Day 14: Restorative Yoga

I met with my best bud at her local yoga studio yesterday evening for some soothing restorative yoga. The last time we went together we had signed up for beginner hatha yoga and it ended up being quite a lot more challenging than either of us expected. Though it felt good at the time for me, it did exacerbate my back pain rather than treat it. This time it was a completely different experience. The instructor was very matter-of-fact and easy to understand, and she didn't push anyone beyond their capabilities. The session was full of soothing postures that treated stiff hips, shoulders and the lower back. Unlike hatha, it involved the use of props such as bolsters, blankets, bricks and straps.

Much as my inner kick-ass chick hates to admit it, this was definitely what my body was asking for. It was not athletic or sweat-inducing, but it WAS restorative. I woke up this morning feeling great, and slightly less stiff than I normally would. This blog is all about listening to my body and giving it what it needs, so I need to shift my perspective on what constitutes success in physical fitness. I need to sloooow down and stop jumping into things, immidiately expecting to do it all, and at an expert level no less. So in the end it was a lovely evening with my friend and a good lesson learned.

I tried a new face cleansing method last night as well. I've always been skeptical about the high-priced anti-aging products on the market, knowing that high cost does NOT equal a more effective product. Women in particular are targeted with these ads....if you don't drain your bank account, you're not doing enough! Pshaw I say! So I tried a simple mixture of 2 parts castor oil to 1 part olive oil (you adjust according to how oily or dry your face is: more castor oil for oily skin and more olive oil for dry skin. Since I have combination skin this proportion seems suitable.) The method calls for massaging a quarter-sized amount into your face and neck, then draping a hot facecloth onto your face for about a minute. Wipe the oil off, rinse the cloth, and wipe again to remove the residue. That's it. It does NOT leave the skin oily and it does not cause acne. This was only my first time trying it, but I have to say my skin is very hydrated and glowy today. I am prone to break-outs so I am interested to see what happens after a week. Fingers crossed!

Day 5: Non-Traditional Treadmill Use

My back was quite cranky all day yesterday thanks to a slippery deck prior to snowshoeing Wednesday night. I didn't fall, but my foot slipped and I caught myself, instinctively tensing up those lower back muscles. I gave myself a pass on yoga, but I wanted to do something for exercise since I've been doing well all week. I hate to break the streak! The treadmill in the corner of the family room caught my eye. I bought it used last summer and haven't properly broken it in yet. As an osteoarthritis sufferer, regular running is a big no-no. It's notorious for causing joint wear-and-tear, and the osteoarthritis tends to form in damaged joints. I bought the treadmill thinking I could use it to walk briskly on an incline when I didn't want to go outside. Then I read an article on effective cardio/ rear-end muscle toning exercises. It suggested that rather than turning the treadmill on, you simply move the belt yourself. Hmm. I didn't even realize that a person could do that, let alone use it as a workout. Well it actually does work, and quite well. It is a HARD workout that requires leaning forward, grabbing the handles and puuuushing down as hard as you can as you stride. Once you get it going it's a little easier, but I still felt my calves burning after only a couple minutes. Ten minutes was my limit- my leg muscles were done and I was panting (okay- I started panting after the first 30 seconds). Short but effective! And my back is feeling much better today.

I slept terribly last night and I can just feel that cold virus lurking, ready to pounce when it senses weakness. My honey-cinnamon tea helped a little, but I am fatigued. Hopefully the afternoon isn't too rough. The only "obligation" I have this evening is to make banana bread as per my boyfriend's request. I'm thinking that despite it being Friday, it will be an early night. TGIF everyone!!

Just for fun- here's a picture of my little monkey using the treadmill (in the traditional way.) Jazz hands!