Fridelisan

You're doing so well! Well done

Oh, thanks!

It has been going less good the last week. I've managed to keep up with my handstands practice and my water, but eating enough and meditating is difficult to get into a routine.

Hey! How's the challenge going?

Quick update:

Handstands: 5 out of 12 workouts

90 g Protein: 5 out of 9 days

No sugars: 7 out of 9 days

>1 l water: 9 out of 9 days

Meditation: 6 out of 9 days

Tea definitely counts towards water consumption

It does, doesn't it?  

How's the handstand progress coming along? I'm planning to start that soon. I miss being inverted!

Stop at a grocery store on your way home. Get something to eat on the drive

The handstand progress is progressing! Haha I had a handstand class today, and it went beyond expectations. Todays focus was on kicking up against the wall, and also do freestanding handstands with a partner as mental support. I was really scared to get up into the freestanding one, and needed alot of help getting there. But when I stood there, I.. well.. Stood there. It felt good. And after the class I stayed behind to keep working on my kick ups. The teacher went through the techniques a little more wih me, helped me up a few times and then let me play on my own. And gosh, did it go well! I managed for the first time to kick up and touch my foot to the wall by myself. It didn't last for long, but boy did it feel good! So I'll probably be back tomorrow to play with the handstands some more.

Ah, problem is when I travel between cities like that, I don't have a car, but travel by train. It's difficult to get off to go buy something to eat.

My weekend didn't go as good as I'd hoped. I couldn't plan anything about my food, so I haven't eaten anough protein at all. Booh. When we're visiting my bf parents, we almost always only eat twice each day. That's really not enough for me. But they also live too far away from any grocerie store for me to go buy anything. Yeah, So I'll have to work on my proteins the coming weeks to be able to pass on this quest. 

On the bright side, I've been drinking lots. Even though it mostly have been tea, I think it should be counted into the amount of water I have to drink. So I'm easily above 1 l every day this weekend. Although, I've realised I get stomach aches of black tea, which I'll start avoiding from now on. 

Handstands: 3 out of 12 workouts

90 g Protein: 3 out of 7 days

No sugars: 5 out of 7 days

>1 l water: 7 out of 7 days

Meditation: 4 out of 7 days

Honestly that sounds like you're still doing really well. You've got most of your habits down and just have a little refining to do. 

Perhaps not an ideal challenge, but it's far from bad and you should be proud for sticking to your goals as well as you did! 

Thanks guys! It does always feel good when others remind me that it's not a failure just because everything didn't go exactly as planned. Now's another challenge though, and my next thread can be found here.

I decided that a bag of carrots and a box of grapes was the best snacks I could bring with me on my 4 h train ride to my bf. It turned out to be a great idea since they offer free mini muffins in this part of the train. And I don't eat muffins today. Not very rich in protein, but it's better than to fill up on sugar.

When you do freestanding handstands then the cartwheel bail IS the normal way.

 

But yes, lots and lots of repetition is key. I spent a long, long time working handstands against the wall (way too long in fact - which I don't recommend, and back to the wall - which I also don't recommend) and I found freestanding work hugely scary. I had to pad up my room with mattresses to get over the fear!

Ah, I see what you did there! I guess I should learn to do handstand bailouts then. Hah. As we've only worked on wall handstands yet, I think that's why he hasn't been teaching us any other ways to get out of them. But I don't know. We'll see. Now I know that I should work on them at least!

But I suppose that's when you already have the wall handstand that you shouldn't work on them for too long? Since I can't even get up with a kick-up yet, I feel that it's too early to try without the wall behind me? How do you start to learn the freestanding handstands? That sounds horrible and scary. 

Smart on taking this week easier, still busier than most people's active weeks though

That is so cool on the handstand progress!! You must have felt like top of the world, yay. No worries about the rest not going as well, breakthroughs are breakthroughs and exciting enough for the body to slack a bit after

Hm right now I can't think of any clever food ideas... sorry

Haha, maybe you're right. I'm so used to read about all you guys doing your workouts so often that I don't realise people in general work out much less than me. 

Yeah it felt really good that day. Like I could do anything! Haha I'm just hoping that I'll continue get better. I think that the other two workouts I did this week went bad because I wasn't as warm in my muscles and joints, so it felt really wierd trying to get up into a handstand. Usually I do my handstand "homework" after another class, so I'm already warm, and it usually goes better. 

