Honeybadger Seeks Redemption

[honeybadger]

I am back after my last challenge became a big fat disaster. I dropped off the forum but actually did not totally abandon my goals. Well… not all of my goals. I did give up on a few. In the spirit of new beginnings I will choose to focus on my new challenge rather than dwell on the aforementioned big fat disaster. This challenge is going to be my prep for the summer challenge where I will have some longer term goals (real world running and running with people). 

 

This challenge I want to focus on three things:

 

1. DON'T BE LAZY

I essentially have the summer off. This means I have all the time in the world to get my fanny moving and exercising. Some times this is harder than it should be given all my free time. I like watching TV and reading and playing with my dog way more than running or going to the gym. 

 

Goal 1. Exercise at least 3-4x/week

Goal 2. Run at least 2x/week (aiming for one run to be RWR)

Goal 3. Keep squatting 3-4x/week (I think I have noticed some improvement in the thuttocks region)

 

2. DON'T EAT LIKE AN A**HOLE

My diet was not great this past challenge. When it was good it was really good but the bad days were a free-for-all. Not good. I paid the price with GI problems. I managed to log most everything in MFP. I don't love it but I like it better than my paper food log. Change is hard. I am still using a paper calendar to log everything else. I fell off the candy wagon hard core. I am climbing back on. I am generally looking to reduce my sweets but will not have a specific goal. Sticking with MFP and my calorie allowance gives me little wiggle room for junk. 

 

Goal 4. Zero candy unless I'm at the movies (doesn't happen that often, promise) 

Goal 5. Eat grain/gluten free at least 4 days a week.  (I might adjust this goal as I am narrowing down foods that seem to bother me) 

Goal 6. Log all meals in MFP

 

3. DON'T BE ANTISOCIAL

In addition to being a natural couch potato I am also a homebody. I am content to hang with the dog and my boyfriend. This is not so healthy especially when I am not working. My social goals will be evolving over the course of the next few challenges and potentially as this challenge goes on. These goals will really start week 2 when I am done with work. 

 

Goal 7. Keep up with Rangers I am following! Read, post, repeat! No excuses. Sometimes it's hard to contribute to the conversations… another joy of social anxiety. 

Goal 8. Post on my own thread. At least 3x/week. I filter too much and worry too much. I need to work on this and just post. 

Goal 9. Reach out to at least 2 friends I haven't seen or talked to in a while. Bonus points for making plans. 

 

I think that's enough. For now. I miss everyone. I am looking forward to catching up. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Welcome back!

[honeybadger]

On May 9, 2016 at 11:51 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Welcome back!

 

Thanks! I'm happy to be back. I'm even more happy to finally have time to really be involved!!!!!

 

So far this week I'm not doing too bad with my DON'T BE LAZY, and DON'T EAT LIKE AN A**HOLE goals. My DON'T BE ANTISOCIAL goals will start in ernest this weekend, as predicted. So far this week I have gotten 3 workouts in and had 3/4 days GF. I still 2 days of squats but there is plenty of time for that. I have had eating one peppermint patty each day this week. I might need at least 2 more to get me through the last 2 days of work. I'm ok with that.

 

Today's workout was a real world run! According to Garmin I did 2.17 miles in 23:30. I only wanted to die for about 20:00 of that time. I also only almost got once by a minivan. I call that a win. RWR way harder than the dreadmill. I realize that I have some serious conditioning to do before I run with anyone unless they are also into running slowly over short distances…and CPR certified. 

[Evicious]

Welcome back, Honeybadger!!!  Looks like you have an excellent challenge, and are already doing well out of the starting gate!

 

RWR is a bit... different... than the dreadmill: case in point, your minivan encounter. That particular example is one of the reasons why I tend to run very early in the mornings (plus, the desert gets hot as balls once the sun comes up).

 

As for feeling like you should only run with people who are also running your same pace/distance... well, are there any people in your area who are doing that? I felt exactly the same way earlier this year when I decided to take up running again, and while I do enjoy my solo runs they started to feel really lonely a month or so in. I didn't want to run with my husband, because he runs so much faster than I do (and he doesn't like to wait). So I did something I never thought I'd do - I joined a running group! And while I found their schedule to be a bit awkward to work around, I stuck with it and ended up finding a real, live running partner! In fact, even thought the group program is over now (you have to pay for the winter/spring/summer/fall programs individually) we still make our weekly runs. If there's anything on offer like that in your area, maybe it would be worth looking into? Plus, you could count it towards your DON'T BE ANTISOCIAL goal.  

