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Squat Challenge | Day.11

So, the squat challenge is underway, Day.11 and 550 squats down!  We are doing 50 a day for 30 days and I am loving how much support there has been as well.  I invited three people to do it and there are about eight doing it with me, and several people caught onto a few other people – so there is like an extended squatting network going on right now!  I absolutely LOVE IT! 

I have actually already begun thinking about out / my September challenge and about half of the current “challengers” are going to continue the journey with me.  The plan is to actually add another challenge on, but continue doing the current challenge as well.  This will serve as sort of a foundation so I can stay active. My goal to to maintain my level of activity and gradually build it up, as to not overwhelm myself and make it seem like it is a chore.  Also, I learned from my 90-day challenge that when I do not have an active challenge going on, it is SO HARD to stay motivated, so I pretty much just halted all exercises once that concluded in April.

Anywho, I look forward to seeing the progress through these next weeks and next months really, as I add more things in.

Forever evolving.

>Humbly submitted<<    ~Mai

 

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8.1.18 | New 30-day challenge!

So, I have been on a hiatus, I took some time off of social media as I do periodically and it was great while it lasted!

Now, I am back on & am jumping into another challenge & have some new recruits joining with me.  I will most likely try to record and upload daily for accountability purposes & so I can look back and see my personal growth / journey.

If anyone else wants to join us, my friends, family and I will be dong 50 squats a day.  Any time, and way, any method, as long as it is daily and you do at least 50.  I am going to start out really simple with basic squats & do as much as I can in the a.m. before I shower & go to work, and only do what I have left over when I get back from work.  Honestly, the goal is to get all 50 done at the beginning of the day.

I am definitely going to stretch tonight, make sure I am limber again.  I fell ALL the way off after my last 90-day challenge and am still psychoanalyzing myself how I can be SO DISCIPLINED once whatever innate on-switch is turned on, and completely apathetic when the switch is off.  Do I have to actually challenge myself, compete with myself, in order to reach my goals?  Not quite sure, but I am still mulling it over to make sure I am getting the most out of this life by understanding and figuring myself out as I continue to evolve.

T-Minus 7 hours until day #1…

~Humbly submitted *Mai*

 

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Like a ton of bricks

I am literally just waking up from being in a horrible fog.  When I tell you I felt like I had a HORRIBLE case of malaria the last 36 hours, I WISH I was exaggerating. 

I felt like I’d gotten a cold, because Tuesday at work I was sneezing, nose running & clogged up, I was tired, and had a slight headache.  Figured it could also just be my allergies flaring up with the weather being all over the place.

Tuesday night was worse.. Everything exacerbated and I also randomly got an earache pretty badly in my left ear.  I literally kept a piece of garlic in my ear the whole night.  But I was slowly getting worse.  

In the morning when my fiance got off his graveyard shift, he told me NOT TO go to work if I was feeling like last night (I think he could see it in my face).  I said I was just going to try, I HATE missing work and feeling like I am leaving more for others to do, especially if it is not pre-planned. 

MISTAKE.

Went to work and from the moment I got in the car and drove there, I knew it was a bad decision.  My head began pounding & I was at full migraine now.  I had no appetite, my jaw, my neck, my face, my eyes, even my teeth hurt.  Where was all of this coming from? My co-worker immediately commented on how I did not look well.  Damn, second person cannot be wrong.  Tried to push through as there were two things that definitely needed to get done today & I was able to do that.  Not even an hour into work, I had to tell my boss I felt horrible & she suggested that I leave & take care of myself. 

Clocked out & when I got to the car, I just sat there in the warmth because I was soooo cold and I was also light-headed and almost in a fog, I was not happy about driving home in that state.  I told myself to drive slowly and I will be ok.  Made it home and shivering, got to my front door.  I ripped off my clothing, put on jammies, and robe, and put the scarf back on, put on my long thick socks and climbed under all the blankets.  I lay there shivering trying to fall asleep for over a hour.  I was shaking uncontrollably, and with all those layers, STILL unable to get warm.  Could fall asleep because my face was hurting and my head was pounding.  It was very miserable.  I finally fall asleep at some point and lay in the dark room all day, only up to use the bathroom & sat up to drink water.  I could not eat, each time I reached for the banana I opened up that morning, I felt like I was going to upchuck & had to put it right back down. 

