[Sovalis]

Great start! 💜

[Everstorm]

2 hours ago, KB Girl said:

Happy new year! Sounds like an excellent start  

 

Thanks!  The day ended well, even if I did have to have a protein shake before bed to hit my protein.  🤢  I might need to invest in some decaf, since coffee is the only thing I have found to make protein powder tolerable without ramping up the calories too much.  I can hardly drink a cup of coffee right before bed, though.

[Everstorm]

29 minutes ago, Sovalis said:

Great start! 💜

Thank you! Between you and @Harriet turning out the amazing artwork, I was inspired to (delete my Facebook app and) spend more time on my skillz.   I still need the training wheels on though, so I stuck with water color pencils in a coloring art book (I am not 5).  It was so much more rewarding than death scrolling.  Thanks for the inspiration!

[Rurik Harrgath]

14 hours ago, Everstorm said:

Thanks!  The day ended well, even if I did have to have a protein shake before bed to hit my protein.  🤢  I might need to invest in some decaf, since coffee is the only thing I have found to make protein powder tolerable without ramping up the calories too much.  I can hardly drink a cup of coffee right before bed, though.

 

Maybe a shooter could do the trick 🤣

 

 

Decaf coffee might be a really brilliant option if it'll help you stomach it though!

[Everstorm]

2 minutes ago, Rurik Harrgath said:

Maybe a shooter could do the trick 🤣

😂🤣😂

 

2 minutes ago, Rurik Harrgath said:

Decaf coffee might be a really brilliant option if it'll help you stomach it though!

I am debating on whether it's worth it; after I posted I remembered that drinking more than a cup of coffee a day gives me reflux.  I did buy some peppermint extract today, though, in hopes that the strong flavor will help.  I am also thinking maybe frozen raspberries could work without adding too much to the caloric load, but the store was out 🙃

[Gemma]

I just recently had to give up caffeine almost entirely (occasional cup of tea or cocoa, but no full powered coffee.) There are actually some roasteries out there making some really good decaf - not just palatable, actually good. I rarely make it, though, because it's a lot of trouble to go through the whole grind/french press process when I don't even get the "kick" from it.  I do miss coffee protein shakes, though. I'm going to try it with Dandy Blend as soon as my order arrives, I'm hoping that will be a nice sub. 

 

 

[Rurik Harrgath]

56 minutes ago, Everstorm said:

I am debating on whether it's worth it; after I posted I remembered that drinking more than a cup of coffee a day gives me reflux.  I did buy some peppermint extract today, though, in hopes that the strong flavor will help.  I am also thinking maybe frozen raspberries could work without adding too much to the caloric load, but the store was out 🙃

 

Depending on your protein flavor profile, I've found a couple of relatively low-cal tricks for flavor over the years... Things like PB2 (powdered peanut butter) clock in around 50cals/tbsp, crystal light and/or mixed berries can work wonders with vanilla, half or a whole banana can bolster your chocolate, etc.  I really like creamsickles so half a pack of orange crystal light with a few berries and vanilla protein is delicious!

 

A bonus is any of these options is a power-up for nutrients, only adds 50-100cals, and should help with satiety as an added bonus.

[Everstorm]

4 minutes ago, Gemma said:

I just recently had to give up caffeine almost entirely (occasional cup of tea or cocoa, but no full powered coffee.) There are actually some roasteries out there making some really good decaf - not just palatable, actually good. I rarely make it, though, because it's a lot of trouble to go through the whole grind/french press process when I don't even get the "kick" from it.  I do miss coffee protein shakes, though. I'm going to try it with Dandy Blend as soon as my order arrives, I'm hoping that will be a nice sub. 

 

 

I don't typically drink a ton of caffeine, and in fact, my coffee addiction actually started from drinking protein shakes 🤦‍♀️. I keep it to one cup in the morning, though.

 

5 minutes ago, Rurik Harrgath said:

 

Depending on your protein flavor profile, I've found a couple of relatively low-cal tricks for flavor over the years... Things like PB2 (powdered peanut butter) clock in around 50cals/tbsp, crystal light and/or mixed berries can work wonders with vanilla, half or a whole banana can bolster your chocolate, etc.  I really like creamsickles so half a pack of orange crystal light with a few berries and vanilla protein is delicious!

 

A bonus is any of these options is a power-up for nutrients, only adds 50-100cals, and should help with satiety as an added bonus.

    I do love PB2 in my shakes...I got my husband hooked on it, in fact.

