Search the Community

The Patellar Tendonitis Troubleshooting Quest 21 July 20 **All exercises done w/ heels up on a 45 lb bumper plate Squat: 6 x 5 @ 135 lbs Box squat: 1 x 5 @ 145 lbs Front squat: 5 x 5 @ 95 lbs Good morning: 3 x 5 @ 125 lbs 5-rep squat test: 145 lbs Observations: Right knee was sore for the 1st two sets, but after adjusting the heels to be closer towards the edge of the bumper plate, felt much better and had no issues. Definitely felt the pump in the adductors. Getting home, knee felt a little sore, but no different than previous days.

So things have been pretty rough the last few months. and need some focus and accountability. My only goal is to do 1 thing each day to either help physically or mentally. I know vague but I need that right now, need some wins. Some examples are: drink at least 64 oz of water do 1-2 PT exercises no sugar for a day Count calories

Really wanted to find a theme for this time, but just cant find anything that seems to fit. More news on my knee: Quest 1: headspace app at least 5 days a week. Quest 2:Half hour of homework and half hour of reading before any video games/tv/etc during the week. Must do at least 2 hours of studying/reading on the weekends (doesnt have to be per day Taking a certification class for work, and Macroeconomics for my AA, 3 weeks left in the first, 4 weeks left in the latter, tired of getting my homework done on the last day. I have a book for my work group I have to read by November (The Highest Calling), our office book club book (Turn this ship around) and a whole stack of other mostly work related but some fun books. Quest 3: Drink water! Keep not doing this... easy, yes... seem to do it on a regular basis... far from it.. Stuff to get done list: August budget Get name changed on credit card Schedule MRI for knee (waiting on doctor office, a little out of my control) Apply and schedule for TSA precheck Apply for new passport with married name Come up with "keep house clean" plan Schedule for August Hipcooks assisting class Go through guest room closet Go through stuff in garage (re organize the storage shelves)

Balsquith - Dragon Slayer reloaded My last challenge was a themed dragon-slaying challenge and was great fun and went well for the first 2 weeks until I went on holiday and let it fizzle out. This challenge will be almost identical (except for the fizzling-out part) with a few minor modifications to keep things interesting. I will start this challenge on a Monday as I found the change to a Sunday start didn’t work for me at all. This challenge bases itself thematically on the book I am reading ‘Die Mächte des Feuers’ by Markus Heitz, which is set in 1925 in a world just like ours with the big difference being that dragons have survived and are not very likeable. The book follows the dragon slayer Silena, a descendent of Saint George, who works for the church to hunt dragons. For this challenge I will once again be Balsquith Dragonslayer, from the line of Saint George, dedicated to hunting down the terrorising beasts and bringing peace and harmony to the land. I will be facing the same four dragons in this challenge as in the last challenge, as they all escaped with only relatively minor injuries and have had time to recover and return at full strength to terrorise the land. Dragons 1. Sirath the somnolent – Getting up to my alarm (Health = 50pts) 2. Bredolth, bane of the Morning – Morning routine (existing routine + daily MITs) (Health =30pts) 3. Tavorth the unbending – Evening routine (existing routine + stretching) (Health = 30pts) 4. Cenolth the abeyant – Exercise/injury rehab (Health =40pts) Hero Balsquith Dragonslayer – Starting health = 10pts Rules I will fight all dragons daily with the following combat rules: Success – Dragon loses 1 health point Partial success – Parry, no change in health points Fail – Balsquith Dragonslayer loses 1 health point and dragon regenerates 1 health point Bonuses for chains Chain (7 day+) => Success = 1.5 points Chain (14 day+) => Success = 2 points Chain (21 day+) => Success = 2.5 points Bonuses for completing all daily tasks Frenzy (4 tasks/day) => Success = 1.5 points Wrath of the Gods (4 chain tasks/day) = 3 points Apothecary Earning gold crowns Reading ‘Die Mächte des Feuers’ = maximum 1 gold crown earned daily In dire need I have a list of unpleasant tasks (only when health falls below 5points) = 5 gold crowns Shopping list Healing potion = 2 gold crowns (recovers 1 health point) Dragon’s Bane = +1 hit points on dragon (1 day expiry date, use must be announced day before) (3 gold crowns)

