Oshika789

Hey there, just wanted to check on you. I know this weekend couldn't have been easy for you. I look forward to your next update!

Could it be? The 4th and final week of this challenge already?? Wow! I am actually on track to beat world one, but I think I'll only make it if I push myself this week. One more pound (or, 1.5 depending on how specific I get) and I make it to world 2! I think my biggest challenge will be once the challenge ends. I have guests coming to visit and I'll be off work for a few days, which means a major change in my usual routine. That will be the ultimate battle for me! Here's to finishing the final week strong, victorious, and ready to tackle the next challenge ahead!

Love this! Here I go!

Quick update: Last night I ended up working late (boo!) and the evening flew by! I only managed to get a couple of little things marked off my list, and didn't do the yoga. But today is another day! I am not staying late today, so I'll try again with my list tonight. Oh, I did take my dog for a walk so there was some movement at least. lol I forgot my lunch today and ended up going out with a co-worker, which I pretty much never do (I always pack). Ended up at chipotle and I had a salad with chicken, black beans, corn salsa, and a little bit of cheese (probably should have skipped it but at least told them "just a little"). Dressing was a vinaigrette, so I'm hoping that was fairly healthy! I don't really eat there much. So glad tomorrow's Friday with a 3 day weekend! So much to do before my visitors arrive just a week from tomorrow!!

Hahaha! Love this!

I suddenly realized this is the middle of week 3! I'm going to stick it out, even if my plan hasn't been working out like I hoped. I think I'm too easily distracted by all the things around the house that need done, and all the projects I want to work on. We've been here for almost a year already and I'm just now starting to feel like this is my home. It's been a long, rough transition for me for some reason. Last night I knocked everything off my list that I had time to accomplish without staying up too late. I mowed the grass which I'm counting as a work out, and I have my plan for tonight that includes quite a bit of housework, and plans to do a yoga session (since my morning yoga isn't happening...). I'm hoping once I get back into doing yoga again that it will be easier to get up in the mornings for a wake up session. Who knew saving the princess would be so much work??

American Ninja Warrior!!! What an amazing goal! My husband and I watch it all the time. Funny, as awesome as it looks, and as much as I'd love to try it (with no one watching, is that an option?) I never even thought of making it a goal to actually try out for it! That might become a future goal for me and him as well. I love you goals; short, simple, and great base habits to start with! Good job on meeting your goals so far! Ha ha! This cracked me up... been there before!

It sounds like you are doing well with your challenge! I have been trying new recipes lately (not as a challenge, just because I like cooking) and once I find one that looks good, I make sure to add any ingredients I need to my shopping list so I'll be sure to have everything when I'm ready to cook! You can do it!

I may be repeating level 2, but just like when you're first learning to play a new game, you learn a little from your failures and apply that to your next try, right? So this week I will keep doing what I am doing well (keeping my food under control, drinking water), and instead of stressing over failing to work out every day (yep, might have been a bit ambitious with that one) I'm literally taking it one day at a time. I have started making a list of what I need to accomplish after work each evening, and will start to add a workout in whenever I can. This way I know I'm getting done what needs to be done without tossing and turning and wondering what I forgot at night, and keeps me focused when I get home so I'm less likely to become a couch potato and get nothing accomplished. Tonight I need to mow the yard (push mow!) so that will definitely serve as my exercise today. Did I mention I had mushrooms in my scrambled eggs this morning?

How are you doing? Your mention of scoliosis hit home as I know I have family history of it, and my little brother was diagnosed with it (along with possible Marfan's) a year or two ago. Sadly, he doesn't seem to be taking any steps to help his condition. I did find a website with a few simple stretches / exercises that maybe could get you started? I also read that if you haven't had surgery to fuse any part of your spine, that exercise in whatever form you choose shouldn't worsen the condition (but of course, follow doctor's orders!). Hope this helps! http://www.healthline.com/health/scoliosis/exercises-at-home#1

I considered jumping ship and just hiding for the rest of this challenge. I feel like a failure and am disappointed in myself. I don't think I did any of my work out plans last week. No yoga, no jogging, no body weight workouts. I'm not even sure if I beat the level this week. I weighed Sat, Sun, and today and they were all different (all within 1.5 pounds, but all different). Ack! I can't seem to break through to get under 160. I feel like I've been between 160-162 for forever. I think I'll say level 2 failed and start over. Maybe that's what I need to get motivated? It's not too bad. I didn't go backwards. I just had an off week. I plan to have my yoga room ready to use this evening (I did a lot over the weekend), and I'll be getting to bed at a decent time. I have a plan, but I'm not following it... well, not all of it anyway. Did I make the mistake of doing too much at once? Perhaps I should have been more flexible with my workout plan? I know you're supposed to be specific, but if you aren't doing it at all... Of course, there's something to be said about just DOING it. I'm just... not. Anyone have any ideas for getting your butt in gear? I was really ready to make this happen, and I love my Mario plan... but when it comes to adding in exercise I'm falling flat.

I was definitely inspired by others, and have always loved all things Mario. It was either that or Zelda, but Mario just seemed to come together. You're welcome to use my format if it helps! I'm just figuring this out as I go, and think the backstory makes it more fun. I even found where someone has mapped all the original levels! I'd love to figure out something to do with them. Maybe print them and have a cut out Mario progress through the level as I complete my challenges for the week... I think I may have trouble staying focused on work today!

I love yoga! I used to do it all the time! Not sure how/why I got out of doing it, but I really want to get in the habit of practicing on a regular basis again. I meant to do an update yesterday, but I got to work and we had no phones, no network, nothing! After 2 hours they sent us home... so in a way it was nice to have an unexpected short day, but I'll be making up for it the rest of the week. So first of all, I did manage to pass level 1... but just barely. And I hate that I feel like I did the bare minimum. I'm the super tiny Mario without so much as a mushroom, and I crossed the finish line at the bottom of the flag pole. Yes, that's good that I made it, but I KNOW I can do better! I need to focus... this is only a 4 week challenge, and I feel like I barely even tried on week 1. I hate that, but I've just gotta suck it up and get going! I feel like I'm behind again already this week. My weird Monday threw me for a loop, and even though today feels like Monday it's really Tuesday and I only did part of my body weight workout (seriously... ugh). That being said, I can easily catch up and get right back on track. So I will. I want to pass level 2 with flying colors, and maybe bypass level 3 while I'm at it!

Checking in! How's the week been going for you?