Today I realized how little fitness talk I’ve shared around these parts. Yes, foodiEcology is primarily a food blog (it’s in the name—hello?), but blogging is also a way to hold myself accountable to a fitness routine.

I’ve met a couple of my exercise-related goals on my 30 Before 30 list (trying a yoga class and running a 5K), but I’ve yet to put much effort into achieving that 5-minute plank or attempting to move my robotic white girl hips to the Latin moves of Zumba. (Actually, I’m not even sure I want to try a Zumba class any more.)

I’ve also realized that my last actual run was in May! It’s hotter than Hades during Alabama summers, so I’m giving myself a break on that one. Once October rolls around, I plan to begin another regimen, first participating in The Color Run and possibly Senior Bowl 10K. (Side note: now that Reese’s is a sponsor for the Senior Bowl, my inner fat girl wonders whether I get chocolate instead of a banana at the finish line!).

I miss my gymnastics class like crazy, but I look forward to my Bikram classes and daily walks as much or more than I did the gym. (I do wonder if I can still do my kip and back tuck, however.)

Many things in my life, including exercise and fitness classes, interest me—but few actually hold my interest. Having said that, I feel Bikram is here to stay (at least as long as I can afford it). It’s more than an exercise class—it’s really helped calm my anxiety and see my surroundings differently. I notice—and appreciate—the little things and people in my life more.

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Some things I’ve noticed about my Bikram practice…

1. I rock the Toe Stand! Now that I’ve learned to focus my gaze on the floor, I’m amazed at how well I can balance. Some days it’s rocky—but others I feel like hurricane-forced winds couldn’t knock me down. Much like life, eh?

2. Dare I say my derriere is, well, more shapely? All that hip-squeezing in Cobra, Locust, and Balancing Stick must be paying off, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s good to meet you, Yoga Butt.

3. I still have a long way to go to get my palms together in Eagle Pose. I don’t understand how this is so simple for others (yes, you, Mark!)—I guess they don’t have my obnoxiously broad “man shoulders” (which I assume are insanely tight due to years of swinging on the uneven bars).

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4. Likewise, Fixed Firm Pose is still killer. I think power tumbling (and pretending to be a runner) has ruined my knees.

5. I’m extremely crooked! Whenever I kick up in Bow Pose, one of my hips just doesn’t want to bend with the other. I have to put twice as much energy into kicking my right leg up. Similarly, Awkward Pose is truly awkward when I’m in it, because I always feel like my hips are not squared when I squat. Symmetry is clearly overrated.

6. I’m more comfortable in my own skin. (Probably because we show so much of it!) I still feel better wearing a tank top (as opposed to simply a sports bra) with my shorts during class, but out in the real world, I feel more confident about my appearance. (Mark probably is most thankful for this—he doesn’t have to hear me complain about how stupid I look and watch me change clothes 3 times before we go out.)

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7. I’m accustomed to the heat and haven’t struggled like I did in those first few classes, but I still sweat like a pig! I guess this just means my body is functioning properly by cooling me off?

8. I’m ok with off days. Bikram isn’t about perfection; it’s about centering yourself, giving your best efforts on that particular day. Each class is different, and that’s just fine because our bodies and minds never stop changing and healing. If I fall out of Standing Bow, I’ll just get back in. It’s simple.

9. I’m still inspired by the people around me. There is no ideal level of fitness or perfect body type for this practice. Like I’ve said before, we’re all there for a unique reason. Our energies nourish one another’s, and it’s all about the attempt. I’m just as impressed with the middle-aged man who struggles to touch his toes as the perfectly-toned dancer whose asanas are flawless.

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10. I make healthier choices in my daily life. Yes, I still eat cupcakes and ice cream, but I’ve been drinking less alcohol. I choose to be active when possible, and I try to fuel my body and mind with what it truly needs.

This became quite the wordy post, but it’s something I felt like sharing. I hope to continue reeling in these benefits, class after class.

Questions for you:

How do you hold yourself accountable regarding fitness?

If you’re a Bikram yogi, how has your practice changed your life?