UnquietBones vs. Old Year's Resolutions

UnquietBones · November 22, 2017

It's that time again... Like a zombie that just won't die, the threat of New Year's Resolutions has staggered in from the cold. Which means I need to take a look at all the things I did (or didn't do) in 2017 and start making plans for the things I'm doing in 2018.

RETROSPECTION CHALLENGE, GOGOGO!

For this challenge I will be taking a moment to review all of the Nerd Fitness challenges that I've done this year and try and pull apart what worked and what didn't. At the same time I'm going to be trying to keep up by AIBARN'ing and chasing those last few checkmarks before the year closes out. 31 Days is still a lot of time to work with and I'm not throwing in the towel just yet!

UnquietBones · November 22, 2017

First Quest - Allergy Medication Experimentation

Red - acetaminophen, phenylephrine HCl, guaifenesin
Blue - loratadine
Green - cetirizine hydrochloride
Purple - fexofenadine hydrochloride

I have been taking Red for a number of years for seasonal allergies (and spike days), but when I started taking it this year it made me hyper, dizzy, forgetful, and unable to get a good nights sleep. Enough so that my boss at work was concerned. Thus my first quest is to try out the other OTC options and see if any of them work better. *crosses fingers*

The first experiment will be Green, since a friend recommended it. Last time I tried Green it caused serious sleep issues, but that was over a decade ago, so I figure it's worth another try.

Green Trial - 11/22 to 12/6 (14 pills in the box +1 missed day) - Seemed Ineffective

Spoiler

Day 1 (11/22), some congestion, but the side effects from red seem to be gone, no issues sleeping
Day 2 (11/23), ditto, but slightly more congestion (I did have some honey, so that might be the reason)
Day 3 (11/24), very mild morning congestion, bad congestion after eating (I really need to figure out my food allergies)
Day 4 (11/25), heavy morning congestion, still having some food allergy issues
Day 5 (11/26), mild morning congestion, but otherwise okay. Heavier congestion following leaf blowing (outdoor allergies)
Day 6 (11/27), mild morning congestion, mild sniffles after lunch
Day 7 (11/28), mild morning migraine, congestion
Day 8 (11/29), consistent mild congestion the entire day. Heavier congestion following leaf blowing (outdoor allergies)
Day 9 (11/30), heavyish morning congestion (leftover from leaves I think), mild congestion throughout the day
Day 10 (12/1), heavier morning congestion, but mostly gone by the time I got to work
~~Day 11 (12/2)~~, I forgot to take the pill in the morning, but had the same mild congestions issues
Day 11 (12/3), mild all day congestion and this was with missing a pill and yardwork, so... yay?
Day 12 (12/4), very mild morning congestion, some mild mild issues later in the day
Day 13 (12/5), medium morning congestion, slight headache
Day 14 (12/6), mild morning congestion, some mild mild issues later in the day -- may have a cold?

Week Off - 12/7 to 12/13 (no-meds trial)

Spoiler

Day 1 (12/7), medium morning congestion, itchy eyes, no real congestion the rest of the day
Day 2 (12/8), medium morning congestion, itchy eyes, some mild congestion after eating and feeling very tired
Day 3 (12/9), very mild allergy(?) headache, neck pains, mild congestion all day, I may take some Red pills if it starts heading into a migrane
Day 4 (12/10), mild allergy issues, hubby definitely has a cold (boo)
Day 5 (12/11), mild morning congestion, mild afternoon congestion, sniffly but not really an issue
Day 6 (12/12), medium morning congestion, slightly lighter during the day, no meal spikes
Day 7 (12/13), medium morning congestion, slightly lighter during the day, but they kicked on the heat at work and dust allergies spiked liek woah.

