Keladris respawns

[Keladris]

It's my first challenge! Trying to keep it simple, so will dive write in with the goals.
 

1. Go for a walk twice a week
2. Do an at-home workout (strength training, ballet etc) 3 days a week. Bonus points if I make it 4.
3. No more second portions at dinner time

For my walks, one will be at the weekend with my boyfriend, the other will be on a Wednesday after breakfast. 
Not sure on my working hours in the coming weeks, but days I'm working I will take a break at about 3pm to do my workouts.

Think what I'll do is keep track and post weekly to see if I've met my goals. I'm going to give myself 20 xp for every goal I make for all 5 weeks, and 80xp if I make all three. 

The big picture, yearly thinking goal is to lose 10kg, and to get back into horse riding. Can't be a ranger without a trusty steed afterall! I've found visualising galloping into the sunset helps my hold my plank for longer.

[suzyQlou]

Nice smart goals.  I love the idea of ballet workouts and horse riding.

[Harriet]

The goals sound prudent and achievable, and it's great that you have some big picture goals to motivate the little ones. Happy challenging!

[Keladris]

Week 1 (I think i can edit posts, right? So I can fill this out as I go through the week?)

Sunday - Did my ballet workout today. So pleased that after taking several days off due to DOMs, I've improved loads! My balance was better and I felt much more confident in the moves.  Made a yummy salad for dinner yesterday with lettuce, red cabbage, radishes, sweetcorn and sweet potato and I'm going to have the leftovers with a veggie sausage for dinner. For some reason I have resistance to full on meal-planning and calorie counting at the moment, so instead I'm just aiming for the bulk of what I eat to be vegetables and proteins and to eat as many colours as a I can. Plus, sticking with the goal of not having seconds.

I've also just taken some 'before' photos and my measurements, which feels like extra motivation to make this weight loss happen.

Monday - Completed my first full circuit of strength training today, from the nerd fitness beginner workout. Didn't quite complete all the lunges in the third. But boy, did I sweat! Legs are achy now. Deffo a rest day tomorrow. Feels great to get moving again. I also have gone against yesterdays declaration and started using Fat Secret to calorie count. Made a yummy lunch today with roast veggies, humus and lemon. Need to ensure I'm getting enough protein in. I did have seconds at dinner time, but figured that was ok since I was on only 900 calories daily total after the first portion.

Also my ballet shoes arrived! I -think- they fit, but might order another size just to try...

Tuesday - Rest day today. I did do a Feldenkrais class (aka "somatic education", it's basically about doing very slow movements and noticing your habits and different ways to move. It's done wonders for my back and neck pain). I've realised from Fat Stretch that I need to get more protein, always a bit of extra work as a vegetarian. Similarly to yesterday, I had quite a lot of calories left to eat at dinner time, so I did have a second bowl of ratatouille, but without any added carbs (first portion came with a couple of tortillas). 

Tomorrow is my first live ballet class! Hoping the shoes will stretch since I've worn them too much to return them at this point! Also hoping DOMs doesn't ramp up after yesterday's strength training.

Wednesday - ballet was great fun, and a good level of workout for me. I feel so great doing it, so happy to have returned to something I loved doing as a kid. Bit impatient to get more flexible and stronger, but I know these things take time. My balance is already better than it was just from doing youtube videos.  Plus, that makes the third workout of the week already!

Feeling a bit inpatient in general. Want to be strong and fit NOW! Haha. Also struggling a bit with nutrition, seems to be hard to get enough protein as a vegetarian. I'm finding the calorie counting means I obsess a little bit about getting it 'right'. Didn't have seconds for dinner today, so I'm sticking to that challenge. 

Tomorrow I'll go for a walk, might even go hunting for geocaches. 

Thursday - did my walk! Look at me doing what I said I'll do. Couldn't find the geocache though. Also didn't have seconds for dinner, and am fighting the urge to have a hot chocolate since it takes me over my daily calories. Managed to get a bit more protein today.

The week isn't up yet and all this is taking a lot of willpower. Hopefully it'll get easier and habitual with time.

