Kishi Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 It does, it's pretty interesting. It does hit muscles you might not, going at speed. I suspect the momentum is able to compensate for some of the muscles that don't usually get hit. Which is an interesting way of discovering sloppy form. This. Movement that you can't do slow hides weakness. It must be cleansed. Anyway, nothing wrong with sticking to a level to make it do what you want. Take your time. Get it right. 1 Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
Taijibum Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 William C. C. Chen is da bomb!!! Quote We do not rise to the level of our expectations in a fight. We fall to the level of our training. Link to comment
SevenFootGeek Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 And, it's morning again. I would have checked in sooner, but I have a nerd visiting and breakfast turned into a two hour chat. Quote Half-Giant Monk current challenge "Promote yourself, but do not demote another." Yisroel Salanter Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted April 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Anyway, nothing wrong with sticking to a level to make it do what you want. Take your time. Get it right. Basically. I'll do better at the harder stuff if I take a few extra days to get my muscles used to the easier stuff. (And I suspect that women and upper body strength, doesn't do you any good to rush it.) William C. C. Chen is da bomb!!! Yeah, it seemed like the closest to what I wanted. Not spandexy American tai-chi-lite, not hours and hours of academic study in subtitled Chinese videos, just something practical and straightforward and used by fighters as part of their training. And, it's morning again. I would have checked in sooner, but I have a nerd visiting and breakfast turned into a two hour chat. Y I no have guest nerds?? No nerd chat for me??? That's okay, my morning was sort of fucked by not sleeping well last night, so I split up my sleeping hours a little. 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 April 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Week 2: Day 3 Yesterday, I did not do the extra strength training I intended to do. This is poor follow-through, but the bear crawl stuff was pretty good. A little short for the workout I intended, but a good whole-body strength thing, so that's not a total fail on the strength workout. Today:Middling sleep. I need to get some extra rest.Light cardio workout, rather than my planned tai chi.Meditation.I'm not getting the aikido-related stuff in, really, but I'm going to let that go the first week. I have a big challenge this time around. I'm doing a Japanese breathing exercise for meditation, so we'll call that close enough for week 1. Nice slight ache from the past few days' workouts. Not soreness, but awareness of the muscles. That's nice. Very tired. It's mostly a healthy "could sleep for days" sort of tired. Hopefully it's still around at bedtime. 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 April 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Week 1: Day 410 minutes crawlFirst mini-meditation done.Sleep was okay. Pushing it a little. Could do better.I'm thinking I might re-order things this week, and do tai chi today instead of a strength session. I'm behind on my tai chi, and tomorrow will be a physically demanding day for me, so in the interests of prioritizing recovery time, going a little lighter today might be a good plan. Between the crawl and the tai chi, I'll get some strength benefits out of it. It won't be pushups and squats, but it'll be pretty good. Actually, let me do a more formal goal check-off this challenge:Weekly measurements: Taken8 hours of sleep: Haven't checked my tracker today, but I'm probably at 7.5.Three hard strength days: Half points for the crawl session. I'll make it a pass with some tai chi, given tomorrow's activities.Active rest days: Tomorrow. Ten a day on something aikido-y (5x): This week, I'm using my meditation for that.Daily meditation: Three mini-meditations done. Find a habit trigger for my meditation: That actually is the benefit of the mini-meditations.Do a small amount of a stressful task (3x): Ah. I forgot about this one. Well, I can count finishing my taxes on Monday for one... I think I'm due another today.Right. I'll turn that all green by tonight. The irony is that my calories expended during exercise actually seem to be higher on my rest days this week. That's probably not ideal. But long periods of slow movement add up. I'm liking the mini-meditations. Short standing stretch with breathing, only meant to be a minute long. That's the sort of length where I can find lots of habit triggers in my day to put them in, so I'm going to try that for a while. 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 April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 No such thing as too many Avatar gifs. It's up there with The Dresden Files and Firefly on the list of media things that most of the Monks seem to like. Long periods of slow movement really do add up. Whatever works. Sleep is the key to everything it seems. Looks like it's starting really well! 1 Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
