In Which Blueberries Sticks to the Plan

[weirdquark]

Feh. Take care of yourself and rest up so you can feel better and get back to it soon!

[Bean]

I generally do most of the cooking during the week and also make the boys their school lunches. I have found that with the school lunch I stick to a very specific formula - they get a bread roll with some cold meat on it (usually ham), a piece of fruit, a juice and then some kind of treat. The boys seem pretty happy with this.

Dinner is a huge challenge since my youngest is a fussy eater. We now have a rule in place that if he doesn't like the dinner he has to at least eat some of it and then he can have a slice of bread or fruit. I plan what we will eat for the week and then go and buy all the ingredients on Saturday morning while the boys are at art lessons. Then I try and cook at least two of the meals on Sunday. After that, we get into a good routine that when I get home from work we eat the prepared meal whilst I cook the meal for the next day without any timing pressure. This works well for me.

Hope you are feeling better.

[Hermione Gainser]

Cookies? I'm so in.

Yay! I would love that. I don't know why I haven't thought of trying to make better use of it, but it's looking a little bit like becoming better friends with my crockpot could change my life. Thank you!!

Hmm, yeah we pretty much all eat the same things for dinner... I just tend to eat smaller portions and/or avoid some of the starchier things. My husband really isn't picky, and the boys are both pretty good eaters, so I'm lucky in that regard. He does keep some things in the house that I just stay out of (I'm looking at you, Mint Oreos), but for the most part everything is for everyone. He also knows that there are some things that are not to be brought into the house under any circumstance, because I apparently lack willpower.

Boots! I'm so excited about them... I'm rocking them with tights and my denim skirt today, even though I think it's 80. I don't even care. I got these, although I was originally looking for a more chocolate-y brown pair. Honestly, as cheap as they are, I can probably justify finding another darker pair also. I have a wide calf AND I wear a size 11, so finding something that fit me and looked good was miraculous!

Seriously, I am loving Pinterest for the fashion ideas. I still blame you for getting me hooked, but now it's more of an, "OMGILOVEYOU" kind of blame.

Cookies, yes. It's why I'm totally dark side. That and I like red.

That sounds like a good set up. And the fact that you stay out of mint oreos earns you +10 lifes. There is basically no way I would hahaha. As it stands, Boyfriend brought home some chocolate croissants from our farmer's market... and I ate half of one. DAMNIT. The flaky goodness. I need to work on that part of my brain again (the no, that's not that good don't eat it, part).

We'll generally share what we've made. Or share main ingredients. But we both eat so damn much (he trains like a beast) so food goes fast.

SO cute!! I love boots! I bought these. You can totally tell they aren't real leather but I really, really want boots like that and I'm not willing/able to spend $100+ on boots. Ya know what I mean? So win! So cute! Now to find some leggings... Oh fall, I love you so hard.

HAHAHAHAHA My work here is done. The great thing (read: not great) about pinterest is that other people can always tell when I'm not doing anything... b/c I pin the hell out of everything

Did you see the link I posted to pinstrosity? It's another addiction. Pins gone wrong--heck yeah. It gets a little annoying reading about people who mess up b/c they didn't follow or read instructions.. but otherwise.. good tips!

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Oh man. Boots. I LOVE BOOTS! And I don't really have the confidence to wear them OVER anything. But they make me happy!

My friend's sister (I follow her on Twitter because she posts some funny stuff) said, "Everyone can tell when I'm high because I sit around re-pinning junk food. It's like I'm daring the cops to come get me." I nearly fell over. So funny. Normally I find something and start to bookmark it then say, "No, Kelly. PIN IT." I always see the fashion stuff but have so freaking little confidence in my body right now that I don't see ANYTHING cute on me. I know. Get it together, Kelly!

[concretecavewoman]

So you know how sometimes you're totally fine, and then you suddenly feel like you got hit by a truck and will be sick on the couch for at least the next day? Yeah, could have lived without that tonight.

