Hiroro: Agent of Destruction

[Fonzico]

Today was upper body day. The circuit included skull crushers, jumping jacks with light dumbells, overhead presses with weight sacks, bandsaws (plank position move fwd and back), up-and-downs (from high plank to forearm plank), and pushups. My abs are sore from yesterday, and today we did...more abs. So we'll see how I feel tomorrow. I'd like to make the 5am boot camp so I have time to ruck in the evening, but I'm not going to force myself to get up if I'm too tired. Need sleep for recovery with the increase in workout frequency.

Story behind the job change...I work for a large company, and up until now I've been part of the rotational program for new hires. Now I need to find my post-program job, which would be simple if I wanted to go back to somewhere I've worked before...but I don't. So i basically need to apply and interview for different positions in the company. I had my first interview on Thursday, and it went well, but the content of the interview made me doubt that I actually want the post. I'm debating whether taking on a high-stress, high-visibility position vs a more low-key, less challenging position. As much as I like a challenge, I'm not that invested in my career because most likely in a few years I'll become a stay at home mom...and eventually get a job doing something else. Unlike my bf, I'm not passionate about this industry. But I'll stick it out a few more years because the pay is decent and I'm saving up for retirement and our safety cushion as a single-income family.

We call those up-and-downs military planks, and they are no joke! What are skull crushers though?

Regarding the job... My father always warned me against taking high stress positions for more money - obviously he had some regrets of his own. In my more limited experience though, I tend to agree.

That being said, if you know it's not going to be forever, maybe it's worth it? I'd rather have a more laid back job though, and actually enjoy my life

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Hmm I'm off onions now but SWEET POTATO BACON sounds right up my alley. 

 

Story behind the job change...I work for a large company, and up until now I've been part of the rotational program for new hires. Now I need to find my post-program job, which would be simple if I wanted to go back to somewhere I've worked before...but I don't. So i basically need to apply and interview for different positions in the company. I had my first interview on Thursday, and it went well, but the content of the interview made me doubt that I actually want the post. I'm debating whether taking on a high-stress, high-visibility position vs a more low-key, less challenging position. As much as I like a challenge, I'm not that invested in my career because most likely in a few years I'll become a stay at home mom...and eventually get a job doing something else. Unlike my bf, I'm not passionate about this industry. But I'll stick it out a few more years because the pay is decent and I'm saving up for retirement and our safety cushion as a single-income family.

Given what you said about your career, my recommendation is go with what will earn you the most money. If you don't plan on staying in that field forever you can afford to burn out if it means more retirement savings and more safety cushion.

[Hiroro]

 

Week 3 Day 3

Solid day. After rucking I roasted a chicken and made paleo naan to eat with saag I cooked earlier in the week. By the time everything was ready I was ravenous and scarfed down a lot of food.The chicken was spatchcocked and roasted with a jus on the side, per the Food Lab Kenji method.

Breakfast-2 HB eggs, 2 slices ham, mayo

Snack-carrots

Lunch-tomato soup w/turkey meatballs

Dinner-saag, 2 large paleo naan, chicken thigh and wing

 

Workouts:

Morning boot camp-leg day

Evening ruck-6 miles

 

I woke up super early to boot camp. Afterwards I ate a protein-ful breakfast...but was hungry again just a couple hours later. Stomach was not great most of the day. Unclear why. But things seem to be running more smoothly this morning, yay!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good job getting those workouts in and on cooking.

[Fonzico]

Mmm that sounds like an awesome day of food! How did the paleo naan turn out? I can make excellent non paleo naan but I've never had any luck with wheatless versions of bread products.

[Rurik Harrgath]

Hiroro, definitely YES on the fierce post-challenge photo. Do it!! If you are brave enough, get someone else to take it for you. It will be easier to get a good one.

 

maybe you'll stumble across someone else interested in rucking. Sounds like the dark wouldn't be so bad if you were with someone else. Does anyone in your bootcamp class like rucking?? Might take a while to figure that out, but who knows.

 

All about the fierce post-challenge photos!  Do eet.

 

Rucking with a partner or friend is seriously where its at.  I don't need to talk to someone while we're going, but it's kind of nice to have a Pace Monkey, if nothing else.

 

Eek so at boot camp everyone seems to know each other, which is a bit intimidating but I am slowwwwly introducing myself to a couple people.

 

My coach at the gym really hammers home the point that we veteran members need to be introducing ourselves to visitors and new members, but I'm just so terribly inverted that I can rarely ever bring myself to stretch a hand in friendship.  Which is weird because I can be mega friendly with people I'm comfortable around.  But I've since turned it into a personal challenge/quest to make a better effort of introducing myself... it's still a struggle, but I'm getting there.

[Lyniffer]

Im curious about the paleo naan. Where did you find the recipe for it. I love my curry and indian food and while I can't replace my rice too well I can live without it if I can enjoy the delicious curry-ness and would love some Naan.

 

Also, awesome on the double workout. I think Id pace out if I did that boot camp and then rucked that night. My legs would just remove themselves from my body in protest and walk off I'm sure. Awesome of you to rock it like that!

[Hiroro]

Week 3 Day 4

Snagged free Panera lunch at work today, not the healthiest.

 

Breakfast-2 HB eggs w/mayo

Snack-carrots

Lunch-Panera italian club sandwich (I re-assembled the two halves so I skipped half the bread.), kettle chips

Snack - two spoonfuls chocolate hazelnut butter

Dinner-saag paneer with ricotta, couple glasses wine  whole bottle of wine

 

Took an unplanned rest day today, I was going to go to boot camp but would have been late so I did a mini-ruck instead, 1.75mi. Turned out to be a good choice, I had a couple hip twinges and a knee twinge that almost made me suddenly collapse it wasn't that painful, just sort of a weird spot.