Mistr Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Sleep is a huge factor for me when trying to battle my weight. The Doc basically explained it like this; without good continues sleep your body does not get to fully shutdown, if it does not fully shutdown it can not truly recover and prepare itself for another day. Again an over simplification but it always stuck with me. On the sleep aspect, even the Avatar has had to overcome sleeping issues To add to what Mitch Dee said, it was explained to me as a hormone thing. Getting enough sleep changes the levels of several hormones in the blood. There is research behind this if I was not too lazy to look it up. When your body has stress signals flowing it responds appropriately. That includes conserving energy in case you need to fight or flee. If you try calorie restriction when you are short on sleep it makes things worse. Your body adds the "oh no, famine!" signal to the other stress signals. My take-home message was that sleep is the first strand to sort out in the intertwined mess of factors that affect weight and health. I like the way you are being flexible with your activities this challenge. The mini-meditations seem like a great way to deal with stress during the day. Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 My take-home message was that sleep is the first strand to sort out in the intertwined mess of factors that affect weight and health. I like the way you are being flexible with your activities this challenge. The mini-meditations seem like a great way to deal with stress during the day. Re: sleep, that would explain a lot. And I believe it, though I wouldn't have thought it was so high on the list. Now if only I could sleep reliably. I worry that the flexibility stands in the way of consistency, which is a problem for me, but I think that's another challenge. This challenge is just getting it done flexibly. The mini-meditations are pretty good, and because the main version is standing, I think they'll be a good thing to do every 20-30 minutes when my "stop sitting down" alarm goes off, and I have nothing to do when I get up. So that may be a two birds with one stone sort of thing. Which I like. 1 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 April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Week 1: Day 5Weekly measurements: Taken8 hours of sleep: Alas. Not that high. I haven't been sleeping well this week... I'll have to try to get to bed early tonight.Three hard strength days: TomorrowActive rest days: A lot of walking.Ten a day on something aikido-y (5x): This week, I'm using my meditation for that.Daily meditation: Two mini-meditations done. Find a habit trigger for my meditation: Actually, not so good on the formal triggers today, but meh.Do a small amount of a stressful task (3x): Not sure it'll be today, but let me see what I can come up with. Okay, I think today will be tricky to get through as is, so I will pick a modestly stressful task. Off to do it now. 2x for the week so far. 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 April 18, 2015 Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 Remember: wellness first. Everything else will follow and do better if you focus on sleeping better. Not to put any pressure on you, obviously. Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted April 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 Week 1: Day 6Weekly measurements: Taken8 hours of sleep: Um. I was reading, and suddenly it was 6am, and, er... yeah, officially in the fail zone today. Will have to schedule some catch up.Three hard strength days: Part 1: carrying huge bags of mulch. Part 2: Cancelled due to signs that some joints were experiencing The Bad Stress.Active rest days: Tomorrow.Ten a day on something aikido-y (5x): This week, I'm using my meditation for that.Daily meditation: One mini-meditation done. Find a habit trigger for my meditation: Yeah, "thinking of it" is not a good trigger, but it's the best I've got right now.Do a small amount of a stressful task (3x): I'll give myself half credit for "not giving in to existential despair".The existential despair is probably partly sleeplessness anyway, given last night and the fact that I'm flirting with failure on my sleep goal this week. Also bad life choices. And personal suckitude. And things. However, it is Saturday, and it is sunny out, so I have decided that today is officially not a day for worrying, but for taking a break from worrying. I will set up my schedule to reflect that today. 1 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 April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 A psychiastrist I knew told me once that sleep deprivation was the root of all evil. Maybe not in the world events sense, but she had a good case in the personal lives of people she worked with. I hope you can catch up on sleep today. Hang in there. The world will not end. That would be far too easy. You'll be in a better state to deal with it tomorrow. Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
Kishi Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Focus on process. Not arbitrary numbers. If you know that you've done poorly this week, then identify one thing that you could do differently next week and do it that. Don't focus on failure, but on refinement. Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
