Incantor's Incantation : The Chant Starts Now

[Incantor]

I'm stoked to start this, my first official challenge.  I have previously completed a personal 30 day challenge which I did with no support, I'll add some details about that to my battle log.

 

I am a 38 yr old, 5'-6" woman living in Tampa, FL.  I have a sedentary desk job - I'm a drafter working with AutoCAD.  I started my last (personal, not NF) challenge at 228 pounds, if I recall correctly.  I'll have to consult my log book, but it's down in the car at the moment.  At my next weigh-in a few months later I was down to 213 I think - it was a 15 pound loss at any rate.  I am not focused on weight loss primarily but rather with changing my body composition.  So far what has worked for me is to focus on activity and performance goals and let the body composition change on its own.  When I started I was spilling out of the cups my 36DD bra, fat squishing out above and below the band, and really should have been in a 38DDD.  Now I am on the tightest setting of the 36DD and it fits great.  I can see definition forming in my arms, legs, shoulders, torso.  Even my fingers look slimmer!  My waist has reduced a bit but is being pretty stubborn so far, but my hips and upper thighs are definitely slimmer.  I have cut out soda and no longer sweeten my iced tea.  I am watching portion sizes and making sure to listen to internal signals that tell me if I am hungry or not, when I am full, etc.  If I am craving something "bad" I just have a little to satisfy my craving, otherwise it grows and grows and becomes a monster that takes over my thoughts.  If I am not craving anything in particular I make the healthiest choice I can, heavy on the veggies and protein, avoiding empty carbs.

 

The first day of the challenge happens to be my anniversary and my husband and I are returning to the hotel where we spent our wedding night: the incomparable Don Cesar on St. Pete beach.  https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1440&bih=815&q=don+cesar&oq=don+ces&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.2077.4270.0.6306.7.7.0.0.0.0.66.422.7.7.0...0.0.0..1ac.1.15.img.DFHI2P3cZEg I plan to swim in the pool and the Gulf and to participate in their yoga on the beach program while I am there.  If the weather does not allow for those activities I will use the fitness center for a workout.  Participating in any of these will count towards my goals while I am there.  We will head over on Sunday night, spend Monday (first day of challenge) there, and check out on Tuesday.  Unless we decide to extend our stay a little , as we have both taken the entire week off, ahhhh.  I'm really looking forward to it.

 

My first goal for the challenge is to swim at least twice a week * .  I am working through the Total Immersion book and I'm currently at the "underswitch" drills.  At the end of the six weeks I want to have completed the drilling section and incorporated the technique into my freestyle stroke.  I have an existing thread about this in the swimming section: http://nerdfitnessrebellion.com/index.php?/topic/28291-my-freestyle-needs-fixing/

 

The second goal is to strength train at least twice a week *.  My personal trainer has set up a program for me that I am working through.  I had some issues with my knees surface during previous training, so we are working especially to strengthen the muscles around the knee with minimal loading on the knee.  I realized after following a link in this forum that I have had a condition since childhood that was never diagnosed despite my textbook presentation - I have hypermobile joints.  In particular my knees have always bent backwards if I am not concentrating on preventing that, but I also have hypermobility in the joints they use for diagnosis - my elbows bend past 90º , my fingers and especially my thumbs bend in strange ways.  If I am not careful my legs will twist from the knee instead of from the hip, that is ouchy.  I never realized that my hypermobility was an issue, just thought it was one of those weird things, but it is associated with muscle weakness, especially in the core, and clumsiness.  These have been issues with me throughout my life, I never understood that what I experienced was not normal.  The cure?  Strength training!  So I am on the right track to overcoming it.

 

( * My plan is to alternate 3/2 and 2/3 between the categories above.  So one week I will swim 3 times and strength train twice, and the next week I will reverse it, swimming twice and training 3 times.  My personal trainer has set me up with different workouts depending on whether it is a swimming heavy week or a training heavy week.  I also have a morning core workout for days when I plan to swim.  One day is free choice - I can take a yoga class, or swim more, or get in another workout, or rest - depending on how I feel.  One day is rest.  I am leaving in 2 possible rest days a week so that I can rest on the heaviest days of my period.  I have proven to myself that I CAN work out on those days if I am determined, but my workouts suck and it doesn't make me feel better.  My flow is so heavy that I can not swim on those days.  If I am up to it I will do something like use the rowing machine, but if I feel weak and exhausted I will take the rest.)

 

My third goal is to be able to do at least ONE real push up with good form by the end of the six weeks.  I will practice pushups on my strength training days.

