So, I recently began a new yoga regime in conjunction with my weight/cardio. I really like yoga however, it is tough!

Two things I have noticed: when I eat meat, I seem to have  a hard time with yoga psychologically and physically.

I am not sure if it is all the stereotypical thoughts of yogis are all vegan but it is starting to get in my brain.

Also, I am much more calm if I stick to a veggie diet and do yoga versus meat based.

Any thoughts or anyone else experience this reaction?

When you do not eat meat, how is your energy level? Are you totally vegan or do you eat fish or poultry instead?

I can more easily do yoga when I am more "run down" although I have never really taken to yoga.  And I would not see it as a substitute for exercise. I need my bike ride or a few good walks with my dogs.  If I don't get the vigorous exercise, I get twitchy.  

It's all about balance, isn't it?

It's not just in your head, Marjorie. I'm very sensitive to this vibe as well. An important aspect of yoga is the mind-body connection. Hear out your overall communication about this, a reconciliation and balance can be made. Fellow practitioners and the instructor will have there say, but you have the final word.

Quoted from Averno

It's not just in your head, Marjorie. I'm very sensitive to this vibe as well. An important aspect of yoga is the mind-body connection. Hear out your overall communication about this, a reconciliation and balance can be made. Fellow practitioners and the instructor will have there say, but you have the final word.

Thank good ness... someone else gets it. I am just going to listen to my body and continue my practice. When I do this, my craving for meat goes away.

Quoted from prunella

When you do not eat meat, how is your energy level? Are you totally vegan or do you eat fish or poultry instead?

I can more easily do yoga when I am more "run down" although I have never really taken to yoga.  And I would not see it as a substitute for exercise. I need my bike ride or a few good walks with my dogs.  If I don't get the vigorous exercise, I get twitchy.  

It's all about balance, isn't it?

Actually,  my energy levels are pretty high without me which doesnt fit my hunter/o ? I am referring to red meat and poultry. Fish is my staple with veggies nowadays.  Thank you so much for your insight. For sure, I am struggling with balance but it will happen. It took me a long time to try yoga butnow I love it. I am with you, though,I still need a hi cardio workout 3 times a week to stay grounded.

marjorie, its so interesting that you feel this way! i've been back and forth from omnivore to vegetarian/prescatarian when all i was doing was walking/yoga and recently after being classified an o/hunter i've upped my cardio, began eating meat and done little to no yoga... i'm not very good at listening to my body and its only been a few weeks so hopefully i'll be able to be more conclusive the only thing i've noticed is that i sleep better but i think that's only because of the high intensity exercise... i also prefer the idea of being a vegetarian so i guess we'll see.

There are times when I can do yoga or Tai Chi and really enjoy it. Mostly that's when I've been doing a lot of walking or yard work and want something gentler for the in-between days. Then there are other days when yoga just pisses me off, and I don't have the patience to wait for the slow moves.

I'm always fine with doing a few moves in the evening before bed- I just don't always have the patience for a whole yoga or Tai Chi routine.

Quoted from ruthiegirl

There are times when I can do yoga or Tai Chi and really enjoy it...Then there are other days when yoga just pisses me off, and I don't have the patience to wait for the slow moves.

Ain't it the truth!

This is quite normal.

My previous Yoga instructor is an O- Hunter/explorer. I introduced her to ER4YT and really shook up her world1
She was a vegetarian...but with health issues(skin/digestion)..and she is in her 20's!
She started slowly with small bites of fish, then tried turkey and eventually beef.
Yoga is very important to her but she is active with hiking, also.
So far, she has combined the "two worlds" very well and is now thriving!

Quoted from ambermac

marjorie, its so interesting that you feel this way! i've been back and forth from omnivore to vegetarian/prescatarian when all i was doing was walking/yoga and recently after being classified an o/hunter i've upped my cardio, began eating meat and done little to no yoga... i'm not very good at listening to my body and its only been a few weeks so hopefully i'll be able to be more conclusive the only thing i've noticed is that i sleep better but i think that's only because of the high intensity exercise... i also prefer the idea of being a vegetarian so i guess we'll see.

Hi

I am glad I am not alone. I go back and forth about vegetarian/pescatarian and then I eat meat once in a while.

I guess our bodies change and our needs change as well. Not forcing anything is my new mantra and listening to our bodies is tough, but such a vital part of health.

where are you located if you do not mind me asking?

Quoted from ruthiegirl

There are times when I can do yoga or Tai Chi and really enjoy it. Mostly that's when I've been doing a lot of walking or yard work and want something gentler for the in-between days. Then there are other days when yoga just pisses me off, and I don't have the patience to wait for the slow moves.

