So last night the husband and I were in bed reading and he said, “You know, I’m pretty hungry.” I responded with, “ME TOO!” We’d already brushed our teeth and stuff, but neither of us was at all sleepy either. So we can back downstairs and continued the evening with a snack. As I thought back on the day, I was probably waaay short on calories for 6 miles of running plus another hour or so of yardwork so it was no wonder that we were so hungry.
I had a bowl of berries (on the bottom) with a crumbled weetabix biscuit, some chocolate granola oats, and milk.
And a small bowl of popcorn (that the husband made). He also made a whole beef sandwich too!
We ended up staying up until almost midnight. No idea why we were so wired.
Morning Yoga
I got up this morning and little stiff from using different muscles yesterday and decided I would do some yoga. I don’t really care for yoga as a workout (I prefer heart-pumping types of exercise), but I really value it as a way to stretch your body and increase blood flow + flexibility as well as the meditative benefits. I also prefer to do it in my home rather than in classes. I have always had poor flexibility because I’m so short with compact muscles – it’s like my body just wants to be stocky! But I know I should focus more on stretching and flexibility. I have a 6-disc YogaZone DVD series, but it’s quite corny so I thought I’d browse the YogaDownload.com site for ideas. I decided to try the free Detox session. I really liked that it had a slideshow of pose photos because I’m not the greatest at just following verbal directions for poses. It was a good lesson, but still too technical for me. I just want to be stretched – not stand in awkward and painful poses for 60 seconds or more! I know I’m a beginner, but perhaps I’m trying the wrong kind of yoga? I need something that focuses more on stretching and breathing and less on strengthening.
Anyways, I was going to do more exercise (either walking or to the gym for ET) but I got too hungry during the yoga. So I decided to have breakfast and postpose more activity for later.
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup 1% milk
- 1/3 cup plus half 1/3 cup water (because I only made one portion – I feel it needs more liquid to fuel a longer cooking time)
- Vanilla + salt
- 1/2 banana
- Handful wheatberries
- Big handful blueberries
- Tiny big of leftover Pom-Walnut Granola Plank
- Spoonful AB
With hot tea
You’ve got a few more hours of oatmeal contest left!! I’ll be announcing the winners tomorrow 🙂
Heather says
I started yoga when I was in the middle of training for a race (running) and it made me feel SO much better- just less tight and sore- and think it helped my running stride, too. I just did the yoga class offered at our gym… nothing fancy.
Have a great day! Excited to hear the oatmeal results!
Jess says
Try hatha or kundalini yoga – much more about stretching and relaxation!
Melissa says
Hi Kath,
Those juicy blueberries look yummy. If you like doing workouts from your computer or ipod. You might check out itrain.com. It has tons of workouts for running, yoga, biking and the elliptical. I also enjoy a few of the workouts from itunes Nike + Sport Music section–particularly the anytime/anywhere outdoor conditioning and endurance boost workouts. I find them a good way to refresh my run/workout routine.
Betsy says
i do vinyasa (flow) yoga and it is great for people who don’t like holding positions for a long time. it has a great flow and my heart really gets pumping cause it can get pretty intense and fast pace at times. try it out sometime!!
Grounded Fitness says
yeah you either love yoga or you dont. its great for stretching, which is what i use it for, but im not too into the whole spiritual side of it. I think as long as you try your best and you get what you want out of it (stretch or meditation) then you are fine. i prefer to do it at home as well, cause i know im not doing about half of it right.
www.groundedfitness.com
Serena says
i have a question about that site – i wanted to try out one of the classes, but i couldn’t figure out why i had to give my credit card for a free class – did you have to sign up using a credit card? do you pay every month for a subscription to that site? i’m assuming you don’t since you just did the free class, but can you let me know? if you don’t need to pay a monthly fee, i might try out one class to see if i like it! thanks!
jen says
i heard ya on the “short w/ thick muscles,” we actually have a similar body comp, except you’re about 3″ taller. yoga’s too passive for me too, so i tried pilates. there is some overlap with stretches and flexibilty training – buuuuut…it feels much more like a “real” workout.
