Toshimi finds what was lost

[Toshimi]

Honestly, I'm not really sure about doing a challenge this time. The challenges just seems to have lost some of the spark it once had to me. Also just in general, motivation/moods/adulting has become pretty hard. Part of this challenge is just getting through it, some of it will be trying to find that spark again. Since I stopped doing mud runs, my motivation for working out has been lacking, and not sure where I want to go from here, but I need to find it. (although Pokemon Go has helped the last 2 days) Also a goal of posting on NF every day, either an update on mine, or a post on someone else's. 

 

Move every day: Can be getting 10k steps in, yoga, Kung Fu. Some sort of movement that is outside what I get in a normal day. (normal day with fitbit tends to be around 3-5k) 

 

Read every day: I really want to get back into reading more, and I have book club books I'm behind on. At least 10 mins a day. Need to finish Ready Player One, and Girl on the Train (Book club book) 

 

Nutrition:  No buying anything that isn't Whole30 approved. Although we aren't truly doing the Whole30 until September, no reason to not start eating better again. MFP Tracking Optional. Goal of at least 64 oz of water/tea a day

 

Adulting: Do one adulting thing a day. This can include but aren't limited to:

• Wash/dry/fold/put away laundry
• Empty/Reload dishes
• Swiffer floors in 1 room
• Vacuum 1 room
• Wipe down/clean bathroom
• Finish wedding thank you notes (to be done ASAP)
• End of month- Budget

 

 

 

[theodinspire]

Adulting! This is the biggest challenge! Why it gotta be so difficult? I think I may have to steal this goal from you.

[Jessebel]

It seems like you kept things pretty simple this go around. I think challenges (and just life) are hardest when motivation is lacking. But it happens sometime. I believe you just have to get through the rut, really. 

 

And perhaps add a challenge where you try a new martial art or something, even if it is just once, before the challenge ends could help regenerate some excitement. 

 

Good luck! 

[Toshimi]

just after 6 and already to almost 11,000 steps for the day. Might go to the park again tonight for a walk/pokemon, but we'll see after he gets home from swim.

 

Did walk enough to finish hatching an egg this morning. Made it to lvl 7. I feel a little weird playing Pokemon Go. I never have played anything pokemon before. But my husband, his brother, and a bunch of people we know play, so I figured why not. I just wish it would talk to fit bit... it eats sooo much battery. I think we're going to be investing in another battery pack so we both have them during the day. 

 

Adulting thing for today: Called one of the financial advisers in town and started the paperwork to go in for a consult. Also just put in a load of laundry, the goal is to finish it tonight. And also called the county registrar to find out if they every got our wedding paperwork. It's not fun getting a letter saying you only have 30 days left until it expires. (they had it the whole time but since it hadn't been recorded the automated letter got sent) get to call back in 2 weeks to see if it's ready to pick up. Then all the name change fun-ness begins. 

 

Reading: started the first few pages of the whole30 book. Makes me want to re read Women Food and God which I will probably do after getting some book club book reading done. 

 

Did have some dairy today but I figured some cream in my coffee verses having nothing to eat/drink yet during the day was not a horrible thing. I did manage to skip the sugar I would normally have in coffee, or any other flavors. Coffee was a mistake (still super shakey more than 7 hours later) but it was good, so that's all that matters right?

 

@Jessebel- I actually am a little unsure of my Kung Fu teacher at the moment. He's been keeping us really late which if we were actually training I wouldnt care, but it's because he's been talking, and not about stuff that really has anything to do with Kung Fu. Used to be my place to train and escape from all the other crap going on in the world, and it hasn't been lately... makes it hard to go at the moment. Might check into my old jujutsu place but last time I checked the times weren't really great for when I had available. I know I like soft arts, but options are limited where I am. There is an option to drive to the other Kung Fu School, but it would take an extra 2 hours commute if I"m lucky. Could be longer. 

