anaisninexpand

Hello Rebels! I am back for round two, and I'm simplifying a bit this time around. I'm about to be going through some big life changes- putting in 2 weeks notice at my hell hole job tomorrow to go back to waitressing... terrifying. Plus, my "boyfriend" of 10 months will be moving back to Alaska fairly soon, and that love will be gone abruptly from my life. It was the plan ever since we met, but I fell much harder than I intended, and so did he. Anywho, back to my second challenge! I'm going to focus on building habits that will help me to feel grounded and accomplished during the upcoming turmoil. Diet Go grocery shopping on Thursday every week and prep meals on SundayGrading: 4 weeks= A 3 weeks=B 2 weeks=D 1 week or less=F Eat 3 vegetables every day!Grading: Average 4 X per week=A Average 3 X per week=B Average 2 X per week=D 1 X per week or less=F Fitness Strength train at least twice per week- preferably barbellGrading: 4 weeks=A 3 weeks=B 2 weeks=D 1 week or less=F Level Up My Life Organize my home for 15 minutes, at least 5 days per weekGrading: 4 weeks=A 3 weeks=B 2 weeks=D 1 week or less=F So that's what I'm aiming for this go around. I can't lie, I'm not terribly excited at this point, but I am here, and I'm just going to keep telling myself that means something for now. What I am excited about it seeing everybody else's goals and progress. . . I'm about to start reading now! Hopefully this challenge will help guide me out of this little funk I've fallen into. Let's do this, Rebels! Love!

WTG on the proper push-up, that's awesome! That's one of my ultimate goals, but it still seems very far away for me. Haha! Can't wait to see what you choose to do for the next challenge, it seems as though you've killed this one! Love!

I hope you're enjoying Seattle. I can't wait until you are ready to start posting again, as yours has been one of my favorite threads to read. Awesome job this challenge, can't wait to see what you do for the next one! Love!

Way to eat those veggies! Looks like you've had a good bit of success with this challenge, and I can't wait to see what you do for the next one. I applaud you madam! Love!

Nice work, man, you've truly been an inspiration this challenge. You've kept quite the positive attitude throughout your trials, and kept a broad mindset when it comes to your overall health and goals. I can't wait to see what you choose for the next challenge! Love!

Testing my signature... testing, testing. I'll make it look muuuch cooler as I figure out what I'm doing, I promise. Thanks, Archon! Love

Challenge #1 Reflections- 1/4/16 - 1/29/16 Thank you all for your encouragement! I didn't realize I was supposed to "grade" my challenge, but I'm sure some reflection couldn't hurt! Diet Polish off my 2.2L bottle of water every day (I'm hoping to just squuueeze diet coke out of my life by drinking so much water that I don't even want it haha) This, I actually did almost every day. Looking back through my notes, there were only 4 days of the 28 that I didn't drink enough water. That's sticking to my goal 85% of the time- I suppose that's a B? Unfortunately, diet coke is still pretty prominent as well, but that's for another challenge. Cook paleo-ish dinner at home at least 2 nights per week, and bring leftovers to work for lunch the next day This one is tricky to grade. I did cook 2 healthy dinners every week, even this week, which was otherwise terrible. However, I only brought leftovers once or twice during the whole challenge... and this week I binged on fast food every day. I'm giving myself an F on this one, Fitness Simply get my body into the gym 3 days a week on my lunch break. Hopefully, it will be to do Stronglifts, but if I need a day of gentle stretching, I will be ok with taking it! I only missed one workout during the first 3 weeks, then missed all 3 this week. Since I didn't have a grading system prepared, I will do a percentage of workouts- 66% F Level Up Your Life Do 5 minutes of meditation daily, in the morning when I first wake up I might have done this once... or twice, maybe? F F F F F F What I did well: Even though I failed the fitness portion of my challenge, I started building a habit, and discovered my love of barbell lifting. I would call this a big WIN! Hey, I got a B for water consumption ... and I'm pretty sure that it is a habit I can continue fairly effortlessly! I've done a lot of research about the Paleo diet, and I think I have formed a seriously modified version to try for my next challenge. I'm really excited. I found joy in journaling my food, workouts, reflections, mantras, and goals. (Even though I slacked in the last week) I had the courage to join a male-dominated, hole-in-the-wall, blood-stains-on-the-floor gym because they have a squat rack! (This would have absolutely terrified me a few months ago... and still did when I actually did it, too) I supported others in the forums (at least in the first 3 weeks) and gladly accepted their support in return. I am excited to continue building friendships (and hopefully a mentorship or two) on this wonderful site! I'm definitely coming back for the next challenge! What went wrong and why: I didn't have a solid enough plan in place in the beginning (especially for meditation). I will remedy this by keeping my goals simple and laying out a detailed plan in my next challenge. I didn't have a grading system prepared at the beginning or for the duration of my challenge. I will remedy this by clearly outlining my grading system in the challenge starting Feb. 1! I stopped being mindful of my emotions, and in the process, stopped caring about all of goals in the final week of the challenge. While this caused me to get a few F's, right now I am focusing on the fact that I "gave up", but I am back here talking about it now, and I am coming back for the next challenge. I'm already pumped! As a kind soul pointed out, I didn't include a signature in my posts to link to my challenge. This might have kept me from getting a bit of "exposure" haha I am trying to fix that now... If I could just figure out my challenge link! Sorry, so long, thank you all for reading. I can't wait to continue my next challenge as a Rebel. I have my alter ego name, by the way. You can call me Nibiru One... ya know, if ya want, no big deal, it's whatever. Love!

