LynnyLee's challenge to have an awesome summer

[LynnyLee]

Fitness/health goals:

1. lift 3 times a week, adding weight each week

2. Start morning & bedtime routines that include: take vitamins every day, use neti pot at least 3 times a week, take better care of teeth and skin

3. hydrate - shooting for 85 ounces of water per day

4. dance - work on new solo for big studio show August 20th

Life goals:

Add cleaning to morning/evening routines

Keep up on reading & memorize passage that inspire me.

I will be out the last few days of the challenge since I'm going on vacation. (Cruise in the eastern Mediterranean, woop!)

[LynnyLee]

Day 1

1. Went to the gym & got some lifting in; like last challenge, I'll be using bench press, dead lift and squat as my three main benchmarks.

Squat 80.0x10,80.0x10,85.0x10

bench press 60.0x10,60.0x10,60.0x10

dead lift 70.0x10,70.0x10,70.0x10

2. took vitamins in the morning, folded laundry & started another load before bed, trying a new facial wash instead of regular soap. Let's hope this stops the acne.

3. 64 ounces; so close yet so far...

4. bopped around to my music, I picked a khaleegi style song, so I need to widen my repertoire of khaleegi moves.

Life goal: did my spiritual readings before bed; no other reading though.

[Seabright]

Hey! Looks like you are off to an awesome start!

[LynnyLee]

Day 2 - Wednesday

1. So a few days ago a friend came to me and said our church was doing a 5K walk/run to raise funds to build wells in India & asked if I'd be up for doing it with her. So I said "No, the people in India can drink nasty water and like it!" Ok, so that's the exact opposite of what I did. I signed up, and yesterday was the walk/run. I had zero time to train. I actually did ok. Ran the first third until I came past a lady mowing her lawn. Then my allergies made me feel like I was going to die. I instantly had runny nose, tight throat, watery eyes, and a headache. I walked most of the rest of it with a few bouts of jogging. No biggie though, I've got that great worked out muscle feeling and helped people get some clean water. I'd call that a win.

2. So, here's my problem in the morning: usually I have to be at work at 8. In order to be on time I have to leave at 7:45. Most mornings I wake up at 7:40, throw on clothes, swish a toothbrush through my mouth, grab something portable for breakfast and run. Yesterday I got up at 7:35, so I actually managed to brush my teeth for real, and make sure my clothes matched. Oh, and I took my vitamin. That's an improvement I guess. There was no evening routine yesterday since after the 5K allergy attack I got home and collapsed on the couch. Didn't really sleep all night, but wasn't really awake either.

3. Drank 70 ounces before the walk/run, should've drank more though.

4. Listened to my music during the walk. Running into issues with my song being repetitive. I might cut a verse. Although I got a message today asking if I'd want to do a duet with someone. Might bring up the song I'm already doing and see how that works. I've done tons of solos lately, and it's been a long time since I've done a duet with anyone, so I could use the challenge. Going to mull it over.

Life goal: Did my spiritual readings at lunch. Listened to some LOTR on audio book while doing some mindless tasks at work. (Not technically reading, but close). No other reading though thanks to the collapsing.

[Seabright]

Wow, that's really some morning routine you've got there, LynnyLee. I would say an actual multi-layered tooth-brushing experience is a definite improvement. You crack me up!

Duet singing is awesome - very cool that you'll have that opportunity!

[Alethea]

Bahaha, your morning routine sounds like mine! 3 cheers for easy-to-grab breakfasts! Excellent goal to train better habits.

Personally, I found that my skin is much better when I limit the amount of sweets and bread (carbs, the simpler, the worse) and get veggies every day. I can't suggest anything else, I am hopeless when it comes to skin cleans/toner/moisturizer stuff. I saw a kit once with 8 seperate items. 8!! Does anyone use that many?!

[LynnyLee]

I saw a kit once with 8 seperate items. 8!! Does anyone use that many?!

My sister. No joke. I'd say she probably has more than that. She has a calendar in her bathroom reminding her which products to use on what day, as well as what hair products to use. She also has notes all over her house reminding her what loads of laundry to do on what days, what to clean when, what items to buy at what store and on what day, etc. But, she has mild OCD. The rest of us have no hope of ever keeping 8 products straight.

