chickie.monkey

Hey girl, heeeyyyy. It’s been 8(?) years, and it never ceases to amaze me how you’re always in my head! I’m trying to get out of a blah hole right now. Here to cheer you on!

Next challenge! Get your stuff ready!!! There's never enough Skye goodness Traveling abroad doesn't seem so bad, does it? At this rate, no one will let me in. Although, maybe I can claim asylum? Hahahahaha! I'm so excited about the mountain trip. At least it looks like I will have plenty of time to prepare and get in shape for it. Update: I have no idea what week we're in. I'm assuming this challenge isn't over, since I don't see the banner for the new challenge. Haha Boy, howdy! Things have been busy. Work is absolutely nuts. I'm being trained for a promotion while still doing my job, but most things are still going well. Strength Training: Going 2x a week. We tested my maxes a couple weeks ago. I PR'd my bench by 5 lbs for 90, PR'd my squat by actually using the squat bar (with no knee pain!!!), and PR'd my deadlift by 25lbs (!!!) for 185. It turns out I'm having some form issues on my bench which severely interfered with my performance. It took me 3 tries to hit 90, but the 3rd try, I got it like it was nothing and I couldn't figure out why it was so easy compared to the first two. When we went up to 95, I noticed my shoulder dropped, which made getting the bar back up extremely (impossible without a little help) difficult. Since last week was a de-load week, my coach and I took the opportunity to try and figure out what is happening. Neither one of us are quite sure LOL. I've been watching some videos and we're going to wrangle my grand coach into my next bench session to see if he can help. NF 5K Training: I'm averaging about 2x a week. Not my goal of 3, but way better than 0. The 5K is this Saturday and I'm legit freaked out. I've not made it more than a little over a mile in any training session. I'm hoping the intervals will have me in enough shape to survive walking it. I'm planning on putting on Hamilton. I figure I may be done by the time it's over Food: Food has been really bad. I've been making terrible choices, not prepping, and being too tired (mentally and physically) to care. My coach posted something on Insta that went something like: Imagine if you put half as much effort into nutrition as you do into your workouts blah blah blah... I felt so called out! Have I done anything about it since then? Nope. I thought about it. I got out chicken to cook. It's in the refrigerator. Not sure if it's still good. Will check it today and if it's good, will cook it. If not, I'll find something not crap to eat. Daily Chores: Check Mindfulness: This needs some work as evidenced by my state of mind. I did some meditating last night before bed. It's amazing how much better I slept! Socialness: I was forced into being social with several people at the gym this weekend while I was (gently) forced into participating in a promo/commercial shoot for my gym. I totally repped the rebellion and wore my NF shirt. Hahaha Wish me luck on Saturday!

OH!! You totally did! I just put it together Oh! That sounds like fun! That is not something that had occurred to me, but it is added to my list now! Thank you for the support, girl. ❤️ So the next time I come to Scotland, assuming y'all will let me in the country (do I laugh or cry about this?), we shall go to the Fairy Pools and go munro bagging on/to (not actually sure how that term is used lol) Ben Nevis Thanks, girl Week 1 Update I managed one strength training workout. I didn't want to go, but i hauled myself there. My coach and Grand Coach (let me tell you how he does not love that I've deemed him Grand Coach ) goofed on me and made me smile and laugh. I'm really grateful for my coach and gym. I'm lucky to have found such good people. I worked up to 95% (85lbs) on my bench and we'll test my 1 RM this week. I'm aiming for 90lbs. Fingers crossed. Food was shite. I was either not eating or eating crap and I'm feeling it. I'm ready to go back to normal. I'm coming out of the depression. After talking to my sister, I realized it was because of father's day. I get messed up every year, and every year I don't realize why. I miss my dad a lot and his birthday, fathers day, etc always mess me up. I think I may need to back off one of my strength training days. Work is beyond nuts, my state of mind is fragile, and I really want to make my 3x a week 5k training. I especially can't miss any more since I missed all last week. So, from here on, 2x strength per week. This is Smoo Cave and it's on my list for the next trip to Scotland

Goofball.

I completely missed this! Hello!!! I do understand, but why not expand your park exploration to Awesome Places of the World? Also, when you get around to TN parks, hit me up! I may even be in good enough shape by then to keep up with you.

You get a pass because you live there. It's like how I grew up with ski slopes 30 minutes away and I've never been skiing. Or like how I live in Nashville, but have never done most of the Nashville things. Hahaha Update: I've been so bummed the last few days and trying to fight off/fight through a bummer bout of depression. Probably a culmination of stuff in the world on top of plain old depression. I gave myself permission to check out over the weekend and play all The Last of Us Part 2 I could fit in. Usually I can pull myself out, if I just give myself a couple days to disconnect, but I'm still trying to climb out. Everything suffered over the weekend, but I've ever so slowly been putting things back together. Monday was a wash, basically spillage from the weekend Tuesday: Food was better. Went over my calories because I miscalculated. Numbers are hard! NF 5k Training: This week is 8 rounds of 2 on/1 off. It hurts just to look at it. Since I'm almost in tears by the end of 2 minutes running, I decided I would alternate running and walking fast. Seemed like a good plan, but my foot fell asleep and I couldn't walk it off. I ended up having to cut it short a little more that half way through, which made me mad because I was actually hanging in there otherwise. This has been happening a lot lately, so I'm going to go to my chiropractor and see if he can fix it. Wednesday: Food much better so far. As long as I don't lose my mind and eat the dog, I should be good. Strength Training: It was so hard to get myself there and get going. It's times like this I'm grateful for my coach. I managed 3x2 at 95% (85lbs). We're going to test my 1RM next week. I'm hoping I can hit 90. My goal is 100 by the end of August. Then she proceeded to murder me with shoulder and triceps. Since @Starpuck shares my mutual love of Ashley Johnson, the following The Last of Us Part 2 spoiler is for her. It's been giving me much joy.

