JupiterStar and the Snowy New Year

[JupiterStar]

New year, new computer, new goals, new successes, hopefully! I've got some big things coming up this year so I really need to buckle down and focus, so now that I'm back from a much-delayed vacation (we got stuck in Tokyo two days waiting for a rescheduled flight), here are some of my big goals for 2018:

 

• Look my best for my wedding at the end of the year! Purplebug and I finally set a "date", or rather a date range, after talking with an immigration lawyer over my trip back to visit with my family in Colorado. Our tentative plan is to elope and get married during the end-of-year break from work, then in 2019 we'll have the big family wedding on a cruise around Greece at some point. I bought my wedding dress during this vacation, but I'd obviously like to be in really good physical shape and lose some more weight before this time next year, and since we'll be doing our honeymoon(s) at the same time as the weddings and it will likely involve a lot of beach time since we both love the ocean, I want to look my best!
• Pass some auditions for performance jobs!: I won Osaka's Got Talent in December, yay! And I've had so many people pushing me to do more performance stuff and asking me to really try for the Universal Studios Japan job or others that I think this is the year I'm going to do just that. That means getting in more regular music practice and lessons, more open mic nights, more auditions, the works. I also need to get back in touch with my creative side, not just being capable of putting on a good show. Also...
• Get back into regular physical training! I need to find a dance class that I can attend to get those skills back up to par. I've also got a new workout buddy who can help me with regular gym training, and I'm going to try to keep up with aerials as well. Basically, I want to get in plenty of variety with activity and exercise, since healthy eating has never been a huge issue for me but workout burnout is, and if I'm going to rock that awesome wedding dress and these auditions, I'd better be physically fit!
• Have better self-esteem! This ties into pretty much everything above. If I'm feeling my best, I'll be less stressed about how I look for the wedding, I'll enjoy all of it more, I'll do better at performances and auditions, I'll be able to keep going to workouts and classes without feeling too ugly and fat and weak to do so...I can do it! I'm going to have a Lolita dress up day at least once a month, I'm going to stop referring to myself in bad terms and try  more positive ones (like instead of "a fat Lolita blob," I'll be "a muffin aspiring to be a cupcake," things like that), and I'm going to get myself all of the tools I need to reach my goals even when I feel down. I can do it!

 

So. With those in mind, I am back on board! Time to bring back my Cardcaptor Sakura challenges, master the Clow, and master my own body at the same time! But first, because we all need to start somewhere, a challenge to get me back into the groove of things during all the New Year madness.

 

Lifestyle: Bullet Journal Daily

• Why: I've never tried bullet journaling before and I've had many people say it helps them with focusing, keeping on track, and keeping a better mind-set. I'm hoping I can use it to focus on feeling more positive, or at least noticing trends for when I feel down so that I can actively work to combat those days (like if I notice I'm routinely getting down on myself after a certain class at work, I might be able to pep talk myself before that class, or something like that). It'll also help me to keep track of my goals, see progress (I'm planning on tracking things like what moves I learn in classes and how much I can lift), and to not forget things that I sometimes forget, like logging in here regularly!
• How: I'll set aside time at the end of the day every day to at least track the basics and write a quick positive note about myself for the day. 
• Grading: 7/7 days a week = A, 5+/7 = B, 3+/7 = C, less than 3 = F

 

Fitness: Attend Aerials Class and Gym Three Times a Week

• Why: My self-esteem got me self-sabotaging after summer vacation last year...every time I tried to go to the gym or aerials, I felt stupid and fat and incapable of doing well. So I stopped going...and I miss it. This will help with me getting healthier again, with losing weight, with staying fit, and hopefully with my self-esteem, as if I'm going to things weekly, I can see more progress from week to week even when I feel down on myself.
• How: I got a gym buddy! He'll join me on Thursdays and Saturdays at the gym, which will be a huge help. And for aerials, I'll try to drag Purplebug along to keep me accountable.
• Grading: 3 times a week = A, 2 times a week = B, once a week = C, none at all = F

 

