21-Day Yoga Challenge

I've been trying to get into a more active routine, exercising regularly & eating healthy... something I have never done consistently. I'm inherently lazy & love snacking on the worst kind of junk. Pat's pretty much the same & both of us have been feeling the effects of this unhealthy lifestyle. It was time for a serious change.

Pat started the week off right - he's been going to the gym every day since Monday. He's been stiff & achy, but I've already noticed a positive change in his mood & appetite. His motivation is something to be admired honestly, I don't know how he does it!

Me? Monday I did a morning yoga routine..... then I slept in the rest of the week. Yesterday, I knew I had try something new, otherwise it was not going to happen. I get bored easily when it comes to exercise & I'm getting tired of the dvd I have. So I did a bit of online searching & found this 21-day yoga challenge hosted by the Yoga Journal (a site & magazine I love).

I think this challenge is going to be perfect for me! Here's why:

• there are 2 goals to the challenge: practice yoga daily & meditate for 15 minutes everyday - both are practices I want to fit into my daily routine!
• there is a healthy recipe to try each day - I love trying new recipes!
• there is a different routine each day - variety to keep me going!
• there are 2 levels: beginner & intermediate - some of the routines are the same for both (like day 1), but this just means even more variety!

Since I'm about midway between the level, I'm thinking of starting with the beginner routine in the morning & then try the intermediate in the afternoon. When they're the same, I'll repeat it; when a routine is specific for evenings, I'll do day 1's morning routine in the morning. Or, if I feel up to it, I'll substitute some cardio for the second routine. At the end of 3 weeks, I'm hoping to be stronger, more flexible & more motivated to continue with my daily practice.
Today is Day 1! I completed the morning sequence & meditation & am about to have a healthy breakfast (I don't have eggs or ricotta to try the recipe posted, but I'm going to break out my quinoa cookbook & try something new & healthy). I'm tempted to do some cardio this afternoon too. I'm going to keep track of my exercise & eating habits in a journal & update my progress here next Friday. Hopefully, if nothing else, that accountability will keep me going!

Feel like challenging yourself too? You can find all the routines (free) here. I'd love the company! Sometimes just knowing someone else is doing it is motivation enough to get off my butt! Leave me a comment if you are & we can push each other along the way!