So I took yesterday off, listening to my mind and body which didn't want to do anything. What happened today? I rowed four miles. Haven't rowed that far this year. That is very, very sad and I blame Crossfit Endurance in part (my own laziness is the other part). CE relies on very short, high intensity workouts and for a while that was what I was following. Perhaps if you're already fit, it is a good plan to follow. But for someone like me who is rounding themselves into shape and trying to drop weight, I think you need to put in longer workouts.
Then did the Crossfit Total workout. My shoulder press has stayed the same. I almost set a personal best on the squat but when I started up my injured calf did something really painful and I lost my balance and dropped the bar. Thank goodness for the squat rack or else my head would have been crushed.
I did set a personal best on the deadlift, though. Progress!!!
My calf is swollen. I iced it earlier which helped but I think any more running is out for a while.
Ate very well today. Worked on the patio off of my bedroom. Little on the hallway. Going to spend the rest of the evening on my book. Good day all around.
Showing posts with label 30 days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 days. Show all posts
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
30 days to changing my life - Day 6: Blah
Literally nothing to report. I hardly did a thing today. Just did not feel up to it.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
30 days to changing my life - Day 5: Firing on all cylinders
What a fantastic day! Nice weather and the progress I'm making just helped me move right into more successes. Started the morning by recruiting the boowahs to put primer on the barn. I didn't have to resort to Tom Sawyer strategies even. Just got them out there. While they did that I weeded and cut branches around the barn. Once they finished Gaga climbed a tree and worked on a branch above the barn. He tired out an so I climbed up and finished it. I was pleased with upper body strength. I just reached up, grabbed a branch and pulled myself right up using just my arms. Very cool.
From there Gaga and I went to the inside. Tore out some rotten boards and I sliced up some more of the rotten carpet that is out there.
Had lunch and started working on the inside. Gave the kitchen the best cleaning it has had in a long time. Then I rowed and Gaga and I went outside and did the Crossfit workout. That was the low point of the day for me personally as I still cannot get the clean technique right. Gaga has it and did very well. I was immensely impressed. I then did some pullups because I was still giddy from the whole tree thing.
We then cleaned up and went shopping. Got the rest of the paint and primer we need for the barn and hallway. Bought a scale and school supplies at Target. STILL did not get a camera battery. Insane. My camera must really be ancient as much trouble as I'm having. But now I can measure progress with the scale. I weigh 271 right now. My lean weight is around 210 normally (haven't had it measured lately) so that puts me in the low 20's for body fat percentage. Breaking the 250 point would be nice as that would put me at worst, fifteen percent body fat, and it would put me at deadlifting twice my body weight when I get that 500 pound bar up.
The boowahs and I got another pair of games of Catan in. Then this evening I'm been doing research for my book and have been so engrossed, I forgot about posting.
Good day all around.
From there Gaga and I went to the inside. Tore out some rotten boards and I sliced up some more of the rotten carpet that is out there.
Had lunch and started working on the inside. Gave the kitchen the best cleaning it has had in a long time. Then I rowed and Gaga and I went outside and did the Crossfit workout. That was the low point of the day for me personally as I still cannot get the clean technique right. Gaga has it and did very well. I was immensely impressed. I then did some pullups because I was still giddy from the whole tree thing.
We then cleaned up and went shopping. Got the rest of the paint and primer we need for the barn and hallway. Bought a scale and school supplies at Target. STILL did not get a camera battery. Insane. My camera must really be ancient as much trouble as I'm having. But now I can measure progress with the scale. I weigh 271 right now. My lean weight is around 210 normally (haven't had it measured lately) so that puts me in the low 20's for body fat percentage. Breaking the 250 point would be nice as that would put me at worst, fifteen percent body fat, and it would put me at deadlifting twice my body weight when I get that 500 pound bar up.
The boowahs and I got another pair of games of Catan in. Then this evening I'm been doing research for my book and have been so engrossed, I forgot about posting.
Good day all around.
