Search the Community

Last challenge, I moved from Tokyo to Edinburgh and I actually handled it pretty well overall, all things considered. This time, I'm going to shift a few of my goals around a bit because I noticed there are some things I'd like to do that I slacked on (like running) and some other things that I've been tracking that I've done pretty well and consistently without really trying so I think they're habits by now (like getting outside and walking for a bit every day). I'm also thinking I could use to get into a bit better shape and since things are in the process of settling down, I can work on that a bit more. Main Quest: Trim my waistline I don't own a scale and probably won't for a bit, but a measuring tape will measure progress here. It's been a while since I've measured so I don't know where I am right now, but I think getting down to 70 cm eventually would be good (I've been there before and I'm pretty sure I'm not there now). I'll be measuring my waist at the start of the challenge, midway through and at the end. This one will be pass/fail based on Δw = wf - wi (where wf is my final waistline measurement, wi is the initial and Δw is the change) is negative, then I pass and if not then I fail. Measurement: Pass = Δw is negative, Fail = Δw is greater or equal to 0 Statistics: +2 CHA Quest 1: Yoga I've been doing okay with doing yoga regularly, but a lot of the time I don't do it very long or don't work especially hard at it. This time, I would like to do at least four yoga sessions a week (the final week will be three) that are at least 15 minutes long for a total of 15 sessions over the challenge. I'll also aim for yoga routines that require me to work a bit harder. Measurement: A = 12+ yoga sessions, B = 9-11 yoga sessions, C = 6-10 yoga sessions Statistics: +2 CON, +2 STR Quest 2: Running In previous challenges, I was tracking my walks too, but I'm being pretty good about getting out and walking most days so I think I can go a challenge without tracking them. Instead, I will focus on running. I intend to run three days a week (two in the final week). I'm going to aim for 5 km each time, but since I've been slacking on running for the last month, I'll take it easier when necessary until I'm back into it. Measurement: A = 9+ runs, B = 7-8 runs, C = 4-6 runs Statistics: +2 STA, +2 DEX Quest 3a: Food I will aim for five servings of fruit or veggies a day. It's possible I'm already doing this, but I'm not keeping track so I don't really know. I'll be borrowing whitewineandcathair's system from last challenge and making a little (hopefully) rainbow chart to keep track because that seemed like a fun system. Measurement: A = 104+ fruits and veggies, B = 78-103 fruits and veggies, C = 52-77 fruits and veggies Statistics: +1 WIS, +1 CON Quest 3b: Drink I'm going to track my booze intake and try to keep that to one a day or seven alcoholic drinks a week. This is possibly going to be a bit harder since I tend to not really pay attention to how much I'm drinking and I think that booze is delicious. I'll add a bit of wiggle room here, allowing myself to go over by as much as 20% (or 31 drinks over the course of the challenge instead of 26) before I start being penalized. Measurement: A = 31 or fewer drinks, B = 32-36 drinks, C = 37-42 drinks, Fail = 43+ drinks Statistics: +1 WIS, +1 CON Life Quest: Work Finally, I need to find a job. I'll put in at least one application a week and I'll be hoping that employers around here are happy with emails instead of phone calls since I don't have a phone yet. I'll also try to find a bit of tutoring work to tide me over until I find a full time job. Measurement: A = 4+ job applications, B = 2-3 job applications, C = 1 job application Statistics: +1 WIS Total potential statistics gain: +2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 STA, +4 CON, +3 WIS, +2 CHA

Over the break I've realised that I lost my balance and focused too much on work the last few months of the year. It's been to the detriment of my health so the first quarter of this year will be a re-focus on the things that are important to me. I'll be re-establishing routines (a highly underrated tool) and putting myself first. Every January I stop drinking for a month and this year is no exception. It might seem a hardship but it's actually a relief to not have to make the decision, it's no thanks for the next 28 days. I have a massive 5 week holiday lined up in July/August, at the moment I'm looking at getting one of those weeks away on a luxury live-abord surf boat in Portugal. I want to be in unbelievable shape for that and will be using it as my motivation over the next 6 months. But 6 months will be done one day at a time starting with this 4 week challenge.... Goals: 1. No alcohol 2. No processed food 3. 1 hour a day of 'exercise' Bonus: Every minute of exercise buys 2 minutes of video game time. Finding an hour a day to do some sort of physical activity will be harder than it sounds but I'll be training twice a week with my coach over the next 4 weeks and have committed to walking the dog at least 4 days a week, that'll be a good start. I'm also hoping to get back to squash but we'll see, I still have a whiplash injury hanging around. Inspiration: What are you waiting for? Are you boring?

So, yesterday I made the decision to stop drinking. I don't think I have a problem or anything, I have the odd glass of wine mid week and rarely binge on weekends, but when it happens, I always have the horrible feeling of regret and annoyance that I've wasted the whole of the next day hungover, when I could have been being productive. I'm just wondering how people who have quit/cut down considerably have found it? I go to a pub quiz once a week and haven't had a pint there for ages, so I'm sure that'll be fine, and all my friends are supportive people. I guess I'm just interested in your quitting stories, tips etc.