TinyLivingMama - No Time Like Today

[Alexandrite]

Introduction:  I'm Alexandria, I finally joined NF after lurking for years. Just in time for a 6WC! I'm "healthy" overall but want to push my limits and increase my muscle tone. After having two children and sitting a LOT while caring for them and doing side stuff (sewing, crafting, websites, gaming), I lost a lot of muscle tone I had, and now I really just want to be active every day. (See very poor quality photo.)

 

Main Quest:  Develop enough muscle tone and joint stability to get back into rock climbing.

 

Quest 1: Do the Beginner's Bodyweight Workout at least two days a week (aiming for 3).

It takes me 15 minutes to complete the three rounds, with modified pushups, 30 second planks, and a milk jug for weight. I would like to be able to do full pushups, longer planks, and use at least 20 lbs for weights by the end of the 6WC (my children weigh more than 20lbs!).

 

Quest 2: Yoga at least once a week (aiming for 2). Early morning sessions on M, T, W, Th are all available, make it to at least one of these. By the end of the 6WC I want to be okay with going to at least two sessions.

 

Quest 3: Walking/hiking day at least once a week. Plenty of places to do this, from the local flat park to the more challenging state park trails. By the end of the 6WC I want to be okay with *hiking* with my kids (one riding on my back, 26lbs), doesn't have to be a long hike, just not flat.

 

Life Quest: Complete my apron sewing projects: there are three aprons, plus accessories. I rarely make it a priority to do these even though I really want to finish them. I would need to cut out movie/Crunchyroll time in order to make this happen without giving up sleep, and that's a pretty strong vice...

 

Motivation:  My children. I also love the feeling of losing yourself while working on a route in rock climbing, or enjoying the outdoors more in general. I want to be able to care and keep up with my kids without feeling like an "old woman" all the time. My husband would probably be happier if I wasn't in so much pain all the time from a sore body, he gives me a lot of massage right now. He also believes (from a physical therapy standpoint) that I don't have strong enough joints or muscles to handle rock climbing safely without injury, so that is one of the reasons it became my main quest!

[Blaidd]

oooo i hope you're going to post pics of your aprons when they're done?

 

You might notice that i've added an Assassins' tag to your thread.  This isn't to pigeonhole you into particular guild, but rather to bring one of their ambassadors here to offer you encouragement, support or advice.  Your goals this challenge fit well with the overall spirit of their guild and you are more than welcome to pop into their Den and introduce yourself to them.  You are also more than welcome to pop me a message anytime. 

 

Good Luck

AB xx

[lullaby88]

Welcome to your first 6WC, Alexandria! I'm Lullaby, one of the Ambassadors for the Assassins' Guild. (Thanks for the tagging, Blaidd!!) You have a lot of interests that align with some of my fellow Assassins. You should come visit our Assassins' Den and say hi. You can also use our Assassin phonebook to find people that rock climb and/or body weight exercise and/or yoga (like me!).

 

We also have a Q&A chat thread for Level 1's where you can stop by and ask any questions you might have. If you want, you can also reach me by using the private messenger system (click the envelope at the top right of the screen) or you can post on my thread.

 

Looking forward to seeing your finished aprons!

-Lullaby

[Alexandrite]

Thanks Blaidd and Lullaby! I'll go check out the Assassins' place.

 

And yes, there will be proof of apron completion at the end of the 6WC, barring any unexpected issues (hoping none come up)!

 

I forgot to mention as a kind of "Secondary Life Quest" that I started flossing my teeth *every day* beginning last Tuesday (when I joined NF) and plan on doing it the entire 6WC. This would be the longest time I would have ever continuously flossed since before having braces when I was a kid. Ha! Someone on the forums had it as their goal and it seemed pretty doable, so I had at it.

 

I am a bit overwhelmed by all the different ways I can contact people on here, but I'm sure I will get the hang of things soon.

[PiRX]

Hi Alexandria!

 

It's interesting how much your quests much up with mine (two out of three) Subbed and will keep an eye on your progress (boy, that sounds creapy, doesn't it?)!

[LiserFrenche]

Hi Alexandra,

Excellent well thought out quests!  subbing you and looking forward to hearing on your progress.

~lisa

[Alexandrite]

Thanks you two! I'm not sure if I should take photos each week or just wait until the challenge is over.

 

Anyone have trouble with Sun Salutations in various forms during yoga? I'm usually able to do yoga poses individually, but for some reason always have trouble when they chain them together... I have to slow way down, and usually heavily modify the lunges and other moves that use my leg/thigh joints at the hips (always feels like they are unhappy with me).

