Yoga Retreat Day One

Wow, my three weeks is almost over - and my yoga weekend just ended.

The yoga retreat was awesome. I met some really neat people, learned more about Semperviva, where I have been going to yoga class, did 5 really good yoga classes, and had a very, very good time because the retreat was exactly what I thought it would be.

I went on the Gulf Islands ferry at 10 am Friday, Aug. 7, as a foot passenger. I hooked up with some of the yoga people and, especially, our leader, Gloria, whom I had not met but who is the owner of Semperviva. Her husband, Scott, gave me and another woman a ride from the ferry to the resort where we were staying: Bodega Ridge Resort.

Everyone was assigned a cabin (a bedroom each and 2 baths and one shower to share). The cabins were log, in a sort of barn design, very basic and utilitarian but with their own charm, part of which was the balcony off the main and the upstairs floors. I had the downstairs bedroom just across from the main bathroom (with tub and shower) and two other women, Jill and Linda, took the upstairs bedrooms, which had a bathroom with toilet and sink. The cabins are housekeeping units, so they had kitchenettes and living rooms, perfect for complete self-sufficiency if you wanted.

But we had a package deal, so we all met happily in the main lodge for a delicious vegetarian lunch. After that, we changed into hiking clothes/footwear and Scott (Gloria spent the day with their 2 daughters at their Galiano cottage and reappeared at dinner time) led us on a 2-hour hike right off the resort property. Galiano is a long, narrow island with a high ridge running along the centre of the island. We hiked from the resort (already a fair ways up from sea level) through the woods and up onto the ridge, which we followed south towards Sturdies Bay (the ferry terminal).

I was a little concerned at first because I was overheating: we were walking in the open, in the sunshine, and going up, and I was wearing my polyester capris. But once we got into the woods it was cooler, and my main worry was maintaining a good pace. I placed myself in the middle of the first of 2 groups, and was able to keep up to the people ahead of me reasonably well; nonetheless, it was yet another wake-up call that I have to work on my cardio the rest of this year.

We hiked on a well-defined trail over some rocks but mostly forest springy mossy ground, quite fresh and delightful, with that beautiful aroma from sun-on-conifers. Scott was a great guide, full of information about the area and where we were; he explained that the east side of the ridge had been logged, but the west side was too steep, and pointed out the old timber stumps. I was impressed by his knowledge of the history of Galiano and his obvious love of sharing it. When we got to the turn-around point (the trail continued southward), we had a fabulous view west and north to, directly west of us, Wallace Island, and Salt Spring and Thetis and so on. Great fun to know that I had been kayaking in the islands to the northwest just the weekend before!

After a break we hiked down again, and my right knee started its thing again. This takes the form of severe pain in the front and outside part of the knee joint which manifests itself after 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking/walking and, most excrutiatingly, when I go downhill. So I was limping fairly soon into the return trip; Scott advised Ibuprofen and ice, and provided an ice pack for me when we got back to the resort. Nonetheless and pain not withstanding, I was very pleased I had done so well and hiked so far!

After a period of icing my knee (actually quite an unpleasant experience, as the skin 'burns' upon contact with the ice) and reading, I made my way over to the lodge, where we had our yoga classes. At 7 pm Gloria led a Kundalini class, and my goodness, that was an eye-opener! Her Kundalini classes involve rap music, dance music, some recognizable yoga poses, and a lot of free movement and dancing! I was drenched in sweat by the end, and euphoric!

Dinner was great fun, and delicious, and I was able to start to get to know my fellow yoga retreatees. Large bottles of both red and white wine were provided, which was a pleasant surprise, and we all had a merry time visiting. But what with the hiking and the yoga 'workout', we all collapsed into bed fairly early.

Yoga no, walk yes

My idea was to go to the 7 am yoga class again for today and tomorrow, but I stayed in bed. Should have gone to yoga.

