GypsyHeart: road through the plains

[GypsyHeart]

Hi everyone,

 

I am back for a second challenge! Still working as an adventurer as I think I have more to learn before I work up to my eventual goal as ranger.

 

My main quest for this challenge is to get fit.

 

My three goals are:

 

1. Go to the gym once a week.

2. Do home work out twice a week (working on beginner body weight work out)

3. Do 10 bent knee press ups everyday to work towards being able to do a proper press up

 

My life quest:

 

Get up at 6am every day (and go to bed at 11pm each night).

 

This is a big goal for me, as I have struggled throughout my life to get up in the morning, and was recently diagnosed with delayed sleep phase syndrome. This means that my sleep cycle is just set differently to other people's so I will always struggle to get up at a reasonable time in the morning. I am using a special light lamp in the morning, but it is really important to keep a consistent waking time. Last challenge I felt I wasn't ready to achieve this, but I am setting it as a goal this time as I know I have it in my to do it!

 

My motivation:

 

My big real life goal is to be a really good doctor. I am currently at the beginning of my fifth year of medical school (out of 6) so I am slowly getting through my training! However, the more medicine I learn the more I realise how important it is to look after your body. I also want to be fit and healthy myself before I begin to advise others on their food and diet, otherwise I would feel a bit of a hypocrite!

 

Looking forward to working hard towards my goals and following everyone else's journey's too - hearing other rebels struggles is always what inspires me most.

 

Work hard everyone!

[Ian Fin 8]

I admire your motivation about being a doctor that preaches what they practice

Good luck on your goals, especially the sleep pattern one! How does the special lamp work?

[Posy]

Hey, I also was diagnosed with delayed sleep phase syndrome several years ago. So I feel you on that.

Love the goals and I am right there with you on doing a real push up. Some day!

[OllieFox]

What does delayed sleep phase syndrome do to you? Do you have extreme night owl tendencies so you sleep all morning? That would be really difficult to deal with sometimes in this 9 to 5 world  

 

You have really measurable, attainable goals! They're fantastic and I think you can totally own them. That's the best kind of motivation! It has a built in rear end kicker when you need it (since no one I know actually tries to be a hypocrite).

[L'irlandaise]

Hello there! I thought I'd come and cheer you on! I found the beginner bodyweight workout to be a great one and it's well balanced. Good luck with the push-ups: just take your time finding your form. Maybe  you could plan in two days off a week from the press ups so that your muscles have time to recover- and get stronger.  Of course you're a youngster so a lot bendier than the...er...more mature amongst us.

 

 

And you're in London - one of the BEST cities.  I lived in Ealing (Northfields AND the Broadway) a loooong time ago.

[abs]

Aha I see what you mean about that snooze button! Your goals are fantastic, I'll be rooting for you!

What's your gym routine?

I lived in England for a few years and loved it, such a friendly country

[OwlLady]

Greetings, Dr. GypsyHeart!

It is hard go get up in the morning when you're a night person, isn't it? But I'm sure you're going to make it. Let's find a way to unable that pesky snooze button ant get up early! (even because, if I don't get rid of snooze button, I'll eventually get late to work, woops!)

Oh, I know see I ended up reading "home workout" as "homework out". I was already getting worried about your grades, if you only intended to do your homework twice a week, hehe. Sorry about that!

And I sincerely don't believe you have the potential to become a hypocrite doctor. Instead, I firmly have it in my hall of strong beliefs that you'll end up being the kind of doctor that inspires other to become better and better, both patients and co-workers - kind of like Patch Adams, in some ways, I guess

(Please take that as a compliment ^-^)

Good luck, doc!

 

A friendly teddy bear hug!

[mom2sjm]

Hi GypsyHeart,

 

I just signed up for the Don't Look Back accountibilibuddies teams and wanted to say hello! Your goals look good.  Only recently have I been able to do a "real" pushup.  They are hard!!  Great goal though, push ups are a good move.  I'll definitely be checking in to see how you are doing.

