This post was originally published at Get Fit Chicks. It may refer to posts on Get Fit Chicks that no longer exist. Please email me if you run into any of those and I will break the links. More information about the reposting is available here
Two months ago I started taking a yoga class twice a week at lunch time. I know that my ideal exercise situation is a class environment, particularly one that I have to register and pay for and let me tell you, yoga is paying off! (So is the registering and paying for it – I’ve only missed two classes – one because I was sick and one because I had tickets to the Canada vs Japan semi-final sledge hockey game)
I am not flexible. I have never been flexible. I don’t ever expect to be really flexible. But, yoga, or stretchy-bendy as my co-workers call it, has made me more flexible. I’m still less flexible than the average person, but I can almost put my heels down in downward dog now! Maybe one day I’ll be able to touch my toes without bending my knees. I think I was about eight the last time I could do that!
Besides the increased flexibility, I LOVE my lunch time yoga. It makes the rest of the day so much more pleasant and calm and wonderful…I wish I’d discovered there was lunch time yoga (right in my building) a long long time ago! Oh, and the increasing muscle tone in my arms and stomach is great too! Yay! I’m getting somewhere!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Surprise Side Effects
This post was originally published at Get Fit Chicks. It may refer to posts on Get Fit Chicks that no longer exist. Please email me if you run into any of those and I will break the links. More information about the reposting is available here
So, I guess I’ve been going to acupuncture for just over two months and I’ve noticed a few little extra benefits that I think are attributable to the acupuncture.
Coffee. I am drinking way less. Not that I usually drank lots of coffee, but I don’t get up in the morning and wonder whether I set the timer on the machine the night before because I really only feel like having one cup and then it’s only two or three times a week.
Sleep. I didn’t sleep poorly before. And I did get eight hours most nights because I’d force myself to bed at 10:00 so I could drag myself out of bed at 6:00. I’m still getting eight hours and I still have to remind myself eighty-three million times that it’s after nine now and you have to be in bed by ten, but I get there. I’m NOT dragging myself out of bed anymore. So I think maybe the quality of sleep has changed.
Stretch Marks. Ugh. They improved over the first six months after I had J, but that was it. Then they stopped. Nothing. And a year later I started acupuncture and now, well, WOW! The angry red marks are now much more subtle slightly pink marks. And my acupuncturist is trying a new treatment just for the stretch marks…I’m her guinea pig. She was surprised as I was that there was such a remarkable change, but she puts it down to gathering the energy in my abdomen for the hormones and that was probably just a really positive thing for the stretch marks too!
So yeah…I’d say just for the added benefits the acupuncture was worth it!
So, I guess I’ve been going to acupuncture for just over two months and I’ve noticed a few little extra benefits that I think are attributable to the acupuncture.
Coffee. I am drinking way less. Not that I usually drank lots of coffee, but I don’t get up in the morning and wonder whether I set the timer on the machine the night before because I really only feel like having one cup and then it’s only two or three times a week.
Sleep. I didn’t sleep poorly before. And I did get eight hours most nights because I’d force myself to bed at 10:00 so I could drag myself out of bed at 6:00. I’m still getting eight hours and I still have to remind myself eighty-three million times that it’s after nine now and you have to be in bed by ten, but I get there. I’m NOT dragging myself out of bed anymore. So I think maybe the quality of sleep has changed.
Stretch Marks. Ugh. They improved over the first six months after I had J, but that was it. Then they stopped. Nothing. And a year later I started acupuncture and now, well, WOW! The angry red marks are now much more subtle slightly pink marks. And my acupuncturist is trying a new treatment just for the stretch marks…I’m her guinea pig. She was surprised as I was that there was such a remarkable change, but she puts it down to gathering the energy in my abdomen for the hormones and that was probably just a really positive thing for the stretch marks too!
So yeah…I’d say just for the added benefits the acupuncture was worth it!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sledge hockey
I was lucky and got to go to not one, but two sledge hockey games. Alex, Rebecca, Jared and Jocelyn and I went to Italy and Norway and then I got some tickets from work and went to the semi-final between Canada and Japan.
