I decided to try the HR monitor during Yoga yesterday. Starting out I thought it was kind of a joke. I'd glance down at the watch and it would say something like 90bpm. But the moving asanas started to do their work. I glanced down again...in the 120's...and then around right angle pose I think I got into the 140's. It is just amazing how hard you can get your heart to work when you aren't even moving. After the workout I looked and I burned 734 calories. Wow. I still counted calories...I ended with a net around 2200 (after subtracting the workout) with around 20% protein and around 55% carbs. Not too bad. I imagine those percentages will shift toward protein once I get rid of more Cokes through the day.
I've mentioned before that I really like the Yoga. Today, I held it together until Warrior 3. Still can't stay in it. By that time, my legs are worn out. But when I fall out, I still try to get back in. I can do the standing splits, but I fell apart again during moon and twisting moon. I think I'm actually getting better during the first 30 minutes...putting more effort in and getting lower in the lunges, but that actually hurts me during the last 15 minutes of the asanas because I'm worn out. That's OK though...I think that 30 minutes will get longer and longer. Another thing I might try is just through the week go through the Warrior 3, standing splits, moon and twisting moon routine while I am fresh...just to get the feel of it down.
I've mentioned before that after the asanas are the balance postures. I still suck at those. Still working. Once again, the legs are really shot by the time those roll around.
The last thing is Yoga belly. It is a lot like the Ab Ripper X but slower. I think I'm enjoying that because I am actually seeing the effect on my body. There is definitely more ab definition. Also, although I've still got a little bicycle tire around the waist, I can press it with my finger and feel rock hard muscles under there. That is actually pretty cool to see that happen.
So I've completed four weeks and all of phase I. I am pretty scared of phase II. Tomorrow's workout includes one-armed push ups and plyo (clapping) push ups. We'll see how that goes!
