saturnreturn

My challenge summary - also updated my intro post to include the below. THE ROAD SO FAR (FIRST 3 WEEKS) Quest 1a: Practice MuTu program 4 days a week for first 3 weeks Measurement 1a: A = 4 days; B = 3 days; C = 2 days Reward 1st 3 Weeks: 2 STR The Road So Far: 0 MuTu; However, in the 3rd week of the challenge, I began C25K week 1 (completed 1st 2 days), and practiced yoga 1x. Reward Attained: 1 STR Quest 2a: Go for one 30-minute walk each day Measurement: A = 7 days; B = 5-6 days; C = 3-4 days Reward 1st 3 Weeks: 1 DEX 1 STA 1 CON The Road So Far: So, I managed to walk at least 24 minutes total, at least 5 days a week. But I realized, my goal had specifically stated "ONE 30-minute walk each day" and I just am not fitting that in, especially if I go running or to yoga. Still, I am walking way more than I used to, and I think that should count for something - also, I can tell my endurance has improved drastically, just with all the walking I've been doing. Week 1 of C25K didn't faze me in the least, even though it's been more than 2 years since I've attempted it. Reward Attained: 1 DEX 1 STA 1 CON Quest 3a: Cut caffeinated drinks (with the exception of tea) out of my diet by the end of the challenge Measurement: A =< 10 w1, 8 w2, 6 w3, 4 w4, 2 w5, 0 w6 B =< 12 w1, 10 w2, 8 w3, 6 w4, 4 w5, 2 w6 C =< 14 w1, 12 w2, 10 w3, 8 w4, 6 w5, 4 w6 Reward 1st 3 Weeks: 1 CHA 1 CON The Road So Far: Nailing this. I can't recall the last time I ordered a soda when we dine out, and we ran out of soda at home about a week ago, so I haven't been tempted there either. I haven't found a chocolate-coffee/mocha K-cup I enjoy, so I don't make coffee at work anymore, and we're broke, so I haven't been buying from the Starbucks across the street. Reward Attained: 1 CHA 1 CON CARRY ON...(THE NEXT 3 WEEKS) Quest 1b: Practice MuTu program 5 days a week for second 3 weeks Continue with C25K 3x week, and yoga 1x per week. Bonus points if I get around to adding in MuTu Measurement 1b: A = 3 c25k/1 yoga days; B = 2/1 days; C = 2/0 days Reward Upon Completion: 0.5 STR 1 DEX Progress: Week 4 - WED C25K FRI C25K SUN C25K YOGA Week 5 - WED C25K FRI C25K SUN C25K YOGA Week 6 - WED C25K FRI C25K SUN C25K YOGA Quest 2b: Go for one 30-minute walk each day Walk at least 210 minutes each week (this I think will be much more attainable, not in a "let me put it all off until the weekend and then walk for several hours" sort of way, but in a, hey, I always get in at least 24 minute (roundtrip to and from my bus and train) during the week, let's beef up the walking on the weekends) Measurement: A = 189 minutes; B = 168 minutes; C = 147 minutes Reward Upon Completion: 1 STA Progress: Week 4 - 96/210 Week 5 - xx/210 Week 6 - xx/210 Quest 3b: Cut caffeinated drinks (with the exception of tea) out of my diet by the end of the challenge Measurement: A =< 10 w1, 8 w2, 6 w3, 4 w4, 2 w5, 0 w6 B =< 12 w1, 10 w2, 8 w3, 6 w4, 4 w5, 2 w6 C =< 14 w1, 12 w2, 10 w3, 8 w4, 6 w5, 4 w6 Reward Upon Completion: 1 CHA 0.5 CON Progress: Week 4 - 0/4 Week 5 - xx/2 Week 6 - NONE Life Quest: Complete at least 60% of my To Do list each day/week Measurement: A = 60% completed; B = 50% completed; C = 40% completed Reward 1st 3 Weeks: 3 WIS (ATTAINED) Reward Upon Completion: 1 WIS

