Dandizette's TITAN LOG

[Dandizette]

Check out my current challenge here!
And start reading about progress for that challenge here on my log!

This is just a place for me to log my progress and for you all to come chat with me and keep me accountable! Also, I will post neat crossplay, cosplay, and fitness things I find or generate here.

So, this is the start!

Hi. I'm Dandy. I crossplay, I'm trying to get more fit, and I'm trying to get my degree in library science! I'm pretty friendly. I cycle a lot, I like doing strength training too! My idol is Erwin Smith from Attack on Titan and he is my fitness inspiration! Let's talk and keep tabs of my battle record here!

[Dandizette]

Day One:
Wow. WOW. 
I am weak. How am I supposed to pummel titans if I can't do this?!

I suppose I am exaggerating.
I printed off the sheets for my food recording and wrote down the first weeks worth of planning. I'll have one day of freedom when I have DnD and my housemate and I usually grab something on the go. The aim is to grab healthy. So that went well!

Cycling will be tomorrow, so there was none of that.

I did however do the Body Weight work out and WOW. Those moves are more advanced than I anticipated. I can do the Squat with Leg Lift, Down Dog Abs, Twisted Mountain Climber, Butterfly Crunch and Marching Bridge (though with less reps on a few of the moves than required.) However I really struggle with the Full Elbow Plank Twist, The Beach Babe Push-Up, the Bulgarian Split Swuat, and the Super Woman Push up.

I'm going to keep working on those, but I think I will mod them. The Plank will be on my knees for the mean time, and I think all the push ups with be turned into regular modified push-ups, since my upper body strength is lacking. I'm not sure what to do about the Bulgarian Split Squat, so maybe Sumo Squat? I'll try them again in two days time and see how that goes.

At least, like Erwin and Armin, I am a diligent student. I did my two hours of GRE studying with no problem. 

What a day. BUT I CAN AND WILL DO THIS!
I DON'T INTEND TO MAKE EXCUSES!

[Muscle Professor]

What a day. BUT I CAN AND WILL DO THIS!

I DONT INTEND TO MAKE EXCUSES!

That is some awesome stuff to read right their. Only you have the power to stop you so keep pushing your limits!

[Dandizette]

Day Two:

Ate breakfast as I planned yesterday! Good job me!
I went to a tea house for lunch and they were out of my planned lunch, so I ate a spicy chili veggie soup. Not the salad I planned, but not a bad substitute.
Dinner was this delicious thing, but with turkey bacon instead of pork. I know it's processed, but pork really upsets my stomach. It's been a favorite recipe of mine since it was posted.

Really sore from yesterday's work out. But not in a bad way? I remind myself that that soreness, so long as it doesn't linger or limit me, is just my body's way of saying: "hey! You're getting stronger! I feel what you're trying to do and I'm doing it!"

I had some tea and a banana as a snack, then I was gonna go walk to the gym. But it was icy and foggy in a dangerous way, so instead I stayed home and danced/ran around the house for 33 minutes. I love swing dancing and high cardio dance, so while it wasn't cycling, I think it counts.

Finally, my study. Did really good studying my verbal reasoning sections today, still really struggling with the math. Gotta keep going though, gotta keep at it!

[Dandizette]

Day Three:

I was still a bit sore this morning, but that's okay.
Food had been good. Still tracking and keeping things to the plan. I turned down an offer for hot chocolate at work. GO ME.

I did my body weight work out today with much more success. I modified the Elbow Plank With Twist to do on my knees, turned all the push-up moves into regular modified push-ups, and turned the Bulgarian Split Squat into sumo squats. I was able to get through it much more quickly and with less breaks between reps. 

Study is about to begin. Just maths today! Wish me luck!
A COMMANDER HAS TO KNOW THE NUMBER AND NAMES OF THEIR MEN AFTER ALL!

[Dandizette]

Day Four

Today was my break day from both studying and working out because Fridays are always work, then DnD until midnight.

So tomorrow, I pick up with cycling. I am excited though, because my DM and her girlfriend are getting memberships to the same gym I use in the winter! So we can go cycling together! I'm very excited about having a work out buddy because I haven't had one in ages. I'm going to try to get both of them to join up here at NF!

I did eat as my plan dictated, so that's good too. Let's hope I can stick to it over the weekend, because that's always the hardest day for me. DX

[Dandizette]

Day Five

I had a great meal start today! I ran out of my planned breakfast yesterday, so I made eggs instead. P:
Later, I met up with my friend and we did walking/running interval training for 30 minutes, then cycling for 15. I managed to get 2 miles of running in, which given previous injuries, is pretty good for me. Then for cycling, I managed to get a good 3 miles in, because I go faster on a cycle than anything else.