i’ve also found that rock climbing is making me much more flexible and i’m not consciously trying to be so. it’s a sport where you learn to learn and use your body to best address a problem, i.e. that hold is two feet above my short little arm span, however will i get all contort-y to reach it! 🙂
Another Kelly says
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy yoga. I agree with you that it may be that you need to try a different style. I think a lot of it depends on the style of yoga and the instructor. I also do Vinyasa, but my practices are pretty rigorous (even though I know in theory it’s supposed to be gentle) because our instructor loves to challenge us and have us hold poses for a long period of time. I actually notice that I sweat a lot and feel quite sore aftewards. It’s actually been surprising to me because I do a fair amount of weight training and wasn’t expecting to feel the burn. Perhaps you could do a little online research and see if there is a style that might suit you better or you could consider getting a book or set of cards and guiding yourself through a workout. I took pilates for awhile and now when I want a pilates workout I use cards to shape what I do so it’s specific to my level and what I want.
BethT says
Serena, I didn’t try the free class option but if you want to buy just one class, you can enter your CC number with no further commitment. I really enjoyed the Yoga for Runners routine.
HangryPants says
Your so funny with your midnight munchies. I do that all the time. 🙂
Try this site for free yoga downloads, too. I haven’t been let down yet.
www.yogatoday.com
– Heather
HangryPants says
Eww. I meant you’re. I am so blog embarrassed.
Christie says
I like vinyasa yoga which is more flowing, it gets the heart rate up and it good for uplifting my mood. If you are looking for deep intense stretches, I would try yin yoga. There is a good dvd on amazon that has both a yin practice and a vinyasa practice on it. I can’t remember the name of it now though but if you search amazon for “yin yoga” you will see it.
Bridget says
I had the same problem with the ‘midnight munchies’ last night. I get so busy on the weekends, I often don’t eat as much as during the week…I think it’s because I’m doing fun stuff on the weekends, so I only stop to eat when I’m really hungry (as opposed to during the week- when I think about eating because I’m bored at work!).
caitlin (see bride run) says
i feel the same way about yoga… it takes too long and i get antsy, which eliminates the point. i did a few hot yoga classes, which i really enjoyed.
jen, i would love to try rock climbing! my friend is a member of a rock climbing gym and is pretty obsessed with it!
AshleyH says
you should try hatha yoga which focuses only on breathing and stretching.
by the way those blueberries look huge!!
Chelsea says
Hatha=much slower and stretchy yoga, not really a workout
Vinyasa=quick pace all about strength and much more difficult than Hatha. Vinyasa is a workout whereas Hatha is a stretch.
If you are looking for a style that is good for beginners and helps you stretch, I would say Hatha is the way to go.
Vinyasa is much more intense and get your heartrate going.
Hope that helps 🙂
cindy says
Hi Kath-Last week you posted about the SaraBeth jam. Was it good? I have been tempted to buy some but it is very pricey. What’s your take, is it worth it?
Erin says
Yin is the best yoga for stretching. You hold each pose for up to five minutes and just breathe. There are some awesome yin DVDs out there…
Ashtanga is seriously heart pumping, sweaty, crazy intense yoga! If you end up trying to find a yin DVD let me know and I can recommend some. 😉
Christin says
I get hit with post-workout hungriness way too often! When I go to my dance classes (hip-hop/street jazz) which are 1 1/2 hours of nonstop hard core cardio, I am always STARVING the next day…I try to keep healthy foods around me at work to try to curb my hunger, but I always feel bad about it, like I am eating too much, because I never quite feel full. I am definitely a healthy weight and BMI for my height, but I worry that overtime I might gain! Anybody had this experience? Any suggestions?
Kate(the teenager) says
I have a question about the oatmeal pancakes, Kath. Do you think that it would be ok to sub soymilk for the egg whites? Or would that not work?
Katie says
Oh man, that blueberry oatmeal bowl is calling my name. That and the tea. I’m starving and cold here in my office. 🙁 haha.
