jillybeans

All good points-- and without the challenge I probably wouldn't have started back up with Crossfit, wouldn't be as conscious with my eating, and, most importantly, wouldn't have the perspective that I do now. I think what I've realized with this challenge is that 6 weeks really isn't a lot of time to implement the "drastic" improvements that I wanted to. It's the mantra that's displayed everywhere on NF, for good reason: small changes, long timescale. Yeah I was a bit ambitious (it's a CHALLENGE, after all!), but when compounded with all the recent life changing events that have been on my plate since April, it was a bit much. I kind of set myself up for failure. I've done terrible in this challenge. D-. Worst grade I've ever gotten in my life -BUT- I'm making awesome gains at lifting! DL, squat, clean and snatch have all improved dramatically. As a former sport-adverse person, finding something that I love to do THIS MUCH is still tripping me out. I still giggle when I say "snatch" though...

I'm doing quite terrible with the challenge so far I think the only saving grace is that I haven't completely derailed and gone on a cake binge. I'm still exercising, eating well-ish... I've learned a lot about myself and things I definitely need to change in the future in order to be successful. I'm pretty awesome at setting goals, but actually putting in the work is the hard bit (a very big DURRR moment). I definitely want to have a de-brief with myself next week and figure out what went wrong/what I need to do to stick to this long term. I already have a list. Gosh I love lists o.o Discovered "overnight porridge", which has been floating around on Pinterest for aaaages, and it's not my go-to brekkie. Even though it's oats and dairy!

Oh man, we did weighted squats the other day... You put the loaded barbell across your knees in a squat position and hold it for 2 minutes at a time. Did them for only 4 minutes total. Still feelin' it

Hey guys, Just to check in on everyone, how has the challenge been going so far? Just a bit over two weeks left! Does anyone want to nominate some mini challenges for next week?

Congrats on the winning!!! I like your idea of disassociating food with happiness, and replacing it with cheap ebay things. I'm thinking maybe I should try that... if I go an entire week without eating sweets then I get to go to Spotlight and buy some yarn XD

Sounds like you're picking back up where you left off! I had one of those "duh" moments today when I realized I ate over 1000 calories at the work lunch BBQ today-- how quickly those snags add up! I read your thread about the powerlifting as well-- congrats on the first session!!!! And my jaw dropped at your 40kg bench! Mate, I've had to roll of shame a 15kg bar I'm that bad And it's awesome you found a coach that's clued in. As everyone mentioned in the other thread, having someone show you proper form straight off the bat does well for your confidence. Pretty soon you'll be deadlifting Volkswagons like nothing.

But you finished it, that's all that matters!

Absolutely smashed out a workout tonight in crossfit! Deadlifted way more than I have ever done. A mere 65kgs for a 1RM max, but that's still heaps better than where I started!! Didn't do so hot on food today... There was cake at the office, and then went over to a mates house for dinner, and now I'm having some "power porridge" (oats + protein powder, sounds about as good as it tastes). However, despite my so-so diet I feel a lot better after having gone to crossfit. It's amazing how much your mood improves with exercise. I even surprised myself last night when I went for a 4km run (dreading it) and getting to the 4km mark and thinking "that's it!?". So I ran a much faster 500m to finish off, then did the push-up challenge. Still sad at how weak my push ups are! Working on doing one full push up, on the floor

Hey guys, I propose a mid-week mini challenge for Wednesday: CRUUUUUNNCCHEEEESSSSS Do 100 of your choice, any combination: Regular crunches Bicycle crunches Oblique crunches Who's up for making their core muscles weep like small children!?

Baby steps = better than doing nothing at all!!!

I did them off the knees, off the stairs lol

Holy eggs on toast, just did Matt's mini challenge @_@ My arms... they are jello... I did sets of 10, on the stairs, because I have epically weak little girly arms. Also did a set of 5-10 squats in between, otherwise it would have faffed around quite a bit in between sets. You know, it's amazing how much your mood can be elevated after exercising. Maybe all those scientists are right?

Athena, yeah I think it's all the weightlifting and not eating enough of the right things. I am trying to only eat ~1300 calories and weight lifting 3-4x a week, and then cardio+core on the alternate days. It only took two weeks for my body to be like, "WTF DUDE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME." Contrast this to about March where I was doing the same thing and eating ~2000 calories a day (mostly protein & fat) + cycling to/from work/gym, I was unstoppable. Didn't do anything for my figure but I could power through a squat set like a beast Also I used to hate eggs (I was a weird kid), but now I can't enough of them... Okay, after a miserable weekend of feeling sorry for myself I'm going to go for a run, and then do the mini challenge posted by Matt (100 squats or 100 push ups). My main concern is upper body strength so I'm going to power through some push ups!

Definitely keen for that mini challenge! I made the choice to do a little run tonight and not go to the gym, so I think 100 push ups is in order I've also been super lazy and haven't really stuck to the diet the past week. All the usual whinging/excuses. Upper body strength is definitely my weakness. I can't do "real" push ups but the coach showed me last week how to do a progression to build up the strength to get to real ones. The only down side is that I look like I'm doing the worm Matt I've done a "decomposed taco salad" before that turns out really awesome. I make taco seasoned meat, top with salsa, yoghurt (didn't have sour cream), and then all the regular salad fixins.

Man I love your thread!! The pictures of food are really inspiring. What was the taco-esque looking one?? I think I might have to make some slow cooked pork this weekend for tacos