PinkNinja

*waves* Hi! I hope you're feeling better!

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. ~Jim Rohn I'm not sure what I want to do. My tailbone is drastically improved, but still hurts. I still want to get better at waking up early and going to bed early. I still want to work on push ups. I want to meditate. And most importantly i want to lose weight. But I need some thinking for my challenge. I feel kinda bad about my crapping out on my last one.

/\ /\

I'm here. I know. You're so relieved.

Yep.

I mean seriously, this was me at the end of the challenge... But hey, not everyone can be OMG SHUT UP AWESOME like cheech.

So I'm going to hang out here for a bit. Mostly so I can procrastinate because I have no idea what to do for my own challenge.

I've not done as well since my last post. I did not make it to a 3rd morning workout in a row. I did run on the day I got back. Which was Thursday; today is Sunday, so I guess I haven't missed as many days as I thought I had. I'm behind in work and stressed, so I really need to work out, but 12+ hour work days are not conducive to working out. The good news is, I'm planning my work hours for the rest of Feb. & March. When I come back to work on Friday, I'll be working 9-6 or 10-7 for a few days. I'm going to use that to start building the habit of working out before work, at least a short workout, and eventually move to maybe running before work. I've gotten rid of a couple more books, some shirts, and some more kitchen stuff. I have completely derailed on doing pushups. I think that I need to make myself at least do push ups when I wake up. Maybe if I start making myself do pushups before I leave my room in the mornings, uhm, maybe other than going to the bathroom, I'll do them every day. I need to quit trying to change everything all at once and build slowly. So maybe I will start with just doing pushups in the morning. Tomorrow. I wish I had more time to get online and be supportive with all you guys' challenges. I've been thinking of doing an accountability-buddy thing, or something, but I couldn't be reliable enough for it to be two way.

I woke up, worked out, ate breakfast, took my vitamins, and generally did well. I even did 2 decline push ups when I worked out! (I was explaining different kinds of pushups to a friend) I was amazed I could do 2. Still on the road, and will be here until Thursday. I'll hit my 3 day streak tomorrow on working out in the morning.

I have sketchy hotel internet at the moment, so I'm going to keep this short. I decided yesterday to try DailyBurn's beginner program. I did not skip my workout today even though I'm on the road. I'm proud of me. (btw, anyone near Oklahoma going to the Tulsa Boat show? I'm working it. I'll be the one in brown standing in front of the Arkansas State Parks booth. lol)

I've enjoyed this side quests. I had began doing mini meditation (reference to time, not size..) thanks to inspiration from Kishi. So this was perfectly timed. Where could I procure a few of those? Is there a specific one that you like? I am particularly interested in "stay the heck away from my sword" lol

I went to a Math & Science school for the last part of high school. One of our optional night seminar classes was an overview of differential equations. Mainly ode, with just a taste of partial. We talked about a lot of different practical applications and mostly, we were introduced to topics, sort of letting us see if we wanted to take the full blown class. I opted to take genetics (for me, making glow in the dark bacteria > math that just an intro to made my head spin) & history of math instead. I loved history of math. It was team taught by a former NSA math nut (I think he had a real title..) & a Dr. of something history related. The main thing I remember was the teachers pretending they didn't see me punch a jerk when he said something sexist. Oh and Egyptian math and learning different bases those were cool too. LoL

When I'm stressed, the main I think I need to do is get OFF this mountain & out of the park! I did that. Went to my guy's house and enjoyed some time with him & the kiddo, and then some nice alone time while they were at work & school. I ran/walked 3 miles on Wednesday. It felt great. I'm holding at 4 decent pushups. I'm doing great at getting rid of things. Today, I cleaned out my spice/seasoning cabinet. (WHY did I have 4 bottles of chili powder?!) It is actually organized now. I've been putting a lot of thought into getting up early, going to bed on time, and such. I decided using my phone as an alarm clock was a problem. It's right by my bed (another problem, getting there) and too easy to snooze, especially when I don't really want to go to work. I also stay up too late playing on it. I sit there in bed, playing on my phone, waiting for my goodnight phone call. Sometimes he gets distracted (having a 7 yo will do that) and doesn't call for over an hour. So, that delays things. And I start playing a game that when he gets off the phone, I have to finish. (you know, cause avengers puzzle quest is totally life or death once you start! lol) So No more cell phone in bed. I remembered I had an alarm clock that had a USB port, solving both problems. So tonight I set up the alarm clock across the room, where my cellphone will be silently charging. I also let work know that when I'm on call (like tonight), they have to call my house. They generally do anyway, but I wanted to be sure. I'm also going to call him and say goodnight. I explained it to him last night and he's on board. He's actually hoping that will help him also go to bed earlier. It wasn't part of my challenge, but I've been doing well on my dietary habits, which is making me happy. I won't be going to bed on time. I was supposed to dye sheets for a rag weaving workshop tomorrow, but today was too hectic, so now I have to do it tonight. I'm halfway through, I think. Anyway, sorry I'm such a roller coaster ya'll.

