Leave the sword, take the tiara - Tzippi's Princess Challenge

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Folk and fairy tales are cautionary and inspiriational lessons that are woven into our subconsciouses through early and repeated exposure. The heroines can be beggar girls, deserving daughters, loyal wives, and princesses bound for adventure. And those stories starring a princess feature strength of body and will to face challenges and horrors, the courage to be transformed and recreated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Springtime is here, the narcissi and plum blossoms are starting to appear, and strength, vigor, and beauty return as the cold recedes. Even a lot of my negativity about being abroad is vanishing, being replaced by an energy for exploration and the courage to do it. This challenge will meld strength, health, mental balance, and beauty into the PRINCESS CHALLENGE! A princess must not only survive the challenges thrown at her by sadistic Grimms, La Fontaines, and Andersens, but must thrive and emerge ready to rule.

 

 

 

 

 

A Princess must be strong and tough, to weather forests, thorns, endless nights of weaving swan feathers, endless nights of lumpy mattresses, and peril by monsters, sorcerers, wild beasts, human antagonists, spells, weather, terrain, and poisons. To get strong enough to survive and thrive, and maybe lead an army if necessary, I will train six times a week. The ideal form would be three runs and three bodyweight workouts, but vigorous dancing (for at least a half-hour), long walks or hikes, and long bike rides could take their place. 

 

A - Six workouts

 

B - Five workouts

 

C - Four workouts

 

F - Anything less

 

 

 

 

A Princess must wake up, to move forward as a wise and compassionate ruler. I need to open my eyes and move forward, and not let some habits of indolence obtained over winter stand. I will wake up early enough for a morning workout and have a shower, healthy breakfast, and a good start to my days.

 

 

A Princess must gain inspiration and sustenance from what is available in the course of her story, and choose carefully what to take and what to leave. I have been dealing with my diet in various ways, and this time around will be a bit of a mishmash. I must eat greens every day (Rampion challenge). Not only do dark leafy greens help detoxify after eating poisoned apples, but you never know when a plate of greens might launch another story:

 

 

I also must learn to do without the delicacies of the castle, As such, I will limit my number of sugary foods to 4/week. (Poisoned Apple challenge)

 

 

A - Greens every day, 4 desserts/week.

 

B - Greens every day, 5 desserts/week

 

F - Seriously? Cut down on the sugar, hon.

 

 

 

 

 

A Princess must reflect and learn, and change. The callow ingenue must become a queen. I find myself stressed often from living in a foreign country with not-very-great language skills. I am still trying to adjust to sharing a tiny studio with my husband. And I am trying to avoid injury and gain flexibility. I have found that a nightly ritual of meditation and stretching has been amazing for my sleeping habits, my well-being, and my flexibility. Taking time to write whatever to-do list I have for the next morning, lay out the mat, and get my head in the right place for sleep makes all the difference in the world, and I should try to do it every night.

 

 

A - Every night before-bed stretching and meditation.

 

B - Six nights a week, or seven but some are shorter.

 

C - Five nights a week, or six but some are shorter.

 

TRIALS:

I have family visiting throughout Week 1, and am busy entertaining them. I have been doing a lot of walking, and have been eating better than I thought I would, but between being out of my element (we went to Tokyo and Matsuyama, and are going to Hiroshima) and a rather erratic meal schedule, I am trying not to worry about diet. That said, I feel good, and have my appetite back from my illness.  I intend to begin this challenge on Week 2.

 

(In case you're wondering about my challenge name: 

)

[Tzippi Longstockings]

RESERVED FOR STARTING STATS

Starting Measurements:

My husband insists I list these as "give or take a centimeter"

Measurement: second challenge/fourth challenge

Bust: 99.5 / 97

Underbust: 84 / 80

Natural waist: 81.5 / 80.5

At navel: 88 / 87.5

Hip (widest point): 104.5 / 101

Thigh

L-60 / 60

R-59.5 / 59

Calf

L-39.5 / 38.25

R-40 / 39

Bicep

L-30 / 29

R-30 / 30

Forearm

L-24.5 / 25

R-24.5 / 26

[Tzippi Longstockings]

RESERVED FOR CLEANING MINI-GAME

 

[Tzippi Longstockings]