D'awww sorry you're sick I'm sure you'll be back at it soon and crushing those lifts! Btw totally agree on pinterest for fashion ideas haha. Sometimes I just find an outfit there, and then buy the exact same outfit. Takes all the complication out of the shopping process.

[Hermione Gainser]

Oh man. Boots. I LOVE BOOTS! And I don't really have the confidence to wear them OVER anything. But they make me happy!

My friend's sister (I follow her on Twitter because she posts some funny stuff) said, "Everyone can tell when I'm high because I sit around re-pinning junk food. It's like I'm daring the cops to come get me." I nearly fell over. So funny. Normally I find something and start to bookmark it then say, "No, Kelly. PIN IT." I always see the fashion stuff but have so freaking little confidence in my body right now that I don't see ANYTHING cute on me. I know. Get it together, Kelly!

HAHAHAHAHAHHA holy crap that's hilarious! Me too! I was previously a bookmarking fiend. Now I pin it. Unless it's super embarrassing. Then it get bookmarked

Oh no! Sick! I missed that (that's happening a lot today). Feel better sooooooooooon!

[Blueberries]

Thanks, y'all. I don't get sick often (maybe once a year?), but when I do, I get SICK. It's gotten way worse since I started having a preschooler bringing home various plagues. My mom started calling him Typhoid Tommy for a little while there, because it's like he brings home the worst things you've ever heard of. We've had two cases of scarlet fever (I didn't even know that was something people still got!), two cases of mono, four cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, some virus that landed my littlest in the hospital for four days at 6 weeks of age, and a couple others I can't even remember right now.

True story, I spent as much time today as humanly possible curled up in a ball on the couch, scrolling through Pinterest things that made me laugh. Pretty sure lifting is out for tomorrow. Maybe doctor instead?

I love the boots, Laura! And Kelly, I'm the same way about wearing them over things, but part of this transformation process for me has been about reinventing myself, so I'm trying all kinds of things I never thought I'd try (hello, skinny jeans!).

[Hermione Gainser]

HAHAHA Typhoid Tommy! I like it! Well, not the disease stuff. Bummer! FWIW, I had Scarlett Fever when I was little. Also, had like a zillion cases of strep. I was a sickly kid, apparently

Thanks! I have too much junk in the trunk for skinny jeans to work well... also, big quads a la weightlifting =no moar skinny jeans.

[Titanium Bulwark]

I'm a firm believer that little kids are just germ finders and incubators (especially my daughter). Since their immune systems are strong, they only get a little sick.

Then they give it to me and I keel over like I'm dying.

I guess that's what happens since their first response to most things is put it in their mouth. Boom, toddler typhoid.

Feel better!

[Blueberries]

HAHAHA Typhoid Tommy! I like it! Well, not the disease stuff. Bummer! FWIW, I had Scarlett Fever when I was little. Also, had like a zillion cases of strep. I was a sickly kid, apparently

Thanks! I have too much junk in the trunk for skinny jeans to work well... also, big quads a la weightlifting =no moar skinny jeans.

Yeah, there's been a lot of strep in our house. The big one got his tonsils out last spring, so I'm hoping that will help us have fewer sick days this year.

I promise you, if I can wear skinny jeans with boots, anyone can! I carry all my weight in my legs anyway, plus I have weightlifting quads. I'm honestly shocked it's working out for me, but I kind of love it! Maybe my ridiculous height helps some? I don't know...

I'm a firm believer that little kids are just germ finders and incubators (especially my daughter). Since their immune systems are strong, they only get a little sick.

Then they give it to me and I keel over like I'm dying.

I guess that's what happens since their first response to most things is put it in their mouth. Boom, toddler typhoid.

Feel better!

Isn't it amazing? The incident that landed him the Typhoid Tommy nickname involved an illness that he got over in a week, it took me a solid two, and since we were traveling, he also gave it to my mom and my aunt, who each took about SIX WEEKS to get over it.

The good news: I'm feeling a whole lot better today. I've still got junk in my lungs, and I haven't been eating nearly enough over the last couple of feeling-bad days, so I decided not to lift today. It's so hard for me not to lift, even though I know it's the right thing to do!

