance your practice through repetition. As you advance, you gain tremendous focus and determination. The ability to focus carries over to your daily life. When you can focus on the task at hand, you’ll excel and you can enjoy it more.
7. Healing: The primary purpose of this yoga is therapy. With a regular practice, these postures can help to heal old injuries and also prevent them in the future. This is especially true for, but not limited to, back pain. Don’t skip the postures that are slightly uncomfortable. Hot Yoga is also known to reduce symptoms of conditions and illnesses including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis and obesity.

8. Life:“You’re only as old as your spine is flexible.” ~Joseph Pilates

Check out Hot Yoga and try a class. You’ve got nothing to lose!

1. Flexibility: No, you won’t be forced into contortionist positions. The heat will allow you to safely reach new levels of personal flexibility in beginner’s postures, which is therapeutic for your body (see number seven). Plus, let’s be honest, being flexible is cool. You’ll be busting out Standing Bow Pose at your next party. - See more at: http://yoganonymous.com/eight-benefits-of-hot-yoga/#sthash.bQh4h64f.dpuf
1. Flexibility: No, you won’t be forced into contortionist positions. The heat will allow you to safely reach new levels of personal flexibility in beginner’s postures, which is therapeutic for your body (see number seven). Plus, let’s be honest, being flexible is cool. You’ll be busting out Standing Bow Pose at your next party.
2. Strength: Your own body is your gym. This yoga is low impact and uses muscles you didn’t know you had—trying standing in a wide lunge for Triangle pose on carpet and not sliding! Also, a prime focus is on spine strength, which is key to a long healthy life!
3. Breath: The definition of Hatha Yoga asana is: stillness in a posture while breathing normally. With the added element of the heat, you won’t make it far if you don’t breathe deeply! If there is no breathing, there is no yoga. It won’t take long before you learn to breathe in a full and controlled manner.
4. Cardio: Your heart can work the same way doing yoga postures in a heated room as it does when running a mile, and you never even leave your mat. Particularly in postures when you are balancing and contracting your muscles at the same time. A 90-minute class can burn up to 1,000 calories. The way you stretch and compress your internal organs and glands also stimulates metabolism so you are burning calories quicker outside the room as well.
5. Detox: The heated room helps you to stretch more and get your cardio, but it also helps you sweat. The postures themselves are detoxifying for your muscles, organs, and glands and sweating furthers that.
6. Focus: Most Hot Yoga classes consist of the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises—and if not, there is almost always a dialed routine. The routine helps you to advance your practice through repetition. As you advance, you gain tremendous focus and determination. The ability to focus carries over to your daily life. When you can focus on the task at hand, you’ll excel and you can enjoy it more.
7. Healing: The primary purpose of this yoga is therapy. With a regular practice, these postures can help to heal old injuries and also prevent them in the future. This is especially true for, but not limited to, back pain. Don’t skip the postures that are slightly uncomfortable. Hot Yoga is also known to reduce symptoms of conditions and illnesses including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis and obesity.
8. Life:“You’re only as old as your spine is flexible.” ~Joseph Pilates
- See more at: http://yoganonymous.com/eight-benefits-of-hot-yoga/#sthash.bQh4h64f.dpuf
7. Healing: The primary purpose of this yoga is therapy. With a regular practice, these postures can help to heal old injuries and also prevent them in the future. This is especially true for, but not limited to, back pain. Don’t skip the postures that are slightly uncomfortable. Hot Yoga is also known to reduce symptoms of conditions and illnesses including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis and obesity. - See more at: http://yoganonymous.com/eight-benefits-of-hot-yoga/#sthash.bQh4h64f.dpuf

It’s no secret that Hot Yoga is popular.