When my tailbone hurts, it hurts pretty much all the time. Running and working out hurt, but no more or less than hiking at work or sitting on the couch. Before I quit working out, sometimes it felt normal after, sometimes worse, and sometimes a little better (I think bc the rest of me was worn out! ) I didn't quit working out until I went to see a physical therapist who made me stop doing everything. She even said I didn't need to walk on uneven surfaces, which was impossible because I live & work on a mountain. Now the spine doctor says that nothing will really make it worse or make it better, so I might as well do whatever As far as actual TKD, I have been training a little on my own, but with class, the problem is less the actual class and more that class is 2.5 hours away. That's a very painful drive, even more so after working out for 3+ hours. Before my tail messed up, I was going once every other week. I was going to update more, but I realized while I was talking about TKD that I am in a very defeatist mood. I don't know if I just woke up on the cold side of the bed this morning (my heat is out) or if I'm just being a whinebag. Either way, I think I'll wait until I feel better to post. Maybe after work or something.

!!BENTO!! Sometimes I miss having to take my lunch to work. Especially when I see some of the new recipes or meal ideas on justBento, and I still get a menu newsletter from laptoplunches. Have you perused their site? It's pretty neat. They have a menu library that you can view by the season. http://www.laptoplunches.com/bento-menus/ << gonna leave this here, just in case And I know I'm kinda late to the party, but I hear ya, on your math/physics rant. I love physics. Inflationary Gravitational Radiation and Microwave Background Polarization would go way over my head, but I still enjoy physics. I never went beyond Differential Equations in math, but I also enjoy math. I have interviewed people for jobs using a cash register who say "I suck at math" O_O Really?!? C'mon people! You've totally got school covered. It may get hard at times, but you'll get there! Sometimes I regret taking the easy way & changing my major to Outdoor Recreation & Park Administration. I originally wanted to major in biology. Probably would've still wound up exactly where I am, but, I miss the science that I missed. The main reason I changed was I finally listened to all those people that told me biology would be hard, outdoor rec would be easier road to the same goal. I won't go into my sappy butt regret spiel, but if you ever want someone to vent to about a-holes telling you physics will make your change your mind, I will listen with an understanding ear! (Or eye I guess?) And cause I love this one:

I'm surviving. I'm pretty pleased. I weighed yesterday and I have lost 9 lbs since Jan. 2nd. 1. I have managed to keep getting rid of things. Since we last spoke, I have gotten rid of 4 books, 2 t shirts, some pens that haven't written in who knows how long, and some knives. The knives are still in the house, but they have a future home. 2.I've been doing well at going to bed early-ish and waking up on time. Of course, having a phone call from work to wake you up for X, Y, & K helps in the whole "waking up early" thing. There's no snooze on the housephone. But the routine part of morning & evening haven't gone as well. I have managed to have breakfast every morning, even if is a protein shake on the way. 3. I can now do TWO sets of 4 full pushups and 6 kneeling. 4. Having ran any more since the first one I posted. Work is draining me, and I wan to take it slow. My tailbone has already started back hurting. I'm going to keep working out even if it goes full blow psycho-coccyx again. I have to or I'll get super depressed again. I also got a day or so off to go on my January Adventure! I visited some family, went to the Asian market, and had a nice hike with the pup. Iron Springs Thanks, ya'll.

I'm not that bothered by the food. It was one not so hot meal. I was annoyed that it was just a crappy day in general. And today will be better. Gah! Except work just called and the park is on fire. Again. I've never had to put my fire clothes on two mornings in a row. They feel gross. Going now..