Food: Track Food Daily

• Why: The biggest challenge for me with losing weight has always been the fact that I eat very healthily already. Like, any dietary program I've started, I was already following (I don't drink soda, juice, or coffee regularly, I love seafood, poultry, and veggies, I measure portions, I don't add a lot of condiments, I cook almost everything from scratch and eat meals from home all but once or twice a week, and I've done all of this for at least 12 years). My main problem is actually undereating, especially for my activity level. The best way I can keep track of all of this, to check that what I'm eating goes with my activity level for the day, that I'm eating a balanced macro diet to keep my energy up, and things like that to make sure my messed-up metabolism doesn't get even more so. 
• How: I've downloaded MyFitnessPal! If anyone else has it and wants to be buddies on there to hold each other accountable, please let me know
• Grading: 7/7 days a week = A, 5+7 = B, 3+/7 = C, less than 3 times in a week = F  

 

Fitness/Lifestyle: Go Out Pokemon Hunting Once A Week

• Why: Because it's good for me, it's a way to get out with Purplebug a bit for some bonding time, we can explore Osaka, and why not?
• How: We're going to go out for this on either Tuesdays, Fridays, or Sundays every week, for about one hour.
• Grading: All 4 weeks = A, 3 weeks = B, 2 weeks = C, less than 2 weeks = F

 

Wish me luck, guys! I'll do my best to cheer you on as well!

[fleaball]

Congrats on winning the talent contest! Your goals look awesome. Good luck!

[Wobbegong]

Welcome back, JupiterStar, and congrats on so many things! You won Osaka's Got Talent!!!! AND YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!! That's so exciting!

 

Awesome challenge. I'll be following along, so don't forget to check in regularly and keep us posted on your progress! 

[JupiterStar]

Thanks for the support, you two  I appreciate it!

 

Also, tracking for week 1 to keep me accountable:

 

Week 1

 

Lifestyle: Bullet Journal Daily:  2/3 Days, Grade: B

Note: Hit a minor snag on this one, my journal was supposed to arrive yesterday but due to the national holiday in Japan, it won't be in til tomorrow at some point. So I'm only doing 1/2 of this week, for obvious reasons.

 

Fitness: Attend Aerials Class and Gym:  0/3 Days, Grade: F

 

Food: Track Daily:  7/7 Days, Grade: A

 

Fitness/Lifestyle: Go Out Pokemon Hunting: 0/1 Days, Grade: -- (So Far: F)

Note: Since this is a grade based on my overall 4 week completion, I'll grade myself at the end!

 

 

Right! So, thoughts so far...I'm doing better with tracking than I thought I would, mostly since I forgot that my meal plans keep me set for most of my food except for snacks throughout the week! So that's been easy, just enter the meals all at once and then go back and alter things as need be (such as dinner last night being swapped out for soup when my stomach had some trouble, or adding in my couple of onigiri snacks while walking around Umeda showing my friends around today). I just wish I knew other people on MyFitnessPal so that we could cheer each other on, you know?

 

My bullet journal arrives tomorrow, and I'm actually a bit nervous? Everyone makes such amazing ones, and I...am not so great with design stuff like that, so I worry, I guess. I did get an erasable Frixxon multi-color pen at the Pokemon Center today that's Pikachu, Ditto-chu, and Mimikyu, and I unearthed all the dorky (Harry Potter, Sanrio, etc.) washi tape I received as gifts at various schools here, as well as some sparkly gel paint pens, so hopefully I can make something pretty, at least?

 

I'm worried about making my goal for fitness this week. I plan on hitting the gym on Thursday and Saturday with Terry, but I can't figure out a good time for aerials. If I'm at the gym those two days, I can't go then, but I couldn't go tonight because a friend was in town...which leaves Sunday only. I guess I'll have to do my best? And if not, 2 out of 3 is still good? Maybe? I feel torn...

 

Pokemon Go, yay! We meant to play today but the wind was SO INTENSE, like planters getting tipped over on our balcony and metal tables blowing over intense, that we decided not to. Friday is Purplebug's last day of her temp job, so that's out, but hopefully Sunday will be a good day, or Saturday's rain will hold off long enough for us to do a cold trip to the grocery store and back, with our phones in tow?

 

I hope everyone else is doing well!!!

 

[Wobbegong]

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

I just wish I knew other people on MyFitnessPal so that we could cheer each other on, you know?