Celebrities, royalty and athletes are flocking to studios worldwide to lock the knee and stare into their own eyes. Anyone can do it! Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up for a 90-minute beginner class in the infamous hot room:
1. Flexibility: No, you won’t be forced into contortionist positions. The heat will allow you to safely reach new levels of personal flexibility in beginner’s postures, which is therapeutic for your body (see number seven). Plus, let’s be honest, being flexible is cool. You’ll be busting out Standing Bow Pose at your next party.
2. Strength: Your own body is your gym. This yoga is low impact and uses muscles you didn’t know you had—trying standing in a wide lunge for Triangle pose on carpet and not sliding! Also, a prime focus is on spine strength, which is key to a long healthy life!
3. Breath: The definition of Hatha Yoga asana is: stillness in a posture while breathing normally. With the added element of the heat, you won’t make it far if you don’t breathe deeply! If there is no breathing, there is no yoga. It won’t take long before you learn to breathe in a full and controlled manner.
4. Cardio: Your heart can work the same way doing yoga postures in a heated room as it does when running a mile, and you never even leave your mat. Particularly in postures when you are balancing and contracting your muscles at the same time. A 90-minute class can burn up to 1,000 calories. The way you stretch and compress your internal organs and glands also stimulates metabolism so you are burning calories quicker outside the room as well.
5. Detox: The heated room helps you to stretch more and get your cardio, but it also helps you sweat. The postures themselves are detoxifying for your muscles, organs, and glands and sweating furthers that.
6. Focus: Most Hot Yoga classes consist of the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises—and if not, there is almost always a dialed routine. The routine helps you to advance your practice through repetition. As you advance, you gain tremendous focus and determination. The ability to focus carries over to your daily life. When you can focus on the task at hand, you’ll excel and you can enjoy it more.
7. Healing: The primary purpose of this yoga is therapy. With a regular practice, these postures can help to heal old injuries and also prevent them in the future. This is especially true for, but not limited to, back pain. Don’t skip the postures that are slightly uncomfortable. Hot Yoga is also known to reduce symptoms of conditions and illnesses including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis and obesity.
8. Life:“You’re only as old as your spine is flexible.” ~Joseph Pilates
- See more at: http://yoganonymous.com/eight-benefits-of-hot-yoga/#sthash.lkdTYGUa.dpuf

It’s no secret that Hot Yoga is popular.

Celebrities, royalty and athletes are flocking to studios worldwide to lock the knee and stare into their own eyes. Anyone can do it! Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up for a 90-minute beginner class in the infamous hot room:
1. Flexibility: No, you won’t be forced into contortionist positions. The heat will allow you to safely reach new levels of personal flexibility in beginner’s postures, which is therapeutic for your body (see number seven). Plus, let’s be honest, being flexible is cool. You’ll be busting out Standing Bow Pose at your next party.
2. Strength: Your own body is your gym. This yoga is low impact and uses muscles you didn’t know you had—trying standing in a wide lunge for Triangle pose on carpet and not sliding! Also, a prime focus is on spine strength, which is key to a long healthy life!
3. Breath: The definition of Hatha Yoga asana is: stillness in a posture while breathing normally. With the added element of the heat, you won’t make it far if you don’t breathe deeply! If there is no breathing, there is no yoga. It won’t take long before you learn to breathe in a full and controlled manner.
4. Cardio: Your heart can work the same way doing yoga postures in a heated room as it does when running a mile, and you never even leave your mat. Particularly in postures when you are balancing and contracting your muscles at the same time. A 90-minute class can burn up to 1,000 calories. The way you stretch and compress your internal organs and glands also stimulates metabolism so you are burning calories quicker outside the room as well.
5. Detox: The heated room helps you to stretch more and get your cardio, but it also helps you sweat. The postures themselves are detoxifying for your muscles, organs, and glands and sweating furthers that.
6. Focus: Most Hot Yoga classes consist of the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises—and if not, there is almost always a dialed routine. The routine helps you to advance your practice through repetition. As you advance, you gain tremendous focus and determination. The ability to focus carries over to your daily life. When you can focus on the task at hand, you’ll excel and you can enjoy it more.
7. Healing: The primary purpose of this yoga is therapy. With a regular practice, these postures can help to heal old injuries and also prevent them in the future. This is especially true for, but not limited to, back pain. Don’t skip the postures that are slightly uncomfortable. Hot Yoga is also known to reduce symptoms of conditions and illnesses including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis and obesity.
8. Life:“You’re only as old as your spine is flexible.” ~Joseph Pilates
- See more at: http://yoganonymous.com/eight-benefits-of-hot-yoga/#sthash.lkdTYGUa.dpuf

It’s no secret that Hot Yoga is popular.