Friday, September 4, 2009
30 days to changing my life - Day 4: Roller coaster day
It surprises me sometimes how previous life lessons learned come back to me and how I have matured over the years. Let me give you a couple of examples. We'll start with my run yesterday. In the past I would have judged how I did compared with my heyday as a runner when I was a young, thinner cross country runner in high school or biathlete in college. Such comparisons would have resulted in me being angry and disappointed with myself. Why? Because I wasn't as "good" as I once was. This would have led to self-doubt and wondering why I was bothering to run and then not running altogether. Excellent way to improve, huh?
Another example. I laid out a rather ambitious workout schedule for myself when I started this. I knew full well that it would be difficult to live up to and I am not. Oh well. It's not like I'm not working out. Again, in the past I probably would have bullied myself into shutting down because I wasn't "meeting expectations".
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you just let yourself be accepting. Not lowering your bar but just being able to realize that hey, I'm human, I'm imperfect, I'm doing my best.
I still get down on myself too easily. I did not work out today and it was hard to not feel like I was being a quitter. I know I did a smart thing. I know that the caliber of workout I do requires rest days for the body to recover and build muscle. That's why Crossfit has the built in days of rest. My calf is better but still hurts and the extra day will help. It was still tough to do nothing.
On the flipside my Mom came up and helped me out with the hallway. Tremendous progress. I told her how helpful it is for me right now. Sometimes I get feeling overwhelmed and just making progress is a great feeling. Once again, a life lesson lost but refound. The journey is as important as the destination.
I keep meaning to get a new battery for my camera. Get some before pictures of myself and the house. Alas, pictures have never been a big thing for me.
So to sum up, got some good stuff done (and fixed a surprsingly yummy salad from a cookbook I have called Fresh Food Fast: fennel, cabbage, apple and raisins tossed in lemon juice and EVOO. I was a little skeptical about raw fennel but it was good. I digress. Good stuff accomplished but fought the self-doubt and guilt.
Another example. I laid out a rather ambitious workout schedule for myself when I started this. I knew full well that it would be difficult to live up to and I am not. Oh well. It's not like I'm not working out. Again, in the past I probably would have bullied myself into shutting down because I wasn't "meeting expectations".
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you just let yourself be accepting. Not lowering your bar but just being able to realize that hey, I'm human, I'm imperfect, I'm doing my best.
I still get down on myself too easily. I did not work out today and it was hard to not feel like I was being a quitter. I know I did a smart thing. I know that the caliber of workout I do requires rest days for the body to recover and build muscle. That's why Crossfit has the built in days of rest. My calf is better but still hurts and the extra day will help. It was still tough to do nothing.
On the flipside my Mom came up and helped me out with the hallway. Tremendous progress. I told her how helpful it is for me right now. Sometimes I get feeling overwhelmed and just making progress is a great feeling. Once again, a life lesson lost but refound. The journey is as important as the destination.
I keep meaning to get a new battery for my camera. Get some before pictures of myself and the house. Alas, pictures have never been a big thing for me.
So to sum up, got some good stuff done (and fixed a surprsingly yummy salad from a cookbook I have called Fresh Food Fast: fennel, cabbage, apple and raisins tossed in lemon juice and EVOO. I was a little skeptical about raw fennel but it was good. I digress. Good stuff accomplished but fought the self-doubt and guilt.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
30 days to changing my life - Day 3: I did what?
For the first time in almost five years (the last time was September 26, 2004), I ran 5K today. You have a better chance of finding a nice Oktoberfest in Puerto Rico than you do seeing me run. Man, I hate running. But I vowed when I set myself this challenge that I would finally do Crossfit as recommended. Normally I substitute rowing for running because running is a miserable thing to do and rowing is very, very fun. Not today. I hit up Mapmyrun.com, plotted out a nice route and hit the road.
The last time I ran this distance was the Living with Lupus 5K in Delaware.
I paid the price. My right calf feels like someone shot it. I'm glad tomorrow is a rest day for Crossfit.
Worked on the bathroom and it looks as nice as it has since I moved in.
Eating is going pretty well. Made a marinade of mint from my herb garden, garlic, lemon juice, crushed red pepper and EVOO, marinated zucchini and chicken in it and had that for dinner. Very nice.
The boowahs and I had an awesome game of Settlers of Catan tonight, one of our most enjoyable ever. Just felt like mentioning it.
All to report for today. Feeling good.
