sicil - lapsed Ninja with a funny belly, challenge #1

[peggysr]

Love the new view, although I too am mystified by the stairway to underground.  Best of luck with moving, packing, and staying on track through it all.  You find the coolest recipes...

[sicil]

What am I looking at in that picture?  Is that a staircase going down?    Where does it go?  Never seen anything like that in such a park-like setting... of course if you tried to do that here it would be flooded from about the fifth step down lol.  Love that carpet of little white flowers!  Having a nice view is great for your mood.

 

Love the new view, although I too am mystified by the stairway to underground.  Best of luck with moving, packing, and staying on track through it all.  You find the coolest recipes...

 

I didn't know I would be causing such a stir! The staircase goes down to the parking lot. Guess that's not as typical where you guys are from?

[sicil]

(Day... I forget, who cares...) Last night I put my newly developed habits to the test. Went out for dinner with a girlfriend. We ordered a lot, but I ate sensibly and offered a healthy dose of tea & melon at my place, instead of diving into chocolate cake goodness at a local dessert place. I declined half of my potato croquette portion and went without the extra appetizers... came out of it feeling good!

 

Was going to work out today, but scored tickets to my summer outdoor theatre show instead. That's all right - I know that there will be no excuses for the rest of my week. Now that my coworker is back, we're starting up zumba after work.

 

Can't wait to complete this week's mini-challenge with a trip to the farmer's market! Will share photos and inspiration later this week.

[sicil]

Phew. My early-next-week deadline got pushed to TODAY due to the documents requiring longer to ship than expected. Hustled and got it all together in time. Still managed to get a good breakfast (oatmeal + avocado) and lunch (salad + bbq chicken) in. I've stopped logging calories; it was extremely helpful at first, but now I'm administering rough justice based on the following rules: 1) eat clean, 2) don't eat junk food, 3) don't overeat, 4) 2x freebies per week. Seems to work well enough for me.

Coworker forgot her gym clothes so there was no zumba tonight. Instead, did a run alternating 1 min 3.5 / 8.8 MPH. 8.8 practically killed me, but can't argue with the results: 3.26km in 20 minutes.

[The Borg Queen]

I love tea eggs. Personally, I can't get enough of anything that even has a tiny amount of chinese five spice. Addicted.

 

Congratulations on your new place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Nice job sticking to your diet. Eating out can be so tricky, but it sounds like you pwned that one.

[sicil]

Today was a great day. Met up with some local NF peeps and did a hike. (CuteBug has some great photos over in her thread.) Did some trail running on the return, which was exciting and a little scary. Then hiked up the hill to the local uni, treating ourselves to froyo at the top of the mountain. Had some friends over for a tasty bbq of burgers and kebobs. Love these brief summer days... I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

[ManicSpider]

 

Day 31: Happy Belated Canada Day! Celebrated with a 20km bike ride and one very big hill. Ate well and refused to go out to 'celebrate' for dinner. My tummy and wallet both thank me today! (Plus I had already made plans with a friend to meet up for dinner tonight.)

 

 

 

Aww, it was Canada Day?? I missed it! When I was in my Australian high school, we would sometimes sing the Canadian national anthem because we were pretty keen on you guys with your two languages and low-ish crime rates. I can't remember any of it now, but I'm glad it seemed like you had an awesome day!     

[sicil]

Did the BCMC hike on Sunday in 1hr14min. When I first started this challenge at day 0, my time was 1hr30min. It's a great milestone and sense of achievement. Thanks guys for helping me get there! Every day I'm feeling faster and stronger; haven't found what I love to do passionately yet, but I'm well on my way! Here's the obligatory victory picture:

 

 

 

Another bonus of the week - I'm now at a 32.5" waistline! Only 0.5" more until I hit my goal, but I'm thrilled either way!

 

Also accomplished mini-challenge #5 with a great citrusy kale, guacamole & mexican bean bowl! (It was too tasty, didn't get a chance to take a photo... but here's the recipe I based it off of.

 

Weekly goal assessment: 4x gym time! - A!

 

2x freebies, otherwise all clean eatings! - A!

 

Did I mention the 1.5" total off the waist???  - A!

 

Only have brief splotches of time for gameplay. But now bf is out of the house for a few days...  - A!

[sicil]

I love tea eggs. Personally, I can't get enough of anything that even has a tiny amount of chinese five spice. Addicted.

