From MS Patient to Fitness Junky

May 26, 2011 | No Comments

My own “Yoga for Dummies”

Yoga X from the P90X Workout Schedule was the first contact I had with Yoga. While I expected something completely different (the X should have been a hint though..(no not what you think!)) and while I still have a love/hate relationship with that particular part of the workout schedule, it unmistakeably had the biggest impact on my fitness and life in general.

It is quite easy to have bad form while working out. That is true for any kind of exercise even running but even more so, it’s true for Yoga. If you are like me and don’t have the luxury of having a personal Yoga instructor, a class nearby or are a total beginner, then you probably were wondering throughout the exercises if you are doing it right.

While the pointers given during the workout are ok, they are definitely not enough to make sure you do the poses as they are intended to be in every little detail. On my constant search to correct my own short comings, balance issues and work on my weak areas I came upon several sites that helped me immensely with my self education at home. Two of them have grown very fondly on me. Maybe you will find them helpful or at least interesting too:

YOGAGLO.COM
This site has some great pose explanation videos which explain in detail what you have to look for and how to align yourself to properly get into most of the poses you will do in P90X (quite handy!). It explains about some types of Yoga or you can also take actual video classes (for which you have to sign-up and pay a monthly fee however) for a wide range of different Yoga styles from relaxing and stretching to flowing or power flowing Yoga. The Poses explanation videos and some other helpful things are open for public viewing.
My personal favourite: The beginners series of Power Vinyasa Flow (last on the page) which shows you in detail how to do a proper sun salutation as done in Yoga X. Including breakdown, proper alignment, flowing from one pose to the other and how to properly breath. Unfortunately you have to subscribe to the site to see the whole series but it’s a very detailed breakdown of most of the important poses and flows you do during Yoga X.

YOGAJOURNAL.COM
This, for me, is the best Yoga resource I can think of. There is nothing I was looking for I didn’t find on this site. There are in depth descriptions of every Pose, its benefits, dangers, possible alternations, beginner tips, variations and much more. You’ll find a big download area with both audio and video downloads on whatever you may think of: Specific Programs, specific problem areas and specific focus. Special Blogs and much more. The site has so many different aspects that you just have to check it out for yourself.
My personal favourite: The fact that each pose comes with a whole set of explanations. I tend to look up a pose I tried and had issues with and then can figure out what the trouble maker might be. I managed to access quite a few problem areas I am now actively and more consciously working on during my workouts after checking poses and the many additional information you can find to go along with the description.

I treated myself to a subscription to yogaglo.com and haven’t regretted that decision. While the beginner series of Power Vynasa Flow really helped me understand what to look out for during Yoga X, I also really enjoy using some of the Yin classes to work on my very tight hip flexors and glut muscles on off days or in the morning. It’s also a lot of fun to take a peak at some of the crazy arm balances they teach (I am currently working on some of the “against the wall” easy poses which is a lot of fun).

I find that both those sites are interesting even if you don’t do P90X Yoga. Both resources are great to either just inform yourself about Yoga, or even try some relaxing Yoga on your own at home if you try out Yogaglo.com. Obviously the best solution would be to attend a local Yoga class and have proper instructions including teachers but sometimes that might not be possible or affordable

May 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

Early Morning thoughts

I was sitting here in front of my computer, getting ready for work after I just had some yummie Cottages Cheese with sweet fresh strawberries mixed in with my supplements. The last part got an unexpected addition recently, in the form of Juice Plus Capsules: I wanted to gift P90X to a friend (thank you Rita! <3) who tried through a great deal of hassle to order it and in turn she surprised me with a whole ration of Juice Plus. While my last blood test came back with great results, I am now able to boost my nutrition levels even higher thanks to the unexpected, awesome gift. I am curious as to what it does for me

Our apartment is quite the mess as we are getting ready to move to Norway by the end of June. There is still so much to be done in between my P90X Workouts, normal work, painting (not that much recently), pack, throw things away and plan ahead. I seriously couldn’t imagine if I had to do this during the first years of my diagnosis. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate for more then a few hours without being dead tired in the end and totally useless. It doesn’t help that my Yoga Mat, Push-up stands, dumbbells and other workout gear add to the overall chaos that is the pre-moving madness. Add the dangling bands on our pull-up bar and it’s a veritable mix of confusion.

