♫ starsapart won't stay down ♫

[starsapart]

"'Oh, something's gotta happen,

Something's gotta give and something's got to break,

I know: someday it's gonna happen,

Someday it's gonna give, can't always be this way.

And if the riptide comes to get me

And pulls me under, it won't upset me, I'll go down.

I'll throw the white flag of surrender,

Knock me down, not forever, just for now.

Not forever, just for now,

Not forever, just for now,

Not forever, not forever, not forever,

Won't stay down."

 

MAIN QUEST:

Hey, I'm a member of the SSIA again!

 

*crickets*

 

Okay, that wasn't worthy of applause, I suppose.  But what else can I do, starting out the new year injured, but go back to the basics and rebuild myself stronger than ever?  It isn't exciting or fancy, but it's necessary.  Time for some basic grinding with stars.  So basic that there's not even a theme.  Just cats.  Lots and lots of cats.

 

What?  They land on their feet.  I intend to do the same.

 

After some consideration, I've decided to keep the "paper RPG" stats system going for my own sake.  I like it/find it motivating.

 

Quest 1: Every Day Is Leg Day (+1 STR, +2 STA)

So, hamstring, you're feeling weak and cranky?  Well, time to make you strong and cranky.  This is about as simple as it gets: 5 days a week, 100 ATG BW squats.  The PT says they're good for me. I get a bye on days I take a group exercise class with a legs focus OR on days I squat weight (assuming those actually come to pass this month).

• A: 5 days, B: 4 days, C: 3 days

 

Quest 2: Back on the Horse (+2 STR, +1 DEX)

Time to get back in the air AT LAST.  I'm not sure how many times per week my body will be able to handle silks, but I do know one thing: I was on the verge of a straddle-up breakthrough before I got hurt, and this basic building block of aerial skill won't aggravate my leg.  Thus, I'll commit to 5 GOOD FORM straddle-ups per side every time I go to open gym, and as many as I can fit in when in class (sometimes, depending on the day's tricks, I may not get to 5).  Good form may involve bent legs in the first week or two as I get back into things, as long as the développé is tidy.  This is all about working towards my year-end straight/straight straddle goal.... and getting me back to aerial with something that ISN'T going to cause me anxiety.

• PASS: I did 5 per side, FAIL: I am lazy

 

Quest 3: Chase Triple Digits (+2 STR)

Did I mention yet that my goals are extremely basic?  If I want to get that 100lb bench press before the end of the year, I need to increase my sad, sad bench volume.  For the duration of the challenge, bench press twice a week.

• A: 2 times, B: 1 time

 

Life Quest: Fight the Dry (+2 CHA)

Another basic-as-hell challenge!  You know how dry it is in Colorado?  Hint: very.  You know how often I remember to put on lotion, despite that fact?  Hint: just north of NEVER.  So, from now until the end of the challenge, I'm going to fight dry winter air and resolve to put on lotion after every shower at home.  I may not always make it at the gym (sometimes, time before my next meeting is tight) but it's a START.  Bonus: remember to put on hand lotion after washing my hands.

• PASS: I did the thing, FAIL: I decided to be a crocodile

 

 

Boring?  Maybe.  But I'll try to liven it up with cat memes and my usual brand of ridiculousness.  Ready, set, let's go be...

 

[starsapart]

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

 

 

 

CHALLENGE SUMMARY

 

Wrapping it up with style to spare.

 

Quest 1: Every Day Is Leg Day

I started week 1 with only BW squats.  I am finishing week 4 with byes - which means I am back to the activities I WANT to be doing.  I call this a huge, massive win.  This quest was a pain in the butt (literally, ha), but it did EXACTLY what it was meant to do.  Winning all the damn things.

Grade: A+

 

Quest 2: Back on the Horse

I did my straddles like a good girl.  I even managed to get to straight/straight straddles way ahead of schedule!  I missed a couple one week, but overall I was diligent.  I still have some cleaning up to do on this, but overall I really did get good results for the work I put in.

Grade: A

 

Quest 3: Chase Triple Digits

Nothing too exciting here, but I showed up and benched twice a week, got my old 1RM back, repeated it a couple times with more confidence, and accidentally added 2.5lbs.  Still a long way from my 2016 goal, but I have months yet and I think the "bench twice a week" habit is fairly solid, especially with my new gym setup.

