Deck the halls with better habits

[mkdutch]

I'm constantly on the wagon and off the wagon with fitness, which frustrates me to no end but the best I can do is keep trying. This time last year I had started really getting into working out and eating right and by the time the pandemic hit I was going to the gym and doing group classes 5 times a week. I felt amazing, I was so proud of my work, and then I stopped. I'm a traveling massage therapist so my income came to a screeching halt and with it all of my forward momentum. Since then I can't hardly convince myself to go for a walk and I've been eating like absolute shit. 

 

All that to say...

 

I want better for myself! I want better habits and I want to be proud of my work. So for the 20 days of this challenge here are my goals:

 

1) Rework my diet. I'm going off gluten for this stretch as well. (Mostly because I've been experiencing some odd symptoms and I'll be doing elimination diets to figure out the cause. Starting with gluten.)

2) Moving 5 days a week. 3 days of general light activity (walking, stretching, dancing to music) for at least 15 minutes. The other 2 days will be full workouts of at least 30 minutes that are reported here.

3) Journal daily. Whether it is planning the next day or writing about my emotions I need to get back into doing that. 

 

Since I am starting again from what is effectively zero I need to start light so that my strictness isn't overwhelming. I know that if I put too much pressure I'll cave and fall flat, but not enough and I will slack and lose track of everything. I know I am better than where I'm at currently, and I can prove it.  

[fearless 2.0]

10 minutes ago, mkdutch said:

I'm constantly on the wagon and off the wagon with fitness, which frustrates me to no end but the best I can do is keep trying. This time last year I had started really getting into working out and eating right and by the time the pandemic hit I was going to the gym and doing group classes 5 times a week. I felt amazing, I was so proud of my work, and then I stopped. I'm a traveling massage therapist so my income came to a screeching halt and with it all of my forward momentum. Since then I can't hardly convince myself to go for a walk and I've been eating like absolute shit. 

 

All that to say...

 

I want better for myself! I want better habits and I want to be proud of my work. So for the 20 days of this challenge here are my goals:

 

1) Rework my diet. I'm going off gluten for this stretch as well. (Mostly because I've been experiencing some odd symptoms and I'll be doing elimination diets to figure out the cause. Starting with gluten.)

2) Moving 5 days a week. 3 days of general light activity (walking, stretching, dancing to music) for at least 15 minutes. The other 2 days will be full workouts of at least 30 minutes that are reported here.

3) Journal daily. Whether it is planning the next day or writing about my emotions I need to get back into doing that. 

 

Since I am starting again from what is effectively zero I need to start light so that my strictness isn't overwhelming. I know that if I put too much pressure I'll cave and fall flat, but not enough and I will slack and lose track of everything. I know I am better than where I'm at currently, and I can prove it.  

I understand sooo well. And I think your strategy is very smart! Have a great challenge! ❤️ I hope you have some help financially!

[mkdutch]

Thank you. Financially I've been very lucky, but it's still a bit rough. Preparing for another shut down tbh. 

[Elastigirl]

Very wise to start light. Having a routine that you  can consistently do is always a win

[mkdutch]

While technically this doesn't start for a few days I went ahead and got going.  Not  only was today incredibly productive, between cleaning and long over due errands completed, I also hit my daily goals. Took a short walk (22 minutes) on a new hiking trail, avoided gluten all day, and organized my planner. I even got some reading in. I've decided to start streaming "bedtime stories" on my twitch allowing me to work on dictation and my mild (self diagnosed) dyslexia. 10/10 good day.

[Manarelle]

16 hours ago, mkdutch said:

While technically this doesn't start for a few days I went ahead and got going.  Not  only was today incredibly productive, between cleaning and long over due errands completed, I also hit my daily goals. Took a short walk (22 minutes) on a new hiking trail, avoided gluten all day, and organized my planner. I even got some reading in. I've decided to start streaming "bedtime stories" on my twitch allowing me to work on dictation and my mild (self diagnosed) dyslexia. 10/10 good day.

 

Off to a great start. What do you usually do for "full workouts" or does it vary? 

[mkdutch]

Time got away from me the last couple of days for posting. My full workouts are either a bodyweight HIIT set or using my Ring Fit. 

 

I've been on top of my gluten intake which has been awesome, but the withdraws are a bitch. I've been tired and depressed, but I can recognize that it is temporary. Haven't really worked out since my walk, but again tired and depressed. Definitely glad I started early so I can get this annoyance out of the way. Also haven't journaled as much as I would like, but still better than before. 

