Spring Into Fitness - Week 4

The start of the busy two week period for me, relatively speaking.

Earth

Despite having the elements in place, organised lunches - sandwiches, fruit, orange juice - didn't happen. I guess I have put too much reliance on my better half making lunches over the last few months and this week he didn't - he drove me for my early starts instead, which I had more need of :).

So eating this week has been a bit of a hit or miss, with potato scone roll, yes I know it is bad of me, for most of the week, rushed lunch sandwiches and late snacks when I eventually get home.. Normally during this period, I have lots of sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks to keep body and soul together but this year the temptation to do this has been greatly reduced.
Last Sunday night I did, however, organise and iron my outfits for work - which I haven't done, yet, for this week :(. 

Only one week to go... and then I run out of excuses ;).

Air

I've continued to surf but posting on fb and forum has been greatly reduced, due to lack of available time or motivation - but this enforced restriction has not been a bad thing for me, mentally or spiritually. I am also in a different, closed environment where team working and tight deadlines are key, so I have to be more social as well as task focused. I have found that I can't easily dip back into my normal role in this environment, even when time permits. 

And I booked my summer holiday! Well in advance too, as I normally book a few days before I go on leave.

Water

Not keeping myself as hydrated as I know I should, which is not good for this time period but I try to pick the pace back up next week. I don't have my peppermint tea at hand and I sometimes forget that I miss it  i.e. when I have the opportunity to bring it across but then I miss it at the most inopportune moments when I just can't leave the room to go get it :(.

On the water element/pisces theme, I should perhaps mention that I shall be going to Venice for the first time on my summer holiday :).

Fire

Burning the candle a bit at both ends so must try to concentrate on my health and energy levels. I have done more than the equivalent of two extra days over a five days and it will be more next week too but, on the big plus side, I enjoy it :). I went straight out on Friday evening then managed to sleep later on Saturday morning, making up for the weekday early starts :). After shower and brunch, I walked down into the village to the cobblers and florist, walked back home (uphill) and then spent some time in the garden mowing the lawn and doing some general tidying. Where I got the energy from, I'll never know ;). I then went to bed early for a couple of hours but, surprise, woke again and now can't get back to sleep :(. Hence the late night update, but early update, for Week 4 ;).
 x14

Spirit

I have put some effort into team working but elsewhere, in a moment of madness, I was uncharitable but if I try to make amends, it will make it worse, so I will learn from it and hopefully become a better person :(.

Week 3/4 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional) 

Having fun whilst exercising/What I have struggled with in Week 3.

I have merged the two challenges because I did not do the Week 3 challenge during Week 3.

Yes, I like walking so I think it counts, especially when I have my tunes on at the time, so occasionally dance/walk or move with the beat at least lol. And it was bright and sunny and the cheery blossom trees were in full bloom :).

I did not plan to walk down into the village or back on Saturday but I had shoes repairs to pick up from the previous Saturday, not having been able to do so during the week. I could have taken the lift that was offered or waited for the bus, in either or both directions but I felt energised after the bit of extra sleep and the bright sunny day :). Following a short sit down, I then went into the garden, grass growing like wildfire and long overdue for a trim so it had been my plan, weather permitting, to cut it on Saturday, or Sunday - always delaying the inevitable ;). Afterwards, I felt a sense of achievement - it was not perfect but the key task had been done. Then after that I found myself wandering around the garden removing dead leaves and flowers - not my original intention but still fulfilling and not tiring, my mind freed of 'stuff'. To finish off, I topped up the water in my copper willow tree fountain and tested it for the first time this year. After a small adjustment to allow one jet to flow down onto a willow leaf, my better half and I stood back to enjoy it.

The goal here is to figure out why you are self-sabotaging yourself - always delaying the inevitable ;)

Spring Into Fitness - Week 3 (late)

The pre-cursor to a busy two weeks at work.

Earth

Again my lunches have been more organised, with sandwiches, fresh fruit and low fruit with jelly portions but I have succumbed to more rolls on potato scone and even worse comfort food - one night last week I had a sausage supper! Which is, the uninitiated, two long sausages, similar to hotdogs, deep fried in batter and served with deep fried chips i.e. real potato slices - I added HP brown sauce too, as this is my sauce of choice. Definitely not a healthy option :( . 

Air

Still keeping on top of the housework but not as much as I should. The forum is proving very interesting as one of my comments led another to suspect I was hitting on another. Not true but I felt my ideas about falling in admiration at first sight/meeting echoed some of my experiences.
I also went to my geeky British Computer Society monthly meeting and presentation - turns out that no matter what you do to remove your personal data e.g. photos, text messages etc from your mobile phone e.g. before you sell it on or recycle it, most of the data can be recovered, to a greater or lesser degree. A range of makes and models of mobile phones were tested and data was recovered from all of them :(.
I also went to an elections hustings - the local area council elections are next month. This one was well mannered with existing local councillors and prospective candidates for election forming a panel to answer questions already provided but it made for a different evening.

Water

Still being fluid in my personal and professional life. 

Fire

Keeping up the extra walking but also being more amorous, counting towards the extra broomsticks ;). Burning the candle a bit at both ends so must try to concentrate on my health and energy levels.

Spirit

My spirit is rising again and it shows. My smile still precedes me.

