Exercising towards a better tomorrow!

[aku-chan]

@NightWolf714 @Mamatigerj @Laura Rainbow Dragon

Working on getting my sleep schedule back to normal, I've been letting the fact I can get as much or as little sleep as I want go to my head (Just because I can stay up to 3am doesn't mean I should!)

So I actually got up early enough to exercise this morning:-

Universal Warmup done,
7 Plank Walk-Outs (EotD) done,
Spotlight (WotD) done,
Day 19 of Standing Abs done,
Day 19 of Power Walk done,
Day 15 of Unbound done,
Ankle Recovery done.

Another trip to the hospital today, see how the Housemate is doing (She's back in the dementia ward, I'm not sure if it's a precaution in case she gets delirium again or that's just where they had a space, she certainly seemed okay yesterday), see y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

Struggled to get started on my exercises this morning, I think it's the weather (It's been raining for, like, 3 days now) making me feel gloomy, did get to them in the end though:-

Universal Warmup done,
30 Seconds Sumo Squat Hold (EotD) done,
Endgame (WotD) done (3 sets),
Day 20 of Standing Abs done,
Day 20 of Power Walk done,
Day 16 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Gotta brave the rain later to visit the Housemate and buy stuff for dinner, it's a Mexican Picadillo. It was going to be salmon, but I finally got around to opening the packet of frozen salmon fillets I brought a couple months ago, and they were the most pathetic, unappetising pieces of fish I've ever seen. Going to stick with the fresh stuff in future.

See y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

Another morning workout done:-

Universal Warmup done,
30 Seconds Side Elbow Plank Hold (EotD) done,
The Maid Of Tarth (WotD) attempted (Could only manage 2 sets, it was harder than it looked even with Knee Push-Ups!),
Day 21 of Standing Abs done,
Day 21 of Power Walk done,
Day 17 of Unbound done,
Ankle Recovery done.

Another day out to visit the Housemate, I reckon she'll be home by the weekend though, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

Afternoon workout today:-

Universal Warmup done,
30 Side Kicks (EotD) done,
Unbound (WotD) done,
Day 22 of Standing Abs done,
Day 22 of Power Walk done,
Day 18 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Just come back from visiting the Housemate, just a short visit today, she's in a bad mood from being stuck in hospital and is taking it out on anyone that comes near her (I get that she's bored, but she won't even try to do anything to pass the time, she'd much rather just lie there feeling sorry for herself). Hopefully she's in a better mood tomorrow because it doesn't look like she'll be coming home this week after all.

Now it's dinner time, cooking some chips to go with my last portion of Picadillo, and then I'll do some painting, making good progress on my Gnome king bust, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

Morning exercises today:-

Universal Warmup done,
10+ (Knee) Push-Ups (EotD) done (I did 20),
Borderland (WotD) done (3 sets, not sure why but I really struggled with this one),
Day 23 of Standing Abs done,
Day 23 of Power Walk done,
Day 19 of Unbound done,
Ankle Recovery done.

I still haven't worked out what program to start tomorrow, do I stay in my comfort zone and re-do Express Tone now it's been updated, or do I try harder and do Total Body Strength Plus?
(Bootcamp was also in the mix but day 1 Burpees made it a no-no.)

Gotta go grocery shopping before I visit the Housemate today, I'm going to buy her something, see if it puts her in a better mood. See y'all tomorrow!

 

[WSMC1]

Hi, fwiw I enjoyed Express Tone this month, tho’ I was coming off a quite lackluster 2024 and still had to adjust a couple days to suit my lack of training. The last week and a half was nice, and I like using the dumbbells. I think both of your choices are great. Enjoy!

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks for the advice @WSMC1 ! - In the end I decided to give Total Body a try, if it gets too hard I'll give Express Tone another go.

Gotta go grocery shopping before I visit the Housemate today, I'm going to buy her something, see if it puts her in a better mood.

Narrator:- It did not in fact put her in a better mood.

The rest of yesterday was a complete write-off, felt so low and miserable after visiting the Housemate that I just went to bed when I got home and badly threw off my sleep schedule.
But today is a new day and we're starting with exercise:-

Universal Warmup done,
50 Butt Kicks (EotD) done,
Against The Odds (WotD) done (1 set with very slow Burpees),
Day 1 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets),
Day 24 of Standing Abs done,
Day 24 of Power Walk done,
Day 20 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Going to have a nice Housemate free day today (Maybe a whole weekend if I don't start feeling too guilty), get some chores done, watch a movie or two and then it's Leek and Cheese Risotto for dinner, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[FlowersandPetals]

The narrator part! I could relate with a disabled husband and my oldest daughter especially. Health issues can affect your mood and their caregivers!

