Yoga Pants
I think I am going to be really bold today and wear either my Blurred Blossom crops or my Mirage crops to yoga. I haven’t worn either to yoga. I wore the Blurred Blossom ones to aerial silks once, but that was it. It’s just so sunny, I feel like wearing loud clothing. I wish more yogis at my studio would dress in crazy colors and patterns, then I wouldn’t feel so apprehensive about standing out.
Afterward I plan on going to a workshop on reigning in the super ego…so maybe extremely loud clothing choices wouldn’t be the best…
Yesterday Kino Macgregor’s took some heat on one of her videos for wearing too revealing of clothes. This is the comment that started it:
Honestly yoga is not about wearing revealing clothes. I have studied yoga in India, in Berlin, in Iceland. and everywhere, if you take yoga seriously, you should wear loose fitting clothes. What´s the point of revealing your body to the whole youtube community? I see what guys write about you, is that what you´re into? Being a yogini temptress? Honestly, have some respect for yourself. Most guys here are only watching this because your ass is hanging out of your shorts.
So what is proper yoga attire? Loose fitting, black clothing that does not reveal your body, your lines, or your muscle tone? I love Kino’s videos and I actually love that she chooses to wear short-shorts and a bandeau top. It’s her style. It’s kind of like her brand- I associated short-shorts (sometimes bright patterned) and a bandeau top with her. This is the video that comment was left on.
Is there “proper” attire for yoga?
The only real rule you have to follow is for whatever you wear to afford you a full range of motion in all your joints. Other than that, no, no rules apply that I know of. However, there are a number of considerations. If your pants are skimpy or transparently thin, well, it is a bit rude to the person who has the mat right behind you… or it might be a bit too enticing. This is true regardless of your gender: running shorts will ride up and show all your goodies in class!
I don’t know about other people, but I prefer not to feel that the person behind me is staring at my ass. But if I wore ass-revealing garments, well, they would have to be superhuman not to stare at it a bit, wouldn’t they? So yes. I definitely feel it’s unfair or impolite to wear revealing clothing to yoga unless being stared at is your real goal. (I’m not hating. If being stared at is your thing, rock on! It’s just not my thing, that’s all.) This goes for your top, as well. If your boobs jump out of your top when you bend down or invert, you might want to rethink that choice unless you want to do a total Janet Jackson right there in class. Also, don’t forget, the teacher is there and it is her actual job to stare at you. Did you really want this lady or gentleman to know exactly what underwear you put on this morning?
Wearing revealing garments is not just a personal choice; it also affects those around us. So it’s worth it to remember that, no matter how much you love your outfit and feel fabulous in it… if you’re embarrassing or upsetting other people, maybe you should wear that outfit somewhere besides yoga class. Again, I’m not hating. Wearing an outfit that freaks other people out is fun! But it is not right for yoga class, that’s all I’m saying.
So, final remarks? You deserve to wear a yoga outfit which is completely fabulous to you. But it should not reveal any portion of your sexyparts to other people because yoga class is not the right place to reveal your parts. And it should not be too provocative because yoga class is not the right place to be provoking people. Context really matters, folks!
Also, I think that the afore-mentioned Blossom crops are completely excellent and I say, rock them with pride.
But this has been a post about the appropriate attire for class. The whole video-vixen yogini thing… that’s a whole other post and it’s gonna be a long one!
Monday Morning Weigh In, NSVs, Yoga, Blah Blah Blah
So I did gain a pound this morning, up to 136. But I actually consider that to a be victory, since I spent the weekend at my YTT retreat thing and wound up eating a massive amount of fruit there. OH so tasty. I am quite proud to report that I did not eat anything that was not Paleo. But, as I said, there was fruit. Mmmmm. (Also I’m pretty sure I ate something that had honey in it, so I’m watching now to see what my skin will do.) And also, I had an actual cheat meal last week, on Wednesday, although I was too all-over-the-place to blog about it then. I took my daughter for Dim Sum. Here’s a pic:
Mmmm, pork tripe with ginger and scallions! I did enjoy some very non-Paleo-type things, such as the steamed BBQ pork buns and the 8-treasure rice in a lotus leaf. But that was very interesting for me, because I really felt as if the flavors of the grain-based foods were sort of muted and muddy, while the flavor of the tripe dish was fresh, zesty and intense. I really liked the tripe best. (There’s a sentence I never imagined I would utter.) My son wants to go there today for Dim Sum, since he couldn’t go last week, and I think I will just have the tripe and maybe some eggplant or some bok choy or something. I don’t really want to have the grain-based foods. They just weren’t as good somehow. So I do call that a big NSV for me.
