afflictionreckoning

It's time to see what I can do To test the limits and break through No right, no wrong, no rules for me, I'm free! Let it go, let it go I am one with the wind and sky Let it go, let it go You'll never see me cry Here I stand And here I'll stay Let the storm rage on So I struggled at the end of the last challenge (I was doing so well...) I got myself back together during my vacation and was really ready to jump into the next challenge. I spent Monday the 6th choosing my goals and coming up with a game plan and then, much like life typically does with the plans you make, it was all torn apart when I received a call from my boyfriend later that night. The fire was pretty frightening, but to be honest we didn't lose much. My boyfriend got out alive and the firefighters saved our cats. The apartment was so smoke damaged we had to move out but we salvaged most of our stuff. I wanted to start the challenge off with my goals being a priority, but with the situation I couldn't. There were times where I couldn't even make myself a priority. But we're all moved into our new apartment now and mostly unpacked. There have been a lot of changes at work and I was sick for quite awhile, but I've rolled with the punches and I'm ready to go now. Goals Fitness and Diet Goals 1. Running three times a week. I was doing so well until I fell right before Christmas and then I started to get back into it over the holidays, but lost it again. Time to get back into it. 2. Strength training two times a week. I want to be exercising most days, but I want to give myself a little leeway since my life is still a little chaotic. My proposed weekly schedule: · Monday: Walking (first few weeks) or Running (later weeks) · Tuesday: Strength Training and possibly rowing · Wednesday: Walk/Runs, then runs (with improvement) · Thursday: Strength Training and possibly rowing · Friday: Walk/Runs, then runs (with improvement) · Saturday: Strength Training and possibly rowing · Sunday: Walk/runs, then runs (with improvement) 3. Write it down. This usually holds me accountable for my diet better than any actual diet goal, so I will be writing down my food everyday and I think I will post it here as well, to help hold me accountable for my eating habits. I would really like to be more regular with my eating and stop skipping meals and I think posting here will help with that. Life Goal In my previous challenge, I wanted to try getting back into taking time for myself and while I didn’t do exactly what I planned to do, I did start reading everyday so there was some victory there. So this time I’m saying write everyday. I have to write, I can’t substitute reading. Attribute Points 1. Three days of running a week. · 16-18 days running: A (4 points STA) · 13-15 days running: B (3 points STA) · 10-12 days running: C (2 point STA) · 7-9 days running: D (1 point STA) 2. Strength training two days a week. · 11-12 days: A (3 points STR) · 9-10 days: B (2 points STR) · 7-8 days: C (1 point STR) 3. Write It Down. · 37-42 days: A (3 points CON) · 31-36 days: B (2 points CON) · 25-30 days: C (1 point CON) 4. Life Goal. · 37-42 days: A (4 points WIS) · 31-36 days: B (3 points WIS) · 25-30 days: C (2 points WIS) · 19-24 days: D (1 point WIS) Motivation Ad astra per ardua. Ad astra per aspera. Reward New hiking boots just in time for spring. Measurements: To be recorded tomorrow... Height: 5'4 Weight: BMI: Neck: Shoulder: Right Bicep: Chest: Waist: Hip: Right Thigh: Right Calf:

Monday, December 9, 2013 (Trouble Arises...) Week 5, Day 1 Goals: Exercise three times a week: 0/3 Hydrate: 1/7 Write It Down: 1/7 Life Goal: 1/7Food: Breakfast: · 8 oz orange juice · 3 slices turkey bacon · 12 oz coffee Lunch: · 8 oz turkey · 1/3 cup quinoa · Mixed greens salad with carrots and cucumbers and celery · 16 oz water Dinner: · 12 oz chicken · ½ cup broccoli · 48 oz water · 3 cups popcorn So we got a little bit of snow this morning, then it transitioned to rain and then as the sun set everything that was wet transition to a thin sheet of ice, perfectly invisible, so that panicky lab techs who are running from one building to another because they forgot something for a time sensitive experiment never suspect that their feet will shoot out from under them and they'll fall and slide eight feet into the parking lot. Ouch. And then I fell again, trying to lay sand down so that others wouldn't fall. Karma fail. I'm feeling pretty sore, but hopefully it'll feel better in the morning. I don't think I seriously hurt, but I having trouble moving my arm and my right side really hurts. So no running today. To be completely honest, I probably wouldn't have gone running anyway and I might not do strength training tomorrow because I have a few meetings and an all day experiment. Ugh... so sore... But I can't just be on top of things when they're easy.