Blue Trial - 12/14 to 12/29 (10 pills in the box + 6 days skipped)

Spoiler

Day 1 (12/14), heavier morning congestion, pill at breakfast, heat is still on so here's hoping it works, ah okay, I have a cold. Dammitall.
Day 2 (12/15), took a pill, but I'm not counting today since I have very heavy congestion from the cold.
Day x (12/16) - COLD, no meds
Day x (12/17) - COLD, no meds
Day x (12/18) - COLD, no meds
Day x (12/19) - COLD, no meds
Day x (12/20) - COLD, no meds
Day x (12/21) - COLD, no meds
Day 3 (12/22) - Little bit of cold, heavier morning congestion and coughing, but took a pill
Day 4 (12/23)
Day 5 (12/24)
Day 6 (12/25)
Day 7 (12/26)
Day 8 (12/27)
Day 9 (12/28)
Day 10 (12/29)

Second Quest - Cut Back on Diet Coke

This was a renewal of a quest from the very first challenge. I feel confident that I can manage this without it causing issues with the other challenges. So away we go! (Started 11/27)

Spoiler

Day 1, (11/27) 1 morning can, drank only hot tea at work (so much sugar XD), drank Mio at home and another half a can because I was starting to feel sick
Day 2 (11/28), Mild migraine in the morning that got worse as the day went on, 1 morning can, 1 afternoon can, drinking hot tea at work and Mio at night, had two glasses of soda while out to dinner.
Day 3 (11/29), 1 morning can, one evening can, all Diet Coke and Mio in between!
Day 4 (11/30), 1 morning can, Large soda from Hardee's, 1 can after that, Mio at home, but Diet Coke when we went out for dinner
Day 5 (12/1), 1 morning can... and then a large soda, and then another large soda, and then lots more cans
Day 6 (12/2), SO MANY CANS
Day 7 (12/3), SRSLY GUYZ SO MANY
Day 8 (12/4), 1 medium sized soda (refill left over from dinner), hot tea, 1 can, 1 can (splenda, blech), 1 can
Day 9 (12/5), 1 can, 1 medium sized soda, 1 large soda, 1 medium soda, 1 can
Day 10 (12/6), 1 can, 1 can, hot tea, 1 can (splenda), 1 can,
Day 11 (12/7), 1 can, hot tea, 1 large soda, 1 can, 1 can (splenda)
Day 12 (12/8), 1 can, hot tea, lots of cans after work (to try and stay awake)
Day 13 (12/9), l have a mild headache and caffeine really helps it from turning into a migraine, so I'm not tracking today. i.e. LOTS
Day 14 (12/10), 1 can (splenda), 2 glasses, 1 can (splenda), 2 glasses, 1 can (splenda)
Day 15 (12/11), 1 liter (approx), 2 glasses, 1 large soda, 1 can
Day 16 (12/12), 1 can, hot tea, 1 medium soda, 1 medium soda, 1 can, 1 can
Day 17 (12/13), 1 can, hot tea, 1 can, 2 glasses, 1 can
Day 18 (12/14), 1 can, 1 can, hot tea, 1 splenda (almost gone! They taste sooo bad but I can't bring myself to trash them)
Day 19 (12/15), 1 can, 1 can, sick not counting
Day 20 (12/16), sick, not counting
Day 21 (12/17), sick, not counting
Day 22 (12/18), sick, not counting
Day 23 (12/19), sick, not counting
Day 24 (12/20), sick, not counting
Day 25 (12/21), 1 can, 1 medium soda, 1 hot tea, 1 large soda, 2.5 glasses
Day 26 (12/22), 1 can, 2 medium soda
Day 27 (12/23),
Day 28 (12/24),

Third Quest - Bullet All The Journals!

This is a combination of the second challenge (write one good thing a day) and the AIBARN tracking from the third. (Started 11/27)

Spoiler

11/27 - Done
11/28 - Done
11/29 - Done
11/30 - Done
12/1 - Skipped
12/2 - Skipped
12/3 - Skipped
12/4 - Done
12/5 - Done
12/6 - Done
12/7 - Done
12/8 - Done-ish, all I did was track soda consumption
12/9 - Did not remember I was trying to remember to use the darned thing until 2pm. *sighs* And then didn't write anything new in it!
12/10 - Done
12/11 - Done at work, did not take it out of the backpack after work (arg!)
12/12 - Done (and at home too, woot!)
12/13 - Didn't use all day, nothing really to write down, but I'm supposed to be looking at it!
12/14 - Done
12/15 - Skipped
12/16 - Skipped
12/17 - Skipped
12/18 - Skipped
12/19 - Skipped
12/20 - Skipped
12/21 - Did at work, didn't take it out at home
12/22 - Did at work...
12/23
12/24

Manarelle · November 23, 2017

Ugh, messing with meds is always rough - I hope it goes well for you and you find what works quickly! As always, following.

