I've decided that this new diet has me eating like a farmhand. Granted, not the same kinds of foods a farmhand might ingest, but it feels like my week two meal sizes are in line with someone fueling for a hard day of physical labor.
Of course, this is from the perspective of a former grazer/light daily eater. The average breakfast used to be (if I ate one at all), fruit with yogurt, maybe some toast, and that would hold me until lunch. But that was the BEFORE time. Today's breakfast? Baked zucchini, yellow squash, red onion and peppers, topped with two eggs fried in a little olive oil. PLUS, two slices of whole grain toast and half a cup of greek yogurt. It was all out delicious, but WHEW!
What really knocks me out is that I was actually hungry for the mid-morning snack and lunch.
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Another adjustment has been making time for BOTH the PCP workout regimen and my regular yoga practice (oh yeah, and work). I'm giving PCP the priority, so yoga has been taking a back seat the last two days. Poopers!
I should be able to make time to hit the mat tomorrow and again this weekend, but I wrestle with it a bit. Part... er, scratch that... most of that struggle is mental. I know this level of cross-training will make me a lean, green, yoga machine, but in weeks to come these PCP workouts will become more time intensive. Just how much yoga can I push off and still feel dedicated to the practice? Plus, there's life, love, work, and what not to tend to. Maybe that balancing act is also part of the practice? Hmmm.
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Other than that, things are going pretty well. 'Cept those durn incline pull-ups! I did manage to complete my sets getting about half-way to the bar today, which I think is an improvement. Still, it's a little disconcerting given that I can tackle all the other exercises with great form, and those inclines are just laughable. So I laugh and keep reminding myself, I'm here to get stronger, I'm here to get stronger, I'm here to get stronger...
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OK, taking a break from work so's me and the dawgs can do a lap around the back forty -- later ya'll!
The PCP will make your yoga much stronger, so don't sweat cooling the yoga for a few weeks, it's not like you'll lose flexibility or anything.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how you're hungry by lunchtime despite eating all that food. Can you hazard a guess as to why?
The trouble with incline pull-ups highlights a problem that almost all yogis share, weak upper backs. I've tried to communicate this to my colleagues, that they have this huge blind spot, but yoga people are so damn stubborn, they think anything not described in an Iyengar book can't possibly be helpful. The quality of all of your poses will improve once those latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles get with the program.
Good question, Patrick! I'm hoping it's because I'm feeding growing muscles and my body is becoming more efficient at using the fuel. I've definitely got more energy, up in the morning and no afternoon slumps. Most nice!
ReplyDeleteI've had the same experience with energy level. It's AMAZING! Way to go on your incline pull-ups! I can relate—everything else (okay, I'm not too fond of the Da Vinci) isn't so tough, but those pull-ups...egads! What are you using as a bar? I bought one, but I don't want to install it at this stage, or we won't be able to get through the door!
ReplyDeleteThe official pull-up bar is a one-time installation deal, so I had to get creative. It is so makeshift! It's an aluminum handle unscrewed from a lawn shovel that I've anchored between two heavy chairs. Silly, but it works.
ReplyDeleteShelly, I've noticed the same with my yoga practice too. I've gone from about 9 hours of practice a week to about 2 or 3 hours because of the PCP. So to keep my practice regular.
ReplyDeleteI would now do it little and often, so maybe 20mins gentle asana after the PCP workout, while you're already in the active mode.
I've also found that I can hold my postures much deeper. Especially my cobra pose this week!