techmom

The Monk's Challenge is neat. Which is why I'm still waffling over a guild.

Argh, I've been having difficulties when working out at the gym - with other people's scents. As I'm in a more aerobic phase now I'll suck in great lungfuls, which leads to a bit of an asthmatic coughing fit. I'm so tired afterward, I've been falling asleep early or sleeping later - and I don't know if it's the exercise, or the asthma, or if I push too hard, or what. Maybe the time of the year! Improving, definitely! slowly and steadily. But I don't feel more powerful and energized, I feel... tireder. Which makes me question, at least a little, if I'm doing this right. BUT, I grit my teeth and soldier on! because once I'm done with this stuff, I get to go back to lifting weights, yayyy!

Look at all of my successes for the week! I saw this on Word Porn (or somewhere similar) and I thought of you! Entlistungsfreude . . . the satisfaction achieved by crossing things off lists Happy entlistungsfreude to everyone!

Hahaaaa! She's baaaaaaaaack! (do I need to do anything to 'sign up' for a team besides, you know... just showing up?) This challenge started at a bad time for me because I was visiting my family (and friends!) in New Brunswick; BUT I got some solid physical stuff in so that was good. Stacking firewood is a good workout! as is hiking in the woods (while singing loudly to warn bears and hunters that i r not a deer). I did a lot of cooking for others, and while I made sure to eat something for breakfast it was probably lighter than it should have been... but I tend not to eat while I cook. Which is a good thing, really! I capped it off by flying back to Newfoundland at 7AM this morning, after getting 3.5 hours sleep - and an hour and a half after I got here I headed off to the gym to do a workout. Which I rocked. (and then I crashed and napped, but that's another story) I haven't gotten a challenge thread up yet, but I did sign up for the challenge yesterday so I'm back. I need to set more measurable goals... maybe? Where I've got a trainer it's difficult to do because he changes things up to keep me challenged, which tires me out enough that I have difficulty doing additional workouts (beyond my usual walking to do errands, etc.) I'm checking for a different judo club, I can't continue with the other one because it's just too late at night.

Look, a lot of the stuff that you are dealing with is very emotional - such as the divorce. So you are under stress, whether you are clearing things from your list or not. Why not roll dice to decide? You've already prioritized... so either roll ONLY a number on the highest-priority list, or roll once for the list and a second time for the task number. If the task needs to be broken down to smaller steps, Step One is to create that breakdown. (Keeps it from being overwhelming, just looking at the list.) You don't have to decide what to do next - Fate will decide. And dice are not pointy like darts are. Create rules for this game. You're not allowed to have any more than 3 main quests under way at any time (some involve scheduling or waiting, so can be concurrent). You can never add more things than you have accomplished/cleared in the past week. You can shelve an item after x days of inactivity or other blockage. And everything you've already accomplished should go on a separate list - the list that you WANT to grow. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you gird your loins (I love that ridiculous phrase so!) to git 'r' done. Don't just scratch it off the to-do lists and forget it.

I don't *have* trouble sleeping. Not ever before; this is new territory. Hmm. Maybe there's a tea or herbal supplement that can help with the perimenopausal symptoms; I'll check that out first. It's a natural process, I don't want to go to the doctor!

The sleeping is... not going well. I wrenched the bad ankle last week at judo - so that aches - and I'm not sleeping well at night even though I'm very tired. Still working away at the weights, but dragging a bit. At least I'm still eating breakfast! - although I ate some potato chips yesterday. My bad. I walked down the street to do an errand earlier and my butt is dragging. Why am I so tired? Maybe it's the change in daylength getting to me? Or maybe the hot flashes at night are wreaking more havoc on my sleep than I thought.

I have to second this. I think that removing some things from the to-do list makes the list itself less daunting... but I couldn't say that this is why the new attitude shines through. Whatever. Run with it, it's working for you.