Tuesday Warm-up 10 Jumping Jacks15 Chops5 Hip Raises10 Rotation Chops5 Incline Push-ups2x15 (10 lbs) Squats 2x8 Incline Push-ups 2x10 (5 lbs) Step Ups 2x15 (25/30 lbs) Lat Pulldowns 2x10 Hip Raises 2x20s PlanksChallenge Pounds: (30x10)+(21x33)+(20x5)+(15x25)+(15x30) = 1918 lbs Thursday Warm-up: 10 Jumping Jacks15 Chops5 Hip Raises10 Rotational Chops5 Incline Push-ups2x15 (25 lbs) Straight-leg Dumbbell Deadlifts 2x15 (10 lbs) Overhead Dumbbell Press 2x10 (5 lbs) Rear Lunges 2x15 (8 lbs) One-Arm Bent-over Dumbbell Row 2x8 Bird-dogsWeek 4 Challenge Pounds: (5x33)+(30x25)+(30x10)+(20x5)+(30x8) = 1550 lbs Total: 3468 lbs

Friday, December 6, 2013 Week 4, Day 5 Goals: Exercise three times a week: 5/3 A Hydrate: 5/7 Write It Down: 5/7 Life Goal: 5/7Food: Breakfast: · ½ cup potatoes · 12 oz coffee Lunch: · Tacos Carnitas · 16 oz water · Vitamins Dinner: · Some lamb and some turkey · 48 oz water · 2 double fudge Irish cream cookies Exercise: 2.14 mi in 30:00 Walk 5 min6 x Run 1 min, Walk 30 s8 x Run 30 s, Walk 1 minWalk 4 minStayed up wicked late baking cookies for a Christmas party. Fortunately didn't stay up too late for the Christmas party and didn't eat too poorly. Managed to sneak a run in just before heading over to it and stay hydrated even though the hosts seemingly hid the water. Saturday, December 7, 2013 Week 4, Day 6 Goals: Exercise three times a week: 5/3 AHydrate: 5/7Write It Down: 6/7Life Goal: 6/7Food: Breakfast: · 8 oz orange juice · 4 slices turkey bacon · 8 oz hot chocolate Lunch: · Half a flatbread pizza (barbeque chicken) · 16 oz water Dinner: · 16 oz water · 2 cup popcorn Did terrible with water today, since we were out all day hiking and cutting Christmas trees! A lot of fun but I was definitely feeling it when we were done and I had to go into work for two hours or so when I got back. Didn't manage to get to the gym, but I felt like hiking and cutting and carrying the trees was enough of a workout. Still feeling the effects of the lack of water though. Sunday, December 8, 2013 Week 4, Day 7 Goals: Exercise three times a week: 6/3 A Hydrate: 6/7 B Write It Down: 7/7 A Life Goal: 7/7 AFood: Breakfast: · 8 oz orange juice · ½ pomegranate Lunch: · 3 cups popcorn · 16 oz water · Banana Dinner: · Chicken Thigh · 1 cup broccoli · 48 oz water · Rice crackers and cheddar with mustard Exercise: 2.11 mi in 28:04 Walk 5 min6 x 2 min Run, 1 min WalkWalk 4 minLike I said, still feeling the effects of the lack of water yesterday. Relaxed most of the morning, then begrudgingly headed to work, where I spent twice as much time as I intended to, but was able to get a run in. I'm happy I managed to bounce back this week, even though it was hectic at some points. Feeling a bit ill though. Hopefully it was just temporary dehydration, but time will tell. Progress as of Week 4: 1. Exercise three times a week: 19/28 I only missed one day this week and it was spent hiking and chopping down trees. Can't complain about that. Actual goal number: 10/12 with running at 7/8 and strength training at 3/4. Feeling pretty good about it, just have to keep it up. 2. Hydrate: 22/28 Considering how important this is, I feel like I shouldn't be struggling with it as much. I think I'm getting to the point where I really feel it if I don't get enough water so I suppose that's a start. 3. Write It Down: 28/28 Still perfect. 4. Life Goal: 27/28 Just reading, but I'm enjoying it. It's one of the only relaxing parts of the day sometimes. On to Week 5. Just have to keep the momentum.

Feel better soon!

I know it's tough, but try to get out and enjoy the sun a bit. Winter will be over before you know it.

Agreed!

Me too! We have to focus on the task at hand for now, but when we get some free time we'll have to learn what we can about it!

Thursday, December 5, 2013 Week 4, Day 4 Goals: Exercise three days a week: 4/3 A Hydrate: 4/7 Write It Down: 4/7 Life Goal: 4/7Food: Breakfast: · 2 slices turkey bacon · 2 slices bacon · 12 oz coffee Lunch: · 40 oz water · 10 oz Italian sausage Dinner: · So many chips with salsa · 5 chicken wings · ½ cup rice · Tacos Carnitas · 24 oz water Exercise: Warm-up: 10 Jumping Jacks15 Chops5 Hip Raises10 Rotational Chops5 Incline Push-ups2x15 (25 lbs) Straight-leg Dumbbell Deadlifts 2x15 (10 lbs) Overhead Dumbbell Press 2x10 (5 lbs) Rear Lunges 2x15 (8 lbs) One-Arm Bent-over Dumbbell Row 2x8 Bird-dogsWeek 4 Challenge Pounds: (5x33)+(30x25)+(30x10)+(20x5)+(30x8) = 1550 Stressful day, but great gym workout then over-indulged on Mexican food. No regrets. Tired and baking cookies for a Christmas party. Hope everyone is having a great week!