In line with your orangesicle shake, I used to put mandarin oranges and a sprinkle of coconut in a vanilla shake that was really good.

    Both are a bit of a stretch on calories, though, depending on the day.  On a heavier workout day, an extra 50 calories would be doable.  One hundred might be challenging.  On a light day or rest day (like Sunday when I had my shake), my calories are pretty excruciatingly low, so squeezing in any extraneous calories is rough.  That's why I was thinking raspberries at 16 calories for a 1/4 cup.  I guess it would also depend on what my carbs looked like on my other meals, too 🤔  I guess they are things to keep in mind if they work for the day.

[kcaleece]

I have been told to drink protein shakes by doctors a couple of times in my life now, but hate the taste as well. Peppermint extract does work, imo, but be careful with it! A teeny tiny bit goes a long way for sure - I have absolutely destroyed several batches trying to make the peppermint not gagging-ly strong. You can get flavored syrups that are a lot easier to handle but they're often really sugary (I have a few that are basically just the home version of those pump bottles at a coffee shop) so that might not be a great option for you. Not sure how strawberries compare to raspberries but that has worked for me in the past. Others I've found are banana with peanut butter (much better than just peanut butter, imo) and I like avocado as well. And chocolate of course but that's obviously not your greatest choice for your goals! My husband loves spinach with oranges, but I don't like the little bits that spinach leaves in our blender. I like spinach flavor, but the texture of it bugs me. Though maybe you have a stronger blender that won't leave those behind!

[sarakingdom]

Turning protein powder into frozen shakes with ice and milk can help - cold dulls flavor, so you likely won't taste the powder as much, beyond just sort of sweet and whatever flavor it is. Also, I find the type of protein makes a big difference to me, whether it's soy or whey.

[Everstorm]

1 hour ago, kcaleece said:

Peppermint extract does work, imo, but be careful with it! A teeny tiny bit goes a long way for sure

Thanks for the warning!  I haven't tried it yet, but I will be cautious. 

 

1 hour ago, kcaleece said:

. I like spinach flavor, but the texture of it bugs me. Though maybe you have a stronger blender that won't leave those behind

I agree.  Flavor is fine, but texture (and greens in your teeth) is less fine.

 

27 minutes ago, sarakingdom said:

Turning protein powder into frozen shakes with ice and milk can help - cold dulls flavor, so you likely won't taste the powder as much, beyond just sort of sweet and whatever flavor it is. Also, I find the type of protein makes a big difference to me, whether it's soy or whey.

I agree. I remember frozen raspberries in chocolate protein being a nice treat for that very reason.  I might have to go to another store tomorrow....

 

Whey isolate seems better than whey concentrate too, but my preferred vendor has raised their prices so high I can't really afford it any more 😭

 

I really appreciate everyone adding in their tips!  I am getting some new ideas and remembering some others that I haven't tried in a while.  It will definitely help me make my goals for this challenge.

 

First MAP of the challenge is done.  Dinner is in the oven and I am trying not to fall asleep.  I have been kind of crazy busy today with errands, general housekeeping (Monday is CLEAN ALL THE THINGS day), and prepping to go back to school tomorrow.   When is spring break again? 😫 

 

In addition to art stuffs, I have dusted off my Duolingo account and am practicing Spanish, French, and Russian.  I feel very productive.   I am not sure if the habit will survive second semester, but we shall see.

[Everstorm]

So, I decided to try a new workout schedule today.  I usually don't make time for it until the afternoon,  but that is when my motivation is lowest.  I moved it to midmorning today and called it P.E., which my kids thought was just fine.  I was definitely more mentally prepared for a workout at that hour -- physically, not so much.  It turns out that my breakfast on a cut in no way provides enough fuel for a leg workout.  I was so gassed halfway through that I was more than happy to chug a protein shake regardless of the flavor.  Thankfully, it seemed to hit pretty fast and I got through the second half OK.  Lesson learned:  I need a pre-workout shake or a larger, more carby breakfast if I want to workout in the mornings.

 

 

I am definitely glad that I set the movement snack goal, too.  I wanted to do nothing so much as take a nap in the afternoon,  but I got in 10 minutes of belly dance and a 30 minute walk before dinner.  Twenty minutes of housework rounded out my hour for today, although I suppose I still owe one more round.  We'll see if I can work myself up to 2 minutes of stretches before bed or something. 