This *looks* like a zamboni, but it's not.
Semi-final tickets
Thunderbird Arena all Paralympic-ed up
He shoots...
Gordo's flag has a paddle...could be dangerous...
Even though Canada didn't win, the Canadian fans just kept cheering and cheering. It was sad. The players were very sad. But the fans, they just kept cheering. I was with a friend who was at the women's gold medal hockey game and she said the atmosphere at this game was more charged than that one...can you believe it?
This *looks* like a zamboni, but it's not.
Semi-final tickets
Thunderbird Arena all Paralympic-ed up
He shoots...
Gordo's flag has a paddle...could be dangerous...
Even though Canada didn't win, the Canadian fans just kept cheering and cheering. It was sad. The players were very sad. But the fans, they just kept cheering. I was with a friend who was at the women's gold medal hockey game and she said the atmosphere at this game was more charged than that one...can you believe it?
Paralympic Opening Ceremonies
I had to go get our tickets for the opening ceremonies tonight and ran into the torch relay a few times as I walked through downtown.
SUMI!
Team Canada
Gordo and his flag (I think it's permanently attached to his arm!)
Rick Hansen
Terry Fox tribute
Lighting the flame
Us. What's wrong with this picture? Oh yeah, Alex didn't get a poncho (it's okay, it was hot) and chapped lips much?
You gotta be here!The city was still buzzing. It was great!
Gold Medal Hockey!
Soooo slow...but here they are...finally!
J brought puppy along to help cheer
J and her Auntie Rebecca
The lady next to us had a American flag that J really wanted to wave...at the first intermission Rebecca and I ran across the street to the drug store and got J an "appropriate" flag to wave
Kelsey, Shannon, J and Rebecca
The sun came out and decided to shine right on the tv screen we could see, so this guy got up on the wall to make a shadow so we could see better
Broadway was deserted. I've never seen it like this before. Not at 2:00 in the afternoon. The buses were still running and they all only had one or two people on them. CRAZY!
Sidney Crosby, you were my hero for a day or two
Winter? Really? Are you sure?
We left the restaurant and went north towards downtown. For the first 10-15 minutes the bridge looked like this.
And then the cars started coming...And they loved J and her waving flag in the backpack on my back. She thought it was great. She waved her flag and cars honked. What could be better?
This is the only time you'll see Calgary and Montreal fans celebrating together (and in Vancouver)
A sea of people
When else would you get away with wearing this (except maybe Hallowe'en)?
Crazy crowds
Last day for these two flags...tomorrow there will only be one flag there...
We went to Rebecca and Jared's and watched the closing ceremony on the big "screen" and then came home. We all felt like this.
J brought puppy along to help cheer
J and her Auntie Rebecca
The lady next to us had a American flag that J really wanted to wave...at the first intermission Rebecca and I ran across the street to the drug store and got J an "appropriate" flag to wave
Kelsey, Shannon, J and Rebecca
The sun came out and decided to shine right on the tv screen we could see, so this guy got up on the wall to make a shadow so we could see better
Broadway was deserted. I've never seen it like this before. Not at 2:00 in the afternoon. The buses were still running and they all only had one or two people on them. CRAZY!
Sidney Crosby, you were my hero for a day or two
Winter? Really? Are you sure?
We left the restaurant and went north towards downtown. For the first 10-15 minutes the bridge looked like this.
And then the cars started coming...And they loved J and her waving flag in the backpack on my back. She thought it was great. She waved her flag and cars honked. What could be better?
This is the only time you'll see Calgary and Montreal fans celebrating together (and in Vancouver)
A sea of people
When else would you get away with wearing this (except maybe Hallowe'en)?
Crazy crowds
Last day for these two flags...tomorrow there will only be one flag there...
