changing your fitness mindset

so weight is funny thing.

a lot of people struggle with their weight and self acceptance when it comes to their body image, whether it is they weigh too much or not enough. and we certainly have all been there. this post is about finding the right reasons and mindset to changing yourself for the better without only focusing on the numbers.

from a health perspective, i think that you cannot base how healthy someone is on the inside from a number. it is possible to be within the "normal" weight range for your height and age but be completely unhealthy, sick and simply feel like crap. and it is also possible to be out of the "normal" weight range, either over or under, and still be completely healthy, fit, and feel great. sometimes a number is just a number.

from a vanity perspective though, who gives a damn. we are all wired to look differently, to carry weight in different places of our body, we all have different areas we struggle with, and some things we simply cannot change. for example, it's incredible annoying that i gain weight first and foremost straight to my lower abdomen. and yes, i feel like i'm constantly sporting a food baby, especially right after i eat (i blame my short mid section).

i could make a hefty list of all the things i want to change but to be quite honest, lately i love every single one of those things about myself. it is quite simply who i am and what i look like. i like to think it all just adds character ; ). changing is not my priority and my weight doesn't stop me from eating what i love (hello, sweet tooth). i don't believe in "dieting" either, only lifestyle diets.

the truth is, you will never and cannot satisfy everyone when it comes to your weight and body image. someone, somewhere, will always think you're either underweight or overweight and their negative opinions simple don't matter. the only think that matters is what YOU feel. even when it comes to constructive advice, at the end of the day you know how you feel about your body and what you need to do. we are all perfectly imperfect. your weight doesn't define who you are.

personally, my focus is always first and foremost how i'm feeling. the only time i ever step on a scale is when i go to the doctor (rare). mostly because the number is generally always the same and means nothing to me. even when it comes to working out, if i am running i try not to look at the numbers and simply just run for the love of running. hitting a certain mileage doesn't matter anymore, and i don't get down on myself when i don't run as long or hard as yesterday. i just run how much i can and stop when i can't run anymore. same goes for lifting.  i know my body and i know it does no good to try and fool yourself. so listen to your body and what it needs from you today.

the only thing that matters is that you continue with whatever exercise you choose and make it a part of your daily routine as best you can. same goes for yoga, i always do how much i can and for however long i feel like. every day is different and i genuinely enjoy doing yoga because it makes me feel great, the rest is just a bonus. the reason i started yoga was simply because it was fun for me. now i enjoy the toning benefits and flexibility just by practicing different headstands, handstands, stretches and basically doing fun poses. i try not to take exercise too seriously but learn to enjoy it for all its benefits and most importantly, have a good time doing it.

basically, the only person you need to worry about is yourself and your goals. don't compare yourself to anyone else. focus on what you're interested in changing and why. whether is it to gain muscle, be more flexible, lose weight, feel better, feel stronger, feel happier, release stress, clear your head, have more energy etc. find out what it is you want and why.

live in moderation, don't try and deprive yourself of everything and hurry up the results. that doesn't work for anybody or last very long. find activities you enjoy and remind yourself why you are doing it when it seems like a chore. having a specific reason to hit the gym or mat will make it much easier to sustain a regular practice.

keep patient, and the results with come.

however, always remember that true happiness doesn't come with a certain size, shape or pounds lost or gained. be happy now, and be fit/healthy/happy/strong/flexible for yourself and no one else.

because you can.
aim high & true

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here are some quick tips in sticking to your exercise plans/ resolutions

1. make time - if you use a planner or calendar, write it down and map out your week. consider this time you have carved out for yourself, whether it is a half hour or hour, as highly important just like any other appointment. things happen of course, so if you absolutely have to miss it it is just fine. resume tomorrow.

2. prepare - after you have written it down on paper what your week will involve when it comes to exercise, it is highly beneficial to prepare your workout outfit, shoes, and anything you need in your duffel bag or whatever you use if you are going somewhere outside of your house to workout. for example, if you have an early morning workout, prepare your things the night before so you literally it it first thing in the morning. you can even leave you bag next to the door so you don't ever forget it on your way out.