So the bottom line here: I ate grains last week and a whole bunch of carb-y fruit this weekend, and I only retained 1 pound of water. Pretty good! And I know it’s water. I’m pretty sure nobody is going to gain fat while they do 5 hours of yoga a day, in between eating fruit salad.
Here’s another NSV from this weekend: on Sunday, many of my fellow yoginis were stiff and sore from the intense beat-down they gave us on Saturday. (@heymaker, Ashley was in fine form. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen an entire room of people rubbing their butts together. Or trying to say “Hello” as if they were made of Ether. LOL!!) But when I got out of my sleeping bag on Sunday morning, I felt fine. The beat-down was vigorous, but I was more than strong enough to handle it. They were all, “I can’t move my arms,” and I was thinking, “bring it on!!” So I did feel like a massive bad-ass, which is pretty much never a bad thing.
Further NSV: I wore the booty shorts and everybody loved them and thought they were hilarious. Of course naturally that day we did a ton of Prasarita Padottanasana, also known as Wide-Legged Forward Fold. (Or, in this graphic, it is the “Prepare Your Anus.”) This only increased the overall hilariousness of the situation. But in fact the shorts were excellent. They stayed up around the midsection no matter what I did, never slumping down under my gut-flap, and also they did not ride up in the crotch or butt area. Really excellent. Shout out to Gap Body!! Good stuff! And the shorty-short legs really gave me the feeling that I was walking around with no pants on which was delightful. Which leads me to my next NSV. My legs still touch each other. But when I walk, they don’t really rub anymore. They just gently brush each other. It actually feels sort of nice. I got to enjoy the heck out of that with these booty shorts. Pretty sweet. Also, my husband really liked them, LOL.
So, in conclusion, the only sour note is that my poor van is back in the shop today. But other than that, I could not be in a better mood right now!
What a Size 4 Looks Like In Real Life
So here I am in my new OOTD from Ann Taylor LOFT: size Small black T-shirt (there is literally nothing as slimming, is there?) and size 4 denim skirt.
Also pictured: smooth hair from the hair salon. Enjoy that while it lasts because I never blow my hair out at home. The shoes are from Chaco and I love them to pieces. So comfortable. The mysterious poster behind me is an art project for yoga teacher training, depicting the 5 Koshas, the Chakras, a couple Nadis, the Doshas and the Gunas.
Here I am in size 4 shorts, also from LOFT:
It’s quite gratifying how this photo completely conceals my slightly jiggly inner thigh area! I feel that I ought to do a photo post about the reality of my thighs. Anyway, there it is, folks. I’m a smaller size than I ever even dreamed I could be now. I’m the same size as my mom, I think. And yet, I do still have an ass and a flubbery belly and thighs and the sad remains of bat-wings on my arms. This is reality. However, on the amazing success front, I will say that the whole neck/collarbone area really looks good! How about that?!
Shopping NSVs
My stupid olde-schoole Blackberry was acting up something fierce, so I took it back to Sprint to see if they could fix it up on the cheap. They could, boo-yah, but it was gonna take a couple hours. So I went over to Nando’s Peri-Peri and had some insanely tasty chicken livers and butternut squash. And then of course I still had some time to waste so naturally I went shopping.
At CitySports, I picked up a sweet pair of yoga knickers. Guess what size? XS. Yep and they fit great. So I floated out of there like angels were bearing me upon their wings and ran straight over to LOFT, where I got several excellent pairs of shorts for summer. Guess what size? Size 4. Weirdest thing of all: as I stood in the mirror looking at my legs and stuff in these shorts, I realized that I could see a sliver of daylight at the apex of my legs. The thighs were still touching. But between the tops of the thighs and the actual crotch, I could see light shining through. It was a tiny little thigh gap.
I don’t even know who I am anymore!!
It’s particularly funny coming after 2 straight weeks of irritating weight gain. It seems I’ve entered that interesting zone where a person can be gaining weight and losing inches at the same time. I really don’t know what to think! I’m still annoyed about the weight gain and I still want to get down to 130 just on principle. But on the other hand, I am wearing a size 4 now… so maybe IDGAF what I weigh. I just don’t even know anymore. I feel thrilled and sort of weird all at the same time.
And I can’t even really call a girlfriend to chat about it because really almost nobody I know can understand at all. I only have one friend who’s lost significant amounts of weight, but she’s in a bad place and gaining right now so I don’t want to be all LA LA LA I AM SO THIN right up in her face. That wouldn’t be kind. I’m grateful you guys are out there to receive this post.
Can anybody out there relate?
Just Realized Another Little NSV (because I am relentlessly positive)
I noticed this NSV while in FL and then again today. When I wear a skirt now, my thighs still touch each other for sure. But they no longer stick together or rub or get sweaty and uncomfortable. They just gently touch each other and don’t bother each other or me at all.
