CakeBanisher - Banishing Fear

[CakeBanisher]

You DEFINITELY want to listen to your body. I'm wondering if focusing on getting stronger rather than more flexible would be helpful right now?

 

My focus is definitely more on strength than flexibility.  But I was hoping that gently working on flexibility, along with strength, in painful areas might help them be less painful, or at least less prone to pain.  I'm kind of just making stuff up as I go along...so yeah, definitely listening to my body

[keliswicked]

It's totally fine to measure yourself every week (in fact, that's what most people recommend) but I personally like waiting till the end of the challenge because for me it sums up better the work I've done =)

 

What kind of Paleo meal are you making for yourself?

[hufflepug]

CakeBanisher, the cat in your profile picture cracks me up every time I see it

[I am Eve]

Thanks guys!

aisle4b and Evenewbie;

I'm hoping easing into paleo will help me build better habits than last challenge. Last challenge I was probably 75-80% paleo, but without some sort of immediate reason to keep going, I am falling off the wagon. I don't want to fall of the wagon. It hurts. And getting back on again is hard. Doable! But hard

I was really lacking in the whole "track stuff" department last challenge I've always either tracked nothing (i.e. last challenge) or totally obsessed over it. Seriously, obsessed is not an understatement. That kind of obsession isn't healthy, and doesn't make me happy. So, this time, yes I'm tracking stuff, but it's much more with the purpose of observing long-term patterns. Do I consistently get headaches when I eat that food? Am I eating enough? (I tend to seriously overestimate how many calories I eat). Do certain foods make me feel sick, or make muscle spasms, etc. more likely? You get the idea But making this more about observing, and letting my habits evolve naturally, I'm hoping to avoid that obsession of the past.

Why thank you!

So, now a question. I didn't find anything in my brief search of the Druid forum about this, so if it is there, sorry about that...

My hips are pretty awful. I think I have shallow joints, and they're always catching (which hurts progressively more until it pops) or clunking like old machinery when I walk wrong. My shoulders do this too, but don't hurt like my hips do. I've been trying to gently stretch them, but I'm wondering now if that's the wrong approach? I've been working on the first part of pigeon pose, and unless I'm really, really careful they make this weird grinding noise, and clunk down a LOT. Is this normal? Well, normal-ish? Is it something I should try and slowly work through, or should I be being much more cautious? Or should I just listen to my body and see what feels right?

Full or half pigeon?

Like others said, see to it that you are really warm and listen to your body. Is there pain at all?

What is your aim for the pose, can you exchange it?

[Brian.]

 

I haven't decided if I'll post these every week, or just now and at the end of the challenge.  But I will certainly be measuring every week  I may switch to doing it on Sunday though, because I think that will work better with my school schedule.

 

In the last challenge I did I didn't re-measure any of my physical stats apart from weight until the end of the challenge. I personally don't think body measurements change much week to week so I tend to do my monthly.

[Linada]

If you are hypermobile then you definitely want to focus on strength and active stretching, rather than poses were you are passively stretching out a joint. Approach those with extreme caution. Keeping your muscles engaged and going slowly is always a good plan. 

Keeping attention on your posture would also be good. That can help prevent a lot of problems. People with loose joints tend to prefer end of motion postures and tense up quite a lot, which isn't terribly helpful for the joints, so being mindful of relaxing and keeping better posture would help to. (said while realising that I am on the way to sitting like a tied up pretzel again)

 

have you ever seen a physio for the hyper mobility? A lot of them don't exactly know what they are doing, but I hear the ones educated in the area can be very helpful.

[MadScientist]

You can probably find "Body by Science" in your local library, so you don't have to buy it.  It is a fairly deep read, but I liked it (of course, I am a Mad Scientist, who is not afraid to experiment with himself ).

 

I had your type of wrist pain at one point.  It was caused by poor ergonomics at work, where I was pounding a keyboard eight to nine hours a day.  I was using a standard keyboard, so my wrists were not straight with my arms.  In addition, due to the positioning of the keyboard, my hands were tilted upward from the wrist.  Both are bad.  Using an "ergonomic" keyboard and changing the angle of my keyboard solved all problems pretty quickly.  I had a similar issue later due to doing a lot of graphics work.  I ended up with a left-handed trackball, once again positioned to keep my wrist straight.  It is amazing how much you can mess yourself up if you are not careful.  I wish you luck in overcoming your issues.

 

Great job keep up the exercising and working on the diet.

[CakeBanisher]

Wow, so much great advice and information here!  Thanks guys!

 

I think I will take measurements every week, but only post again at the end of the challenge.  That way, I can look at trends, and build in a tracking habit.  Plus I think I'm more likely to stick with taking them if I do it every week, rather than wait for six weeks before I do it again.  After this challenge, I will likely transition to once a month.