Studying was less good--I'm doing it now, but something cropped up in my personal life to put me out of the mood of studying. I'm doing it but am distracted. 
When I finish, I guess I'll be making up my meal plans for next week and my shopping list. Gonna bring in more protein, since my first week indicated that I'm not getting enough.

[Dandizette]

Day Six

Told my parents I ran and cycled today when I had a family dinner. They seemed proud and that made me happy.
Studied today--still sucking it up on the maths but I'm glad that I'm at least still doing it.

Today is my body weight work out. I'm going to be doing that later tonight when my girlfriend goes for her walk about the block. Hopefully I can get it in. I'll post an update tomorrow on whether I was able to or not.

[Dandizette]

Day Seven

Wahoo! This is the last day of the first week for me! I'm going to weigh in tomorrow and see how I'm doing.
Also, I did a great job of sticking to my food schedule! No variations in that so far. Added more protein post workout when my pals and I had corned beef, and this morning I had eggs fried up with fish sauce. P8

I did end up making myself do my weight training yesterday, even after my gf decided not to go on her evening walk.
Today, three of my DnD group pals and I went to the gym. It felt really good that I was able to explain to them how the cycling machines worked.
I managed to do 5 miles at a constant pace of 90-100 rpm in 15 minutes on the hill version of the bike machine. That felt awesome! Then I walked for 10 more minutes at a speedy pace with them. My DnD pals are at a different fitness level than me and I didn't want to push them as hard as I push myself. But it was still great!

I'm starting to get less sore about my strength training workout too. I feel like I'm getting stronger, or at least I hope I am?

Maths today was bad--I almost had a breakdown over an equation. I'm fine at all there verbal reasoning stuff but this math stuff really gets to me. I know how to do the math, but when presented with certain problems, I just don't know what I need to do to solve them. I don't always immediately recognize which equations I should use, and then when I do, I feel stupid because I should have known and the opportunity to give the right answer has past. It is beyond frustrating. 8(
 

[Dandizette]

Week 1 Overview!

Meal Planning?
Good! I didn't always eat what was on the plan because sometimes I found myself out and about with pals. When that happened, I did my best to get as close to what I had planned. Otherwise, this has worked well and it's helped me to see that I need to actually be eating a little bit more than I have been, and to add more protein, since I eat so many plants during lunch and dinner. DX
CHECK!

Gym? 
I managed to get there only two of the planned three times. I road the bike both times and managed to clock a total of 10 miles this week! : ) I also did some jogging and walking with pals and helped put together a work out plan with my DM and her girlfriend: we'll be going to the gym for 30 minutes together every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and more if we can squeeze it in. Maybe on Fridays before DnD.
On the day I missed, since I don't have a stationary at home or rollers, instead of cycling, I spent 33 minutes practicing my swing dance. Pretty good cardio, I'd say.
CHECK!

Body Weight Work out?
GOOD! I completed it every day I had it and I've got another round set for tonight. It's hard and I had to modify some of the moves, but that's an okay thing to do. : )
CHECK!

GRE Study?
Well, I've been doing it. I've felt discouraged by the maths on more than one occasion, but me not being able to do maths has nothing to do with my study regime. I'm still studying and trying to get over my confidence drop. Two hours a day will help, even if I don't always feel like it will.
CHECK

Other highlights:
-Taught some pals how to read the stats on the stationary bikes!
-Met Shadri! She's awesome and we're keeping tabs on each other to get through this!

-Been assigned to the podcast team at my library--pretty soon I'll be a podcast voice!
 

[Dandizette]

Day 8

 

Today, I went to visit some friends and we watched Guardians of the Galaxy. I did cheat a little and eat some stroopwafel because stroopwafel. I did also reward myself with an almond milk chai latte from the cafe next to the library. It was delicious! 

After I came home, I did my body weight circuit. I'm starting to feel more confident in the moves! I've always decided to extend it over the 6 weeks instead of switching things up in February.

Finally, my studying went well. I got 80% on my practice maths quiz! And my reading of course is still top notch. Today was a good, good day and gave me hope studying wise. I hope this is indicative of a good week for week two! 8)

[Dandizette]

Day 9

Well, today has been good! I followed my meal plan to a T to make up for the stoopwafel I ate yesterday while hanging out with my pals.

In the evening, I went with my DM and her GF to the gym. Today, I rode the hill workout. I cycled for 30 minutes and covered a distance of 7.26 miles at an average rate of 90rpm!! Felt pretty good about that indeed! It was a bit hard towards the top of the 'hill', but I know the real pavement will be a lot harder in the spring, since I'll be pushing myself forward then.