The last time I ran this distance was the Living with Lupus 5K in Delaware.
I paid the price. My right calf feels like someone shot it. I'm glad tomorrow is a rest day for Crossfit.
Worked on the bathroom and it looks as nice as it has since I moved in.
Eating is going pretty well. Made a marinade of mint from my herb garden, garlic, lemon juice, crushed red pepper and EVOO, marinated zucchini and chicken in it and had that for dinner. Very nice.
The boowahs and I had an awesome game of Settlers of Catan tonight, one of our most enjoyable ever. Just felt like mentioning it.
All to report for today. Feeling good.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
30 days to changing my life - Day 2: Hello, Obstacles!
Oh my. When I decided I was going to do this, I knew I was picking a heck of a time to do it. End of semester, followed by my weird schedule day (Wednesdays), followed by a holiday. Not the best time but when is, right? If we wait for the perfect time to do something, it doesn't get done.
I knew I would not get a lot done today. My work schedule is goofy on Wednesdays and add in the boowahs, I'm not left with a lot of time to get stuff done.
As such, I won't break down by category. I worked out, warming up with a 5K row. I got started and my head started hurting. It continued to hurt after I finished and went out back to do the Crossfit workout. Today's workout is one of my least favorites. I hate cleans. My technique is miserable. And historically ring dips have been a challenge. But I made it through the first set of both all right. As I moved into the second set of cleans, I really started feeling unwell. I was sweating, but it felt like a fever sweat. I was clammy, my muscles suddenly felt weak, my head was pounding. So I stopped and sat down on my neighbors lawn furniture.
I'm sitting there saying "Great Caesar's Ghost, what's wrong with me", and assessing my symptoms. All of a sudden I say to myself, "This is how I feel when I'm dehydrated". Ding! Give me a prize. I am a smart one. I hadn't had anything to drink since about 7 that morning. Dumb. I ended up stopping the workout and going in and drinking lots of water. The headache went away about half a hour later and everything was fine.
I didn't feel hungry much today. Ate very lightly but was disappointed with the cuts of meat I had for lunch and dinner. Don't know that it's worth citing everything I eat. I'm keeping it simple. Meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries. Water when I remember.
Got in touch with a professor who gave me a lead on a potential job.
That's it as far as the life changes go. I'm turning in early for a change after I was up late again last night wrapping up the semester. A good night's sleep will help.
Had Mark Danielowski's book Only Revolutions sent to me at the library and tried to read it. Not going to happen. I do not get it in the least. As an objet d'art it is very cool. The book is told by a guy and a girl. The book is 360 pages. The guy tells the story from one end of the book. Flip the book upside down and you get the girl's story. There are two bookmarks built into the book to mark your place in each person's story. The page numbers are marked with a circle with each page being a degree in that circle so the page numbers rotate as you progress through the book. The font starts really big so that on page 0 of the guy's story, he takes up maybe 90% of the page while the upside down version of the girl's story on page 360 takes up ten percent. As you continue, the fonts change and shrink until on page 360 of the guy's story he is at 10% of the page and the girl's page 0 takes up the rest. Each page is dated and has events that occur on those dates. The story does not seem to correspond with those dates. The stories are written in a type of poetry. Not exactly sure what to call it. A lot of it rhymes, some of it doesn't. Lots of made up words. Lots of animals which are bold-faced text and the letter O and number 0 are all colored differently. From a visual standpoint, it's pretty neat. I just wasn't getting the story. Tried the guy. Tried the girl. Skipped to different parts. Just seemed like a lot of nonsense. Alas. I don't think I'll continue trying to get it.
I knew I would not get a lot done today. My work schedule is goofy on Wednesdays and add in the boowahs, I'm not left with a lot of time to get stuff done.
As such, I won't break down by category. I worked out, warming up with a 5K row. I got started and my head started hurting. It continued to hurt after I finished and went out back to do the Crossfit workout. Today's workout is one of my least favorites. I hate cleans. My technique is miserable. And historically ring dips have been a challenge. But I made it through the first set of both all right. As I moved into the second set of cleans, I really started feeling unwell. I was sweating, but it felt like a fever sweat. I was clammy, my muscles suddenly felt weak, my head was pounding. So I stopped and sat down on my neighbors lawn furniture.