 

Have a great first week of the challenge!

 

mom2sjm

[Ensi]

You have great goals for this challenge, Gypsy! Keep it going, I'm sure you'll do great

[GypsyHeart]

I admire your motivation about being a doctor that preaches what they practice Good luck on your goals, especially the sleep pattern one! How does the special lamp work?

Thanks Odin! The lamp is a daylight lamp, so it tricks the brain into thinking I am essentially sitting in bright sunlight, which helps stop melatonin production which is the hormone that makes you feel sleepy and like it is bedtime. So the idea is to retrain the brain into having a more normal sleeping pattern.

 

Hey, I also was diagnosed with delayed sleep phase syndrome several years ago. So I feel you on that.

Love the goals and I am right there with you on doing a real push up. Some day!

And great to hear from you Posy! I have never known anyone else with DSPS before! How do you mange yours? Is there anything you find helps? I am slowing improving things with the lamp and trying to keep a regular pattern but I think mornings will always be a struggle for me!

 

What does delayed sleep phase syndrome do to you? Do you have extreme night owl tendencies so you sleep all morning? That would be really difficult to deal with sometimes in this 9 to 5 world

 

You have really measurable, attainable goals! They're fantastic and I think you can totally own them. That's the best kind of motivation! It has a built in rear end kicker when you need it (since no one I know actually tries to be a hypocrite).

OllieFox yeah that's exactly it. Imagine what you feel like if you have to get up at 4am - that's kinda what I feel like everyday when I get up in the morning. And thanks for the encouragement it means a lot

 

Hello there! I thought I'd come and cheer you on! I found the beginner bodyweight workout to be a great one and it's well balanced. Good luck with the push-ups: just take your time finding your form. Maybe  you could plan in two days off a week from the press ups so that your muscles have time to recover- and get stronger.  Of course you're a youngster so a lot bendier than the...er...more mature amongst us.

 

 

And you're in London - one of the BEST cities.  I lived in Ealing (Northfields AND the Broadway) a loooong time ago.

Thanks L'irlandaise! I thought about taking days off from the push ups but then I thought 10 isn't really enough exercise to need a rest from! But then if that's true then I'm not sure whether they will make me stronger at all haha. I think I will keep them in for now, and if my arms/shoulders I find are achey then I will add in days off. Also I know Ealing well as a friend lives near the Broadway! I am living in Fulham at the moment.

[GypsyHeart]

Aha I see what you mean about that snooze button! Your goals are fantastic, I'll be rooting for you!

What's your gym routine?

I lived in England for a few years and loved it, such a friendly country

Haha yes indeed abs pesky thing that it is. Thanks for the motivation! At the gym I normally run for about half an hour, and go on the bike or cross trainer for about 20 min. I am adding weights into my routine as well as I really want to improve my arm strength, but sometimes I get intimidated by all the big guys in that section! And yeah I do like England. Whereabouts do you live?

 

Greetings, Dr. GypsyHeart!

It is hard go get up in the morning when you're a night person, isn't it? But I'm sure you're going to make it. Let's find a way to unable that pesky snooze button ant get up early! (even because, if I don't get rid of snooze button, I'll eventually get late to work, woops!)

Oh, I know see I ended up reading "home workout" as "homework out". I was already getting worried about your grades, if you only intended to do your homework twice a week, hehe. Sorry about that!

And I sincerely don't believe you have the potential to become a hypocrite doctor. Instead, I firmly have it in my hall of strong beliefs that you'll end up being the kind of doctor that inspires other to become better and better, both patients and co-workers - kind of like Patch Adams, in some ways, I guess

(Please take that as a compliment ^-^)

Good luck, doc!

 

A friendly teddy bear hug!

Thanks for the kind words and your faith in me! And yeah I definitely have to do work more than twice a week haha. And definitely taking the Patch Adams thing as a compliment

 

A traditional London Paddington Bear hug to you!

