fantasticmsfo

Holy Buckets - where has time gone! I can't believe it has been almost a whole week since I last posted! Overall I have been making progress on my goals. Eating 100g of protein a day is still a learning curve and getting into habits of weighing food and getting creative with food. Waking up at 5 am hasn't really been better or worst. I have been waking up at 5 am on days I workout before work and the rest days I sleep in about 20 mins. The thing I am most proud of is I have completed my first week of working out for 3 days! I have been following the nerd fitness body weight program and have been upping the sets or circuit for the following workout. The days following I have been sore in the right muscle areas so I like to think my form isn't atrocious! Thus far I am finding it fun learning my body and challenging myself. My biggest discovery is how different I feel when I eat 100g of protein and how fast I recovery verses when I don't hit my goal. I am getting anxious to see progress however so I hope that doesn't deflate the motivation I currently have. I appreciate everyones comments and reactions, I feel like I am still being held accountable with these.

Saturday Dec 1 Post: ✓Ate ~100 grams of protein X Strength training X I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Saturday Dec 1 went (3 days ago) X Dont stay up late! ✓Grocery shop for the week X Set up space to workout in Plans to progress quests on Sunday Dec 2 (2 days ago) Dont stay up late! Meal prep for the next few days Try the work out I printed off -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday Dec 2 Post: X Ate ~100 grams of protein ✓ Strength training X I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Sunday Dec 2 went (2 days ago)) X Dont stay up late! ✓ Meal prep for the next few days ✓ Try the work out I printed off Plans to progress quests on Monday Dec 3 (Yesterday) Dont stay up late! Grocery shop for the week (forgot a few items over the weekend) Eat leftovers Meal prep/cook in bulk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday Dec 3 Post: X Ate ~100 grams of protein (I let my husband make dinner - it was tater tots & mozzarella sticks!) O Strength training (recovery day) ✓ I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Monday Dec 3 went (Yesterday) X Dont stay up late! ✓ Grocery shop for the week (forgot a few items over the weekend) ✓ Eat leftovers ✓ Meal prep/cook in bulk Plans to progress quests on Tuesday Dec 4 (Today) Dont stay up late! Work out Meal prep/cook in bulk Cook with Protein Powder! (It arrived!) Posting late due to having a busy weekend and a busy week night yesterday. Have another busy night ahead of me, hoping to get to all the things on my list!!

The path to success is never easy, straight, or flat! Creating and forming habits take time just as breaking old habits do - but the cool thing is we are all capable of doing that! It is good to recognize when you miss 100% of your goals and to know you are able to do better! Everyone always has room to improve and challenge themselves to be better.

Thursday Nov - 29 Post: ✓Ate ~100 grams of protein [ WOOOO HOOOOO ] O Strength training X I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Thursday Nov 29 went (2 days ago) [I have an late night work event so not sure how much time I will have to get things done, keeping list do-able] X Order protein powder tonight X At least look at workouts I am interested in! Make a plan to do them tomorrow! Plans to progress quests on Friday Nov 30 (yesterday) Print out workout tracking worksheet If not working out, be active in some way Worked from home, should be easier to meet protein goal Don't stay up late to be able to wake up early Saturday morning -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday Nov - 30 Post: ✓Ate ~100 grams of protein [ WOOOO HOOOOO ] O Strength training X I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Friday Nov 30 went (yesterday) ✓ Print out workout tracking worksheet ✓ If not working out, be active in some way ✓ Worked from home, should be easier to meet protein goal X Don't stay up late to be able to wake up early Saturday morning Plans to progress quests on Saturday Dec 1 (Today) Dont stay up late! Grocery shop for the week Set up space to workout in

Thank you! I can hardly believe I succeeded! Thank you! Yes - it does help keep me feeling more full. Every meal I have been trying to think of ways of how to make it more protein rich

What a handsome boy! How lucky you are. Also way to kill it on your goals! It's inspiring to see! I hope to start using points next challenge.

Wednesday Nov - 28 Post: ✓Ate 100 grams of protein [ WOOOO HOOOOO ] O Strength training ✓ I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Wednesday Nov 28 went (yesterday) X Make protein rich breakfast (smoothie) - Totally did make one, but didn't have protein powder and the smoothie tasted real bad without it X Read in depth workouts and create workout schedule for remaining days in week - Just didn't get to this ✓Start to get ready for bed earlier in the evening - Total success! ✓ Make protein rich dinner - Made a simple southwest salad with chicken. Made dressing out of fat free greek yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro. Base was spinach and has some tomatoes and corn in it. Very filling! X Plan protein rich meals for remaining days of the week - Have ideas but have not looked what ingredients I need or when I will have time yet Plans to progress quests on Thursday Nov 29 (today!) [I have an late night work event so not sure how much time I will have to get things done, keeping list do-able] Order protein powder tonight At least look at workouts I am interested in! Make a plan to do them tomorrow!

