Return of the J3nn-i

[J3NN]

About me:

I’m 43, I’m married (celebrated 20 years this spring), I have an adult daughter who lives at home. We have three cats. I live in Southern California, between Palm Springs and Los Angeles. I work in the healthcare/academic industry, in communications and technology (web). My doctor/insurance flag me as obese. I’m sedentary because of my job, but in general, my hobbies also tend towards the sedentary. I love to read, write, watch television/movies. Seasonally I have different craft hobbies I used to do, making jewelry, zentangle, crochet and scrapbooking, I find myself missing them, but I haven’t done any in a long time. I do love to hike and take pictures so that’s the one outdoor/active thing I would do all the time if I could. We have built a home gym, so I have no excuse not to workout. We have remodeled our kitchen, so I have no reason not to cook. I’m also a writer but trying to figure out what that means.

 

For this challenge I’m applying a Star Wars theme, I will post a star wars memes throughout the challenge to get me in the mood for the Halloween Star Wars night we have planned. Please feel free to add to the collection!

 

 

Here are my goals this time.

Workout

Continue don’t skip twice - Workout at least every three days, workout is 20 minutes, could be yoga, basic body workout, or just walking (or any other activity I feel like). Commit to 11 workouts.

• Subgoal here is to make a list/poster like one of these with my favorite exercises/workouts Fall Workout Plan or Fall Fitness Plan. I would like that before the start of Week 1

 

Stretches

After my pinched nerve experience in the last challenge, I  want to keep my neck in good shape and not end up with another pinched nerve. Stretch at least every three days, don’t skip twice, do 1 of the videos I found when I pinched my nerve. Commit to 11 stretch sessions.

 

Diet

Include one red, green or orange vegetable or fruit in every meal. Commit to 84 red, green or orange freggies. Wow, that seems like a lot, maybe I’ll cut this one in half and implement the Don’t skip twice rule here too and cut it down to 42. After all 42 is a good number. I just realized I'm not sure how to track the don't skip twice thing. Hmm, maybe that will be a subgoal too.

 

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

Write an average of 250 words per day over the course of the challenge.

Sub-goals here:

• Finish writing Whispers of the Apocalypse short story
• Revise/edit WotA short story
• Take “Idea to Draft” workshop by Cat Rambo
• Start writing new story after the workshop

 

In my tracker I will also have Self Care and Bonus items to track, just to see the trends and see if I can make these things more of a habit.

 

I'll start this week, but won't start counting until next week, I just want to keep the momentum going...

[Bean Sidhe]

Hi J3nn

 

Your challenge goals look really doable. Although I do think that trying to cut your diet goal in half would be a good idea. (the 84 works out to about 3 a day).

 

I am following

[Vibrantella]

Good luck with your challenge!

 

Don't be afraid of the freggies, I have 2 or more with every meal easily.  Think of smoothies, mixed salads, cooked veg & salad...  Although, is there a reason you're avoiding purple ones (aubergine, beetroot, red cabbage, various berries, etc.)?

[J3NN]

56 minutes ago, Vibrantella said:

Don't be afraid of the freggies, I have 2 or more with every meal easily.  Think of smoothies, mixed salads, cooked veg & salad...  Although, is there a reason you're avoiding purple ones (aubergine, beetroot, red cabbage, various berries, etc.)?

Thanks! I'm not afraid of freggies, I actually love them. This diet challenge was just my way of easing back in to making sure I'm actually getting them and actually paying attention to my diet. I stole the idea from Eat This Not That. I tend to be really good about fitness OR nutrition... I'm not good at both at the same time, so I wanted to try something REALLY small.  I also wanted to do something kind of Fall themed, so the colors appealed to me. Since I knew that I'd been slacking a little in the freggie department lately, but that it's easy for me, and since I really want my focus to be on fitness. I guess this was my cop out. 

 

I honestly didn't think about it further than that. It wasn't until I ate my breakfast this morning that I too wondered about other colors, yellow, purple, etc. 

 

I had this huge list of things I COULD do, and it just boiled down to wanting to do something but starting small. So I did this and didn't think about it anymore. 

 

Thanks for the support and giving me other ideas. Except for beets, eww beets!

[Vibrantella]

16 minutes ago, J3NN said:

Except for beets, eww beets!

  I can eat them raw, grated into a coleslaw type salad.  Or beet greens, they are nice.

[Wobbegong]

Roasted beets are delicious! I have some in my fridge right now, waiting to go into a salad. 