Hi Rebel B, I'm Emily! I've just found your thread and caught up, and I'm curious as to how the challenge finished out for you? I didn't do so hot this time around, but it's almost time to start fresh! Hope to hear an update soon. Love!

Hello, Rebels! I have failed this challenge. I have had a terrible week, only through fault of my own. No gym, ate 5 doughnuts for breakfast yesterday, stressed, depressed, terrified... but, these aren't excuses, these symptoms are perfect reasons to try that much harder to achieve the life I want. Thank you to everyone who checked up on me, I probably wouldn't have come back to Re-Spawn if I didn't see so many people cared! Love!

Hey! I hope you haven't disappeared on us. I fell a little behind in following my favorite rebels, but I hope you aren't done posting! As for the head cold and carb cravings, maybe you should just give your body what it's asking for and focus on other healthy habits? Exercise and mindfulness, perhaps? I hope you're doing well! Love!

Hey, I'm sorry, I've fallen a bit behind in everyone I follow. I'll do better! Week 2 was good and bad for me. I'm having a bit of a health scare right now with some episodes of dizziness and such, but the doctor said I could keep lifting and I definitely have been! I'm feeling really positive about the direction I'm headed over all. How are you feeling about the challenge thus far? Love!

Ooooo, I can't wait to see the next coloring page! I really want to start doing it... I even have the book and pencils at my disposal. Perhaps, tonight.... post yours to inspire me! Hehe Love!

Thursday 1/22/16 Not much to report... drank plenty of water, ate so-so, didn't do yoga or meditate. Wait, I guess that is stuff to report, it's just not great stuff to report. Friday She be killin em': Warm-up 5 X 5 barbell back squat 75 lb. (up 5 lbs) 5 X 5 overhead press 45 lb. bar (finally did it!) 5 X 5 deadlift 115 lb. (up 10 lbs.) Cool-down (nice n long) My form was suffering pretty bad by the final set of overhead press, so I think I'm going to repeat the bar next time. This one is turning out to be quite a challenge for me! I might need to get up my 20 seconds of courage to ask someone for help, but I'm always wondering if the person I'm asking knows what they're doing. lol I've watched videos on here and elsewhere, but the weight distribution is weird for me. Anywho.... I'm drinking lots of water, ate spinach and spring mix lettuce straight out of a baggie for breakfast and enjoyed it, and am feeling pretty positive about life in general. Now for the weekend.... Love!

That's awesome! It's so cool to think that starting down a general path of healthy existence could possibly lead us to finding true passions and life-changing endeavors. Happy for you!! Love! Edit: I'm starting off new pages for everyone today! New day, new page!