[Alexandrite]

Yesterday:

I actually took a rest day. My right side shoulder/neck has been cramping bad the past few days, off and on, and it has really been bothering me. Still doing it now even after yoga. I'm using heat packs and drinking more water, hopefully it will release soon! I should have gone for some kind of walk, but ended up hanging out with my daughter a lot and relaxing. Parenting seminar that night. Past few nights I have fallen into bed and totally conked out. 

 

Today:

Slept 6 hours straight! YES! Crack of Dawn yoga workout, 45 min (had to leave early again), focus on progressions, stretching, and sun salutations. Oh man. I was tight everywhere, had a hard time finding my breath continuously this morning, and had to heavily modify the sun salutations and lunges. My tendons/joints at the top of my legs are never happy with me. I've also had to slow down and slightly modify the lunges I do for the beginner bodyweight workout too when I do it. It probably has to do with my over tight hamstrings?

 

Plan on taking a walk later today at the park to help work out the tension.

 

I still have yet to start on the aprons. I need to take a trip to the craft store and pick up the needed fabric, but I can't do it when my toddler is with me (craziness!). Hopefully I will be able to go tomorrow. 

 

The rain and mist needs to clear away so I can feel the sun. Time to turn up some tunes and pick up my day! Water, water, water!

[Alexandrite]

My in-laws are in town and most nights we have dinner together. Last night I almost chickened out of doing the BBW, but fit it in right before dinner before they arrived.

My mistake? I forgot to warm up. Woke up in the night with pain at the top of my left leg, whenever I try to lift my leg or take steps. I think it has to do with the tendon somehow. I've designated the weekend for walking anyway, but I plan on taking iteasy. I think it was the lunges or something, I'm having a really hard time doing them and might look at modifying them somehow. My hamstrings are really tight and I may not be ready for walking lunges yet.

But I did do it! I was happy I followed through. Forgot to floss that night, but did it in the morning as soon as I woke up.

Today I have taken a walk, plus pulled out my machine for sewing and prepped material for the first apron. I also practiced sewing again on an old apron I never finished just to get used to sewing again. I feel good about the projects, we will see how they turn out!

Hoping I will be back in the game by Monday to do BBW again?

I've been eating too much pizza the last two days... I need to figure out how to get more creative with veggies for dinners.

[lullaby88]

My mistake? I forgot to warm up. Woke up in the night with pain at the top of my left leg, whenever I try to lift my leg or take steps. I think it has to do with the tendon somehow. I've designated the weekend for walking anyway, but I plan on taking iteasy. I think it was the lunges or something, I'm having a really hard time doing them and might look at modifying them somehow. My hamstrings are really tight and I may not be ready for walking lunges yet.

 

I've done this before. Warming up really helps the soreness. Also, you can do lunges with your hand on top of something to help with balance. Use a cane, a chair arm, a bar stool. Use it for balance so don't hold onto it too tightly. Also, try doing reverse lunges aka take a step back instead of forward. I find those to be a little bit easier. 

 

I need to figure out how to get more creative with veggies for dinners.

 

What kind of vegetables do you like or are trying to cook? Roasting them is an easy way to add flavor. You can steam them, just don't do it too long because they can get mushy. If you need any ideas, let me know.

 

Hoping I will be back in the game by Monday to do BBW again?

 

Did you get this in?

 

Sounds like your first week rocked, even with the few bumps you had. Keep doing awesome!  

[Alexandrite]

Thank you!

 

It was totally the lunges that did me in. I ended up having muscle inflammation and pain all weekend. Used Arnica Gel and ice before napping or sleeping and in no time I was feeling better. I took very easy walks over the weekend, and a simple walk yesterday. Drank lots of water and rested. Thankfully it was the weekend so my husband helped me with the kids, which let me rest even more than usual!

 

Today I felt so much better. Did the Crack of Dawn yoga again. Instructor knew about my slight injury and actually focused on stretching out the surrounding muscle groups. She said do what I felt comfortable doing, around 85%, and then stop. That's what I did. I ended up stopping short of the 45 minute mark and going into shavasana early just to help my body relax. I'm feeling a bit tight today, but not painful.

 

I think I just get bored of the same old veggies I've always been used to doing. I don't roast that many veggies honestly, so I should try that more! My convection oven just started making noises so I'm back to using the propane oven if I want to roast anything... but it might be better than the steamed frozen veggies I do all the time. 

 

I missed one night of flossing over the weekend but have kept it up. Didn't get a chance to do more sewing yet. Hoping to get to it by tomorrow, when my son goes to preschool.

 

Phew! I'm going to skip the lunges completely tomorrow when I do the BBW. I should be fine doing the rest. I'll try the backstep ones later in the week probably!