[J3NN]

Workout

Did a 20 minute yoga, neck stretching work out. Trying to ease my way back in this week.

 

Stretches

See above. I need to figure out what to do when I do the yoga as my exercise, do I just count it as the exercise, or do I count it for both?

 

Diet

Breakfast: Protein bar, hardboiled egg, oikos yogurt (strawberry) - I have to figure out if I'm going to count processed freggies as my freggies.

Lunch: Lean cuisine Mushroom Mazzeluna Ravioli (w/Spinach and Red Peppers), whole grain wheat thins, grapes

Dinner: Shrimp tacos with red beans, lime, red cabbage, avocado, zucchini and red pepper; Stella Artois and a single mini snickers bar (frozen)

I need to decide if I want to count other colors of freggies... mushrooms, bananas, plums, spaghetti squash, etc. 

I definitely got 2 of 3 today, 3 if I count my yogurt. I had my daughter buy cuties so I can pack those with my breakfast and count it for real.

 

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

Haven't written yet, but I am still thinking about it, so I'll probably get in some words. Dodgers are on so I'm ignoring that...

 

Self-care/bonus 

Tracker

 

So, I was off yesterday, we traveled back from our weekend away. Back at work today was sucky. There's rumbling that we may be going through some sort of transition as a department. I hate it when that happens. My coworker got pulled of a project. The third one for her in recent months. and I"m afraid there's more coming her way. I get incredibly de-motivated in this state of flux and it makes it hard to get the job done. I've been asked to apply for another job, but it's a new industry and I'm not sure I want to start over. But if the worst happens with these rumblings, I may just have to consider it.

 

[Wobbegong]

42 minutes ago, J3NN said:

Back at work today was sucky. There's rumbling that we may be going through some sort of transition as a department. I hate it when that happens. My coworker got pulled of a project. The third one for her in recent months. and I"m afraid there's more coming her way. I get incredibly de-motivated in this state of flux and it makes it hard to get the job done. I've been asked to apply for another job, but it's a new industry and I'm not sure I want to start over. But if the worst happens with these rumblings, I may just have to consider it.

Uncertainty at work is the worst. I hope everything works out swiftly and well for you and your coworkers!

[Bean Sidhe]

8 hours ago, J3NN said:

So, I was off yesterday, we traveled back from our weekend away. Back at work today was sucky. There's rumbling that we may be going through some sort of transition as a department. I hate it when that happens. My coworker got pulled of a project. The third one for her in recent months. and I"m afraid there's more coming her way. I get incredibly de-motivated in this state of flux and it makes it hard to get the job done. I've been asked to apply for another job, but it's a new industry and I'm not sure I want to start over. But if the worst happens with these rumblings, I may just have to consider it.

 

 

I am sorry work is so off right now (Uncertain is probably a better word). It can be very demoralizing when your not sure what is going on. It may not hurt to go ahead and apply for the other job. That way you have something in the works should things get bad, but if it doesn't and if you don't like the job once you interview or what not, nothing says you have to take it.

 

*hugs*

[zeroh13]

17 hours ago, Wobbegong said:

Roasted beets are delicious! I have some in my fridge right now, waiting to go into a salad. 

Beets work great in smoothies.

 

13 hours ago, J3NN said:

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

Haven't written yet, but I am still thinking about it, so I'll probably get in some words. Dodgers are on so I'm ignoring that...

Did you get around to writing?

 

13 hours ago, J3NN said:

So, I was off yesterday, we traveled back from our weekend away. Back at work today was sucky. There's rumbling that we may be going through some sort of transition as a department. I hate it when that happens. My coworker got pulled of a project. The third one for her in recent months. and I"m afraid there's more coming her way. I get incredibly de-motivated in this state of flux and it makes it hard to get the job done. I've been asked to apply for another job, but it's a new industry and I'm not sure I want to start over. But if the worst happens with these rumblings, I may just have to consider it.

Work uncertainty sucks so much. 

 

You can apply to that job, and like Bean said, if you don't like it you don't have to take it. You could also look around for a new job in your industry. 

 

On 10/16/2017 at 9:36 PM, J3NN said:

For this challenge I’m applying a Star Wars theme, I will post a star wars memes throughout the challenge to get me in the mood for the Halloween Star Wars night we have planned. Please feel free to add to the collection!

[J3NN]

25 minutes ago, zeroh13 said:

Did you get around to writing?

 

 

[zeroh13]

32 minutes ago, J3NN said:

 

 

Oh, yeah, I did read that. >_<

 

I usually struggle with that kind of scene, it's not easy.