 

Congratulations on your new place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Nice job sticking to your diet. Eating out can be so tricky, but it sounds like you pwned that one.

 

Mine aren't as pretty as my mom's, but the flavour is the same. I agree, Chinese five spice is ridiculous. I pour that tasty sh*t on everything! Thanks for the encouragement, we're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel here!

 

Aww, it was Canada Day?? I missed it! When I was in my Australian high school, we would sometimes sing the Canadian national anthem because we were pretty keen on you guys with your two languages and low-ish crime rates. I can't remember any of it now, but I'm glad it seemed like you had an awesome day!     

 

LOL seriously? We had enough problems with just learning our own anthem... we didn't bother with anyone else's!

[Aerie]

Hey sicil, great job on all the healthy eating and staying active! 

 

I tried searching for IMS and google came up with "irritable male syndrome"... read your link to see what you were ACTUALLY referring to, but that cracked me up.

[sicil]

Hey sicil, great job on all the healthy eating and staying active!

I tried searching for IMS and google came up with "irritable male syndrome"... read your link to see what you were ACTUALLY referring to, but that cracked me up.

Hahahaha! That would have been another problem altogether!!!

[sicil]

Hey sicil, great job on all the healthy eating and staying active!

I tried searching for IMS and google came up with "irritable male syndrome"... read your link to see what you were ACTUALLY referring to, but that cracked me up.

Hahahaha! That would have been another problem altogether!!!

[sicil]

Avoided temptation twice during my work day! A coworker brought in mammoth-sized doughnuts, which basically sat in a box all day. Satisfied myself with the natural sweetness of summer fruit - peaches and nectarines! Then, someone dropped off a case of beer... which I resisted, using yoga as my excuse. Love my workplace, but it does get hard from time to time to avoid food-related peer pressure.

 

Took a 'break' with yoga last night, which turned into a very intense 1.5 hours of yoga-disguised-as-bodyweight-training. Muscles are even sorer today (but the good kind of sore). Cooked myself a fantastic late dinner of mushroom rice, here's the recipe. (I added peas at the end for a dash of colour.)

 

[rogaecia]

Sicil! So much awesome butt kicking on your challenge. You are a true inspiration. Also- that rice looks sooooo delicious. 

[sicil]

Sicil! So much awesome butt kicking on your challenge. You are a true inspiration. Also- that rice looks sooooo delicious. 

 

Thanks, you are as well! How's your week going so far?

It's a lot of stirring and simmering. A healthier risotto?

[rogaecia]

This week so far is going well. I can't believe it is the 6th week. It now seems like a long time ago that this challenge started. Gah! I really enjoy all the pic you posted Canada is so beautiful. 

[sicil]

This week so far is going well. I can't believe it is the 6th week. It now seems like a long time ago that this challenge started. Gah! I really enjoy all the pic you posted Canada is so beautiful. 

 

I know! It feels so long and yet so short. I'm excited by what we accomplished but even more so about what we're all gonna do after this! Looking forward to this week's updates.

[sicil]

Oh dear lord. Last night was tough - I sit on the board of an awesome non-profit theatre company. Last night was move night, and a bunch of us director types were supposed to show up. (Y'all know where this is going...) Stayed past 10pm packing, which I guess earns me brownie points for some heavy lifting.   Good thing was, while I was starving, made it all the way home and ate some leftovers instead of stopping on the way. At that hour, my only choice would've probably been fast food. Glad I dodged that bullet.

 

Today I'm going into another IMS treatment, which means it'll be close to the weekend before I can do anything strenuous. Summer is just flying by, and I want to take full advantage of the season. Winter is coming!

[sicil]

I think back to my last IMS treatment with fondness now. Because this one was probably the hardest that I've had to endure in recent memory. There was a crunching feeling through some of the tighter points around my shoulder blades and rotator cuffs - which is always when it hurts like a mofo. Afterwards I felt moody and lethargic, but managed to convince myself to take an easy walk with some tunes. Back to normal today, a little sore. Won't be back in commission for exercise until the weekend.

 

On totally unrelated note - it's my birthday today! Which automatically means freebie day, in my world.

