[DramaticLyric]

1. Journal every day. I have found that journaling makes me a happier person, and but I have struggled to journal consistently over time. I will be journaling in the morning in the time between getting up and starting work. 
   • Bonus! I've been having weird dreams recently. Maybe this will be a dream journal?
2. At the beginning of the year I set 3 fitness goals for myself: 10 pushups, 10 pullups, and 5 wall walks. I will be working toward these goals either by practicing these specific exercises daily or by working through one of the bodyweight levels on the Journey app. 
   • I don't really care about Wall Walks other than as a vehicle to my first handstand, but that seemed like too daunting of a goal early this year. I would love to be able to get up into a handstand and hold it for 20 seconds. 
   • I will be working on squats and lunges as well to help keep my body in balance. 
3. Skincare. I let this slide once I was past puberty, but I'm at an age where this will start to get more and more important. So I will be working on washing and moisturizing morning and night. Super basic, but sometimes that's where you need to be.

 

Rewards!

• If I journal everyday I will need a new journal soon. I can buy that when I have 10 pages or fewer left in my current journal. 
• Maybe I will do a massage or spa day if/when I meet my pushup/pullup/handstand goals. 

 

 

[WhiteGhost]

15 hours ago, DramaticLyric said:

I don't really care about Wall Walks other than as a vehicle to my first handstand, but that seemed like too daunting of a goal early this year. I would love to be able to get up into a handstand and hold it for 20 seconds. 

I don't care much for wall walks either but they are a helpful progression.  I still do them occasionally to build up wrist strength at various angles.

 

Pullups pushups and wall walks are a great combination of exercises because it gets you though all three of the primary planes for bodyweight (vertical, horizontal, inverted)

[Harriet]

19 hours ago, DramaticLyric said:

1. Journal every day. I have found that journaling makes me a happier person, and but I have struggled to journal consistently over time. I will be journaling in the morning in the time between getting up and starting work. 
   • Bonus! I've been having weird dreams recently. Maybe this will be a dream journal?

 

This sounds like a nice habit! Enjoyable and useful at the same time. Happy challenging!

[juliebarkley]

On 10/20/2021 at 5:27 PM, DramaticLyric said:

Journal every day. I have found that journaling makes me a happier person, and but I have struggled to journal consistently over time. I will be journaling in the morning in the time between getting up and starting work. 

• Bonus! I've been having weird dreams recently. Maybe this will be a dream journal?

This does sound like a good goal! I think we all have things that help us, but where we struggle with consistency.

 

On 10/20/2021 at 5:27 PM, DramaticLyric said:

At the beginning of the year I set 3 fitness goals for myself: 10 pushups, 10 pullups, and 5 wall walks. I will be working toward these goals either by practicing these specific exercises daily or by working through one of the bodyweight levels on the Journey app. 

• I don't really care about Wall Walks other than as a vehicle to my first handstand, but that seemed like too daunting of a goal early this year. I would love to be able to get up into a handstand and hold it for 20 seconds. 
• I will be working on squats and lunges as well to help keep my body in balance. 

When I first read "wall walk" I couldn't make the connection to handstand because I was thinking of the backbend type of wall walk. 🤦‍♀️

 

I tried wall walks while practicing for handstands, but have never been able to do even one. But I can get myself to almost vertical while leaning on the wall and hold it for more than 20 seconds. So even if you hate wall walks, don't give up hope.

[athousandwords]

On 10/20/2021 at 5:27 PM, DramaticLyric said:

I don't really care about Wall Walks other than as a vehicle to my first handstand, but that seemed like too daunting of a goal early this year. I would love to be able to get up into a handstand and hold it for 20 seconds. 

 

I had to look these up because I've never heard of them, and they look uhhh tough. 😅 Awesome goal, though!

 

On 10/20/2021 at 5:27 PM, DramaticLyric said:

Skincare. I let this slide once I was past puberty, but I'm at an age where this will start to get more and more important. So I will be working on washing and moisturizing morning and night. Super basic, but sometimes that's where you need to be.

 

I started working on my skincare about a year and a half ago - also super basic - and it's been surprisingly effective! Can I recommend adding a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning?

[DramaticLyric]

Week 0 update: I started implementing my plans last week, but gave myself grace when I missed something here or there. I realized that I can do half-pushups, instead of just elevated pushups. It feels great to know that I didn't lose all of my progress from earlier this year. I also celebrated my birthday this weekend!

 

@WhiteGhostI hadn't thought about the various planes to exercise in. What an interesting topic to consider!

 

@juliebarkleythanks for the encouragement!

 

@athousandwords good idea. I dug out some moisturizer with SPF and used it this morning, but it made my skin burn? I'm wondering if this is just par for the course or if I need to find a different product. I have a tinted CC cream with SPF that doesn't cause burning, but I don't like how heavy it can feel on my skin. 

[athousandwords]

47 minutes ago, DramaticLyric said:

Week 0 update: I started implementing my plans last week, but gave myself grace when I missed something here or there. I realized that I can do half-pushups, instead of just elevated pushups. It feels great to know that I didn't lose all of my progress from earlier this year. I also celebrated my birthday this weekend!

 

Happy birthday and awesome news on the retaining your progress! 🥳

 

48 minutes ago, DramaticLyric said:

@athousandwords good idea. I dug out some moisturizer with SPF and used it this morning, but it made my skin burn? I'm wondering if this is just par for the course or if I need to find a different product. I have a tinted CC cream with SPF that doesn't cause burning, but I don't like how heavy it can feel on my skin. 