Grade: A+

 

Life Quest: Fight the Dry

I lotioned every damn day.  Even at the gym!  Even while traveling!  I hope the habit is at least on its way to formed..... I do like that the crocodile skin on my legs is gone.  I still hate the cold sliminess of lotion and how long it takes to soak in, sigh.  But we can't have everything.

Grade: A+

 

Overall Grade: A!

 

Basics are kind of boring, but they're effective.  I made a lot of progress in my rehab this challenge, got back in the air, started to find my footing in the weight room again, and generally managed to keep things under control when work exploded with a whole hurricane of crazy.  I'll stick to basics for awhile longer - especially considering the fact that the work madness is not quieting down anytime soon.  I'll get back to shiny goals and themes soon, but for now, I'll keep focusing on the base layer of what's most important.  With that said, see you next challenge!

[peelout]

Oh yeah, I'm a first responder. Unless someone beats m while I'm typing this.

Did you hurt yourself during your silk work?

[Shatyr]

Wait, you're in the arid mountain desert that is Colorado too? How did I not know this?

 

Following along for the awesome that is Starsapart and the purrfect that is cats. Because, seriously, cats.

[Kagetsukai]

I am here!

 

Btw. do you want to try my homemade body butter thing? I use it maybe once a week after shower and my crocodile skin is mostly gone (I am still fighting the hand scales, but I will make them submit to my will). My legs have never been smoother. Also, it smells like cake Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... cake.

 

Wait, where was I?...

[Urgan]

Here for dis~

[shaar]

> PASS: I did the thing, FAIL: I decided to be a crocodile

 

HAHAHAHA

 

 

OK I have sufficiently cracked myself up~

 

Giiiirl you gon' GET IT! *finger snaps*

[Mr_Willes]

Subbed, at the risk of braking gmail with post-notifications!

[cn3wton]

Hey long time no see!sorry to hear you got injured but awesome to hear your pushing past it!

[karinajean]

why hello there! I'm so excited you're healing well. YAY.

[raptron]

These are great cats and great goals. :3

[BlackTezca]

I love the theme.  I love ALL the pictures.  Adorable and hilarious!

Basic goals are good: time to refresh and start the new year strong!  I'm here to support you and root you on to get back in the air and lift with all your might!  W00t!!

[Trewest]

I doubt you could be boring of you tried. I figure beginning of the year is prefect for basics. Gotta build the foundation somewhere yah?

[sylph]

here, too

[annyshay]

Cats!  Basics!  Puuuuurrrrrrrrrrfect.  

[starsapart]

Oh yeah, I'm a first responder. Unless someone beats m while I'm typing this.

Did you hurt yourself during your silk work?

 

Yeahhhhhhhhhh I was rehearsing a routine last challenge and went into an accidental voersplit, tearing my hamstring.  It's been a thoroughly lousy and miserable recovery thus far, and I have months yet to look forward to.  Blech.  But as always I will persevere!

 

Wait, you're in the arid mountain desert that is Colorado too? How did I not know this?

 

Following along for the awesome that is Starsapart and the purrfect that is cats. Because, seriously, cats.

 

I am indeed!  Northern Denver area.  You are as well?

 

Cats are best.  They also make the best memes.

 

 

I am here!

 

Btw. do you want to try my homemade body butter thing? I use it maybe once a week after shower and my crocodile skin is mostly gone (I am still fighting the hand scales, but I will make them submit to my will). My legs have never been smoother. Also, it smells like cake Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... cake.

 

Wait, where was I?...

 

Thank you for the body butter, dahling~

 

CAKE.  COOKIES.  YAS.

 

Here for dis~

 

Welcome aboard!

 

> PASS: I did the thing, FAIL: I decided to be a crocodile

 

HAHAHAHA

 

 

OK I have sufficiently cracked myself up~

 

Giiiirl you gon' GET IT! *finger snaps*

 

I think the sight of my legs would crack you up until you cried, then.  TIME TO FIX THAT.

 

Subbed, at the risk of braking gmail with post-notifications!

 

It could happen!

 

Hey long time no see!sorry to hear you got injured but awesome to hear your pushing past it!

