I should be surprised that over a year and a half has gone by! But, I guess I am not. The last few years have been fast paced! I had a major setback in 2020 and I am going on an AIP Protocol in the hope of sending it into remission.
I am not sure how much energy there is, but this seems as good of place as any to journal…
I know the new week is almost over, and I didn’t even get a chance to post about last week! I swear this challenge is FLYING by! My 9-5 has kept me hopping, so I haven’t had much social media time and I’m way behind in the group activities!
Blasting is going well. It has become such a part of my morning routine, that I don’t even really remember doing it. Like brushing my teeth. I am struggling with using the paddle blaster and really only use it for stomach, back and thighs. I stick with the face blaster for everything else. And, the Fascia Blaster of course. I am considering the Mini 2. I’ve been using the Mini 1 for my head too. I still don’t really know what to do with the nugget. I don’t really have big dimples or anything like that or scars for that matter… I’ve got a spot on my belly that’s like a crease, so I have sort of used it around that using the crayon method. I really need to look into the pipe extension mod for the Fascia Blaster so I can better reach my back.
I am excited to take pictures, because I don’t see a difference, but I am hoping that photos won’t lie. I think that the beyond bound areas are improving and I am getting dimples that I didn’t have before. I need/want to submit my problem areas for review and guidance, so I plan to do that with my 6 week progress photos. Mainly my tummy and glutes.
Tonics: I am still juicing celery. I wish I could pinpoint a benefit to doing this. I am still doing ACV, although not as consistently. I still haven’t had time to go to the supplement store. My mood has greatly improved, I think it’s a combination of more day light and possibly the Sunny Mood and St. John’s Wart supplements? I don’t know. But I am way happier and much less emotional than I was in weeks 2 & 3.
Cupping and blading: I had a massage this week and I explained to her that I can’t get the cups to stay on, so she said to bring them to my next appointment and she’d help me. I did buy a set of silicone ones as well that I haven’t tried. Part of the problem is that I still don’t have the oil (hopefully in a couple weeks??) I ran out of the stuff I bought at the beginning of the challenge to get me by and I don’t think the Egyptian Magic I have been using is optimal for the cupping. Hopefully this weekend I will have time to replace the massage oil. I really want my Ashley oils to get here!! I am afraid the challenge will be over before the shipment comes in.
Advanced Fitness: I am still doing the X challenge every day. I will keep with those workouts until my new program starts on 04/01. I am finding that my workouts are harder in some ways which I attribute to the blasting releasing my glutes and hammies from their previous state. Oh, and I was in a bowling tournament last weekend which wrecked my body. In case you’re wondering, bowling is definitely a sport. And the pain is more significant when you no longer drink alcohol. My arm strength has significantly improved though! I can do all my push ups on my toes now and I can do 5 or so more assisted pull ups than I could 5 weeks ago! Yay!
FasciaYoga: Yeah, I still haven’t tried this. I do do yoga and foam rolling as part of my regular fitness, which has some of the same but different moves. I hope to have time this weekend to give it an actual go.
Higher Thinking: Not much to say here. I have been somewhat keeping up with my meditation. I heard about a form of fitness today where it’s basically like kickboxing or MMX but you say affirmations like “I am strong and powerful” during the kicks etc. I can’t remember what it’s called, but it sounded interesting. Now that my little is done with bball, I am hoping to check out a women’s prayer group at my church.
Nutrition: I became certified in a macro/portion control based program so I am switching gears and I am going to commit to this system 100% for the foreseeable future. I did listen to a podcast about the benefits of MCT oil, which I own some from when I was testing Keto a while back. I may give that a try in my coffee. I feel like I don’t feed my brain enough healthy fats.
That’s about it! Not much new to report. Happy blasting and TGIF!
Week 4 is done. Wow! What a difference! I changed up my morning routine in an effort to be more productive, and I guess it’s working! I haven’t had any social media time this week.
Blasting is going well (I think!) I feel like things are looking much worse. I find feet and hands tricky. I still can barely go over the shins because they’re so tender. And, my IT band bruises are still pretty prevalent. I got a few random bruises here and there as well. And, yes, I am going very lightly and I am not going over the bruises. I also re-read all the pages that address bruising in TCM. I believe I found my sweet spot as far as timing it, and I am currently spending about 20 per zone. I am doing my face on Wednesday. I am still waiting for my oil to arrive, and I used up the bottle of massage oil I bought to bridge the gap so I’ve moved on to some Egyption Magic which seems to do the trick. I am saving my lotion to use with the oil, so I’ve just got some Palmer’s body lotion and some Penetrex for the bruised areas.