[mkdutch]

DAY 1:

 

 

Woke up with mad low mana and the cloud of "BIG SAD" (tm) hovering overhead. I would not be stopped though! Today has been about finding ways to complete my goals while also boosting serotonin. Did I have cookies for breakfast and pizza for lunch? Yes I did! Were they gluten free to keep to my goals, also yes. (May the gods bless cauliflower pizza.) Did I buy a squishmellow that made me smile and lift some of the cloud away? Yes, her name is Alessi, she is a sleepy fox that teaches gym classes and is going to night school to become a nurse. I also grabbed a mana potion and practiced some staff spins. In doing so I busted my lip and was reminded that all of this sadness and tiredness is temporary. I still saw my clients. I still worked out. I am still taking care of myself and if that isn't a good first day I don't know what is. As for reflection I definitely think this counts. It isn't a silent void because there are so many people on here cheering for each other and offering comfort and support, but it is a place I can open up and be honest about where I'm at. It is nice. 

[Manarelle]

Dang. Way to turn that day around - very impressive. Here's to the next day(s) being better. 

[mkdutch]

22 hours ago, Manarelle said:

Dang. Way to turn that day around - very impressive. Here's to the next day(s) being better. 

Thank you! I've worked hard to deal with my brain. 

 

Day 2 &3

 

Yesterday was so good!~ I accomplished tasks on my weekly todo list, worked out (leg day was brutal and glorious), and I had the best stream yet! I'm still on a high from last night. Just an absolute blast. Today I've been preoccupied with a lot of busy work (the joys of owning your own business) but I'm breaking up today's movement to stretching before and after my clients tonight. I need to get into the habit of doing so anyway. On the gluten front I've been doing surprisingly well. Removing that one thing has been surprisingly easy. Other than a few mosquito bites no strange itchiness and my bloating has gone away. So progress. 

 

 

[mkdutch]

Day 4 &5: 

 

This week has been so amazing. Before I go into it a progress report:

Absolutely killing it with gluten free! Next week I'm going to get a food list together for healthier eating choices and decreasing my Starbucks addiction. 

Hitting my minimum movement requirement which means tomorrow I have to do a full workout no excuses. Today was a fun one though, cause I took my cat on a walk in his new kitty backpack. Trying to get him to associate it with good things rather than the vet or car. 

Journaling has been sporadic and where I'm falling flat.

 

Now for the exciting news! I HIT AFFILIATE ON TWITCH! I know it isn't that exciting, but the state of the world makes my job both risky and less than secure (traveling massage therapist in a pandemic struggles). So, I figure while I'm still okay if I build this up and need something to fall back on it might as well be something I enjoy. I have been on the edge of tears all day with just utter happiness. 

[Rurik Harrgath]

 

On 12/6/2020 at 1:08 PM, mkdutch said:

Woke up with mad low mana and the cloud of "BIG SAD" (tm) hovering overhead. I would not be stopped though! Today has been about finding ways to complete my goals while also boosting serotonin. 

 

Low mana and BIg Sads are a rough combination.  Happy to see you couldn't be stopped though!  That's a major win.   

 

2 hours ago, mkdutch said:

Now for the exciting news! I HIT AFFILIATE ON TWITCH! I know it isn't that exciting, but the state of the world makes my job both risky and less than secure (traveling massage therapist in a pandemic struggles). 

 

I noticed you had mentioned 'stream' in your prior post and I was going to ask but you answered my question.  Congratulations!  Affiliate is so exciting!  What do you stream mostly?

[mkdutch]

Ah man, the combo can be an absolute slog. 🤣 Thank you!  I stream a few different things. I've been playing Hellblade and replaying Fable for solo content, as well as The Forest and Phasmophobia with friends. 

[Manarelle]

22 hours ago, mkdutch said:

Hitting my minimum movement requirement which means tomorrow I have to do a full workout no excuses. Today was a fun one though, cause I took my cat on a walk in his new kitty backpack. Trying to get him to associate it with good things rather than the vet or car. 

 

Nice! How'd that go? 

 

22 hours ago, mkdutch said:

Now for the exciting news! I HIT AFFILIATE ON TWITCH! I know it isn't that exciting, but the state of the world makes my job both risky and less than secure (traveling massage therapist in a pandemic struggles). So, I figure while I'm still okay if I build this up and need something to fall back on it might as well be something I enjoy. I have been on the edge of tears all day with just utter happiness. 

 

Woot! That is fantastic! Not just that it's a level up, but also for the security blanket. Congrats!