One week until pictures ladies!! How are things going?
This week's question ... how do you respond to pressure? Do you crumple and lie on the floor sobbing like a little girl, or do you get tough and turn into Mama Bear?
When things get tough with this challenge, and I say WHEN because life is life and things will get tough at some point, how will you handle it?
What obstacles will you have to face? How can you handle them like a Mama Bear?
Plan in advance what they are ... and knock them down before they knock you down!
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
I whine then get up and do whatever needs doing!!!
Obstacles for me include not obsessing about the scale weight. I will have one more week of Hypertrophy and then a week off. I will not worry about a week off. It's the long term goals that I am going to focus on rather than the short term. Of course those pics next week are gonna keep my arse in gear!!!
my career gets pretty demading at times. I have to protect my workout time as if my life depended on it (which it does). and toni, I also have had to retrain myself to not wig out on the scale weight. I am eating maintenance calories. trying to get used to pushing myself and lifting heavy, while not restricting calories. this is my last week of phase 1, then measurements. will drop some calories for phase 2.
my career gets pretty demading at times. I have to protect my workout time as if my life depended on it (which it does). and toni, I also have had to retrain myself to not wig out on the scale weight. I am eating maintenance calories. trying to get used to pushing myself and lifting heavy, while not restricting calories. this is my last week of phase 1, then measurements. will drop some calories for phase 2.
Four of Alwyn's workouts a week? 16 workouts plus the 2 AMRAP workouts in Stage 1? All in four weeks? How did you do it!!!
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OK, for the question of the week....my plan is consistency. I have my own business, plus a full-time job that is very busy, plus school. So, I have to be organized. I have my workouts all planned out.....3 workouts a week lifting and I will do HIIT in between, if possible or at the end of the lifting days. I feel pressured every day with all of my obligations, but I've always been this way. My biggest obstacle will be when the weather breaks. I have quite a lot of outside work with my lawn and flower gardens. But, this is my year, and I am quite determined to meet my fitness goals.
I'll just bear down and do it. In the past, I would have just let it slip away and done something else. After Hell, which was a 10 schedule with no room for moving things around, I've learned that there is always a way to make it work. It means being flexible and being willing to give up some things or workout at weird times. But, I know it can be done, so I will do it.
When things get tough with this challenge, and I say WHEN because life is life and things will get tough at some point, how will you handle it?
What obstacles will you have to face? How can you handle them like a Mama Bear?
"Suck it up and drive on" is a saying I learned in the Army that applies... "Adapt and overcome" is another. If I'm determined enough to do it, I will get it done, somehow. If I have a weak moment, a cheat meal, a bad day, I've been getting pretty good about not letting that trip me up and go off course. It's been a long road back to a healthy weight for me, it'll be a long road to becoming the really fit person I want to be. Gotta stay with it for the long haul.
One week until pictures ladies!! How are things going?
This week's question ... how do you respond to pressure? Do you crumple and lie on the floor sobbing like a little girl, or do you get tough and turn into Mama Bear?
In general, I work well under pressure, but am not very assertive (I'm looking for classes for this even, LOL), so deadlines etc - ok, someone harassing me - avoidance all the way... (gosh, it's kinda liberating to admit that "out loud").
Quote:
When things get tough with this challenge, and I say WHEN because life is life and things will get tough at some point, how will you handle it?
What obstacles will you have to face? How can you handle them like a Mama Bear?
Plan in advance what they are ... and knock them down before they knock you down!
I'll handle it by re-reading parts on NROL4W, coming here, visiting friends on another board as well, looking at my "Wall O'Inspiration" (pics of real ladies I know who have succeeded despite many obstacles, many of them larger than any I will face)... and thinking about where I want to be in a few years.
I do need some advice on conquering the sweet tooth though. I'm still not doing as well on that as I planned.
I'll post my reply to the question later, however, I cannot believe it is time for pictures already. Unfortunately, when you see mine you will wonder which is the beginning and 1 month pictures (unless I have miracle fat loss this week ). I have done all my workouts but have not eaten perfectly clean so I have little to show for the last 3 weeks. It is frustrating because I have not been eating terribly, however, I am not losing any weight, inches, or fat (based upon my tanita scale). Oh well, I am going to stick with it, clean up my eating and hopefully over time I will see results.