Then I’m definitely doing it right. 😭🤣 Well, all be! I have a long lost travel twin!! Please feel free to post your favorite places in Scotland. Pretty pics (like how can you take a bad pic there?) and ideas for things to do are welcome! That is a gorgeous picture! I will go to the Fairy Pools every time I make a trip there. I want to hit them up sometime in the early summer when there’s more water. Heeeyyyyy!!! So much slack. And so much The Last of Us Part 2. Hopefully I can get an update in tonight!

Heeeeyyyy! Good challenge! I embrace you embracing the things. Is that your first time messing about with handstands? You'll have it in no time.

Week 0 - So Far Food - Tracked, calories and protein good, mindful eating good Strength Training - 1 done. Did 3 x 3 @ 90% of my 1RM. Apparently that's good, but this is the first time I've ever done powerlifting with a coach, so I'm taking her word on it. But, I hope that means it will bump my 1 RM, which is at 85lb (I think? Maybe 80...) Anywho, I want to get to 100lbs by the end of July. GOALS! NF5K Training Week 2/Day 1 - 2 min on/2 min off Wandered around Cinque Terre on my treadmill. I had something funky going on with me that day. I'm not a runner, I know nothing about running, and I'm probably doing everything wrong (LOL), but my foot fell asleep on my first run interval. I ended up going with a fast walk/walk, and even then, my foot would get a little tingly. It felt like things were finally loosening up by the last round, so I went ahead and ran. And my foot was asleep by the end of the interval. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Side Note: I had the opportunity to do this hike when I went to Italy last year, but couldn't because I wasn't in good enough shape. Now I know what the hike looks like and I will be ready for it next time! Week 2/Day 1 - 2 min on/2 min off Today I wondered through Greece because AC Odyssey! I ran most of my intervals 😳 , walked fast for one, and half of the last one. By the last round I was hating life and cussing everything. I even flipped off my poor wife for cheering me on. However, my foot didn't fall asleep this time, so I must have done something right. Life Chores - Done Mindfulness/Meditation - Done Socialness - I said hi back to someone at the gym when they said hi to me. I usually just turn around and walk away. I'm like the shyest introvert ever.

Thanks. It's a bummer, but it gives me time to get in better shape, so bright side? 😬 Thanks! It's honestly hard to take a bad photo there. Everything is so beautiful! Scotland is my favorite place ever. My ultimate goal in life to live on the Isle of Skye. Sorry about your plans! You can come with me on my virtual trip! YAS, girl!! I am all over that!

Okay, not really. My wife and I were supposed to go in October, but pandemic. Instead, I am dedicating my challenge to our previous trip: what I’m excited to do again and what I’m going to do when I go back. My trip just so happened to correspond with an NF meetup. I got to meet some awesome rebels like the lovely @iatetheyeti Last time I went, I had a hard time because I wasn’t in as good of shape as I wanted to be, which made going where I wanted difficult. In some cases, I wasn’t able to go at all. I’m tired of missing out on things because I’m overweight and out of shape. Next time if I’m unable to do something, I want it to be because I’ve packed my schedule full of all the things, and not because of my limitations. So, where am I going with this and how am I going to get there? Bridge to Skye I'm going to shut my mouth (as in don't eat a lot unnecessary crap), focus on nutrition, get strong, and move my behind (Nerd Fitness 5K training for the win). Eat the good food, Coo. *I give you all the scritches* Food - Eat my cud Track food daily Stay under calorie goal 1738 Meet protein goal >= 100g Mindful eating Balance food choices overall Going off book is ok, just pick up where I left off next meal Food Prep/Emergency Food Plan meals/prep meals In case of failed plans, choose emergency food not take out Sunset at the Fairy Pools Fitness - Hike the entire Fairy Pools Loop Strength Training - 3 times a week NF 5K Training - 3 times a week Stretching - All the stretching. Keep that pain minimal Oban and Chill Life - Breathe. Chill. Daily Chores Mindfulness/Meditation - Destress Do Some Socialness Something, anything. This whole stay at home thing has me on critical introvert level Me and buddy, Hamish My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

