Scalyfreak boldly leaves the tutorial stage

[Scaly Freak]

The story of Scalyfreak and her quest towards becoming a strong and self-rescuing princess, continues. Blocking her path, as they have for years, are her two greatest enemies, the demon twins Procrastination and Self-Indulgence. Her first skirmish with the evil twins, this time around, ended with the demons taking a couple of hits and Scalyfreak limping back home to nurse her wounds. A draw.

 

But the next battle will be different. (Even more than last time! )

 

Scalyfreak learns from her mistakes. She remembers the reason she joined a much larger force, filled with all kinds of demon-slaying specialists, was because taking on the demons by herself had proven to be a futile endeavor. It would be foolish not to learn from the more experienced and successful warriors in this army she has joined. So Scalyfreak attempted to learn, from all the different kinds of specialists in the demon-slaying army. She studied manuals and guides. She asked questions, she even reached out and asked for assistance - an entirely new strategy that Scalyfreak has never tested before. However, it seems to work for others, so she is determined to give it a fair chance. Scalyfreak is reluctantly coming to realize that what makes the successful self-rescuing princesses different from those who fail, is that the victorious ones know their limits, and they know when to ask for help.

 

Next battle is looming large at the horizon... the demons are coming closer. 

 

Scalyfreak sends up a bright red flare requesting assistance, then faces the demons, and braces herself for the upcoming fight.

 

 

My first challenge, in the Level 1 forum, was a partial success. Out of my four goals I managed to completely meet two of them, and partially meet the other two. The good news is I'm pretty sure I know why the partial ones failed, and I can use that to help me meet my challenges this time around. I'm also going to bring the two partially failed goals forward with me, rather than give up on them, since that would give Procrastination points and make Self-Indulgence gloat again (she has a really annoying voice too!).

 

Goals for this 4-week challenge:

 

1. Continue with the good habits from the last challenge. These are: Go for a walk every day, and no drinking soda. Both should be fairly easy. I have stopped purchasing soda, so I no longer have any in the house, which helps a ton. At work I drink ice water, but I have come to realize that I need something for my stomach when work gets stressful. Diet soda is out, since drinking one would make Self-Indulgence happy, so I have decided to keep a 12-pack of my precious La Croix at my desk for stress-gastritis related emergencies.

 

Daily walks will be easy, since my loyal side-kick Manipulative Bi--- (a.k.a. She Who Loves Unconditionally), will be using her powerful Level 12 spell "Sad Puppy Eyes" to cause debilitating guilt trips if I "forget" to walk her in the mornings.

 

Since I have seen others be asked this, I am going to preempt any weather-related concerns by stating that I grew up with winters considerably harsher and colder than what I live with currently, and I know how to dress against the weather. Snow and cold will not stop us.

 

2. Go to the gym every Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday. Fridays and Tuesdays the gym visit will take place after work, which means it may be more difficult those days to find the energy to go. Procrastination works hard every Friday evening to prevent the workout from happening.... but she will not be allowed to succeed with this for much longer! This is a challenging goal where reinforcements in the form of an accountability system will make the most of a difference.

 

Plan of attack for the gym: Learn proper form for all lifts in Stronglifts while the ankle and wrist heal the rest of the way, then start Stronglifts when possible. No time line for this one, since healing takes the time it takes.

 

@juliebarkley, are you still interested in setting up an accountability system with the two of us for gym visits?

 

3. Either swim or do yoga on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, a.k.a. all non-gym days except Thursday. Because swimming and yoga are both fun, and just the sort of light activity that seems like a good fit for recovery day after lifting. The swimming will happen in the pool at the gym, the yoga at home.

 

4. Keep up with and report on any challenges I join here at NF. 

• Subduing the Yeti Holiday Mini, in the Rebel Guild
• The Daily Walking challenge, PvP forum
• 1 drink for me, 1 water for me, in the Warrior Guild

 

 

[TGP]

so;  you've moved into the Rebel Guild.

cool.

 

well,I will follow your progress. best of Luck.

[Scaly Freak]

On 11/24/2017 at 5:15 PM, scalyfreak said:

1. Continue with the good habits from the last challenge. 

2. Go to the gym every Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday.

3. Either swim or do yoga on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, a.k.a. all non-gym days except Thursday.

