Abtacha - Enjoying the process!

[Abtacha]

OK, I'm back!

My first challenge went great exercise wise, foodwise not so much but not horribly bad either. My second challenge was a total disaster. I wanted too much and in the end got nothing (other than a whole lot of disappointment)!

 

 

 

After that and with the holidays around the corner I decided to skip the last challenge and start fresh in the new year.

So here I am, starting over like the New Year's resolution stereotype come to life, but oh, well...

What I learned from that, was not to want to achieve too much, it all reads pretty easy on paper but when life happens and you get sidetracked by other things it's harder than it originally seemed. Also, I have to stop focusing on the outcome (the slimmer, fitter body; the things I'll be able to do; the feeling of health I will have) and start enjoying the process of getting there. I want to feel proud of myself everyday of my life not just at the end when I look back at what I've acomplished.

So, good old Confucius was right after all when he said: "The journey is the reward!"

 

 

MAIN QUEST: Same old, same old

My main quest hasn't changed since last challenge and I highly doubt it ever will. I want to be the best me I can be! Short, simple and to the point rather vague, I know. But to be honest I just have no idea where I'm going to end up right now. I just want to do what I feel like doing for each challenge and not work towards one specific goal. I don't have one. Other than a vague idea of what I would like to be able to do/be. Which is part of the problem I had last time.

 

GOAL 1: will you finally listen to your body?

I've been experimenting with my diet for a while now and have come to the following conclusions:

I'm a sugar addict.

I have some rather unfriendly bacteria living in my gut.

Those guys love throwing sugar parties! And they don't tire of it one bit, they always want more. Which makes me want more.

So for this challenge at least I'll follow a mixture of SCD and NSNG.

 

GOAL 2: get moving again

All through my first and my second challenge I did the BBWW at least three times a week. Since then the fact that I didn't take part in the last challenge and the holidays conspired against me and I didn't do more than the occasional half hearted stretching exercise.

I really enjoyed doing the BBWW and getting better and stronger at it but after a while (three months +) it gets kinda boring, which doesn't help with the sticking to it part.

For this challenge I'm going to follow the Strong Curves bodyweight program. I tweaked it a little bit but want to follow it for the next twelve weeks. That means doing the stong curves workouts 3-4 times a week and ballet, stretching or going for a walk on the active rest days. These active rest days will also be used for some handstand training. Since my wrist seems to be doing better after resting it and doing wrist exercises, I hope I can get back into practicing regularly.

 

GOAL 3: adding some daily goodness

Goal 1 and goal 2 cover most of what I want to do diet and exercise wise. But since there are three goals to be made, here we go.

I'm going to eat lots of nutrient dense foods, preferably one each day. Doesn't have to be one each day, doesn't have to be a different one each day but at least five times a week. If I eat six one week and four the next, that's fine as well. Enjoying the process here, not forcing myself into resistance again.

By nutrient dense foods I mean stuff like organ meats, fish, bone broth etc. (I'm sure there's more but can't think of anything else right now)

 

LIFE GOAL: off to bed you go

I'm going to make a point of going to bed early this challenge. I did that during my last challenge for about four weeks and really felt a difference during the day. Less cravings, more motivation to exercise and generally a happier person were some of the results. During the week this means 10pm. On the weekends I'm a little more flexible but will probably stick around that time as well. The first challenge week is the last week my hubbie is home plus I'm on vacation so I'm not going to be to strict. This goal activates come Saturday.

 

TRACKING SYSTEM: there is no tracking system

I don't particularly care how many points in what area I have/should have/could have. I'm a book nerd! I know that puts in a minority on here but it is what it is. Again, I'm focusing on the process and not on the reward points I could get from doing something.

I will keep track of what I eat and what I did during my workouts. I also took measurements yesterday and will take some more at the three week mark and at the end. I haven't decided yet if I'll post them or not. Maybe I will, maybe I won't, we'll see!

 

I have a pretty good feeling for this one! Hey, I even figured out how to use gifs.

 

 

 

Enjoying the process!

[ApfelStrudi]

Yessssss there you are! \o/

I can't wait to read more about your chicken hearts.

This may sound super odd and totally creepy, BUT. Ever since I saw you write that you eat chicken hearts I've been oggling the chicken hearts at the supermarket (holy shit they're so cheap! and red!) but I just have no clue what to do after putting them in my fridge.