 

Hi GypsyHeart,

 

I just signed up for the Don't Look Back accountibilibuddies teams and wanted to say hello! Your goals look good.  Only recently have I been able to do a "real" pushup.  They are hard!!  Great goal though, push ups are a good move.  I'll definitely be checking in to see how you are doing.

 

Have a great first week of the challenge!

 

mom2sjm

Hi mom2sjm! Great to hear you have signed up to the group, glad to have you with us And impressed you are ahead of me on the push ups front! I look forward to your tips on that front.

 

You have great goals for this challenge, Gypsy! Keep it going, I'm sure you'll do great

Thanks Ensi! It's all about keeping up the motivation for me so great to have the encouragement.

[GypsyHeart]

Hi guys,

 

Great to hear from you all! Been a bit absent as I have been busy on my first week back. Also I am going away this weekend, so am doing my week update now. I help out with a group that runs activities for children with disabilities, learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders etc. Normally the sessions are weekly, but we are taking the kids away this weekend to an adventure centre, which I am really excited about. It gives them a chance to do activities they have never done before, gives their parents a break, and also is so rewarding to see them having fun. Plus I get a go on the activities too so win win!

 

I am afraid I have not been making good progress towards my goals at all this week. I have not been to the gym, or done any home workouts, and I only did my push ups today. Ooops. My alarm had gone off at 6 every day, but I have not got up on time.

 

To be honest I have been feeling a little down, which tends to sap my motivation and general will to do anything.

 

That's the bad news.

 

The good news is I am still here! Even though I didn't do any workouts I have been doing a lot more walking. I did do the push ups today which reminded me how quick and easy they are to do so no more excuses. And although I didn't get up at 6, I have eventually got up and been into my current hospital placement either a little early, or on time every day. Which trust me, is still great for me!

 

And I am feeling a little better I think so hopefully moving away from a bad week. Coming on here and reading all the messages really keeps my motivation going so thanks all And I have a great tendency to give up if things start badly, which I am really trying to work on so that's a plus as well: not.giving.up.

 

See you all next week folks!

[GypsyHeart]

Also: completed mini challenge 1B.

 

+1 CHA yay!

[abs]

Ooo an adventure camp, how exciting! Have a great time with all the kids

Like you my first week hasn't been top notch, but I'm going to stay positive, as you have. Two steps forward and one back is still progress. Keep on truckin'

See you next week, looking forward to hearing about your fun weekend!

[Ensi]

Glad to hear from you, I almost wrote here yesterday to ask how you're doing

 

Don't worry about feeling bad, it's a feeling that will pass. When it comes, don't feel bad about it, just accept that you're feeling a little low and then do something nice, like reading a book. You're doing important job with the children (adventure camp, woot!), just take care of yourself the way you'd take care of others, too

 

About that

 

And I have a great tendency to give up if things start badly, which I am really trying to work on so that's a plus as well: not.giving.up.

 

 

Well done! And remember: if you drop your glasses on the ground, you don't think "oh, they fell already, can't be helped" and stomp them. You just pick them right up and keep going. You can always pick up something, no matter how badly it falls. Have fun this weekend!

[Ian Fin 8]

Sorry to hear you have been feeling down.  Hopefully being with the kids at adventure camp will brighten your weekend and get your ready to come back strong next week.  And I hear you one getting down if things do not start right...I've learned to just drop the not stellar beginning and restart it in my head.  Just think of the name of your Accountabilibuddies group

 

Super glad to hear that people's support on here has helped.  We're all here to support each other, and I'll be rooting for you!  Have fun this weekend

[L'irlandaise]

To be honest I have been feeling a little down, which tends to sap my motivation and general will to do anything.

 

 

The good news is I am still here! Even though I didn't do any workouts I have been doing a lot more walking. I did do the push ups today which reminded me how quick and easy they are to do so no more excuses. And although I didn't get up at 6, I have eventually got up and been into my current hospital placement either a little early, or on time every day. Which trust me, is still great for me!

