Hello,

I was searching the Internet yet again for some way to get my picky self to eat more vegetables and other healthy foods and found your post from years ago:

"Picky Eater Considering Paleo

By elinox, December 15, 2014 in Paleo/Primal"

As I was scrolling through, I realized that I'd responded to that message too! It made me wonder how you were doing with your eating habits. I was pleasantly surprised to see you still here! I only show up about once per year. :-/ I announce my plan and never make it a day. :-P

Anyway, I just wanted to say, "You are doing great! Keep it up!"

Peace

Hi! It's been years since I've attempted a challenge. I'm fatter and slower. I need to get back to where I was a few years ago. 

I will clean out my fridge by Monday. (I'm going away for the weekend).

I will eat at least 2 servings of vegetables everyday for the first week adding 1 serving each week.

I will get up at 7am so I can run twice during the week.

Yay! Riverview is my home-town!  :-) I'm over is NS now.

Still here. Eco Endurance Challenge occupies most things I do these days.  I really want to do well. 

I've also been drywalling and taping and mudding.  I should not be allowed to mud.  I am not good at it. A drywaller would laugh and cry if they saw the way I mudded.

I turn 40 on Tuesday.  I wish that I could say that I was really coming into myself. I wish that the path was clearer.  I wish... anyway... 

Physical:

I will continue to run 2-3 per week at least 3km each time.  Working towards an consistent average pace of 5:30/km. - I've been running as I should.  I haven't been working so much on speed.  I've been running in hiking shoes and backpack getting ready for the Endurance Challenge next week.

I will continue doing the squat and plank programs on my phone 2-3 times per week - I've done squat in this category.

I will complete 100km by April 23.  I'm currently at 69km. - Done!

I will continue to orienteer, hike, and trail run in preparation for an upcoming EcoChallenge in early May. - I hiked 10k with my friend last weekend. Going to try an advanced level orienteering course on Saturday.

Sustenance:

I will eat fruits and vegetables with at least 2 meals/snacks per day - Not really

I will eat protein with with at least 2 meals/snacks per day - Not really

I will drink at least 5 cups of water per day - Not quite

Mental/Emotional:

I will write in my journal at least 5 times per week. - I wrote about 10 pages the other day. Does that count? 

I will spend time outside everyday - Yeah ok.

Financially:

I will earn money this month - No job, no interview.  Technically I worked... for my husband.  Have to wait to get paid. 

I will follow the budget - What budget? What money?  Went down down down further into debt this week. 

 

Framing and drywalling?  That sounds like a full time job.  Are you remodeling?  Or building something new?

Well.... we bought this place 6 years ago (to tear down and build new) and for 6 years I've wondered when the second floor was going to collapse. So, I built a secondary wall next to the original wall to secure it. Also, 2 years ago we turned a useless little room into the bathroom and until a month ago, it was open to the livingroom (only a towel blocked the view.)  Drywall was definitely due. The livingroom has an useless old chimney so I built a bump out around it a bit wider than the tv so it looks a little more stylish and it provides more support for the second floor. By the time I'm done with this house, I'll almost not want to tear it down.  haha

Thanks Tanktimus!  I keep thinking about updating, but I haven't until now. 

This week I was tired and getting down about no job bites. It was cold and cloudy. My father came to help me frame and drywall so that's what I've been doing for the last 4 days. My husband has been working 9am-2am the last several days as well.  Blah. 

Physical:

I will continue to run 2-3 per week at least 3km each time.  Working towards an consistent average pace of 5:30/km. - I ran 3 times this week about 3k each time. 

I will continue doing the squat and plank programs on my phone 2-3 times per week - I still haven't done this.  Crazy.

I will complete 100km by April 23.  I'm currently at 69km. - Just over 9km left for the next week.  Do-able.

I will continue to orienteer, hike, and trail run in preparation for an upcoming EcoChallenge in early May. - I orienteered yesterday. I bought new hiking boots today.  I don't know if I'll keep them as I was getting a cramp in one of my feet at the store, but I wanted to give them a chance (indoors).  

Sustenance:

I will eat fruits and vegetables with at least 2 meals/snacks per day - Ummm.... what are vegetables?

I will eat protein with with at least 2 meals/snacks per day - Ummm... yeah....

I will drink at least 5 cups of water per day - We're out of water again.  I need to get more this evening. Now....

Mental/Emotional:

I will write in my journal at least 5 times per week. - 3 times  

I will spend time outside everyday - Ummmm... ok I really need to get back to my charting.  This week was a bit of a blur.   

Financially:

I will earn money this month - Still nothing. :-(((((((((((

I will follow the budget - Yeah ok

Hi!  So... I spent 3 days at a hotel, so I swam more than I normally would and ate worse than normal.

