Ugh...

Generally speaking most of the stuff that I have posted on here so far has been relatively upbeat and positive. Unfortunately, today will not be following that theme. 

Today, I am feeling bad about myself. In fact, this has been going on for approximately 7 days now. 

I had my set of 5 nights on this past week, during which I got yelled at and scorned on every single one of those shifts. 

Our Sunday league volleyball team only went 1-5 this week. 

I weighed myself a couple times over the last couple days and I went from 148.6 to 149.3 to 151.6 lbs. I know, I know, it's just a number, but still, it can hurt. 

Yesterday I couldn't manage to get my headstand right. I know I haven't posted my most recent video yet, where I actually complete a successful headstand, but yesterday during my practice I could hardly even get my stance right. My balance was just way out of wack. 

This morning when I got up, I thought maybe running might pick my spirits up after the long, crummy week I've had but, sure enough, I had a side stitch within the first two minutes, and Captain literally pulled me the entire time. I only lasted 20 minutes. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I know that these are all nothing to fret about in the grand scheme of things. I should be happy that I have a job, glad that we didn't go 0-6, pleased that I'm not up to 155lbs, be impressed that I can even do a headstand, and be satisfied that I at least attempted a run, but for some reason I just can't seem to shake this heavy weight on my shoulders. 

I thought with all this beautiful weather we are having lately that I was going to feel so upbeat and positively glowing but it's just not happening. So today, I leave with this......a big, fat, ugh.....and hopefully tomorrow things will turn around. 

How are you feeling this week?
-Linds

Day 4 working on #25 of my 30 before 30 list: Do a Controlled Headstand

Here is a progress update on my attempt at doing a controlled headstand. 

Day 2 I already talked about in my previous post. I could barely even touch my head to the ground because it was so sore from day 1. However, I looked up some more information regarding headstands and I've definitely found the "flat spot" on my head which I should be more comfortable bearing some weight on. I also got Mark to try it out a couple of times and he was actually really good. Slightly discouraging for me since he was good at it already on his first try, but either way, it's fun to support his skill!

Day 3 I didn't take any videos but I tried doing the headstand with a wall behind me for that reassurance that I wouldn't tip all the way over. It definitely helped a bit because I wasn't so hesitate to get past that "pelvic push" over the "foundation of my shoulders." With only a few wall touches here and there I definitely made some progress. 

And now I am at Day 4 of my attempts. 

I will let the video speak for itself:

Overall a definite improvement compared to day one. Today my knees are staying closer together, it doesn't take as many "bounces" to get my legs off the ground, and I can even start to straighten the legs. Also, I even attempted a controlled dismount. 

A few things that I need to continue to focus on would be breathing, flexibility so that I can tuck the knees in tighter to help with that initial "bounce," and of course, straighten the legs directly above me.

All in all, I am pretty content with my progress after only four days. 

Soon enough I will be a confident headstander!

-Linds

Getting settled!

So it's been a couple weeks in the new place and I think it's pretty safe to say.....LOVE IT!

 

Of course there a few minor details which we would love to be able to improve (a bit of toddler noise upstairs, and a bit of traffic noise from the front yard when the window is open, and the lack of fencing in the back yard), but aside from those minimal things, we are just absolutely loving it.

Here are some photos during the moving process:

(Living room)

(Hallway)

(Bedroom)

(Bedroom)

(Kitchen)

(Kitchen)

(Spare bedroom)

(Laundry room)

(Bathroom)

The animals are still taking a bit of time to adjust to the new surroundings. Mouse has been hiding mostly in the laundry room, but roams around at night time when the commotion has settled. Bear seems to be doing just fine inside, lounging around like usual however, he is super eager to get outside (which we are fine with), but as soon as I open the door from him, he seems a little more timid than usual. He has been out in the backyard a few times now, but still hesitates to get his paws out the door. Hopefully there's no bully neighbourhood cats pestering him!

As for Captain, he is sleeping through the nights no problem, minimal growling at the noises coming from upstairs (usually only if they startle him), however, you can tell he doesn't quite believe it is home yet. Any time Mark and I try to go anywhere without him, he gets this panicked look like we're leaving him behind. Because of that anxiety he has destroyed three books (partly my fault for leaving them on a lower shelf where he can easily reach them), but no damage to the house or furniture so I think we're doing pretty good.

