On Wednesday, I hosted a dancing event while at work. Even though I was on the job, I still managed to find time to dance to two songs - about 8 minutes worth of activity. Later in the evening, Zilya and I met Jinn for some walking in the market (30 min) and then returned to her dorm to play games. We tried out a new contraption called the Kin-ect and I really enjoyed it! I danced to four songs for about 15 min. worth of activity!

On Thursday, I had green bean casserole for lunch - which amounted to two servings of vegetables and included the vegetable of the week. I had two glasses of water and another serving of vegetables with my dinner.

Goal Setting

Week four at this school and I'm incredibly homesick. Last week I struggled with even the most basic of tasks and allowed myself to become completely overwhelmed with so much that was outside of my control. But I am slowly learning that berating myself for being two steps behind isn't really motivating myself to move forward. Instead, when I criticize myself, I find that I divide into two sides - one angry and shaming, and the other scared and holding on to old habits with a tenacity that's unshakable. It really creates a Chinese finger trap situation where as long as I pull, I'm met with incredible resistance, but when I start allowing the outcome to be what it will and stop struggling, I find myself free to make any choice I want. Never is the old adage, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" more true for me than now. Even if I have to take a hundred first steps, I'll still be farther along than if I never took a step at all.

Yesterday, a new interactive communication/gaming tool was released. I have been struggling with whether spending my coin on this is a valuable use of my coin or not. I'm also struggling with what I should require of myself before achieving this reward. On the one hand, I'm considering setting an xp or level goal, but on the other, maybe I should set a goal of x number of days where I participated, or how many times I positively reinforce myself. I wonder if any of my peers have any suggestions?

Lackluster

Lately I feel like the only student who is posting on a regular basis. Perhaps the other students are so engaged in their work that they simply don't have the time. I failed to live up to the two glasses of water yesterday, although I did have one glass, and one serving of vegetables. While on a lunch outing with Nelo, I tried two different kinds of leafy green dishes. One was called coleslaw and it was mildly appealing. The other, collard greens, left a foul taste in my mouth. The acrid flavor of this dish made it inedible for me, although not for Nelo whom upon tasting it remarked "hmm...a little bland".

Stress and Fitness

Again this week, I am clearly seeing the link between stressors in my life and poor decisions. Last night, I visited a street vendor for the first time in months because I spent the day working so hard that I didn't take time to eat until it was too late to do anything else. I paid dearly for that decision as my stomach rumbled and grumbled the night through. Even this morn I feel weary and under the weather. I know that one of my goals is to feel better, but I can't do that if I keep sabotaging myself. Today I am working twice as hard, and the only way I know how to deal is by eating. I will make a pact to drink at least two glasses of water today, whatever else. At least then I can say I'm attempting to keep on track.

Weekend Events

The weekend past was a busy one for me as I continued my studies of Health and Fitness here. On Friday, I did very little - only taking time for a few glasses of water, although at a dinner to celebrate calamitus' hockey game, I partook in a turkey burger...a very different animal from the beef I've come to know. Also, I finished my first challenge, which was to maintain my healthspiration page for one week. I have found this resource to be very motivating and invaluable.

Saturday, however, started off early - meeting Zilya and Calamiuts at a salon in Gym to work on our fitness. We spent an hour and a half using various contraptions and weights to tone out bodies to the fullest. Thereby I finished my second challenge, visiting Gym twice! Later in the day, Zilya and I met Biirna and did some browsing at the local bazaar. Probably 45 min. of the experience was 'workout' and the rest was fun :).

Sunday, Zilya came over and we went to Gym again, this time in hopes of attending a class taught by local arts masters, however, the class was empty and we decided to workout instead. 45 min. later, we finished up and headed to the pub where I had a stirfry with squash, tofu, and other vegetables. I finished my third challenege yesterday and am extremely proud of myself for completing all three!

Eating Healthy for Less

I was working on my health-spiration blog when I came across this article addressing the healthiest foods under $1. The article is VERY illuminating and has several healthy (and cheap) meal suggestions. I recommend that everyone check this out!

Health Fail

Yesterday was a difficult day for me. I received notification from a messenger that one of my mother's kin had fallen ill, an aunt I was particularly fond of. My first thought was to leave school and return home to visit her, but after sending a carrier bird with the message I received a reply which insisted that I remain. I am sorely distraught by this news, I feel powerless to help my kinswoman, but also afraid at the thought of what might happen to her. So instead of keeping on course yesterday, I took a huge step back. I realized that I use eating as a way to deal with stress, and that relying on food as a way to comfort myself is ultimately self-destructive. Jinn met with me and stayed by my side for most of the eve. I am reminded that this process is truly a journey in which I am the infant stages.

Ogre Story

The past two days have been rather eventful here at school. On Monday, Nelo returned from his journey and I was asked to accompany him from the gate back to school. He had many harrowing adventures and it was a pleasure to hear all about his travels. He even brought me a tiny crystal souvenir! Health-wise, the day was a wash, but I did continue updating my tumblog as per the headmaster's challenge and started getting a plan for the rest of the week.

On Tuesday, I spent 10 minutes at the beginning of my work day lifting weights. During work I prepared myself a vegetarian quesadilla - a very delicious meal indeed - and I consumed a glass of water. After work, Zilya joined me in my room and we prepared to head to Gym together. We decided to conquer the Ogre as a team rather than alone, and I for one am glad we did. After having worked all day, I was exhausted after the first 15 min. or so of exercise. slowly and surely, we made our way through the entire town, knocking on every door looking for the Ogre. An hour later, at the last door, a villager told us that the Ogre had been chased off the previous weekend by Calamitus!! But luckily for us, this villager was a dentist and had several of the Ogre teeth on hand as our reward. I felt completely worn out from our not-quest and Zilya led Nelo and I in a round of stretching for 5 min. Then we returned to school and prepared a feast worthy of heroes with fish, vegetables, risotto, and squash - it was a meal of kings and we feasted until late in the eve.

