30 Day Bikram Challenge-- Class #16-21

...Not sure how this one didn't get published... All these months later, here it is!


Class #16

• 4:30 Friday class- sooo empty!
• There is a new teacher in class.  She was a B-.
• I had to do class in glasses.  They were constantly sliding down my face.  I don't need another thing to distract me from this goal. Arg!
• Why am I in glasses? Oh that's a fun story.  It's because I tore my cornea.  Allow me to explain. During class, inevitably my mascara starts to run and I look like a monster. So I grabbed a tissue to wipe the mascara off my face and must of hulked out on my right eye.  There is a for real chunk gone. I'm such a spaz!

Class #17

• Class was packed so I had to stand where my reflection was split by a seam in the giant mirror. One second I looked super skinny, but one shift in the mirror and I looked like some sort of jabba/Robin hybrid.  Kept things interesting.
• I had to wear glasses again. The sliding. The fogging. The drips of sweat on the lenses. 
• Take them off you say? HA!  I have no balance when they are not on since my eye sight is so bad. Thanks for the advice.
• During the seated postures (more accurately, the laying down on your stomach postures), the teacher came and walked on the pads of my feet. I'm not exactly a foot enthusiast, so it was equal parts gross and amazing.
• I was SO HUNGRY after class.  Below is disguising evidence of my aimless post yoga grocery store wandering.

Class #18

• Unless I have practiced with someone a ton, there are normally two looks I get from other students. 
• Smiling.  You can do this tubby tubby!
• What is that thing doing in here?
• I don't know which look I hate more.
• There were no newbies in class so the teacher was able to give extra instructions for each pose so I was able to get really far into each pose.  So much excitement followed by soul crushing knee pain.

Class #19

• Just an ordinary class.
• I don't think I have 11 classes left in me.
• Tomorrow is a double. I have a ton more doubles to do if I want to pull this thing off.
• I have a friend coming to both classes so I'm super excited about that at least...

Class #20

• My friend Crystal came to class #1 of tonight's double. YAAH!  She was kinda amazing at it.  Some people are just naturals, and she was certainly one of them.  
• After class I ran out to grab friend #2, Julianne!

Class #21

• Julianne might have been my favorite guest of all times. She was so bubbly the whole time. Not sure how it possible!
• After class, the teacher was rude to my guest and acted like he would rather talk to a dog than my guest or myself.
• Tonight my body feels so beaten up, I am considering stopping because I am ver it.  My schedule is also really getting in the way. Whats more? I am not sure I want to do it any more.
• Knees, achilles, shoulders, elbows.  Ouch, ouch, ouch.

21 classes in 30 days.

I woke up the day after class 21 completely at peace that I was done.  Finished.  I had learned so much about myself and my body.  I was so happy and relieved.  

It's time to heal, tubby body, heal!

30 Day Bikram Challenge - Class #12, #13, #14 & #15

Image via

Class #12--

• This was my first double!  Jeff had band practice, so I felt ok with doing 3+ hours of bikram related activities.
• I sat right in front because all of the other spots were taken. I immediately felt the need to be perfect.
• I saw the back wall during the pose above.  Even the teacher gave me a shout out!
• First class went quickly because I knew I had a whole 'nuther class to do. 

Class #13-

• Class #2 of my first double
• I packed almonds in my bag to scarf a few between classes, but I was too afraid to eat more than 4 out of fear of what might happen to my stomach if I ate more.  I also gulped a small coconut water out of necessity. 
• My knees were a little less secure in the second class, but I was expecting that. 
• Other than sitting out/modifying due to knee pain, there was nothing else that I had to sit out.
• Can I do four more doubles??

Class #14-

• My second double!  This time I didn't sit out of anything. My knees are going to hate me. 
• I had a bit of a melt down before class because I realized I was going to have to flake on plans I had made in order to knock out another double. Bikram is beginning to take over my life, and I am in pain while I do it.  I'm struggling to see the point and find my original motivation.
• Again... my toenail polish is a disaster.  
• The woman who was doing her 100th class told me that that hardest classes of any challenge are the first 15 classes. I am holding onto that. 

