Sibs and Fi

I am doing this blog from Sib's house, where I will teach yoga to Sibs, Fi and Felipe. Right now Fi is holding Ferran who is simply GORGEOUS.

And Sibs is making lunch.

What a lovely Saturday afternoon.

Oh my God - a smart car that is not smart!

Our neighbours have just bought a RED smart car and have tonight insisted on parking it in the front garden between the bush and the wall.
I have never ever seen anything like it, in my life.
And there was a perfectly suitably spot on the road, just the other side of the wall...!
Excitement at having their first car, it needs to be close to home... but we are just talking about the difference of 4 or 5 feet. Inside wall Vs outside.
5 people guided the car in and nobody will be there when the girl who owns it is driving it out, so I can imagine a call to the Buildings Insurers when the wall gets hit... Last time that happened was 6 years ago, and we never knew what caused it that time.

Liska

I typed Liska into Google Images and this came up. I just had to have it, so copied and pasted. Forgive me whoever owns it, but the link to the website it comes from was not working so I cannot even acknowledge the source. So universe, thank you :-)

Emotionomics

I am reading Emotionomics at the moment and it is a thought provoking book to say the least. It is like it documents alot of things that I have intuitively known. BUT backed up with examples, case studies, statistics, etc... Super!

Have a read if this subject area interests you.

Once I have read a little more, perhaps I do my first ever book review, on here :-)

Amali - the choice of MBT for the female in black trousers

This is definitely my favourite MBT at the moment. The Amali. The leather is so soft that I did not even have to break them in. I have worn them everyday since Tuesday 4th November. They are not too narrow, not too broad = just perfect.

They are a real update on the previous black leather MBT (the Shadow). I am entirely happy with them.

They are lovely with a pair of black trousers. And so perfect for zooming around London's city streets.

Not so great with jeans, but then why stop at one pair.

I am absolutely delighted to read the reviews on Zappos, and find that people out there agree with me on how good the Amali is.

Definitely my most comfortable MBT, and the leather is soooo soft... I did not even have to break them in. Wore them all day from day 01, and someone on Zappos says she wore them for 2 x 10 hour days.

Bye again. x

Busy but productive day

Well today was very busy but very very productive. Wish all days could be like that.
Left work at 20:10, so unfortunately no trip to Virgin Active, but then there's always tomorrow.

Bye for now.

Nothing else to report really.

Sneak Peak - MBT spring summer 2009

“MBT: The anti-shoe” presenta al Micam la nuova collezione Spring - Summer 2009!
So, click on the above and get a sneak peak on the new Spring Summer styles, for MBT's anti-shoe.

This is the year when MBTs will fly off the shelves, so when you see a style you like, grab it while it is available. Remember, they now do 2 ranges a year, so they don't sit there for long. Increasingly we are seeing styles that your discerning man will love, and more and more that can be worn with a skirt.

There is a difference in look and feel too, but you can click on the above link and work that one out for yourselves

Busy Week

This will be a busy week coming up, with the opportunity to get alot achieved.

It commences with some downtime, i.e. I am off to Champneys now... :-)

But just to one of their day spas for a few bits of pampering :-)

I slept through most of the X Factor last night, but back "on form" now.

This week will see me at Virgin Active every day. I am serious about getting weight down pre-Xmas.

Bye for now..... don't really have anything left to say. Keep reflecting though on Friday's yoga class. We did the Kriya to "prepare for deep meditation" and we then did the Gobide Mukande celestial communication meditation, which we did in a circle and everyone loved it. Came out of the class on a high, but very very mellow.

Byeeeeeeeee (again) Liska Life xx

Barack Obama

So, there was a big break in my blog entries as I had a few days in Switzerland. Also meant a break in swimming at Virgin Active. But here I am, but on the case with the blog.

Well... the world changed while I was away. History was made. Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president Tuesday night in an electoral college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. Change has most certainly come. And... about time too I say.
Yoga tonight was amazing. Great vibe. Beautiful class.

Byeee for now.

Liska Life

Yoga Show 2008

Just loved the Yoga Show on Saturday (1st November 2008). Can't write much now as it is very very late and I should be in bed, but just have to blog as it's been tooooo long.

