elizevdmerwe - Becoming a member of The League

[Mrs Van]

5 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

Sorry to read about Snippie. Sounds like it was for the best though. 

Thanks, Jon. Yes it was. I didn't realise just how much she was suffering, because her meds were keeping her going.

5 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

This is sooo helpful! Together with the peace you felt after bible study especially. I'm so glad you were so brave to admit your feelings to yourself before making the final decision as now you know it wasn't that and also it's perfectly okay to have these feelings. We can't really control whom we hand our hearts onto the most.

I never realised just how much I loved her in spite of the problems. Having found that peace early was what kept me together, although a part of me still felt guilty. Heck if it is so sore to loose a beloved pet, how much will it hurt if I loose someone I love, like Brandt or the boys?

5 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

Could it be, that she felt it already coming up and reacted stronger than usual because of that pain like TGP was suggesting earlier on? Miserable animals (same as people) would behave more unbalanced, it would make sense. And from what I gather her health wasn't easy for her for a long time, so maybe that added onto the problems? Maybe another soothing information because there's nothing you could have done better 

She would start shivering before we even new a storm was building. The weather forecast would say clear skies, but Snippie was shaking and anxious, and low and behold, that afternoon/evening a huge storm would break loose. So yes, she was already worked up from that Tuesday when the storm started building, and I was giving her Stress Away whenever I could, without overdosing her. It eased my guilt tremendously when the vet said that Snippie was taking more strain because of her health than we realised. Her heart was working overtime to keep up with the water build up, and that was after taking her meds. So in the end things just came together, and it wasn't as much that I wanted to be rid of the problems as that a part of me believed she was suffering. She was diagnosed last year around this time being in phase 1 of heart failure. The vet did say that we did more for longer for Snippie than other people have, but I don't compare myself to others in that regard. Did I do the best that I could, in Snippie's best interests, and today I accepted that I did.

5 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

But even with tapping into the peace and freedom Snippie is in now it will take time to let her go.

This goes on from above: as I went about my daily chores today I would reach for her meds, and realise their not there (gave it back to the practice to use for charity cases who might need it). Took out four bowls instead of just three, looked for her last night to let her out for her final loo run before I lock up, and she wasn't there. Got everything ready to lock the house to take Stampy to the vet, and realised I didn't have to lock up all the windows, didn't have to close the bedroom doors, didn't have to give her a stress pill so she wouldn't work herself up. Didn't have to keep her and Rosebud separated, there were no growls... These things got to me. And then I fell asleep this afternoon, and woke up with Zuzu's heavy, warm little body next to me. He's been dogging my steps every minute, and as he's so brown, he basically camouflages with our wooden floors, so believe me I've nearly tripped over him numerous times today. But I'm feeling much better. She was part of our lives for 10yrs, but she is better off now. I totally believe it.

5 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

So glad the bite is healing now and you are keeping a watchful eye on it. Seems to be the same danger with cat bites, especially when deep

Yip, animal mouths are cleaner than a human's but that doesn't mean they aren't filthy! And cats' scratches can be just as harmful.

49 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

Sending extra hugs to you and peace as you miss Snippie.

Thanks EG. Much appreciated.

 

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The UK author send me her last book of the current series, to proof read and it is a whopper (thick!). I have until Sunday to go through it, so I'll be keeping my head down and reading most of the time. I'll try to check in with you guys tonight.

Thanks again for all the love and support. You are awesome. I couldn't have asked for better friends.

*hugs*

[lucky fire dragon]

20 minutes ago, elizevdmerwe said:

This goes on from above: as I went about my daily chores today I would reach for her meds, and realise their not there (gave it back to the practice to use for charity cases who might need it). Took out four bowls instead of just three, looked for her last night to let her out for her final loo run before I lock up, and she wasn't there. Got everything ready to lock the house to take Stampy to the vet, and realised I didn't have to lock up all the windows, didn't have to close the bedroom doors, didn't have to give her a stress pill so she wouldn't work herself up. Didn't have to keep her and Rosebud separated, there were no growls... These things got to me. And then I fell asleep this afternoon, and woke up with Zuzu's heavy, warm little body next to me. He's been dogging my steps every minute, and as he's so brown, he basically camouflages with our wooden floors, so believe me I've nearly tripped over him numerous times today. But I'm feeling much better. She was part of our lives for 10yrs, but she is better off now. I totally believe it.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking of, all those tiny everyday things that remind you she's no longer physically here. Don't know how long it took me after our rabbit had dissappeared and we had only had him for 1 year. 10 years is a long time!