Class #15

• There are some teachers I really jive with, but there are ones that I just find so jarring.  That was the teacher in class 15.  Buuuuh.
• I got two call outs in class. I'm begninning to think there was another Robin in the class or the instructor did not know any one else's name.
• I love when new people come to class. I feel far less inferior.  
• At the end of class, the instructor exists the class and says 'namaste'.  Loosely translated, Namaste means the light/spirit/god in me, bows to the light/spirit/god in you. If I'm honest, sometimes my light is not in the mood to bow to anyones light. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but sometimes I can't help myself. So far I have subbed God bless, toodles, yippee, and gargoyle. Don't know where that last one came from. Toodles.

30 Day Bikram Challenge -- Class #9, #10, & #11

Class #9-

• I am officially up on the 30 day challenge board!  It's officially official!  (official)
• I am so sore from working out with my sister after work.  UGH.
• There are three more days that I will have to double up on (do two classes in one day) and a ton of overtime to do as well.  July may not have been the best month to do this.
• At the beginning of class I saw someone through the class windows that I knew.  Completely forgetting where I was, I waved!  It was not just a small polite wave, either.  A full body flail. In that single movement, I lost all concentration and probably the respect of my fellow classmates.  I blame the heat.

Class #10-

• Uh oh. I heard something in my knee pop.
• For the first time, I didn't know anyone in class. It was refreshing. And less distracting.
• I practically had to beg the waitress at lunch to bring me more and more and more and more and more water. I finally explained (like the classic over-sharer that I am) what I was doing. She said her yoga mentor (her whaaaat?) told her bikram was not good for her, because it  extends your ligaments past their normal level and can hurt you.
• Read bullet point #1 again. Craaaap.
• My sister told me my skin looked nice.  Could it be the lack of toxins?  Because how can their be toxins any more? They have to be 100% gone at this point, right?  Better be.

Class #11-

• I had to sit in the very front row. I immediately felt the need to be perfect. 
• When we were on our stomachs for the first part of the seated poses, I realized the lady next to me had on a pinky ring. All I could think was how many times I would need to roll to get close enough to kiss the ring.  Why else would you wear a pinky ring? I'm not being weird here.
• I had to sit out a few postures because of my knees. Boo.  I kind of like being the fatty who can do everything well.  I don't like being the fatty who can't do things. I wanted to wear a sign. I'm hurt, not lazy!
• I went to my chiropractor and got lots of work done on my knees. I am so thankful for him!
• I don't know if I should keep going.  Bikram is seriously obsessed with locked knees, and that action seems to exacerbate the problem.  Every class the teacher squawks  "lock your knees, lock you knees, last time, LOCK YOUR KNEES".  Every instructor I've spoken to says the pain is normal, but I just wonder if my pain is worse because of my... ummm... extra gravitational pull?  
• I don't know what to do. 

30 Day Bikram Challenge - Class #6, #7 and #8

iPhone traffic cam

Class #6-

• I almost didn't make it to class on time. I had to sneak in at the very last minute, and had to sit behind someone, which means I couldn't see myself at all. That's not a good thing during the balance series!
• I'm starting to feel guilty for leaving my husband so much. Between overtime and bikram, I hardly see the man.  I wonder what he's eating for dinner these days...
• I was able to do every single pose!  This was HUGE!  I think it might have something to do with the fact that this was my third class back to back and my body was, dare I say, used to it?
• I don't know that I can do this. Jeff keeps saying I can, but I think he just really likes to use the phrase 'sweat box'.  
• Walking out of class, I passed a group of youths.  They snickered as I walked by.  Then I got a look at myself in a window.  YIKES.  I looked like an overweight sweat drenched homeless gremlin.  I was too excited about doing every pose that I didn't l let it phase me... too much.
• After class I didn't get a coconut water. Bad idea- I had a big headache afterward.

Class #7-

• New people don't sweat as much.  I'm a little jealous and at the same time a little worried about what is going on inside their bodies.  Today I sweat (sweated, swatted... sweateded...??) so much that fingers were pruney.  Now I'm worried about what is going on inside my body.
• I had NO balance today!
• My thoughts took a completely schizophrenic pattern. Love, hate, angry, proud, etc.
• My forearms are going to get beefy! 
• Someone FINALLY farted in 'wind releasing pose'. It works as advertised! I can now fully endorse this pose.
• Kind of wish I had not told as many people about doing this.  But being held accountable is good, right?  