They used to press together all the way down to the knee, and there was enough tissue there that the two legs could not really rest side-by-side. Instead, the flesh of one thigh would always be pressed forward by the the flesh of the other thigh a bit. Needless to say, this was very uncomfortable and led to me swearing off of all skirts and dresses in warm weather.
But now I can wear a cute little denim skirt without fear of any discomfort! Such a blessing! So fun!
It must be time for a GPOY. Oddly, my new laptop’s webcam just flipped the photo automatically. I dunno what that is about. ANYWAY. This drape-neck top I have on is a new yoga top from Lole and despite its deceptively loose fit, it was excellent for practice, staying where it should throughout all sorts of twists and backbends and whatnot. Also this pic does not really show how it makes me look all slim and fabulous. So WIN. But hey, I am loving how much of my arm flab is gone. Those things used to look like a couple of Christmas hams.
Also I have no pic of my other huge win of the day: the chicken soup from Paleo Comfort Food. I made a huge pot of it and all I have left now is a mid-sized tupperware. My son ate about 4 or 5 bowls of it, no joke. I never even imagined what a success this soup would be since in the past I have not had much luck with soup. Apparently if I deprive my children of grains long enough they will indeed start to eat actual food! Amazing.
So it’s Smile Friday, is it? I feel so hip. As you can see, my hair has grown out to a new stage. It’s starting to get sort of bushy. I don’t think I’ve ever spent such a long time paying attention to my hair’s real natural texture. I was always trying to get it to do something else, like be smoother, flatter, or sometimes curlier. But it has a texture of its own. And it looks like that texture might best be described as shaggy. Okay. I can work with that. One thing I learned about myself from having super-short hair for many years is that I really like to do NO work on my hair in the morning. I like to rock it like a man: wash it, comb it, walk out the door like a boss. So whatever hairdo I wind up with must allow me to do that, plain and simple. Now I’ve tasted the freedom of being lazy and simultaneously looking great, I will never settle for less than that!
Also pictured: my collarbones, hello there! And a t-shirt from the Gap that was snug when I bought it and now is a bit loose, oh yeah. NSV!
Jeans NSV
I remember the day I bought these jeans. They are size 10. I had never been below a size 12, and so to be able to slip into a pair of 10s was simply astounding. I’ll never forget the sheer joy I felt that day. For the first time, I suddenly felt that I could do anything - could achieve anything that I wanted. I felt as if the whole world was blooming open to me. I smiled the whole damn day. Just because of these jeans!
But today, I slid into these jeans and I realized: they’re actually too big now. Like roomy in the waist, baggy in the legs and butt, too big. And I realized another thing: when I shop for new pants in the Fall, I’ll probably be a size 6. How about that?
Ice Cream For Breakfast Day TMI ALERT
So I had the Satanic Fudge Nut Crunch for my breakfast, 666 calories of creamy goodness. It was amazingly delicious! I’m thinking next time, maybe put in even more walnuts for more deliciousness.
But I’m not so sure there will be a next time for me. Less than 10 minutes after I ate that yummy bowlful, I was in the bathroom. And I had to pretty much run there. And I had to change my undies afterward, if you catch my drift. What I’m saying is, my stomach was surprised by the big influx of sugar, and not in a good way. It wasn’t too bad — not like having a stomach bug — but it was definitely not a happy tummy down there. It’s funny to experience this. The whole recipe only called for 3/4 cup of maple syrup. Split between 4 servings, that’s less than a 1/4 cup of maple syrup each. I can easily recall putting away lots more than that while eating pancakes. But I just can’t do it anymore, apparently. I can only imagine how poorly the actual pancakes would be received!
I’m glad to know I can provide this tasty treat for my family to enjoy. But I don’t think I’ll try to eat a whole serving of it ever again. I don’t want to have to buy a bunch of new undies! Although… Bloomingdale’s at our local mall is closing… maybe I should hop over there and score some this week. I need them anyway. My old underwear has been with me throughout my whole WLJ and as you might imagine, it’s no longer sleek and flattering at this point. LOL! Opinions: hipster briefs, boy-cut shorts or ass-revealers?
Whole Foods Swag/Magic of Legs
Crappy webcam pic is crappy. But that thing I’m holding is a Julienne Peeler!! Been looking for one of those. I can use it to make noodles out of zucchini or cucumber. I was thinking about maybe making the cucumber noodles and putting them with an Asian-style almond-butter sauce. Doesn’t that sound good? I gotta look for a recipe later. Also pictured: my growing-out hair. Can I make it one more month without a cut? Stay tuned.