Did chore stuff today and, in spite of intentions to the contrary, did start a pile of clothes to take to my yoga weekend on Friday. I made a start because I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about what I should remember to take, so I thought it would just be easier to start the pile! Besides, there has been a drastic change in the weather in the past 24 hours, so that it was actually chilly (this being a comparative term) and I realized that if it stays like this for the next few days, I will need the cool-weather clothes that we were told about in the kayaking trip but didn't need.

The yoga weekend will include a couple of 2-hour hikes, so I need to be prepared for that, plus yoga and meditation, plus hanging about in a lodge, which is often a cool-ish activity.

I went to Capers and bought a bunch of fruits and vegetables so there is something healthy to eat here for the next few days and for John if he cares to use them. It was hard going by the deli section, as I skipped breakfast until I could get the fresh fruit.

After breakfast I worked on my computer in a much-need 'getting rid of clutter' exercise. It took almost 3 hours, and I got only a portion done, but I have at least started to clean up my email act. It felt good, and was certainly necessary.

This afternoon I went for a short walk, picked up some bread, and checked out the bookstores up on 10th. I walked 20 minutes, then 15 minutes, so not bad. It was a good temperature for walking, just warm with breezes.

I have spent today trying to eat only very healthy food, with a fruit smoothie for breakfast, and a salad for lunch. Consequently, I am very hungry right now! And I have a headache, but that is not necessarily related.

All in all, a pretty good day with not much done, but what was done, was on target for the improvement project.

Home again

I am home from my Island/kayaking holiday-within-a-holiday. Today was spent getting home (very glad I made a ferry reservation) and then unpacking and putting away bags, etc., and cleaning out the fridge....Finished off by cleaning myself up too, and reconnecting with JR. In a few minutes we are going to our favourite local restaurant for dinner, as I did not have the energy to go grocery shopping and cook.

I am now into my third week of vacation. Nothing has changed for me physically, in the sense that I haven't lost any weight or become obviously fitter, but I have changed: I have more confidence, and more belief in myself. Doing the yoga for 6 days in a row in the first week meant that I set myself a goal and achieved it PLUS I benefitted greatly as I became better at yoga - able to stretch with a greater range and be stronger in the poses. I was proud of myself for sticking to the intention of 6 days in a row, plus how much effort I put into the yoga.

And now, here I am the survivor of 3 days of intensive kayaking. I was able to go further and faster than I expected, plus I have way more confidence in the kayak and in myself having done the underwater self-rescue. I set the goal of doing the 3 days' kayaking and succeeded and flourished, so I am feeling very good about that.

Now, for the next 2 days, I need to go to yoga again (trying not only to get back to where I was a week ago, but also to get ready for my yoga weekend) and shed off the slightly 'hustle' feeling I always get when travelling, in preparation for my yoga retreat this coming weekend.

When I start thinking about how I have to be at the ferry at a certain time, and what I might need to take by way of clothing, etc., I stop myself. I need to ground myself for the next 2 days, and then prep for the weekend Thursday night.

So tonight - off to dinner with JR!

Kayak challenge

I am just back from 3 days of kayaking, sore, very stiff, aching all over, and enormously proud of having done the trip. My friend Bonnie did a similar trip in June, including the infamous 'wet exit' - having now done it, I think she understated her achievement greatly!

Later I will describe the trip in The Bee Diaries; for now, for the purpose of this venue, let me say that I set out to do a trip that I knew would be challenging given my level of fitness, and I did it! I am sunburned as hell, have a huge black and blue bruise on one leg and doubtless others I haven't found yet, but I paddled a kayak for many kilometres, successfully did a wet exit AND a tee rescue, survived a night camping (ok, that is not so formidable an accomplishment, I admit), and here I am, freshly showered and clutching a cold pale ale, going YAHOO!

Sailing away

Yesterday we chose sailing. I was wanting to see Rob's new furler gear in action, and the idea of sailing appealed to me more than the speed boat. As others agreed, we packed up sailing gear and went out in Rob's 27' Catalina. (Unfortunately, Therese wasn't interested in sailing, although she would have gone power-boating with us.)