Class #8

• 6:15am class.  I am officially certifiable.  
• There were not many people there. Why am I surprised?
• Didn't sit out of a single pose again.  Major win for so early in the morning.
• Breathing exercise (first thing in class) was hard today because each time I looked up my tired eyes would want to slam shut and my contacts would revolt.
• During the seated poses, I realized my toenails are a mess. I should really do something about it before I have to stare at them for at least 45 minutes during the next 22 days.
• Trying to get ready for work was an effing mess. I laid on the ground for 15 minutes complaining to my husband about something or other. Needless to say (and yet I'm saying it?), I was late for work.
• After work I worked out with my sister.  Two a days! What whaaaat!

30 Day Bikram Challenge - Class #4 and #5

• When doing Bikram you should not eat for roughly two hours before the class.   I take this rule to heart after what happened during class #4.  It was a Saturday and somehow I didn't quite get my timing right and ended up eating fajitas about and hour before class...?  The whole time I was catching (or imagining?) whiffs of peppers and onions. Come on, Chandler.

• My favorite quote from class was when the teacher declared "this position is equally as beneficial as it is uncomfortable".  I am convinced this should be the warning tag line for all bikram classes.

• During the final savasana (laying on your back quietly), the instructor advised that we should try to remain absolutely still, which includes resisting the temptation to wipe your sweat.  After 90 minutes in a 100+ room, your sweat is no longer just glistening on your forehead.  You are actively dripping, rivers/tributaries/oceans of sweat you lay perfectly still.  I cannot tell you how similar this feels to having spiders crawling on you.  I mean, I've never experience it myself, but in class #5 I was imagining Harry Potter sized spiders. And yet it was glorious and satisfying feeling my fat crying.

So fajitas and imaginary spiders. That what you get for class #4 and #5.  Sad it wasn't a 100 day challenge?

30 Day Bikram Challenge - Class #3

I've decided the hardest thing about bikram, is walking up the steps in the parking garage after class.  An activity that normally does nothing to me physically, now makes my legs feel like jell-o and my head throb like it is about to split open and spray rainbow colored brain matter onto the concrete walls.  But the climb up the steps also means that I am done for the day.  Oh, the joyous pain.

Class three was much less rage inducing than class two.  Hooray!  After class I treated myself to coconut water, and I felt like a million bucks after sucking it down.  Do I taste a tradition?

The hot room itself was pretty boring, but when I got into the (semi-nude) locker room, I realized that I actually knew someone.  We got to talking and she revealed that she was on class #99.  In a row.  Talk about some serious commitment.  She doled out words of encouragement about my 30 day challenge.  The pep talk did almost as much good for me as the coconut water.

Also during class #3, I tried to find out how many calories I was burning by wearing my calorie counting device. There are several different articles out there about bikram's calorie melting potential.  Some say you burn close to 1000, some say you burn very few.  I decided to wear my bodybugg to figure it out once and for all.

I rushed home after class to plug in the bodybugg and determine what kind of crazy burn I had just experienced.  The blessed thing said that I had only burnt 220 during the 90 minute class.  I knew it had to be wrong since I burn close to 300 just sitting on my tail for 90 minutes.  Theeeen I did some research.  Apparently it is too hot for the bodybugg to get a real calculation.  Too hot??  I'm too hot!! Grrrrrrr...

I don't like to do workouts without knowing their exact perks.  Why do them if you don't know what the precise benefit is right away, I ask you?

This workout = X cupcakes.  It's simple, really.  I like to call it instant grati-fat-cation.

So I guess I have to let it go and trust that bikram is a great workout, a great stamina builder, a great confidence builder, a great way to spend 90 minutes a day. Forget the exact numbers and calculations. Breeeeeathe.

Why can't I just do the work out and not learn a freaking lesson? Ohhh yoga.

30 Day Bikram Challenge -- Class #2

When you come to your first class, the instructor will tell you a few things.  1) If you get light headed, please feel free to take a knee.  2) Sit out the first posture and watch if you are unsure how to do something.  3) There is only one official water break. If you need water any other time, please only drink between postures.  4) Stay in the room.

The last is the most important. In all of the classes I have taken, I have only witnessed three people leave class, and even then, they always came back into the room to finish.  Until class #2.

Class #2 was the craziest, hottest class I've ever been in.  To start out, I made the mistake of sitting under some sort of vent pumping in air straight from hell.  Or the sun.  Either way, I was angry.  How could I have been so stupid?  I kept berating myself for not paying attention to where I was rolling out my mat.