Friday - Did another 3 circuits of strength training, so  I get bonus points for 4 workouts this week (2 ballet, 2 strength). It was really hard this time, much harder than Monday.  Could be cos I didn't sleep to well or maybe just struggling towards the end of the week. Pleased with myself for sticking through it and complete the 3 circuits. I had to dial back on the lunges again, and take a break or two between them.

I was really hungry after working out. Tried refueling but was really hungry again not long after, and still hungry after dinner too. So I decided to consciously go over my 1500 calories. I'm actually wondering if that target is too low, although it's the target that Fat Secret spat out at me. I think it's a good thing to go over sometimes and allow the app to go into the red, stops me getting too obsessive and listening to my body instead.

Saturday - Woke up feeling a bit sore, especially those glutes! But ended up going for a walk with my partner as the sun was going down. We found a great lockout over the city which looked super pretty after nightfall (see gif!). We actually walked for about an hour and a half, and it felt great to explore. Technically that means I've done three walks this week!

Still struggling a bit food wise. I managed to eat one portion of spaghetti for dinner, although have been craving more ever since! Can't figure out if this is just habit, comfort seeking, or the fact that my calories might be a bit too low considering I've dropped them significantly from where they were whilst also increasing exercise. Right now I'm sitting just under 1500 for tonight, and considering a tiny slice of leftover turron from Christmas. with a cup of mint tea.

I actually managed to hit all my goals this week, with the exception of one night where I had two dinner portions although that was planned due to being quite low in calories that day. 

Think I'll post a little week's reflection tomorrow. 

[foxinthenorth]

Trusty steed! My sister has a trusty steed and they are creatures with personality, that's for sure. And what a great idea for holding a plank longer, I'll have to try that (though not the same visualization as I am severely allergic to horses...I'll try the technique in general 😉).

[Keladris]

I also sometimes change it up with images of doing pirouettes or just Brienne slogging it out with the Hound in GoT! It really helps the time to pass and increases my determination.

I've  discovered the NF discord, and really enjoying being able to connect with people over there to help with motivation, amusement and guidance.

[Ashenvale]

On 1/6/2021 at 6:29 AM, Keladris said:

I also sometimes change it up with images of doing pirouettes or just Brienne slogging it out with the Hound in GoT! It really helps the time to pass and increases my determination.

 

I love Brienne so much, she's always my main inspiration when doing strength training so A+ choice on the mental image! 

[Keladris]

Week 1 reflection

 

I made it! I hit all my goals this week and got bonus points for an extra strength workout. And I mostly enjoyed myself doing it!

I learnt a lot this week.

• I learnt that obsessing about calories is not healthy, and actually I recalculated my goal on the app and it gave me a much higher figure anyway. So now I'm aiming for 1800/day. This is a huge relief as I've often been hungry this week.
• I learnt that my hamstrings are really tight! I think I might make flexibility a focus of next month's challenge.
• I'm still learning what is an appropriate amount of exercise. I got more tired in the workouts in the latter part of the week. Rest is just as important as work.
• I learnt of a cool new lookout spot not too far from my place.
• I learnt that my sleep is definitely impacted by and impacts on exercise. I'm falling asleep faster but also my legs often get hot and I get restless in my sleep when I've had a workout. Days where I sleep poorly, I can't work out as well. 
• I realised I don't actually want to focus on the way I look or the number on the scale too much. I didn't lose anything this week, but I gained a lot in terms of strength and fun and feeling good. My main goals is to be fit enough for my ballet classes, and so that when lockdown finally ends, I can try out activities I've always wanted to (fencing, figure skating, finally get that handstand!).

Onwards and upwards! I think this week was a sort of 'level setting', I now have I good idea of what I need to maintain for the rest of the challenge. Still loving my ballet, it's really driving me to get stronger and keep going.

 

[Keladris]

Week 2

 

Sunday - (sidenote, I hate the idea that the week starts with Sunday, but those are the challenge dates...) First day of new calorie goal = much happier me! Did ballet from youtube and realllyyy worked up a sweat. It's funny as I don't think I got that sweaty last time. It might be cos I used my camera this time to check my form, so maybe I was pushing myself harder. I was really tired though so I think I'm in need of a rest day or two.

