Athaclena Hangs on......

[fleaball]

1 hour ago, Athaclena said:

@fleaball - Yeah, it's the first all Vegan shake I like.  I'm not a Vegan (or even vegetarian) so it wasn't a primary component of why it was purchased, but since it is I know NEARLY anyone can utilize it.  It IS about $3 per serving putting in the pricier brands.  But to put it in perspective, it's less than a Starbucks Latte

Noooo don't say that. I'm trying to make myself stop going to Starbucks and now you're giving me a cheaper and healthier alternative? How am I supposed to resist? Mehhh okay, I have some Amazon credit and I'm going for it. How dare you.

[Bean Sidhe]

Glad the eclipse was worth it. I hope Hubbys back is feeling better. I think it would of been fun to see the eclipse with family. But family also means less good options for food, so as long as you ate some good things, I think its okay. I mean we can only eat so well when not in control of the menu.

[Wobbegong]

On 8/23/2017 at 4:20 PM, fleaball said:

Noooo don't say that. I'm trying to make myself stop going to Starbucks and now you're giving me a cheaper and healthier alternative? How am I supposed to resist? Mehhh okay, I have some Amazon credit and I'm going for it. How dare you.

I think anyone trying to quit Starbucks is a hero. Keep at it, Flea! 

 

On 8/23/2017 at 2:23 PM, Athaclena said:

That's my first long drive in the truck - a Ram 3500 dually with crew cab + long bed.  The dang thing is 21' long and 8'3" wide.  And due to traffic, Google routed me through a lot of really narrow roads through areas of SC I haven't been in for at least 30 years - and in the middle of that we went through a nice, big almost 0 visibility rain shower.  But we made it home and was totally worth it!

Wow! I would not have been able to do that. Long drives are ok, but driving large cars terrifies me; I can barely handle my mom's Volvo wagon. (I drive a Fiat, myself.) Props to you and welcome home! 

 

How'd week two go? 

[Athaclena]

Week 2 - doing well on diet, sleep & probiotic.  Not so well on steps.  While I'm waking up, I'm pretty much exhausted.  I'm sure I'm just burnt out at this point and need to recharge.  Good thing I have vacation coming up

 

I had a bit of an issue with water weight (like couldn't put on my wedding ring) while at home last week - but that resolved itself being home and not eating the fried food I did at home.  It was good - but it's also good it was only a couple of days  

I have the opportunity to try for a position at work that will keep me home more - it'll let me continue to develop my soft skills while keeping a toe into the technical.  While it's a lateral, it's a LOT more exposure to different areas of the organization and I think is a good fit.  If I'm home more, I can shore up my diet and maybe get an actual workout schedule going....

 

Planning is very much in flight for Dragon*Con.  I plan to pack my shakes for breakfast.  I plan to completely avoid burgers AND fries during con.  Luckily I have a couple of favorite places at the food court that I can "hit" and stay on track (along with my stash of Kind Bars).  We'll have plenty of bottled water with us so I won't be tempted (as much) by soda's.  I'll try to check in before we leave (Thursday morning) - but I PROBABLY won't check in again until the next Tuesday (when we get back) or Wednesday.

[fleaball]

Good luck with the job thing! That would be awesome. And high five for the planning for the con. You rock.

[Bean Sidhe]

It sounds like you have a great plan for Con. The fact you planned this out (as opposed to some of my friends who are like "Food we can figure out later") is a great thing. Have fun and good luck with the job. I can see the constant traveling causing some burn out. Hopefully you can recharge at con.

[Athaclena]

OK - all packed for Con.  Breakfast shakes made.  Found my xtra camera battery this morning (the other one apparently wouldn't take a charge) so it's packed (that was close). So I'll try to take lots of pictures and link to this year's album for you guys.  I don't cosplay (I honestly just don't have the time and my old garb DOES NOT FIT) - but I'll happily take photos of others

 

Car will be here in 20 minutes-ish.  CON!

[Athaclena]

Checking in from Con. This is the first Con in at least 2 (if not 3) that I haven't practically slept through. I've taken more pictures than the last 2 cons combined and haven't even napped!

 

I already broke the no burger or fries rule LOL. But I've already hit over 10k steps today and will probably clock in another 5k before bed. I've been good since last night's burger and fries. But most importantly, relaxing and having fun!

 

I promise to post links to pics when I get home Wed.

[fleaball]

woot woot!

[Athaclena]

She lives!  Kind of.  Monday night (in the middle of the night) I noticed a slightly sore throat.  Yep - Con Crud (tm).  Good thing I took the rest of this week off - cause I feel like crap at the moment!

So - con - I only took pictures Friday.  I still need to find the motivation to post them.  I got in LOTS AND LOTS OF STEPS - over 10k per day (over 15k a couple of days).  I did have burgers\fries twice - but ate well the rest of the time.  I got enough sleep - and most importantly - I had FUN and got out and about.

 

Since I didn't post pictures yet, there are lots of folks who did.  I'm trying to find a few public links to post - and I will once I find them!

[Bean Sidhe]

I am glad to hear you live, even if you came home with Con Crud. There is stuff going around here just in the world, I am sure con is even worse. Feel better.

Yay for fun. I am so glad you enjoyed yourself nad it sounds like you had some really great days with not just living on junk food. I have never been to a con, but there are days I would love to go.

