New and ready to level up!

[Geneticdork]

Hey there, everyone! My name is Erin and I’m proud to be a nerd. However, what I’m not proud of is my current state of health and where my life currently is at.

 

My life has been going no where for quite a while now. I've been wanting to make changes for a long time, but finally made my first step recently. A couple weeks ago I Googled "willpower" (since I have very little of that and want to improve it). I came across a post on Reddit about "non zero days". That was enough to help motivate me to start getting on track. I went to the bookstore and was going to buy some self help books (like 7 Habits of Highly Effective People). While browsing the shelves I accidentally stumbled across "Level Up Your Life." I actually laughed out loud because I was so pleasantly surprised to see something that seemed to fit me perfectly. After reading some of the book I found out about Nerd Fitness, and just had to check that out too. So...  I decided to register and give it a try and start my "quest."

 

I'm 28 years old, 5'7" tall, I'm overweight (around 172lb) and I'm not really living life. A few months ago I started a diet and managed to lose around 20 pounds... but I've been slacking and starting to creep back up again. I was on a diet that was expensive, required a bunch of pills and supplements. I realized a few weeks ago that I shouldn't be on a diet that requires all of that, even if it may be "easier." It's not a lasting solution.

 

I'm embarrassed of myself. I've only been overweight for four or so years now. Which initially started due to a side effect of some new medication I was taking at the time. My willpower is almost non-existent. I have trouble getting myself to do things, and trouble getting myself not to do things. This is also in part because I do have depression and anxiety (the anxiety is the big problem). 

 

I used to be in pretty good shape. I started Tae Kwon Do when I was eight and continued it for around nine years... and stopped because that's when my depression started to take a hold of me. It was a family activity. My parents, sister and I were all second degree black belts. But nowadays... I'm overweight, I've extremely out of shape, and I doubt myself a lot. I also sometimes have trouble with shin splints, and a bit of asthma, so that doesn't help either.

 

I'm an aspiring artist and eventually I'd love to be a video game character concept artist or illustrator for a company like Wizards of the Coast. I'm currently working freelance, doing commissions and have been in a few galleries... but because of my lack of willpower and my overall state, it's hard for me to get myself to do even that. So I haven't taken any new commissions. Though I'm currently trying to work on a way to get myself back in the groove again. I'm also considering going back to college and getting a bachelors and/or masters degree in Social Work, because I really love helping others (though I'll still pursue art while I do that).

 

As for my nerdiness, I thank it partially due to my genetics and upbringing. I'm in a family of nerds. My parents met at a Dungeons and Dragons game, and they still play D&D every Saturday with a couple they've known since before I was born. So I've always been around and loved video games, fantasy, science fiction, etc. I also love going to Renaissance Fairs and interested in eventually taking lessons in fencing, archery and seeing if I can find a good local LARP group.

 

Unfortunately my love for video games has also hindered my "progress" in life. Because of my depression, anxiety and other factors, I "hide" myself in theses games, especially World of Warcraft, where I lead a guild and play a character on a Roleplaying server. So I tend to feel most "alive" when I play my character there. It's sort of silly, but the character I play is someone I wish I could be in real life (except the being green and under four feet tall part).

 

So... here are some of my goals:

• Lose around 40 pounds.
  
• Become fit and healthier.
  
• Eat better and no more late night snacking.
  
• Increase my endurance and willpower.
  
• Socialize more in real life.
  
• Be happier about myself.
  
• Get myself to do more new and interesting things.
  
• Make my life an adventure.
  

 

I've had trouble in "sticking" with things in the past. I'm worried I'll end up breaking from this too, even though it's super awesome and interesting. But I will try my best to work on my fitness, health and life so that I can level up and be the person I always wanted to be. And I'd really appreciate any help, advice and motivation from you all here, and I'd be more than happy to do the same and help out how I can.

 

Thank you for reading and hope to get to know you all.

 

PS: YAY! It finally posted!!!

[starsapart]

Welcome!

 

I will repeat something that you will see a lot around here..... willpower is finite, motivation is fleeting..... cultivate discipline and habit, and the need for willpower starts to abate.

 

The best possible advice: find something you LIKE doing.  Fencing is fun and a decent workout.  I fenced in college and  really miss it some days!  Instead of "someday," why not do it now?  You can start achieving your goals AND enjoy yourself.  Then you don't need willpower, because you WANT to get better.

 

Good luck and feel free to ask on the forums if you need anything!  There are loads of friendly people around who are glad to assist you.

[Larona]

Hi there! I am new to this as well and I have a similar issue to yours. I am 26, 5'6" and 155. I did dance all through grade school and when I stopped I jumped up to 166 pounds. I understand the struggle with going from active to inactive and trying to maintain your shape. Let me see if I can give you a little bit of advice, I am a late night snacker as well but I try to find healthier alternatives to what I am eating (I work nights so I am always eating late). It is a small step and it won't stop the snacking itself but perhaps changing this small habit a little to make it better for you will help. I am trying to stock up my fridge with small things like those baby carrot packs or some apples. This way when I am hungry, I have a healthy option. Haha believe me there are many times where I just want to grab something sweet to eat but I am trying not to.

Also, don't stop being your nerdy self! That's what we all are! Perhaps you should just set aside some time to improve yourself. It doesn't have to be an hour or 2. 15 to 30 min can help. Remember you are a beautiful person that has many things to bring to the table. We are all here to help you and each other! If you need anything you only have to ask and wait for a response. Keep your head up!

[Soldier1stCl4ss]

I enjoyed reading your post, Genericdork.  Your story reminded me alot of, well, me!  I'm the only nerd in my family, I fell in love with games as a way to escape an icky home situation.  Games stuck with me well into my adult life.  I loved the idea of making progress, even if I had no one to show it to, save myself.  (I'm in love with Acheivements and Trophies on my Xbox and Playstation!)  In this way, I felt like I was doing something with my time, but in reality, I wasn't accomplishing anything...  and it hurt when I finally thought about that. 

 

Games have shaped my life in alot of good ways.  They taught me many lessons.  And this is the best way we can all use this passion we share to change our life into what we want it to be for once!

 

I wish you luck!  I'm starting out too and I'm hoping to stick with this.  Remember, Phase 1 is collecting underpants, which you have done by the sounds of it.  Phase 2, is up to you.  And eventually we will make it to Phase 3.  Profit!