aimless - Amy's first-ever challenge...

[aimless]

Um... ok. First timer here... please be patient!

I'm a pediatric nurse, and mommy to 4 kiddos (3 of my own and 1 foster daughter)... so my schedule's a major problem when it comes to finding time for ME. That being said, I realize that if I don't find some consistency and some follow-through, I'm going to go insane. I eat traditional, whole foods in a way that's similar to paleo (I eat following the GAPS diet) because of other health reasons... and have seen amazing health progress on dietary changes alone, but have hit a plateau that I think may have to do with my lack of consistent exercise. I have a fabulously supportive husband, which is beyond-helpful, and I just need to make fitness a priority. So, for the next 6 weeks, here are my plans....

Three diet fitness goals for the next 3 months:

• Run/jog/walk 2-mile circuit with the dog at least 18 times (average of 3 per week)... bring music and try to learn to love jogging, because I really want to... I hear that if you get past 6 weeks you stop feeling like you're going to die after half a mile... (+2 DEX, +2 STA)
• Get to the point towards the end of this challenge that I can run at least half of the circuit (one mile) without stopping to walk. (+3 STA)
• Do the beginning-level body-weight exercise workout posted here on Nerdfitness on non-jogging days at least 12 times in the 6-week period... even if I have to get the toddler to "play" along with me... (+3 STR, +1 CON)

Level up my life goal:

• Use the budget I have created and record all inflow and outflow of cash monthly. We do so much better with our money when I actually TRACK it, instead of it just flowing out into the nothingness of space... (+3 WIS)

And another extra goal:

• Learn how to navigate this site and use it to it's fullest potential to help me to stay motivated and on track while developing healthier fitness habits! (+1 WIS)

[shortstuff]

Good luck with your first challenge.

I don't if you have heard of c25k otherwise known as couch to 5k. It is a program designed for newbies/beginners to help them run their 5k. I know your not trying to run 5k but it will help improve the length of time/distance you can run for.

[18ck]

Hi Amy! *waves*

Welcome to Scouts!

I think you'll have fun with this. Exercising with littlies is always a joy.

[Pika24]

Hi there my seester!! Looks amaze-balls! What are the differences between Paleo and GAPS? Just curious.

 

One thought I had is what about some form of exercise that you really enjoy and can look forward to? Didn't you used to love yoga or pi-yo? I get excited for the weeks that I set aside a day to skate or go to Nia class. Could be a thought for challenge 2. I know it's tough with your sched :| Crack that whip at your eldest child! Don't feel like you have to do it all, missy!! Of course this is coming from your very single, can't-even-keep-a-plant-alive little sis. Checking out c25k sounds like a good idea!!

 

I like that you have a financial goal. I uh.. really need to set one... ...

 

I'm looking forward to reading your updates!!

[german]

Great goals, and welcome to the scouts, the mere fact that you have chosen this guild speaks high of you!. Best of luck.

[aimless]

Thanks for the support, all! I'm excited about this!  (Hopefully I'll still be as excited come week 3... right?!?!)

 

I'm getting plans and backup plans in place for when LIFE happens! I'll definitely check out that C25K program... that sounds like my starting point!   Thanks for the suggestion!!

 

I love the idea of the PiYo classes I used to ADORE... but that was before the spinal fusion... and since that whole thing went down, yoga/bending/flexibility hasn't been quite as joyful for me! (go figure!)   I'll search for something active to look forward to... I'm hoping RUNNING will be that something once I get past the "I'm gonna die" feeling!

 

I got my sister to explain a little more about the point system to me... (Thanks, Julz!!!!) ...so hopefully tonight I'll figure that out and assign my goals points and figure out how to get a signature line!

 

@18ck- Love the profile pic... looks like you may know a bit about exercising with littles too, huh?   

[lrgart]

WOOHOOO!! Day # 1 successful!  Proud of you babe

[aimless]

Ah, and Julz/Pika24, to answer about GAPS vs paleo... both are great diets... traditional foods, no processed junk... but GAPS allows some dairy. It cuts out casein but allows yogurt (if you make it yourself and culture for 24 hours), ghee, and milk kefir. Personally, I also do raw milk, butter and cream because it hasn't been a problem for me with sensitivity tests.

 

Other differences: GAPS comes from the standpoint that you're trying to heal a "leaky gut" so you cut back to the most digestible foods (broth, egg yolks, boiled meats and veggies) and build up from there. No grains, corn, soy, oats, rice, preservatives or additives allowed. Broth and probiotics (sauerkraut, fermented veggies, etc) encouraged. Good fats also encouraged (coconut oil, grassfed animal fats, olive oil, ghee/butter, lard, etc) and nuts are allowed if limited.

[aimless]

Day 2 update:

Right on track! (YAY!) Yesterday did a beginner body weight workout... my 12-year-old son could do 3 circuits where I could only do 2... and he was doing real push-ups instead of push-ups from his knees like I was... but whatevs... That just means I have a goal to work towards... right?

And today the dog and I went for a walk/jog in the cold (I learned that it makes it MUCH more fun to have music, and that I should really bring kleenex when it's this cold out).

And tonight I sat down and did bills and budget.

 

WooHOO!!! 

 

I also found out that I'm very sticker-motivated.... I decided to put a sticker on the calendar for every day that I do my workouts... and already I'm loving them! A little juvenile, but I'm going with what works here!

[german]

Great start! Keep on rocking!!

[18ck]

* puts sticker on you*

 

[aimless]

Great start! Keep on rocking!!

Thanks, German! I love popping on here and seeing people cheering me on!

