Khaleesi

The Barrow Downs 15th August, Common Era 2014 Penned by mine own hand Suffered an injury to the face that put a pause on progress. Careful work on the part of healers has resulted well, and we are back to our quest in earnest. It has been slow in the last week, but, we have now approximated 118.5 miles on our journey. We have ridden north through a gap, and can only hope to reach Bree soon. Should the gods show us favour, we will finally arrive sometime next week.

The Barrow Downs 6th August, Common Era 2014 Penned by mine own hand Camp has been slowly progressing in the last several weeks. Our journey toward Mordor has accumulated 110 miles to date. Troops were quartered for some time at the house of one Tom Bombadil, as there was a requisite wedding to the khal. I am very grateful for the wondrous gift of a dragon egg that was bestowed upon me at my wedding day. There is yet hope... Training has begun again in earnest. 3 days a week are dedicated to the drill fields. I believe the common word for it is cardio? Regardless, that and strength training are continuing. We have encountered an ally on our journey, and are meeting with them in the fields for practice. Morale is shaken, but the khalasar soldier on.

Well, life got craaazy at the end, and there was the start of back pain (turns out I screwed up the alignment of both my SI joints - probably a good thing I listened to the pain I was having when doing squats). Still, I walked 5 miles each the last two weeks, which, considering the circumstances, I would say more than qualifies as a successful run. My water has been amazing, and my wedding planning is coming along great. Not sure if I'll be able to do the next challenge - not sure what state my back will be in. Regardless, I'm off to a good start this year, with going back to school, and looking to buy a house with the khal. Thanks for the encouragement, y'all!

That's my goal! And, I didn't mention because I haven't completely decided yet. Either Army or Air Force. Right now I'm leaning Army because I had a bad experience with the Air Force recruiter, but, I figure I can give it another try in 18 months and see what they say then. Yesterday I forgot to do my sit ups. Well, not forget. I passed out and barely woke up enough to take my antidepressant when the khal got home. Still, I did 110 squats, 65 crunches, 33 leg raises, and 42 second plank. Today is supposed to be rest day, but, I'm banging out those 55 sit ups so I don't have to add them to tomorrow's 60. Wedding planning is going surprising well! Huzzah! And, this weekend is tax return filing and taking a Quantitative Reasoning test for school before orientation on Monday. Today marks 12/30 for the challenge - almost at the halfway point! I'll reward myself with crossplaying Han Solo for the con at the end of February.

YES! Yay for safe kitty! Kishi - Thanks! I intend to continue doing so with Week 4. I feel like I've hit my momentum. Terinatum - Thanks! Cookie - I didn't think I could, but damn. Sometimes I surprise even myself. Monday was rest day. I did not post measurements because I got out of study group to find out that the khal's car had died. Fortunately, that is fixed and we pick it up tomorrow. Yesterday I stayed on track - 100 squats, 40 sit ups, 30 crunches, 30 leg raises, and a 30 second plank. I also spoke with military recruiters and I have to get my weight down to 150lbs for my height, which I can do by June 2015, which is when I can start paperwork for OCS (I graduate with my BA in Dec 2015). Unfortunately, when I got weighed at the doc's office yesterday, I measured in at 180lbs. That's 30lbs weight gain since I started taking the depo provera shot. And 10lbs since the beginning of January. They tested my thyroid, and it came back fine. My guess is the shot is at fault, since weight gain is a side effect, and I'm meeting with my NP next Thursday to get off it and move back to a pill. As much as I love the convenience of this, I do NOT love the weight gain, especially when I'm drinking water and eating pretty well. Mostly done with today's goal (done with water), but, I'm waiting for the khal to get home so I can do my sit ups. In the meantime, measurements! Waist: 32.5 (down 1/2" ) Neck: 13.25 (same) Hip: 43.5 (up 1/2" ) Upper bust: 36.75 (down 1/4" ) Under Bust: 34 (same) Bust: 39 (down 1/2" whyyy) R thigh: 26 (down 1" ) L thigh: 26.25 (down 3/4" ) R Calf: 15 (same) L Calf: 15 (same) R Upper Arm: 12.75 (down 1/4" ) L Upper Arm: 13 (down 1/4" )

Thanks for the encouragement, Kishi! I had a love/hate last night. I didn't want to do it, but I did. And I did it. Sweet Pea - I did them one day. It was intense, but, really good. Yesterday saw 80 squats, 40 sit ups, 20 leg raises, 20 crunches (no weights), and a 30 second plank. And water! I did my cardio searching for my 5-month old kitten yesterday - walking around for 45 minutes in the cold. No idea what my mileage was, but, my kitten showed back up last night after having been missing for over 24 hours, so I'm content. I'll happily give myself A's in all areas for Week 3. I'd say that's a great comeback from the mess that was Week 2 (but, I still drank my water!). I am gonna go back and edit my goals to reflect the current scenario tonight, as well as posting measurements.