In all truth, I have thought about taking a cue from her on the idea of hanging lists throughout the house. Not to the extent of her's of course, but a note on my bathroom mirror with a morning routine might give me the push to get up 15 minutes earlier. That said:

Day 3 - Thursday

1. went to the Y for some lifting. Once again my benchmarks:

squat: 85.0x10,85.0x10,85.0x10

deadlift:70.0x10,70.0x10,70.0x10

benchpress: 60.0x10,60.0x5 then I noticed that every time I lifted my sinuses got an excruciating pain; like56 the previous days headache coming back. I decided to call it a day.

2. This time up at 7:33, for real toothbrushing & matching clothes, also managed to get my OTC medicine info & insurance stuff since I had a doctor appt. (Which I've been putting off for over a year, so that was a minor accomplishment right there.) Before bed I did the skin/tooth care regimen and cleaned up the piles of clothes on the bedroom floor. (Since apparently both my husband sometimes find those 5 steps to the clothes hamper to just be too much.)

3. hydration: 56 ounces

4. Have a rough plan for the first minute of my song (it's 4 minutes total.) I mean very rough, but I have ideas for it as a duet that are so dang cute!

Life goal: Did my spiritual reading and stole the latest National Geographic from my husband. (He always hides them until he's read it like 8 times.)

[Alethea]

Hey, a list is a good idea! I mean, just to get you set up and in the habit, so you get a whole automatic routine going without forgetting anything. I like it!

[LynnyLee]

So, the list making didn't happen yet, just as well since so far this weekend been crazy.

Day 4 - Friday

1.Had Charley horses in both calves at night, so I decided Friday should be a rest day. Expect I ended up going to a party and dancing...a lot...in a really hot room. Not restful at all. Darn music with its rhythms beckoning me! Had Charley horses again the next night.

2. Once again up at 7:33, my dentist will be proud of my efforts. No one at work seems to care about my matching clothes. Makes sense considering that there's no dress code at my job, and often I'm in the office by myself for most of the day. Bedtime routine didn't happen after the party. What did happen was getting home around midnight covered in sweat & with a headache, swishing a toothbrush in my mouth for a few seconds, standing in the shower for another minute and then collapsing into bed.

3. hydration: 70 ounces; however I also had a glass of sangria later & I sweated a lot. I did remember to start fasting in time for my blood work the next day; however, I was hoping to be more hydrated.

4. No choreography work. Tons of other dancing though.

Life goal: Did my spiritual reading at lunch.

[LynnyLee]

Day 5 - Saturday

1. Had 2 hours of dance practice. Had to go straight from there to a funeral, and was going to go to lift afterwards, but I was rather wiped out after the funeral. Had to think about something fun, so I worked on invites for my sister's baby shower.

2. Had to go have blood drawn at 8. The lab is 7 minutes from my house. I woke up 10 minutes before I had to go. This was intentional though. If I stayed around the house to do anything I might have eaten something, which would have been a no-no. So, I did my morning routine after having blood drawn & making a trip to the pharmacy. I now have something else to add to the routine. I was prescribed a nasal spray on Thursday that didn't get into the pharmacy until Saturday morning thanks to my insurance company being a bunch of jerks. They won't approve the medicine my doctor wants, but will approve a slightly different one. This one had better work, or there will be angry phone calls.

3. hydration: 64 ounces. I sweated a lot throughout the day though. Not sure if I broke even on that one.

4. Watched some Khaleegi videos to get ideas. Very much inspired by the lovely

Life goal: Did my spiritual reading while waiting in the lab to get blood drawn. (Hooray for free books on my phone!) More National Geographic before bed & part of a Bill Bryson book I've been reading on & off since January.

