[Arya Sapphire] Through the Looking Glass

[Arya Sapphire]

Fantastic work this week! Let's crush week 2!!

 

Thank you so much! And yes, let's crush week 2 and take no prisonners! ;D (did I use that quote right or am I being too French as always, haha?)

 

Woar, you're nearly straight As.... congratz!

 

Thank you so much! *hug* 

 

Wow Arya! I've been too busy to check on your progress for a few days and now I come back to see this? You're on fire!

 

Seriously, you've been doing so well I can't even asfjhaosihf Good job! Honestly, this is so inspiring, you're doing great! 

 

Aww, don't even worry about it! Thank you so much for passing by and saying such nice things. *hug* 

 

You rocked that week! Good job!

 

Thank you so much! :-D

[Guest]

Hi Arya, catching up on your thread before I leave work!

 

To be honest, that dinner plate you posted looks damn good. And I typically don't like mushrooms, and haven't eaten brussel sprouts in like a million years.

The trick is affording the fresh, healthy food, and then having the initiative to prepare and cook it. Another weakness of mine...

 

Great thread to read though, I'm glad you're active and so positive! Motivate me MOAR!

[Guest]

Actually now I want stuffed mushrooms... mmm...

[Arya Sapphire]

Hi Arya, catching up on your thread before I leave work!

 

To be honest, that dinner plate you posted looks damn good. And I typically don't like mushrooms, and haven't eaten brussel sprouts in like a million years.

The trick is affording the fresh, healthy food, and then having the initiative to prepare and cook it. Another weakness of mine...

 

Great thread to read though, I'm glad you're active and so positive! Motivate me MOAR!

 

Actually now I want stuffed mushrooms... mmm...

 

Do it! Stuffed mushrooms are sooooo good. *-*

 

And thank you so much for taking the time to read my thread! Honestly, sometimes I also start dreading cooking (even though I love it). It's just a question of doing the first step and then it goes smootly and boom, nice healthy meals for the rest of the week. 

 

You'll do great.

[Arya Sapphire]

Day 8 of the challenge: 

 

It was legs day today, can I hear a woot woot? (sorry sorry I've been hanging out with the Mad Hatter too much). 

 

• Warm up was 90 seconds of side lunges with 8 lbs kettle bell, 90 seconds of speed skaters and squat with medecine ball throw. (my PT is a very brave woman considering how clumsy I am )
• First circuit was 4 sets, 10 reps, of thigh abductor, 20 walking lunges with 10lbs plates on each hand and 10 jumping squats. (gah) It was challenging! 
• The second circuit was 4 sets of 10 reps of seated leg curl and seated harmstring curl (if I do recall, I swear too much tea makes you lose your mind).
• The last exercise was the leg press. It was awesome! I went from 80lbs to 90lbs today. We did 4 sets of 10 reps of that, as well. 

 

Afterwards, I went on the threadmill and finished Week 2 Day 3 of C25K. Here's the stats minus the 5 minute warm-up and the 5 minute cool down.

 

 

 

Yay for running, even if It's on a threadmill!  

 

Food wise: I ate twice today (still testing IF to see if it works for me) and both my meals were delish. A well-fed gnome is a happy gnome. 

 

• Starting stats: 
• Height: 5'5
• Weight: 146,4lbs
• Body Fat: (29% at the gym, and 25,5% on my home scale. I'm on a fasted state at home and had a breakfast + water at the gym. So I'm not too sure!)
• I'll try do my measurements at some point, haha. (TBA)

 

• Week 2 stats: 
• Height: 5'5
• Weight: 144,8
• Body fat: 24,8 (from my home scale on a fasted state; I'm guessing that eating all those homemade meals has helped me lose some water weight )

Here you go guys! I hope you're having a wonderful start of your second week.

[Leothil]

I'll definitely give you a woot woot for how much you managed to do today! Where do you find your energy and can you share its location?

 

Do tell how the intermittent fasting turns out! I've sometimes tried managing without eating breakfast, but I'd rather avoid that kind of nausea and dizzyness again. And also, how do you measure your body fat percentage?

[Arya Sapphire]

I'll definitely give you a woot woot for how much you managed to do today! Where do you find your energy and can you share its location?