Lauren says
Hi Kath,
I am sort of in the same boat as you with yoga…I like the idea of it, but the practice never entirely wows me. But, stretching/flexibility training *is* so important for runners, in terms of preventing injury, relieving tightness/soreness, and prepping your body for rigorous exercise. Like one of the posters above, I tend to recommend Pilates over yoga…I just find it more fast-paced and enjoyable. I’ve practiced Pilates for about 7 years now, and feel that it really helps me be a better runner (and also gives me long muscles, always a plus!) Pilates is great for strengthening your core, which definitely helps to improve your stability while running. I think you might really enjoy it. If you’re interested, I recommend picking up one of Ana Caban’s DVDs–she’s a really seasoned instructor, and unlike many others, is not annoying in the least!
the husband says
Oh man I love rock climbing. At Davidson we had a climbing wall and it would be such a fun way to end an exercise by going bouldering for 15 minutes or so. And your strength progress was very noticeable.
Kate,
I’m pretty sure subbing soymilk for egg whites would not work in oatmeal pancakes. Egg whites have a lot more protein than soymilk, and you need that coagulating power to hold them together. If you tried it with soymilk, it’d be the same as plopping oatmeal ingredients on a pan – a runny mess.
Christie says
I have been trying to incorporate streching into my every day routine since I am a runner but it is very hard. I kno the importance but i too just like to get some cardio and a weight “pump” in and than go on with my day but I have seen the difference in other people that have been stretching and I am trying to start with at least 5 min a day!
polly says
Hey Kath,
You know I teach yoga and love it, but that doesn’t mean everybody has to love it. I used to love running, but once I started yoga, I was so happy and just never knew I could stay in shape without “beating myself up” so to speak. ha. Running is awesome and not a “beat yourself up” kinda thing by any means, but I just found what worked for me.
I do think body shape plays a huge factor. I am very tall (almost 5 foot 9) and lean by nature. We sure do sweat in my classes and it can for sure be a workout without a doubt, but YIN is a great choice if you only want the stretch. Yin is a huge challenge in it’s own right. Paul Grilley has some DVD’s out that do an excellent job of describing each pose. Each pose is held for 5 minutes (a VERY long time when your hamstring is screaming) but they are amazing. I used to teach a YIN class, and after being a runner, I know what a VERY TIGHT runner quad feels like. Keep trying different styles… and most of all, different teachers. Finding a teacher you enjoy is HUGE! Have fun, Kath!
p.s. Yes, even 5 minutes a day is a great yoga practice too… no reason to feel you have to do an hour of yoga to enjoy it.
smilesara says
speaking of routines to do at home, can anyone recommend a good pilates DVD? i really like the variety of core exercises (i would never do them on my own individually) but can’t afford to sign up for weekly classes right now. thanks!
ModelBehavior says
I’m with you on the yoga thing!
Can’t wait to see all the oatmeal pics! And get some new ideas for flavor combos, this contest was such a great idea!
Kate says
So many opinions on yoga!
I highly recommend the yogatoday site. Totally free, great variety of classes to choose from…I do it sometimes when I really need some yoga but can’t get to class (or don’t want to leave my house!).
I agree that if you’re looking just for an intense stretch, yin can be great. It’s a little too slow for me…I’ve always preferred the vinyasa, which I find is fast enough to keep me engaged, gets me warm so my muscles are easier to stretch, and (depending on the class/teacher) gets me a good workout. I think the biggest challenge with yoga is finding the right style, class, and teacher!
tfh says
Some yoga poses actually increase appetite, since they stimulate different digestive organs– it’s weird, I’m often hungrier after yoga than after a run (which tends to suppress appetite, at least right afterwards).
Jenn says
does anyone know where to find a good recipe for Chicken Satay? 😀
Tina says
I’m with ya about the yoga. Now that I’ve joined a new gym with classes, I am going to give yoga another try. I love the “stretched” feeling after a class, but I prefer the heart-pumping exercises like you.