 

Every setback is an opportunity to come back stronger, or something like that?

 

why hello there! I'm so excited you're healing well. YAY.

 

YAY!  I am going to persevere!!!!

 

These are great cats and great goals. :3

 

Cats are the best, as I said above.  There are so many great cats on the internet.

 

 

I was just like, I AM OVERWHELMED AND HAVE NO THEME.  WHAT IS UBIQUITOUS?  OH YES, CAT MEMES.

[starsapart]

I love the theme.  I love ALL the pictures.  Adorable and hilarious!

Basic goals are good: time to refresh and start the new year strong!  I'm here to support you and root you on to get back in the air and lift with all your might!  W00t!!

 

I will do the thing!

 

I doubt you could be boring of you tried. I figure beginning of the year is prefect for basics. Gotta build the foundation somewhere yah?

 

Hahahaha, you will have to tell me if I suceed in being amusing.

 

Building the foundation...... moving on to bigger and better things.........................

 

here, too

 

Woot!  Welcome!!

 

Cats!  Basics!  Puuuuurrrrrrrrrrfect.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, today I got myself geared up for the challenge by going to the hot springs caves with Kagetsukai, then eating cookies, then going home and mowing through two bowls of homemade boeuf bouguignon (OMG SO FRIGGIN GOOD), then, still shaking with (apparent) hunger, deciding to eat half a dark chocolate orange until my hands stopped shaking as I wrote up Assassin mini things and did guild maintenance of various sorts........

 

 

No, but seriously, boeuf bouguignon.  I died and went to savory heaven.

 

So, my day zero update, I suppose, is that I ate like an asshole even though I swore I was done eating like an asshole.  Plans for tomorrow: bench press that surplus into submission.

[karinajean]

can you say "boeuf bouguignon" without mimicking Julia Child? because I can't, and when we make it at my house it's hilarity. boring, dated old people, ridiculous accent, hilarity.

 

[BlackTezca]

Due to family being over I have not eaten as much but have not done a single workout at all this past weekend.  Gonna hit tomorrow hard with ya

[Kagetsukai]

can you say "boeuf bouguignon" without mimicking Julia Child? because I can't, and when we make it at my house it's hilarity. boring, dated old people, ridiculous accent, hilarity.

 

 

Oh lordie, you killed me with this

[Shatyr]

I am! Well, it's the Centennial/Aurora area, but the boundaries between Aurora and Denver are murky at best.

[starsapart]

can you say "boeuf bouguignon" without mimicking Julia Child? because I can't, and when we make it at my house it's hilarity. boring, dated old people, ridiculous accent, hilarity.

 

 

So, funny story, I've never heard her actual voice until just now.  And goodness gracious, her accent is so atrocious.  I could never speak French like that, my heart would break.

 

Due to family being over I have not eaten as much but have not done a single workout at all this past weekend.  Gonna hit tomorrow hard with ya

 

LET'S DO THE THING TODAY.

 

Especially since I ate EVEN MORE after I posted that.  Sometimes listening to my body feels like listening to a vacuum.

 

I am! Well, it's the Centennial/Aurora area, but the boundaries between Aurora and Denver are murky at best.

 

Oh, I'm not in Denver proper either, I just meant north side of the metro area.  Didn't realize we've got more Colorado nerds yet to meet!  Lots of us hang out - one of these days we should organize something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woke up hungry, again.  Body, why.

 

Also, resolutioners are coming.  A bit scared to go to the gym today.

[shaar]

 

Woke up hungry, again.  Body, why.

 

Also, resolutioners are coming.  A bit scared to go to the gym today.

 

Me too. ;____________;

 

I was VERY SCARED to go to my gym this morning but it was..... blissfully quiet......?  Maybe the resolutioners don't come out until after work?  Hmm.

[Urgan]

Woke up hungry, again.  Body, why.

 

#fitlife

 

Also, resolutioners are coming.  A bit scared to go to the gym today.

 

Obligatory....

[Trewest]

Resolutioners are harmless and annoying, like gnats.

Also, it's a lot of fun for me to go into the gym looking like I do, and have like 90% of the people assume I am a resolutioner, only to then wipe the floor with them. You'll survive my dear!