Good for Zuzu to come and watch out for you 

 

So glad you have awesome support at your home and friend circle as well 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

10 hours ago, elizevdmerwe said:

 

By the way, did Uncommon 5 this morning and saw you and Melissa in church First recognised her as she turned around to greet people, and then saw you next to her.

 

We're zooming out more to catch the whole band. As a result, more of the congregation is visible. If there are changes going on with the zoom during the service, it means I'm behind the camera/running the feed. On weeks I don't do it, Patrick sets it up before hand and lets it run on its own.

[Mrs Van]

13 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

 

This is exactly what I was thinking of, all those tiny everyday things that remind you she's no longer physically here. Don't know how long it took me after our rabbit had dissappeared and we had only had him for 1 year. 10 years is a long time!

Good for Zuzu to come and watch out for you 

 

So glad you have awesome support at your home and friend circle as well 

 

*hugs* Thanks my friend. Thank you for your encouragement and love.

9 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

We're zooming out more to catch the whole band. As a result, more of the congregation is visible. If there are changes going on with the zoom during the service, it means I'm behind the camera/running the feed. On weeks I don't do it, Patrick sets it up before hand and lets it run on its own.

I loved seeing you guys. And pastor Landon can sing! You know what hit me, was him talking about baptising the people who wanted to. As young adult (+-21-22) I gave my heart again to the Lord when I joined Living Waters Church in Sabie, and I was baptised as adult. I was baptised as baby as is normal in the traditional churches. Mil and Brandt were very uncomfortable with such a "lively" church. They are more charismatic than the traditional Dutch Reformed. But after we were married I would every now and again go to LW, and the other Sundays I would go with Brandt to DR. He didn't have a problem with it, as long as I didn't expect him to go. Then someone at the DR nominated me for deacon position (visiting congregation during the month and collecting), but as soon as they heard I was baptised as an adult, all of a sudden the minister there asked me to (what's the word) denounce my adult baptism and proclaim that I'm really a Christian and won't follow "the other path". I told him to stick it. Yeah, I wasn't really welcome in that church anymore, but he couldn't really put me under censure, and a lot of the old people thought I needed reforming. We moved to Pietermaritzburg where we are now, and the minister here had no issues. In fact he welcomed it. Anyway... a lot of other heart ache followed, and eventually Brandt and I became very unhappy at the DR church. We went to a small English church, a bit more charismatic, but not Living Waters level . But eventually we just left.

 

I've been sending Brandt the links to Landon's sermons and he once commented that he liked it. It was down to earth and human. He could relate. I'll still see his reaction about the "dunkin'" But I really, really wish I could attend for real. In the mean time these videos are really helping and a saving grace.

 

--------------------------------------

After my update last night we had so much internet trouble. Couldn't get anything to load. Was in bed in time (21h30), but were woken around 22h00 by a bunch of w.app texts coming in. A building on the other side of town was on fire. It was a caravan/repair shop, and they were on the same premises as a fuel station. It burned to the ground, with a couple of gas bottles that were too close having exploded, but luckily the fire department could stop the fire from spreading to the fuel pumps (<50m away). Don't know how they did that! Anyway, the warning was for no one to drive that way if they needed to leave town, but use the more circuitous routes.

 

Slept in this morning, and going to start typing now. Oh, and I have to mention that Brandt is all spit and fire with excitement to buy us some extra weight plates, an extra dumbbell bar, fasteners, a bench... Hopefully still this week. So I can definitely take that prize off my list.

