aquafreash

Hm... if I'm near-ish the end and panting like a horse, covered in sweat, in pain, and feeling a bit bleak, a little nod of encouragement goes a long way for me. It means quite a lot that someone else would notice my running and how much effort I'm putting it, and encourage me when I might need it most. A running friend of mine, however, has a rather opposing opinion. At our last running event someone said something along the lines of "you can do it" at the beginning and he later on said it felt condescending, as though him proposing that he 'can do it', particularly so early in the race, was somehow seeming as though he thought he needed encouragement - and so early on, he was a bit offended. Still, I didn't even realize until later because he'd just smiled at him. *shrugs* to each their own, I guess. I wouldn't stop, though. Please don't be put off. You never know who might really appreciate a nod of encouragement (such as people like me)

Hm, that sounds like a really good idea! Meditation is something that I've been doing for a while and that I'd really like to explore, so I'll give that a go. Thank you!

Hm... I can somewhat relate to you. My phone died whilst running once, and all of a sudden I went from a thoughtless, almost 'peaceful' state-of-mind to all-hell-breaking-loose. Suddenly I realized how I was gasping for air and how sweaty I was, and out of nowhere it was as if I was growing aware of my exhaustion and it panicked me. But this never happens - only the once - because I have my music on. Make a playlist of happy, pumped up songs - but hey, some of mine are peaceful - and play it loud. The music helps, sure, because its motivating and cheerful, but it helps a great deal because its a distraction, something to listen to. It also masks the sound of your own exhaustion, which can be a huge throw off and panic trigger! Give that a go. That audio book idea is great too - might just work for you! I might give it a go myself sometime, though I'm more a loud, blaring music kind-of-gal.

Hey guys - just a small update. I've been thinking a bit lately and I might drop out of this challenge. It'd be a shame, but my goals have changed and I've found a slightly new approach that might work best. For this reason, I've been wondering if quitting, trying this new approach, seeing if it works, and re-trying again with more clear goals next time when I've had more time to experiment and dabble would be best? What do you guys think? Should I? Thank you!

Thank you, everyone! Week Two Recap Week two went pretty quickly. I had a huge trip to a festival which, well, including travel and what-not took several days. That's why the last three days or so have been complete fails. I haven't made progress on the candy-front, which I'm a bit upset with, but I have had a festival and my attention has been elsewhere. Exercise? I've exercised lots this week - but no 'planned' workouts. No sitting down to do yoga for half-an-hour or putting on my trainers and going running. I've walked miles from place-to-place and done some more intense working out too, but nothing 'planned' or 'set in stone', so I'm not counting it since the idea is to become more aware of working out. I'm... dissapointed. I have to do better next week. I'm going to do better next week. This week - my third - I will have no chocolate whatsoever. I will exercise more than three times - I have to. I'm a very sad and disappointed rebel this week. But I'm not going to give up. Next week, I'll make sure that I don't feel the same way. I'm aiming to hit the 'A' targets for my goals. Here goes.

Thank you, Shaarway! I really needed to hear that. You guys have no idea how much it means when I read your messages - its so hard to comprehend how much a paragraph or two can mean, but it wills me on so, so much. I mean, I really feel like I'm doing this for the rebellion now. I have full faith that I'm going to do better this week, even if its just by one more workout, or one less snack-out, te he.

Yip, sure does! When I'm on, the last thing I want to do is get up and get dressed and stretch and do yoga but I always thank myself when I do get off of my hide, even if just for half an hour. Try hot chocolate - it satisfies my cravings for a while and the one I get tastes amazing and is only 50 kcal-ish, if you get chocolate cravings that is. If not and you struggle, send me a pm or something! I'm in the same boat - we can fight this together! Te he.

Are there any other pools in the area? It worries me, as someone who's worked as one, that they don't have a lifeguard. Most pools do, and if they don't, then something isn't right. You'd probably be better off somewhere that takes health and safety seriously. But hey, if that isn't possible, perhaps its just that, with no lifeguards to inform the manager, the manager might not be aware of it. Try picking it up with reception on your way in, or ask to see the manager. Honestly, its easier for me to just say that I'm with virtualmonkey on this one.

Week One Recap Alrighty, folks. Looking back on week one, it didn't go perfectly - but you know what? If there is any week best to do badly at, its the first because so long as I do better on my second I shall be making progress, and if I do better yet on my third, I am making even more, and to be able to progress to a healthier and fitter state of mind and body is, well, my goal all along, even if that is met by a few bumps along the way. Despite that, I could address this better. As far as cutting back on chocolate and what not... I just about hit the 'fail' mark at four times that week. This is, by far, the hardest of the challenges for me. This is my ultimate game boss to be slain. If I'd managed one less day I'd have been in the amber zone... But hey, four times is less than I'd have done before this challenge, so whilst it feels like a loss, I know that it is still a step in the right direction! No use letting it hinder me. Instead I'll use it to drive me further! Week 2 I shall be aiming for (one ideally, but allowing for bad or stressful days...) two. We'll just have to wait and see, te he! Now... exercise. I have one day a week where a planned exercise routine is not possible is tuesday. If it isn't tuesday I could be working out. This week there were two issues; one, I was a bit lazy, and two, I realized that I find it very difficult to exercise when I'm hanging out with friends for the weekend. Actually no, friends I can manage - I simply excuse myself for half an hour to give something a go - but my boyfriend? A whole other story. Honestly, that's probably because whilst I could excuse myself for an hour - even half of an hour - to go for a run or do yoga or try some bodyweight workouts, I don't see him every day, and when I do (weekends), I don't want to miss even a second. Its tough to be apart from a loved one all week, so when he and I are together I'd much rather be enjoying our precious time together than getting hot and sweaty (as appetising as that does sound) on a run. Oh well. Think of it this way: even if I skip working out on tuesdays and weekends, that's still room for four workouts a week! One more than I aim for! So come on, Lucy - its time to step it up a notch! And finally, taking my multi-vitamins and supplements. This one ought to be easy. It takes ten seconds to take them all. Why didn't I reach the mark? If I manage every single day from here on, then I should be able to clear it up (at least, I think I can - its too late for maths right now). I think I'll start putting them in my bag so that I can take them on the way to work, or during my break, or any time of day, since morning can be a rush and at evenings I can fall into bed. Today I began thinking more about what Steve said about cutting back on the steps between me and a good habit. I feel like this can only make it easier. Lets hope, eh. Oh right, the verdict! And so my conclusion is... *queue drumroll* Room for improvement. But hey. Being able to watch myself improve and to progress myself becoming a healthier person motivates me. I will do better on week two. Wish me luck, guys.

That first sentence explains me so well. I guess that it is, in a funny way, comforting to find someone else in the same boat. Oh yes, I remember commenting that! Well, my shield-sister, I have full confidence that we can do this. Lets both push ourselves and swear to come out of our next challenges as stronger, healthier, fitter people than the ones we were when we first began!

Hiya Will. Aw, thank you! That's really kind of you. I'll check out the accountabilibuddies page, and the dai-gurren brigade too (a magnificent title, might I add ) Hope to see you around!