EaseActivate Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Greetings, Rangers! I just completed my first challenge as a n00b, and was nudged into this guild by @SkyGirl and @Super Starling!. Y'all seem like My People, I am so excited to join your ranks! HI!!! About My Focus I have a complicated history with anxiety and depression (and ADHD and codependency and body dysphoria and and and), and I'm happy to say that these are all very well managed these days, so I'm excitedly progressing to more advanced levels in my life. Right now, I'm on a mission to define and design my sense of happiness by my 35th birthday, which is next May. So far, I think happiness looks like feeling activated and at ease in every area of my life (sidenote: thank you to Danielle LaPorte's Desire Map for that fabulous insight) -- hence my username. My relationships and career are in excellent shape now (after years of struggle), so now I'm turning my attention onto myself: health, home, and appearance. Exercise? (What's that?) I've never had a good relationship to exercise, but over the last year I've managed to (a) make the basics less scary, (b) create a morning workout routine (15-20min, 3x a week), and (c) take a lot more walks with fitbit tracking. For my mornings, I've mostly focused on cardio, I recently explored some yoga, and now I'm trying to make the Big Scary Leap into strength training. Goal 1 (The Big One): Become a Bodyweight Workout Ranger. Do the NF Beginner Bodyweight Workout 3x a week, starting at my current baseline and increasing intensity as I get comfortable with it: Current Baseline (I've done it twice now): 2 Circuits per workout Each Circuit includes: Squats: 5 Pushups: 5 kneeling (note: form is still shakey) Lunges: 3 per side Dumbell Rows: 10 per side using a 10lb dumbell Plank: 15 seconds Jumping Jacks: 30 I'm hoping to get up to 3 circuits per workout, 15 squats, 10 lunges per side, and a non-shakey form on push-ups. But I'm going to listen to my body (both in the workouts and in the after-soreness) and let it tell me what I'm ready for. The only real goal here is consistency and learning. Goal 2: Become a NerdFitness Ranger! I NEED TO KNOW YOU ALL! I'm going to get active in the forums, and get to know the stories and journeys of 2 new people per week. I'm a total introvert and I haven't focused on online communities in years, so there are some social/tech muscles I really need to get into shape here. But I wanna dive in, because you are all so darned friendly and supportive and charming as hell! So let's do this! Goal 3: Halloween with Rigorous Moderation. Early halloween candy has already entered the house (we went to the Disneyland Mickey's Halloween Party), and we live on a popular street for trick-or-treating. Instead of declaring all the fun-sized goodness Off Limits this season or trying to keep it out of the house, I want to work my moderation skills. Rule: If i want a piece of candy, I will pick out just one, and I will savor it, and that will be it for the day. Exception: Halloween night is a designated as-much-as-i-want candy enjoyment window. Goal 4: Find and study resources on interior design. I found the BBC's "Design Rules" series on youtube, and it's exactly what I need to learn to start making my home feel right. I want to watch and absorb all the episodes in that series, and then see if i can find more like it. Thanks being so welcoming, and please enjoy the Pixar gifs! 6 Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
Novaurora Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 HIIIIIIII Welcome to the rangers! Your challenge looks great! I am a relatively new ranger (challenge #3) and I can tell you these guys are AMAZING!!!! Happy challenge! I'll be back to cheer you on!! 1 Quote “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” John Steinbeck “Do I dare disturb the universe?” – T.S. Eliot “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” – Toni Morrison "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given to us" JRR Tolkien Human Bard: CON 2, WIS 5, INT 1, CHA 2 Current Challenge: Nova Levels Up (and maybe doesn't abandon a challenge...) Link to comment
Super Starling! Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 We should definitely be Fitbit friends. I'm searchable as "Leah Felicity Lucci" (my name!). I'm gloriously anticlimactic most days (today: 5,728) so you won't feel particularly threatened. I have friends who run marathons and they're THE WORST FITBIT FRIENDS EVER. The Rangers seem like pretty cool people. I like how they all seem to have different goals, so they don't compete. 1 Quote Super Starling! aka Leah Felicity Lucci Instagram | Portfolio | Ravelry Jan 1 - Feb 4 Challenge: Keep 2018 From Being a Dumpster Fire Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Welcome to the Ranger Corps! Glad to have you here with us. 1 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
SkyGirl Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 You made it!! You have arrived in your Ranger home! Welcome to the family, Ease! Your goals are terrific and I can't wait to watch you smash them out of the park! 2 Quote SKY ELVENWORD NOBLEHEART The Silver Archer, Ranger Level 53 Jesus-follower | Writer | Encourager | Resident Myers-Briggs and Enneagram Geek "Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people." - Fred Rogers Link to comment