This horrible cycle repeated until 8pm & I finally forced myself to stay up for a few minutes and walked over to the couch, where I laid back down & 1/2 interacted with my daughter.  She seemed confused as she looked at me laying there in the dark.  Not holding and hugging her like I always do.  Couldn’t tell her how weak I felt, how my body seems to have a mind of its own, how mommy does not want to pass to her WHATEVER this is plaguing my body.

Finally got up the strength to eat half a bowl of food I had to coach my fiance through making & send hopefully a coherent email to supervisor I would not be in the next day.  Shortly thereafter, I made my way back to bed to sleep through the night until almost noon today.

The migraine, face pain, earache, and chills have seemed to subside and I am just left with a headache, clogged nose, bouts of sneezing, and general fatigue.  Hopefully I will continue to get better through the day and will probably take another nap here shortly.  I serious had not felt this bad w/ all of these symptoms since I had malaria during my travels in Meritah (Afrika).  I am so thankful the worst has seemed to pass & looking forward to getting back to myself.

>Respectfully submitted<<    ~Mai

 

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Interesting reads today

https://gmofreeusa.org/food-testing/frito-lay-sunchips/

Careful what you put in your mouths. 😨

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#Igot5onit99 | DAY 99 COMPLETE!!!

IM DONE! IM DONE! IM DONE!

Such an amazing feeling that I completed this, three months of shutting down excuses and just doing it.  Listening to my body those 5 times when I just was not able to do it those days.

Awwww, it just feels so amazing.

Also finally got in touch with a woman I’d met on my travels to Meritah (Africa) and we had a long, amazing, and long-overdue catching up session.  Hopefully, we will get to link up later this year in person as well. 

Well, nothing like a warm shower to “consummate” the closing of this challenge.

Next challenge to begin in: 35 days!

2018 = 5 million!!!

Second half of challenge totals:

  • 840 each of: 
    • push ups
    • squats
    • calf raises
    • (seconds) holding plank
    • (seconds) holding yoga pose
  • 330 minutes stretching
  • 210 minutes deep breathing

TOTALS!

  • 1482 push-ups
  • 1480 squats & 620 seconds holding seated squat
  • 390 plank rotations
  • 1080 seconds holding forearm plank
  • 1260+ seconds holding yoga pose (Tittibhasana)
  • 1100 calf raises
  • 425 minutes of deep breathing
  • 380 minutes of stretching

>>Respectfully submitted & Always thankful<<    ~Mai

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#Igot5onit99 | Day.98!!!

OMG, tomorrow is the FINAL day of my 99-day challenge.  Today was successful, workout completed & we also go to head to Balboa Park for the Earth Day celebration.  Baby girl got some great sun and danced away to a several live bands.

We wound down the rest of the evening & watched a movie we hadn’t seen before, so all-in-all, it was a successful day.  Looking forward to buttoning up this challenge & feeling the accomplishments of my hard work, as well as transition into another push towards balance, but this time, focusing on my diet.  

See you all on the other side.  #Last24 #Igot5onit99 #DangThatsALotOfSquats!

#Countdown1toGo!

2018 = 5 million!!!

Second half of challenge totals:

  • 820 each of: 
    • push ups
    • squats
    • calf raises
    • (seconds) holding plank
    • (seconds) holding yoga pose
  • 310 minutes stretching
  • 200 minutes deep breathing

Totals for day 96/99:

  • 1460 push-ups (+2 for the “Level up” #1)
  • 1460 squats & 620 seconds holding seated squat
  • 370 plank rotations (+20 for the “Level Up #2)
  • 1060 seconds holding forearm plank
  • 1240+ seconds holding yoga pose (Tittibhasana)
  • 1080 calf raises
  • 395 minutes of deep breathing (+20 for the “Level Up #3)
  • 360 minutes of stretching

>>Respectfully submitted & Always thankful<<    ~Mai

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Early Administrators Appreciation Lunch

I work at a law firm and the partner decided we should do Administrative Appreciation day early so we can do it on a Friday. Yes all here for it and food was Delish!

Here are some pics from the lunch 😋 (Yes, those are piranha heads in my display pic).

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AWESOME recipe – Pinterest Win

These German Sauerkraut Potato balls were amazing and the chunky salad I paired it with cleansed it right down.  Heavy + Light = balance 🙂

Type the name into Pinterest for recipe.  

This will now be a MaiMuna’s Kitchen staple.

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>Respectfully Submitted<<     ~Mai

 

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Day.78 | #Igot5onit99

Workout completed!