Hahaha! I honestly don't know. I've never had any desire to be anything other than a mushroom head just doing my work and minding my business. While this is just a product owner role, so maybe like a team lead/maybe supervisor, I'm not sure I'm adult enough for all that responsibility LOL. Also, there's a lot more peopling in this role, and while I'm good at it, I don't like it one bit. But, I'm told this level comes with additional perks as well as the increased $$. There's still a lot to work out before I officially accept. We will see. In the mean time, there may be future cussing and venting LOL

Challenge Wrap Up Much has happened this challenge. Fitness and non-fitness accomplishments have been off the chain. I've (almost forcibly) been offered a promotion at work which has kept me insanely busy. I haven't been able to update or visit much, but I've managed to keep up with my challenge. I can't remember the last time I did so well on a challenge. Maybe like, back when I first started challenges? So 7 years ago (or some such)? I missed one strength training day and that was only because my eye was swollen shut (inflamed chalazion). It's fun to say, but it hurt! Food: Track Food Every Day, Stay Under Calorie Goal (1466) 1739 This got re-adjusted mid challenge There were a couple days I went over, but it was one meal and I got back on track the next day. My weekly goal was still way under. ~Attempt~ to meet macro goals set out by coach Protein: 196g >=100 There were a couple days where I sort of forgot to eat (SO freaking busy). Other than that, hit at least 100 every day Carbs: 85g 119 Meh. Fat: 38g 53 Meh. Eat Mindfully Not perfect, but I didn't do a lot of bored, mindless eating. There was a bit of emotional eating. Things have me sad/mad/scared. Mid challenge I met with my coach and we re-evaluated my nutrition plan. She adjusted everything but protein since that is a just a calculation based on weight. We decided together it would be best to shoot for at least 100g a day. This has been much easier to obtain while staying within my calorie goal. Fitness: Move: 2 - 3 times a week Done Strength Training: 3 times a week Missed one Stretch: Everyday Done Always before/after moving/strength training Done Periodically through the day Done Before I get out of bed/Before I go to sleep Done Last week I moved from Beat Saber to the Nerd Fitness 5K training for my move goal. I was planning to start interval training next challenge as I started "Phase 3" of my plan to Do All The Things, but I guess it started a week early. Life: Complete Weekly Chores Done. Not always on time, but always done. Finish Reading New Book - Done. I meant to finish the book I had started before starting the new book, but life took over. I am now 3 books behind in my book club. Darn-it. Try Some Socialness - Maybe actually visit other people’s threads and maybe even say something - Still need to work on this There have been a lot of unexpected accomplishments this challenge The first NF 5K workout, I managed to jog (it was a slow jog, maybe even a trot, but definitely not a walk) for an entire minute. I was just going to walk fast/walk because I didn't think I was anywhere near ready for running/jogging. I did so for the first couple rounds, but then I felt better (warmed up, I guess?) and thought, maybe the next round I'll try to run for some of it. And then I made it the whole minute. And then I did it for the rest of the work out. I PR'd my Trap Bar Deadlift by 10 lbs for 5 x 175 I was able to wear a pair of jeans that have never fit. Last time I tried them on, there was a good inch to go before I could even get them buttoned. When I put them on this time, I didn't even have to do the wiggle jiggle button zipper dance. They just fit. I did squats and my knees didn't hurt <-- This right here makes me want to cry with joy I went up and down my deck stairs and my knees didn't hurt and I wasn't out of breath AND I finally got my Gorilla Bow @Starpuck, and I love it! I showed it to my coach and she is so excited to program some workouts with it.

Week 3 Update: It's only week 3? Time is so strange right now. It feels like it should be week 4 or 5. My gym opened back up this week. I was really apprehensive about going even though they had implemented really strict guidelines, mainly because I was afraid no one would follow them. I decided to give it a chance because I really did want to cuddle a barbell. I missed lifting SO much. Unfortunately, no one but staff was following guidelines. I went ahead and stayed for my workout, but treated it like the lab and used every infectious disease protocol I could. Granted, I'm not necessarily worried about picking it up myself, but I don't want to pass it on to people who are vulnerable. And despite wearing a mask, with no air conditioning, in 80 degree weather (garage doors open), and washing my hands every five minutes, I had a great workout. My numbers went down, but now a whole lot. In addition, I finally got to talk to my coach about nutrition goals and we've come up with a totally new plan (will update main challenge to reflect). While my protein goal is still ~technically~ 196g, we're shooting for at least 100. I think in some cases, there is a flaw with that protein calculation Calories have been adjusted to 1738, and honestly, I don't really care about carbs and fats other than I will try to keep my carbs down and devoid of the processed/refined variety. Food: Food Tracked 7/7 Mindful Eating Yes Under Calories 6/7 Protein 3/7 Fitness: Move: 3/3 - 2 x 50 minute Beat Saber sessions, 1 x 1 mile walk Strength Training: 3/3 Stretch: All the stretching Life: Complete Weekly Chores: Done Finish Reading New Book: Not much reading Try Some Socialness - Meh

I was looking through threads trying to figure out what week it is so I could do my wrap up when this line caught my attention. This is 1000% on point. I am currently enjoying the above Chillhop link and am looking forward to using it tomorrow while I'm "in office". Hope your knee clears up soon!