RBW Return

[Kishi]

Meat and veggies and finishers at the end of the workout, and you'll probably be right as rain. Shake it off!

[Siferiax]

Blargh, I hate internet deprivation.

The little exercise I've been able to get in the past couple days has at least kept me secure in the knowledge that I am successfully maintaining. I can still perform at the levels I barely reached a few weeks ago. But I'm really not advancing. Blech. Only a couple more days of this shit.

Getting a little more comfortable at my 7th belt notch, but I did not eat healthily today, or get exercise. Big village festival means lazing around and eating horrible food. Honestly, I think I need to try intermittent fasting to break this diet plateau, because food choice is going to be impossible for another two weeks.

Had a long talk today with a friend (one of the other volunteers, and the only one I really get along with) about life directions and philosophy and history and the human condition and shit. It didn't help me find direction much, but I'm really starting to realize that the way I'm going is just not satisfying, and may never be satisfying for me. Not any kind of epiphany, but baby steps are just as important in self-evaluation as they are in fitness.

And, seriously, all those goddamn sweets and stuff are making me feel like crap. Tomorrow is meat and vegetable Monday.

Big hug to you RBW. I'm sure things will start to look up soonish.

And yes, baby steps. Finding your direction doesn't need to happen over night!

[realbrickwall]

Wait. Sorry, pause please? Stop, stop.

*checks shirt color*

Yeah, okay, nevermind. We're good here. You can hit play again.

Anyway, I'M BACK. And sick (life lesson: avoid spending over 24 hours in rooms, mostly airtight, full of an ever-changing parade of strangers). BUT MOSTLY BACK.

Upon my return home, I totally hit up my pull-up bar. I wasn't feeling up to my max, but I pumped a few out anyway. Felt awesome. Not just because I could work without pinching my finger skin. Pads are awesome.

I've been doing well on my diet, too! I can pull my belt to the point where there would be an eighth hole. I'm nearing my goal! Just gotta keep working.

Speaking on that note, I'm getting to the point where things that are loose around my waist can barely go down an inch or three before things get too wide. My waist is shrinking more than my butt, I guess. Oddly enough, I checked with a measuring tape, and it's only a little bit down (like an inch, inch-and-a-half) from the end of August, even though all my clothes, even the ones I haven't been wearing, are a good deal looser. Me confused, but I'll continue to try and slim down.

I hope to be more active in the community again once this damn airplane-cold goes away.

[Kishi]

Welcome back! Sounds like it's good to be home.

As hard as it's gonna be, the best thing to do is to keep on focusing on increasing your capabilities. Your form will follow your function, although it might not be the form you want. The rest will manage itself. It'll get easier now that you're used to the facilities you have.

[Siferiax]

Welcome back!!! sounds like you immediately started rocking when you touched the ground, haha!

I look forward to seeing some awesome progress!

[Siferiax]

To get you back into gear, how about an unofficial challenge? Not sure if you saw Nuala's thread, so just bringing it to your attention: http://www.nerdfitness.com/community/showthread.php?21028-Un-official-A-call-to-the-arms-Demon-slaying

[realbrickwall]

I disappeared, but I'm BACK AGAIN.

As soon as I touched down in the United States, I got sick. I thought I was back, but I wasn't. And then, a few days later, I got better, but I kept slacking off (except for the one day I went to the rock-climbing gym). It was AWFUL.

I told myself I couldn't come back here until I got myself back in gear. Well, today, I worked out for the first time since Japan. I call that geared up.

STATUS REPORT!

Diet: Uhhh...I think I might have reached my goal on this one. I may not have been exercising much, but my dieting habits seem to be keeping up well. I haven't gone back to paleo yet, but I'm working up to it. At the very least, I am watching what I eat!

Also, the fat I lost in Japan seems to show. To the point where my friends could tell I lost weight in the dark without seeing anything but my face. Even looking at my progress photos, I can only tell by looking at my gut. Guess I'm just not that perceptive!

Kip-ups: Haven't been able to do much, but I cleared out a space in my living room (finally). I hope this ointment I have will work for rug-burns, though...

Group fitness: I've tried a couple avenues, but found nothing. Martial arts studio may be my only choice. Hope I can afford it...

Getting my life on track: ...I'll get back to y'all on that one

[Elastigirl]

Welcome back, looks like you are ready to smash all your goals now

[Kishi]

Looks like American germs missed you a lot too. At the same time, though, it's good to see that you've lost substantial fat. Maybe one day I'll get there myself.

And, yes, kip-ups. Still a badass skill, but they will rub you raw if you're on the wrong surface. Good luck!

[Siferiax]

Good to see you back. Much luck to you on your progress!!!

Just do your best and get back used to the "American" way of life

[Siferiax]

Hey, I'm missing you again, how's it going?

[realbrickwall]

Man, I failed December.

GRADES

1 - Lose the belt: A - +3 CON, +1 CHA

2 - Kip-up: F

3 - Group fitness: F

4 - Direction: C - +1.5 WIS

More detail when I'm not thumb-typing.

I think I'll be back on track next challenge, at least.

[realbrickwall]

Okay, REAL UPDATE.

 

My first goal, to lose enough fat that I was too skinny for my belt, was a rousing success. I gained a TEENY bit of weight back, but I'm still skinny enough that my belt can be tightened beyond its last hole around my waist. I bought myself new pants to celebrate, and let me tell you all, my butt looks great in them.

 

I didn't make any progress on kip-ups. Lack of a clean house or usable outdoor space were demotivating, I think.

 

I did not have any success in finding a fitness group. It is surprisingly difficult to research martial arts studios, I couldn't reach the campus parkour club, and I couldn't even find anything else. Blech. I'm not happy about that.

 

Life direction...sort of. I'm getting into self-education. I'm working on programming and math skills, and I can use those in a lot of places. I'm still working towards what I originally wanted to do. I don't hate it yet, but then, I don't have a job in it yet. Entry-level language jobs are just not much of a thing. But, hey, if programming pans out, I might be able to use that as a foot-in-the-door to a company that might ALSO need someone who can speak Japanese (and also just make more money than freaking fast food).

[Siferiax]

Not everything goes according to plan all the time.

And now it's a new year and a new chance to be awesome again