Pretzle slows (way) down...

[Pretzle]

Hey all, 

 

So. I think this is my... 7th challenge with you guys and I've decided to join in once again but do things a bit differently.

 

I want to see what happens when I don't focus on the 'I have to do 3 x exercise this week!'. Basically I'd like to see if my habits have become ingrained enough to last even when I don't focus on them (specifically) anymore. 

 

My main 'goals' (areas I'd like to see what'll happen) are:

 

- Exercise (will I keep up 3 times a week on average? Will I do less, more? Who knows!)

- Food (primal-ish. I've been grazing a lot more lately (possibly 'due to meds' but hey, ideally I should just stop doing that!))

- Work

- Relaxing

 

Maybe a daily battle log would technically be a better place for this type of 'challenge', but I love our forum so much I'll just post it here Hope that's ok. 

 

Title isn't totally accurate - point of this isn't (necessarily) to 'slow way down' - it's to shift the focus from 'having to because I have goal A, B and C' to 'Doing what makes me feel good about myself and keeps me healthy at the same time'. 

 

Any prophets? What do you think will happen? I'll keep you guys up to date and we'll find out. 

[Lilith]

Hmmm, I'm not sure what will happen! But I do know you'll be with us, so that's nice! Good luck with this challenge!

[KB Girl]

If you keep reporting here, to keep you thinking about what makes you feel good/healthy, then i'm sure you'll stay on track! With the added benefit of shifting your mindset and taking a load off when you need it

[Pretzle]

Did my  first workout of the challenge!

 

BW circuit of some push-ups, mountain climbers (discovered those in the bootcamp group lesson last week Nice!), deadhang, walking lunges, negative pull-ups and squats.

 

First day of a challenge is always a good day, isn't it?

 

Food so far: 2 cups of tea, apple baked with minced meat & cabbage (this: http://www.kuechengoetter.de/rezepte/Auflauf/Aepfel-mit-Kohl-Hackfleisch-Fuellung-7315491.html). Now I'm not hungry, so I won't eat until I am (... or... try).

[Lilith]

Great job on the workout! I always llve the beginning of a new challenge - everyone is so motivated! I can't wait to go home and do yoga and workout too pfff I'm jealous

[KB Girl]

Always a good day indeed! 

Funny you're doing mountainclimbers I discovered those last challenge and pfiew they really kill you dont they.

[Pretzle]

Atm I do 10 in my circuits (each round). I love discovering 'new stuff' to do. Although I was very happy with the boot camp lesson that at least I knew what walking lunges and squats are  

 

Feels like my time here at NF pays off, I feel more confident in the gym (and even group lessons, never thought that'd be possible ) because I learned so much here  

 

What made me sad about the boot camp thing was we did swings with normal weights because 'well, we don't have enough kettlebells'... yeah, for six people. Shame on you school gym . Has the guy replied to you after all? (Probably not or I would've heard about it? ) 

 

Annnnnd I use too many emoticons in my posts, well, whatever  

 

For today I'm planning to walk to the library (10-ish minutes and back) and probably do some cleaning around the house. Tomorrow the school's gym will be open (during the holidays, yup yup... only one day though) and I'll probably meet up with some colleagues (who I met during the group lesson ) for our individual work outs. 

[ApfelStrudi]

stalk stalk!

[KB Girl]

All the emoticons!

 

How can they not have enough kettlebells for 6 people? This is just... blasphemy! Unfortunately I haven't heard back from your school-guy.. It's sad. But i'll find another excuse to come visit

 

 

Feels like my time here at NF pays off, I feel more confident in the gym (and even group lessons, never thought that'd be possible  ) because I learned so much here 

^that makes me happy!

[Pretzle]

So I went to the gym (during the holidays - gym at school. Only day it's open this week). 

 

I met some of my colleagues who were there last week and some new people. Good workout. 

 

3 rounds of: 12 high rows, 12 back extensions, 12 seated rows, 12 triceps-something, 12 squats (bar or sandbag), 12 ab exercises. In addition: 2 x 5 negative pull-ups. (Warming up: 8 minutes rowing, cooling down 10 minutes crosstrainer).

 

My jaw/ear is really hurting though. I'm not sure whether it's my ear or the wisdom tooth that was pulled or... what... But it hurts, rather badly. 

 

----

 

I've been thinking about my food choices a lot. Yesterday in bed and then today as well. My mother-in-law visited yesterday and she said 'I see you eating sugar again?'... I answered 'yes, sometimes.'. Thing is, while I'd be okay with sometimes - it doesn't stay there. And the grains, too. 