[spezzy]

your morning routine looks like mine!

get up, throw gym clothes on, brush teeth, suck down protein, go.

i usually set out clothes and food for the next day the night before so i can grab them on my way out the door (i shower and get dressed at the gym)

and i actually went through ALL of my beauty products before i moved a few days ago, and was able to condense everything into one small box. a lot of it was all of those crazy 8 step products my friends convinced me i need.

for acne... my method is simple, and all of the products the girls convinced me i needed that i didnt and i threw away weren't any better - i start with an astringent, wipe my face down with that, and then moisturize with a target brand moisturizer that has salicylic acid in it. i forget exactly what its called, but its a version of a clean and clear product - but i actually prefer the target product.

i do that before bed/after the gym (i go to the gym first thing in the morning) and change pillowcases regularly - and thats helped HUGE.

in the shower i use whatever face wash was on sale and smelled the best when i went shopping

[LynnyLee]

in the shower i use whatever face wash was on sale and smelled the best when i went shopping

That's the same thing I used for years. I'm actually trying to see if there's something more effective though. If there isn't then oh well, I tried. My acne situation is strange in that I'll go months with nary a blemish, then BAM! pizza face for a week or so.

I've heard the pillowcase thing before, but never put it into practice. Might have to get on that.

I used to be really good about laying my clothes out the night before, but then I got a job with zero dress code and that went out the window. Wouldn't hurt to start it back up though. Might give me another minute or so in my already harried morning.

Day 6 - Sunday

So, remember the whole doctor visit thing? Well that was for insomnia. Now I've gone in the other direction, and all I can do is sleep. I've been saving my energy for dance & work since I have other people relying on me there.

Sunday I got home from church, sat down on the couch and was out like a light. (Just glad I didn't fall asleep in church.) Sister called a few hours later, so we went to dinner. I listened to my khaleegi music on the way there. Had dinner, went home, back to sleep. No fluids, no exercise, nothing...

Day 7 - Monday

More of the same. I did get down 48 ounces of fluid at work, and another 8 at dance practice. Other than that, I slept.

Day 8 - Tuesday

Realizing the position I drank 56 ounces at work. Took a nap instead of eating on my lunch break, slept after work until it was time to meet my duet partner. Worked on the dance for and hour and a half. Drank 16 ounces of fluid while there, then home to sleep.

All this time no morning/evening routines, no weight lifting, no reading, just being tired. I go back to the doctor on Thursday for the results of my blood work. I've gone from dreading going to the doctor to not being able to wait to get there. I actually kind of hope it's just a vitamin deficiency, so I have something to work with.

[Alethea]

That is very strange, but if your body wants to rest, then rest. I hope your bloodwork comes back with something useful!

[Seabright]

All this time no morning/evening routines, no weight lifting, no reading, just being tired. I go back to the doctor on Thursday for the results of my blood work. I've gone from dreading going to the doctor to not being able to wait to get there. I actually kind of hope it's just a vitamin deficiency, so I have something to work with.

Checking in and hoping all is well with you.

[LynnyLee]

Thanks for checking in. I appreciate it. Think I got my energy levels back in the right direction. Details below.

Wednesday - Day 10

The missing day...I have no records in Evernote for this day. I know I went to dance practice. I remember working on a Saidi choreography for a group number. I'm also deducing from the timing of other events that this was the day I realized I had both a bladder & a sinus infection. That's it.

Thursday - Day 11

No records in Evernote again. I did go to the doctor. Got some antibiotics. If I'd had just the sinuses, or just the bladder I would've gone the home treatment route, but I'm not going to fight a two front war on bacteria without some ammunition.

Blood work showed I was low on slightly low on iron and magnesium, and very low on Vitamin D. I probably haven't been absorbing it since I've been low on the other two. So, I'm making some dietary changes to get more iron and magnesium. Doctor advised a vitamin D supplement for the next month while I get everything sorted.

Friday - Day 12

Have records:

72 ounces of fluid

Morning, still slept in until the last possible moment, but got up and took my regular vitamin, my Vitamin D supplement, my allergy medicine, and my antibiotic (with yogurt so I can keep some good bacteria). I can't wait to get some of this sorted out so I can have less pill bottles laying around.

Exercise: Had to dance a show that night. It was actually the best set I've done in quite awhile. I decided to throw in a Turkish pop song & I'm glad I did. I rocked it!

Evening: got home from show, washed off make up, and collapsed.

Saturday - Day 13

Fluid: 72 ounces

Morning: actually got up an hour before having to go anywhere, took my stash of meds, ate a decent breakfast, groomed myself rather well considering I was going to dance practice, did my spiritual readings, and cleared off my dining room table before leaving.