Tonics: I am still just doing celery juice first thing and Apple Cider Vinegar at night. I plan to pick some tart cherry juice up as that has benefited me in the past for sleep issues. I just need more time!
Cupping and blading: My MT cupped my legs for me last week and I talked to her about home cupping. She gave me some tips. I tried again with the AccuZone cups this weekend, but I can’t seem to get them to stay on. I’ve been using one of the blades to flush after blasting.
Advanced Fitness: My workouts have been great! I’m still doing my P90x hybrid.
FasciaYoga: I keep wanting to do a full yoga routine, but I haven’t made time.
Higher Thinking: I’ve been keeping my commitment to go to church. I did read the book Essentialism. It was okay, but the best part was the author reading it with his British accent. I’ve gotten more from other books on similar topics. I am looking for PD book recommendations! Hit me with your favs!
Happy blasting! My mood has definitely picked up over the past few weeks, and while I am still really tired, my general happiness level has greatly increased.
Week 3 in the books! Blasting is going great and I am feeling better. Last week was a bit emotional reflecting on the my dad’s 10 year death anniversary. I exhibited what I can only describe as emotional eating which cause a weight gain. I hate it when I do that! Nothing too bad, but I clearly have a fat bomb problem. ?
Tonics: I’m still juicing celery, but did have a couple days where I was trying to figure out why exactly I was doing it. Then, I had a facial and my esthetician said my skin was looking great, so I added it back in. It’s not hurting anything and I do like a good routine.
Fasting: I had to let this one go. I’m still keeping an eye on the group, but I don’t think I’m healed enough from my food issues to be successful at it.
Cupping and blading: I used my cups once. I’m not super comfortable with them yet, and I need a different plan. I am seeing my MT tomorrow so I’ll ask her to cup me up! I broke out the blade today for the first time and used it after blasting. I still need to watch some blading instruction.
Advanced Fitness: I can honestly say that I do not have an issue getting a workout in.
FasciaYoga: I’ve been doing a few stretches here and there. I still haven’t done a full on yoga session.
Higher Thinking: I’m doing well here, but I’ve slacked on my meditation a bit. I’ve been trying to use my breath app when it reminds me to. For PD, I’m listening to a book called Mindset. Nothing revolutionary in it, but a few nuggets. Next on my list is a book called Essentialism something. I’ll update next week.
I wanted to share something pretty exciting. Here’s a few screenshots from my upright trainer since I started blasting . Granted, the one on the 7th was after work when I was mostly on my feet and a shorter window, but I’m pretty happy! Most of the slouching was while I was loading the dishwasher.
It could be the fascia blaster, it could be the heavy duty chiropractic treatment, it could be the Upright Go training, but whatever it is, I will take it!
Well, week two was pretty tough. I had a lot of emotional stuff happening as well as the plague breakout in our house and a snow event that shut us down. But, I’ve been working on this challenge and working through my issues.
Advanced Fitness: I had to take few rest days to break the fever and get better. But, I am continuing my programs of step aerobics and X challenge. I think I have had a booty breakthrough, but I need to do some pictures to be sure. I believe I am beginning to understand what it means to sense the muscles activating, and I haven’t experienced that sensation in a long time.
Tonics & Nutrition: I am still juicing celery daily and doing my AVC shot. I still don’t know/can’t tell if it’s doing anything for me. Ha! But, I will stick with it.
Higher Thinking: I read a really good audible on meditation –
How to Meditate with Pema Chodron: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind. I would love to meet her!
Fasting: I need to regroup in this effort. I was feeling light headed and nauseous and thinking maybe fasting wasn’t for me, but then it was mentioned that this may be a detox effect or the celery juice. Maybe not enough salt. I don’t know. I am trying to give this another go.
Cupping & Blading: I tried this (sort of), but I need to give it more time. I haven’t looked into the blading at all yet and I really have no idea yet what to do with them.
FasciaYoga: I haven’t really done this yet. But, I need to!
I have followed the blasting schedule religiously. But, my mindset is totally off on my nutrition right now. I want to lose weight, and I am not. I have eaten a bunch of stuff on my allergen list, and I regret it, but I didn’t stop myself. Then I get mad. Then I get sad. It’s been a real roller coaster of emotions. I need my mind right.