It was not quite as hot on Friday as the previous day, and there was wind, so it was quite comfortable out on the water. The hazy overcast helped too. We left the house about 10 am, so probably got sailing about 10:45 or so. We motored out of Ladysmith Harbour and hoisted sails in a nice breeze - probably 8 knots or so. The new sails on Rob's boat are wonderful, and the furling gear is so easy to use!

Sailing is something I feel deeply in my soul. It is so much about the journey, rather than the destination. Even though much of my sailing experience has occurred in race conditions, where the outcome is important, sailing has always been, for me, about being in the moment. Where we are going is less important than how we are getting there: could the main be adjusted, is the headsail set for optimum speed, should the traveller be higher? etc. These are not huge issues when cruising, it's just fun to get the most out of the boat at that moment. And over all is the beautiful feeling of gliding through the waves and over the water, an affinity with nature that claims me on a sailboat, at any speed.

Yesterday we started out in low-medium wind, then had no wind and ended up motoring past Thetis towards Valdes, where we could see other boats had wind, whereupon we suddenly were close-hauled, traveller down, in 15 + knots of wind. Rob and I were enjoying it very much, but we decided instead of continuing to beat up around Thetis to go downwind, back the way we had come, to keep our passengers more comfortable - they didn't like the 15 degree heel. At the tip of Thetis we ran completely out of wind, managed to sail a little further on cats' paws, then were becalmed and forced to motor around Coffin Pt. and home.

A bonus for me in this sailing trip was that I was on the helm for most of the day, including bringing the boat into its slip (with the very necessary help of Rob on the engine, of course). I don't get to helm very often, so it was a real treat for me.

Today, Saturday, we are off, Nikki, Elsa and I, for our great adventure - a women-only weekend kayaking trip!

Update

Here I am at Rob's in Saltair, on the Island, with my sister, Elsa. We came over on the 10:15 from Tsawassen yesterday, a pleasant sea voyage of almost 2 hours. I have yet to do any exercise - I haven't done anything the last 3 days.

Wednesday was the hottest day of the year, and the only thing I did was walk around with the grandkids and paddle in the ocean - it was just too hot! And yesterday, we visited with Rob and Nikki, then drove to Nanaimo and visited with Rae and Ross, going to the Dinghy Dock Pub for dinner. While all of this involved some perambulation, it also involved imbibing cold beer and cool wine, so not so healthy, although definitely fun!

Today we are going to go out in a boat, we just haven't decided whether it will be the sailboat or the motorboat.

In lieu of

I went for a walk this morning in lieu of yoga - only 30 minutes, but I give myself points for getting out at all. I had breakfast and then walked around the neighbourhood, getting back before 10 a.m. Even then, I returned to the house sweating profusely, it was already so hot.

The rest of the day I spent moving a small portable fan to whatever room I was going to spend time in, so that I could dry off. It is such a curse to sweat the way I do when it's humid. It doesn't happen in normal circumstances, but I sure react to humidity.

I remember how awful it was for me the summer I was pregnant with Jordan, living in Ontario. He was born in November, and I spent the hot and humid summer of '73 trying to stay cool with not much success - we didn't buy an air conditioner until much later, when we lived in our townhouse. Whenever we could, we went to one of the malls, where we could windowshop in air-conditioned delight. It didn't help that I was absolutely huge when I was pregnant, so I felt,and looked, like a perspiring elephant!

This heat wave, on record as being a record, has certainly interfered with my plans to be very active on these holidays.

I did notice, today, that thanks to my yoga camp the week before, I have much more mobility in stretches - that makes me feel very good!

Heat 3, Bee 0

Well, the heat won, today. I went out to shop - clothes for little Maya and Sam in Ontario, and chicken for dinner tonight, then vegged at home. JR and I sat in the living room reading, with the fan oscillating directly on us. He ended up downstairs in his office; I ended up having a lie-down on the couch, with the fan all to myself. I rarely nap because I don't actually fall asleep, and I always get up with a headache, but I was so tired that I couldn't not lie down.

