Little Goose

Sorry I haven't been on the thread for a while...wow a surprise run! It looks like all that indoor time has really inspired you to go out ..now that you can. Awesome job

So...I don't want to turn this thread into my weekly soap opera. I'll just chalk up the basics. I had a really tense and super ugly awful week last week which affected every aspect of my life including fitness. I ended up with a total of 11/20 points for Week 3 which left me with a big fat 'F'. But...that's okay...this isn't about anything other than getting myself motivated. Seeing myself do so poorly was enough to slap me in the face and get me back in the fitness realm. This week (though it has only been slightly less ugly) I have turned the tension into fierce fitness rage! Mwahahaha! Here's what's been goin' on so far: Workout for Mon; May 6th: Beginner Warm Up Strength Squats (__2__ sets/­__8__ reps)Hip Raises (__3__ sets/__8__ reps)Straight Leg Dumbbell Deadlifts (__2__ sets/__8__ reps)Military Dumbbell Press (__2__ sets/__8__ reps)Crunches (__3 __ sets/__8__ reps)Workout for Wed; May 8th: Beginner Warm Up Strength Lunges (__4__ sets/­__5__ reps)Hip Raises (__4__ sets/__8__ reps)Knee Pushups (__4__ sets/__5__ reps)Upright Row (__4__ sets/__5__ reps)Crunches (__3 __ sets/__10__ reps)Hike for Sat; May 11th: Did another hike on Towsley Trail, today. We took the 5-mile direction but turned back after walking a total of 25 minutes from the car to probably a quarter of the trail. It was really hot and we knew in advance we wouldn’t be able to do 5 miles one way and 5 miles back. The entire hike was 50 minutes from the car and back. My pedometer is pretty lame, but at least it wasn’t expensive. It suggests I walked 5632 steps in 50:12 mins which calculates to 1.333 miles and 226.5 calories burned. I’m not sure how many miles I walked because an online calculator suggests I walked 2.67 miles. Anyway, it was a nice walk despite today’s intense heat. I decided to go without sunblock after my last hiking adventure when somehow I managed to get sunblock on the rim of my sunglasses and it went into my eyes when I started to work up a sweat. =========================================================================================== I'm increasing sets and reps little by little and even the slightest amount is kickin' my butt. Boy, do I love it! Bring it!

Here's this week's progress: Yay I got a 'B' this week! I may only be doing better than last week by a point, but at least I'm doing a point better and not a point worse...woot. Ooo..and today I did another 15 min session of this week's mini challenge on yoga. It definitely helped after the hike. Attributes for this challenge so far: STR +5 STA +8 CON +12 WIS + 6 bonus: DEX +2

Today's adventure: trying to find Golden Valley Trail Hike...don't think we found it, but it was close to Placerita Canyon Nature Center so we went on an adventure in that area. Boy did it kick my butt! I bought this little step/calorie/mile tracker and I think it's gimmicky, but it wasn't expensive so I thought I'd see how well it worked. Uh...the trail sign said it was a 2 mile hike but my little tracker said we were under two miles....so who really knows. I guess I won't count miles right now...just focusing on getting out and being active. It felt like it was in the high to mid eighties today, possibly warmer and there was a lot of up and down paths on our hike. We took one hike to see a waterfall that is supposed to be present between November - July...but it was all dried up. That was a fairly easy hike. We felt like we needed a little more substance to qualify as a good cardio session, so we took another hike and about a half mile in turned around. I was soooo out of breath from the heat and all the uphill, but I survived. It was pretty fun. I didn't even know we had natural springs anywhere near where I live. I'd only seen springs in Yellowstone and here they are in my own backyard (so to speak/write). Here's some pics from today's hike... Los Pinetos Saddle Trail...thataway... I didn't realize there'd been a fire here until I saw how toasty some of the oak trees looked I love that my husband goes on these little adventures with me We took the waterfall trail, which wasn't very long, to see if there was indeed a waterfall. Nope. Don't touch it, it's evil! This is where the waterfall would be if there was one...not enough rain this year. Ahhh..... Easier down, then up It's a relative of Woody the Woodpecker! So...we decided with the hike to the non-existent waterfall being so short, we should continue down the Los Pinetos Saddle Trail, which was slightly more challenging. Brian, says, "Hey, check this out. Someone used to live here. There's a fireplace!" That burnt tree behind the fallen tree looks like a ninja! Oh no....Godzilla! Oh phew...not really a hot spring...pretty snazzy This tree looks like it's screaming...anyone else see it? am I crazy..lol

haven't tried the angry birds workout...that looks pretty fun. I've been trying to alternate strength workouts weekly or if I end up doing a same workout then adding reps or adding weight. Planking is killing me just at twenty secs. I feel like a sissy...haha, but I'll build it up soon(ish). And squats...phew...haha. Me buns are on fire! Yeah...I live in California...in the Magic Mountain area...but work in Ventura. One of my coworkers was telling me to check out Double Trees except I looked up directions and it sounds like I'd have to go through some private property which I don't think I want to risk especially if barbed wire is involved. Maybe there's another way around...I'll have to look into it some more. Any hikes that you liked doing in LA when you were out here?

