Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Day 8: Settling down

I've read a few people's blogs at this stage in the Challenge, and it seems that I am not the only one who is now sort of bedding down into it, and feeling more comfortable.

This could be helped by the fact my body is recovering (confirmed by Dr yesterday), which I means I allowed to exercise a little more (gradually!).

But I've recognised that its mainly the fact that

I'm not allowed... 
has become 
I don't eat/drink...

[This is something that was mentioned on the Challenge facebook page a little while ago - but I can't find the post to attribute (Sorry!).]

It is basically the psychological change whereby you no longer see your choice (here re nutrition) as a negative, restrictive denial (of something you want/think you need), caused by some oppressive external force (here the Rules of the Challenge)

...and instead see it as strong expression of your freedom of choice: taking control, to do what is right for you (here: to improve your fitness, healthiness, happiness, and well-being).

I find this really empowering.

Its a frame of mind I have attained in relation to a few things.  Not least, of course, being vegetarian.

Getting, being and staying informed,
Having strong convictions,
Knowing what is right for you,
Being unafraid to display your choices.

These are all things I respect and admire (separate from my personal opinions on the actual issue at hand).
So I'm really chuffed I appear to have reached this stage, and so many other CrossFit Leeds Challengers are at the same place too   :)

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Otherwise, not the most exciting day, except to say I got to CrossFit again (yussss).


Breakfast
  • Black filter coffee
  • 1 Challenge-compliant muffin

Lunch


Leftovers never look that appealing.  But sometimes, just sometimes, they taste even better than the first time around (I think this is particularly true with curries!)...

...Forgot my stuff for CrossFit so had an enormous rush to get back in time to get changed and get to the 7pm class (and spent the 1.5hr journey home with my fingers crossed [not literally] that my #1 frustration - public transport - would not scupper my plans).

CrossFit

Really good to get back to my "normal" class time, and see everyone, particularly my Challenge Buddy Tina.

We worked on back squats, 5 x 5, with the aim to add 2.5kg to our previous weight from 24 Sept.  I really thought I'd written down my previous weight (so much for the CrossFit Diary - doesn't work if you don't actually write in it!!), but couldn't find it.

Ended up adding 5kg to what we think was my previous weight (Tina's memory), so pretty happy with that, keeping good form and nice deep squats. I was however assured by Emma that I looked far too comfortable for this weight to be my max, so def looking to increase by at least 2.5kg next time...  ("If you don't look like you're about to fall over, you're nowhere near your max!!" hahahaha)

Tabata WOD
KB Swings (16kg)
Rest 1 min
Hollow Rocks
Rest 1min
1 Arm KB thrusters (8kg)

Really happy with this.  Pushed myself, but felt strong throughout.
I like to try keep my reps as close in number as possible to my initial set. i.e. if I do 10 first set, aim for 10 every time.  This of course means you need to be on the ball when the time starts, and get a good strong set in first of all.

I'd like to work on the Hollow Rocks at home, as had to scale down further just over half way through. [But I'd never done these before]


I keep thinking these are called Hollowbacks!! - That's what going out with breakdancer for 2.5 years does to you!  :/

A Hollowback freeze - thank f**k Mike's not making us do these @ CrossFit Leeds!! 
[I ain't no holla back girl..!!]
image (c) leapinglanka.blogspot.com
I really like the Tabata regimen.  Short, intense intervals - proper hard work when you're doing it, with the timer pushing you.  And yet really nice fast recovery time at the end.  Perfect.
Tea

Post-workout = sweet potato!
gifsoup.com

 SWEEEEEET!

So I had:

  • Paleo veggie burgers (see Saturday)
  • Sweet potato mash (also see Saturday)
  • A sort of ratatouille: tomatoes, mushroom, courgette, garlic, cabbage x 2, seasoning, basil

Not the prettiest meal in the world (I am aiming for 100% Challenge-compliant food, whilst maintaining 100% taste, but I'm also really into the visual as well, with a penchant for lots of glorious colours!):

became
[My burgers fell apart again! Woe! I'm def trying coconut flour to bind next time - but its so drying.. hmm]

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And finally.... 

I work for a very friendly firm.  On a very frequent basis, people bring in home made cakes, sweets from holiday, toys their kids don't want any more, and generally any items to pass on and share.

So upon arriving at work today, I discovered in the kitchen, offered to any good home, only a bloody
SPAGHETTI SQUASH!! 


Now I don't know about you, but for as long as I've been looking in to paleo - and this predates the Challenge, to June when I first joined CrossFit Leeds on the intro course - I have come across multiple recipes all using the legendary Spaghetti Squash, in particular for Paleo Spag Bol.. (just google "paleo spaghetti bolognese"!)

e.g.

So I'd been on the lookout for a while.  And failed to find Spaghetti Squash in any of my local supermarkets/markets..

Now to be totally fair, I have already made my own Paleo Spag Bol  using the courgette method ("zoodles" = zucchini noodles, if you're that way inclined).  And, I may not have taken a photo, but trust me it was damn good.  I didn't miss the spaghetti.

But gift horse/mouth etc - I was well excited at my work find!  It was like fate, or something.

And best of all, its from my colleague's local, organic allotment.

So that leaves me to say, if anyone has any great tips on cooking this thing (never got my hands on one before), inc any ideas other than the obvious Spag Bol, please let me know!

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