Monday - I think being busy at work today made me less hungry! Either that or I'm getting used to less calories/the higher daily goal is serving me well.  I technically had seconds for dinner but my calories were low so I figure its ok.  Made my own sourdough and it was delicious! Today has been a rest day, tomorrow walking. 

Tuesday - walk today was so lovely, did a whole 5km! Half of that was uphill. Signed up for the walk to Mordor challenge and took my first steps while listening to LotR audio book. View from Mont Royal below. It's the same spot in the GIF above but this time during the day.  Again, I'm low on calories today but not at all hungry. Bodies are weird! 

Wednesday - woke up very tired, so work from bed for the first few hours of the day.  But did my ballet class on zoom and it makes me feel sooo good! Body is feeling stronger all the time and actually my stretches after class  are a lot more uncomfortable too. I'm surprised how quickly I'm making progress. Also the new calorie goal is really taking the stress out of eating, even though today I ate less than 1600 anyway. Hungry improving too.

Keeping having to remind myself not to get impatient. Although I'm seeing some quick improvements, the big, life changing, sustainable stuff takes long term commitment. 

Thursday - Very stressful day because of filing for residency. Messed up my sleep and the desire to comfort eat was high. So I just took it easy, we ordered takeout (Poke bol) but I didn't eat the rice or have the sauce, so meant I was basically just eating veggies. 

Friday - Mood has been really low following all the stress. Was supposed to do my strength training but just wasn't up to it. I did manage to push myself by the time evening rolled around to go for a walk.. Although then went and lost my glasses! Was so low, temptation to get pizza was high, but I ended up making a (albeit fairly late night) salad which was delicious. 

Saturday - Had a good long sleep and feeling much better. Did my strength training and I'm seeing improvements already! Managing to do press ups on the bar rather than the wall now. Still struggling with lunges, but managing to do a few more than last time. 

 

[Harriet]

On 1/11/2021 at 7:58 PM, Keladris said:

I made it! I hit all my goals this week and got bonus points for an extra strength workout. And I mostly enjoyed myself doing it!

 

Nice job! Enjoying the workouts is the best predictor of a long term habit, imo.

 

On 1/11/2021 at 7:58 PM, Keladris said:

I learnt that obsessing about calories is not healthy, and actually I recalculated my goal on the app and it gave me a much higher figure anyway. So now I'm aiming for 1800/day. This is a huge relief as I've often been hungry this week.

 

Sounds good.

 

On 1/11/2021 at 7:58 PM, Keladris said:

• I'm still learning what is an appropriate amount of exercise. I got more tired in the workouts in the latter part of the week. Rest is just as important as work

I don't know much about programming for cardio, but if I were doing full-body strength workouts I would not do more than three or four per week (every other day). If I were doing split workouts I would still want two rest days per week.

[Keladris]

Thanks this is really helpful! On rest days do you do anything at all or rest completely? 

To me, ballet classes feel more like strength training than cardio. So, combined with the NF bodyweight beginner circuits I've been doing 3-4/week. 

I think I also need to consider the intensity and know how much to push myself without sapping energy. Particularly since I'm recovering from ME/CFS, which means its really important not to do too much too fast. Hard when I'm so keen! 

[Keladris]

Week 2 Reflection

 

It's been a tough week! Hormones plus added stress made it a challenge to stick to good eating and motivation for working out went way down.

However! I have managed to stick to my goals. 2 x ballet sessions, 1 x strength workout = 3 workouts. Also did a lovely long work early in the week and a smaller walk on Friday.

I've just weighed myself and have lost a kilo! Also took some photographs and seeing a difference. But still need to keep the long term in mind and not rest on my laurels. I'm really enjoying feeling my body get stronger. 

[suzyQlou]

Your outdoor adventures look amazing.   Look at you doing what you said you’d do! (I stole that from one of your updates and I love the way you said it.). Have a great week!

[Keladris]

Thanks SuzyQ! (I'm also called Suzie, so that's fun).

Now...

Week 3

Sunday - spent the whole day not sure if I was going to work out. In the end decided not. Food goals on track.

