Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Shopping Day 12-13-16

.  No hiking for me today- it's one of those days where one thing has to be laid aside for another.  Translation: I have chores to do, and grocery shopping, and Christmas shopping.  Ug.  I do not like shopping.
----- What? Did she... Did a woman just say she doesn't like shopping? Whaaaaaaaat?!?!?!?!
  I would rather do something productive than walk around at look at things I don't need that only want to dwindle the bank account.  Sure, there's the occasional (like, every 4-6 months) shopping spree at the thrift store, where I set aside a couple hours to stock up on clothes for the family.
----- Did she just say a couple hours? I thought she didn't like to shop?
   Yes, I said a couple hours, because it's almost always at a thrift store and I try every piece on.  My kids don't care so much as long as it is comfortable to wear, and for them I care that it will fit in. Not as in branded wear for brand's sake, but not 80's lace and flowers, either *shudder*. Just normal.  My husband has his style, which is easy shopping, but for me, I am not going to spend any money on something I don't feel great in.  I think I heard that in a movie somewhere.  Since there's no returns, I try it all on.  I cruise the isles, pull off about 20-30 pieces that look promising,  try them on, and usually end up buying about 1/3 to 1/2 of the pile. And at thrift store prices, even 20 pieces is easily inside my budget
   No clothes shopping for me today though, I had a bit of groceries and 4 stores for Christmas.  I always fight it, but each year I feel a little more commercialized. Maybe I just notice it more. I do like shopping for others when I am looking for particular things, or happen to come across something I know will be appreciated or enjoyed. So (preferably) most of my buying/planning is done throughout the year and early in the season. Then I am not mad-rushing to "buy something because it's Christmas." These type of gifts usually end up being junk that the person didn't really want in the first place, doesn't ever use (or feels guilted into using it), and an overall waste of money.  So I don't  buy junk. If I really can't decide what you want, or I know what you want is something best picked out for yourself, a gift card or cash is what you get.  Everybody likes gifts, but everyone likes jingle in their pocket, too.
   Now for the wrapping!

Joyfully Yours,
K

Fitness 12-12-16

   The great thing about doing fitness stuff outside is that you get your Vitamin D, fresh air, and you are more connected with the world around you.  The bad part about doing fitness stuff outside is that weather can throw off your plans.  I had a master plan to hike Sunday, about 3-5 miles, while Handsome Boy was at a friend's house who lives near the trail.  Unfortunately, a big snowstorm came in, and made the drive very debatable, let alone hiking in it- no way.  Have I mentioned I don't do well in the cold? So we rescheduled our visit and made it an inside day.  Monday was a snow day for about every county around I think, so kiddos and I played outside, building forts, snow angels, and me pulling them around on the sled while I practiced wearing snow shoes (Hubby's).  I joked with the guys at work- isn't that a CrossFit thing? Pulling a weighted sled behind you? Turns out you're supposed to run with it, but  pulling 100# around the property in snow, even with snowshoes, got my heart and lungs working.  I need to find a sledding hill.  Whew!
   Monday night was CrossFit, where my body again showed me that I do not have much overhead strength.  I can do one full pull-up if I kick my feet; you know, the silly back and forth kicking of hopeful desperation to get your chin over the bar.  I also suck at lifting things overhead- no surprise there.
   My goal is clear, though. It's not about getting skinny, or looking lean, or the number on the scale.  This is about becoming healthier and stronger, which is a part of becoming a better homesteader, because I will be able to do more projects/chores, more easily, without having to delegate all of the "man stuff" to Hubby.  He will love that! And what mom doesn't wish she had the energy of a 6 year old? I get that comment all the time about Little Princess, and I've felt the same way.  Stronger and more stamina also means more fun with kiddos, even after the farm work is done. This is the goal I keep in mind when I hit the tough spots.
   It's all along the path towards a more Joyful life.

CrossFit: 10min AMRAP - 8 deadlift, 6 hang clean, 4 shoulder to overhead. (8 rounds, barbell only, 30# barbell for overhead)
     21-15-9 jumping pull-ups, no time.

Joyfully Yours,
K

Monday, December 12, 2016

Fitness 12-7-16

   You know, technology is great, except when it doesn't work.  I deal with this a lot at work.  We have electronic records of all kinds, which is great, but when a system or network is down, it is very frustrating.  I feel like I can't do my best without them.  Then I think, we did without this for years! and am amazed at how dependent we are on technology sometimes.  Anywho, my computer's power cord decided to fry itself last week, so I am laboriously typing this out on the tablet while waiting for the big brown truck.  Ok, it's not that bad, but it is faster with a real keyboard.  I think everyone should take typing, by the way.  If not for work, then just to make yourself more efficient.

   On to fitness for the day!  Thursday, that is.  Wednesday was sort of a rest day, only because I wasn't going to work out that night, then hike first thing Thursday morning.  It was my coldest hike yet- 28 degrees!  Brrrr!!!! And snow! None on the ground, but tiny bits falling from the sky.  The end of this trail isn't wooded like the rest, and oh my, the wind had picked up!  For all that, it was a surprisingly nice hike!
   Thursday night was CrossFit.  It was supposed to be a partner workout, but since no one is usually awake and working out when I do, I just made it work.  I did have to ask what the first part was.  Later I looked these up, to link on this page, and realized I was doing them wrong.  This just proves- if you are going to start working out, get a trainer, have a knowledgable partner, go a class, something so you don't hurt yourself.  I have enough experience to know how to keep myself from being hurt (stance, overextension, stretching, etc) but it would have been a more effective workout if I was doing these particular exercises the CrossFit way.  And I was not as sore the next two days as I thought I'd be; I think I should've used more weight on the second half.