JJ125 says
Not a huge yoga fan either, not for trying though. I have tried so many forms of it and I can never get into it. I need to be in a puddle when I finish my workout and that just doesn’t do it. Plus the whole, clear your mind thing is like a signal to my brain to go, “yippee, let’s see how many things I can think of that need to be done now!!!” I like the stretching though and I do Pilates on occasion. Maybe try that if yoga is too passive for you?
JJ125 says
Ew, ok, puddle of SWEAT… just realized how gross that comment sounded.
Another Kelly says
Lol @ puddle of sweat. I feel like that sometimes too but I honestly need the variety. I think it’s all personal and we all are drawn toward different types of exercise. However, I do find that I am so much calmer and have a much clearer mind after yoga in a way that I’ve never experienced with any other exercise. I think a lot of it has to do with the studio and the fact that I’m really trying hard to concentrate on my breathing. I do it more for stress relief and overall mental clarity, the other benefits are a bonus.
Another Kelly says
Jenn – I’d check out Cooking Light. I always have great success with their recipes and they in no way taste like diet food.
Kath says
Thanks so much for all the yoga advice!! I will definitely look into some downloads of yin – that sounds like what I’m looking for. And I still want to try Bikram and I still have no yoga mat to use for it in a public class. I also have gone to a few pilates classes and liked them OK. I’m going to look into downloads/DVDs of that too.
cindy ,
I thought the SaraBeth’s jam was awesome, but it was just as awesome as the much less expensive Trader Joe’s raspberry jam.
Christin ,
My guess would be that you’re just not getting enough calories. If you’re really starving, that’s a good indicator you’re not getting enough fuel. Maybe add some calorie dense foods so you dont’ feel like you’re eating the house?
Kath
KatieTX says
Being both a yoga and pilates instrucor I feel I should chime in. I teach Yogafit type yoga which is based off yoga for the fitness realm. It has active moments but also deep stretching at the end. You can search online for yogafit certified instructors. I try to challenge my classes but also do a long stretching portion and long final relaxation. I really like the yogatoday instructors and I think it is a great free way to do yoga at home. Sara Ivanhoe has a lot of yoga DVDs and I think she is great: not too hard and gives lots of good cues.
As far as pilates goes I love Ellen Barrett who does videos for Cruch fitness. She has an awesome yoga/pilates blend class that is challenging but you feel great afterwards. I like the Method pilates and other people really like Windsor Pilates. Just some suggestions!
I think everyone should try some type of yoga. There is a branch of it out there for everyone! And once you learn some poses, you can do your favorites at home!
Kati says
I’ve been doing bikram yoga (hot)…oh my gosh. It is a KILLER workout and you leave feeling tired but energized at the same time.
Julie says
I love yoga! Never thought I would till I tried it. I usually take some type of flow class. My instructor just had a 5 week “boot camp” class that was killer. I never knew yoga could make you sweat and shake like that.
Jo says
How funny – I went to my first yoga class EVER last Tues and I have my second one tonight – I thought they were going to make me do all sorts of contorted poses and I would never be able to do it (I’m so unflexible that I can’t touch my toes) – a yoga/pilates/lifestyle place up the road recommended I do their beginners Vinyasa Hatha Flow class which was amazing – its all really just about breathing and stretching which was kind of what I was looking for – I do it on top of my usual exercise routine (rather than instead of) because its not much of a workout (I like to work hard and sweat!) but I think its good for stretching out the muscles and for general well-being – I’m wound up tighter than a jack-in-the-box most of the time so its good to breathe properly and relax.
But am interested to try some of the other types – maybe when I’m a bit more pro!
Suzy :) says
I really enjoy Priscilla Patrick’s Yoga and Stretching Programs. She works out of her local North Carolina, PBS. You can find out more about her at http://www.yogaone.com/
When I first discovered her (over 15 years ago) it was through a 15 minute program called “Stretching with Priscilla Patrick”. I did the program for several weeks before realizing I was “doing yoga.”
Very soothing and gentle and worth looking into. 😀