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @FlowersandPetals - I'd be more understanding if it were a health issue, but she's just lashing out because she's not getting her own way.

Doing angry afternoon exercises today:-

Universal Warmup done,
30 Calf Raises (EotD) done,
Clean Break (WotD) done (3 sets),
Day 2 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets, didn't have the space to do everything on the floor, but I am getting better at Side Bridges),
Day 25 of Standing Abs done,
Day 25 of Power Walk done,
Day 21 of Unbound done,
Ankle Recovery done (I realised the other day I haven't been having anywhere near as much trouble with my feet since I started doing these foot exercises).

Not a great day today.
Housemate phoned up yesterday and apologised about her behaviour on Friday, asked if I'd come visit today, I said yes because I was going to anyway (I did start feeling guilty). I travel up there and she's fine for about 10 minutes before she gets angry again, calling me useless and stupid etc. so I left.
Not going to waste my time visiting again, and if I'm included in the conversation about her leaving the hospital I'm thinking about pushing for her to go into a care home. I don't want to because she's my best friend (She's pretty much my only IRL friend), but it's becoming clear I'm not her friend anymore and probably haven't been for a while.

Now I'm going to eat leftover risotto and some chocolate cake I brought to cheer myself up (Hmm... Eating my feelings is why I'm a chonk isn't it? ), see y'all tomorrow!

 

[NightWolf714]

I'm so sorry that it's turning out like that. But I'm so happy that you're putting up priorities. It's not okay for her to treat you this way. I'm so sorry, though, because that still hurts.

 

[NightWolf714]

I was telling the mate about this (I share most of my online experiences with him, I hope that's okay) and he was reminded of something he had just talked about last night. He and a few others on VRChat ended up forming a stoics society thing. Interesting stuff.

But apparently a talk about loving someone but not being friends with them came up. Basically about how you can love someone, but put boundaries on what you can do because a friendship (or romantic relationship in the situation of someone we know) isn't healthy.

It sounds like this is kinda becoming that situation. You can still love her as a friend. But the friendship part isn't the healthiest at this time and I'm not sure how willing the housemate is to adjust as needed.

It's painful. But wanting to give reassurances that you can still care about her while doing this. Because I know that it feels like you aren't being loving or a good friend when using boundaries, even if you are.

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @NightWolf714 - That makes a lot of sense, still going to feel pretty darn guilty for a while though!

Morning exercises today:-

Universal Warmup done,
40 Bounces (EotD) done,
I Am Enough (WotD) done (3 sets),
Day 3 of Total Body Strength+ (3 sets),
Day 26 of Standing Abs done,
Day 26 of Power Walk done,
Day 22 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Starting today I'm going to try and get into the habit of actually following the little guide on my water bottle and drink a bit every hour, something I really should have done when I got the thing (I have trouble telling when I'm thirsty).
Not sure what to do with my day today, I'm sure I'll think of something productive to do!
It's Gnocchi Alla Norma for dinner tonight (I really should start writing dome of these recipes into my recipe book, that could be a task for today), see y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

More morning exercises:-

Universal Warmup done,
50 Punches (EotD) done,
Sentinel Plus (WotD) done (Just about 3 sets, really struggled with that final set, and I thought I was being smart doing the Plus version because it had less Lunges!),
Day 4 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets, again really struggled to get all 3 sets done),
Day 27 of Standing Abs done,
Day 27 of Power Walk done,
Day 23 of Unbound done,
Ankle Recovery done.

Drinking more water turned out to be easier than I thought so I'm going to stick with it, although I hope my body adjusts to being extra hydrated soon!
Dinner didn't work out though, I think I left the aubergine pieces too big (They were very chewy!), and the leftovers aren't looking very appetising. Don't know if I should do the sensible thing and eat it anyways or pick something up when I'm out.

