Made it to week 6!

So, I didn’t post last week. I had a LOT going on, not to mention following the whole mess in Baltimore. I contemplated blogging about that, but it really is a much bigger topic than just Baltimore. I did, however, complete the week 5 fitness challenge. Now, we’re on to week 6. This week has fewer physical requirements, but calls for more planning and reflection. We’ve extended the challenge to 12 weeks, so we’re taking this week to work out where we want to be at the end. So far, I’ve gone down to 197 (from 205), which makes me happy. There are a lot of changes I’ve made to my thinking and lifestyle. That was the main point of this challenge.

Wooh! Week Four!

Alright, now! I am on a roll! Made it through to week four. My husband says I should have a day of rest between workouts, but I don’t know that this will allow me to get done everything I need to do, so I’m going to figure something out. Here’s what we have this week”

Exercise for 300 minutes

200 core reps

200 cardio reps

200 upper body reps

200 lower body reps

64 oz of water on two days

100 oz of water on two days

Post a workout selfie to team post

Post motivation to team post

Post weight/changes at end of week

 

I’ve noticed that, even though the requirements increase each week, meeting them is not as daunting as I thought. Maybe that’s because I’m progressing, rather than trying to start working out from this point. I’m getting better at balancing house, hubby, kids, school, knitting, and working out. I will be able to start a new challenge soon, too. I’m going to do this one:

I know it starts in February, but I’m late. It’s ok.

I’m looking forward to it, rather than being nervous about it.

Edit: I took my measurements this morning. Hubby wasn’t kidding when he said I was slimming down. I’ve lost 1 1/2 inches at my waist and hips, 3/4 inch off my thighs, and 1/2 inch off my upper arms. I learned a long time ago not to stress over what the scale says, but that 3 pounds I’ve lost is definitely a positive.

One year

Baby Brother, Mom, and Me

It’s been a year, to the day, since my mother died. I’m trying not to be sad, because she wouldn’t want me to be sad. That works, for a little while. Until I realize I don’t have any pictures of her with my Little Man. He was 10 months old when she died, and she hated taking pictures. Of course, remembering her reaction every time someone tried to snap a pic of her makes me laugh, again. She so loved her grandchildren. She was looking forward to having a big party to celebrate Little Man’s first birthday, which is the week before hers. I always wonder if Little Man would have followed in his sister’s footsteps and tried to run away with Grammie and PawPaw every chance he got. He’ll never remember the fact that Grammie was pretty much the only person who could hold him, though he’d occasionally let PawPaw have some time.

Mom, Dad, and the Bear

She was so young when she died. June would have seen her 54th birthday. She was younger than my grandmother was when she died (she was 58). So, I was younger when Mom died than she was when Grandma died (Mom was 37, I was 35). I thought I’d have more time. Not to fix anything or change anything, but just to be with her. Little Man doesn’t remember her, but my Bear does. The days she talks about Grammie are farther apart, but she still talks about her and misses her. My husband occasionally still tears up thinking about her. They knew each other before he and I knew each other. They had their share of clashes (they’re SO much alike), but, they loved each other.

Dad, Mom, Grandma, Me, Little Brother

Mom and the Hubby

I miss her. We all do. She was the glue that held us together, even when we didn’t like or want to be around each other. I don’t know if I can be that for my own family, but I will try.

Starting Week Three

So, week two is done. I was nervous about the requirements, because it’s been a while since I’ve done a one hour workout. But, I did it. I’m getting to where working out is becoming a habit, which is a good thing. I still need to plan my workout schedule, especially since the requirements for the challenge get more difficult each week. I want to start today, but Sunday is my rest day. Let’s see what we have this week:

Exercise 4 days: 45, 45, 60, and 90 minutes

100 core reps

100 cardio reps

200 upper body reps

200 lower body reps

64 ounces of water on 4 days

commit to one dietary change this week

post weight (or weight changes) at the end of the week

 

Since we can break the 90 minute workout into pieces, I think I’ll do that tomorrow. I’ll go for a walk after I drop the Bear off at school. I’ll make a separate post with my schedule. That will keep me on track, so I’m not scrambling to finish at the end of the week.