I'm sitting there saying "Great Caesar's Ghost, what's wrong with me", and assessing my symptoms. All of a sudden I say to myself, "This is how I feel when I'm dehydrated". Ding! Give me a prize. I am a smart one. I hadn't had anything to drink since about 7 that morning. Dumb. I ended up stopping the workout and going in and drinking lots of water. The headache went away about half a hour later and everything was fine.
I didn't feel hungry much today. Ate very lightly but was disappointed with the cuts of meat I had for lunch and dinner. Don't know that it's worth citing everything I eat. I'm keeping it simple. Meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries. Water when I remember.
Got in touch with a professor who gave me a lead on a potential job.
That's it as far as the life changes go. I'm turning in early for a change after I was up late again last night wrapping up the semester. A good night's sleep will help.
Had Mark Danielowski's book Only Revolutions sent to me at the library and tried to read it. Not going to happen. I do not get it in the least. As an objet d'art it is very cool. The book is told by a guy and a girl. The book is 360 pages. The guy tells the story from one end of the book. Flip the book upside down and you get the girl's story. There are two bookmarks built into the book to mark your place in each person's story. The page numbers are marked with a circle with each page being a degree in that circle so the page numbers rotate as you progress through the book. The font starts really big so that on page 0 of the guy's story, he takes up maybe 90% of the page while the upside down version of the girl's story on page 360 takes up ten percent. As you continue, the fonts change and shrink until on page 360 of the guy's story he is at 10% of the page and the girl's page 0 takes up the rest. Each page is dated and has events that occur on those dates. The story does not seem to correspond with those dates. The stories are written in a type of poetry. Not exactly sure what to call it. A lot of it rhymes, some of it doesn't. Lots of made up words. Lots of animals which are bold-faced text and the letter O and number 0 are all colored differently. From a visual standpoint, it's pretty neat. I just wasn't getting the story. Tried the guy. Tried the girl. Skipped to different parts. Just seemed like a lot of nonsense. Alas. I don't think I'll continue trying to get it.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
30 days to changing my life - Day 1: A good start
I plan on posting in the evening after the boowahs have gone to bed. But tonight I must wrap up my final assignment of the semester and I just need to truck right through that and get it done.
The first day was pretty good. Let's address the six areas of focus, shall we?
1. Improved fitness - Did the Crossfit workout and some extra rowing. It amazes me sometimes how much I forget about myself. When I bicycled regularly, it would take me forever to loosen up - close to an hour to really feel like my muscles were working at 100%. As a matter of fact, it was always tough for me to ride with a group or do long rides because inevitably you have a long food stop and then I would have to re-loosen up after the stop.
It seems that although I like to warmup with a row, it isn't quite enough. As my workout progressed, I was performing better and was less tired. Pullups are still difficult for me but the second and third sets of thrusters I knocked out with ease. My rowing was very strong and at the fastest pace I've rowed since the last day of March. My final 500 meters was smoking. Incidentally, I did not row a single day in April. All about consistency.
2. Improved dietary consumption leading to weight loss. It will take some time to get adjusted to this. I got tired in the early afternoon and took a brief nap which could be due to in part to blood sugar levels (or waking up at 5 after going to sleep at midnight, one or the other). I've been fighting the urge to have some processed sugar.
My meals were good. Steak and eggs and peaches for breakfast. Ground turkey and tomatoes and almonds for lunch. Steak, Brussel sprouts and almonds for dinner. I also made my own jerky for the first time and had that for a snack. I'm planning on hitting the grocery store on Thursday and will get some diversity in the fruit and veggies department which will be of immense help.
It was a challenge avoiding processed stuff. Drank water with lemon all day which wasn't bad at all.
3. Work on my book. Looked over a lot of notes I've taken in the past to see where I stand and where I want to pick up.
4. Get a job. Put together a list of jobs and contacts I want to get in touch with over the next couple of days.
5. Work on the house. Took up a little bit of the floor tile in the hallway to see how easy it will be. Easy. Since it was garbage day I hacked off and threw out a large section of carpet that had been sitting in the top floor of the barn rotting. Feels good to open up space in the top floor.
