imprimis5 and the Two Guardians

[imprimis5]

The Two Guardians

 

A month ago, I traveled far and wide to seek and slay a giant beast. I ran miles and miles until I caught its trail. When it charged, I was able to call upon the aspect of the eagle in order to plant an ash arrow shaft in its right eye. Apparently, regardless of the damage this beast had done throughout the countryside, it was the pet of a giant. This giant was so angry at the death of its pet that it attacked and wounded me on my arm. I have no choice but to recover and continue questing, however.

 

I have heard tell of of a magical oil that is said to grant many abilities to one who uses it. It is held in a land far away, and I must acquire it! However, it is protected by two guardians: a beast of flesh and a beast of dreams. I must get to the cave wherein lies the oil as quickly as possible, defeat the guardians, and return home. I have also discovered that my nemesis learned of the oil at the same time and will be after it as well, and I must arrive first or risk losing it all.

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Monday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Sunday lunch: Chicken thighs, sweet potato fries, Brussels sprouts
  • Sunday dinner: Chicken and veggie soup (the boyfriend made some really nice, healthy soup, but it had corn and peas in it)
  • Sunday snacks: Apple, pickle
  • Monday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • I'm going to the gym today to meet with my personal trainer. I do this around twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, for a super intense hour-long circuit.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • For financial reasons, this won't be until next month. But my first step is to make an appointment with my GP. I'd also like to get my boyfriend in for a similar appointment, but he'll take some convincing. I'll try to set up this appointment here in the next few days.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • I ran Week 7 Day 1 of Couch to 5k yesterday. 2.5 miles of nonstop running.
  • No run today. It'll likely be either Tuesday or Thursday this week for my next run.

[Oramac]

Following a fellow St Louisan! 

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Tuesday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Monday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli, sweet potato fries
  • Monday dinner: Ground beef, baby carrots, sweet potato fries (This was rough! My boyfriend ordered something I'd been craving, pizza, since he'd had a really rough day. But I didn't have any.)
  • Monday snacks: Pear, almonds
  • Tuesday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • Yesterday was a trainer day at the gym. We've been working together long enough now that he really knows exactly how far he can push me before I break, and he pretty much always takes me right to that line. Yesterday was no exception. I was exhausted and beat down at the end, but I did it!
  • I just casually mentioned to my trainer while I was taking a breather that maybe soon I'd be able to do a pull-up. Well, he jumped on that and said he'd help. After my circuit was through, he set me up with a pull-up bar and a band. I did two perfect pull-ups with that band around my right foot, and it was the best thing ever. It had been since middle school since I did that last. I'm now working some specific pull-up work into every routine.
  • I'm going to the gym solo today. I haven't actually done this in a couple weeks for Reasons™, so I'm pretty excited.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • Yesterday solidified that both I and my boyfriend need this, for different reasons. For me, it's gotten to the point that my anxiety and depression are feeding each other, and it's pretty much about half of what I think about through the day.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • I got so excited about pull-ups yesterday that I made the definitive decision that today would be a gym day, not a run day.
  • Tomorrow is my regularly-scheduled total rest day. No run, no gym. So that means Thursday will be Week 7 Day 2.

[Oramac]

1 hour ago, imprimis5 said:

• • Monday dinner: Ground beef, baby carrots, sweet potato fries (This was rough! My boyfriend ordered something I'd been craving, pizza, since he'd had a really rough day. But I didn't have any.)
• • I just casually mentioned to my trainer while I was taking a breather that maybe soon I'd be able to do a pull-up. Well, he jumped on that and said he'd help. After my circuit was through, he set me up with a pull-up bar and a band. I did two perfect pull-ups with that band around my right foot, and it was the best thing ever. It had been since middle school since I did that last. I'm now working some specific pull-up work into every routine.

 

There's an awful lot of awesome in this post!  Especially these two points.  Well done!! Those are both huge steps! 

