Stubbs

Grats to Maring for doing so well on his first challenge! Really great job. Unfortunately I have not done so well myself, as I have explained in my own challenge thread. So I'll be continuing to focus on some more basic things, and hopefully join for another challenge again when I'm ready. I hope that despite not hearing from a lot of you for weeks now, that you've done well and feel good about your accomplishments. And if you're not quite there yet, that's okay too.

Hey everyone. There's no good way to say this, but I failed. I gave up half-way through. I'm still shocked by how much my exams influenced me... I read somewhere on the site that we all have a Willpower bar, and when we make changes in our lives, that Willpower gets used up. I really felt like that was what happened, and I've been too put down since then to get back in the fight. I'm not sure if this challenge-system is a good way to make changes for me, it feels a bit overwhelming with 4 goals at the same time right now. Or maybe I should just have picked easier goals, I don't know. At least I have learned something new about my own limitations, and how I react to stress. I think there might be some other things I need to focus on before rushing into doing 3 workouts a week. I'm simply not disciplined or organized enough. I think I'll sit out the next challenge, and hopefully join the following one with some clearer, attainable goals for me. Spend the rest of the summer preparing for next semester, clear up my apartment and my belongings, and keep focusing on eating healthier, drinking more water and choose the bike for transportation more often. Just those small, everyday changes, 1 week at a time. When I feel ready to take up another challenge, I will do so. I will keep following the threads here on the forums, and the articles on Nerd Fitness. Thank you all for all the encouragement you have given me! It *did* help, I would not have been as dedicated those three weeks I lasted without it. It has been so valuable for me to experience the power of this community and making myself accountable. I'm sorry I didn't do better this first time around. Best regards, Stubbs

Glad you liked it! Couldn't help but chuckling myself. ^^ I'm doing okay, exams and an injured ankle threw me off for a bit, but I'm back on track. Gonna go do the final workout of the week tomorrow, and go swimming after. That way, I'll have completed all goals this week, as long as I eat paleo too tomorrow!

Exams really threw me for a loop as well, but it's important to remember that it's a 6 week challenge, and there's still 3 more to go. It doesn't matter that every week ain't perfect, as long as you keep up the effort and get back on track. Just keep at it!

Job hunting is tough, keep at it! Eventually it will pay off. Good luck on your driving lessons! The theory can be a bit dull at times, but pay attention, it's super important. And congratulations with the gigs, I hope they turn out well for you and your band.

Hey Abs, seems like you're busy, probably with being awesome and doing your challenges! Whenever you get the time, I look forward to seeing an update on your progress so far! We're almost half-way now.

Hey Noelium, I hope your arm has sorted itself out and that you're still making progress! Would love to hear how you're holding up. EDIT: Also, I really like your food images on tumblr! They look really nice!

Hey Halfsie! How's it going, gotten used to the FitBit yet?

Hey hbomb! How's everything going so far?

19-06-13, 23:50 Wow, I really ended up in a rut there! My left leg was sore and odd all weekend. It was fine by monday, but that day I had another exam and it threw me for quite a loop. Throw in friends coming over for dinner on Tuesday, and I just haven't been able to kick myself into gear. However, I want to keep on making myself accountable, and I knew I had to get back here and keep you all posted! So I just HAD to do a workout today! Workout B Body rows: 3-3-3 Lunges: 7-7-6 Planks: 40s-30s FM: % Notes: My body rows were soo tough! I tried to focus more on form, and that really took me down a peg. But if I can keep it up, they should become better faster, I hope! Lunges were alright, didn't push myself too much, since it's been just over a week since last workout. However, I did manage to do a 40 seconds plank! Kinda proud of myself for that, could really feel it on the second one where I only managed to do my regular 30s. I will try to do a Workout A + B this week, on Friday and Sunday respectively. Also planning on going swimming tomorrow, as I now actually bought a swimsuit! Recap of week two 1. Only 1 workout during this week, boo! E 2. Did not, but did buy a swimsuit! D 3. Did eat paleo dinners 5 days that week, yay! A 4. Keeping my tumblr! Still forget to take pictures before digging in, but pretty sure I got everything covered this week. A

14/06/13, 21:54 Spent the day cleaning up the apartment, and hanging out with my sister. She wants to move out from our parents', and asked me to come look at an apartment with her, which I of course said yes to. We'd planned to go to the swimming hall together, but didn't make it. I stumbled and fell on the stairs up from the metro, so my left ankle and lower hind leg is really sore and it hurts when I put weight on it. Therefore, I won't be doing a workout tonight. I'm exhausted from the cleaning, and we did some shopping too, went to look at apartment, grocerie shopping, cooking... It's been a long day for me. If I can, I will try to do the workout tomorrow, and maybe one Sunday too, but if I miss one, so be it. I had a great time with my sister and we made delicious food of which there is a picture on my tumblr. At least I got to buy a new swimsuit (couldn't find my old one), so now I can go to the swimming hall in confidence! Probably with le boyfriend on Sunday!