[lucky fire dragon]

woah, glad the fire got controlled quickly  That could have ended really bad

 

I'm not much of a church service visitor, because most sermons over here are way too serious and stiff for my liking. From time to time you get lucky and find a priest who is alive and wants to really connect to people, bringing the message to live in beautiful ways... I think churches live off the people that lead there more than the particular "path" they teach, similar to schools where you can have an amazing system but then suffer when you don't get along with the particular teacher in charge of your class or in other cases visit a regular school in a way less than wonderful system but have an amazing teacher who makes more than up for it... institutions are so shaped by their people, aren't they?

 

Good for you to not let them "reform" you in that narrow way and yet not be chased away either. Christian belief especially should be built on tolerance if it were according to Jesus. His heart was open for people from all walks of life and I'm sure he wouldn't mind a bit of singing or a "lively" church

 

All in all we're on a way up though - just think in the middle ages it was considered a sin to laugh

 

[Mrs Van]

56 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

I think churches live off the people that lead there more than the particular "path" they teach, similar to schools where you can have an amazing system but then suffer when you don't get along with the particular teacher in charge of your class or in other cases visit a regular school in a way less than wonderful system but have an amazing teacher who makes more than up for it...

With the more traditional churches I've come to the same conclusion and it is actually heartbreaking. With the newer churches though I've seen (but it is only via videos on Youtube) that the pastors/preachers very much lead and set the tone. What I don't like in my little (physical) experience of different churches, is where they say one thing, and do another. They say they are there for the family, not to chase money, to celebrate and worship God, accept certain "things", like hearing God's voice, or praying, or healing, but the way they act and shout down at you proclaim the total opposite. I hate that. At the moment I'm very "skugter", careful/skittish? of attending new/any churches in our town. I've tried as it meant a lot to me, but frankly, I've learned more, and grown more in the time that I was alone these last couple of years, using books and some sermons on the internet, than inside a church all my life. "Attending" Tank's church was the most I was "sort of inside" a church in the last couple of years. And it really resonated with me.

What makes me sad is that the wrong kinds of pastors/ministers/preachers can put people totally off truly finding God. It chases them away. But yes, in some circumstances the church in general has improved since the Dark Ages. And it isn't the building, it is the people inside.

[lucky fire dragon]

2 hours ago, elizevdmerwe said:

frankly, I've learned more, and grown more in the time that I was alone these last couple of years, using books and some sermons on the internet, than inside a church all my life.

 

This is my experience as well and I treasure it, because it opened up a very personal relationship to the Divine, which I wouldn't want to miss for anything

 

2 hours ago, elizevdmerwe said:

"Attending" Tank's church was the most I was "sort of inside" a church in the last couple of years. And it really resonated with me

 

And what a beautiful blessing it is to have that! Especially as an addition to your own tending to your relationship with God. Community can be tremendously helpful, if can't replace your own daily connection but it can add so much to have a "church family" you can relate to. Very happy for you to have found that 

 

On something different entirely: I had to laugh reading about your mom's happiness in her new home and how she has that every time she settles into a new place. It's the same "oooooh, shiny" effect I feel when getting into new things  maybe it's simply human. I'll try not to downtalk the same shiny new things once they begin to get uncomfortable though  that's the part where I am hopefully different

 

[Mrs Van]

47 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

maybe it's simply human.

It is human and "normal" to the degree that you take it, to either side: excitement and negative/angry when the "shine" wear's off. We all have that reaction to something new and exciting. Her reaction is over the top, either black or white, no in between or reasoning. It is either good or bad. For instance she is totally disillusioned with my aunt and uncle whom she stayed with before moving to us. They "sent her away" so they are bad people. Same with the lady she stayed with before, her ex's, girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend. She is the worst, but at the time she was the best, because she took my mom in when I didn't want to, so I was the worst daughter, and Nicky was the best thing ever. Until she had to move away from there, to my aunt and uncle, then the whole cycle started again. With her current medication, there might be a change in some of her behaviour, some of her choices, but it is so ingrained. I will always hope, but I won't build my actions on hope, or let my boundaries down.