jonfirestar Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Welcome to the Rangers! We are always happy to see new faces 1 Quote - strava - myfitnesspal - Instagram 2019 Roadmap Spoiler " Always aim for something stupidly crazy." - Charlie Quinn 2019 Races: Cliveden MTR 06/01 | Nuts Challenge 02/03 | Reading Half Marathon 17/03 | W.A.R 27/04 | RRDW 11/05 | Nuclear Oblivion 19/05 | Man vs Lakes 20/07 | Spartan Trifecta Weekend 05-06/10 | OCRWC 11-13/10 Current Challenge: First Steps Previous Challenges: 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 Link to comment
Maggie-Miau Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Heyoooooo and welcome to the Ranger Guild, EA! *VIGOROUSLY SHAKES POM POMS* Here to cheer while you Do The Things, you've got this! 1 Quote Matthew 25:34-40 Link to comment
bker1370 Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 welcome aboard. Always glad to see new faces 1 Quote B'ker Level 1 Half-elf Ranger | STR: 3 DEX: 3 CON: 3 INT: 3 WIS: 2 CHA: 2 Bker Survives December Challenge Tracking Spreadsheet Walking to Mordor (2019) Spreadsheet MyFitnessPal | FitBit | Instagram Walking to Mordor 1879.44 miles/1779 miles Mini Challenge: Week 1: | Week 2: | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Thanks for all the encouragement everybody! NF Forums interaction question: has anyone cracked the code on how to easily find & post gifs from the Tapatalk app on an iphone? I tried a few methods using the Giphy app (copy link; download & upload), and was thwarted at each turn. Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
Rhovaniel Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Welcome to the Ranger Corps! You have a great set of goals here. Especially this bit: 19 hours ago, EaseActivate said: But I'm going to listen to my body (both in the workouts and in the after-soreness) and let it tell me what I'm ready for. The only real goal here is consistency and learning. I think you're going to fit in perfectly Quote “All You Have To Decide Is What To Do With The Time That Is Given To You.” - Gandalf The Chronicles of Rhovaniel, Dúnedain Ranger: Volume One: Wintering, Volume Two: Winter is Passing, Spring is Near, The Chronicles of Rhovaniel, Volume Three: Reborn into Spring, Rhovaniel Batltes the PEWS (late spring challenge)| Volume Four: Strength in Summer|Volume Five: Ambushed in the Archives (current) Spoiler Previous Challenges: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13 14| 15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27| 28 29|30 Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 2 hours ago, EaseActivate said: Thanks for all the encouragement everybody! NF Forums interaction question: has anyone cracked the code on how to easily find & post gifs from the Tapatalk app on an iphone? I tried a few methods using the Giphy app (copy link; download & upload), and was thwarted at each turn. I don't use Tapatalk, and rarely access the forums on Mobile devices. Ctrl+C Ctrl+V for life baby! 1 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 I shall run ALL THE TESTS then! Giphy App > Link icon > Adding between IMG tags: Giphy App > Save Image> Upload: Giphy on web > tap/hold image and choose Copy > adding between IMG tags And just the url by itself:https://media.giphy.com/media/RNUjKymNzZr3O/giphy.gif One of these will work... right? (Edit: ok, I can work with that.) 4 Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Workout update: I did my "baseline" workout on Monday, and wasn't sore at all on Tuesday. (Compare this with my first two times trying it out, which left me super sore for two days.) Reaction: Conclusion: MUSCLES ARE SMART AND COOL and WOW! Adjustment: added a 3rd circuit today (and kept the rest the same). Current feeling: 5 Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
jonfirestar Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 14 minutes ago, EaseActivate said: Workout update: I did my "baseline" workout on Monday, and wasn't sore at all on Tuesday. (Compare this with my first two times trying it out, which left me super sore for two days.) Absolutely! The first time is usually the worst but your body will adapt and strengthen very quickly! The more you keep going with it the more your body will strengthen and the more you'll be able to accomplish! Quote - strava - myfitnesspal - Instagram 2019 Roadmap Spoiler " Always aim for something stupidly crazy." - Charlie Quinn 2019 Races: Cliveden MTR 06/01 | Nuts Challenge 02/03 | Reading Half Marathon 17/03 | W.A.R 27/04 | RRDW 11/05 | Nuclear Oblivion 19/05 | Man vs Lakes 20/07 | Spartan Trifecta Weekend 05-06/10 | OCRWC 11-13/10 Current Challenge: First Steps Previous Challenges: 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 29 minutes ago, jonfirestar said: Absolutely! The first time is usually the worst but your body will adapt and strengthen very quickly! The more you keep going with it the more your body will strengthen and the more you'll be able to accomplish! I've heard of this but honestly never believed it. This is super exciting! 1 Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
jonfirestar Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 2 minutes ago, EaseActivate said: I've heard of this but honestly never believed it. This is super exciting! I know right A lot of what holds the inexperienced back is not knowing what is possible with your body. Enjoy the excitement and know that it is only going to keep getting better. 1 Quote - strava - myfitnesspal - Instagram 2019 Roadmap Spoiler " Always aim for something stupidly crazy." - Charlie Quinn 2019 Races: Cliveden MTR 06/01 | Nuts Challenge 02/03 | Reading Half Marathon 17/03 | W.A.R 27/04 | RRDW 11/05 | Nuclear Oblivion 19/05 | Man vs Lakes 20/07 | Spartan Trifecta Weekend 05-06/10 | OCRWC 11-13/10 Current Challenge: First Steps Previous Challenges: 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 Link to comment
