Syren

New Year! New Dragon! Take 2 Year long Goals -- Get under 200 lbs -- (starting at 228 today) -- Be Less Stressed -- -- Have $3k in my savings account by December 2019 -- February -- Keeping On -- Walk 5 miles a day -- Well... I ended up transferring to a new position with the Environmental Restoration Team (start tomorrow 2/4) so I did excellent for week 0 and 1 and half of week 2... but succumbed to the stress of moving and trying to finish up as many of my projects as possible so the last couple of weeks failed hard core -- restarting tomorrow -- 1 mile before work -- 1 mile at morning break (take morning break...) -- 1 mile at lunch (take lunch...) -- 1 mile at afternoon break (take afternoon break...) -- 1 mile after work -- (keep same time frame on weekends, or make it a hike) -- Drink water -- -- Carry a Gallon of Water Around -- (This did not work -- new thing!) 32-oz Nalgene (easier to carry -- now fresh & clean in new dish washer) -- I am taking a discussion and class on fish populations, so I will read all of my requisite reading-- -- Wake up early and read for an hour before work -- -- Put $225 in the savings account -- *Bonus* -- Yoga 3x per week --

New Year! New Dragon! Year long Goals -- Get under 200 lbs -- -- Be Less Stressed -- -- Have $3k in my savings account by December 2019 -- January -- Starting Slow -- Walk 5 miles a day -- -- 1 mile before work -- 1 mile at morning break (take morning break...) -- 1 mile at lunch (take lunch...) -- 1 mile at afternoon break (take afternoon break...) -- 1 mile after work -- (keep same time frame on weekends, or make it a hike) -- Drink water -- -- Carry a Gallon of Water Around -- -- Finish "Zeus is Dead: A Monstrously Inconvenient Adventure" by Michael G. Munz -- -- Wake up early and read for an hour before work -- -- Put $225 in the savings account --

Hmm... I have become more unhealthy since starting NF -- not reflective of NF, primarily my attitude I think. December 1, 2018 Current weight: 234.1 lbs Yule Goals Exercise Walk 3 mi per day Swim 1x per week Strength Train 2x per week Yoga 1x per week Nutrition Log all of the things Limit 1 alcohol/day or less tea and la croix over soda eat at home 25 days of the month 1 veg per meal (servings) 2 fruit per day (servings) Life stick to a bed time and wake up time meditate 10 minutes each day log the feelings music aromatherapy cat play time color read nail care night

I love my co-workers, however when we all collectively skip real lunch to gorge on the Employee Committee bake sale -- that we all both contribute to and buy from -- well, our bond of doing terrible things to our bodies only grows. I think I am good on sugar for the rest of the month.

For the tracking!