Week One DONE! On to week two…

So, I completed the first week of the challenge. It was an easy week, because it was a short one. They said each week would get progressively harder. They weren’t kidding. Last week’s requirements were simple, compared to this week. Here’s what we’re doing:

• Exercise at least four days. Must have two 30 minute sessions, one 45, and one 60.
• Log your diet-no matter what it is-at least four days.
• Drink at least 64 oz of water at least four days.
• Complete 100 upper body reps, 100 core reps, and 100 lower body reps. Must be spread out over the week, and must be done separately from your workout.
• Post a workout selfie to your team post.

I’m working on my game plan. I think I’m going to start on my reps tonight, and possibly get one of my 30 minute workouts in. I’m looking up different exercises I can do. I don’t want to post today’s diet, which is a good indicator that I should.

It’s interesting, that the chance of being eliminated is such a motivator. There is no prize for finishing, other than the changes I make to me.

Getting a late start

So, everyone makes their new year’s resolutions January 1st. I’m…very late. But, that’s ok. Better late than never, right? I’ve actually already begun making changes. Now would be a good time to work up a plan for myself, to help stay on track. I have several long-term goals that I need to map out, regarding school, my health, my family, and just generally becoming a better person. School is pretty set: I know what I want to do, and how I need to get there. As far as family, my main goal there is buying a house in a good school district (I never knew how important that was before the kids…), and getting us to a place where Charlie doesn’t have to work so hard (which is why I’m going to school). My main focus is going to be my health.

I’ve been very lucky, so far, with not having to take a lot of medications to manage my lupus. I feel like time is running out on that score. I want to delay it as long as I can. Flare-ups are happening more frequently. I’ve gotten off track with maintaining my activity levels, mainly since Mom died last year. She’d kick my ass, for that…

Goal setting is my main issue. I can set vague goals with the best of them. Problem is, vague goals end up being overwhelming, and overwhelming goals tend to get put off. So, I’m setting specific goals. I don’t just want to lose weight. Actually, my goal isn’t to lose weight, at all. The weight will come off. I want more energy. The only real way to get more energy is to be active. I want muscle tone and less body fat. I want to lose the inches I lost before I stopped working out last year, and then lose a few more. So, I’ve joined a group. We’re doing a 6 week challenge, with specific goals to meet each week. If we don’t meet those goals, we are eliminated. I like this approach. It forces you to be accountable.

So. This week, our challenge is to exercise 30 minutes on three days, drink at least 64oz of water on three days, and do 25 reps of ab exercises 4 times this week. The water part, I’m not too worried about, because I do that anyway. The rest, I’m making good progress with, so far.

I know me well enough to know just how big an impact this will have on other areas of my life. Wish me luck.

Hilarity, with a bit (ton) of truth

So, I was slacking on Facebook just now (yes, honey, I know, I’m supposed to be writing my paper), when a guildie posted a link in our guild group page: If raiding guilds were actually honest. It’s a humorous piece about what raiding guild policies might actually look like if we were honest. I’ve been in a fair few raiding guilds, and been in charge of recruitment for some of them. Having to come up with a diplomatic blurb about what we’re looking for and why you should join is…difficult…at times. Especially if the reason you’re recruiting is to rebuild after a guild implosion.

First order/project of 2015

So, I just finished a pretty fun order. I love making baby items. On this project, I got to pick the colors and designs. The order is a gift for my cousin’s godchild. I hope they enjoy them!

Warm Wooly Mitts

A pair of gloves I just finished for my older kids’ mom. I did them using this pattern: Warm Wooly Mitts by Kathy Mason. These aren’t for sale. I’ll be selling fingerless gloves when I develop my own pattern for them.

Let’s see how this goes

People have been telling me for a while, that I need to start selling the things I make. So…here goes. I’ve created a facebook page (AnderKnits) and set up a few other things. Most of my stuff will be custom orders, but I will have a small store to browse through. It’s a work in progress, so bear with me. There are some items I will make and post that will not be for sale. These items will be made using patterns which the author has requesting no items made using the pattern be sold. Wish me luck!