[Wobbegong]

I have nothing useful so here have a gif:

 

[J3NN]

9 minutes ago, Wobbegong said:

 

Of course my work blocks this as an adult site. I'll have to remember to look at home tonight

[Wobbegong]

10 minutes ago, J3NN said:

Of course my work blocks this as an adult site. I'll have to remember to look at home tonight

...................
 

It's a very adult gif. Yes. So inappropriate. 

Workplace rules are weird. But I will admit, I didn't actually visit the website where the gif comes from, so maybe it is a porn hub or something. Who knows. 

[J3NN]

Workout

Not today. But did walk further than normal. My Amerithon miles were just at 3 miles, so that's better than my normal sitting on my butt all day.

 

Stretches

Not actively, though I did find myself doing neck rolls and demonstrating one of the stretches to my hubby. Might do one before bed to relax.

 

Diet

Breakfast: Protein bar, oikos yogurt (strawberry), 2 cuties and a banana

Lunch: Leftover tacos with red beans, lime, red cabbage, zucchini and red pepper; (for some reason all the shrimp and avocado were eaten last night...) and a single mini snickers bar (frozen), grapes

Dinner: 3 Chicken taquitos, spanish rice, refried beans with cheese and avocado "Sauce" I'm not sure that really counts as a green freggie, but my husband says sort-of.

 

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

I did write last night. Thought about my story more today, but haven't done any writing. To make my story a short story I'm finding myself cutting some of the scenes, so I'm working through that in my mind.

 

Self-care/bonus 

Tracker

 

 

Today was both better and worse. My boss confirmed my fears. Tomorrow is not going to be a fun day. Send me lots of love tomorrow around noon PST...But, after I had a little crying spell at the local park, I was better. I also had planned this morning to just go with the flow and focus on the things that help people here and now because I need to give small, quick wins right now. So I had a pile of those ready to go and I just kept working through those to get through my day. I also got to leave early because I had a dentist appointment, so that didn't hurt. Then tonight we went shopping. We got star wars stuff. I have a lightsaber!

 

On an unrelated note, but since there are so many readers in the forums, I thought I'd share this. There's a free subscription service to have a short story sent to you via email. It's interesting, they get a short story, break it into four parts and email it to you each morning. Some authors are really well known (the current story is Lee Child of Jack Reacher fame). 

I thought I'd share the link in case anyone wants to sign up. 

About Season of Stories

Season of Stories returns in September, with three more months of hand-picked short stories from acclaimed authors such as Lee Child, James McBride, Jenny Zhang, Charles Yu, Denis Johnson, and Aimee Bender.

Each week, you’ll get a new short story delivered to your inbox in four installments, sent daily from Tuesday until the conclusion on Friday. The bite-sized newsletter will give you just the right amount to read while commuting, waiting in line, or during your lunch break.

Summer might be over, but a whole season of awesome is coming your way.

 

 

[Bean Sidhe]

*hugs* I am sorry work was/going to be bad. *hugs* I probably won't be around when things go weird so early love.

 

[J3NN]

Workout

Not today. Should have, but, that didn't work out.

 

Stretches

Also no, but I did find myself paying attention to my posture today, multiple times. This might be a positive side effect. Unfortunately I also had a twinge of pain...so that's not good.

 

Diet

Breakfast: Protein bar, hard boiled egg, oikos yogurt (strawberry), 2 cuties and a banana

Lunch: Signature Select Thai Style Coconut Chicken, whole grain wheat thins, broccoli, grapes

Dinner: Steak bites (marinated sirloin pan fried) with red bell pepper, served on a bed of lettuce, with raw broccoli and garlic toast.

 

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

Not today. Though I was trying to channel the emotions, experiences and feelings of today into character building. Does that count?

 

Self-care/bonus 

Tracker

 

Updates

So yeah, at noon today it was officially announced that my department is being transitioned away from Public Affairs. We'll now be led by the ED of Marketing, but our team will not change...except to grow. Yeah, right. I have a new boss. We don't meet until Tuesday. I know her, I've worked with her for years. But in that same circle kind of working, not really working together. I don't know her well. I know I see some red flags. I'm okay because at least now it's out in the open and there may be a plan and things may be better. They could be worse. It'll take time to find out. My teammates are not feeling confident, change is hard, and they have seen the red flags too, so there's a current of concern more than anything. I have put out feelers about that other job, this way I'll be open to options.