Monday - Ballet youtube video today, I think as I get better I try harder with my lines etc which makes the workout harder still! Realised I have a weak left ankle so going to try and add some strengthening exercises in. I'm actually eating under my goal of 1800 calories, and not feeling hungry at all anymore. I guess my body has adjusted.

I measured my waist this morning and I've lost half an inch!

Tuesday - Did my 5k walk. This time there were a horde of snow people at the top of the mount. See pics! My body seems to be looking very different all of a sudden. I'm cautious that I don't want to lose too much weight too fast, or my body getting used to less calories so I put it all again when I go back to eating at a maintenance level.

Wednesday - Ballet class on zoom today. Felt less tiring, but I'm really honing in on what I need to improve. Balance is the thing I struggle with the most. Next week is the last of the 4 classes where we do the same exercises. I'm pondering taking a second class for the four weeks after that.

I did have seconds for dinner, but still came in under my calorie goal. Deliberately ate all the way up to 1800 because of the extra exercise. My goal to not have seconds seems somewhat redundant since counting calories. 

Thursday - Got my strength training in and two of my circuits included full reps on everything!! Take that lunges, take that push ups! Also pleased to be able to do it the day after ballet. When I started the challenge, I was too tired for that. Food on track, though still findings low-calorie veggie protein hard to figure out.

Tomorrow will either be complete rest or a walk, and maybe more strength on Saturday depending on how tomorrow goes.

Friday - Took it easy today, waiting on others to progress at work so I can continue doing my thing. Played some WoW. Found I got way more hungry not having much to do! Did have seconds for dinner cos I'd been feeling hungry all day and gave in to it in the end... I think I only slightly went over my calories though.

Saturday - OMG I DID THREE FULL CIRCUITS OF THE BEGINNER BODYWEIGHT WORKOUT! I'm so chuffed! Feels like really quick progress within three weeks. Also walked today with my partner, and found myself way less hungry and eating less. Although I am currently indulging in a glass of wine after some yummy tofu for dinner. We're watching Equalizer, and as Denzel Washington says "Progress not perfection"  

Decided to stop counting calories for now, I think I have a good handle on portion sizes. But that means the "no seconds for dinner" thing will become all the more important so I don't go overboard accidentally.
 

[Elastigirl]

Pretty pictures! Great that you are enjoying your ballet. I find with skill work,  that the more you do it the more you realize the areas you need to work on.

[Keladris]

53 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

I find with skill work,  that the more you do it the more you realize the areas you need to work on.

It's exactly that. I find it quite satisfying  though now I'm over the initial 'omg this is so much effort' hump.

[Harriet]

On 1/17/2021 at 9:17 PM, Keladris said:

However! I have managed to stick to my goals. 2 x ballet sessions, 1 x strength workout = 3 workouts. Also did a lovely long work early in the week and a smaller walk on Friday.

 

Nice job doing all the workouts despite the stress! I hope this week is going well, too.

[Keladris]

Thanks! I just realised I wrote 'week 2' for 'week 3' haha. So far so good, I'm finding my ballet a lot easier. Perhaps even shooting for bonus points by doing an extra strength training this week... Let's see if I can do it!

[Harriet]

On 1/13/2021 at 5:14 PM, Keladris said:

Thanks this is really helpful! On rest days do you do anything at all or rest completely? 

 

Oh, were you asking me? Sorry, I didn't realise! My current plan is light jogging (30 minutes, slowly) on M/W/F and full body workouts (3 compound exercises, 5 sets each) on T/Th/Sa. I walk for about half an hour every day but do no lifting or running on Sunday. How much you do on your rest days depends on your fitness. If you're super unfit, even light jogging could interfere with the lifting (my plan is new so I have yet to discover if my jogging will be sustainable), but if you're super fit, up to an hour of cardio probably wouldn't hurt. You just have to note fatigue and aches and make sure they're not accumulating.

 

Quote

To me, ballet classes feel more like strength training than cardio. So, combined with the NF bodyweight beginner circuits I've been doing 3-4/week. 

I think I also need to consider the intensity and know how much to push myself without sapping energy. Particularly since I'm recovering from ME/CFS, which means its really important not to do too much too fast. Hard when I'm so keen! 