Novaurora Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 2 hours ago, EaseActivate said: I've heard of this but honestly never believed it. This is super exciting! Yeah, I remember when turned into ... Keep going!! You're doing great! 1 Quote “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” John Steinbeck “Do I dare disturb the universe?” – T.S. Eliot “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” – Toni Morrison "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given to us" JRR Tolkien Human Bard: CON 2, WIS 5, INT 1, CHA 2 Current Challenge: Nova Levels Up (and maybe doesn't abandon a challenge...) Link to comment
Super Starling! Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 When things get easy... that mean's it's time to take on new challenges! The first time I did TRX I was sore for about 5 days afterward, now it's not that bad. I suppose that's why they recommend cross-training. So your body's always confused... and maybe a little betrayed. But hey -- you can do it! Quote Super Starling! aka Leah Felicity Lucci Instagram | Portfolio | Ravelry Jan 1 - Feb 4 Challenge: Keep 2018 From Being a Dumpster Fire Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 11 hours ago, Super Starling! said: I suppose that's why they recommend cross-training. So your body's always confused... and maybe a little betrayed. So confusing! Such drama! Sounds awesome. Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
Sloth the Enduring Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Following. The gif game is on point around here. Quote “We might as well start where we are, use what we have and do what we can." – Caitlin Rivers Sloth: The Man with the Hammer battle log Link to comment
jonfirestar Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 1 hour ago, EaseActivate said: So confusing! Such drama! Sounds awesome. Oh dear, I'm afraid you might be a Ranger! Quote - strava - myfitnesspal - Instagram 2019 Roadmap Spoiler " Always aim for something stupidly crazy." - Charlie Quinn 2019 Races: Cliveden MTR 06/01 | Nuts Challenge 02/03 | Reading Half Marathon 17/03 | W.A.R 27/04 | RRDW 11/05 | Nuclear Oblivion 19/05 | Man vs Lakes 20/07 | Spartan Trifecta Weekend 05-06/10 | OCRWC 11-13/10 Current Challenge: First Steps Previous Challenges: 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 2 hours ago, jonfirestar said: Oh dear, I'm afraid you might be a Ranger! Aw shucks, i think that might be the nicest thing anyone's said to me! 3 hours ago, Sloth the Enduring said: Following. The gif game is on point around here. 1 Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
Super Starling! Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 1 hour ago, EaseActivate said: The gif game is on point around here. Oh yasssss. To be fair, sometimes* I spend more time considering .gifs than I do actually creating content. *usually 3 Quote Super Starling! aka Leah Felicity Lucci Instagram | Portfolio | Ravelry Jan 1 - Feb 4 Challenge: Keep 2018 From Being a Dumpster Fire Link to comment
Novaurora Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 3 hours ago, Super Starling! said: Oh yasssss. To be fair, sometimes* I spend more time considering .gifs than I do actually creating content. *usually This is all of us, whether we admit it or not. Quote “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” John Steinbeck “Do I dare disturb the universe?” – T.S. Eliot “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” – Toni Morrison "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given to us" JRR Tolkien Human Bard: CON 2, WIS 5, INT 1, CHA 2 Current Challenge: Nova Levels Up (and maybe doesn't abandon a challenge...) Link to comment
EaseActivate Posted October 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 Workout Update: Adding the third circuit at the last workout was a breeze (soreness-wise) so today i upped the squat count to 7 (from 5). Also switched my setup from a soft rug to a yoga mat on a hard floor, which make everything feel a lot more stable (especially my still-shakey pushup form). General feelings: Push-ups and lunges are still hard. Keeping these at the same low levels and waiting for my body to feel more confident there. Planks, squats, and dumbbell rows are all going well and can probably increase intensity on a regular basis. I feel like a badass all day on workout days. This is helping with habit forming quite a bit. On the other goals: Halloween: I only had a halloween candy craving once this week, and I succeeded at the "pick one and savor it" plan. Also worth noting that I recently relaxed my "no alcohol on weeknights" rule to allow 1-2 low-sugar adult drinks per evening, so that's probably replacing some of my sweets cravings. I'm happy that this intake hasn't obstructed my ability to workout the following morning. NF Forums: I figured out how to reply with giphys via the Tapatalk app on phone, which is a very important skill, so that's a level up. Also subscribed to a few people's threads and now have a very haphazard notifications-in-three-places thing happening, so I need to refine that next. (Question: what rules do you guys use for notifications?) Interior Design: I watched a bit more of one of the BBC episodes, but found it a bit difficult on the bus, so might need to wait for weekend time on this. 5 Quote "First you decide what you've gotta do, and then you go out and do it. And maybe the most that we can do is just to see each other through it." -Ani Difranco Current Challenge | Past Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Link to comment
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