We went to Rebecca and Jared's and watched the closing ceremony on the big "screen" and then came home. We all felt like this.Saturday, April 10, 2010
Return from the undead
This post was originally published at Get Fit Chicks. It may refer to posts on Get Fit Chicks that no longer exist. Please email me if you run into any of those and I will break the links. More information about the reposting is available here
Phew…
I’m back…again…
I think that is partly the life of a mommy and partly what happens when the universe turns your world upside down and lets you live that way for a month or so, every once in a while giving you a shake like a snow globe and letting you settle back in, but still upside down.
We’ve been on a bit of a roller coaster ride, but it’s over and resolved and I think our life is planted firmly back on the ground.
And, while it meant that I just stopped posting here, I was surprised to realize that it didn’t stop some of the positive things I’ve been trying to do. I still went to yoga. I still went to the pool when there was someone to hang out with J. I still ate relatively healthy. And the bonus, when I went to acupuncture on Wednesday, my acupuncturist asked if I’d lost some weight. And when I thought about it, I have three pairs of pants that have been retired or will soon be retired because they’re too big! Yay! Even through the stress and all the unknowns, I managed to stick to my plan!
And now I’m back. I’m not sure how long this time – hopefully a while because I don’t like living upside down!
Phew…
I’m back…again…
I think that is partly the life of a mommy and partly what happens when the universe turns your world upside down and lets you live that way for a month or so, every once in a while giving you a shake like a snow globe and letting you settle back in, but still upside down.
We’ve been on a bit of a roller coaster ride, but it’s over and resolved and I think our life is planted firmly back on the ground.
And, while it meant that I just stopped posting here, I was surprised to realize that it didn’t stop some of the positive things I’ve been trying to do. I still went to yoga. I still went to the pool when there was someone to hang out with J. I still ate relatively healthy. And the bonus, when I went to acupuncture on Wednesday, my acupuncturist asked if I’d lost some weight. And when I thought about it, I have three pairs of pants that have been retired or will soon be retired because they’re too big! Yay! Even through the stress and all the unknowns, I managed to stick to my plan!
And now I’m back. I’m not sure how long this time – hopefully a while because I don’t like living upside down!
Absenteeism
So, like, oh, five weeks ago or so I promised I'd post some pictures. But I haven't yet. I will. Eventually. I thought I posted once in March - it was a rant about the bus service after the Olympics, but it's not here. It's not even hanging out in the drafts where I often leave things.
Sigh.
It's a beautiful morning today, but I'm not at the park because the cub is at her grandparents until tomorrow (They had her all week. I miss her.) AND I have to wait for the fireplace maintenance guy who is coming sometime after 10. Oh well, I am hoping I'll get some spring cleaning done. HA!
And life has now calmed down a lot - we were living in a state of limbo for a while. There were some crazy thing happening and there were a lot of unknowns, but that has all righted itself - I think. We're all looking forward to life returning to normal. Or at least as close to normal as life gets for us!
So I'm back. I will be trying to post more regularly. There will eventually be gold medal hockey pictures and paralympics opening ceremony pictures and that kind of stuff. And maybe I'll get back to writing more often. I'd like that. I don't know if you'd like that, but I would.
Sigh.
It's a beautiful morning today, but I'm not at the park because the cub is at her grandparents until tomorrow (They had her all week. I miss her.) AND I have to wait for the fireplace maintenance guy who is coming sometime after 10. Oh well, I am hoping I'll get some spring cleaning done. HA!
And life has now calmed down a lot - we were living in a state of limbo for a while. There were some crazy thing happening and there were a lot of unknowns, but that has all righted itself - I think. We're all looking forward to life returning to normal. Or at least as close to normal as life gets for us!
So I'm back. I will be trying to post more regularly. There will eventually be gold medal hockey pictures and paralympics opening ceremony pictures and that kind of stuff. And maybe I'll get back to writing more often. I'd like that. I don't know if you'd like that, but I would.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
With Glowing Hearts
It's over. It was great. I'll miss it. But I'll be glad to get back to the real world.