Something else to think about, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

Struggled a bit with today's exercises, think I'll have to go back to just doing one set of the Workout of the Day, at least on high level days like today.
Also a bit too much Planking for my bad toe today, did as much as I could then moved to knees:-

Universal Warmup done,
10 Hop Heel Clicks (EotD) done,
Damage Dealer (WotD) attempted (2 sets),
Day 5 of Total Body Strength+ attempted (2 sets),
Day 28 of Standing Abs done,
Day 28 of Power Walk done,
Day 24 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Turns out it's a lot easier to drink more if you're not doing much, going out yesterday threw me off and I only managed half, something to work on.

Going to be a quiet day of watching Venture Bros. (I started watching a lady on Youtube who was rewatching the series, so, of course, I have to start rewatching it too, instead of working through all the new stuff I want to watch) and then a, hopefully, better dinner of Coconut Fish (Didn't eat my leftover pasta last night, it was badly dried out, except the aubergine which was slimy), see y'all tomorrow!

 

[aku-chan]

Not much exercising today, I woke up with a really bad back, and all the workouts seem really back focused this morning, so I just did a little bit:-

Universal Warmup done,
Day 29 of Standing Abs attempted (2 and a half sets, I was aiming for 3 but it just hurt too much),
Days 29 and 30 of Power Walk done (Thought I'd get this one all wrapped up while I wasn't doing much else. I'm very glad it's over, it got extremely boring once it went past 4 minutes of March Steps),
Ankle Recovery done.

I might do some more later, depends on whether this stupid back settles down or not, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[TopNotch]

Well done on Power Walk!

 

[NightWolf714]

Congrats on Power Walk!

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[Mamatigerj]

Cheers for completing Power Walk!
Healing thoughts and prayers for your back!

 

[JCU]

Congrats on Power Walk!

Healing vibes for your back

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Great job on Power Walk! Hope your back feels better soon!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congratulations on completing Power Walk, @aku-chan !

for your back.

 

[Antheia & Colossus]

Congratulations on Power Walk!

Healing vibes for your back

 

[NancyTree]

Congrats on Power Walk!
for your back

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @NancyTree @Antheia & Colossus @Laura Rainbow Dragon @FlowersandPetals @JCU @Mamatigerj @Fremen @NightWolf714 @TopNotch - Fortunately my back eased up as the day went along, I think I just slept in an awkward position!


I had some news yesterday that's really knocked me for a loop, still feeling pretty lost today and I don't even think it's sunk in properly yet.
Managed all my exercises though, needed something to do:-

Universal Warmup done,
30 Back Leg Raises (EotD) done,
Sentry (WotD) done (3 sets),
Day 6 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets, couldn't do the Plank Rolls (Stupid bad toe) did Plank Holds instead),
Day 30 of Standing Abs done (Another one I'm glad is over, all those Knees-to-Elbows were starting to get me dizzy!),
Day 1 of Core Control done,
Day 1 of Posture done (I know I'm supposed to spread these ones out through the day but I'll forget!),
Day 25 of Unbound done,
Ankle Recovery done.

Continuing with some level 1 Challenges, if I do two a month I might catch up someday.

So yeah, I had an update on the Housemate:-
One of the Doctors phoned me yesterday because I haven't been going in. There's nothing seriously wrong with the Housemate, but her health isn't great and it's only going to get worse, there's lots of little things they can't sort out without making more things go wrong.
Big bombshell though, she's not coming home, probably. There's nothing finalised yet but they have requested a care home place for her.
Not much I can do until that gets sorted, going to start visiting her again though just to spend some time with her (Even though she'll probably be in a bad mood), but lot's to worry about.

Plan for today, visit Housemate, go grocery shopping, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[NightWolf714]

I'm so sorry that the Housemate doesn't seem to be getting better. I know that's difficult.

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Oh goodness!
Congrats on your badges, but also big big hugs for all the stress around the Housemate situation
I guess that means there may be more changes on the horizon. Wishing you all the strength for navigating them

 

[PetiteSheWolf]

Wishing you courage to navigate the changes it'll imply, and wishing serenity for your housemate.

 

[TopNotch]

I'm really hoping it's your house...

 

[Mamatigerj]

Edited to add: Happy Badge Day! (missed it the first time; sorry)

 

[JCU]

Congratulations on standing abs. I'm sorry for all the stress with your housemate

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Please remember to always hold grace for yourself throughout the days and months ahead, aku-chan. You are in a hard place.

Congratulations on completing the Standing Abs Challenge.

 

[Lady Celerity]

Belated congrats on completing Standing Abs!