Animal flow?

 

Yes, animal flow! It's a way to move around on the floor, doing swítches between different "animal moves" and getting around. I found a video explaining some of the moves: 

And a video showing how it can look really cool:

It's much more difficult than it looks. I get so tired after a 10 min session of these things (including rest). 

So, update! 

Ehm. Where do I start? This has been a week that I've taken it easy. Last week involved crazy much workouts. So I felt that I needed a less intense week to get my energy back. I went to the gym on monday and yesterday to work a little on my handstands and do some light stretching, and on tuesday I went to gymnastics training (tumbling, balancing and animal flow) and the handstand workshop afterwards. Oh and I went to pole class yesterday as well. But that's all I'm doing this week. The handstand class on tuesday was great, and with some help from the teacher, I got so much closer to doing a wall handstand than ever before. He stood beside me and just lifted one of my legs when I kicked up, and sometimes he just had to lightly touch the leg for me to get it. The other handstand workouts have not been as good though. 

And with the food and meditation... It's not going as well as I hoped. And I'll be visiting my bf parents this weekend, so it's going to be hard to control the protein intake. Any suggestions on meals/snacks rich on protein that's easy to bring with you?

Handstands: 3/12

90 g Protein: 1/4

No sugars: 4/4

>1 l water: 4/4

Meditation: 1/4

Pirouette bailing helped me with handstands so much! Good luck with this challenge, I'm going to follow along (in the shadows, muhaha).

I think I'll have to learn bailouts now! (I guess it's for my own good as well too) Thank you!

Following from the shadows as well (haven't even set up a march challenge myself yet so much for being late haha)

Love your goals and the continuity!

I'm also scared when kicking into wall handstand and even with cartwheels already, is that crazy?

But I found the more often I do them the fear does get less. When I have a longer break the fear is right back in all its glory so keep at it often

Hey there! That's not crazy at all. I can't do cartwheels yet either, both becuase of lack of technique and well... it's scary. But as you say, working on it does make it less scary. I've noticed a great difference when (trying) doing my handstands now compared to in the beginning. So that's nice.

Another pole/silks person! =D OUR NUMBERS GROW BY THE DAY!!!

 

As for the handstands, holy shit I feel you... I get so scared too >.<

 

 

Wait what? How do you practice that?

Haha yes! It is great, isn't it?! Staring with pole made me realise workouts didn't have to be boring!

It's nice to know I'm not alone. But I feel that working on my handstands makes it less and less scary.

Great challenge, like the way you're solidifying good habits from last challenge.

Are you practicing handstand bailouts at all? You'll get a lot comfortable kicking up if your body can be certain you won't crash on your head.

I haven't practiced bailouts ever. Our teacher is all about getting down "the normal way". And.. To be honest, I haven't been able to get that close to the wall when doing those chest to wall handstands. I'm standning more in a L-shaped handstand, so I'm getting down quite easily. But maybe it's something I should work on when I'm getting closer  to those hand stands.

Tackling things like how we see (and want to see) ourselfs can be difficult, but I think that just realising and admitting to yourself that it's something you have to work on is a huge step in the right direction. As the mad hatter said, it's something that a lot of us struggle with and it often takes a lot of time to get to a good place about it.

But hey, silks! handstands! How do you feel about going on to the next level in silks? It sounds exciting!

Good luck!

Sooooo.. I realise I'm always late to these things. But better late than never, right?

So last challenge didn't go great, but also not as bad as it could have. I focused on drinking, eating, working out and meditating. And I'll continue to work on some of those things during this challenge also. 

So I'll jump right in.

Quests:

1. Eat all the protein and nothing of the sugar.

Last challenge I wanted to eat at least 80 g of protein each day, which actually isn't as much as I need, but much more than I usually eat. So I think I'll up the game a little and eat at least 90 g of protein. I will really have to work on this, but I believe that it can work.

During my first challenge (that I completed) one of my quests were to keep off sugar, and it went really well. But as soon as that challenge ended, I got right back to my old habits. That it not good for me. I have to go back to my first plan again.

Pass: Eating >90 g of protein on 75 % of the days and no sugary stuff (with the exception of fruit and pure juice).