Physical:

I will continue to run 2-3 per week at least 3km each time.  Working towards an consistent average pace of 5:30/km. - I ran 3 times this week about 2k each time.

I will continue doing the squat and plank programs on my phone 2-3 times per week - I haven't done this much this week

I will complete 100km by April 23.  I'm currently at 69km. - On track

I will continue to orienteer, hike, and trail run in preparation for an upcoming EcoChallenge in early May. - today's event was postponed until next week

Sustenance:

I will eat fruits and vegetables with at least 2 meals/snacks per day - Started off ok, but went downhill midweek

I will eat protein with with at least 2 meals/snacks per day - Started off ok, but went downhill midweek

I will drink at least 5 cups of water per day - Started off ok, but ran out of drinking water and the car broke down on the way to the spring so was short on water for a day.

Mental/Emotional:

I will write in my journal at least 5 times per week. - I've done well with this.  

I will spend time outside everyday - I did ok with this.  

Financially:

I will earn money this month - Not yet. I redid my resume so it would go through applicant tracking software smoothly. Hopeful for an interview soon.

I will follow the budget - What budget? What money?  Went down down down further into debt this week. 

I started doing affirmations as well.  We'll see how this helps over time. So far, my mood has lightened. 

On 3/30/2016 at 8:45 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Those look like good goals.

Thanks!

On 3/31/2016 at 11:54 AM, suzyQlou said:

Now I'm REALLY impressed with your yearly improvement.  Way to go!

Thanks!  *blush*

7 minutes ago, obax said:

What is an EcoChallenge? 

I can only find the one I'm going to do, but I know there must be more out there.  This is what ours says, " The E2C is a hybrid of classical orienteering, ultra-distance running and the navigational training practices of Search and Rescue Emergency Responders. There is also a mountain bike option for teams who want an extra challenge! Good physical conditioning is necessary to push one through the tough terrain, but accurate navigation skills are key to finding controls and minimizing the distance traveled. The 24 hour challenge is mentally exhausting as team members must always be aware of their surroundings. Teams of two or more have a fixed time (7, 8 or 24 hours) to visit as many of the 60 checkpoints as possible. The winner of the event is the team that obtains the highest point total within the specified time, or is the fastest to return to the start after visiting all the markers on the course."

Ok, I'm nervous again.  My partner hasn't made it out to many orienteering events, so the navigation will be up to me for the most part. We are signed up for the recreational category for 8 hours.  I have no interest in the 24 hour category!  I just hope that we don't meet any wild animals. 

I think you should Google your state or city with the word orienteering and just go to an event.  It's a great way to gain outdoorsy friends!  Watch some Youtube videos on orienteering, sign up for a beginners event and get out there!  I find it a lot more fun than just running.  There is map-reading and strategy involved. 

I must say, I'm a little nervous about subscribing to this thread...

Ok here it is!

Challenge 13:

Physical:

I will continue to run 2-3 per week at least 3km each time.  Working towards an consistent average pace of 5:30/km. 

I will continue doing the squat and plank programs on my phone 2-3 times per week

I will complete 100km by April 23.  I'm currently at 69km. 

I will continue to orienteer, hike, and trail run in preparation for an upcoming EcoChallenge in early May. 

Sustenance:

I will eat fruits and vegetables with at least 2 meals/snacks per day

I will eat protein with with at least 2 meals/snacks per day

I will drink at least 5 cups of water per day

Mental/Emotional:

I will write in my journal at least 5 times per week. 

I will spend time outside everyday

Financially:

I will earn money this month

I will follow the budget 

You're an Assassin now!? I hope I didn't do anything to offend you.  

The official results are in! (and it's what I thought.) 

I came 197 out of 270 people of all ages. I was about 14th place in my age category of 35-49. 

Beep test Level 7.5

Vertical jump 13.5 inches

Plank 180 seconds 

Agility 5.84 seconds

1000m Row 4.15 minutes.seconds 

Hello!  Nice to see all of you again!  

Yesterday morning, I went for a 3km jog and did my usual squat and plank workout. But, I think that used up the tiny bit of reserves that I had built up since the challenge on Saturday. I was wiped out for the rest of the day.  I rested in bed for large chunks of the day (which is EXTREMELY unusual for me). I'm still feeling drained.  I need to sit down and plan my food intake for the next few days to get my energy back. 

On 3/29/2016 at 0:33 AM, obax said:

You are the first person I have ever met who feels melancholy after working out. I was starting to think I was crazy that this is how I often feel after runs (strength related things much less so, and less often).

 

Just out of curiosity, was this a test you did for a particular reason, or just for your own challenge/knowledge?

