NeverThatBored : You Are What You Repeatedly Do

[NeverThatBored]

I had two unusually busy weeks followed by getting sick this week, so I've kind of dropped off the map and missed the start of this challenge. I thought about taking the challenge off, but I haven't missed a single challenge since I started NF and I don't really want to start now! You are what you do and all, so I'll just keep on doing the things.

 

I'll keep it pretty bare bones this time though. I'm continuing to hit Crossfit 3x/week so that doesn't need to be a goal. I'm doing aikido regularly (although that has also fallen off the past few weeks) so I'll keep that off the list too.

 

I never actually mentioned it on here, but at the end of July I bit the bullet and decided to sign up for a year of nutrition coaching through Precision Nutrition. I haven't been making much progress on my own, so I decided it was worth trying even though it's not cheap. Instead of having a bunch of food goals, I'm just going to trust the PN process and keep following along with that. They've mainly focused on mindful eating, although now they're starting to get into stuff like protein/veggie content of meals. I DO want to keep my sugar goal going for now, because I can see clear improvement when I keep focused on it and I know it's one of the areas that's holding me back the most.

 

I'm actually down a few pounds, which is very small and almost not worth mentioning, except that it's a consistent drop in weight and not just fluctuations, and that's more progress than I've seen in a long time.

 

I want to maintain some base mobility/stretching stuff, walking, and trying to build in pushups/pullups/dips. So pretty much all the same there.

 

Goals - Daily:

• Follow PN process by completing habits and checking off lessons daily
• Keep dessert to no more than once per day (bonus points if none, and focusing on less bad choices about desserts when I do have them)
• Walk 20 minutes per day...my usual 16 miles/week goal just isn't working for me right now, so I'm going to make this goal even easier and more achievable for now.
• Do daily stretches and shorter mobility session
• Do 1% better at my morning routine - I've been struggling with this one, so this is about as easy as I can possibly make this goal.

Goals - Weekly:

• 2x/week do gymnasticsbodies stretch sessions, 45 minutes each
• Do pullups, pushups, and dips each 2x/week
• MAYBE run weekly, if I don't do it through crossfit

Goals - Challenge-long:

• Get out on my bike twice during the challenge
• Dentist
  • Look up and write down dental insurance info
  • Find dentist and make appointment
  • Go to dentist
• Take car to mechanic to get some basic maintenance 
• Memorize 1 new "Restore" sequence of stretches from gymnasticsbodies

 

So I guess by bare bones I meant almost exactly the same as always. 

[Sylvaa]

I am here my friend!

 

Also too funny - Precision Nutrition ended up on my Facebook feed this week because they are starting a nutrition coaching class in October. I debated about maybe signing up for it, but decided against it (too expensive for my taste). 

[Elastigirl]

Glad you decided to come play. Looks like a great challenge set-up

[Maigs]

There you are! Hope you're feeling better now.

 

Following along of course

[WolfDreamer]

Glad you're here @NeverThatBored. Better late than never! Your challenge goals look great! Let me know if I can help in any way.

[Lara]

23 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

I'll keep it pretty bare bones this time though.

And then, why is it that when I read your challenge I thought "she should call it let's do all the things"?

[Elastigirl]

11 minutes ago, zenLara said:

And then, why is it that when I read your challenge I thought "she should call it let's do all the things"?

My thought when I read the challenge is she should call it "You are what you repeatedly do, so I am all the things!"

[Xena]

Here

[NeverThatBored]

Alright, week 2 or my week 1 is off to a solid start:

• I did some meal prep on Sunday but kept it lighter than usual this week - made a batch of bone broth, roasted a pan of veggies, and made some (DELICIOUS) homemade hummus. I have some other plans to cook throughout the week, so we'll see how that goes.
• Made a schedule of activities for the week to hopefully fit everything in 
• I'm feeling well enough to go to Crossfit tonight, and I'll try to get in a 20 minute walk in the evening 

[Raxie]

Yay glad you aren't missing a challenge! Better late than never

[NeverThatBored]

My boss in a meeting this morning: "oh, it sounds like you're still sick." 

