Some like it HOT! 105 degrees to be exact. HOT YOGA – Photos of my first time. I have to say… it’s a lot like golf. “It looks easy”

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I stepped out of my comfort zone…

nervous and excited to give it a try… I set out this morning for my very first HOT YOGA class here in Folsom at Bikram Yoga.

Getting healthy and living an active lifestyle is very appealing to me. I knew this was a step in my journey. And something that I must do.

What made me most anxious was that it was going to last for

90 minutes!

Man-O-Man that seemed like a long time to do yoga!

As a newbee I wondered if I’d last that long… but I was willing and ready.

Heather was the class instructor.  She put me at ease right away. She said for the 2 first-timers, our goal is just to stay in the room for the entire 90 minutes.   Well heck, I can hang out for 90 minutes. No problem. I got it. I was feeling confident now.

It started out with everyone getting a floor space. Putting down a long skinny mat with a towel over it, facing the long wall of mirrors. Thinking back – I’m surprised we didn’t fog up the mirrors.  That would have been funny.

Hot Yoga...here I go.

Folsom Hot Yoga Sunday Class (916) 984-9000

I knew I was going to have to listen and focus if I was going to get into the pose. A couple were very easy, and a couple were pretty advanced. I realized that if I was going to eventually do some of the poses …I’d have to strengthen my core.  Something I definitely need to work on.

Hot Yoga Pose

It's a lot like Golf. It looks Easy.

Balance and focus were needed when we got to the one leg pose.  My right leg – could not stand still. My left leg, well have a look!

Hot Yoga Joyce on one foot.

Balance... Pretty Good for a first timer!

What struck me was the care Heather showed in this class towards the students and her knowledge to guide us verbally through multiple sequences of poses and rest. 

I completed the entire 90 minute class!

Heather My First Hot Yoga Instructor 11-15-09 Folsom CA

My 1st Hot Yoga Instructor, Heather

I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

…and enjoyed the experience!

 I was willing to take a risk today and try something new. I am so happy I did.  Getting healthy and living a full life means getting out of our comfort zone.

If you are in the Folsom Area, Karen Fitzpartick the owner of the Folsom Bikram Yoga is hosting a FREE Class this Thursday, Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:30 pm. 

If you want to try it out… I recommend it!

Call to RSVP for the FREE class because space is limited. (916) 984-9000

Bikram Yoga in Folsom is located at 1013 Riley St. Folsom, CA (next to kohl’s)

After My 1st Hot Yoga Class with Karen

Just completed my 1st Hot Yoga Class, with Karen Ernst

Comments and questions email me at Joyce@Blonskij.com

RELENTLESS PURSUIT! Ladies Brace Yourselves… Meet A PRO, Grigori Atoyan – NPC USA Champion and MY TRAINER!

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November 2009 Musclar Development article and photos of Grigori Atoyan

Grigori Atoyan 2009 NPC USA Champion

I met Grigori Atoyan (he goes by Greg) over 10 years ago when he worked as a fitness trainer at 24 Hr. Fitness in Folsom.  Greg was my trainer back then and although I was still over weight, I was fit and strong.

Now that I’ve lost over 100 pounds I went looking for Greg  to ask him to help me tone, firm-up, and gain muscle definition.  I found Greg at his Max Muscle in Gold River…

I wanted to surprise Greg but with caller ID I was busted. He was all smiles when he saw me drive up to his store and get out of my car. He came out to meet me saying “I knew it was you”! 

We’re both older.

I’m smaller.

Greg is BIGGER…

He looks awesome!

Check out the November 2009 Muscular Development Magazine. Page 202 – 213 Greg’s amazing 20 year-long journey of body building, which started in his home country Armenia.

I’ve just completed my first week of  training with Greg. I trained two days and did cardio five. I am very excited to be working with Greg again.

For those still in the weight loss phase I would suggest that you take it easy.  30 minutes of moderate cardio, 3 to 5 days a week is very good. If you start burning lots of calories working out… you may slow or stop your weight loss. 

After losing 100 pounds and only 11 more to go to my optimal weight, I don’t mind slowing down my weight loss  in order to tone and get muscle definition.

Greg Atoyan and Joyce Blonskij Workout Arms.

1st Work Out

 

I Found Myself by Losing…One Hundred Pounds! I didn’t do it alone. I had and still have lots of support. “THANK YOU” for helping me.

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 101.4 Lbs I don’t have to lug around any longer. Thank God… and a few others along the way.

To Dudley & Sherry Adair, my Take Shape For Life Health Coaches and dear friends…

THANK YOU BOTH,  AND…You were right! 

I do love this program and the amazing results.

Sherry & Dudley Adair, my friends and TSFL Health Coaches

Sherry & Dudley Adair, my friends and TSFL Health Coaches

I’d need to thank Betty Forsman, the most wonderful Weight Watchers Leader you could ever be blessed to have.   

Betty Forsmen My Weight Watcher Leader

Betty Forsmen My Weight Watcher Leader

All the great Folsom Staff at Weight Watchers & My WW friends/family. 
 
You ROCK! 
 
 
To Lynn Thomson who got the ball rolling some 3 years ago…
“Lynn – Who’d of thought I be size 10 now! – WOW “
 
Thank You for saving my life and my health. 
 
I didn’t realize how bad it was going  – until I got healthy.  
 
  
2007 Lynn Thomson & Me at her Kiwanis Installation Dinner

2007 Lynn Thomson & Me at her Kiwanis Installation Dinner

To my wonderful husband, John Blonskij, he deserves an award or medal or something for enduring all my diets!
He has allowed me to experiment new recipes using him as my human guinea pig. More than once we had to scrap meals and start over.
God Bless My Dear Husband, he needs it living with me…
 
Hilda and Nataliya, my staff,  who are best cheer leaders every day of the week! Thank you for being here for me!
 (I’m sorry for the Shake explosion. I won’t do that again).
 
My crazy and wonderful cousins who cheer me on from the East & West Coasts, and all the way down South to TENN!  Wait until our next reunion… I’m getting a blond wig, sun glasses and a new “red” cowgirl hat from Nashville. I’ll  pull-up in a Chevy pickup truck… and you all will think it’s a movie crew coming to town! (If only Rosalie were alive… I can hear her now… “OMG she’s a movie star from Hollywood!!!”:) I love you all so very mcuh. I’m so happy we’re related. I mean that!
 
Hey Donna Conway ~ I’m going to need a new video next time we are in Nashville, now that I’m a skinny chick. Maybe we can get Carl Jr up on stage WITH US this time? Just kidding Carl.
 
To my cousin, Janet Wheeler who is on this journey with me… keep up the good work!
 
Alice Blonskij, my sister-in-law, who said it best;
“You did it the right way”
 
No Shots ~ No Pill ~  No Surgery
Thank -you Alice for being there for me. 
 
To all my friends and family
 
THANK YOU!
 
 
I’M JOYCE BLONSKIJ
 
AND
 
I’VE LOST OVER ONE HUNDRED POUNDS
 
and…
 
I’ve kept it off for 8 days!
 
 
Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email at: Joyce@Blonskij.com
 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/itsmeltingoff