Suzaqu is here to drink milk and kick ass, and she just finished her milk!

[Suzaqu]

As you may have guess from the title of my thread, my theme this round is the IT Crowd! Though hopefully I'll end up a bit more fit than them, well at least Roy.

 

 

I really liked my goals last time, so I'm going to do a variation on them this time around. Also because I can't think of anything better I'm going to go with 3 goals this time, because last time I felt a bit over-extended with the mini challenge and I'm expecting work to be insane this round. Is anyone else shocked that September is in 6 weeks?

 

Goal 1: Take it to the MAX! (apologies for the hypnotic and disturbing gif)

 

 

With pushups! I will do 3 sets of pushups on at least 4 days each week

 

Grading: 24-22 times = A, 21-19=B, 18-16=C, 15-13=D, 12 and below=F

Points: 5 STR

 

Goal 2: Drink less!

Same as last time, no more than 1 a day, averaged over each week.  I think I really made strides in breaking this habit last time, so I want to keep working on it.

 

Grading: 42 or fewer=A, 43-46=B, 47-50=C, 51-54=D, 55 or more=F

Points: 3 CON, 2 STA

 

Goal 3: Stay calm in the face of problems

 

 

I want to be as calm as Moss in the face of crisis. I may have some big life changes coming up in the next few months and I want to work on dealing with them in the best way possible.  So I will meditate for at least 5 minutes 3 times a week. 

 

Grading: 21-19 times = A, 18-17=B, 16-15=C, 14-13=D, 12 and below=F

Points: WIS 3, CON 2

 

I'm super excited to get rolling on this challenge and I love hanging out with all my fellow assassins. Not a real goal this time , but I do want to work on interacting more with others in this community. 

 

(Side note: I can't stand milk. I much prefer the tea version of my title quote, but unfortunately Moss doesn't agree with me)

[SpiralGalaxy]

Good to see you again! I riffed off your last challenge and did a Firefly theme for mine, so I'm glad you chose IT Crowd this time! Also, good call on scaling back if you're going to have lots of stress in your life. Good luck!

[Suzaqu]

Good to see you again! I riffed off your last challenge and did a Firefly theme for mine, so I'm glad you chose IT Crowd this time! Also, good call on scaling back if you're going to have lots of stress in your life. Good luck!

Thanks! It seems like a lot of people are tired after last challenge. I'm super excited to watch your firefly challenge!

[Suzaqu]

And so the unexpected life changes begin! 

 

 

No meditation (or any other challenge elements) completed yet, but I have already had stuff come up to make this harder. I found out my fitness barre teacher won't be teaching barre after this week and that my pilates teacher is going on maternity leave starting next week. So 2 of my 3 standard fitness opportunities are disappearing. (Thankfully I still have ballet and can work yoga back in). I've found that I rely on classes to keep me on schedule and actually working out.  

 

Instead of freaking out about this (at least beyond a few minutes), I registered for some personal training sessions with my barre instructor and I will be learning how to kettlebell in the near future! I've been wanting to try it out for the past 3/4 of a year or so, and no longer doing barre frees up some money for a few sessions of personal instruction.  Hopefully adding in something new will motivate me to go to the gym on my own!

 

Anyone have any kettlebell advice? I've never really done any weight training beyond some hand weights in barre, so I'm a complete newbie.

[SpiralGalaxy]

Just checking in--how'd your first week go?

[Suzaqu]

Just checking in--how'd your first week go?

Thank you for checking in and reminding me to post!

 

Honestly, this week was miserable I got nothing done basically at all, as I had my mother and sister-in-law (husband's sister) staying with me while my husband was out of town. So I spent a lot of time entertaining, and no time on myself. Then I went to Kansas City for a bridal shower/bachlorette party, carpooling with several friends, so again, no me-time. I failed hardcore on all of my goals, especially the alcohol one, my epic hangover on Sunday can speak for that, making for a fun, several-hour-long ride home.  (But the weekend was great overall, we did one of those painting and wine drinking parties, and it was amazing!)

 

As part of my theme of rolling with the punches, I'm giving myself the first week off. With how the week was scheduled out, I really should have come up with different goals/given myself the week off in advance. So I'm just skipping last week and starting it off correctly this week. My husband has to put in 12 hr days at work this week (and possibly more) so I'm going to have some good time to think, plan, and do exactly what I want and need to do.  I already have a list of goals for the week and I'm gonna make it happen!

