Wideeyed vs. The Dragon of Pain

[wideeyed]

And so the dragon egg hatched, fifteen years ago. As it grew, it frolicked and rambled and once in a while caused some minor annoyances to wideeyed as she wandered too close to its home. When the dragon reached maturity, it received its name, which was Fog. Fog had only ever encountered one human, and with his race's instinctive fear and hatred uttered his challenge: "TO THE PAIN."

For a year, wideeyed cowered in confusion, and fear, and always, always, pain. One day, she thought about the strong person she had once been. She decided to seek help from the local group of wizards. They taught her what she needed to do to send Fog back to his lair and put him to sleep.

My quest: to manage my fibromyalgia/neurological problems with the medicine of healthy food and physical activity.

To achieve this I will:
1. Complete one set of beginner's body weight work out three times per week with the goal of being able to do unassisted squats and lunges with proper form at the end of the challenge.

2. Make sure to hit my net calorie minimum of 1200 calories a day, working my way up to 1500 at the end of the challenge.

3. Stay off of the scale from pre challenge measurements until end of challenge measurements.

Of equal importance to my main quest is my life goal:

I will completely transition to an electronic cigarette and wean down to zero nicotine by the end of the challenge. For this challenge, inhaling steam will remain acceptable.

My motivation: My own children, because they deserve a mother who is fully present and able to participate in their lives fully, and who will be around for a long time.

 

[jlai]

Task 3 is really smart! I always have the urge to measure, but I really shouldn't because I don't notice any differences. 

 

Great goals and good luck with the journey!

[kindling]

Good luck!

[alienjenn]

Heh. ... I did a scale goal this last challenge. .... I went nuts !

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[spezzy]

I like that number two has a minimum calories  also, 3 is a great idea!

[Meta]

I love the Princess Bride reference! Your goals are great; I like the "backward thinking" for number 2 and 3 is a great idea of metrics are discouraging for you. Let's rally and kick this dragon where it hurts!

 

Good luck with your challenge!

[porchcricket13]

Have you thought about yoga? I haven't done much research into fibromyalgia, but my besties mom has it and I know it was highly recommended to her. I can only speak from my history in that the year I did daily yoga was the least painful I've ever been, and the most peaceful. Could help with the smoking too, which I was just told needed an immediate cease and desist in my life. Scary concept.

[Jodi V]

Good food is wonderful medicine!  For a kind of radical approach to self-healing, you can try reading Kris Carr's book/cookbook Crazy Sexy Kitchen.  Even though it was a little extreme for me, it had some great info in it about juices that I am keeping bookmarked until I pony up for a good juicer.    Good luck!

[wideeyed]

Part of the neuro and Aspie stuff is really poor balance, so,it's always scared me. But that might be an awesome thing to try for the next challenge. Gives me time to research local schools.

[porchcricket13]

My grandma (who has Parkinsons) has tried, most things can be adjusted for people with limitations. Chairs, straps, blocks etc. They  can be used as stepping stones.  It may be worth a shot, ans if I can get the hang of it, clumsy as I am. You got this!

[porchcricket13]

Just to throw it out there

[Donar]

Your goals are awesome!

 

Quitting smoking will end up being one of the best and most important decisions of your life.

 

Good for you!

[CrisciMalosh]

Part of the neuro and Aspie stuff is really poor balance, so,it's always scared me. But that might be an awesome thing to try for the next challenge. Gives me time to research local schools.

 

Oh, goodness, after I dislocated my entire left leg, I lost all of my grace and balance. Yoga is great! It made my stumbling accidents go from almost daily to about once every other week or so. Give it a shot!

[krebsicle]

Your goals are great! I know you're gonna rock this challenge

[wideeyed]

Oh, goodness, after I dislocated my entire left leg, I lost all of my grace and balance. Yoga is great! It made my stumbling accidents go from almost daily to about once every other week or so. Give it a shot!

It's a brain thing. Or an ear thing. Depends on the specialist du jour. I have the flexibility, but can't maintain poses.

[CrisciMalosh]

Oh, I completely understand. (Aspie too...) My mother enrolled me in gymnastics to overcome the first bits of bad balance (which actually helped some, until my epic cheerleading accident) and the yoga practice over the course of about 8 years is slowly helping me overcome it again (just don't ask me to hold tree... that is asking for a colossal kaboom) I do most of the poses with some supports at hand (blocks, straps, a sturdy table...) and the only two I can hold without any issue is downward facing dog and child's pose... do what you are able, and what you love! 

[alienjenn]

I'm just..... how do you say "not very graceful" (or I fall a lot ) .... any yoga pose can be modified to make it easier to hold... I use straps blocks walls the couch a chair.... whatever's handy

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[DELETED]

great goals! you got this. it's gonna be a great 6 weeks.

 

love that you recognized that you need to stay off that scale to keep from getting discouraged.

[kindling]

Welcome to the Rebellion!

 

Good luck! I'll be rooting for you!

[FemHawke]

Good luck! I like that your goals are clear and manageable. Normally I'm a fan of dragons, one of my fave things to draw. But, I don't think I'd like this dragon very much. Kick its butt! 

Also, major thumbs up on quitting smoking! My younger sister is about 9 months in having quit cold turkey. She, kind of like you're doing here, framed it as something that will 'give her things' (more money, time, health, etc) rather than something she was 'giving up' (that is, a sense of having deprived herself) something.  

[wideeyed]

I like that number two has a minimum calories  also, 3 is a great idea!

The neatest thing about Paleo is that I am almost NEVER hungry, and I am making good meals. So I often find myself below 1200 calories for the day when I have.been exercising. So I need to eat more. SO. WEIRD.

[CrisciMalosh]

mmmm, avocado.... I love me the avocado... lots of healthy fat and fiber... and calories of course =D

[wideeyed]

mmmm, avocado.... I love me the avocado... lots of healthy fat and fiber... and calories of course =D

Here is breakfast most days:  Green smoothie with 2 C spinach, cucumber, carrot, 1 T Chia, 1T flax, almond milk, 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt, 1/2 an avocado, and 2 T powdered egg whites.  Comes in at 405 calories.  Done with worrying about fiber for the day, and rocks my potassium and magnesium    The yogurt adds enough protein and other really good stuff to make a Paleo exception, even if it does tick my carbs up a bit.  So I'm almost a third of the way there JUST with breakfast! 

[alienjenn]

Yesterday (not a typical breakfast i was getting ready for camping and 105 bike miles) I had two avocado half a onion two jalapenos (mmmm guacamole) some corn chips four eggs with onion mushrooms and sausage. . ... I LOVE LOVE avocado; )

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[WifeyB]

Love it that you've got a nicotine (ex-ing nicotine) goal. Way to really level up! And the positive attitude you have toward your dragon is really inspiring. Keep posting!!