Teirin Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 That is quite a lot to do. As Mistr said, glad you could arrange it in a way to make it less stressful. Is there any chance the low calorie levels are contributing to stress as well? Trail mix would certainly help with that deficit. Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I think 16-18 things is a LOT to get done in a day. I can see why your list was overwhelming. I'm glad you figured out a way to break it down that makes it less stressful. Any ideas why part of your brain wants to freak out just as you are getting back on top of things? I'm having to be quite strict on the four items thing. It's so easy to try to justify one more, but four per project really is about my limit. Freaking out has been its natural state more often than not, the past couple of years, so quite possibly simply habit in the face of some minor stress. Having that as under control as I do is pretty good, though I worry about backsliding. That is quite a lot to do. As Mistr said, glad you could arrange it in a way to make it less stressful. Is there any chance the low calorie levels are contributing to stress as well? Trail mix would certainly help with that deficit. The diet might be a factor - increasing my calorie level at the end of the summer definitely helped matters, and I might have got careless enough that there's some stress reaction. The uneven sleep patterns are probably not helping, either. So it might come down to everything needing a little seasonal tweaking - a little extra hydration, slightly more intense exercise, more reliability on diet, try to spend a few more hours resting. I'm stocked up on trail mix, and I've found that empty Trader Joe's spice bottles are kind of the perfect size for a portable serving. So I should be able to keep my calories on track more easily next week. Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Mistr Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I like the idea of spice bottles for portion control. Having freaking out as a default - yeah, I can see that. I've been overly busy for the last couple weeks. I can feel myself falling back into my grad school pattern of being overcommitted all the time. It's a trap. Really, I don't need to do all that stuff. I could sit on the couch and read a novel this weekend and no one would be on my case. Just because there are lots of things that are on my list does not mean they need doing now. I hope your adjustments to your routine make next week go more smoothly. Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 I have tremendous difficulty with things like reliably handling "now" and "later", because ADHD can really mess up your perception of time, like all times are the present moment, so I don't really intuitively differentiate between now and later. Scheduling everything for right now is one of the side effects of that, and so is scheduling nothing for right now. So I really need to be quite strict about a schedule that is both limited and sufficient. I suspect I really need hard limits for a little while. I managed to schedule myself out nearly eight days with just recurring tasks and what I was trying to accomplish in one day, once I put the limits on. Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Kishi Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Well, but. Setting that hard limit can be an incredibly useful and concrete way to set your habit, particularly if you struggle with time and the perception thereof. Go concrete! Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Well, but. Setting that hard limit can be an incredibly useful and concrete way to set your habit, particularly if you struggle with time and the perception thereof. Go concrete! I really cannot shake the feeling that I should be getting more done. And... you know, maybe, but it's perfectly fine to start here and get this much done, and worry about improving later. Which is a surprising revelation sometimes. I'm not quite getting the whole list done this week, I'm usually a couple of items short. That's not too bad. So far it's low enough that I can juggle them back into the schedule without overrunning my quota. And it means I'm still getting about 15-16 things done a day. And I'm starting to see a few stuck projects move forward slowly. 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Week 4: Day 5carb target: noexercise outside: yes (+1)meditation: yes (+1)hours of sleep: 7 hoursin bed by 11: nopunching and kicking drills: nosomething awesome: nobadass points: +1Week 4: Day 6carb target: yes (+1)exercise outside: nomeditation: yes (+1)hours of sleep: 10 hoursin bed by 11: nopunching and kicking drills: nosomething awesome: nobadass points: no Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Teirin Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 What was the badass point? There will always be more things that need doing. Managing that and allowing yourself to progress without getting overly stressed is tough, but you're doing it! Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 The badass point was at a social event. Trail mix has been saving my calorie levels, and also helping quite a bit on my protein levels. Fill up four spice bottles in the morning, pop 'em throughout the day. (And, oddly, it's tastier than I remembered.) I've adopted the same strategy for hydration, because my hydration always suffers in winter, and I get a lot of congestion and nosebleeds and things. Four ounces every half-hour, on the premise that small amounts frequently is better than large amounts infrequently. Seems to be working, I'm not getting low-level headaches or strange bouts of thirst right after drinking a half a liter of water, which were my clue this week that I really was not getting the hydration right. So I think that at least I'll be able to keep things a bit steadier for a week or so. (That's a deceptively large amount of trail mix. That's got to be about half my daily calorie intake. Oh well, could be made out of worse stuff. Nuts are pretty good for you, and it's not breaking my carb target.) Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Mistr Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Trail mix has been saving my calorie levels, and also helping quite a bit on my protein levels. Fill up four spice bottles in the morning, pop 'em throughout the day. (And, oddly, it's tastier than I remembered.) I've adopted the same strategy for hydration, because my hydration always suffers in winter, and I get a lot of congestion and nosebleeds and things. Four ounces every half-hour, on the premise that small amounts frequently is better than large amounts infrequently. Seems to be working, I'm not getting low-level headaches or strange bouts of thirst right after drinking a half a liter of water, which were my clue this week that I really was not getting the hydration right. So I think that at least I'll be able to keep things a bit steadier for a week or so. (That's a deceptively large amount of trail mix. That's got to be about half my daily calorie intake. Oh well, could be made out of worse stuff. Nuts are pretty good for you, and it's not breaking my carb target.) You're never too old for nuts and berries. Nuts and berries are among the best convenience foods you can eat. Add in some fresh veggies and you have all your nutrition needs covered. I lived on trail mix my last year of grad school. Good for you implementing strategies to take care of yourself. It sounds like it is working. Are you feeling more on top of things? Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 I had a deadline yesterday that shot last week to hell on several fronts. Normal work schedule overturned, normal sleeping habits overturned, normal workout habits overturned. (The sleep thing, man, I can really tell the difference between good and bad sleep now, and it's like recovering from the flu to have a week of bad sleep. I just want fluids and rest like crazy.) So I squeezed in a workout while baking for tomorrow. (The great irony is that, despite being unable to eat gluten myself, I can make a kickass loaf of bread for other people. Although last week I did try a gluten-free, lowish-carb, paleo bread recipe... and it actually kinda worked. I suspect it only fools the bread-eaters when toasted, but it was a reasonable nutty whole-grain loaf, and is also easy, cheap, and healthy.) Week 6: Day 3carb target: +0.5exercise outside: yes (+1)meditation: nohours of sleep: x hoursin bed by 11: nopunching and kicking drills: yes (+1)something awesome: yes (+1) I'm gonna count making homemade shit for people. That's pretty awesome of me.badass points: no Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Mistr Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 My sympathy on the deadline overturning your life. I hope you get to catch up on rest soon. Yay for exercising and baking! Kneading bread is good exercise, in addition to everything else you did. It is generous of you to make food for other people that you can't eat. Definitely awesome points. Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 It's actually a no-knead recipe! Super-easy, and perfect every time. Eight loaves. Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Kishi Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 As someone who works in a bread shoppe and doesn't get to partake very often, I can sympathize with your plight. Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
Teirin Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 Oooh, recipe for GF nutty paleo loaf? Yeah, once you start sleeping well the difference between good and bad sleep becomes very apparent. Yay for handmade presents! They'll love your baking Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Oooh, recipe for GF nutty paleo loaf? INGREDIENTS2 cups ground flax seeds5 eggs1/2 cup water1/3 cup melted butter1 Tbsp baking powder1 tsp salt METHODPre-heat the oven to 200C/400F degrees.Grease a bread tin with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.Whisk the eggs.Add the butter and water and mix well.Add the flax and salt and mix well.Put the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 40-50 mins until firm. I find flax bread needs a little sweetener, so I have 2T brown sugar or honey in mine, and I'm sometimes really able to taste the fish-like qualities of flax, so I tend to throw in some caraway or cinnamon to distract from that. I didn't think this would make it as a normal-sized loaf, but it was surprisingly loafy. It's a bit like wholemeal wheat bread in UK/Ireland, sort of squat and dense and nutty, but entirely bready. Superior when toasted, and also better able to stand up to sandwich fillings that way. It's a bit soft otherwise. I don't think it'd quite fool a gluten-eater, although when toasted, I've had some good reviews. But it wins for me on cheapness, ease of baking, general healthiness, and the total lack of good grainy breads in the gluten-free world. (I was really enjoying it, until I made eight loaves of really high-grade European-style wheat bread. Now I'm bitter.) Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 So I'm not sure I really consider this challenge a success, but this is why I'm going to add: The Happiness Patrol Two-Week-Break Uberchallenge Cuz the most exciting bit of any story is right at the end, when everything goes to hell and people have to run around and blow things up at the last minute. So we've got, what, two weeks of break or something? Well, if holidays shake up routines, there's no reason they can't be shaken up in my favor. I'm restless, I need to change things up. So I'm gonna test-drive some new habits before the next challenge, and try to use the holiday break to nudge up a notch.Baseline of 1 rowing HIIT session every morning (alternating with something else, if I'm not up for rowing every day). I've been reading a lot about ADHD and exercise, and I want to try to find the right level to settle my brain down. Try to fit in something else at night. It helps me relax before bed. Work up to 4-5 times a week, with some strength training and yoga or something.No more chairs during the work day. They drive me crazy. Standing desk, or the floor.More sleep. Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 Today I was not having a good day, so instead of rowing I went on a long hike. I still don't love the woods, but long low-level endurance is a good way to sort of do a shakedown test and see what's not working optimally. My ankles are feeling way, way more solid than they were over the summer, when they were in a re-injury cycle. That was pretty nice. There's a muscle on the right side of my lower back that's getting tired on long hikes, so there must be some strength imbalance that's putting stress on it, but I have no idea what it is. I guess I'll add some supermen into the workout, and hope that does the trick. Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Mistr Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 I like your ideas for the inter-challenge time. Test-driving habits with no pressure makes a lot of sense. Great news on your ankle feeling better. Aren't those mystery aches and pains a bitch? I hope you can figure out how to make it go away. Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted December 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Sadly, I know why the ankle gives me issues. I've been prone to turning it since I was in high school, it just rolls out from under me randomly. Once that sort of thing starts, the tendons stretch and makes it likely to happen again, apparently. Minimalist shoes help. Being barefoot, or at least able to feel the ground well, seems to improve stability a lot and make it very unlikely. Last spring I had several strains in a row, partly from it rolling, partly from just overtaxing it while it was healing. The hiking has improved things a lot. Slow endurance on uneven ground to keep everything flexible and warmed up and lightly taxed seems to help a lot, even though I don't love doing it. I can really tell the difference between the condition of everything now, versus last summer. I would say my interchallenge is working out reasonably, given there are two holidays in there. I'm getting a bit more sleep and a bit more exercise. I'll call it a redemption on the weeks of the challenge I dropped the ball on. 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Teirin Posted January 1, 2015 Report Share Posted January 1, 2015 Good on you for working out over the break. I was a complete slacker. Given what you said about standing or sitting on the floor, is it possible that your work chair-sitting posture contributed to that sore back muscle? Sitting posture seems to be Serious Business and can result in weak/sore muscles if something is off. Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.