Still feeling sore, but a tad better & it should be gone by tomorrow evening or Wednesday morning. 

I also had first day of physical therapy for my back, hopefully this doctor puts in the recommendation for my left knee as well, does not appear to have been put in by my doctor.

Feeling great about my progress on my financials as well as class work.  I am looking forward to knocking the work out a few weeks early, so I can spend the remainder of the time completing the small pieces to build up my portfolio with the information learned in class.  

Been a busy weekend, looking forward to the rest that this sleep will bring 🙂

2018 = 5 million!!!

Second half of challenge totals:

  • 560 each of: 
    • push ups
    • squats
    • calf raises
    • (seconds) holding plank
    • (seconds) holding yoga pose
  • 210 minutes stretching
  • 135 minutes deep breathing

Totals for day 78/99:

  • 1200 push-ups (+2 for the “Level up” #1)
  • 1200 squats & 180 seconds holding seated squat
  • 350 plank rotations (+20 for the “Level Up #2)
  • 760 seconds holding forearm plank
  • 930+ seconds holding yoga pose (Tittibhasana)
  • 820 calf raises
  • 330 minutes of deep breathing (+20 for the “Level Up #3)
  • 240 minutes of stretching

Level Up #1 | Level Up #2 | Level Up #3 | Level Up #4 | Level Up #5 | Level Up #6 |      Level Up #7| Level Up #8 | 

>>Respectfully submitted & Always thankful<<    ~Mai

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Race Day! Mud Run – Day.76

So, today’s workout was actually enough of a work-out for the entire weekend to be honest!  

My mother and I completed the 5K Mud-Run, which, is basically an hour or so worth of boot camp.  The course was riddled with rope climbing, huge mounds of dirt, at least half a dozen pools of MUDDY (quick sand feeling mud), water that you either had to crawl through a maze, climb up and over something, or simply dunk your head all the way under in order to get through.  Then there were the huge beam like things that you had to climb over.  

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Needless to say, I am super sore and I took a serious nap after I showered early this afternoon when I got home.

I was actually originally a little bummed that we were in the first early 9am race, because there was SO MUCH fog & clouds, so it was definitely cold, especially after.  But, when we finished and were heading home at 11 something and saw the sun never came out today, I was actually really glad to have gotten it done early. 

This is the second run I completed with my mother, the other run we did a few years back was the Wipeout Run (you know, the show with the big red balls?).  That was SUPER fun!  This was definitely fun as well, just much more of a challenge, especially being post baby.  I enjoyed it and I am sure my body will thank me.. in a week or so once the soreness wears off.  

Although I did not do my typical work-out, today was still a success because I got a serious workout in, and literally used all the muscles in my body to get through the obstacles.  Not to mention, the host playing music and leading some stretches while we were lined up and ready to go.  

There was not anyone we knew there to take our pictures, but if they end up posting pictures in the next few days, I will post some on here.  Below is the official video:

Respectfully & Humbly submitted    ~Mai

 

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#Igot5onit99 | Day.74

Workout completed!  This little girl did push ups, squats, AND calf raises with me today!  I think I am creating a solid workout partner… well… at least one to keep me motivated!  But, shout out to Chelsea who is also doing an AMAZING job – hitting that gym like it was made for her.

Hilarious group text this evening.

So, if you do not already know, I have 3 siblings and we are 10 months apart (us older three, I am 18 months older than my baby bro).  Well, we are HELLA competitive, playing all kind of sports, games, activities, you name it – while growing up.  So, obviously, some games have a more sore spot than others and monopoly is one of the great war makers.

So, APPARENTLY, I am deemed the cheating banker (off of one time they caught me, lol). so I am forever barred from being the banker in monopoly.  To be honest, I actually was a really good and organized banker outside of giving myself a banker’s discount on select properties, lol.  I was just already ahead of the game.  Just as this game is teaching about capitalism, I was teaching my siblings about the ills of falsely trusting a bank & how they will be dishonest w/ your hard earned money.  That is my story and I am sticking to it!

Well, this thread touched on some of those ills, and my sister suggested that IF she EVER played again in the company of us (her siblings), it would have to be the electronic banking system.  I was unaware that this existed, but hey, I am all for it!  I am still a big board / card game head.  I love my Donkey Kong and Super Mario and Mr. Do (SNES), but give me a deck of cards, sequence, blockus, connect four, checkers, clue, sorry, monopoly over all of that ANY day!

monopoly-electronic-banking-edition-1

Welp, here is to a smooth Friday and our race this weekend!  If I get my hands on any photos from the event, I will share them 🙂

2018 = 5 million!!!

