#12months12challenges

[callylouise]

April

Hey, I knew at least one month was going to be terrible for me, and it turns out April was the first one. And to be honest I'm not having the best time of May either, but that can wait until next week.

Astonishingly I still managed to pull off my zero debt situation, but it was more from careful saving to make sure my credit card was completely up-to-date and my personal loan was finally nailed. Just so you know, I did actually do it. (Phew!)

What I completely failed on was no wasted spend. Oh my GOD it's hard to want to do this. I know fun shouldn't always be about money, but I think I've received a whole extra level of appreciation of how much having financial freedom contributes to a good lifestyle. I stuck by having an allocated 'fun' budget and didn't go outside of that - but it was still more difficult than not eating sugar. I just had a permanent feeling like I was going to be missing out. 

So I'm off to LA this coming week and I have a terrible feeling that all my good work will be blown by the impending shopping joy - may have to do this one again in June :(

Tough Mudder

Matt Jenna Nicole & I did Tough Mudder in April. Here is a photo montage so you can experience the pain we went through... I think this might have to replace Keri Keri half marathon in November (haha). I'm happy to report we did every obstacle but I did cry twice (electric shocks were dreadful) and I was completely shattered at the end. Totally would do it again though maybe need to do a bit more running before then.

Clean and dry

Getting numbered up

Start line

Mud started... (aren't they cute!!)

Jumping in to a freezing pond about 5m below

...and the finish line!

[callylouise]

March

I have a new found respect (utter awe, if I'm honest) for people who work full time and study part time. How. Do. You. Do. It. When I was first signing up for this class, I figured two hours a week would be a breeze. I mean, when I studied full time, I worked two jobs and did nine papers in my last year. (Let's conveniently forget I did have a small meltdown near exam time). But seriously, I thought I considered myself a bit of a seasoned-study-veteran, and that I would sail through adding this one two hour activity to my weekly timetable.

Truthfully, it's taken me nearly a whole month to accommodate this in to the old schedule - keeping in mind I'm still trying to do Crossfit 4 times a week, and when I do it, I have to have my work clothes decided, packed, breakfast made and lunch prepped and in bed by around 9.30pm if I have any hope of getting up at 5am. Adding scrambling out of work in Albany by 5.30pm to be in town, parked and ready to roll by 6pm, smashing out 2 hours of French, finishing at 815pm and getting home to make dinner AND prep to be ready for gym at 5am is actually hard. It ends up being a 16hr day, which is a little un-do-able.

On with the positives though - what have I learned so far? I can now comfortably have a very basic introductory conversation. Last night, me and Ali laughed/stumbled our way through a hilarious attempt at introducing ourselves as fictional people while the tutor looked more amused than impressed. Ah well... It has been more of an excuse to eat cheese, drink wine and make plans to visit the French market.

Crossfit has been loads easier recently, I think I've finally got a bit fitter since December. This morning was still deathly though... noone needs to do 120 burpees before 7am :(

60 Burpees

20 Double-Unders

40 Wall Ball 9/6kg

40 Burpees

40 Double-Unders

40 Wall Ball 9/6kg

20 Burpees

60 Double-Unders

Even though my double unders are improving, they're still not perfect so I'm still slooooow. I managed to do this in 23min36s, and my arms are a bit wasted. 

Hopefully I will have a slightly more exciting update soon :-)