I'm always fine with doing a few moves in the evening before bed- I just don't always have the patience for a whole yoga or Tai Chi routine.

I used to be like you Ruthie-- omg, I would be cursing throughout the whole routine. Now, I see that if I do cardio one day and yoga the next, I am good to go.

never tried tai chi

Quoted from cajun

My previous Yoga instructor is an O- Hunter/explorer. I introduced her to ER4YT and really shook up her world1
She was a vegetarian...but with health issues(skin/digestion)..and she is in her 20's!
She started slowly with small bites of fish, then tried turkey and eventually beef.
Yoga is very important to her but she is active with hiking, also.
So far, she has combined the "two worlds" very well and is now thriving!

Interesting and thanks for sharing. I wonder how to combine the two worlds...perhaps just fish for now and little bits of chick or beef now and then?

I know my body will be craving the protein if I eliminate it completely. Another issue is to not eat before yoga... I see how much this can make a difference in my poses, flexibility and remaining calm.

Not wishing to influence you one way or another, but I know several type O vegetarians in their 50's and they look rather dour. They seem quite happy though.

Another veggie-inclined O here ...

I've been making myself eat animal protein since reading Dr. D's books. I think it's helped me to feel better at least sometimes, and my too-low platelet count has improved, but do I miss my tofu and I wonder if i could do well with a smaller amount of meat, maybe only at breakfast since that seems to be when my body wants it the most to avoid feeling hungry all day. (Yes, I was always hungry as a vegetarian!)

Bret650, how long had you been vegetarian? Just curious about the transition.

Quoted from Brett650

Another veggie-inclined O here ...

I've been making myself eat animal protein since reading Dr. D's books. I think it's helped me to feel better at least sometimes, and my too-low platelet count has improved, but do I miss my tofu and I wonder if i could do well with a smaller amount of meat, maybe only at breakfast since that seems to be when my body wants it the most to avoid feeling hungry all day. (Yes, I was always hungry as a vegetarian!)

I know my body definitely feels better on btd, however, I think we know the answers inside and we only can tell what is right for us, noone else can do this for us.

Quoted from marjorie

Hi

I am glad I am not alone. I go back and forth about vegetarian/pescatarian and then I eat meat once in a while.

I guess our bodies change and our needs change as well. Not forcing anything is my new mantra and listening to our bodies is tough, but such a vital part of health.

where are you located if you do not mind me asking?

I'm of chinese descent but live in Australia.
I think my main problem is that I commit hard for three weeks to a new diet/exercise plan and then sort of just give up and do whatever I want before I can see proper results, hopefully not this time!

good luck amber

Quoted from Lola

good luck amber

thanks lola!  

Quoted from ambermac

I'm of chinese descent but live in Australia.
I think my main problem is that I commit hard for three weeks to a new diet/exercise plan and then sort of just give up and do whatever I want before I can see proper results, hopefully not this time!

Well, stay connected with this board. You'll find a lot of encouragement here. And I think you'll find such good results with this plan that you'll be more compelled to stay on it. Read the "Garland of gratitude" posts.

Good luck!

Quoted from ambermac

I'm of chinese descent but live in Australia.
I think my main problem is that I commit hard for three weeks to a new diet/exercise plan and then sort of just give up and do whatever I want before I can see proper results, hopefully not this time!

You will do great if you set your mind to it and go easy on yourself! Sometimes we work so hard at being perfect that it makes us vulnerable to giving into temptation and not being disciplined. I am not saying this is you, but just from my own experience.

Quoted from Averno

Bret650, how long had you been vegetarian? Just curious about the transition.

I was vegetarian from age 20, about 28-29 years I guess. I was strictly vegan for 3 of those years.

As a kid, I drank huge amounts of milk and I was frequently ill. I think that's why the vegan or near-vegan diet felt healthy to me; at least I was doing better than in childhood.

Last year, I tried a strict macrobiotic diet for a few months, thinking it might be the secret to improving my too-low blood platelet count. The result was quite the opposite: platelet count plummeted, and everyone told me I looked emaciated. Oh well, that was probably a necessary step for me to question my long-held beliefs about vegetarianism as a healthy diet for everyone.

Right now my diet is heavily influenced by Dr. D'Adamo, but I'm not adhering strictly to his recommendations. I'm still learning and experimenting to discover what is really best for me. I'm glad to say that my last blood test was improved and for the most part I'm feeling healthier ... but I've got a nasty cold right now!  

Oh, and just to keep this thread on topic, I typically do Bikram (hot) yoga once a week. I like to do it very early in the morning, before breakfast.

Quoted from Brett650

I was vegetarian from age 20, about 28-29 years I guess. I was strictly vegan for 3 of those years.