UnquietBones · November 27, 2017

Time for some review of what worked and what didn't and how to reincorporate the wins into today! (I'm buying a sketchbook to start a simple bullet journal after work, so I can better track and organize my goals. *crosses fingers*)

This was my first challenge of the year and my goals were:

1. I will not drink Diet Coke

Okay, so I expect some backsliding on this...maybe? I'm only on Day 2, but it's my first workday and honestly I feel just fine this morning (and it was my 6am shift to boot!). I know it isn't bad for me as a 'sometimes' food, but I'd like to hammer into my brain that it's not to be picked if there are other viable options.

I did very well with this goal during the challenge, managing to stop drinking DC by the end of it. I then more or less immediately backslid, but the important part was it wasn't as hard to initially quit as I thought. A lot of breaking the DC habit seems to be me stressing over how hard it is to break the habit! :lol: ...so time to stop putting this off and try again. *adds it to the imaginary bullet journal*

2. I will walk every day

I'm getting a lot better about taking the dog out for a walk when it's nice out, so I'll keep doing that (she drags me around at roughly 3mph, gah!) and walking on the treadmill when it's cold/raining/miserable. By the end of January I want to be to the point where I am walking three miles every day. I've done it before, long, long ago... so I know I can do it again-- and I need a challenge! :lol:

This challenge goal pops up a LOT throughout the challenges this year, but I've yet to win it. I'm not sure what else to try, but there had to be a way to get this into the 'win' column. Rar! Suggestions welcome.

3. I will try and cook more

The first two goals are pretty hard for me, so the last one is a 'try' instead of a 'will'. My dad got me a fancy kickstarter chef knife for Christmas so I have vowed to start using it! Which hopefully means there will be lots of packed lunches (with Friday as my 'cheat day') and a bunch of dinners. I'm going to be focusing more on the lunches than the dinners, but with luck there will be success there as well.

Again another challenge that I sometimes succeed at, but not for very long. The poor knife has spend the full year in the box! I think a lot of the problems I have with this goal is that food prep takes a long time and I just run out of time to get it done. I think I may look into meal batching as soon as we get the freezer cleared out (we're trying to eat through it now). Definitely a goal I'd like to keep working at!

4. MINIS!

I want to give the mini a good solid try as well, although this one is really really optional... there are a lot of things I can't do (yet!) so that limits my participation some. But I will make an honest effort to try whatever is available and hopefully I can pull it off. *crosses fingers*

Minis are the first thing to fall by the wayside most challenges... which is sad because this guild has some really awesome ones!! I'm not going to play this time around because I'm focusing more on getting plans and processes in place, but it's something I really want to start up again next year.

Overall this challenge went pretty well, but I didn't have a plan in place, I just sort of rolled with it. I think having the bullet journal will help me get a little more on top of things, but I know it's no magic bullet. (HA!) One of the things I'd like to do for next year is having a page with all of my goals for the NF challenges on it... it's fun to look over all the things I've tried to do, but it's a little sad to see how many I've let drop off again. Le sigh. Le woe. Le get up and try again. :lol:

Side note: There is nothing more awesome than starting the day off listening to random Broadway Music... why haven't I done this morning often??

Manarelle · November 27, 2017

1 hour ago, UnquietBones said:

2. I will walk every day

I'm getting a lot better about taking the dog out for a walk when it's nice out, so I'll keep doing that (she drags me around at roughly 3mph, gah!) and walking on the treadmill when it's cold/raining/miserable. By the end of January I want to be to the point where I am walking three miles every day. I've done it before, long, long ago... so I know I can do it again-- and I need a challenge!

This challenge goal pops up a LOT throughout the challenges this year, but I've yet to win it. I'm not sure what else to try, but there had to be a way to get this into the 'win' column. Rar! Suggestions welcome.

What is holding you back? If it's health issues, or something that's not fully in your control, it might be worth comparing days walked to days feeling well. If you're hitting a majority on that scale, then I'd say it's a win. If it's something that is in your control, maybe start smaller - 2 days a week, then 3 once you've hit that, then 4, etc. No point in beating yourself up if the cause is out of your hands!