Anyway, favourite thing at the Yoga Show on Saturday was the Nia workshop - it is a type of dance/yoga/tai chi. So liberating - I will definitely be signing up to a class - will write more about it another time.

Loved Carolyn Cowan's 5 p.m. workshop, and Sat Kartar Kaur's "Self Love" workshop in the morning.

Oh and also loved Yogi Dr. Malik's pranayama workshop.

Wonderful day really and there was a really nice vibe this year.

Goodnight zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sitali Breath

Well, as it says in my profile I am a Yoga Teacher; a Kundalini Yoga Teacher.

In my class on Friday we did Sitali Breath, which I have to say is absolutely fab.

Read more about it at pinklotus.org by clicking here

It has such a cooling effect on the body, it is fabulous. One of those things you can really experience, without having to merely "believe", i.e. Aquarian, over Piscean :-)

Try it for yourself. The above link advises doing 52 breaths a day.

By the way, the above image also comes from pinklotus.org which I am not in any way linked to, but it came up when I googled Sitali Breath.

Swimming and weight loss?

Just been researching a bit and found the following:
"Research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine shows that in the absence of a controlled diet, swimming has little or no effect on weight loss".
Click here to read the full online article.

So cardio here I come, but..... when.... Well, it'll be a while yet, as I fell on Thursday and sustained quite a bad knee injury so I will stick with swimming a little longer.

On the above article make sure you read the bit about eccentric and concentric muscle movements, which is more proof that weight training can be better at promoting weight loss.

If you read the above you will see that it is proposed that: "swimming has only a minor impact on your metabolic rate after exercise". For this reason it is also argued: "Just make sure to guard against the urge to eat more after you get out of the pool". Oooops, and the first thing I do, is go to the Virgin Active cafe. I will have to cut back a little on that then.

Another quote from the online article:
"Many people feel extremely hungry after training in the pool, and may simply replace all the calories they've burned with a large post-exercise meal". Oooops that's been me!

So the reason the article seems to advocate weight training is because:
"One of the reasons a properly designed weight-training program is so effective at burning fat is that just one workout can give your metabolic rate a real boost. In some cases, this rise can last for well over a day".

All these words of wisdom come from thefactsaboutfitness.com the author of which is Christian Finn.
Next week, I am really going to have to make an effort with my diet.

Broke all records!

Still can't believe it but I ended up swimming 5 days in a row: Monday to Friday, at Virgin Active. Monday after work on my own. Tuesday after work with Cat, but she was in cardio bit while I swam. Wednesday,after work, with Cat. Thursday after work on my own and Friday from 12.15 to 1.15 in my lunch break with Cat. Really good week. Swimming is fab and the jacuzzi is even better. The sauna and steam rooms are doing my skin so much good.

Apple AND pear shaped - now that's a problem!

I have discovered that I am both apple and pear shaped! Hee hee :-) Fruity eh?!?!?!?

So I googled the concept and came across this image here.

The image is from a New York Times article, which surprisingly is dated TODAY, which surprises me, as things that are ranked top on Google are normally older (i.e. had chance to build up "hits" to get ranked top).

Anyway, below is a quote from the article or click here to read the whole thing.

Quote from article: "Weight gain in the area around the waist (apple type) is more dangerous than weight gained around the hips and flank area (pear type). Fat cells in the upper body have different qualities than those found in hips and thighs".

So that worries me, as in the last year I have gained weight on tummy, waist, upper arms etc...

The other thing is, that I recently read in a magazine, that it is dangerous for a woman if her waist is above a certain measurement, so just now I did two things:

1) Googled to find out what the waist measurement is: Read here to find out.

So as I kinda knew (just needed it confirmed cos I am a "dork" like that) it is dangerous for a woman to have a waist size above 32 inches.

2) I then measured MYSELF and my waist is 39 inches! Shock, horror! And me a yoga teacher too!!! So do I cry or die? Do I lose weight or lose sleep? Do I now finally get the courage to give up latte once and for all? I had a latte and a cappuccino today! Do I finally start doing what I used to be famous for...? My green detoxes... Haven't done one since 2006!!!!! Do I finally start doing cardio stuff in gym instead of just swimming (I say "just swimming" even though it has been life changing in dealing with my stress levels).

