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I've been getting a bit obsessed with yoga recently.
It all started in week 7 - the week where I failed to do press-ups. You may remember how I completed a full body stretch and recovery workout during that week. After doing this video on a few occasions - and really enjoying it - I found myself browsing other yoga videos.
Eventually, I stumbled upon the Yoga with Kassandra YouTube channel - and I have been hooked ever since!
Yoga with Kassandra
Kassandra Reinhardt's YouTube channel is largely focused on Yin Yoga - a style of yoga that is slow and meditative in style - and it is this style of yoga in particular that I have fallen in love with.
This week though, I've decided to focus on one of the slightly more energetic sets of videos that Kassandra has published. This particular set of videos is only available on her member's only website. It is a 7 day core exercise challenge - and it is this challenge that I have decided to attempt for the week.
I decided to sign up for the paid version after the 7 day trial expired. The paid version is only $13.99 per month and it feels good to have the opportunity to direct my money towards someone who has added so much value to my life - for free - via the 'Yoga With Kassandra' YouTube channel.
Yoga with Kassandra: 7 day core challenge
So the plan is to do one 5 minute video a day for the next 7 days.
Each day targets a different area of the core, including lower abdominals, obliques, back strength, glutes, core endurance, HIIT core and hip flexors. Each video is very manageable in length at only 5 minutes long.
I quickly realise though, that the short length of the videos is deceptive - some of the exercises are pure torture!
More core exercises
This week finishes with a training session on Sunday. My PT has made a couple of previous attempts to find and 'engage' my core muscles. The first - unsuccessful - attempt was in week 4. The next, much more relentless attempt was in week 5.
Now he's at it again.
I've been doing my 7 day core challenge every day this week, so my stomach muscles are tired already - I think I'm really going to feel this tomorrow!
Weekly food diary
This week I have been eating...
Monday
Breakfast: Muesli with oat milk. One cup of black coffee.
Snack: One banana.
Lunch: Mindful Chef's chargrilled plums with leek and red quinoa (one third of a two portion recipe).
Snack: Two spoonfuls of grain free granola mix. Two cups of tea, each with a dash of milk.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's pork meatballs, sweet pepper and butter bean stew.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
Tuesday
Breakfast: Muesli with oat milk. Two or three cups of black coffee thoughout the morning.
Snack: Two chocolate rice cakes and a MOJU prebiotic shot.
Lunch: Baked beans on buttered toast (brown granary bread) with a poached egg.
Snack: Two spoonfuls of grain free granola mix. A cup of tea with a dash of milk.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's turkey with creamy pesto penne and spinach.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
Wednesday
Breakfast: Muesli with oat milk. Two or three cups of black coffee thoughout the morning.
Snack: None today.
Lunch: Mindful Chef's Thai chickpea burgers with pak choi (one third of a two portion recipe).
Snack: Two cups of tea, each with a dash of milk.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's turkey with creamy pesto penne and spinach.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
Thursday
Breakfast: Buttered toast with marmite (brown granary bread). Two or three cups of black coffee thoughout the morning.
Snack: One banana.
Lunch: Mindful Chef's Thai chickpea burgers with pak choi (one third of a two portion recipe).
Snack: A spoonful of grain free granola mix.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's rump steak with creamy truffle leek and mushroom sauce.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
Friday
Breakfast: Muesli with oat milk. Two or three cups of black coffee thoughout the morning.
Snack: A spoonful of grain free granola mix.
Lunch: Mindful Chef's Thai chickpea burgers with pak choi (one third of a two portion recipe).
Snack: Two cups of tea, each with a dash of milk.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's rump steak with creamy truffle leek and mushroom sauce.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
Saturday
Breakfast: Muesli with oat milk. Two or three cups of black coffee thoughout the morning.
Snack: Two spoonfuls of grain free granola mix.
Lunch: Mindful Chef's teriyaki salmon, crispy kale and choi sum (one third of a two portion recipe).
Snack: One cup of tea with a dash of milk. One spoonful of grain free granola mix.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's Swedish-style pork meatballs and potato mash.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
Sunday
Breakfast: Muesli with oat milk. One cup of black coffee.
Snack: None today.
Lunch: Mindful Chef's teriyaki salmon, crispy kale and choi sum (one third of a two portion recipe).
Snack: One cup of tea with a dash of milk. One spoonful of grain free granola mix.
Dinner: Mindful Chef's Swedish-style pork meatballs and potato mash.
Snack: A small bowl of muesli with oat milk.
1. Pork meatballs, sweet pepper & butter bean stew 2. Rump steak with creamy truffle leek & mushroom sauce 3. Thai chickpea burgers with pak choi 4.Turkey with creamy pesto penne & spinach
Up next: my weight loss journey week 15
Lisa