As a kid, I drank huge amounts of milk and I was frequently ill. I think that's why the vegan or near-vegan diet felt healthy to me; at least I was doing better than in childhood.

Last year, I tried a strict macrobiotic diet for a few months, thinking it might be the secret to improving my too-low blood platelet count. The result was quite the opposite: platelet count plummeted, and everyone told me I looked emaciated. Oh well, that was probably a necessary step for me to question my long-held beliefs about vegetarianism as a healthy diet for everyone.
Good for you Brett. I am also just going with the ebb and flow.

And... I adore hot yoga.
Right now my diet is heavily influenced by Dr. D'Adamo, but I'm not adhering strictly to his recommendations. I'm still learning and experimenting to discover what is really best for me. I'm glad to say that my last blood test was improved and for the most part I'm feeling healthier ... but I've got a nasty cold right now!  

Oh, and just to keep this thread on topic, I typically do Bikram (hot) yoga once a week. I like to do it very early in the morning, before breakfast.

Marjorie, I didn't have time to read all of the posts, but want to share my experience with Yoga. I have been actively practicing Yoga for two years. When I first began, I had the same experience with eating meat and practicing Yoga, so I decided to listen to my body and lay off meat. Well, I lost weight, A LOT of weight. I was very thin, however I felt energized with my Yoga practice, so I kept on. Over the time span of about 8 months, my hair started falling out, my period became irregular (coming about every 2 to 3 weeks instead of like clockwork 28 days that it was my whole life.) I started with insomnia and irritability, extreme anxiety, I mean, I felt like I was spinning out of control. Then, I started having severe digestive issues. I couldn't eat ANYTHING anymore. It took me a while to figure out what was happening. My gut flora was all screwed up from not eating meat, and it took me almost a year to get myself balanced again.  I don't have a gal bladder so I can't eat red meat as often as the diet suggests, maybe once or twice a week. But to this day, if I go longer than that without it, I start to feel twitchy and anxious and I know I just need a steak, lol. I still practice yoga 4 times a week, but I also do my other cardio excercise.  I try to eat meat on a day I do Yoga in the morning, then I will skip the next day yoga practice and do it the following day. Yoga is very much about focus and intention. you can use your focus and breath to steady yourself, as you move along in your practice, you will see what I am talking about (you may already know).  However, be careful about eliminating meat, I don't say this to be judgemental, I say it because I believe you can find a balance between your diet and your excercise that will make you not only happy, but extremely healthy. and I wish you the best of luck, Yoga will make your body able to do incredible things! lots of love!

Quoted from jennyg

Marjorie, I didn't have time to read all of the posts, but want to share my experience with Yoga. I have been actively practicing Yoga for two years. When I first began, I had the same experience with eating meat and practicing Yoga, so I decided to listen to my body and lay off meat. Well, I lost weight, A LOT of weight. I was very thin, however I felt energized with my Yoga practice, so I kept on. Over the time span of about 8 months, my hair started falling out, my period became irregular (coming about every 2 to 3 weeks instead of like clockwork 28 days that it was my whole life.) I started with insomnia and irritability, extreme anxiety, I mean, I felt like I was spinning out of control. Then, I started having severe digestive issues. I couldn't eat ANYTHING anymore. It took me a while to figure out what was happening. My gut flora was all screwed up from not eating meat, and it took me almost a year to get myself balanced again.  I don't have a gal bladder so I can't eat red meat as often as the diet suggests, maybe once or twice a week. But to this day, if I go longer than that without it, I start to feel twitchy and anxious and I know I just need a steak, lol. I still practice yoga 4 times a week, but I also do my other cardio excercise.  I try to eat meat on a day I do Yoga in the morning, then I will skip the next day yoga practice and do it the following day. Yoga is very much about focus and intention. you can use your focus and breath to steady yourself, as you move along in your practice, you will see what I am talking about (you may already know).  However, be careful about eliminating meat, I don't say this to be judgemental, I say it because I believe you can find a balance between your diet and your excercise that will make you not only happy, but extremely healthy. and I wish you the best of luck, Yoga will make your body able to do incredible things! lots of love!

Hi Jenny

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is very inspiring and I am going to focus on the intention and balance of both eating and yoga. I started yoga one month ago and I am already at  3x per week! I really love it, however, I to need my cardio. Must be the o in me.

I have seen a huge shift in my body and not sure if I am losing weight, but my stomach is flatter and I feel LONGER in general. Also, the spiritual component has be feeling energized. I will begin hot yoga this month as well. Even though my goal is not to lose weight, I hope it happens naturally. I believe by practicing yoga, I am more mindful of what I eat and I feel less inclined to eat meat. That said, I do believe I need fish or gf beef at least 2 a week.

Thank you again and namaste.

M