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good job getting out into the real world.

[Xena]

HAH! Glad you explained. I thought at first that RWR was run-walk-run and that you were doing some kind of active recovery program :-)

 

I like your goal of catching up with some of your friends. Good idea.

[honeybadger]

Week one was good. Getting back in the saddle was not as hard as I imagined. I did trip up a little but nothing too big. I am finally on vacation so I will be able to really focus on my goals. I don't really have anything planned (other than adulting) for the month of May so I am optimistic. June might be a little more challenging but I'll worry about that in a few weeks. 

 

1. DON'T BE LAZY

No lazy here. 

Goal 1. Exercise at least 3-4x/week I got 4 days of exercise in!! 4 days, yay!

Goal 2. Run at least 2x/week (aiming for one run to be RWR) I only ran once this week but it was real-world-running. I made it to 2 spin classes and did an easy bike workout. My plan moving forward is to run on Sundays and Wednesdays with Mondays and Thursdays being spin days. 

Goal 3. Keep squatting 3-4x/week (I think I have noticed some improvement in the thuttocks region) I did squats 2 days. I am trying to figure out a good plan for working the squats in. My legs were toast and not in a good way which was why I chose not to push a 3rd day. I'm not sure if I should do less more often or just push through. Maybe I'm just a baby. 

 

2. DON'T EAT LIKE AN A**HOLE

This week as a whole was pretty good 5/7 days. I also bought a blender so I have been making yummy smoothies! 

Goal 4. Zero candy unless I'm at the movies (doesn't happen that often, promise) I ate candy almost every day this week…only once while at the movies...soooo this goal is starting week 2. 

Goal 5. Eat grain/gluten free at least 4 days a week.  (I might adjust this goal as I am narrowing down foods that seem to bother me) I had 5/7 days gluten free this week. 

Goal 6. Log all meals in MFP Done. I do think that there should be a "too many calories to count" option for cheat days. 

 

3. DON'T BE ANTISOCIAL

These goals start this week…today actually. So look out Rangers here I come. XOXO

 

Goal 7. Keep up with Rangers I am following! Read, post, repeat! No excuses. Sometimes it's hard to contribute to the conversations… another joy of social anxiety. 

Goal 8. Post on my own thread. At least 3x/week. I filter too much and worry too much. I need to work on this and just post. 

Goal 9. Reach out to at least 2 friends I haven't seen or talked to in a while. Bonus points for making plans. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good job on week 1, week 2 is going down!

[suzyQlou]

I'd run with you...but you'd be the speedy one   You get extra credit for that fourth run, you know.  Nice!

 

Let me know if you are putting veggies in your smoothies.  I have a kid with new-ish braces who has given up on anything crunchy.

[Evicious]

[tishnicden]

Following for two reasons:

1) those are goals I need to make myself

2) I just LOVE honey badgers *shrugs*

[Raxie]

Sorry it took me a bit to find you! Following for sure  Your goals are AWESOME!

[Evicious]

For your #3 Goal:

 

[honeybadger]

On May 11, 2016 at 6:45 PM, Evicious said:

Welcome back, Honeybadger!!!  Looks like you have an excellent challenge, and are already doing well out of the starting gate!

 

RWR is a bit... different... than the dreadmill: case in point, your minivan encounter. That particular example is one of the reasons why I tend to run very early in the mornings (plus, the desert gets hot as balls once the sun comes up).

 

As for feeling like you should only run with people who are also running your same pace/distance... well, are there any people in your area who are doing that? I felt exactly the same way earlier this year when I decided to take up running again, and while I do enjoy my solo runs they started to feel really lonely a month or so in. I didn't want to run with my husband, because he runs so much faster than I do (and he doesn't like to wait). So I did something I never thought I'd do - I joined a running group! And while I found their schedule to be a bit awkward to work around, I stuck with it and ended up finding a real, live running partner! In fact, even thought the group program is over now (you have to pay for the winter/spring/summer/fall programs individually) we still make our weekly runs. If there's anything on offer like that in your area, maybe it would be worth looking into? Plus, you could count it towards your DON'T BE ANTISOCIAL goal.  