Now I'm gonna sit down and get some studying done! *fist in the air*

I will be as swift as Jean, as chiseled as Erwin, and as clever as Armin! HUZZAH!
 

[Dandizette]

Day 10

Today wasn't so good on food. I got tacos at lunch. 8(c I mean, they weren't terrible, but they broke from my plan.

I just finished my strength work out though. I feel all sweaty but accomplished! WOW! I was able to throw in 7 non-modified twisted elbow planks. And I turned 8 of my 30 push ups into superwoman push-ups! So that's good, it means I'm getting stronger.

I feel bloated--but that's because of my cycle, not my tacos.

Studying is good. It went well last night, but tonight is a maths night. DX So it's tougher.

[Dandizette]

Day 11

Today was a rest day as far as working out and studying, because today was Dungeons and Dragons day! : )

It was great eating day though. Followed my plan perfectly. I've gotta sit down tomorrow and plan next week and my grocery list. It'll be a good list too, since I've got a 40 dollar grocery credit from work. I'm planning to stock up on lots of chicken sausage, the ingredients for spinach and egg bake, nut milks, paleo type snacks, and a bunch of frozen veggies and frozen fish. : )
 

[Dandizette]

Day 12

Not great. I got my studying done, I did my food alright, but then I got into a nasty fight with my girlfriend. I missed my workout and all was for naught.
I didn't write out the next food plan set either.

Day 13

Made up. Things are smooth. I followed my food plan perfectly today after I spent some time writing it out.

I took a practice exam but didn't do too hot. It was a harder set of questions that either of the other two practice exams I've done have had. Just my luck. Now I'm afraid it'll happen to me in real life when I take the GRE.

I went to work out with my DM and her girlfriend. I cycled 8 miles in 30 minutes and that felt really good! I was doing interval training where for one minute, I'd cycle at a normal 85 rpm on level one, and then for the next minute, go at 100+ rpm on varying degrees of hills. It was intense!

Then since today was body weight and cycling to make up for yesterday, I spent some time doing free weights in the gym. MY ARMS ARE SO SORE! WOW!

[Dandizette]

Day 14

Study went well! 
Eating went super great!
I couldn't go to the gym today (another super stupid foggy day. DB ) But at least I got 30 minutes of cardio done by jogging and dancing around the house? 8D 
Man I wish I had rollers.

[Dandizette]

Week 2 Overview!

Meal Planning?
Pretty dang good if I do say so myself. I planned and cooker several meals successfully and held to them. Except my reward day, eating was 100 percent!
CHECK!

Gym? 
Did I go three times? No. I went twice. I had another foggy unsafe to travel day, so I stayed in and did jogging and swing dancing. So I'm gonna count that as a check!

Body Weight Work out?
GOOD! I completed 3 body weight work outs and I've got another coming tonight! I'm for sure getting stronger and was able to throw in a couple of real versions of the moves instead of only doing modified versions. I hope to keep that up.

GRE Study?
I've certainly been doing it every day. I had a day where I did a practice exam and didn't score as high as I would have liked, but I'm still improving and committing to my study time. I've also since gotten a maths tutor to help me improve more.

Other highlights:
-Got in a fight with my GF but smoothed things over.
- Kept my room clean?
-Cycled 16 miles about. 8)
-Didn't have a single GRE testing anxiety dream!

[Dandizette]

Day 15

Today was a great eating day! I'm trying to get all the carbs out of my house, but I'm also broke, so I've just been limiting myself to one none paleo meal a day (personal, not NF related goal). So I hate a quinoa egg bake I planned for the rest of this week and everything else has been paleo!

I went to the gym today with my pals. I cycled 8 miles in 30 minutes and that felt great! Did my body weight work out at home afterwards.

Also studied with my maths tutor today. He's walking me through things in a way I can really understand, so I think it'll help. He's gonna come by once a week until my test date. I wish I'd gotten him sooner, but a little help now is better than none at all.

[Dandizette]

Day 16

Great eating day again! I had my egg bake square, my salad at lunch with beets, and then a snack of celery and almond butter. Dinner was the paleo beef stew with some modifications. I used beef sage sausage from a local butcher and green onions instead of regular cause that's what I had on hand. 
DELICIOUS!

I went to the gym and did 8.18 miles in 30 minutes! WOW!

Now I'm just gonna sit down and do some studying! Hatcha! I will show those titans who is boss!

[Dandizette]

Day 17

Food: good! Egg bake, daily greens salad, chicken sausage, paleo stew!