 

Who would have thought food would be the easy part?  With all the food prep I did, sticking to the plan and getting in my protein has been pretty easy.  I am shocked that my cravings haven't been worse than this.  My lunch prep is running low sooner than expected,  however.   I need to prep again soon.

[Harriet]

Three languages! Can you make progress on all of them at once, or do you get mixed up?

[Everstorm]

27 minutes ago, Harriet said:

Three languages! Can you make progress on all of them at once, or do you get mixed up?

I have practiced French and Spanish off and on since high school...so a very, very long time.  I have intermediate level skill in both (or would if I remembered it all).  At this point, I am essentially reviewing, although I hope to build enough of a habit that I will eventually start advancing in those.  That makes it considerably easier than trying to tackle 3 entirely new languages at once.  I do still sometimes confuse them, or at least do this thing  "I can only remember good night in French, what is it in Spanish?!?"  I know my answer is wrong, but can't think what's right.  The problem is definitely much worse if I try to practice them back to back.  It's better if I split up practice sessions by language.  Russian is pretty new.  I don't really speak it well enough to confuse it with the others 😁  It also helps that it doesn't share the Latin roots, so there are fewer similar words to confuse.  (Although it turns out coffee is coffee in every language, more or less 😂)

[mom2sjm]

44 minutes ago, Everstorm said:

I have practiced French and Spanish off and on since high school...so a very, very long time.  I have intermediate level skill in both (or would if I remembered it all).  At this point, I am essentially reviewing, although I hope to build enough of a habit that I will eventually start advancing in those.  That makes it considerably easier than trying to tackle 3 entirely new languages at once.  I do still sometimes confuse them, or at least do this thing  "I can only remember good night in French, what is it in Spanish?!?"  I know my answer is wrong, but can't think what's right.  The problem is definitely much worse if I try to practice them back to back.  It's better if I split up practice sessions by language.  Russian is pretty new.  I don't really speak it well enough to confuse it with the others 😁  It also helps that it doesn't share the Latin roots, so there are fewer similar words to confuse.  (Although it turns out coffee is coffee in every language, more or less 😂)

 

Have you seen this Ted Talk?  I am fascinated by people that can speak more than one language. 
 

 

[Kishi]

Wow, I'm not sure but I think you may be doing literally all the things.

 

Very cool.  Can't wait to see how it goes!

[kcaleece]

1 hour ago, Everstorm said:

 I do still sometimes confuse them, or at least do this thing  "I can only remember good night in French, what is it in Spanish?!?"  I know my answer is wrong, but can't think what's right.  The problem is definitely much worse if I try to practice them back to back.  

Oh good gods yes. This. I teach my most advanced Spanish class (DC Spanish 4 which counts for 2nd semester of university credit) and then immediately switch to my freshman French 1 class. They hear soooooooooo much Spanish on complete accident. But I have also been in situations where I am speaking Spanish, know that I need to be 100% in Spanish, have been in Spanish for quite some time, and then accidentally say a word in French because that was my only second language for over a decade and my brain still defaults that way on occasion. Worse, I don't always realize that I did so until people give me weird looks! One of my goals in grad school is actually going to be to "build a wall" between my languages so that doesn't happen anymore (or at least not very often).

[Everstorm]

1 hour ago, mom2sjm said:

 

Have you seen this Ted Talk?  I am fascinated by people that can speak more than one language. 
 

 

I had not seen it, but it was super interesting.   Itade me even more interested in PrismaText, which is a language learning app where you read novels with keywords in the target language among mostly English text.  So you pick up the foreign word meanings through context clues. 

It seems pretty cool, but the app is not as well developed as I would like just yet (the texts increase the amount of foreign words over time, but do not now reach 100%).  Still, might be something fun to invest in.

 

1 hour ago, Kishi said:

Wow, I'm not sure but I think you may be doing literally all the things.

 

Very cool.  Can't wait to see how it goes!

 

I am pretty sure you are right.  I am in do DO ALL THE THINGS mode.  However, not all the things are goals, so if they stop being fun, I can just focus on goals and I still win.

 

 

1 hour ago, kcaleece said:

One of my goals in grad school is actually going to be to "build a wall" between my languages so that doesn't happen anymore (or at least not very often).

👀  I would certainly love to know how one does this

 

I forgot about the part of dieting where I dream about food.  It has happened twice this week already 🙈  I dreamt about mashed potatoes and gravy, which is just weird because 1) I don't care about them at all and 2) after I had the dream, my husband made it for dinner lol.  I ate a couple bites that fit my macros and made chicken and steamed veggies later for something a little healthier to fill up on.

