Suzy Q celebrates

[suzyQlou]

I snapped my first progress photo on March 18th, 2015.  Sooooo I'm ready to celebrate my very first nerdiversary!

 

 

Finding NF has really been a game changer for me.  I feel better about who I am and where I'm going in life these days.  So, this challenge, I'm going to focus on being present, and enjoying the journey.

 

A mixed bag of goals for the challenge.  Some goals are ongoing, and some are once-and done.

 

1.  Buy NF Yoga.  I may be one of the last hold-outs on this front, but it's time to treat myself.  Happy nerdiversary to me.

 

2.  Fit yoga into my life.  This is probably the main reason I'm a hold-out on the yoga front.  I am just not sure when I'm going to fit it into my day.  I'm going to have to experiment with this a bit and see how I can shuffle things around.

 

3.  Get outside.  It's light again!  I'm going to do cardio outside at least once a week.

 

4.  New gym.  My old gym is closing on March 15th.  I need to transition my strength workouts - either get up earlier and go to the new gym, or pin down a challenging at-home workout that I will stick with.

 

5.  Squat 1/2 my bodyweight.  I've been saying I'm going to do this before the gym closes.  Getting closer, and WILL get this done by March 15th.

 

6.  Veggie Time.  It's time to level up the kid's veggie challenge.  The boys will be eating a little bit more veggies this month.

 

7.  Social HourMinute.  I'm going to try to post shorter updates, more often.  I love being here, but I can get bogged down at the screen.  If I'm going to spend more time doing yoga, I need to make more of the time I'm online.  Just type what I mean and move on.

 

8.  Accept who I am.  When I first started posting here, I used a motivational photo as my profile pic.  I really didn't like the image of the person I had become, and I preferred to dream about 20ish year old suzyQlou I had once been.  Well, I've decided to post a real pic of me on my nerdiversary because I've become quite fond of the 40ish year old suzyQlou that I have become.

 

9.  Own my victories.  I have decided to post on the leaderboards for the exercises that I do.  I will be at the bottom of the lists, but I have worked hard to get where I am.  Gonna sing my numbers loud and clear for this nerdiversary.

 

10.  Don't worry.  I was going to have twelve goals today to symbolize the twelve months in my journey.  But guess what?  10 is plenty.  And I'm not going to worry about getting every little thing perfect this month.  Remember - focus on living and loving the journey!

 

[Yraen]

Happy nerdiversary! Wow, lots of goals. I'm sure you'll Ranger them all.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following along again.

[Terra]

I snapped my first progress photo on March 18th, 2015.  Sooooo I'm ready to celebrate my very first nerdiversary!

 

 

Finding NF has really been a game changer for me.  I feel better about who I am and where I'm going in life these days.  So, this challenge, I'm going to focus on being present, and enjoying the journey.

 

A mixed bag of goals for the challenge.  Some goals are ongoing, and some are once-and done.

 

1.  Buy NF Yoga.  I may be one of the last hold-outs on this front, but it's time to treat myself.  Happy nerdiversary to me.

 

2.  Fit yoga into my life.  This is probably the main reason I'm a hold-out on the yoga front.  I am just not sure when I'm going to fit it into my day.  I'm going to have to experiment with this a bit and see how I can shuffle things around.

 

3.  Get outside.  It's light again!  I'm going to do cardio outside at least once a week.

 

4.  New gym.  My old gym is closing on March 15th.  I need to transition my strength workouts - either get up earlier and go to the new gym, or pin down a challenging at-home workout that I will stick with.

 

5.  Squat 1/2 my bodyweight.  I've been saying I'm going to do this before the gym closes.  Getting closer, and WILL get this done by March 15th.

 

6.  Veggie Time.  It's time to level up the kid's veggie challenge.  The boys will be eating a little bit more veggies this month.

 

7.  Social HourMinute.  I'm going to try to post shorter updates, more often.  I love being here, but I can get bogged down at the screen.  If I'm going to spend more time doing yoga, I need to make more of the time I'm online.  Just type what I mean and move on.