12-06-13 Workout B: DID IT! Even though I didn't really feel like. I really don't like body rows, ouch! Will edit in the sets tomorrow, going to bed. Also, tried out this recipe today, and it was delicious: http://paleoporn.net/paleo-ham-recipe/

11-06-13, 22:18 Won't exactly call yesterday and today resting days. Had a written exam today (Mathematics in Multimedia Applications), and I'm pretty sure I flunked it. I've been too lazy and I overestimated myself. I should have prepared myself better. So either I'll barely pass and get a crappy grade and have to accept that, or I'll fail and have to go to the re-exam in August. I know I can do better, so a re-exam actually doesn't sound too bad to me right now. Anyway, haven't had the willpower to work out... or grocery shop or cook dinners... So took the easy way out and had some leftovers yesterday and ordered burgers today. Which means I'll have to eat paleo-dinners for the rest of the week. I'm relaxing tonight, and hopefully my willpower will be back tomorrow. And I won't make the same mistake again at my next exam on Tuesday (18/06), so I'll have to start preparing for that, properly this time. It should be do-able. Enjoying a glass of wine and a bit of gaming. I'll be back on track tomorrow.

Week 1 summary 1. 3x BBW done! (A) 2. Didn't go swimming, poop! (F) 3. Enjoyed making lots of new, healthy food! (A) 4. Tumblr food journal is still going strong, but missed a photo of dinner saturday night and what I had to drink that night, plus didn't run it from Day 1 (Monday). (B-) Overall quite happy with it, especially the foodjournal and my paleo food goal. Two times Workout B this week is going to be tough, but I'll do it!

09-06-2013, 13:37 Resting day: Slightly hungover from the party yesterday, so not going to the swimming hall today. Oh well. It was a really nice party though, and as long as I eat a paleo dinner tonight, I'll have kept up the rest of my goals. Gonna plan more ahead next week so my boyfriend and I can get started on the swimming!

08-06-13, 14:58 Workout A: 1. Inclined push-ups: 8-6-6 2. Body weight squats: 15-13-12 3. Plank: 30s-28s 4. Finishing move: % Notes: Last push-up on third set sucked a bit, but counting it in to push myself more next time. The squats were tough, but did more than last time! Planks were a bit more shaky again, but I didn't feel insecure about doing them and holding them up. Skipped the finisher as I'm still sore in my buttocks from Workout B and I felt done after doing more squats this time than previously! Overall feeling okay about it. Just realized: Need to see if I can go to the swimming hall tomorrow, else I won't have done that goal this week, omg!

Just finished up my third workout for the week, so goal reached! And gonna fight to eat paleo-dinners tonight and tomorrow so I can cross off that goal too. Still keeping my tumblr food journal updated. Need to find out if I can go swimming tomorrow, else I won't have completed that goal for this week. Glad to hear you're keeping up despite being a bit under the weather! And just make sure to put a bit of extra effort into the two other goals next week and I'm sure it'll be fine. ^^

Hey Hergetm, Don't be too down about the meal, time pressure can get to all of us! If you have a freezer, I can recommend either buying or making your own bags of vegetable mixes, which can easily be roasted in the oven or fried on a pan. It really can lift a meal. If you do it yourself, either use a food processor to chop up everything (I did it by hand last tuesday), and place it in freezing bags in portions for a meal each. That way you can also control what combinations you get that you'll like, or experiment with new ones. Keep fighting the good fight! Still a long way to go but you've got a good start. And good idea to put the money aside for payoffs beforehand! You can do this!

I can recommend using a little bit of maple syrup (or blueberry syrup), and a hint of apple vinegar. It sweetens and sharpens the taste without adding a lot of sugar to the mix.

Yeah I think he'll be the first person I'd be able to workout with, but the fact that I get uncomfortable around him now when I need to exercise just goes to show how bad I feel about myself. We've been together for over 3 years now and live together, and we got a very strong, healthy relationship. We're completely comfortable with each other, except for me regarding this particular thing. It really bugs me, so I hope getting in better shape will help me get over it, fast. Also, just got a hold of Zoolander! So will give it a shot tonight and get back to you all with my thoughts regarding it. EDIT: Fucking love Hansel!

I'd say it's a personal choice how often you take pictures and how often you post them. I'm thinking I'll either take photos once a month or after each challenge, haven't decided yet. But personally I prefer to be able to see a bit of a difference from picture to picture, so there's more contrast and I feel like I'm progressing. Or you can do like that crazy photographer who photographs himself every single day and chains them together: http://everyday.noahkalina.com/ (crazy awesome, but still crazy) ;D

Thanks! I had bracers during my teenage years, so had my teeth checked regularly until they were removed when I turned 18, and then had to pay for it myself. I went once, thought it was expensive, and have been postponing it ever since. So probably haven't had it done in... 4 years? Sheesh. And it turned out that I got health insurance which covers about half of the expense anyway! But yeah it's another weight off my shoulders. I also feel better about smiling more! 07-06-13, 22:14 Resting day: Surprisingly not too sore, although my right buttock is aching a bit more than the left one, oy. Had dinner at my parents' and spend the evening there. The meal was not entirely paleo, as I did eat the grilled bread with honey and goat cheese (damn that is just too tasty to resist!), but I ate a lot of meat and cabbage salad. Then enjoyed a small serving of homemade rum ice cream, yum! Will try and see if I can keep it more paleo-strict in the weekend, but going to a birthday party tomorrow so we'll se what we end up having for dinner. :/

Sounds very tech-y! Great if it works for you, but I'm trying not to get too technical quite yet regarding the changes I make (like not counting calories either). It might be something for me to keep in mind in the future, but right now I just want to focus on building new, healthy habits. How're you holding up so far?

Good to hear that you're doing well! Keep it coming!