The_Wanderer

Hello NF! Sorry I have been MIA for this first week. I completely forgot that my parents were coming to visit me this week so I've been off my updating game BUT not my Quest! Before I get into the nitty-gritty of my assessment of my last week, I just wanted to give an update on my interview. Because of the high volume of interviews, I don't know if I got the job yet. I have to call back this week to see where I stand. This kinda irks me. Not because I have to make the effort to find out if I got the job or not, but the Lady I interviewed with (potentially my employer) hardly ever answers the phone nor does she seem to be in the office most of the time. To even get the interview, I had to make several calls to this Lady before she even got back to me (after her initial and only contact she made with me at the beginning of the month). Makes me wonder what kind of business they are running. But I need a job and if this doesn't pan out then on to the next. Yay for small-market radio marketing! Now for the fun part: Week 1 Assessment: Because my parents did make an appearance at the end of this week I did have a "failed" day. I could have made a choice to eat healthier but the expectations of me eating what my parents' made/ordered were high. They did noticed I looked "smaller" than normal so they probably thought I wasn't eating enough when I actually I'm watching what a eat with trying to eat smaller portions. Continuing on with smaller portions, this is probably what I have been working on the most. I tend to mindlessly eat, especially if it's yummy food or Doritos (I LOVE NACHO CHEESE) but by watching my portion size I can focus on trying to make my smaller meals full with proteins and fats and keep the carbs low. Since my husband and I don't have the funds to go completely paleo, our fiber intake has been suffering so eating some carbs with high fiber is helping us stay healthy. With this new way of eating, I have gone to bed hungry. Instead of thinking that I need to eat and snack, I took this as "You're not eating enough proteins". When that usually happens I add another egg to my breakfast (say what you will about eggs, I love them). When I do have to snack, I picked up some yogurt and fresh veggies so I can work on my fiber. My work out has gotten a bit of a change if you want to take a peak at my first post. I originally wanted to do 30 min. a day on the elliptical but during my stamina training week, I maxed out at 20 mins. If I tried to go any further than that I got terribly sick. So I made a few changes. On the first day of the challenge I completed the 20 minutes I was able to do. Then the next day I did 21 and I continued this pattern so by Saturday, 6/14, I did 25 minutes with a 5 min. break inbetween each set of 10 min. I know my husband didn't really think the breaks inbetween were necessary but with my exercise-induced asthma, I really have to watch out that my heart rate doesn't go to high or I start having trouble breathing (it's usually triggered around 170 bpm). It's working for me so I'm going to continue with this new program. As for my side quest, this is still going strong seeing how my parents are here. I totally clean inside out before they came so I'm taking a little break while they are here and spend time with them. All work and no play, am I right? Week 1: Quest 1: 6 out of 7 days of clean eatingQuest 2: 6 out of 6 days of the EllipticalSide Quest: Hiatus PS: How do you spell check on this thing, geez...

The two things that got me through my pile (I think by this point the husband and I were 60% unpacked from the move) was 1) I started a cleaning schedule and trying to remember that's it's ok to miss a few steps or days. You can get ideas of schedules on Pinterest then make one to fit your needs. For example, we share a septic system with another apartment so I can't marathon laundry. Nor can I do anymore than one load a day EVERY OTHER DAY. It sucks but being on a schedule help because I can look and say "today is bathroom day, do towels need to be washed? No? Good I can skip washing things today. "Then 2) tackle the pile slowly. I started in a room that would be the fastest to get organized and I kept it organized so it would easy to put things away when I started another room. Then I continued on throughout the house room by room. It also help when the landlord is showing the building and you gotta make the place presentable for the realtor. Lol.

So I have been MIA for quite some time. My ankle was hurt more than I thought so I took some time off. Then my depression hit and I pretty much avoided anything that wasnt TV, Fanfiction, Plants v. Zombies, and my bed. But I'm back on the sunny side and just in time for the new challenge! Which is hilarious because I fell down the stairs again! Can't stop; won't stop! Plus I think gravity hates me, hehe But you can click on the link in my signature to check out my challenge and follow me if your interest! Thanks if you read this. It's pretty hard when you move to a new place and you really dont have any one to talk to except you significant other. I hoping now that the weather is clearer and job searching will branch me out from being a hermit. Hehe. I will try to update when I can and hopefully I will be able to keep up my new changes.

