Otter's Spartacus Challenge

[otter905]

So I watched the first season of the TV series Spartacus while going through a post Whole 30 binge/minor meltdown the last challenge, which lead to me thinking....

What would it take to

1. be a gladiator

2. be able to walk around nude (like they do in the show) Yes I know they all didn't walk around nude back then - but you wouldn't know it from the show. AND these people did walk around nude on a set and then allowed it to be on TV for anyone to watch - BALLS!

 

Gladiators trained and ate, trained, trained, ate - had a little sex, then trained and ate some more. Which is also why they had bodies they were not ashamed of.

 

Check these women out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UV496I7Ius

 

(PS I don't have sound on my computer so I have no idea what they are saying, but they are beautiful and not scrawny stick thin models, but real beautiful women)

 

I want to be strong AND sexy and have fun getting there!

Anyways....It has lead me to the following challenge (still to be thought/ironed out)

 

Exercise:

Crossfit class at least 2/week - except first week of the challenge - have a very busy week with things I must attend = only 1 day I can make it class.

Yoga 3/week in the morning before work - start with a week for the first two weeks and move up to 3 times a week

I feel I have started to begrudge going out after work and then coming home and thinking I HAVE to work out and I HAVE to cook dinner and eat....so I'm hoping that doing yoga in the mornings will help with that.  Then crossfit will give me the strength training I need.  Plus going to crossfit makes me happy and helps me focus on eating healthy foods.

 

Food:

Strict Paleo - think Whole30 but with cooking one Paleo dessert a week.  I'm hoping that having a treat/splurge/indulgement - but a healthy one, will help keep me from falling so hard like I did the last challenge.  Also I miss baking.  I really enjoy it, but don't like that it is so bad for me and the people I tend to bake for.

 

Life:

Along the lines of being comfortable enough to walk around naked.  After doing my yoga in the morning I want to take some time to fall in love with me. I'm going to take some time to think about and jot down what I like about myself and do some bilbe reading/praying.  Might sound silly, but I believe they go hand in hand.  I want to figure out what is strong and sexy to me and what I already like or don't like about myself and/or what I can or can't change about myself to help me with future challenges/goals.

 

I'm posting now in hopes of help/thoughts/ideas from you my fellow NFers.  Please let me know what you think.  Points and possible tweaks to be added.

[ShadowLion]

I love where you are going with this - be beautiful and badass (and have both of those be on your own terms)! I am looking forward to seeing your progress. And, I don't think you're at all silly for pairing self-esteem work with your spirituality. I think we can only love others well when we value ourselves rightly.

 

You go, girl!

[otter905]

So I watched the first season of the TV series Spartacus while going through a post Whole 30 binge/minor meltdown the last challenge, which lead to me thinking....

What would it take to

1. be a gladiator

2. be able to walk around nude (like they do in the show) Yes I know they all didn't walk around nude back then - but you wouldn't know it from the show. AND these people did walk around nude on a set and then allowed it to be on TV for anyone to watch - BALLS!

 

Gladiators trained and ate, trained, trained, ate - had a little sex, then trained and ate some more. Which is also why they had bodies they were not ashamed of.

 

Check these women out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UV496I7Ius

 

(PS I don't have sound on my computer so I have no idea what they are saying, but they are beautiful and not scrawny stick thin models, but real beautiful women)

 

I want to be strong AND sexy and have fun getting there!

Anyways....It has lead me to the following challenge (still to be thought/ironed out)

 

Exercise:

Crossfit at least 2/week

Yoga 3/week in the morning before work - start with a week for the first two weeks and move up to 3 times a week

I feel I have started to begrudge going out after work and then coming home and thinking I HAVE to work out and I HAVE to cook dinner and eat....so I'm hoping that doing yoga in the mornings will help with that.  Then crossfit will give me the strength training I need.  Plus going to crossfit makes me happy and helps me focus on eating healthy foods.

 

Food:

Strict Paleo - think Whole30 but with cooking one Paleo dessert a week.  I'm hoping that having a treat/splurge/indulgement - but a healthy one, will help keep me from falling so hard like I did the last challenge.  Also I miss baking.  I really enjoy it, but don't like that it is so bad for me and the people I tend to bake for.