Of course, this meant that I did no exercise. It seemed as though today was just about surviving. I struggled just to make potato salad and a green salad for dinner - I certainly wasn't capable of anything more imaginative.

At 5:00 I had to jump in the car to drive across town to China Creek Park to meet Mel and give her the gifts for Maya and Sam, whom she will see later this week when she and Liam go to Ontario. I sat in the car with the air conditioning until she arrived a few minutes later; I couldn't believe she was going to do Boot Camp!! That would have killed me! Then back across town heading right into the sun - all I can say is hooray for car air conditioning! When I got home, all cool in my air-conditioned car, I experienced a flashback to living in Ontario and its high humidity, because I almost melted when I got out of the car and into the true heat. That is so much of my memories of London, Ontario - the contrast between the horrible heat and humidity outside, and the lovely air conditioned inside.

I had a couple of beer while we were sitting out in the yard watching JR cook on the barbie, but mostly I was gulping down water. Apparently this heat wave is good for something - my wine habit can't take the heat either!

I will have to pick up the torch tomorrow morning by going to yoga at 7 a.m. And that will be dependent on the type of sleep I get tonight, in the heat. If I don't go to yoga, I hereby undertake to do something here at home in lieu of.

Heat is a barrier

I may have run into a serious roadblock: It is 25 degrees here, and heading hotter. It is also humid - and humidity is my enemy.

Yesterday I almost died of the heat, working as we were in the top floor of the townhouse. I couldn't keep cool even with fans blowing - I had sweat running off me. Given that I am generally hotter than people around me at normal temperatures, the heat sends me over the top. I was able to function only by really concentrating on the job at hand, and feeling good about what we were accomplishing.

But today, although it is clear (unlike yesterday morning, which started cloudy) and breezy, I am still already feeling lethargic and tired out. I went into the back yard where JR is reading and did a temperature check: it's hot, not unbearably so, but I think still too hot for a walk over to Dunbar street. I want to go to a children's shop there to buy something for a friend's little ones, but I think I shall drive.

So I will have to come up with something to do today that isn't aerobic exercise in the sun. If the studios were cooler, I would do a yoga class, but the Sun one at Broadway and Trafalgar, where I go most often, has no windows or doors, so I am not tempted. I will attend the 7 am class there tomorrow.

My choices for avoiding the sun seem to be: cycling on the stationary bike, lifting weights, doing my own yoga, or perhaps walking when it is cooler - if that happens!

I'll have to think of something!

After having 3 beers yesterday as I was working on the floor, (plus even more water), I am determined for today and tomorrow to cut back on calories. I have to cook dinner for Mits and Pete this evening, but it will be simple - bbq chicken and salad and new potatoes. No baking, not in this heat!

Alternate forms of exercise

Today I did not go to yoga, nor did I undertake any aerobic exercise....I spent many hours installing laminate flooring. John and I drove the kids back to White Rock, to the 'new' house, and spent the rest of the day (from 11 am to 6 pm) working on the upstairs bedrooms and hall.

We swept the floors, laid sub-flooring sheets, and clicked and installed beautiful cherry-coloured laminate floor boards. We got all of the bedrooms done and left the hall for Kerri's brother and father!

Both JR and I are so stiff now that we can hardly move.

It felt wonderful to help Jordan and Kerri and the kids, and I think Liam and Mel felt the same way. Liam was our overseer, telling us how to get the flooring laid down correctly, with minimum fuss.

And at the end of it, when we were sitting enjoying a beer, Liam and Mel told us that they are pregnant - yippee!

Beginning Week Two

Yesterday, Saturday, I began my second week where I started my first - at the 8 a.m. class on Granville Island.

I can tell that this location is considered desirable: the people there seem more 'trendy' although I'm not sure I could really explain that. There are many people there, considering it's 8 a.m. on a Saturday; there were even more people waiting for the 9:30 class as we left - I know I wouldn't like that one! As it is, the 8 o'clock class is full enough, with people all around me. The instructor, Susan, is very good - this is obviously her regular gig, and she is inspiring and practical.