 

Do tell how the intermittent fasting turns out! I've sometimes tried managing without eating breakfast, but I'd rather avoid that kind of nausea and dizzyness again. And also, how do you measure your body fat percentage?

 

Awww, thank you! I guess the fact It's my day off today helped me. I knew I didn't have to go to work later so I really took the time to work up a sweat, eheh.  

 

I've honestly had 0 issues with IF as of now. I can even say I feel way better now. I used to always be bloated and hungry and sluggish and tired. With IF, I rarely see any of the symptoms. If I'm hungry It's generally because I'm thirsty and haven't had water in a while! I'm also a breakfast lover (hello favorite meal of the day) and I thought I'd miss my food first thing in the morning, but I'm fine! Also, I worked out with my PT twice on a fasted state as of now and everything went well. So I'd say It's pretty good, haha. I just think that it will differ from one person to another and might not work for everyone. 

 

My body fat percentage is most probably the most accurate. I only have two ways of tracking it: on the scale at the gym and on my scale at home. I bought one that tracks your BF%, muscle mass, bone mass and water mass. I'm not sure how exact it is so I try to use both options to make an average. I might invest in some body calipers soon to track it better.

 

Thank you again for your kind words! *hug*

[Twilight]

Thank you so much! And yes, let's crush week 2 and take no prisonners! ;D (did I use that quote right or am I being too French as always, haha?)

 

C'est bien!

 

Congrats on your progress!

[katastrophenkatzchen]

Now I understand why you are so charming and sweet.... it's in your blood

(sorry for stupid prejudices)

 

WOOT WOOT! You did awesome! Two workouts in one day, that is a LOT!

[Mugen]

I was pretty sure I posted here earlier today but I can't see my message? Must have screwed up something ^^" 

 

Anyway! You're keeping up with your workouts with great dedication! It's always so inspiring to come here and see your progress

[Guest]

Woman, you are literally on fire. *PHOOM* Good going!!

[Arya Sapphire]

C'est bien!

 

Congrats on your progress!

 

Merci beaucoup!  

 

Now I understand why you are so charming and sweet.... it's in your blood

(sorry for stupid prejudices)

 

WOOT WOOT! You did awesome! Two workouts in one day, that is a LOT!

 

Haha, normally the prejudice is that French people are rude so I'll take that! ;D Thank you so much, you're such a sweetheart! 

 

I was pretty sure I posted here earlier today but I can't see my message? Must have screwed up something ^^" 

 

Anyway! You're keeping up with your workouts with great dedication! It's always so inspiring to come here and see your progress

 

It's all okay! I think you did post here earlier but it might be on another page? We're all mad here so It's okay. ;P

 

Thank you so so much Mugen, that means everything! *hug*

 

Woman, you are literally on fire. *PHOOM* Good going!!

 

Oh my, I hope I'm not literally fire because otherwise I'll need some help finding a pool, haha. (oops I forget I'm not funny, that's what you get for hanging out with the March Hare too much)

 

Thank youuuuu! :-D

 

 

Unrelated, but here's a picture of my baby that describes all of us badasses working on our health: 

 

[katastrophenkatzchen]

Hmmm pool.... wouldn't it be great?

And don't worry, you are funny! *hug*

[Arya Sapphire]

I wish! I've been wanting to go swimming for so long now, oh my. 

 

A big NF pool party would be pretty cool too.

[KnightofWren]

Looks like you're doing really well.

 

 

Let's crush Week 2!

[Guest]

Arya, Arya. We require some healthy bonding.

 

I googled IF, and lo and behold, the first article is from Nerd Fitness. Sweeeeet.

I might naturally do this already, because I'm NEVER hungry when I wake up. I usually only eat a few hours later unless I smoke/toke in the A.M and encourage munchies, but usually I'm off to work and that doesn't happen until the evening.

Some days, I might only drink coffee/water from 7am-5pm and then eat a ton for dinner, which isn't healthy either.

Anyways, IF. I'll have to continue research!

 

Sunglass picture? Your baby...? Elaborate... what do you mean by that?

Post a real picture if you're comfortable? I always love seeing the people behind the forum name! Especially before/after pictures, truly they speak a thousand words.