 

Life:

Along the lines of being comfortable enough to walk around naked.  After doing my yoga in the morning I want to take some time to fall in love with me. I'm going to take some time to think about and jot down what I like about myself and do some bilbe reading/praying.  Might sound silly, but I believe they go hand in hand.  I want to figure out what is strong and sexy to me and what I already like or don't like about myself and/or what I can or can't change about myself to help me with future challenges/goals.

 

I'm posting now in hopes of help/thoughts/ideas from you my fellow NFers.  Please let me know what you think.  Points and possible tweaks to be added.

Some thoughts on my challenge so far

1. I want to refocus my focus

2. I will not weigh or measure myself for this challenge

3. There will be no points for this challenge - I just want to focus on what is important to me

 

So the following change is being made -

Food: Maintain is the word I'm working with.  After working with my finances over the next few weeks, I realize I may need to adjust some things again.  Car repairs, birthdays...Blah!

I like the way I feel with a Whole 30, but it is not life maintainable. So, I want to focus on eating whole foods.  I like to say I don't eat processed foods and want to keep it that way for the most part.  But there are dinners I need to attend and I don't want to be freaking out about whats being served/what I can eat, nor do I want to keep turning down free meals for that reason.  And finances over-rule sometimes. 

[otter905]

I love where you are going with this - be beautiful and badass (and have both of those be on your own terms)! I am looking forward to seeing your progress. And, I don't think you're at all silly for pairing self-esteem work with your spirituality. I think we can only love others well when we value ourselves rightly.

 

You go, girl!

Thanks

Last challenge brought up many questions about what those things are to me and how I could achieve them.  The only logical thing for a NF rebel to do is put it into a challenge

[Matt_72]

Maybe look at a new whole food dish for dinner once a week or fortnight as part of your overall food goal. If you are able to do that then you will continue to add to your already impressive armoury.

[otter905]

I do have some whole food recipes I would like to try.  I will have a look.  The most important part is not stressing to much about it and especially not making stress on the finances with having to purchase groceries to try the recipes.

Eating takes SO much of our time, energy and resources.  I really wish it wasn't so important to -ya know living.

[JuiceeTarget]

I like how thoughtful your challenge is. I have every reason to believe that you will kill this challenge. Can't wait to see how you do.

[Terinatum]

I like the whole foods aspect within the reality of the life you want to lead. You've done some intense work on whole-30 and paleo in past challenges. Where do you want to be when you are 'maintaining' your food life? Mostly whole, with other items as needed and occasionally wanted? I believe you're in a good place to not worry that you can't do it, because you have. So finding your day-to-day food life might really be where you're heading during this challenge.

 

Bible study and self-love are intertwined for certain. These bodies we use while we're here are precious and deserve our love and devotion. I don't see any complications between loving your body and loving God.

 

And I think the morning routine of Yoga will definitely support your later day activities. Is there a reason you're starting out at once per week and then going up? I thought you were already doing yoga? Or am I wrong? I could be mixing you up with Wonder Woman, I've done that a few times since meeting you!

 

Without points for the challenge, will you be using the posts here as a form of accountability? What type of questions and feedback do you want from us during this challenge?

 

As always, love your commitment and love. Cheers, Teri

[otter905]

I like how thoughtful your challenge is. I have every reason to believe that you will kill this challenge. Can't wait to see how you do.

Thank you - a couple of challenges ago I realized I was spreading myself to thin.  I had goals in my challenge, goals in my accountabilites group, goals in crossfit, and they were all different.  I'm trying to bring it all together and create a balance/maintable lifestyle.

 

I like the whole foods aspect within the reality of the life you want to lead. You've done some intense work on whole-30 and paleo in past challenges. Where do you want to be when you are 'maintaining' your food life? Mostly whole, with other items as needed and occasionally wanted? I believe you're in a good place to not worry that you can't do it, because you have. So finding your day-to-day food life might really be where you're heading during this challenge.

 

Bible study and self-love are intertwined for certain. These bodies we use while we're here are precious and deserve our love and devotion. I don't see any complications between loving your body and loving God.