 

I also want to know about the rest of your challenge, of course.

[Paradigm]

This is an awesome challenge and I'm glad to see you back  

 

I did the sleep thing in one of my first challenges and it totally changed things for me. I used to think I was "ok" with no sleep or little sleep. Sure, I was functioning but... Lol. I figured out through changes in diet and sleep that what was functioning was not functioning well and I'd rather have fewer hours awake than all of them being tired and grumpy and not up to par. I hope you find something similar! 

 

Can't wait to see how it goes Subbed.

[Bekah]

Yay a new challenge thread!!!

I am REALLY glad you aren't beating yourself up over a negative challenge, and took some time off to refocus and analyze your wants/needs before starting again...it is such a difficult thing to do, and you are phenomenal at it from the beginning!

I remember not having a clue about what I ultimately wanted to do/be at the end of everything, and while it isn't negative in the least, make sure it doesn't become an excuse to do nothing, because any movement forward is better than standing still as long as you learn something from it, IMO, which you are clearly stellar at! I did however, do an exercise in therapy that really got me started seeing what I wanted ultimately. I had to envision my future in increments of progress (we used healing from my trauma as the benchmark, but you could use your feelings of confidence, stress level, anything you want to improve) and really think long and hard, in as much detail as I could (it took months to really get clarity on it, so if you try it and get nothing at first, don't give up ) about what life would look like when I has 25% improvement, 50%, 75% and then 100%...and then I knew at least one long term goal that I truly wanted (to teach yoga) and made that my focal point for fitness/diet/life choices etc. and it has helped me stay focused infinitely more than I was before! But that's just my experience, it may not help you as much, so feel free to ignore it!

As usual you have some intriguing new diet/exercise info that makes me want to run screaming in the opposite direction!

That NSNG diet sounds rather amazing, but yeah, I can't even imagine attempting that right now, plus being in keto makes me a suicidal mess, but I am going to love watching you crush it! The SCD diet is working miracles for my little nephew, and I could probably benefit from it too, but no...I have to tackle my sugar addiction first!

I'm all for the strong curves/better ass workout...a nice ass is definitely a great thing

Sleep=good! Like Paradigm, I thought because I functioned on 4-5 hrs, I thought I was okay, but I wasn't....once I started sleeping more I noticed a HUGE difference! I hope it helps make things easier

How about I throw a little incentive in there for you. If you do well this time around, I will make you a present Oh and yes, I realize I totally suck and never sent you your bracelet, and now hubby is leaving so I need your actual postal address! Sorry for being the biggest slacker ever when it comes to mailing stuff!!!

[Bekah]

and who did you bribe to get "Assassin Inquirer" vs. "Rebel" over your avatar???? I want mine to say "Elf Princess" but I'm not one of the cool kids apparently!

[Abtacha]

Yessssss there you are! \o/

I can't wait to read more about your chicken hearts.

This may sound super odd and totally creepy, BUT. Ever since I saw you write that you eat chicken hearts I've been oggling the chicken hearts at the supermarket (holy shit they're so cheap! and red!) but I just have no clue what to do after putting them in my fridge.

 

I also want to know about the rest of your challenge, of course.

  

Thanks for calling me odd and creepy Heart is muscle meat so it doesn't have a weird consistency or taste to it. You can fry them in a pan with some salt and butter. Maybe some onions, whatever you normally season with. Or, if the fact that they're tiny little hearts creeps you out, you can grind them in a food processor and mix it with hamburger meat. If you use pork or fattier beef hamburger meat you can form patties with it, too. That way no one will ever know they're eating organ meat *insert evil laugh*

This is an awesome challenge and I'm glad to see you back  

 

I did the sleep thing in one of my first challenges and it totally changed things for me. I used to think I was "ok" with no sleep or little sleep. Sure, I was functioning but... Lol. I figured out through changes in diet and sleep that what was functioning was not functioning well and I'd rather have fewer hours awake than all of them being tired and grumpy and not up to par. I hope you find something similar! 

 

Can't wait to see how it goes Subbed.

 

Same here! What really annoys me, is that I've been there and then let it slack and went to bed later and later again. Oh, well maybe I can form a habit this time around!

