lucky fire dragon rises to be queen of her routine

[lucky fire dragon]

Hi everybody, I am a happy go lucky fire dragon, who likes pole dancing, aerial hoop, yoga and other shiny movement things that make me feel alive, strong and nimble 

 

 

Currently I have some big work projects that I want to tackle and in the past that used to suck up my willpower for workouts. Seems work and workouts use the same contingent of willpower and I could not do both consistently over a longer period. That is about to change

 

Cause I'm gonna expand my willpower and 

 

and DO ALL THE THINGS

 

Well, I'll start gently, with lots of yummy restorative things, to keep myself juiced up and my batteries charged ... build a routine that will carry me...  and give myself time to ROCK my WORK and ROCK my WORKOUTS -hah, work is just another workout after all, and those I can do 

 

I will use how we are creatures of habit and CREATE HABITS that make things easier, I'll ruthlessly kick out routines that don't serve me well anymore and reclaim full power as

 

Queen of My Routine

 

 

Quest 1: Morning routine (5 days/week)

 

- get up at 6 am on Mon-Fri

- 15 min restorative yin yoga

- 15 min active yoga

- breakfast

- start work at 7.30 am on Mon-Thu

 

Quest 2: Workout Routine (4 days/week)

 

- Angry Bird Workout with Pole (2x/week - planning Wed and Fri or Sat)

   * pole knee tucks

   * pole climbs with arms only (resting in seat)

   * aerial squats

   * standard push ups

   * dolphin plank hold

explanatory video will follow - hope I can do it at all 

 

- Dance Workout (2x/week)

   * once at class (Mondays)

   * once at home training class moves, other spins and tricks (Thursdays)

 

 

Quest 3: Recharging Energy Routine (3 to 7 days/week)

 

- 20 min walk 3 days / week to get fresh air and relax eyes (on the days off pole)

- 2.5 liters of water 7 days / week 

- 10 min eye training on 7 days / week (to start with reading up about exercises during those 10 min is also okay, as long as I get myself there, more screen time at work means more rest for eyes needed)

 

 

Life Quest: Work Routine

 

get in 16 hours / week on website and/or translation work

get translation project (in signature) done by end of January

ideally to be done by Friday because the plan is 

 

to have 

 

the weekend

 

plan free

 

 

 

Tracking will be done with shiny spreadsheets again for shiny stars to stick on for every shiny win     

 

Big stars for pole sessions, small stars for morning routines, recharging routines and work routines

 

I will be away from Jan 14 - 17 (leading a silent retreat and takes me up completely) so no points given or lost during those four days.

 

 

Let's get this party started....

[karinajean]

in! I'm excited to learn more about the angry bird POLE workout, that sounds so cool!

[raptron]

Oh wow, awesome goals, LFD! How different is your new morning plan from your old one? 

[Mad Hatter]

 I'll ruthlessly kick out routines that don't serve me well anymore

 

This is great!

 

Looking forward to this!

[lucky fire dragon]

in! I'm excited to learn more about the angry bird POLE workout, that sounds so cool!

 

yay, welcome on board

 

Angry Bird it will be in the way of the level up system. Level 1 will be whatever I manage tomorrow on each exercise (which will be very interesting to see lol) Level 2 is to be determined from that

 

Will post a video of exercises then and point system explained, it works with stars I like shiny stars

 

 

Oh wow, awesome goals, LFD! How different is your new morning plan from your old one? 

 

Hahaha, very!!! Currently there are holidays so I usually get up at 8 or 9 am or later During school days so far the kids and hubby got up at 6.30 at the latest and I would lazily get up some time between 7.30 and 8.30, then realize how late it was, rush into fresh clothes and pretty up myself and the house before the first work session with a client at 9 (hopefully over the phone so that the house is not that important )

 

During good times I got up a little earlier and did some yoga in the mornings, but then I would start work later, too and get less done. I always justified by having a good start into the day, but the truth is, from lunch on when the kids are back I don't get as concentrated work in as during the morning when the house is quiet. Plus they often need me to take them places, help with homework, there is laundry needing done, etc.

 

So mornings are my most productive time really and if I want more hours in the day I will have to GIVE it more hours and kick myself out early.

 

 

This is great!

 

Looking forward to this!

 

Thanks, me too 

[annyshay]

Woohoo.

[lucky fire dragon]

Woohoo.

 

Haaaaai 

[lucky fire dragon]

Reading in this book about improving eye sight through exercises and came across this super interesting part: in 1986 a Psychiatrist in Chicago, Bennett Brown, ran tests with patients suffering from multiple personality syndrome. He found among other things that their eye sight changed depending on the personality they were living at the moment. If she was living her 6-year old personality the one lady needed significantly weaker glasses to see perfectly than during the moments of being in her teenage or adult personality.