Jen
I'll post my reply to the question later, however, I cannot believe it is time for pictures already. Unfortunately, when you see mine you will wonder which is the beginning and 1 month pictures (unless I have miracle fat loss this week ). I have done all my workouts but have not eaten perfectly clean so I have little to show for the last 3 weeks. It is frustrating because I have not been eating terribly, however, I am not losing any weight, inches, or fat (based upon my tanita scale). Oh well, I am going to stick with it, clean up my eating and hopefully over time I will see results.
Jen
I'll have similar results with my pics, Jen, but even though I can't see any changes, mentally I'm changing, and I can feel muscles under my skin again... so I bet both of our next month's pics will show something! *hugs*
This week's question ... how do you respond to pressure? Do you crumple and lie on the floor sobbing like a little girl, or do you get tough and turn into Mama Bear?
When things get tough with this challenge, and I say WHEN because life is life and things will get tough at some point, how will you handle it?
What obstacles will you have to face? How can you handle them like a Mama Bear?
Pressure? I don't think anything related to the challenge as really pressure so I don't have an answer for that one.
Getting tough? Oh, yeah. My horrible last workout -- cheesed me right off, got me cussing, and I've still got a few embers under my collar over that. I'll use that to fire me up for the next workout. Whatever my reactions to any situation, it's all about channeling that into something constructive/productive. I will use my powers for good rather than evil. Mwahahahaha!
Obstacles? Trying to workout (and eat right) with 5 kids up my butt 24/7 and having to run unexpected, as well as expected, errands for the business when hubby calls. It just takes a bit of both determination and flexibility. At some point, you just have to grow up and get it done.
My biggest challenge already has been the fact that I've lost the better part of 2 weeks in terms of workouts, but instead of letting that dump me completely off course, I've jumped back in where I've left off and last week even made my goal of working out 2x happen. I'm hoping for 3x next week, but I will pay attention to what my body is telling me and make the decision to workout based if I really and truly feel good.
My biggest obstacle right now is my job. I'm behind because of being sick. I've got a lot of deadlines over the next few weeks and I'm stressing about it. I'm just to the point right now that I'm going to put first things first and worry about the rest as it comes. However my exercise time is non-negotiable because it keeps me sane.
I'm not expecting much for pictures this first month out.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
Hmmm...pressure? For the most part, I do handle it well. But, sometimes it does get to me. I respond with just being a crabby person for the most part if I'm under pressure. I really don't turn to food too much, which is good. I do tend to be a worry-wart, which drives my hubby nuts sometimes!
I am dreading my next set of pics in the challenge. My problem has been with the diet as well. While I'm not gaining, I haven't lost much. I have lost some inches, so I do have something to show for all the workouts I've completed!
Now, in two weeks we leave for a cruise in the Caribbean. That will be a challenge...to not pig-out and to try and keep my workouts going.
OOOh have fun on your cruise! What line are you going on? I know there's a smorgasboard of deliciousness awaiting you, but the great thing is that there's lots of healthy food on the ships too! So I'm sure you'll do great! And they have some nice gyms with treadmills overlooking the water... if that's not motivation I don't know what is! :-)
As far as pressure.. I'm feelin the pressure financially right now... I can't wait to no longer be a poor grad student! Challenge-wise I haven't had any obstacles yet, except a funeral that I had to go to for a very close friend of ours, and the food at those "afterparty" things aren't always the best, but I made due. I'm headin to the gym in a few minutes, like clockwork :-) So I've been doing really well on this plan so far.
My biggest challenge so far has been all the time I'm putting in at my second job these next two weeks. Besides having less time for working out, I'm struggling with food prep and planning. I have always turned to food, especially sweets, to reward myself for getting through a tough day, for comfort, etc. I've done pretty well getting over that in the last few years, but the urge still hits sometimes.
I'm trying to stay focused on my goals, and I am going to give myself some non-food rewards, like new clothes, for sticking with it.
