Emerald Eagle

I know I'm super late to the game but I feel like i have to ask....do sandwich presses not exist in America? We have a whole kitchen appliance dedicated to making "toasted sandwiches" as they are most commonly called here in Aus. I would say that at least one of these would exist in almost every work place kitchenette. https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/small-kitchen-appliances/grills-and-sandwich-presses/sandwich-presses (or jaffles, but that's getting controversial because I would say a jaffle is when the edges of the toasted sandwich are sealed by some kind of heated mould either in an electric appliance or old fashioned iron in the fire).

Eugh due that's super frustrating, particularly when you didn't see it coming. Sending you calm, rational decision making thoughts and a hug! It looks like you're smashing everything else though, keep fighting and don't let this knock you off the path too much!

Will comment on anything Crossfit related, because yay Crossfit! Also welcome back, it feels like lots of people are back for this challenge (me included)

We got this!

Saturday & Sunday 25-26th May - Zero Week 1. Stop eating like an idiot ✓✓ 2. MOVE! ✓X 3/4 - Pretty good weekend. On Saturday I spent almost all day at the gym! I woke up early enough to get to the 8.15am gym class, and then stayed on for a session on oly lifting, focused on hang snatches. It was pretty full on but also really helpful. It got me to start moving my feet and using my legs more at the top of the snatch, something I stopped doing when I hurt my knee. On the way home from the gym I got REALLY hungry and stopped at the supermarket. Unfortunately the bottle of juice I bought and consumed did not agree with my guts, I probably should have known better but I hadn't packed snacks like I probably should. I also had a really tricky phone conversation with a close friend who is having a hard time. I'm struggling to support her and manage my own mental health at the same time. We headed back to the gym in the evening for the annual trivia night which was lots of fun (though frustrating because my general knowledge failed me multiple times). Sunday was not so good. We slept in didn't make it to church. I finally dragged myself out of the house to grocery shop and did some meal prep. The weather turned and I didn't end up taking Willow for a walk, though to be honest even if the weather was good I probably wouldn't have taken her, I had run out of puff. Running total for Zero Week - $13 Monday & Tuesday 27-28th May - Week One 1. Stop eating like an idiot X✓ 2. MOVE! X✓ 2/4 - Monday was not a good day. I guess generally any day where you have to go to a funeral are not good days. It started OK I guess, I had breakfast on plan and went to work and took an extended lunch break to attend the funeral at our church. I was super drained in the afternoon emotionally and physically, having not really eaten in my lunch break, so I succumbed to chocolates and couldn't have the gym so I headed straight home. Today was a better day. I didn't have breakfast, but I did avoid the major temptations at work and ate my meal prepped lunch. I really didn't feel like going to gym after work but I dragged myself there and was glad I did. I did a modified version of the WOD Nicole - 20 minute AMRAP - 100m run (normally 400m) and max rep pull ups (I did ring rows). Every time you drop off the pull up bar you go on another run. Over the 20 minutes I ran 1000m :O that's only the second time I've done any running in a workout in over a year! Hubby cooked spag bol for dinner, heavy on the veggies. Hopefully I can roll this momentum into the rest of the week.

Friday 24th May - Zero Week 1. Stop eating like an idiot ...nope 2. MOVE! ✓ 1/2 - Started the day really well! Got out of bed on time, ate good cooked breakfast (sausage, sweet potato, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes), checked on the puppy and she seemed to be doing OK and headed into work. Work was fine, it's Friday. I ate another toasted sandwich for lunch and played FLUXX with my board game friend at work. There were also two girls from our team who recently had babies who visited the office. It was great to see them, and it made me want kids even more. It feels like everyone in my life is currently pregnant or just had a baby. There are 2 girls pregnant in my team on top of the two who have already had babies this year and my boss is about to become a Dad for the first time. Then on my floor there are 5 others who are pregnant in other teams. Babies, everywhere! After work I headed to Crossfit and we hit Fight Gone Bad, a benchmark workout. It actually felt pretty good, which tells me I didn't push hard enough, but my knee really didn't like the sumo deadlift high pulls (it's a stupid movement anyway). After work I headed home. Hubby is out for the night and I could not be bothered cooking so I picked up fish and chips on my way home. Fast food fail! Re-watched Iron Man 3 (worst Iron Man, but I have been working my way through all the Marvel movies since End Game) and now it's bed time. First work week of this challenge definitely could have gone worse.

The snack dragon is the worst! But it sounds like you have a solid plan, I love the "do something" idea, good one!