Teancum · November 27, 2017

I like the idea of looking back over the year! I should probably do that too

UnquietBones · November 28, 2017

16 hours ago, Teancum said:

I like the idea of looking back over the year! I should probably do that too

I've found that doing a quick yearly review has really helped me get over the idea that I wasn't moving forward on any of my goals. I've even started opening blog posts at the beginning of the year and logging in 'wins' as time rolls by... last year I forgot and I honestly thought I'd accomplished nothing until I started reviewing my notes. Plus this is a great way to take a look at how I'm approaching challenges as a whole and what seems to be working for me. Here's hoping I can tweak the process! *crosses fingers*

22 hours ago, Manarelle said:

What is holding you back? If it's health issues, or something that's not fully in your control, it might be worth comparing days walked to days feeling well. If you're hitting a majority on that scale, then I'd say it's a win. If it's something that is in your control, maybe start smaller - 2 days a week, then 3 once you've hit that, then 4, etc. No point in beating yourself up if the cause is out of your hands!

Hmm... that's something I probably need to sit down and think about. I guess I keep looking at it as an all-or-nothing sort of goal-- once I get on the treadmill or out the door, it's easy for me to got for a mile at least, so I've always been focused on the 'you're just being lazy' aspect of it. I think I might start keeping a log of why I didn't walk that day, it would be interesting to see how much of it is not feeling well and how much of it is actual lazybones.

UnquietBones · November 29, 2017

The second challenge of the year came after I lost a dog (somewhat suddenly) and a friend (very suddenly) towards the end of the first challenge.

It was a simple challenge, but one that I really needed at the time:

Post at least one good thing that happened today.

Addendum: I may not say 'but' or 'except' or any other negative qualifiers.

It was a very successful challenge in terms of getting my brain back into a happy place. I was sick a lot (which seems to be par for the course for me) and there were a lot of days when it was very helpful to look back at the list of accomplishments. I'm trying to bring this challenge back in the form of the bullet journal. Unlike a normal journal I added in a bunch of pages that track my accomplishments in Artwork, Writing, Wins, and Promises Kept. I'm also putting them in the daily notes, but I'm not going to make this a proper challenge going forward.

UnquietBones · November 30, 2017

So far the AIBARN'ing has been going pretty well. I've been having a lot less Diet Coke than I have been recently and I've brought lunch and breakfast to work every day this week. Today I splurged and got breakfast from Hardee's and realized I have more soda in the large drink than I had all of yesterday... (although I did have tea and Mio). So win! *noms awesome egg biscuit* The bullet journal is also going well and it helping me keep track of all the things I need to remember. It's nowhere near as pretty as it could be, but I figure that's just flair and I can add it in once I'm better at it.

On a less than happy note the green allergy meds don't seem to be doing much of anything. I'm not sure if the allergies are just that bad right now or if it's just not a good match. I'm going to try seven days without meds after the green is over to get a better baseline for what it's like without them. *makes note*

On an unrelated NF note... I'm going to win NaNoWriMo unless something goes epicly wrong tonight. The last few chapters need a LOT of polish before I can post them to Wattpad, but the story itself seems pretty solid. Now I just need to commit to actually finishing the darned thing! :lol:

On an even more unrelated note, I had someone buy a bunch of Saturday Story Prompt ebooks from the two as well as two custom collections. Then they turned around a bought more books! So I am really stoked about that-- I love it when people find the prompts useful. *small happy dance*

Manarelle · November 30, 2017

Sounds like you needed that second challenge for a very specific reason, and you nailed it and overcame the reason. Definitely a success story. Grats on the diet coke victories, and good luck with the allergy meds!

UnquietBones · December 4, 2017

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! *waves fist at sky* Erm yes, backslide!

But the Big Dumb Doggo of Much Destruction (aka Bucket) went on a chewing spree outside (giant hole in side of shed, gardening tools, paint cans, seat of lawn mower, etc.) and I lost the whole weekend to putting up an radio dog fence. Which meant stringing wire, moving leaves, cutting back bushes, running lots of PVC pipe, digging trenches in front of the gates, and fighting with the wiring. I still need to fix on section (going to pull it apart and rebuild it tonight) but am mostly done. So. 12,000+ steps on Sunday, 8,000+ steps on Saturday, and one tired me! ...And lots of Diet Coke. :lol: I also didn't bullet journal at all yet this month, but I am fixing that now. *doodles*

Oh well, live and learn.

On that note... time for another challenge review!