So my challenge has taken an unexpected turn. I am walking pretty much every day. I've cut caffeine almost completely. I am accomplishing my "To Do's" on a weekly basis. I have not done a single round of MuTu. Last week, though, I started C25K with my BFF. Last week, I also started a weekly yoga practice. And for the past week or two, I've been slowly developing and maintaining healthier eating habits. I'm sort of in the camp of doing what speaks to me at any given time, which isn't always great for consistency, and is a wonderful excuse to procrastinate ("I just am NOT feeling my MuTu today..."). What's been quietly whispering to me over the past couple of weeks is run...run...and yoga...yoga...so instead of resisting that AND not doing my MuTu, I'm embracing it, and will alter my goals and award points accordingly. Here's to maintaining the momentum and finishing strong!

Hi Momazon (love that name!). How are you doing, progressing through your challenge? I would love to get into cosplaying...it's on my list!

Hey there, NerdyPudding! How's your challenge coming along so far?

Increasing veggies is great, but don't be afraid to round out meals with nice lean proteins! I haven't reacquainted myself with the NF blog since it's been all revamped and made professional-like, but I know Steve used to have a ton of food blogs from which you could draw inspiration, and you can always hit up the forums for more suggestions! Keep up the good work, and don't forget that you don't have to accomplish everything everyday!

Hey there, Ember! It seems like you already have a fantastic foundation, and are just looking to continue making progress with your existing momentum! Your goals look great! How are you progressing through your challenge so far?

Hey there, Nyiss! Better late than never - how's everything going so far?

Hi kbowden! You've got some great goals up there! How's everything going for you as we reach the end of the first week?

Hey there, parknado! Love that username You have a ton of goals wrapped up in your main 2! If you find yourself trending towards some over others, don't be afraid to tweak them to accommodate the shift. That being said, how's everything going so far?

Hey tenepatriot! How's your challenge going so far? Your goals look really great - you can do this!

Hey Adam! How's your challenge going so far? We're almost done the first week!

Hi LinaDee! I hope you'll share new ink with us! I love me some colorful chicks! (...in the...ooOOoo I wanna do THAT next sort of sense...) How's your challenge been going?

Hi Queen Coffee! How are you doing so far? I would staunchly disagree that college moves faster than the adult world, but I think it probably just depends on your situation! For me, time goes by a little faster with each passing year.It's great that you're focusing on building good habits now, so that in the future if things do get crazy again, you've already got a solid foundation!

Hey there, moonfire! Grats on the baby I had a little girl last August; I was a wreck leading up to her first birthday last month, but then when it was actually upon us, I realized I was so proud of her and couldn't be happier. How's your challenge coming along? If the DVD you ordered is so intimidating, could you try something a little lighter, perhaps a video online? I would hate for you to psyche yourself out!

GoldLynx, I love your avatar! Is it from anything in particular? How is your challenge going so far? What changes are you making to help you achieve your weight loss goal? How do you plan to increase your running speed? What's the subject of the fitness class you're taking (aerobics, martial arts, circuit training, etc?).

Hi ShortyCake! How's everything going so far? Days one and two are looking good!

Hey there, AndrewO! How's your challenge coming so far? Have you read about Joe? Your story made me think of him, particularly the traveling-a lot and eating-out bits. Check him out, if you get the chance. So much this. If you stash some meals away in your freezer, the night you get home you can just zap something in the microwave (or simmer over the stove) and take time to deliberately make a shopping list for the following day. I haven't quite gotten around to doing this, but I have a roommate who cooks for us on average 4 days a week, and even just having the leftovers to zap on days when she's not around makes life So. Much. Easier. How's your challenge going so far?

We all have to start somewhere, right? And something along the lines of...it's not where you start, that matters, just so long as you START. How's your challenge coming so far?