OH! And I have been on top of the wedding planning each week! My cake maker had to bow out, so I've been scrambling to find someone who's available - have a possibility, waiting to hear back about price. I have picked my two hotels to reserve room blocks, and I'm getting that done. Invitations and reply cards are designed. Looking forward to Sunday... it's supposed to get up to 41, so, the khal and I might be able to take a walk. I really hope we can. Then, 80 squats, a movie with a friend, and coming home for a chat with the bridesmaids.

And water! Split pea soup sounds divine. Yay for minimalism and focusing on what you need.

Have you tried a handful of nuts to help? They are a little sweet, but better for you than chocolate... GREAT job on sticking to your goals! You're doing awesome! I decided just to do the measuring thing... since how I look is more important to me than what number I weigh, and, remember, muscle weighs more than fat.

Have you tried focusing more on the triceps? Good luck. You can make a lot of progress in 50 days!!

Yay for cooking! That will be fun - you'll be surprised. I like Pinterest - you can search for healthy recipes, and get to see pictures. Pictures always help me decide if I actually want to make something. Good luck with Rook... I'll leave you in the capable hands of Thrima... I just have cats.

Yay for magic! And for staying on top of your goals. That's really good that you have more gym space *and* friend space! Drink more water.

You can do it! I know you can. Deep breaths help. And drinking more water. The pole dancing sounds marvelous. Whenever you think you can't do something, think about when you actually couldn't get to the top of the pole, and yet now you can!

Thanks, Heidi and Cookie! I am almost done with my water for today. Half a bottle more. It'll definitely be done by the time I go to bed. I haven't gone to any training yet. The closest place is 45 minutes away and between work and wedding planning I haven't really had time. But, when I do get to go, I will be READY. I picked up my 10 lb dumbbells today and I'm so excited to use them. It'll be great. Today is my off day for the squat challenge and the abs challenge - and I find that I'm missing not doing them. Can't wait for tomorrow! Also can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can hit the track and start running. No idea where the positivity or the excitement came from. I blame credit the Morrigan...

60 squats. 25 sit ups. 10 leg raises. 10 crunches with 10 lbs of weight. 15 second plank. Tomorrow is rest day (my thighs are singing praises). Also picking up 10lb dumbbells for my strength training. Yay! And, water was a go. Barely.

55 squats. 20 sit ups. 8 leg raises. 8 crunches with 10lbs of weight. 12 second plank. No push-ups today, because I want the khal to be there to make sure my form is good before starting to do them on my own. Water is going great! Channeling fire...

Was routed by the enemy and taken unawares. Have managed to regroup the remaining khalasar and have created a new battle plan. Never surrender. Never give up. Week 2 saw no gym. In fact, I'm cancelling my gym membership. The one thing that was accomplished in Week 2 was water, so, it was not a total loss. The good news: Started the 30-day Ab challenge and 30-day Squat challenge today. I will be replacing the 3xWeek gym with doing dumbbells at home. I already have the workouts prepped and planned. Week 3 will see progress! In fact, water is a go for today, 50 squats are down, 5 crunches (with 10lbs of weight), 5 leg raises, 15 sit ups, 10 second plank, and 20 wall push-ups. Monday's measurements: Waist: 33 (down 1" ) Neck: 13.25 (down 1/4" ) Hip: 43 (down 1" ) Upper bust: 37 (same) Under Bust: 34 (same) Bust: 39.5 (up 1/2" I don't know how and I don't care) R thigh: 27 (same) L thigh: 27 (up 1/2" ) R Calf: 15 (down 1/2" ) L Calf: 15 (down 1/2" ) R Upper Arm: 13 (same) L Upper Arm: 13.25 (down 1/4" )

Agh. Life got a little crazy, BUT, for the most part, fitness things stayed good. Ish. The water has been met every day! Hurray! I did not take a 2 mile walk last week, but, I did walk all over Sam's for an hour. I haven't been to the gym yet this week (today did not go as planned and I am trying to cram way too much in), but, I am trying to go tomorrow, Thurs, and Fri. I will put up measurements later tonight.

Just Shy of Tom Bombadil's House 9th January, Common Era 2014 Penned by mine own hand Camp has moved approximately 7.17 miles today. Our total journey toward Mordor has taken us 96.67 miles. An odd fellow who is rather fond of singing seems to have appeared and is leading us toward his house. I am looking forward to leaving this dreaded forest, by any means necessary. He is loud and unruly, and I doubt my khalasar appreciates it. In other news, I spent some time this morning taking counsel with a trusted adviser on ways to build strength and tips for appropriate training therein. Efforts are being put forth to study form, in lieu of paying a sellsword trainer. Gold must be saved for transporting an army, and wedding the khal. I trust that upon completion of the study portion, a more detailed battle plan will be issued. Morale is strong.