 

And I think the morning routine of Yoga will definitely support your later day activities. Is there a reason you're starting out at once per week and then going up? I thought you were already doing yoga? Or am I wrong? I could be mixing you up with Wonder Woman, I've done that a few times since meeting you!

 

Without points for the challenge, will you be using the posts here as a form of accountability? What type of questions and feedback do you want from us during this challenge?

 

As always, love your commitment and love. Cheers, Teri

Thanks for the support - food can be so exhausting!!!

I do yoga already yes, but not in the morning.  I find I am committed to more things in the evening getting involved in church and looking forward to doing some volunteering.  And often I get home around 8 - 9pm and think. UGH I have to workout and cook something and eat. So I'm trying yoga before work. Then when I get home, I just have to cook and eat.    I am not a morning person, so it's difficult for me to get up early and get moving right away.  Thats the reason I'm scheduling 2 for the first couple of weeks. So I don't get mad at myself for not doing it if I don't.  Ease into it a bit. Does that make any sense at all??

Im hoping to update regularly on my food and body stuffs to keep me accountable, from there I will let you know as is needed.  Thanks.

 

 

Monday:

Got up early, yet late

Did my yoga, but didn't have the time to pray/journal, but after getting ready I had 5 minutes, so I did it then.

Body: I decided to start at the top and work my way down - so hair - I love that I am a brunette and have a lot natural red in it - well it did before it started going gray and the colour I use now has lots of read also. Although most people tell me it's purple - i still like it and they say it looks good - I get a lot of compliments on it. I'm rambling now so onto

Food: I made some home made bread on the weeked and a ham, so I had a couple of ham sandwichs (just ham and bread), hamd and turnip and an orange.  Dinner was hotdogs fried with onions/mushrooms and mustard on top.  Not great, but home made bread at least had no sugar in it and the hotdogs needed to be eaten up.  I don't like the way the bread (or the hotdogs really) made me feel.  I didn't get pains/sick, just more indigestion/heartburn.  I forgot how crappy that feeling was/is and would prefer to not have it again. 

 

Tuesday:

No yoga this morning = no body stuff - but I did pray while getting ready this morning.

Food: same as yesterday so far, no orange though, dinner to be peameal bacon/eggs.

[otter905]

Here are 2 articles that explains what happened to me after the whole30 of the last challenge.  Explained better than I could.

 

http://theeightytwenty.com/2014/02/14/a-word-of-caution-on-paleo-challenges-and-clean-eating-programs/#.Uw0DQ855jDd

 

http://whole30.com/2012/02/whole30-gone-bad/

 

I think it's kinda cool, I made the changes/choices that the whole30 site says to do before I read it.  YAY me!

[Matt_72]

You're so focussed, it's awesome!

Keep it up.

[otter905]

You're so focussed, it's awesome!

Keep it up.

I'm trying

 

This morning I talked myself out of getting up early for yoga, partly because I had to get up early for a dentist apt. I got up and did a couple of sun salutations, then got ready for work.  I tried to pray while getting ready, but my mind was all over the place. Had a song stuck in my head, things from my book, past conversations....When that was done I realized I still had some time left over and did some yoga.  It was wierd because I had my jeans on but I did it and quickly wrote down what I prayed for and my body stuff.

so yoga: yes, but not gonna count it as 1 for the week. 

crossfit: yes last night - the only class I could schedule in for this week.

body: eyes - love the sparkle in my eyes...I've always liked it, but it also worries people which makes it even better muahahahah.

food: had peameal bacon, eggs, tomatoes for dinner last night

food planned for today: bagel with bacon (from Timmies), ham/broccoli, peameal bacon on a pita, dinner to be steak w/sweet potatoe and beets.

 

Oh and my dentist told me that all the skin in my mouth looked excellent and the skin around my mouth was better than usual with not dry spots (I have eczema so I often have dry spots).  He looked really happy and said "Whatever it is you are doing, keep doing it"  Why thank you I plan to.  Yet another good reason to work out and eat well.

[MetalNinja]

Hi there!  I like the Gladiator theme of your challenge!  Plus the mind/body connection is something I think is really cool and it sounds like coupling journaling with praying/meditation is a sweet idea.