6. Go on a date. I didn't go anywhere today except to get Gaga at practice and if there's one thing I've learned, your child's soccer practices are not a haven of available single women. Unless you count his classmates. Ew.
Now I'm off to finish the semester. HUZZAH!!!!
The first day was pretty good. Let's address the six areas of focus, shall we?
1. Improved fitness - Did the Crossfit workout and some extra rowing. It amazes me sometimes how much I forget about myself. When I bicycled regularly, it would take me forever to loosen up - close to an hour to really feel like my muscles were working at 100%. As a matter of fact, it was always tough for me to ride with a group or do long rides because inevitably you have a long food stop and then I would have to re-loosen up after the stop.
It seems that although I like to warmup with a row, it isn't quite enough. As my workout progressed, I was performing better and was less tired. Pullups are still difficult for me but the second and third sets of thrusters I knocked out with ease. My rowing was very strong and at the fastest pace I've rowed since the last day of March. My final 500 meters was smoking. Incidentally, I did not row a single day in April. All about consistency.
2. Improved dietary consumption leading to weight loss. It will take some time to get adjusted to this. I got tired in the early afternoon and took a brief nap which could be due to in part to blood sugar levels (or waking up at 5 after going to sleep at midnight, one or the other). I've been fighting the urge to have some processed sugar.
My meals were good. Steak and eggs and peaches for breakfast. Ground turkey and tomatoes and almonds for lunch. Steak, Brussel sprouts and almonds for dinner. I also made my own jerky for the first time and had that for a snack. I'm planning on hitting the grocery store on Thursday and will get some diversity in the fruit and veggies department which will be of immense help.
It was a challenge avoiding processed stuff. Drank water with lemon all day which wasn't bad at all.
3. Work on my book. Looked over a lot of notes I've taken in the past to see where I stand and where I want to pick up.
4. Get a job. Put together a list of jobs and contacts I want to get in touch with over the next couple of days.
5. Work on the house. Took up a little bit of the floor tile in the hallway to see how easy it will be. Easy. Since it was garbage day I hacked off and threw out a large section of carpet that had been sitting in the top floor of the barn rotting. Feels good to open up space in the top floor.
6. Go on a date. I didn't go anywhere today except to get Gaga at practice and if there's one thing I've learned, your child's soccer practices are not a haven of available single women. Unless you count his classmates. Ew.
Now I'm off to finish the semester. HUZZAH!!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
30 days to changing my life
My life is getting really scary right now. I'm just about done my semester in library science which will put me halfway to completing the degree. The problem is, I don't have the finances to complete it at this time. There was some issues with my financial aid forms and my bill is unpaid for what I have completed. I can get Stafford loans for the upcoming semesters but cannot for the previous work. No one wants to loan me the money, either, because I'm underemployed.
There is problem number two. I don't have much time left on unemployment. I need to find a job, pronto. Or become really good at forging paintings. Haven't decided which yet.
Add to that the final conclusion to what was once a promising relationship and I could be getting depressed right now.
But you know what? I'm not. I began realizing last month that I needed to make some changes. It's been almost a year since I lost my job and even though I have become a little bit stronger than I was at this point last year, I'm not even close to being as fit. I also am not that attractive carrying around this extra weight. That's one change I need to make.
Do you know how long I've wanted to write a book? Most of my life. Probably since I first had something published back in high school. I haven't written a book because I think I suck as a writer. Well, enough of that nonsense, too.
I'm not moving. The boowahs started school and I really want Gaga to finish up high school here. He made the soccer team. He did well last year and is excited about this year. Doodle will be going to the same school for the first time in a while. Last year was his third straight year of changing schools. He is in a couple of choirs. I really don't want to uproot them again. It also means I want to get this house straightened up. My Dad has been up and has helped me fix up the bathroom which I am immensely grateful for. I'd like to get the hallway and the barn finished up.
Since school seems to be out for the time being unless a bank unexpectedly comes through, I'll have more time this month to get my life in order. Even if I were to start up with school again, it does not begin until the 21st anyway.
I hit up Zander's book The Art of Possibility again and it has been the inspiration and instruction I have needed.