I'm sure there are a lot of people here at NF who are using it. I know @fleaball has a link to hers in her signature, but I don't know if she's been actively logging things in there lately. I'll keep my eyes peeled for other people who mention it and try to point you at each other. 

 

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

My bullet journal arrives tomorrow, and I'm actually a bit nervous? Everyone makes such amazing ones, and I...am not so great with design stuff like that, so I worry, I guess. I did get an erasable Frixxon multi-color pen at the Pokemon Center today that's Pikachu, Ditto-chu, and Mimikyu, and I unearthed all the dorky (Harry Potter, Sanrio, etc.) washi tape I received as gifts at various schools here, as well as some sparkly gel paint pens, so hopefully I can make something pretty, at least?

So here's the thing about bullet journals. Yes, there are some people who make outstandingly gorgeous journals and use them for their everyday functionality. However, a lot of the beautiful ones you see pictures of online are from people who generally keep two: one for functionality and one that's photogenic. 

 

When I first started a bullet journal, a friend who was already into them told me, "Just make it work for you." A blog I was reading at the time said, "When I started, I started in black and white, and added one color at a time." It doesn't have to be perfect from the beginning. Experiment. Figure out what you like. Your bullet journal is there to help you, not to stress you out. 

 

Also the Osaka Pokemon Center is a place of pure joy. I was only in Kyoto for a month and I schlepped out there twice. 

 

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

I'm worried about making my goal for fitness this week. I plan on hitting the gym on Thursday and Saturday with Terry, but I can't figure out a good time for aerials. If I'm at the gym those two days, I can't go then, but I couldn't go tonight because a friend was in town...which leaves Sunday only. I guess I'll have to do my best? And if not, 2 out of 3 is still good? Maybe? I feel torn...

How long does being at the gym take? How long do aerials take? Do you need special equipment? Is it impossible/super overwhelming to do both in one day? (I'd believe you if you said it was, just asking because sometimes people forget they can do more than one type of exercise in a day.) 

 

Good luck on Sunday! If not, can you do a fourth session in an upcoming week to bring your total back up? It's not exactly the same as the discipline to do x in a week every week but it's also good to practice having consequences and not having things that you don't get to just fall off the list. Just a thought. 

 

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

Pokemon Go, yay! We meant to play today but the wind was SO INTENSE, like planters getting tipped over on our balcony and metal tables blowing over intense, that we decided not to. Friday is Purplebug's last day of her temp job, so that's out, but hopefully Sunday will be a good day, or Saturday's rain will hold off long enough for us to do a cold trip to the grocery store and back, with our phones in tow?

Everybody with the stormy weather lately! Yikes! Good luck on your pokemon adventure, try to stay dry! Or... alternatively, I guess take a day trip out to Wakayama or something? It's canonically always raining on Johto Route 33, and that's not very far from Osaka/Goldenrod.  

 

[fleaball]

Flea rarely uses MFP because she is lazy and tracks nothing. That’s why I didn’t mention it. But if you want to add me just to collec friends, have at it. I’ve seen a bunch of people with links in their sigs though and I’ve had random NF people whom I’ve never spoken to add me just because I have the link. So it’s all good. I know sigs don’t show up on mobile (idk about tapatalk) but you might just want to go nuts and stalk various threads checking our signatures. Or maybe check the Diet board(s?) because “I need MFP friends” seems to be a common theme. 

[JupiterStar]

On 1/10/2018 at 1:36 AM, Wobbegong said:

So here's the thing about bullet journals. Yes, there are some people who make outstandingly gorgeous journals and use them for their everyday functionality. However, a lot of the beautiful ones you see pictures of online are from people who generally keep two: one for functionality and one that's photogenic. 

 

When I first started a bullet journal, a friend who was already into them told me, "Just make it work for you." A blog I was reading at the time said, "When I started, I started in black and white, and added one color at a time." It doesn't have to be perfect from the beginning. Experiment. Figure out what you like. Your bullet journal is there to help you, not to stress you out. 

 

Also the Osaka Pokemon Center is a place of pure joy. I was only in Kyoto for a month and I schlepped out there twice. 