WEEKLY GRADES

Week 1
Strong and Tough - TWThSu  - Four workouts = C
Wake up - Su One of two = C
Choose Wisely - Greens yes, desserts? Ugh. Oy. D
Rampion - MTThFSaSu
Poisoned apples - 2M 0T! 0W! 2Th 2Sa 1Su
Reflect and Grow -
Stretch - MTSaSu Four out of seven = D

(Workouts:  Tuesday Neila Rey - Wednesday Taiko - Thursday Hour-long run - Sunday Bodyweight)

Week 2
Strong and Tough - WThSaSu
Wake up - Sasu
Choose Wisely -

Rampion - MTWThFSaSu

Posioned apples - 1M 1T . . . lots.
Reflect and Grow - MTThSaSu

Week 3
Strong and Tough -
Wake up -
Choose Wisely -
Reflect and Grow -

Week 4
Strong and Tough -
Wake up -
Choose Wisely -
Reflect and Grow -

Week 5
Strong and Tough -
Wake up -
Choose Wisely -
Reflect and Grow -

[Tzippi Longstockings]

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WOOTS

 

Successfully shepherded five people with extremely limited Japanese around several big-city transportation systems, and often asked for help IN JAPANESE!

 

Did (slightly elevated) pike push ups!

 

Asked for time off and filled in the requisite paperwork BY MYSELF! IN JAPANESE!

 

 

RANDOM GOALS

 

Discover best brand of canned tuna (big chunks, rather than finely milled)

 

Have a picnic

 

Make a fish pie

 

Figure out how to get matzah for Passover  MADE matzah for Passover! w00t!

 

Successfully plan and execute a Passover seder. In Japan. Oy.

[Balthazar]

Loving the challenge, made me think of all the Disney princesses that kick arse. all you need is a frying pan wielding horse and you're hot to trot!

[shaar]

OH MY GOSH A princess challenge.  Yes.  All of the YES.

 

 

Subbing for the win!!

[Balthazar]

so, how you getting on?

[DJtrippyT]

Princess challenge is awesome! good luck

[Tzippi Longstockings]

This is my "pre-launch" day, as I mean to begin my princess challenge tomorrow, Monday the 2. However, do not think I have been idle! Friday I traveled with my family to "Wide Island"(Hiroshima, which is on the mainland. huh?), and from there to "Shrine Island"(Itsukushima/Miyajima) on Saturday

 

But not before breakfast . . . (This one is actually my husband's. I had steamed rice instead of rice porridge)

[Tzippi Longstockings]

On the island of Miyajima, the deer rule the land and all others scurry around them. They are also quite tame, from centuries of pilgrims and tourists visiting the island, so you can get very close. However, they will also steal your food.

 

Disney princess moment with a tiny deer, sleeping in the sun.

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Naturally, I have been walking a lot (getting about 10,000 steps a day), plus standing and balancing on trains, trams, subways, ferries, and streetcars. Also, having a great time with family and seeing more of Japan! 

[shaar]

Squeeeee tiny deer!!! Tiny adorable food stealer!! Glad you are having fun and getting lots of steps!

[Tzippi Longstockings]

After seeing off my family from a wonderful visit, I am back to "real life" again. a brief push-up competition with my brother, extreme ease of walking up and down and all around town in Tokyo, Matsuyama, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and here home in Imabari, and a quick check on the scale this morning (68.8 kg!) tells me I didn't backslide too much from a few weeks away from "normal" schedule of working out, eating right, and feeling amazing. It's incredible how building muscle means that even when you overeat a bit, or do less than incredibly, you don't gain weight as quickly, even when overindulging and getting a (probably) net deficit of exercise. 

 

Yesterday was my Week 1, Day 1, and went fair-to-middlin'. 

I got some good movement in, what with walking and biking to see my family off and run some errands that have been neglected. I also had a lot of "on my feet" time doing laundry, doing dishes, and cooking. Speaking of which, prep for this week (at least part of it), is sorted, with a new bunch of super-protein curry in the fridge, quinoa/brown riceballs in the freezer, and a batch of pretty bruised apples salvaged into some very lightly sweetened but heavily spiced apple pie filling (to top oatmeal).  So no real workout, but movement, at least.