4. Keep up with and report on any challenges I join here at NF. 

• Subduing the Yeti Holiday Mini, in the Rebel Guild
• The Daily Walking challenge, PvP forum
• 1 drink for me, 1 water for me, in the Warrior Guild

 

So the challenge doesn't start until tomorrow, but who cares. Like the great Musashi, I will start the battle earlier than my opponent expects, throw them off balance, and gain advantage against them (and if I'm lucky I will get a natural 20 on my second roll)!

 

Progress so far:

1. Consumed absolutely no soda at all. Also, have been taking the dog for walks around mid-morning every day since I have a four-day weekend for Thanksgiving. 

2. Was at the gym yesterday (new PR weight on dead lifts!  ). Planning to go again tomorrow.

3. Did a 30 minute yoga session in my dragoncave. This goal will need tweaking. The yoga I have done in the past, and thus have book marked on YouTube, are all intended to provide a good workout. Doing these on rest days means a full-body workout between StrongLift workouts, and that doesn't sound like a good idea at all. I need light yoga for recovery days. Further searching is needed.

4. Keeping up, and have updated three of the two challenges. The water one I will update after the weekend.

[Bean Sidhe]

Welcome to the rebel guild.

I started the challenge early as well, so never worry about doing that around here. I don't do so well on the off weeks since I decide it doesn't matter and backslide a bit.

 

I think having even partial successes on your first go around is a good thing, and you will find some of us take things slower, some take it faster. Its a matter of finding what works for you, and you saw some of that in challenge one. What doesn't work, you throw out, and what does you keep and build on. I think having the different challenges to hold you accountable is a great idea. And if you don't check in every so often, we are pretty good about giving you a nudge to see where you are.

Welcome, and good luck against those demons. I know the first few fights are hard, but once you start to gain ground on them, it does get easier.

[Matrim_Cauthon]

Welcome aboard!  I have met and know well the evil twins you speak of, Procrastination and Self Indulgence, they are vicious foes.  

 

Congrats on the new RP!

 

Good luck in this challenge!  Head starts are always a good thing

[Scaly Freak]

First work day of the new challenge is off to a very rocky start: Over slept. Managed to not be late for work only by skipping every single part of my morning routine except the ones involving clothes and makeup. No breakfast, no coffee (GAAAAH!), no walk with the faithful dog, who look confused and betrayed as I ran out the door without her.

 

Result: I'm tired, decaffeinated, feeling guilty, and had way too much food for lunch.

 

Self-Indulgence is laughing at me and gloating over how she successfully gave me two additional hours of sleep last night. Bitch. I will hurt her for this.

[TGP]

dads are quick to forgive, happily.

 

your mobs are no fun.  I've seen many of them out of the corner of my eye.  congrats are the warrior awareness of them.

[Bean Sidhe]

2 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

First work day of the new challenge is off to a very rocky start: Over slept. Managed to not be late for work only by skipping every single part of my morning routine except the ones involving clothes and makeup. No breakfast, no coffee (GAAAAH!), no walk with the faithful dog, who look confused and betrayed as I ran out the door without her.

 

Result: I'm tired, decaffeinated, feeling guilty, and had way too much food for lunch.

 

Self-Indulgence is laughing at me and gloating over how she successfully gave me two additional hours of sleep last night. Bitch. I will hurt her for this.

 

Okay, so how can you attack tomorrow to try and head this off again? Set an extra alarm or make sure everything is ready to roll in the morning?

YOu will show Self-Indulgence. Just wait

[Scaly Freak]

48 minutes ago, Bean Sidhe said:

 

Okay, so how can you attack tomorrow to try and head this off again? Set an extra alarm or make sure everything is ready to roll in the morning?

YOu will show Self-Indulgence. Just wait

 

Upon further investigation, it would appear that the most important thing I need to change is...

 

Not. Press. Snooze. Repeatedly.

 

 

No wonder Self-Indulgence is laughing. I practically handed her this victory.

 

Never again. 

[Scaly Freak]

On 11/24/2017 at 5:15 PM, scalyfreak said:

1. Continue with the good habits from the last challenge. 

2. Go to the gym every Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday.

3. Either swim or do yoga on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, a.k.a. all non-gym days except Thursday.