 

I went for a long walk this afternoon.   It was warm and windy and made me want to go for a run.  I sprinted from one mailbox to the next and decided not to overdo it 😆.  And know my knees hurt when I go down the stairs and my back is a little achy.  So now I know I am not ready to run again yet.

 

[MaeradCase]

59 minutes ago, Everstorm said:

I had not seen it, but it was super interesting.   Itade me even more interested in PrismaText, which is a language learning app where you read novels with keywords in the target language among mostly English text.  So you pick up the foreign word meanings through context clues. 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/dc3e4b2824672aab4ea7a7676ab602051b68e77e304e001fb5471f737a019c43/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/dc3e4b2824672aab4ea7a7676ab602051b68e77e304e001fb5471f737a019c43/1280/https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/uploads/monthly_2023_01/Screenshot_20230104-163220_Chrome.jpg.68125ef59c4136496b4c9ce6448c61af.jpg

It seems pretty cool, but the app is not as well developed as I would like just yet (the texts increase the amount of foreign words over time, but do not now reach 100%).  Still, might be something fun to invest in.

Prismatext looks like a cool way to learn vocabulary by context. 😃

 

59 minutes ago, Everstorm said:

I forgot about the part of dieting where I dream about food.  It has happened twice this week already 🙈  I dreamt about mashed potatoes and gravy, which is just weird because 1) I don't care about them at all and 2) after I had the dream, my husband made it for dinner lol.  I ate a couple bites that fit my macros and made chicken and steamed veggies later for something a little healthier to fill up on.

I can't decide if it's funnier that you had visions of the future or that you dreamt of a food you don't even care about. But either way you made me laugh. Thanks for sharing that. 😅

 

59 minutes ago, Everstorm said:

I went for a long walk this afternoon.   It was warm and windy and made me want to go for a run.  I sprinted from one mailbox to the next and decided not to overdo it 😆.  And know my knees hurt when I go down the stairs and my back is a little achy.  So now I know I am not ready to run again yet.

 

Hey!!! Good job with your mini-sprint! I'm the same way with jumping jacks! My ankles haaate them, but being able to do them in the first place is such a big deal to me. 😃 Good luck overcoming the obstacle of bodily protests! 

[Everstorm]

16 minutes ago, MaeradCase said:

Prismatext looks like a cool way to learn vocabulary by context. 😃

I can see it now:  I will own Anne of Green Gables in 8 different languages 😄 

 

18 minutes ago, MaeradCase said:

I can't decide if it's funnier that you had visions of the future or that you dreamt of a food you don't even care about. But either way you made me laugh. Thanks for sharing that

 

So weird, right?  I mean, if I never had mashed potatoes again in my life, I wouldn't even notice.  Such a strange dream.

 

19 minutes ago, MaeradCase said:

Hey!!! Good job with your mini-sprint! I'm the same way with jumping jacks! My ankles haaate them, but being able to do them in the first place is such a big deal to me. 😃 Good luck overcoming the obstacle of bodily protests! 

 

I kind of knew I didn't need to start that at just now; I have been thinking maybe I could try in the fall.  I am glad I got it out of my system hehe

[TrashcanCarla]

16 hours ago, Everstorm said:

I went for a long walk this afternoon.   It was warm and windy and made me want to go for a run.  I sprinted from one mailbox to the next and decided not to overdo it 😆.  And know my knees hurt when I go down the stairs and my back is a little achy.  So now I know I am not ready to run again yet.

 

 

Yeah, I know the feeling, lol. I signed up for a 5k in March, got a new pair of running shoes and then when I got out to my first steps of running again found that my lower back is upset with me for being so front loaded now with extra weight. Gahhhhh! I'm not ready to run yet again, either.

 

Congrats to you for going on a long walk! That's a great thing 💪

[Everstorm]

1 hour ago, TrashcanCarla said:

Gahhhhh! I'm not ready to run yet again, either.

We will get there, though! ⚔️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

 

It's only lunchtime, but today is already so full of win I had to share.

 

1) I remembered to drink a protein shake 30 min before my workout and it made a world of difference in my energy levels.  I think poor meal timing may have been one of the things that sunk my previous attempts to lose weight.  Having no energy to workout suuuuuucks.