Way to dive in! You rock Have fun with the strength training. You can do eet!

LostOne1775, you're awesome love that "all or nothing" Also ...you might have to turn to the internets ..heh, unless you have a holistic type shop in town. I don't think they have 'em at the regular grocery store. Glad things are going better this time around and you're determination shows it. WOO, WOO! How's day one of the Paleo going?

Sorry I'm jumping in late. I like your goals and I'm sorry that all the stress from your last challenge got you down. I hope everything is going much better this time around. Stress really bites. At least your boyfriend has joined the rebellion. That's cool! I'd never had or heard of a zucchini patty before, but now I really think I want to try that. I hope your asthma clears up, too. In regard to the insomnia, I have that problem sometimes and I found Valerian Root to be very helpful. Since you like teas you can put a little Valerian Root in some tea or I think they even make teas with that ingredient. I buy capsules and will take no more than two to help me fall asleep. I salute you in your dive-in attitude for the Paleo Diet. You'll have to keep us all updated on how it goes. I don't know if you have the app on your phone, but I found that helpful too. Best of luck to you

Those are beautiful cats, I agree. My friend rescued two (brother & sister) and I loved going to visit her...and those two cats. Diggin' the nerd gold! Can't wait to read about your outdoor adventures too (once the rain takes a rest). Hope all is well with you

Excited for tomorrow's hike/trail...just trying to figure out which one I want to go to...kinda bored with staying in town. A couple of my coworkers were telling me about a good hike called Double Trees in that area. Hmmm...maybe I'll go up to Ventura tomorrow. Decisions, decisions...

Today's workout: Slept in today! Yay Then I jumped into cardio and strength mode...double yay! 1. cardio (STA:+1) March in place (25 reps)Jog in place with knees high (25 reps)Jumping Jacks (25 reps)Body Weight Squats (5 reps)Hip Rotation on each leg (5 reps)Forward leg swings (5 reps)Arm circles forward (10 reps)Arm circles backward (10 reps)2. strength/ personal circuit (STR: +1) Squats (3 sets, 5 reps/no weights)Hip Raises (3 sets, 10 reps)Overhead Tricep Extension (3 sets, 5 reps/5lb weight)Rows with Resistance Band (3 sets, 5 reps/beginner & intermediate band)Plank (3 sets, 5 reps/ 20 sec holds)3. diet (CON: +1) refrained from sweets4. life (WIS: +1) Left work on time and just got home an hour ago.*Bonus* Did the Mini Challenge #2 for this week ...15-20 mins yoga when I got home. Now I feel all nice and relaxed...and it actually helped with some of the muscles that were aching. (DEX: +1)

@ Doc--thanks. I hope the surgery goes well too! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed! Also--haven't tried hemp milk, but thought I'd give it a whirl...can't be as awful as that sunflower seed milk I tried...bleh!

p.s. super excited about the new Paleo Central app for Android! I just downloaded it last night. I think I'll work on that as my next diet goal. I've been slowly trying to wean out dairy. I know that rice isn't Paleo, but I've been drinking rice milk to get off the dairy kick. Worst thing I've tried as a dairy substitute so far...sunflower milk....*shudders* uhhhhh yep, just sharing that. wonder if hemp milk is paleo...

Hello Anthony & welcome aboard! Congrats on gettin' in the credits. I like your goals, they seem very simple and easy to follow without hurting or straining yourself either. Losing a pound a week seems doable. I'm not sure what your eating habits are now, but you'll definitely notice a difference by switching out certain things with more fruits and veggies. I wish you luck in your 5 week challenge. And can't wait to learn about the development of your animated short!

There is so much burpee torture! Seriously, your goals are amazing and wish I could like a fire under my butt to pull off half of what you're doing. That's amazing. Glad your mom is going to join you on walks. It's always good to have a support group and you can catch up with her too while working on your fitness. And the grubbin' sounds amazing too! Keep up the good work. I wish you luck and hope you get plenty of sleep and comfortable sleep too (no couch slumps, unless that's cozy for you...sometimes I get kinks in my neck).