 

My life goal is to stop using the snooze button on my alarm.  At one point I had myself trained to wake up at 5am with no alarm and I'd like to get back to that.  But for the goal, just getting up when the alarm sounds (or preferably BEFORE) will count.

 

Comments and suggestions are welcome!

 

Adding RL RP points for my goals:

 

Goal 1 (swimming)              4 STA  1 DEX

Goal 2 (strength training)   4 STR  1 DEX

Goal 3 (pushups)               2 STR

Goal 4 (no snooze)            2 WIS 1 CON

[Novena]

Hi Incantor,

 

I also have hyperextended knees, and yes, they get worse - had a yoga injury prove that. Strength training is your friend - muscles keep everything in place (along with making us look nice).

 

And I totally know how you feel with the bra size - I'm a 34K, and I'm trying to size down naturally as much as I can before going for surgery (the goal is to avoid it altogether). Definitely get sized professionally - I think you have an Intimacy in Miami - or any really good bra place. Regardless of anyone's size, getting professionaly sized just helps you breathe better - stand better - and definitely uplifts the mood!

 

I'm completely impressed that you did a 30 day challenge with no support! The support here should be loads more fun though!

 

Onwards and upwards!

N*

[Incantor]

Thanks for the advice. I actually have been sized professionally. Isn't it so much better when your bra fits? Nothing makes me crankier than a poorly fitting bra. I'll check out the store you mention if I see one in Tampa, but Miami is a long drive away (about 4 hours).

I realize that I didn't define a grading system. I'm thinking 10 points for the snooze goal, 10 for the pushups, and 40 each for the swimming and training goals. I'll be back to flesh out the grading system later.

[Magnonymous]

Hi, there. I'm following you; I'm looking for other adventurers who want to focus on strength and let the weight fall where it may. We're about the same starting weight, I think, but I haven't weighed myself since last year. I'm a super early beginner, whereas it looks like you have some experience. Good luck with your goals!

 

Also, my (12-year-old) daughter has hypermobile joints. She's agile but not very strong, and not interested in strength training.

[thebeerbabe]

Hi Incantor!

 

Welcome to team TPS Reports. Hope you don't have a case of the Mondays

 

I, too, am 5'6" and last year hyperextended both of my knees for the first time trying to get an incredibly heavy/awkward archery target out of the back of a truck - and it put me nearly out of commission for several weeks - so I hear you there. Thankfully, now that I'm aware of it I take care to adopt correct postures, etc., to try not to do it again. 

 

On another note, last year I did my first real push-up and it felt AWESOME to know I could finally do one (I have never, in my life, not even in high school been able to do that) so I hope that you feel that same satisfaction. I'm still working on doing a pull-up, but that's a long way off for me I think.

 

Just wanted to drop you a line to welcome you to the team. If there's anything that you need please let me know, I'll be checking in periodically!

 

Cheers,

TheBeerBabe

[Incantor]

I am at the Don right now! I've had 2 swim sessions today, one pool, one Gulf. I did my drills and also just played around. Despite my 50 spf, the overcast sky, and a beach umbrella, I still got some sun! Crazy! Also did some barefoot beach walking - it is hard to walk in this powder sand, I can feel my muscles going "say what?" I just got back from a mani pedi at the spa and looking forward to having my anniversary dinner at the fancy restaurant tonight with hubby. I may try to get another swim session and maybe some quality time with the Jacuzzi this evening. I'm glad the weather wasn't as rainy as the news had me expecting, because I totally forgot my workout clothes. Anyways, I'm going to get back to it now!

[sicil]

I am at the Don right now! I've had 2 swim sessions today, one pool, one Gulf. I did my drills and also just played around. Despite my 50 spf, the overcast sky, and a beach umbrella, I still got some sun! Crazy! Also did some barefoot beach walking - it is hard to walk in this powder sand, I can feel my muscles going "say what?" I just got back from a mani pedi at the spa and looking forward to having my anniversary dinner at the fancy restaurant tonight with hubby. I may try to get another swim session and maybe some quality time with the Jacuzzi this evening. I'm glad the weather wasn't as rainy as the news had me expecting, because I totally forgot my workout clothes. Anyways, I'm going to get back to it now!

Hey Incantor! I think it's a great idea to keep on exercising while you're in paradise. I started working out while I was on vacation two weeks ago - every hotel we stayed in had a gym, so there were no excuses. I found it made me crave exercise and added some routine to otherwise spontaneous days. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

[Incantor]

I didn't get that second swim session in, oh well. My burn has developed nicely, hah. It doesn't hurt so that's a good sign, maybe the tan won't peel off. I should have been more diligent with my sunscreen. I am back home now, snuggling with my kitty who is very happy to see me! While I was at the hotel I made pretty good food choices, I had fish each night in a baked or seared prep. I didn't set any limits on alcohol because it was a special occasion, but for the rest of vacation and the challenge it's off limits.