Cheetah! How I have missed your challenges. Your Big Why is super powerful, sorry it came with suck a timely reminder. I'm sure you can kick your sprained butt's butt (wait, is that even a thing?).

Following along! Glad you're back (though it doesn't feel like you were ever gone to me because I was gone too).

Very wise words, thank you. Hopefully my Crossfit training will help Thursday 23rd May - Zero Week 1. Stop eating like an idiot ...still ish 2. MOVE! ✓ Going with 1.5/2, probably being too nice to myself...but it's zero week and I'm having a shitty day (well basically year... shit happens). Got up too late to make breakfast and found that our puppy was still limping so had to call the vet. Hubby took her to an appointment and I was stressed all day. On the way to work I stopped at the bakery and bought a ham and cheese croissant. Not ideal, but at least it has some protein and I did't buy anything sweet to go with it. Had a shitty day at work, I had dropped a ball on something that came back to bite me and my outlook continued to go downhill. This just piled on top of finding out later last night that a woman from our church had lost her battle with breast cancer, and my best friend who lives interstate having a seriously hard time with her own mental health and reaching out for support that has been a big drain on my own mental energy. I didn't eat lunch, I was too stressed, I didn't have anything prepped, and I didn't want to go and buy some kind of fast food but I couldn't bring myself to buy healthy ingredients either so I spent my break reading my book and drinking soda water. I finally made a toasted sandwich in the afternoon to give me some fuel for the gym. By the end of the work day I was not in a good place. We finally heard the news that puppy has broken her toe and will need some anti-inflammatories and rest. A relief that it it's not more serious. I got to the gym with just enough time to change and hit a long and sweaty workout and I felt a better afterwards, if not back to normal. On the way home I stopped for groceries to make chicken parmas for dinner. Again, not the greatest option with it's delicious cheese toppings, but served with potatoes and lots of steamed veggies it was better than any takeout we would have ordered. I'm really hoping a good night's sleep and tomorrow being Friday will mean that I can get back on track tomorrow.

Also, I've decided on a reward system for this challenge! I have started getting into tabletop games recently, and there are lots of games I really enjoy that I want to buy SO for every point I get $1 to spend on board games. 2 goals per day, 5 weeks = approximately $70 to earn over the challenge if I can stay on track. I'll update the original post with these details and start tracking.

That's so exciting! I keep saying I'm ready, but I'm sure that when we actually get to trying I'll be super nervous. Back to challenge buddies! Welcome back to you too Wednesday 22nd May - Zero Week 1. Stop eating like an idiot ...ish 2. MOVE! ✓ 1.5/2 - Today's eating was not as good but was still an improvement from the last few months. I ate breakfast and lunch all good, but then during my 3 hour meeting after lunch (seriously, who has 3 hour meetings in the afternoon!) and I couldn't resist the bowl of jelly snakes on the table and had several. Not the end of the world but also not the plan. Made it to gym after work for a team workout with the 5.30pm class. I worked in a team of 2 with another girl through 3 7 minute AMRAPs working through back squats, bench press, and deadlifts. I don't really love team workouts, I often find that people don't work as hard as you or the work/rest ratio means you don't get an amazing workout. Today wasn't too bad (mostly because it was all my favourite movements) but still frustrating. (Yes I know I understand petty, but hey, this is my challenge thread!) Hubby cooked steak and veggies for dinner, it was delicious. Tomorrow is another day.

Thanks! Throughout the craziness of 2019 I have finally gotten consistent with gym. Basically every day after work without excuses. Now hopefully I can channel that consistency into my eating. Thanks Cheetah I know, I'm quite excited! Now hopefully I can turn it into tangible actions. Thanks Tuesday 21st May - Zero Week 1. Stop eating like an idiot. ✓ 2. MOVE! ✓ 2/2 - Woop! Woop! There were several times today when I wanted sugary treats but I was able to resist. In the morning I made myself a bottle of soda stream flavoured with fresh squeezed lime juice and in the afternoon I had a piece of fresh fruit instead. I think my cravings are habit, and boredom, so hopefully over time if I can persist they will dissipate. Gym was also good. The workout was long and sweaty, a chipper with lots of different movements but it felt good to get it done under the 20 minute time cap (just). I then came home and made dinner - Beef Stroganoff served over pasta and a large side of fresh green beans. All in all a good day.

It's so nice to be back! Hopefully I can make it stick this time *crosses fingers and toes and eyes*...*and nearly falls over*. Sparkling water for me!