Exercise: Two hours of dance practice, then a nap, then back up for homeless ministries.

Evening: worked on ideas for the next 30 seconds of khaleegi duet, no actual dancing, just video viewing. Sorted some leftover supplies from homeless ministries, face/teeth care routine, and got to bed at 2am... It was going ok until that last detail.

Sunday - Day 14

Fluid: drank 64 ounces of water, but then quite a bit of coffee. I've also recently re-discovered barley tea. I know it doesn't have caffeine, but I'm not sure if it hydrates or not.

Slept in. Dad woke me up when he called and asked me to meet the family for lunch. I ran to my parents' house without taking any meds. Took them all immediately upon arriving back home.

More khaleegi video viewing, then church (my turn to serve coffee, which is fun, but takes up the evening).

Did my evening face/teeth routine, spiritual readings, then bed at 9:30.

My energy levels are starting to come back up. Still not bouncing off the walls like I used to, but I'm glad to at least know why.

[Seabright]

Sounds like you are slowly coming back - good! But...no more 2:00 a.m. bed times for you!

[Alethea]

So glad you got diagnosed deficient. At least it's an easy fix! May I suggest, in addition to your meds, go take a walk at lunch time for 10 minutes? Sunshine is the best source for Vitamin D, and it always makes me feel fantastic.

[LynnyLee]

Actually, that's the puzzling thing. I get plenty of sun, maybe a bit too much for a fair skinned person with a family history of skin cancer. The doctor said that judging from the deficiency levels I must not be absorbing it because right now I could sit in the sun until I had cancer and not be back where I need to be. Also, fish is a good source of vitamin D & I eat a lot of fish, and then wash it down with vitamin D enriched milk, but to no avail.

We're operating on the theory that because I'm deficient in other minerals that's throwing things off. I've read a lot of sources saying vitamin D is picky and if you're deficient in anything else it thinks its too good for you or something. I'm supposed to concentrate on getting the two other deficiencies back under control and then get retested in 3 months.

So, I've got my lists of foods that rich in iron and magnesium & I'm using them as a checklist to make sure I eat a lot of them. Dark chocolate is on both lists. I think that's God's way of telling me something...

Monday - Day 15

1. Had dance company rehearsal. I got a text saying that we were meeting for practice even though the a/c is out in the studio, so I took it easy & drank extra fluid since I knew that was going to be a bear. Just worked on my khaleegi duet. (See below) Just as well since I needed to make myself sit down and work on arrangement for my sister's baby shower.

2. Decided to go whole hog and set my alarm for 6am. That was a bad idea since apparently I shut it off in my sleep. Woke up at 7:42. Threw on clothes grabbed breakfast and ran.

After practice I was beat from practice in the sweltering studio. Showered & went straight to bed. So, no morning or evening.

3. hydration: 84 ounces.

4. Got word that the show changed venues to a place with a bigger stage, so worked on alternate entrances for the choreography since now we're going to have to book it out.

Life goal: Did my spiritual reading at lunch. Read up on baby shower traditions, but I really wish I hadn't.

Tuesday - Day 16

1. So I made a plan for the day that involved all sorts of workout goodness hoping to make up for lost workouts in the past. This plan got derailed. I did get a nice jog in the morning, and met duet partner to dance for an hour and a half. However, afternoon trip to the gym got canceled when I got a "see you at the meeting at 5:30 tonight?" text. It took everything in me not to text back "no."

2. Scaled back and set the alarm for 7:00. Actually did it. Decided to go for a quick jog around the block to get the blood flowing, showered, folded some laundry, had a real breakfast, actual tooth brushing, took meds and still got to work early. That was the bad part. At every other job I've ever had I was always at least 15 minutes early. At this job if I'm early one of my coworkers comes into my tiny office and stands there and goes blah blah blah really loudly about the most inane things until well past 8. If I show up at 7:59 I avoid this.

Evening was abbreviated since duet practice runs so late, but I did manage to clear off the coffee table and do the whole groom routine before bed.

3. 72 ounces

4. practice night, still rough in spots, but we'e half way through the song Yay!

Life goal: spiritual reading at lunch, and read some H.P. Lovecraft on my phone while waiting for the meeting to start (25 minutes late).

