Being fat and having a healthy addiction
After five months of being in denial, I finally face the fact that I’m fat.
A lot of people have been telling me to cut myself some slack and remember I’ve just given birth five months ago.
But whenever I look at myself in the mirror, the sides of my face bulging, the button of my favorite jeans far from closing, I know I’ve got to accept the truth.
No matter how much self-confidence I have or how many times I pass up dinner, I can only get back in shape by getting some exercise.
I know I’ve said I am doing Pilates but I finally gave up fooling myself that I can do it alone at home. The moment I feel pain or grow impatient, I stop and slump in front of my laptop to surf the net for the latest fad diet.
With my wedding only three months away, I finally pushed myself to sign up for Bikram Yoga last week.
Tough environment
Before I went in for my first yoga practice, the instructor Ingrid warned me that it was going to be a tough environment.
The room was heated to 38C and it would take serious focus and determination to perform all the poses.
There were 26 poses and each one was meant to give a certain benefit for the body. According to Bikram Yoga Manila’s site, the key benefits are:
- Promotes weight loss รข?? average person burns 350 to 600 calories per class
- Builds overall strength & flexibility
- Strengthens joints
- Reduces stress
- Increases energy
- Increases blood circulation & lowers blood pressure
- Detoxifies every system in your body
- Relieves back pain & helps cure chronic back problems
- Stimulates the immune system
- Contributes to mental strength and clarity
Of course, weight loss is my primary goal but getting all those other benefits would be great too.
Since I did a tiny bit of yoga and Pilates before, I was able to perform most of the poses. My form wasn’t always close to 100 percent correct but I could feel my muscles and ligaments stretching so I thought I must be doing something right.
Within a few minutes into the poses, the sweat began to drip. I was like a human faucet with sweat dripping from face, neck, arms and legs. My clothes were soaked in every inch.
I was careful to maintain the calm breathing to avoid fainting and toppling over. Luckily, I was able to tolerate the heat.
After 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga, I did feel light and detoxified. My muscles were only slightly sore But I was so exhausted that I flopped on the bed when I arrived home.
The next morning, I woke up really, really sore. The full impact of Bikram Yoga finally set in and I was hesitant if I could do another session.
But Kernan assured me that the best way to counter soreness is to work out the muscles again no matter how painful it will be.
So off I went for my second session. Going through the whole 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga with sore muscles was real tough. At one point, I thought my bones were going to break!
Good thing, Ingrid was very reassuring:
“Relax. Focus on your postures.”
“If you can’t do the postures today as well as yesterday, it’s perfectly normal.”
“Don’t think about what others think about you. Think only of your own practice.”
“Pain is your friend sometimes.”
It was as if she was reading my mind.
Surprisingly, after the second session, my muscles didn’t hurt at all. I felt more relaxed and rejuvenated all over.
4 inches in 3 days!
I measured my waistline before trying Bikram Yoga and I was at 34. After three days of Bikram, my waistline was 29!
I don’t really bother much about the pounds as much as the inches. Whether it was just water weight that I lost, it really doesn’t matter.
I feel good!
I felt so good I signed up for an unlimited monthly membership. I’ll definitely try to practice everyday.
Call me an addict but at least it’s a healthy addiction.
I know at the end of the month, I will have achieved my perfect weight and shape.
Here’s to a fit and fabulous me!
ria responds:
Posted: September 4th, 2007 at 7:57 am →
wow, that’s a major progress! congratulations
where do you take classes? and would you mind giving me an idea how much the damage is? 
[Reply to this comment]
Jayme responds:
Posted: September 6th, 2007 at 5:46 am →
Thanks Ria! I take classes at the Bikram Yoga Manila studio in Tomas Morato, QC. it’s so near my home and workplace kaya na-encourage ako mag-enroll. For first timers, you pay 1k for three trial sessions. If you want to upgrade to unlimited one month membership, you just pay 4k. Ang regular rate is 5,800 pero there are other payment plans if you want to go for just a few classes.
[Reply to this comment]
Lynn (2 comments.) responds:
Posted: September 10th, 2007 at 12:43 pm →
Hi Jayme! I came here through Pinoy Moms Network. I enjoyed browsing and reading some of your blog entries. I like the way you write. I am also very encouraged with how your waistline trimmed down from 34 to 29! You got to be a contortionist to achieve that in three days!
I am just amazed!
[Reply to this comment]
Jayme responds:
Posted: September 10th, 2007 at 4:27 pm →
Hi Lynn!
Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I’m glad you like my writing.
I’m still doing Bikram Yoga until now and I’m really trying to be consistent. I’m refraining from measuring again though. I’ll give myself a few more days. Hope the results are better.
I’m sure if you try, you can do it too. I’d be glad to know how it goes for you.
[Reply to this comment]
amymd (1 comments.) responds:
Posted: September 10th, 2007 at 7:28 pm →
You’re on the right track, Jayme. Just continue with your regular work-out and with healthy eating habit you will surely achieve your goal. Keep it up!
[Reply to this comment]
Jayme responds:
Posted: September 11th, 2007 at 5:59 am →
Thank you for the encouragement Doc Amy! I’m certainly keeping my eye on the goal.
[Reply to this comment]
j1984 (1 comments.) responds:
Posted: September 12th, 2007 at 6:24 pm →
Ate, visiting from Avanoo.
I’m happy for you, for finding this healthy obsession. Hope it helps you de-stress as well.
*hugs*
[Reply to this comment]
Jayme responds:
Posted: September 14th, 2007 at 7:08 am →
Hi J1984! Thanks for visiting. Yoga is definitely a de-stressor. You should try it.
[Reply to this comment]
Finding the perfect postpartum workout | All Jayme responds:
Posted: June 14th, 2008 at 12:21 am →
[...] also thinking of doing Bikram Yoga again. I tried Bikram Yoga last year with great results. The price was just a bit steep, almost four times more expensive than a regular [...]