 

I'm working on half pigeon right now, and have a hard time with it because it feels not quite safe, if you know what I mean.  I'm afraid to try and lower myself down too much, almost all of my weight usually stays on my arms.  The goal was to try and loosen up my hips, to try and lesson pain, and the chance of returning pain.  Sometimes when doing the pose, my hip just clunks down but doesn't hurt, and sometimes it hurts a bit.  Actually, the worst pain is usually in just day to day life, it feels like it catchs slightly and sticks, and hurts more and more until it finally pops free.  Having read what you lot have to say, I think I may put pigeon on hiatus for a bit.  Any suggestions for an alternative way of gently stretching my hips?  I'm still quite the n00b...

 

My focus is definatily on strength.  Any flexibility I gain, I'm good with, but at this point I'm not really working on being more flexible, I'm working on being more stable.  The strength gains I have had have been mostly in my legs and upper back.  So the pain I used to get there has now shifted to my comparatively weaker lower back, I guess, which isn't helped by my also weak core.  Since I've started listening to my body more, I've been releasing a lot of tension, and it often makes me feel like I'm not quite all put together.  Which could be either a result of years of tension, and the lack of tension feels like emptiness, or because I'm too flexible.  I suspect it's some combination of the two.  I've never been to a physio for it, but have had lessons in Alexander Technique, which has helped.  Actually, it was that teacher who suggested I might be hypermobile.

 

Next time I'm able, I will try and look up that book at the library.  I actually have a decent desk setup now.  Instead of a desk chair, I use an exercise ball, and I put my feet on a slightly elevated tilt-able platform (because I'm short).  I've found track pads seem to cause me far fewer problems than using a standard computer mouse, and if I do use a mouse, I'm pretty good at doing it on the side of my leg

 

I will re-read everything you've posted again tomorrow, because there's a lot of info up there, and I may have missed something...

 

Overview of today!

 

Goal 1 - ease into paleo (goal - min. one paleo meal and one veggie)

Did this  Had some chicken and a big helping of mixed veggies, mostly green beans and peas, with a few pieces of carrot.  This evening wasn't really paleo, we went to a very nice restaurant for the birthday dinner, so I had a bit of bread.  It was the best rye bread I have ever had in my life.  And if I'd eaten one more bite, I would have been ill.  So, lesson learned

 

Goal 2 - track stuff

Took weekly body stats, logged exercise, food, and general health.  So, going well

 

Goal 3 - finish workout by 10:00 (this week)

Completed it before 9:30.  I'm okay with this

 

Life Quest - write 300 words of my novel

506.  Once I get past this little section, everything becomes much more exciting to write, and I can easily imagine myself writing 1000 or more words a day.  But this section.  It is being troublesome.  And the one time I really want my pesky abstract mind to jump around like a grasshopper it MUST THINK CHRONOLOGICALLY.  Oh well, I'm glad I'm writing again

[AverageJoe]

You seem to have jump right into this challenge and hit the ground running.  I think you're going to knock this one out of the park.  The Adventurers will miss you

[I am Eve]

Excellent start :-)

What do you think about Hindu squat?

[I am Eve]

Excellent start :-)

What do you think about Hindu squat?

[I am Eve]

Excellent start :-)

What do you think about Hindu squat?

[I am Eve]

Oops...

[CakeBanisher]

You seem to have jump right into this challenge and hit the ground running.  I think you're going to knock this one out of the park.  The Adventurers will miss you

 

Thanks Joe!  I was out of town most of the time between challenges, and am very much ready to get back into full swing.  Also, you can't get rid of me that easily

 

 

Excellent start :-)

What do you think about Hindu squat?

 

I'd never heard of them...looks interesting, I'l give them a try.  Thanks

 

And no worries about the extra posts.  You may end up with a double post from me, because I tried to respond to you and Joe earlier and I think the interwebs ate it...

[MadScientist]

No more advice for now !  Just encouragement.  You are doing well.  Keep it up and you will improve so fast you won't know what hit you.

[fearlesscreek]

hi there!

cant sleep so im checking your guys threads...

 

i used to be a professional cellist and know what you are talking about.... hehe... i think yoga is a great step into the right direction. also i like the easing into paleo. i made a big mess while trying to go paleo from one day to the next... ugly!

 

sounds like youre got a good start... keep up the good work!

 

i will come back here... inspiring stuff!

[CakeBanisher]

No more advice for now   !  Just encouragement.  You are doing well.  Keep it up and you will improve so fast you won't know what hit you.

 

Encouragement is always appreciated  So, thanks!  I was pretty amazed with how much progress I made in the last challenge, so I'm pretty excited about continuing that trend in this one.

 

 

hi there!

cant sleep so im checking your guys threads...

 

i used to be a professional cellist and know what you are talking about.... hehe... i think yoga is a great step into the right direction. also i like the easing into paleo. i made a big mess while trying to go paleo from one day to the next... ugly!

 

sounds like youre got a good start... keep up the good work!

 

i will come back here... inspiring stuff!

