LittleTurtle kicking boxes left & right

[LittleTurtle]

MAIN QUEST - KEEP MY BODY IN MOTION

I tend to move a lot less during the winter than any other season. It's dark. It's cold. It's miserable. It leaves me wanting to do absolutely nothing but curling up in a blanket and hibernating. I'm going to keep my goals fairly simple for this challenge until the winter passes and spring lifts my spirit and energy levels.

- Yoga: 4 x week for at least 20 minutes

- Jogging Misc Activity (i.e - walk with incline, jog, swim, etc): 3 x week for at least 20 minutes

- Foam Roll: at least 5 minutes after every single workout

LIFE QUEST - VIGILANCE WITH VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

My doctor has put me on some new medications and also advised me to start taking a multitude of vitamins and supplements. It's been hard for me to transition into taking so many things a day. I start worrying about things like when to take them, whether or not I should take everything all at once and be done with it or spacing it out while trying not to forget anything if I get too busy throughout the day. Lately, I've been using a little pill box and putting everything I need to take in a day in there and checking it until it's empty. So far, it seems to be working fairly well.

SIDE QUEST - CONTROL MY SWEET TOOTH

I've made some great strides in finding ways to cut back on sugar (I'm actually to the point now where I drink my coffee completely black!), but I still have attacks when I become obsessed with desire for sweets. I became a bit lax over the holidays (please note: I did a bajillion times better than ever before), but it's time to reboot. I will allow myself a maximum of three indulgences per week making sure that I keep those indulgences to a single serving size or sharing with my boyfriend when the urge for flourless chocolate torte hits.

MOTIVATION

Kick winter in the 'you know where' and welcome spring with massive energy levels.

GRADING

Yoga & Foam Rolling

4(+)/week = A

3/week = B

2/week = C

(-)2/week = F

Misc Activity

3(+)/week = A

2/ week = B

1/week = C

0/week = F

Vitamins & Stuff

7 days/week = A

6 days/week = B

5 days/week = C

(-)5 days/week = F

Sweets

3(-)/week = A

4/week = B

5/week = C

(+) 5/week = BIG FAT FAIL!

[Wandern]

Ugh - I hear you about winter. It's soo hard to get out and do anything when it's dark.

[keliswicked]

Turtle!

I will keep you accountable with running since I'm sure you'll do the same for me!

Winter is terrible for me too. You're not alone.

What do you do with your foam roller? Like what exercises or stretches? I'm curious because I have a foam roller but not really sure what to do with it...

[Affekonig]

Foam Roller is so wonderful!  I am so bad about only using them when I am actually in a studio though, despite my ever-growing collection of them at home...  Will need to take some inspiration from your challenge!

[LittleTurtle]

Turtle!

I will keep you accountable with running since I'm sure you'll do the same for me!

Winter is terrible for me too. You're not alone.

What do you do with your foam roller? Like what exercises or stretches? I'm curious because I have a foam roller but not really sure what to do with it...

That sounds great!  Will do!

 

I usually just stretch with my foam roller.  Here is a great video I watched once for some great stretches!  Hope it helps. 

 

Foam Roller is so wonderful!  I am so bad about only using them when I am actually in a studio though, despite my ever-growing collection of them at home...  Will need to take some inspiration from your challenge!

I can totally tell a difference in my body the next day if I skip it.  Oftentimes, I use it just specifically just to help the tightness in my back.  I love that thing!

[TigerTiger]

Yay for the foam roller mentions! I have one too and I can never figure out what to do with it. Thanks for posting the video link.

[I am Eve]

Namaste little Turtle, there will soon be a family of Turtles here and then we can all go to the Galapagos- right?!

Nice to have you back, fighting winter, even though I kind of embrace it myself. Lucky that we're not all alike huh?!

Remind me what type of yoga you practice. I just did one hour this morning, and it felt wonderful. I practice Hatha and do a program I designed with the help of my teacher.

Tomorrow is wrap up first week, how has it been?

[LittleTurtle]

Namaste little Turtle, there will soon be a family of Turtles here and then we can all go to the Galapagos- right?!

Nice to have you back, fighting winter, even though I kind of embrace it myself. Lucky that we're not all alike huh?!

Remind me what type of yoga you practice. I just did one hour this morning, and it felt wonderful. I practice Hatha and do a program I designed with the help of my teacher.

Tomorrow is wrap up first week, how has it been?

The Galapagos sounds wonderful - see you there! 

