weatherford

Stil no fridge.... things are spiraling away (with this challenge that is) due to this move. I am doing the best I can to not be super crazy with my food choices, but it's difficult. I am also teaching full-time now, as training is over. So I get going at 7am and usually am not home until 8:30pm. So of course eating out is my 1st choice. As soon as I get this fridge fiasco handled, I am going to have to start doing all the prep work I've read about people doing so when they do get home late, they can just heat up something that's healthy and quick. Doing my best to get in water, but it's difficult with my doubled workload... I am still getting a schedule in place for myself, I am kinda all over the place. I am going to FOR REAL look in to the gym this weekend. Meaning get signed up on my day off. I have looked around and I know what gym I am going to join- but I still need to barter the price down (i love living in asian countries) hahaha I don't want to say I am writing off this challenge... but that's sort of what's happened. My moving just really messed things up, which was seriously worsened by all the issues with my flat. So I am going to get all my ducks in a row for the next challenge, and do this thing right whilst also living in a big city with lots of temptations!! I can say that my steps have been off the charts! And my gross calories burnt as shown by my monitor are really high! So I don't feel too terrible for enjoying a tasty dessert or creamy dinner meal

Hi Team!!! So I am officially a Hong Konger haha It only took a week, but internet is up and running.. hence my total drop off the NF world. McDonalds/Starbucks/ETC only give you 20 free minutes of wifi a day... so by the time I could get through my emails and check in with the family, I almost always got cut off trying to throw something up on here. Oops.. Anyways.. I just threw a big update on my thread about how much of a fail this move has caused to this challenge for me, but I am not deterred. I am hopping back up on my new 21st Century horse that has a slight British accent and getting back at it. Hopefully I will get a fridge soon so I can cook for myself and stop eating out, which always leads to poor decision making, tasty, but poor. I'm also going to be joining a gym this week, which I am really excited to do oddly enough. So I am sure that will really help with me getting in workouts along with my walking most of the day, and keep me in check on diet and whatnot. How's everyone been doing the past week?! I traveled to Macau due to visa stuff, and it was insanely cool! It's an old Portuguese settlement, now mixed with the craze of Asian gambling and extravagance. I've never been to Las Vegas, but my roommate said it was very similar (casino wise), except the ridiculous amount of picture-happy chinese EVERYWHERE! If I was missing mainland China at all, that little refresher nipped it in the butt.

HEY ALL!!!!!! Well I FINALLY have gotten internet set up at my flat here in Hong Kong. It only took them a week. Being completely honest, I've really gone off on all of my goals over the past 8 days. I tried my best to keep up the water, but I was so busy the first few days I wouldn't think about it. And I had to go out to buy water as we can't drink from the tap and don't have a dispenser like back in China. I knew the first few days I was going to let myself 'go' and enjoy eating what my lil heart desired.. or should I say big taste buds. Either way this was exacerbated by the fact that we do not have a fridge. And I say that present tense. We won't be getting it till some time this week (which tomorrow is Thursday). Soo.. that equals eating out. PLUS, it's hella expensive here, so the cheapest eatery is ..... fast food. womp. AKA McDonalds. yeah. so.... things haven't been fabulous. But I did find a yoga mat, and I have found a few good gyms in my area of the city. I am going in this weekend to check them out and barter the price. Things haven't exactly been smooth in my voyage to the big city. My flat wasn't ready when I arrived, so I stayed at a hotel the first night. We have only had beds this past week, a sofa, and some cutlery. The school said everything should (SHOULD) be squared away this week, and we are off to a good start with the internet being put in today as promised. So I am slowly getting back on track as things come together in my life. I can say one thing for sure I am still getting in exercise everyday, averaging 11000-13000 steps. I know my diet will get my in control once I have a fridge and can stop eating out. I have also found an 8c water bottle that's about 12HKD, so I am just going to buy one of those in the morning and do my best to remember to finish it. Probably not an issue as it's HUGE and not easily misplaced and forgotten. Oh right... HONG KONG IS AMAZING!!!!

My sister is amazing! She's a big inspiration for me getting fit and healthy, following in her foot steps and breaking the cycle in a family of big eatin' Texans lol I am surprised how well I prepared for this move! Thank you for noticing!! haha I think a big part of it is I am mailing so many things due to China flights having smaller limits on bags. Next post coming in from Hong Kong

Thank you!

Just finished up my day 2 routine.. do I add on to my first entry? Or make a second one?