At the moment I am LOVING the concept of the "Ministry of Food". Jamie Oliver, what a super super STAR!

I caught the end of his documentary last night (maybe about 20 minutes) and being the soppy sodd that I am, I had tears in my eyes, because he is really taking on the world and changing people's lives in the process. I feel Kundalini Yoga changes people's lives, so love all of that life changing positive energy stuff. And as if the concept of the food stuff aint enough he adds the concept of "pass it on" which is really the icing on the cake. He calls it a food revolution and I simply love revolutions... hee hee.

Back to the New York Times article, I am sad about the effect my overweight condition could have on pregnancy. Another reason to keep postponing it for now:

Another quote from 22nd October New York Times article:
"Effect on Pregnancy. Obesity has many dangerous effects on pregnancy. These include high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (diabetes, usually temporary, that occurs during pregnancy), urinary tract infections, blood clots, prolonged labor, and higher fetal death rate in late stages of pregnancy. Obesity is also associated with increased rates of cesarean delivery. Infants of women who are obese are also at higher risk for neural tube birth defects, which affect the brain or spine. Folic acid supplements, ordinarily effective in preventing these conditions, may not be as protective in overweight women. Some evidence suggests an association between obesity and stillbirths, as well".

I think in summary, I will now aggressively start to plan to lose weight and maybe plot my progress here online as an incentive to actually stick to it.

I am size 16 now, I wonder if it is realistic to be size 12 by Xmas. That would certainly be a goal worth aiming for!

I could also blow the dust off my Fitbug, as I used to love wearing it and seeing how many steps I did each day (haven't worn it in months).

Bye for now... (I am now busy reading the pass it on ministry of food website and it is BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Liska Life over and out. xx

3 days in a row

Can't believe it.

Here I am in Virgin Active for 3rd day in a row - yyyyeeeeaaaah.

Certainly getting value for money BUT I did my usual - swim, jacuzzi, steam and sauna.

WHEN OH WHEN am I going to get the nerve to do a cardio class. Well Bettina wants to come one day next week with a view to joining, so maybe I do a class with her......? Watch this space.

That is when the inch loss will really begin, although Zoe C already reckons I have lost my belly. She has said it 3 times and although it is a compliment I keep saying Zoe, WHAT belly. That belly may have been there in body but I never acknowledged it or saw it.......... :-)

Like a nightmare. There in your sleep and soon forgotten upon awakening! Hee hee.

Yes, in last 2 weeks I have certainly experienced an awakening of sorts - thank God, and about time toooooooooooooooo

2 out of 3 aint bad and within 24 hours too!

So...... I made 3 resolutions yesterday
1) I said yesterday, that it was my last latte!!!!!! It was!!!
I resisted this morning on my way to work and I resisted all day.
I did use the kettle at work to make a couple of cups of tea and coffee though, but number one they are free (credit crunch and all that) and number two, they don't contain the hideous amount of milk that a latte does.

2) I got the early train this morning, and went to Tesco before work and bought ALL the ingredients mentioned in yesterday's soup recipe! It did cost £17 but that was because I bought 2 x Nutella choc spread for £2 (I owed Candice one, and I ended up being naughty with the other, but we can't be good 100% of the time!), 2 x Gales Honey for £2.80 and a sour dough loaf for £1.99. Couldn't face soup without bread. I will change to something sensible like ryvita, but one step at a time PLEASE. It is my first time making Vita Mix soup at work in months and months!
So in case you haven't worked it out already, I did have the soup for LUNCH. Oh and I shared it with Paola (Vita Mix makes enough for 2 large bowls).

I can say to anyone who is reading this, who decides to make it, it is very very spicy. I didn't add too much Tabasco, but nonetheless, with the ginger and garlic, the hot taste is there, but I enjoyed it, and it was filling & nutritious and extremely low in calories. I bought enough ingredients, that I think I can make it for maybe 3 days!

