Fonzico

Thanks, Heranje, you really have a knack for putting things into perspective. I was feeling bad, because it seemed like everyone else in our group rocked it out hard this week while I floundered... which may have been true, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that the reason I got in a good leg workout last night was because of the (positive!) pressure I feel from here That sense of "ooh, if I do this, then I can brag about it!" (in a totally socially acceptable way, which is the great thing about places like this) is great incentive to do more. Here's to week 4! We're just crossing the mid-point, so we ought to catch our second winds about now!

Ok, thanks guys! I was so excited about my pics, and then equally devastated that I couldn't get them off the camera! They are just taken with our old digital camera, and I'm not a very good photographer, but I wanted to do a walk-story like Ordimoi did. I had so much fun narrating it in my head as I walked. I discovered that my work computer does indeed have an xd slot (which surprises me as much as it makes me happy!) but I'm a dummy and forgot to bring the camera with me! But I am going to go home and get it on my lunch break! I may wait until I get home to post though, as I have no photo editing software here. Thanks for the extension!

I am rather disappointed in myself this week. I tried to keep a positive attitude and "do better next time" only to make yet another bad decision time after time. I feel like I let my shoulder injury hold me back from other things that had nothing to do with my shoulder. I did get some decent workouts in (2hr+ walk on Saturday, and a leg session yesterday) but I am clearly trying to outrun my fork and it's not working! Surprise, surprise. This is how it always happens though.. once I slip up, it takes me DAYS to get back on track. My will power just up and leaves me. I feel like absolute crap today - the delicious and totally not-regretted sushi yesterday was followed by a candy and nachos binge that night which was very, very much regretted. As a result, even though I went to bed early, I got up waaaaaaaay late today (as in about 20 mins before I had to be out the door) so I'm also unshowered... Mmmmm, you're welcome, everyone I see today! lol Gah! Ok, though, seriously, it's out of my system now. I am not making excuses - I am a being in possession of free will, and every single decision I made was completely my own. Now I am deciding to make awesome decisions. Which itself is an awesome decision, so one down! I just need to refocus on the mentality I had at the start: I may be a weak, naked, directionless avatar... but I have a tonne of potential. And, now, a pointy stick that I can hit things with! So, Official Week 3 Update: Chin-up Progress: A- (down from A) Due to shoulder issues, I only got one negative chin-up session and one extra arms workout. I'm not going to dock myself points for that, but I will weight this week less in the final tally. Shoulder is feeling almost all better, and stood up to some gentle stuff yesterday (downward dog and planks) so I should be ok for this week, but will be careful. I'm excited to get back to it! Stop Eating Wheat: C (Down from B- ) 4/7 days were wheat free. This needs to get better, as it is what is throwing my entire diet off track due to crazy cravings. Trying to be more prepared: I've stocked up my work snacks, which will head off any afternoon slumps. Just need to make some big batch paleo meals to get us through the week. 10 mins of Yoga: B- (Down from A-) 4/7 days - goal was 5 days this week. No excuses for this one. Just needs to be better this week. Get up early: B- (up from C+) 3 weekdays, plus up by 9 on both weekend days. Again, I wish I had done better, but this is still great progress over my behavior before the challenge started. Since I already missed this morning, I am committing (as in, not just aiming, but promising myself and my lovely accountabilibuddies) that I will get up by 6:50 for the rest of the work week. It's happening. *Drops microphone* Although I did not live up to my expectations this week, I am even more determined than ever to make this work. I will not be discouraged! Basically, I wasted some time, wandering around, not getting many kills. It's time to buckle down and earn those EXP!

Mmm, lurid green, just how I like my food! hehe but in all honesty, it's probably delicious! Sounds like you had a great week though, Heranje, you should be proud of yourself!

Mmm that slaw looks great, and I'm only missing the pecans and the chipotles. And I just made a batch of homemade mayo! I bet it keeps well too. Considering you were sick, I think you did great this week! It seems like veggies are becoming more of a routine for you.

I'm very distressed because I took a ton of pictures yesterday, but I can't find the cord! I'm going to have to see if there's something a work tomorrow that has an xd card reader. should I attempt to submit late or save for next week?