RWR is very challenging for me for so many reasons. Mostly because I am a big baby. I actually found a running group in my area that is run (see what I did there…) out of a local running store where I buy my sneakers. It looks like a very good option. I just need to get my confidence up a little to join. It looks like a fairly large well established group. The website states that they have added extra pacers to accommodate all skill levels. I need some new shoes and will try to get up the nerve to ask about it when I go in.

 

On May 16, 2016 at 9:33 AM, suzyQlou said:

I'd run with you...but you'd be the speedy one   You get extra credit for that fourth run, you know.  Nice!

 

Let me know if you are putting veggies in your smoothies.  I have a kid with new-ish braces who has given up on anything crunchy.

I don't think I've ever ben accused of being "speedy". Unfortunately last week I only ran once but got  4th workout in. 

I have yet to try putting veggies in my smoothies. My blender is 1000w so it should be able to handle them. If I get adventurous I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

On May 16, 2016 at 3:37 PM, tishnicden said:

Following for two reasons:

1) those are goals I need to make myself

2) I just LOVE honey badgers *shrugs*

 

Welcome! I'm happy to have you.

 

23 hours ago, Raxie said:

Sorry it took me a bit to find you! Following for sure  Your goals are AWESOME!

I'm glad you found me! Thanks!

 

 

It's Wednesday and I am officially on vacation! I have stayed busy and focused. I did squats and ran on Sunday (DM) 3 miles in 32 minutes. Monday spin class. My legs felt like they were going to fall off. My spin teacher is trying to convince me to attend some of the other classes at the gym. Could I count that toward my don't be antisocial goal? Today I did some RWR on a bike path near my house. I ran 3 miles in 30:48 my fastest mile was 9:57. It went much better than my last RWR. No close calls with cars and I only wanted to die for the last half mile. I still need to work on pacing myself better and more consistently. 

 

I bought a Veggetti yesterday and I am going to try to to make zucchini noodles tonight for dinner. Could be awesome or it could be a disaster. I'll let you know!

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

3 hours ago, honeybadger said:

It's Wednesday and I am officially on vacation! I have stayed busy and focused. I did squats and ran on Sunday (DM) 3 miles in 32 minutes. Monday spin class. My legs felt like they were going to fall off. My spin teacher is trying to convince me to attend some of the other classes at the gym. Could I count that toward my don't be antisocial goal? Today I did some RWR on a bike path near my house. I ran 3 miles in 30:48 my fastest mile was 9:57. It went much better than my last RWR. No close calls with cars and I only wanted to die for the last half mile. I still need to work on pacing myself better and more consistently. 

 

I bought a Veggetti yesterday and I am going to try to to make zucchini noodles tonight for dinner. Could be awesome or it could be a disaster. I'll let you know!

 

Good job! You'll forsake the dreadmill before you know it. And that is a really good time for three miles.

[Evicious]

19 hours ago, honeybadger said:

RWR is very challenging for me for so many reasons. Mostly because I am a big baby. I actually found a running group in my area that is run (see what I did there…) out of a local running store where I buy my sneakers. It looks like a very good option. I just need to get my confidence up a little to join. It looks like a fairly large well established group. The website states that they have added extra pacers to accommodate all skill levels. I need some new shoes and will try to get up the nerve to ask about it when I go in.

 

It's Wednesday and I am officially on vacation! I have stayed busy and focused. I did squats and ran on Sunday (DM) 3 miles in 32 minutes. Monday spin class. My legs felt like they were going to fall off. My spin teacher is trying to convince me to attend some of the other classes at the gym. Could I count that toward my don't be antisocial goal? Today I did some RWR on a bike path near my house. I ran 3 miles in 30:48 my fastest mile was 9:57. It went much better than my last RWR. No close calls with cars and I only wanted to die for the last half mile. I still need to work on pacing myself better and more consistently. 

