Anastasia's workout Corner

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About this Blog

*Side blog to @snowlupinwoodstories *

This blog is a workout focused blog which will follow my journey in becoming more fit but may also have Anastasia horse posts from time to time.

Art credit to the amazing @vigoburrito

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Post Surgery Update

While I've been cleared for light cardio the areas of the incisions, especially the area where the most pain was felt, has me second guessing if I want to attempt today or postpone for tormorrow.

Its important to get enough rest when you are not at 100%, just likes its important to push through and stay consistant. The hope is that I will be back to strength training in 6 weeks, so lets keep our fingers crossed!

[snowlupinwoodstories]

I have an update!

I know I've been quiet and not writing due to health issues, but I now have an update I think you all would like to know!

I intend to get back to writing snippets next week, starting with the snippet @pileofpawns suggested. I'll be off work starting the 22nd for my surgery for endometriosis, which will take place on the 29th. Without having to waste spell slots on work I should be able to work through the pain.

I plan to post the poll for what kind of birds on Monday, so keep an eye out for that and if there are any families/orders you want included please let me know through asks, comments or reblogs.

And finally, my loving partners (@vigoburrito is one :3) gave me a copy of the 2024 D&D players handbook. I'm already working on a revamped So Your Party Adopted a Kobold/Goblin!

The revamped book will have PC species stats for kobolds and goblins (based on the kobolds and goblins in the book, and information provided in Volo's and Tasha's Cauldron of everything), and likely some custom backgrounds.

Each NPC goblin and kobold will come with a 5e 2014 stat block, a revamped 2024 NPC stat block, and a level 1 pc version for each goblin and kobold, so DMs can level up the little terrors with you!

[toucheartips]

Update on my situation. I have been given the green light to start cardio after surgery (light! and its strongly encouraged) and to pick up muscle memory weight lifting with my 3lb weights until cleared by the doc. Nothing though that strains my core, so no body wieght/most leg exercises :/

[snowlupinwoodstories]

A note on sporadic posting and waiting on polls

I know I've been radio silent since announcing another bird poll, and I wanted to apologize and offer an explaination.

I recently received a diagnosis of endometriosis, after a period left me pretty much bed bound and in constant pain since the beginning of September. Based on my symptoms I will need surgery, both to confirm the diagnosis and to treat the tissue that is causing the most pain.

I will be meeting with the doctor who is likely going to be my surgeon next week, with a note that I will likely have to wean off the pain meds before surgery due to risks.

The pain has made it difficult to write, as I cannot find a position that is good for typeing long term. I intend to work on doing smaller bits and posting completed snippets to Tumblr as I can.

So apologies, but my health comes first and hopefully I can be back writing for you all soon!

[toucheartips]

This is also why you haven't seen me post workout diaries. As soon as I have surgery and am cleared I will be starting my workout and workout diaries back up.

[snowlupinwoodstories]

Aquatic Reptile Character Poll

Alright so I apologize for not giving enough time on the last poll (I was tired and only gave you all one day as opposed to a week) so I may include another poll at the end. So what kind of aquatic reptile should I write?

Which Aquatic Reptile should I write make a character?

Turtles

Crocodilia (Crocodiles, Caimans, Alagators)

Water Snakes

Semi-aquatic anoles

Asian water monitor

Caimen Lizards

Marine Iguanas

Basilisk

Other? Mention in comments, tags or reblogs!

Voting ended onAug 7, 2024

@bloobluebloo @standingpillar @doveghost @asordidbarwere @stoneshrike

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Workout diary 8/2/2024

Struggled and wasn't able to finish the cardio part of my workout today. But I met my dietician. She's going to do more research on my needs wo we can tackle the most medically important before working on building muscle.

[toucheartips]

Workout diary 7/31/2024

I worked out today, but suffered a blood pressure crash last night. I'm crossing fingers I'm fully recovered by tomorrow as I had to leave work early. Just glad I could still work out

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Workout diary 7/30/2024

I worked out first thing this morning, a 20 minute video by body project on YouTube. I am frustrated that I couldn't hold onto my weights during the last minute of punching, but my muscles are tired and I still completed the whole workout.

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7/29/24 Week 2 restart

Restarted this week due to being ill last week. Again this isn't a punishment, its to make sure I don't over stress my body. That being said I do think I need to really step up my protein and calorie intake, as I did not have enough to eat before I worked out and felt weaker when doing certain exercies.

Food is fuel, and necessary for building muscle which is what will make my body look more the way I want it to.

[toucheartips]

7/27/2024 update

I was sick for two days, and then had a date plan at the state fair so I wasn't able to work out. I plan to pick up my workouts again on Monday and redo week 2. Some thoughts:

1) redoing week 2 isn't punishment, it's making sure I meet the goals I set and do the appropriate amount of progression so as to not hurt myself

2) I did not count calories the two days I was sick or when I went to the fair. I needed to focus on getting better, and at the fair where you are constantly moving it is better to practice intuitive eating. Especially since you are walking so much.