Also? My heart is melting right now, because the littlest one is sitting in my lap while I'm responding, and he's clapping and dancing to

. He is hilarious to watch.

[Hermione Gainser]

I'm totes going to give it a shot! I love the skinny jeans look! Also, I always forget how tall you are. I always wanted to be 5'10" (like Cindy Crawford--name that movie!).

That video just made my day. I always sing that song at Boyfriend. Drives him nuts. Now I have a variation I can use when I want some of his yummy treats hehehehehehehe

[Blueberries]

I'm totes going to give it a shot! I love the skinny jeans look! Also, I always forget how tall you are. I always wanted to be 5'10" (like Cindy Crawford--name that movie!).

I am terrible at movie trivia, but that one I know. Love that movie!

Yep, now every time the actual song comes on, all I can hear is Cookie Monster in my head. It's catchy and gets stuck! Here we are right after he finished rocking out.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5599[/ATTACH]

[Blueberries]

Oh right, so... Challenge Update.

Getting sick kind of messed up the meal planning AND the budget (I had my husband pick up dinner last night). I feel like this week is going to get a B for planning, but a D for budget. We'll see...

Not lifting today made me sad, but it was good for the body. My stick to the workout plan goal is already a little off track, but I'm giving myself a pass on it since it wasn't exactly by choice. Calories have been lower than I'd like this week, which is not a problem I'm used to having. The good news is that I haven't been over my targets, but eating under my BMR is not something that I like to do.

[Hermione Gainser]

I liek to add the caveat of "these are my goals unless my body freaks out" Because that happens. So, ya did the best you could with what you've got. I wouldn't feel too bad.

Also, you guys are so cute!

[msuroo]

Aww, cute picture. +1 to what Laura said - all you can so is the best with what you're dealt. Also, I wouldn't sweat eating under your BMR for few days - in the short-term it's no big deal.

[Blueberries]

That's kind of where I am with it right now. I mean, there's only so much I can do about the circumstances, right? I'm cutting myself some slack for this week.

I am having such a hard time getting work done on that A&P class. I finished Module 2 today (of 8, I think?), and right now my head is spinning with all the organs & various functions. I know it's because I need to spend more time on it rather than cramming a bunch of information into smaller amounts of time. Need to figure out a regular place for this in my schedule.

ETA: Part of me wants to also enroll in French I just so I can feel like I'm acing something (I have a BA in French).

[weirdquark]

Yeah, cut yourself some slack. There's not wanting to be making excuses and then there's actually having a valid excuse and physical and mental health issues are things you don't want to ignore. So do what you can and push yourself as much as is reasonable but don't hurt yourself.

Is the A&P class interesting (to you)? I always found I did the best in classes that I really liked; I'd put in the minimum amount of effort to get a B when I didn't care.

[Blueberries]

Yeah, cut yourself some slack. There's not wanting to be making excuses and then there's actually having a valid excuse and physical and mental health issues are things you don't want to ignore. So do what you can and push yourself as much as is reasonable but don't hurt yourself.

Is the A&P class interesting (to you)? I always found I did the best in classes that I really liked; I'd put in the minimum amount of effort to get a B when I didn't care.

Agreed. I need to go easier on myself than I normally would.

It is! I really like it and have been wanting to take it for a year or more. It's just a time thing for me right now. Another thing I'd really like to do but am having a hard time finding time for is keeping up with a bunch of other Warrior challenge threads. There are so many people I'd like to support, and I feel like I'm kind of half-assing on a lot of it right now.

[Hermione Gainser]

That's kind of where I am with it right now. I mean, there's only so much I can do about the circumstances, right? I'm cutting myself some slack for this week.

I am having such a hard time getting work done on that A&P class. I finished Module 2 today (of 8, I think?), and right now my head is spinning with all the organs & various functions. I know it's because I need to spend more time on it rather than cramming a bunch of information into smaller amounts of time. Need to figure out a regular place for this in my schedule.