When you feel alone, know that you aren't. I think a lot of us are struggling with depression (I originally wrote suffering from, but this time I won't let it do that to me) here. I know up here the weather has been terrible, so we're barely getting sun and when I look out my window at 3 p.m. the sun is setting and I'm filled with this sense of panic that I let the whole day waste away even though it's still relatively early. The vitamin D will probably help. It helps me a bit. If you have the time, try to get out for a walk or something while the sun is still up and enjoy the sunshine. The other part of the problem is the holidays. Should be a great time with family and friends, but you're usually just working as much as possible so you can get gifts for everyone on your list. This time of the year just is physically, mentally and emotionally draining, but don't let it beat you. Commercials will tell you you can't be happy without a new watch or car, but you have your children and you have made this amazing transformation and no matter what you always have a lot to be grateful for and proud of. Start a journal and write about those things and it will help or just post it here (LoD posts a "bright side" with her posts and I think that's almost the same thing). More than anything else, know there is a huge community of people here who are always wishing the best for you and always ready to cheer you on no matter what. Feel better and just remember that you're awesome!

Feel better soon!!!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Week 4, Day 3 Goals: Exercise three times a week: 3/3 A Hydrate: 3/7 Write It Down: 3/7 Life Goal: 3/7Food: Breakfast: · 8 oz orange juice · 5 slices turkey bacon · 12 oz coffee Lunch: · Turkey Sandwich (bread with some sort of dressing) · Salad · Brownie · 16 oz water Dinner: · 16 oz Italian sausage · ½ cup quinoa · ½ cup broccoli · 48 oz water · 1 cup popcorn Exercise: 2.23 mi in 32:05 Walk 5 min10 x Run 1 min, Walk 1 minWalk 4 minAte kind of crappy for lunch. Just couldn't resist the brownie. At least I had one, compared to the three I was having back in the spring. Emotionally drained from the talk today. I won't go into detail but it was about combat-induced PTSD. Planning to go to the gym tomorrow. Workload is light for now, but I essentially have to finish a project before I go on vacation and I have a lot of work to do. Let's see if I can handle exercising everyday when my workload is at it's worst.

Sounds good! Thanks!

Tuesday, November 3, 2013 Week 4, Day 2 Goals: Exercise three days a week: 2/3 Hydrate: 2/7 Write It Down: 2/7 Life Goal: 2/7Food: Breakfast: · 5 slices bacon · 12 oz coffee Lunch: · 16 oz kielbasa · Vitamins · 56 oz water Dinner: · 12 oz Italian sausage · 1/3 cup quinoa · ½ cup broccoli · 16 oz water · 1 cup popcorn Exercise: Warm-up 10 Jumping Jacks15 Chops5 Hip Raises10 Rotation Chops5 Incline Push-ups2x15 (10 lbs) Squats 2x8 Incline Push-ups 2x10 (5 lbs) Step Ups 2x15 (25/30 lbs) Lat Pulldowns 2x10 Hip Raises 2x20s PlanksWeek 4 Mini Challenge Pounds: (30x10)+(21x33)+(20x5)+(15x25)+(15x30) = 1918 lbs Measurements (as of Monday, December 2, 2013 ~8 am) Height: 5'4 Weight: 111.8 lbs (+1.3 lbs) BMI: 19.08 Neck: 11.5 in Shoulder: 16.5 in Right Bicep: 9.5 in (-0.5 in) Chest: 32 in (-0.75 in) Waist: 26 in (-1.25 in) Hip: 34 in (+1.75 in) Right Thigh: 20 in (+0.75 in) Right Calf: 12.75 in (-0.25 in) Feel good about today. Didn't have a lot to do at work, but stayed busy until 5 pm then went to the gym and had a pretty good workout. I'm certain I'll be sore since I hadn't been to the gym in over a week, but I feel good that I was able to keep up with the weights I was using before. I took measurements yesterday, but I forgot to post them, so there they are with the changes. I'm glad I'm starting to put weight back on, but I don't really know what to make of the other measurements.n I'm not going to worry about it too much though. Did well with the hydration today. Didn't need to force the water down and actually overshot my goal. Tomorrow will be a run (presumably not to much work to do, I do have to go to a lecture). I'm waiting for the chaos to hit again. I know it's coming.

Great job! Especially great work not overdoing it (sometimes that's the hardest part)!