[Incantor]

I really didn't feel like going to the gym today since I am still coasting on my beach high, lol.  So I did some bodyweight stuff in the living room, including the dreaded pushups.  I have been working on these, I was doing knee pushups until my knee issues surfaced and I really didn't want to put weight directly on my knees like that.  My PT said she thought I was ready to go from the toes anyway.  I scoffed!  She said it was ok to not have perfect form yet so long as I kept the core tight and didn't strain my back, but that a little "snaking" of the torso was ok as I work towards better form.  She also wanted me to start on the floor and push up rather than lowering down from a plank.  So I did a set of five of those and was very surprised that I was almost able to hold my body in the right position on the first rep and barely had to "snake" at all.  I could have forced out some more reps but after 5 the snaking was pretty extreme at that point and was starting to feel it in the back so I stopped.   But still proud of myself!  Also did some BW squats, some core work, and bridges.

[thebeerbabe]

That is awesome! The last time I started getting in shape (about a year ago) I started to be able to do push ups after a while. Never been able to do any in my life before that, it's a heck of a feeling! I am a little intimidated to see whether I can still do one now (after a year of not doing them). I guess we'll see at the gym tomorrow!

 

Hope you enjoyed the beach - I sincerely wish I was on vacation right now. 

[Incantor]

Well I am glad that it held off until today and didn't start at the fancy hotel, but do I really need to have my period during my vacation?  Arrgh.  Sometimes it's haaaarrrd to be a womaaaaann! /countrytwangoff  

 

So now I am waiting for my Advil to kick in, trying to decide if it's running slow enough that I can swim today or if I have to do something else.  Sigh.

[Incantor]

Tropical storm warning! WTF, is this the best vacation or what???

[Incantor]

I have an Android phone and use the Google Now app.  Mostly it just gives me travel times to places I go a lot, like my apartment and the gym.  This morning it was determined to inform me about this storm.  At like 4am it notifies me that the storm now has a name, Andrea.  Great.  Fuck you, Andrea, I'm trying to sleep.  Took some more Advil for my cramps, went back to sleep.  Fifteen minutes later it notifies me again, this time a tornado warning for my county.  OK, yeh yeh tropical storm, I know, thanks.  Back to sleep.  Shortly after that, about 4:45am, my phone begins to emit the emergency broadcast signal at max volume.  Shit.  This time they have spotted a radar signature consistent with a tornado a few miles away.  I'm like, I'm already inside, what more do you want from me, Google!  Went back to sleep.  Phone notifies again.  I curse all Google engineers for trying to save my life.  Pick up the phone, it's actually an email from my work account.  Ugh.  Back to sleep.  Husband's get up and go to work alarm sounds because he keeps forgetting to turn it off until vacation is over.  So now I am awake.  Hope you're happy, world!  Grrrr.  Gonna go make some coffee.

[sicil]

What's up, fellow desk-slave! Doing my bit for week 1 mini-challenge for Team TPS Reports!

I love how you're accomplishing Goal 2 with the help of a personal trainer. Sounds like it would be pretty easy to injure yourself otherwise!

Have you given thought to partial points for some of these goals? I think it's a great motivator to reward ourselves even if we don't excel as quickly as we thought when we were setting out.

[rogaecia]

Hello fellow TPS teammate  

It looks like I have yet to stop by and check out your awesome goal list. 

I love the swimming goal because I do not know how to swim, so I am very impressed with people who not only know, but enjoy it as well. 

The push-up goal is also one I secretly have for myself. Must get buff!

Hope your week is going great. Keep on kicking butt!

[MonicaLane]

Hello fellow TPS Report teammate!

 

Just checking in for the mini challenge!

 

I love those goals.. Hmmm I have a bad knee too, I should find some exercises to address that issue. Thanks for the inspiration! I love your SMART goals, and your life goal is really great

 

See you soon on the TPS Reports group thread!

[Incantor]

Hubby and I braved the storm (OK, we actually went out between rain bands) to get some overdue chores done today.  Namely dropping his car off at our mechanic for servicing and taking him to the eye doctor so he can get contacts again.  His glasses are like pitiful half-dead creatures at this point, and for some reason they have become completely uncleanable.  It just smears around.  Even with a microfiber.  Even with a little dishwashing detergent!  It's the damndest thing.  I think maybe the coating has gone bad or something.  While I was waiting for his exam I talked to the sales rep about getting the lenses in my frames replaced - for some reason they are cracking where the arms meet the frames.  Even though I am SUPER CAREFUL with my glasses.  Also there is a tear or something in the coating that is right where I look.  It turns out that it would only be about $20 or so more to just order a whole new pair of frames and lenses, so I did!  I'm excited, haven't had new frames for awhile.  Also got a new pair for hubby in case he wants to take out his contacts in the evening or whatnot.