UnquietBones · December 4, 2017

My third challenge of the year was an attempt to get myself back on track by just trying to AIBARN a thing-a-day... and it worked! Sort of. It was very encouraging to see that I was actually accomplishing things. Sadly the fish gazebo still looks pretty much how I left it in April. It has a roof now, but the sides and top/seating still need work.

I am hoping to keep this challenge going with my bullet journal. Assuming I can get in the habit of remembering I have one. *pats journal* Sorry dude, I promise I'll remember you harder!

UnquietBones · December 7, 2017

The fourth challenge for the year was to get out of the house, but due to weather, sickness, and the adopted dog we had to give back... I didn't get out much. This was pretty much my generic walking challenge, only this time I was trying to get outside instead of using the treadmill. I think if I do a walking challenge again, I need to make sure that 'walking on the treadmill inside' is an option. When the weather is bad or I only have short periods of time to walk in, I really need to be using the treadmill.

It's getting a lot colder here, so I don't know that getting outside is going to be viable for much longer... but I'm going to give it a try! I got out for a short dog walk earlier this week and I'm trying to make sure I do one whenever it's nice out. *crosses fingers*

UnquietBones · December 8, 2017

This review challenge has been a bit hard for me because I didn't do well in a lot of the challenges this year and it's a bit depressing to look over all the failures. But I've got some wins in there too and if I don't take a moment to be mindful to learn from my mistakes I'm just going to keep making them! *grumbles to self and keeps going*

On the current challenges end of things I am sometimes drinking less Diet Coke, which is a win! I'm at least mindful of it and I am making choices to have hot tea or Mio often, which is 100% more progress than I was making before. I'm not to the point quite yet when I'm only having one can of soda in the morning, but that's not too far off. *crosses fingers*

I'm into my 'no meds' week now with the allergy medication and my eyes are much itchier. This is a new development, so apparently the Green was doing something after all. :lol: Right now it's not that bad (plus I think I have a cold), so we'll see how it goes... Blue is next up and depending on how I feel I might start that trial early. Yay allergies.

The bullet journaling is going well during work, but I'm not yet into the habit of using it after work. I've been trying to focus on taking it out of my backpack and carrying it around the house with me... so hopefully that habit won't be too hard to pick up. No giant wins from that yet, but I am having fun making little check boxes that I can fill in for the larger tasks. Baby steps!

UnquietBones · December 8, 2017

The fifth challenge of the year was one of LOGIC and REASON and it worked... sort of. I actually did a bit better here, so I think that challenge with only a few goals might be more constructive for me than the ones where I overplan like a crazy overplanner what overplans. :lol:

Experiment #1 - Overcommitting

Hypothesis: Overcommitting makes the To Do List seem overwhelming and nothing gets done.

Prediction: If I reduce my commitments then I will have less time constraints and I will be able to focus more on eating well and being Assassin-y.

Experiment: For the length of this challenge, refuse new commitments and reduce existing commitments.

This was a CRAZY HARD CHALLENGE, but I've kept it going! I've been trying very very hard to hold to this so that 2018 ends up as a year with very little commitments. Sadly I am still working on the same writing and art projects that I was then, but I've made progress, so go me! The bullet journal seems to be a good place for me to keep track of my promises (I even have a page that says 'Promises Kept') but it's a daily fight. There have been several times where I almost volunteered to take on more projects and I have a feeling it may take another year before my kneejerk response isn't 'sure, I can do that!'. *rolls eyes and sighs*

Experiment #2 - Eating Dinner In

Hypothesis: I am eating out because it is the path of least resistance.

Prediction: If I stock the house with quick meals I won't eat out.

Experiment: Attempt organized meal planning for dinner for the length of the challenge.

This is another one of those ongoing challenge themes that I still haven't managed to nail down. The problem is that I like fresh food so when I cook dinner I really want to have hit up the store on the way home. Which adds 45min to my commute and then another 45min for the cooking times. Which normally means I don't get out to walk the dogs. *flail* I need to find a way to work this into my schedule where it works, but I'm not sure how. I think I may need to find a way to prep-ahead meals without freezing or just crockpot the heck out of them. *pokes challenge* I think this is one I'll revisit next challenge, I've got too much on my plate as it is this time.

Experiment #3 - Kicking Mini Butt!