With some people there are even medical conditions that only arise during phases of certain personalities they identify as and during other phases they are completely fine!

This is so interesting, I knew the state of mind, beliefs, tensions, and more influence our eye sight and other body functions, but that drastic? Wow

 

I am slightly short sighted, which began when I was 21, up until then I saw more than fine and couldn't imagine how it would be not to. It's so little I hardly ever need glasses, only use them for driving unknown roads at night, when I want to be super safe. But when I am tired or tense it worsens and there were time where I would look for one of my kids at the gym hall by trying to remember the color of the shirt they were wearing because the faces were too blurred from a distance.

During other days, especially on hikes with being relaxed the air nice and fresh, I can see clearly quite far...

 

Curious what exercises will come, but the author is already making a strong point that we are likely to only achieve things we believe we can achieve. So the first exercises were focusing singularly on different senses (hearing, seeing, feeling) and now he's asking the reader to imagine what my life would have been like if I had perfect eye sight all along until now. What would have been different? How would I be/live/act different? I find that a difficult question, but can see (haha, pun accidental but very welcome) how simply imagining it is making my body aim for it. Sneaky. I like it.

[Son of Rylos]

I am here, ready for all the awesomeness of the Dragon!!!

[lucky fire dragon]

I am here, ready for all the awesomeness of the Dragon!!!

Yay, welcome on board

[Lilith]

Wow you have a very challenging challenge, with so many things going on! You're ready to start with a bang are you not?! Well good for you I will be here to cheer you on for sure!

[lucky fire dragon]

Wow you have a very challenging challenge, with so many things going on! You're ready to start with a bang are you not?! Well good for you I will be here to cheer you on for sure!

 

 Thanks

 

Yes, got up at 6 am this morning 

The shortest Yin Yoga sequence I could find still took me 40 min instead of 15, but felt very good indeed and now I am settled with a mixture of nuts and a nice cup of tea to kick ass at my desk

 

And the fire is burning, the lounge neatened up, kitchen, too

It might be a really good idea these early mornings 

[Mr_Willes]

Like they said a very challenging challenge. Do you have a good balance between workout and work? just looking after you...

 

 

CHECK!

[raptron]

That morning sounds nearly perfect! 

[Priscillia]

Love that you detailed your routines out so specifically   Looking forward to hearing more about what makes the cut and what doesn't.

 

I admit I'm curious about the eyesight book thing?  There's actually exercises for that?

[lucky fire dragon]

Like they said a very challenging challenge. Do you have a good balance between workout and work? just looking after you...

 

 

CHECK!

 

Thanks, I know I can always count on you for that

 

Although..... I am still waiting for the shouting of the last challenge.... I know I'm daring

 

 

That morning sounds nearly perfect! 

 

Nearly?? Oh yes, I could have done more yoga 

 

 

Love that you detailed your routines out so specifically   Looking forward to hearing more about what makes the cut and what doesn't.

 

I admit I'm curious about the eyesight book thing?  There's actually exercises for that?

 

I need to do that otherwise I won't stick to it. Also I figured with so much going on this challenge I won't have time and/or willpower to think of things that much, will be easier to have a plan and "just" need to tackle it

 

First routine cut today: when I come home from a social visit (we went to my parents for lunch and a sweet afternoon chat looking through old photo albums - my gosh the fashion of the 80s and 90s    ) anyway when I come home, I don't take a "break for me-time" anymore!! Yes, I like balancing social time with alone time, yes peace and quiet to myself is nice, but do I do it for 20-30 min only? NO

It's the same as relaxing time straight after lunch - it's so comfy, I get more tired instead of awake and it's hard to kick myself back into action. So I usually kick back in only when I look at the time and think OMG I better get at it again. Stressful. 

 

Not very queen like, I decided, so I asked myself: would I rather have a break now OR would I tackle stuff now and have a nice evening off tonight?

Mmmmh, that one was easy, I went shopping, remade the fire, took out the boxes of piled up paper waste and settled at the desk again. WIN

 

Now I have managed a sweet hour of translation work (this morning was occupied with retreat preparation for next week, so that's a legal excuse), my email inbox is dealt with and my training room should be warm enough to pole, yay

 

And then it's FEIERABEND, which is what we call the evening off after a good work day.

 

On the eyesight book: YES, there are lots of books and seminars out there and I know quite a few people who had successfully improved their eyesight this way (my brother is one of them). I think one of the pioneers teaching it was Janet Goodrich, you should be able to find a good book by her, if you're interested. The book I am reading is originally German, but I'll happily share along the way. Haven't read on yet today, that is still coming as relaxing after pole tonight...