I'm not sure how I feel about you becoming Stormborn... I'll cheer you on anyway - as you said, similar goals and aspirations! What's not to love? And, I hear you on dashing to/from the bathroom. Apparently it's my new favourite pastime - we should count steps! Keep it up!

Aw, thanks! Next time I need to make my life challenge to have to do with my writing, I think...

Went to the gym and just focused on cardio today. 7.17 mile on the stationary bike in 30 minutes. Not shabby for just getting back into it. The first 10 minutes I wanted to go home and go to bed. After that it was peachy (well, as peachy as can be with your legs jiggling and your body sweating). 3 bottles of water is a go. Gym date is set for Sunday at 1705. And plans for a walk in the park (and working on removing leaf build-ups in the stream) are already laid for Sunday as well. Measurements and pictures will be taken again on Monday. No beginning pictures, because it was too cold. I miss the Great Grass Sea...

Not going to class is okay. Taking care of yourself is more important. Drink more water! And stay warm.

From our camp in the Old Forest 7th January, 2014 Common Era Penned by mine own hand Night has fallen and my khalasar is mostly quiet. I have begun reviewing the plans for advancement and am organizing them accordingly. Firstly, I have taken down our current statistics: Waist: 33.5 Neck: 13.5 Hip: 44 Upper bust: 37 Under Bust: 34 Bust: 39 R thigh: 27 L thigh: 26.5 R Calf: 15.5 L Calf: 15.5 R Upper Arm: 13 L Upper Arm: 13.5 Now, I am readying the maps. Retaking my rightful place as Queen of Westeros will require courage, stamina, strength, and skill. Our right can only be held by judicious application thereof. Now, the focus is to prepare for battle. Arming up, drilling, and such like, as well as searching for the ever-missing dragons. Courage: Marriage, even if untraditional, is not for the faint of heart. Six months is not long, and a lot of work lies between now and the handfasting, let alone now and being skilled enough to fight in tourneys. For the time being, my work shall mainly focus on prepping for the (legal) handfasting with the khal, especially as it's mostly a DIY-fest. By the end of this month, invitations and reply cards must be designed so they can be sent to the printer. In addition, by the end of this month I must have at least ordered the bustier to go under the wedding gown, and have brought the gown home, and have picked hotels and reserved blocks of rooms. Next month can be dealt with as the ravens return to us with further news as what we need to plan (flowers, ceremony, vows, etc.). Stamina: Endurance is important. During my current six-week challenge I am working to either take a minimum 2 mile walk/hike with the khal outside, or spend a minimum of 30 minutes on the bike. That is fine for the beginning. After that, the real work must begin. I think a strict regimen of 2-3x weekly (for the first couple weeks, at least) cardio will be necessary. As the weather approaches livable conditions outside (not releasing my inner dragon every time I breathe, for instance), at least one of those will be jogging or hiking outside. Slow and steady will assist in my knee injury (stupid arrow). I will revisit and clarify after the troop inspection following the six week challenge. Strength: Currently, I am heading to the gym 3x week for the six week challenge. That will increase to 4x upon completion of the challenge. In addition, as I continue to make progress with the weights I am using, I will acquire new weights for reps at home. The goal will to be to alternate upper and lower body strength. Upper body is required to swing a sword. Lower body is required to keep me on my feet. Flexibility is also key - daily stretching will be necessary to maintain the flexibility that dancing with dragons (or en pointe) provided me in my younger years, as well as preventative measures from having one's back go out a second time. Note to self: Perhaps incorporate a barre workout as one of your cardio options, for stamina. In addition, upon completion of the initial six weeks of training, acquiring gauntlets should become a priority, so that training with the sword may begin. Once gauntlets are acquired, the shift in regimen will no doubt result in less trips to the gym, and more trips to the pel. Skill: We are nothing without skill. The mind must be sharpened just as the body. A minimum of two books a month must be completed. Without our mind, we have no cunning, or wit, and our battles will fall apart before us. In addition, this month, we will complete our application to finish our degree, so that we may add more letters after our name. Continual reflection with my advisers and queensguard will take place, of course and adjustments may follow as I deem fit, based on their counsel. Queen by Right of Arms shall be in reach. Westeros shall be reclaimed. Legends shall be fought.

Make that 4 bottles of water. The plan is gym after work tomorrow for lower body strength, and then off Thurs, back to the gym on Friday after work, and cardio/walking either Saturday or Sunday. It depends on how cold it is...