2. Drink all the water.

Okay, maybe not all the water. But drink at least 1 l a day can't be bad. I need water. I drink way to little, but has finally been able to get more hydrated since the last challenge. I have to keep it up.

Pass: Drinking >1 l on 75 % of the days. 

3. Look at life from a different angle.

Today was the fourth class in a hand stand workshop I've been going to once every week. There are two classes left, and until then I will be able to at least kick into a wall handstand. To do that, I have to work on my hand stands at least 3x/week, doing strengthening exercises, alignment exercises, "wall climb hand stand" and kick ups. Oh, and of course wrist preps prior to all the workouts. My biggest problem with handstands is that I'm scared. I'm not sure of what, but It keeps me from kicking up properly. I really have to learn to trust my body to do this. I know it can! 

Pass: 12 handstand workouts.

4. Keep your head clear.

I will keep on doing daily meditations. It relaxes me and I've already started to implement some of the things I learn about myself there in my daily life. It just can't be bad for me.

Pass: meditate for 10 min a day on 75 % of the days.

This is so typically me. I start off good with writing and all, but then almost 2 weeks go by without me writing as much as a word in here. But, I did not forget the challenge! I've been trying to work with my goals. The workouts haven't been any problems. I would say I get an A++ on workouts, going to 4-6 classes a week. Drinking water has been a little bit harder, but I've managed to drink 1 l most days, at least 3 out of 4 days. Eating enough protein has been the worst. My weekly mean has been: 96 g, 79 g, 65 g and 80 g during the last month, so I guess it's ok on 2/4. I kept up with the meditation during the first two weeks, but then I've been breaking my streak. I think I've meditated ~16 days on the last challenge. It's not enough!

Overall not a great challenge, but I will not give up! Next challenge will be better!

I'm absolutely positive you have the strength for handstands! Just a question of getting used to the feeling. Have you tried low arm balances like crow pose?

Even if you didn't nail all of your goals your week sounds great!

Yes, It's probably just a feeling that I've got. I have tried the crow pose a few times, but my biggest problem with that is my balance. I've continued going to the hand stand workshop classes, and did manage to stand against a wall the last time. So I know I can stand now. I'm just scared to fall over (despite having a wall behind me, totally not logical). 

That guy's eyes are so intense in that gif, holy cow!

 

I think having a good life-week but a bad-challenge week is okay once in a while! Just don't be discouraged by it. Getting back on track shouldn't be too hard.

 

I've read through this whole post. That gymnastics class sounds crazy but super useful for learning functional movements and strength! That's awesome that you found it! Was it something your university does, you said? (Also, I'm excited you're starting silks! My silks partner and I are considering trying out pole classes ourselves, too, so we may have another cross-over of interests! It'll be a few months before we have the money and time, but we may sign up for a 'pole 101' intro that an aerial gym nearby does periodically.)

I know, right?! 

Oh yes. Bad weeks will always happen once in a while, so I haven't been feeling to bad about it.

The gymnastics classes are great! As you say, it makes me work both on my strength and on functional movements, which is things I have to work on. I just love them and can't understand why I haven't going to those classes before.  Oh yes, silks are super fun and I'm so happy I tried it out! I'm progressing really slow, but I still notice some improvements in my strength and skills. The last class I was on, we worked on "Egg beaters", which I just can't figure out. I can't get the silks to wrap around my legs more than once. We also worked on "candy cane", "birds nest", "cross knee release" and some strength stuff. I'm so looking forward to being a little stronger and being able to do more up in the air!

Oh, so fun that you're going to try out pole! That is super fun, and (I think) much easier!

Hey! Your videos looks great, you seem to have so much fun in them! Totally following you there! (I'm Fridelisan) Just like everyone else here said, 5 weeks is such a short time to notice any difference, but focusing on the feeling rather than just a scale number always seem to be a better way to notice those changes.

So glad you like the aerial arts and that you get to try so many different things! I just has to be fate that the 1b class opened up as you decided to go at the same time as your friend.  

I've been going to silks class as well, but hasn't been progressing much at all. I still have a problem with the foot lock, which is hindering a lot of other stuff that we work on. But I will not be discouraged! 

How long have you been working on your handstands? 

Sounds like you progress a lot everywhere!