(Based on that look on his face you would think we're leaving him forever instead of just to go grocery shopping)

 We already had my parents and the in-laws over for dinner one night (we ordered in Chinese food), and I think it's safe to say that the parents were pleased with our new accommodations.

I still have yet to take my "new home" photos (with everything set up and decorated) but as soon as I get those done I plan on posting a few here for you guys to check out.

-Linds

First attempt at the headstand!

Tuesday was Day 1 of trying out my headstand for my 30 before 30 list.

The lovely Farmgirlmiriam has already excelled at this task and recommended Kino yoga instructor for me for some tips on how to approach the whole thing.

Well, as per usual, Miriam did not disappoint! This Kino gal is just amazing. Her demonstrations and explanations are so clear and use such simple movements and concepts that I'm feeling pretty encouraged about the whole process of taking on this headstand challenge.

Now granted, after a couple attempts which I thought were pretty, shall we say, accurate, I decided to record myself so that I could have a better idea of where I was really at. After reviewing the footage I was slightly discouraged. I wasn't nearly as controlled, flexible, or strong as I thought I was. I was wobbly, beat red in the face (forgetting to breathe), and just uncoordinated. That being said though, I was still able to get myself with both legs (although squatted) in the air.

I did have a couple hard crashes to the side when I was trying to get my legs all the way raised in the air, but it was only day 1.

I think if I keep working at this consistently, I'm hoping within a month or two I should be able to have the strength and coordination to get the movement much more controlled and accurate.

(Bare with me, these were the only two videos I had that didn't have the dog in the way!!)

Yesterday (Wednesday) I was about to do day 2 of my journey to accomplishing a controlled headstand, but sadly, within the first 10 mins, I realized how sore the top of my head was from the previous day. I know, I know, the weight is supposed to be on my arms, shoulders and back, so obviously I have to work on my technique. 

Anyway, plenty more videos to come over the next little while!

Wish me luck!

Have you taken on any new fitness endeavours lately?

-Linds

If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things

“You must always look with both of your eyes and listen with both of your ears. He says this is a very big world and there are many many things you could miss if you are not careful. There are remarkable things all the time, right in front of us, but our eyes have like the clouds over the sun and our lives are paler and poorer if we do not see them for what they are. If nobody speaks of remarkable things, how can they be called remarkable?”

If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor was a book I read back when I was in high school. I deemed it one of my favorites at the time, but to be honest, now I can't even remember what it is about. That being said, I have this quote from the book which still resonates with me. 

I think sometimes I miss a lot. Not in the I'm slow and can't keep up kind of way, but in a, I don't always see the bigger picture, or sometimes the smaller picture kind of way. A lot of the time I think I forget to take the time to just appreciate what I am doing, who I am with, and where I am. 

I've become better at this over the last couple months, but sometimes I just find myself not really taking in the moment. I'm constantly looking backwards or forwards, but what for, I have no idea. This quote reminds me to embrace the moments, look further & deeper into things, and to not just judge by the surface. The world all around us is remarkable, and it's because we each take the time to appreciate different things, that all of those things are considered remarkable. A simply flower blooming, a raindrop falling, a kiss between lovers, conversation between friends, waves crashing in the ocean - all those things are remarkable, because we take the time to make them.

Feeling positively inspired....what do you find remarkable?
-Linds

Sunday Fashion Funday! Weekend Get-away: Packing list

Late last year I went to Tofino for a four day weekend get-away. Unfortunately, I had to work nights for the five nights prior to leaving. That, combined with sleeping in the morning after getting off work, and volleyball most of the evenings, I honestly didn't give myself a whole lot of time to pack. We were only gone for three nights, four days (two of which were partly driving days), so I didn't have a whole lot to pack, but being on a time constraint I became way more stressed out than I probably needed to be. 

That being said, I thought I'd share with you guys how I did manage to get my self packed up and loaded in the car in a somewhat timely fashion. 

