Embracing the process, Liberator's 2nd Challenge

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for another days work

I am grateful for an evening home with my boys.

I am grateful for a refrigerator and cupboards full of good food.

I am grateful for a job that pays the bills.

I am grateful for co-workers I can bounce ideas off of.

I am grateful for learning to listen and think before I speak.

I am grateful for opportunities all around me to create and improve my artistic skills.

I am grateful for kind words. 

I am grateful for a meaningful life.

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes

#3- Diet: Sugar:

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Fell asleep with contacts in  Up at 12 to take them out, Up at 5:30. Everyone slept through the night.

Food: BP coffee, mineral water, BP cocoa, shrimp & corn chowder and some blackberries and raw almonds. 

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

I hardly ate anything today. I feel so much better then yesterday, I needed to clear out the system.  

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for garden books so I can look through them and dream and plan new ideas for my garden and they help to remind me that spring and summer are on their way. 

I am grateful for each day is a new start.

I am grateful for a supportive family growing up and wise decisions along the way. I haven't led the most exciting life or chosen the least trodden path but I can look at myself in the mirror and know I have lived according to my values and cared and nurtured the people around me.

I am grateful for the people around me that encourage and support me.

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes

#3- Diet: Sugar: granola bar - 12g, some tic tacs

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: 

Food: BP coffee, sardines, a peanut granola bar, tic tacs,  BP cocoa, mineral water, roasted chicken, green beans, spare ribs, mashed potatoes.

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

Working on large sculpture for school.

 

Note:

Senior students not very co-operative today, their sorta pain in the asses. They gave the other Art teacher from the first half of the year a hard time. Time to do the most basic of projects and not try to do anything above or beyond with them. They have a mindset of creating roadblocks. 

[Barfly]

I'm grateful that I can read your log and reflect on my life. I'm reminded of the things I'm grateful for.

Good luck with the seniors

[Liberator]

Bad skin today on my cheeks. Of course it is bitter cold out. Hardly ate much food the past few days. But grains, gluten, corn, butter, peanuts, chocolate all could be any issue.  It could be hormones…

 

Not thrilled with the idea of going through an elimination diet, but it might be the only way to work this out. 

[Barfly]

Daughter did. Found a lactose allergy!

[Liberator]

Well, skin got worst tonight. I think the problem is wheat. Dairy could be an issue, too, but I eat butter everyday and I don't have an issue everyday. I had some of the boys ravioli with cheese. and now I am getting blotching skin and spots. My face is feeling itchy, too.   

 

Had a terrible headache for most of the day got worst in the evening. J had some kind of night terrors around 11:30 at night, crying, screaming running through the house. No idea what triggered it. After 20 minutes managed to calm him down with the abc song and then rubbing back and stomach, oh and an apple. Got him to come to our bed, with his apple in his hand. Ate the apple in bed, calm down and finally fell asleep.  

[Barfly]

Gluten, then? :-/

[Endor]

Good that you are zeroing in on the cause of the skin troubles, hopefully you can narrow it down.

 

Great job keeping up on your exercise

[Liberator]

Still working on the skin issues, I think I will need to continue working on the elimination of sugar and wheat and probably all grains from my diet. I want to think I can still eat dairy because I eat grass-fed butter everyday. I don't want to lose my BP coffee or cocoa! I stopped drinking milk in my tea, mostly because it wasn't organic and organic milk is super expensive.

 

I need to learn to have back up plans and things with me to eat when I am caught somewhere without healthy options. So far I have a few options at home I keep around.

- Eggs (can be a breakfast, lunch or dinner option)

- Sardines (I have a few cans at school when there is nothing (soup) I like for lunch)

- Frozen sweet potatoes & veggies

- BP coffee & cocoa

- raw whole almonds

- herbal tea

- San Pelligrino mineral water

 

I want more options!

 

Eating habits I need to break 

- my gluten-free waffle habit

- my granola bar habit (school store, 12-15g of sugar, not gluten-free)

- too much of the same thing habit, need to work out more options

- Noosa yogurt habit (was eating it everyday for lunch all last year, stopped this year)

- BP coffee/cocoa (ok, I get compulsive with my eating and them my body gets use to things and I don't feel right if I don't eat things, I get withdrawl.