 

I'm on meds that might make it easier to gain weight (or lose, but don't think that's happening). I'm suffering from depression and a lot of stress. I need to make smart choices. I know I can do it, I lived 90-95% primal for almost half a year. I need to get back to that point. Which means that I'll have to make more separate meals for me and hubby and that I'll 'miss out' on some 'good' food. 

 

But... The amount of bloating I've had over the last two weeks have convinced me that (at least for me) it's true: Grains aren't good for me. And that sugar isn't great is pretty much accepted by all different 'healthy eating' opinions. So, they have to go. Mostly If I get to 80-20 and be able to stick to that it'd be fine. If that proves impossible I'll have to aim for 100% and only 'cheat' when absolutely necessary (e.g. a meal at school before a meeting after a long workday) and choose the best options then. 

 

I'd like to be able to indulge sometimes, though. 

 

Exercise this week: 2

Eating so far: B

[Pretzle]

I went for a nice walk (30-ish minutes, in the forest) with my dad. I also decided to try standing during travel (train/bus) again and stood about 80% of the way (50 min train journey). 

 

Food though... I had a mini snickers and I had a piece of carrot cake at the Ikea. Uhhh... Other than that though, doing well (Breakfast was stir fried cabbage and parsnip with some nuts)

[Pretzle]

Second walk of the week (if this trend keeps going it means I don't walk as much if it's not a specific goal).

 

Walked for about 25 minutes and REALLY focussed on my surroundings (think I picked this idea up from 'The primal connection' book). I'm starting to recognise which birdsong goes with certain types of birds by now, and I 'investigated' some things (which plants can I name, 'hey there's something purple in the pond... Let's get closer to see what it is. Oh, a football!'). I loved it, I think it's really good for me because I tend to live in my head too much. 

 

I also did my 3rd workout of the week (woot! Going well so far) which is on dailymile. It included 3 realllllly slow negative pull-ups (read somewhere on the forums that those are good practice to work up to a full pull-up) and some push-ups, planks (has been a long time since I did those) and some swings. Not the best workout ever (in terms of fun or sweatiness) but a workout nonetheless.

 

Eating today has been fine (rice cakes with cheese/meat for breakfast - not the best, but I seem to do ok with rice). Butternut squash primal lasagne for tonight. Nomnomnom.

[KB Girl]

Your focus walk sounds great.. Hard but great. Do you walk in different spots every time? When I walk in the woods with my dog I should really do this, pay attention to her and my surroundings... But I tend to get sucked up in thought or even text messaging.. Kind of sad now that I think about it.

Rice cakes are nomnom btw. I do fine with rice too!

[Pretzle]

I have a few routes I walk again and again, but I try to find different short-cuts and small deviations whenever possible. I used to be a total noob with directions, reading maps and simply knowing where I was and where other stuff was compared to my location. After moving here on my own (until hubby returned from England) I quickly learned how to do most of that, at least a LOT better than I used to be able to do  

 

Until today (ok, last week) I usually focussed on how long I walked (time-wise, sometimes distance) and just trying to walk a bit quicker every time. Now, instead of that, I SLOW down. Actually stop when I hear a bird and see if I can spot it, investigate small things ('hey, never knew there was a sticker of a face on this direction marker.'). It's SUCH a different experience. I'm sure I won't do it every walk I take, but it changes things up and makes me feel, for a lack of a better word, much more grounded/connected. 

 

My mum had corncakes (mais wafels instead of rijstwafels). They are SO yummy. I don't think corn is the best thing for me, though ^^;; hehe. 

[KB Girl]

That really sounds great! Writing it down as an idea for my next challenge.

[iatetheyeti]

Walked for about 25 minutes and REALLY focussed on my surroundings (think I picked this idea up from 'The primal connection' book). I'm starting to recognise which birdsong goes with certain types of birds by now, and I 'investigated' some things (which plants can I name, 'hey there's something purple in the pond... Let's get closer to see what it is. Oh, a football!'). I loved it, I think it's really good for me because I tend to live in my head too much. 

 

This actually sounds like something I should be doing... Heh, I always, always have my iPod whenever I go out, even if I don't listen to it for the entire walk. It was the bit you wrote about recognising birdsong that got to me, I don't listen to my surroundings enough, really.

 

Seems like it's working for you, so hey, I might just give it a try next time I'm out

[Tavore]

I love the idea of slowing down and being more present and aware of your surroundings. I exist in my head a lot myself. It's an interesting idea for the next challenge

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pretzle]

I went for a walk first thing after waking up.