News about your Housemate must've been difficult to hear. I hope you can sort things out.

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @Lady Celerity @Laura Rainbow Dragon @JCU @Mamatigerj @TopNotch @PetiteSheWolf @Maegaranthelas @NightWolf714

I can see that this is the best course of action for the Housemate, she needs more care (And, more importantly, professional care) than I can provide (It was kinda obvious the last time she came out of hospital, but I was stupidly determined to try), but it is really sad and makes me feel like I'm abandoning her (I know she's not going to do well in a care home).
Plus there's that "awesome" mix of guilt and anxiety I get whenever I start to think about what I will do next.

Not really much I can do about it yet, so on with today's exercises:-

Universal Warmup done,
20 Twist Lunges (EotD) done,
Blink (WotD) done (3 sets),
Day 7 of Total Body Strength+ (3 sets, this one was really hard! Didn't manage to do a single set of Thigh Taps in one go),
Day 2 of Core Control done,
Day 2 of Posture done,
Day 26 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Kinda torn on whether to visit the Housemate today or not, I do want to spend as much time with her while I can, but she is not a happy bunny at the moment.
I do have to go grocery shopping anyways (Chicken Enchilada Soup for dinner, I hope it's nice as I can't cut the recipe down so I'm going to be eating it for a while), so I probably will.
See y'all tomorrow!

 

[NancyTree]

Congrats on standing abs!

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @NancyTree

Today finishes a full week of exercising:-

Universal Warmup done,
40 Balance Low Turning Kicks (EotD) done (Was a bit wobbly but didn't put my feet down too much),
Day 8 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets, my poor abs don't like working out!),
Day 3 of Core Control done,
Day 3 of Posture done,
Backup & Restore (WotD) done (Since they are kinda similar I did this instead of Unbound today),
Ankle Recovery done.

Yesterday was very much a mixed bag.
I managed to make myself very sad over some DVDs, the Housemate is still in a really bad mood and, on a near empty bus, I managed to pick the urine-soaked seat (And I had to do the shopping before I could get changed).
But on the plus side, my soup was really nice and the YouTube algorithms introduced me to a new band:-

I love finding new music, you'd think someone with really eclectic taste would find new stuff they liked all the time but no.
Let's see what today brings, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[NightWolf714]

But on the plus side, my soup was really nice and the YouTube algorithms introduced me to a new band:-

I love finding new music, you'd think someone with really eclectic taste would find new stuff they liked all the time but no.
Let's see what today brings, see y'all tomorrow!

Congrats on a full week!

And wow, that song! It's slamming! But it also amuses me because just a few weeks ago we were trying to figure out what metal elevator music would sound like. I feel like I got an answer now. XD

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @NightWolf714 - Yeah it is a good song, and I'm not that into metal.

Got the week off to a good start:-

Universal Warmup done,
50 Arm Scissors (EotD) done,
Adventurer (WotD) attempted (2 sets, found this quite hard for a level 2, didn't help that my abs are still sore from yesterday),
Day 9 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets),
Day 4 of Core Control done,
Day 4 of Posture done,
Day 27 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

Another rainy day, at least I don't have much to do, see y'all tomorrow!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

I am sorry you had a sucky day, but so glad you discovered Electric Callboy
It's funny how they're a fusion of some genres I don't really like, and yet I love so many of their songs.
They're really funny and also just seem like a pretty wholesome group =)
I just watched the behind the scenes for this video today!

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @Maegaranthelas

Tried doing my exercises today, but I'm just not in the mood at the moment:-

Universal Warmup done,
6+ Raised Leg (Knee) Push-ups (EotD) done (Did 12 altogether),
Day 5 of Core Control done,
Day 5 of Posture done.

The hospital has really stuck me between a rock and a hard place and I don't know what to do:-
Turns out I have final say over what happens to the Housemate. I don't want to put her in a care home because I know she won't cope, but I don't think bringing her home will work either, despite promising she'll let people help us this time, I know as soon as she's out of the hospital she'll go back to her usual routine of insisting she's fine and doesn't need people coming round. Plus she doesn't qualify for night care, so if she starts needing lots of help at night again, that's me back to managing on very little sleep.
I did try asking the nurse I was talking to what she recommended, but all she would say was that it had to be my decision.
They want an answer when I go up today, and I've been making myself ill since yesterday trying to figure out what to do and I still don't know.