 

So far it has been a good day. I managed the early morning, got all urgent plus some translation work done, had over 2 liters of water already and will go train now. Wheeeeeeeeee I love the vibe of a fresh challenge start

[Mrs Van]

Reading in this book about improving eye sight through exercises and came across this super interesting part: in 1986 a Psychiatrist in Chicago, Bennett Brown, ran tests with patients suffering from multiple personality syndrome. He found among other things that their eye sight changed depending on the personality they were living at the moment. If she was living her 6-year old personality the one lady needed significantly weaker glasses to see perfectly than during the moments of being in her teenage or adult personality.

With some people there are even medical conditions that only arise during phases of certain personalities they identify as and during other phases they are completely fine!

This is so interesting, I knew the state of mind, beliefs, tensions, and more influence our eye sight and other body functions, but that drastic? Wow

 

I am slightly short sighted, which began when I was 21, up until then I saw more than fine and couldn't imagine how it would be not to. It's so little I hardly ever need glasses, only use them for driving unknown roads at night, when I want to be super safe. But when I am tired or tense it worsens and there were time where I would look for one of my kids at the gym hall by trying to remember the color of the shirt they were wearing because the faces were too blurred from a distance.

During other days, especially on hikes with being relaxed the air nice and fresh, I can see clearly quite far...

 

Curious what exercises will come, but the author is already making a strong point that we are likely to only achieve things we believe we can achieve. So the first exercises were focusing singularly on different senses (hearing, seeing, feeling) and now he's asking the reader to imagine what my life would have been like if I had perfect eye sight all along until now. What would have been different? How would I be/live/act different? I find that a difficult question, but can see (haha, pun accidental but very welcome) how simply imagining it is making my body aim for it. Sneaky. I like it.

I know pregnancy influenced my eyesight. The optometrist was quite baffled when my sight became much worse. Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant! Shortly after Oldest was born I realised my new contacts weren't working right, went to opt. again and low and behold, my eyesight had improved dramatically! Interested in what else you learn from this book.

 

We'll support each other with the early up and work to do plan! I need to be more productive and I have set specific times every week to do specific jobs. I just have to arrange things around it.

[lucky fire dragon]

I know pregnancy influenced my eyesight. The optometrist was quite baffled when my sight became much worse. Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant! Shortly after Oldest was born I realised my new contacts weren't working right, went to opt. again and low and behold, my eyesight had improved dramatically! Interested in what else you learn from this book.

 

We'll support each other with the early up and work to do plan! I need to be more productive and I have set specific times every week to do specific jobs. I just have to arrange things around it.

 

Oooh this is interesting! I actually had the same during my first pregnancy and had forgotten!

Will keep sharing, definitely

 

Oh good, very happy to share the early morning ride with you, let's be PRODUCTIVE like QUEENS 

[lucky fire dragon]

Okay, so I did the thing

 

Love starting point observations as they don't even have to be that good, because we're just starting out, right? So we want room for improvement, right? SO on a first workout one can only win 

 

With this in mind, it's easier to watch this as it is not pretty yet 

But I am VERY proud of having managed the arm climb up that once (a second time was like ahaahaha.... cry) and 14 in total each side of those blasted aerial squats

 

Workout went like this:

 

Knee tuck: 5/5 - 4/4 - 3/3

Arm climb with seat rest: once up - 1/3 up - once down

Push Ups: 9 - 7 - 5

Aerial squats: 5/5 - 5/5 - 4/4

Dolphin plank: 45sec - 35 sec - 30 sec

 

So this will be my Level 1 for each exercise, as soon as I can do a total of these or more on any of the exercises within 2 sets I can level up on that exercise. For example if I manage the 12 knee tucks each side in two sets or less, I can aim for 16 the next time (or 20, I get to make it up as it's my version of the game )

 

Will keep the reps increase rather small though as I don't want to be tempted to lose good form too much. The idea is to go just beyond my limit so that I grow stronger from it. Goal achieved - felt dead after round 2 already and was pleasantly surprised how much round 3 still had in me

 

Hatter, I tried to keep my shoulders down on the knee tucks and climbs but it wasn't easy, so this is all I have - for now... will keep working on it

 

Dan, you're the push up expert, what is your opinion? (Whenever you manage to pop by, I know there is so many folks to follow and hope you do manage to visit here in between)

 

Anyone any helpful criticism? Very much appreciated    

 

[LydiaJaybird]

Oooh, I hadn't ever thought of sitting to rest to do an arm climb! I just assumed they were far, far off in my distant future! They're probably still pretty far off, but once my pole goes up imma try!! =D

[Priscillia]

I know pregnancy influenced my eyesight. The optometrist was quite baffled when my sight became much worse. Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant! Shortly after Oldest was born I realised my new contacts weren't working right, went to opt. again and low and behold, my eyesight had improved dramatically! Interested in what else you learn from this book.

 

We'll support each other with the early up and work to do plan! I need to be more productive and I have set specific times every week to do specific jobs. I just have to arrange things around it.