[Edit for updates! 6/16] Hello! I've been lurking on Nerd Fitness work about a month and I even started a Battle Log. Unfortunetly I fell down the stairs and hurt my ankle, which I tried to work through, but it ended up being a little to much for me. So I figured I would wait until a new challenge started so I could heal. WRONG Long story short: my depression got worse and I fell down the stairs AGAIN. This time a little more jaring. But... I did manage to keep one of my goals going during this time! So dispite everything, I gotta believe that it was still a success. (Plus I would show you my epic bruise but it's not in the most appropriate place, hehe) So as this new challenge beings, I'm going whole hog... to a point. Here it is! FIRST CHALLENGE: Main Goal: To become healthier and happier. Once I achieve 10 proper push-ups, I will achieve my Goal. Quest: 1): Clean EatingFollow 80/20 meal plan by preparing home-cooked meal and eating fresh foods (But I will not fault myself for times where I cannont avoid unhealthy choices i.e. money issues )Measurement: A= 36+ day; B= 35-29 days; C= 28-21 days; D= 20-14 days; F=13 days and less 2): Cardio ExerciseElipitcal training with a Sunday rest day. BONUS: I can only watch Parks and Recs when I'm on the elipitcal.10 min sets with a increase by one mintue a day (i.e. 10 min sets with a 5 min break.). So by the last day of the challenge I will be at 50 minutes on the machine.Measurement: A= 30+ days; B= 29-23 days; C= 22-16 days; D= 15-9 days; F= 8 days and less 3): QUEST TBA ON WEEK 4! Side Life Quest: CONTINUE ON THE CLEANING SCHEDULE! (You badass )Keep up the good work and mantain your home (but you have to start after breakfast!) I just want to make the best out of my situation and keep my depression at bay. I have a job interveiw next Wednesday, so I'm hoping that this program will keep me focused and energized for, poteintionally, my new job. In the mean time starting tomorrow, I will work on my stamina on the eliptical starting at 5 min so I can be at 30 minutes at the start of the challenge. Here goes... See you on the 8th

[Lol, while writing, safari reloaded and I lost everything. Whoops ] Friday 5/8 Exercise - So... I believe I hyperextended my ankle. While I can walk and stand, I really can't do anything else; Lean, put weight on the ball, or sharp movements. Right now, it's a consistent dull pain so I'l be popping another pill tonight. With my injury I obviously modified my workout. I took out Squats, Lunges, and Jumping Jacks and focused on Push-ups, Rows and Planks adding longer rests inbetween for recovery: Squats: X Push-ups: 45 Lunges: X Rows: 40 Plank: 55 seconds Jumping Jacks: X Food: Breakfast: Oops, I think I forgot to eat this morning... Lunch: Hotdogs with BACON (Finished the hotdogs! Now to buy some better quality meat) Dinner: Paleo Pork Tenderloin with Apples Pinterest I beginning to start hitting the wall with cooking. We're entering into the second half of the pay week which normally means we're living with very little. While I have an assortment of protein, I'm losing ideas of what to make with what little of the other ingredients we have. This is when I start to cook crap meals just to have something to eat. While I love eating Paleo it is pricey and it sucks up our food budget. This just means I need to find a job faster so we can start have more to budget for food. And save! I believe starting next week, I will add oatmeal to my breakfast. I know its not paleo but I believe I need to balance my diet a little more untill I have the funds to go completely Paleo. I need to research more of how to balance my diet.

Thursday 5/7 Rest Day Food: Breaskfast: Apple. Not much but I was still full from dinner the night before. Lunch: Hotdogs again. I have to finish those off before they go bad. Dinner: Not-So Paleo Crock Pot Chuck Roast (Pinterest) While I followed the recipe, I add potatoes for the Hubby and his friend. Won't get a check for making a paleo meal but I'm happy im cooking Fun Fact: While walking down the stairs to the basement, I got distracted, ended up missing the last two steps and took a tumble. I don't think I sprained my ankle, I'm still able to stand and walk, but I can't walk up and down the stairs. This is a bummer since the bathroom is upstairs and the washer/dryer are in the basement. Yay... So for tomorrow I will be skipping squats, lunges and jumping jacks if my ankle is still sore. Probably give more focus to the others excersises with long rest inbetween. So with my foot elevated and a couple of ibuprofen before bed, I'm done with today....

Wednesday 5/6 My thighs are burning! I guess I'm doing something right if I can't even walk up and down the stairs. One more day of rest then I'll do it all over again on Friday. Thank you for the welcome Sloth-Like! Rest Day Food: Breakfast: Half of a Strawberry Protein Shake. Tasted awful even when I watered it down. I think I prefer the Special K shakes better unfortunately it's too expensive for such a little amount. Lunch: 3 hotdogs with bread slices and dill relish. Again one of the foods I had in my fridge already that needed to be eaten. Tastier than the protein shake. Dinner: One-Pan Paleo Chicken, Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans (Pinterest) I was going to show you my Goal/Quest board but I really dont know how to upload pictures. Hehe. But this is how it looks likes: "My Goals for this Week: ~Walk for 10 mins ~Make 1 Paleo Meal/day ~Beginner Body Workout 2x/week (Tuesday & Friday) My Quest for the Day: ~Apply to at least one job " Basically my Goals are long term while my quests are short term. It's very visual and the wording really helps my motivation stays in check. Plus they're listed on my whiteboard on my fridge. Cant miss it and I check off things as I go. See you again at dusk.