 

Other than that, I feel like crappola.  Or should I say, cramp-ola.  Heh.  I tried to do some pushups and was just way too weak to be effective, so I'm taking the rest day today and just hopped myself up on Advil.  Which reminds me, I'm due for another dose!

 

Sicil - I gotta say, I really love my personal trainer.  She has been a huge help to me.  She's great especially for showing me new exercises and for getting me into parts of the gym that I would probably have never worked up the nerve to try by myself.  Plus we seem to get along well - working out with her feels like working out with a friend.  She's also really responsive via text message when we are not in session if I have a question or can't remember how to do an exercise she wrote in my log.  I'm really glad I signed up for personal training.  I like your idea to work out a partial points system, gonna work on that.

 

Rogaecia - can't swim??  What if you fall into a pool full of bourbon or something?   But seriously, I learned when I was a little kid.  You should take a class and learn how!  It is a really fun workout, very meditative, and you never feel all overheated and blechy.  I used to surf back when I was in high school and I look back in amazement at my old self.  It took me a long time to build up the upper body strength to actually catch a wave.  No way could I do that today.  But there is something about just sitting on a surfboard, looking out at the ocean, waiting for the next set while contemplating being cradled by a body of water that flows out all the way to Africa...  I still dream of it sometimes.

 

MonicaLane - I found a great website for knee strengthening exercises but the bookmark is on my phone.  I'll edit it in a few minutes!  Here it is - http://www.fix-knee-pain.com/knee-strengthening-exercises/

[Incantor]

Oh yay, the weather has finally broken and so have my cramps! Sorry for all the menstrual info, but it really does effect my life especially as regards fitness. I'm hoping to make it down to the pool in the apartment complex. It's really a nice pool, like three separate pools, one shallow, one deep, and moderate depth in the middle. They are set diagonally and if no one else is swimming I can do drills and laps along the diagonal which Google maps indicates is either exactly or really close to a standard 25m. It's surrounded by gorgeous landscaping and you can set your chair full in the sun or under the shade of the trees. Going to have a light breakfast and shuffle on down.

[Incantor]

Well I didn't go to the pool early as planned but I did get down there!  Unfortunately there was a group of kids playing in the shallow end so I had to shorten the lengths for my drills, but that's ok.  Right now I am focusing on changing my entire swimming technique, not on endurance, so shorter lengths are fine even if a little inconvenient.  It was a kind of annoying that from the way the kids were talking they did not actually live in our complex but had come from somewhere else to use the pool, but I didn't report them or anything because I remember how much I loved swimming at that age and they weren't being obnoxious.  I did some extra practice on the previous drills (underskate, underswitch) and did some work on zipperskate.  I felt like I was tweaking my shoulder sometimes on that one, so I'm going to practice that a bit more this evening lying on the bed to make sure I've got the arm positioning right.  I've gotta get one more strength session this weekend and I'm going to try to fit in a little more swimming too!

[LadyPercy]

'Ello! I'm checking in from TPS Report :-)

 

Your goals seem good - I love the swimming one. I should really start swimming again. Your apartment complex's pool sounds pretty awesome too.

 

Glad you're feeling better today, and the weather is cooperating more.

[Incantor]

LadyPercy, you're right.  You should swim more!  MOAR SWIMMING!  

 

I went to get my hair cut and my stylist said he could really tell that I've been working out and wanted to shorten my hair a little to play up my cheekbones.  Cheekbones!  I has cheekbones!  Ones you can see!  Yay!  He has no idea how much I wanted to jump up and hug him.  Maybe if he hadn't been brandishing a razor at the time...

 

So I got a call from my boss when I was at lunch asking me to come in early on Monday and/or do some work over the weekend because we have a big job going out and the drawings need some corrections.  He said he'll pay me overtime and I giggled because really, that is not what motivates me.  I'm going to do my best to accommodate his request because he's cool and didn't call me all week, and because the guys in the field need the drawings, not for time and a half.  Besides that way my case of the Mondays will be me getting there early and kicking ass!  I dunno if I'm really going to feel like working this weekend.  Maybe just a little.  Since he asked so nicely.     Luckily my PT appointment isn't until Tuesday.  I'm debating showing up in resortwear on Monday haha.  I splurged on a Chanel nail polish that is a dead ringer for the paint on the Don Cesar so that whenever I look at my nails I can remember being there.  My husband doesn't know it yet, but I totally plan to make this a regular part of our anniversary celebration!  Next time I am planning to have some time there ahead of our anniversary instead of behind it, so that we have less chance of getting rained out as hurricane season begins.  I might even make the reservation now!  Teehee.  Nobody tell him, ok?  It's a surprise.      Shhhhh. 