 

I really need a new keyboard. Even my touch typing is letting me down in which keys are for which letters. I'm tired, can't think. Half of the keys are just black knobs and I have to repeat the pattern we learnt in high school typing class to remember which is for which letter.

 

Man I did my "morning" exercises around 12h00 and I'm beat! My arms are so tired they are literally lying on the table and feel like lead if I have to move them. But I am so chuffed; I managed to improve from last week:

• Joint circles: 5x each way (warm up)
• High knees twist: 10x (warm up)
• Tricep band pull: 3x10 (warm up)
• Knees/Diamond push ups consecutive sets: k10 | d10 | k10 | d10 | k8 | d8 (I managed full sets for the first two and then 8 of the last set. Last time I couldn't get to 3 sets in either!)
• Flutter kicks: 2x 2x15 (same but needs to be increased)
• Russion twist: 1x15 @5kg (same)
• High plank toe touch: 1x15 (same, but did all in one set and did not stop in between)
• Cobra -> Downward dog:  couldn't move! My arms froze when I got on my hands and knees and I couldn't push up, or let myself down. Laughed at myself before slowly folding over to sit.
• Sit-twist stretch: 2x slowly, slowly

I don't think I'll be able to walk this afternoon, plain due to time constraints.

[lucky fire dragon]

10 minutes ago, elizevdmerwe said:

I will always hope, but I won't build my actions on hope, or let my boundaries down.

 

Good! I didn't mean to sway you from that in any way, I hope you know that, I just thought it funny to see such a strong example of "ooh shiny" 

 

11 minutes ago, elizevdmerwe said:

I really need a new keyboard. Even my touch typing is letting me down in which keys are for which letters. I'm tired, can't think. Half of the keys are just black knobs and I have to repeat the pattern we learnt in high school typing class to remember which is for which letter.

 

Yip, sounds like it's high time 

 

12 minutes ago, elizevdmerwe said:

Man I did my "morning" exercises around 12h00 and I'm beat! My arms are so tired they are literally lying on the table and feel like lead if I have to move them. But I am so chuffed; I managed to improve from last week:

 

Whoooohoooo, that is super heroic 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

15 hours ago, elizevdmerwe said:

've been sending Brandt the links to Landon's sermons and he once commented that he liked it. It was down to earth and human. He could relate. I'll still see his reaction about the "dunkin'" But I really, really wish I could attend for real. In the mean time these videos are really helping and a saving grace.

When the four of you come to Texas, you've got a church home.

[Mrs Van]

18 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

Good! I didn't mean to sway you from that in any way, I hope you know that, I just thought it funny to see such a strong example of "ooh shiny" 

No I totally understand. I can actually sort of picture you getting all excited, and you are a dragon after all. They like shiny!

18 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

Whoooohoooo, that is super heroic 

And today I'm stiff again Between the chin ups and the push ups my arms, shoulders and back are getting a great workout. *whisper* and my butt seems a bit smaller, but I won't say that too loud because ... lunges

7 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

When the four of you come to Texas, you've got a church home.

Always something to look forward to in future

 

It's been raining since yesterday afternoon (not common for autumn). And Missy our German Shepherd seems off. Twice now in four days that she couldn't keep her food in. I don't know whether the food was just a bit too much or fatty, because the two young dogs are fine. She seems better than she did during the night though, all up and bright eyed and "alive", moving around a lot, which she hadn't been. So I'll just keep an eye on her.

 

I'm almost done with proof reading that book! Wow, Beth has certainly outdone herself with this one. It is the 2nd series finale, and she had me riveted to my chair. Also helped that I didn't have to prepare food except for breakfast, as we have so much left overs, and extra food from what I've prepared before hand. It seems that we are eating much, much less than previously, and yes, I have cut the amount of food I bought since my mom moved out... or our food is stretching... either way...

 

Now I have to face the rain and go buy filters for the water tanks/pipes, as well as a new internet cable because a certain young dog decided last night that he would just test the cable running beside his basket. One bite and the cable was snapped in two! I've rerun the cables on top of my desk at the back now, to reach the boys' computers.