 

I did drive by a place that does TRX. I've always been interested, but need to look at budgets before I think about it. There's also pilates that my parent's go to that I could probably go to as well. Things to think about, possibly to do. 

[Kyellan]

This crazy Pokemon thing, eh? I mean, I played the GBA game when I was a kid and watched the cartoon occasionally, and somehow that made me the ambassador to the game for a group of 'normals' I hang with at work. 

 

I'm already trying to figure out when I can escape from my desk for half an hour to hit the local Pokéstops...

[Toshimi]

we spent about 45 mins at the park last night walking around. there are 7 stops on the loop. Got a few I hadn't had before which was fun. Saw some friends there which was great too. There aren't any poke stops by my work, but I did go sit at the park yesterday for lunch.... didn't make my 10k steps but I had to be in the office most the day. It's amazing how much a difference it makes being in the office verses out in the field. Monday only spent 45 mins in the office made my 250+ all 10 hours, yesterday only was out in the field 3 hours... only made 3 hours with my 250 steps.... need to find a way to fix it... not to mention hatch the eggs faster.... 

 

So, last night as I was reading the whole 30 book, I decided to see how much time I had between now and our next trip we're taking. 36 days... I hadn't planned on doing it until September/october time frame, but I've been feeling like crap lately, making crap food choices, so i figured why not start now? I know its supposed to be 30 days on the program and 10 days of reintroducing, which I'll be 4 days short on, but right now I am so tired of feeling tired that I'm ready to just jump in. I'm doing it alone, P isn't willing to give up his cheese and his work lunches, or beer. Which is fine with me. might be a little harder at times but he's supportive. And he'll eat whatever I make at night so that helps too. 

 

Going to change my food goal because of doing the whole 30 thing... not sure how though

 

Adulting yesterday was filling out life insurance paperwork and all the paperwork to meet with the financial person. Also did the dishes. Bought paint to finish the shelves 

 

 

 

[Kishi]

Hey, welcome back!

 

I hear you about the luster of the challenges seeming to shift and fade a bit. Compared to having something to train for like a tournament or a race or something, just going through the motions can seem rather boring. It's actually during these times that you end up laying your base for the things that you don't see coming for you.

 

And believe you me. They're coming.

 

Get ready.

[RisenPhoenix]

Pokemon Go has made me do some stupid things lately.  Like walking home in crazy heat and humidity and then in rain.  Just to catch pokemon.  And hatch eggs.  And squee over it all.

 

On 7/11/2016 at 0:32 PM, Toshimi said:

The challenges just seems to have lost some of the spark it once had to me. Also just in general, motivation/moods/adulting has become pretty hard.

 

I think one thing about challenge is that like everything else in the world, there is a point of diminishing returns.  When we start at NF and begin challenges, even tiny movements forward are usually HUGE hurdles for us all.  Once we get in grooves, the former motivation of "holy crap, I CAN do this!" drops off, which isn't something that I think Steve addresses a lot in his blog posts.  And partially that's because he focuses a lot on complete beginners/people who need to realize "Holy crap I CAN do this!"  But when you start seeing that you can do a lot more, it makes "challenges" harder to craft because, well, things don't seem as challenging/daunting.  The gulf is no longer there stopping you.  And I'm pretty sure that's because the lot of us (because I am totally guilty of doing this) tend to minimize our achievements as we move forward for that exact reason.  So there seems to be a point where challenges need to shift from "Can I do this base habit" to "I want to do THIS thing," but the transition is murky.

 

Er.  Anyway.  My long winded two cents of how the spark is lost and what I think can be done to get it back.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Probably am.  I'm just rambling at this point.

[Toshimi]

So much for the every day posting. 

 

The deciding to do the whole 30 thing, well really sucks right now. My moods have been all over the place, I want to eat everything in sight (thankfully i stocked up on fruits and veggies and chicken) and I go between wanting to kill all the things and sleep all the time. Which according to the book is totally normal... just a little over it. 