 

I'm about 85% better but I DO feel pretty tired this morning. After taking two days off work to sleep and play video games (KINGDOM HEARTS BIRTH BY SLEEP YO) I would much rather keep doing that than go back to working. T_T I also stayed up late the last two nights powering through Naomi Novik's latest book Spinning Silver which was SO SO SO GOOD. I couldn't stop reading it. I'm not normally big on fairy tale-inspired stories, but both this book and her book Uprooted were PHENOMENAL. I got it from the library after a super long waitlist, but I liked it so much that I'm thinking of buying myself a copy and also buying 3 different friends copies for Christmas...

 

I'm on track to finish my Goodreads goal of 36 books for the year! Only 8 more to go.

 

Monday:

• Walked to the library and back to pick up a book - 20 minute walk complete!
• Did my stretches before bed
• Didn't do anything in the morning but sleep
• Went to Crossfit. We did a toughass workout called "Wasabi" which ended in 20 burpees. 20 burpees doesn't seem like a big number, but by that point I was DEAD. I also have a thing where getting up really fast makes me dizzy, so that makes burpees extra fun.
• Got in my 5+ freggies for the day (the current PN focus - they change "habits" every two weeks)
• Stuck to one dessert, but also did finish off some apple juice in the fridge, so only a technical pass.

[Raxie]

OMG SPINNING SILVER WAS EVERYTHINGGGGGG JLFDAJF9E08QR32GVJL!!!!!11!1!!!!

 

I just finished it last night - I actually got a signed copy at a q&a with her last week ahhhhhhhh <3 <3 <3

 

Uprooted was my favourite read of 2017 and Spinning Silver is seriously in the running for 2018.

 

Also YAASSSS KINGDOM HEARTSSSSS!!!!

 

Hey, are we the same person? Hahaha

[NeverThatBored]

44 minutes ago, Raxie said:

OMG SPINNING SILVER WAS EVERYTHINGGGGGG JLFDAJF9E08QR32GVJL!!!!!11!1!!!!

 

I just finished it last night - I actually got a signed copy at a q&a with her last week ahhhhhhhh <3 <3 <3

 

Uprooted was my favourite read of 2017 and Spinning Silver is seriously in the running for 2018.

 

YESSSSS I'm so glad to hear that!!! 100% agree - they're probably the best books I've read this year. In Spinning Silver, I loved that NOT ONLY was the plot really unique and captivating, but the characters were super well done. Miryem in particular was so well developed, and I just loved the parallels about the power to say no in moments that matter that started with her and spread out to every other character and paid off in so many cool ways throughout the story.

 

46 minutes ago, Raxie said:

Also YAASSSS KINGDOM HEARTSSSSS!!!!

  

Hey, are we the same person? Hahaha

 

Lol basically.  I never actually played Birth by Sleep and I've gotta get ready for KH3!!!

[NeverThatBored]

Week 2 Tuesday Update

 

Soooo, I guess I might not be as recovered from being sick as I thought? I felt pretty wobbly and kind of lightheaded for a lot of today. I was planning to go to aikido, but the idea of getting up and down off the ground for 90 minutes seemed terrible. So instead I decided to go to crossfit??? Which is much more intense and tiring than aikido, so I question my decision making skills a little bit. On the other hand, I've never regretted deciding to work out so maybe I have the right idea??

 

Crossfit today was m.u.r.d.e.r.. Before the workout even started, I got up from a stretch on the ground and banged my head on a bracket in the weight rack (the only thing hurt was my pride). The workout was called "flip flop" and involved kettlebell swings, assault bike, deadlifts, and rowing. I went RX on the workout to begin with (meaning I didn't scale the weight at all), but then my grip kept failing every few reps on the deadlifts, so I had to drop 10 pounds for the last 9 reps or so. During the workout I also tripped and fell over while putting down the kettlebell after a round of swings. >.< 

 

Aaaand this morning I made coffee but forgot to put the grounds in the coffeemaker before I did it. It was one of those days.