Hypothesis: I fail at Mini's because I do not make participating in them a priority in my day.

Prediction: If I have a plan for daily participation for mini challenges and setup reminders, I will be more successful.

Experiment: I will create a plan for the Munchkin Challenge and set up some system of reminders that the plan exists!

Minis!! Again this is another favorite challenge that I'm not that good at. I love the minis and I have the BEST INTENTIONS... and then I get sidetracked and never compete at the level I want to. I can't see a future challenge where I'm going to say no to minis (unless I'm really really busy), so I really need to hash out a better plan for interacting with them. *ponders*

All in all this challenge was one that I considered a win because it was such a rough start to the year. 2017 was not a fun year and I'm looking forward to it being over! I know the whole 'New Year, New Life' thing is a logical fallacy of the highest order, but I can't help embracing it anyways. I still have plenty of time left in 2017 to make positive steps forward, but 2018 can't come fast enough!

Manarelle · December 8, 2017

23 hours ago, UnquietBones said:

It's getting a lot colder here, so I don't know that getting outside is going to be viable for much longer... but I'm going to give it a try! I got out for a short dog walk earlier this week and I'm trying to make sure I do one whenever it's nice out. *crosses fingers*

As much as going outside is a good goal, it's definitely one that's often derailed for reasons outside your control (unless you're one of those crazy healthy people that can go running when it's -30 outside). I'd love to be one of those, but as soon as it's under 50°, I start wheezing when I workout, so.... treadmill is less ideal but pretty central to staying in shape.

53 minutes ago, UnquietBones said:

The fifth challenge of the year was one of LOGIC and REASON and it worked... sort of. I actually did a bit better here, so I think that challenge with only a few goals might be more constructive for me than the ones where I overplan like a crazy overplanner what overplans.

Haha, no way, who'd have thought?!

Good luck with the meds! Hope you find one soon that just works.

UnquietBones · December 12, 2017

The sixth challenge was actually pretty motivating. I didn't get as much done as I had hoped to (but that's pretty much par for the course), but it ended on a very high note (YAY BUCKET DOG!) and I felt quite accomplished!

1. Start my journey in the NerdFitness Academy

...Is it bad that I've totally forgotten that I started this? It probably is. I haven't gotten at all far on the Academy at all-- but I did go buy the Level Up Your Life book on a whim a week or two ago. Still haven't started reading it. Plans: I have themz. Execution: I do not haz.

2. Kick butt in the Assassin's mini (or die trying!) ((well, maybe not that far...))

Same song, second verse!

3. Get 45 'active minutes' every day to max out the Virgin Pulse program at work so I earn full payout under the new system.

The new program actually gives away a bunch of new points for food logs and meal planning and sleep tracking... so I didn't need to walk as much to earn full credit. Which was sort of counter-motivating. I'm actually probably going to miss hitting Level 5 this time for the first time in a looooong time, just because I got lazy about walking.

4. Continue my quest to NOT COMMIT TO ANYTHING NEW and to finish existing commitments. (I overcommit liek woah and am trying to break the habit.)

Totally still working on this, but I am on track to end the year with nothing new on my plate for 2018. *crosses fingers*

UnquietBones · December 14, 2017

So, the week without allergy meds was not a lot of fun, but it's tolerable. I thought it was going to be a lot worse since I used to have really bad sniffles several years ago before I started taking the meds regularly. I'm looking forward to starting the Blue (loratadine/Claritin) clearing things up again.

Cutting back on the Diet Coke isn't going as well as I like, but there is some slow progress. I think once the new allergy meds kick in it will be a little easier-- Diet Coke is a comfort food for me (which sounds all sorts of silly) and it has an effect on my allergy headaches, so less allergies, less feeling sick, less Diet Coke!

The bullet journal is still a shaky habit right now. I could be using it a lot more than I am... I think this challenge will be mostly about me finding a good way to use it. *pokes Journal* I've made a bunch of coloring/checkbox items, since I like those, so we'll see if that helps things any. I've also started playing around online with other folks layouts and ideas, so something might spark there as well. *crosses fingers*

I've got four more challenges to look over, then I need to summarize them... I'm starting to make very very general plans and goals for next year, so I need the data! :lol:

UnquietBones · December 14, 2017

So my four week challenge is to learn how to WEAR OUT THE PUPPEH.