The class is held upstairs in a building behind Emily Carr, in a room that has doors and windows facing False Creek. While this marine aspect is appealing, on a hot day it can be overwarm, as the sun comes right into the studio through the windows on 2 sides. I have decided that while the light and the marine view are appealing, I find the class has too many people for me to want to take any more classes there.

Saturday morning was my 6th yoga class in a row, something I am very proud of, as I so often quit these undertakings before they're over. I was stiff, but I definitely felt some things were getting, finally, easier for me to do!

After yoga I went to White Rock and picked up Julian and Mackenzie, and spent the rest of the day entertaining children. I took them to the beach, and we had a wonderful time in the ocean, jumping waves. I think that repeatedly lifting a 4-year-old in and out of waves is aerobic excercise!

Cardio at last

I 'slept in' this morning, in that I chose not to get up early, but to stay in bed until 7:45, missing my 7 a.m. yoga class. Instead, I had breakfast, then went to the 9:30 class. I had the pleasure a couple of times of realizing, in the middle of a pose, that I was bending more into the pose - in other words, progress had been made!

After yoga, I went home and, eventually, got myself out for a walk. In the morning it had been cloudy and threatening, but by mid-afternoon it was sunny and hot and I felt obliged to get out and actually do aerobic stuff. I walked for 34 minutes, heading west along the avenues, and then north to Safeway, and back. I was rather bored, as all of it was so familiar, but it was very important for me to do some cardio, when I had so long avoided it.

Felt a difference

Today in yoga I actually felt, in a few of the poses, a difference - an increase in the ability to do the pose, a sinking into the pose more deeply.

And there were the poses that I could hardly do, including one I couldn't do at all because of having short arms and big torso!

Different teacher again - Alli - who did a lot of floor poses. One interesting twist: she read a quotation while we were holding a pose, which I thought was neat and which I liked very much. She showed me the book afterwards - 'Meditations from the Mat' I think was the title. It was about education at school - math, history, etc. - and education in life, which is probably why I liked it.

I did notice I had a lot more sinus drainage during the yoga class, so I'm guessing this is the result of my Bowen treatment yesterday. Manon had said that I might feel a loosening up, and I certainly had to clear my throat quite a bit at the beginning of the class.

I woke up several times during the night noticing that I wasn't stuffed up, which was amazing!

Food-wise, I am finding that I am eating less at one sitting; e.g. making one piece of toast instead of two....I can always get more later if I need it. So I am improving my eating habits without dieting, which is the plan.

Now, today will be a challenge. I am going to lunch with a group from work - Chinese food where I will have little choice on what is ordered. I will have to just eat little bits and focus on the healthiest. Then it's off to Rae's for Karen's 'Aloha Karen' party, where there will be a lot of food and drink, so I will have to watch mayself without completely abstaining.

Feeling stronger

Today I noticed that I am feeling stronger. I haven't improved in yoga much, but I am starting to feel more aware of myself physically in a way that seems....stronger.

The teacher for this morning's class was the same as yesterday, although she did a different program. As usual, it was very good, and I came home hungry and glowing. I believe the whole immersion in yoga is having side effects - I drive more slowly both to and from yoga. My awareness of things around me feels heightened, too.

As all practitioners know, the practice of yoga has a strong spiritual side - nothing overt - and I think I'm benefiting from that, too. All of the teachers have mentioned things like awareness, mindfulness, etc. while we are doing the poses; it really helps, I find, to be reminded of the mind-body connection and reassured that it isn't just all about the physical activity.

I would say the spiritual side of yoga practice is what is engaging me, so much more than the boot camps I attended in the spring. Of course, boot camps are very useful as a way of getting people involved in regular exercise; it's just that for me, the serenity of yoga is what I need right now and am appreciating very much, rather than the busy-ness that is boot camp.

