Yeah, So You Think You Can Dance. This is about addiction, the guy is playing the addiction, the girl is the addict. And it’s the best dance ever. I will admit I sobbed at this, and more than once. I just welled up posting the damn video. So sue me!
So I mentioned a challenge last post, was that twelve years ago? If you will recall, we have done some no-sweets challenges in the past, one culminating in someone wearing a leotard. The idea behind some of the challenges was that when you are obsessive and voracious about something like, oh, say CUPCAKES, maybe it’s a good practice to try and abstain for a while just to see if you can do it.
Well, actually I just did it because I was dared, and I’m the kind of person who accepts pretty much any challenge, fists up. It’s really ego more than self-control or nobility that drives me. Surprise!
Anyway, I do think the no-sugar challenge won’t fly this time. Mainly because I like sugar, but also because I’m pretty comfortable with the fact that I like to live large, laugh loud, eat ravenously, and in general have a big, glorious, pleasure-full life. That’s what I shoot for anyway, and you only live once, and if you do live more than once, you probably don’t remember the other times you lived so you may as well make the most of what you’ve got. Eat the fucking cupcake, or I’ll snatch it out of your hand and eat it for you.
This is not to say that sometimes pleasurable things get out of hand and it’s time to give them up, but I think my criteria for that is when something makes your life feel smaller, not bigger, then let it go. That’s my little gold standard for crossing the line into addiction, cuz that’s a world-shrinker. Some people might say I’m addicted to exercise, but I WISH. I’d love that. Cupcakes, though? I get so bored with the whole “bad” food thing. Bad food is generally extremely yummy, and this is just me. Look, I have an addictive personality, and I’ve certainly been addicted to things, but as far as I can tell, sugar hasn’t really shrunk (ha!) me yet, I’ll be the last one to know anyway, so with that whole defensive credo blah blah, let’s think on other challenges.
One thought I stole from Kat had was to set athletic goals like pull ups or mile times or 1 RMs or what-have-you. I have to think on what I’d like my challenge to be, but you should do the same, and call it out here, because accountability is important, as is writing down what you want out of life. Tell me because maybe I’ll get some inspiration or just steal your idea. It could even be to take on a new sport, or exercise x number of days, or whatever. Build strength in one area. Just pick something that scares you a little, and be ready to report on your progress. Then we can all do this together.
And speaking of being scared and challenges, right now I am supposed to be doing 2000 kettlebell snatches by some time next week. This was definitely not my idea, some of us here have been training with this guy and he gave me and Kat the 2000 to do as homework. I did mention that I generally did my homework the night before it was due, so there was a chance I would be doing 1672 snatches the night before and incurring serious injury. He was not fazed, so I’ve finished 726 so far. And ripped up my hands in the process, even though I was supposed to be working on grip so that wouldn’t happen, but I am nothing if not a slow learner, motivated almost entirely by pain, stubbornness, and dumbassery.
John is, by the way, a really great coach who totally changed my swing. Even my sad-ass snatches are better, and that is saying something since, yes, slow, stubborn, dumbass. Everyone else training with him has already dramatically improved because he’s a smart guy. (It only took me three weeks to finally break the habit of putting my hand on my thigh when I swing despite constant reminders, ahem.) And he gives me shit in exactly the way that works for me, and tolerates my smart mouth, and my favorite part is we get to do feats of strength in between working on technique and I fucking love feats of strength. If I had a past life where I lived large, I probably aspired to be a circus performer. Hopefully not the kind that bites the heads off chickens, but I am a realist. I still might have a shot at that if the chickens were filled with cupcakes.
More on all that soonish, I’m sure. Now: Challenges! Lay em down! Don’t be a wussy.
“…I am nothing if not a slow learner, motivated almost entirely by pain, stubbornness, and dumbassery.”
Oh shit. There’s another way to learn? Now you tell me.
inkgrrl
July 28th, 2009
My challenge is that I am going to watch the Gravity video everyday for the next month….hmmm…maybe that doesn’t qualify since I would enjoy it too much!
Lan-Ling
July 29th, 2009
OK, been thinkin’. Handstands? I would love to be able to do one, and progress to handstand pushups. Also, pushups on those damn rings. Hell, even pullups would be a great challenge for moi.
I’m currently aiming for exercising 6 days/week, doing cycling and swimming (and yoga and weights) while trying to heal my damn foot so I can start running again. Being accountable for consistency in an exercise regiment sounds mighty good to me right now, as it’s just little ol’ me cracking the whip!
