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Mia Garlock
Dec 16, 20225 min read

100 Days of Valkyrie Squad

Can you believe it? I’ve been doing this for 100 days.

I mean, I started this blog before Valkyrie Squad launched in September, so I’ve been working out for longer than that at this point (which, is a feat in and of itself!) but for 100 Days I’ve been consistent with the program. I’ve cheered on and supported my fellow Valkyries, I’ve learned about my body and gained so much self awareness, mentally and physically. I’ve learned to trust myself again, to lean into what works and swiftly leave what doesn’t. Valkyrie Squad is still teaching me, I’m in a constant state of learning, which is 100% how you reel my nerdy butt into anything, give me the opportunity to learn.

This program has saved me, or rather, it taught me how to save myself, and then allowed me the room to do that. The flexibility and support that I’ve received is next level, and is now the standard from which I will judge any other program I come across or in the future, may build for others. This has given me a foundation, where once I had nothing but gravel. From learning, to being supported from all sides, the jokes and laughter and community I’ve gained, a Legion at my back, becoming stronger in mind and body, I have been enabled to hold a kind of fortitude I never thought I would have. I am physically so much stronger than I was, I stand taller, prouder, back straight and feet gripping the ground, sturdy and prepared. I’ve been given an outlet for all the sadness, the disappointment, rage, and fear that once chained me to the floor, that kept me from honoring and respecting myself or pursuing a life I valued and loved. I felt worthless before I started, I had no compassion for myself, and I was full of envy and anger towards others who were more successful than me, because it came to them more easily. Now I see differently.

My entire perspective on my life and the world around me has changed drastically in the last 100 days, and I refuse to go back. I found my fire again, embraced it, and let myself burn hotter and hotter, proud of it, not trying to stifle it to fit in or be more acceptable, palatable for anyone. I have become able to choose peace and joy when I’m knee deep in stress and frustration. I’ve been able to stand up for myself and smile when I’m challenged instead of immediately shutting down or bottling it up and exploding later. I am healthier in a multitude of ways that I can only describe with these words that don’t feel like enough. But I am. I’m better all around, and I’m holding myself to that momentum, it’s mine. I will be a Valkyrie for all of my life, you can’t convince me otherwise.

Today is a 15 minute boxing workout, paired with core reset to warm up. Between my shoulder blades, there’s a small fire that starts anytime I try to lift something, so today should be fun. My low back is tender today too, it was yesterday as well, and I’m not entirely sure what I did to it. I’ve done all the stretching and twisting, and magnesium lotion on my back. It’s like I almost threw my back out, but not really, and it’s just mildly achy. Weird. I’m hoping core reset will help me feel better, and maybe some mat wallering and rolling around will help reduce whatever inflammation and tension there is in that spot.

With my low back feeling like it is, I’m going to take it easy in today’s boxing workout. Meaning, I am still going to try, and I’m going to move very slowly and intentionally in whatever it is we’re doing. Turning whatever drills we do into a Motus type situation, it’s not about the hit, or the speed, it’s about the muscle memory and moving through each move with a slow precision so my body memorizes them. And if we’re lifting or doing body weight moves, the same will apply: slow, precise movements where I’m actively engaging the core and the muscles needed to complete each motion. This way I’m still getting my work out in, but I’m also being cautious with myself so I don’t get hurt.

See? Look at that body awareness, and that education on how to move when I’m feeling this way. Who the hell am I? I’m a gods damned Valkyrie, and I know myself and my body.

In the middle of the first set for core workout, which was just toe taps, my low back made a “boom!” Like something there wasn’t settled properly, and having my legs in the air and my low back pressed into the floor helped to reset it. It was loud, and it felt amazing. I ended up stopping for a few minutes to just breathe into that space that released all that tension and let my muscles and my spine relax. Then I stood up again and just kind of let myself feel out whether it was a good choice to keep going or not. The ache in my low back was gone, and while some barely there tenderness still lingered, I felt so much better. I decided to finish out Core Reset and then go into the boxing drills as planned, taking it nice and easy. So today’s workout was gentler than I’d normally take it, but I still got it done, and while I didn’t exactly break much of a sweat, I did what was good for my body, and that’s enough.

As always, on Friday’s there’s a recipe drop for Eat Like A Valkyrie, and there’s 5 new, wonderfully warming and hearty, healthy, meal prepping recipes releasing at 12pm EST. I’m pretty excited to get into one of them for lunch this afternoon, the temperature is supposed to linger around 30 degrees all weekend and dump snow, and I’m looking forward in particular to the lunch recipe. It is Chef’s Kiss good.

Also happening today, I’m going to take my first quiz for ISSA CPT training! I have zero nerves and only confidence, a weird vibe for me, but I’m going with it. I’ve never felt so sure of something other than Valkyrie Squad, and since this is essentially an extension of that, just more knowledge base, I’m all in and feeling great about it. I’m positive that I’ll pass and it won’t be a big deal at all.

There isn’t a ton of snow on the ground yet, not even a half inch, but it’s supposed to come down all day, and my zipper replacement for my coat is due to arrive in the mail today or tomorrow too. So while a long walk with Yrsa may not be in the cards today, hopefully I can make up for it this weekend once my coat is fixed. For now, I’m off to rub some magnesium all over my back and get breakfast going, ya girl is hungry.

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