Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

I am getting so much positive reinforcement today! Thank you Karen for your words of encouragement! I also just checked my mailbox and my sweet trivia prize package from Robert was waiting for me. I have also decided that when I get to the end of January I am going to get myself a present for all my hard work in addition to the VBB prizes. I haven't decided what yet, but it will probably be along the lines of new cross training sneakers. Any vegan sneaker recommendations, btw?

I slept in this morning because I could tell my body needed it. Keep in mind that this means sleeping until 6:30, but it felt AMAZING. Then, during LO's first nap of the day I got in a nice bit of yoga practice which left me feeling really ready to make it today.

I accidently overslept this morning. I know this is becoming a theme, and I really don't know what to do about it other than to listen to my body and go with it. There is most certainly work that needs to be done during that extra hour I gain getting up at 5, but I seem to be getting most of my work done without it... I guess I can go easy on myself a little.

I did the Level 2 of GM's 30 Day Shred again today, and I just have to say that it is really tough for me. It involves a lot of time doing dynamic movements while in plank pose, and plank pose is my single most hated exercise move. It is like hell. I had my little envelope of Vega Pre-Workout Energizer prior to my workout, and I really focused and did my best.

The Vega tasted WAY better than gatorade, and I wish I had some when I was in labour. Labour is simply THE endurance athletic event, and we ought to treat it as such, both with training and nutrition, but we really don't. Many hospitals won't let you have anything to sustain your energy. Can you imagine telling an ultramarathon competitor that he cannot have any fuel during his competition? Plus, the prize you get just for finishing labour is the BEST PRIZE EVER!

Sorry, diatribe.

My damaged knee is really acting up with all this bouncing around. I don't know what to do about it.

I like your new photo! I still need to figure out how to post one. Well, first I'd need to figure out which photo I'd be willing to share...

You're a full-time mom, so I have no doubt you deserve that extra hour sleep in the morning! And if you're still getting everything done that you need to get done, just let it be!

I like Vega stuff, too! I've noticed the pre-workout energizer really helps me stay awake on long drives, too, when I'm feeling drowsy. Just a little tidbit of info that might come in handy someday.

During my run this morning my bad knee and both ankles were killing me. I made it through the workout, but I am altering my plan to allow my joints some time to heal. I will be practicing yoga daily (excluding shabbat) until I am able to procure some decent sneakers. I will then re-assess my situation. This is a total bummer.

Do what you gotta do, girl. Make sure you take good care of yourself.

I took Friday and Saturday off, and wore my Danskos. They are the only shoe I have that supports my feet properly and they are NOT cute. Today is day 1 of my week of only practicing yoga while I let my joints heal. My 40 minute yoga practice was both peaceful and extremely challenging. It needs to be hard, because I don't want to feel like I am forfeiting any gains I have made.

I have been enjoying oatmeal every morning for about a week now. I'm generally a savory breakfast person, but it's been really nice.

I can't weigh myself now because the baby is sleeping in there, but the last time I weighed myself I was at 130.6.

Keep up the good work- sounds tough to get your workout in with a baby to look after but it's great to hear you are taking care of yourself too!!! I too strive for something, or any form of activity 30 min a day!! I drEad getting it going on some days but once started I'm glad I did!! Hang it there & give yourself credit when credit is due!

I completed my yoga practice this morning before Lailah woke up. I have also been doing a little background reading about yoga and I am enjoying myself immensely.

Totally forgot to do this yesterday. It was my husband's first ever day on set, and we went an visited him on his lunch break. Lailah was so excited to see her daddy!

I practiced yoga both mornings, but I had better focus yesterday than I did this morning. I'm not sure why.

I plan to attempt a jog on Sunday, but I want to keep up the daily yoga practice.

This morning started off not so promising: crying baby, a fly kept buzzing me; but (after taking care of the baby) I really brought the focus and had a killer 40 minute workout. I have been doing a bit of reading about yoga to learn how to modify the poses on my DVD to my beginner skill level. I feel that focusing on form is more important than trying to keep up with a tiny bendy yoga instructor.

I seem to have caught up on sleep enough that getting up at 5 is quite easy. I know that this will fluctuate, and I will have to continuously adapt to how my body is feeling.

Restorative yoga practice yesterday. Grouchy baby. Forgot to enter it here. Today is Shabbat, so no requirements, but I'm about to make the hour long walk to synagogue.

I have succeeded in practicing yoga both days this week, but I have utterly failed to go for a jog due to totally valid reasons (absent husband, sick baby). My week has been insane so far, but I have high hopes for it improving. I am exhausted now, but I hope someday to have the time for a real update.

I hope things calm down for you soon, and I look forward to reading "a real update" from you! Let's keep going strong into February!!

I was so disappointed that I didn't get a mentor. I really thought I could do with some support. I had a wonderful time re-forming the habit of fitness in my life, but actually posting on the forum became a real chore. It felt like talking to a wall. I know that if I had put in more time reaching out on other people's forums I probably would have had more feedback on mine, but I am so busy that I frequently had no time to post at all, let alone put any quality time into the forum. I am already very lonely and isolated (no friends, no family within a 12 hour driving radius, and my hubby works 14 hours every day) and the forum seemed to make these feelings stronger. I did, however end up with a daily yoga practice which I never could have foreseen, and which I am finding very rewarding, spiritually & intellectually as well as physically. I guess in the end I didn't need the support after all. Overall I'm glad I did it; RC is so positive & motivating, & my 6 pack is re-emerging.

Hi Gretchen,

Thanks for your helpful feedback. This was our first go around with this program and we have a lot of things to improve upon.

The mentor program worked well, but we received over 100 entries immediately yet could only accommodate the first 50.

We'll find ways to improve it as we move forward. We plan to do a Summer Shape Up Challenge in June or July.

You're in New Orleans? There is a large vegan community there. I've been a speaker at VegFest in New Orleans each of the past two years. Let me know if you want email addresses of people who run the group. It's an awesome community, right in your backyard!

All the very best!

Hope you continue to hang out on the forum. Over time, this can be a great place to build community. It does take time, but I have met most of my best friends through this very forum.

Have a great weekend. Keep on keeping on. Sounds like you're making great progress!

-RC

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