Day 23 Tuesday So my body finally decided it was time for me to rest, and take a break from the craziness that has been the past couple of days preparing for this move. I mean y'all have seen my posts on my steps.. I've been moving around like crazy! I was tired/exhausted most of the day, yawning like it was going out of style. I got in a nap today which was much needed, but I still took care of all my business and had a productive last day here in lil ole Yidu. 14,400 steps, along with a 30 min yoga workout, and the mini-challenge this week. Consumed 1530 cals with a gross burnt 3900. Drank 16 cups of water. I was MUCH smarter about it today and took in 5c by lunch time. I'm a little skeptical about tomorrow, as I'll be on a plane and a long bus ride, so I may hesitate to take in all that water which requires many bathroom breaks. Did some street art today as a little gift to my Chinese town here

When I am feeling really unmotivated I get on the 100+ to lose thread and it pumps me right up haha but seriously, and then I turn on my favorite up beat song and it gets me all revved up Way to get up and handle your business!

Thanks RogueWelkin

New thought.. when we are recording what we do, does it need to be what we can do in one go through? or is it kosher to have a short rest and then keep on with the exercise? I feel like some of the log-ins by people seem that way, but I was under the impression it was just what you can do at once.

Hey Andrea! May I suggest tracking with my fitness pal? I love this program, it's a smartphone app and has a website, so when I am checking emails drinking coffee I can hop on and log in my breakfast, and then having my phone on me during the day allows me to track everything else. It gives great breakdowns, lots of information. how are your goals coming along as we head in to week 4?

Hey MissQuade Awesome goals! What kind of workouts are you focusing on? Strength/cardio/etc? I've been seeing SO much about Paleo, obviously on here, but in many other places, I am very curious about this diet plan. How's it been going for you?

Hey and welcome! Awesome goals. It's really great you are taking the step to get on here and make some changes in your life. I've always been a closeted dieter, meaning I don't really talk about, and even when say my family knows what I am doing, I tell everyone to not make a big deal about it. I've realized this is probably a big part of why my previous attempts have always failed. Now I am on here, posting every day, and holding nothing back. The support is AMAZING, to say the least. I've got a goal this challenge of drinking water, 8 cups a day (roughly 2000mL) however this week I am doing a personal-challenge of doubling that intake to 16 cups a day. I've gotten through one day and it's not an easy task, but I can see a difference in my skin after 3 weeks of consistently taking in 8 cups a day. Great to have you here!

Welcome Ad Chen! Great goals, and good on you to stay smoke free!

Way to keep at it Elenea!

Day 22 Monday Good start to week 4! I got in 15,000 steps today. Who knew all this prep work for my move would incur such high steps! I consumed about 1600 calories, almost at limit, but obviously burned a lot, with my gross total at 4000 again. I also started the mini-challenge for this week, so I am adding in a 4-part exercise routine with push-ups, farmer's carry, single-leg deadlift and quick feet. drum roll.... I drank 16 cups of water today! My personal mini-goal for this week is to double my water intake, so I will be drinking a gallon a day of water. My bladder is very confused. As the A R T B O O K is packed up, I didn't get to work in it today. I did however work on my website for my artwork so that's something! Tomorrow is my last day in Yidu. I fly out Wednesday morning to Hong Kong! #excitement As I've handled most of everything for the trip I am going to try and get in a yoga session tomorrow, as there's no telling what's going to happen these next few days, and I won't have my yoga mat any more. off to the bathroom for the zillionth time now today. haha

thanks sis! water has not been easy but I've done it!!! YAYAYA SHOPPIIIIIIING lol... sorry mom & dad

How do you mean? Based on the video link the guy is doing it with no weight.. and if you added weight, I'd just put that in the notes/comments column on the spreadsheets. My guess. lol

Just logged in for my day 1. This is going to be great to see the progress over a week.. because my results today are piss poor, in my opinion. Also I have chosen the farmer's carry for my keeper exercise, not sure if it's just me, but I think this exercise has the potential to get some outrageous numbers, yes?! The aim time listed is 10-25 seconds, which seems extremely low to me. Thoughts? #adventurersftw #sorryassassins

