The Borg Queen

Great job, cake! Glad to see you are able to enjoy some of the fruits of your labors!

WEEK 4 RESULTS: I'm taking advantage of Mini-challenge 5 to have a week of rest and repose, but I started the rest week at an awkward time... and honestly, my schedule is already awkward compared with the rest of the groups', so everything's crazy I finished one scheduled run before the break (from Friday-Thursday), but I'll be back starting on Friday of this week. In the meantime I've been walking a lot, playing with kids, and going to yoga for my kicks. Here are the grades based on what I got done: Goal 1: Lifting I made it to the gym 2 x and lifted, as planned. A People are starting to make comments about my muscles. "Look at your shoulders!" they say. "Pumping lead," I say. Goal 2: Running I got 1 run in, so technically that's a B. Goal 3: Not Eating Out I didn't eat out at all. A Overall Grade: A- I'm pretty happy with the way my goals are going. It's nice to have NF pressure so I actually keep track of my progress and stick to my word. For the next challenge, I have big plans for refining Goal 3 to include more specific cost analysis. I've noticed that when I'm keeping close track of money spent on food, I don't spend as much. It's the same with eating- when I keep a food diary, I make better food choices. This concept will be incorporated into the food goal for the next challenge. Also, I think I've lost 5 lbs.

Great job on getting a workout in! I'm kind of worried about slipping shoulder joint... I hope you don't hurt yourself! My mom, who's a PT, recommends putting cardio before weight training in a sequence. It apparently puts you at some sort of metabolic advantage, although I'm not sure about the specifics. Sounds like you had a really difficult eating week, and I'm sorry to hear that. Sometimes it takes a good tumble off the wagon to figure out why you were eating a certain way in the first place. It can be a constant test of willpower not to eat what everyone else is eating, especially when hungry or stuck somewhere with a group of people eating non-paleo like it's nothing. It's tough being healthy in an unhealthy world. Also, I have the feeling you might be like me in being a perfectionist about things, which means you are probably especially hard on yourself when you slip up. I do that, too! So in some way, by adopting a particularly strict diet like the paleo diet, we are setting ourselves up for these mini crises and failures, because it can be a maddening diet to follow 100% of the time. For me, sometimes, eating paleo can be more about willpower and control than simply eating food. That's something I have to work on all the time. However, the diet is so healthy that it's worth it! I know that I felt 3000x better when I went paleo with many noticeable health improvements, maybe you experienced the same thing. I think the solution is cultivating a light heart about food. So you ate some french fries and what, deep fried cotton candy and a side of spam? That sounds kind of unhealthy, but you can always pick up and start eating clean tomorrow. You just have to forgive yourself and start over.

Thanks for the input... I am doing legs and assisted pullups already. Also, I can squat until the sun goes down and comes up again, I have wicked strong legs from biking and distance running. I really don't want to delve into things that involve barbells, because that would require the professional assistance of a trainer for pay... which is why I am seeking free information on this forum

Sounds like you were emulating Bruce Lee. Not a bad choice! Maybe adopt as an avatar?

I agree, sounds like you had a case of the normals, lol. You had a little break, and now you're posting again! Welcome back! I think it was a very smart biochemist who once reminded me that "our greatest glory lies not in falling, but in picking ourselves up when we fall"... You just got to find the will to keep going, and get it done! Since it sounds like you had a nice rest period, now perhaps you will have the energy to finish off the six week challenge with a bang. As far as accountability goes, maybe you could try updating more frequently, even if you haven't done anything, so that we can cheer you on! Otherwise, is there a specific type of structure that we can provide you with to help you get back on track?

Here you go, bread lovers: http://nourishingfoodways.com/2011/07/26/gluten-free-french-bread-recipe/ Dori is an expert at making GF breads from tapioca and rice flours. Above is a french bread recipe. Hope you like it!

Are you speaking from personal experience on that one? hahaha

I made a spicy scramble with bacon, some squash from my neighbor's garden, mushrooms, and fresh basil. Maybe making a scramble is too easy, but whatevs, it satisfies the criteria.

I 100% agree with you! Running in the early morning is a sweet way to start the day. Is it your back injury that's preventing you, or something else?

I have an idea. Try sitting in lightening bolt with eagle arms, and practice cat/cow motion in the upper back. To intensify, give your elbows a little lift. If it doesn't work for you, I got I friend who specializes in yoga for the busty who I can consult.