[LynnyLee]

Wednesday - Day 17

1. A/C still not fixed in studio. I know I've danced outdoor shows in hotter weather and not felt so icky. Must be because the air in there is stagnant too.

2. Got up at 7:30. Later than before since I went to bed late the previous night...oops. Got in some grooming & meds, rebooted the dishwasher & out the door

Even was short again, because once again dance got out late. Showered & managed to go through the skin/teeth routine & fold some laundry though.

3. 84 ounces, but again with the tons of sweating. I'm actually feeling a little dehydrated today.

4. Watched some more clips. Got sidetracked by some clips of Iraqi dancers doing chobi. It shares some movement vocabulary though, and I got some ideas.

Life: spiritual readings at lunch, and more Lovecraft before bed.

[Seabright]

...and still got to work early. That was the bad part. At every other job I've ever had I was always at least 15 minutes early. At this job if I'm early one of my coworkers comes into my tiny office and stands there and goes blah blah blah really loudly about the most inane things until well past 8. If I show up at 7:59 I avoid this.

Evening was abbreviated since duet practice runs so late, but I did manage to clear off the coffee table and do the whole groom routine before bed.

You crack me up!

[LynnyLee]

@Seabright I always try to amuse. :)Well, the insanity continues...Thursday1. This was the only day in the week were I didn't have 2 bajillion things on the calendar, so I decided to be lazy.2. Alarm was set for 7, but I got up at 7:18. Decluttered random flat surfaces. Actual toothbrushing, meds, and at work right at 7:58.Evening was just skin/teeth routine since I was being lazy3. drank 64 ounces of water at work, and a ton of barley tea at home. I really need to find out the nutritional content of that stuff since I'm now addicted to it. (And plantain chips. Seriously, why does the Oriental market have plantain chips?)4. My duet partner sent me a ton of khaleegi clips with notes on what she did & didn't like. Went through most of them. So far we seem to have similar taste on most moves.Life: Did my spiritual readings & read quite a bit of my Bill Bryson book while being lazy.Friday1. Danced a show at night. We went on at 10, so not super late, but I was already tired that day. Had tons of fun at the show though. Something went oops with the music, and I ended up dancing to a different song than planned. I knew the song that did play though, so improv time. Also, someone snapped a great picture of me, which I love.2. Woke up at 7:18 again. More decluttering. Since the show venue was 5 blocks from my house the dancers gathered at my place before going over. Even though these are people who've been my friends for years, and have heard all my self-deprecating jokes about my poor house keeping, I still felt the need to clean a little extra before they came over.Evening consisted of peeling off the false eyelashes, scraping off the body glitter and tons of makeup before collapsing.3. 84 ounces of water, but I sweated like crazy at the show.4. No Khaleegi since I was dancing otherwiseLife: Spiritual readings at lunch.SaturdayAh June! Love is in the air. Wedding season. I had 2 wedding in one day...crazy.1. Went to dance practice in the morning, then the wedding insanity. First wedding was very casual, and instead of an actual reception the couple had volley nets out. It was extra interesting since the ground was very slippery & an absolute sponge, but fun. (Reason for that later.) Second wedding was in the evening, and was traditional. Of course I danced like crazy at the reception. It's my thing. It's what I do. Don't invite me to a party unless you want me lead a conga line.2. Was awakened sometime around 6:30 by tornado sirens. Spent some time cleaning the basement as a result. Found the source of our only leak in the basement. After the chaos went back to bed and didn't sleep well. Woke up just in time to take my meds and run top speed out the door to dance.Evening was just cleaning myself up and collapsing in bed.3. No idea how much water I drank.4. No khaleegiLife: No reading at all, unless you count road signs on the way to the weddings. (I don't) Sunday1. A few days earlier my dad remarked that it was my husband & I's anniversary Sunday. We had both forgot. I asked what he wanted to do to celebrate. Since #7 is not a big year he said play video games all day, then go out to eat Turkish food. So I switched a volunteer shift at church, and that's what we did. No exercise involved in that, but we finally beat the co-op on Kirby's Epic Yarn.2. I woke up at 10:38, which was just enough time to throw something on & go to church. (Hooray for casual services.) Took med after wards. Evening was just skin/teeth and bed.3. I kept a water bottle with me for the gaming, and refilled it several times. No idea how many times though.4. Watched some Khaleegi clips after dinner, and tried out a few steps that were new to me.Life: Did my spiritual readings after church but before hubby woke up. No other reading that wasn't part of a game cut scene.