Balsquith - Dragon Slayer I love following-along with themed challenges but have never braved one myself, so this will be a themed challenge for beginners (read: slightly half-hearted). I have recently started reading an excellent book by Markus Heitz titled ‘Die Mächte des Feuers’ (something like – The powers of fire), which is set in 1925 in a world just like ours with the big difference being that Dragons have survived and are not very likeable. The book follows the dragon slayer Silena, a descendent of Saint George, who works for the church to hunt dragons. For me the big catch here is that I will be trying to read this book in German. Over my past few challenges (and in my life in general sadly) I have been somewhat lacking in motivation and drive. Therefore for this challenge I will be introducing something external to fight against (rather than myself!) – namely dragons! So for this challenge I will be Balsquith Dragonslayer, from the line of Saint George, dedicated to hunting down the terrorising beasts and bringing peace and harmony to the land. In order to keep myself entertained I have scribbled down some rules to make the challenge much more complicated than it should be – hopefully they will keep me engaged! I will be facing 4 dragons in this challenge, which are largely the same goals as in my previous challenge, I figured that a budget dragon would mean instant death for me, so he gets to sit in his cave a bit longer! Dragons 1. Sirath the somnolent – Getting up to my alarm (Health = 50pts) Getting up to my alarm = Success Delayed but still got up = Parry 2. Bredolth, bane of the Morning – Morning routine (existing routine + daily German study cards) (Health =30pts) Reviewing for at least 5 minutes = Success Reviewing at least 1 card = Parry 3. Tavorth the unbending – Evening routine (existing routine + stretching) (Health = 30pts) Stretching routine from GMB 'focused flexibility' = Success Any other stretching effort = Parry 4. Cenolth the abeyant – Exercise/injury rehab (Health =40pts) Either crossfit upper body session or injury rehab (leg) = Success Any other 'exercise' = Parry Hero Balsquith Dragonslayer – Starting health = 10pts Rules I will fight all dragons daily with the following combat rules: Success – Dragon loses 1 health point Partial success – Parry, no change in health points Fail – Balsquith Dragonslayer loses 1 health point Bonuses for chains Chain (7 day+) => Success = 1.5 points Chain (14 day+) => Success = 2 points Chain (21 day+) => Success = 2.5 points Bonuses for completing all daily tasks Frenzy (4 tasks/day) => Success = 1.5 points Wrath of the Gods (4 chain tasks/day) = 3 points Recovering health Reading ‘Die Mächte des Feuers’ = maximum 1 health point daily Healing potion => In dire need I have a list of unpleasant tasks which I can complete = 5 health points