 

Food also went well, with a Japanese-style breakfast at the hotel with my family (see above, add green salad), curry and rice for lunch and dinner. The dessert front was less good, finishing up treats left over from having guests (mini-eclairs which are good but not transcendent) and a weird ice cream thing I was curious about (Can't read the packaging, but it seems to be vanilla ice cream with toasted walnut pieces, topped with a layer of mochi and then a layer of syrupy stuff that tastes like essence of butter pecan. Would indulge again.) so that's two of my allowed four on day one. A whadda fook? I want to be a Princess, but maybe not this one:

 

 

But in better news, I got a great stretching session in. I have lost a bit of my flexiness over a few weeks intermittent-to-nonexistent practice, but it still felt wonderful, and I was able to really relax and melt into some of the poses. Calves and hamstrings need work. Especially since it is warming up, plum trees are blooming, and I want to RUN! I then fell asleep immediately and slept like the dead, except I did have some weird dreams that I'm blaming on the intersection of Arrested Development, Lost, and Elder Sign: Omens. can't remember too much of it, but it was a perfect storm of embarrassment, mystery, and 20's style investigation.Luckily, tentacles have not figured prominently in my dreams of life, except for my sister-in-law's bravery in eating both octopus okonomiyaki and squid-on-a-stick. Even before I stopped eating non-kosher sea life, the tentacles wigged me out. Even cut into calamari rings, just too chewy.

 

So far, day two is going well. I feel good, and am getting rid of the snacks I bought as omiyage (gifts for friends and coworkers you bring back from holidays). A few make take a while, but I should be able to get it all out of the house soon (and leave them prettily wrapped until then). Now to control myself about sweets when I'm at the store . . .

 

[Tzippi Longstockings]

By the way, if you're interested in Fairy Tale theory, try this book. Especially women. This and Reviving Ophelia got me through a lot and helped me reframe my adolescence and early adulthood and make some use of it after the fact.

 

[Tzippi Longstockings]

So in the spirit of multitasking, I have added a new double-up to my usual "Perform hip figure-8s and reverse figure-8s while brushing teeth". While waiting for the microwave, I did deep bodyweight squats. And a few incline push-ups. But mostly squats. I think I'm getting a little less crunchy sound in my knees!

 

Also, I'm on the smallest notch of the belt I brought from America, and may need to poke another hole soon.

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Week 1, Day 2Tuesday.

Started the day with overnight oats and black tea. Got some push ups and deep squats in while heating up lunch (curry quinoa and rice, some green beans). Had a ton of water and tea, after the semi-dehydration of running around on vacation for over a week.

Home, ate way too many peanuts. I guess I need to readjust to eating regular meals? And did Neila Rey's "Lost Girl" workout (4 reps- http://neilarey.com/workouts/lost-girl-workout.html ) while watching Supernatural. Now for some protein and a shower. Then salad and fish for dinner, stretch, and off to bed for an early wake up tomorrow (ferry ride out to Yuge Island).

Any advice for dealing with a dawn-to-dusk fast without binging on bad stuff after? The sun will set just before taiko practice, so anything I have to break my fast will need to be portable and quick to eat. And I'll be ravenous after.

 

Addendum, Wednesday around lunchtime:

I'm actually doing pretty well. I couldn't work out early (had to catch the ferry), but I woke up early enough to eat a big bowl of overnight oats before the sun came up. And I'm doing okay. I am drinking water, and still feel reasonably sated and energetic (I need either food or sleep, and tend to get nap-centered on fast days). I am planning on having salad and salmon onigiri to break my fast, and maybe a big protein shake when I get home to take care of deficit. But I won't worry too much. Fast days don't come around that often, and I have two long walks home from a visiting school Thursday and Friday to look forward to (not at all sarcastic - it is a nice walk, and I listen to my books on tape, and have a lovely time before getting on the train.)

[Balthazar]

Fasting sounds diabolical, but good on you for doing

 

and AWESOME news on reaching the tightest notch on your belt

[Erick the Red]

Sounds like you are finding lots of interesting ways to stay active.  I like the idea of habitual, useful "fidgetting" while you are waiting for things.  And having to add a notch to your belt is a very physical reminder of your success!

[Toshimi]

Looks like you're having a great time! Can't wait to see more pictures!

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Week 1, Day 3 - Wednesday

 

Actually posting this Thursday, because reasons.

 

 

Wednesday went pretty good! ate my overnight oats before the sun rose, and kept myself hydrated throughout the day. had a small bowl of curry after sunset but before taiko, to and from which I rode my bike. it was cold again.

