Crooked Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hi friends! I have missed you all and am PUMPED to be back for a challenge that I will ABSOLUTELY complete. The last few challenges have been aborted midway through for injuries, finals, busyness, laziness, etc., so the holiday mini-challenge has been the perfect way to build confidence back up in myself and convince myself I really can stick to a goal. That said, I don't want to overdo it with crazy ambitious goals (as is my tendency...) so I'm keeping it simple for the first challenge of the new year. Much as I want to make goals like "deadlift X" or "lose Y% body fat," I don't want to have any outcome goals just yet — basically, I want to give myself points simply for showing up! So without further ado, I present: CROOKED'S SIMPLICITY CHALLENGE:GETTING POINTS FOR SHOWING UP Fitness: Write up a workout plan for each week (tailored to how my body is feeling) and work out 4x/week. Food: Eat like a big girl. What does this mean? Eat two or three square meals per day (one of which must be dinner), only one of which can have eggs as its base protein. I have a tendency to default to eating eggs when I'm either too lazy to cook real food or having weird aversions to normal food. I also sometimes will just snack on nuts and dried fruit or protein powder at my boyfriend's when I am dealing with the same laziness or food aversions. I want to eat more real (paleo, obviously) food and not let myself fall into technically paleo but still bad habits. I have a cabinet and a freezer full of proteins that I don't eat (cans and cans of tuna and sardines, for starters), and I want to stop letting myself eat like a child. It will be REALLY helpful to accomplish this if I bulk cook for myself once a week. Foot: Keep moving forward on the road to recovery. What does this mean? It means that I will take fish oil every morning; stretch my calves for five minutes two times every day; pick up marbles with the toes of both feet at least three times per foot; take ibuprofen at least once per day; wear my night boot every night; and get seven hours of sleep every night. It is also my goal to see a podiatrist or a physical therapist at least once during this challenge. I really want to get custom inserts made for my foot. I have the name for a physical therapist in my parents town I am interested in trying. Life: Make 10 minutes for myself every day. This can be stretching, meditating, writing, reading, whatever. It CANNOT be anything that involves a computer unless it is writing out my thoughts. I've never done a challenge like this before, and it actually feels pretty scary to commit myself to, but I'm excited to try to clean out my brain, reduce my stress and take a little more time for non-academic, non-girlfriend, non-overcommitted Crooked. BONUS GOAL: Write down every dollar I spend. I've been BREEZING through money recently. Some of it is necessary (extra doctors appointments for my foot, flying to job interviews on my own dime) and some of it was "necessary" because of finals (i.e., ordering every meal for a week), but I need to rein it in.In order to accomplish the above goals, I am going to make myself 42 versions of the same checklist (probably on Google Drive) and paste it into a notebook, on which I will also write my food, expenditures and workouts. I think that will be the easiest way to keep myself honest. Thank you for reading this far! Comeback Challenge Link to comment
weirdquark Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Looks good! As you might have noticed, I'm with you on avoiding outcome goals right now. "Be consistent" has better long term advantages in my opinion anyway. I lift heavy things. Current Challenge Between Challenges Workout Log Sassafrass: a capella folk fantasy mythology Link to comment
Brometheus Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 YES! So good to see you here! Wait. No "getting a kitteh" goal? Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Looks good! As you might have noticed, I'm with you on avoiding outcome goals right now. "Be consistent" has better long term advantages in my opinion anyway. Completely agree. Though it can be really exciting to hit an outcome goal, there are so many external factors that can get in the way and can make an entire challenge feel like a failure. I know that the most important thing for me right now is building good habits. 1 Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Brometheus Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Completely agree. Though it can be really exciting to hit an outcome goal, there are so many external factors that can get in the way and can make an entire challenge feel like a failure. I know that the most important thing for me right now is building good habits. Good habits and consistency *are* more important. Remove the roadblocks, and the really awesome stuff just happens! Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 YES! So good to see you here! Wait. No "getting a kitteh" goal? HAH. I wish. I've thought about it a lot and I might foster a kitten at the end of the summer and see if I think I can be a good cat-mommy at this stage in my life. I have wanted a cat since I was 10, but my mom has always been afraid of animals, so until I was living on my own it wasn't an option. Then as a first-year law student I could barely feed myself, much less another living creature. And as a second-year student I haven't been home very much, so I didn't think it would be fair. I am HOPEFUL August 2014 will be the time. But we shall see. Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Good habits and consistency *are* more important. Remove the roadblocks, and the really awesome stuff just happens! Agree! And that's what I most need to work on! Comeback Challenge Link to comment