 

We were supposed to go flying tomorrow, but looks like where we were going to have brunch is going to be a no go. I think I"m going to take the opportunity to send P flying alone instead and allow me some time to do food prep for the next week. 

 

Prep goals for tomorrow

5 lunches prep'd 

Fruit & Veggie snacks prep'd 

Nut milk made (I have hazelnuts soaking right now, super excited!) 

 

 

 

9 hours ago, RisenPhoenix said:

I think one thing about challenge is that like everything else in the world, there is a point of diminishing returns.  When we start at NF and begin challenges, even tiny movements forward are usually HUGE hurdles for us all.  Once we get in grooves, the former motivation of "holy crap, I CAN do this!" drops off, which isn't something that I think Steve addresses a lot in his blog posts.  And partially that's because he focuses a lot on complete beginners/people who need to realize "Holy crap I CAN do this!"  But when you start seeing that you can do a lot more, it makes "challenges" harder to craft because, well, things don't seem as challenging/daunting.  The gulf is no longer there stopping you.  And I'm pretty sure that's because the lot of us (because I am totally guilty of doing this) tend to minimize our achievements as we move forward for that exact reason.  So there seems to be a point where challenges need to shift from "Can I do this base habit" to "I want to do THIS thing," but the transition is murky.

 

Er.  Anyway.  My long winded two cents of how the spark is lost and what I think can be done to get it back.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Probably am.  I'm just rambling at this point.

 

I think some of it is that. I know I can do it, yeah it's hard and may suck sometimes, sticking to it may be an entirely other issue. Or maintaining what was gained/lost

 

I think some of it is also, i dont know what the "it" is I want to do. When I had the mud runs I had a clear goal of this is what I want. Yes I want a black belt eventually, but that's a hard goal for me to really define what that means in a day to day what needs to get done. Yes I need to practice forms, yes I need to practice my other techniques, but i miss having that true fitness goal, that "I want to do a 5k in under ___ time" or "i want to be able to do this obstacle i wasn't able to last time" 

 

 

[Kishi]

30 minutes ago, Toshimi said:

I think some of it is also, i dont know what the "it" is I want to do. When I had the mud runs I had a clear goal of this is what I want. Yes I want a black belt eventually, but that's a hard goal for me to really define what that means in a day to day what needs to get done. Yes I need to practice forms, yes I need to practice my other techniques, but i miss having that true fitness goal, that "I want to do a 5k in under ___ time" or "i want to be able to do this obstacle i wasn't able to last time" 

 

I know this feel. It's the difference between a process-oriented challenge where you build habits and a goal-oriented challenge, where you have a definite thing that you're trying to accomplish (passing a belt test, running a race, etc).

 

FWIW, I've had an easy time sticking to a process-oriented way of doing things because it got me the results I wanted. I wanted to be able to not only be strong, but to be able to display that strength easily and at a moment's notice. I imagine it would drive most people crazy, but because I'm getting an outcome that I want, I can stick to it. The fact that it's fun in its own right is super-helpful too.

 

But, maybe that doesn't suit you, you know? There's nothing wrong with wanting to tackle an event or something at the end of the challenge. Is there anything nearby to you that would qualify that you could be prepared for in a month?

[RisenPhoenix]

On 7/17/2016 at 0:37 AM, Toshimi said:

 

I think some of it is also, i dont know what the "it" is I want to do. When I had the mud runs I had a clear goal of this is what I want. Yes I want a black belt eventually, but that's a hard goal for me to really define what that means in a day to day what needs to get done. Yes I need to practice forms, yes I need to practice my other techniques, but i miss having that true fitness goal, that "I want to do a 5k in under ___ time" or "i want to be able to do this obstacle i wasn't able to last time" 

 

Preaching.  To.  The.  Choir.

 

My current thing is trying to scale back and focus on single things, rather than everything.  It's the "Jack of all Trades, Master of None" effect I feel.

On 7/17/2016 at 1:14 AM, Kishi said:

But, maybe that doesn't suit you, you know? There's nothing wrong with wanting to tackle an event or something at the end of the challenge. Is there anything nearby to you that would qualify that you could be prepared for in a month?