I haven't looked at the Week 3 challenge until now but will give it a go this week - Play ;)

Week 3 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional) 

This week I want you to focus less on your fitness and weight loss goals and more on having fun while exercising. While doing things like running on the treadmill and weightlifting has it's place, I want you to do exercise that makes you feel like a kid again! Go roller skating, play tag, or dance just for the heck of it. Maybe it's not movement that you did as a kid that feels like fun and playtime to you but hiking, rock climbing, or sexy bellydancing. The point this week is to have fun and make exercise playtime! How often every week could you "play" as opposed to "work out?"

Spring Into Fitness - Week 2 (late)

I seem to have skipped a week, without really noticing it.

Earth

My lunches have been more organised, with sandwiches, fresh fruit and low fruit with jelly portions. I've had more organic weetabix but discovered it is not so good for me on some mornings so I've had a late breakfast roll instead. I've not had much chocolate and still don't crave crisps, which may me sad but happy at the same time. There has been a bit more fish for dinner at night so hitting the omega 3 too :) .

Air

Breathing exercises still on the list but housework coming along better. The forum is proving interesting but not so philosophical as I had originally thought or perhaps I am still delving and responding to the easier, more emotive topics :).

Water

Still being fluid in my personal and professional life. I have also stocked up on and taken more peppermint and green tea. Still taking the hot orange to combat my cough and general listlessness.

Fire

I've done a bit more walking in the fresh air, minus mp3 :). But only about 2 broomsticks worth, as I usually walk to and from the bus to work (30mins a day) which I don't count i.e. 10mins from house to bus stop and 5 mins from bus to work, plus lots of walking in my 15 floor office. Yes I have started to use the stairs to go up four floors at the moment but I can happily come down 15 floors without noticing much - yes it is a bit trance like ;).

Spirit

Still listless but cheerier with a smile for people I meet - family, friends, colleagues, strangers - which in turn helps them to smile and pass the time of day too.

I found my violet incense sticks after I updated my week 1 blog.

Spiritual and Environmental Cleansing

Here is a further breakdown for the Spring Cleaning Series Challenge 


Week ~ Area of the Home ~ Area of Life
Week 1 ~ Cleaning Your Spiritual Life and Subtle Body
Week 2 ~ Home Exterior and Repairs ~ Health and Fitness
Week 3 ~ Front Porch/Entryway ~ Personality and Self-image
Week 4 ~ Kitchen and Dining Room ~ The Heart of Your Life
Week 5 ~ Living Areas ~ Entertainment and Social Life
Week 6 ~ Your Bedroom ~ Love Life and Relaxation
Week 7 ~ Kids' Bedrooms ~ Fertility and Parenting
Week 8 ~ Bathroom ~ Beauty and Hygiene
Week 9 ~ Home Office/Den ~ Career and Finances
Week 10 ~ Back Yard ~ Connecting with Nature
Week 11 ~ Front Yard ~ Living Green
Week 12 ~ Garage/Attic/Basement ~ Emotional and Mental Clutter
Week 13 ~ Laundry Area and Closets ~Your Shadow Self

Spring Into Fitness - Week 1

Start small, scale quickly...perhaps ;)

Earth

There is no set eating plan but I suspect there won't be a plan, even by the end of the challenge. I've have organic weetabix (wholegrain wheat cereal) with skimmed milk twice this week and only two rolls on potato scone - a good achievement as this is my regular breakfast at work. Today, after Lent, I have returned to eating crisps - I still enjoy them but I don't crave them, so much, so it is a good start. Chocolate - I can take or leave.

Air

I have bookmarked a couple of web sites for breathing exercises, done only a little extra housework but I have opened the windows to let the fresh cold air sweep through the house. I joined the forum on Philosophy Now and noticed that there is a post on the Happy New Year thread for last year's solstice, which was intended for the traditional January 1st wishes, and a discussion on Is Wicca the way forward? which I think I should join in.

Water

I have been a bit more chilled and tried not to over-think emotionally. I do need to buy more peppermint tea and some green tea for work but I am taking less coffee. I have been taking more hot orange and blackcurrant drinks to combat my dreaded lurgy.

Fire

I've been a bit off colour so exercise is out for now, although I do love the broomsticks! Dancing to Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young, which was being played by my friend's band Rosewood on Friday night may count ;).

Spirit

Maybe not as caring, considerate and thoughtful of others as I could have been, as I squeak hoarsely and sleep lots to get over my physical lurgy.

Week 1 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional)

I performed The Fivefold Kiss for the first time during the full moon, which was fitting for me to do so as I have been told that I have been channeling Goddess energy for most of the year. Unfortunately, I could not find any of my incense but used candle smoke for Air - which is another reason why I need the Challenge. But I did find my favourite incense today :).

Tomorrow is another day - and the start of Week 2... ;)

Spring Into Fitness Challenge

 I have decided to sign up for the Spring Into Fitness Challenge from Serenity Raven and here are my goals that represent all five elements: earth, air, fire, water and spirit:-

Earth

Better eating plan, especially during work week (April!). Less roll on potato scone for breakfast, more weetabix.

Air

Learn breathing exercises, air house, use your mind!

Water

Everything is fluid, lol more, stress less, chill more. Drink even more water, try green tea again, take more peppermint tea, less coffee.

Fire

Do more of what makes me feel alive, what my passions are! Take some exercise

Spirit

I could say be more alturistic but, in this scenario, it would flow from being selfish thus rendering it not alturistic at all *sigh*. Be more caring, considerate and thoughtful of others. Love and nourish my soul.