a bright yellow ball

This is actually much more relaxing than it looks.  If you are struggling with lower back pain (*or even the lady cramps), this pose is mucho beneficial to relieving some of that pain.  You stay in this position for 5-10 minutes and just breathe.  Your thighs will be slightly sore from being stretched, but you will feel relief in those key areas.
I have participated in some light yoga this week(*this pose has been a go to) and I used my brand new, bright yellow, stability ball yesterday. 

Now, I know my dear husband thought I was crazy as I was sitting on the couch blowing up this ginormous ball with a hand operated pump. Mind you, I was blowing it up at 9pm.  But I wanted it to be ready for me yesterday morning.  I read an article about how to become a morning workout  person.  One of the tips was to mentally prepare yourself for what you wanted to do the next day.  Make a plan so you don't have to just "figure it out".  Because if you do that, you won't ever "figure it out".

Been there. 
Tried that. 

So Tuesday night, I blew up that beast and remembered I had this pinned up for just this very occasion:

 

Now, most of these are easy for beginners.  I did find myself struggling with #2 and #5.  So I also used the exercise chart that actually came with the ball.  I decided to do these exercises during the commercial breaks while watching the view.  I must say...I was a tad bit sore today.  

On an unrelated note, I had a quiet victory last night.  We went out for dinner---MEXICAN.  Where the chips are delicious and everything is covered in cheese.  I did devour the chips.  OOPS! But I wasn't even half way through my delicious chicken with peppers/onions/mushrooms when I WAS FULL.  I was literally in pain.  Couldn't eat another bite kind of full.  At first I was disappointed, because it was delicious and I wanted to eat it! Then I realized what that meant: I have begun to shrink that stomach where I don't need to eat as much at one time!  WOO-HOO!  A few months back, I could have licked that plate clean then gone out for ice cream.  I was pretty proud of me. 

...it's the little things in life.