ETA: Part of me wants to also enroll in French I just so I can feel like I'm acing something (I have a BA in French).

Hey, you're ahead of me! I'm still in 2... muscular system at the moment. I take the beginning of each session and review my notes from last time but I find that I keep not reading what I'm reading. Makes for super long studying.

Yay French! You totally should... b/c sometimes it's nice to ace stuff. Also, I bet you pronounce my last name correctly and that makes me happy.

Agreed. I need to go easier on myself than I normally would.

It is! I really like it and have been wanting to take it for a year or more. It's just a time thing for me right now. Another thing I'd really like to do but am having a hard time finding time for is keeping up with a bunch of other Warrior challenge threads. There are so many people I'd like to support, and I feel like I'm kind of half-assing on a lot of it right now.

Right! It's so interesting! But it really makes me want to start googling weird things...

[Blueberries]

Hey, you're ahead of me! I'm still in 2... muscular system at the moment. I take the beginning of each session and review my notes from last time but I find that I keep not reading what I'm reading. Makes for super long studying.

Ha! I was so wrong... there are 30 modules. I'm in trouble here...

Yay French! You totally should... b/c sometimes it's nice to ace stuff. Also, I bet you pronounce my last name correctly and that makes me happy.

You'd probably think I make it sound way more French than you're used to, although in comparison to what you probably hear on the regular... maybe not a bad thing?

[Blueberries]

Lifting Day! I finally felt good enough to lift again, and I had another of those OMGSQUATSREALLYDOFIXEVERYTHING! workouts. Knew it would be dicey getting back up to my last working weights, so I dialed the weight back just a little bit. After one light week and one sick week, I didn't want to try to hop right back in to where I had been.

Squats (reg. 3x5 at 147)

45 x 5

45 x 5

65 x 5

95 x 3

115 x 2

135 x 3 <-Tried to start here as a working weight but it was too much

115 x 5

115 x 5

115 x 5

3x5 at 115 felt freaking amazing. I took them slow and just focused on the movement.

OHP (reg. 5x3 at 70)

45 x 5

55 x 5

65 x 5 <-Decided to see if I was able to finally get past 65 for my 3x5 instead of doing triples

65 x 5

65 x 3 <-Today was not my day

65 x 1

Deadlift (reg. 1x5 at 197)

185 x 3

185 x 1

185 x 2

185 x 2

185 x 2

Alumni Band (reg. 3x60 sec. at 20lb

20 x 75 sec

20 x 60 sec

20 x 60 sec

Hang Cleans

45 x 5 or 10 reps

Front Squats (first time doing them!)

45 x 5

45 x 5

65 x 5

65 x 5

65 x 5

Just wanted to get a feel for the movement

All in all this was a nice way to ease back into my heavy lifting. Week 1 Recap coming in the next post.

[Blueberries]

Double post.

[Blueberries]

Week 1 Updates in RED

My starting stats:

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 196.4 194.8

Waist: 31.0 Same

Hips: 43.0 42.75

Current Working Weights (3x5):

Squat: 147

Bench: 90

OHP: 70

Deadlift (1x5): 197

None of my working weights are changed due to illness

Diet/Fitness

1. Stick to the Meal Plan

About 6 out of 7 days each week, I find myself scrambling at 5:30 with hungry, whiny kids trying to figure out what's for dinner. We don't really do convenience foods around here, so I've got to find something to cook. If I'm lucky, there's thawed meat in the fridge I can cook. Usually, I'm not lucky and everything's frozen, because I'm not a consistent planner. To make my life easier, I will make weekly meal plans ahead of time so that:

a) I have all the ingredients I need on hand

I can prep ahead of time to cut down on the actual daily cooking time

In practical terms, this means I'll need to make a full plan and shopping list at the end of each week so that I can shop and prep at some point over the weekend.

+3 WIS (and if it works as intended, +75 Sanity)

We had some rough patches here with me having been sick, but I came through at the end of the week and made the meal plan for this upcoming week. I think the first week was going to be kind of a lead-in anyway, and I will probably be grading upcoming weeks based on: a)making a plan for the following week, and b)how well I stuck to the plan I made the week before.