While I am getting a good potion of sleep now, my change in eating habits and addition of the workouts, just completely turned everything in my life around. It’s almost a bit dangerous because I have so much energy during the day that I feel like I want to attack thousand things the same time and risk overworking/training every now and then. I almost consider it a very good thing to have the normal work day since I might just go crazy and train even more if I had more free time. Heck, I was asked if I would think about competing in bikini (no I won’t, I don’t want to have to get fake boobs, thanks! ).

My current Neurologist (by the way, if you are in the Athens’ area and are looking for a good Neurologist I can definitely give you some input, same for general practitioners, contact me )) is really impressed with how well I am doing. He completely supports my life style including working out. As a matter of fact he says that living healthy and workout to your own capabilities/limits (depending on the severity of your MS, in moderation), is probably the most important aspect of dealing with our illness. However, it’s easier for me since I never smoked, drink rarely and I got born into a very active family to start with.

While I share his sentiment that living healthy is important, I also think that having a goal to work towards to is a very strong aspect (if not the strongest). For me, staying as well as I am right now is as important as it is for others to work out to get that lean, slim, toned body. Well, of course I would lie if I said it’s not a great additional aspects but it’s not really what keeps me most motivated. It’s the fact that I can help with our move to Norway without feeling completely worn out by it, as an example.

During my last routine check-up (clean MRI, further decrease in my lesions and healthy, clean blood-tests) we also talked about Gilenya (fingolimod), the new oral drug that was approved last year and this year in several countries in Europe (not 100% sure about the status in the States). While I find the thought to have the option to exchange my injection with an oral drug really comforting, I am kind of hesitant about the whole thing. I am not really sure I want to be a guinea pig that early in the approval phase (even though writing this makes me feel guilty in a way for not helping out more). This however comes from the fact that I am wary as to how the initial tests have been used for results. Meaning, do we really know how many of the test group had issues and which of the numbers are 100% correct?

Surprisingly enough my Neurologist shared that sentiment. Now that the drug is available to the market we will get a more in depth idea of how everyone is reacting to the drug and its possible side-effects, he explained. Sounds totally logical to me and was, after thinking back, the sentiment I had with sticking to Rebif for now. I also have gotten used to the injection rather well and fast. I think the most welcome change would be not to have to go through the whole hassle while travelling and taking the drug with me into the airplane. Having to open the bag and explain why I am carrying around syringes in front of all the other passengers at the hand-luggage check always makes me feel like a little terrorist. That’s pretty much about it though. It’s rather easy to get used to something that improves your quality of life

Disclaimer for those that haven’t read the one at the top: I am NOT selling any products nor am I involved or benefiting financially if you go and buy/use any of the products I talk about or link in my blog. Likewise, I am not going to force you or come over to kill you if you don’t buy or use any of the products mentioned

May 09, 2011 | 1 Comment

Kicking it up a notch

I decided to add some more intensity during my second round of P90X while I wait for Asylum to arrive.

I am on my first recovery week of my second round of P90X (Week 4) after I had a break of around 3 month. While it was tough to start again I have seen improvements much faster then on my first round. I also started with 4kg weights instead of 1kg and am doing Kenpo X with ankle weights and little added weights in my hands as well (still can’t find weighted gloves ). I lost pretty much all definition in my abs and even ended up having a little belly but after just three weeks everything is gone and my abs are starting to show again. (One of the biggest motivators after really struggling through the first and second week after the longish break).

I recently got a copy of Brazil Butt Lift and decided to combine it with my P90X classic routine. This means I am getting up around 7am, do the Brazil Butt Lift routines (for my pear shaped booooooty) and once back from work, the normal P90X Schedule in the evening before dinner. My butt and upper thigh areas are my weakest spot strength wise. After my health issues with my legs I started to bend down and round my back instead of using my legs to pick something up which in turn led to my legs being the weakest part. Brazil Butt Lift REALLY works on my weak areas (which I notice because I really have a hard time doing some of the exercises despite being both a P90X and Insanity graduate).