 

And I am feeling a little better I think so hopefully moving away from a bad week. Coming on here and reading all the messages really keeps my motivation going so thanks all And I have a great tendency to give up if things start badly, which I am really trying to work on so that's a plus as well: not.giving.up.

 

See you all next week folks!

Good going there, Gypsy. I know it can be hard to get out of a down phase but all that you said above shows you have the tools to make the best of a blehh situation. And taking small steps in the right direction consistently is the key to success, not bloody great leaps from time to time.

 

You're on the right track. See you next week!!

[rogaecia]

Hello Gypsy!

I'm so happy to see you back on the challenge. How are you doing so far?

I admire that you are in medical school and also pursuing health and fitness. You are impressively awesome.

[OwlLady]

Hoorray! Congrats on your mini-challenge!

And don't be upset because of a bad week, you still have 5 left, and you can make them the "bestest" 5 weeks ever

Congrats on your push-up too. Push-ups always deserve congratulations. I'll learn them someday, hehe.

But you should be more careful with you "homework out" next time, as an example to the kids, when they go to school, and, er... No, wait, I feel something sounded not so right there... Just kidding

Hope you enjoy your weekend and have a super-rainbow-bright week!

 

A friendly bear hug!

[liz1729]

 

I am afraid I have not been making good progress towards my goals at all this week. I have not been to the gym, or done any home workouts, and I only did my push ups today. Ooops. My alarm had gone off at 6 every day, but I have not got up on time.

 

To be honest I have been feeling a little down, which tends to sap my motivation and general will to do anything.

 

 

In the spirit of our acountabilibuddies group: Don't look back! It's a fresh new week, full of potential and there is no reason it can't be AWESOME! 

[GypsyHeart]

Had the best best time away on the weekend with the kids!! I had loads of fun and they had loads of fun too. We did rock climbing, obstacle course, ropes course, pond dipping, swimming, night orienteering and archery. My favourite bits were when one of the girls, Ella, finally reached the top of the rock climbing wall after lots and lots of encouragement, when we organised a girly night for some of the girls with lots of gossiping about the boys they liked on the trip and nail painting, lots of running around games like stuck in mud, and when all us coaches had a dancing session and taught each other lots of different styles of dance after all the kids had gone to bed! Such a rewarding weekend. And when I got back I missed having all the kids around!

 

Plus I am definitely counting the weekend as my work outs for the week as I have never done so much running, climbing, running, swimming, obstacle crawling over and under and inbetween and yes, more running after all the kids! My muscles ached so much after it totally counts as multiple workouts.

 

I have done my knee press ups for the day and am planning a gym day at the weekend and work outs during the week so determined to make this week a good one

[GypsyHeart]

Ooo an adventure camp, how exciting! Have a great time with all the kids

Like you my first week hasn't been top notch, but I'm going to stay positive, as you have. Two steps forward and one back is still progress. Keep on truckin'

See you next week, looking forward to hearing about your fun weekend!

Thanks abs! And you are totally right about the two steps forward one step back thing I never thought about it like that before. Great shout.

 

 

Glad to hear from you, I almost wrote here yesterday to ask how you're doing

 

Don't worry about feeling bad, it's a feeling that will pass. When it comes, don't feel bad about it, just accept that you're feeling a little low and then do something nice, like reading a book. You're doing important job with the children (adventure camp, woot!), just take care of yourself the way you'd take care of others, too

 

About that

 

 

Well done! And remember: if you drop your glasses on the ground, you don't think "oh, they fell already, can't be helped" and stomp them. You just pick them right up and keep going. You can always pick up something, no matter how badly it falls. Have fun this weekend!

