Dreamspin sets out on her epic voyage!

[Dreamspin]

This is my first challenge with the Rebellion and I'm excited! I start a new job on April 4th, so this is a great opportunity to add extra support and accountability to maintain the good habits I've started while off work.

 

My Story

Since childhood, I've struggled with depression and anxiety, and I recently went on sick leave because of stress at work. My body was weak, out of shape, and I had back, neck and shoulder issues.

My journey is to become fit, flexible, strong, mentally balanced, and to go on adventures like the heroes in my favourite movies, books, and games.

My long-term goals can be found at my character page here: https://www.nerdfitness.com/character/55351/

 

My Current State

I'm 33 years old, 5'4", married with a daughter and two dogs.

Measurements as of 3/14/2016:

• Weight: 129 lbs
• Neck: 13"
• Chest: 35"
• Biceps: 11"
• Waist: 28.5"
• Hips: 34"
• Butt: 39"
• Thighs: 20.5"
• Calves: 14"

 

My Progress So Far

Since joining the Academy on March 14, 2016, I have made the following achievements:

• Started a food log
• Started an exercise/workout log
• Moved to Paleo Level 7 diet
• Completed three workouts at Bodyweight Level 1 (twice a week schedule)
• Completed two NF Yoga videos
• Started going to Tai Chi classes
• Exercising at least once a day
• Going for longer walks regularly (about an hour)
• Progressed from doing knee pushups with sloppy form and taking breaks to doing 10 knee pushups with proper form
• Meditated occasionally

 

My Goals April 1 - April 30, 2016

Habits to Maintain

• Paleo Level 7 diet
• Bodyweight workouts twice a week
• Yoga workouts twice a week
• Walking every day
• Food log
• Exercise log
• Tai chi classes at least once a week

 

Goal 1 - Prepare for Success

• Prepare work lunches for the week the weekend before
  • Supplies needed: enough containers for a week of food, cooking supplies
  • For each week (total of 100 points):
    • 25 points for preparing food the weekend before
    • If food was not prepared the weekend before:
      • 5 points each day that food was prepared the night before
      • 3 points each day that food was prepared the morning before
      • 2 points each day that food was bought that fit the Paleo diet
• Reward:
  • 75-100 points: Steak and/or sashimi supper

 

Goal 2 - Get My Om On

• Meditate for at least 5 minutes every day
• Reward:
  • 25-30 days: Get a meditation cushion

 

Goal 3 - Work That Body

• Complete three bodyweight workouts every week
• Graduate to Bodyweight Level 2 when ready (can complete entire workout in good form)
  • Bonus 25 XP in Epic Quest
• Possible 12 workouts
• Reward:
  • 9-12 workouts: Pull-up bar and new workout shirt
  • 6-8 workouts: Pull-up bar

 

Goal 4 - Let's Get Flexible

• Complete three yoga sessions every week (30 minutes and up)
• Possible 12 yoga sessions
• Reward:
  • 9-12 yoga sessions: Float tank & new water bottle
  • 6-8 yoga sessions: New water bottle

 

[Grizzy]

Wow, your progress is so good! I'm sure you will have an awesome first challenge!

[BarbarianBassBro]

3 hours ago, Dreamspin said:

I'm 33 years old, 5'4", married with a daughter and two dogs.

Made me smile. because it reminds me of a joke I´ve heard a while ago:

I´m sorry sir, is this your dog? - No he´s adopted. My wife and I can´t get dogs on our own.

 

Pretty solid start, now use the momentum for your first challenge!

[Dreamspin]

Lol thanks guys, will do! I recognize it will be harder to keep it up once I start work again, but I'm committed to being healthy! 

[Dreamspin]

Yesterday was Bodyweight Workout Level 1 A, accompanied by a few walks, some dancing, and a guided meditation.

 

Today I went on several walks, NF Yoga Fire series A, and Tai Chi class. I also had three deliberate time periods of meditation. Turned down the opportunity for sweets, Doritos, and caffeinated tea in the evening. 

 

Technically my challenge hasn't started so I consider this ramp-up. 

[Dreamspin]

Yesterday I did Bodyweight Workout Level 1 B, followed by swimming for an hour, followed by walking for an hour, and then meditating for about half an hour. Awesome day!

 

Today was a rest day, I was pretty mellow, so took the dogs for a walk once, went for a nap, took the dogs for a walk again, and I intend to do a NF Yoga video tonight before I go to bed.

[BarbarianBassBro]

Active at working out plus working out your mind AND an active rest day! That´s how to do it!