[Twilight]

[Ninja]

You smoked leg day, great job!

[PixieKitten]

A big woot woot for destroying leg day! Goooo Arya!!

[Arya Sapphire]

Looks like you're doing really well.

 

 

Let's crush Week 2!

 

A sci-five might be the coolest thing I've ever seen, o m g. 

 

And yes, let's crush week 2 with all our super-duper coolness!

 

Arya, Arya. We require some healthy bonding.

 

I googled IF, and lo and behold, the first article is from Nerd Fitness. Sweeeeet.

I might naturally do this already, because I'm NEVER hungry when I wake up. I usually only eat a few hours later unless I smoke/toke in the A.M and encourage munchies, but usually I'm off to work and that doesn't happen until the evening.

Some days, I might only drink coffee/water from 7am-5pm and then eat a ton for dinner, which isn't healthy either.

Anyways, IF. I'll have to continue research!

 

Sunglass picture? Your baby...? Elaborate... what do you mean by that?

Post a real picture if you're comfortable? I always love seeing the people behind the forum name! Especially before/after pictures, truly they speak a thousand words.

 

Niiiiiice! I'm actually surprised the first one that popped out is from NF but that's just super duper uber cool. That article is what changed my mind about it, so yeah. :-D 

 

If you feel like IF could be good for you, definitely give it a shot! It's the only way to see if it works since everybody is different and reacts differently to certain situations. 

 

 

Ohhhhhh, sorry for being unclear haha. It's a picture (well drawing) of Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) which I call my baby because, well, I'm slightly obsessed with her haha. :-P Sorry for the confusion. I don't have a kid but if I did, oh yeah that kid would rock sunglasses hahaha.

 

I might post a picture if I do cosplay-y things on this challenge. (hopefully I will) Otherwise full-body pictures are such a pain in the bum to take at my place since we have no full mirrors, haha. I'll do my best to post one soon though!

 

Thank you for passing by!

 

 

Well if that ain't another super duper cool person in ''sunglasses''. 

You smoked leg day, great job!

 

Thank you so much! :-D

A big woot woot for destroying leg day! Goooo Arya!!

 

Awwww, thank you! All of you guys are so sweet and making me giggle from glee. :-D

[Arya Sapphire]

Late update for day 9: (gah sorry)

 

So I've been freaking out all day yesterday because I'm waiting for a phone call, for a phone interview, for a job I REALLY WANT. So the whole morning of my day off I was just sitting there drinking tea, freaking out, watching Netflix, freaking out, getting ready for the gym, freaking out. Oh sweet lord have mercy on my nerves. 

 

Anyway, so it was upper body today at the gym. *upper body dance*

 

• Warm-up was: 
• 90 seconds of medecine ball throw, 8kgs.
• 90 seconds burpees
• 90 seconds seal claps jumping jacks

And then I tried to listen to my PT and write down in my head everything she was saying. I also tried to remember the weights we were juggling with so hopefully I'm slightly more accurate then when I call exercises ''thingy''.

 

• First circuit was: 
• Lat Pulldown (60 lbs) 4 sets of 10 reps. (form was horrible at the end so I switched to 50lbs on the last set)
• Upright row (with a 30lbs barbell) 4 sets of 10 reps. 

 

• Second circuit was: 
• Body pull-up (does that make sense? anyway I had my legs on a bench because I couldn't do a full body pull-up) 4 sets of 10 reps.
• Knee push-ups. 4 sets of 10 reps.

 

• Third circuit was: 
• Chest press on cable machine (12.5lbs I think) 4 sets of 10 reps.
• Single arm row on cable machine (started with 17lbs but my left arm couldn't do the form properly, so we downgraded to 12,5lbs with 15 reps) 4 sets of 15 reps.

 

• Fourth circuit was core (argh, love/hate relationship right there)
• V-sits with 8lbs medecine ball - 45 seconds
• Abs wheel roll-out (TORTURE ENGINE) 2 sets of 10 reps.