Here is what I brought with me:

Tops:
-Black thick slouchy sweater
-Blue knit zipper back sweater
-Blue & white pinstriped mens button up shirt
-White layering tank x3
-Black layering tank 
-Grey layering long tank

Bottoms:
-Dark wash skinny jeans
-Grey relaxed fit skinny jeans
-Lulu lemons
-Leggings x2

Dresses:
-Blue & White striped t-shirt dress
-Brown slouchy dress

Footwear:
-Yellow Roma rain boots
-Black flats
-Slip on Toms

Layers:
-Maroon hoodie
-Turquoise hoodie
-Green vest
-Blue wrap sweater
-Rain jacket

Pajamas:
-Striped shorts
-White tank top

Swimsuit x2 (you never know when a strap might break)

  

I know, I know, this sounds excessive considering we we're only gone three nights, but remember I had to prepare for sunny vs. stormy weather, I needed lounging clothes, a going out outfit (for my anniversary), and then walking the dog grubby stuff (he tends to jump up still sometimes, so I never know how dirty I am going to get) annnnnnnd, I also tend to be a little, shall we say clumsy instead of sloppy, so there's no doubt I'll make a mess of at least one of the outfits and not be able to reuse an item, hah.

This was how/when I wore the outfits:

Friday travel day:

-Grey relaxed fit skinny jeans

-White layering tank #1

-Blue & white pinstripe mens button up shirt

-black flats

-long hooded rain jacket

Saturday:

-Blue & white striped t-shirt dress

-Blue knit, back zipper sweater
-Turqouise hoodie

-Black leggings #1

-Yellow Roma rain boots

Sunday:

(Ignore Mark's crazy-eye'd look)

-Black oversized slouchy sweater

-Grey layering long tank

-Black leggings #2

-Yellow Roma rain boots

Monday travel day:

-Dark wash skinny jeans
-Black oversized slouchy sweater

-white layering tank #2

-black flats

In the evenings I mostly ended up wearing my lulu lemons, a layering tank, and either hoodie, as seen here:

 

Unfortunately, I did not snap a photo in my outfit before Mark and I went out for our anniversary dinner but I wore the following:
-Brown slouchy dress
-Blue wrap sweater
-Black leggings
-Black flats
-Long hooded rain jacket

Well, I think that is everything. Of course, I also packed the usual underwear, socks, bras, toiletries, etc., but overall, I made sure to bring stuff that I could easily swap in and out with other items. For instance, I could have paired both the blue back-zip sweater or the black slouchy sweater over top of my blue & white striped dress, and I also could have paired them over any of the layering tanks, with any of the jeans or leggings I brought. Also, I could have worn either the blue back-zip sweater or the black slouchy sweater over top of the brown slouchy dress instead. Everything was easily interchangeable. I think that is key to a good packing list. Yes, I may have packed a little excessively for only a three night trip, but this packing list easily could have lasted me an entire week, maybe even longer!

Oh, and p.s. this all fit into one weekend travel bag! Mark and I did bring one extra lulu lemon bag as well for things like the dog toys, food, board games, towels, etc. but all in all I think it was a pretty minimal packing job!

I'd love to hear if you have any minimal packing tips!!
-Linds

One for Philippine Volleyball Tournament Fundraiser

On Saturday February 21, 2015, I played in a volleyball tournament at Harry Jerome Sports Complex in Burnaby. It was a fundraiser for "One for Philippine" Volleyball. 

Our team was: Myself (setter), Mark (power), Tasha (power), Bryce (middle), Derek (middle) and Lucas (offside). 

We went 2-3 in the round robin which made us end up in the bottom of the middle pool. Because of that, for the first round of playoffs, we had to play the first place team in our pool, and let me tell you, we got absolutely schooled!

Granted, our team wasn't playing to the best of our abilities (all throughout the day the dynamic was just a little "off"), but even if we had been on our A-game, we still would have just been out skilled by this other team.

Oh well! As per usual, it was still great fun, an awesome day, and nice to support a good cause!

Here are some photos from the tournament: 

That's all for today! Sorry I've been a little MIA lately (we just finished our move, and the computer has only finally been set back up, plus I'm recovering from about two weeks straight of being sick, and I was on my five on nights all last week!)
More to come soon, I promise!

-Linds