2. Stick to the Workout Plan

Lift all the things! Mentioned above, I function best on a regular routine. With the way my schedule falls right now, that means I have time for workouts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Heavy lifting (continue SS progression) at least 2x per week with the third open for a lighter lifting session or something else if I'm just not feeling it. Cutting a little more heavily (see goal 3) may mean that I don't have a third heavy lifting session in me, but I do need to make sure I'm doing something active during this time.

+4 STR +1 STA +1 CON

Yeah... not so good here. I walked with a friend on Monday, leaving Wednesday and Friday as the days I needed to lift heavy. Only after lifting heavy-ish on Wednesday, I got sick. Either that or my CNS gave me a big middle finger and told me to go sleep it off for a couple of days. Friday was out, and I also did ZERO burpees to help the guild. I'm not counting all this against sticking to the goal, since I didn't exactly end up there by choice.

3. Stick to the Fat Loss Plan

I've been itching lately to do a bulk cycle, but from a fat loss perspective, I'm just not quite where I want to be yet. My diet got a little out of control during the last challenge, and I need to make sure I rein this in if I want to keep seeing results (which I do). I don't do "lose X pounds in Y time" goals, so this one is going to be about sticking to my calorie goals (generally net 2000 or so) and making healthy choices. Grading is subjective, but I'll know if I'm on track or not.

+2 CON +1 CHA

Did well here. Being sick took away my appetite, apparently, so I was actually having to debate with myself whether I should force myself to eat more. Nutritional choices were only okay. Most of the time they were great, but I'm still making a lot more questionable choices than I probably should. I do account for them in my calories and adjust my day accordingly, but I'd be better off not making them at all.

I've been toying with a "No-Frappuccinos" amendment to this goal thanks to another Warrior challenge (who WAS that?). I didn't have any this week... maybe I can make it another 5? Whoever thought to put Starbucks in the grocery store entrance was a marketing genius. I'm generally not an impulse buyer, but frozen coffee gets me almost every time.

Life

4. Stick to the Grocery Budget

Hand in hand with the planning goal goes the grocery budget, but this is big enough for me that it requires being its own goal. Feeding 4 people healthfully (is that a word?) on one income is tough. We've made a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to stay home with the kids, and one of those is that we have a really tight budget. Grocery spending is the category with which I have the most trouble, and I find myself more often than not borrowing from other discretionary categories to make up for the fact that we've gone over on food. Bumping up the budget for this is not an option right now, so I've got to really buckle down and figure out how to live within the limits that we've set.

+3 WIS (+0.5 for each week we do not go over)

I realized that I need to change the scoring here. I really budget for a 2-week time period, so it should be +1 WIS for every two weeks that I remain within my limit. I did think that we were going to end up going over for this time period, but I think that we're actually going to be okay. The next budget period starts Friday, and I was able to really lock down my grocery list for this week to keep us on track.

Bonus for this one (and for meal planning, really) is that I made an inventory of what we have in our deep freezer and now have a better idea of things I can use in our weekly meals to help save some money. Food has had such a bad habit of getting lost out there, and that needs to stop. I'm working on coming up with an idea for how to track what goes into and out of the freezer. Ideas?

[Hermione Gainser]

Glad you're feeling better! Yes! Squats do fix all the things! So glad it was such an awesome session!

Great job on week 1 aside from the sick thing. You can't do what ya can't do. Ya know what I mean

[Bean]

I know the feeling about being sick. I spent the whole weekend feeling sorry for myself and could also not contribute any burpees.

We don't have a deep freeze outside but do have a full stand-alone freezer in our kitchen. The only method that works for me is to date the stuff in the freezer and then, before I go shopping, I check the contents of the freezer and cross those items off my list. It is easier having the freezer next to the fridge though.

Your post sick workout looks pretty good to me. Depsite being a 'light' workout, you got all the right stuff in there. Keep it up.