Yeah, I think the first time I remember feeling melancholy after a race was last June.  I think that I use up so much energy that everything is off for a few days.  Obviously, I don't eat well enough on a day-to-day basis.  I wonder how much of it is caused by the anticipation of the event and then have a let down that it's over.  It has to be some combination of those things.  When it happened last June, I went to do intervals a couple of days after (to snap myself out of the melancholy) but over did it which I didn't understand until after the fact.  I ended up with shin-splints unable to run for the next month, which didn't help my mood.  

This challenge is an annual fundraiser for Canada's Olympians (and hopefuls). I've been able to do it through a running club here for the last two years. I like having something to work towards. 

53 minutes ago, suzyQlou said:

Good to see you!  Saturday's challenge looks cool.  I gotta ask, though.  What the heck is a beep test?

Hi again!  Beep test aka Shuttle run aka Multi-stage fitness test.  Everybody lines up at a line and jogs to the line 20 m away and back again.  You can't leave a line until you hear the beep. "Beep Level 1-1" after 8.47 seconds you should be at the other line "Beep Level 1-2" Levels last several laps starting at 8 laps and going up. Each level goes a bit faster.  So, I would have done 57 laps of 20m each by the time I was out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-stage_fitness_test

I'll be back a bit later to get my goals posted.  

"Just keep swimming" 

What are " butt things"? 

I was just reading several articles from this website and came across this and thought about you:  http://dosomethingcool.net/when-feel-giving-up/

I'm back.  I haven't done the Nerd Fitness challenges so far in 2016.  The 4 week challenges threw me for a loop. 

Anyway, just because I haven't been here, doesn't mean I've been sitting on my butt.  I've continued running at least 8km/week and I'd been training for a challenge that took place last Saturday.  

Vertical jump: 13.5"? I haven't received an official measurement but, I apparently jumped 100.5 and my reach was 87... I assume this to be in inches and I should just subtract.

Well, I'm still recovering from last Friday. I'm still unbalanced.  :-(  

So, on Monday, I received an email from Becoming Minimalist and was surprised to see Steve Kamb's name!  He wrote the guess article.  He spoke about simplifying diets: 

"Stop obsessively counting calories, weighing food, and loading up your brain with mental clutter. Don’t worry about cleanses and diets and supplements. Instead, stick to a few key rules:

• Eat mostly vegetables and some protein with each meal
• Minimize sugar (it’s in everything these days).
• Don’t consume liquid calories.
• Minimize processed food and carbohydrates."

Yeah, I'm really feeling the complexity of trying to track food and nutrients. Some of us nerds like charts and we need data to make charts so we over track our lives.  :-P 

Hello again!

I've been logging my food for the last few days. 

Sugar totals are as follows:

Friday: 22g (naturally occurring sugars)

Saturday: 61g

Sunday: 78g

So far today: 57g

I'm still recovering from my added-sugar-free day.  I'm going to have to revise my goals for this month because it was not a good idea to let my blood-sugar levels swing so much. I've been well under my 90g/day goal so that's good. The challenge with this is that I have to enter the food I'm thinking about eating into the database before I eat it so that I know how much sugar is in it.  It doesn't work very well to eat and then log only to find out that it put me over the limit. 

Anyway, I went for a run this morning.  Nothing exciting other than the fact that it is well above zero today and the sun keeps peeking out. 

Check in:

• Continue to run 2-3 times per week - I ran twice this week
  
• Track all food and drink in My Fitness Pal - I started yesterday
  
• Eat less than 90g of sugar per day - So far so good. See note below.
  
• Do one added-sugar-free day per week - Yesterday was my first added-sugar-free day. I consumed 22g of naturally occurring sugar. I felt hungry most of the day. I felt a little dizzy until I had a few slices of banana on sugar-free bread with sugar-free peanut butter late in the afternoon. I should mention that I'm not using sugar substitutes.
  
• Complete an unfinished project - I've thought about the project. Does that count?  :-P
  
• Get or make a job - I applied for a great paying job nearby (rarity). Not sure if it is a good fit.   I'm considering an 8 week temp job because it is a good fit, I have a high chance of getting it quickly, but it is an hour away and probably does not pay much more than minimum wage. I hate applying for jobs that might interfere with something better. 95% of the local jobs are Continuing Care Assistant positions. (No exaggeration.) Not a good fit for me. :-/
  

Thanks for your comments!

Ok here goes:

In 2016, I will:

• Participate in a triathlon (probably an indoor try-a-tri)
• Participate in a 10K race
• Quarter my sugar intake
• Run a 5K race barefoot (or minimalist shoe)
• Halve credit card debt
• Clear out my pile of unfinished projects (quilts)

In January 2016, I will:

• Continue to run 2-3 times per week
• Track all food and drink in My Fitness Pal
• Eat less than 90g of sugar per day
• Do one added-sugar-free day per week
• Complete an unfinished project
• Get or make a job

Reward: ?  