I have started several challenges in 2019 and not finished any of them. Consistency has not been my strong suit this year. I then deliberately took some time away to try and short some of my shit out and now I feel like I'm ready to try again. I also have a strong new BIG WHY that I am hoping will focus my attention and keep me going if when things get hard. I want to me a Mum; I want to be the best healthy, happy, caring Mum I can be. I'm turning 28 this year, hubby and have been married nearly 3 years, we're both settled and happy and it's nearly time to make our family of 2 (plus puppy) into a family of 3 (or maybe more!). Hubby is not quite ready, and that's OK (most of the time, sometimes I get really frustrated with him about it, but I'm getting better). It gives me some important time to prepare myself physically and mentally for what is to come, and hopefully show him through my dedication that I am really serious about this. This is not the short of thing I can address with short term fixes or crash diets, so I am intending right from the outset that this will be a series of challenges building on each other. The number 1 thing I am worried about is the excess body fat that I am carrying. It is going to make everything harder (if I'm honest, it generally makes living life harder) including falling pregnant, and all the health risks to me and baby while pregnant and during birth. And that's not even talking about what happens once the baby arrives and we have to care for it. NOTE: The baby referenced is hypothetical, I am not yet pregnant nor are we actively trying to fall pregnant at the moment. So, how do we address this? 1. Stop eating like an idiot No more processed crap. For this challenge I more specifically mean no more fast food, and no sugary crap (chocolate bars, lollies etc.). Home made desserts are allowed in conscious moderation (mindless shovelling of cookies into your mouth is not acceptable, a small slice of birthday cake at a party would be OK). 2. MOVE! Do some form of dedicated movement every day. This should be Crossfit at least 5 days a week, and something else on rest days. Walking the dog, yoga or ROMWOD are good options. I am thinking about loot and tracking to try and keep me motivated, but I am also hoping the overarching goal will help me on track! Updated to add Rewards: Per day per goal I can earn $1 that will be collated into a pool to spend on tabletop games. There are so many on my wish list I want to buy!

Saturday 23/03 19.5 done! It was super tough but I got it done, well I got 60 thrusters and 34 jumping pull ups done in the 20 minute time cap. I also visited my Grandma at the nursing home and did a lot of house chores. All in all a good day! I'm travelling for work leaving Sunday night through to Tuesday afternoon, so my routine is going to be a bit messed up but I'm determined to not let everything slip just because I'm away. I'll report back and let you know how I go!

I'm trying guys, I'm really really trying. I thought a lot about my last challenge but I didn't actually follow through and actually update my challenge. SO this time we are doing things super duper simple. One Goal. One Aim. Pass or Fail every day. AND a plan to get some regular updates into my challenge. GOAL ONE: Follow a morning routine. Get out of bed when the alarm goes off Walk the dog Eat a pre-prepared breakfast Take fish oil tablet and medication Update challenge I am hoping that a super simple goal can build some momentum. I am also hoping that starting my days off with a solid routine will mean I am more likely to go to the gym, eat a prepped lunch, and generally start my day off on the right foot.

19.1 is... 15 minute AMRAP * 19 Wall Balls * 19 Cal Row OUCH!

Week 2 Tracker Meal Prep: ☑ Prepped Lunch: ☐☐☐☑☐ Crossfit: ☑☐☐ Counselling: ☑ Journal: ☐☐☐ Challenge update: ☑☑☐☐☐ NF Community: ☐  Tuesday-Thursday - Week 2 Update Not nearly enough ticks on that tracker. Gah! On Tuesday I had horrendous cramps thanks to TOM and really suffered through the day. It was so bad I cancelled my blood donation appointment and came home to curl up in a ball after work. So no Crossfit and no blood donation and I didn't eat my prepped lunch because the only way I know how to deal with cramps that bad is serious painkillers and lots of carbs (I am really going to have to find a new coping mechanism for that eventually!) On Wednesday I started to feel better and had a pretty good day. I did have to run some errands in my lunch break and so I ended up succumbing to the temptation of buying lunch while I was out. After work I had an appointment with my counsellor. It was...hard. I know that it's important to keep going, and to keep working on myself and dealing with everything but it's so frustrating! And everything moves so slowly! That is not how I normally do things. Today was nothing to report home about, until I was walking to the bathroom, slipped on basically nothing and tweaked my knee. So I came home to rest and ice it rather than go to Crossfit like I wanted to *sigh* Hopefully I my knee recovers overnight enough that I can get back to the gym tomorrow.

