Resetting the Compass – Day 26
Today was my first day back to yoga in five days after being laid up with a cold. On the way there I was thinking I felt pretty good and I could handle this today. When I got there, I found a new teacher I’ve never seen before. I checked in and she asked my name then I said I come everyday, but this was my first day back after being sick. (I wanted her to know this may not go well today.) I put my mat down and thought I better get some tissues just in case. Even though I felt fine, I didn’t trust my nose to not suddenly stuff up and suffocate me in the heat. Clearly I had shaky expectations of how I was going to do today, especially with a new teacher. I did fine. She was excellent on all counts – even on window opening. I had one of the best classes I ever had. After class she told me because I came in with the attitude that I was just going to relax and take it slow, I actually did more than if I had come in anxious and was going to give it my all.
Getting in my car I got to rethinking that conversation. After almost a year and a half of Bikram yoga, I learned to “check in” with myself daily. It occurred to me I always check in with how I feel and how I’m going to approach the class everyday on my drive there. After I get home that continues. Going downstairs to switch the yoga laundry everyday I go around the bottom of the stairs and as I head to the dryer I say to myself, “Wow, I feel great today!” or “Man, I’m wiped out today”. Then I use these cues to decide food, exercise, and activities for the rest of the day.
I never remember in my whole life ever pausing to check in with myself during the day. I certainly never used how I felt to assess what my body might need in the way of food or exercise. I wouldn’t realize I was exhausted until nine at night and all day I’d grab whatever was around when I was starving. I’ve learned, without trying, to become more aware of how my body “works” and reacts to the things I do everyday through this year and a half of yoga. Another positive, long-term effect of my Bikram practice that has made my life better and healthier.
This morning, a magazine blurb entitled “Cure for the Crankies” caught my eye. Seems that when we deprive our body completely of carbs it affects our mood in a negative way. I totally agree with that because when I was doing the P.I.N.K reset and could only eat vegetables and protein, it really had an adverse affect on my mood by 2pm. I made a simple change and solved the problem. I have one slice of whole grain bread for breakfast, have their protein shake for lunch after yoga, a healthy vegetable and protein dinner, and Greek yogurt before bed and not only is my sugar level stable throughout the day, but so is my mood, along with no hunger or cravings. Without being so “linked in” with myself, I would’ve never picked up on any of this, or known how to adjust it. I just would’ve thrown in the whole program and resumed couch potato position. Being “linked in” has taught me to pay attention to how food affects the way I feel, not only physically, but emotionally, too.
And so, as another day goes by, I need to stay “linked in” to myself this year to continue to make positive health changes, and ….I have written.
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