 

Edit: Trying to install the new ACAD on my home machine and it complains I don't have enough space to install 1.37GB on a drive with 53.3GB remaining.  Seriously????  FU Autodesk!

[Incantor]

Never did get that program installed.  How irritating.

 

I did a bodyweight routine at home yesterday instead of going to the gym which I am counting towards the strength goal.  I included pushups, was experimenting with the form.  It hurts my wrists (and to a lesser extent my shoulders) to do them the way my PT wanted - a wide stance with my shoulders making a T and forearms vertical.  So I've been doing them with my elbows in tight like that yoga pose chaturanga that kicks my ass whenever I attempt it.  I'll have to talk to her about that, I know that the yoga type engages different muscles but I'm not doing anything that makes my shoulder complain and I know she wouldn't want me to.  There's probably something wrong with my form.

 

Debating trying to get in one more swimming session in the complex pool, but if so I have to go early before it starts raining this afternoon.  But tomorrow is my swim day since I had to make my PT appointment for Tuesday and I'm worried my suit won't be dry by morning.  I hate a wet swimsuit, bleargh.  I keep thinking I should buy another so I can rotate between two but so far I have not.  I think I have enough points at Sports Authority to get one half price if I can find another in my size.  Hmmm.

 

I haven't had an alarm to snooze to this week, but I did impose a little discipline on myself anyway and got out of bed as soon as I woke and there was light outside.  Got up at 7:30 regularly.  That kind of sucks since that is when I absolutely must be out the door to make it to work on time in normal traffic.  Kind of explains why I am always so tired in the morning, meh.  And with daylight savings I can't go to sleep any earlier than I already do.  I don't really get why I seem to need so much more sleep than other people.  I need 10 hours, everyone else seems to get by on six.  A week off has been great, wish I could have had two!  Oh well.

[sicil]

I know of two ways to modify pushups (I have sore wrists too). 1) make a fist and put the flat side of the fist down on the floor. That way you're not pressing on your wrists as much, but it does take some getting used to. 2) spread your arms in a wide pushup stance and spread out your fingers, gripping them to the floor. That way you're equally distributing your weight instead off relying on your wrists alone. Hope these help!

[Incantor]

Whew, this week has been rough.  I was right about all that work piling up.  I've been pretty successful with my snooze goal although I did use it once this morning,  Still I've been getting up earlier and arriving to work an hour early to try get caught up so I'm pretty happy with myself and would like to maintain that as a habit.  I've done a couple strength workouts but had to cancel my PT appointment to work late on a project.  Haven't got to swim yet but I still have weekend mornings for that so I'm hopeful.  Sorry for the short update and my lack of input (or even reading) on everyone else's threads.  I will try to catch up this weekend.

[Incantor]

Did not make it into the pool at all last week, boo!  Did my strength training sessions in the apartment instead of the gym which I'll count towards the goal but it's time to get the wheels rolling again!  Google  Now is starting to give me the time to my home after work instead of the time to the gym, and we can't have that!

 

So on to this week.  Yesterday didn't work out.   Today, I just had my appointment with my personal trainer.  She texted me to tell me that the appointment after mine had cancelled and asked if I wanted to switch (it was my preferred time slot).  Instead of switching, I picked it up as a double.  Rawr!  We did a full body today, heavier on the legs, focusing on strengthening around my knees without loading them too much.  Did some pushups and inverted rows in the smith machine.  Now I am coasting on my post workout high, weee.

 

Haven't used the snooze yet this week, been arriving a half hour early which is probably more manageable than an entire hour.  I'm basically caught up on my work at this point, or at least I damped down all the active fires.  So I feel pretty good!  It looks like the afternoon thundershowers are going to be forming more inland this week so I may be able to hit the apartment pool after work tomorrow without having to worry about getting struck by lightning.  And boy, is it hot out there!  90º, with a heat index at 100º which is actually lower than it has been the last few days enough for us to notice that it is "cooler".  LOL.  When I got up this morning it was still over 80º and it was like a steam room outside.  Oh, Florida.  Why can't it be May forever?