The Scarlet Pimpernel Becomes Teancum

[Teancum]

I've been realizing recently that I am in need of some re-branding. I need to start seeing myself differently than I have before if I'm going to make the changes I want to see in my life. I need to really commit, and decide what is most important. And I need to have some more meaningful inspiration.

 

I've recently found that inspiration in an assassin of old, Teancum (pronounced tee-ANG-come). He was a stalwart general, and a deadly assassin. He was fit in body, mind, and spirit. He is someone I would like to emulate.

 

 

In order to re-brand myself, and have a fresh start, I decided I would like to change my display name to Teancum, but that first I have to earn it. As such that will be my reward if I can live up to the name this challenge. Teancum was strong, active, faithful, and disciplined, so I must be too. This might be particularly difficult, as I will be away on vacation for 2 weeks during this challenge, so I have built some contingency plans into each goal. I think this test of continuing even when it is difficult while I'm away is exactly what I need though. I've also had trouble in my past few challenges accurately measuring my progress, so I've instituted a scoring system with clear pass/fail marks. My challenge will be as follows:

 

First:

 

Never miss 2 in a row - I will never 2 bad health choices in a row (ex. missing a workout, eating junk food, etc.). If I miss a workout one day, I will do it the next day. If I have a bad meal, my next one will be healthy. I think it will be so important for me to finally get this down, so that I avoid going into my spiral of apathy and giving up that tends to happen at the end of each challenge. 

• Scoring: missing 2 in a row even once = challenge fail

 

With that overarching goal, I will emulate Teancum by being...

 

Strong - NFA Body Weight level 3 work out 3x per week

• Contingency: Do equipment free exercises of same type (ex. push, pull, legs, core) 
• Scoring: 3/week x 4 weeks so Score/12, 90% is pass, zero week workouts are bonus

 

Active - Skills training 3x per week on off days (Assassin skills: balancing, climbing, parkour, crawling, hanging, etc.)

• Scoring: 3/week x 4 weeks, so Score/12, 90% is pass, zero week activities are bonus

 

Faithful - Scripture study daily

• Scoring: 7 days x 4 weeks, so Score/28, 90% is pass, zero week sessions are bonus

 

Disciplined - NFA modified Level 4 diet (no sugar or fast food, vegetable daily, whole grains). If I cannot meet these guidelines (ex. fail to pack my lunch) I will fast for that meal to build self control and prepare to eventually try intermittent fasting.

• Contingency: While traveling I will need to eat out, but I will pick healthier option from menus (ex. Substitute veggies for fries, etc.). For sugar, if I feel I really can't refuse or make a better choice in a social situation, I may have one small serving, and never 2 in a row.
• Scoring: pass if above guidelines followed all month (I couldn't think of a proper way to score this, so it is just do or do not do. I think I have the right contingencies in place to allow enough flexibility to do it properly)

 

I am really looking forward to this challenge, as I know it will be difficult, but I think it will be just what I need to change my mindset and my view of myself such that I can continue to succeed in the future. Also having a reward based on something inspiring to me will help increase my motivation. I'll try to post daily to update scores and get some encouragement!

 

[Teancum]

So far zero week has been pretty good. I started fully on the challenge yesterday, after coming home from eating a ton of crap camping on the weekend.

 

Yesterday I did my body weight workout. For the first time I managed to complete the full 4 sets of 5 standard push ups!! I have been able to complete the first set of 5 before, but never more than that. I did rest slightly longer in between circuits (about 2-3 minutes instead of 1), but I think the mental push played even more of a role. These workouts are one area I've still seen improvement on despite some of my other failings in previous challenges.

 

Today I had my niece's birthday party at the park. For my skills training I balanced on the teeter-totter while my nephew as on it. I was also able to toss around a frisbee for a while. I needed to use my diet contingency as they served pizza, but I limited my serving and stayed within my macro goal. I also passed up the cake and ice cream. So far, so good!

 

Strong - 1/12

Active - 1/12

Faithful - 0/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Akura]

A challenge to earn a new name?! I like that idea! Lots of intrinsic motivation!

[Jonesy]

Following along!