The seventh challenge was a fun one! I had just gotten Sir Buckethead the Gallant (of the family Dumass) ((the B is silent)) and the entire challenge centered around working him into the pack. There was a lot of dog walking, a lot of throwing and tuggy playing, just general getting outside and enjoying dogs! After a really bad start to the year this was the challenge that finally brought me around into a much more active and happier baseline.

Amusingly this challenge really got me in the habit of taking pictures again too! Now I am overflowing with pictures of the pets (and sometimes the hubby) and a bunch of photos that I can use for eBook covers. So much win! :lol:

UnquietBones · December 21, 2017

Nastybad cold upended my plans so I've been in limbo since Friday. The sniffles are mostly gone, but I've still got a bit of a cough and a rough voice. I'm hoping today will be the last of the symptoms that interfere with daily life and I can start getting back on track!

Sadly between throwing my back out and then the cold... I didn't get any Christmas present crafting done. So crafty coupon timez! :lol: Oddly enough going back over all these old challenges and tracking my sick time has made me a lot less stressed out over the fact that I didn't get anything done. I had a good reasons and my brain seems to be finding them acceptable this time. Which bodes great for 2018 NF challenges! (Staying motivated and not sad-turtle is hard sometimes)

On that note... time to review those last few challenges so I can get even more meta on the overview! :lol:

UnquietBones · December 21, 2017

The eighth challenge was overkill again, because I can't learn how not to overplan-- and it failed about as expected. I stopped tracking halfway through the challenge because of sickness, stress, and other turtle-inducing factors. One of which was probably because I tried to do too much all at one. Again! *facepalm* I spent a lot of time in 2017 waffling back and forth between simple challenges and complex challenges... I think 2018 is going to be all about the simple!

Goal #1 - Eating Healthy

I will take at least one positive step a day towards permanently changing my diet and document it here.

Goal #2 - Walking

I will take my doggie sidekicks out at least once a day for a dog walk and post a photo.

Goal #3 - Bodyweight Exercises

I will do at least one bodyweight exercise a day and log it here.

Goal #4 - Reducing Commitments

I will make some progress each day on my current commitments.

Goal #5 - Adulting

I will do at least one thing a day that counts as adulting, outside of my other goals.

All of these are challenges that I've done before and I will probably keep doing until the stars burn out... I'm just going to try and do them in a slightly saner manner next time. Baby steps are great, but not if you are trying to do a whole bunch of them at once!

You think I'd learn that lesson once and stop, but nooooooooooo... :lol: :lol:

UnquietBones · December 21, 2017

The ninth challenge was once of simplicity (which is good!), but heavily depended on my not getting sick (which is bad!). I actually did a lot less dog walking this challenge than I had in earlier challenges and once again fell victim to mid-challenge turtling. Four weeks is a long time when things are going sideways!

The thing I learned from this challenge was one I brought into this one... the realization that I get sick. A lot. I mean I knew I was sick a lot in general, but it never really popped up as something that could actively keep me from accomplishing things. Looking over my old challenges (which I started to do in #9) made me realise that I can't do the things I want to because of how sick I get. Which is why the current challenge has things in it like experimenting with allergy meds and bullet journaling (to track the sick).

2018 won't be this magical year of magicalness where everything is fixed... but I'm really hoping it's a healthier one. And I think I've learned enough from this year to help it be. *crosses fingers*

Manarelle · December 21, 2017

1 hour ago, UnquietBones said:

You think I'd learn that lesson once and stop, but nooooooooooo...

1 hour ago, UnquietBones said:

2018 won't be this magical year of magicalness where everything is fixed... but I'm really hoping it's a healthier one. And I think I've learned enough from this year to help it be. *crosses fingers*

Sounds like some lessons are starting to stick around! You are definitely not the only one who has to learn a lesson multiple times. I'd love to think I can experience something and not do it again, but it usually turns out that I do the same thing with juuuuuust enough details changed that I think it's a new lesson... and really it's not. Your last sentence, though, sounds like a reasonable (and reachable!) expectation, which is already setting you up for success. Not to say that lofty goals aren't a good thing, but a good grounding in reality helps.

Sorry to hear you're sick again. It's amazing how much that derails plans. Looks like you hit this challenge's goal of review, however, so congrats! Here's to some happy holidays and a better new year!

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