The Yoga Dilemma

So I've started to add yoga into my weekly workout routine. With all the cardio and lifting I'm doing I thought working on stretching and balance would be a nice compliment. 

This is the day my thoughts of trying yoga began, back when I started hiking with my friend who's a yoga pro. 

My workout and nutrition accountability partner took be to a nearby studio where I got to try out classes free for a week. And don't worry, I made sure to get my monies worth!

Free week? Yes please!

What I like about the studio:

- It's only 4 months old. Everything is clean and new.

- The facilities are fancy. There's a spacious locker room, showers and even water/towels/mats for rent or purchase. 

- The classes are split up by level, so I'm in a room with other yoga newbies. 

- The instructors have gone out of their way to be nice: learning my name, remembering what poses I'm working on, etc. 

- At the end of the workout I feel like I've had a full body massage. I'm relaxed and my muscles feel all loosey-goosey. 

But here's the dilemma. While I have a few people that I love, i don't like yogis in general. While I don't mind the quiet meditation at the end, they openly talk about shining hearts and chakras.  Heart centers and third eyes are a part of the workout routine. And worst of all, they manage to look serene while I'm sweating like a beast in the "cool" 90 degree room. And unlike Fitness Ranes where we end with a cheer, at the end of a yoga practice you bow, namaste and then clap for the instructor. 

Here's my space: it's a touchy-feely free zone. 

For now I'm going to stay focused on the positives. Maybe I'll just continue to quietly meditate while all the touchy-feely talk goes on. 

Luckily the studio is setup to keep me serene and focusing on the positives. 

And now for the pic of the week:

My alma mater, Furman University, had an event to increase their online presence (and raise funds too, of course). This was my contribution for #DinsDay

Namaste... Oops, I mean, Mahalo!

Musical genius

After taking ukelele lessons for over six months, it was time to share my "musical genius" with the world...or maybe just with the local mall walkers. Ha!

Last Sunday I packed up my instrument and invited my friend along to be my personal paparazzo. I then took the center stage to join a group of 20+ stummers to play "Jamaica Farewell" and "Twist & Shout". Highlights of the performance included meeting up with one of my ukelele classmates, singing right into the microphone and eating authentic Mexican food afterwards. 

Photo shoot with my "tiny guitar". 

Waving to my fans. 

Quick photo with my paparazzo. 

Sunday 3:30 class representing at the concert. 

And now for the pic of the week:

After a long week at work it was nice to see this little bit of beauty. 

Mahalo!

Wedding Bells

Family has always been important to me. In my family we enjoy spending time with our extended family, including cousins. 

This week the family was celebrating the wedding of one of my cousins. I was happy for my cousin, but sad that the wedding was so far away and my PTO account was so depleted. 

After a little brainstorming, I found a way to "attend". With FaceTime I was able to say hi to the family AND watch the whole wedding ceremony. Also my sister carried around #flatpenny so that I could be in some of the family pictures. Now it wasn't the same as being there and I definitely missed out on the reception and after-party, but FT was the next best thing. 

Here's my view of the wedding:

My aunt is super cute and super crafty. This little message was in her kitchen. 

I got a second row seat for the ceremony.

 The lovely bride and her groom. 

#flatpenny and the cousins

And now for the pic of the week:

I love watching my grandparents dance & I hate that I missed this moment. I've got to give photocred to sister for this one.

Mahalo!

Little help

You all know the song:

"I get by with a little help from my friends". 

Well I wouldn't be able to continue on my health and fitness journey if it wasn't for some of the amazing friends I have made here in HI. 

I have a co-worker who's helping me learn new things. This week's factoid: vegetarian sources of protein have incomplete amino acids so you have to pair them up to make the most of your meal. 

I have another friend who can make any workout entertaining. She laughs freely, cheers frequently and will support me on days when I'm down. 

But recently I've been struggling with my meal plans. I was complaining to a gym mate about how I have great meals planned, but stray when I'm stressed or tempted by delicious food. My friend offered up the solution of being accountability partners. 

Workout and now nutrition buddies too. 

So we've been texting each other every meal and snack. Some texts are a quick "another oatmeal" or "snacking on cuties". But the better ones contain pictures. Here's a couple: 

Strawberries have been on sale and delicious this week. 

Snacking at work. 

Breakfast for dinner, my fav. 

Cheat meal, cause sticking to a meal plan all day/every day isn't going to happen. 

We will see if having a partner keeps me on track. My eating still hasn't been perfect, but I think twice before straying from my meal plan. 

And now for the pic of the week:

This little meme has been my fitspo for the week. Hey girl!

Mahalo!

I'm baaaack :-)

So the last couple of weeks I took a hiatus from blogging. First I had to get over the cold from H-E-double hockey sticks. Then I was too busy having fun with sister during her annual trip to HI. Since writing about coughing & sneezing isn't very interesting I'll use this post to review my time with Sister.  

We spent the first part of the trip exploring Oahu. Sister wanted to try some new restaurants, shop and eat as many acai bowls as possible. Check, check and check. 

For the next half of the trip we flew to Maui. It was a whirlwind trip. We drove the Road to Hana, relaxed at Ka'anapali and explored the upcountry.  I really enjoyed seeing a new part of the state. 

Between the two of us we took over 200 pictures. Since that's way too many to share in this forum, I thought I'd share my favorite picture from each day of the trip. 

Day 1-This what happens when you combine jet lag, cocktails and late night shopping. 

Day 2- On the Manoa Falls hike I got to use the upper body strength I've been working on in the gym. 

Day 3- What happens when you combine a sunset with sisterly love?!? A beautiful photo!

Day 4- Road to Hana. The afternoon was filled with driving, hiking and of course eating at the Halfway to Hana snack stand. 

Day 5- After a day on the beach we sipped cocktails while whale watching. 

Day 6- We visited a lavender farm, a vodka distillery and a goat dairy. The lavender farm was so serene. It was a great way to start the day. 

Day 7- Sister flew home. I wish she would move to HI... Or at least start planning longer trips to visit!

And now for the pic of the week:

This is Sister's picture of the Hanauma Bay hike with my most quoted phrase from the week (thanks,Ralph Waldo Emerson). 

Mahalo!