 

Some things I noticed: 

 

- A tree in someone's front yard I must've walked past at least 10+ times and never really saw. (It's big, so it's been there a while!)

- A 'door'/'arch' in someone's hedge (really low, really cute, like a doorway to a different place).

- The stickers on the waymarkers seem to belong there - they're on all markers.

 

I know there was something cute/nice I wanted to share, but I can't remember anymore... Oh well. 

 

This week:

Exercise - 3 times

Walk - 3 times

Food grade: C 

 

Not too different from last challenge, so far  

[ApfelStrudi]

That sounds like such a lovely walk! I can't wait to go on mine today

[KB Girl]

Not so different indeed, good

Keep listing things! I like it!

[Pretzle]

Soooo today. I had brought my gear to school, planning to go to the gym. 

 

At 1 I had an appointment with the work-social worker though and while it was a good meeting it reallllllly drained me. So I went home and relaxed in bed (even slept a while) for about an hour. 

 

I did end up doing an untimed session of Stepmania though Which makes me feel good (still exercised!). I guestimate it was about 15-20 minutes. 

[Pretzle]

And today I went to the gym! 

 

Did my usual routine (increased weight on the seated rows and back extensions and high rows) and... focussed a bit more on squats. Even got a 'PR' (*rolls eyes*) of 12 reps with 25 kg (bar + ... 2.5 kg on each side). I originally wanted to go with 5 kg on each side, decided it would be better to look 'silly' for adding 2.5 on each side (huge bar, tiny weights, haha) and glad I did. I think for today the 25 was definitely enough  

 

We had pizza for dinner (lots of leftovers) and I'm really tired in a good way. 

 

Other than that, today was difficult. But I managed. One more day of work (longggg day) and I'll have Thursday off. I can do this (right)? 

[ApfelStrudi]

You can definitely do it

Congrats on the PR!

[KB Girl]

Absolutely! 12 squats with 25kg is great

Hang in there tomorrow, thursday will be epic.

[Pretzle]

Thanks! I'm so glad I got you girls to keep encouraging me and saying such nice things Love you for it!

 

So, eating has been 'meh' this week (a new bakery opened in town, all great quality bio stuff, alternative grains etc. ... But, sugar? yeahhhhh. I bought 1 spelt zuur desem (seriously don't know the English names for all this) bread and 2 blueberry muffins (srsly best muffin I've EVER had... which is pretty epic. So many blueberries, too!!!) and 2 brownies. Just wanted to support them and try their foodz, haha. Worth it!). We ordered pizza once and I had some ontbijtkoek (ugly storebought version, too). 

 

I had some stomach rumbling but I think the extra sugar is making me happier. My weight seems stable so I'm not *too* bothered about it. I'm thinking of doing a Whole30 after my birthday (March 30th) though... For fun and to challenge myself. 

 

Exercise Oh boy!

 

3 times this week, already.

 

I went to the gym again, this was my workout: 

 

8 minutes of rowing.

3 x 12 of: Seated rows (33 kgs), high rows (20 kgs now! ), back extensions (47 kgs), triceps-exercise (13.75 kgs) squats (1 set with a 12 kg sandbag, 2 sets with the bar (20 kgs) (asked for feedback to double check form and position of the bar is good) and did 2 sets of 12 with 30 kgs! I feel pro now!

 

Then some (about 5 or 6) as slow as possible negative pull-ups. 

 

I finished with 10 minutes on the crosstrainer.

 

---

 

So I improved weight (from original starting weight) on *all* sets for the seated rows and high rows (that was the most challenging one!) now. I got new workout trousers (which, according to the receipt, are ski trousers. But they look epic, feel nice and weren't too warm, so I think it's ok ). I got them at 50% off, so 22 euros instead of 45 Nice catch!

 

The squats are making me one happy Pretzle Last week I saw one other girl doing weight work (including squats, she looked so strong). According to the trainer who helped me I have to make sure I stick my butt out far enough, but other than that I'm doing great And the 5 kg weights on each side don't look so silly haha. At the moment I think I'm mostly working on form, really. My legs are not complaining at all, but I'm getting more confident (in squatting, asking for help when I need to know something and simply doing my own thing in the gym). It's good. I wonder when I'll get to a weight that will really be challenging, but I'm not in a hurry. I think squatting my bodyweight should definitely be possible in the not-so-far-away future though (lucky, I weigh about 60-65 (no scale, so no idea what the exact number is at the moment) so it's not really that much

 

I think I'm soon going to ask about changing my program to fit my new 'skills' and goals It should be about time for that, anyways.