Let’s Try Again

January 14, 2011

This morning started off with a fizzle when I woke up late, having missed my 5:30am spin + yoga class, and an appointment with my therapist (everyone needs a healthy mind). Bah.

The day could only go up from there! I got some good things accomplished at work, although the confidence issue came back up again. I think I’ll take the advice some of you mentioned in that post: fake it till you make it. That plus the therapy will hopefully help me figure out why I’m holding back. It’s frustrating, because (without sounding egotistical) I am well educated, have good ideas, work hard, volunteer, love life, etc. I don’t have anything to hide. Yet my voice is being silenced by my mind for whatever reason.

After getting home from work, I decided to try The Biggest Loser yoga DVD again since I missed my morning workout. If you remember, I had some trouble with it last time. So, I tried again. I tried to get video again, but there just isn’t a good place to put the camera where you can see my workout when I’m standing up. Instead, here are some stills from it:

My downward dog doesn't look too bad.

And my plank was okay too, although I can't tell if my butt really is too high or if that's just the "padding" I have LOL. It certainly didn't feel like I could go lower without back strain.

Lilly was really confused what the device was on the stairs leading to the basement. She checked it out, while I showed the camera my butt.

I attempted the previously failed side plank and kind of got there, but not for long.

When I was doing this stretch I thought "huh! I am pretty flexible"

But then I realized at the next stretch I can touch my toes with my legs straight out! I wish you could see my feet, but my hands are on my toes. Haven't been able to do this in a LONG time- my stomach was in the way.

My point behind the photos is to show that anyone can do something. Get a DVD, try something new, do something you didn’t think you can do. And if you don’t do well the first time, keep trying. And then try some more. Don’t ever, ever, ever give up! I’ve lost 95 pounds, but I’m still a 360 pound morbidly obese gal. No excuses.

What are some things you want to try, but haven’t because of past failures or setbacks? Have you actually done something that you never thought you could do? Please share in the comments.

  • http://colormeuntypical.blogspot.com Untypically Jia

    Honestly, I’ve been afraid to try yoga. I just don’t think my body will work with me. Of course I forget that it takes time and that I’m still new at this.

    • http://www.chasingthenow.com maria @ Chasing the Now

      Try The Biggest Loser Yoga DVD. I love it and while it is challenging, you can do moves in the way that works for your body.

  • http://www.chasingthenow.com maria @ Chasing the Now

    That downward dog looks great!

    I would lengthen out your plank a little more to get your butt in line with the rest of your body. Give it time and it will happen! :)

  • http://tomatoesinlove.wordpress.com/ Lisa

    Amazing! You are super flexible. And inspiring. Good job, girl.

    Also, yoga always helps me calm my mind and get things in order. Might help with some of your confidence troubles. :)

  • http:///darnfitness.wordpress.com Reinaldo

    I’m scared of Yoga too. I’m like the King of Stiffness!! OMG… well, you know what I meant. I can’t touch my toes and my shoulders extends only to 45°, not the normal 90°…

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  • http://www.yogag33k.com Courtney

    Great job Emmie! that’s a great looking downdog! :)

  • http://crankypants-crankypants.blogspot.com/ Gryph

    Go Emmie! That’s awesome. I love yoga, but sometimes I feel like my weight gets in my way of my flexibility, but I keep trying!

  • Sinclair

    You are such an inspiration! Keep up the great work – on all fronts! :-)
    on the plank issue and back strain… I still have about 90 lbs to lose and have found that as my abs are getting stronger, it helps in a LOT of things to lessen the lower back strain (i also have back issues). Core work is SO great. It sucks when you can’t “see” the results due to “padding”, but I can SO tell that my core is SO much stronger. It’ll come!

  • http://TamsynSimon.com Tamsyn

    I think your downward dog is perfect! I haven’t quite been able to fully extend my legs yet… and I’m a dance teacher. It’s sad, I know. I’m super flexible, but that position and I don’t see eye-to-eye yet. lol Keep up the yoga! You can do it!!! After just a week I felt so much stronger. I live for that relaxation pose at the end. lol

  • http://www.anna-walker.blogspot.com Anna Walker

    I really ought to try yoga sometime…I have a hard time “relaxing” and I don’t know if I could do the whole mediation part of it, but maybe it’s worth a try. If it’s good for core muscles and can help with my back pain, maybe it’s all worth it!

  • http://www.bellainlapbandland.com Bella

    I love doing Bikram (hot) yoga, even though I am by far the biggest girl in there. I don’t care, though, because I love the way it make me feel afterward. Plus, they tend to go a bit slower than a regular yoga class, because of the heat.