 

I think it can depend on the brand for sure, but it may sting a little if you have acne or any spots on your face. One option might be to mix the SPF lotion with your normal moisturizer and slowly up the ratio until you're used to it. Or, if you want to try a different brand, I use Cerave AM lotion and it's pretty lightweight and gentle.

[DramaticLyric]

@athousandwords thanks for the birthday wishes and the product suggestions :)

[Sparkle the Bold]

Happiest of birthdays to you! Forgive the belated best wishes, but I seem to be running a bit behind this challenge. Have a wonderful weekend!

[athousandwords]

How did your weekend go? Any birthday celebrations?

[DramaticLyric]

Weeks 1 and 2 Updates: The good news first - I have been pretty darn consistent with my skincare. Now the bad news - I have been pretty spotty with my journaling, and and I've only done maybe 1 workout.

 

The other night I bought a new colouring book and told myself that I could only colour in it after I had done a journal entry for the day. So far I'm 3 for 3, so maybe I just needed a more immediate reward than starting a new journal sometime soon. My amazing sister MADE me a new journal for my birthday that makes my nerdy heart so happy! I simultaneously can't wait to start using it and am hesitant to start using it because it is just too beautiful and somehow writing in it will mess it up? I know that makes no sense, but hey, no one ever said feelings had to make sense. 

 

 

 

I finished the fitness program I was using in the Journey App and have been waiting for the new levels to come out. I am planning to do the Benchmark test today at lunch so I can get started with a program that will (hopefully) include pushups, pullups/rows, and core strength like planks. If I still struggle to be motivated to work out I may need to think about daily bite-sized rewards like I am doing with my journaling. 

[DramaticLyric]

@Sparkle the Bold thanks for the birthday wishes!!

 

@athousandwords We went horseback riding to celebrate. I hadn't been on a horse in years, and I had forgotten how much I love it! Then my sister and I made the most involved and delicious lasagna ever, and I made a very purple cake. 

[WhiteGhost]

On 11/10/2021 at 12:58 AM, DramaticLyric said:

My amazing sister MADE me a new journal for my birthday

Wow, that is incredible.  I can totally understand the mixed emotions about wanting to use it and wanting to keep it pristine.

 

On 11/10/2021 at 1:04 AM, DramaticLyric said:

I made a very purple cake.

Yep, that is a very purple cake    Sounds like you had a great birthday  

[DramaticLyric]

Week 3 Update: I continued doing well with my skincare routine, and I was really consistent with journaling everyday. It seems I just needed smaller, more immediate rewards to really motivate me.

 

With the new Bodyweight levels released on the Journey app I did the new assessment, and was surprised at how much strength I retained from earlier this year! I did my first workout for the program I was placed into, but I didn't do the second workout as scheduled. I am planning to do that tonight right after work.

 

In 2019 I started doing really well at going to the gym right after work. I kept my gym bag packed, and it was really easy to go since the gym is on the same campus as my office. Maybe I need to go in to the office on the days I plan to workout so I have that same ease of access without the distractions of being home. I'll try working out at home first, and if I am not able to get/stay consistent, I will consider this as an option. 

 

In other news, we just got a grill! I am really excited for all the new recipes that have been opened up to us! I feel like grilling can be a healthier way of cooking things, since there isn't any added fat to increase the caloric values of the meal. 

[athousandwords]

7 hours ago, DramaticLyric said:

It seems I just needed smaller, more immediate rewards to really motivate me.

 

Glad you found something that works for you! Btw, that journal your sister made is absolutely beatuiful!

 

7 hours ago, DramaticLyric said:

In other news, we just got a grill! I am really excited for all the new recipes that have been opened up to us! I feel like grilling can be a healthier way of cooking things, since there isn't any added fat to increase the caloric values of the meal. 

 

Oooh fun, grilling definitely opens up a lot of great recipes!

[juliebarkley]

On 11/15/2021 at 9:15 AM, DramaticLyric said:

With the new Bodyweight levels released on the Journey app I did the new assessment, and was surprised at how much strength I retained from earlier this year! I did my first workout for the program I was placed into, but I didn't do the second workout as scheduled. I am planning to do that tonight right after work.

That's awesome that you retained your strength gains! Did you get your second workout in?

 

Seconding everyone that the journal is a thing of beauty. Also, what flavour is purple cake?

[DramaticLyric]

Week 4 update: I did 2 workouts of the 3 I had planned for the week! I realized I hated my tennis shoes (why do we call them tennis shoes if most of us don't play tennis and will never wear them to play tennis??), so I went and got a new pair over the weekend. They are snazzy and colourful, and most importantly they feel great on my feet!

 

I missed a few days of journaling due to busyness, but I am back at it this week, and ready to start my new journal tomorrow!!!

 

My skincare has been mostly consistent. I rewarded myself with one of those spinny brush things in hopes that it will help with some persistent acne. 

[DramaticLyric]

@juliebarkley The cake was Ube-flavoured. Ube is called Purple Sweet Potato, and I was introduced to it in the Philippines when I was there a few years ago. The flavour is intense, and unlike anything else, really. I love it, but it's hard to find here in the US.

[Elastigirl]

Yay for new shoes! Do you enjoy the app? I find it motivating, because I get to unlock loot.

[DramaticLyric]

@Elastigirl I do enjoy the app! I like the points and loot system, and I like having someone tell me what to do. If I had to figure it all out on my own...let's just say it wouldn't go well.