Aeryn vs Gravity

[Aeryn]

Heck yeah, new challenge time!

Current stats:

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 137.8 lb (I somehow lost half a pound during Christmas vacation, wasn't tracking food, no idea...)

Waist Flexed: 27.75"

Waist Unflexed: 30"

Hips: 37.5"

Bust: 35.5"

This challenge, I'm taking on gravity. And inertia, too.

Goals:

1. Handstand progression. Fighting gravity by being upside down 3x a week, working on handstands. Haven't tried this at all yet, so no clue how it'll go, but it's something I've wanted to do for a while. DEX: 3

2. Bodyweight workout. Fighting gravity by pulling/pushing my weight in various directions. Plus a couple dumbbells. This is 3x a week, still working particularly towards an actual pullup, and increasing my pushups. STR: 4, STA: 1

3. Recipe variety. Fighting inertia on this one - I've been eating a lot of the same foods every day, and it's great because I hardly have to think about what to cook. However, it's also getting boring. 6 new recipes cooked gets me full stats on this. CON: 2 WIS: 1

4. TV stand. Fighting gravity by keeping my tv off the ground. I've been procrastinating this project for six months by deciding I needed a Kreg jig to build it. Well, got the jig for Christmas - no more excuses! This will also make my living room look more like I'm an actual adult. WIS: 2, CHA: 2

[Happienumber]

I Love it! Challenging gravity by getting your TV stand off the ground. That's funny. 

You get gravity! It had it coming!

[Wolverine]

I like your first goal a lot. A freestanding handstand has been a goal for awhile and after I met all the progression requirements I got kind of lost on what to aim for. I mean... I can spend a longer amount of time working on wall assisted but now that I have the strength for the skill it doesn't seem like that will do me a lot of good. On the other hand, I don't think I can get enough volume in if I just work freestanding (I can't really hold the position for more than a second or two). The way you've structured you goal is specific and attainable but gives you the freedom to mess around a bit with different types of training. I like it. I may have to steal it next challenge when I'm back on my feet... errr... hands again!

[Aeryn]

I like your first goal a lot. A freestanding handstand has been a goal for awhile and after I met all the progression requirements I got kind of lost on what to aim for. I mean... I can spend a longer amount of time working on wall assisted but now that I have the strength for the skill it doesn't seem like that will do me a lot of good. On the other hand, I don't think I can get enough volume in if I just work freestanding (I can't really hold the position for more than a second or two). The way you've structured you goal is specific and attainable but gives you the freedom to mess around a bit with different types of training. I like it. I may have to steal it next challenge when I'm back on my feet... errr... hands again!

Thanks! I discovered two challenges ago that while I like specific achievement goals (like a certain amount of time in a freestanding handstand), I get really annoyed if it turns out to not be achievable in six weeks (see my pushup progress, or lack thereof, for the first two challenges). So routine goals give me the focus on a particular thing without the stress of not achieving my goals even though I put the work in. Since the point is putting in the work, that's my goal now.

 

Workout today:

 

Pushups, floor (first step): 8/8/6(4)

 

Circuit:

Dumbbell row, 35#: 10/10/10

bodyweight squats: 20/20/20

band-assisted pullup, knee(foot): 4(4)/3(5)/3(6)

hanging leg raises, bent knees: 10/10/10

hollow hold: 30 sec bent knees, 30 sec each leg straight, 6 in off ground

glute raises: 15/15/15

 

I tweaked my right lower back somehow over the holiday, and with all of the small children who wanted to be picked up and swung around, I didn't exactly rest so it could get better. It's been improving the past couple days, but my first two goblet squats with 35# hurt. So I dropped to bodyweight for today.

 

Psyched to see my pushups haven't fallen off despite two weeks off from training.

 

I've seen several workouts that do skill work (like my handstand goal) before the strength workout, but I couldn't bring myself to be upside down first thing in the morning - I'm going to see what happens if I do it at night on my workout day instead.

[SpiralGalaxy]

Great challenge--I need to work on balance too, but this time around I'm focusing more on strength. I'm always all about the cooking though. Nom Nom Paleo is doing a month of Whole30 recipes, so you might find ideas there. I'm looking seriously at an off-the-wall Xmas gift I got: the Song of Ice and Fire Cookbook--lots of medieval recipes (= real food) based on a combination of GRRM's descriptions in the book + real research into medieval cooking.

[OrangeJorwell]

I'm right there with you on cooking more Paleo recipes.  You better tell us what you made and how good it was so I can steal your ideas.  

[Happienumber]

I tweaked my right lower back somehow over the holiday, and with all of the small children who wanted to be picked up and swung around, I didn't exactly rest so it could get better. It's been improving the past couple days, but my first two goblet squats with 35# hurt. So I dropped to bodyweight for today.

Yikes! I hope that feels better! I love that you don't look for excuses to not workout. "Oh, that hurts? I'll just do bodyweight today." You still get in a good workout. 