 

I bought a Veggetti yesterday and I am going to try to to make zucchini noodles tonight for dinner. Could be awesome or it could be a disaster. I'll let you know!

 

So, did ya get those new shoes yet?  *nudge* Lots of benefits to new shoes... just sayin'... *shove*

 

Also, zoodles are delicious! And so are carroodles, cucumoodles, and pretty much any other vegetable you can shove through the oodler!  My favorite, however, is one of nature's best: the naturally grown noodles of the spaghetti squash. Bake, scrape, and consume - you'll spend more time on the sauce/seasonings than you will on the 'noodles'. Spaghetti squash is the magic ingredient that lets me eat multiple platefuls of my favorite food without gaining 10Lbs from the experience. Is there a more perfect vegetable out there? NO!

...

Ok, it could be argued that the sweet potato is more versatile and nutritionally complete... but who wants to eat sweet potato spaghetti?!

[suzyQlou]

On 5/18/2016 at 3:55 PM, honeybadger said:

... and I only wanted to die for the last half mile.
 

This is an awesome metric.  What percentage of running did I want to die.  I love it!  You are making progress!!!

[honeybadger]

Week 2 is in the books! I am still struggling to get into my summer routine/schedule. It takes me a little time to adjust to going from working full time and commuting two hours a day to zero responsibility (other than adulating and the dog). I have to say I am loving being able to shop and cook meal by meal instead of having to rely on batch cooking. Here is what week 2 looked like challenge wise:

 

1. DON'T BE LAZY

I wasn't lazy! I exercised, adulted and domestic rangered the shit out of the week!

 

Goal 1. Exercise at least 3-4x/week Rangered! Exercised 4x this week. I went to spin once and ran twice. My 4th workout was a hodge-podge which included a little running, biking and self-flagellation jumprope.

Goal 2. Run at least 2x/week (aiming for one run to be RWR) Rangered! 2 runs once was a RWR!

Goal 3. Keep squatting 3-4x/week (I think I have noticed some improvement in the thuttocks region) Rangered! 3 squat days.

 

2. DON'T EAT LIKE AN A**HOLE

I only ate like an A**hole once this week. My BF and I went out to dinner last night and I ate all the food and had a margarita. Amazingly, I ate gluten free but still like an a**hole. Too much food, way too much food. 

 

Goal 4. Zero candy unless I'm at the movies (doesn't happen that often, promise) Rangered! Zero candy. 

Goal 5. Eat grain/gluten free at least 4 days a week.  (I might adjust this goal as I am narrowing down foods that seem to bother me) Rangered! I ate gluten free 4/7 days. It's funny how easy it is to eat gluten free after trying to eat grain free. 

Goal 6. Log all meals in MFP Rangered!

 

3. DON'T BE ANTISOCIAL

These goals were more challenging for me but I knew they would be. 

 

Goal 7. Keep up with Rangers I am following! Read, post, repeat! No excuses. Sometimes it's hard to contribute to the conversations… another joy of social anxiety. Aside from some technical difficulties I would consider this Rangered. I still need to catch up with some Rangers but I have been doing much better.

Goal 8. Post on my own thread. At least 3x/week.  I think I only managed to post twice. Room for improvement!

Goal 9. Reach out to at least 2 friends I haven't seen or talked to in a while. Bonus points for making plans. I have yet to reach out to anyone. I have thought about it and definitely have a list of people in mind. No its time for action.

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Really good job this week.

[honeybadger]

On May 18, 2016 at 7:22 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Good job! You'll forsake the dreadmill before you know it. And that is a really good time for three miles.

Slow down there….I'm still very attached to my dreadmill. I can see myself spending less time on the dreadmill however once I get my pacing down. I am very proud of that time and I understand why I wanted to die for the last half mile. I'll adjust to RWR it will just take some time. I am going to try a few different sections of the bike path to change things up. 

 

On May 20, 2016 at 9:36 AM, suzyQlou said:

This is an awesome metric.  What percentage of running did I want to die.  I love it!  You are making progress!!!

This is how I gage just about every workout. I almost always feel a little like I am dying every time I run. 