Last week was quite a bad challenge week for me. I forgot to do my meditation during 4 days. I didn't eat enough protein 3 of the days, and I didn't drink enough for 2 days. The only thing I managed to go through with was to work out 3 times. No, last week was no good at all, but I'm totally going to do better this week. 

(non-challenge-wise I actually had a pretty good week. Interesting seminars and patients in school, great workouts, a fantastic weekend with my boyfriend... So I can't complain that much...)

I managed to drink my water yesterday, which felt good. I also went to a dance class and did some headstands and handstand prep work. I meditated for 10 minutes using mindspace, but fell short with my protein intake, just a couple of grams under 80. 

Today I went to a gymnastics class, working on tumbling/somersaults, balancing and strength work towards an L-sit. I also went on a hand stand workshop where we worked on body alignment, wrist preps and walking up to a handstand against a wall (facing the wall). I suck at handstands, which is why I go to this workshop. But I'm too scared and I feel like I'm too weak to get anywhere with it right now. I'm sure that's just a feeling that I have though, because I'm pretty sure I actually do have the strength to do hand stands, at least against a wall. But it's something that I really, really have to work on...

Right now, I'm trying to find something to eat that has a little more protein as well, because I'm 5 g short of 80 g right now. But I just ate my dinner (I'm stuffed), and I soon have to go to sleep, so I don't know if I'll manage that today. Suck. I've at least been drinking ok today. And I'll do my meditation as soon as I'm done writing this. 

Tomorrow is a sports day at our university, so no scheduled studying. But I'll meet my mentor from last semester and talk about my report, and if I'll continue to do some research in her research group during my last year. I'll also meet some of my best friends for brunch, which I've really been looking forward to. We haven't been able to just sit and talk for quite some time now. And in the evening I have aerial silks class. So yay!

W00t w00t on bridge pose and all the strength gains

Hooray for you and your strength successes that's awesome

Thanks! It feels really good.

Hooray for bridges! And strength. Everything just becomes so much easier when you don't have to worry about being strong enough and can just focus on the skill itself.

And yep that exercise description made sense. Kind of like an aerobics side step jumping jack hybrid thingy.

Yes, you're absolutely right! I love that I'm getting stronger by the day! 

Ah, yes, that's one way to describe it, I guess.

Seems like you've been working hard with your strength the last week. Wow. Keep it up!

So looking forward to seeing your pole stuff! With that strength you're working on, you'll be super badass, I'm sure!

Btw, pink puma is so great! And I love these  performances that isn't all about sensuality and stuff. Strength is so impressive!

Oh, and todays update:

Workout: Check!

Protein: Check!

Water: Check!

Meditation: Check!

I went to pole class today. We worked on lots of different stuff. Our instructor likes making us do all the strength exercises (which is really good for me), and I always walk away from there all soaked. We worked on head- and handstands, reverse spin and core strength. We also did some freestyle dancing and rehearsed some pure dance moves. Afterwards I stayed to work on my flexibility a little. And after doing some backbends I decided to try a bridge pose, which I've never been able to do before due to weak-ass arms. But I managed it today! And it was super easy! I felt so happy standing there. 

Hey, that all looks pretty solid to me. 

Thanks! Maybe I'm to hard on myself. I guess it was quite a good first week.

you did great!

 

Those gymnastic classes sound intense and ahahaha, you're way ahead of me if it's any consolation, because despite of poling for 2 and half years now I am noway near gemini/scorpio or the like. Will share some of the stuff I currently battle soon and then you can see and be comforted

Yes, strength is the magic thing, right? Also the thing to keep you safe, so I like your strategy to up it with those badass gymnastics and the yoga.

 

Congrats on a successful week 1!

Thank you! Yes, those classes are really intense! I always just want to lie down and cry a little after every class.

Oh, a really want to see what you're working on! After what I've read, different studios seem to teach different tricks and spins on very different levels. So it's always interesting to hear what others have learned! 

Oh, yes. Strength is absolutely the magic thing. I've noticed a real change in my progression speed after I started doing more strength training, and having an instructor that focuses more on strength than others I've trained for. It's so fun realising one can do much more than expected.

Seems like you're having a good start on this challenge, even if the studying isn't going exactly how you wanted. How did the super study weekend go?

I think that slow and steady is the best way to actually work on good habits and make them stick. So, great choice! Have you been working on this challenge during the last week (in that case, how has it been going?) or do you start now?