 

Also, last night, I invented a new and tasty before bedtime drink!
I read "The Throne of the Crescent Moon" by Saladin Ahmed. There's this character who drinks cardamom milk a lot and I was like: "What's that?" so I looked it up.
It's sweetened milk (typically with honey) with crushed cardamom pods. Well, I don't have those pods, but I do have the spice, and I have the milk.
So this has become a staple cold weather drink of mine. But last night, I was reading more variations on the recipes. I found a site that recommended putting vanilla in it. And I thought--what about ROSE EXTRACT?! For a super Middle Eastern taste. SUPER GOOD.
Gonna post it on the recipes thread in more detail.

Studying?: Gonna do that when I get home from work. Night shift at the library!

Work out: tonight is a body weight work out, and I'm gonna do that just before I study, so that I'm super alert and energized for studying. : )
 

[Dandizette]

Day 18

So, I did my work out yesterday, and my studying, and although today was supposed to be a rest day, I ended up going on a 4 mile hike with two pals. We hiked over the Boise valley ridge and looked down on the valley and the city. Was beautiful, even on a cold day like this. I'll post a picture I took if anyone is interested.

I didn't study today because break day, but I sent some questions to my tutor to read over and help me with this Tuesday.

Today however, was not a great eating day. I leave my Fridays open to have an indulgence (cause DnD) but I wish I'd chosen smarter indulgences. :/ I had a chocolate cherry cordial and a slice of homemade beer bread. I was good all week though, so following the 80/20 plan, as long as I'm good for the next few days, I should be a-okay. Still. Disappointed.

GOTTA KEEP FIGHTING! You can't let one fall keep you down. If you tumble, if your 3D maneuver gear doesn't, work you gotta get up and keep fighting!


And maybe I'll go on another hike soon. : )

 

[Dandizette]

Day 19

Work weekends are the worst!
I ate according to plan, but getting my studying done was a no go. I'll have to make up for it tomorrow.

Exercise went well enough. I managed to get a good 8 miles in at the gym. Tomorrow will be another strength training day. : )

[Dandizette]

Day 20

Food was great today! Followed my plan to a tee!
My GF and I are about to sit down and go over my maths, and my work out will be right after that! 

After my squat challenge before this, combined with cycling and this new body weight work out, I've started to notice a change in the shape of the fat/muscle on my hips, as well as my thighs. I'm also starting to see some definition in my upper arms. Still soft, but I'm seeing my biceps start to form. : ) It's exciting.

[Dandizette]

Day 21

Followed my food plan perfectly today! I made a delicious dinner. Chili salmon baked with garlicky mushroom. P:
Tomorrow I am going to try a new recipe: banana pancakes with blueberries on top. We'll see how that goes!

I managed to go on a really lovely walk today after work. It was sunny and my ride forgot me, so I went on a 2.4 mile walk. 

I studied writing and vocab today for the GRE. Wrote two practice essays.
Then I went and rode 8.2 miles at the gym in 30 minutes. It's nice to see that I've got this already pretty intense workout that I can learn to build on either at the gym, or out on the pavement when the good weather comes.

Darn you, cold air and asthma! B(

[Dandizette]

Week 3 Overview!

Meal Planning?
The best it ever has been! Making a huge batch of something for breakfast over the week was great. It made eating a healthy breakfast easy. Lunches are always easy for me. Making the paleo stew was wonderful too, because I had a huge batch of a healthy dinner to come home too. : )
CHECK!

Gym? 
Not only did I go four times (more than my scheduled three!) I clocked; 32 miles in two hours worth of pedaling! I know that's not as amazing as some cyclists, but it feels so good! One of my dnd pals told me I went real fast, and at one point, I was next to some guy who was going at a speed of 127 RPM, and I was at a speed of 107, and even though I was slower, I was able to stay on and cycling for 30 minutes while he only managed to stay on for 5 minutes. It felt good to have a comparison to set my skills against.
CHECK!

Body Weight Work out?
Very good. I got it finished three times. I also was able to do the full twisted elbow side planks yesterday, and that felt amazing! I've also started to notice that my hips/legs are changing shape and that I'm gaining muscle definition in my arms? That's pretty cool. I'd like to see more results, but this is the first time I've ever seen such changes and I'm excited about it.
CHECK!

GRE Study?
I've been studying. I don't feel good about it like I did last week--mostly cause things have been hard this week. I know that it's just them being hard and not me lacking skill, but it is disheartening. That being said: I'm still getting the study time in, so I suppose that's all that counts? As of today, there are two weeks until my test date. So. Nervous.
 

Other highlights:
-Went on a 4 mile hike in the mountain foothills!
-Went on a nearly 3 mile walk.
-Learned three new recipes (including delicious Middle Eastern inspired almond milk.)
-Had a hilarious snapchat cosplay with my cosplay pals!