Deliriously, I wondered if I had put on enough sunscreen because I felt like I might be getting sunburnt.  

I eventually realized that I was not the only one suffering from the blistering licks of solar wind.  Everyone around me was having a terrible time.  I've never seen so many people drinking water, taking a knee or leaving the room.

All around me, bikram veterans were reduced to mere noobs! I wanted to yell at the instructor;  don't you see what is going on??  Turn down the heat, dummy!  Instead of turning down the heat, she would call out: "hold on guys, there are only _____ more postures".  Was that supposed to be encouraging!?!  Crack a door, you loon!

At one point, I saw a woman roll up her mat to leave before the class was over, only to stop and prop herself up on the back wall.  Instead of continuing on towards the door, she slid down the wall and sat there with her matt between her knees looking as wrung out as I felt.

It was a disaster.

The man who had practiced beside me had also parked next me in the garage.  As we walked to our cars after conquering the heat, he told me that he had been going to the studio for seven years.  In all his time there, he claimed that was by far the hottest class he had ever been to.  I felt like some sort of warrior for making through the class without leaving.  I also felt like I wanted a nap, and a bucket of ice.

I later found out why the class had been so unbearable. Apparently, it was not the heat so much as it is the humidity.  This particular class was ultra crowded and there was thunderstorm outside, which both contributed to the misery.  Lesson learned.

30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge -- Class #1

Getting pumped with Melissa before class #1

Class #1: 

I had not been to a bikram class in over a year and yeeeesh, I was nervous!  Nervous that I would not be able to complete the class; nervous that I would remain angry at the heat for the full 90 minutes; nervous that I would be embarrassed in front of the all the amazing yogis around me.

I was also consumed with thoughts of donning the scant workout gear.  You see, since the class is so hot, the name of the game is wearing as litttle as possible.  Which is totally fine when you look like a waif-ish ballerina, but not so much when you are built like me.  The good thing about bikram is that any such feelings of insecurity last for only for the first 5 minutes, or until staying alive takes over as the number one thought.

For this first class, I was lucky to have a friend join me.  I can get really squirrely about going into certain situations alone, and getting back into yoga was certainly one of those situations. 

During this first class, I had to take a knee a few times. I blame this on getting a little over zealous, and forgetting the way bikram can make you feel. I must remember in future classes that woozy is normal, and you just have to ride it out.  

By the end of the class I was glad I had come, but was ready to leave--which is fairly normal for me in regards to almost any physical activity.  

Day #2:

There was no day two, because I had no idea that I was going to be doing the 30 day challenge, and in general was not motivated enough to go back.   I know. LAME. 

Check back for day 3 & 4!

Bikram Yoga 30 day Challenge

Can I, a 27 year chubster, complete a 30 day bikram yoga challenge?  I'm sure gonna try.

Bikram Yoga: 90 minutes yoga classes that consist of the same series of 26 postures done in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40%. Hotter than Hades.
Image Source

Earlier this month, I purchased a groupon good for thirty days of unlimited bikram yoga.  After a few days of back to back classes, I'm considering going headlong into a 30 day challenge.  I'm starting to think I can do it!  And in the same (pranayama) breath, I'm pretty sure I can't.  

The idea behind the 30 day challenge is pretty simple.  Complete 30 classes in 30 days, and win a life time supply of bragging rights and questions regarding your sanity.  If you happen to miss a day, you simply do two classes in one day to make up for it.  It's supposed to be transformative of both the mind and body.  

Personally, I am doing it because I love a (seemingly) insurmountable quest.  I'm very hobbit-ish like that.  

I also love a good list, so here is a pro/con list I've complied for this epic journey of sweat. 

Pros for doing the 30 day challenge:

-I like having a goal and working towards it.

-It's a killer workout.

-The people in class are actually really cool. Not just dirty hippies who take yoga too seriously.

-I feel super bendy during class.

-After class I float on a yoga cloud all the way back to my car.

-My legs are getting so strong!

-Post work out coconut water.  Yum.

Cons:

-It's 103 degrees.  Was that made clear?

-So. Much. Laundry.

-There is sweat EVERYWHERE.  The worst is when it gets in my eyes and/or up my nose. 