I fell in love with fencing. Obviously this calls for a Utena-themed challenge. So last challenge did not end so well for me. I was getting burned out on life and everything, and then tragedy hit and I just couldn't with anything anymore. After giving myself the past couple of weeks to regroup and recuperate, I have a clearer path going forward in all sorts of things, which makes my summer less panic-inducing (if you're just joining in, work is going to be crazy busy PLUS I'm going to be in rehearsals for Evita starting on May 22), and I know what I want to do with my fitness goals. Because I love fencing, my workouts will all now be tailored towards conditioning for the sport. But I'm also dealing with a back muscle injury of sorts, which is thankfully just a benign injury of the strain/spasm/knot variety, so I need to make sure I take care of that, too, while also making sure that it never happens again! I'm too young for back pain... So, without further ado! MAIN QUEST: Maintain my sanity as I rehabilitate my back, juggle work and rehearsal and life and fitness, and continuing to pursue my newfound love for fencing! QUEST ONE: ENDURANCE TRAINING [+2 STA] In fencing class, my strength is great, but cardio is kicking my butt in ways I did not expect. Seriously, when you’re a very fit person and you have to sit down because your cardio is sub-par, it is a super embarrassing thing. So, twice a week, I will dedicate my workouts to cardio training. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as my heart rate is pumping, I’m calling it good! A = 2x/week of cardio | C = 1x/week of cardio QUEST TWO: BACK CONDITIONING [+1 DEX, +1 CON] As mentioned, my back has been bothering me and it's been preventing me from doing a bunch of exercises like working through pull-up progressions, toes-to-bar progressions, and sometimes even bench presses and other variations of push exercises. Also, working on anything that deals with back flexibility has been a no-go. The doctor gave me a list of stretches I need to do every day, and other self-care tips, of which I intend to follow through on. So I'll do this quest in two parts: 5x/week I will do the flexibility exercises, and 5x/week I will give my back some heat therapy and/or some massage/foam rolling loving. A = 5x/week | B = 4x/week | C = 2-3x/week | D = 1x/week If my back is completely back to normal before the end of the challenge, part one will continue but part two will either be revised or given a pass for the remainder of the challenge. Here’s hoping that this is a bridge I WILL have to cross! QUEST THREE: SMART SNACKING [+2 CON] The winter months are over and I can no longer use my “I’m a mammal so I’m mammaling” excuse for eating like an asshole. Therefore, over the course of the challenge, I’m allowing myself 8 non-freggie, non-protein snacks. Basically: popcorn, chocolate, candy, ice cream, drinks that aren’t water or tea or my chai latte, Snapea Crisps (SOB THIS IS GOING TO BE THE HARDEST THING – and no, I’m not counting is as a freggie), etc are all restricted. Chocolate milk is okay ONLY IF I consume it within an hour of a workout. A = 8 or less snacks | B = 10 or less snacks | C = 12 or less snacks | F = did you even try to control yourself LIFE QUEST: SPRING CLEANING [+2 WIS] My summer is going to be super busy and there is going to be a lot of things in my life outside of work and rehearsal that will fall by the wayside. That will include keeping a clean home. So that my apartment doesn’t fall into complete chaos and disarray over the coming months, every week I will focus on each area of my house and give it a nice, good, and hard spring cleaning treatment. The four areas will be: bedroom and home office, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room, and the living/dining room. A = 4 Areas Cleaned | B = 3 Areas Cleaned | C = 2 Areas Cleaned | D = 1 Area Cleaned SIDE QUEST: PIANO PRACTICE [+2 CHA] I’ve been itching to relearn the piano again for years now (I used to be so good, I don't understand why I quit, wtf 11-year-old me), so why not start now? At the very least, I want to master a song, and that song will be the theme song from Tonari no Totoro because as my family and friends will tell you, I am a Totoro fanatic. No joke, 50% of the things I own are Totoro-related. Over the course of the challenge, I will log at least 240 minutes towards practicing, which averages out to be about 1hr/week. This won’t get me from Zero to Hero over the course of the next four weeks, but it’s a start, at least! A = 240+ minutes | B = 180+ minutes | C = 120+ minutes | D = 60+ minutes Ready to do the thing! If you binge-watch the show, you seriously start to get super annoyed at how often they reuse this particular animation sequence...

Ok, so we're about to run out for lunch, so maybe this isn't the best time to be posting my thread, but I'll just leave as a placeholder here. Quick note about the name change - being a mom is a really important part of who I am and while I am a huge Star Wars fan (hence original name of JK_Mom), I think Aquamom will fit me better as I rehab my two bad feet. My left ankle was sprained earlier this month and has not been healing well, while my right foot may have a stress fracture (I'll find out 11/2) or some more tendinitis. At any rate, this challenge period, I want to focus on mindfulness and upper-body strength. More to come later!