Celebrities, royalty and athletes are flocking to studios worldwide to lock the knee and stare into their own eyes. Anyone can do it! Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up for a 90-minute beginner class in the infamous hot room:
1. Flexibility: No, you won’t be forced into contortionist positions. The heat will allow you to safely reach new levels of personal flexibility in beginner’s postures, which is therapeutic for your body (see number seven). Plus, let’s be honest, being flexible is cool. You’ll be busting out Standing Bow Pose at your next party.
2. Strength: Your own body is your gym. This yoga is low impact and uses muscles you didn’t know you had—trying standing in a wide lunge for Triangle pose on carpet and not sliding! Also, a prime focus is on spine strength, which is key to a long healthy life!
3. Breath: The definition of Hatha Yoga asana is: stillness in a posture while breathing normally. With the added element of the heat, you won’t make it far if you don’t breathe deeply! If there is no breathing, there is no yoga. It won’t take long before you learn to breathe in a full and controlled manner.
4. Cardio: Your heart can work the same way doing yoga postures in a heated room as it does when running a mile, and you never even leave your mat. Particularly in postures when you are balancing and contracting your muscles at the same time. A 90-minute class can burn up to 1,000 calories. The way you stretch and compress your internal organs and glands also stimulates metabolism so you are burning calories quicker outside the room as well.
5. Detox: The heated room helps you to stretch more and get your cardio, but it also helps you sweat. The postures themselves are detoxifying for your muscles, organs, and glands and sweating furthers that.
6. Focus: Most Hot Yoga classes consist of the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises—and if not, there is almost always a dialed routine. The routine helps you to advance your practice through repetition. As you advance, you gain tremendous focus and determination. The ability to focus carries over to your daily life. When you can focus on the task at hand, you’ll excel and you can enjoy it more.
7. Healing: The primary purpose of this yoga is therapy. With a regular practice, these postures can help to heal old injuries and also prevent them in the future. This is especially true for, but not limited to, back pain. Don’t skip the postures that are slightly uncomfortable. Hot Yoga is also known to reduce symptoms of conditions and illnesses including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis and obesity.
8. Life:“You’re only as old as your spine is flexible.” ~Joseph Pilates
- See more at: http://yoganonymous.com/eight-benefits-of-hot-yoga/#sthash.lkdTYGUa.dpuf







Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Good morning Beauties!

Well the last day of my "10 day Smoothie Challenge" is almost here.  I must say it's been very difficult for me bc I love to eat!  Mind you following the Beauty Detox program I'm eating better, but since there is only one meal in the evening its...do I do something with my Chia seeds or quinoa or sweet potatoes or one of the goody salads....decisions!  But it does have me feeling much lighter so I'm very excited to get on the scale on Thursday.  Sometimes you have to change it up drastically to be able to hit your goals.  I know whatever the scale says on Thursday I will be doing another one.  Just because you don't hit your goal doesn't mean you change the goal, it means you have to change the plan!

On another note, I wasn't sure I was going to mention this but for the last few months, I have had terrible pain in what I thought was my hip and turns out it was my lower back.  I went to the doctor and it turns out I have a very mild case of a bulging disc.  When I heard this all I thought was...huh? I work out at least six days a week and at least three of those days incorporate Yoga.  How is that possible?!  I felt like after losing so much weight, my body betrayed me!  My husbands theory is that it comes from me being heavier and having to carry more weight and still doing strenuous exercises.  My back had to endure more than it could.  I don't know if that's the reason, but I am now on my journey to fix it.  My first day at the physical therapist-as skeptical as I was-went well and I'm hoping these next few weeks will give me some comfort and be able to slip that thing  back into place! Wish me luck.  My pain threshold is not that high!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Hello Beauties!