3) The other promise yesterday was that I would start to do cardio work at the gym. Well I am writing this from Virgin Active, but again today I did my usual (swim, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and shower). I did want to go to the gym as I knew Catherine was, but slept in this morning so did not have time to dig out all the necessary kit, and it is so much easier to just chuck a swimsuit in the rucksack.

Anyway, with regards to the 88 kilos, I will leave it a week before I weigh myself again.

Oh one good thing though. While I am online, I obviously like to eat, so I got a salad and a smoothie from Virgin Active's cafe, and the smoothie is FAB. It is called POWER, and contains:
whey protein, muesli, honey, organic low fat milk (delicious).

Bye for now (if anyone reads this).

x

Pay off your mortgage early

Greed is partly responsible for the current financial state of affairs.

Not only for the reasons that are already springing up in your minds, but also due to the fact that it is not common (enough) knowledge that it is possible to pay off your mortgage early.

Just like when losing weight, when people go on a financial detox, they often need an incentive, like the incentive of saving up for something!

I am sorry, but paying your mortgage in 14 years instead of 25 is a huge incentive, and often you do not even need to overpay each month by as much as you may think.

I am about to remortgage and first on my list of considerations, was choosing a lender who ALLOWS me, penalty free, to overpay. The difference it makes to compound interest is phenomenal.

Don't just believe me, do some research. Sadly, as it is not in the financial institutions interests you will have to look quite hard. I just Googled the concept and was very disappointed to see that the highest ranked link was from 2005. See:
Read this!

Let's create a movement and all pay our mortgages earlier.

Anyway, back to my opening statement, greed! If the banks had made this more common knowledge more of our money would be with them, instead of in restaurants and bars, and maybe their foresight and lack of greed (for the compound interest) would have led to them being better off now, and maybe less reposessions...? Just a thought.........

Happy to debate it though!

OH MY GOD

Well the good news is that I am writing this from Virgin Active, after a gorgeous swim, jacuzzi, steam room AND sauna.

But the bad news is that I used the scales in the ladies changing rooms. At what I THOUGHT was my heaviest, a few years ago, I was 80 kilos, but I weighed myself tonight and I am .... drum roll...... 88 kilos.

So drastic action is needed. (I have added the image above on Wednesday 22nd October - had to because when I told my husband that I am 88 kilos, he laughed, and I said "what is so funny", to which he said "two fat ladies: 88". [This aint bingo darling]. To which I replied "well it is only ONE fat lady!". Anyway, when I "Googled" two fat ladies, this was the first image to come up - hee hee).

I am now sitting in Virgin Active's cafe having my last ever latte - I have said that so many times before. AND tomorrow serious action will commence, which will include having Vita Mix soups for lunch and no pastries on the way to work.

I look forward to reporting back to announce that I have already lost a couple of kilos (if I can find a place to hide them, hee hee hee).

Watch this space. I traditionally put on weight at Xmas, but quite frankly there is no room for that at the moment. So maybe I finally start going to Virgin Active classes, and burn some fat rather than simply floating up and down the pool.

Up until now my visits to the gym have been stress relief, but they now need to be serious fat burning sessions :-)

Okay, I just Googled Vita Mix and weight loss (have owned my Vita Mix for over a year by the way) and this fab website came up. I am making this soup tomorrow.

Can't "weight" :-)

Salsa dancing in Malta, at the Golden Sands: Radisson!

My favourite memory from June 2008's holiday to Malta: Salsa class. Yes I am the one in white :-) Dancing class at the Radisson, Golden Sands, Malta.
Sorry about the quality but was recorded on my hubby's mobile phone - fond memories.
We were on the way home from an evening out, and went to the bar, where I couldn't help myself but join in!

I told you so!

Read this. You'll see it is an article about the overspending and lack of saving in US. It was written in 2005, and shows the foundations we were laying for the current credit crisis.

There must be so so so many financial gurus out there right now saying "I told you so".

This article mentions "Find your 'latte factor'". Well I spend £2.60 a day and that is just the morning one (I sometimes get a p.m. one). SO that is a minimum of £55 a month. No more!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wrote in a previous blog about chest lurgy and how I was giving up dairy; well sadly, I cut back but didn't give up, but starting today, I now WILL!!! I promise!!