Takin' Steps Toward Bein' Awesome~

[NeonJabberwocky]

Oh, so hey there~

 

Pleased to meet you guys! 27-year-old sci-fi/fantasy lover with a passion for rennfaires, cosplay, makin' things, video games, DnD, doodlin', and pokemon <3

 

Like a lot of people, I guess I'm mostly here for a sense of accountability (and 'cause a lot of people in my life, despite being wonderful and supportive, don't actually want to hear me get excited about makin' workout gains every week). I've never been particularly overweight or anything- I eat fewer calories most days than I need, I run, I always thought of myself as being in decent shape.

 

But about a year ago, I tried to take an aerial dance course because it's something I've always wanted to be able to do. And while I could manage to do the movements, I could never perform even the most basic steps without the instructor (who was 18 inches shorter than me and probably could have lifted me with one hand without even trying; she was amazing) helping me to get into position. At one point, she encouraged me to lift myself into the ring, which I could get no where near doing; she told me to hang just from the ring and I could barely manage that. I... I had no idea I was that weak. It was really eye-opening, to think you're in decent shape and then realize you are basically fat on bone. >__>

 

I tried to work on arm/shoulder/back/core strength, but found myself flagging and not really making gains, and then... well, y'know how it goes. Life caught up and training fell behind. I've been back on the horse recently, as of about a month ago, and it was going pretty well as far as building habits and Doing the Thing is concerned. But I still just wasn't seeing the change I wanted and was getting frustrated. Googling ways to track my performance brought me to this site and made me think about how I was eating, which was a bit overdue. I ain't goin' Paleo (I'm a vegetarian, heh. I'm sure there are ways to mix the two diets successfully, but it probably requires a lot more focus than I currently have and a pretty restricted meal plan) but I did decide to re-think my "I'm sure I'll get enough protein just eating the way I want to; my body will crave what it needs" philosophy. =P The amount of protein I was getting on a daily basis was waaaaaaaaay low (turns out two garden salads and a small fry, while involving lots of veggies and being under my calorie limit, do NOT constitute a healthy daily meal plan), and now that I have tons of beans and nuts and seeds and soy on hand and make sure I get what I need, I have -way- more momentum- both to work out and to just generally, y'know, live.

 

I took my "before" picture today (actually about a week and a half after starting into regularly strength-training and eating well, but it should still count!). And even though I'm doughy and awkward in it, I didn't even flinch when I took it. There's potential there. *determined face*

 

So my main goal at the moment is to get to the point where I can nail a pull-up- and then get back into those aerial classes with the strength to succeed in 'em. And maybe back into the SCA and fencing. One step at a time! 

[Bean Sidhe]

10 minutes ago, NeonJabberwocky said:

So my main goal at the moment is to get to the point where I can nail a pull-up- and then get back into those aerial classes with the strength to succeed in 'em. And maybe back into the SCA and fencing. One step at a time! 

Welcome

First off, I do understand how much that aerial dance course would take. My youngest did circus camp last summer and while she is in decent shape for a 9 yo, I was amazed at what they could all do and she came home so tired... It was one of the reasons we signed her up for a ninja class. Don't feel bad about that it wasn't as easy as you thought, look at it as now you have something to work back to. If you keep on the workouts, the next time you try that class, it will be even easier.

 

I honestly have not found a great way to track my workout info but I am currently using a journal where I track my "chores" (jobs that can be done daily in about 5 minutes or so, can be doing wall pushups or spend 5 minutes cleaning out a room, ect). for things like my plank, wall pushups and treadmill-time, I can record how many or how long. for other things I put a Y or N. I even have a page for my "personal bests".

I used to be Dagorhir, but I have a number of friends in SCA. That is another thing I keep hoping to get back to as well. I do miss that part of my life, even if my closest friends from stuck around thankfully. and I loved the clothes. Sadly none of mine fit currently, but hopefully one day.

Its good to meet you.

[Bookish Badger]

Welcome! Good luck to you!

[NeonJabberwocky]

Thanks to both of you! <3

 

Bean Sidhe- 1) it sounds like your kid is growing up to be AMAZING so good job with that; 2) that sounds like a great way to do it and best of luck to you! and 3) ohmygosh I've wanted to get into LARPing for forever! SCA people are often pretty emphatic about not being a LARP, but the getting-into-character and running around playin' make-believe is what appeals to me! xD I've looked into Dagorhir a few times; might have to give it another look and see if there's a good group near me =D