Well my daughter with her quick computer skills, was "supposed" to be helping me stay on track with my blog...but Sanaa I'm a few days behind!

Anyhow, she's a sweetheart always making sure I'm sticking with my eating program and reaching my goals.  She's stopped saying I miss your squishiness and has accepted my weight loss and applaudes me forward.

So I've been at a plateau that I can't seem to get over these last few months, so I have decided to REALLY do the 10 day smoothie challenge.  Like for real, for real.  I started yesterday, and it actually went pretty well.  Smoothie for breakfast and lunch, 1 snack and a good dinner.  For me it was the 10 veggie quinoa recipe in Kimberly's book.  That will be my staple along with the gorilla wraps I love and Ezekial cinn raisin bread with almond butter or avocado sprinkled with chia seeds, or fruit for my snack.  I'm looking forward to pushing through this hump.  I know I have to be conscious of my exercise so I won't be HIITing too much during this phase.  Maybe once a week.

I looked at some youtube posts of people that have done it or are on it now and everyone has different reasons for doing it, not just weight loss!  They have inspired and motivated me to make this bigger than just pushing through my plateau so I will definitely be checking back on there to view their progress and comments as well.

Wish me luck beauties!

Don't just live your life, DESIGN YOUR LIFESTYLE!

Michelle


Saturday, August 9, 2014

8 / 10 / 14

For the ones who want the recipe for the GGS here it is! vvvvvvvv

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3 to 4 stalks organic celery
  • 1/2 head of a large bunch or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach
  • 1 organic apple, cored and chopped
  • 1 organic pear, cored and chopped
  • 1 organic banana
  • Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon
  • Optional: 1/3 bunch organic cilantro (stems OK) and 1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems OK)

DIRECTIONS

Made up of about 70 percent green vegetables and 30 percent fruit, this smoothie helps you eat far more greens than you ordinarily could. Because we blend the greens and fruit for easy digestion, your body is able to absorb more of the vitamins and minerals without working so hard. Thanks to all its nutrients and fiber, the smoothie is incredibly filling, so it keeps you from reaching for that mid-morning second cup of coffee and that bagel you really didn't want to eat.
  1. Add water and chopped head of romaine to blender. Blend at a low speed until smooth.
  2. Add spinach, celery, apple, and pear, and blend at high speed.
  3. Add cilantro and parsley (which help chelate heavy metals from your body).
  4. Finish with banana and lemon.

  1. IT'S BEST TO DRINK THE GGS BEFORE A MEAL FOR BETTER DIGESTION.

I LOOOOVE YOGA! It helped me lose most of my weight, and I can even do a split! YES! Me a 30+ year old women, doing a split! Could you imagine? This and more will help you get down to the weight you desire, just go ahead and follow my blog! 

8 / 9 / 14

SO glad I had my GGS ( Glowing green smoothie )
this morning. I feel so good before getting on this plane. I can remember when I would go straight to the restaurant when I traveled early and get something greasy, salty, and downright just not good for me! And I I wonder why I felt the way I did. Now I know better. My lifestyle is all about balance ( whenever possible with THREE active girls! ) but sticking to the commitment I made when I made when I started this journey. Of course I still have my coffee, gotta have my coffee! But when I land i'll definitely be looking for the nearest health food store, to pick up a few staples for the weekend and find a yoga studio or local gym that offers yoga. The Beauty Detox has done more than just help me to lose 50 lbs. It has made me realize when you are beautiful on the inside you automatically feel beautiful on the outside with more confidence more perseverance at 42 ..... honey more swagger! Thanks KS!