 

Cello has always been harder than violin for me...maybe because I have short, bent fingers and can't reach the notes as easily  In the past, I've been able to go full out paleo, but it usually only lasts a couple weeks.  The only time I've really been able to maintain healthy eating was a couple summers ago, and it was a day to day struggle to keep it up.  Changing from "I can't eat that" to "I don't eat that" has really helped, and I'm hoping easing into it will help me build habits.

 

You're pretty inspiring yourself!  

[CakeBanisher]

Today went quite well.  I ate some chicken and veggies for my paleo meal/veggie goal, tracked my meals, did yoga, and met my writing goal.  My allergies are pretty horrible right now, so I have a nasty sinus headache, and a weird pain in my jaw, but other than that I'm feeling great  I should probably sleep with my windows closed, but I'm just not willing to do it, because the weather is absolutely beautiful, and I love being able to feel the outside air while I'm sleeping.  

[gibnic]

Well hello my friend! Glad to see you back and at it again. I absolutely adore your goals! 

 

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to stop in and check on me regularly with the last challenge. I didn't really return the favor and I apologize. I got stuck in isolation mode and it was what I needed because I needed it to be a very internal thing, however at the same time, I have neglected the people who have nurtured me and I am going to try to do better with it this time around. 

 

So thank you for being there as a sort of lifeline for me, and this time around I promise it is going to be a two way street =) 

 

300 words a day is so perfect. I should do that! I have been working hard at my paying work (writing for other people) and neglecting my personal work! With grad school approaching I am making plans to only focus on my school program though (can't get rid of the kids for 2 1/2 years, but I am not going to work or take any other classes outside of my program). I figure with the cost of a Master's degree these days I better get every penny's worth out of it! 

 

Anyways, good to see you and I can't wait to see how this challenge plays out for you!

[DrDidg]

I was able to lose 18 lbs in my last challenge with several days of cheating and eating non paleo, but each time I would go back to paleo and the weight just kept coming off.   I am pretty good at self discipline so the change was not too bad.  I took about 3-4 weeks before the last challenge to ramp up and ease into the diet which helped out a lot.   Keep at it and the weight will start to go.    Good luck! :-D

[CakeBanisher]

@gibnic - no worries  Sometimes we need that internal focus, to be able to just go into focus mode and get things done.  And I enjoyed reading your challenge, and watching your improvements!  I miss my writing, although I almost feel I should have done 500 as my goal...300 just starts getting me to the end of the awkward "what am I talking about?  What is happening?  I CAN HAS ENGLISH!!??!" phase, and to the point where I feel in control and enjoy it more.  We shall see  

 

I was able to lose 18 lbs in my last challenge with several days of cheating and eating non paleo, but each time I would go back to paleo and the weight just kept coming off.   I am pretty good at self discipline so the change was not too bad.  I took about 3-4 weeks before the last challenge to ramp up and ease into the diet which helped out a lot.   Keep at it and the weight will start to go.    Good luck! :-D

 

Thanks for sharing your experience!  I'm either really, really good at self discipline, or really, really bad.  But these challenges help me push through the bad phases, which is really nice  My lowest has been just under 160.  Then I'll have a period of poor eating choices, and go up to 170 (or higher), realize I feel terrible, eat clean, and drop back fairly quickly.  At which point I get stuck for a few days, and quit.  Not this time!  Thanks for the encouragement!

 

And, since I'm posting, an update  Finished my workout at 9:45.  I did NOT want to get up this morning (slept poorly) but made myself do it.  It was totally worth it  I didn't particularly enjoy the workout itself, but now it's over, I feel pretty great.

[The Borg Queen]

Woot! Way to get it done, cake!!!!

[L'irlandaise]

If in any doubt, do the workout - is becoming my mantra! Good going, sparkler!

[CakeBanisher]

Thanks guys!  As always, your support is much appreciated!

 

Overview of the day:

 

Workout completed by 10:00 - finished at 9:45.  Huzzah!

 

Track stuff - tracked stuff  Logged food, workout, etc.

 

Paleo meal and veggie - salmon, broccoli, cauliflower, and a huge pile of green beans

 

Word count - 667

 

Tomorrow is a yoga day, which I'm looking forward to.  I'll also be doing swing dance in the evening, which isn't a major workout for the moves I do, but can still be decent cardio.  Plus it's tons of fun  Now to try and motivate myself to do the homework I've been putting off...

[peggysr]

Thanks guys!  As always, your support is much appreciated!

 

Overview of the day:

 

Workout completed by 10:00 - finished at 9:45.  Huzzah!

 

Track stuff - tracked stuff  Logged food, workout, etc.

 

Paleo meal and veggie - salmon, broccoli, cauliflower, and a huge pile of green beans

 

Word count - 667

 

Tomorrow is a yoga day, which I'm looking forward to.  I'll also be doing swing dance in the evening, which isn't a major workout for the moves I do, but can still be decent cardio.  Plus it's tons of fun  Now to try and motivate myself to do the homework I've been putting off...

 

Nice job!  Swing dance is on my list of things to learn.