 

On May 19, 2016 at 11:23 AM, Evicious said:

So, did ya get those new shoes yet?  *nudge* Lots of benefits to new shoes... just sayin'... *shove*

I did get new shoes! I chickened out and didn't ask about the running group. It was super busy when I went in and my sales person was not very chatty (usually they are very talkative) so I wimped out. I even asked questions and tried to start a conversation. My shoes are great. They are a super ugly color though (deep purple and neon green) not that color matters to me as long as I don't get shin splints. 

 

I have tried cukes, zucchini and a sweet potato in my noodler. The sweet potato was a total fail. It might be because I have a very cheap version and the potato did not really fit. So far I'm pleased. I will continue to experiment. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Really good job this week.

Thanks Tank!

 

Today was Sunday-Runday! My first proper run in my new shoes. They feel good. I did 3 miles (DM) in 32:20ish min. This felt comfortable didn't feel like I was dying. Yay!

 

About 3-4 weeks ago I waked out of my condo to find a dead fish in the parking lot. We live about half a mile from the water. Presumably, some poor bird dropped it. Not much was left when I got home. What was left was mushed into the concrete and has over the past few weeks turned into a fish jerky pancake. Today, my dog found a piece of said fish in the grass (pretty far from the parking lot) and decided it was snack time. She probably would have eaten it if it hadn't gotten stuck in her beard. I will add old dead fish (I think it was a fin) to the list of gross things I have had to wrestle out of my dogs mouth. 

[BitterOyster]

Oh gross... Is your dog a schnauzer? I'll probably adopt a mutt one day but I really have a soft spot for schnauzers.

 

What is it about running shoes having garish colours these days?

[Evicious]

15 hours ago, honeybadger said:

I did get new shoes! I chickened out and didn't ask about the running group. It was super busy when I went in and my sales person was not very chatty (usually they are very talkative) so I wimped out. I even asked questions and tried to start a conversation. My shoes are great. They are a super ugly color though (deep purple and neon green) not that color matters to me as long as I don't get shin splints. 

 

I'm so proud you tried though!!! I know how difficult in can be; you did great, and even though you didn't get the information on the running group, at least you got a good pair of shoes.  It also sounds like you're running pretty consistently outdoors, which is another big win! You pretty much annihilated Week 2. Week 3 doesn't stand a chance.  

 

[Xena]

I know the running group can be intimidating, but they would be thrilled if you came.

 

I experimented with veggies in smoothies last summer. Spinach is probably the easiest. Carrots, celery or cucumber all work fine. The only really really bad experience I had was with broccoli rabe. Smoothie tasted exactly like you would expect from a mix of broccoli and strawberries. ICK!!

[honeybadger]

Sunday Runday

Monday Spin

Today rest and recover!

 

I didn't do squats on Sunday with my run like I have been doing. I was hoping it would leave my legs a little more fresh for spin. It did not. Now I still have three days of squats to work into my week. I'll figure it out. The weather is changing this week. It is cool and rainy today and the rest of the week is suppose to be in the 80s. Running should be interesting. I hate to put off my RWR but I am planning on working it into the coolest day (supposed to be Friday). 

 

On May 23, 2016 at 4:19 AM, BitterOyster said:

Oh gross... Is your dog a schnauzer? I'll probably adopt a mutt one day but I really have a soft spot for schnauzers.

 

She is a  mini-schnoodle (schnauzer poodle mix). She looks almost entirely like a schnauzer and her personality is 100% terror terrier. She is pretty awesome even though she eats gross things. 

 

On May 23, 2016 at 11:51 AM, Evicious said:

I'm so proud you tried though!!! I know how difficult in can be; you did great, and even though you didn't get the information on the running group, at least you got a good pair of shoes.

 

4 hours ago, Xena said:

I know the running group can be intimidating, but they would be thrilled if you came.

Thanks guys. I haven't given up on the idea yet. It will just take me some time to get up the nerve. The stronger I feel with my RWR the easier it will be. 

4 hours ago, Xena said:

The only really really bad experience I had was with broccoli rabe.

This sounds so gross…and I LOVE rabe!  I do appreciate your willingness to try it. I think I'll stick with my kefir and fruit.

[Xena]

It was at least as bad as it sounds. I wasn't really familiar with rabe (got it in a CSA) and was new to the whole hiding-veggies-with-fruit thing :-)