 

Hope you have a great day!

[lucky fire dragon]

yay to rain!

and good books with time to read them

 

also fantastic job on your workouts, whooohooo
Do you stretch enough? Just asking because otherwise the stiff muscles might give you trouble after a while... foam rolling might be another good option

[Mrs Van]

Looky! Looky What We've Got!

We had some money left from tax payout (Sars), and we decided we won't buy a printer as I actually won't need to do as much printing for the boys' school work in the coming years as I've done for primary years. So when I was in town this morning, Brandt said to get the weights. This is a much better investment

 

We got:

• 1x 1.42m barbell (4.65ft) weighing +- 6kg (13.22lb). Can hold a max. of 100kg (220lb)
• 1x dumbbell bar
• 2x 10kg weight plates (22lb)
• 2x 5kg weight plates (11lb)
• 2x 2.5kg weight plates (5.5lb)
• 4x 1kg weight plates (2.2lb)

Now we basically have double of everything, as we had all of these at home. Gave the old man who is one of the car guards at the shop a shock when I told him, nope these weights aren't just for hubby, they are actually for myself as well. He went on to ask me what I do and what were the max I've lifted. He used to lift in his younger days.

 

[Mrs Van]

11 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

yay to rain!

and good books with time to read them

 

also fantastic job on your workouts, whooohooo
Do you stretch enough? Just asking because otherwise the stiff muscles might give you trouble after a while... foam rolling might be another good option

I didn't stretch enough after the chin ups as I ran out of time. My schedule in the morning is a bit tight,  but after yesterday's exercises I did stretch properly and today I don't have any problems. The chin ups just dragged and Rocco kept interrupting me, so I ran late that morning.

Oh the rain is wonderful, I just wish it would rain like this in the Cape! They need it so, so much.

[lucky fire dragon]

They really do! Will keep praying for them

On the plus side, they are managing better than expected and are putting some good things into action concerning desalination projects and such. It will take a long time of course, but still. What can be done quicker is better re-use systems also in hotels for tourist and that should make a huge difference.

Need makes creative we have a saying here and that's exactly what seems to be happening. So I'm hoping and praying for them to get through this okay and yet it might be a blessing for the future as it now forces new solutions that probably should have been started long ago

[lucky fire dragon]

Have a wonderful day, Elize 

[MattSkywalker]

33 minutes ago, elizevdmerwe said:

Looky! Looky What We've Got!

We had some money left from tax payout (Sars), and we decided we won't buy a printer as I actually won't need to do as much printing for the boys' school work in the coming years as I've done for primary years. So when I was in town this morning, Brandt said to get the weights. This is a much better investment

We got:

• 1x 1.42m barbell (4.65ft) weighing +- 6kg (13.22lb). Can hold a max. of 100kg (220lb)
• 1x dumbbell bar
• 2x 10kg weight plates (22lb)
• 2x 5kg weight plates (11lb)
• 2x 2.5kg weight plates (5.5lb)
• 4x 1kg weight plates (2.2lb)

Now we basically have double of everything, as we had all of these at home. Gave the old man who is one of the car guard's at the shop a shock when I told him, nope these weights aren't just for hubby, they are actually for myself as well. He went on to ask me what I do and what were the max I've lifted. He used to lift in his younger days.

 

Aaah, love it! Have fun!

[Mrs Van]

34 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

They really do! Will keep praying for them

On the plus side, they are managing better than expected and are putting some good things into action concerning desalination projects and such. It will take a long time of course, but still. What can be done quicker is better re-use systems also in hotels for tourist and that should make a huge difference.

Need makes creative we have a saying here and that's exactly what seems to be happening. So I'm hoping and praying for them to get through this okay and yet it might be a blessing for the future as it now forces new solutions that probably should have been started long ago

I read a while ago about probably desalination programmes, but they had so much trouble with some of them. Then there were big systems put in place somewhere on the coast, and never used or maintained! I really hope the government can get their act together and get things done. South Africa has a lot of untapped talent, ideas and future possibilities. They must just be thought through, put in use and just get them off the ground! Hey, maybe another place we can - because of need, as you say - become leaders in the worldwide field As long as there are solutions.