Now you guys know that I’m fascinated by the unfolding changes in how people treat me as I look more and more like a regular girl. Today was an amazing moment in that department. After I did a bunch of yoga this morning, I thought I’d change into a cute skirt and tights, since I have no clients today. And if I do say so myself, my legs look pretty darn nice today. I was walking across the parking lot of the Fedex joint, bringing in a huge package to send off, and as I approached the door, a young man in a leather jacket literally RAN over to open the door for me. He was on the phone with somebody, talking, and he seriously hustled over to get that door open. He was not even going to Fedex, either. He just came over to help me out. That has never happened to me before. I’ve been out in all kinds of places, struggling with all kinds of bags and packages and strollers or even the dreaded double stroller and no man has ever run out of his way just to help me, ever. And he was still out there when I left. He shouted after me, “have a nice day, beautiful!” Yes. A strange man shouted compliments at me in the parking lot. Another thing that pretty much never happens to me.
So I could totally get used to this level of service. If this is what a cute pair of legs will get me, then I will by God hit that squat rack every week until my grandchildren take away my gym card. LOL, the only sad thing about this is, I am gaining entrance to this magical kingdom so late in my life. I know perfectly well that I won’t get to stay here very long. Age will take it away no matter what I do. Pretty privilege is a fleeting thing at best.
Yoga Top Angst
That design is not flattering for anyone.
Sorry darlin! Perhaps they need to make a line for ladies blessed with such bounty.
VERY unflattering. But heylook, tits!
@srcdoeslife — if only you were right. But apparently these designs are flattering on fuckin’ every woman except me. Because, oh sweet ironies of life, I have too much fabulousness going on upstairs. Why, Lord?
@queenbliss — I KNOW!! WHY DO THEY NOT DO THIS? And almost every yoga top out there is made in the racerback style… which I cannot wear as I do not own a racerback bra… which I do not own because they do not exist in my size. I have looked extensively. No luck. And also most yoga tops have these hilarious built-in soft bra things which, seriously, they do not do anything at all to keep my girls up. They literally just sort of ooze out the bottom there, creating an unfortunate 4-boob effect. The Zobha top was especially bad because in addition to the ineffective soft bra thing, it had these little soft bra-cup-things sewn in, which gave the appearance of being like tiny clown hats on my boobs. Very sexy, no? All I want is to do yoga in a top which does not fall off during inversions and which does not let my puppies leap out the top during Down Dog. Is that so much to ask? And I realize that it’s shallow and lame, yet still, I would like to look cute while I do these things… SIGH.
@wannakickit — LOL for sure. I could probably lose an easy 10 lbs if I got surgery. But that’d be like $1000/lb. I still figure I’d do better to spend that dough on grass-fed filet mignon.
Aw YEAH! I found this at Hot Topic whilst searching for a gift for my son. Needless to say, being in that store made me feel extremely old and square. However, clearly it was worth it! At the bottom of the shirt, it says EPIC MEAL TIME. Indeed, my friends, indeed.
Also, as you can see, my hair is growing out at a good rate and is now advancing into the annoying stage of being slightly puffy. Soon it’ll move on to being a straight-up Jew-fro if memory serves. Maybe 2, 3 weeks I’ll have to give in and get a trim.
NSV Pants Edition
Got up this morning and put on a pair of jeans, since it’s my day to walk rather than run. Must have these rest days. So I chose a pair of black jeans that used to be my most aspirational pair. A bit more than a year ago, these were my tightest, most booty-hugging jeans. They were tight enough that I would not wear them to the movies because it wasn’t fun to sit so long in these jeans! They looked really good on me, all sleek and dark.
Well, today they were loose all over. Tons of room in the butt and thighs, relaxed in the waist like whoa. My jeans that were too tight for the movies are now as comfy as a pair of sweats. Some days I might forget how much progress I’ve made, but a moment like this really brings it back home. I’ve come a long way.
NSV Milestone Moment!
Tonight I was attending the opening salvos of my nephew’s Bar Mitzvah up in New York. I must admit it was a bit of a chore figuring out how to stay Paleo in the face of the massive infusions of grains and sugary carbs that seem to pass for food in these parts. However, it was worth it because everyone was amazed at my progress and gave me a bunch of compliments. So that was super nice. And I was feeling pretty darn good in my sweet little Smartwool skirt and Keene boots. My legs looked good, y’all!
But best of all, my mother-in-law told me not to lose too much weight, that I would get to be emaciated! Awwwww, envy and resistance from the family, the most common reception accorded to those of us who change our lifestyles. It was sort of sweet, really, since it let me know that I’ve made enough progress to actually threaten people’s ideas of who I am. It only strengthened my resolve to stay Paleo, that’s for sure. Becoming emaciated is obviously not anything that I would want. But I definitely DO want to challenge all fixed ideas about what I am capable of achieving. And tonight let me know that I am on the right track.