 

I have avoided sugar so far today, so that's a win! My veggies have been less good...I struggle to get all 5 freggies for the day on days that I don't either eat breakfast or drink a green smoothie during the day. If I don't eat breakfast, I only have 2 meals to get the freggies in. I guess I should focus on getting smoothies in early? I also think my light meal prep failed me this week, since I totally could have scrounged something together with components in the fridge, but instead I ordered sushi for my boyfriend to pick up on his way back from a thing he's doing. 

 

I did get my walk in at least.

[Maigs]

12 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

I felt pretty wobbly and kind of lightheaded for a lot of today

 

12 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

So instead I decided to go to crossfit

….does not compute

[NeverThatBored]

Week 2 Wednesday Update

 

Still feeling wobbly, so I didn't end up going to aikido as planned. I haven't been to aikido in almost a month now...things just keep happening. First there was a week where I had double Japanese class, then there was a week where I was working late a bunch, and then I got sick and that's been eating up all of my aikido time! Gah. I doubt they care that much, but I feel flaky for missing so much class!

 

I made a dentist appointment for Thursday, so that's something! 

 

I walked down to the water and sat and read for a while after work, which got my walking in and was just generally very nice. The walk tired me out though. Grumble grumble. Being sick confuses me. I didn't do much in the way of stretching or other activity beyond the walk.

 

With the help of a breakfast smoothie, I got all my freggies in for the day. Woot. I also had another day with no dessert.

 

I did do a few chores in the morning - so that's good for 1% better.

[Elastigirl]

Sorry, ugh, I hate being sick. Hope you feel better soon

[shaar]

Being sick IS confusing, like, how much can I do, oh no, TOO MUCH, ugh.... feel better soon!!

[Xena]

On 9/25/2018 at 10:37 AM, NeverThatBored said:

 I also stayed up late the last two nights powering through Naomi Novik's latest book Spinning Silver which was SO SO SO GOOD. I couldn't stop reading it. I'm not normally big on fairy tale-inspired stories, but both this book and her book Uprooted were PHENOMENAL.

 

Adding these to my list!

 

On 9/25/2018 at 7:55 PM, NeverThatBored said:

..I struggle to get all 5 freggies for the day on days that I don't either eat breakfast or drink a green smoothie during the day. If I don't eat breakfast, I only have 2 meals to get the freggies in. I guess I should focus on getting smoothies in early?

 

I think yes. Takes some of the thinking out of the whole thing. I've gone back to doing smoothies too and I'm feeling much more consistent with my nutrition as a result. \\

 

Hope you feel better soon!

[Maggie-Miau]

*sends hugs and getting-well-wishes*

Heyoo, NTB, i'm sorry you're sick! Do you know what's wrong? Lightheadedness is so not a fun feeling.

 

On 9/24/2018 at 11:16 AM, NeverThatBored said:

made some (DELICIOUS) homemade hummus

mmm hummus....the best food...may i ask what kind you made?

 

i've only ever played one Kingdom Hearts game (uh...the one with Roxas...three hundred and something and a half days?) and loved it, watched some play-throughs/cutscenes of other games. Something about KH is just so charming!

 

also adding this Spinning Silver you mentioned to the running list of books to investigate! your enthusiasm for it has me intrigued!

[NeverThatBored]

I finally got to aikido on Saturday morning. Phew! During class, my foot got caught on another student's hakama and I tripped. At the time it wasn't a big deal, but by the time I got home the toe that got caught was bothering me A LOT. I was going to go to a crossfit endurance/running class on Sunday morning, and I was actually REALLY EXCITED because it was perfect out all weekend and I hadn't run in a while, but I had to back out. T_T My entire toe is now a different color, but I do actually think it's getting better (it hurts less today) so I think it's pretty minor. 