 

* puts sticker on you*

 

AWESOME!!! I love my online sticker! Thanks 18ck! (These are prettier than mine... I may have to get some new ones....)

[lrgart]

Doing it, you are!! Proud of you I am.   

[aidanpryde]

Hi, and welcome to the team!

 

It sounds like you've got a great support group built-in with family! That's awesome!

 

Good luck with the budget, I'm right there with you on that one.

 

+1 for C25k. If a program can get an out-of-shape guy like me doing 5k's and even a 10k without stopping, it's hard to beat.

 

Keep it up,

Billy

[slsanders2]

Welcome to the Scouts!

[jfrankovich]

Great job so far!

 

[aimless]

Day 6 update:

 

Running goal(s)- Just got back from a jog with dog and hubby (lrgart). Worked myself to the point of slightly urpey-ness... which for me is NOT a good thing... I think if I pushed it to the point of hurling it might be a deal-breaker for me, so I walked more than I had planned to avoid it. But before the urpey-ness MapMyRun says I ran 0.68 miles without stopping! Go ME! So, 2.37 total miles logged... a little over 1 mile total of jogging and the rest at a fast walk.

 

...side note here... I'm finding out that on my running/jogging days I'm drinking less coffee than usual. Totally unintended outcome, but I'm happy with it! I'm awake without the stimulant intake! SWEET!

 

Body-weight workout goal- my 12-year-old is keeping me on track here! I've graduated to doing half of the push-ups from toes, but the other half from my knees, because I find that if I try to push it and do them all from my toes, my form suffers. Better to do good form than sloppy form from my toes, I think.

 

Budget goal: Keeping track here. Budget worksheet up-to-date, and working for us. Some categories I'm spending more than my usual allotment, but have been catching-up some, and had some non-monthly charges pop up. And dishwasher stopped working... I did some research (LOVE RepairClinic.com) and took the stupid thing apart twice... managed to find the problem and get it working again... so budget's still on-track because I didn't have to come up with the cash to replace it! Just took some time and elbow grease!! YAY!

[jedi_mind]

Good luck with your first challenge.

I don't if you have heard of c25k otherwise known as couch to 5k. It is a program designed for newbies/beginners to help them run their 5k. I know your not trying to run 5k but it will help improve the length of time/distance you can run for.

 

+1, i'm on week 2, and i'm enjoying it so far. the info is free here:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

 

and you can get interval timers for your smartphone to program these exercises in. or the app they sell is like $2 and it integrates with the music on your phone, tracks w/ gps if you like that sort of stuff.

 

and before i forget, welcome to nerdfitness!

[Pika24]

Hi my sister - sounds like you are kicking some serious ass and I'm proud of you!! I've noticed the need for less coffee too on the days I go for a run - bonus! Cool about the pushups. I first started doing the NF beginner's circuit like a month ago and I'm still not strong enough to go from the toes yet. Love seeing your progress!

[aidanpryde]

Body-weight workout goal- my 12-year-old is keeping me on track here! I've graduated to doing half of the push-ups from toes, but the other half from my knees, because I find that if I try to push it and do them all from my toes, my form suffers. Better to do good form than sloppy form from my toes, I think.

 

It's definitely better to do all of your reps with good form as opposed to grinding out bad pushups. Between your back and your shoulders, you can definitely hurt yourself with bad form.

 

Congrats on everything else, you're killing it.

[timelovesahero]

Budget goal: Keeping track here. Budget worksheet up-to-date, and working for us. Some categories I'm spending more than my usual allotment, but have been catching-up some, and had some non-monthly charges pop up. And dishwasher stopped working... I did some research (LOVE RepairClinic.com) and took the stupid thing apart twice... managed to find the problem and get it working again... so budget's still on-track because I didn't have to come up with the cash to replace it! Just took some time and elbow grease!! YAY!

Hell yeah! for fixing mechanical problems on your own.  You should be very proud of this

[aimless]

It's definitely better to do all of your reps with good form as opposed to grinding out bad pushups. Between your back and your shoulders, you can definitely hurt yourself with bad form.

 

Congrats on everything else, you're killing it.

Thanks for the reinforcement. Yup... accepting the fact that I suck at upper body strength and going slowly!    I have past back issues as well (as in fusion with hardware in there)... so screwing THAT up would be problematic!!!

 

Hell yeah! for fixing mechanical problems on your own.  You should be very proud of this

THANKS!!!    I was full of myself for a bit afterwards!

[aimless]

And now for an update on day 9:

• So far for my running goals I have accumulated 4 running stickers on my calendar... and after multiple suggestions (thanks all!!!) I checked into the c25K app, and did the last 2 runs with that.... I have to say, I LOVE it!!! I think I was pushing myself to try to RUN further without walking, and was overdoing it... making it so that I did less overall. With the calm extracorporeal voice telling me when to run and when to walk, it took all of that extra pressure off... and I can still function in the rest of my day!!! I'm pumped about it, and don't dread it now!!!
• I have 2 Bodyweight Workout stickers on my calendar, and tomorrow's my day for that! Plan to increase dumbbell weight on my set of rows, and will try the pushups on my steps, going down a step as I progress to harder pushups... with the goal being doing all of them on the floor by the end (maybe??)
• Budget: Dishwasher's still running (*grin*) so still good there. Groceries for the week bought and meals planned. On track.

[18ck]

Glad the C25K thing is working for you and you & your w/machine are both running.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

[Pika24]

Yay for being on track! Well done. I'll have to check out this running app for the days that I'm training alone. So bad at pushing myself and getting out of a runner's rut!