34 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

Have a wonderful day, Elize 

Thank you *hugs* I'm going to. I also got some new shinies! So I'm just as excited as you get with new shinies! And hope you have a blessed day as well

8 minutes ago, MattSkywalker said:

Aaah, love it! Have fun!

Thank you! I'm so excited. Hubby can't wait to get back from work, so I'll be nice and let him have the first turn in using them

[lucky fire dragon]

21 minutes ago, elizevdmerwe said:

I also got some new shinies! So I'm just as excited as you get with new shinies! And hope you have a blessed day as well

 

Hah! Brilliant  yes, much better investment, go and HAVE ALL THE FUN both of you!

[TGP]

that is so exciting!

I'm sure that will be really good for your OCR.  I missed another wieghtlifting morning.

 

  having everything set up at home would make it SO much easier.

 

[Mrs Van]

5 hours ago, lucky fire dragon said:

 

Hah! Brilliant  yes, much better investment, go and HAVE ALL THE FUN both of you!

We are! He is joining me for the next OCR! Woot! Woot!

3 hours ago, TGP said:

that is so exciting!

I'm sure that will be really good for your OCR.  I missed another wieghtlifting morning.

 

  having everything set up at home would make it SO much easier.

 

We don't really have a set up at home. We do have a corner where our weights and bar-/dumbbells are kept, then we pull them out to exercise early morning. Now we basically have double of each thing so we can train at the same time using the same stuff, or add more weights for those deadlifts. Brandt still wants to buy a bench a bit later as well as make a weight rack to stack the plates on, but space is minimum at the moment, so it will take careful planning. But it works for us, even though some people are horrified when they walk into our house and see we literally do not have a normal house set up with a lounge, dining room, etc. *shrug*. It is easier though in the sense that we can exercise when we want, how we want (ok, depending on what equipment we have), and we know we like working out together, even if we don't do the same thing.

 

-----------------------------------------------------

I teased Brandt this afternoon when I messaged him to say the entries for Waterra OCR #2 has opened. I asked him whether he's going to join me. He was on the fence with a real answer and asked me to wait before entering myself until he got home. At home he checked rally dates and then surprised me by saying he thinks he needs to try at least one event. Apparently he and the guys at Mondi office discussed the OCR and the M.P. runs I've done so far today, and that made Brandt curious and interested to try the Waterra OCR with me. Previously he flatly refused to try saying if he wanted to crawl around in mud, he would have stayed in the army. So tonight before he could change his mind, I registered us and entered for the race on 2 June! All paid up as well, so now I really have no excuse not to jump in and get going! I'm really so excited to know Brandt and I will be in a team. And I'll have to give and help as good as I get/am helped. We both usually give it our all, and the same will go for training. Ooh, and just there I became a little bit scared *big eyes*.

 

As I've mentioned before, the Hero in Training group is advertised as 5-7km, for people from 12+ yrs, with between 20-30 obstacles, but when I registered the details said 7km with 25-30 obstacles, but it is a fun event, not supposed to make you cry or bleed. They also separate the participants in two groups according to age: 12-24yrs, and 25+yrs.

 

So! No more slacking. I'm not going to run in the rain, but now I really have to pull up my socks.

[Elastigirl]

That is so cool that you and Brandt are doing the OCR together. That is an awesome date day together! And your own weights too!!

[Fonzico]

OOooh the weights are so exciting! You are going to have so much fun with that! After I mentioned to John that I wanted to get a couple personal training sessions to learn how to lift barbells correctly (which he agreed was a good idea!) he said he wanted to get a setup like that for our home.. So I hope I will be following your example soon!

 

And in other news, I'm finally following along

[Mrs Van]

13 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

That is so cool that you and Brandt are doing the OCR together. That is an awesome date day together! And your own weights too!!