I guess I'm not exactly sure what type of yoga I practice (it's just a series of DVDs for beginner to intermediate levels that I follow), but I'm pretty sure it's most closely related to Vinyasa because the instructors stress the importance and movement of breath in relation to the moves and poses.

 

As far as my Week 1 wrap up goes...I somehow managed to get a lung infection, so that blew any chance of getting up and moving all to crap.  Anytime I so much as adjusted myself on the couch, I'd cough myself into an oblivion.  But I have been on antibiotics now for about 5 days and have 5 more days to go and I'm feeling much better.  I'm going to cool it on the running for a week or two though because I don't want to jeopardize my respiratory system while it's still on the mend.  It's getting quite frustrating that I haven't been doing as much running as I'd like, but it is what it is.

 

So, my grades for last week are as follows (I don't think it's as bad as I initially thought considering the circumstances):

 

WEEK 1 GRADES

Yoga = C

Run = C

Foam Roll = B

Vitamins = A

Treats = A

 

Since I can't really run for the next couple of weeks - I'll need to make some adjustments for my grading:

 

Yoga (at least 40 minutes)

4(+)/week = A

3/week = B

2/week = C

(-)2/week = F

 

Jogging

*Switch to walking 20 minutes until I feel I can run again.

 

I hope this won't be considered cheating!  

[keliswicked]

Not cheating at all!  Your fitness and health is most important, and an injury isn't going to help either of those things.

 

I hope you're enjoying foam rolling as much as I am! It really feels great.

 

Keep at it =)

[LittleTurtle]

Not cheating at all!  Your fitness and health is most important, and an injury isn't going to help either of those things.

 

I hope you're enjoying foam rolling as much as I am! It really feels great.

 

Keep at it =)

Thanks!  And yes - always enjoying the foam rolling.  I don't know how I managed in life without it!

 

 

In other news:

45 minutes of yoga this evening.  I only coughed a little bit.  I feel refreshed, relaxed, and ready to tackle the rest of the week.  

[Affekonig]

Glad to hear you're moving again! I am always pleasantly surprised how the right amount of exercise, without over doing it, can be such a boost to recovery.

[Wandern]

Hurray for antibiotics! And no, adjusting your goals to accomodate healing is not cheating at all, but very sensible. Glad you're feeling more the thing.

[LittleTurtle]

I am in need of some opinions. I've had some major contemplations on whether or not I should count a small amount of pudding as one of my three allotted weekly indulgences. I had a small portion of chocolate pudding with my lunch today and I just couldn't decide if I should count it or not. I needed just a little something to take the edge off my "monthly fun times" , but didn't really want to splurge on a candy bar or ice cream or what have you. I really doubt that the pudding was sugar-free, but if I was going to make an active choice to indulge, it almost certainly would be on something a little more extreme and unhealthy.

Anyways. I'm making this WAY more complicated that it needs to be, but I'm really great at that!

Thoughts?

[I am Eve]

Don't count it!

I think your reasoning above is sound 

[LittleTurtle]

Don't count it!

I think your reasoning above is sound 

Ah...this is why I think you're great!  I did a LOT of contemplation over the last couple of days about this, and I also came to the conclusion that I wouldn't count a flavored Greek yogurt as a "treat" and there is probably the same amount (if not more) sugar in those.  So.  There ya have it! 

 

In other news, I was still craving chocolate yesterday, so I made an active choice to get a cookie with my lunch.  I wanted to devour the entire thing, but only ate half since it seemed a rather large cookie.  Later, I looked up the nutritional information, and GOOD LORD!  That thing had 400 calories in it!  Thank goodness I only ate half!  I really need to have some high percentage dark chocolate around for when those intense cravings hit, but I'm always aware that if it IS around - I will mindlessly think I need it and eat more than I should. 

 

Also - I'm very much on track with my yoga and foam rolling, but haven't even had the slightest desire to do any walking (and still think I need a half week or so before I even think about running again).  I'm almost done with my antibiotics, but still have the slightest bit of a cough.  In exchange for the walking - I've done quite a bit of extra yoga so I figure it all equals out as far as just getting my body off the couch.

[Affekonig]

I've just come too terms with keeping dark chocolate around and eating more than I probably should It is better than the alternative of going without a treat at all for too long until melting down and eating an entire cheesecake... not... that... I would know anything about that...

[LittleTurtle]

I've just come too terms with keeping dark chocolate around and eating more than I probably should It is better than the alternative of going without a treat at all for too long until melting down and eating an entire cheesecake... not... that... I would know anything about that...