 

^This

 

I hate running, but I do envy runners a bit in that they can always find a race to help motivate them.  Martial Arts doesn't exactly have that, unless you're active in the competitive scene AND are pretty dedicated to it.  Runners can just.... find runs they think would be enjoyable and even if they don't want to go for a PR can find some enjoyment in it.  You can kind of get similar things in strength training, but you really need to commit to that pretty far in advance.

 

Dunno.  If I had a perfect answer for you I'd give it.  I'm just rambling now.

[Toshimi]

1 hour ago, RisenPhoenix said:

I hate runners, but I do envy runners a bit in that they can always find a race to help motivate them.  Martial Arts doesn't exactly have that, unless you're active in the competitive scene AND are pretty dedicated to it.  Runners can just.... find runs they think would be enjoyable and even if they don't want to go for a PR can find some enjoyment in it.  You can kind of get similar things in strength training, but you really need to commit to that pretty far in advance.

 

Dunno.  If I had a perfect answer for you I'd give it.  I'm just rambling now.

 

^^ exactly it. 

 

My dojo does not do competitions anymore. We actually talked about this there the other day. They decided awhile ago to move away from competitions because there was a choice made to focus on self defense, and the grandmaster and others felt that having a competiative team didn't really go with the self defense focus. I love that Kung Fu is a soft art, and that there isn't the pressure to compete (like some of the BJJ places I talked to) 

 

I think something I might explore is doing some over night bike rides. Since my crash almost 3 years ago I've been semi hesitant to get back on the bike much. My parents on their tandem have done the whole west coast in like 3-4 trips (Victoria, BC, rode about 100 miles north, then all the way down to the border with Mexico in San Diego area) I think that it could be a great thing for P and I. I just need to get over the head trash of "I don't like biking" and get my butt back on the bike. There's a 1 night right my parents have done several times before their long trips that I might propose we do, not at the end of this challenge but the next. The big question will be tent (ideally what i'd like to do but lots more gear that needs to be carried) or hotel (less gear, could get away with backpacks, but more expensive) 

 

I just want to get back on the bike a little more before i commit to a goal like that

[Toshimi]

Had a great time at Kung Fu last night! and to think I almost didn't go. There were 4 of us there, but one person was just watching due to a minor ankle issue. Which meant a lot of time actually working with our teacher 1 on 1. Covered front kicks, step side kicks, step roundhouse kicks. Practicing using our waist/hips and spool and spindle techniques. I noticed a Huge difference from when we started to the end of the drills. 

 

Also did some work on some blocking/angling into animal techniques, one of the things I struggle with a lot. Was good to get some practice. 

 

6 weeks left to my green belt  test. Went over what I need to know last night with my teacher. I don't feel anywhere near ready, but 6 weeks to go I know I can get there. Just contacted one of the other teachers who does my private lessons and we've scheduled 4 between tomorrow and the test. Hopefully that helps some. Now I just need to go through and figure out what I need to review for that. Just because I don't know all of it for the test doesn't mean I wont pass. I have to at least show progress toward the goals. 

 

60 designated techniques: i can do 15-ish really comfortably. another 25 I know I've learned, I'm just not super comfortable with them or tend to get a few of them mixed up. we tend to learn 1-2 a week, so 12 more between now and then would put me about 52 which I feel would be a pretty good goal to hit. 

 

3 old temple forms: Need to review them, but I know 4, so all good here. 

 

7 hapkido basics, only know 2... 5 escapes I know 3, wrist escapes I know 14 of the 20 really well, and an additional 2 I've learned once. and know  phases 1-6 (flash the eyes, block everything, step to angle and push, designated technique, designated technique with take down, Free bull attacker with defender designated technique.)

 

Might update my challenge a bit to include practicing temple forms and the animals techniques. just not sure how this is going to take form quite yet. 

