I have been growing a lot of muscle, avoiding the kitchen, gaining flexibility and confidence through yoga. But I am not losing weight. Yes, still fixated on that bit.
What is wrong with my formula? I blame the alcohol. I am am alcoholic yogi. Yogi wino?
Most days I eat vegetarian, very little sugar and maybe one alcoholic drink a day on average. Sometimes a bit more because I LOVE wine. My vegetables and wine are accompanied by whole grains and a scattering of nuts. I do eat eggs, cottage cheese. And I am really a "flexitarian" I guess because I eat fish and even other meat from time to time. Maybe 90 grams servings. My plate is usually 2/3 vegetables. Probably cutting back on olive oil would help. But I have to be realistic. I am increasing activity substantially. I always take the uphill if I have a choice, and stairs. My hamstrings are nearly always tight, so I can't sit for long. And I can feel that I have energy for a lot more. I can lift more and have more endurance.
What is left to improve? The alcohol. For the last 2 years I have had no problem living on my one cup of coffee every morning. It's other people that seem to have problem with me not drinking coffee. It seems the same with alcohol. Alcohol is hard to give up, because of habit, and we use it for social bonding. But, I may be coming close to giving it up. It feels very weird to have a alcoholic drink after a yoga session. In fact, I poured a gin and tonic yesterday because it had been a hard day -- a financial issue (quite serious having to do with building rehabilitation) had thrown me off. I poured a drink instead of relaxing into some yoga poses. I had considered doing some stretching on the mat in front of the tv. A simple stretching session can leave you feeling like you had a great massage.
After I poured it I immediately thought of emptying it the drain. I did not enjoy the first sip, I did not enjoy the second. But, I drank up anyway, so not to "waste it". By just drinking that one drink, I turned myself into a waste receptacle.
So, I thought about how I might respond at a restaurant or party when people serve alcohol. If you order nonalcoholic around here .. they look at you like you are a weirdo. And I can't drink coffee other than the morning (otherwise I am pooping all day). So then it is soda water or tap water when I am dining away from home. As many probably can attest, refusing wine or beer is not the accepted norm for a special dinner out or in. Not everything we do is based on habit --- it has to do with wider social habits. It is difficult to break a wide social habit. I have always hated deep fried foods (my stomach!), but going out with friends and families for an casual, affordable "fun" meal often means deep fried foods, pizza, hamburgers, fries, soft drinks or alcohol. I am the weirdo asking what the soup of the day is. I suppose the only way is to lead by example. I simply will order a nice perrier, a wine glass and apple juice for myself the next time I go out.
I post the pic below of some sun salutations. I bend my knees to so I can more through these sequences. Look up Erkhardt or Fiveparks yoga on youtube. they both are great teachers to bring you through yoga poses.