[Liberator]

Weightlifting yesterday 2/7/14

 

When I am lifting I find myself needing to give myself a pep talk because I don't think I can lift that much weight. I am surprised when I make it though a set. I do the leg press last and I am really surprised at the ease of lifting 290lb. My upper body tires easily but in my legs I barely feel the workout. 

 

I do feel really good afterwards and sleep well, too.

 

This is what I did this week:

 

Shoulder Press  3x5 20lb ; I lowered the weight 10lb because my shoulders were a bit tender last week

Pulldown 3x5 85 lb; I struggle with this one, I go slow and must really focus on form
Chest press; 3x5 55lb, This one was good (first week I tried 75lb, second 55lb, easier this week might inc. next week by 5)
Rowing movement;  3x5 85lb, good, just hard enough

Leg press;  3x5 250lb, 2x5 260lb, 2x5 275lb, 1x5 290lb; I am feeling my way through this to go as heavy as possible, 290lb wasn't that difficult but I want to see how I feel throughout the week. I feel it mostly in the glutes, right now.

 

Tried Pect fly; 3x5 55lb

Basically going for machines that work the most muscle groups for a quick, efficient 15-20 minute workout.

[Liberator]

Skin is really good today. Light pink to my cheeks, most spots have faded.

 

Yesterday I had a slice of bread with the mussels to sop up the broth, yum.

Today I had a few bites of pizza crust. 

I also drank butter in my coffee and a bit of milk in my tea. 

No reaction.

 

I wonder if I have a histamine intolerance where I get too much and it pushes me over the edge and I get skin issues. I don't think I have many other symptoms. 

 

Not sure about the oil I have being using. I might need something else for cleanser and moisturizer.

 

It just seems so random. Sometimes it heals in days other times it's weeks before it fades.

[Liberator]

Next challenge thoughts:

 

Continue weightlifting, once a week. 

Continue to monitor skin issues and eating habits

I like doing the gratitude statements… I have been happier because of them

Still working on meditation habit …

Still need to work more creative time into my week …

I could really benefit from a better AM, PM and after noon routines.

Financial goals, career goals…

So many things to work on 

 

Researching IF and carb backloading, this could be a possibility too.

 

But this process works best for me with a few small steps that are so easy that I can't use the excuse I didn't have enough time.

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for a friend who likes seafood! Husband cannot stand it so I can't even order it when we go out. Now I have a friend who likes adventurous eating and drinking so we are working our way through all the local restaurants and drinking establishments!

I am grateful for a husband gives me a big hug and kiss and lifts me off the ground.

I am grateful for all my big pile of laundry because it means I live in abundance and I am lucky to be able to afford all these clothes, towels, blankets, sheets and socks… 

I am grateful for a peaceful safe beautiful city neighborhood full of charm and good people. 

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - done

#3- Diet: Sugar: A couple Whoppers   4 wafer cookies - 9g

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Good sleep!

Food: BP coffee, waffles, an egg, pumpkin soup, tea with milk, water, chicken, gluten-free pretzels, salsa and chips, cocoa, cookies, whoppers 

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

[Barfly]

That's a great way to look at laundry!

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

I am grateful for the flow of knowledge that opens up to me and carries me to new areas of interest and development.

I am grateful for downtime to gather my thoughts.

I am grateful for excited kids who make a regular day fun.

      PM

I am grateful for skin that lets me know when I am eating something that is not good for me.

I am grateful for all the drivers on the road who handle snow driving so well, terrible roads today but everyone knew to take it slow and all was well.

I am grateful for the health of my family and friends

I am grateful for kids who know how to make their own fun!

I am grateful for my fat cells, they are amazing, tenacious, adaptable and essential for survival, they are also a sign of my abundance and enjoyment.

I am grateful for J independence with toilet training and GI issues. He refuses any miralax or other "helpers", but is discovering other ways to help himself and work through the issue on his own terms. I admire his sense of self and his insistence on personal solution that preserve his personal space and dignity. It is so encouraging to see his strength and dignity shine through despite lack of verbal language. 

   

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - Done

#3- Diet: Sugar: Stevia

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Very good to bed at 11; up at 7

Food: BP coffee, Late lunch at Dave & Buster's;( Nachos, steak, shrimp, mushrooms, lobster alfredo pasta, tea w/ cream), herbal tea, BP cocoa

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

Just read Carb Nite Solution by John Kiefer

Thinking of trying it out for my 3rd challenge

 

 

Skin

Broke out on my cheeks right after lunch at Dave & Buster's.   Wheat and dairy!?!

