candi

Well I am eating way too much sugar and "bad" carbs - I know that my body and health and weight do much better on a paleo (or at least primal - mmm cheese) type of diet. And yet those demons keep tripping me up. I also have a new job where I work shifts - 12.5 hour shifts, and a combination of days and nights. It's a more physical job which is a bonus, but it makes me more susceptible to relying on sugar and quick fixes (but not the good kinds - I tend to love the bad quick fix). So its time to respawn and try again. For the month of December I am going to cut down and cut out sugar, as well as bread and grains - back to loads of veges and meat and healthy fats! And my old friend water!

Yep veterinary Doing a slink walk with a mastiff does feel like doing deadlifts for sure... Unfortunately we just walk everyone individually - no group socialization - plus its emergency care so most of them are too critical for any of that. Dealing with some of them is definitely its own workout though. Shift work is tough for making routines but Im sure I can sort something out

So I am back. I joined up a couple of years ago, did a couple of challenges, made some progress, and then moved cities a couple of times and jobs a couple of times, put 20kgs back on, and now am ready to come back into the Nerd rank and sort my shit out. Time to cut out soda and lazy eating, and put some effort back into looking after myself. As a vet nurse, I work a lot of crazy long hours and night shifts, but at least I am back in a physical job after working in office jobs for the last two years, which will definitely help. So I am back amongst the guild, looking for guidance, tips, and most of all, support and accountability. Howdy folks

Happy New Year all. Palmerston North based rebel here. Good to see some fellow kiwis around

Challenge wrap up: Goal 1: Do the BBW at least once a week, and aim to be able to do 3 circuits by the end of the challenge (I can currently do 2) (+3 STR, +2 STA) I did re-join the gym and started going to BodyPump classes instead (weights and bodyweight exercises). Managed this 4/6 weeks. Grade C (+1.5 STR, +1 STA) Goal 2: 60% of food to be homemade. I know I have a few events to go to that will require eating at restaurants etc. I currently rely too much on takeaways though and my main goal is to reduce this. I eventually want to go paleo, but for this challenge I will just focus on real food to start with. (+3 CON, +1 WIS) Still struggling. Better than I was at the start of the challenge, and definitely buying less takeaways. Now setting my own mini goals now, such as "No soft drink this week", and cutting out the crap step by step. Grade D (+0.75 CON, +0.25 WIS) Goal 3: Go to the gym at least once a week. I have recently moved cities, and I just re-signed up to the branch in my new town, so want to get back into this by going at least once a week. I could also do my BBW workout there and that will kill two birds with one stone - its mostly just getting over the fear of being judged and getting in the door (I love their group fitness classes so going SHOULDN'T be a problem. (+2 STA, +2 STR) DONE! Went to at least one class a week (on top of Pump), and really enjoying it. Grade A (+2 STA, +2 STR) Goal 4: To have $100 in my savings account by the end of the challenge and not to touch it!! I have a bad habit of putting money in, and then taking it out again. I need to control my weekly spending more so that Im not relying on my savings to pay bills. I do have a little in there already, so as long as I put in $10 a week and don't withdraw anything, then I will meet this goal. (WIS +2) I have been putting money in, and have not removed a cent. I've got to $85, so not as high as I intended, but it is still all there. Grade B (+1.5 WIS) Participated in Mini Challenges #1 and #4, which also gave me +1 WIS and +1 CHA Next step - keep on going at the gym (I enjoy the feeling of getting stronger and fitter), and continue cutting the crap out of my life and building up the good habits.

Week 6 wrap up: Goal 1: Did not do a Bodyweight workout this week. With a short week and time away at my dads I just didnt fit it in. But in hindsight, I had plenty of time when at home to do this so no excuses! Goal 2: Cooked dinner at Dads a few time, including a huge helping of zucchini (fave vegetable!), and doing better at cooking food at home. Not amazing, but better than I was at the start of Week 1 Goal 3: Got to a Sh'Bam class this week - so achieved Goal 4: Put money in, took nothing out. Awesome!

Week 5 recap: Goal 1 - did not do a specific weights class or workout, but did classes at the gym that included lunges, squats, pushups and planks, so Id say thats a success. And I flew a 3m kite of my Dads out at the beach (mini-parachute styles), and man was that a serious arm/shoulder workout. So much fun! Goal 2 - eaten mostly food from the supermarket, with some takeaways thrown in since I was away over the long weekend. Getting better Goal 3 - went to the gym twice (good considering I was only here for 4 days of the week) - to 2 different classes, Combat and Attack. Hard work but fun. Goal 4 - Im at $85, so I may not reach my $100 goal, but I havent touched it at all!!

Week 4: Goal 1 - did a Pump class again. And it was already easier than last weeks, which makes me feel so much better. Even without losing any weight, getting stronger is an awesome motivator Goal 2 - GAH. Food. I did do about 50% this week so it was a success, but it is a fricking mind battle. Goal 3 - Went 3 times all up, including Pump. Went to Sh'Bam and to a BodyCombat class (non-contact boxing class). So hard, but so fun. Quite sore today but I think one day I want to be a Monk (combined with a Ranger) so it definitely helps. Goal 4 - my savings account is stil intact and growing, and I am developing a more definite savings plan to have it growing bigger Overall, a good week.

My dad was in town, so made time to catch up with him, since I hadn't seen him in almost a month. And also got invited to watch a workmates partner's cricket game (most boring game ever, but I also had their dog to keep me company) which was really actually really fun and lovely to get out and socialise rather than staying at home as usual So huzzah for +1 CHA and a babel fish

End of Week 3 wrap-up: Goal 1 - Done! Went to BodyPump (substitued for BBW). Was so sore afterwards for the next couple of days, but I love that pain Goal 2 - Done! I bought more than 60% of my food at the supermarket and cooked at home rather than buying takeaways Goal 3 - Done! Went to the gym a second time for a Sh'Bam class Goal 4 - Done! Man its tempting to take that money out and buy stuff.... But its still there. And at $50 so halfway to goal at the challenge halfway point

I have scales that say Im over 60% BF, but had a calliper test done and I was about 40%. I just use it as a progress measure, rather than being accurate, and as long as that number is coming down Im happy

So Week 3 so far - I have done a BodyPump class this week, which is in place of a BBW. Still walking rather gingerly. That good kind of pain though - Eating better, bringing homemade snacks to work (carrots and hummus) and drinking loads of water. Also made a massive omelette thing - everything I have bought food wise (apart from one meal yesterday) has come from the supermarket. FTW. - Have put more money in my savings, and have not removed any!

That is amazing - thank you for sharing

Week 2 Goal 1: I did do the BBW once this week - only one circuit but better than nothing! Im going to start doing a Pump class at the gym this week, so that might have to take over being my strength workouts for now.... But success for this goal this week anyway Goal 2: Food is my nightmare. I had friends in town for a few days too which didnt help. Fail Goal 3: Did a Sh'Bam class again. Its so much fun, and I get sweaty, so I count that as a good workout Success Goal 4: This has been so hard this week. I could have really used the money since my friends were here, and I have no money left until pay day on Wednesday so the temptation is still high. But for this week been at least, I have put money in, and taken nothing out, so Success 3/4 aint bad

Right. The food isnt going awesomely. But it is better. I did rejoin the gym,and have gone once this week, however have not done a BBW at all. But did go to my dads on the weekend and went for a long walk on the beach in the soft sand, so at least thats something! I have put money into my savings account, and removed nothing - so thats progressing well