Not really, but I love this song, and I'm switching classes for this challenge Anyway, Onto the Goals! Phase 1: Collect the right number of calories Phase 2: ..... Phase 3: Lose mass. I know NF is not about the counting of the calories -- however, I need this for the time being to understand portion control. See I love food. Luv it! I want it all the time -- but not the things that are actually full of nutritious goodness that my body needs. Most likely because I am an animal and I have evolved, like the rest of us, from a common ancestor that had a hard time finding abundant sources of both fats -- for building collagen and other connective tissues and storing energy! -- and sugars -- the basic block components that allow our cells to function -- to keep them alive. Today, we have grocery stores! And take out! And epic significant others who love us, even if we are crazy, that give us chocolate. There is an over abundance of the good stuff as it were. At least in 'Murica, where I live. Exceptionally happy that I don't have to find my own food, but also outraged that the people who grow it or make it don't have easy, affordable access to health care or a living wage or a means of achieving citizenship in some cases...hmm, that got political ...?-- moving on! SO! What do you do when you love food but hate your waist line and achy joints? Well, you could eat like a cave man -- which is great if you can -- my budget does not appreciate the price of that much carnivory and my gut bacteria do not have the umph to pull me through the steak sweats. "But the Primal/Paleo Diet isn't all meat!" Yes, I know, but I also can't eat that much veg right now to make me feel full without resorting to potatoes, plantains, yucca, etc. all. of. the. time. I have tried primal/paleo and have wasted so much food trying to prep in advance only to have my will power fall at just the thought of the ease and dreaminess that is a normal pepperoni and jalapeno pan crust pizza -- because I have a limited amount of will power just to get out of bed and go to work most days, there is literally none left when I go home.... thank the old gods and the new that I can't drink soda now without severe gastrointestinal discomfort -- well, maybe not a good thing, but nearly 1/2 win since it keeps me from drinking more liquid sugar in carbonated citrus flavor. I love the recent blog posts about other diet ideas. It felt like there was suddenly less pressure -- not that NF ever really instigated pressure, but it was a little relieving nevertheless to accept that it is okay not to be perfect at paleo/primal. I am a normal Omnivore, however I need to learn how to make my eyes and stomach come to an accord on most food. Enter the idea of, "Google, what does the 2,000 calorie diet actually look like?" Why 2,000? Well not much besides Goku's power level is great when it is over 9,000 -- unless you count Vegeta's ego, and great might be a matter of opinion.... The 2,000 calorie diet is the dream of all those FDA posters that I grew up with in the 90's -- those food pyramids where grains made up the bottom and milk was promoted as the best thing to make bones grow. It was a decent average that would encompass most people despite gender or activity, so this was the magic number around which all nutritional labels would be based. I thought this would be a good start because whenever I calculate my metabolic rate and dietary needs for losing 1 - 1.5 lbs per week, I get anywhere from 2,200 to 1,800 calories as a goal in most trackers and calculators. (Also, that is a huge range, what the heck?!) I have started this week a guideline for me to attempt portion control and still eat the things I really want to eat -- maybe less pizza. 11 servings of fruit and veg 1/2 cup cooked or raw veg 1 cup of raw leafy or salad greens 4 oz of a single piece of fruit (like an apple, pear, banana, etc.) 1/2 cup of berries -- botany brain stop! I know you mean aggregate fruits and grapes and cherries, but this will get tedious if I have to be more specific 1/4 cup dried fruit 4 servings of grain or bread 1 oz (read slice) bread 1/2 cup of cooked pasta/rice/oats/cereal 4 oz sweet potatoes, potatoes, plantains, yucca -- I feel like I am missing another super starchy veg, but I just can't remember it.... 2 servings of nuts, seeds, or beans 1/2 cup beans 1/4 cup nuts 2 tablespoons seeds 2 servings of dairy 1.5 oz cheese 1 cup yogurt 1 serving of seafood or poultry 4 oz 2 servings of oils or fats 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil 2 servings of sugary goodness 1 teaspoon honey -- use it wisely 1 extra serving of the good stuff (anything not veg or fruit) Lots of rules, lots of measuring, lots of details to weigh down my routine. What could possibly go wrong? Strictly speaking, this is to help me make my grocery list -- will I painstakingly measure out every single thing I eat -- absolutely not! But I will be able to focus more on "does the thing I want to make this week that is super tasty hit the nutrient categories?" "Am I actually getting nutrients?" "Yes, I have to eat vegetables..." (I do like them, but broccoli and celery make it really hard sometimes). The 80% of becoming healthy is the hardest part. I've come a long way from what I ate in 2014 when I started posting here on NF, but I still have a long way to go too. Bonus Round Finding Phase II I will at least do yoga if nothing else to make my morning complete and wonderful and shiny!

Just the first one. I've been picking it up and then forgetting about it for the past 2-years, and I need to get it read.

I started swimming again! (Don't stop!) FITNESS Swim 3 days/Week NUTRITION Keep up with portion control! LIFE Finish Reading Dune!

Hi Everybody! I have been extremely lazy and gaining a lot of mass in my desk job. Back to work! To counter act this and reclaim the jeans -- size 14 baby, I shall do the following for the next 3 weeks as a start: Fit: Workout Every day Swim! Bright and Early at least 3x per week -- if stormy Row on the machine Good morning Strength Train at least 3x per week No VRV or Netflix until Strength Training is done Yoga at least 3x per week Must do Yoga before phone call with SO Walk 10,000 steps at least 3x per week No Internet browsing until steps are made Nutrition: Reduce Liquid Calories... again Black Coffee or just a bit of cream Drink More Tea La Croix instead of Mountain Dew or Coke Cola Maybe don't drink a beer or two everyday No beer/wine before life quest is done at the very least Life: Clean my apartment Sunday --> Meal Prep Monday --> Laundry Tuesday --> Kitchen Wednesday --> Vacuum Thursday --> Bathroom Friday --> Car Saturday --> Groceries Daily --> litter box & Dishes BONUS! Cook 80% of meals at home Savings from eating in go towards roof rack for my car Woo! Tracking

5/21/2018 to 5/27/2018 Meal Plan Breakfast --> Greek Yogurt & Granola or Bagel & Bacon Breakfast Sammich with fruit & Coffee or Hotel Fodder (going to MegaCon this weekend) Lunch --> Buffalo Chicken Salad Sammich with Cukes, Grape Tomatoes and Chips + La Croix; Playing by ear for the con Dinner --> Hot Honey Salmon with zucchini & tomatoes, Coffee Rubbed Pork Loin with broccoli & potatoes, Salmon & Tuna Poke; not sure what we will do yet for the Con Snacks --> Fruit, Chips & Guac, Tomatoes, Popcorn

Challenge May 21 - July 1 --> The Quest for the Shrinking Jeans Part II (Link to Part 1: Goals For Success! Bite My Tail -- at least 30 minutes of yoga each day 2.5+ Dexterity Eat Happy -- Create a meal plan that I will follow each week 2.5+ Constitution Drink Water -- Drink water through the day 2.5+ Constitution In the Beginning: Stats Current Jean Size --> 16 American Relaxed Fit Bootcut Height --> 5'7" Weight --> 233 lbs Neck --> 16" Chest, over --> 47" Chest, under --> 41" Waist, natural --> 45.5" Waist fitted --> 45" Hip --> 49" Left Thigh --> 28"' Right Thigh --> 30" Left Calf --> 16.5" Right Calf --> 17" Left Upper Arm --> 16" Right Upper Arm --> 15.5 Left Forearm --> 12" Right Forearm --> 12" Left Wrist --> 7.5" Right Wrist --> 7.5" Progress Report To Come

