And the Weight is Over ...

Two weeks ago, I initiated intense fat-burning yoga with Jillian Michael’s yoga. This occurred after a series of programs leading up greater intensity.  The new program introduced aerobic movement into traditional yoga poses. The Level 1 workout was hard to start with because I wasn’t used to holding the poses for 15 seconds after each repetition. With multiple uses, I could hold the poses and stretch deeper into them. The theory behind holding them is that the body is working harder to keep the muscles stationery, which increases the heart rate and burns fat.

I moved on to the level 2 workout, which took some of the level 1 poses up a notch with additional variations on the poses. It didn’t frustrate me too much since I was learned in the original poses.

My constant source of frustration is balance.  Part of Yoga is the stretching poses, but it has a balance element.  Simple moves include standing up straight and raising one foot off the ground to more advanced poses such as lunges with one leg off the ground.   

These poses require an excellent center of balance, which is measured by the percentage of weight you apply to both sides of the body while standing straight.  The ideal is 50/50, but anything near that is good.  Most people strongly favor one side over the other, making balance exercises difficult.

After more screaming, I switched to some weight exercises that I have to do with a balance ball, which helps distribute weight and reduce the stress of holding your balance. I tried doing one of the tricky balancing poses on the ball and felt the same burn as if I was doing it manually. Using the ball, I could practice lifting my legs into the pose while the ball created a center of balance for me. The ball will suffice until my hips and abdomen are strong enough to lift into the pose on their own without causing injury.

I’ve found yoga to be the most helpful for me. With Netflix and commercially produced videos, you can do it in the privacy of your home whenever it is convenient. A yoga mat is suggested to keep slippage to a minimum, but carpet will also work if it’s soft. To get some extra leg and arm stretch, a strap is helpful, but not required. If you have balance issues (like me), a balance ball is helpful. All these items can be bought inexpensively at Walmart or Target.

It has helped me tone in four weeks and my stomach is now tighter and smaller. With continued use, I will turn fat into muscle and eventually fit into a smaller jean size without looking like a muscle bound monkey.