 

Great challenge--I need to work on balance too, but this time around I'm focusing more on strength. I'm always all about the cooking though. Nom Nom Paleo is doing a month of Whole30 recipes, so you might find ideas there. I'm looking seriously at an off-the-wall Xmas gift I got: the Song of Ice and Fire Cookbook--lots of medieval recipes (= real food) based on a combination of GRRM's descriptions in the book + real research into medieval cooking.

That sound delicious

 

I'm right there with you on cooking more Paleo recipes.  You better tell us what you made and how good it was so I can steal your ideas.  

Seconded! I bet you will come up with some mind-blowing yummy stuff that we will all want to make.

[lyranedara]

Love your set up! This is one of the best handstand guides I've seen. GMB has a lot of great info about handbalancing.

[scarletleavy]

Great challenge--I need to work on balance too, but this time around I'm focusing more on strength. I'm always all about the cooking though. Nom Nom Paleo is doing a month of Whole30 recipes, so you might find ideas there. I'm looking seriously at an off-the-wall Xmas gift I got: the Song of Ice and Fire Cookbook--lots of medieval recipes (= real food) based on a combination of GRRM's descriptions in the book + real research into medieval cooking.

There's a Song of Fire and Ice Cookbook???? That sounds amazing

 

Best of luck with the handstands. They are so much fun! I did them as part of my challenge last time and it was one of my favorite parts of the day, just chilling out upside down.  

[Aeryn]

Great challenge--I need to work on balance too, but this time around I'm focusing more on strength. I'm always all about the cooking though. Nom Nom Paleo is doing a month of Whole30 recipes, so you might find ideas there. I'm looking seriously at an off-the-wall Xmas gift I got: the Song of Ice and Fire Cookbook--lots of medieval recipes (= real food) based on a combination of GRRM's descriptions in the book + real research into medieval cooking.

Ooh, excellent. I don't eat Paleo, but I'm not against it, so I'll totally take a look at Nom Nom Paleo. And that cookbook sounds AMAZING - the little I know about medieval cooking is that their recipes hardly ever have measurements - it's all "until there's enough." Which is kind of how my mom taught me to cook, really - keep going "til it looks right."

 

I'm right there with you on cooking more Paleo recipes.  You better tell us what you made and how good it was so I can steal your ideas.  

I will definitely post recipes, and maybe even photos if it's pretty enough. I make some awesome Chinese turkey tacos, but the filling looks like dog food. No photos of those!

 

Yikes! I hope that feels better! I love that you don't look for excuses to not workout. "Oh, that hurts? I'll just do bodyweight today." You still get in a good workout. 

Heh, thanks. I did consider skipping lower body altogether, but then I thought about those guys with the massive biceps and chicken legs...

 

Love your set up! This is one of the best handstand guides I've seen. GMB has a lot of great info about handbalancing.

 

Thanks! And thanks for the link - I'd read it a while back in someone else's thread, but it's awesome to have it for reference for my very own. I have a lot of hollow body work to do...

 

Best of luck with the handstands. They are so much fun! I did them as part of my challenge last time and it was one of my favorite parts of the day, just chilling out upside down.

Thanks! First try will be tonight, hoping it goes well.

[Nuala]

I realised that I always read your thread but never comment them. Good luck with your goals, and don't forget to make your legs work!

[Devyn]

lol...I love the TV one. That is imagination there!  I look forward to seeing your progressions.

[SpiralGalaxy]

There's a Song of Fire and Ice Cookbook???? That sounds amazing

I know, right? I had no idea it existed until I got it for Christmas, and now I'm seriously plotting out some awesome feasts.

[scarletleavy]

I know, right? I had no idea it existed until I got it for Christmas, and now I'm seriously plotting out some awesome feasts.

And onto my Kindle wish list it goes...

[Happienumber]

Thanks! And thanks for the link - I'd read it a while back in someone else's thread, but it's awesome to have it for reference for my very own. I have a lot of hollow body work to do...

 

I second that it's a good progression. I've used it and it's really helped. 

[Aeryn]

I realised that I always read your thread but never comment them. Good luck with your goals, and don't forget to make your legs work!

Thanks! And my quads are sore like whoa today, so clearly I did something good yesterday.

 

lol...I love the TV one. That is imagination there!  I look forward to seeing your progressions.

Heh, well, I had to make it fit in somehow. 

 

I second that it's a good progression. I've used it and it's really helped. 

Awesome, good to have another endorsement of it.

 

I did my first 10 minutes of handstand work yesterday evening - I can get my feet up the wall, but walking my hands closer was not happening. So I did 5 walk-up-the-walls and stayed there as long as I could hold it for (generally 30 to 40 sec), then switched to headstands and crow pose. Longest crow was 8 seconds. There is lots of progress for me to make! Lots.

[Wild Wolf]

 

2. Bodyweight workout. Fighting gravity by pulling/pushing my weight in various directions. Plus a couple dumbbells. This is 3x a week, still working particularly towards an actual pullup, and increasing my pushups. STR: 4, STA: 1

 

NICE! BW is always good and since you're already fighting gravity...why not do it with you body. The best way to progress threw any body weight training is limit your leverage w/ gravity and I know you're gonna kill this challenge! Handstands are a blast do. With consistent training you should have the free standing in no time!