Whew

Three days of not blogging leaves for a hefty blog post. All in all it was a really great weekend - the party had a very successful boss encounter, I made some excellent choices, and I ate great food that wasn't too bad for me. Let's cap it up:

Friday: only pop and water all day - finishing my two day challenge not to have fizzy ale. No excercise :(. Bannana for breakfast, broccoli as a snack, and a full serving of vegetables.

Saturday: Walking the mall for 6 hours (= at least one hour of excercise for me). Dinner at home with broccoli, no water :(

Sunday: Boss encounter, two servings of vegetables, two glasses of water, 20 min stair workout, 15 min. weight room, and 15 min. pool. AWESOME dinner with Jinn :).

Because I went to the gym on Sunday and designed a health-spiration site, I completed all of my personal challenges for the week. More importantly, I learned something about what it means to have fun with my friends, and that fitness isn't so hard if you do it right. Feeling energized and hopeful.

Continuing use of Time Management

Yesterday while I was at my place of employment (have to pay tuition for school somehow!) one of our other employees failed to report for duty. Ordinarily this would not be a cause for concern, but in this case she was entrusted with a most critical duty and as she was not going to arrive, I had to step up and take over. This duty was exceedingly taxing - involving lifting heavy objects, walking long distances, and streching my body into uncomfortable positions. After one and a half hours of greuling work, I was finished, and more than a little frustrated that I would be asked to perform someone else's duty. *sigh* well, at least I got my excercise in for the day! I also managed to drink two glasses of water yesterday and had dinner at a quaint little pub with Nelo. He is taking a journey this weekend and asked me to accompany him to the village gates. I shall miss him while he's away, but am looking forward to his return. Jinn and Zilya are visiting my room this evening and we will be preparing a vegetarian feast for Jinn's special quest this week. I am very excited to see what's in store!

Mild Success

So yesterday was a good day at school. I spent time getting support from some of the other students, and I think I'm back on track. In addition, I ate a serving of vegetables, and I had three glasses of water! Notably, I spent the afternoon and evening working on a special event for a local charity. The event was very successful, but I was also in tune with my fitness goals and I pushed myself to work harder and faster, trying to build stamina. All in all, I worked for an hour and a half and accomplished a tremendous amount with a brisk heart rate :). Go me!

Feeling Down

On the eve of my first week at Health and Fitness School, I feel awash with homesickness for my old life. Perhaps triggered by my attempt to take on the largest of the challenges issued by the headmaster this week: no fizzy ale for two days. Yesterday was my first attempt and when I combined the lack of ale with a vegetarian dinner featuring broccoli...I lost all my enthusiasm for this project. I know that I want to be a Hero, that I will be looked up to and will be able to help others, but it's so hard. I hate wanting these things that make me feel so badly. I have allowed my low disposition to cancel two bouts of exercise this week. I need to refocus and find my motivation. Perhaps I should rely more heavily on my team - maybe that's why we move through the school in parties in the first place. Here's hoping I persevere at the boss encounter this weekend.

Research Research

Who knew that coming to a Hero school would involve so much research? Le Chef is on a mission to whip us into shape and asked me to find information on healthy serving sizes for her page. I spent the evening looking and came up with what I consider a very reputable reference. I know she's offering a summer internship, but I'm not sure what that's about. I'm also frustrated to see that some of the other students are already level 2 and I'm still level 1 :( Hopefully this week I'll be able to redouble my efforts and really prove that I'm a Hero like they are. Who knew the theif would be so determined...wait, I guess that makes sense :P.

Wish me Luck!

A Short Journey

These past few days, I have been off campus as I received an invitation from the le chef to visit the neighboring town in search of specific vegetables to feature in this week's challenge! If she is pleased with my performance, I'm that much closer to winning a spot in her coveted master class and performing my final internship with her!! Unfortunately, on my way to the village, I took a terrible tumble and managed to somehow injure my right ear! Ordinarily this would not be a problem, but it's very difficult to compete in challenges without my balance, and we have a boss encounter later this week. I hope I start feeling better soon :(.

As my physical abilities are somewhat limited, I have instead chosen to focus on my nutrition. I brought fruit and vegetables on my journey, and although I did partake in an ale or two, I also brought a water skin and often drank from that as well. Although I cannot tell if my work is making any difference or bringing me any closer to being a warrior, I can certainly own up to working very hard towards my level :). I hope I start seeing some results soon...

Acclimating

Well, after only a few days here, I am slowly but surely becoming acclimated. Yesterday, I went for a walk during our noon break and met another student along the way. He is dark and brooding, but kind. He asked me to walk again and I told him I'd think about it. This place really is so different from home. In the evening, I met a few of the feline residents. We spent time becoming familiar with one another and played for a while. Quickly I tired out, but they had just as much energy as ever. It's refreshing to be around such young spirits.

Finally

I have finally arrived at the school, after being delayed by flooding, looting, and other unfortunate circumstances. I am glad to be here. The 30 min. walk from campus to my bed seemed endless, but I am excited nonetheless. My biggest concern is ale - I have a fondness for ale that only dwarves can, but the headmaster tells me that students are required to be clear in their thoughts and thus ale is very watered down and rarely available. Instead, he insists I start drinking water...an odd thought for a Dwarf - water is consider almost as precious as gold and not worthy of drinking. I will have to focus time and energy adjusting to this new way of life.