-Every class is 90 minutes.  It's quite the time consuming hobby.

-When I say it's 103 degrees, that's just on a good day. Some classes get out of control and have been known to go up to 110.

-I can sometimes smell the studio in my hair.  It has been washed, but the smell... it sticks around. 

Stick around for what I am sure will be a rather ridiculous and spandex laden adventure. 

I used to do yoga

I used to do yoga. I loved it.  Well... sometimes during the class I hated it, but then loved it so much after that I would forget I hated it.

I think I miss yoga mostly because goes against everything that is natural within me.  And for 90 minutes a week, that might be just what I need. A little swim upstream to shake me awake from what is usual and expected of me.


Last week a friend of mine asked me to go to a new yoga class. Our old teacher had fallen in love (with a tree, or some pretty rock formation, no doubt) and moved away to get married.  She promised the new teacher was comparable to the former teacher who we both had swooned over.  And by swoon, I do hope you know I mean, we loved him for his impeccable sirsasana and peace chants.

This new class started with 10 minutes of meditation--or in non-yoga terms; awkward silent sitting.  10 minutes may not seem that bad, but just try sitting completely silent for two, even three minutes.








I'll wait.

















Hard, right?

After meditation, we did the normal yoga stuff.  Dogs (downward and upward), pigeons, and warriors.  You know the drill.

After the usual stuff of yoga was over, the class came to an end.  Which means savasana. Aaaaah, the celestial nap that marks the end of suffering.  This savasana was so welcomed that at one point I had to pick my consciousness up off the floor, give it a good smack on the hinny to make sure I was awake.  I actually had a moment of panic thinking that I may have drifted off into a deep meditative state sleep, and was the only person left in the room and it was 3 am.

I wasn't. This time.

Richmond Half Marathon 2013

PURSUIT. The night before... dun dun duuuuun

If you don't have time to read the whole post here are a few highlights:
-I ran my best time ever!
-I ran the whole thing!
-I didn't poop myself!


Now for those of you seeking a more in-depth narrative...

The night before the race, my little sister and her husband were kind enough to allow a big group of us to take over their very nice home for the evening.  Thanks, Katie and Dan!  

The next morning,  I was less nervous and more angry about being awake so early.  I always get that feeling before races. 

We arrived, found a parking spot (only by the grace of God), and got our tails in a porta potty.

In our entourage, there were two folks running the 8k, so we had extra time to stand around, freeze, freak out and use the porta potties again. 

Catching a theme?


Mile 1-4
I felt really good for the first four miles.  Normally during my runs I listen to music the whole time, but for the race I decided to save my music for when I really needed it-- almost like an audible GU.  

I also planned to keep a slow, steady pace during the first 6 miles, and if I was able to hold back on mile 1 and 2, I knew that I would be able to pace myself better.  I was SUPER tempted to run off of the start line like the rest of the runners- going way too fast.   I just kept thinking... let them pass me during the first 6 miles. I will pass them in the last 7.

Mile 4-6 (aka the park)
Before I entered the park, I started to get the itch to speed up, almost like I was on mile 1 again. Once I entered the park it felt like the pavement was sucking all of the bounce out of my step, so that urge was quickly snuffed. I was contemplating leaving the pavement, and running on the grass,  but had a nagging feeling that there was a ninja race official who would tackle me and I'd be disqualified.  I was, apparently, rather irrational through the park.

Mile 6-8
At this point, I was still running and I was thrilled!  Normally I around mile 6 I start to get whinny, and I walk for a bit.  I was still feeling really strong so I figured I would keep going, knowing I would walk eventually.  

Mile 8-10
At mile 9 I wanted to stop. Not quit-- just stop. Those are two very different emotions.  I normally reach that point in my runs often, but deal with them by telling myself that I will be in so much pain during the race if I don't train properly. Instead of trying to pass that one off (even to an illogical brain), I told myself that I could do this not because of who I am, but because of who Christ is in me.  Yeah- it got crazy spiritual during these miles. Then I popped in my headphones and the Spirit and I boogied on.

Mile 10-12
I don't remember a thing from these miles. It's probably best. All I know is, I still had not stopped to walk. 

Mile 13-13.1
During the whole race I kept looking down at my watch trying to do the math to see if I could actually actually actually beat my time.  At .6 miles to go, I had 10 minutes to get to the finish line to beat my time. I could do juuuuust enough math to know that I was about to blow my PR out of the water.  