Teirin Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 *hugs* You're awesome and we adore you. Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted April 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Week 1: Day 7 Cut short yesterday's workout plan for the evening, due to some physical signs that I was really not fully recovering from Friday. So today is going to be a real rest day, with aggressive amounts of extra sleeping. Got some good rest last night, got up, showered, charged my tablet for working in bed, and as soon as I've got some protein shoved into my foodhole, I'm going to take a nap. And I am exhausted enough to need it. That is my workout for today. Hitting my pillow over and over. Practising "tiger dreaming of catching the crane" pose. Weekly measurements: Taken8 hours of sleep: Yes. Followed by a significant nap.Three hard strength days: Tomorrow.Active rest days: In that I actively rested, yes. So much rest.Ten a day on something aikido-y (5x): This week, I'm using my meditation for that.Daily meditation: One mini-meditation done. Find a habit trigger for my meditation: Sort of.Do a small amount of a stressful task (3x): Not so much. 1 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 April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Good job getting more sleep. I hope you are feeling better today. Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted April 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 *hugs* You're awesome and we adore you. Awww, you guys are the best. 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 April 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Week 2: Day 1Weekly measurements: Taken. 8 hours of sleep: Not quite. I woke up too early, after all the sleep I got yesterday, but I rested a few more hours with my eyes closed, so sorta. I'll pass it because of the rest, but.Three hard strength days: I think I want a tai chi day.Active rest days: Tai chiSomething aikido-y (5x): Not sure what it'll be this week. Maybe a couple of minutes of bokken basics.Daily meditation: One mini-meditation done. Find a habit trigger for my meditation: Sort of.Do a small amount of a stressful task (3x): Not today, enough on my plate.My measurements are all down. I had a 0.5-1" drop in the waist/hip region, which is like 3 pounds on me. Which is good, but last week's measurements were bizarrely high and my weight spiked three pounds at the start of the challenge, so I think this just takes me back to where I was before that. Still, the right direction. My sleep averages... oh god, 6 hours and 23 minutes a day. Narrowly avoiding my failure condition. But fortunately it's warming up outside enough to open a window, and I always sleep better with fresh air. Some kind of minor foot injury, like a strain or RSI or something misaligned. That's annoying. It didn't make the tai chi fun, but it seems a little better afterwards. I won't push that foot too hard, I think. Glad I didn't go on that hike. Maybe I'll get some ice on it, although it seems fairly minor. 1 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 April 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Week 2: Day 2Weekly measurements: Taken. 8 hours of sleep: Yes! Maybe even close to nine. I love fresh spring air.Three hard strength days: I'm thinking crawls and some bodyweight exercises, this afternoon.Active rest days: Tomorrow.Something aikido-y (5x): Not sure what it'll be this week. Maybe a couple of minutes of bokken basics.Daily meditation: One mini-meditation done. Find a habit trigger for my meditation: Not today.Do a small amount of a stressful task (3x): I have a possibility lined up. 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
RisenPhoenix Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 My measurements are all down. I had a 0.5-1" drop in the waist/hip region, which is like 3 pounds on me. Which is good, but last week's measurements were bizarrely high and my weight spiked three pounds at the start of the challenge, so I think this just takes me back to where I was before that. Still, the right direction. Don't be me. Be happy about the measurement drops even if the scale is being a bastard. Glad you've been getting sleep! Sleep is good! Quote RisenPhoenix, the Entish Aikidoka Challenge: RisenPhoenix Turns to Ash "The essence of koryu [...is] you offer your loyalty to something that you choose to regard as greater than yourself so that you will, someday, be able to offer service to something that truly is transcendent." ~ Ellis Amdur, Old School Link to comment
Kishi Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Good good good. Get those sleep averages up. Those processes will help you more than you know. Good luck with the crawls! Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
Mistr Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 Yay for fresh air and more sleep! Quote Level 71 Viking paladin My current challenge Battle log Link to comment
SevenFootGeek Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I'm back. It's morning. I'm prepared. How did you sleep? Quote Half-Giant Monk current challenge "Promote yourself, but do not demote another." Yisroel Salanter Link to comment
Teirin Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 How are things? Quote Behave yourself, badly if necessary. Current Challenge Judo - Shodan My Character Link to comment
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