Win The Morning, Win The Day

[The Gothlete]

Hello everyone! I’ve been waiting for this to come around, and am excited to get started. Nerd-wise, I cut my teeth on classical mythology, Xena, and Star Trek. I gravitate more toward film/TV nerdery, and have a soft spot for David Mack’s Kabuki comic series. I also started LARPing a year ago. (I’ll be at Armistice Arcane II in January, in case anyone else is as well!)

 

Fitness-wise, I’ve been around the block. Fencing, weight lifting, Muay Thai, MMA, pole dancing, aerial, Crossfit, etc. I love them all, but alas consistency is my lifelong Boss Battle. I know that positive peer pressure works well for me, so here I am! I’m going to focus my goals on pivot points - I know that if I get these in line, my other good habits stack into place. 

 

I will not be focusing on nutrition in this challenge, as that is the easiest for me to manage. I have doctorates in Naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine (doing 2 doctorates at once was not great for consistency, hah) and am a Certified Nutrition Specialist, so I have that down. Now I’ve just gotta wake up in the morning. 

 

GOALS

 

I. I will wake up at 6:25 everyday, no snooze button. (Changed from 5:25, because that did nothing to benefit my goals or work schedule. Seriously what was I thinking.) 

 

II. Upon waking, I will immediately go to the gym/Crossfit by 6am (morning mile on weekends in order to maintain when the gym isn’t open early). I am not going to cancel previously reserved Crossfit classes. 

 

III. Personal Development: Every evening, I will spend 20-30 minutes reading a book in my field. I have so many sitting in my Kindle, gotta actually read them. I’m looking forward to The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk.

 

Boss Battle: Maintaining all of this when I visit my friend in NYC in two weeks. 

 

Onward! 

 

-Raye

[Grymm]

Hello!  5:25?  So early!  I was never good at working out in the morning, but more power to you!

[The Gothlete]

1 minute ago, Grymm said:

Hello!  5:25?  So early!  I was never good at working out in the morning, but more power to you!

 

I’m gonna go for it! It’s the earlier I’ll ever start my day, hah. 

[RES]

On 8/8/2018 at 11:40 AM, The Gothlete said:

I have so many sitting in my Kindle, gotta actually read them

I feel this sooooo much!

Good goals, welcome to the rebellion!

[The Gothlete]

The first day went pretty well! I did in fact wake at 5:25, do gym 6A, and start my book. Although I now am wondering if 6:25 would be more suited to my actual work schedule. I'm going to experiment a bit and see what's better, then adhere. 

[MizMarvel]

Ugh, mornings.  UGH.  You have all my admiration because me goal setting for anything other than a shower in the morning is setting myself up to fail.

 

Well done on your first day!

[The Gothlete]

1 hour ago, MizMarvel said:

Ugh, mornings.  UGH.  You have all my admiration because me goal setting for anything other than a shower in the morning is setting myself up to fail.

 

Well done on your first day!

 

 

Thanks! Getting up and going in the morning is my biggest struggle, but also the domino that leads to habitual success. I have no choice but to prioritize it. 

[RogueMom]

On 8/8/2018 at 11:40 AM, The Gothlete said:

 

I will not be focusing on nutrition in this challenge, as that is the easiest for me to manage. I have doctorates in Naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine (doing 2 doctorates at once was not great for consistency, hah) and am a Certified Nutrition Specialist, so I have that down. Now I’ve just gotta wake up in the morning. 

 

So cool! TCM is fascinating and although the theoretical basis doesn't fit in with the Western perspective, the empirical data and success is impossible to ignore (although Western doctors do all the time -grrr!) It's amazing that you got two PhDs at once. Anyone who can do that can definitely learn to stay on track!

 

When I was reading this it occurred to me that the energy and urgency of working on two degrees at once would make those easier for me than staying on track with exercise day after mundane day. I don't know if that resonates with you but it's one of my problems - exciting things with deadlines get done with perfect focus, boring ones not so much. That's one of the reasons I was so excited to do the 4week challenge!  

 

Good luck and keep us posted! 