Today was incredible! We met up with my sisters and watched the hockey game at a restaurant on Broadway and Burrard. The crowd was into it. The streets were empty. It was insane! J cheered and cheered and waved her flag (we know she doesn't really understand, but hey, she had fun!). When Crosby scored that goal, the place went nuts. Absolutely nuts. And that was just the beginning. We paid our bill, sang the anthem when the hockey players got their medals and then walked across the Burrard Street bridge waving our flags.
And I have very little voice left.
Downtown was insanity! The streets were the opposite of empty and everyone was having a blast!
We returned to Rebecca's house via the no car Cambie Street bridge for the Closing Ceremonies on their big "screen." And I have to say I quite enjoyed the mime helping Catriona Le May Doan light her piece of the cauldron from the opening ceremony and the whole segment that was all about poking fun at Canada and Canadian stereotypes.
What a party...so off to bed super early and back to reality tomorrow.
And then...on March 12...the Paralympics!
PS pictures will be posted tomorrow...too tired tonight!
Today was incredible! We met up with my sisters and watched the hockey game at a restaurant on Broadway and Burrard. The crowd was into it. The streets were empty. It was insane! J cheered and cheered and waved her flag (we know she doesn't really understand, but hey, she had fun!). When Crosby scored that goal, the place went nuts. Absolutely nuts. And that was just the beginning. We paid our bill, sang the anthem when the hockey players got their medals and then walked across the Burrard Street bridge waving our flags.
And I have very little voice left.
Downtown was insanity! The streets were the opposite of empty and everyone was having a blast!
We returned to Rebecca's house via the no car Cambie Street bridge for the Closing Ceremonies on their big "screen." And I have to say I quite enjoyed the mime helping Catriona Le May Doan light her piece of the cauldron from the opening ceremony and the whole segment that was all about poking fun at Canada and Canadian stereotypes.
What a party...so off to bed super early and back to reality tomorrow.
And then...on March 12...the Paralympics!
PS pictures will be posted tomorrow...too tired tonight!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Earthquakes and Tsunamis
As I was leaving work yesterday, I heard there had been a 7.0 earthquake in Japan - that's all I heard and since I'd turned my computer off, I wasn't even sure where in Japan it was.
And then this morning when I got up I heard about the 8.8 earthquake in Chile. And the tsunami warnings for Hawaii and BC.
Scary stuff. I remember the Kobe earthquake in 1995 when I was going to school in Hawaii. We work up to the tsunami sirens - scary stuff. It was eerily quiet on campus too - no birds singing, no dogs barking. The whole day was heavy and horrible, people were on edge, lots of people didn't make it to school and, completely unrelated, a teacher had a massive heart attack, but when the tsunami hit it was tiny and barely noticeable - even if you knew what to look for.
I hope this earthquake turns out for the better - we also have a tsunami warning on the south coast, but we'll hopefully only see a change in currents.
Fingers crossed for my friends and their families in Japan, Chile and Hawaii. I'm thinking of you all...
EDIT: There's now a report of an earthquake in Argentina too. Oh Mother Nature, please be gentle!
And then this morning when I got up I heard about the 8.8 earthquake in Chile. And the tsunami warnings for Hawaii and BC.
Scary stuff. I remember the Kobe earthquake in 1995 when I was going to school in Hawaii. We work up to the tsunami sirens - scary stuff. It was eerily quiet on campus too - no birds singing, no dogs barking. The whole day was heavy and horrible, people were on edge, lots of people didn't make it to school and, completely unrelated, a teacher had a massive heart attack, but when the tsunami hit it was tiny and barely noticeable - even if you knew what to look for.
I hope this earthquake turns out for the better - we also have a tsunami warning on the south coast, but we'll hopefully only see a change in currents.
Fingers crossed for my friends and their families in Japan, Chile and Hawaii. I'm thinking of you all...
EDIT: There's now a report of an earthquake in Argentina too. Oh Mother Nature, please be gentle!
Awesomeness!!
Go Red Mitten Flash Mob! I am loving the Olympics and all the fun surrounding them even more than I thought I would! Part of me wishes it would keep going after tomorrow (and part of me will be happy to get back to the regular world!)
Oh fun!
Oh fun!
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