The only part of my morning routine that accomplished is breakfast. I grabbed the protein shake I had prepped for lunch on the way out the door. I was woken up earlier than I had planned by a phone call from work saying the park was on fire. I chugged my shake, finishing it right before I got there. We had it out in less than an hour, but there were 2 more today. Apparently someone around here has a bad case of the fire bug. As if the fires weren't enough, I had irritating coworkers, rude & insulting guests, and general crap. Oh and some point during the day, I sat down in the car and it made my tailbone hurt. I had wanted to run after work (that plan came before the second & third fires) I got a burger, fries, & Dr. Pepper for dinner, which was delicious but not what I'd planned. But a burger after a fire is kind of a tradition. Tomorrow's my Thursday. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better. The park will still be here, minus the flames, my tailbone won't be hurting, and my waning measure of patience will be at least partially refilled. If not, I'll survive. And I get to go camping Wednesday, so things will definitely be looking up by then at least. I'm up to 4 pushups, mostly. They weren't great, but they weren't on my knees. I got rid of several smaller things. And I'm logging off to get to bed, on time.

I'm about to go to bed in order to beat my self imposed deadline, so I'm keeping this short, but I wanted to say, I WENT RUNNING TODAY! First run in close to a year! I also did most of my morning and evening routines, I just need to hit the hay now.

Sucks about the garnishment. Garnishments are evil. I've been overdrafted by a few. 31 pushups is great. I'm still working to get past 3. So today, after i read how you got rid of entire box of books, I thought "If Kishi can get rid of a whole box, I can get rid of at least a few!" So I did! There were plenty that I couldn't let go of yet, but I'm proud of the ones I did get rid of. And yours! Man, that's super impressive! You're really chunking stuff!

I've had a NorthFace Pivotal for nearly 10 years. It has held up amazingly well to wilderness, planes, moving houses, and even survived some funny smells. I don't know if they make them anymore, but if they do, it'd be hard to beat. I also have the Kelty PK50. I've not had it for as long, but I love the way it is laid out. It's zipper free, very expandable and is actually more like 2 smaller packs combined. I've taken it on a few trips. I used it for when I taught backpacking this last semester. If you're looking for something a little smaller or more like a traditional backpack, I'm pretty much in love with this thing. My favorite thing about it is the way that it opens, laid flat, like a suitcase. It comes in 40L and 30L. I had a student that had an older model of that Osprey. She loves it. If you nomad in this direction anytime, you should come visit! I can play nomad for a few days& we can go for a backpack trip.

You know that game where you & your friends take turns thinking of 3 items to request from room service. The goal is to mix normally innocuous items in a way that would really mess with their heads. Once I got over how amazing 7FG's voice was, this made me want to play that game.

Following to see someone who is actually successful at book ending their days, because seeing your success may be as close as I get to my own. (and because you seem interesting)

Honestly, I'm doing terrible at the whole go to bed/wake up thing. I had a lot of time to think on it Tues.& today while I was driving (5 hours total, lots o'thought time!). I decided the problem is that I guess I thought I could just wing it. Instead of making up a morning/evening routine, I thought that having the intention of having a routine would allow one to organically form. I don't know what i was thinking. There's only one solution, make a plan! My evening routine should mostly focus on making my morning successful, in addition to going to bed. I suck at going to bed at time. Like right now, it's almost 11 and I still need to put up left overs, shower, and all that fun stuff. So for my evening routine, I'm going to try a shower, prep breakfast, make sure my dining room table is clear, and go to bed. No phone games in bed. I can read, write or just lay there, but all activity needs to end by 10:45. In the mornings, I need to wake up, start a kettle, do my pushups, do at least 2 sun salutations, make tea, heat up breakfast, and getting dressed. While breakfast is heating up, I can start a load of laundry or start loading the dishwasher, whichever needs done. Today, I made some killer protein pumpkin & cranberry muffins and a spinach& pepper scramble. I can have those for breakfast this week. I also made a shrimp & broccoli stir fry with ginger & garlic sauce. That will be dinner the next couple nights, which will help give me time to put my new running toys to use! I got new shoes, some fancy merino wool blend socks, and a beanie that has a hole for ponytail(!!). Now I can't wimp out in the cold. Tomorrow is my Monday. I'm late going to bed today, but not as late as I have been the last few weeks. But I've got a plan now! And I'll get this week whooped!