    I’ve also tried (and really like) aqua aerobics & swimming, but it was MAJOR to get me to get into a swimsuit in front of other people. Now I figure, that people can think what they want, at least I’m moving my body.

    The one thing I haven’t tried yet is spinning. I’m still scared of it. I don’t know if I’ll be able to ride standing up. I think I need to just go and see what happens. Because I can do anything for 60 minutes, right?

    • http://www.anna-walker.blogspot.com Anna Walker

      Riding standing up super sucks, but my instructor lets me sit if I need a break. Her thing is just to keep my heart rate up as much as I can, and not to push too hard.

  • MissRed

    Hi! I’d like to say first of all that you are my hero, and I think you are doing amazing! I think it takes a lot to “do it the hard way” from where you started and where you want to end up, and your attitude and posts about exercise has really inspired me to do more, and be less concerned about what others think. Thank you :)

    Second, in regards to your plank, I’ve been doing pilates for quite a while now, and yeah, your plank should be straighter. You really need to use your core hard, and your butt too. I also think your hands may be too far forward, your arms really should be straight up and down. That said, as my instructor always tells me, “listen to your body”. If you really believe you’re gonna strain something, don’t push it.

  • http://anewertammy.com Tammy

    Okay my second stop by here and that’s it, I’m adding you to my list of favorites. You are amazing and such an inspiration.

    I would love to be able to do Yoga. I have been sedentary for so many years that my body is stiff and creaks like I’m 90 years old (no offense to people in their 90′s). One reason I haven’t tried it yet is that for some years now I have not been able to get on the ground and be on my knees. Extreme pain hits and it’s not the knees my just below them – high shin area. I haven’t tried since I’ve lost 30 lbs so maybe I should. I’ll keep trying every 20 lbs or so.

    From the photos, you look pretty flexible to me. Keep at it.

  • http://beccarunsboston.wordpress.com Becca

    I’m super impressed with your flexibility! That second to last stretch you posted? I can’t can’t nearly that far into a splits position – i’m jealous! Maybe i should start working on more yoga :-)

  • http://musingsofmaia.blogspot.com Maia

    Congrats that awesome! You should try and find a yoga class. I have never sweated so much in my LIFE than a yoga class. Like, a waterfall falling down my arm (and I don’t usually sweat much!)

    What a wonderful way to show how much further you’ve come!

  • http://biglifelittleblog.blogspot.com emily (Big Life, Little Blog)

    I’ve wanted to be a regular practitioner of yoga for awhile now, but it really intimidates me. I’ve done a couple hot yoga classes, but I ddnt stick with it b/c of cost. I’m trying my first group class on Monday, so maybe I should check out this dvd too? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

  • Kris

    You’re an inspiration SE. Keep it up! I love yoga for many more reasons than fitness.

  • LHA

    Bravo and thanks for sharing. Very inspiring!

  • http://www.freeangela.blogspot.com Angela

    That is awesome! I cannot, cannot get my downward dog to look like that – my stupid hamstrings always tighten up on me. I guess I just have to keep trying:)

  • http://workoutsforhome.com Susan@Home Workouts

    Hey Emmie, lookin good on those yoga moves! If you are still having trouble with the side plank you could try a modified version of it and use the side of your knee instead of the side of your foot. Build up to the feet!

  • lesli

    I say your side plank looks awesome. I can’t yet bring my hips off the floor.

  • http://daniinnc.blogspot.com Dani in NC

    You’ve hit upon one of my big hurdles when it comes to exercise videos. If I can’t do the moves perfectly the first time, I have a tendency to give up. I have to keep reminding myself that even if I’m not doing the moves perfectly, I’m still burning more calories than I would be sitting on the couch.

    As for something I want to do, I would really like to build my stamina enough to get through a bhangra workout. I love doing those moves like the ones I’ve seen in Bollywood musicals, but the dancing goes so quickly that after 10 minutes I’m spent. I can’t even get through the Bhangra Kids video, which I thought would be easier!

  • http://adirtymartinikindofgirl.blogspot.com/ missmarisol

    Good for you Emily! I tried the Biggest Loser Workout 2 this weekend and boy was I a loser. But not the good kind. After about 20 minutes, I had to stop. I hurt all over and even on Sunday. But I was glad that I tried it. Now I know that the next time I attempt it I will at least do 21 minutes.

    When I first started with the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs, I could barely do the 1 mile. Now I am up to the 4 mile and pretty damn happy about it.

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