Also like the idea of picking a race for fall to train for, and reporting progress.
Ooh! What about “The Biggest Gainer”, where we compete to add muscle and definition?
OK, I’m getting a little too bouncy and enthusiastic. Time to quit.
Hoolia
July 29th, 2009
I hate to admit this…but i cannot do even one decent push up. I would like to commit to doing 25 glorious and correct push ups in a row.
Mar
July 29th, 2009
Heya,
I’ve been setting some challenges for myself lately, basically I want to improve strength and put on some size (muscle) particularly shoulders, arms, legs.
So for strength I’m aiming to be able to do 10 chin-ups (I can currently do 2.
Size is a bit harder to judge, I don’t really know how much I want to put on,but we’ll say for the sake of challenge, 5 kilos …
Amanda
July 30th, 2009
A challenge I made myself last spring that I nailed was 100 days of working out. Weights, heavy bag, cardio — didn’t matter. But a minimum of 20 minutes a day for 100 days.
Would it be cheating to do that again? Maybe this time make it 101 days?
BoxingDad
July 30th, 2009
One unassisted pullup.
Belinda
July 30th, 2009
I like the 100 days idea!
Currently, until Aug. 25 my goal is to keep up with my husband and kids. Seriously.
Yesterday involved a 5 mile beach walk, 2 hour AM surf session and 1 hr. PM paddleboard session. And another hour laughing watching my family-including the dog paddleboard on one board! I’m sore, tired and oh so happy! This is vacation
a far cry from a couple of years ago, right Kelly!
surfmom
July 31st, 2009
Since y’all cop to being a ray of fucking sunshine, I will return the favor of fucking sunshiny-ness and propose my challenge that I start running (some measly and embarrassingly slow mileage) since doing not one tiny crumb of physical exertion (does that include nervous breakdowns?) since my kid got leukemia 2 months ago.
I really need a motivational kick in the hoo-hoo. Besides, if I watch The goddamn Little fucking Mermaid one more time with my little bald cancer patient without some physical outlet, I’m going to claw my way into the TV and kick the crap out of whiny little fishy bitch myself.
buzz-kill anyone?
girlscientist
July 31st, 2009
girlscientist - that’s horrible. I’m sorry. My best friend’s little girl was diagnosed with leukemia in January… it’s been worse than hard. The running is a good idea…. if you are at UCSF their gym is decent too. Maybe some sort of exercise-ish game linked to annoying mermaid behavior. Every simper you do 20 sit-ups???? Ugh.
she
August 1st, 2009
I like Boxing Dad’s idea. I’m going on vacation Sept. 11, so my challenge will be to do some kind of workout every day 8/1 thru 9/10. I’d love to swear to work out every day of vacation, too, but…no. Wow. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
ThatKim
August 1st, 2009
Since November, I’ve been constantly training for marathons with Team in Training (raises $ for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - they also do tri’s, century rides, etc). So far, I’ve done 2 full marathons (4:47, and 4:24). My goal is to do another one, but break 4-hours. Some folks think I could qualify for Boston, but I think that’s a stretch for now.
girlscientist - my thoughts (& fundraised dollars) are with you and your family, and I hope you find your motivational kick & outlet soon.
Kel
August 1st, 2009
girlscientist, i want to run with you.
my challenge is to seriously rehab both ankles. Every.single.day.
My other challenge, once school starts, is to train with John again (with you!). How much do you love him?
Shari
August 2nd, 2009
ahh addiction…sigh.
I engaged a woman in Andronicos who had tied her Boston Terrier outside.. I have one. During the delightful conversation, she told me she was 73 and has been walking up Marin from the circle for 40 years. Guess i am addicted to it, she said with a laugh…Girlscientist..if you wanna meet me at the bottom, I will trudge up with you towards your house. I realize you are climbing lots of hills in recent months, but would be a nearby great workout…
Guess my challenge would be to balance work with life…
Mary
August 3rd, 2009
I’m in on the Marin hill walk. when do we start?
Shari
August 4th, 2009
I’m in and available most mornings except chemo days.
I would love to climb a non-metaphorical hill!
girlscientist
August 5th, 2009
Can I come? I’ll bring my own Boston Terrier(s) - I’ll bring you some new DVDs too
Tracy
August 7th, 2009
How early can all of you climb ? Girlscientist…can you do evenings?
Mary
August 9th, 2009