[SpiralGalaxy]

Sorry you had a rough first week! I always give myself a pre-approved break from challenge stuff when I know there's a special thing going on--for me that's usually an out-of-town convention. Good for you for hitting the reset button!

[Suzaqu]

Sorry you had a rough first week! I always give myself a pre-approved break from challenge stuff when I know there's a special thing going on--for me that's usually an out-of-town convention. Good for you for hitting the reset button!

Thanks! I felt weird about doing it, but i think looking back it was just stupid to try, or at least to expect me to hit the full goals.

 

This week is going much better! I got some meditation done in yoga (normally I wouldn't count it, but we had a sub who used a good part of the class to specifically do meditation work, so I think it counts). I've done push up work twice this week so far, and I'm on track for my drinks! (After this weekend that bit was easy )

 

Allowing myself to reset mentally has definitely helped, I'm actually in a great mood, despite the craziness I can see coming. We made delicious burrito bowls for dinner and it didn't even take that long, which I was shocked at. I think I may need to do some stress baking, that's how I handle problems. We'll see when I have time to do it. I just need to relax

 

 

 

 

Progress:

2/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

2/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7

1/3, 0/3, 0/3, 0/3, 0/3

[Suzaqu]

End of week 2 check in! Success! We did a mini vacation with the in-laws this weekend, so it was hard to remember to do NF stuff, but I got it done. There were some last minute pushups before bed on Sunday, but it all happened. Goal for this coming week: get it all done earlier than Sunday night

 

I think the meditation work is really helping me stay calm. With the start of the school year coming and all the crap going on at my husband's work, I really should be much more stressed, but I'm in a pretty good mood. I'm going grocery shopping tonight for the supplies for my stress baking/my husband's birthday pie (killing two birds with one stone for the win.) 

 

Friday we had our first pilates class with the sub teacher, and it was disappointing. The whole thing felt like a warm-up. I never realized how hard our old teacher pushed us, because it was so much fun! This one almost felt like a yoga class, it was so soothing. It is getting me more amped up for starting kettlebells in a week though, because I miss the feeling of exhausted muscles! (Now there's something I never thought I would say.)  Thankfully we went on a hike with the inlaws this weekend on some Mississippi river bluffs, so I at least got enough work in to keep my mood up and my butt sore

 

Also a win: coming in 1 drink under for the week for the first time since this has been my goal. 

 

Progress:

4/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

6/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7

3/3, 0/3, 0/3, 0/3, 0/3

 

And some Moss goodness, because who can resist 

 

[SpiralGalaxy]

Awesome, good for you! Glad that the meditation seems to be helping. And it's funny how we end up missing the people who really push us the hardest, isn't it! Good luck with the kettlebells.

[Suzaqu]

I swear I'm alive. I just got out of the habit of posting and once I start not posting, I get anxious about starting again (hence needing meditation practice, darn anxiety).  I've even been working on my challenge, I have no excuse for not posting, sorry y'all.  Mini challenge this week: post every day!

 

Kettlebells was awesome, but owwwwwww. I've also found that I really need to work on my squat flexibility, so I'll be concentrating on that in the Med Bay. Any stretching ideas? I'll ask over there too. I'm going to finish these 2 weeks strong (and bendy!)

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 0/4, 0/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 0/7, 0/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 0/3, 0/3

[Suzaqu]

Updates for the win, 2 day posting streak here we go

 

I got a pushup round done today already, and I didn't drink anything yesterday, so I'm ahead of schedule on that one, winning! I'll hopefully get some meditation in tomorrow and not fall asleep like I accidentally did twice last week while attempting to meditate (darn 12hr work days messing with my zen).

 

In exciting non-fitness-related news, I made my appointment to dye my hair pink! So excite! So Sept 2nd, it's happening! 

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 1/4, 0/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 0/7, 0/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 0/3, 0/3

[Suzaqu]

Three days in a row, bam! I am still ahead on drinks and my pushups, tonight I'll meditate, but I didn't want to prelog, just in case. 