 

Ordered new walking shoes too. I heard great things about Clarks Wave line, that is both a great walking shoe and support shoe for every day wear. I can't wear my bright neon purple running shoes with most outfits, so I've been compromising in the foot department to wear sandals, etc, and it needs to stop. My flat feet are hating me for it! Now I just need to find house slippers with support, lol. We do Japanese style in our house, with shoes off at the door.

 

WEEK ONE ROCKED! I <3 Nerd Fitness so much.

[lullaby88]

I don't roast that many veggies honestly, so I should try that more! My convection oven just started making noises so I'm back to using the propane oven if I want to roast anything... but it might be better than the steamed frozen veggies I do all the time. 

 

I love roasted broccoli and carrots and cauliflower. The carrots turn sweet. They are soo good.

 

 

WEEK ONE ROCKED! I <3 Nerd Fitness so much.

 

[Alexandrite]

Felt good today, even though the entire family woke up at 5am.

Son went to preschool so I was able to work on stuff at home, which included roughing out the rest of a test apron, doing laundry and washing fabric for the real apron project, and getting back into sewing straight seams and making stuff look good.

I even fit in the BBW today. Cut out all lunges though to be safe.

1st round: 10 squats, no arm lifts, no lunges.

2nd round: 20 squats, same as before.

3rd round: added in the arm lifts and actually used my daughter (26lbs) as a weight. We had a good laugh.

My kids love doing this with me. My son tries jumping jacks and I just want to share his cuteness with the world, lol.

Been voraciously hungry today, but I have been making sure I don't overeat at each meal. I've had a lot of heartburn and indigestion lately, and I don't think its healthy to be taking TUMS or Pepto after every meal. Felt better today overall.

Fit in a walk tonight too, small one.

We had Japanese curry for dinner, Yum! With zucchini, carrots, green beans and chicken.

I downloaded Tapatalk so I could keep up with everyone on my phone, but I'm not sure if that is a good thing... Trying to remain "hands free" around the kids and limit digital exposure is hard!

*high five!!*

[Alexandrite]

I love roasted broccoli and carrots and cauliflower. The carrots turn sweet. They are soo good.

I have to skip the cauliflower, and broccoli, etc, because while nursing my daughter it gives her horrible gas! She should be weaned in a few months and then its back to eating awesome variety again!

[PiRX]

That's a pity about cauliflower/brocolli - they make up most of my diet those days And I just f-in love them!

 

You are doing amazing! It's so motivating to check on on fellow members (especially assassin wannabes like me) and see that they are going strong!

[SunLynx]

Hey, Alexandria, you're doing an awesome job! And downloading Tapatalk...maybe something I should look into. I would not be surprised that personal success and supporting others are highly correlated, and you're doing a great job with both!

 

Japanese curry sounds cool, but it also sounds a little like a stew. Is that a fair assessment?

[Alexandrite]

Thank you so much! I love hearing from and reading about others too.

Yes, it is very much like a chunky soup with anything I want to put in, served over rice. I've added squash, sweet potatoes, salmon, and other random stuff in before. The sauce I buy for it (mild strength) is so tasty I really have to watch it, because I will overeat so easily!

- Mobile communication granted.

[Alexandrite]

Yesterday was a wash. Woke up late and missed yoga, and was in an emotional funk all day long.

Had to run kids to a pediatrician appointment where screaming and crying commenced, which made my mommy heart ache. Both my children are extremely healthy though, so I'm grateful.

Trip to the grocery store, then to a dinner party for my husband's work, where I stuffed 5 pieces of pizza into my face. And cookies. >_>;

Still an emotional mess by nighttime. Can't really even do yoga at home because of the kids, so I had no way of letting it all go.

Finally realized today that I wasn't the only one. My sister reminded me that in a few days will be the seven-year anniversary of my mother passing away. Now it all makes sense!

My left leg tendon gave me aches last night, but my daughter slept 8 hrs straight for the first time (wish I could have) so I'm fitting some rest in from having to lift her all the time.

I will probably fit in a light BBW tonight before dinner, like always. Leftover curry awaits.

Tapatalk is great but between that and FB I just can't keep up without having tons of digital time.... Struggling with that.

Here's to a better weekend ahead! I may try to fit in yoga tomorrow... Or just take another rest day. Leg is bothering me.

- Mobile communication granted.

[Alexandrite]

Okay! Enough with the self-pity and sad face. Read through some more NF threads and I feel better already.

Yeah, my mother died of cancer and I miss her. I need to get over it. My husband and children need me to be better today than I was yesterday, and one step better tomorrow.