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Wednesday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Tuesday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli, sweet potato fries
  • Tuesday dinner: Ground beef, baby carrots, sweet potato fries (This was rough, again! My boyfriend still had leftover pizza. I almost gave in.)
  • Tuesday snacks: Pear, Terra root chips
  • Wednesday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • I went to the gym yesterday. It was a short-ish visit, but I'm more proud of myself for going and doing something than anything else. I worked up a sweat and did everything on my list, at least.
  • Today is a rest day. Mmmmm delicious rest. Tomorrow is a run day. That makes Friday my next gym day, with my personal trainer.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • I broached the topic of making an appointment for both me and my boyfriend with our doctor last night. He seemed amenable. I know it will be easier for both of us to follow through if we have each other for support.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • Rest day!
  • Tomorrow is a running day. I'm quite excited about it. I rarely feel as accomplished about anything as I do when I have a particularly good run.

[Oramac]

15 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

• • Today is a rest day.

 

 

But seriously, there's a lot to be happy with!  You're doing really well at resisting the crappy food and getting all your workouts done!  Though I admit I cannot fathom how one can enjoy "a particularly good run".  

[imprimis5]

1 minute ago, Oramac said:

But seriously, there's a lot to be happy with!  You're doing really well at resisting the crappy food and getting all your workouts done!  Though I admit I cannot fathom how one can enjoy "a particularly good run".  

 

Thanks a lot. Honestly, I'm mostly relying on habit for the food stuff.

 

As far as enjoying the run, I have to say that it's less about the run itself. I am running better now than I literally have at any point in my life. I've watched myself go from feeling like I was dying after 30 seconds to running 2.5 miles almost casually, all within the last 7 weeks. So I enjoy the sense of accomplishment, I suppose.

[Oramac]

5 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

As far as enjoying the run, I have to say that it's less about the run itself. I am running better now than I literally have at any point in my life. I've watched myself go from feeling like I was dying after 30 seconds to running 2.5 miles almost casually, all within the last 7 weeks. So I enjoy the sense of accomplishment, I suppose.

 

Ahh!!  The light bulb has come on!   That's awesome, and deserves a great sense of accomplishment!  Definitely keep that feeling going.  

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Thursday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Wednesday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli, sweet potato fries
  • Wednesday dinner: Tortilla-less steak fajitas, Mexican cauliflower "rice" (I went all out preparing a meal for our game night company that I could eat and they could enjoy)
  • Wednesday snacks: Apple, Terra root chips, almonds
  • Thursday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs (Ugh. One of them froze slightly in the fridge. Word to the wise: try not to let this happen.)
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • Yesterday was a day of rest and recovery. I did work out my mental muscles, however, by playing a rather intense board game with some friends!
  • I'll be back at the gym tomorrow, with my personal trainer. Should be fun!
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • Ended up not having a spare moment to think about this yesterday. Between a busy day at work, lots of driving to take and pick my dogs up from daycare, needing to run to the grocery store for a forgotten dinner ingredient, making dinner, and playing games, my "rest" day ended up rather busy.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • Yesterday I "rested." That is to say, I only did a short (slightly over half a mile) run to test out my new pair of Vibram FiveFingers. I had to see what they were like. I can see myself enjoying that, but they're going to have to set aside at least until after I run my upcoming 5k.
  • Today is an actual run day. 2.5 miles coming up this afternoon! I can't wait!

[Oramac]

48 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

(I went all out preparing a meal for our game night company that I could eat and they could enjoy)

 

 

Yesterday was a day of rest and recovery. I did work out my mental muscles, however, by playing a rather intense board game with some friends!

 

 

Yesterday I "rested." That is to say, I only did a short (slightly over half a mile) run to test out my new pair of Vibram FiveFingers. I had to see what they were like. I can see myself enjoying that, but they're going to have to set aside at least until after I run my upcoming 5k.

 

All good things!  Prepping a meal for the game nights may take a little time, but it sure does make good decisions easier!

 

Mental muscles are important too! 

 

Yay!  I wear vibrams as well and love em.  Been using them for 4-ish years now.  Good choice!

[imprimis5]

1 minute ago, Oramac said:

 

All good things!  Prepping a meal for the game nights may take a little time, but it sure does make good decisions easier!

 

Mental muscles are important too! 

 

Yay!  I wear vibrams as well and love em.  Been using them for 4-ish years now.  Good choice!

 

Thanks! My boyfriend and I play board games every other week with another couple. We have an arrangement whereby we rotate between our homes each session; the host prepares dinner and the guest brings wine. Then we throw ourselves into some intense gaming. Last night was a particularly fun one called Millennium Blades, a game that simulates the pro CCG circuit (but is really more of an economics game than anything).