 

Other than that I'm just kind of drained, so yeah, I'm going to call today a wash and be glad that it's not officially in the challenge yet. I wish all the memes weren't storm troopers... But this is my plan:

 

[Wobbegong]

 

Take it easy, relax. Go pod-racing. There's nothing wrong with prioritizing yourself over your challenge -- after all, the challenge is there to help you improve, right? It's not useful if you're wearing yourself out with it. The important thing is to just keep track of when you're ready, and make sure to get back to it then.  

[J3NN]

Workout

Not today. I an counting this as  my skip. I now have three days to get in a new workout.

 

Stretches

Also no, ditto above. No additional pain today so that's good.

 

Diet

Breakfast: Protein bar, hard boiled egg, oikos yogurt (strawberry), 1 cutie and a banana

Lunch: tuna salad and crackers, 1 cutie, broccoli, grapes, 1 cutie

Snack: Sargento cheese, cashews and cranberries

Dinner: 2 chicken burritos (home made, chicken, red peppers, rice, black beans, tomatoes, garlic and spices) with cheese and sour cream

 

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

Not today. I did have my MMG group though, that always makes me feel like writing. So now I feel like it.... but it's Friday night and that means Hockey!

 

Self-care/bonus 

Tracker

 

Updates

Work was okay, we talked as a leadership team and found we're all feeling the same, so at least we're on the same page. I ran into my old boss too, he seems good. I connected with several members of the team today, viewed some great photos from one's vacation to Yosemite with a side trip to the Bristlecone forest. Talked to another about their weekend plans and started getting to know the newest one. It was odd to me, he didn't know that they guy next to him has a fairly new puppy. They literally share a cubicle. It makes me wonder if they're not clicking, or if they're just so professional that they don't share personal life stories. IDK, it has me pondering. Maybe I'm the weird one. Oh wait. That's already a known fact isn't it. Hmm. But still....Anyway... they all seem to be riding the wave waiting to see how things go and wanting answers fast. But they seem generally okay.

 

Oooohhhhh!!!!!!! My daughter got a job! That's good too!

 

And, with that, it's time to get ready for the opening night of the season, since we cooked at home we can enjoy dessert at the stadium and have an adult beverage perhaps. Can't wait to go see the boys now that we've had the chance to meet them all. Go Reign!

[WantMy$2]

Love the name for this thread/challenge!

 

I hope you can hold off the evil empire over the weekend!

[Butternut]

On 10/17/2017 at 5:30 PM, Vibrantella said:

  I can eat them raw, grated into a coleslaw type salad.  Or beet greens, they are nice.

 

Mmmm beets...

 

Color idea! Love it! 

 

11 minutes ago, WantMy$2 said:

Love the name for this thread/challenge!

 

I hope you can hold off the evil empire over the weekend!

 

Nice. 

[WantMy$2]

Bonus point for the Shawn Achor quote. the school district I work for started a huge Orange Frog initiative based off Happiness Advantage last year. Makes my job easier because I work with teachers and schools on using a trauma-sensitive approach with kids and behavior. If we have a district wide positive culture movement going, people have to realize that goes for kids too  

[J3NN]

Yesterday's update a little late:

Workout

Still nope.

 

Stretches

Also, still nope. Good thing the real challenge starts today.

 

Diet

Breakfast: Pumpkin bread. My weekend routine made me absolutely forget I'm supposed to have a freggie. Oops.

Lunch: Leftovers - 2 chicken burritos (home made, chicken, red peppers, rice, black beans, tomatoes, garlic and spices) with cheese and sour cream and added avocado

Snack: White cheddar popcorn

Dinner: Romano's Macaroni Grill Pollo Caprese with ceasar salad, this included tomatoes, basil, and arugula, aside from the lettuce in the salad.

 

Level Up Your Life (LUYL)

Also nope. Was busy with Star Wars Halloween prep...

 

Self-care/bonus 

Tracker

 

Updates

Hmm, mostly just busy with Star Wars crafting. Coming to realize that I love the act of creation when it's hands on, but no so much the imagination part that leads to the creation. My imagination relies largely on my experience, or my research, it never just comes out of thin air. I follow a recipe, a set of instructions or directions very well. But don't make me figure it out on my own. PLEASE.

Glad the challenge is officially underway, I'm doing my first mini(s) and I think that will help kick me back into gear.

[J3NN]

Sneak peak of one Imperial element for Halloween. There's a fog machine attached and feeding some through holes in the black tubes.

Gotta love upcycling!

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