Day 31- Body Bodega

It was chilly this morning but I thought I would be a trooper and brave the weather to go to pilates. It would be worth it just to see Monika's smiling face. I really thought I might be the only one who would brave the cold so early in the morning but I guess I shouldn't have been so suprised that everyone wanted to see Monika's smiling face. When class started the studio was filled with like 20 people. All of us are addicted to Joschi I guess. What was great about today was we really focused on posture and alignment. Even on the way home I found myself going through a body checklist. Abby, sit up straight! Even sitting here now I can hear Joschi's voice telling me to pull my shoulders back. The class today was really informative and I think every body needs this information. The best place in New York to pick up that info is the Body Bodega! I didn't realize till I started taking pilates and yoga how out of touch with my body I was till I tried to get in touch with it. It is much harder than it sounds to be in touch with your body. The greatest part about working out as I have been is I see results. I feel more in touch with my body, I see myself getting stronger, I feel better about myself and I can tell when I don't exercise.

I ate awful this weekend. Deserts and wine are just so delicious. This week I'll detox with more pears.

Day 30-Saturday Sun

Another cold day here in New York, but the sun was shining so I was feeling positive. I was mighty sore from Joschi's kiss ass class last night but almost there. I can see my 40 day finish line. Sarah's class was a wonderful experience. She gave us space to breath and move. It felt really nice to just allow my breath to move me. It was still really tough for me and I think I spent most of class in child's pose but I am glad I made it to class. I left feeling extremely in touch with my body. This was another savasana I was upset I had to wake up from.

I am still eating pretty healthy. Yesterday before class I heard Angela giving health tips so I listened in. A girl's roommate was trying to argue that pita chips are just as healthy as a banana calorie-wise. Pita chips versus the banana?... Banana sounds better anyway. Snacking on fruit I never feel guilty about so I always keep them in my house. My new fruit of choice... pears. Rather delicious, clementines are out. If I don't see another one for a month or so, I'll be fine.

Day 29- Savasana

Today was cold wasn't it!! I was fine until that wind gust slapped me in the face! I made it to class. I was a little sore from the athletic class last night and Joschi pushed us. I expect no less from him on fridays anyway but I found I pushed myself. I finally see results and I am excited to explore my body. Granted, about half way through I was ready for savasana but I kept going. I was dead after the class, I was actually a little upset that I had to wake up out of savasana. I went home feeling like I accomplished something and that made me feel really good about myself... and I'm sure I'm going to sleep really well!

Day 28- Crazy Weather, Hot Class

The weather was pretty wild today wasn't it. I was so excited to see the beautiful snow flakes this morning but by noon it was just wet outside. And then to top it off, when I went to class it was cold outside. It wasn't a problem though because I took the athletic yoga class and was hot in 2 seconds of starting. I have to be honest, it was a hard class for me but I did my best. I did what I could do. The best part though is this class really gives me something to work for. I want to be able to do all those planks and pushups. I think by the end I am going to rock all those lunges too.

Day 27- Almost There

I was feeling good today. Sometimes there is always something that tries to bring you down but I fought it and decided to take out my frustration by working out. Class was just what I needed. I couldn't get my friend to come with me today but I do think she is hooked because she was sad she had made plans for the evening already.

I am already over half way there. I have put all this pressure on myself to finish this challenge but I really think I have made it a lifestyle choice to include yoga and pilates. When this is all over, I still may come every day, which means I really have made health an important part of my life.

Day 26- Coolest Place To Be In NYC

For some reason I was exhausted today. I didn't do anything different than I usually do but I noticed that some of my colleagues also complained of the same lack of energy. I tried to get all my friends at work to come with me but I could only convince my best girl friend at work to come. "I'll try it, but I have never done yoga or pilates before," she tried to talk her way out of coming with that line, like she thought it would work. When i started I had never done pilates or yoga before either, "you've got to start somewhere" I told her. I gave her the listen to your body speech as we walked in and rode up the elevator. If I had been alone I probably would have taken Angela's athletic yoga class... I guess I wouldn't have because for fun I poked my head in to see who was going to take it and not only was the lobby filled with people, the cozy studio was filled with people as well. I don't know if i could have kept up with them anyway, they looked buff and beautiful just like the video. Once sarah's class was over, the 50 people there filed into the studio and then Joschi put us to work.

My friend loved it! As we walked out she kept saying how she felt muscles she didn't even know she had. I hope to get her to do the 40 day challenge but I think she has commitment issues. Of course tons of excuses tumbled out of her mouth, but I can tell she is really thinking hard about changing her life. For the first time ever I think she really made a connection to her body. I'll give her a day and ask her again tomorrow how she feels. You never know we may have another Joschi-ite on the 40 day challenge team...

Day 25- Fired up

I was fired up to go to class today! I felt really good. I went to Sarah's class and it was packed from wall to wall with people. Before going in the people coming out of Angela's class were fired up so the energy in the studio again was energizing. Sarah centered me and through the class I felt really connected to my body and my breath. I feel really good and tomorrow if I am feeling especially spunky I'll take an athletic class.