I'm just getting into the BJJ. It's much more of a ground game; less emphasis on standing throws than in judo and I don't believe they do the formal forms (kata) at all. Judo is far more limited in terms of joint locks and chokes - as an Olympic sport there is more emphasis on safety. A lot of those same BJJ techniques are older judo techniques, now disallowed for competition purposes. I'm not fond of the assertion that most fights go to the ground in a real-life situation; it's rarely a one-on-one thing. As a female I plan to look helpless, throw an attacker into the air and hit him with the ground, and be following the best advice of King Arthur in the meantime ("Run awayyy!"). But because there's so much more emphasis on grappling in BJJ it's going to be easier on my bad ankle (yay!). BJJ bouts last longer than judo matches and there are more opportunities to score; you can just keep scoring over and over, or win by forcing the opponent to submit. That's the part I'm having difficulty with right now - I keep expecting a bout to be done, but wait! There's more! ;)

I love your list of banishments. Fie, begone! We are no slaves to fad or societal expectation!! Pick your battles within yourself, as well as when dealing with your children. I am a past master at planning to do more than can be done. I still plan too much! - but I let go of the things that aren't necessary to health and happiness. Which banishes self-made stress as well. It's a good thing! *judo-chops Martha Stewart*

Wow, it's a good thing you didn't want it narrowed down to just one motivation! (which is like picking a favourite book...) 1. Like Teirin said - not being limited by my physicality, at least to the point that I can do anything about it! I want the muscle mass and the bone density that goes with it as I age - no dowager's hump for me! 2. Me being active and in good shape motivates my husband to do likewise. His father died at 55 of a massive heart attack; my husband is 50 now and I'm far too young to be a widow. So some years back I started changing the ways that I cooked and I got into judo as a hobby, and he pursued karate (so I wouldn't beat him up, he claimed. ) As Kishi said - it's part of the pact we have with each other to stay fit and healthy. 3. I like the way I feel and look when I'm exercising. I like that my body can do these things. I like that I can challenge myself on long hikes and not feel overwhelmed. And as much as judo is not supposed to be dependent upon strength, the co-ordination as well as the strength means that I can *feel* when I've executed a technique properly. And there's less chance that I'll injure myself in pursuit of my hobbies. I could go on, but I won't!

My favourite (in this case, planned) activities (judo/BJJ, lifting) necessitate a certain mental state, or I can get injured. Or injure someone else. That's definitely what I'm doing for the evening; tomorrow is another day.

A general question (okay, lots of questions) for everyone: I had a crappy day because of uncontrollable events - but it screwed my schedule and put me into a bad headspace. How important is it to be in the'right' frame of mind to exercise? What do you do to turn your mood around - or is it better to take a deep breath, take the night off and begin anew the next day? Does it matter according to what activity you are doing? Me, I'm taking the rest of the day off and trusting that the dawn will bring a new start, but I'm wondering about how other people handle it...

I have left off the add'l aerobic workouts because I went to both judo and BJJ last week. Still lifting 3x weekly... and on Friday I did not do a 2nd workout of any kind because I just felt wiped/sleepy from the lifting. I went up on almost every weight, and even if I didn't I increased the reps toward my goal (8 reps means the weight remains the same, fewer means I decrease, 4 sets of 12 means that I increase next time). Eating breakfast, remembering to take my vitamins. Those are my challenges.

I like this so much!

OK, I've been doing good re: eating. I've even managed to sneak kale into a few dishes despite my husband's confessed dislike... and I managed several breakfasts that were not based on grains (leftover chicken can too be breakfast, it can!). My buddies keep me accountable, because I am NOT a good fibber... I do need to remember to take my vitamin supplements though. My hemoglobin and my bone density can both use the assist. 3x weightlifting workouts, currently squatting 65 pounds w0000! Working up on the upper body as well (sometimes I accidentally touch my upper arm and then my fingers flutter/touch all over it, because DANG! Is that me?? Whoa, I've got GUNS!!). My husband claims that I'm losing my butt (more redistribution!). In Week 1 I only managed one BJJ workout (I'd forgotten what a full-body workout grappling is, and the practices are so late that I was several days catching up on my sleep). In Week 2 I went to a BJJ practice and a judo practice; I have been walking around as usual but haven't been adding add'l aerobic workouts because I don't want to overdo it. Other than the night-time hot flashes I have been sleeping like a baby. Onward to Week 3!!

I squatted 65 pounds the other day. I'm still working up to the big weights... but I'm never satisfied. MOAR!!