3. make it a date -find a friend or workout buddy that you can prearrange meet up times. you will less likely stand up your friend because you just don't feel like going. having a buddy to workout with is highly beneficial to get you motivated and out the door. whether it is going for a walk, run, yoga class, or going to the gym, find someone that would like to join you sometime. preferably same time every week so it becomes something you can expect regularly and make time for.

finally, i am a firm believer that mindful eating and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to losing weight and being healthy. so don't think you can hit the gym like mad and completely forget about your diet. it will all catch up to you one day. be healthy from the inside ---> out !

progress is all that matters and all forward motion counts.

may you be healthy & happy !
: )

beginning yoga

this post is all about where to begin your yoga practice : )

i think a lot of people find it difficult to all of a sudden start doing yoga as a form of exercise. since there are many ways to learn yoga, which is the best?

in general the best advice is to simply just start and don't take it too seriously. as a beginner the best way to learn, i believe, is taking a real life class with an instructor. usually instructors i've had don't always do too much hands on correcting (even though it's nice when they do) however, it is extremely helpful when yoga studios have mirrors so you can see yourself doing the poses. if there aren't any mirrors at least you can mirror your instructor and other students the best you can.

classes are the best for beginners who don't know the basics and you will learn them quickly by taking a class. and of course instructors guide you through a series and even tell you when to exhale and inhale which i think is the trickiest part.

going into a yoga class the best advice is to remember to focus on the way the pose feels and your breathing and not only what it looks like. if you're in a pose that you can't comfortably take deep breaths then take it down a notch and do an easier version where you can breathe for at least 3 full inhales and exhales. i guarantee that the more you take deep breathes the deeper you will go in your pose and the easier it will be. with good breaths the pose and flow will eventually come.

other ways to learn yoga that i have done are simply searches for yoga sequences or routines, finding youtube videos, following yogi's such as tara stiles (great instructor, with a variety amount of videos you can follow along to) and kathryn budig.

i own two dvd's right now for yoga and my beginner one that i started with was "rodney yee's a.m. yoga for your week" later i got "shiva rea's core yoga" (definitely a challenge!). i also own a book that was recommended to me called "ashtanga yoga: the practice manual" by david swenson and it has wonderful pictures and sequences that make it easy to follow.

there are many different types of yoga and I have always done only ashtanga yoga. ashtanga means the eight limbs of yoga and is a style that is athletic, vigorous and focuses on the breath and flow.

try and challenge yourself to do yoga every day even if it's 15-20 minutes. it is better to practice everyday rather than for several hours but only few days a week. be consistent and find a place for it in your daily routine. keep your self inspired whatever way works for you. and if you fall out of it just get back into it whenever you feel ready, no judgement. i have started and stopped practicing yoga many times since high school and practiced in varying amounts but it is the only thing that i always seem to go back to. right now it has become my main form of daily exercise.

finally, when it comes to headstands, handstands and any other inversion you don't need to master the basics before you try them, so feel free to experiment with those but always stay safe. lately, i do my own routines based on what i feel like which differs greatly if it is morning or evening yoga. most of my inspiration these days is simply photos from various social media sources and yogis that i follow. my favorite: tumblr and instagram.

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what to bring to a yoga class? 

most yoga classes have extra yoga mats for you to use but feel free to buy yourself one and bring that with if you think you'll be doing yoga often. for your outfit definitely wear tighter workout clothes that fit you well. i would suggest not wearing shorts tight or not since you might be spending more time pulling then down and fixing them than focusing on your pose. even worse is when everyone can see your privates when you're bending every which way. so stick with tight capris or long leggings.

for your top i'd definitely recommend a well fitted sports bra with a tightly fitted long tank. tanks keep you covered no matter how you twist and they stay in place. avoid t-shirts and shirts that a revealing or don't fit well. if you do a downward dog and your shirt slips down and blocks your view, it is probably not a good fit.

everyone is more focused on what they're doing in the yoga class than what you're wearing so go with something well fitted and comfortable. also double check any jewelry that may get in the way.
a lot of people like to keep their socks on for yoga and i'm not sure why because it's ten times easier to do yoga without. you're feet with give your traction so let go of the socks. finally, bring water!

lastly, every yoga class usually ends with the word namaste

literal translation: " i bow to you"
meaning:
I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light and of peace.

The spirit within me bows to the spirit within you.

got any questions?
you can: write a comment, send me an email {  veganaesthetic@gmail.com } or message me on any of my social media links via the home page.

~ namaste
:)