by Flow, April 11th, 2012

By Rebecca Bliss Plenter

Thank you to our 25-Day Challenger Rebecca Bliss Plenter (second from left) for her contribution to the Flow Blog!

I signed up for the 25-day challenge with the idea of it being a birthday gift for myself.  I would devote this time to improve my strength, technique, flexibility, calmness, and balance.  As the challenge start date came closer, I felt quite nervous.  I thought to myself, “Am I physically capable of completing this endeavor?”  I knew that there was no turning back, for once I commit to something, I am determined to complete the task, or I would disappoint myself.

So the challenge began, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the process.  In order to fit the days into my schedule, I started attending classes that I normally would not have taken prior to this challenge, for example the 6 AM classes.  Now, I plan on participating in these classes in the future, for I loved the feeling of stretching during the sunrise.  It was the perfect start to my day. My husband was very supportive and got our son ready for school these mornings.

One of my goals in life is to keep as physically fit as possible to keep up with my almost eleven-year-old son.  I am an avid golfer, and I enjoy tennis as well.  My golf and tennis game greatly improved this month, thanks to my increased strength and flexibility.  This month really proved to me that I am now a lifetime yoga student, for, as I grow older, I feel that this practice provides wonderful continual rehabilitative care for the body and soul.

I could not have completed this challenge without the fantastic support of the gifted Flow Yoga teachers and my fellow students.  Every class that I participated in, I was greeted with a smile and words of encouragement.  I am already looking forward to the next challenge!

Categories Reflections
by Flow, November 11th, 2011

Greetings Flow(ers),

Refined sugar, saturated fats, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.  My diet was loaded with them. No wonder I was sluggish, irritable, gaining weight and suffering from migraine. Last Fall I removed most of these things from my diet and was delighted with the results. I had more energy, my yoga practice was evolving, and according to my doctor, my blood pressure and weight both went down. Oh and those migraines – they vanished!

This Fall, I decided to try a detox in conjunction with Flow Yoga’s 25 day challenge. Since it was my first attempt at detoxing, I chose to detox during the day by enjoying a green juice/smoothie for breakfast, soup and/or salad for lunch followed by a regular, healthy dinner.

Here’s what I learned:

- Don’t let the color fool you – green smoothies are surprisingly good. The trick is finding the ingredients you like so that you will want to drink it! Even though my 7 day detox officially ended two weeks ago, I still have – and look forward to – my green smoothie each morning.

- Try a handful of kale in your morning smoothie – not only is it packed with nutrients, it’s delicious.

- Getting up just a half an hour earlier will allow you time to stretch, make a green smoothie or juice, and pack a healthy lunch.

- Don’t wait until you are hungry to think about what you will eat.  A little planning will help you make healthier choices and save money.

- Schedule yoga – or whatever exercise you enjoy – just like you would schedule a doctor appointment.  Put it on the calendar.

- Eating out is more expensive than buying healthy, organic foods.

- We all need fat in our diets. Olive oil and avocado are good fats esp. on a salad! Raw foods are better for our digestive systems than fiber. Who knew??

- Having a beverage with a meal actually hinders digestion.

- Don’t be so hard on yourself.  If you slip up, no big deal. Just begin again and focus on your accomplishments.

- It is much easier to fold, twist and bind in yoga class when your body is not full of processed foods.

- Frozen coconut milk – SO delicious! 

Congratulations to my fellow detoxees/challengers for a job well done! Here’s to healthy living!

Suzy

Categories Yoga Diet & Nutrition
Flow Yoga – Leesburg, Virginia Yoga Studio
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