He was flabbergasted at just how quick I registered and paid but he seems excited, giving me all kinds of advice, talking weights and training. I also got a compliment while doing deadlifts this morning

I think these kind of "dates" (at least exercising together some mornings) are more Brandt and my style, and not so much "date nights" or "date lunches" . We've tried those and sat with mouths full of teeth and could hardly get a word out. To each their own I guess.

13 hours ago, Fonzico said:

OOooh the weights are so exciting! You are going to have so much fun with that! After I mentioned to John that I wanted to get a couple personal training sessions to learn how to lift barbells correctly (which he agreed was a good idea!) he said he wanted to get a setup like that for our home.. So I hope I will be following your example soon!

 

And in other news, I'm finally following along

It was awesome to be able to put 2x2.5kg weight plates on the dumbbell for lunges, AND be able to add the right weights to the barbell for deadlifts later. A one-stop-get it done at the beginning, and no stop-start-stop-start through the exercises. This will also shave off some time, although very little. And Brandt could get his own dumbbells set up after my lunges. Eventually we'll get to a point where we can things neatly stacked on a rack, and have a workout rack, something like @Mr_Willes has, that Brandt can use for shoulders or squats with the bar, etc.

 

I do realise though that I'm struggling to accept Brandt's strength training advice (I know I'm headstrong), as I have my own idea of how I want to progress and have been doing so well, improving a lot these last couple of months! That doesn't mean that I know everything and can't do with some advice/help though, but also doesn't mean I know nothing. I just struggle to accept it. He does have A LOT of experience strength training for triathlons, marathons, body building, etc. which worked for him. He looked at my book where I've marked off these beginning stages/phases and for a change gave me a chance to talk to him a little bit of how I plan to progress, and the time frame, and he seemed to approve of it. So we'll see how it goes.

 

I've updated informally through narration, but how about a more formal summary?

WEEK 1 - Up to Thursday

Spiritual and Physical Health:

• Bible study: 3x (Wednesday was late morning, not early. Finished the sermon. Not counted.)
• Sleep: 3X before 21h45/21h30.
• Water: 5x of one bottle (750ml) or more per day.

Exercise:

• Morning exercises: 2x (Wednesday was around lunch, but I did the strength exercises.)
• Afternoon exercises: Not yet.

Fire arms and Style:

• (Almost) E.D.C: Not yet.
• Dry fire training: Not yet.
• Dress/Makeup: 3x dressed neatly, but no make up (new I was going to cry - tears and mascara don't go together).

Finances/Stats:

• Not yet.

Spiritual and Health are getting along. Exercises are picking up, but it's been raining almost every afternoon, and I am not as brave as @annyshay or @jonfirestar to walk/run out in the rain/cold. Firearms and style are a struggle. I just couldn't carry the f.a. outside to town this week, and haven't worn it at home either. I haven't practiced with it either, and Sunday is club shoot. I have tried to dress neatly when I had to go out, but no make up.

Finances are just uuggghhh! at the moment. Been doing a lot of finance day-to-day stuff (check bank accounts, check with Brandt, pay stuff, buy stuff, send documents out), but none of the "update to spreadsheet" that this goal is about, stuff.

 

Friday morning exercise:

• Joint circles: 5-10x each side (it's colder, need more warm up)
• High knees to elbow twist: 10x
• Bear crawls: 4x4m
• Front lunges (f) interchanged with diagonal lunges (d) each set: f10reps @ 5kg | d10reps | f10reps @ 5kg | d 10reps, so 2x10 @ 5kg dumbbell for the front lunges, and 2x10 diagonal lunges with no dumbbell. Stopped here to do kitchen chores.
• Deadlifts (shortly after kitchen chores): 1x10 @ 20kg | 2x10 @ 25kg - right where I left off in January. The last rep on 25kg sets were difficult. I had to focus a lot on form.
• Stretches: all of the usual and some extras for core and lower back. The deadlifts even got my front abs working this morning!

[annyshay]

Proud of you and excited for joint training and OCR with Brandt! Try not to show him up too badly.