For the next thirty days, I'm going to mold my life into what I want it to be. Here's what I want to happen and how I'm going to do it:
1. Improved fitness - Crossfit every day, as rec'd. A minimum of 20 minutes of rowing five times a week. Practice my karate techniques, jump rope and arm work in the form of pushups and pullups each twice a week for ten minutes.
2. Improved dietary consumption leading to weight loss. Strict paleo diet for the month of September. No cheating. I'm also ditching my diet teas for the month. That's scarier than being broke.
3. Work on my book. One of the topics I've been interested in writing about is very vast and I have wondered who will publish it once it is written. Cart before the horse. I'm going to have fun researching and writing it and let the chips fall where they may.
4. Get a job. I'm probably going to have take a non-library position, at least temporarily. So be it. Resumes and networking this month.
5. Work on the house. My folks will help me with spackling and painting the hallway. I can work on the barn. I need to fix the column in the front of the house but I have left the indoor/outdoor patio off of my bedroom in a state of incompletion for reasons I'm not discussing. No mas. That is a great place for me to be working on my book once I get it fixed up. Need to run electricity to the pond for the filter but there's no rush on that. Probably not a September thing.
6. Go on a date. You know, with all my free time.
I think that's a pretty good way to fill a month. There's not a thing on there that makes me go, "Oh, yuck, I don't want to do that". Well, taking a less than ideal job but hopefully it won't come to that.
I appreciate any encouragement and/or support you wish to give. Thanks.
There is problem number two. I don't have much time left on unemployment. I need to find a job, pronto. Or become really good at forging paintings. Haven't decided which yet.
Add to that the final conclusion to what was once a promising relationship and I could be getting depressed right now.
But you know what? I'm not. I began realizing last month that I needed to make some changes. It's been almost a year since I lost my job and even though I have become a little bit stronger than I was at this point last year, I'm not even close to being as fit. I also am not that attractive carrying around this extra weight. That's one change I need to make.
Do you know how long I've wanted to write a book? Most of my life. Probably since I first had something published back in high school. I haven't written a book because I think I suck as a writer. Well, enough of that nonsense, too.
I'm not moving. The boowahs started school and I really want Gaga to finish up high school here. He made the soccer team. He did well last year and is excited about this year. Doodle will be going to the same school for the first time in a while. Last year was his third straight year of changing schools. He is in a couple of choirs. I really don't want to uproot them again. It also means I want to get this house straightened up. My Dad has been up and has helped me fix up the bathroom which I am immensely grateful for. I'd like to get the hallway and the barn finished up.
Since school seems to be out for the time being unless a bank unexpectedly comes through, I'll have more time this month to get my life in order. Even if I were to start up with school again, it does not begin until the 21st anyway.
I hit up Zander's book The Art of Possibility again and it has been the inspiration and instruction I have needed.
For the next thirty days, I'm going to mold my life into what I want it to be. Here's what I want to happen and how I'm going to do it:
1. Improved fitness - Crossfit every day, as rec'd. A minimum of 20 minutes of rowing five times a week. Practice my karate techniques, jump rope and arm work in the form of pushups and pullups each twice a week for ten minutes.
2. Improved dietary consumption leading to weight loss. Strict paleo diet for the month of September. No cheating. I'm also ditching my diet teas for the month. That's scarier than being broke.
3. Work on my book. One of the topics I've been interested in writing about is very vast and I have wondered who will publish it once it is written. Cart before the horse. I'm going to have fun researching and writing it and let the chips fall where they may.
4. Get a job. I'm probably going to have take a non-library position, at least temporarily. So be it. Resumes and networking this month.
5. Work on the house. My folks will help me with spackling and painting the hallway. I can work on the barn. I need to fix the column in the front of the house but I have left the indoor/outdoor patio off of my bedroom in a state of incompletion for reasons I'm not discussing. No mas. That is a great place for me to be working on my book once I get it fixed up. Need to run electricity to the pond for the filter but there's no rush on that. Probably not a September thing.
6. Go on a date. You know, with all my free time.
I think that's a pretty good way to fill a month. There's not a thing on there that makes me go, "Oh, yuck, I don't want to do that". Well, taking a less than ideal job but hopefully it won't come to that.
I appreciate any encouragement and/or support you wish to give. Thanks.
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