[Oramac]

26 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

Thanks! My boyfriend and I play board games every other week with another couple. We have an arrangement whereby we rotate between our homes each session; the host prepares dinner and the guest brings wine. Then we throw ourselves into some intense gaming. Last night was a particularly fun one called Millennium Blades, a game that simulates the pro CCG circuit (but is really more of an economics game than anything).

 

Sounds ,like a sweet setup!  Though I've got no idea what CCG is.  lol.  

[imprimis5]

Just now, Oramac said:

 

Sounds ,like a sweet setup!  Though I've got no idea what CCG is.  lol.  

 

Think Magic: The Gathering.

[Oramac]

4 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

Think Magic: The Gathering.

 

That explains it.  I've never played Magic.  Played Hearthstone for the 3 wins to get the mount.  lol.  I guess I just never got into those card games as much.  

 

Even so, I'm glad to hear you had a good time and were able to avoid bad decisions as well!!  Double win! 

[Broba Fett]

So much awesome in this thread.  I'll be doing my best to follow along as best as I can.

 

RE: your bf and a therapist:  I convinced my fiancee to talk to someone by going and getting established myself and then asked her to come in for a few couples sessions.  After that the therapist talked her into coming seperately.  Might be an idea to get him eased into it. 

 

RE: Fivefingers:  Good call taking it easy with a short run.  I remember when I first got mine my calves were shredded just from a mile walk.  It definitely takes your legs awhile to adjust. 

[Oramac]

1 minute ago, Broba Fett said:

RE: Fivefingers:  Good call taking it easy with a short run.  I remember when I first got mine my calves were shredded just from a mile walk.  It definitely takes your legs awhile to adjust. 

 

Good point.  I love em, but they do take some time to acclimate.  

[imprimis5]

56 minutes ago, Broba Fett said:

So much awesome in this thread.  I'll be doing my best to follow along as best as I can.

 

RE: your bf and a therapist:  I convinced my fiancee to talk to someone by going and getting established myself and then asked her to come in for a few couples sessions.  After that the therapist talked her into coming seperately.  Might be an idea to get him eased into it. 

 

RE: Fivefingers:  Good call taking it easy with a short run.  I remember when I first got mine my calves were shredded just from a mile walk.  It definitely takes your legs awhile to adjust. 

 

That's not a bad idea. My concern is that, since my boyfriend and I are pretty independent, I won't want to give up that time by myself once I have it. Lol

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Friday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Thursday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli, sweet potato fries
  • Thursday dinner: Ground beef, sweet potato fries, Mexican cauliflower "rice"
  • Thursday snacks: Terra root chips, almonds, some 90% chocolate
  • Friday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • No gym yesterday, since it was a running day.
  • Gym today. Last day of my current circuit with my personal trainer. Monday, we start a new circuit. The last day is always the hardest because we will have increased both reps and weight. I expect to want to die.
  • "Man Makers" are the worst. Both because I hate the name and because they make me feel awful.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • No progress on this yesterday.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • I ran my fastest 5k yet yesterday. I felt a little more winded than usual, for some reason, but I'm not too worried.
  • No run today, but another one tomorrow. I'm under a little pressure to get it done early, since I'm playing a game with a friend at 10.

[Oramac]

Man Makers are basically just a modified burpee. And we all know how much burpees suck.  IIRC, man makers were invented by the Navy Seals as part of their training regimen.  I could be wrong though.  It's early and I haven't had any vodka yet. 

 

Wait.

 

Did I say that out loud? 

 

I'm kidding.

 

Anyway, Seems like a fairly good day.  The Best Run Yet is a great thing!!!  Being a little more winded after your fastest run probably isn't too much to worry about.  

 

Have fun at your game! 