When I'm under pressure I tend to get very focused. If the pressure only lasts a few days or week I'm ok, but if it's relentless for months like it's been since August I tend to get crabby and take it out by eating.
I've been a compulsive overeater all my life. It like releasing a pressure value and letting some steam out. I used to do this for weeks on end when I was younger but now I can usually stop after a day or two. I need to find a healthy alternative to this.
__________________ The Evolution of a Dream:
Dream is implanted into brain.
Dreamer becomes thrilled.
Dreamer becomes terrified.
If no action is taken, terrifying thoughts grow into flesh-eating monsters. Dream is considered unrealistic.
If action is taken, terrifying thoughts are revealed to be paper tigers. Confidence soars, miracles unfold and dreamer begins to saunter.
Either way, nothing remains the same.
Like Paula (and a few others!) I've been sidelined by an unexpected cold. Usually things like that will cause me to have an "all bets are off" attitude. I was sick, so I didn't eat according to my plan, therefore I screwed up, therefore why bother, therefore.......and so it goes.
This time, I realized that while I may not have followed "the plan," I needed to allow myself the time to heal and get better, and then just do what I can when I'm ready. This week, because I was still not feeling the best, I'm not going to hit all of my workouts. BUT - I no longer see that as a failure - I see it as an accomplishment that I'm continuing to listen to my body, do what I feel ready for, and go from there!
In general I handle pressure pretty well. When life gets tough the tough get going.. I wish I could say the same for my fitness mentality. For some reason in that area I have a tendency to fall apart. I start out strong and hopeful thinking this will be the time or program that brings me to my goal. I work hard, and for some reason I never get there. I get discouraged when I don't see the results I had hoped for and I give up to quickly. The key for me is thinking long term, tweaking things when they don't work instead of giving up.
I am a little pissy right now because my husband decided to lose a little weight starting the first of the year and has already lost 10lbs. What the hell is that... He doesn't follow anything, just doing a bit more exercising and asking me what to eat. Mean while I am breaking my hump at the gym and eating pretty clean and haven't seen much of anything. I keep telling myself to stay focused on my goals and not to compare myself to anyone else, especially him.
Oh well, enough of my ranting. Time to toughen up and stop whining.
When it comes to working under pressure - that seems to be when I do best especially with a laid out plan of action and an expected outcome. For some reason fitness goals have always been the exception here, although I did power through US NAVY bootcamp losing 25 pounds and getting into great shape. (That was 10 years ago - I still want to smack my husband whom I met then - who convinced me to stop going to the gym everyday so we could hang out- BOYS! URGH! Now he works out everyday in our home gym ~ punk.)
Anyway... I thought I was set with NROL last year I had a "plan" and a "goal" but I was told by said husband a NROLW was coming out, so there was the tiny crack (ever so innocent he was just letting me know), that crack developed into a river of excuses; breasdtfeeding, t-ball games, baseball games, parties, work, baby, gymnastics, yada yada yada plus the book was obviously too hard since there was a girl version coming out. HUH! Its the same sort of hard ass workouts with different information for girls. This time I HAVE a PLAN and A GOAL and I am DETERMINED. I WILL finish this! Bring on the PRESSURE!
I handle pressure pretty well - just buckle down and get it done.
What I have learned though is I seem to have a finite number of balls I can keep in the air or plates I can keep spinning. It seems to be around 3-5 major items if they require near-daily attention and investment. At one time it was work project(s), full-time student, diet and exercise. When some family issues cropped up - guess what fell away? Yup - diet & exercise. This is because these were not yet "givens" for me - many years ago it could just as well have been "paying the bills" but now that is habit and doesn't require my daily attention.
what does that mean for this 6 month period? I've got work project(s), diet, exercise, some personal development plans. Period. So if anything else comes up that requires a large amount of attention - I've got some attention right now to spare. If a 2nd "something else" comes up we'll have to see. At least now I know to actually take a count and assess how many things I can really can give 100% attention to at one time (you know what I mean).
In the mean time, I need to work on diet & exercise as everyday habits to make more progress towards the auto-pilot and reduce requirements on the needs-daily-attentiveness scale.