 

I also went to the gym with my kettlebell partner and we actually managed to do all the things we learned in class reasonably well Though the gym we went to for this session only had 2 kettlebells total, so we didn't really get a choice of weight. It was heavier than what we learned on, but manageable. (The kettlebells were also on entirely different sides of the room, nowhere near where they should be, but that's another story.) It was also my first time being that one girl in the weight room, but we kept on keepin on and did our thing. I definitely be sore tomorrow, but I feel like my swings got a lot better!

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 0/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 2/7, 0/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 0/3, 0/3

[Suzaqu]

Updatesssssss! I did get my meditation in last night and even downloaded the calm.com app to try out. I'm looking for short guided meditations if any one has any suggestions for other resources.

 

I did enjoy my night alone (husband on a business trip) with a glass of wine and some bad bad television: ANTM is one of my many guilty pleasures

 

I got another round of pushups done at work today, I've almost hit my goal for the week!  Definitely sore from the kettlebells yesterday, I love this level of sore. Enough to know that you did something, but I can still move, unlike last time.

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 3/4, 0/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 2/7, 0/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 1/3, 0/3

[Suzaqu]

Pushups completed for the week! We did some in pilates today and then i rounded it out at my desk. 

 

Just found out that my pilates course is being cut to 45 min from an hour, and it's still taught by the new instructor so it's not as challenging as it was before. I'm not sure if going will be on my priority list anymore, but if I have time I'll go. It was a good way to work out my muscles from kettlebell soreness, but it wasn't a challenging workout in itself.

 

Non-fitness related: I'm feeling energized in my job for the first time in a long time. The students are back on campus and I'm busier than I've been in a while. I tend to get much more done when I'm busy and having them around really does energize me! So life is good

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 0/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 3/7, 0/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 1/3, 0/3

[Suzaqu]

Checking in after the weekend!

 

I did split a bottle of champagne with my husband on Saturday, so I'm glad I saved my drinks for then. (What was the occasion? Well it was that we had a bottle of champagne And we both had just had a stressful week and it was our first free weekend in a while).

 

I also got my meditation sessions in, and I think it made my weekend better. So yay! 

 

Already got my pushups done for the day, I'm excited for this final week and I'm looking forward to starting off the next challenge right!

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 1/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 7/7, 0/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 0/3

[SpiralGalaxy]

It's funny that you've gotten better about posting right when I've gotten worse. Good job on keeping up with your goals! And I'm glad you were able to enjoy some guilt-free champagne. ;-)

[Suzaqu]

Hahaha, so true! And now that you posted again, I disappeared for a bit. It must be a twin thing

 

Oh man, I've had to rely on the meditation to keep me sane. My husband got a job offer within his company in New Jersey (we're currently in the midwest).  He got the offer Tuesday and we flew out Wed night, getting in at 2:30am and met with a realtor at 9:30am to get a feel for options in the area. He has less than 3 weeks to decide. I finally have a moment to breathe while he is meeting with his potential boss right now.

 

Whew! I know I talked about big life changes coming at the beginning of my challenge, and here they are, a month or so earlier than expected.  I'm trying to view this all as an adventure, and I'm succeeding mostly, but every once in a while I slip into panic, and I'm using that as motivation to meditate. (Except when driving, the roads here still confuse me and freak me out! but no meditation allowed while driving)  I also went to the hotel gym this morning and picked up and set down heavy things, which I'm learning really helps ground me. 

 

I debated doing the next challenge for a bit, but then I realized that right now I need it more than ever to keep me focused and grounded. It may be another easy one, but I'm going to do it!

 

Progress:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 3/4

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 7/7, 4/7

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 2/3

[Suzaqu]

Final results:

4/4, 4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 4/4 =A-

6/7, 6/7, 8/7, 7/7, 9/7 =B

3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 3/3, 3/3 =A

 

So I made it back safely from that other land. There were some casualties drink wise, but I got thorugh it. This was my worst challenge so far, but since I've only done 3, that's not so bad, and I still think I passed overall. The meditation was definitely the hardest to get done, hence why I think I actually did it, because it was always on my mind. 

 

I'm switching up the format the next time around and trying out some broader and one-off goals. I'm sad to leave this theme behind, but I'm ready for my next one: Mean Girls!

 

See y'all on the internet!