I think this is really, really important to remember...I'm actually going to go back and re-adjust my measurement system to accommodate 90% completion being an A, instead of just 100%, 80% a B, and so on and so forth. I think as long as you aren't pushing yourself to the point where working out is counterproductive, so long as it's making you feel better, go for it! You've got great momentum heading into the weekend - keep it up!

I'm sort of trying to keep an eye out for people who haven't been active in a couple days, just in case they need a little extra support, or are feeling a little left out. I know how lonely it feels when some threads are a-hoppin' and others are not, so I kind of made it my personal responsibility to remind people they aren't alone, because I know that's what helps me out when I just feel like it isn't worth it... Anyway, you're doing great! I cannot imagine doing the Whole30, so I really admire you for even attempting it! It's something I'd really like to do, in theory...one day, perhaps. And I'll start chanting along with Ski: do that yoga! Do that yoga! Do that yoga!

Bouldering sounds like SO much fun. There was an outdoor course at my college, and I went a couple of times, but back then I was painfully shy and very socially anxious, and the friends I was making my freshman year weren't interested in going, and I didn't really want to go by myself, so...I do know we have a couple places in my area...maybe when I finally force my cable and data plan providers to restructure our contracts, I'll put the extra money towards that? I don't know...with a kid, the list of things I want to do increased, like, tenfold. I'm starting to understand that maybe I can have it all, just not all at once... Also, I think it's great that you're not pigeon-holing yourself into just one activity. Not that that's a bad thing, but I know I thrive when I switch it up and keep things interesting. Musings aside, it looks like you've got some great momentum heading into the weekend!

Wednesday: Did no MuTu. No credit. Walked 24 minutes. Had 1 soda. Full credit. Thursday: Did no MuTu. No credit. Walked 30 minutes. Full credit. Had no caffeine. Full credit. Friday: Did no MuTu. No credit. Walked 30 minutes. Full credit. Had 1 soda. Full credit. I think, like many others, I wake up and go to work with the best of intentions to workout after the baby goes to bed in the evenings - even looking forward to it, totally motivated...and then just get caught up watching Netflix with my husband, relishing the downtime after cooking dinner. I know I would accomplish more if I completed my workout in the mornings...but they are so early and hectic as is, I just can't imagine adding to the chaos. Additionally, I need to devise a better way of tracking my To Do list...I think I mentioned previously that I have numerous lists floating around, and since all of my objectives aren't collected onto one Master List, I really have no way of accurately tracking what percentage of goals I've completed at any given time. I'm thinking maybe I'll update my initial post with This Week's Objectives or something like that...

I agree wholeheartedly, with it being very easy to expect way too much way too early. Thanks for the encouragement! Eventually I want to apply to an accelerated nursing program. I already have a bachelor's and a master's, so I neither want nor really need to do another four years fulltime for an undergraduate nursing degree. But I graduated in 2007, and most of the accelerated nursing programs I've been researching say the science prereqs must have been taken within the past 5 years, so mine don't count. I know Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology, all with labs, tend to be prereqs, as well as a Nutrition course, Statistics, and sometimes Psychology. I just missed the deadline for fall enrollment, so I have a bit of time to figure out which course I want to start with in the spring. Thanks! MuTu is a holistic program to help heal your core after pregnancy. I believe I gained exactly as much weight as I needed, even though it was a lot. I didn't overeat - I ate when I was hungry - and I had a fairly large baby, a ton of amniotic fluid, and swelled up like crazy, so a lot of water retention. Being short-torso'd didn't help at all - I carried entirely in the front (even at 9 months, it was hard to tell I was pregnant from behind) and my little girl situated herself so that she was laying basically perpendicular to my body, causing her to "torpedo" against my tummy. I'm told diastasis recti happens to ALL women during pregnancy, it's just that those who have a stronger, healthier core tend to bounce back and heal better post-pregnancy, which I guess is why it doesn't get much press?

Hey jlud! How's your challenge coming? Have you been able to break down your goals and measurements, or would you like some help brainstorming?

Hey there melsuarez! How's your challenge coming so far?