Oooh this is interesting! I actually had the same during my first pregnancy and had forgotten!

Will keep sharing, definitely

 

Oh good, very happy to share the early morning ride with you, let's be PRODUCTIVE like QUEENS 

 

LOL, reminds me of what I learned when I saw mine in June.  I'd been taking BC with hormones and my eyesight was all over the place (good one day, weird the next).  She told me what boils down to "My dear, your eyesight tests are everywhere today and every other day from what you say.  Are you pregnant?" I laughed so hard (she's known me since I was a kid).  She actually explained that your hormones affect your eyesight dramatically, and big time during pregnancy (or in my case, BC/IUDs with hormones) with examples.  Although she never mentioned it started as early as your symptoms started!

[Mad Hatter]

Nice arm climbs! Those look tough. Make a good progression me thinks.

 

Before Dan finds his way here I think your push-ups look good. You could still work on increasing the ROM as there is a tendency to bend your neck to get your nose to the ground rather than the chest, but the form looks nice and tight.

 

That's so weird about the eyesight and pregnancy thing. What's the reason behind it?

[Mr_Willes]

Thanks, I know I can always count on you for that

 

Although..... I am still waiting for the shouting of the last challenge.... I know I'm daring

 

And a bit stubborn...

 

Here... looky looky in my glass ball of christmas past...

 

[lucky fire dragon]

LOL, reminds me of what I learned when I saw mine in June.  I'd been taking BC with hormones and my eyesight was all over the place (good one day, weird the next).  She told me what boils down to "My dear, your eyesight tests are everywhere today and every other day from what you say.  Are you pregnant?" I laughed so hard (she's known me since I was a kid).  She actually explained that your hormones affect your eyesight dramatically, and big time during pregnancy (or in my case, BC/IUDs with hormones) with examples.  Although she never mentioned it started as early as your symptoms started!

 

Isn't that interesting?! Well a lot of things shift with pregnancy true and hormones, yes totally all over the place

Blood sugar was too, with me. Like diabetic levels one day then too low for the next five days without any change in diet... granted I had lots of stress too due to premature labor in the 24th week of the pregnancy, which would have been wayyyyyyy too soon. Plus her dad was on a work trip and I found hospital a bit overwhelming, so I guess stress played a big part too.

 

 

 

That's so weird about the eyesight and pregnancy thing. What's the reason behind it?

 

Might be the hormones, like Priscillia said, might be a different muscle tension (or lack of). During pregnancy the body softens, which might affect the eye muscles too? When I was pregnant with my second child I had had some knots in my breast before and consulted a homeopathic doctor about it, because I had a lot of stress in my life already (which was probably the reason for the knots) and did not want to add to it with the hectic atmosphere of mammography and hospital panic. A few weeks after my first consultation it turned out I was pregnant and the doc was delighted, because he said that pregnancy will soften my tissues and the knots might disappear completely this way and they did!! It was brilliant.

And very funny, because the homeopathic remedy he had given me that first time was a classical "mother-themed" remedy (Pulsatilla) and when explaining how fitting that was he turned all red and added hastily that it doesn't mean I got pregnant due to the homeopath

I laughed for days, having the imagine in my mind of the headlines: HOMEOPATH IMPREGNATES CLIENT THROUGH GLOBULI 

 

So yes, pregnancy affects a lot in many mysterious ways.

 

 

Nice arm climbs! Those look tough. Make a good progression me thinks.

 

Before Dan finds his way here I think your push-ups look good. You could still work on increasing the ROM as there is a tendency to bend your neck to get your nose to the ground rather than the chest, but the form looks nice and tight.

 

 

Thanks    The arm climbs are super tough, I thought the first round went great and aimed for another, but suddenly there was no chance at all. During the second set I got to about a third of the height and then kept ending up at the same height with each move, no progress... the third set I tried out going down, that was easy Yes, nice room for progression!! 

Once I have more control I'd like to try with straight legs, but it might take me a while to get there...

 

Any hints on how to wobble around less during my knee tucks?

 

Thank you for the push ups feedback! The neck thing is so funny, it's totally unconscious but yes, I totally want to get my nose on the ground get away with just that

 

Found the whole workout very arm and shoulder taxing and am wondering what I should adapt to work legs and abs better. Thought the knee tucks would, but they tax my arms more than core and legs. Might have to go back to the layback crunches after all...

 

 

And a bit stubborn...

 

Here... looky looky in my glass ball of christmas past...

 

 

 

oh man, that one teeny tiny time... and it wasn't even during the challenge... let's not talk about that one

[Mr_Willes]

 

oh man, that one teeny tiny time... and it wasn't even during the challenge... let's not talk about that one

LOL

 

(i don't want to yell at people who are hiding in boxes of shame )