Fairy Tail Workout Game *"Aye Aye Sir" -- 10 Rows *"I'm fired up!" -- 10 Elevated Pushups *"Wooow!" -- 20 second side plank *Grey Strips -- 10 Body weight Squat *Erza requips -- 30 second Farmer Carry *Lucy Cries/Whines -- 5 Assisted Lunge *A heroic pose -- 20 second Wall squat *"That's ___ for ya." -- 10 Wall slide *"Are all Fairy Tail Wizards like this?" -- 30 second Plank *"Dragon Slayer ____ !" -- 5 Inch worms

GOALS! Move More | Eat Better Quality | Spend Less Money | Clean My Space | Drink More Water 6:30 am 16 oz H2O + Yoga + Make Breakfast + 16 oz H2O & YouTube or News 8 am 16 oz H2O + 2000 steps 9 am Coffee + 250 steps 10 am 16 oz H2O + 2000 steps 11 am 16 oz H2O + 250 steps + Eat Lunch 12 pm 8 oz H2O + 250 steps 1 pm 8 oz H2O+ 250 steps 2 pm 16 oz H2O + 2000 steps 3 pm 8 oz H2O + 250 steps 4 pm 16 oz H2O + swimmers mile 5 pm 8 oz H2O + Clean 6 pm 250 Steps + 16 oz H2O + Make Dinner 7 pm 8 oz H2O + 250 steps 8 pm 16 oz H2O + watch TV + Strength train Watching Fairy Tail at the Moment: Fairy Tail Workout Game *"Aye Aye Sir" -- 10 Rows *"I'm fired up!" -- 10 Elevated Pushups *"Wooow!" -- 20 second side plank *Grey Strips -- 10 Body weight Squat *Erza requips -- 30 second Farmer Carry *Lucy Cries/Whines -- 5 Assisted Lunge *A heroic pose -- 20 second Wall squat *"That's ___ for ya." -- 10 Wall slide *"Are all Fairy Tail Wizards like this?" -- 30 second Plank *"Dragon Slayer Secret Art!" -- 5 Inch worms

Chamomile tea? :-)

New Month New Challenge. If you need inspiration, why not look to the femme fatales of Gotham? Part I 2 Servings of Veggies with each meal Part II Workout Every Morning --> Strength Train or Yoga 20 - 30 minutes Part III Read or Journal Before Bed

Yesterday Today *cries about hating FL* Ok, now that that is over, lets talk about how I am a badass for sticking with swimming today despite not wanting to (shut up dark side of brain, I know it's not that special). Another Broken Swimmer's Mile 400 freestyle 4 x 100 kick of each stroke 400 freestyle 4 x 100 kick of each stroke 50 breath hold + freestyle (I can at least get half way across the pool on a breath... still very out of practice) Total 1650 m I did not work out yesterday -- at least not a dedicated workout. I was walking across and crouching through 11 or so pocket wetlands on a ranch that will partially become a solar farm. This trip was confirming that the project will not impact the naturally occurring wetlands, between where the panels are planned to go.

omg, Stegastoma tickles! *squee!!!*

I work in permitting in regards to our Environmental Resources right now (don't get excited, as it is usually more heartbreaking than endearing at the moment). Always looking for the research ops, and always happy to chat science when anyone is interested. If you are in Monterrey, have you looked at any volunteer ops at the aquarium? Or sometimes colleges seek volunteers for certain types of research.

Sounds like you need a training montage

No diving today unfortunately. I was attending an Artificial Reef workshop in FL and the venue had a manatee viewing area where all of the critters were congregating. Good vis today, and we also now know where all the best reefs are from each county touting their organism monitoring reports.

Mmm... I do have abs, and they are on fire. Forgot how much swimming works the core. Today I only did a broken swimmer's mile, as a way to break back in. Took around 40 minutes, I think. There were no clocks to check the time. Was not feeling the swim at all, kinda feeling blah after leaving the office, but the pool is right next door, the day was freaking gorgeous, I had all my gear in my car, and I have been intending to get back into swimming since the middle of Jan. so there were to be no excuses!! Swimming is a magical endorphin inducing drug... and is also painful. Workout: 4 x 250 free style 250 -- 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 50 Butterfly 250 free style 150 mixed strokes for fun and cool down Total 1650 m Also the first time swimming meters rather than yards and swimming laps at an outside pool -- we had wind sheer, so that was interesting.

Another fish friend to follow! I would love to see this every day, but I will settle for the manatees, tarpon, barracuda, snook, amber jack, and one very lost eagle ray that I got to observe today.

Herro! Glad to have you scouting for this challenge

Herro! *waves enthusiastically*

Week 4 3/5 - 3/11