 

[The Gothlete]

1 hour ago, RogueMom said:

 

So cool! TCM is fascinating and although the theoretical basis doesn't fit in with the Western perspective, the empirical data and success is impossible to ignore (although Western doctors do all the time -grrr!) It's amazing that you got two PhDs at once. Anyone who can do that can definitely learn to stay on track!

 

When I was reading this it occurred to me that the energy and urgency of working on two degrees at once would make those easier for me than staying on track with exercise day after mundane day. I don't know if that resonates with you but it's one of my problems - exciting things with deadlines get done with perfect focus, boring ones not so much. That's one of the reasons I was so excited to do the 4week challenge!  

 

Good luck and keep us posted! 

 

 

 

Hello hello! I should clarify: The doctorates are ND (Naturopathic doctorate) and DSOM (doctorate of science in oriental medicine - outdated term, I know.) They’re practical clinical doctorates as opposed to research-based PhDs. But who knows. Maybe I’ll also go for that PsyD I want. 

 

Also it’s nice to hear that you’re familiar with the medicine! The theory actually lines of a lot better than most people saying, it’s just different words for the same sorts of things. I have a few colleagues that specifically research this. It’s really fascinating.

 

Also it’s nice to hear that you’re familiar with the medicine! The theory actually lines of a lot better than most people saying, it’s just different words for the same sorts of things. I have a few colleagues that specifically research this. It’s really fascinating.

 

I found there’s definitely a sweet spot when it comes to work and study. Too much and you get overwhelmed. Too little and you get bored as you’re describing. There’s that perfect place where you have just enough to kick you in the butt without draining you of all life. I’m happy to chat about study strategies and skills and being a hoarder of knowledge if you’re ever in the mood! 

[RogueMom]

Oh two clinical degrees- that sounds even harder! And super cool. I'd love to hear more about the research your colleagues are doing on comparing TCM and western med - I love that sort of thing. I even started reading  "The Web That has No Weaver" but had a hard time wrapping my western-trained (and not medically trained) mind around it. But still trying! 

 

Keep us posted on your progress!

[The Gothlete]

8 minutes ago, RogueMom said:

Oh two clinical degrees- that sounds even harder! And super cool. I'd love to hear more about the research your colleagues are doing on comparing TCM and western med - I love that sort of thing. I even started reading  "The Web That has No Weaver" but had a hard time wrapping my western-trained (and not medically trained) mind around it. But still trying! 

 

Keep us posted on your progress!

 

Oh man I read that years ago. Very dense writing style. 

 

Here's a two-part interview with one of my favorite instructors on the subject: 

https://classicalchinesemedicine.org/natural-medicine-works-for-animals-too/

[redgrill18]

I'm a huge believer in TCM   Was trying for my munchkin for over a year and headed back to my acupuncturist for some help and was preggo on the second cycle with the help of some herbs.  I had seen her and used TCM with her in the past for regulating my cycle to great (and very quick) success after 6 months all over the place b/c of an IUD.  And if I ever doubted whether they 'do anything' or not it was quickly cured by accidentally taking herbs during the wrong time of the month and having pretty immediate bad reactions when there was nothing but kittens and puppies taken at the correct time.  So cool!

 

How is 625 going?

[The Gothlete]

17 hours ago, redgrill18 said:

I'm a huge believer in TCM   Was trying for my munchkin for over a year and headed back to my acupuncturist for some help and was preggo on the second cycle with the help of some herbs.  I had seen her and used TCM with her in the past for regulating my cycle to great (and very quick) success after 6 months all over the place b/c of an IUD.  And if I ever doubted whether they 'do anything' or not it was quickly cured by accidentally taking herbs during the wrong time of the month and having pretty immediate bad reactions when there was nothing but kittens and puppies taken at the correct time.  So cool!

 

How is 625 going?

 

Congratulations on your munchkin! I’ve spent a year working part-time with a Chinese doc who specializes in fertility. There are many baby pictures on the wall from happy patients. 

 

6:25 is going great! My body’s been adjusting well and waking naturally around 6:15. 

 

 

[B__]

Waking up naturally is such an awesome thing to do for yourself, that's great to hear. Good luck with everything.

[The Gothlete]

Update: One week down! So far so good. I managed to keep my goals going strong on Saturday. Sunday... ehhhh. Going to sleep at 5:30 am after a night of revelry did not lead to a 6:25 wakeup, haha. Otherwise, last week was pretty successful. 

