Goal setting - revisiting yoga goals

Remember this post – 3 Yoga poses to master - when I talked about my yoga goals? Well, I’d like to revisit it because I like to hold myself accountable for the things I set out to do (well when I can remember them that is). Yoga is still very much part of my life but I go through phases but I’m just happy it remains in my life. I tried two different yoga studios last year and one them I absolutely love, however, it isn’t that close to me so sometimes laziness does settle in! I still do a lot of Sarah Beth’s yoga videos as I still adore her.

Yoga - 3 poses to master

Last year I enrolled in two yoga classes at TriYoga, they were both so-so to me, but for some reason the second class really ignited a change in me. I’ve practiced yoga on and off for the past 4 years, but after the second class in October I was practicing at least three times a week. It began with a simple sun salutation (I) that was the homework of my class and then after that I was hooked. I’ve mentioned so many times that Sarah Beth Yoga is my go-to place for practicing on YouTube, for me personally she makes a great variety of videos that incorporate different types of yoga (Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative) and different lengths. Her teaching style is one that I can follow and I like her personality. So I began doing two 15-minute videos and then moved into 30 minute videos and then doing two 30-minute ones and soon my practice was up to an hour on the days I practiced. This month I’ve been taking part in the yoga challenge and I’ve missed about 7 days I think, but overall I’ve practiced yoga more this month than ever!

Mark my words.

For me exercise is a love/hate relationship. In the past I have had to force myself into any type of exercise  I really did just loathe it. This year thought I have been really keen on Pilates and then Yoga (and they both count as exercise, they are by no means easy). And then I couldn't do them for a while, so then it all went out of the window. But since July, I've really wanted to actually go to the gym regularly.

So this week, I joined a gym and I have been 4 times so far! I came to London on Friday, so my gym duties are put off until I'm back, but yes, I'm proud of myself! I'm still finding my way around the gym; I've been on the cable pulley thing, as if I'm rowing a boat or so. Been on the cross trainer etc etc. However I find myself with a bit of gym shyness, which is frustrating because I know that in order to get the results I want I need to be using the weights.

I really want to exercise for various reason:

• I want to tone up - no shame in being vain! 
• I want to be able to run for the bus without feeling like death is approaching
• I won't be blessed with a fast metabolism forever, so may as well not pile on the pounds, especially with my diet! 

But in the gym, people stare. Like goodness me, I couldn't imagine anything worse for my SA than a huge room filled with people (this also happens to be filled with equipment). But alas, I did manage to fight the pesky anxiety and use some weight leg machine. I didn't manage to do much and after that I quickly bolted before my anxiety reached an all time high. 

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Anyway gym and fitness can also be confusing, like is stretching before actually bad for you or not? What foods should you eat? Do you really need to take protein shakes? There is SO much information out there about the gym and female bodies, that it's hard to know which one will work for you. For now I've started off by taking on what I can, now I'm drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. Trying out different veg and adding loads to my meals. However staying motivated is what concerns me - with most things I do I throw in the towel after two weeks.

Thing is I feel really great after I workout and it’s really excellent from taking my mind of the blues that frequent me. So it’s a winner overall! Anyway, watch this space for my body transformation (haha). But here are some more words and pictures I use to keep me motivated. 

I actually have this on my noticeboard

How do you stay motivated?

xxx