I can do that. Going for a walk after my kids wake up from nap. And gave myself a little kick in the butt for forgetting to eat lunch on time today, which contributed to my poor mood earlier.

Get back on that horse!

- Mobile communication granted.

[Pavelluvs2eat]

I don't know how I just now figured out I wasn't following your challenge thread, but I have rectified that oversight!

 

So important and also equally difficult to get back on the horse after you fall - but I'm pulling for you to keep it up and keep the good momentum you've built!

[Elastigirl]

Just catching up on your thread. Sounds like you are making some awesome food. What is Japanese curry?

 

I'm sorry about your mom's death. Give yourself permission to grieve. It is hard.  My mom was 83 when she dies, so a long full life, but I still miss her and it was 2 1/2 years ago. Most of the time, I'm fine, but even now I have days where it is hard. When my dad died suddenly at age 75, my son was little. And I didn't give myself permission to grieve. But then it always comes out some way, because emotionally and physically you really just need the grieving time. So when my mom died, when I had sad days, I allowed myself to slow down and take it easy and not force myself to do stuff that wasn't necessary.

 

Aprons, I love aprons! How cool that you make them. Do we get to see them? I have a pretty frilly one that is pink and black, one from Disneyworld that is vintagy looking black and white, a green one with my name on it, and one with bright blue and yellow flowers.

[Alexandrite]

Thank you for the kind words. It makes me excited to come back and update when people follow and encourage me, so thank you!

I did indeed take it easy. My weekend has been walking and spending time with family so far. I really haven't done much in the way of exercise. I agree it is harder to grieve when you have small kids. Luckily my husband knows me pretty well and has given me mommy time here and there to recoup.

My husband turns 40 tomorrow so we have been celebrating all weekend, and he has tomorrow off. I'm trying to encourage him to take us all on a hike nearby instead of driving somewhere, because he drives a lot for work. We live near Montana de Oro State Park and I hear it is one of the most beautiful hikes. If we go I will share a photo!

When I get back to my computer I will post a link of the curry thing I use. =) It will give you an idea of what it is.

And yes, I will be posting photos of the aprons I make! I just need some fabric for the ties on the one I was working on and it will be done I think. I actually love creating my own styles of aprons in my head but this is the first time I've tried actually making them. This one is a half apron made with white fabric w/hearts alternated with white fabric from a men's dress shirt (yay repurposing!). After its done I will start in on the aprons for my friend and her daughter, matching ones.

I also have a couple Japanese full aprons my friend gave me - one with a cute farm print and one that is frilly and white like a maid's. Then a half apron with hot cocoa print and a full apron with country plaid design, both that my husband bought me. I guess I DO have an apron problem, lol, but its not as bad as the fabric collecting I tend to do...

I am totally going to try fitting in some sewing this weekend if I can. Maybe send my son to the grandparents across the street who are visiting for some dedicated time.

I will be trying to fit in Crack of Dawn yoga tomorrow because I doubt my husband will be waking up early to do anything on his birthday so he can watch the kids!

Loving this coastal CA Fall weather. Eternal mild summer for me!!

- Mobile communication granted.

[Pavelluvs2eat]

I hope the hike happens! And thank goodness for the breaks, eh? I am from the Oregon coast and I dearly miss the mildness of summers. Where I am, summer is awful but nobody will admit it because there are places where it's worse. Well excuse me - but the north Atlantic is colder than my shower ever will be but that doesn't mean I'm taking cold showers! Similarly, we bought and A/C this year and laughed while people mocked us. Cool and dry in our house, woowoo!

[Alexandrite]

Yes, we lived in Roseburg and Salem at different points in the last three years and loved the mild weather as we watched natural disasters rip every other part of the country up... But the rain! Blah.

Now we are totally loving CA sunshine and coastal weather. It's heaven! I get outdoors so much more, and I know it does my family good. I also like not having to take 4,000+ IU of Vit D all the time, lol.

- Mobile communication granted.

[Pavelluvs2eat]

Yes, we lived in Roseburg and Salem at different points in the last three years and loved the mild weather as we watched natural disasters rip every other part of the country up... But the rain! Blah.

Now we are totally loving CA sunshine and coastal weather. It's heaven! I get outdoors so much more, and I know it does my family good. I also like not having to take 4,000+ IU of Vit D all the time, lol.

- Mobile communication granted.

Luckily I'm a redhead - apparently our pale skin means we're HYPER efficient at producing vitamin D from whatever scraps of sunshine leak through the cloud cover, lol! I love the rain, but I know it's not for everyone. The coast is even rainier than the valley too, and I miss it.