See y'all tomorrow!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Oh gosh, @aku-chan , that is a rough decision.
I understand that this is a dilemma.
I all can say is we witnessed your struggle to keep up, and how much it affected you.
You are not a bad person or a bad friend if you need to put your own health first

 

[PetiteSheWolf]

That's a tough place. But it seems to me you point out quite rationally why bringing her home will /not/ work, again. Hugs.

 

[TopNotch]

What would happen if you ignored her assertions that she doesn't need help and made sure that there was some help during that day? That way, you could nap so that if you have a disturbed night, it shouldn't be too bad. Is it possible to try this for a while? Does your housemate understand what's going on? Can you explain to her what you need to do, for both your and her sake?
It's tough that this is your decision. Is there anyone else you can talk to about this? A counsellor at the hospital, perhaps?

 

[FlowersandPetals]

I agree with @TopNotch. If it’s your decision about her care, maybe you should look into getting her some help?

 

[NightWolf714]

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. I'm sure that's difficult trying to balance your needs and her needs and your desires and her desires. Just please remember that your health is important too, whatever you end up picking.

 

[Antheia & Colossus]

It's a tough situation to be in, and we're really sorry that you've found yourself in it.

Spoiler: Thoughts/Advice

Nevertheless, we want you to be aware that you can't stop your life if the other person doesn't cooperate or refuse a professional help.

Spoiler: Questions to yourself before making any decision

My psychotherapist suggested this for me, maybe it would be helpful for you.

1. Are you sure you can replace professional care(taker)?
2. How sure are you that things go 'out of the window' once housemate returns?
3. Was your physical/psychological health affected by the situation?
4. What feelings does this situation evoke in you?
5. What are you going to do if housemates night terrors will get worse?
6. When will the time come when it will be about you and your needs?
7. Do you feel that you are being used by the situation?

Try to be honest with yourself, and remember, that putting your own health/needs first does not make you a bad person or a bad friend.
#Colossus

Lots of hugs!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

I am so sorry you are being put in this situation @aku-chan .

I agree with @Maegaranthelas and @PetiteSheWolf : You have already answered your question in your comment here. And you are not a bad person for doing what you know is best for the both of you.

Will your housemate be angry if she goes into a care home?
Yes.
Will she get the care she needs if she goes into a care home?
Also yes.
Would trying to prevent her anger (which doesn't seem to be working anyway) be worth denying her the care she needs and also denying you the care you need?

 

[aku-chan]

Thanks! @Laura Rainbow Dragon @Antheia & Colossus @NightWolf714 @FlowersandPetals @TopNotch @PetiteSheWolf @Maegaranthelas - Fortunately I spoke to a nice Social Services lady yesterday who explained things a lot better than the nurse I spoke to the day before:-

Basically it's the hospital covering its butt. They can't be seen to throw people in care homes willy nilly, it has to be discussed and planned, and since they can't get the Housemate to properly engage with them (She insists everything is fine, she's been walking around the hospital and using the patient showers, so she obviously doesn't need any help. Unfortunately, it takes 2 nurses and a hoist to get her in and out of bed, so they know she hasn't been going anywhere and is just making things up now.), I'm the next best option.

While home care was an option, it would never have been a long term one, Housemate is just too poorly now, and that's if she would accept other carers coming in to help (We both agreed that that was a very big if), it was very likely we would just end up having this same discussion in a few months time.

So, while I still don't like the idea, I've given them the go ahead to find the Housemate a care home place.

Lots of new stuff to think and worry about now.

Still not in much of an exercise mood, but I tried harder today:-

Universal Warmup done,
20 Cossack Squats (EotD) done,
It's Me, I Am Hard People (WotD) attempted (1 set, very tough workout!),
Day 10 of Total Body Strength+ done (3 sets, again I didn't have the space to do all the exercises on the floor),
Day 6 of Core Control done,
Day 6 of Posture done,
Day 28 of Unbound done,
Sore Feet done.

At least I get to eat something different for dinner tonight, I really struggled with finishing that soup yesterday! Going to have to get some containers so I can freeze leftovers instead.
See y'all tomorrow!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

I'm glad the Social Services lady was helpful, and that you've been able to make a decision.
Lots of love and support to you

 

[FlowersandPetals]

I’m glad you got to talk to someone who wasn’t out to cover the hospital, and more interested in what’s best for your housemate. I hope this works out better in the long run.