[Teancum]

23 hours ago, Akura said:

A challenge to earn a new name?! I like that idea! Lots of intrinsic motivation!

 

14 hours ago, Jonesy said:

Following along!

 

Thanks guys! 

 

Today went alright, though not quite as planned. First thing I was happy with is that I saw an ad saying that a new pizza place that I heard is really good is giving away free pizzas on opening day. My first instinct was to put it in my calendar, but I stopped and remembered my goals and realized that would be exceedingly counterproductive. So I closed it quick and now I forget what day it was, so there's one temptation avoided. 

 

Due to some changes in plans and weather I wasn't able to do my workout today as scheduled, but I did some skills training (deep squat) instead. I'll just have to do two workouts in a row I guess, but I think I'll be ok as there will still be a full day on between and they aren't THAT strenuous that I'd be too worried about injury. 

 

Strong - 1/12

Active - 2/12

Faithful - 1/28

Disciplined - Passing

[JessOfAllTrades]

I really dig your first goal. And the whole idea of earning your new name. Best of luck - it sounds like Week 0 is off to a good start.

[Teancum]

Overall today went pretty well. We did eat at the store while shopping, and while I made a good menu choice, I also stole a couple fries from my wife. Fries aren't "off limits", just should be limited, and it was mostly fine calorie wise, the part that bugged me was the feeling of lack of control. That's exactly what I'm trying to battle this challenge, so it's annoying when it shows up, even in a small way. Oh well, one step at a time I guess. 

 

Did my workout tonight even though I didn't want to, so that's a plus. 

 

Tomorrow we've got dinner at the in-laws, which will be a challenge, since I'm conditioned to stuff my face whenever I'm there (my mother in law is a good cook, and there's always snacks out). I will prevail though!! I'll report on it tomorrow night. 

 

Strong - 2/12

Active - 2/12

Faithful - 2/28

Disciplined - Passing, but a bit of a blip today

•  

[WhiteGhost]

Teancum rocks! He was always one of my heroes as a kid

 

[Teancum]

16 hours ago, WhiteGhost said:

Teancum rocks! He was always one of my heroes as a kid

 

 

I know right!! 

 

Today actually went really well! My trip to the in law's was better than expected health wise! We had grilled chicken/veggie kabobs and salads, so delicious, healthy things that allowed me to eat a bunch and still be in my goals. There was also fresh fruit for dessert, which allowed me to easily avoid the trifle that was also there. 

 

What's more, we stayed later than I had planned, but I did my workout in their yard while my wife and her mom were working on something! Glad I didn't wait till we got home at midnight. 

 

So all in all, the visit turned out much better than I thought it might and usually does, partly due to some good choices, and partly due to some good luck with the menu haha. 

 

Strong - 3/12

Active - 2/12

Faithful - 3/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Coco P Loco]

Good discipline passing up the trifle!

[Teancum]

Today was my rest day. I did well in the eating department though! Delicious summer salad for dinner! So colourful and tasty!! (on my phone, but I'll try to post a picture tomorrow) 

 

Strong - 3/12

Active - 2/12

Faithful - 4/28

Disciplined - Passing

 

Overall it was a good zero week, with some good bonuses to kick off the challenge and afford a bit more flexibly when I'm on vacation if needed. I'm proud of myself for doing all three workouts, even when inconvenient, and I hope it's the start of a good habit.

[Teancum]

Yesterday and today have gone well! Yesterday I didn't have time for my workout (I was running around the city helping someone pick up furniture), but I snuck in some crab walking before bed. I did the workout today though.

 

I'm really pleased that I can now complete all four sets of 5 push ups. A few months back I could only do one standard push up, so it's very nice to see progress in that way. 

 

Diet has been going well... I have so many more available calories in the evening when I don't eat out for lunch! Go figure! Lol. I'm still eating the occasional "junk" food (had chicken nuggets for dinner tonight cause that's what my wife made for toddler when I got home), but it's all been within my calorie and macro goals, which are my primary target. That along with no sweets or eating out is the main part of the challenge. I am still trying to add veggies and whole grain and cut down the other junk, but I'm not getting too fussy about tracking it right now. 