cline Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Good habits and consistency *are* more important. Remove the roadblocks, and the really awesome stuff just happens! Hmmmm sounds familiar..... ;-) Agree! And that's what I most need to work on! heh.... I love your goal 4. HAH. I wish. I've thought about it a lot and I might foster a kitten at the end of the summer and see if I think I can be a good cat-mommy at this stage in my life. I have wanted a cat since I was 10, but my mom has always been afraid of animals, so until I was living on my own it wasn't an option. Then as a first-year law student I could barely feed myself, much less another living creature. And as a second-year student I haven't been home very much, so I didn't think it would be fair. I am HOPEFUL August 2014 will be the time. But we shall see. as for fostering - will you be prepared to give it up? A lot of fosters get adopted by their foster homes. LOL. My fat guy (he came fat) was a double rescue and ended up in the same foster home twice. The couple is amazing and took such good care of him and they selected us b/c they knew us and our ability to care for a special needs kitty. But when it was time to go, she couldn't let go so easy. She told her husband she'd get rid of all the other cats to keep the fat guy. LOL. She got through it. I called and sent pics and stopped in to visit her at the vet's office. The vet's office knows she has full permission to review his charts whenever b/c she took such good care of him. Fostering can be awesome but also heart breaking. On the flip side, I got the most wonderful double rescue kitteh EVER! And he's still fat... :-( He's dieting now. I AM going the distance 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood. Link to comment
wildross Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 simple simple simple...we're all becoming minimalists. Warriors don't count reps and sets. They count tons. My psychologist weighs 45 pounds, has an iron soul and sits on the end of a bar Tally Sheet for 2019 Encouragement for older members: Chronologically Blessed Group; Encouragement for newbie lifters: When we were weaker Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hmmmm sounds familiar..... ;-) heh.... I love your goal 4. as for fostering - will you be prepared to give it up? A lot of fosters get adopted by their foster homes. LOL. My fat guy (he came fat) was a double rescue and ended up in the same foster home twice. The couple is amazing and took such good care of him and they selected us b/c they knew us and our ability to care for a special needs kitty. But when it was time to go, she couldn't let go so easy. She told her husband she'd get rid of all the other cats to keep the fat guy. LOL. She got through it. I called and sent pics and stopped in to visit her at the vet's office. The vet's office knows she has full permission to review his charts whenever b/c she took such good care of him. Fostering can be awesome but also heart breaking. On the flip side, I got the most wonderful double rescue kitteh EVER! And he's still fat... :-( He's dieting now. Many many considerations to keep in mind. Good thing this isn't a decision I'm making right now. Awwww fat kitteh! I'm glad he got so lucky as to find a home with you! Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 simple simple simple...we're all becoming minimalists. I find that things happen in trends here. Everyone has specific strength goals at the same time, everyone is recovering from injury at the same time, etc. Or maybe it's just that you tend to notice when people's goals are aligned with your own Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Brometheus Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 I find that things happen in trends here. Everyone has specific strength goals at the same time, everyone is recovering from injury at the same time, etc. Or maybe it's just that you tend to notice when people's goals are aligned with your own Recovering from injury? Oh yeah. That was the summer where we challenged ourselves to pr and conquer the gym no matter what the cost. I like our current challenges. It's sensible and same. After seeing some of the goal suggestion guides online, I think we're amazing planners. Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Recovering from injury? Oh yeah.That was the summer where we challenged ourselves to pr and conquer the gym no matter what the cost. I like our current challenges. It's sensible and same. After seeing some of the goal suggestion guides online, I think we're amazing planners. Whoops I think this challenge will be fun! Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Edited my goal #4 to exclude computer time from "time for myself." There's such a substantive difference between mindlessly internetting for any period of time and deliberately taking 10 minutes to read or stretch, and I want to make sure what I'm doing is the latter. Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Brometheus Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Edited my goal #4 to exclude computer time from "time for myself." There's such a substantive difference between mindlessly internetting for any period of time and deliberately taking 10 minutes to read or stretch, and I want to make sure what I'm doing is the latter. 10 minutes to meditate! Calm.com is the bomb! And I know what you mean. I think I casually web surf for 1-2 hours a day. I need to spend that time cooking or....something. Damn. Link to comment
nightlight Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 i'm here! come visit cfhk. "Come with me if you want to lift" -The Brominator "Later, I would learn that coincidences are the most planned things in the world. Later, I would learn that every single moment is a coincidence." - Douglas Coupland "Anyone who doesn't want french fries every day is a commie." - AngelaTheGeek Current Challenge INSTAGRAM!! find me on twitter Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 i'm here! come visit cfhk.Will do! Going to California for a few days and then we will find a time. Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Wrapped up my mini challenge and actually carried it out to the end, so I have renewed confidence about my ability to complete this full challenge. Super excited to get started — going to put together my to-do lists today. January 6 so far FitnessRow 1k 4:23.2Taking it easy. Back feeling kind of jacked up from deadlifts on Saturday so just trying to loosen everything up.Bench45x10Body feeling tired all over; switched to dumbbells. Not going to be able to max out so will work on stabilization with smaller muscles.Chest press w/ DBS30x530x535x530x530x530x12 + pain faceFront squat45x565x585x595x3105x3115x3115x3115x3115x3115x3115x3Seated db OHP 25x6Bent-over db row 40x6Press 25x6Row 40x6Press 25x6Row 40x6Press 25x6Row 40x6Press 25x6Row 40x6I'm starting to feel thicker, like my muscle mass is coming back a bit, at least when I'm in the gym. It's also amazing how just two-and-a-half weeks of working out have made me marginally more confident in my body again. I know my body hasn't really changed, so it's just that being a person who works out makes me feel better about myself. Comeback Challenge Link to comment
weirdquark Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I know my body hasn't really changed, so it's just that being a person who works out makes me feel better about myself. Yay. I lift heavy things. Current Challenge Between Challenges Workout Log Sassafrass: a capella folk fantasy mythology Link to comment
nightlight Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 you WILL complete this challenge. even if i have to text you ever day. "Come with me if you want to lift" -The Brominator "Later, I would learn that coincidences are the most planned things in the world. Later, I would learn that every single moment is a coincidence." - Douglas Coupland "Anyone who doesn't want french fries every day is a commie." - AngelaTheGeek Current Challenge INSTAGRAM!! find me on twitter Link to comment
EmCee Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I feel like a strong bad ass inside the gym always. I may not feel that way outside of the gym... but damn if those two weeks don't make a different to your mental state! Way to go! Letting go is the hardest asana. Instagram: WholeBodySwoleHeart Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Yay.Yay! you WILL complete this challenge. even if i have to text you ever day. If I go AWOL again I would love a virtual kick in the pants. I feel like a strong bad ass inside the gym always. I may not feel that way outside of the gym... but damn if those two weeks don't make a different to your mental state! Way to go! It absolutely made a difference! Comeback Challenge Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Just got my first two (of three) grades back from last semester: A- on the class I thought I bombed, and A in the class where I taught myself all the material the week before the exam. Literally said "Oh thank God" when I saw the former. Comeback Challenge Link to comment
CourtnieMarie Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 hey! that's awesome news on your grades!! congratulations! Instagram | pinterest read harder challenge | Battle Log | NROLFW Challenges: 13-1 | 13-2 | 13-3 | 13-3.5 | 14-1 | 14-2 | 15-1 | 15-2 | 15-3 | 15-4 | 15-5 | 16-1 | 16-2 | 16-3 | 16-4 | 16-5 | 16-6 | 16-7 | 16-8 | 17-1 | 17-2 | 17-3 | 17-4 | 17-5 | 17-6 | 17-7 | 17-8 | 17-9 | 17-10 | 18-1 | 18-2 | 18-3 | 18-4 | 18-5 | 18-6 | 18-7 | 18-8 | 18-9 | 18-10 | 19-1 | 19-2 | 19-3 | 19-4 | 19-5 | 19-6 | 19-7 | current Link to comment
Crooked Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Tomorrow's flight was canceled and I've been on hold with the airline for 50 minutes. Cranky Crooked is cranky. Comeback Challenge Link to comment
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