alcinoe

One of my closest friends discovered Bikram yoga three years ago. We haven’t lived in the same city in years, but I knew that she was getting into it and then she did the teacher training last autumn. When I saw her two months ago she sort of dared me to sign up to one of those intro deals at a studio near me. And she promised that I’d lose a dress size in a month if I went four times a week. She made me promise to go two days in a row. I’m glad I did. If I’d gone just once, I’m not sure I’d have gone back. But the second class was a revelation.

Well… I didn’t quite lose a dress size (I’m very overweight – so there’s a big gaps between sizes at my weight) but I have definitely gotten smaller, fitter and happier. I saw her again a couple of weeks ago and she congratulated me on my weight loss, but I had to tell her I was 2 pounds heavier (I’m now exactly the same weight as when I started.) And this same friend who I used to smoke with and hit the bars with – instead we went to yoga together and it was awesome.

And now when I see new people at the studio I tell them about coming back in 24 hours and what a difference it will make – and not to judge it by how they feel after the first class.

Thanks… I don’t think I totally want to ditch the scales, but have to recognise they may not mean much except over the long term. I weighed myself again on Monday morning and had lost six pounds from Friday to Monday (different scales, but still!) So clearly there’s some water retention going on as 6 pounds over three days isn’t a ‘real’ weight loss.

A friend of mine ‘made’ me sign up for the Bikram and promised me I’d lose a dress size in a month if I did. I think I might have lost a dress size (depending on the dress) but not trouser size. I note in hindsight she never promised I’d ‘lose weight’

My fitness goal is greater flexibility and strength – as I really want to play women’s rugby this autumn. (Not sure why, but I do) So although I need to lose some weight to do that, major weight loss before season is definitely not a priority.

As I come to the end of my 30 day intro offer at my local Bikram studio I know I want to continue with it and will be purchasing a 3 month unltd membership. I’m currently unemployed and will never have another opportunity like this to spend time to enhance my practice. After I go back to work I won’t be able to practice so often.