Good luck to ya, Aeryn!

 

Wolf

[lyranedara]

I had a hard time walking closer to wall when I first started as well! I think part of it was that I was afraid I couldn't get back down again, lol. To help build up my shoulders and get used to be upside down, I worked on these for a while.

[Aeryn]

 

 

NICE! BW is always good and since you're already fighting gravity...why not do it with you body. The best way to progress threw any body weight training is limit your leverage w/ gravity and I know you're gonna kill this challenge! Handstands are a blast do. With consistent training you should have the free standing in no time!

Good luck to ya, Aeryn!

 

Wolf

Thanks! I hope the handstands go well - it's one of those things I really want to be able to do!

 

I had a hard time walking closer to wall when I first started as well! I think part of it was that I was afraid I couldn't get back down again, lol. To help build up my shoulders and get used to be upside down, I worked on these for a while.

Yeah, there's a little fear about how to get out once I'm up against the wall. Part of it is that the room I'm practicing in is only a bit wider than I am tall, so I'm worried about somehow hitting the far wall. May need to do some somersaults to remind myself that I know how to fall. And yes, the pike pushups look useful, as well!

 

Cooked new recipe number 1 tonight! Actually two recipes at once - roasted asparagus and maple salmon. Got lucky since my grocery store had wild Alaskan salmon on sale. Didn't know how much to buy, so I got nearly a pound. I'm having salmon tomorrow as well, it turns out. That is not a bad thing, because seriously, it was SO GOOD. Like, I am in a blissful food coma. And really, roasted asparagus, how did I not know about this before? I've always steamed my asparagus, and then put garlic butter on it. I love asparagus that way, but this is so much better! I over-oiled it a bit, so I'll do less next time (tomorrow), but WOW. 

 

Also, look how pretty!

 

 

[emlily91]

Cooked new recipe number 1 tonight! Actually two recipes at once - roasted asparagus and maple salmon. Got lucky since my grocery store had wild Alaskan salmon on sale. Didn't know how much to buy, so I got nearly a pound. I'm having salmon tomorrow as well, it turns out. That is not a bad thing, because seriously, it was SO GOOD. Like, I am in a blissful food coma. And really, roasted asparagus, how did I not know about this before? I've always steamed my asparagus, and then put garlic butter on it. I love asparagus that way, but this is so much better! I over-oiled it a bit, so I'll do less next time (tomorrow), but WOW. 

That looks amazing! And maple salmon sounds just plain wonderful. One of my favorite fish with one of my favorite sauces. Quick question, after eating it, do you think it is possible to use the same recipes but without the soy sauce? Will it still taste good? I am thinking of making it now but soy sauce isn't something that is EVER in my kitchen. :/

[Aeryn]

That looks amazing! And maple salmon sounds just plain wonderful. One of my favorite fish with one of my favorite sauces. Quick question, after eating it, do you think it is possible to use the same recipes but without the soy sauce? Will it still taste good? I am thinking of making it now but soy sauce isn't something that is EVER in my kitchen. :/

I think you could try it without the soy- it adds salt, tang, and depth, so replacing it with something like balsamic vinegar or mustard (if those are things you have) could work. I use soy sauce constantly for stir fry and teriyaki chicken, and it keeps forever, too.

[emlily91]

I think you could try it without the soy- it adds salt, tang, and depth, so replacing it with something like balsamic vinegar or mustard (if those are things you have) could work. I use soy sauce constantly for stir fry and teriyaki chicken, and it keeps forever, too.

Oooh, I think the mustard would work. Or I can sneak some balsamic vinegar from my friend at Subway lol. Thanks for the suggestion

[Wolverine]

Holy crap, I'm hungry again.  Thanks.  

[Aeryn]

Holy crap, I'm hungry again.  Thanks.  

Haha, happy to help.

Workout this morning:

Pull-ups: 20 sec flexed arm hang, 3 five-sec negatives, 10 sec flexed hang, 3 five-sec negatives, 8 sec flexed hang, 3 five-sec negatives

Circuit:

Hanging leg lifts: 10/10/10

Push-ups: 8/8/9

Bodyweight squats: 20/20

Box pistol squats (17 inch coffee table): 6/8/8

Dumbbell rows: 10/10/10

Rolling Plank of Doom: 1 min front/back, 45 seconds on sides.

No modified push-ups!!! Extra one in the last set because I was focusing so hard on breathing that I didn't pay attention to the count. Now I have to decide what my next level for push-ups is - declines, or diamonds?

[Wolverine]

Congrats on the push-ups!

 

I would move on to decline.  You really can't go wrong with either, but I find declines work the chest a lot more and have always found diamonds super easy (easier than regular push-ups, actually).  You could also try twisting push-ups or push-ups on rings if you have access to them.