It's funny because popcorn isn't something I ever crave.. I never make it for myself and I don't even get it at the theaters. But if you put a bowl in front of me, I can't resist. It's weird. As of late, my preferred "sensible indulgence" is coconut milk poured over frozen berries. Mmmmm.

And have you seen the pictures of what a lb of fast looks like on its own? Losing it is no small feat! Very well done, indeed

That definitely sounds like a good one... You've been killing it this week! I kind of feel like we're watching you do an epic training montage - I can't wait until the next scene, when the protagonist sets off on her ultimate journey!

@DalaughingBuddha: I have have to say, that sounds pretty badass. Nothing like a little roleplaying to amp up your workout! One of my all-time favorite walks was with my 9 yr old niece, when we were pretending to be elves, surveying our territory. I should remember that I don't need to be with a child to do that!

Well done on the workout! There seems to be a theme lately, of almost not working out...and then bucking up and crushing it! I too count Sunday as the end of the week, but I know some people do Saturday... What did you do last week?

Thanks! We went out last night, and while I did indulge a bit, it wasn't over the top. I very brightly brought a veggie plate with me, so while I did have a little bit of popcorn and fudge and waaaay too much wine (!) it could have been much worse. Also, I have had some wheat today. Dammit, ramen! But, that's the worst of it! On the plus side: I got up at 9 today, which considering I went to bed at 2am quite drunk, that's impressive, and earns me an extra 1/3 of a letter grade for the week I also went for an epic nature walk. It was almost 8km (5miles) altogether, and involved some pretty decent hills. And I took a ton of pictures for the contest - hopefully some turned out. At the very least I got a hilarious video of a red squirrel. I'm really considering doing the same walk again tomorrow. It was so nice, and I feel fantastic now. I went through the nearby wildlife sanctuary, which has a back entrance fairly near my house. I love it!

It's funny, because I actually worked at the sushi place we frequent for like 3 weeks when I was 18 (It was an unmitigated disaster.. I had never served before, and aside from a couple waitresses and one of the chefs, no one spoke much english) and I was too much of a chicken to try anything interesting when I had a discount. Finally, a couple years ago, my brother in law taunted me into having some salmon sushi, and I was like "holy crap, what have I been missing out on!?" and it's been a wallet-draining love affair ever since. I have tried making my own nigiri and maki before.. the maki was fairly good, but the nigiri just seemed wrong.. just a mental thing, I think, like how a sandwich made by anyone other than yourself always tastes better than the same sandwich made by you. Also, cutting salmon prettily is HARD! And I have officially not been derailed I had a couple strawberries and a little cheese this morning (wasn't really hungry) and now I'm having chicken poblano for lunch. It does have rice in it, but not a ton. I still consider it healthy. I don't think I'm going to get off much earlier than usual, so capital sad-face at that, but I'm still going to try to get a walk in after work.

Watch out for bites then.. you know, radioactive spiders, vampires... seems to be the most common situation for losing one's humanity.

Mmm your meals always sound great! Well, I'm not too sure about the kale and cabbage But chipotle apple slaw sounds amazing. I'm going to try a paleo taco casserole this weekend (also deconstructed gyros from theclothesmakethegirl) I'm a quite excited for. The slaw would go great with that... recipe? lol

Exactly! I'm really working on that whole don't-let-one-meal-derail-you thing. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, two off meals a week are not going to undo the progress I'm making the rest of the time. Seriously, though, I cannot count all the ways I love sushi. I think about it so often, I have to restrain myself - I have a once-a-month rule, or I would be totally broke. It's the one thing I miss about Lethbridge (the super lame town with insane wind all the time that I went to Uni in) is the best $15 all-you-can-eat sushi I've ever had (granted, I'm in the land-locked prairies, so my expectations are not high) Mostly I get sashimi, so it's respectable, but they try to fill you up with rice at the all-you-can-eat here, so you can't order sashimi, only sushi. And let's be honest, I'm going to have some rolls too! But I always make the mistake of thinking I should get a variety... I'm not doing that this time! I'm just going to eat the things I love, aka tonnes and tonnes of salmon and tuna, and tropical maki (spicy salmon and mango, topped with avocado and smoked salmon.. OMG NOM) I don't even think I'm going to have an issue resisting the tempura Can you tell that I'm excited? Sunday cannot come soon enough! But on a non-food-obsession route... It's still supposed to be nice for the next three days, so I am planning to walk my butt off! (hopefully literally ) I figure I should just leave my shoulder alone until it's 100%, rather than my usual MO of just until it's ok-ish. My hubby has permanent rotater cuff damage, and I really don't want to be like him in that regard!