3) I lost weight, which was not part of the goals set. I don't know how much was water vs fat vs muscle and that is a good reason to redo week two and focus on making sure I am building muscle mass.

4) even with salty fair food I still need to keep an eye on temps as I still felt the drop in my blood pressure from being out in the sun

[toucheartips]

7/23/2024 workout diary

I skipped at least one of these though I didn't skip my workouts due to time constraints. Some things I have picked up:

1) I didn't lose as much as I thought with my isometrics. I have now held a 2 min minimum plank twice which for me is huge! The goal is to get both my high plank and my regular/low/forearm plank to 5 minutes before rotating in new ab exercises

2) the weighted cardio is kicking my ass in a good way. I had ignored the weights used in body project videos up until now, but adding them in after the cut really feels like I'm pushing the boundaries of my stamina, muscular endurance and strength. Moreso than on my actual strength days

3) I'm going to need 12 lb weights sooner rather than later. My bicep curls are almost to 15 reps, and at that point I need to move up (note, I move up reps gradually due to my low sodium issues, so each week a new 'lower body' and a new 'upper body' exercise get one more rep or move up to 3-5 reps on the next heaviest weight)

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Workout diary 7/19/2024

This was my big full body work out. I was pleasantly surprised at how I was able to get through all my strength training, but I was tired and wanted to quit after. Pushed through my cardio and felt those endorphins kick in.

I do have an appointment scheduled with a dietician, crossing fingers we can figure out ways to help me eat enough to maintain weight so I can keep pushing my strength goals and get more protein and sodium.

[toucheartips]

Workout Diary 7/18/2024

Cardio at the end of a long day. Getting ready for a pop-up event and having to work my 'day job' meant I didn't get to workout until late, just before a very late dinner.

Cardio today, I'm noticing that carrying the weights makes it harder without over taxing or injuring me, but I can't carry them through the end yet. But I'm getting stronger

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Workout diary 7/17/2024

Did my leg workout today. I started using weights with some of my movements (holding onto a 3lb weight while going through the movement). Being able to drop my reps is doing wonders for my energy. Crossing fingers that the next twelve weeks I'll see some explosive growth.

Unfortunately I'm struggling to get enough protein. Anyone have any good protein hacks?

[toucheartips]

I worked out again today, a cardio workout with weights during part of it. I follow body project on you tube, and find their workouts to be intense with plenty of ways to adjust to make it more difficult or easier. This flexibility is important to me because I have injured my legs in the past by working out and have low blood pressure issues that get exasperated by becoming too hot.

Unfortunately the best way I can manage is diet and exercise, even if exercising can make the issue worse in the short term. It becomes harder when your body stops craving salt :(

[thezenangel]

tips for starting your fitness journey

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find workouts you actually enjoy

you don’t have to do exercises you don’t like! don’t be afraid to try different things. if you don’t like weight training, try pilates. if you don’t like pilates, try other types of body weight exercises. if you don’t like that, try yoga. go for walks if you enjoy doing that. exercising doesn’t have to feel like a chore. there are so many different types of exercise out there, try different things until you find what you like.

don’t go overboard right away

know your limits. if you haven’t been active in the past, it isn’t realistic to expect to be able to work out 7 days a week for an hour each day. i can tell you firsthand, you don’t want to push your body further than it can go. that’s how you injure yourself. start off slow!

losing weight isn’t everything

try to have non-physical goals. if you focus too much on changing how your body looks, it can become unhealthy very quickly. losing weight is a major goal for a lot of us, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you’re doing this for, so try your best not to focus on that part too much.

don’t depend on the scale

if losing weight is a big goal for you, know that the scale doesn’t tell the full story. if you’re working out, chances are, you’re gaining muscle. since muscle weighs more than fat, you may not see a major difference in your weight on the scale, but it’s not because you’re not progressing. if you want to measure your progress, try progress photos and measurements.

create a realistic schedule

going along with not going overboard, create a realistic schedule. know what you will actually be able to do and the amount of time per day you will be able to dedicate to exercise, and schedule it in. consistency over intensity!

have positive inspiration

it’s always easier to do something new when you have inspirations to look up to. however, be mindful of who you look up to. make sure you’re looking to healthy role models that will positively impact your mindset and journey.

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This is something I still struggle with, and think about when writing Anastasia as a character

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I worked out earlier this morning. I do an upper body/lower body/full body work out split during the week. This is the first workout since my small cut. Some observations:

1) cutting the isometric exercises during my cut did impact my ability to hold them longer. I may decide to not artificially lower them next time to reduce backsliding

2) the deload at the end of the cut gave me the recovery I needed. Even with the strength exercises and lowered progressive overload there was some muscle mass loss

3) unlike other forays into exercise I have not injured or over trained yet. Another credit to the deload week.

4) my side lateral raise feels different. I'll likely be able to drop the extra lower weight set and be able to do more reps.