Hi there! I want to post my strength routine and get a little feedback to fine-tune to get ready for the next challenge. Thanks for looking. I aim for 3 sets of 12 reps of everything for "condition upper body goal," and sometimes start with fewer reps when I introduce new weight. My 2nd goal is to eventually rely on bodyweight activities... but I need to get stronger! Here's where I'm at, in the order I do it: Day 1 (Back, Shoulders, Biceps) 10 minutes cardio (usually running but I mix it up) Seated Row, 75 #, 10 reps, 3 sets Assisted Pullup 120#, 12 r, 3 sets Shoulder press 50 #, 10 r, 3 sets Bicep Focused activity (currently shopping for new) Abs Day 2 (Chest, Legs, Triceps) 10 minutes cardio (Stairmaster) Leg Press 135#, 12 r, 3 sets Assisted Chest Dip 105#, 8 r, 3 sets Cable Fly (recently substituted in place of lever fly contraption) Tricep focused activity (currently shopping for new) Abs Also, I am trying to incorporate the 100 pushup challenge. I can get 'er done on Day 1, but Day 2 becomes way too much chest. Thanks in advance for reading. Hope I'm not inspiring too many face palm moments. I'm the type of nerd that jumps into the game before reading the directions, and this is no exception. If you have any specific ideas about exercises to add or subtract to each day, I'd be interested in reading.

Yeah dude what's the story! I must know the next thing you're up to. Poke, poke, nudging.

Lol, I forgot you are a flextastic-flexmaniac, of course you can fit fingers under shoulder blades! lol

I looks like you're doing really well! I sympathize with your trouble resisting baguettes. They are sooo delicious. With jam and butter, yum yum. I know your pain. It's good that you're giving yourself one or two days a week to indulge in a food you love, I think that's healthy. It looks like you're doing a really good job sticking to your workouts. Keep up the good work!

Way to get it done, lady! Wooo hoo! Hauling a daughter around a fair sounds like a great workout.

I got a stretch for you. Sit in lightening bolt position, then give yourself a big hug. If you can, clasp your shoulder blades with opposite fingers, in "hug asana." Grabbing shoulder blades is mostly for leverage, so if you can't reach just grab your shirt. Slowly curl your shoulders forward, till you find the sticky spot. Repeat with other hugging arm on top. If that one doesn't work for you, I got a couple other ideas. I'm a cyt so I got a bag of tricks. Excellent job sticking with paleo, save some bites of things. Also, very exciting about your home office!

I love tea eggs. Personally, I can't get enough of anything that even has a tiny amount of chinese five spice. Addicted. Congratulations on your new place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice job sticking to your diet. Eating out can be so tricky, but it sounds like you pwned that one.

I bet you're getting buff, lady. Do you have a little definition yet? I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying your food more. That is a wonderful consequence of what you are doing.

Thanks gang! For us nerdy nerds who enjoy the stats, I completed P1 of this weeks mini challenge and got +1 Wis!!! Now I am way more wise. To satisfy the other part of the challenge, I have no problem dialing down the running this week. Shorter distances, less running... will do. I could easily sub in some yoga, pilates, or walking. Running outside right after the 4th of July is one of my peeves anyway. The air quality is terrible! I will skip my run today and find something else to do. Happy 4th of july, people. Hope it was fun and safe.

I made an epic scramble featuring bacon, mushrooms, summer squash, fresh basil, and eggs, then made it super spicy with a few shakes of cayenne. +1 wis Okay, a recovery week, I get it. I'll run a little less.

It seems like you are doing an awesome job, rockin your goals! Very happy to hear that your injury healed. That's exciting. Now, I'm going to find out what IMS is. You have piqued my interest.

That cardio class sounds like a lot of fun... except for the burpees, I hate those and would skip them too. So you made it to the sauna! And you didn't sweat... very interesting. For me, it takes about 5 minutes to start sweating. Everyone's different, I guess. You are kicking ass! Nice job.

Great job making the grade! Glad to see you are starting the next week with a fresh wave of optimism. Keep up the good work!

To me, from here, it looks like you're doing a really good job and meeting your goals. I think L'irlandaise put it really well. If we were on Facebook, I would "Like" that post.