[rogaecia]

 

I think back to my last IMS treatment with fondness now. Because this one was probably the hardest that I've had to endure in recent memory. There was a crunching feeling through some of the tighter points around my shoulder blades and rotator cuffs - which is always when it hurts like a mofo. Afterwards I felt moody and lethargic, but managed to convince myself to take an easy walk with some tunes. Back to normal today, a little sore. Won't be back in commission for exercise until the weekend.

 

On totally unrelated note - it's my birthday today! Which automatically means freebie day, in my world.

 

Yay Sicil!! Happy birthday :) 

Hope you have a super fantastic kick ass start to another year ahead. 

[sicil]

This is the best birthday present EVAH. Thank you so much rogaecia!!!!!!

[sicil]

I thought a lot about this week's mini-challenge, which is why it's coming just under the wire.

 

I'm still not sure what I want to be as I level up. I used to be a ninja-for-reals, training and instructing in martial arts 4-5 times a week (well, sometimes as many as 6-7 depending on when I instructed). I've since appreciated the need for balance and rest along with  This challenge has been fantastic in kick-starting my appetite for active pursuits, but long-term consistency will be the true test for seeing if anything sticks.

 

1) Carry on 4x / week exercise routine throughout the winter: it's so easy to get out when it's sunny, warm, and beautiful. The real test will be moving my ass during monsoon season. I need to make sure I don't slip into hibernation season this fall and undo all of my progress.

 

2) Do the West Coast Trail: I absolutely detest camping. And lack of showers. And bugs. But I do love nature, and this would be the ultimate test of endurance, strength, and agility. My day hikes are starting to get longer, and harder, but having the stamina for a 5-7 day hike in the wilderness seems attainable now. I'll want to train up by doing an 'easier' multi-day hike first; probably something like the Juan De Fuca.

 

3) Ability to carry on on a basic conversation in Hebrew: My bf's from Israel, and I'd like to be able to converse on a basic level. I'm currently doing Pimsleur's Modern Hebrew on my lunch breaks. Great for walking around the hood muttering to yourself - exercise and learning a new language all in one!

 

Well, that's all for now! Tomorrow I'll be assessing the entirety of my first 6-week challenge.

[rogaecia]

I thought a lot about this week's mini-challenge, which is why it's coming just under the wire.

 

I'm still not sure what I want to be as I level up. I used to be a ninja-for-reals, training and instructing in martial arts 4-5 times a week (well, sometimes as many as 6-7 depending on when I instructed). I've since appreciated the need for balance and rest along with  This challenge has been fantastic in kick-starting my appetite for active pursuits, but long-term consistency will be the true test for seeing if anything sticks.

 

1) Carry on 4x / week exercise routine throughout the winter: it's so easy to get out when it's sunny, warm, and beautiful. The real test will be moving my ass during monsoon season. I need to make sure I don't slip into hibernation season this fall and undo all of my progress.

 

2) Do the West Coast Trail: I absolutely detest camping. And lack of showers. And bugs. But I do love nature, and this would be the ultimate test of endurance, strength, and agility. My day hikes are starting to get longer, and harder, but having the stamina for a 5-7 day hike in the wilderness seems attainable now. I'll want to train up by doing an 'easier' multi-day hike first; probably something like the Juan De Fuca.

 

3) Ability to carry on on a basic conversation in Hebrew: My bf's from Israel, and I'd like to be able to converse on a basic level. I'm currently doing Pimsleur's Modern Hebrew on my lunch breaks. Great for walking around the hood muttering to yourself - exercise and learning a new language all in one!

 

Well, that's all for now! Tomorrow I'll be assessing the entirety of my first 6-week challenge.

These are awesome goals! I know what you mean about the winter months. The lack of sun makes it easy for me to skip out on getting up. 

I love how the website for the Pacific Rim also had a [Challenges] tab. It is awesome to look up what may be a barrier and plan for it. 

[sicil]

These are awesome goals! I know what you mean about the winter months. The lack of sun makes it easy for me to skip out on getting up. 

I love how the website for the Pacific Rim also had a [Challenges] tab. It is awesome to look up what may be a barrier and plan for it. 

 

What are your long-term goals?

I think I will step up the gyming and yoga classes in the winter. Will be a good balance to keep the blues away!

Each year, there are people not prepared for the West Coast Trail. It's pretty secluded if you happen to get stuck along the way!

[The Borg Queen]

Nice goals! Hiking the west coast trail sounds like a lot of fun. Hope you get to do it!