 

8.  Accept who I am.  When I first started posting here, I used a motivational photo as my profile pic.  I really didn't like the image of the person I had become, and I preferred to dream about 20ish year old suzyQlou I had once been.  Well, I've decided to post a real pic of me on my nerdiversary because I've become quite fond of the 40ish year old suzyQlou that I have become.

 

9.  Own my victories.  I have decided to post on the leaderboards for the exercises that I do.  I will be at the bottom of the lists, but I have worked hard to get where I am.  Gonna sing my numbers loud and clear for this nerdiversary.

 

10.  Don't worry.  I was going to have twelve goals today to symbolize the twelve months in my journey.  But guess what?  10 is plenty.  And I'm not going to worry about getting every little thing perfect this month.  Remember - focus on living and loving the journey!

 

 

This challenge is totally epic!  Love, love love it!!!  

[suzyQlou]

Happy nerdiversary! Wow, lots of goals. I'm sure you'll Ranger them all.

Yep, I'm doing ALL THE THINGS this month.  But only nine left - I just bought the Yoga

 

Following along again.

Good to see you!

 

This challenge is totally epic!  Love, love love it!!!  

Epic is nice.  Lots to get done, and I'm just really going to enjoy the doing this time around!

[Suzaqu]

Whoooo! I didn't realize it was already our one year nerdversary! Congrats! Looks like it will be a good month!

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

On the yoga front...when I was good about doing NF Yoga, I did the 5 minute ones often.  It was nice to get in a quick session after a workout or walk. 

 

Oh...and

HAPPY NERDIVERSARY!

[weaver]

I like your attitude!

[Banana-kin]

Following. Happy Nerdiversary!

#crushall10!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

[suzyQlou]

Whoooo! I didn't realize it was already our one year nerdversary! Congrats! Looks like it will be a good month!

It seems like we were just starting out in the Recruit challenge.  Suz Q's still going strong!

 

On the yoga front...when I was good about doing NF Yoga, I did the 5 minute ones often.  It was nice to get in a quick session after a workout or walk. 

 

Oh...and

HAPPY NERDIVERSARY!

5 minutes will be great!  I must admit I didn't even make it through the 20 minute intro yet, but the promise of 5 minute sessions is making me smile!  And thanks for the good wishes.  It's meant a great deal to have you stick with me through the full year.  Even though I'm counting my nerdiversary from my first progress pics instead of my first official challenge...

 

I like your attitude!

And I like your new challenge!  Positive thoughts for the win!

 

Following. Happy Nerdiversary!

#crushall10!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

Good to see you, Banana-kin!

 

So I may have failed just a smidgen on my Veggie goal.  I had "the talk" with my children last night.  I told them it was time to level up their veggies.  But instead of adding more servings or a better variety of  veggies to their plates, I caved.  They talked me into continuing at the current level of veggies, and leveling up later in the month.  They claimed they needed more time to adjust since we skipped a week of our challenge while we were on vacation.  Hrumph.  I may have lost the battle, but not the war.

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

5 minutes will be great!  I must admit I didn't even make it through the 20 minute intro yet, but the promise of 5 minute sessions is making me smile!  And thanks for the good wishes.  It's meant a great deal to have you stick with me through the full year.  Even though I'm counting my nerdiversary from my first progress pics instead of my first official challenge...

 

 

So I may have failed just a smidgen on my Veggie goal.  I had "the talk" with my children last night.  I told them it was time to level up their veggies.  But instead of adding more servings or a better variety of  veggies to their plates, I caved.  They talked me into continuing at the current level of veggies, and leveling up later in the month.  They claimed they needed more time to adjust since we skipped a week of our challenge while we were on vacation.  Hrumph.  I may have lost the battle, but not the war.

 

As for the kid veg...you are letting them have some ownership.  That is fantastic.  You'll get them there...and this decision will probably help.  Good job, Mama SqL!

[lilbichy]

Following!  I love your goals!  I am the same with NF Yoga, I want to buy it but keep thinking I do not have time to fit it in!  Let me know your thoughts/feelings on it!