• Feel better
• Have a quilt to sell
• Earn money to fuel adventure

Hello!

I'm back.  I didn't join the last challenge, but I kept at my 2015 goal and surpassed it!!  (I aimed for 525Km and ran 560km, even though I had to stop running for a month due to overuse injury.) 

Back in December 2014, I had my goal picked out and I couldn't wait to get started January 1st, 2015.  Run 525km in 2015 (or the length of Nova Scotia).  It's the first goal that I've ever made that lasted for a year and I actually succeeded!  By the end, I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to do a long distance running goal again, but it's ridiculous to stop running when I've come so far.  I've come up with several possible goals, but none of them excite me the way they did last year.  I'm looking for that spark that says, "This is the goal and I can do it!" 

The biggest changes I need to make are related: money and food. I need to spend less money on everything including food especially fast food. I've started a kind-of meal planning strategy. I'm going to cost out the recipes. I also want to have sugar-free days.  I'm thinking something like: week 1 = 1 sugar-free day, week 2 = 2 sugar-free days, and so on. I also want to challenge myself to feed my family for a week only spending x amount of dollars. (Yes, I'm a little fuzzy on the details at this point.) I'm even tracking the electrical meter readings daily so I know how much electricity we are using.  (I'm now unemployed, so I'm very conscious of the fact that we could go bankrupt at anytime.) Goal 1, I guess, is getting a job.

Anyway, for now I'm just sticking my foot in the door of this challenge.  I'll be back with more ideas.   

Oh... HalCon is this weekend?!  I'm totally not going to make it.  I would have liked to meet John de Lancie (and Garrett Wang last year). 

Have fun!

I guess it's that time to wrap up.  

The goal for the year is to run a total of 525km.  I started off a tad behind, but now I'm a bit ahead.  Yippy!

Pushups increase by 1 each day for 3 days. The 4th day is a rest day. The 5th day repeats the last rep and continues to increase by 1 for 3 more days. Ideally, I'll get to 21 pushups by the end of the challenge.  (I reserve the right to break the amount into small chucks.)  I did pretty well for the first few weeks.  Dropped off but did 17 in a row last night just so I could say I did.

Squats increase by 5 and following a similar pattern to the pushups.  By the end, I should be able to do 155 squats (likely broken in to smaller chunks too). I did pretty well for the first few weeks.  Dropped off but did 120 in a row last night just so I could say I did.

Running: the plan is to run at least 4km twice and 5km once during a calendar week so I can get to my running goal.  I may do a 10k run during this challenge too. I did run at least 13km every week. I did run my first 10K!  

Great job!  I don't post much here, but I'm always cheering from the sidelines.  

I look forward to reading about your next challenge.

I made it!  My first 10K!  

I was planning to run with my friend the whole way, but by the 6k mark, I just couldn't keep up. I tried to keep her in my sights, though.  At the 9k mark, a lady jogged by and said, "Only 1 more kilometer."  I responded, "This is officially the farthest I've ever run."  She turned around and gave me a high 5!  I actually felt electricity through my body and got more energy for the last km. I kept up with her and just before the finish line, she turned and said, "Come on!"  I turned on the jets and finished at pretty much the same time as her.  After the finish line, I went to sit with my friend who'd finished about 20 seconds ahead of me, but I could hear the lady saying, "No no... come and get some water and banana..."  haha  She is totally awesome! 

I've run 16K in the last 3 days.  Three k on Friday. My boys had youth races on Saturday and I ended up "running" with my youngest so he'd actually participate.  I'll be taking it easy for the rest of the week.  Some tendon (or whatever) has been bugging me all week so I want to rest it and ice it. 

So, my friend and I discussed our 'plans' for next year.  At least one 10K, one mini triathlon, surfing lesson, rock climbing, rappelling...  If I can afford this, it'll be a fun summer next year!

I'm very far from 5K just being a warm up. That's what some people do.  I'm tired just thinking about it.  I'll be "running" the 10K with my friend.  For us, it's not really a race. It's a goal: make it through.  It should be a beautiful place to jog.  It goes the entire length of a lake. 

The thought of  "wearing headlamps in the pitch dark running around unfamiliar back woods." makes me cringe too. I'm just glad that we were all together.  I wouldn't want to do it by myself.  I'm too scared of wild creatures.   By the end, my 11 year old kept turning his headlamp off so he could prove how good his eyesight is.... just as good as a cat's.  Grrrr  That kid... he has to do everything his own way.  I'm surprised he's still alive.  Sigh.... Anyway, we kept playing Marco Polo to keep track of each other.   

There is a challenge that they hold most springs.  Go out into the woods and orienteer for 8 hours or 24 hours.  I want to try the 8 hour version next year. You do it in teams of at least two.  I'm excited/nervous just thinking about it!