 

Also I'm jealous of your peameal bacon, it's so good.

[otter905]

Hi there!  I like the Gladiator theme of your challenge!  Plus the mind/body connection is something I think is really cool and it sounds like coupling journaling with praying/meditation is a sweet idea.

 

Also I'm jealous of your peameal bacon, it's so good.

Thanks, I figured I already have some quiet time being set aside, might be the best time.

 

I am actually shocked I haven't had the "What's peameal bacon" question. I didn't think many people outside Canada knew what it was/is.  SOOOOOO good. Dare I say it's even better than regular bacon? I might get shunned for it, but I really like the fact its less fatty.

[ShadowLion]

I gotta know - what is "peameal bacon?"

 

Personally, I like less fat on my bacon (so no shunning here!) and buy bacon ends and trim them for the "more meat for less money" option. I either save the scraps to render for cooking grease, or freeze the chunks to throw in a pan later.

 

Love what you are doing with your food.  Mmmm, homemade bread!

[otter905]

I gotta know - what is "peameal bacon?"

 

Personally, I like less fat on my bacon (so no shunning here!) and buy bacon ends and trim them for the "more meat for less money" option. I either save the scraps to render for cooking grease, or freeze the chunks to throw in a pan later.

 

Love what you are doing with your food.  Mmmm, homemade bread!

It's bacon made from pork loin instead of pork belly and rolled in ground yellow peas originally - now its basically ham and bacon together rolled in corn meal.  There is usually just thin layer of fat around the edge.  Its salty and bacony, but not fatty -mmmmmm

 

I haven't eaten any of my homemade bread since the summer.  It didn't rise properly, so it came out dense, but still tasted good. I have a bread maker but, I used this recipe

http://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2013/04/05/home-made-artisan-bread-recipe-prepared-in-minutes/

 

super easy, no kneading, you have to let it rise for an hour or so, then section it and let it rise again but you litterally just mix and let it rise, section it, let it rise and cook - done!

[Matt_72]

Ooooooohhhh that bacon sounds great!

[drunkensnake]

that is an interesting take on bacon.....and I really like how you're focusing not only on getting the body you want, but loving the body you're in too. I read an article about a women who was an artist and did a piece about herself, before, during, and after a dramatic weight loss, and about how it didn't solve her problems, she still didn't like her body, she was still a wreck emotionally, and it wasn't until she started focusing on the things she liked that she got better, it was all about how it's not the weight or the body, but how you feel in it that counts

 

oh...and about Spartacus, yea i know just....balls...so many balls...all the time....starz and hbo man it's like balls and tits all the time on those channels....there is a video that nails it and is hilarious NSFW OR CHILDREN OR PEOPLE WITH NO SENSE OF HUMOR

[otter905]

that is an interesting take on bacon.....and I really like how you're focusing not only on getting the body you want, but loving the body you're in too. I read an article about a women who was an artist and did a piece about herself, before, during, and after a dramatic weight loss, and about how it didn't solve her problems, she still didn't like her body, she was still a wreck emotionally, and it wasn't until she started focusing on the things she liked that she got better, it was all about how it's not the weight or the body, but how you feel in it that counts

 

oh...and about Spartacus, yea i know just....balls...so many balls...all the time....starz and hbo man it's like balls and tits all the time on those channels....there is a video that nails it and is hilarious

 

Thanks. I've read/seen a lot on that too. People who get surgery and drop weight but still are not happy.  I've always had self confidence and know who I am inside, so it's was a little wierd losing some of that feeling based on the fact I could lift 155lbs or the "how much have you lost" questions. Figured I needed to pull it together before I lost it all together.

 

Oh My!!! Spartacus.  The funny thing is a coworked kept talking about it so I borrowed the first season from the library (I don't have tv) and watched it all in like 36 hours.  Thats a WHOLE LOT of fighting, blood, sex and nakedness in 36 hours!!!  I'm still working on finding a week/weekend where I have the time to watch the second season.

[otter905]

Day 4

Was cursing myself this morning for choosing the yoga challenge. It's been a very busy week for me and I keep losing track of time and staying up late reading.  I did not want to get out of bed.  But was happy after I did the yoga.