 

2)  One of my fitness goals for this year is to be able to perform a sliding swing up

(because obstacle course racing 🤩).  It's the most energy efficient mounting technique -- but maybe not the sexiest.

I have pretty much thought I was miles away from performing it, because I couldn't even get my foot to the bar -- hanging front leg tap -- much less hooked over it.  But today, I literally lowered the bar (so I could give a little jump) and rethought my cuing (get foot to bar NOT get foot as high as possible and hope that's bar height).  I DID IT!!!  Not only did I manage several complete sets of foot taps, I even got in a few foot pinches (grabbing the bar with both feet and holding).  I am over the moon with this progress.

 

3) I had a food win over my nemesis, Sugar.  When I calculated my meals for today, I saw that I was a little short on calories, particularly carbs.  This is Not Good for fueling magical PB workouts.  Naturally, my brain said, "Free carbs?  I get sugar!!!"  I added a muffin on the schedule for breakfast.   Then, I paused and did my reflection questions:

Spoiler

Does this food break the boundaries I have set for myself? 

No, it fits my calories and my macros.  I haven't placed limits on sugar.

 

Why do I want it? 

Because I can.  I don't specifically want sweets right now, I just feel compelled to eat them now because I won't have the same opportunity on another day.

 

Will eating this food make sticking to my boundaries in the future harder or easier?

Harder.  Sugar tends to trigger a cascade of eating.  Enough is never enough.

 

In light of these answers, is eating this food worth it today?

Not really.  The muffin isn't special or even a craving and it will just derail me later.

So I ate oatmeal instead. 🔥🗡🔥

 

 

[Kishi]

Nice! Sugar can be a real demon; way to deal with it.

 

Also, FWIW, I've always found MovNat movements to be really cool. I dunno, for me there's just a sense of flow and harmony with the human animal that I think is really neat.

[Everstorm]

28 minutes ago, Kishi said:

I've always found MovNat movements to be really cool. I dunno, for me there's just a sense of flow and harmony with the human animal that I think is really neat.

Me, too!  Their whole philosophy really rings true with me and I love my adaptive practice routines.

[MaeradCase]

1 hour ago, Everstorm said:

We will get there, though! ⚔️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

 

It's only lunchtime, but today is already so full of win I had to share.

So many wins!! 🗡🗡🗡

 

1 hour ago, Everstorm said:

1) I remembered to drink a protein shake 30 min before my workout and it made a world of difference in my energy levels.  I think poor meal timing may have been one of the things that sunk my previous attempts to lose weight.  Having no energy to workout suuuuuucks.

Woo! Good job problem solving! 🗡

 

1 hour ago, Everstorm said:

2)  One of my fitness goals for this year is to be able to perform a sliding swing up

(because obstacle course racing 🤩).  It's the most energy efficient mounting technique -- but maybe not the sexiest.

I have pretty much thought I was miles away from performing it, because I couldn't even get my foot to the bar -- hanging front leg tap -- much less hooked over it.  But today, I literally lowered the bar (so I could give a little jump) and rethought my cuing (get foot to bar NOT get foot as high as possible and hope that's bar height).  I DID IT!!!  Not only did I manage several complete sets of foot taps, I even got in a few foot pinches (grabbing the bar with both feet and holding).  I am over the moon with this progress.

Perfect use of a lowered bar! Excellent way to get practice in at the level you're currently at! You are a super warrior!!! 🗡

 

1 hour ago, Everstorm said:

3) I had a food win over my nemesis, Sugar.  When I calculated my meals for today, I saw that I was a little short on calories, particularly carbs.  This is Not Good for fueling magical PB workouts.  Naturally, my brain said, "Free carbs?  I get sugar!!!"  I added a muffin on the schedule for breakfast.   Then, I paused and did my reflection questions:

  Hide contents

Does this food break the boundaries I have set for myself? 

No, it fits my calories and my macros.  I haven't placed limits on sugar.

 

Why do I want it? 

Because I can.  I don't specifically want sweets right now, I just feel compelled to eat them now because I won't have the same opportunity on another day.

 

Will eating this food make sticking to my boundaries in the future harder or easier?

Harder.  Sugar tends to trigger a cascade of eating.  Enough is never enough.

 

In light of these answers, is eating this food worth it today?

Not really.  The muffin isn't special or even a craving and it will just derail me later.

So I ate oatmeal instead. 🔥🗡🔥

I am amazed by this, too! You're doing amazing and I am so inspired by you!! 🗡

You are awesome!!! Good job getting three wins today! ❤