Yoga IS a workout

Whoever says that yoga isn't a workout obviously has never gone to a vinyasa class. I am so sore today! I miss this sore feeling. I'm looking forward to going to class again on Friday and I even purchased a few classes yesterday to motivate me to go at least once a week for the next month or two. I am not a fan of going to classes in January (or to the gym in January) with all the "resolution" people...I tend to workout at home for the month.

The short of this is, I'm sore. My arms, my shoulder blades, my shoulders, my obliques...all sore. After work today I plan on going for a run so I'll add legs being sore tomorrow to my list.

In other news...BC side effect updates. I'm emotional. It's difficult to have mood swings in my career since I need to remain level and calm. I did the best I could last night. I find that I get irritable very easily and need to calm myself down. That's another reason I opted to go back to yoga in a studio instead of just at home. I need to remain centered. Physical side effects have not come back in terms of the pain I felt on Thursday...but I'm wondering how much of that was just over-indulgence that I assumed was related to coming off the pill. Regardless, it hasn't come back yet. My face however, that's an entire different story. I have the lovely under the skin bumps...so my face isn't red, it's just bumpy. I'm making sure that I clean it well and I think I'm going to be trying all sorts of new products to see what works...but yes...skin is not very happy at the moment.

Overall though, I'm really positive and happy...so long as I don't get irritated :)

Giving thanks

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We left the city last night and drove 6 hours northeast to theUP of Michigan. I'm thankful we are able to do that and spend time with my in-laws. I am also thankful that my husband, sil and I went for a run this morning. We followed the c25K program since I am on week 8...even if I have run 2 5ks already. I want to run again tomorrow but we shall see.

I also experienced my first mood swings, hot flashes, pain in my side, and pimple breakout today from coming off the pill. I totally jinxed myself too...but dealing and honestly thankful that I decided to stop my pill. Yes my timing sucked but it needed to be done. I just thought I would share. Day 11/12 of my cycle since coming off the pill and my body is reacting. Add too much food and booze to the mix...and you get me right now.

Another experience that I will look back on and say, "well I made it through that..."

So many other things that I am thankful for...but writing this entry on my phone is slow :)

More energy, now with less hormones!

I posted recently that I had made a decision to come off of the pill. I realize it has hardly been anytime at all (less than 2 weeks) but I already feel different, in a good way. I have so much energy.

This morning when I was thinking about it I realized this spike came in the past 2 weeks. To be fair, I have increased my vitamins and have been taking them every day, but I started that when I was sick 3 weeks ago so I think it's coming off of the pill that has a greater effect on me.

I think that's why I was so inspired to run the race on Sunday and why I just want to be moving around.

I did a google search and found this blog entry that I felt was very relevant. I want to start following her blog because I feel as though I can relate and learn a lot. Besides that though, finally a positive experience about coming off of the pill.

This of course gets me into conspiracy theory mode regarding the pharmaceutical company wanting us to be on pills and they have the money so they control the internet so it's harder to find more the things that say, "coming off of pills is good for you". Again, conspiracy theory here.

I realize that there may be some downsides to coming off the pill after 17/18 years, but if having more energy is a side-effect, I'm all for it!

I'm curious as to what else may happen...but the positive things, I'm going to post. Speaking of positive, I do feel more positive...not super emotional (yet). Hopefully my experience will be really positive and give my conspiracy theory even more weight :)

Grown up decisions and fears - female perspective

Warning to those that follow this blog, I'm going to be sharing some personal information and potentially some graphic girl stuff that you may not want to read. Also, please don't make assumptions about other decisions that may or may not be happening in my life because of what I'm about to talk about.

With that being said...after 17/18 years (ugh is it really that long) I have decided to come off of the birth control pill. In about a week. It has been a decision that my husband and I have discussed and I'm just ready to be off of it.

When you take a medication for more than half of your life though, I'm finding that there is some separation anxiety. I mean I was a teenager when I started all those years ago. I don't even remember what my cycle was like back then. I went on it to help regulate and because, well, I was a responsible teenager to a point.

I've been reading all sorts of blogs and message boards about how women adjust to going off of the pill and I"m nervous, I'm not going to lie. Initially I was nervous about the change in routine, but now I"m nervous about becoming an emotional freak of nature (more so than I already am).

So while I won't share all of the details on here, I think it's important that there be as much information out there as possible for other women going through this situation. You are not alone. It's scary and weird and exciting and nerve wracking and all of it...but it is a decision that I have made, and I'm excited about it. I also figure if I really miss taking a pill at night, I'll just take a vitamin.

There is a part of me though that can't believe I'm a grown up who is making a decision like this...I also can't believe I have been on that medication for more of my life than I was not on it...and I'm not a big fan of medication!