[Seabright]

That's a lovely picture of you! Thanks for posting it.

I like the way you spent your anniversary!

[LynnyLee]

Ok, sorry for the long absence. Work got a little (ok a lot) crazy. Here's the run down based on my notes.

Monday

1. Went to a birthday party after work, which took up most of the evening, so my exercise. I did exercise restraint on the party food

2. No notes on morning or evening.

3. 80 ounces. No notes on how I felt though

4. Don't remember Khaleegi work

Life: Don't remmeber

Tuesday

1. Had practice with duet partner

2. I do remember this is the day my clocky arrived in the mail. Yes, I got one of

Once again, no notes for evening.

3. 56 ounces. Noted that I felt a little dehydrated.

4. See #1.

Life: I know I got my spiritual reading done; no clue otherwise

Wednesday

1. Had dance practice

2. First morning with the clocky. I put him too close to the bad and caught him before he out of reach, so I fell back asleep until my phone's "Oh crap" alarm. Don't remember evening. Since dance usually runs late I'm going to guess not much.

3. No notes...ooops

4. No khaleegi work

Life: *shrug*

Note: this is the day our company got the load from hell. It's an oversized load requiring a special trailer going from St. Louis to Edmonton. I spent the whole day at work jumping through hoops to find somewhere we could rent the necessary equipment.

Thursday

1. Actually made it back to the weight room. I left work late after a day of very frustrating crap (trying to get the bank to sign off on credit so we could rent special trailer & equipment; then getting over size permits, and escort cars, that was an adventure...) and just had to do something to let out the aggression. Overall, I have to say that as far as the weight lifting goal goes, if I'm going to get back to this, something has got to give.

benchpress: 55X10, 55X10, 55X8

squat: 75X10, 75X10, 75X10

deadlift: 70x10, 70x10, 70x10

Yes, I have lost ground on everything. Rawr.

2. Set the clocky farther away, and have been getting up at 7:10. (Don't want to go too early all at once.) I've been using the extra time to unload/reload the dish washer, eat something breakfasty & start some laundry. Still no luck getting my evening in order...

3. 78 ounces

4. Watch some Khaleegi videos

Life: New National Geographic came! Read it before bed after setting my clocky. (I remember it was Thursday because that's the only day I get to the mail before the husband, and since I got the NatGeo before my husband that must have been Thursday.)

Friday

1. Late getting out of work since I had to get more permits. North Dakota rescinded our permit, so I had to reapply for a different route, then I had to get one for Montana, which wasn't on the original route. All due to the flooding of course. At one point my sister looked at me said: "As if we haven't jumped through enough hoops, there has to be a natural disaster." I laughed and cried at the same time.

When I finally got home, cleaning and packing for what I though was a camping trip. Every year the last weekend in June is my family reunion, and in previous years we camped out in Southern Missouri on the old family farm. This year since my sister is 8 months pregnant, my mom just got out of physical therapy for her back, and the doctor is trying to get my 83 year old grandma to take it easy my Dad booked us some hotel rooms nearby. He neglected to tell me until 8:30 the night before, so I had to adjust the packing slightly.

2. Clocky got me up again. Cleaned again. Yay for clocky! Evenings are still just grooming.

3. Can't find my notes. I do remember having a water bottle with me all day at work & while packing though...

4. Listened to my music while packing.

Life: Read permits, that's it.

Saturday/Sunday

I have no notes on anything. I know I went to dance practice before leaving Saturday. (And got to the hotel late because of road closures due to flooding in Missouri. RAWR!)

Overall, a mixed week results wise. Clocky is great though. I recommend one for any snooze button addict.

[Seabright]

An alarm clock that runs away! That's hysterical!

[LynnyLee]

Epilogue:

Giving myself an incomplete due to being out for the last 2 weeks.

Overall, it was a mixed bag. I'm getting up earlier and reading more. Made a lot of progress on the Khaleegi project. Stayed hydrated. However the lifting was a total disaster.