 

Strong - 4/12

Active - 3/12

Faithful - 6/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Jonesy]

9 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

I'm really pleased that I can now complete all four sets of 5 push ups. A few months back I could only do one standard push up, so it's very nice to see progress in that way.

 

That's awesome progress! 

[Teancum]

Good food choices today! McDonalds in Canada was selling 67 cent hamburgers today for Canada's 150th birthday, but I avoided them. I also was able to walk to an appointment instead of driving, which was nice. Did some balance walking on the curb while waiting too. 

 

Strong - 4/12

Active - 4/12

Faithful - 7/28

Disciplined - Passing

[JessOfAllTrades]

Way to go with making good food choices!

[WhiteGhost]

15 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

McDonalds in Canada was selling 67 cent hamburgers today for Canada's 150th birthday, but I avoided them

 

You are a stronger man than I am

[Teancum]

Thursday and Friday were good, but busy! I passed up a free lunch at work in favour of the one I brought, which is always difficult for me. Turns out the work lunch was super healthy anyways, salmon and Greek salad, but I wasn't planning for it, so I'm glad I had my own. Got my workouts and skills training in. I did miss my study yesterday though, mostly due to poor time management, and then falling asleep when I tried before bed. So I'll have to be careful on that. 

 

Strong - 5/12

Active - 5/12

Faithful - 8/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Teancum]

Today we're having some friends over for a Christmas dinner in August, because we got a free turkey! So I will likely splurge a little bit tonight and have dessert. It will be a pretty carb heavy meal, so I'm trying not to eat too much today. My never miss two in a row rule will come into play now though, so I'll have to be healthy tomorrow! 

[Teancum]

Definitely splurged tonight - I felt like I was going to explode! But surprisingly, not too far over my calorie goal even with the desserts. I did well at eating less earlier in the day, which I think is why my stomach hurt so much after. Back to eating healthy tomorrow, never miss two in a row!! 

 

I also got my workout done - I've been doing body weight Level 3 workouts, but today I wanted to challenge the level 1 and 2 bosses just to say I did. Crushed them, which was nice. I think I'll stay with Level 3 till the end of the challenge, then go for that boss. 

 

Strong - 6/12

Active - 5/12

Faithful - 9/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Akura]

Seems you're doing very well with this challenge! You'll definitely earn that new name!

[Teancum]

Yesterday was pretty good. Had a protein shake for breakfast, then some leftovers for a late lunch, but still stayed roughly within my macro goal. 

 

The DOMS from the lunges on the widow maker are hitting hard haha. I can barely sit down. Lunges always kill me for some reason. I'm hoping I can push through it for my workout today though! 

 

Strong - 6/12

Active - 5/12

Faithful - 10/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Teancum]

Another good day today. I ate well, passed up on some cookies my wife bought, did my workout and made my lunch. Also got a short walk in. Workout was harder today from still being sore from the boss battles, but still managed to complete it as prescribed. 

 

I'm glad things have been going so well, but it kind of has me worried for the vacation, because that's always the time in the challenge I start to slack off, and vacation is a good excuse. Not this time though!! 

 

Strong - 7/12

Active - 5/12

Faithful - 11/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Teancum]

A little heavy on the carbs today, but not too bad (made a mistake in measurement for some popcorn). I got a little bit of balance practice in as well. 

 

Strong - 7/12

Active - 6/12

Faithful - 12/28

Disciplined - Passing

[Teancum]

Ugh, bad food choices tonight. I was tired and a bit stressed, and got home late, so I caved and ate the whipped cream with strawberries my wife made, as well as some extra crackers and cheese - sugar, over calories, and over carbs. I didn't go too crazy though, and I guess it happens. Never two in a row! I'll be on target tomorrow.

 

Work is getting lunch again, but I'm encouraged by how healthy it was last time, so I'm planning to have some instead of bringing my lunch. We'll see how it turns out. 

 

Too late for my workout today, so I'll get 'er done tomorrow. 

 

Strong - 7/12

Active - 7/12

Faithful - 13/28

Disciplined - Passing (mostly) 

[WhiteGhost]

13 minutes ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

so I caved and ate the whipped cream with strawberries my wife made

 

Hard to fault a guy for caving to something so delicious.  Hold strong to not make it 2 in a row though!