 

Workout-1.75mi ruck #15

 

Sometimes when I'm tempted by junk food at the grocery store, I just think 'well I don't need to spend money on it, I can make extremely indulgent popcorn at home' but then when I get home I have so much other food in the fridge that needs eating. It also kind of makes sense because if I go ahead and make the popcorn, it's miles better than Cheetos or kettle chips (and cheaper!)...natural ingredients, even if not optimal for digestion.

 

Tomorrow I'll be catching a ride with my cousin up to Norcal. My grandmother is in the hospital, stable but unable to swallow. So she will have a feeding tube, unable to speak, minimal movement. Right now it just doesn't feel real, but she is 90 and hasn't been able to live on her own for a while (full time caregiver). So I'll be heading up Friday, and back Sunday...and probably flying out for business Monday-Saturday. Yeesh.

 

Despite generally feeling detached, the situation might be what made me feel totally blah today. Thus the suboptimal eating. But looking at it, my food choices today and the mini ruck being a 'bad' day is pretty great. Have to focus on making good decisions while traveling now.

[Stonie]

I have started using that as a reason to not buy excess food as well; "or I could just make it at home?" - e.g. when I know I wanted a smoothie and was walking past Boost - I had all the stuff at home and didn't need to waste the $8 it was going to cost or something I wasn't entirely sure of the protein levels of. And other things too, like chips and chocolate when I'm walking through the supermarket xD

 

It is also a pretty good feeling when even your "blah" days are better then they used to be! Good stuff!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

You know your a Ranger when you do a 1.75 mi ruck and call it a "Rest day." My thoughts and prayers are with you in your Grandmother's situation.

[Fonzico]

Sorry to hear about your grandma..

Take care of yourself with all this traveling - I'm sending good vibes your way!

[Xena]

Wishing the best for your grandmother. Glad you will be able to spend some time with her and your cousin.

 

Hope the knee/hip are ok. Maybe IT band?

[Hiroro]

Thanks guys. I found out Friday that my grandmother is passing, probably this week. I'm currently driving back down to socal...have to fly out tomorrow for work.

Right now I'm eating a mix of healthy and unhealthy food, going more for no-bingeing on wine or processed food rather than super clean. I haven't worked out since Thursday, and am not feeling ambitious about this coming week. Crying is exhausting, yo.

My focus for next week is to keep eating in check and at least get in a few long walks. Dealing with the family stuff and work is prob going to take all my bandwidth this week, so I might not be around here much, but I'll be back soon!

Sorry for spraying emotion all over my thread.

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[Lyniffer]

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. It can be rough. And nothing to aplogize for, the emotion is all part of the journey. You can spray whatever emotion you like all over the thread.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

It's never easy to face what you are facing. I'm sorry you're having to go through this now. Take all the time you need and we will be here for you when you need us.

[sozzielou]

Sorry to hear about what you are going through. You must be exhausted. Please take care of yourself. I'm thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way 

[Xena]

Sorry for what you are going through now. You are doing a good job of being realistic about what you can do. Please take some time away or use the forum in any way it might help you.

[Fonzico]

*hugs* I'm so sorry, my friend. It's such a difficult thing to deal with. Try to take care of yourself, and we are here when and if you need us. <3

[Hiroro]

You guys are the best. Seriously, the best. I'm lucky to have family and in-person friends and online friends to lean on! Thank you for all your kind words.

Yesterday after saying I would watch my eating. I went and ate all the things...lots of gluten-y Chinese food. Sigh. But afterwards I felt so icky that I refrained from adding alcohol to the mix. And today was/is a travel day and I've kept it paleo-ish so far:

Breakfast: steak, rice, broccoli

Lunch: pulled pork, brisket

Snack: almonds

For lunch the meat came in sandwiches, but I dissected them because that's what you do for protein with less carbs

Physical distance helps me with emotional distance, so at least I can probably manage the work things that need to be done. Still wish I could be there though.

Thanks for sticking with me.

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[Tanktimus the Encourager]

We're here as long as you need us.

[Raxie]

I am so terribly sorry to hear about your grandmother My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

But looking at it, my food choices today and the mini ruck being a 'bad' day is pretty great.

 

This really is so great, it really is a testament to the ranger lifestyle you've got going on, not just trying to work out/eat well because you're telling yourself to.  Habit forming ftw.

 

 

Right now I'm eating a mix of healthy and unhealthy food, going more for no-bingeing on wine or processed food rather than super clean. I haven't worked out since Thursday, and am not feeling ambitious about this coming week. Crying is exhausting, yo.

Yesterday after saying I would watch my eating. I went and ate all the things...lots of gluten-y Chinese food. Sigh. But afterwards I felt so icky that I refrained from adding alcohol to the mix. And today was/is a travel day and I've kept it paleo-ish so far:

 

Considering everything you are going through I think you are eating quite well and making some really good decisions.  

 

Again, my thoughts are with you, your family, and your grandmother.

[Xena]

Physical distance helps me with emotional distance, so at least I can probably manage the work things that need to be done. Still wish I could be there though.

 

Yep, that's hard, and nothing you can do really makes it easier. The intention is the important part.

[Hiroro]

Was going to hit chipotle for lunch, parking lot was overflowing so I went to the Asian grocery instead. Bought seaweed salad, soy sauce chicken, and baked yams. Win.

(Plus I didn't have to debate with myself guac vs no guac, rice vs no rice).

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[Lyniffer]

Sounds like a definite plus. Youre doing a good job of balancing your food even with the way things are. I know when this kind of thing happens I go straight for the sugar, the pan of brownies, the fresh bread. So good the way youre still watching yourself food wise, even with the Chinese carby deliciousness yesterday. Keep it up, and thoughts are with you.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good job grocery shopping. How has week 2 been for you?