Another good thing today was to go for another Bowen treatment - I had gone to one last week because of my hip pain, and I asked Manon about having a treatment for my ongoing sinus congestion. So that's what I did today. Having a Bowen treatment is blissful - I struggle to stay awake, I become so relaxed. I won't know for a few days if it did the trick with the sinuses, but I am hopeful. Certainly Bowen got rid of my frozen shoulder, which has helped me in my yoga practice.

Again, no cardio - a beautiful, hot day was delightful to observe and to drive around in, but I was not inspired to go for a walk, especially since the only time available to me today was in the hottest part of the day!

But I am ok with what I am doing, in fact, more than ok. I have been faithful in doing my food journal as well as going to yoga, and I continue to look for ways to improve without throwing on the equivalent of a hair shirt!

The integration dance

Sitting here at 10:15 thinking OK, how did I spend my day? Am I on target? Well, yes, and hmmmmm.....

I went to my second yoga class at 7 am. Different teacher, very good, different set of people. Thoroughly enjoyed it, plus felt enormously virtuous because it was the second-in-a-row....

Home for breakfast and the paper. I must say, the paper takes a lot of time...probably have to rethink the reading-it-in-the-morning thing. Cleaned the upstairs bathroom, stem to stern, and the kitchen sink, the went to Fourth Avenue/Capers. I bought a pair of yoga pants and a top (identical to last week's top) at Lululemon, as a reward for my diligence with attending classes.

Shopped at Capers, stocking up on excellent organic veggies for salads, and then home. After much deliberation, I had bought some veggie-wash stuff, so then spent 1.5 hours washing all the fruits and vegetables I had bought at Capers. We now have a fridge-full of the cleanest, best-for-you veggies and fruits we've ever had.

Now. I had been planning, as well as the yoga, to do some aerobic exercise every day. I find that I have been copping out on this, I think because I am so proud of myself for doing the 7am yoga class that I am allowing that to give me a free pass for the rest of the day. PLUS it is really hot by the afternoon. The result is that I am not doing any cardio so far. To be fair, I spent a long time bringing home the veggies, cleaning, and storing them, and after that, I sat and read for awhile....

But that is not getting me closer to my fitness goal, so I need to try harder. I have to balance my fitness goals with the practical things I have to do (one of the disadvantages of STAYCATIONS is, perhaps, the fact that one is still at home with the concomitant chores begging for attention). Tomorrow, I will go to yoga again. I SHOULD walk also, but here's the lineup: I have to get groceries, make a pie for the dinner I am attending on Thursday, do my online banking, and get to my Bowen treatment by 4 pm. Then I am riding my motorcycle to White Rock to hear Jordan and some friends play at his house. Not quite sure when I'm fitting walking into all of that.....

But overall, still positive - pleased with my commitment to yoga, and determined to move ahead with the cardio.

Progress is being made

I did it - I went to the 7 am yoga class! I got up about 6:10, had a wee snack, and went off to the main Semperviva classroom at Trafalgar and Broadway. It was a very good class concentrating on core strength, something I need lots of. At first I thought I had misread the schedule, as there were 5 or 6 men waiting for the class and no other women, but then lots of both genders came. It was nice, though, that the class was not crowded.

I am stiff now, from taxing muscles unfamiliar with doing much, so I will have to be careful, but I am planning on going tomorrow morning at 7 am again.

After reading the paper and having a proper breakfast, I went to see my Energy healer, Terry. She is working through the Langara College energy healing course, and gives me treatments for free. She is very good, and spends lots of time conversing before the treatment, making sure she knows where I am not just physically, but emotionally as well, honouring the mind-body connection. I arrived early for my 1 o'clock appointment, so shopped a bit on Main Street before my session. What with conversing and actual treatment, I was with Terry from 1 - 3 pm. I ended up rushing a bit, as I had an appointment downtown at 5 pm.