[Dreamspin]

Yesterday I did bodyweight workout level 1 A. I still can't do full push-ups, basically doing one then switching to knee push-ups. But I'll get there yet! My legs seem to be much stronger, so I'm not sure if I should upgrade to bodyweight workout level 2 and continue to use progressions for the arm exercises. For now I'll keep with level 1 but add reps to the exercises that are getting easy and start doing the star power and bonus rounds. 

 

I did a bunch of walking yesterday and kept to strict Paleo. I felt like a treat last night so made some hot chocolate with coconut milk, dark chocolate, and vanilla. 

 

I meditated for ten minutes, but I find that it's still more of an afterthought. Ideally I'd like to bring mindfulness and a meditative attitude to the forefront of my consciousness. Tomorrow I'd like to try setting an intention for that and doing meditation in the morning.

 

Today I made a Paleo frittatta with chorizo, onions, eggs, and tomatoes, and it was awesome. Here's the recipe: http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au/frittata-red-capsicum-chorizo-tomatoes/

 

[Tyburn Lil]

Fantastic thread, and that's a gorgeous avatar you have!

I hope you don't mind me peeking at you from afar?

 

[Dreamspin]

Thank you! The avatar is Rydia from Final Fantasy IV: http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Rydia

Not at all Tyburn! I shall do the same with you :-)

[Butternut]

Right on dreamspin! Keep it up, and congrats on the new job! I hope it helps you out decrease you stress and anxiety. Stress such Sneaky bastard. I find myself knee deep in stress before I mindfully realize what I'm doing,you know what I mean? 

 

I love your reward ideas also!  

[Dreamspin]

Thanks Butternut, and I know exactly what you mean! I've been planning for a good start tomorrow, so it's been on my mind a lot, and I found that my body kicked into high sensitivity mode. Suddenly the music was too loud in the house and the smallest things were setting me off in a bit of a panic. Thankfully I was mindful of it and could take some steps to calm myself down, like going to a quiet room, playing some Mahjongg for a few minutes, and drinking some rooibos tea.

 

Today I did a lot of dish washing and laundry, walked the dogs twice, and did a 40-minute NF Yoga Star Level A video. That one's a doozy! I think tomorrow I'll be sore in places I didn't know were there!

 

I also did meal prep for the week. Ding! 25 points! I roasted chicken thighs in a dijon-balsalmic-oil-lemon marinade and made a huge batch of my signature sweet potato acorn squash soup. I'm going to pack fresh veggies with this, and some nuts and dried fruit for a snack. Recipes here: http://paleoleap.com/mustard-balsamic-baked-chicken/ and here: http://www.abeautifulplate.com/roasted-acorn-squash-and-sweet-potato-soup/

 

 

 

Now I'm going to go do my meditation and get to bed! I'm so excited for tomorrow

[Dreamspin]

Whoo! What a day! 

 

One of my dogs woke me up at 5:30 having one of those twitchy yelpy dog dreams and I snoozed till my alarm went off at 5:50.

 

I did bodyweight workout level 1 B, but I added more reps to my one-armed dumbbell rows and my step-ups. I find that I can feel a little nauseous after morning workouts, could have something to do with being in a fasted state. Had a huge smoothie afterwards. 

 

My first day at work was awesome, and I am super tired from taking in all the new info. Succeeded in drinking only water all day despite work supplying pop, coffee, and other sweet beverages. Ate my prepared meal and it was great. 

 

Walking the dogs after work took the edge off feeling burnt out. Now I'm ready to meditate and go to bed early! 

[m rips]

You are totally killing it so far this challenge! Good luck on the push-ups,  you got this

[Dreamspin]

Thanks for all the support you guys! 

[m rips]

I can't wait to see how our measurements are at the end of the month, we are almost exactly the same, I'm just a little shorter (5'0"). PS that frittata is on point !

[r7rok]

Hey dreamspin popping in to say hello after you posted on my thread.

 

Delighted to see things are going well for you.

 

I see there are plans in your challenge to start doing food prep for the week, just thought i'd say that it is definitely a habit worth forming, since I joined the board in January I have been doing my lunch prep for work every sunday, the benefits have been great. I have continued to lose weight, I have seen the benefits of lunch being prepared for around £5 for the week, as opposed to spending £3-£4 per day and have also noticed that last year come 3pm I'd hit a massive slump and be ready for the day to end. Nowadays I'm alert then as I am at 9am. 

 

Keep being awesome in the remainder of your challenge

[PollyannaAgain]

Nice job! I just wanted to pop by and say hi. I found your thread while wandering through the forum--our goals are really similar, though I'd be way overreaching if I aimed for five minutes of meditation! :-) I hope things go well for you!

[Dreamspin]

Thanks for all the messages guys! 