Being a mom can be exhausting; I know, and I didn't face the additional challenges that you are. So DO NOT put extra pressure on yourself to get another "perfect" week, you hear me? Look at all you've accomplished! Nice going. In my head you move like a squirrel on espresso beans. Don't burn yourself out - you want a change that will last a lifetime, yes? *respeck knucks*

I still see myself as just another judoka. I've just stuck with it long enough to get my shodan. Nice to meet you too! - fellow traveler along the Noble Eightfold Path.

Hahaaaaaa! I finally did it!! http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/38009-techmoms-2nd-challenge/ *pant, pant*

I survived the previous challenge - but I didn't do as well as I'd hoped, so some of those goals are being carried over. And yes, I'm late with posting this, but I have been working away at it! 1. Getting stronger - still lifting, still building muscle. I'd like to work a bit more on muscular endurance than just bigger numbers, but bigger numbers are definitely a goal. At 47 years old, I'm planning for (and developing!) muscle and bone that will last me for years. So that's 3x per week of muscle-building, strength-building exercise. 2. Eating is still a challenge. Not so much what I eat, as I cook from scratch and don't really do convenience foods, but remembering to eat regularly. I have a bad habit of skipping meals if I get busy, or putting them off so long that I just wait for the next meal instead. I wasn't perfect in the last challenge, but I made huge strides. So every morning I get up and remind myself that I need to eat, because my teammates will hold me accountable and I need fuel to build muscle. And I wants the muscle, Preciouss, oh yes. 3. I earned my 1st-degree black belt in judo in June of 2012, but I didn't attend any classes last year - between moving to a different province and suffering through sickness and injury that wiped me out, I just didn't have it in me to work out effectively. BUT, now that I'm building muscle and I feel like I've gotten my strength back - and even improved on it - I want to get back into judo. I've joined a local club that does both BJJ and judo (nothing wrong with picking up some new techniques!), and I'm going to workouts at least twice a week. I feel ridiculously good, going to the dojo and getting gi burns and bruises all over me. I'm in the Adventurers Guild because I'm still so undecided! I'm a generalist at heart, I love the outdoors and I'm drawn to the Scouts, but I find in weightlifting a meditative aspect that reminds me of seeking the perfection of judo techniques... so I'm drawn to the Monks as well. Also, a friend has suggested that I should be a Warrior because of my focus on strength and lifting big. LOL, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. But life is good and I will be strong in body as well as spirit, and meet all challenges head-on. Bring it.

I am having many difficulties with the forum these days... Yeesh.

I'm in a really weird mood and I about busted a gut when my inner child (and a member of my old judo club!) inspired just now me to translate "Oss!" as "I have to poop." I'll try to refrain from scatological references henceforth, really I will!

Hey! I managed to sign up for the challenge after all! Still wavering on a guild. Considering Monks (because of the martial arts and the zen-relaxation I get from weight training) and Scouts (because hiking and woodcraft and some combat and being able to navigate and general all-round generalist stuff... in general), and Teirin suggested Warriors (because weight training and rawr! strong like tractor!). So, yeah. Here I am!

Agh, yesterday was a total clusterf-bomb and I didn't sign up for the challenge... but may I still hang out with you guys and kind of unofficially do the challenge? Teirin knows how I have a tendency to overstuff my days... I went to a local martial arts club last night; there was a 4th-degree judo black belt, a judo shodan/BJJ purple belt, 4 other LARGE YOUNG MEN of varying belts... and me. Eep! I spent a lot of time working on some of the BJJ techniques they were showcasing, did some ne-waza at the end... came home exhausted and sore. The higher belts/instructors were very careful with me, the young fellow at the end somewhat less so. Lots of BJJ/judo crosstraining (and very effective stuff for groundwork, can't wait to show Teirin!). Working on the ground game will be good for me, my right ankle is suffering from the bit of standup randori we did. Practice was from 9 - 10:30 PM, I am half-dead today... So. Continuing to work out at the gym, build muscle and endurance through weight training and joining the martial arts club, and remembering to eat regularly (especially breakfast) - those are my goals. Guild? Still hopelessly bewildered, guess that makes me an Adventurer at this point? As for a battle cry... as a stubborn little cuss who has struggled all her life to keep up with her brother, her father, her husband, etc. and so on (always out of my weight class!), my cry has always been: I! CAN! SO!!!