 

Food wise: [TMI probably for the men of NF I apologize, but you guys are strong and can survive this] IF is NOT POSSIBLE for me on my period. Like at all. I woke up starving. I tried drinking water and it wouldn't go away. So I had two bowls of cereal with almond milk and then a bowl of oatmeal covered in coconut yogurt, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp, peanut butter and with a drizzle of agave. I then drank my weight in tea (freaked out about that phone call that I'm waiting for). My post-workout meal was my usual prepped in advance quinoa bowl this time with brussel sprouts, salsa, tempeh and some walnuts. After work at 12am I had a veggie dog (the takeout monster enticed me again) covered in olives, sauerkraut, hot sauce and all good things (no I'm not pregnant). Oh man. What a food adventure. 

 

• Week 2 goals: 
• Strength training: 2 in 3
• Running: 1 in 3
• Takeouts: 1 
• Life quest: No cleaning as of yet. 

 

I hope you're all having a great day my fellow NF friends!

[Leothil]

So I've been freaking out all day yesterday because I'm waiting for a phone call, for a phone interview, for a job I REALLY WANT. So the whole morning of my day off I was just sitting there drinking tea, freaking out, watching Netflix, freaking out, getting ready for the gym, freaking out. Oh sweet lord have mercy on my nerves. 

 

Urrrgh, waiting is the absolute worst! D: or in second place after having to call someone you don't know but anyway. I really hope you get it!

 

It sounds like you had a total killer workout! And I fully agree on the name TORTURE ENGINE. I can't manage even one, and it's beyond me how people are doing like 20 in a row on their feet, not their knees! Good everything, they must have a core of steel! For 2 sets of 10 reps you have my uttermost admiration! 

 

Food wise: [TMI probably for the men of NF I apologize, but you guys are strong and can survive this] IF is NOT POSSIBLE for me on my period. Like at all. I woke up starving. I tried drinking water and it wouldn't go away. So I had two bowls of cereal with almond milk and then a bowl of oatmeal covered in coconut yogurt, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp, peanut butter and with a drizzle of agave. I then drank my weight in tea (freaked out about that phone call that I'm waiting for). My post-workout meal was my usual prepped in advance quinoa bowl this time with brussel sprouts, salsa, tempeh and some walnuts. After work at 12am I had a veggie dog (the takeout monster enticed me again) covered in olives, sauerkraut, hot sauce and all good things (no I'm not pregnant). Oh man. What a food adventure. 

 

Well, it's good to know your own limits considering IF. The body is usually all kinds of messed up during the period anyway, so it's not that surprising that it suddenly demands food on times where it otherwise manages without. And better food than chocolate, amirite? As soon as your hormones calm down I'm sure you'll be able to pick up your fasting routine again!

[Guest]

 

And then I tried to listen to my PT and write down in my head everything she was saying. I also tried to remember the weights we were juggling with so hopefully I'm slightly more accurate then when I call exercises ''thingy''.

 

 

Take pictures with your phone of the machines and weights as you go, only takes a second and you can review it when you get home.

 

Great going yo~

[katastrophenkatzchen]

 

Food wise: [TMI probably for the men of NF I apologize, but you guys are strong and can survive this] IF is NOT POSSIBLE for me on my period. Like at all. I woke up starving. I tried drinking water and it wouldn't go away. So I had two bowls of cereal with almond milk and then a bowl of oatmeal covered in coconut yogurt, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp, peanut butter and with a drizzle of agave. I then drank my weight in tea (freaked out about that phone call that I'm waiting for). My post-workout meal was my usual prepped in advance quinoa bowl this time with brussel sprouts, salsa, tempeh and some walnuts. After work at 12am I had a veggie dog (the takeout monster enticed me again) covered in olives, sauerkraut, hot sauce and all good things (no I'm not pregnant). Oh man. What a food adventure.

 

I know these days too! When I have my time, I hardly can stop eating!

Plus you were stressed with this phone call.

Tomorrow will be another day.

 

Urrrgh, waiting is the absolute worst! D: or in second place after having to call someone you don't know but anyway. I really hope you get it!

 

You are sooooo right!

[Kareesh]

Man, I totally feel you with the crazy hormonal thing going. Some days I don't eat anything, and other days I eat myself out of house and home. But as long as you're making good choices with the food you're eating (which it seems like you are), then I wouldn't fret about it too much.

 

And great job on your workouts! I need to step up my game, I think. You people are all amazing.