4. Keep up with and report on any challenges I join here at NF. 

• Subduing the Yeti Holiday Mini, in the Rebel Guild
• The Daily Walking challenge, PvP forum
• 1 drink for me, 1 water for me, in the Warrior Guild

 

1. Still no soda! The streak continues...  Did not walk this morning, due to oversleeping, but I did get a walk in with the dog this evening.

2. Not today.Tomorrow!

3.No swimming or yoga this evening. I am short on time on Monday evenings, and the time I would have spent on yoga was spent walking the dog. Yoga is good for me.Walking is critical for the dog's emotional well being and she can't get that done without my help. So walking it is. We had fun walking in the evening when everything looks and acts different.

4. Still keeping up with the various minis.

 

Oversleeping ruins an entire day. That alone is incentive to stop it from happening again.

[Diadhuit]

I don't know you enough, so pardon me if this is completely off track but... are you getting enough sleep?
I am always tired in winter, until I realise I need nearly 9 hours sleep during the short days... and often I forget to anyway!

[Bean Sidhe]

10 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

Upon further investigation, it would appear that the most important thing I need to change is...

 

Not. Press. Snooze. Repeatedly.

 

 

These things happen. I am trying to teach this to Youngest. Every day "Can I get up earlier" Sure. Get up the first time I wake at you and not 30-45 minutes later. Not say I am always out of bed the first time, but by then I am at least moving. Not going to lie, this may be why my phone as a second alarm that states "Get out of BED NOW" 30 minutes after my original alarm.

 

10 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

No wonder Self-Indulgence is laughing. I practically handed her this victory.

 

Never again. 

 

You got this.

 

7 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

1. Still no soda! The streak continues...  Did not walk this morning, due to oversleeping, but I did get a walk in with the dog this evening.

2. Not today.Tomorrow!

3.No swimming or yoga this evening. I am short on time on Monday evenings, and the time I would have spent on yoga was spent walking the dog. Yoga is good for me.Walking is critical for the dog's emotional well being and she can't get that done without my help. So walking it is. We had fun walking in the evening when everything looks and acts different.

4. Still keeping up with the various minis.

 

Oversleeping ruins an entire day. That alone is incentive to stop it from happening again.

 

I don't think it was a totally bum day. I mean you still didn't have soda and you are still keeping up here. And the gym one didn't apply, so you got 3 out of 4. That's still pretty good considering you where you would of started. Maybe if it happens again, give yourself 10 or 15 minutes of stretching after the walk so you can make it a perfect day.

[Wobbegong]

16 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

Not. Press. Snooze. Repeatedly.

Depending on what alarm app you're using, you might be able to turn the snooze feature off entirely? Alternatively, if you have time to snooze repeatedly in the morning, maybe you should set your initial alarm to go off a few minutes later? Then when it goes you can think "ah, I've already snoozed, time to get up for real." 

 

I'm also one of those dreaded morning people though so do whatever you have to do to get out of bed.

 

Your other challenges look great, and I love the self-rescuing princess story! It sounds like you're doing well so far, so keep it up and don't be too hard on yourself. You got this. 

[Scaly Freak]

8 hours ago, Diadhuit said:

I don't know you enough, so pardon me if this is completely off track but... are you getting enough sleep?

 

Normally I would say yes, but this was a big holiday with lots of people time. I don't mind lots of people time as long as it's My People, but it exhausts the emotional energy reserves, and they can only recharge in complete solitude. I get that by shutting myself in what I refer to as my dragoncave, with a good book. I have been doing that a lot lately, later into the night than usual.

[Scaly Freak]

2 hours ago, Wobbegong said:

Depending on what alarm app you're using, you might be able to turn the snooze feature off entirely? Alternatively, if you have time to snooze repeatedly in the morning, maybe you should set your initial alarm to go off a few minutes later? Then when it goes you can think "ah, I've already snoozed, time to get up for real." 

 

 

I actually do not have time to snooze in the mornings. That's why I should not press that button!

 

I looked at my alarm app, and if I turn off snooze, tapping that area on the screen will turn off the alarm entirely. That would be bad. I use my phone as my alarm, with no secondary, so I am looking into options for a secondary alarm.

