mesara

WEEK 1 Awesome week. Lost 2 pounds, measurements down, and met all my fitness objectives. I look forward to working out everyday, whether it's my run, or strength training day. THATS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. In the past, I always viewed my workouts like a chore- dreading it, hating every minute of it, caving in to any reason not to do it. I think what's different this time is that I have clear objectives in mind- leveling up and beating bosses! I'm focused, and following a program, which is also new to me. There was one day this week where I *almost* skipped the gym- I got home from work late, I had a million things to do, etc. But coming home and seeing my family ready to go made me drag my ass in there. (My boys swim in the pool at the gym while husband and I lift weights). I WAS SO GLAD I WENT. I had a great time in the weight room, and all my stress and worries disappeared. I came home energized and ready to take things on. I just have to remember this, next time I feel tempted to skip the gym. Another thing I'm proud of: getting up at 5am to do my run! That's another first! I knew I would find excuses not to do it in the evening after working all day, then grocery shopping. So I resolved to get up early and make it happen! I did it! My loot for my awesome first week: one of those arm band phone cases for running. Now I don't have to hold my heavy phone in my hand while I run!

Mid-week check in! I've had an awesome week so far. Running program is going well. It's hard, but I can do it. I'm using a running app for the first time ever, and keeping track of my mileage and times is really helping me focus. Right now I average between a 13 and 14 minute mile, although it should be noted I don't run for time.. I'm pacing myself for a 30 min run endurance. I'm thinking of timing a mile run around a track just to see what kind of time I could get when I'm not needing to pace myself. I'm loving the weight room! Husband has been going with me and showing me how to use all the machines. I would be so lost without him there. It's a nice change from straight cardio. I even did the assisted pull-ups, and that machine intimidated the hell out of me! Husband made me get up there and do it, and I am so glad he did! I'm learning that weight machines (and weight rooms in general) aren't necesarily so scary. Eating is good- Keeping on track there. Tonight is yoga/ NF strength training level 1. I'm excited to not have to go to the gym or for a run tonight, but stay in my cozy living room! I'm learning to manage my time better. I don't want to mess up my workout schedule, and that forces me to prioritize my time better for getting the other things done. Like, I was planning to go grocery shopping friday after work, but I know if I do that, I won't have any energy left for my run. So now I'm thinking I will try to squeeze in the shopping tomorrow afternoon instead and just get it done, so I will have no excuses. FUN FACT: I put on my fit-bit on Sunday, June 11, for the first time in what I knew was a long while. However, when I synced it up at the end of the day, I noticed that my last sync was June 11, 2016, EXACTLY one year ago! Weird! In the past, I have always dropped my workouts once summer hit, because of the heat and general laziness. (as shown with my last sync of 2016 in June), Now I'm just picking it up again at the start of summer, and I'm determined to keep at it! I just think it's hilarious that I managed to hit my syncs on the same day, exactly a year apart! I've been hitting the Epsom salts pretty heavy this week, (in the bath), for sore muscles. I hope that means whatever I'm doing is working!

Mesara's BATTLE BLOG THING. Just getting started here on NF, but I'm happy to have found a place that puts fitness and exercise into terms I can understand! Leveling up, Boss fight,... YES PLEASE! All of my past fitness XP has been in the realm of cardio. As most fitness savvy people already know, cardio only gets you so far. (And it gets boring as hell). Well, I'm not fitness savvy, AT ALL. But I was smart enough (this time around at least), to realize I need to incorporate some strength training in with the running and the swimming. Knowing nothing about strength training, well... somehow that landed me here, which is awesome. I haven't worked out in almost a year. My life is hectic. I have 3 kids, and a 2 hour daily commute. In recent months, I started battling some depression and anxiety. I was spending more and more time in bed. Wasting whole days doing nothing. Feeling anxious and sad. This is highly unusual for me. I realized, pretty quickly, that I cannot continue on this path. I was letting stress and life get the best of me. I can't control the factors in my life that were getting me down: Long, stressful commute, student loan debt, etc. But I CAN control ME, and that's what I am aiming to do here. I know exercise, eating right, and taking back control of the other areas of my life that I let slip will get me back on track to my 'usual' self- hopefully an even better, improved version of that self! My main goals at this point are to: Get into better physical and mental shape Get back to my healthy, mostly GF diet that serves me so well Get comfortable in the weight room Get back to my adventurous self- I used to take the kids on spontaneous adventures all the time. Hiking, going to the beach, or just to play in the woods, or explore a new place. I haven't done that in AGES. My lack of energy, coupled with my new anxiety has been a barrier. I'm always worrying about the "what ifs"... like what if the car breaks down? What if , what if, what if = NO FUN. Get into a better routine at home- Everything is chaos right now, because I get overwhelmed, which leads to indecision, which leads to me giving up and doing nothing. I think that's a good staring place for now. GAME PLAN: - Tomorrow I'm starting up running again, this time using a running program. My running has been so unfocused in the past, and I've never really progressed or stayed with it long enough. I now know that I am the type of person who needs an OBJECTIVE, just like in video games. A mission so to speak. Otherwise I lose focus, get bored, and drop it. This program will get me to running 30 minutes straight, in 9 weeks time. (hopefully). Did I mention I HATE to run? But I think it's good for stamina and endurance, and just a useful skill to have. You never know when you will need to outrun something or someone! - Make a meal plan EVERY WEEK, and do most of my meal prep on Sundays so I have my healthy food ready to go throughout the week. -I'm also starting the beginning strength training program here at NF, plus some beginning weight lifting crap I found on another site. Goal is to do 2 to 3 times a week. - Go on adventures! -Make better use of my time at home. Make chores and shit routine. Get back to some old rituals we had- board games, etc. I'm attacking this shit full force- Just like my Nightblade on ESO. Badass with 2 knives, one in each hand, getting shit done.

Thanks for sharing Wolfen! I'm new here, still trying to learn my way around the site. I loved reading through your goals and your updates! I really appreciate the holistic approach of NF, and the idea community supporting each other in leveling up. I will definitely be participating in the next 4 week challenge. Gives me time to think about my goals and map out a game plan. Also loved your beach photo! So that's what a warm beach looks like!? Heavenly. I'm in the Pacific Northwest. Beautiful coast, but stormy and COLD. Not nearly as inviting as your pic! Hope these forums stay pretty active- I would love to see other people's challenges and progress as well!