Monday 5/4: Rest Day Breakfast: 1 egg, ham slice and a strip of BACON Lunch: Paleo meatloaf leftovers (courtesy of DrMobius yummy recipe) with Bird's Eye Wild Rice & Mixed Veggies Dinner: Chicken & Spinach (courtesy of a fellow rebel but I can't find his name) with Bird's Eye Corn & Green Beans Tuesday 5/5: Happy Cinco de Mayo! Did you know that today is actually the celebration of the victory of The Battle of Puebla? So if you're drinking for Independance, you're months early. That day is Sept. 16 Exercise - Beginner Body Workout. 20 squats 25 inclined push-ups 20 lunges 20 dumbell rows 30 sec. plank 30 jumping jack These are the totals of the entire session. Most of the numbers doubled from my original strength test I took on 4/30 except the jumping jacks. I started to get sick so I had to stop. Fun Fact: I took an unplanned nap after I worked out because I had to lay down to settle my stomach. This is the second time I felt sick after a workout. It's not a fun way to end a workout, but iI did manage to strech once I woke up. Food- Breakfast: None because I fell asleepafter my workout Lunch: Ramen (Not the healthiest choice but I need to clean out my pantry of unhelthy stuff first so I'm not tempted later on) Dinner: Tuscan Pork (recipe) This is my 3rd day cooking and I must say that I'm impressed of how well everything is turning out. I'm more of a baker than a cooker. Im not quite ready to throw stuff in a pot yet but I'm confidant I'll get there. Tomorrow, I'll show you guys my Goal/Quest board! I've never really interacted on a forum before so I'm still learning all the ways. Yay for searching for my coding book from college! See you again at dusk.

After learning more about Nerd Fitness and playing around on some of the other forums, I've decided to bite the bullet and start a Battle Log. I started this journey last week and you can read my reason why here. But let me give you more info of who The_Wanderer really is: I am a 26 year old human; specifically a roaming Spartan warrior hailing from Michigan State University but in the 3 years since graduation I have tremdously lost a lot of what I am passionate about. During my time learning I was at my healthiest at 135lbs with my asthma in check and just a touch of imbalances in my blood which was fixed very easily. Now I'm weighing in at 149* with my exercise-induced asthma back in full force and a developing unhealthy practice of eating. (*that weigh-in was back in March at the doctors.) I don't want to even begin to think about what will happen if I don't start to change. I've been greatly inspired by the first 5 emails that Steve sends you when you initially sign up and I really want to begin that journey. So here is the change: I strive to become a Spartan Ranger/Zombie Slayer (I know that second one isn't part of the guilds but, damn it, when the apocalypse comes and Zombies start to rise I'll be right there standing next to Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon). Until a new quest begins, I'll be slowly working on basic training so I can build strength in my lungs. And with this path in front of me set, I begin the journey into the wood. Most would think only a fool would enter off the main path but the reason is as simple this: sometimes the journey without direction is far more rewarding then traveling the same path as many before. Maybe even better than the destination it self.

Thanks everyone! I know it's strange to be closed off of seafood but it's an aversion I had since I was little and yes, Raincloak, it's mostly the smell of the fish but also I'm very sensitive to the taste as well. My husband has a "rule of the boat": if you catch it, you have to try it and because I'm pretty much an oxymoron who loves the activity of fishing, I get lovingly served a bit of filet. So far I haven't had a fish that has turned me yet. thanks for the recipe and the suggestions!

Seriously, if I was stranded on an island, I'd still have to be pretty desperate to eat a fish/crustacean. As I'm reading up on Paleo, everything intrigues me and I'm really excited to go grocery shopping EXCEPT the seafood. Does anyone have suggestion of how to balance a diet with just red and white meat as I begin transitioning? Or has a super, amazing recipe where I don't even realize I'm eating seafood. Because that would make my husband, an avid fisherman, really excited to have his wife partake in his favorite food. Thanks!

Just married, starting a family with a couple of fur babies, getting noticed by your awesome bosses at your awesome Texas radio station job, then... BAM! The same day I get promoted is the day my husband gets the job he's been waiting for since leaving the military... In Pennsylvannia... When life hands you lemons, I am right? We had our first real-life, grown up talk that day (on Valentine's Day, 😓) and as much as we hated to admit it, both of our life changing job opportunities were something we couldn't pass up. He had to move to PA and I had to stay in TX. I gave my bosses a "1-year garantee" that I would stay and do the job. My husband moved and I began life as a geographically separated wife with 2 dogs and a cat to take care of and living on my own for the first time. Nothing would had prepared me for what challenges I would face. To make the year long story short, this is what happened in a nutshell: Dove in head first into my job Realizing that I had no real support system in this game changer Lost confidence in myself Ultimately became depressed I lost the trust of my bosses Finally hitting rock bottom by using food as a reward/punishment Quit my job after 11 months and moved to PA a month early with no real plan on what I'm doing. So here I am, one month in living in PA, no job, no confidence and absolutely no motivation left in me to even do the simplest things. But... You can always hit restart So here I am, looking to restart. So for months I had Nerd Fitness open on my iPad of how to do a push up. It was always opened just like I was always going to start one day. Never looked past to the vast awesomeness that lurked behind that blog post. Till 4 days ago... I decided to join the rebellion because I need similar, like minded people to tell me I matter. That I can get healthy again. That I can be happy with my new life, even if it doesn't go according to what I dreamed of. My husband told me once the best time he ever knew me was back to the first summer were engaged. I was happy, I had just graduated and I was living my life the way I wanted too. I want to be that happy again. I just gotta restart somewhere.