Ensi, I love the spectacles thing as well. I remember you saying before I think but thanks for reminding me as it's so true. And you are right, I just let the bad feelings pass and I am totally fine again this week so it's great. Mood is such a funny thing! I know I was making it worse with negative self talk and getting anxious about things, so when I took a step back and chilled a bit, and was kinder to myself things sorted themselves out. I am really my own worst enemy!! But know I realise that I can do something about it. Really appreciate all your support it means a lot

 

Sorry to hear you have been feeling down.  Hopefully being with the kids at adventure camp will brighten your weekend and get your ready to come back strong next week.  And I hear you one getting down if things do not start right...I've learned to just drop the not stellar beginning and restart it in my head.  Just think of the name of your Accountabilibuddies group

 

Super glad to hear that people's support on here has helped.  We're all here to support each other, and I'll be rooting for you!  Have fun this weekend

You are so wise Odin, I felt so much better after the camp weekend. Sometimes looking out for other people (i.e. the kids) and making sure they had a great time meant that I had the best time as well, even though that wasn't the main aim! And that is in fact exactly why I chose the name of the group as it's a big reminder of the fact I am really working on that. So much easier said than done but it's all progress in the right direction. Rooting for you too, we are all in this together

 

Good going there, Gypsy. I know it can be hard to get out of a down phase but all that you said above shows you have the tools to make the best of a blehh situation. And taking small steps in the right direction consistently is the key to success, not bloody great leaps from time to time.

 

You're on the right track. See you next week!!

Thanks L'irlandaise for having faith in me! Small steps is the key you are totally right. Persistence always pays off. Here's to us all having a great week next week!

[GypsyHeart]

Hello Gypsy!

I'm so happy to see you back on the challenge. How are you doing so far?

I admire that you are in medical school and also pursuing health and fitness. You are impressively awesome.

Thanks Rogaecia that really made me smile reading your comment it's great to have your support! Med school is a lot of work so it's really nice that people recognise I am making an effort to make this a priority.

 

Hoorray! Congrats on your mini-challenge!

And don't be upset because of a bad week, you still have 5 left, and you can make them the "bestest" 5 weeks ever

Congrats on your push-up too. Push-ups always deserve congratulations. I'll learn them someday, hehe.

But you should be more careful with you "homework out" next time, as an example to the kids, when they go to school, and, er... No, wait, I feel something sounded not so right there... Just kidding

Hope you enjoy your weekend and have a super-rainbow-bright week!

 

A friendly bear hug!

OwlLady I will try my best to make the next 5 weeks the bestest! Looks like you are doing great on your challenge so far so I will take my inspiration from you and keep at it!

 

In the spirit of our acountabilibuddies group: Don't look back! It's a fresh new week, full of potential and there is no reason it can't be AWESOME! 

Liz, you are so right, it's all about the new beginning. I really hope that we can keep that spirit up in the group as it's so important not to be bogged down by what happened in the past. Today is what's important. I hope your week is awesome too Thanks for your support.

[Ian Fin 8]

Sounds like an awesome and tiring (in a good way) weekend.  You're totally covered in regarding to your workouts too.  How was your sleeping pattern while at camp?

 

Good to see you in better spirits now and with a good plan for the week 

[GypsyHeart]

Sounds like an awesome and tiring (in a good way) weekend.  You're totally covered in regarding to your workouts too.  How was your sleeping pattern while at camp?

 

Good to see you in better spirits now and with a good plan for the week 

My sleeping pattern at camp was pretty good as we had to be up early to get ready ourselves before waking the kids at 7.30am. I probably didn't go to bed as early as I should have as I was having too much much fun but not bad overall. No 6 am starts sadly.

 

I am still working on the 6am starts generally. Improving my mornings is something I have been working on for such a long time (actively on and off for years) and I thought making it a goal would give me the motivation to achieve it, but having tried for a week I think maybe I am still not ready. In the past year I have made huge progress in this area, but still more to be made. So deciding whether to rethink this goal or not, but still thinking about it! I have CBT therapy for my sleep so I going to try out a few more suggestions I worked out with my therapist and go from there this week, aiming for 7am starts at first. Thanks for keeping an eye on that goal though and I will keep you posted!