[suzyQlou]

As for the kid veg...you are letting them have some ownership.  That is fantastic.  You'll get them there...and this decision will probably help.  Good job, Mama SqL!

Ah, it's like I'm hearing my inner voice.  They will have ownership of their vegetables.  They will WANT to eat vegetables.  Someday, anyway

 

Following!  I love your goals!  I am the same with NF Yoga, I want to buy it but keep thinking I do not have time to fit it in!  Let me know your thoughts/feelings on it!

Well, I watched the "Getting Started" video.  That must be progress!  At least I like the easy tone and relaxed attitude.  I think I may have even mastered yoga standing.  Not so happy to hear that child's pose is "relaxing" because that is a stretch I do after every workout.  It is part of the NF Academy's Stacie cool-down - and it kinda hurts my bad knee.  Oh well, we'll see how I can get the rest of the yoga to fit into my life.

 

Progress today at the gym.  I squatted half my body weight!  Just my luck, the scale has ticked down to 180 pounds this week, so a 90 pound squat did it.  Woo hoo!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good job on the PR!

[Suzaqu]

Way to go on the squats!  And mastering yoga standing For child's pose I find it helps me to keep my knees wider and separated, (slightly wider than shoulder width) stead of touching in front of me. My knees really don't like being folded and touching in front of me for some reason. I'm not sure what kind of childs pose the NF yoga does, but I just wanted to throw the other form out there, just in case it helps you relax.

[lilbichy]

gratz on the PR!!!

[suzyQlou]

Good job on the PR!

gratz on the PR!!!

Thanks, Tank and lilbichy.  It felt great to finally get it done!  I'm switching over to the Barbell Battalion in the Academy, so I'm hoping to improve even more in the weeks to come.  Instead of sets of 8 reps, I'll be adding some warm-ups and doing sets of 5.  I am still scratching my head.  Why do bodyweight exercises get done 10 times in a row, dumbbells 8 times, and barbells 5?  Some magical formula out there, I guess <shrug>.

 

Way to go on the squats!  And mastering yoga standing For child's pose I find it helps me to keep my knees wider and separated, (slightly wider than shoulder width) stead of touching in front of me. My knees really don't like being folded and touching in front of me for some reason. I'm not sure what kind of childs pose the NF yoga does, but I just wanted to throw the other form out there, just in case it helps you relax.

Thanks, Suzagu.  I'll give some variations a try with the child's pose and see if they help.  I'm also thinking that more stretching in general is going to help that knee feel better in any pose.  There's hope!  Only progress I made on yoga last night was confirming that I can run it on the xbox.  It is much easier to see on the big screen.  Now I will just have to fight it out with the minions around here who claim first dibs on the xbox every night.

 

 

I ran outside this morning for the first time in a long time!  Daylight was with me, so I'm not sure why I waited so long to get back out there.  Oh, yeah.  It was cold.  But not frigid.  It really did feel great to be back outside.

[RoxyFreefall]

Found you! and congrats on the squats. Great work.

[lilbichy]

LOL fighting over the console!  =) How many kids do you have?

[suzyQlou]

Found you! and congrats on the squats. Great work.

Thanks, Roxy.  Good to see you.  I keep having Disney World flashbacks when I visit your thread.  Good times on the way for you!!!

 

LOL fighting over the console!  =) How many kids do you have?

Ah, yes.  Fighting over the console.  I have two boys, ages 8 and 11.  The tv is basically theirs because my husband and I rarely touch it.  Lets just say they don't appreciate me encroaching on their turf.

 

I started the Academy's level 3 workout today.  I guess it's always a little unsettling when starting something new, but this is going to take me some time to get used to.  My arms forgot how to do inverted rows, and I have plenty of other progressions to work on before I can do the full workout.  Pull ups are a given, but dips, good mornings, and knees-to-elbows will all take a long time to work up to.  Oh, well.  I will give it a shot and see if I like it.  My level 2 workout sheet was ridiculously full of chicken scratch, so it makes sense to move on.  Just need to adjust to a new comfort zone, I guess.