But I didn't have a problem when I ate the mussels and bread and calamari and martini at Happy Hour.

[TennisGeek]

I'm really grateful that you do these "I'm grateful" things.

 

This morning, I was really grateful to see my daughter speaking in front of a few hundred people.

[Liberator]

I'm really grateful that you do these "I'm grateful" things.

 

This morning, I was really grateful to see my daughter speaking in front of a few hundred people.

I bet she was gracious and engaging just like her dad! 

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for forgiveness, it lets you move on with your life and not be burdened with past transgressions

I am grateful for a snowy landscape, I like how gleaming it can be as the sunlight filters through tree limbs reflecting off the snow and brightly hits your eyes.

I am grateful for longer days of sunshine

I am grateful for simple joys, smiles and laughter throughout the day, feel blessed 

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - Done

#3- Diet: Sugar: Candy, I brought a big bag of mini snickers for my class as a reward, ate way too many, bad, bad, bad. I can't even come up with an excuse, it was totally compulsive eating… then I missed lunch, so all I ate for the day was coffee and some candy.  

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Good 11-6

Food: BP coffee, snickers, tea, Dinner; steak, cauliflower, sweet potato fries, two peanut butter cookies (which I had a reaction to) 

Creative outlet:   (1 x week) - Working of sculpture project

Skin: Bad, not eating well and it shows. 

Note:

I think my skin is becoming more and more sensitive, and I have to eat clean or else my face will start breaking out.

[Liberator]

Got to go to the weight room today. 20 mins.

Home in time to take J to skating.

 

Here's the numbers:

Leg press: 3x5 290lb; 1x5 300lb 
Pulldown :  3x5 85lb
Chest press: 3x5 60lb
Rowing movement : 3x5 85lb
Shoulder Press: 3x5 25 lb
Pect fly: 3x5 55lb

 

It went well. A bit sore in the shoulders and back, but a good sore. 

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for the people who run programs for the disabled, they show such loving patience and understanding that you don't commonly  see in the general public.

I am grateful for O's sweet innocence and earnestness.

I am grateful for J's amazing eye contact. He looks at you and he can communicate so much with just his eyes. Great smiling eyes.

I am grateful for J's volunteer who skates with J each week, patiently redirecting him back to the group, keeping track of him as he wants to skates circles around him, never stopping, constant motion.

I am grateful for O's friend who hangs out with him while J's skating. They are get to share pokemon talk, it's like they speak the same language.

I am grateful for M and his father who free skate with J, each will take a hand and skate with him.

   

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes

#3- Diet: Sugar:

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Good

Food:

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

[TennisGeek]

I bet she was gracious and engaging just like her dad! 

 

Thanks, but I think the truth is different from how it appears online.

In person, I'm introvert, have a shade of aspy, socially awkward and not good at people stuff.

 

 

My daughter is a teenager, so not gracious(*), but engaging and personable. Very different from dad.

 

* I have rarely seen gracious teenagers.

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for new ideas and health research to learn and experiment with. So many ways to grow and learn and so many resources available, we are so lucky!

I am grateful for the prospect of improving health, fitness, happiness, relationship and life, it is exciting to think that all these things can get better!

I am grateful for a warm bath to wash away dirt and grime and daily burdens to baptize the body and soul.

I am grateful for peace with myself

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - done

#3- Diet: Sugar: a few ice breaker mints

#4- Exercise (3x Week) - rest today

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: good

Food: BP coffee, water, tea, salad no dressing, three potato chips, BP cocoa, almonds, pepperoni and cheese snack, walnuts, water, fried egg for dinner.  

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

First day of new ultra-low carb diet with carb nite on tenth day. So I have a ten day countdown. Day one - done.

 

Still learning what I can and can't have with this… So I erred on the side of caution. I know fats and protein are ok but don't go overboard.

[Endor]

When I am lifting I find myself needing to give myself a pep talk because I don't think I can lift that much weight. I am surprised when I make it though a set. I do the leg press last and I am really surprised at the ease of lifting 290lb. My upper body tires easily but in my legs I barely feel the workout. 