I like your thinking!

[LittleTurtle]

Week 2 Summary:  I'm all done with my antibiotics and my lungs feel almost completely clear!  YAY!  I did lots of yoga and foam rolling last week, and as far as walking - I did walk a tiny bit on Sunday and on Saturday, I did some light water exercises.  I'm giving myself a B for the "Run" grade only because I feel like I could have been much better about getting more activity in, but now that I feel good again - I should be able to ace that grade this week.  I'm going to aim to alternate between walking and SLOW jogging this week to test my breathing situation.  I'm probably going to change the "jog" goal name to "misc activity" because it doesn't really matter to me whether I'm walking at an incline or jogging or swimming or whatever - the whole point for me is to just be moving as much as I can during the winter.

 

In other news, I weighed in this weekend and I was down about 5 more pounds since my last challenge!  I'm really happy to see the loss, but I'm thinking I need to up my daily caloric intake a bit.  I won't worry too much about it for now, because my BMI is right in the middle of being considered "normal weight". 

 

Also - when my boyfriend and I spent the day at the hot springs this weekend, I actually didn't hate what I looked like in a bathing suit!    I can't remember the last time I felt comfortable in a bathing suit.  In my whole life - I think this is the happiest I've been with my body! 

 

Now on to Week 3!!

 

WEEK 2 GRADES

Yoga = A

Run/Misc = B

Foam Roll = A

Vitamins = A

Treats = B

[keliswicked]

  In my whole life - I think this is the happiest I've been with my body! 

 

 

 

THAT IS SO AWESOME!!! I'm ecstatic for you!!

 

I've been doing lots of foam rolling too.. I miss yoga though! It's just so wonderful for the body and soul.

[LittleTurtle]

THAT IS SO AWESOME!!! I'm ecstatic for you!!

 

I've been doing lots of foam rolling too.. I miss yoga though! It's just so wonderful for the body and soul.

Thank you so much!! 

 

Are you still loving the foam rolling?  And why are you unable to do yoga?  I can't seem to remember.  Yoga has changed my life once I really got into it! 

[Wandern]

 

 

Also - when my boyfriend and I spent the day at the hot springs this weekend, I actually didn't hate what I looked like in a bathing suit!    I can't remember the last time I felt comfortable in a bathing suit.  In my whole life - I think this is the happiest I've been with my body! 

 

 

Major win! Congratulations!

[LittleTurtle]

Major win! Congratulations!

Thank you so much!!  I think the best part (too) is that just because I'm where I want to be doesn't mean I think I can quit doing everything I've been doing.  I've actually gotten to the point where it feels "normal" to eat better and exercise.  Plus, people have FINALLY backed off and left me alone with my new way of eating. 

 

Thanks for your support!

[keliswicked]

I love when people finally just accept that you like what you're eating/doing.  My mom still gives me grief about wanting to weight train. which I think is part of the reason i fell out of it.  She's supportive of the eating though, which I love!

 

Hope this week is going spectacularly!

[LittleTurtle]

I have to give myself a big pat on the back for "indulgences" this past week.  I had a pretty tough week with the change of the school semester and all I wanted in the world Friday night when I got home was warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies.  I went to the store and bought the pre-made dough because that is just how lazy I was feeling.  But by the time I got home and did my yoga and ate dinner...I was too tired to even pre-heat the oven, so I told my boyfriend that I would make them on Saturday.  Well, Saturday comes along, and I'm finding that I'm not craving the cookies anymore.  So...the unopened package of dough is still in my fridge.   I'm pretty proud of myself.  I almost succumbed to ice cream a couple time, but thought twice about it and said, "I don't really NEED it."  I did, however, eat a few very small pieces of chocolate.  A serving size is 5 pieces and I ate no more than 2 at any given time during the week (for a total of maybe 4 or 5).

 

WEEK 3 GRADES

Yoga = A (four 20(+) minute sessions)

Misc Activity = A (walked once / jogged twice)

Foam Roll = A

Vitamins = A

Treats = A

 

I have my vitamins/meds down to a science now.  I've been playing around with when to take what, and I think I found the combo that works best for me to where it doesn't seem overwhelming.  Foam rolling and yoga have become second nature to me.  Getting on the treadmill still feels a little daunting for the time being.  And my sweet tooth still flares up quite frequently, but I've discovered it's more stress related than anything else.

 

I'm learning a lot of things about myself... 

[I am Eve]

Strong, wise, persistent and cleareyed enough to see your own beauty. Fantastic!