But first, in an effort to transition from from just a regular odd ball (who pays to fun 13.1 miles??), to a full on nut job,  I started saying out loud - "Point six. Ten minutes. Point six. Ten minutes". I was practically barking it by the time I could see the finish line--which was all blessedly downhill.  I crossed the finish line with an obnoxious fist pump and a thumbs up to my sisters.  I was exhausted, so don't judge me.  

In the end, my time was faster than I could have hoped, and I ran the whole thing. But I have to say the jewel in my crown that day was knowing that contrary to my fears during the last downhill, I had not pooped my pants. SUCCESS!

My Running Must Haves

With only 8 days until the big day, my thoughts have been consumed by the race.  I sit down at my desk in the morning, and the race nudges me to look at the website that shows me exactly how much time is left before I cross the start line.  I do it mostly because the race has a really whiny tone before 10am.

8 days, 10 hours, 55 minutes, 14 seconds, um 13 seconds, er 12 seconds...

After I peel my eyes off the screen, I go to lunch, where I should be making innocent small talk with my co-workers.  Instead, the race reminds me that I should probably tell them about my latest PR, or about the line where my sports bra is rubbing my skin off.  They'd like to hear that, right?

Having the race as a constant companion makes me a pretty boring person, but I don't mind too much.  The race keeps me warm on my morning runs, helps me go to bed early and is even pretty good about making me eat well.

As far as companions go, I'd say I could have done worse. Ever heard of that b@&$!, Wedding Planning? She's no good for anyone with a pulse.

Since I've been thinking about the race so much, I thought I would be productive and put together my must haves list...

1) Running tights- Don't ride up, don't ride down. Miracle of miracles.  Target carries them and I have two pairs that I wear year round.

2) iPod shuffle- So cute, so small, so full of early 2000's punk and current crappy pop music.   

3) Garmin running watch- It's a real monster, but it tells me how fast I'm going, how far I've gone, and just about any other metric you could ever care to know.  It's cheaper than a gym membership and gets my hiney in the outdoors. 

4) Write Socks Running II- These bad boys rock. They don't shuffle down your ankle and end up gathered in you the heel of your shoe (which could be the worst feeling in the world), and they keep you from getting blisters.  Love!

5) Shoes-  I'm not into the barefoot craze so these are pretty much mandatory.  I would urge all new runners to walk for a professional  sneaker fitter and get whatever uggo shoes they prescribe.  Ain't no one looking at your feet.

6) GU- These are pretty important for me during long runs. I can run out of gas pretty fast, so it's nice to have something in my pocket that really picks me up. Only problem is that they taste a bit fuuuunky.  I have to remind myself that they taste like melted gummy bears.  They taste like melted gummy bears?  They don't.  They. Do. Not. 

So there you have it. My running must haves!  What are yours?  Oh, whats that?  You don't run and won't comment? Neat-o. 

The Day I Smartmouthed a Drill Sergeant

I think I'll display unflattering photos of my half marathons for giggles.
Glad you could stop by... wanna see me jiggle?

Have I mentioned that I run with the ROTC every morning at 6am?  Well, not with them so much as right next to them on accident.  This morning was no different. Except that I may have mouthed off to one of them.

I didn't mean to. I was half asleep and wholly exhausted.

I think Mr. Drill Sergeant was wishing I was one of his plebes (is that what they call them?) so he could make me do 4,000 push ups and what ever other punishment he could think of. Or ask me out.  Those guys like strong ladies, right?

Just kidding, Romeo, I'm married.

Every morning when I see those ROTC kids out there, I want to thank them and also tell them that my brother is at West Point, but I don't dare.  First because I seriously  doubt they care, but also see above re: exhaustion.

Alright kids, off to wash the hair dye out.  Let's go blonde again, shall we?

Its 5 o'clock in the morning

Got caught shuffling by the event photographers at the Richmond Half in 2010.

I have only ever trained on a treadmills for my races.  Yes- I am embarrassed by this fact.

Fear not, I am training exclusively outdoors for my next race.  More specifically, I am training in the early morning before the sun is up.  While I can see my breath, and I am half asleep.  

