crankyshell

Just quickly, before I go to pick up my daughter. My measurements from the start of the challenge. I'm pretty sure I took them the Sunday the 2nd. Weight - 61.4 kg Chest - 87cm Waist - 80cm Hips - 85 L thigh - 58 L calf - 36 L bicep - 29

I got my daughter to take a photo of me doing a handstand so will try to put it up at some stage - my phone is currently flat. So, I've made up a list of reasons why I am doing this and why my goals are important and will do a few copies. One will be going in the toilet, bathroom mirror, fridge and anywhere else that I deem appropriate to remind me. Daily, in my face reminders that are harder to ignore. Not impossible though... My goals are important to me. They are a priority. Focus on them. I will never quit. Why? To be extraordinaryTo be a good, strong, positive role modelTo be the best I possibly canTo remain fit and healthyTo prevent diseaseTo live a long and healthy lifeTo increase my strengthTo prove to myself that I am strong and amazing and can do anything that I set my mind to.To ensure my kids don't beat me.To make sure I constantly improve myselfTo give everyone a 'run for their money' fitness wiseSo that I can complete my first triathlonSo that I can look and feel amazing for my graduationI am strong, determined, courageous and capable of anything. I believe in myself.

Sounds like you're doing pretty well with the challenge. Looks like I'll be stealing a few more of your ideas. I'm going to start reminding myself of my goals and reason for doing this daily as well. I think i will also start up a loot jar, love the idea.

So far, week one of the challenge is going well. I have decided to change my goal from increase strength to be able to hold a handstand against the wall for 1 minute. Before I got sick last year I was able to that, but being sick and not working out for such a long time - about 8 months, meant that I now have trouble even kicking up to a handstand. I realise that a lot of this is fear. I did manage to kick up to a handstand, not sure how long I held it for - didn't time. But I did it because before i kicked up I told myself I could. I actually held the handstand striaght up without the wall for a few seconds as well, which was encouraging. I would eventually like to work my way up to handstand push ups. I am doing some push up work for that as well, but my focus is on holding that handstand. I haven't had any potatoes this week at all, so pleased with that. I had to stop buying them though. WHo knew someone could get so addicted to potatoes. I feel like an addict. Although I was recently reading through some older posts on the eat, lift and be happy blog and she said that she can't do moderation and it's all or nothing for her. Which is the same for me. I can't do balance or moderation or just have one and be satisfied. If I have one (of anything, not just potatoes) I need another and another til it's all gone. That is probably how a family block of chocolate disappeared in half an hour when I was the only one around. Protein intake is up, which is good, I feel so much better eating more protein. Although I have ran out of protein powder, which I use for one of those serves, for the weekend, I hope it will be here on Monday but kind of feel a bit lost at the moment. Japanese, hmm, not doing so well here. Missed three days in a row. But will make it up. I have also figured out a reward for the end of the challenge - there is a shirt I want to buy which I will get at the end of this challenge, if I keep hitting my goals - better try harder on that Japanese. Later today (am about to go out and take my kids to a meditation class) I will write out a list of reasons why I am doing this as a way to help keep me motivated. That way I can see it and be reminded.

Loved the workout, I had so much fun. I got interrupted - which I think happens every workout and I did it in stages. I do yoga with my kids most night, just to try to get them to calm down, stretch and hopefully instil some good habits into them. So the yoga happened at night, the balance work was shorter than you said, but I've noticed that if I'm not adaptible to whats going on around me, I start getting stressed and cranky. I'm also planning on stealing another one of your workouts, the spider one and doing that with my kids. They will think it's great fun and it will remind me that my kids need to play and they need me to play with them. So we will go to the park tomorrow morning and kill some spiders, and I think we will have to climb some trees to get away from the spiders as well. What a brilliant idea! I hope it's working to bring the fun back for you, it certainly has for me. Reminded me not to take everything so seriously.

I did 'that' workout the other day and I had so much fun. I even slipped over in the mud (it had been running here in the morning but the sun (and humidity) were blazing by the time I got out). It was really great to do something different from what I had been doing. I am also stealing another one of your workouts and doing it with my kids, it seems like such a fun game and I know that they will really enjoy it. Although we won't do it for the 30 minutes. Just until they have had enough.

Well done on your squat. That's an excellent achievement.

I love the method for choosing the workout - it had me laughing out loud and my eldest daughter wanted to know why I was laughing. She thought it was funny too The workout sounds great, I am really looking forward to something a bit different.

Feeling pretty unsupported right about now. We (my partner and I) were talking about dinner. He is making a massaman curry with potatoes. I asked if we could substitute the potato for sweet potato because I'm trying to cut down - I ignored the fact that this curry is going to have sugar in it and a few other things. That was ok but then I get asked 'does this mean we are never going to eat potatoes again?' No it doesn't mean that it just means I need support while I make this change. I am so sick of feeling like I am on my own and that I have to keep compromising on my goals. I am important too

This is a great idea, I really love the concept. Good luck with the challenge

This sounds great. I'd love a surprise workout and it's perfect because I have minimal equipment. I am also free Wednesday and Saturday. What a great concept for a workout - I might try these ideas with my kids as well

When i was trying to increase the amount of water i was drinking i found that it really helped me to set a timer for every 45 minutes so that i would remember to drink. Good luck with the challenge

Meditation is great, i get my kids to do it at night and i can now get my 2 year old to calm down with deep breaths. She also chants the Buddhism mantra of compassion which is so cute coming out her mouth. My favourite meditation is walking meditation, good luck with it.

So day one off to a good start. I've done my measurements and my fitness tests for benchmarks but they are out in the loungeroom and i am currently attempting to get two cranky children to sleep so will have to post those later. I went for a run today though to get my fastest 1km time and it was 5.08, i was so pleased. I thought it would be around 6 minutes, I've never been a fast runner, my legs are built for strength not speed but this made me happy. I also went for a swimming lesson today and i am getting much better at breathing and swimming. It all feels less stressful. I managed to add 5kg to my deadlift over the weekend. Because i am only just starting out i want to keep it light to focus on my form being right, and trying to implement some of the stuff from the becoming a supple leopard book. This lifting weights has got me thinking about cross fit and I'm thinking of going and jjoining. We shall see but all in all I'm feeling really happy and pleased with myself

I have to ask, what is a ninja smoke bomb?