 

Right. I have also had long term fatigue, and building up my cardio fitness has been extremely slow. Take note if you experience a drop in lifting performance for more than a few workouts in a row, or if you start to feel nagging aches, or start to dread your workouts, or start losing reps later in your workout. Any of those things could mean your fatigue is accumulating faster than you are recovering on your rest days, and you would need more rest days or light days, or even a deload.

ETA if you have chronic fatigue, your recovery capabilities may be lower than other people's, so generalized recommendations like "3 lifting workouts per week" should not override your observations of your own performance and recovery.

[Keladris]

Week 3 reflection

 

Really made some big leaps ahead fitness-wise this week. So exciting to feel my body changing. Did 4/3 workouts!

Also decided to stop calorie counting for a week or so to see if I can manage portion control without logging everything. Will be interesting to see if my weight keeps going down.

Speaking of, I'm down 0.5kg this week, meaning I've so far lost 2.5 since the beginning of the challenge. How much I care about my weight and body shape goes up and down. Sometimes I'm just happy to be getting stronger, other times I wish I could just be my target weight and lose body fat NOW. 

Anyway, all in all it's been a great week. I ordered some resistance bands and a foam roller as a treat for having completed the full beginner bodyweight workout. I'm liking the idea that fitness is going to be a permanent part of my life now.


 

 

 

[Keladris]

Week 4

 

Sunday - Did a big old ballet session today. And my body knows it! So excited to be getting better all the time. I'm really feeling my muscles shaping up underneath the extra weight I'm carrying.  Gif of me enjoying myself below! Far from perfect, but I'm making progress. Don't mind the uber-concentrating face... One day I will have graceful expression AND body...

We ordered take out poke bowl but I didn't eat the rice. I did have a few extra dumplings but I'm not sure if they count as seconds since they were already in front of me...

 

Monday - Achey today! Did some stretching. Also got all my new home-gym kit which is exciting.  Made yummy salad from poke bol leftovers, and no seconds! Also resisted the temptation to have 2 squares of dark chocolate and just had the one.

Tuesday - Only managed a 30 minute walk, but I almost didn't manage anything, so pleased I did it. Also did some stretching again, deffo going to make splits training part of my next challenge.

Had a tiny bit of seconds of ratatouille tonight. I'm not doing so great at that part of my challenge, I keep justifying myself because of not snacking/being low on calories the days I do have seconds.  Also a little bit anxious now I'm not calorie counting, whilst I'm clearly shaping up and gaining muscle, I'm keen to lose the belly fat too. But I know it takes time, just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Wednesday - Zoom ballet class today was THE BEST. Latent learning and muscle memory is clearly a thing cos I really nailed the moves this week. And much less tired at the end.

Didn't eat too much today, actually wondering if I ate too little.

Thursday - Had a terrible night's sleep. Had the burny legs feeling again. I think I was also a bit dehydrated and maybe should have eaten more yesterday. As a result I didn't get my walk in, was really so exhausted I spent most of the day on the sofa. Planning a little light yoga before bed at least.

Didn't have seconds for dinner, and tried upping protein and bit more carbs today to compensate for yesterday. I'm not sure if it works like that or not... Hopefully tomorrow will be up for some strength training with my new resistance bands.

Friday - Work took over a bit today, so once again it was a rest day. Did a little bit of yoga before bed instead.

Stuck to eating goals, so that's good!

Saturday - Got my strength training in! Completed the full three circuits, this time adding a bit of weight to my squats and using the resistance bands for arms. Also holding my plank longer. 

We ordered pizza, which is our first this month (big change from previous months where we'd regularly order... I only ate half a medium and had some carrots with it.

[Harriet]

On 1/25/2021 at 6:07 AM, Keladris said:

 

 

 

 

Sweet! It looks like ballet would actually require a lot of strength?

 

 

[Keladris]

Definitely! My legs have gained so much muscle already. It's basically a bodyweight workout! Lots of legs and core and even arms too.

[Elastigirl]

Love that gif of you,You look so strong and graceful

[Keladris]

Ahhh thanks so much! I am beyond excited to be getting stronger