This morning at 6 am, something very unusual happened.
Shiloh and I actually got up, put on assorted lululemon gear, and trundled through the rainy Boston morning for Level 1/2 Yoga at Exhale.
(Okay, I lied, we took a cab. But we did go to Yoga. And did you see that I said 6 am? You should be feeling slightly impressed right now.)
Anyway, after over an hour of Downward Facing Dog and Camel poses, my heartrate monitor indicated we had burned around 250 calories. Seeing that my average calorie burn before 8am usually consists of a solid zero, I felt I should feel more satisfied seeing that number. But sometimes I have to wonder how good of a workout yoga actually is? I know, I know, you can cite all the stress-relief-strengthening-flexibility-osteoporosis-fighting-facts you’ve got. I hear you. But sometimes it’s hard for me to believe that hour of Uttanasana and Warrior One is any more athletic than me focusing my hatred at that asshat that reads the jam jar labels on the Today Show.
So, as for all things eating, weight management and calorie related, I emailed Shiloh for her take. Here’s what she wrote back:
” You have come to the right place. I spend many hours debating this to reach a verdict that will keep my insanities in check.
Yoga counts, but it does not count.
Let me explain:
There is NO reason to go to the gym again. You have done something good for your body that day. Burned some calories and “mixed it up” as many workout magazines suggest. So it checks the GYM box under things I have to do today, but it does not check the EAT WHATEVER I WANT BOX BECAUSE I WORKED OUT box. Which I think is sometimes a good thing.
BUT what I would say is that tomorrow def has to be a gym day and probably cardio or something more legit for calorie burning. NOW if you knew you could not do the gym tomorrow I would advise a light jog today. OR if you are feeling really motivated and loose than also take advantage of this spring in your step.”
Words to the wise.