 

Taiko is so much fun! Last time I went, they said if I can get up to speed on at least a song or two, I can debut with the group in the spring festivals in May! And I'm doing . . . pretty okay. I can follow along with the first song (Harukoma?) with only a few crew-ups, and am feeling great about the super-fast ten-ten-no-ten that begins the next one! I really need most to work on speed, wile keeping my sticks vertical as possible between each strike. Strength will help, but i think I just need to practice on my bed sometimes. (I have my own sticks, but taiko are waaaaay too expensive to keep one at home for practice, even if i had a soundproofed garage/shed to practice in. (and really understanding neighbors who wouldn't get me put on some sort of watchlist for having a soundproofed garage/shed.) 

 

anyway, ate after taiko (way too late), and fell into bed without stretching. i did sleep okay, though. Even woke up naturally before my alarm went off! But not early enough to work out. Hm. Looks like I have to do both my morning workouts on the weekend.

 

Counting taiko (and attendant bike rides with low tires through the cold) as one workout. Really felt it in my arms and shoulders, especialy, which is good because the Lost Girl workout Tuesday was very lower body-centric.

 

today, getting home early enough to GO FOR A RUN ALREADY, IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG!

 

 

Also pre-setting my dinner into MFP. Salad and grilled fish and a hard-boiled egg deviled with some mustard. I like pre-recording them, then seeing how I feel after I've done that. I find I'm less likely to eat emotionally or eat things "just 'cause they're there" if I already like the look of my food journal for the day.

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Week 1, Day 4 - Thursday

 

Whew! Thursday was a mixed bag. I had an okay breakfast of peanut butter toast (didn:t make oats after taiko. bad) and got out to meet my ride to work. work was pretty okay, but I ended up going out to lunch with a colleague rather than eating the lunch I packed. So lunch was green salad (good), renkon and okara (lotus root and okra, but tempura fried . . .) and a bowl of kitsune udon (not horrible, but not *good*). however, I had a lovely walk back to the train station. 

 

Then, I was getting dizzy, so I went into the bakery . . .

 

 

and bought two donuts. and ate both on the train home. And had a million justifications during, then was really mad at myself after. So I went home, changed immediately, stirred up some protein powder, and went for a run. I did an hour, but decided to take it easy. So i did a *ten*, rather than five-minute walk to warm up, and made pretty dreadful time. But I made 5.77 km in 57 minutes (a kilometer short of my usual for that time, but whatever), and had an awesome stretch-out in a hot bath after. 

 

Dinner was fish and salad, which is good, but ten we got the news that our houseguest, who we were expecting maybe Saturday afternoon, would be at the station at midnight. So begin the flurry of cleaning, reorganizing, etc to prepare. So bedtime stretching didn't happen. I was too stressed and more than a bit angry (this guest is a friend, but doesn't really think about "I maybe shouldn't show up days early at midnight to stay over with my friends in a studio apartment with less than three hours' warning on a night before they both have to work".)

 

But I went to bed (still a little steamed, but I got to sleep eventually), only woke up a little when my husband got back from picking him up, and managed this morning (but without breakfast, because there is a person taking up the kitchen floor) with a minimum of frustrations.

 

And I woke up feeling energized, even though bedtime was late, and sleep was interrupted. Yay running!

 

Anyway, another opportunity is to cook a lot while he's here, because he was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and  until then survived largely on the stereotypical "gamer diet" of packaged, instant, and fast foods with tons of soda. while there are lots of things for him to eat here, Japan is partial to sugary sauces, so I'm thinking about making a big fish-and-tofu nabemono tonight, with buckwheat noodles.

 

 

 

 

I know Luffy likes meat, but I am a fish-and-vegetables girl, all the way! ã™ã”ã„ï¼

[Toshimi]

I'm not a huge fish fan, but that looks amazing!

[Tzippi Longstockings]

I'm not a huge fish fan, but that looks amazing!

Nabebono also works great with thinly-sliced meat, I'm just a "mostly vegetarian, but slightly pescetarian" for religious reasons.

[shaar]

JEEZ that fish dish looks delicious. I am regrettably uninformed on the difference between most types of Japanese noodles (I assume shape, and what it's made out of?) but I did manage to make my own chicken ramen over the holidays that was AMAZING and I really need to do it again...

Taiko sounds SO FUN, what an awesome experience to have!! BIG BADA BOOM!!! How awesome would it be to be included in the festival?! Even if not though, I think just to be able to play with others at any level is TOO COOL!! [emoji178] [emoji178]