Hey all, I'm back. (SUDDENLY BUFFY THREAD) I abandoned my last challenge mid week 3.. I think. Things with my wrist became worse and I had a brace on which made it really difficult to do anything and I lost heart pretty easily. Since abandoning my goals, things haven't gotten happier for me. I'm feeling badly about myself for giving up. I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself, and it's about time for me to crawl out of my sad, anxious hole I put myself in. I think I finally am getting the hang of SMART goals. So, here I go, going to get myself back in line. I'm still recovering from my injury. That is to say, no pull-ups, no push-ups, no machines that involve wrist pressure or tension. My working out is limited. Initial MRI reports my wrist is not broken, but it still hurts some, so until it hurts none I am putting no pressure on it. Overall Goals Lose 10 lbs by July 24th Starting Weight - 135 lb Current weight - 137.4 lb (4/15 - Hence Respawn... >>) Goal Weight - 125 lb Goal Physique: Fit WomanMain Goal: TransformGoal Weight & Body Fat: 122.5 Lbs. & 16% BFTotal Body Composition Change of: 12.5 Lbs. Lost & 9% BF Lost Challenge Goals: G1 - Foodlers: Eat 1 Paleo Meal a day (+1STA +1WIS +1CON) (5 pts per meal) I've tried to fix all of my meals at once, and that didn't work for me. I'm going to ease into it this time. Each challenge I'll try to add another meal to the mix until I am in the rhythm. For now, Paleo breakfast or Lunch will do me good. Reasons I wont be going full paleo, ever, include my long list of allergies including: ALL nuts except peanuts & Cashews, Soy, blackberries, All fruit with a pit except mango & Avocado, Carrots, Celery, Apples.. Blah blah blah. ...and my inability to give up cheese and wine and this one potato thing my boyfriend's Grandma makes which is my favorite food in the world. I will be moderating these more, but they are part of my social life. I think it's just a fact of my food life that I will have to be modified paleo. G2 - Workout: Pt1 - Go to the Gym 1 time a week, for at least 45 minutes. for first 3 weeks (+1STR +2STA) (10pts per workout) I've made this deal before and I would go to the gym for about 15 minutes and call it quits. Lets put a time goal on there, even if I end up doing 50/50 strength to cardio, I'll be DOING something. Aim is for 70/30 Strength/cardio (30 min str, 15 min cardio/week) Pt 2 - Go the the Gym 2 times a week, for at least 45 minutes, for last 3 weeks (+2STR +1STA) (5pts per workout) Same song, different verse. Aim for 70/30 strength/cardio (60 min str, 30 min cardio/week) G3 - Clean : (22 pts/week possible) Get + Keep my apartment Clean (+2 CON +1 WIS +1 CHA) This will be some micro-goal points I add up. (CON & WIs for Mental Health, CHA because I entertain people on Wednesdays and its dirty) MP1 - Clothes Away 1/day (No laundry around room & Clean clothes where they belong) MP2 - Dishes Away 1/day (No Dishes in sink at the end of the day, No clean dishes in DW) MP3 - Change Sheets 1/Sundays only (Self explanatory I hope.) MP4 - Clean Desk 1/day (No Extra stuff on my desk, It is currently storage) LG - Bonus goal (5 pts/post/week possible) Post to my Cosplay page once a week (+1 CHA) Anything will go. Progress photo updates preferable, but also mini projects, videos, fun articles. Whatever. Something to engage the 700 people that follow me. ADDING another points goal for last 4 weeks. G4 - Thumb Physical Therapy (28pts/week) (+1DEX) Dex moved from part 2 of workout to here. I was prescribed to 4 weeks of PT for my carpometacarpal sprain. I will do this 4 times per day as ordered! 1 point per time (4 max per day) I was ordered PT for my ankle once and I did it for a few days then crapped out. Lets get some accountability up in here. 1 time upon arriving at work 1 time at lunch 1 time upon arriving home 1 time during dinner. (cant align images? Disappoint)