Tuesday Nov - 29 Post: X Ate 88.5 grams of protein O Strength training ✓ I woke up at 5:00 am How did plans to progress quests on Tuesday Nov 29 went (yesterday) ✓ Research protein rich recipes/ingredients ✓ Order lunch accordingly ✓ Grocery shop accordingly X Create personal catalog of workouts (bookmarking ones in one folder so it's all in one place) - Started this but did not fully read anything X Tired today - go to bed at bed time (9:00 p.m.) - Started to get ready for bed at 9:00, but did not get into bed till about 9:20 - 9:30 Plans to progress quests on Wednesday Nov 30 (today!) Make protein rich breakfast (smoothie) Read in depth workouts and create workout schedule for remaining days in week Start to get ready for bed earlier in the evening Make protein rich dinner Plan protein rich meals for remaining days of the week

Okay, how have I not run across this before? I feel like this opens up a whole new 'quest path' with my instant pot! I just prepped a lot of chicken for the next couple of days but definitly going to be trying out some bean recipes this weekend! Woohoo!! Thanks!

Awesome, I understand how to find it now. Oh and cool!

Found your post! It's neat to be able to have a little peek into someone else life. You can and will rock this challenge! I mean you're already level 37!!

Awesome, thanks for the link, going to put it on my wish list as well! I have not ever cooked beans in it - what are some of your go-to recipes? I have also never worked with dry beans before, only ever canned.

Thank you for the tips! I had a stint where I almost had my protein intake as a habit. I would make these yummy protein bars for mid morning snack and make smoothies for breakfast - but both require protein powder and that is expensive (please share the brand you know of!). Chicken is a god send, especially when you cook it in an instant pot - there are so many options! I am hoping to make some sort of taco or wrap type meal for dinner/lunch this week. Protein granola bar recipe: http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2014/01/07/soft-and-chewy-protein-granola-bars/

Thank you! I started to second guess them after I saw people broke their quests down even further. Yes - I am also trying to learn to forgive/accept myself as I am so I can appreciate any and all progress I make.

Thank you for having me! Yeah? What are your quests for this challenge? How do I see your posts? Also, what is your avatar from?

Yeah makes sense! Also forgot to say - where is the picture of your kitten? How can you mention it on the internet and not post a picture of it!

Monday Nov - 28 Post: X Ate 25.5 grams of protein O Strength training ✓ I woke up at 5:00 am Plans to progress quests on Tuesday Nov 29 (today!) Research protein rich recipes/ingredients Order lunch accordingly Grocery shop accordingly Create personal catalog of workouts (bookmarking ones in one folder so it's all in one place) Tired today - go to bed at bed time (9:00 p.m.)

Hello Seraph! I really like how you laid out your post - it's very easy to read! I really like your workout plan - it's simple and concise. When I had walking goals I found it a lot more enjoyable when I listened to an audio book and often found myself walking way longer just to keep listening. I wouldn't let myself listen to the book unless I was walking or doing house chores. I also have a sleep pattern goal! Why does bedtime always sounds awful at night? Why does the morning come so soon?! Ugh! Good luck on your beverage goal - maybe if you buy a cute water bottle that will entice you to use it more! Excited to follow your progress this challenge!

I totally relate to the fear of commitment for being the cause of why I posted late as well! Looks like you have some great quests ahead of you this challenge and already having a track record of achieving goals. My personal favorite smoothie recipe is: 1 banana handful of spinach 1 heaping scoop of vanilla fat free greek yogurt a few ice cubes 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (optional) ~edit~ I forgot to include unsweetened coconut milk too! I like this recipe because it requires little to no measurements or prepping for the ingredients!

Hello Jean! Nice quests - very well thought out and easy to tell if you completed them or not. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Hello CMoo! Wow, your post is a lot more put together than mine - I love the points and grading system. Seems like you really set yourself up for success - excited to follow your GAINS this challenge! Good luck, you got this!

Hello TheDoc! Excited to follow your progress this challenge. Good luck bringing lunch to work everyday! I have a coworker that does this no problem - he eats a sandwich of some variety and packs them all sunday night so he can just grab and go in the morning. I've tried it a few times and find that the bread hasn't gotten soggy at all by the time Friday rolls around.

Good evening everybody! As I write this I am running on low sleep and it's a few minutes past my bedtime - yay adulting! I am a 23 year old 'developer' (I has job in tech industry - other details bore most people), graduated college in spring 2017, bought a house in November 2017, and got married last month! I feel like it is time I can finally start focusing on me and my day-to-day instead of some overarching-dramically-life-changing event. Let's do this! Thanks to college not requiring gym class anymore I fell out of my fit 'habits' (if you can call mandatory gym class a habit). I was a fairly fit, active teenager but now I seriously dread even thinking about running a mile. But cardio is not my focus. I want to become strong, feel strong, and frankly be able to whip some ass! Or just be able to flex when a sport camera pans over to me. Main goal: Do an advance push up! For context I never could and still can't do a normal push up. Small quests: 1.) Eat at around 100g protein a day (can't build muscle without it!) 2.) Go to gym 3 times a week to focus on strength building OR do body weight exercise if weather gets in the way (damn you snow!) 3.) Wake up at 5 am 5 out of the 7 days for the next coming weeks (i like getting my workouts done in the AM) As most people here, I am a n00b! Any and all feedback welcome! I hope to post daily on my progress because that will keep my accountable! Good luck everyone & thanks for the read!