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Saturday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Friday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli, sweet potato fries
  • Friday dinner: Ground beef, sweet potato fries, Mexican cauliflower "rice"
  • Friday snacks: Terra root chips, almonds
  • Saturday breakfast: Coffee. I need to do better about breakfast on the weekend.
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • Hardest circuit yet yesterday. But I did it and did it well. My trainer is moving into sell mode for another set of sessions. He's actually doing pretty well, so I'll probably stick with him. My main complaints have been scheduling and his insistence on the utility of crunches. He fixed the scheduling concerns for me.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • No progress on this yesterday.
  • Weirdness, and something for a therapist. I've gone from feeling better after a workout to feeling guilty that I'm doing so much while my dad is in a chair getting chemo. I need to turn that right back around.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • No run yesterday.
  • 5k this morning. No records, but I did it. I'll do it again tomorrow.

[imprimis5]

Week 1 Sunday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Saturday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli
  • Saturday dinner: Sausage cauliflower-crust pizza
  • Saturday snacks: Terra root chips
  • Sunday breakfast: Starbucks bacon breakfast sandwich (because every once in a while, we just give in)
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • No gym today or yesterday. That'll make just three times this week. I'm not beating myself up over it, though. It's back to it tomorrow.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • No progress on this yesterday.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • I ran a little over 5k this morning. 2.75 miles without a rest for Week 8 Day 1 of Couch to 5k.

[imprimis5]

Week 1 Monday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Sunday lunch: Pork chop, broccoli, sweet potato fries
  • Sunday dinner: Ground beef, broccoli, Terra root chips
  • Sunday snacks: 90% chocolate, almonds
  • Monday breakfast: Banana
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • Gym today. I'm getting down to the end of my trainer sessions for this round, and I'm almost at my goal. Probably gonna re-commit to another half dozen sessions or so to push me through to maintenance mode.
  • Today will be a new circuit, I think. Anxious to see what he has for me. Each circuit has been The Worst, so I'm sure this will be no exception.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • Got definitive confirmation that my boyfriend wants me to make us both appointments. That makes it easier for me, too. So I'll probably do this today or tomorrow.
  • My biggest challenge here, I think, is less following through with going. It's going to be going in with an open mind. I've been down this road before, and I really want to make sure I don't put too many expectations on the doc. Previously, I've been on an SSRI, and it worked fairly well. But I really want to be open to other suggestions and be willing to try new things.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • No run today, unless my trainer puts some sprints into my circuit. Which he's been known to do.
  • It's hard to believe I only have two more Couch to 5k sessions left. By this time next week, I'll have run a full practice 5k. I'm way less intimidated than I thought I would be.

[Oramac]

54 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

Week 1 Monday Update

 

Snip

 

Sorry for the delay.  I don't really post much on weekends.  

 

Overall, great progress still!!  A few hiccups here or there, but really, you're doing great!  I'm glad to hear the BF agreed to make the appointment with you as well.  And you're killing the 5k training!  Keep up the good work! 

[imprimis5]

Week 1 Tuesday Update

 

• The Quest for the Oil: I'm continuing to eat paleo, but I'd really like to work more fish into my diet. It always seems harder to cook well, so I'm a little scared of it. There are so many benefits to eating good quality fish, though! So this particular challenge is to prep a fish-based lunch for at least one week.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo.
  • Note: Unless indicated otherwise, assume I have water with a meal.
  • Monday lunch: Paleo turkey meatballs, butternut squash, onions
  • Monday dinner: Ground beef, baby carrots, Terra root chips
  • Monday snacks: 90% chocolate, almonds, molasses cookie
  • Tuesday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
• The Beast of Flesh: More gym time. I am going to continue my plan of at least four times at the gym per week.
  • As expected, yesterday's circuit with my personal trainer was The Worst. But at least it was The Worst in a pretty good way. I'm really enjoying all the conditioning-type training he has me doing.
  • I think I'm going to the gym today? It depends on when I'm able to get away from work. I have an appointment in the late afternoon, and I have to be done with everything by then.
• The Beast of Dreams: I've been having a rough time with my emotional status lately. I really need to be getting treatment again, probably both therapy and medication, but I'll leave that up to what the doctor says. The challenge this time around is to get in to see the doctor about my mental health.
  • Still no call. It's really easy to get caught up in "I'm too busy. I'll call tomorrow." There's definitely time, so I need to do this.
• Racing the Nemesis: On 13 November, I am running in my very first 5k. I'm continuing to train for this by running at least 3 times a week.
  • No run today. Thursday, I'll hit it hard.