[Abtacha]

 

Yay a new challenge thread!!!

I am REALLY glad you aren't beating yourself up over a negative challenge, and took some time off to refocus and analyze your wants/needs before starting again...it is such a difficult thing to do, and you are phenomenal at it from the beginning!

I remember not having a clue about what I ultimately wanted to do/be at the end of everything, and while it isn't negative in the least, make sure it doesn't become an excuse to do nothing, because any movement forward is better than standing still as long as you learn something from it, IMO, which you are clearly stellar at! I did however, do an exercise in therapy that really got me started seeing what I wanted ultimately. I had to envision my future in increments of progress (we used healing from my trauma as the benchmark, but you could use your feelings of confidence, stress level, anything you want to improve) and really think long and hard, in as much detail as I could (it took months to really get clarity on it, so if you try it and get nothing at first, don't give up ) about what life would look like when I has 25% improvement, 50%, 75% and then 100%...and then I knew at least one long term goal that I truly wanted (to teach yoga) and made that my focal point for fitness/diet/life choices etc. and it has helped me stay focused infinitely more than I was before! But that's just my experience, it may not help you as much, so feel free to ignore it!

As usual you have some intriguing new diet/exercise info that makes me want to run screaming in the opposite direction!

That NSNG diet sounds rather amazing, but yeah, I can't even imagine attempting that right now, plus being in keto makes me a suicidal mess, but I am going to love watching you crush it! The SCD diet is working miracles for my little nephew, and I could probably benefit from it too, but no...I have to tackle my sugar addiction first!

I'm all for the strong curves/better ass workout...a nice ass is definitely a great thing

Sleep=good! Like Paradigm, I thought because I functioned on 4-5 hrs, I thought I was okay, but I wasn't....once I started sleeping more I noticed a HUGE difference! I hope it helps make things easier

How about I throw a little incentive in there for you. If you do well this time around, I will make you a present Oh and yes, I realize I totally suck and never sent you your bracelet, and now hubby is leaving so I need your actual postal address! Sorry for being the biggest slacker ever when it comes to mailing stuff!!!

  

I will definitely try that exercise to find out what I want for the future. I'm going to have to decide what to do work wise once we're in the States as well, so thanks!

Don't run away, please! NSNG is not about being in ketosis or restricting carbs, you don't have to count anything just don't eat sugars and grains. You basically pick low glycemic foods (meat, veggies, high fat dairy, some fruit). As for the SCD it focuses on eliminating some sugars (monosaccharides) from the diet. You can either start from scratch and add to it or eat the allowed foods and see if that's enough (it is for me so that's good)

I like a nice butt myself Hope this helps.

Ooh, I like presents! Incentive accepted!

and who did you bribe to get "Assassin Inquirer" vs. "Rebel" over your avatar???? I want mine to say "Elf Princess" but I'm not one of the cool kids apparently!

I didn't bribe anyone

I offered to help and got made Assassin Inquirer. Easy as that

[Mad Hatter]

Yay you're back! With gifs! New and improved already and the challenge's barely started.

[Abtacha]

Yay you're back! With gifs! New and improved already and the challenge's barely started.

 

Thanks! Like I said enjoy the process, there's always something to be proud of!

[KB Girl]

Welcome back to action!  

Never heard of this strong curves program before, but I think just following a program-any program- is the most important thing. Consistency and all that. 

 

You do ballet? As active rest? How does that work and where did you learn that? 

[Abtacha]

Welcome back to action!  

Never heard of this strong curves program before, but I think just following a program-any program- is the most important thing. Consistency and all that. 

 

You do ballet? As active rest? How does that work and where did you learn that?

The program focuses mainly on the butt but has some upper body exercises (pull-up, push-up) as well, it's a good mix and I enjoy the exercises. Which fits nicely into your challenge theme

The program has three to four workout days, one rest day and whatever is left are active rest days. On those days you can do cardio, yoga, stretching, play volleyball, ballet or something like that. I go to a ballet class on Mondays so I set up my schedule accordingly.

It's a class for grown-ups. We have total newbies and experienced dancers in there. I'm somewhere in the middle since I was in ballet as a kid for seven years or so. Anyways, it's fun!