I'm a little behind in following you, it took a bit of reading to catch up, haha. Please let us know when you see the doc, I'm really curious as to what's up with that knee! It sounds like you've been slipping here and there, but for the most part keeping a broad mindset about your goals and how you can make up for slips. I think that's effin' awesome! I'm kind of going through the same thing right now. I'm not exactly on track with the goals I set, but I'm seeing lots of positive changes that feel sustainable... and that seems more important to me right now than whether I can check something off my list. As long as we keep coming back, we'll keep leveling up, right? You're doing awesome, and I'm really loving reading about your progress. Keep it up man, for Pete's sake, just keep doing what you're doing. Love! Edit: WOOT! First post on your 5th page, what up?

I am just starting with Yoga by Adriene too, I really love her style! You've done 3 so far? Are you still enjoying it? I'm not doing very good with "rating" either. I'm keeping pretty good records and they are wonderful for self-reflection, I'm just reflecting very little on the original goals I set. Haha. Sounds like you're doing an awesome job, keep it up! Love!

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and suggestions! My plans include lifting with proper form, walking, and yoga. I think staying active will keep my mindset right while I figure out why my body is trying to turn on me. Wed. 1/20/16 Nice, long warm-up 5 X 5 Barbell back squat- 70 lb. (up 5 lb.) 5 X 5 Barbell bench press- 50 lb. (up 5 lb., but form suffered on last set, so I'm going to repeat) 3 X Attempted pull-ups haha Nice, long cool-down I was really happy with this day! I'm still not drinking enough water... or meditating... so I will definitely be re-spawning on those, but I'm building other healthy habits and doing a ton of journaling and self-reflection. I feel like I'm heading in a very positive direction right now. I hope everyone else is having a lovely day! Love!

Good morning Rebels! I had an MRI yesterday that showed areas of decreased blood flow in my brain. My electrolytes are also out of whack, whatever that means. I have quite a few doctor appointments in my future! The doctor told me that I could continue training, but shouldn't put high amounts of stress on my body until we figure out exactly what is causing all this. He recommended stretching and walking... BOOO! I want to lift heavy! He said that I could continue in the weight room, as long as I monitor the way I'm feeling closely, and take appropriate breaks. I think I need to adjust my goals, but I'm not exactly sure how yet. I definitely want to add in more yoga. I'm going back to the gym today, but I think I'm going to start back over with the bar for my squats, bench, and oh-press. Thanks everyone for reading, I hope your days go spectacularly! Love!

Good morning Rebels! A couple of minutes after I posted my last post on Friday, I passed out in my office, face planted, and laid there alone for I'm not sure how long. I've been having similar, much-more-minor "episodes" for a couple of weeks, so I don't think it it related to my training. So today, I will skip the workout in favor of a doctor appointment. I really hope that this doesn't completely derail me. Today I am focusing on whole foods and lots of water. Wish me luck! Love!

Friday 1/15/16 There were some gains and some failures in the gym today! I hate saying failure, because I feel like I'm making progress... is "failing the correct term here? 5 X 5 Barbell Back Squats 65 lb. (up 5 lbs!) 3 X 5 Barbell Deadlifts 105 lb. (up 10 lbs.!) 3 X 5 Overhead Barbell Press 50 lb. My form was suffering so badly on the last rep of the third set, that I was afraid to keep going; I thought I might hurt myself! I think next time I will go back to just the 45 lb. bar and work on my form. I'm not sure how I'm liking intermittent fasting, as I just ate for the first time since 8 pm last night, and now I'm seeing light halo thingies and blurred vision- perhaps it's just a migraine. I actually feel pretty weird... I hope this post has made sense haha Love!

Thank you, I think I received them, and they were quite powerful!

I've joined the Discord server, but I have no clue how it works. I'm certainly fine with using it, just have to figure out how. Do I add you once I have it or how does this work? I'm really excited to get involved in this. Love!

COME BACK ED!!!!!!!

Way to with the conscious beer decision! Haha I think I might decide to have one tonight myself... and it's not even my birthday! That sword is bad ass! I really want to start some kind of weapons / blades training, but have no clue where to begin. Haha Keep up the posts, I really like following your progress! Love!

I've been eating a bit too much peanut butter, too, but I always feel good afterwards, so I figure I'll just give the bod what it wants! Keep on killin it! Love!