Week 2 Tracker Meal Prep: ☑ Prepped Lunch: ☐☐☐☐☐ Crossfit: ☑☐☐ Counselling: ☐ Journal: ☐☐☐ Challenge update: ☑☐☐☐☐ NF Community: ☐ Monday - Week 2 Update All in all a pretty good day! Because of my busy weekend I didn't have time to do any meal prep (if I am 100% honest I probably could have made it happen but didn't). This meant that while I was out on my lunch break running a few errands I also bought lunch and did not pick a healthy option . BUT after work I went to Crossfit (and did a workout that was HORRENDOUS), stopped at the supermarket on my way home, and meal prepped tonight while hubby was out. Feels like a win and quite a few ticked boxes for the day!

Hey Ranger Friends! Any fellow Crossfitters signed up for the Open this year? Do we have a thread/chat/leaderboard similar to previous years?

Thanks Fonz Was definitely tender the next day and the DOMS was something! But made me feel good They're foxes! I love fancy leggings (I also feel like if they have some crazy pattern my legs don't look as big? Might be completely not true but I'm not going to question it!). Week 1 Tracker Meal Prep: ☐ Prepped Lunch: ☑☑☑☑ Crossfit: ☑☐☐ Counselling: ☐ Journal: ☑☑☐ Challenge update: ☑☑☐☐☐ NF Community: ☑ Sunday - Week 1 Update There are not as many ticks in the boxes as I would like, but I haven't completely dropped off the face of the planet so I'm calling that a win! After the squats on Monday I did not make it back to Crossfit this week, which I'm a bit made at myself about. I intended to go on Saturday morning but I got home super late on Friday night and snoozed my alarm. They were even doing a benchmark workout that I was excited to try out! GRR - I'm hoping I can try and do the workout at home, but I don't have a kettlebell so it might be tricky... Because I didn't meal prep my lunches for the week were mainly leftovers from dinners. Honestly they weren't the healthiest, but they also weren't deep fried so it's am improvement on recent weeks. Mentally I've been up and down. I was doing pretty well and then one night (I don't remember, maybe Wednesday night?) my head started spinning and I couldn't sleep because of all the thoughts running around and around. Eventually I got up and wrote in my journal. It sort of helped? I did eventually get some sleep. This weekend has been a bit tricky and I'll probably pull my journal out after I've posted this update to write in it (hey, that'd be 3 ticks!). Some things came up on Friday night when I spent time with my sister and cousins (unsurprisingly as the things I'm working through and at the core about my relationship with my sister and parents) and last night when we went to a party with lots of people who are also friends with my sister and had advice/gossip/feelings to share. *sigh* I wish it wasn't so hard but I know time will help. I have a counselling appointment booked in on Wednesday and I have a list of things to talk about with my counsellor! Week 2 Plan This is a new thing I thought I would try! Declaring my intentions for the week so that you guys can hold me accountable. Monday - Crossfit! Tuesday - Blood donation Wednesday - Counselling appointment Thursday - Crossfit! Friday - Rest (maybe interchangeable with Thursday) Saturday - Crossfit! 19.1!! I am still trying to decide if I am going to sign up for the Crossfit Open for this year. With my knee still not fully recovered I know it's highly likely there will be at least one workout (probably more) that I won't be able to do even to the scaled standard. I'd really like to do it so I can be involved, and I'll definitely be going to support others at my gym, but I'm not sure it makes sense to pay the $20 when I can't really play. I think I have until the end of the first week to decide...I'll keep you posted!

I haven't decided yet. I'm still rehabbing my knee which means there are lots of moves I can't do or can't do the prescribed weight. I'll definitely be involved at my box to support others even if I don't officially sign up. I really enjoyed the Open last year and highly recommend it!

Week 1 Tracker Meal Prep: ☐ Prepped Lunch: ☑☑☐☐ Crossfit: ☑☐☐ Counselling: ☐ Journal: ☐☐☐ Challenge update: ☑☐☐☐☐ NF Community: ☐ Tuesday - Week 1 Update The DOMS from yesterdays squats is real! My quads are very unhappy with me, and strangely that makes me very happy! My knee feels tender, it doesn't hut but I can definitely feel that it worked hard yesterday. I had a fairly crappy day at work, the details are not really worth talking about. I ate my leftovers for lunch but it was homemade pizza, not exactly ideal. Easing back into it on week 1 I think that's a pass. Made the decision to not do 2 nights of Crossfit in a row and came straight home after work. Hubby and I took Willow for a nearly hour-long walk and I got 10,000 steps for a day (that's not something I'm tracking but it's a good thing!). We turned our leftover roast lamb into lamb souvlaki for dinner (so delicious!). All in all a good day.