Overall:
     Hike 9.16 miles in 2 hours, 23 minutes
     30 each Clean Burpee, for time. (Barbell, no weight, 7:40)
     40, 30, 20, 10 Sit-ups. Partner holds 25# weight overhead while the other does sit-ups; sit-ups must stop if weight isn't overhead.  (I did the sit-ups and held 10# overhead for a minute each rep)

Joyfully yours,
K

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Fitness 12-6-16 / Nerd Fitness

   Yesterday I came across the website Nerd Fitness.  Let me admit here, I have a nerd side.  I can't help it.  I grew up in a house with Dr. Who, Star Trek, Dungeons and Dragons, Renaissance Fairs and the like.  I was looking for a beginner CrossFit workout, and came across this page with photos of Lego figures doing push-ups and pull-ups.  I had to check it out, and it's basically a group of nerds who are also into fitness.  A very good break from the stereo-typical Comi-con attendees and LARP players.  They aren't usually obese middle-age guys living in their mom's unlit basement eating burritos and playing video games all day and night.  Like myself, and most of the human race, they are individuals with multiple facets to their lives and personalities.
   So if you're at all a nerd and like fitness (or want to), go check them out, and read Joe's story.  I'm going to keep that one in my back pocket as a motivator.  I've never had to contend with size so much as strength and stamina, but it's a great story.  Which brings me to yesterday's workout.  I started to get a cold - all sniffles - and debated whether to work out or not.  And then I told myself - it's just a cold, and not a good reason to skip, so Go!  No excuses!!  So I did go and felt better.  Another thing to keep in my back pocket. :)

Listed workout: Heavy(ish) bench presses then Metcon: 5 rounds: 1 min on heavy bag, 30 sec rest, 1 min, 1 min battle rope. 

Huh? Um, wait, yes. I can figure that out. Here's what I did:
15-7-5 Bench presses - bar only (45# I think)
5 rounds: 1 min punching away at the bag, 30 sec rest, 1 min battle rope (switch each round between waves and alternating waves because that's the only thing I knew), 30 sec rest.

Whew! Another day in the right direction. By the way "Metcon" is Metabolic conditioning, same as cardiovascular or aerobic conditioning. I had to look that up.

Joyfully yours,
K

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Operation Birthday Surprise

   Oh, my, what a long weekend!  I'm not sure what I was thinking, planning something like this right after Thanksgiving, but you can't control when people are born - especially not your parents.  So this weekend dear old Dad turned 60! ... What??? I'm old enough to have a 60 year old dad??? ... My Grams planned a party for him for the local family -Aunts, cousins, brother's family, etc - which he knew all about, but Brother and I surprised him by coming in from out-of-state for the weekend.  We drove out Wednesday afternoon and came home late Sunday night.  Poor Hubby stayed home to work and dog sit for friends of ours.  It was crazy busy almost the whole time, because there was his party and another family get-together the next day, and I was helping my Grams with all the prep and cooking for both parties while keeping kiddos happy, occupied, and out of her antiques.
   For the surprise, Grams got him to come to her house for dinner, and we hid in the basement stairs when he came.  She tried to get him to open the door, but they were chatty and kiddos were restless (and wearing noisy coats!) so I had Handsome Boy knock on the door.  Dad was thoroughly perplexed as to why somebody would be knocking from inside the basement, and thoroughly surprised to open the door and find us.  Surprise #1 - Success! I had to get Brother from the airport the next day, so I told Dad I was taking him out to dinner and was following my phone's directions.  When I turned into the airport I kind of implied I might be lost, texted Brother on the pretense of checking the map, then said "Oh, but first we have to make a pickup" and pulled over right beside him.  Surprise #2 - Success!  And yes, then I took them out to dinner.
   We also saw a Christmas light show, fireworks, a small parade, spent time at the park, had hot cocoa with a childhood friend, took kids shopping, saw a cool "A Christmas Story" display, played lots of games, saw extended family, and got to see our first good snowfall of the season.  I would have liked a little more down time, but every mom knows - moms don't get vacations unless the kids aren't with her.  A small price to pay to spend time with family and bring joy to their lives, too.

Joyfully yours,
K

Fitness 11-29-16

   After many years of starting, stopping, and being forced into workout routines, I know what I need. I need someone to be accountable to.  A group class, a workout buddy, someone checking in on me, whatever.  So you readers are my accountability this time 'round.  Every Fitness Day I have, I will log it -blog it - whether I do CrossFit, hiking, farm labor, or something else that day that works me out. I would love to count running, and I mean literally running, after Little Princess or picking up her 40# body weight multiple times a day, but I don't think I can.  That is just a part of my life. 😊
   So, I'm posting a little belated due to Operation Birthday Surprise, more on that later, but here was Tuesday's workout:

CrossFit style, my own design:
   4 rounds of 250m on the rower, 15 sec high step running in place, 10 jumping jacks, 5 push-ups, 5 dips on the floor and 5 crunches with legs up.
   15-7-3 circuit of box dips, plank (seconds), and hanging pull-ups*.
   Walking cool-down/stretch

* I actually don't know what these would be called.  The barbell was set about eye level (because that's where it was) and I held the bar while I walked my feet in front of me until I was hanging from the bar with my arms extended and my body in a straight form.  Then I pulled myself up towards the bar, a couple inches, keeping my body straight.  I am calling them hanging pull-ups until I learn otherwise.

Joyfully Yours,
K