[honeybadger]

Love your challenge! I especially love goal 8. I am right there with you. Embracing my 40-something self is an ongoing process.

 

And I'm following along….

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

Look at all the fab!!!

 

 

Not so happy to hear that child's pose is "relaxing" because that is a stretch I do after every workout.  It is part of the NF Academy's Stacie cool-down - and it kinda hurts my bad knee.

 

Progress today at the gym.  I squatted half my body weight!  Just my luck, the scale has ticked down to 180 pounds this week, so a 90 pound squat did it.  Woo hoo!

 

For child's pose, I put a yoga block under my butt.  I think a set was like $12 on amazon. 

 

CONGRATULATIONS on the squat!! Way to go!

 

And 180 - wowie, wow wow!!!  Look at you go!!!! 

 

Thanks, Tank and lilbichy.  It felt great to finally get it done!  I'm switching over to the Barbell Battalion in the Academy, so I'm hoping to improve even more in the weeks to come.  Instead of sets of 8 reps, I'll be adding some warm-ups and doing sets of 5.  I am still scratching my head.  Why do bodyweight exercises get done 10 times in a row, dumbbells 8 times, and barbells 5?  Some magical formula out there, I guess <shrug>.

I am no expert by any stretch of anyone's imagination, but I think that the thinking behind sets of 5 with barbells is that when we lift heavy (for us) and aim for a linear progression of increased weight (and the accompanying strength), sets of 5 work on building up that basic strength, while higher reps focus on hypertrophy.  Maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in?  If you are really curious, post the question in the warrior's training ground - I bet some of the crazy knowledgeable, super strong warriors can answer. 

 

You will absolutely improve even more in the weeks to come - I am constantly impressed and motivated with your progress!

[suzyQlou]

Love your challenge! I especially love goal 8. I am right there with you. Embracing my 40-something self is an ongoing process.

No way.  If you ever mentioned your age, I must have missed it.  I love having company at forty, but will still picture you as a young (but capable) ranger.  I may have gotten that idea because of your impressive jump rope skills...or the fact that you' keep doing all the things!

 

For child's pose, I put a yoga block under my butt.  I think a set was like $12 on amazon. 

That sounds like a perfect solution for me.  If I can stop a little higher, I bet I would get a better stretch without the hurting part.

 

I am no expert by any stretch of anyone's imagination, but I think that the thinking behind sets of 5 with barbells is that when we lift heavy (for us) and aim for a linear progression of increased weight (and the accompanying strength), sets of 5 work on building up that basic strength, while higher reps focus on hypertrophy.  Maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in?  If you are really curious, post the question in the warrior's training ground - I bet some of the crazy knowledgeable, super strong warriors can answer. 

Hmmm.  Makes sense.  I never really think about "lifting heavy" since I'm progressing so slowly.  But that's probably a difference between why folks would use barbells over dumbbells.  Hence the difference in reps.

 

You will absolutely improve even more in the weeks to come - I am constantly impressed and motivated with your progress!

Shucks, thanks!

Weekend was a little tricky food-wise.  At least I can declare birthday season officially OVER in my house.  The last sleep-over, pizza, and cake is out of our system for another year.

 

I tried my first yoga session yesterday.  I had to settle for a small-screen since the kids (including neighbors) were all congregating in my living room last night.  It was better to have a little privacy upstairs, even if I needed to squint a little.  Overall, I was pleased with it.  I was glad that I could do the poses, and they felt good.  Transitioning between them was a little clunky...especially walking into a lunge.  I might have toppled over and scooted back up into that one.

 

 

Lifting was still strange this morning with the new level workout.  Front squat especially was a no-go.  My form was all over the place, and I will have to practice that one at home with a broom stick as a bar.  No big deal, though.  I just switched to regular squats instead.  They felt really good now that I learned how to pyramid up the weights.  I can tell I will be able to increase the weight each session this way - at least for a while.

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

To go from downard dog to a lunge I basically have to stand up, position the forward foot, then place the back foot. There is no "walk your foot forward into a lunge" for me.

[weaver]

Yeah, I can't really do some of those yoga transitions smoothly, either. One day!