Pictures are always great, What was your favorite part of con?

[Severine]

Yay for the con being fun   Hope you recover quickly enough to enjoy having tomorrow off.

 

Pictures would be good!

[Athaclena]

Here's one link to some pictures: http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/our-favorite-costumes-from-dragon-con-2017/

 

If you're on Facebook - there are a couple of closed groups (but they typically let you in quickly) where folks are posting a TON of pictures - most of which are ON Facebook.  You could spend HOURS in there

THE Dragon*Con group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2204785158/ - mainly moderated by Chuck Corum - a GRR Martin doppleganger who wields his Ban Hammer for good

Dragon Con (Official) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/officialdragoncon/ - this is run by D*Con staff\volunteers

 

Many people cross-post in those groups - I prefer Chuck's group and have been a member for years and only joined the "Official" one a couple of weeks ago because there were some threads another friend pointed me to I needed to read to prep for this year......

 

Browse at your leisure - you'll find lots of pictures\stories (both good and bad) and whatnot.  Both are moderated so if things get too out of hand (because - internet trolls) - it's generally quickly taken care of by thread locking, post deletion and banning.

 

I had a blast this year - but not everyone did.  Things happen when you cram 82,000 people into a couple of city blocks.  I'd say 99% of the people there are totally awesome - But that still leaves 800+ assholes.  I didn't run into any of those this year - but I have in the past.  It hasn't stopped me from going and D*Con and the hotels have really upped the security the last few years and incidents are swiftly dealt with.  There's still the issue with things not being reported, but that is changing as the CULTURE changes.  Anyhoo.... enjoy the glory of the Cosplay   I have a couple of ideas for "Cosplay light" next year - more clothing that is comfortable & cool with a nod to a few fandoms.  I just have to get cracking with my sewing machine and muslin to drape\make templates then find my materials.

OH - on the job front - I took time out of my vacation to talk to the manager of the group I'd like to move too.  Sounds like unless my management blocks me from moving - he'd have me in a heartbeat.  Fingers crossed I can pull that off next week and transition over - because it would mean less travel.  Which means I can get cracking on better meal planning and getting a workout routine (once I get over this BLASTED COLD).  It still means I need to start dragging my butt out of bed at 7am.  I think that is going to be the hardest change.....

[Athaclena]

The new Challenge thread isn't up yet - I expect that to happen tomorrow - but I'm ready to start thinking about my next challenge NOW!  So I'll drop my thoughts in here.

 

First of all - while the cold is still lingering a bit, I feel almost human.  YAY!  Secondly, due to hurricanes and inability of client to come up with the people needed for a workshop, my travel next week is back to only Wed - Fri - YAY!  Fingers crossed Irma calms down, causes as little damage as possible, and if it takes trees down in my yard (which, frankly is needed but I don't have the $$ right now) they don't come down on my house.

Now, to the challenge!

 

I'm calling this last challenge pretty dang successful.  I mean, I certainly didn't gain any weight back - and there were 0 days when I put on my wedding ring where I realized I needed NOT to due to water retention (well, except for one day due to hormones - f' hormones and water retention and migraines they bring LOL).  I didn't get all of the walking in, BUT everything else?  ACES!

 

SO - this challenge I'm going to keep on keeping on - but focusing on getting on the workout bandwagon.  Starting with walking.  I walked over 10k steps per day at Dragon*Con - granted not all at ONCE - but I did it.  I've set my Fitbit to be 10k steps - and 10k steps is the goal.  I'm tracking that with dragging my a$$ out of bed earlier so that I can get that done in the AM.  Shouldn't be a problem since my breakfast is now (at least during the week) a protein shake.  @Severine - I'm looking at you and will at least come close to your step counts starting now LOL.  Any other Fitbit users want to track and keep me honest - my public URL is www.fitbit.com/user/27X45Y - feel free to friend me!

 

So - onto the list:

1) Nutrition - keep up with Probiotic and Breakfast shakes 5+ days per week. Keep working on adding in veggies - and avoid default burger\fries while traveling.
2) Set myself up for success - During the week - drag my a$$ out of bed by 7am (may have to get up a BIT earlier when on the road - but enough time to get in AT LEAST 30 minutes of walking in the AM) - this does mean taking "workout gear" with me - but that shouldn't be a problem.
3) Exercise - Walk.  Just Walk.  I want to do MORE, but I've got to get some weight off so I'm focusing on walking this challenge.  Goal is 10k steps PER DAY.

4) Sleep - Do my best to keep a sleep schedule\get enough sleep.  This went pretty well this challenge.  Of course this week has been awesome since I'm on vacation.  I freely admit I've been almost hibernating - but I AM sick and I was totally due!

5) Check in here more.  Even while traveling - I have the technology LOL.  Check in on my thread at LEAST 3 times per week, keep up with the Juice Bar and try to encourage at least 2 n00bs.  If I really have time, try to keep up on @fleaball's thread LOL.

[fleaball]

On 9/9/2017 at 0:38 PM, Athaclena said:

If I really have time, try to keep up on @fleaball's thread LOL.

That might take a lot of time. No pressure.

[Severine]

Really think this challenge went well especially considering all your travel and such.

 

And I've had a really super low activity week so no doubt you're catching up to me on FitBit   Maybe we should make a team on there or something? I haven't really investigated the social options on the fitbit app.