I think I handle pressure by becoming very focused, but sometimes let off steam at the expense of others. That is something I always need to keep in check.
As far as obstacles, the biggest one I foresee is my next job. Since I'm currently unemployed I've had the luxury of working my day around my workout instead of the other way. When I signed up with my gym it was because it was close to my previous job and I could swing by in the mornings. I don't know what the future holds but I'll figure it out and make it work.
I play classical guitar and have horses and a farm and workout to keep balance from my job. These are the things that are relaxing. I only take/keep jobs that I love. A job does not have to be relaxing but it does have to be fun and challenging. When it stops being fun or challenging to me I know it is time to look elsewhere. At 44-years of age I know that I am empowered to deal with life's obstacles in many different ways. After living through Desert Storm and being a single parent for so many years I know how to put these sorts of things in perspective and not let them through me too far astray.
My pressure will start on Feb 11th. I am taking a month long course. I am a little nervouse about juggling, baby, husband, school and the gym. Not sure how I will handle it.
Hey Ladies: What a question ( especially this week haha ) & I have been put down & barely getting around now ( THE FLU HAS HIT ) On the way home from the beach last Sunday , I started feeling REAL SICK....By the time I got home 6 hrs later, I knew I was sick !!. I just thought I had over done it at the oriental barf buffet !! NOT SO !! Today is the first day I have been able to pick up my head ( bluk ) I usually just keep on ticken' & roll w/ the punches, knowing that i'll feel great later, whew ! not so much right now! Advice to all :: If you have not had the flu yet, get the shot !! or at least go to the Dr. in time for the Tamaflu to WORK !!! I'll get back to yall later ! AfterBurn
Just a quickie question before I head off to snuggle up with Stephen King again:
What do you like/dislike about your food scale? Got one you'd highly recommend? I have one already but I'm looking to upgrade to a decent digital in hopes that it'll be more accurate with the lighter weights.
This week's question ... how do you respond to pressure? Do you crumple and lie on the floor sobbing like a little girl, or do you get tough and turn into Mama Bear?
I think I handle pressure well. I have not always done so and when things got tough, my workouts were the 1st thing that got ditched. Oh, how things have changed. I think I finally know myself enough to know that ditching the workouts does no good to anyone. Not myself or my family. I get depressed and even more stressed, it's just not good.
Afterburn,
I hope you feel better, SOON!
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What do you like/dislike about your food scale? Got one you'd highly recommend? I have one already but I'm looking to upgrade to a decent digital in hopes that it'll be more accurate with the lighter weights.
I do not have one at the moment, but I'll be curious to see what responses you get. I'm thinking this might be a good investment for me.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
WRT food scales. I have a digital one that I love. It has a feature whereby I can put a plate on it and turn it on and it zeros so that it weighs just the food. I can switch from grams to Oz with a push of a button. It cost 20 bucks or thereabout. I will go home and tell you the OEM name. I highly recommend it.
I do well under pressure- I know what I need to do and how to get it done. My biggest challenge has been time, being gone for work a lot this month and balancing homework for my MBA has been really challenging.
I know I need to get my diet in check- I have done a lot better when I am home. It is very challenging when I am gone for work.
Just a quickie question before I head off to snuggle up with Stephen King again:
What do you like/dislike about your food scale? Got one you'd highly recommend? I have one already but I'm looking to upgrade to a decent digital in hopes that it'll be more accurate with the lighter weights.
I have a salter too... and it's small and portable. I like being able to Zero out the containers. When I was making my omelette last night I'd add an ingredient, zero it out, add the next ingredient, etc. Made things go a lot faster.
I can look up foods but I never use that functionality because it's time consuming. I let fitday figure that out for me.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Weekly Support/Motivation/Whatever Thread - Week 4/26
). I have done all my workouts but have not eaten perfectly clean so I have little to show for the last 3 weeks. It is frustrating because I have not been eating terribly, however, I am not losing any weight, inches, or fat (based upon my tanita scale). Oh well, I am going to stick with it, clean up my eating and hopefully over time I will see results.
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