 

I'm looking forward to taking measurements at the end of the challenge too, I'm feeling leaner and stronger already but I want to wait to the end to actually measure it. :-) 

 

Yesterday was a busy day, did NF Yin Yoga, went to the dentist, got to work late, stayed late, had supper with a friend, and went to see Heathers the Musical. Awesome dark comedy and excellent performances. 

 

The temptation was amped up at work, because one of the things they do with new people is put a bowl of chocolates at their desk so people will come by and say hi. :-) I didn't have one, though I was tempted during a 3 p.m. slump! 

 

Roy, I'm finding the meal prep to be a huge help so far, though I'm still having a minor slump in the afternoon. Kind of expected for first week at a new job though. I'm more prepared for it today with some healthy snacks to help boost my energy for the final spurt of the day. 

 

Last night my hubby had a lot of neck pain, and he woke me up several times, and I was wide awake at 5:00 a.m. again. This seems to be a theme every day this week, I would roll with it if I could nap during the day! 

 

I didn't get my meditation in yesterday, it was my first miss. Feeling burnt out this morning and in need of some exercise to counteract all that sitting yesterday! 

[m rips]

I hate when you have a day where you're super busy (in your case dentist, work, etc) but yet you were sitting all day. It's just annoying. 

 

Good job staying on track

[Silverolivia]

On 4/2/2016 at 2:30 PM, Dreamspin said:

Yesterday I did bodyweight workout level 1 A. I still can't do full push-ups, basically doing one then switching to knee push-ups. But I'll get there yet! My legs seem to be much stronger, so I'm not sure if I should upgrade to bodyweight workout level 2 and continue to use progressions for the arm exercises. For now I'll keep with level 1 but add reps to the exercises that are getting easy and start doing the star power and bonus rounds. 

 

I did a bunch of walking yesterday and kept to strict Paleo. I felt like a treat last night so made some hot chocolate with coconut milk, dark chocolate, and vanilla. 

 

I meditated for ten minutes, but I find that it's still more of an afterthought. Ideally I'd like to bring mindfulness and a meditative attitude to the forefront of my consciousness. Tomorrow I'd like to try setting an intention for that and doing meditation in the morning.

 

Today I made a Paleo frittatta with chorizo, onions, eggs, and tomatoes, and it was awesome. Here's the recipe: http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au/frittata-red-capsicum-chorizo-tomatoes/

 

This is the tasty!

Very cool! I was just popping over, following your comment on my post! You are so much more motivated then i ever feel! Oh my goodness! Good luck on everything, although you seem to have it all in hand

[Dreamspin]

I have felt very tired this week, but I'm staying on track! 

 

Yesterday I upgraded to Bodyweight Workout Level 2. I found that I didn't sweat a lot but my muscles were very challenged. My abs have been feeling sore, especially on the left side. I feel like that has somehow healed over the day, because it was sore this morning but isn't now. Next workout I'll add a star round if I feel like I'm not challenged enough in the cardio department. However, I was surprised to find how much better I felt after my workout. I meditated for a bit, but it's definitely still an afterthought. 

 

I've been feeling a little discouraged because I've been feeling burnt out every day by about 2:30 p.m. despite doing things to try to counteract that. 

 

As I was walking the dogs after work, a minor epiphany came to me: I'm done with having a complaining mindset. I've been focusing on how tired I feel and getting anxious about getting the things done that I need to, and worrying about setbacks that keep me from getting enough sleep, but somehow I see that I'm investing into the kind of thinking into that actually makes the symptoms worse than they actually need to be. 

 

Yeah, I'm tired. It's my first week of work and I'm getting mental, social, and physical workouts! I get DOMS after a physical workout and get kind of excited and inspired that I'm building muscle. I could feel just as inspired from mental tiredness too. Of course, I wouldn't want DOMS or mental fatigue every single day, but it's expected during growing periods. In both areas, I don't want to plateau, I want to increase in a sustainable way, which means trying out optimal strategies for rest and recovery as well as continually setting new goals. 

 

On Wednesday I strayed into the dark side and had a decaf with cream. I brought coconut milk with me today so I can continue to avoid dairy. I also bought a rooibos blend tea that I could have instead of a caffeinated variety. The bowl of chocolates by my desk is getting emptied, but I haven't touched it :-) 

[BarbarianBassBro]

It´s an interesing point of view: mental fatique is building muscle for mind.

[m rips]

This past week has definitely been exhausting, but you've made it one week! Keep up the great work l, you're doing fantastic

[PollyannaAgain]

What a great way to look at it! I can see one of those little brain cartoons flexing his muscles now...:D Keep up the good work!