It has been a real adventure, complete with tripping over fallen tree limbs I cannot see, getting hit by rouge sprinklers, and being joined only by the three kindred spirits I train with, and UVa ROTC.

Team Pursuit (as we like to call ourselves- be jealous) is out every morning. Sometimes we are dressed weather appropriate, sometimes we arn't. Sometimes we hold conversations, sometimes we don't.  Sometimes we are late for work, well no, we're always late for work.

FACT-  it should all be worth in 50 days and 10 hours when we start the Richmond Half Marathon!   

50 days and 10 hours of nerves that somehow always make me contemplate losing my latest meal from one of two exit points.

50 days and 10 hours of hopeing that this might be my best half yet. Come onnnnnn PR!

50 days and 10 hours of possible chaffing.

50 days and 10 hours of thinking about very little other than not getting caught shuffling on camera (as seen above) during those 13.1 miles.

50 days and 10 hours of blogging.  Get psyched up!

Wanna Try?

So... I've been thinking.  You should probably try the cleanse.  In fact, I know you should.  Don't you want to?

Even if you are just thinking about it, I have great news for you!  You now have a chance to hear ALL about it!  Dr. Durrer (the Dr. Kildare-esque man I did the cleanse through) will be talking all about the cleanse and answering any questions you have about it. 

I am personally inviting YOU to come out and learn more.  

But wait! There's more? If you come to the meeting and order the kit that night, you will get a 25% discount towards the purchase of the cleanse kit. 

WHAAAAAA?

Yeah. 25% off.

NO, I will not shut up. 


All you have to do to sign up is to call (434) 872-9940 or email me at robincbc@gmail.com and I will call to sign you up.

So, here are the details. 
When: Tuesday, 9/18 at 7:00pm
Where: Atlas Chiropractic.  424 Greenbriar Place, C'ville, 22901
Who: Dr. Evan Durrer. Super qualified-- he's done this cleanse twice already!
Why:  Do you even have to ask?  Because you're body is not functioning the best it could be.  Period. 

You have no idea how transformative this was for me and my husband.  Even though he hates words like transformative, its one hundo percent true.

So--don't hesitate.  Call Dr. Durrer, or email me.  

Go. 

Now.

See you tomorrow!

PS Dr. Durrer, AKA, Evan, is on the news tonight at 5:45p talking about his chiropractic mission trip to Ghana. Check it out! CBS 19, Charlottesville. 

Standard Process Finale. 21 Days Later and I'm Still Alive

Well folks, we made it!  We finished the cleanse! 

For our first meal, we made pizza with gluten free crust, and natural cheese and pepperoni.  I am happy to report that we were underwhelmed.  

Underwhelmed has been the theme this week.  Most of the foods that I was craving ended up not tasting as magical as I thought they would.

Foods I have NOT been underwhelmed by [aka will love forever]:

1) Christian's Pizza

2) Sweet Frogs

3) Greencroft dinner rolls

4) Beer Run's focaccia bread

After having a week of eating mostly what I wanted, Jeff and I are going back on a slightly less strict form of the cleanse. We love the way we feel when we eat clean, and we love the way we look when we lose weight.

Yeah I said it.

As inspired by my friend, Joanna, here are a few faces from the cleanse.

The night before

Day one

Day two

Day three

Day seven. Excited about something?

Day eight, and I finally have a clean guest bedroom

Day nine

Day ten. Bring on the chicken

Day eleven?

Day thirteen, post workout

Day fourteen

Day fifteen

Day sixteen. You don't want to know how long
 it took to write that backwards

Double douces.  I'm out.

Standard Process Cleanse Day 19

Well, the cleanse is almost over. I can hardly believe it.  The first 10 days went sooooooo slow.  But these last few days have really flown by.  

Flown by while others around me have eaten hamburgers, french fries, cheesecake, biscuits and gravy, etc.  Honestly, none of them phased me.  Yes, I did think; that looks good or screw you. but I never once wanted to eat what someone else had. 

I have not reach a zen like state like I thought that I would, where I walked around calm, and serene, doling out bits of knowledge like Confucius. I have, however, realized some things. 

A few days ago I got into a, ahem, discussion with my husband. What? We're human.

Any way, while I was angry I thought about breaking the cleanse.  This scared me because I can so clearly see where my bad eating habits are coming from. When I don't have the guardrail of the cleanse, I don't realize I am having a bacon binge because I am upset.  I think I'm having a bacon binge because it tastes good with my beer.