 

Whole30 is going. Starting to figure out somethings which are getting me feeling a little better than the start. yesterday was still not feeling great. today energy wise is better, but still waiting for that amazing feeling I keep hearing about. 9 days in, only had cravings really a few days ago. Didn't help I walked into my parents and they had mini packs of oreos on the table for a project she was working on... thinking of ordering some new types of Rx bars. They're great but the local store only carries blueberry and chocolate/coconut. Either that or might play around with making my own. 

 

If anyone has suggestions of how to use tomatoes, we're getting several pounds a week from the veggie box, and I've resorted to cooking most down into sauce since the hubby doesn't like just sliced tomatoes, and I haven't come up with anything else to do. and with whole 30 the broiling fresh mozzarella  i used to do is out

 

Other than that things are going pretty well. Should be a fairly relaxing weekend!

[sarakingdom]

1 hour ago, Toshimi said:

If anyone has suggestions of how to use tomatoes, we're getting several pounds a week from the veggie box, and I've resorted to cooking most down into sauce since the hubby doesn't like just sliced tomatoes

 

Stirfry with zucchini, onion, and Italian sausage.  Or any other vaguely Italian-flavors stirfry.

[Kishi]

Maybe fry them up with some coconut flour or something? I mean, I know, technically green is the frying kind, but what harm?

[Toshimi]

On 7/23/2016 at 3:42 PM, Kishi said:

Maybe fry them up with some coconut flour or something? I mean, I know, technically green is the frying kind, but what harm?

 

tried it this afternoon. So yeah, they kinda didn't stand up too well to the heat... but it made a good sauce...

 

water intake has  been going much better. Bought a bunch of seltzer water (yay sale at the store) and it has helped a lot. Can of seltzer, a few frozen raspberries and a wedge of lime. also been taking my 1L bottle to work, and normally get at least 1 down before heading home. 

 

spent some time today practicing what we went over at my 1 on 1 saturday. Feeling a lot better about a few  techniques I was really having some issues with. I think i can get 2-3 more lessons in before the test. Spent some time tonight making notes on the first set (the designated/animal techniques are broken into 12 sets) then want to do another set during the week. Hoping that going through my notes and writing ones I didn't get to before will help to cement the moves in so it's easier at the test. 

 

reading is falling behind but having the house to myself the next 2 days I hope to catch up on it (book club book is due in 2 weeks!) It's not the most exciting book but need to get through it. Will be only the second book for the book club this year  that I will finish. would like to get another book or two done before classes start aain

 

Things are pretty crazy right now... local fire is over 22 thousand acres. 18 homes and 1 life lost. One of my co-workers had to evacuate tonight. It would have to travel pretty far for me to evacuate, but just in case went through to make at least a mental list of what would need to go. But considering one of the evac shelters is between me and the fire I'm pretty sure I'm nowhere near the path. I've lived in this area for over 25 years and the area I currently live in has only evacuated once, and the fire is in a totally different area. 

[RisenPhoenix]

Re: Tomatoes

 

Roasted tomatoes are amazingly tasty.  And store surprisingly well in terms of batch cooking.  TinMan would make them and they seem to store for at least 3-4 days.  Assuming they weren't all devoured before then.  But olive oil + fresh garlic and basil?  Roasted?  I mean, yea, some Moz on top would be fantastic, but even without it's delicious.

[Toshimi]

Day 22 of 30. 

 

I wrote so many posts in the last week or so, deleted most of them before posting. just too much negative, too much complaining. 

 

Getting back to drinking more water/tea i think it's made a huge difference in how i feel the last few days. That and I've actually gotten a few good nights sleep. Still dont have the "tigers blood" feeling they talk about in the WHole30 blog/book but I'll take not being tired all the time and often rather unpleasant to be around. 