Hey kwesadilo, Sounds like it's been a good week. I am raising my hand and shouting 'preach' on your thoughts about LA Fitness, but in a more general stance of large chain gyms... especially the water thing! I had a membership with 24HR a long time ago and it was awful, which the lockers were not, they were cubby holes which of course made me not want to ever leave anything. Frustrations. I know there are gyms in China.. just not where I am. If you look at a picture of China I am just to the right of smack dab in the middle. My "small" town (350,000 people, but everyone says it's small) doesn't have a gym, or it did but it shut down. The closest gym is about 11/2 by bus. Which when we go in to the city for a fun weekend, we stay at a more Western hotel that has a gym so I can take advantage. Your budgeting goal sounds like it's causing some troubles for you getting it done. When I got set up over here in China, and stopped buying like I was a tourist, I spent a week saving/recording all my receipts and then went over them after a week. I figured out roughly what I was spending and went from there based on my paycheck. Could be a good starting place since it sounds like you really want to have a grasp on your monetary finances and work out a good plan for paying off those students loans

Hey HoldFast! So I have a secret to share. Which this might not work for you, as I live in an apartment with seriously drab walls so I love hanging up my own creations to try and lighten the place up, but I made a big 'GOALS' sheet that's above my desk so I ALWAYS see it. I also hung a smaller one (rather than large as I have a roommate) on the front door of my apartment as well as one in the kitchen. This way I am constantly seeing what I am working towards, and honestly reminding me what I need to accomplish today besides life and whatnot haha When I think back to past efforts, sometimes I really do just forget what I am wanting to be doing, or time escapes me and it's bedtime and the day has gone. Having a sign hanging in clear view all over the place helps me remember what I need to be doing. I recall learning that it takes something like 3 weeks to form a habit, which to me, my water intake is a habit I should have. I struggle with this goal often, as I forget my water in the morning and then cram it in come late afternoon/evening. So it really helps me to remember 'oh yeah.. drink some water!' Could be useful to help you stay on your other goals.

Thanks HoldFast!! It's always the last thing I do before I go to bed, EVEN if I am already in bed and then it hits me lol I took pictures before I started, which I am going to do a before/after come the end of this challenge, and keep on. I think 6 weeks is a good amount of time to see progress. I did take measurements, not very well though. Just of my hips and waist, which I have found 2" down from both of those when I measured the other day. I've got roughly 4 hours left until midnight here, and have 5 more cups of water to drink. To be honest, it totally slipped my mind until this afternoon I was upping my water this week! Oops.. I will be more aware tomorrow and not do this whole chug fest in the afternoon/evening to get down my gallon of water. lol looks like it's going to be an up and down kind of night

I love how covert you are... took me reading this a few times to understand what you were getting at LOL I weighed in without using the bathroom/drinking coffee and expelling yesterday's food tactic (SORRY EVERYONE EW) to bring the number down, but my reason for saying this is that I am FOR SURE down in to the 50's! I mean by a lb.. but I am still happy about it! And that means I need to lose 9 more lbs to reach my goal.. little extreme, might not happen, but I am going to try! And I feel good looking at myself in the mirror, so yeah. #screwthatnumber <--- has anyone picked up on my continual use of this emoti? It's my fav, because it's so chinese and that's my go to picture pose hehe

Day 21 - Sunday- End of Week 3 I did not do yoga or my last intense work out with my mini-challenge today. I did however get in a total of 18,000 steps, whilst doing some serious cleaning and packing ALL day. My feet are so sore. I consumed about 1800 calories, with my gross burnt at 4140. I drank a total of 10 cups of water. Did another page in the A R T B O O K Next week is going to be a little difficult for a few days with my A R T B O O K, as it's now packed up, as well as all my supplies. I am going to do a new mini-challenge of doubling my water!!! I think this is going to be really difficult, but I want to give it a try. I will aim for 16 cups of water AKA a gallon a day of water. Here we go week 4. Also I am crossing my fingers for a good weigh-in tomorrow. I feel like I've worked hard this week, and had a LOT of movement with me packing/cleaning/etc.

Day 20- Saturday For a day where I did not leave my apartment, I managed to get in 15000 steps!! My secret? I started my packing/cleaning/purging today! I'm not done, by any means, and I am still a little unsure how I am going to get all this crap to HK, but I'm doing it. I did not do any yoga or an intense workout routine- which means tomorrow is going to be sweaty! lol I was at my calorie limit today (maybe 15 to spare) with a total gross burnt of 4000 calories. Not too shabby. I drank 9 cups of water today. I did a really cool modpodge butterfly in the A R T B O O K Tomorrow is the last day of week 3, and I will be officially 1/2 way through my first challenge! I'm not sure how well I am doing with my goal #1- lose 15 lbs, as I need to be at 71/2 come Monday morning. But I am not that upset. I know I am doing good things, making positive changes, and even if it doesn't happen in these 6 weeks, I know I can step up my game and actually do this!!