Second half of challenge totals:

  • 500 each of: 
    • push ups
    • squats
    • calf raises
    • (seconds) holding plank
    • (seconds) holding yoga pose
  • 175 minutes stretching
  • 125 minutes deep breathing

Totals for day 74/99:

  • 1140 push-ups (+2 for the “Level up” #1)
  • 1140 squats & 180 seconds holding seated squat
  • 350 plank rotations (+20 for the “Level Up #2)
  • 700 seconds holding forearm plank
  • 890+ seconds holding yoga pose (Tittibhasana)
  • 775 calf raises
  • 320 minutes of deep breathing (+20 for the “Level Up #3)
  • 205 minutes of stretching

Level Up #1 | Level Up #2 | Level Up #3 | Level Up #4 | Level Up #5 | Level Up #6 |      Level Up #7| Level Up #8 | 

>>Respectfully submitted & Always thankful<<    ~Mai

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#Igot5onit99 | Day.71

Workout completed!

I ended up doing my regular workout today because I had  a number of things to do today, and it was all done with baby girl.  I thought I was sore already, I am going to be SUPER sore tomorrow.

As I get closer to the closing of this challenge, I think I am going to step away from doing another one.  I am just going to focus on reading a book a month & finishing out this class strong.  After speaking with my brother, mother, and hubby – I feel like if we can all support one another, some big moves can be made.

That alone has me super motivated to stay strong on my path and keep pushing through the little challenges that I face.  Here is to another week and big opportunities ahead!

2018 = 5 million!!!

Second half of challenge totals:

  • 440 each of: 
    • push ups
    • squats
    • calf raises
    • (seconds) holding plank
    • (seconds) holding yoga pose
  • 170 minutes stretching
  • 110 minutes deep breathing

Totals for day 71/99:

  • 1080 push-ups (+2 for the “Level up” #1)
  • 1080 squats & 180 seconds holding seated squat
  • 350 plank rotations (+20 for the “Level Up #2)
  • 640 seconds holding forearm plank
  • 830+ seconds holding yoga pose (Tittibhasana)
  • 715 calf raises
  • 305 minutes of deep breathing (+20 for the “Level Up #3)
  • 200 minutes of stretching

Level Up #1 | Level Up #2 | Level Up #3 | Level Up #4 | Level Up #5 | Level Up #6 |      Level Up #7 | Level Up #8 | 

>>Respectfully submitted & Always thankful<<    ~Mai

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#Igot5onit99 | Day.70

Workout completed and I am soooo sore!  Gym yesterday was real, but then I was also very sedentary today because I do my class work on Sundays.   

I think tomorrow, I will change my workout to a “level up / burn out” session, just not quite sure which exercise I am going to choose.  I am leaning towards calf raises – but may switch it up to squats.  Will share the results tomorrow!

ALMOST completed the module, I just have to do my indoor & outdoor floor plan sketches and I have been having way too much fun researching and getting ideas that I might have slightly lost track of time, lol.

Well, tomorrow I should be able to knock it out & jump on this next module. 

I have really begun getting excited about the next steps, because they feel like they are just right around the corner.  Once I get things set in place & I will probably scream from the sheer excitement of the 10+ year build up to this point.  Patient & eager just the same, putting in the work a day at a time…

2018 = 5 million!!!

Second half of challenge totals:

  • 420 each of: 
    • push ups
    • squats
    • calf raises
    • (seconds) holding plank
    • (seconds) holding yoga pose
  • 170 minutes stretching
  • 105 minutes deep breathing

Totals for day 70/99:

  • 1060 push-ups (+2 for the “Level up” #1)
  • 1060 squats & 180 seconds holding seated squat
  • 350 plank rotations (+20 for the “Level Up #2)
  • 620 seconds holding forearm plank
  • 810+ seconds holding yoga pose (Tittibhasana)
  • 695 calf raises
  • 300 minutes of deep breathing (+20 for the “Level Up #3)
  • 200 minutes of stretching

Level Up #1 | Level Up #2 | Level Up #3 | Level Up #4 | Level Up #5 | Level Up #6 |      Level Up #7 | Level Up #8 | 

>>Respectfully submitted & Always thankful<<    ~Mai