 

Have had a few slip ups on the "don't eats" but none intentional. Didn't realize a salad dressing had some white wine in it but only had a taste... , also one of my favorite mustard has sugar in it   I realized it before i had more than a few bites of masshed potatoes... And who knows about last night. Some friends took us out to eat in celebration of our wedding. Indian food is hard to navigate when you cant eat dairy. Found a curry thing, but it had peas. I picked out what I could of them, but there weren't many options for food. Passing on the garlic Naan and rice took a lot of will power, but it helped I wasnt the only one not eating it

 

 we now have a lot of pesto and tomato sauce that will hopefully be great during the winter. Was able to pass on the corn to my grandmother that came in this week's box. the cantaloupe the last 2 weeks and the eggplant has been a nice treat. not normally a big eggplant eater, but saute'd it with some ghee garlic lemon and basil and eat at room temp... it's wonderful!

 

Kung fu is going better, I need to practice more, I think that's going to be next challenge's focus. The private lesson went really well. and have another this week. I think I'll be ready, and also found out I dont test until Sept 17th. I forgot they shift the September test by a week because of Labor day. which is great I get to test at my Dojo instead of going to LA for that one. 

 

The long form we're working on right now is, tough. My teacher said he doesn't normally teach it to blue/green belts. I now know why. One of the only form that ends up with you on the ground. We're almost done with it, but I feel like I only have about half of it, but with a few more weeks of practice I think I'll get it. Not sure it's what I'm going to use for my test, but at least I'll know it. 

 

Also will be happy when i feel like i can take this wrist brace off... When the question is "Is my hand supposed to feel like this" while doing escapes from escorts, the answer might happen to be no... I thought maybe i just over stretched it a little until I went back to Kung Fu Tuesday, it was a little purpley tinted around it after class... and of course it had to be my writing hand... if anyone has suggestions on an ergo mouse for the computer would be appreciated,  my normal one and i are not getting along right now

 

Tonight P and I are going to see Suicide Squad!!! Super excited!!!!! going to be a little tight getting there on time but at least its assigned seats. 

[Toshimi]

Day 30 of whole30. I thought things were better, and some are, but not everything I thought it would be. From reading the forums sounds like most would say I need to stick with it longer, but with travel and such coming up, that isn't really an option for the next 2 weeks. Sleep is where i've seen the most improvement. waking up less in the middle of the night, and have had a few nights where fitbit shows I slept through the whole night (or at least 6+ hours of it) 

 

Have some thoughts for next challenge floating in my head, 5 weeks until my green belt test... so that will be the main focus, but trying to come up with something fun for a challenge, some sort of theme to keep me going... Head trash and brain crap have been getting in the way lately... 

[RisenPhoenix]

4 hours ago, Toshimi said:

 

Day 30 of whole30. I thought things were better, and some are, but not everything I thought it would be. From reading the forums sounds like most would say I need to stick with it longer, but with travel and such coming up, that isn't really an option for the next 2 weeks.

 

 

I think over the years I've learned that the hard part isn't really figuring out what to eat, but how to keep it that way when you're away for a while and/or dealing with other people.  So the best bet would be do your best on the food, and then focus once you're home and stable on getting back to that prior bench mark.  I count calories, so I tend to after long breaks spend a day or three eating solid, good foods (mostly primal-like), and then log things afterwards.  It works for me, so maybe a similar tactic might help you when you get back.

[Kishi]

Hey, if you learned something in the course of the W30, then good enough. You can carry this forward, right? Very good, if so.

 

Stay safe out there, though. Those wild fires are no joke.

[Toshimi]

21 hours ago, Kishi said:

Hey, if you learned something in the course of the W30, then good enough. You can carry this forward, right? Very good, if so.

 

Stay safe out there, though. Those wild fires are no joke.

 

thankfully the one in my area(ish) should be fully contained tomorrow, and we've yet to get much smoke from it anyway. still a little hazy from some of the previous fires, but that will take some time to fully clear out.

 

have some ideas for this next challenge but trying to tweak it/find something fun to do with it.... hopefully by tonight, since 5 weeks until test... need to get my butt in gear. should have something up by tomorrow (hopefully)