[Abtacha]

Week 1 Day 1

 

GOAL 1: will you finally listen to your body?

All my meals were "legal" with both NSNG and SCD.

 

GOAL 2: get moving again

Today was an active rest day on the program. Normally I would have gone to ballet class, but classes don't start until next week. So I did some testing exercises to see what I signed up for. .....and damn did my butt hurt!

 

GOAL 3: adding some daily goodness

Today's daily goodness was homemade bone broth that I used to cook pea soup.

 

LIFE GOAL: off to bed you go

This goal activates come Saturday.

And just because I love Rebel Wilson...

 

[KB Girl]

That is really cool. Learning new things/revisiting them. Sorry for being so curious about it, but would love to know what kinda stuff you do in a normal class? 

[Paradigm]

I like how you've started the challenge I can't wait to see you keep at it.

 

Have you been doing ballet for long?

[Abtacha]

That is really cool. Learning new things/revisiting them. Sorry for being so curious about it, but would love to know what kinda stuff you do in a normal class?

Ballet classes are pretty much structured all the same. We warmup using stretching exercises on the floor for about twenty min, then we do exercises on the barre and after that we do center work. There are different types of exercises like plié (bending your knees) that always follow the same order (in every ballet class not just ours) and don't change for about 6-8 weeks. Since everyone works for themselves you can put a bunch of different skill levels in one class and everyone gets a good training. Anyways I hope I didn't bore you

It's fun and I enjoy doing it!

I like how you've started the challenge I can't wait to see you keep at it.

 

Have you been doing ballet for long?

Thank you!

I did ballet from 6 to 14 years and started back up about two years ago when my oldest daughter started her classes as well.

[KB Girl]

Not at all bored! I think it's cool that you can have different skill levels in one class. It sounds like something nice/fun to do

I have this secret ambition to take a dancing class someday.... I'd be horrible tho!

[Abtacha]

Not at all bored! I think it's cool that you can have different skill levels in one class. It sounds like something nice/fun to do

I have this secret ambition to take a dancing class someday.... I'd be horrible tho!

Go for it! Unless you want to be a professional dancer the only thing that matters is you having fun and maybe learning a thing or two

[Paradigm]

That's awesome! I bet it felt wonderful to get back into it after so long. 

 

And KBGirl you should totally do it!!!!

[Abtacha]

That's awesome! I bet it felt wonderful to get back into it after so long. 

 

And KBGirl you should totally do it!!!!

A little awkward in the beginning but sooo good!

[ApfelStrudi]

Ballet makes me go wide-eyed whenever I see it. I'd love to try it at one point. Or watch some Ab-ballet! When Hatter comes over to do her burlesque show, we should add a ballet show. And a kettlebell show for KB Girl Then we can declare it a conference for gaining new knowledge and nobody will be the wiser! 

 

KB Girl - you could do some dance workouts before you decide to do a class. I did one yesterday and even though I probably looked like I had my limbs chopped off and put back on backwards, it was great fun. (I'm also sore as hell).

[Abtacha]

Ballet makes me go wide-eyed whenever I see it. I'd love to try it at one point. Or watch some Ab-ballet! When Hatter comes over to do her burlesque show, we should add a ballet show. And a kettlebell show for KB Girl Then we can declare it a conference for gaining new knowledge and nobody will be the wiser! 

 

KB Girl - you could do some dance workouts before you decide to do a class. I did one yesterday and even though I probably looked like I had my limbs chopped off and put back on backwards, it was great fun. (I'm also sore as hell).

You'd probably fall asleep watching my ballet show! I can't do the cool stuff like pirouettes because I get dizzy and have to stop whenever I turn too fast. But as a relaxing cool down after Miss Hatters show, why not?

So, if Miss Hatter does Burlesque, I do ballet and KB Girl does kettlebells? What are you going to do?

[ApfelStrudi]

I'll be responsible for the catering.

[KB Girl]

Haha, you've got this all sorted then!

I'll try, I promise. I'll start with a little bit of private dancing (oeh that sounds exciting) and sometime this year go to a class.

[Mad Hatter]

So, if Miss Hatter does Burlesque...

 

Wait, what?? When did this happen?

[ApfelStrudi]

Wait, what?? When did this happen?

Two challenges ago