[Bean Sidhe]

1 hour ago, scalyfreak said:

 

I actually do not have time to snooze in the mornings. That's why I should not press that button!

 

I looked at my alarm app, and if I turn off snooze, tapping that area on the screen will turn off the alarm entirely. That would be bad. I use my phone as my alarm, with no secondary, so I am looking into options for a secondary alarm.

 

Could you look into buying an actual alarm? I use a radio one, and then use the cellphone as a secondary. That way, the noise from teh radio alarm increases slowly to make sure I wake up. The cell phone goes off, and I know I am in trouble.

I will say, I had that problem for a bit. I set things earlier and basically built in a small snooze window of like 15 minutes. Then I don't feel as bad about it. (and since I get about 5 hours a night, losing that 15 minutes hurt).

[Scaly Freak]

44 minutes ago, Bean Sidhe said:

 

Could you look into buying an actual alarm? I use a radio one, and then use the cellphone as a secondary. That way, the noise from teh radio alarm increases slowly to make sure I wake up. The cell phone goes off, and I know I am in trouble.

 

That's one of the things I'm looking it.

 

One of that challenges is that I get up and get ready for work ca two hours before my husband does, and I don't want to cause so much alarm noise that he wakes up as well. Options, options...

[Bean Sidhe]

52 minutes ago, scalyfreak said:

 

That's one of the things I'm looking it.

 

One of that challenges is that I get up and get ready for work ca two hours before my husband does, and I don't want to cause so much alarm noise that he wakes up as well. Options, options...

I can see that being an issue. if you have a fit bit or smartwatch you wear to bed, could you set an alarm on it?

[Scaly Freak]

8 minutes ago, Bean Sidhe said:

I can see that being an issue. if you have a fit bit or smartwatch you wear to bed, could you set an alarm on it?

 

My Fitbit can do silent alarms - it vibrates. I am actually going to test that as a first option. It will go off five minutes after my phone alarm.

[Scaly Freak]

On 11/24/2017 at 5:15 PM, scalyfreak said:

1. Continue with the good habits from the last challenge.

2. Go to the gym every Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday.

3. Either swim or do yoga on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, a.k.a. all non-gym days except Thursday.

4. Keep up with and report on any challenges I join here at NF. 

• Subduing the Yeti Holiday Mini, in the Rebel Guild
• The Daily Walking challenge, PvP forum
• 1 drink for me, 1 water for me, in the Warrior Guild

 

 

 

Today's goal report:

 

1. Still going strong on this one. This makes me happy. This feels less and less like a challenge and more and more just a regular part of life. In other words... VICTORY!

2. YES! Did my very first StrongLifts workout today. Discovered I need better shoes for lifting heavily. Badly. My sprained ankle decided that the middle of the fourth set was a great time to remind me that it's still not 100% healed, and the shoes I was wearing have no ankle support or heel stabilization. The ankle went sideways, and took the knee sideways with it, while I was on the way down in the squat. I ended the set early, with knee pain. So now I am on the hunt for lifting shoes. Any Warriors who read this are more than welcome to offer suggestions.

3. Nope, does not apply today. Tomorrow will probably be swimming though.

4. Still keeping up. I did the Mini earlier today, I will have a glass of water after the delicious scotch I am currently sipping, and I will go update my PvP progress after this post.

[Bean Sidhe]

12 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

My Fitbit can do silent alarms - it vibrates. I am actually going to test that as a first option. It will go off five minutes after my phone alarm.

 

My hubby gets up about an hour or so before I do, and he uses his fit bit to start the process, then his phone to remind him it really is time to get up.

Ouch on the knee pain. Hopefully it doesn't get too bad. Good luck on finding shoes. I got nothing when it comes to weight lifting.

[Laghail]

Following again for stronglift love!

[Scaly Freak]

I can tell I'm going to like Stronglifts, but I absolutely refuse to do another workout until the knee is fully recovered.

 

Instead I will work on strengthening the muscles in the tendinitis-infested wrist. Most stronglifts next week!

[farflight]

Following

[farflight]

5 minutes ago, scalyfreak said:

can tell I'm going to like Stronglifts

I'm liking it as well. If you haven't downloaded the app, I'd recommend it.

 

Spells everything out for you VERY easily. I use it 3 times per week