Have you tried free weights out? Some loaded squats will tire out your legs, even if you are not using a barbell you can modify body weight squats to make them harder and do variations like 3 secs down, pause at the bottom, 1 sec up. Legs are much stronger than upper body, I can do about 40% on my upper body stuff of what I can do on my legs. Lunges holding dumbbells will tire your legs out too.

 

You tend to find a lot of people against machines for workouts here. I think something is better than nothing so lifting with machines is better than doing no lifting, but if you're interested in learning more this article outlines recent views from Steve: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/01/24/rage-against-the-machine-how-to-switch-from-exercise-machines-to-free-weights/

 

I think it's great you are getting in your regular workouts whatever, consistency is key.

 

Skin is really good today. Light pink to my cheeks, most spots have faded.

I wonder if I have a histamine intolerance where I get too much and it pushes me over the edge and I get skin issues. I don't think I have many other symptoms. 

 

Not sure about the oil I have being using. I might need something else for cleanser and moisturizer.

 

It just seems so random. Sometimes it heals in days other times it's weeks before it fades.

Could it be stress related?

[Liberator]

Have you tried free weights out? Some loaded squats will tire out your legs, even if you are not using a barbell you can modify body weight squats to make them harder and do variations like 3 secs down, pause at the bottom, 1 sec up. Legs are much stronger than upper body, I can do about 40% on my upper body stuff of what I can do on my legs. Lunges holding dumbbells will tire your legs out too.

 

You tend to find a lot of people against machines for workouts here. I think something is better than nothing so lifting with machines is better than doing no lifting, but if you're interested in learning more this article outlines recent views from Steve: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/01/24/rage-against-the-machine-how-to-switch-from-exercise-machines-to-free-weights/

 

I think it's great you are getting in your regular workouts whatever, consistency is key.

 

Could it be stress related?

I have been working out at my work which is a really nice high school workout room. There are some amazing machines and a few sets of free weights, a bench an olympic bar… nice, new, barely used equipment. But I have no spotter and I am with my 10-year-old son as well. Not a good time to miss a lift.

 

I know there are many against machines here but I think it is a better option for me. I read Body by Science by Doug McGuff MD and he was recommending machines and a short, hard, heavy workout with five machines done slowly with a week recovery time. It is not what most people do here, but I am good with this approach and it is very efficient, 15 minutes, I really like that. We'll see if it works for me.

 

Working a lot on my diet. The last time I had an issues with the skin I went out to dinner with my family. I went in without anything on my cheeks and left the restaurant with inflamed cheeks with red spots.   I started having issues in the summer, when I wasn't working and on vacation. It could be stress but it seems food is more likely.

 

Thanks for the suggestion about the loaded squats I think I am going to start that at home with dumbbells.   

[Endor]

I have been working out at my work which is a really nice high school workout room. There are some amazing machines and a few sets of free weights, a bench an olympic bar… nice, new, barely used equipment. But I have no spotter and I am with my 10-year-old son as well. Not a good time to miss a lift.

 

I know there are many against machines here but I think it is a better option for me. I read Body by Science by Doug McGuff MD and he was recommending machines and a short, hard, heavy workout with five machines done slowly with a week recovery time. It is not what most people do here, but I am good with this approach and it is very efficient, 15 minutes, I really like that. We'll see if it works for me.

 

Working a lot on my diet. The last time I had an issues with the skin I went out to dinner with my family. I went in without anything on my cheeks and left the restaurant with inflamed cheeks with red spots.   I started having issues in the summer, when I wasn't working and on vacation. It could be stress but it seems food is more likely.

 

Thanks for the suggestion about the loaded squats I think I am going to start that at home with dumbbells.   

I think it's great that we see different views here and no single approach applies to everyone. Will be interesting to hear how you go with it over time. I get that lifting heavy with a 10 year old around would be a danger/distraction!

 

You know this reminded me that I sometimes used to get very red patches over my face and hands when I was younger. I eventually narrowed it down to certain brands of canned beer and certain types of red wine. Once I had it figured out I could drink a single can of one particular beer and trigger it. I never took it further than that, just stopped drinking canned beer completely but I'm guessing it was the type of yeast they used.

 

It would be interesting to go back to the same restaurant and order the same food on your own and see if you got the same reaction.