Ugh. This just means I have something that I am going to fight for the rest of my life. It's a good thing I have my husband with me.  He's seriously a ROCK.  He's so solid, I love it. I love him. 

Gushy gushy, I know. I'll stop.  

But I can't! You should see him. Can I brag for a second?  Oh wait... this I my blog.  He's lost 16 pounds.  16 pounds!!!    

Here's how I am doing. I'm off to watch college football.  Oh happy day!

Weight loss: 13 pounds for me, 16 for husband
Any Cheating: I had some sweet potato chips.  They are all natural, organic and had no salt added.  Still felt like cheating.
Mood: Good!
Favorite food: Pineapple, avocado and brussel sprouts
Physical symptoms: 6 mile long run was a bit tough today. I was kind of wishing I had some carbs, or a gel to help out, but I stashed a quarter of a peach at my 4 mile turn around.  I like to think it helped. 
Emotional symptoms: Excitement.  For football food (again- VERY little), and for more weight loss.

Standard Process Cleanse Day 15

Chicken and fish, hooray, hoorah!

That pretty much sums up the past few days.  Still craving some bread, but less so than before.  I really wish I could say that I could say I'm totally zen about veggies, but I am starting to loathe squash. I mean loooooathe. 

 Weight loss:  9.4 chicken and fish added a bit back.  Eeeeek.

Any Cheating:  I had gum today. Onions +  sour tummy.= desperation. I just couldn't take any more. Gum is magical. Just in case you were taking it for granted. 
Mood: Normal. PMS this severe can't be fixed in 15 days.
Favorite food: Avocado and pineapple. Fresh, fresh pineapple.
Physical symptoms: Better sleep, running faster, no longer a total caffeine addict.
Emotional symptoms:  Excited for football food. But only in very very small quantities, lest I have horrible ... umm... bodily reactions.

Standard Process Cleanse Day 11

Guess what?  Today is the day we get to start eating chicken and fish. Hooray, hooray!

Not much more to stay, so here is just a quick check-in.

Weight loss:  10.6. HOLY crap.
Any Cheating:  We ate chicken last night instead of waiting for today. Yeah—we are rebels.
Mood: Normalized.  Maybe even a tad better than normal. :)
Favorite food: Mushrooms and avocado.  And hummus.
Physical symptoms: Better sleep, and no more pain in my kidneys, clear skin and—ahem—weight loss.
Emotional symptoms:  Excited!  But mostly for the weight loss. Other times I just want a cupcake. Or pizza.

Have a great Friday.

Standard Process Cleanse Day 3-7

Phew! I feel pretty much back to normal today.

Days 3 and 4 were mentally the toughest for me.  But I also got to see some really awesome effects of the cleanse during those days, too. 

Most notably, I am sleeping like a CHAMP!  I fall asleep easily, I don't wake up in the middle of the night for no reason, and I'm completely rested when I wake up.  Oh man.  It feels awesome!

Last week came with some issssssh-ues.  I was not happy about being on the cleanse.  I was mad that I was doing it, and not sure why I was doing it.  My favorite story of the week came from my seemingly benevolent giving of blood.  My iron level was higher than average, and my blood pressure was phenomenal.  Too bad that didn't do much for my... um... passing outage.  And what do they give you when you pass out?  Soda.  That's a bit of a problem.

This week will not be without its challenges.  Tomorrow, we are having a food day on my team at work.  This normally means all day eating. Muffins, pizza, chicken, chips & dip, etc.  It was rough when I was just trying to loose weight without the cleanse.  Oh, and the best part?  The "food cube" is right outside mine. Smells... wafting... Buh.

Friday we get to add meat, which is something Husband and I are looking forward to.  A lot of people who have done the cleanse before me have said they don't really feel like adding the meat when the time comes.  That's not me.  Not at all.   

Besides the great sleeping, my favorite part of the cleanse is that I am also losing weight. Here's to more of both! 


Weight loss:  6.6 pounds, and the husband has lost 11!
Any Cheating:  None today. Woot!
Mood: Normalized.  Still craving a stinking sandwich, though. 
Favorite food: Brussel sprouts and mushrooms
Physical symptoms: Better sleep, and no more pains in my kidneys.
Emotional symptoms:  Excited!