Saturday, April 17, 2010

To Yoga or Not to Yoga, That is the Question

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I had yet another kick-butt session with Trainer Debbie.  She totally kicked my brain in.  I find that she is a bit of a fib job though.  She tells me at least 10 times that the set I am working on is going to be the last set.  I finish, then she has me doing something else.  I told her that I am starting to see the asterisks after her words, and the 10 pages of disclaimers that are sure to follow.  However, I did do all she wanted me to do.  She pushed me.  I got there.

I also took something called a VO2 Max (Maximum Oxygen Consumption) test.  This is a test that measures that amount of oxygen my body can use while I am at my maximum effort.  Basically, you march on the treadmill till you can't take it and have to stop.  The machine measures your oxygen, heartrate and breath.  I did not love the machine, as it was a big face mask.  I kind of felt like I couldn't breathe normally.  I think maybe I was just feeling a bit closterphobic.  Anyway, I scored in the low-fair category of fitness. I am not surprised.  I have a long way to go.  What I like about the test is it can tell me more accurately how many calories I burn on average when I hit certain heartrates.  That is super cool.  Has anyone ever taken this test?

This morning, I woke up early.  I got caught up on a lot of your blogs and just enjoyed the crispness of the morning.  The temperature has dropped about 10 degrees today and I think it is going to rain a bit. 

Sidenote:  I am in love with frozen berry mixes in my oatmeal this morning.  I just nuke those puppies and they get all warm and super yummy.  I just lay a cup of them in my oatmeal and it is just so good.  Can you tell I am eating breakfast?

So, here is the question:  should I add some yoga into my fitness?  Does yoga count as a good workout, or is it just recovery?  There is a class this morning at a local studio, and I am toying with going.  Is it like a day off? I have done yoga before and it definitely can get your heart moving, but it isn't the same as a huffing and puffing at the gym.  What do you think?  How do you rate yoga in your fitness routine?

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11 comments:

  1. Hi Missa girl!! Let me know how you like Trader Joes, k? They have all kinds of yummy goodness there!

    I have thought on and off about Yoga myself... what did your trainer say about it? Let me know... I am thinking it's something that you do in addition... but who knows! Some people that is ALL they do.

    I love oatmeal too, and berries in it... whoa! So yummy!

    Have a beautiful Saturday!

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  2. Madonna claimed that was all she did. She had a rockin body. So it can be pretty intense. But, i don't do itl I wish the best for your weekend, and that you DO go. It'll be fun.

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  3. Your fib comment cracks me up. I tell my trainer all the time that she doesn't know how to count. One more thing means 5 more. 12 reps means 17. One set...yea right...that would be 3 sets. I think it a requirement to be a good trainer :)

    I have never done yoga, so I don't have any advice on that one. I'm too type A to do yoga I think...lol.

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  4. ooooh, don't you just hate it when they say "last set" and then have you do more!

    very cool test that you had done. i would love to do it, but i don't think they offer it my gym.

    as for yoga, i've never taken it, but have always wanted to. there are SO many different kinds, going from relaxing/meditative to kick ass.

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  5. Thanks for your support on my blog...my no "drama" blog is having a big of drama today...lol.

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  6. You're rockin' the Donut Meter! I do like Yoga. I don't think it has a great calorie burn but the stretching, toning, relaxation, balance and posture benefits are worth it in my estimation. Think of it this way, it's great on a day off from Cardio and lenghtens those muscles that strenthening bunches up. I'm a fan but I have never taken a class - I do it at home.

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  7. Missa, thanks for the rundown on the Polar.

    Sorry I can't help with you question...my experience with yoga is limited to the fact that one of the many things included in our Wii Fit box was a yoga mat.

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  8. Yoga is tough for me. I've done it a few times and I do think it is a definite workout! Just not my fav thing to do... Maybe if I get better at it, it will be. :)

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  9. Yoga for me is good for stretching. For an active recovery day. It's not really cardio, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard. I wouldn't use it to replace anything, but to supplement some days.

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  10. Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

    I just started doing yoga once a week. I've been in sessions at the gym where I swear, we napped half the class. I did a yoga workout last week on Exercise TV and it KICKED MY BUTT I was hardcore sweating. So I think it just depends. Overall, I call it a "light" day, though...but I love it :)

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  11. Glad you had fun with your VO2 Max testing! It's unpleasant but it sure is nice having a way to measure your fitness definitely like that.

    There are so many areas for well rounded fitness, cardio, strength, flexibility, balance, speed, yoga is just a piece of the puzzle I think and it depends on your workout personality. I have never managed to quiet my mind long enough, maybe one day.

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