Haha, yah, apparently one of my friends played with his Catholic-elementary school teaching-mother... and she won! How awkward, lol.

Grrr at me.. made some very bad food choices last night. Once I start, I just can't stop. Sigh... Oh well, onward and upward. Shoulder is continuing to improve, so that's good. Probably won't do much today - I'm going to try and leave work early, and get some grocery shopping and house-cleaning done (I found out all the field guys have the day off, and now I'm jealous!) And then we have games night with our friends tonight - we are playing Cards Against Humanity (It's like Apples to Apples, but super dirty/racist... played it for the first time on Saturday, totally sober, and it was the funniest thing ever.) They only ship to North America, I think, but they let you print off your own cards for FREE! If you're into that kind of thing No yoga yesterday Did eat wheat. At least I got up early (today too!). The weekend is going to be awesome though! Teh Hubby is in an outdoor hockey tourney near our house, so I'm going to see if my sister want to come watch a bit and then go for a walk with me She's always up for the nice long ones, which is cool. Plus we are doing Mud Hero in August, so we're going to train together. I love my sister! And then we have poker night at the inlaws that evening... and then All-You-Can-Eat sushi on Sunday. NOM. I know it's going to be ridiculous, but I'm just going to enjoy myself, I love sushi so much. Also, probably going to need another long walk after that!

That's great! I'm glad you're taking ownership over your health.. It's one of those things, often we know what we need to do to be healthy, but put off acting on it.. and once we finally do, we're like "why didn't I just do this sooner?" And good job with the self-control at the pub You're a rockstar.

@Pookie: Yes, for sure I can. We have a full-sized fridge (There are only 2 1/2 of us who work in the office, so there's no food stealing or space issues) and so I usually keep a hunk of garlic sausage around, I just happened to have finished it off the day before without replacing. I should have more stuff stashed though. Almonds I've had before, fruit is always good! As I already know full well, I just have to be more prepared. Also, I had to go look up what ocean pie is, I'd never heard of it! I take it it's like a seafood version of shepherd's pie? @Ordimoi: I've only managed morning yoga once since the challenge began, but it was awesome! I have to get up significantly earlier to make time for it though (yes, I consider 20mins to be significant!) It would be a great routine to get into though, perhaps I will make it part of my next challenge. I packed a huge helping of leftover meatballs for lunch today, so I am quite full, I think I'll be ok today at least! Plus I have some strawberries and a little bit of camembert (oh, cheese, the love of my life!) with me too, if it comes down to that Now I'm off, because the sun is shining, and I think I should go get a walk in!

I'm going to go with slod. Fantastic total, though, Jo! You are impressive!

Amaze-balls! What new weapon did you choose? You clearly deserve something special

Despite the whole shoulder fiasco, I'm pleased with how yesterday went - I didn't overeat in the evening, which is a big score! Meatballs and zucchini noodles were delicious. The only other things I had were some guacamole (seriously, the best thing to tide you over) and some strawberries. Win! I had to do the bed-time yoga routine again, which is better than nothing, but... I want to try using my 'getting up earlier in the morning' time to do yoga, so i can get a good session in when the house is quiet. I need to start showering at night though! And I got up early again today. Also, my shoulder is starting to feel a bit better. It's still sore, and I'm still definitely going to give it at least 2 more days off, if not more, but at least I can put my jacket on without wincing.

Thanks, guys! I love to write.. but I never know what to write about. So it never gets far. This is fun though. And Heranje, of course I don't mind! I stole the idea from someone else myself!

That's great! I loved the song so much, and also thought it might have been you at first It made my day, regardless. Glad to hear the free weights are going well. Strength is awesome!