Yoga: got up with enough time to do yoga and pray/write in my journal, but did not get up at the time I wanted...good and bad

 

body: nose. I don't like my nose, mostly because I have been made fun of for it being to small. But it's mine and it's cute and goes with the rest of my cuteness.  And I'm glad it's to small rather than to big.

 

food: I ended up having the steak in a pits w/spinach and garlic balsamic vinagrette for dinner last night, and then another small one when I got home.  I did cook the sweet potatoes/beets, but it didn't come together in time so I turned off the oven and let them finish cooking when I went out.

food today: protein shake/egg smoothie for breakfast - I seem to be hungry after yoga, I didn't forsee this and am going to have to think up something for breakfasts cause I usually don't eat it.  ham,/turnip/sauerkraut for lunch and a steak/olive/spinach pita wrap for snack.  Going out for dinner/theatre show tonight for my mom's bday - not sure what that's going to be yet.  It's a family style buffet and they serve fish, chicken, roast beef I think...I'm looking forward to it

 

I have an interview tomorrow morning....super nervous and it's hard to concentrate on much today....luckily the yoga and prayer helped with that some this morning.

[Matt_72]

Good luck with the interview

[MetalNinja]

Yeah the only reason I know about peameal bacon is because of my Canadian friends.  When I visited them we went out to breakfast and it was like "whyyyyyyy isn't this everywhere in the US?"  Is there any bacon that isn't delicious, though?

 

Good luck on your interview!

[Teros]

1. be a gladiator

2. be able to walk around nude (like they do in the show) Yes I know they all didn't walk around nude back then - but you wouldn't know it from the show. AND these people did walk around nude on a set and then allowed it to be on TV for anyone to watch - BALLS!

They TOTALLY did just walk around nude in the snow. It was the trend. Back then, those togas were for LAME-Os

[otter905]

Good luck with the interview

 

Thanks - I got really nervous because a friend works there and got me the interview and keeps telling them, and I quote "how faulous I am". Also I had an interview there in the summer and they went with someone else....so I kept thinking I wasn't going to live up to what she was telling them  lol

 

Yeah the only reason I know about peameal bacon is because of my Canadian friends.  When I visited them we went out to breakfast and it was like "whyyyyyyy isn't this everywhere in the US?"  Is there any bacon that isn't delicious, though?

 

Good luck on your interview!

 

Right?!?!?!?  I was shocked to find out you guys didn't have it.

I was in Idaho (years ago) and went out for breakfast and ordered "canadian bacon" which I figured would be peameal bacon.  My plate came and I was all like "this is ham"  - what? - this is ham, not canadian bacon - that's what we call canadian bacon - this IS NOT canadain bacon - what's canadian bacon? - can't explain it, just come to Canada and try it, this isn't it.

 

They TOTALLY did just walk around nude in the snow. It was the trend. Back then, those togas were for LAME-Os

hahahah Togas are for LAME-O's (think that was a word back then)  I dunno, while I was trying to pick an outfit out for my interview this week, I was REALLY wishing we still wore togas or tunics.  This whole dressing thing is a pain in the ass.  I currently work for a garbage disposal/trucking company, so jeans and a shirt with no logo on it IS dressed up.  I could wear sweat pants or yoga pants to work and no one would care. Well the drives might say something, but as long as they can see some clevage they are happy.  Then I get an interview for a company that wears business formal everyday - YIKES what do I wear???

[otter905]

Yoga - did some this morning, but not a full session as I need some extra time to get ready for my interview

food: Dinner last night was awesome.  I totally enjoyed one slice of italian bread - my sister and I both commented on how we hadn't eaten bread in so long and how good it tasted. Then there was chicken, roast beef, fish, potatoes and veggies (had some of it all) and a piece of cake for dessert - it wasn't really good, but small so I ate it.

Oh! and I had a carrot cake cupcake at work for a coworkers bday.  It tasted really good also.

today I had a smoothie, ham/turnip/sauerkraut and pizza - Someone brought in pizza for us.  Tonight I have a wine and cheese night I am attending, which I am really looking forward to for the social aspect of it. 

 

hoping to try cauliflower crust pizza this weekend