On this day, my first real vacation day, I earned $75!! I was invited to participate in a focus group to discuss how I felt about ICBC. There were 6 of us, all women (we saw a group of 6 men waiting for their turn when we left) of varying ages. The moderator asked questions, and we answered. The overall concensus was that ICBC was not a nice organization to have anything to do with. When asked to sum it up in a word, things like 'monopoly', 'bureaucratic' 'intimidating' and my own word, 'sneaky' were used to describe ICBC. We were told that there were people watching our group behind the two-way glass at the end of the room, and no doubt there were ICBC people among them, so they got quite an earful.

The company that was doing the focus group is called Synovate, and we use them at work: people in a focus group talk about how they have been treated by WorkSafeBC, and our Entitlement Officer trainees watch from behind the glass.

Anyway, it was different, and it was quite entertaining, and it was the easiest $75 I've ever earned! I have included the experience here because the BeeFreeThree is about integrating change, and I had never done anything like a focus group before.

So on Day One of 'My Project, Myself', I have gone to early yoga, had an energy treatment, and done a focus group. I think I am honouring the intent quite well, so far.

One of my intentions is to do yoga as often as possible/I like, this next 3 weeks. I did the 8 am class on Saturday, and felt as though I had made a huge effort to get there, considering that it was, indeed, Saturday and early but YIKES I have just discovered that there is no 8 am class the rest of the week - if I want to start out with yoga, bright and early, I shall have to go to a 7 am class. While I do believe that an early start is excellent on a day off, I was hoping for 8 o'clock classes this week....snivel!

I did not manage any aerobic activity today, but I rode my motorcycle for a good bit of time - not aerobic, of course, but definitely requiring a significant outlay of physical effort.

It is after 11 pm, and I have just spent the last 40 minutes playing a computer game and I am on my third glass of wine. That on top of popcorn and butter at the movie theatre (we went to the Paramount downtown and saw 'Up') is a heavy dose of non-nutritional calories. All I can say is - I didn't get the candies I wanted!!

So food-wise today (recorded duly in my food journal) I didn't do well, but that is not what this is about. I ate what I normally would have on a Sunday with John. And I had fun. And I didn't have chocolate when I could have, given my twisted assessment of worth meaning that candy at movies is ok....

And I'm sure enjoying this wine....

Following through

I started off Day One by doing what I had said I would do - I went to yoga. This was significant for several reasons: I actually followed through with a plan to go to a class, I signed up for a month, I tried a new location, and I got up at 7:10 a.m. in order to do it!

I have a long history of starting classes and not continuing them. But about 2 weeks ago I told myself to 'Just do it' and try Semperviva Yoga, which had been recommended by a friend. I bought a week's pass and went 3 times, proving to myself that I could stick with something, and thoroughly enjoying the yoga as well. Then, last week, I didn't renew my pass to yoga - I was too busy after work to go to the classes. So I was in danger of, once more, not following through, hence the importance of getting up early and going to the 8 am class.

Another bad habit of mine is to stick to the familiar. I had gone only to the 'Sun' studio for the original 3 classes, so I decided that I would try the 'Sea' class on Granville Island. This was a challenge, because I prefer to go to what I know rather than venture into the unknown, but I did it - it may seem small, but it is important to me.

I also started a food journal - lots of history of not following through with those, too, so it will be a challenge for me to continue with it. Partly because I forget, and a lot because I cringe at writing down what I have eaten. But I am going to do it - after all, I'm the only one who will be reading it, and I have promised to be mindful AND honest.

So I have begun my project. My final first step was to clean my office, and thus my space, so that I could embark on this journey with a clean slate, free of clutter.

Day One

This blog, BeeFreeThree, was named in honour of my three-week vacation, which starts today. In the next three weeks I am going to free myself of old habits and bad practices, and gain in fitness and health. I want to see what is possible for a 61-year-old woman who has challenged herself to finally DO something about being overweight and out-of-shape.

I am NOT going on a diet; however, I intend to change some things about the way I choose what to eat. I am not rushing off to the gymn, either, as it is summer and I have a new bike and a kayak to play with; however, I have joined a yoga group and intend to practise regularly.

I have committed to keeping a food journal, and to documenting my journey to increased fitness and health honestly and mindfully on this blog.