 

I got in lots of walking and basked in the sunshine today, so that was nice~ I didn't get in any stretching because we ended up going apple picking, which was an hour drive each way. On the bright side, it was super nice out! On the less bright side, the only apples that were good were granny smiths, and I do not like granny smiths. 

 

This was a 4 crossfit week, which is kind of neat! I did an extra class to make up for the one I missed last week while sick.

 

On 9/28/2018 at 11:57 AM, Miaulin said:

Heyoo, NTB, i'm sorry you're sick! Do you know what's wrong? Lightheadedness is so not a fun feeling.

 

 

MIAULIN, HI!! It's great to see you around the forums!! 

 

IDK it's just general sickness? Most sickness has some of the same list of 5 symptoms or so, so I don't really know how to identify what it is. I think I'm finally better now though. 

 

[Severine]

I am finally here and following! I am always amazed by how much you're able to do even when you're feeling in a rut. And yay aikido! I am on hiatus but do want to go back to it when I feel able. Glad the toe doesn't seem too serious. 

 

Granny smiths are rubbish except in pies, so you have good apple taste.

[zeroh13]

Hi NTB! How's it going? 

[NeverThatBored]

On 10/8/2018 at 8:46 AM, zeroh13 said:

Hi NTB! How's it going? 

 

Thanks for checking in. I'll post an update now.

[NeverThatBored]

Sooooo, I totally didn't mean to disappear on you! I've been terrible at updating the last few challenges, even though I used to update daily without even thinking about it. IDK man. I also haven't really felt like tracking stuff. 

 

Nearly every day, I think "I should post an update on NF" and then I do something else instead or get distracted or just don't feel like it, and suddenly it's been a week! Part of it might be PN (Precision Nutrition) too - I'm also checking off tasks on there every day so it's just one more thing to do. 

 

So there were a bunch of things I wanted to post, but I don't remember what most of them were. I've gotten a few things accomplished:

• Went and filled out an absentee ballot at the election office
• Went to the dentist and had my teeth cleaned! ...then went back to the dentist and had a cavity filled
• Went to the mechanic and got an oil change! ...then went back to the mechanic because they also found some issues with my brakes. Grumble. My car is with them now.

I've been going to Crossfit consistently, and aikido some but much less consistently. I've been pretty much getting in the 20 minutes/day of walking. My stretching has been falling off lately, both the longer sessions and the daily stuff. I finally went to a crossfit endurance (pose running) session on Sunday, and we did about 2.25 miles total of distance plus some drills and warmup. I haven't run much lately, so I was amazed I could do the mileage at all. But also it DESTROYED my calves and after about 24 hours had passed I was limping for a couple of days. Whoops?

 

Honestly, I've just been feeling exhausted lately. You would think with Japanese class ending for the time being, having one less thing to do would give me MORE time. But instead it feels like that was somehow anchoring me and ever since it ended I've just been dragging along. It's not just being sleepy, but sort of general increased clumsiness, less room/energy for spontaneity (yoga, etc.), and things like that. I decided I needed to do something about it, and my gut told me that the solution is to switch to early morning Crossfit classes. On paper, this doesn't make sense?? But by getting the workouts done early, I'm reducing time spent sitting in traffic and basically freeing up my schedule after work 3 days a week. I'm also giving myself something to do when I first wake up, which has been a missing link in my morning routine for a while. I'm only 2 workouts into it, but so far I feel like I'm on the right track. 

 

In other news, I'm leaving in about 2 weeks to go to California for the remainder of the year. So it might be pointless to switch my Crossfit schedule now when I'm just going to need to get used to a new one in a couple of weeks. But whatevs. I'm planning to continue going to Crossfit while I'm in CA....or else I'd probably die when I came back to VA and resumed going.