 

AND! I took my one month measurements/photos. This season is more about strength/composition change and maintaining my previous 20lb weight loss than it is about continued weight loss. I think I'm on the right track. My weight has only gone down 1-2 lbs, but I've lost 4.5" total around my body and improved some muscle tone. V happy!

[The Gothlete]

Week 2 Check-In

 

 I was very successful this week, especially with waking on time and going to Crossfit/doing mobility on rest days. Today I killed it: Crossfit in the morning, aerial in the afternoon, and walked over 8000 steps!

 

Oddly enough reading at night has been the most difficult to maintain, in part because I’m sufficiently tired at night. Instead, I’ve been reading at 15 minute intervals rather than robotically browsing through Facebook. I call that a win. 

 

Onward to Week 3!

[Jupiter]

2 hours ago, The Gothlete said:

Week 2 Check-In

 

 I was very successful this week, especially with waking on time and going to Crossfit/doing mobility on rest days. Today I killed it: Crossfit in the morning, aerial in the afternoon, and walked over 8000 steps!

 

Oddly enough reading at night has been the most difficult to maintain, in part because I’m sufficiently tired at night. Instead, I’ve been reading at 15 minute intervals rather than robotically browsing through Facebook. I call that a win. 

 

Onward to Week 3!

 

Nice job, you're doing great!

[DragonEmrys]

15 hours ago, The Gothlete said:

Week 2 Check-In

 

 I was very successful this week, especially with waking on time and going to Crossfit/doing mobility on rest days. Today I killed it: Crossfit in the morning, aerial in the afternoon, and walked over 8000 steps!

 

Oddly enough reading at night has been the most difficult to maintain, in part because I’m sufficiently tired at night. Instead, I’ve been reading at 15 minute intervals rather than robotically browsing through Facebook. I call that a win. 

 

Onward to Week 3!

 

*flexing bicep emoji*

 

Where do you do aerial? I've been wanting to get into either pole or aerial, but location and cost are A Thing.

[The Gothlete]

33 minutes ago, DragonEmrys said:

 

*flexing bicep emoji*

 

Where do you do aerial? I've been wanting to get into either pole or aerial, but location and cost are A Thing.

 

Yeah pole and aerial tend to be pricey because they can only fit so many people in a class and teaching labor is fairly high. I actually go to Pinnacle Parkour Philadelphia, oddly enough. They do a punchcard that equates to 20 bucks per class, and the first one was free. Aerial is not their specialty the way it would be from most gyms, but I am able to make their class time and it’s near my work in East Falls. 

 

Definitely check Groupon- sometimes pole studios will have good starter pack deals. 

 

[The Gothlete]

Week Three update:

 

Successes: Still going strong waking up early. Even on weekends my body seems happy with it. I’ve also improved my reading habits in the evening- much more fulfilling than scrolling Facebook. 

 

I did hit a workout lull toward the end of last week. I wasn’t as careful with my diet as I should have been, and I ran out of the supplements I use to mitigate damage. My GI has not been happy for the past 5 days, though I’m recovering now. 

 

Got to training this morning despite feeling blerg, which is a big deal. AND I’m joining my box’s barbell club tonight! 

[RES]

On 9/4/2018 at 2:45 PM, The Gothlete said:

Week Three update:

 

Successes: Still going strong waking up early. Even on weekends my body seems happy with it. I’ve also improved my reading habits in the evening- much more fulfilling than scrolling Facebook. 

 

I did hit a workout lull toward the end of last week. I wasn’t as careful with my diet as I should have been, and I ran out of the supplements I use to mitigate damage. My GI has not been happy for the past 5 days, though I’m recovering now. 

 

Got to training this morning despite feeling blerg, which is a big deal. AND I’m joining my box’s barbell club tonight! 

Amazing job!! I feel you on the running out of supplements, I have some I take to deal with my lack of gallbladder and it is NOT fun if I run out! Good that you're doing better!

 

[The Gothlete]

Week 4!

 

I killed it the final week! Made it to Crossfit twice, barbell twice, and training once. Woke up naturally most days, and went to the box even when I didn’t feel like it. Ready to level up next challenge!