So far it goes really well. Brazil Butt Lift is a lot of fun and the routines are short which is perfect for morning workouts.

I added some goofy pictures Henning took without me realizing (I am always super focused and pretty much forget everything around me while working out – a result of me trying almost religiously to maintain proper form and intensity, thus the weird poses and faces!).

The Brazil Butt Lift shots are from the “Cardio Axe” Routine – basically my stiff self trying to do some samba dance moves (and no, there will be no video. Even I have my limits when it comes to making a fool out of myself ).

May 02, 2011 | 2 Comments

Finding the perfect shaker…

…at places you don’t expect..

I have been on a quest to find a good shaker for both my protein shakes and my Results&Recovery Formula for a long time now. I tested a lot of shakers, from the cheapest plastic ones from the local grocery store to expensive and complicated thingamajigs from official body-building stores for which you almost need a manual in order to use (or clean for that matter).

Either those things couldn’t even get through a simple session of shaking without spilling liquid all over or it took 15 minutes to take the things apart, clean then again about 15 minutes to figure out how to put the thing together again.

Funny enough, Henning found the perfect shaker for me in the most unlikely place: Starbucks!

My super duper testing list had the following requirements:

Easy to clean (check! the metal really makes it easy and fast to clean, only take the lid off and voilà!)
spilling proof, both while shaking and carrying around in my hand or bag (check! No spilling whatsoever even after the craziest of my attempts to break the thing and turning it upside down with shaking as vigorously as I can)
No weird smell that would either get passed on from shaker to liquid or visa-versa (check! No metallic taste or after taste from any liquid after cleaning)

The only shaker that passed all those (really not asking for much) criterias was said shaker from Starbucks. That one comes even with the added bonus that you can use it to keep your hot beverage warm (which it is in fact intended to do).

I find the coolest things in the unlikely places..well in this case it was Henning
Totally recommend it to everyone! <3

On another note: I need to buy heavier dumbbells (again!)

April 26, 2011 | 2 Comments

Getting back on track!

So, wow, it has been a long time since my last update. Lazy!

Life is generally good. I just had another routine check-up and my MRI is not only still clean, my old lesions are still on the decline! (I seriously will never get used to laying completely still in a super loud machine for 1.5h..)
While I have been falling of the wagon big time during Christmas and also fought some flue related incidents I am now back on track with my second round of P90X.

For everyone who is trying to get back after you finished one or several rounds of workouts: YES it is tough but you are not alone.
The hardest part is to get back and realize how much you have lost. It’s much easier to stay with something if you see constant improvements and going back to the start (well not with everything but more to this later), can seriously be demotivating.

Watching Videos from last year and reading older posts actually helps me stay motivated despite the fact that I am struggling so horribly through ARX and Yoga. I miss being able to do more pull-ups and push-ups. On the other hand I almost forgot that last year I started with 1kg weight while I am now starting with 3kg. It’s so easy to ignore positive aspects if you struggle and to focus on negative ones. Also, the guy with the artificial leg in the Plyo portion of P90X still is the biggest motivator for me whenever I try to find some excuse..

I also again realize how much planning is necessary specially for the nutrition part. Making sure you have something small (and healthy) to eat every few hours does take a lot of planning.

While I wish I could have done Insanity first (due to less time restriction) I am not naive enough to think it would be a good idea. In my case it’s really important to build overall strength, flexibility and balance again before I can try something harder.

Which reminds me: I ordered Insanity: Asylum and I still have to try Turbo Fire. Can’t wait!
On an unrelated note: I do have so much filmed material that I never used (some was taken for Beachbody but not used from their side either), so I am thinking of putting a little video together of last year. Partially for my own motivation and partially because I hope it might motivate more people to start working out

I just can’t repeat this enough: If I can do it, you can for sure!