 

That's actually really reassuring to hear about the bullet journals. I think I was just getting overwhelmed with all the "cool things to do with your bujo" and "how to make your bujo most effective!" things out there, plus all the images online...but I got mine in today and while I admit I did spend a good 4 hours (good lord) getting it partially set up and decorated (...it was fun...), it's a lot simpler than I thought it would be, and knowing that most of the work is done now is a big relief, and what I have left is pretty easy, just pages for lists and planning, a couple habit tracking pages I can just check off, and the journal, that's it. Whew!

 

And yes, the Osaka Pokemon Center is love. I spend way too much money there each month. Um. Oops. Worth it.

 

On 1/10/2018 at 1:36 AM, Wobbegong said:

How long does being at the gym take? How long do aerials take? Do you need special equipment? Is it impossible/super overwhelming to do both in one day? (I'd believe you if you said it was, just asking because sometimes people forget they can do more than one type of exercise in a day.) 

 

Good luck on Sunday! If not, can you do a fourth session in an upcoming week to bring your total back up? It's not exactly the same as the discipline to do x in a week every week but it's also good to practice having consequences and not having things that you don't get to just fall off the list. Just a thought. 

 

Alas, even if I had the time, it wouldn't be possible. 90 minutes of aerials REALLY takes it out of me (not to mention the bruises, since I do lyra, not silks...I can barely even bike home from the train station after because it hurts to sit!), and I'm still weak enough that an hour at the gym is fairly taxing as well. I could do less time at the gym, but since it takes me about 30 minutes to do the strength training stuff I'm able to do and I like taking advantage of the treadmill TVs to practice my Japanese, why?  Add on the 45 minutes commute time from my house each way to both, plus the fact they are on opposite ends of the city, and involve three different train lines...the time and money would eat up like an entire day (seriously, I'd need at least 6 hours free if I doubled up). I don't think I'll be able to do two aerial days in the upcoming weeks, sadly, because of work events on the weekends of the 20-21 and 27-28 but maybe in the last week I could do it? That might work...

 

On 1/10/2018 at 1:36 AM, Wobbegong said:

Everybody with the stormy weather lately! Yikes! Good luck on your pokemon adventure, try to stay dry! Or... alternatively, I guess take a day trip out to Wakayama or something? It's canonically always raining on Johto Route 33, and that's not very far from Osaka/Goldenrod.  

 

Ooooo, NOT risking the trip to Wakayama on a weekend, not during the new year period! Soooooo many toursits on their way to Koya-san.... *shudder* But I do think I'm going to kidnap that map for additional PoGo travel when the weather warms up!

[JupiterStar]

On 1/10/2018 at 5:21 AM, fleaball said:

Flea rarely uses MFP because she is lazy and tracks nothing. That’s why I didn’t mention it. But if you want to add me just to collec friends, have at it. I’ve seen a bunch of people with links in their sigs though and I’ve had random NF people whom I’ve never spoken to add me just because I have the link. So it’s all good. I know sigs don’t show up on mobile (idk about tapatalk) but you might just want to go nuts and stalk various threads checking our signatures. Or maybe check the Diet board(s?) because “I need MFP friends” seems to be a common theme. 

 

Oh, really? Nice, I'll do that, then, thanks!

[Wobbegong]

5 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

the time and money would eat up like an entire day (seriously, I'd need at least 6 hours free if I doubled up)

Yeah no. Don't do that. Hopefully you'll be able to make up the extra session later in the challenge, but if not... it sounds like you've got some pretty legitimate reasons here why it wouldn't happen. 

 

5 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

Ooooo, NOT risking the trip to Wakayama on a weekend, not during the new year period! Soooooo many toursits on their way to Koya-san.... *shudder* But I do think I'm going to kidnap that map for additional PoGo travel when the weather warms up!

Lol I always forget about New Years and tourist season. That's reasonable. Idk if PoGo references that map at all but as long as you're having pokemon adventures and you're in Japan anyway... might as well go all in.  

[JupiterStar]

Reflections on Week 1: not so good, honestly. The food tracking went fantastically and once my bullet journal arrived, I did pretty well with it but I did miss journaling yesterday because I was just not feeling up to even getting out of bed, so....eh. But I think that won't be an issue next week! 

 

Work-outs, on the other hand? Noooooope. The cold snap continued until today, and I developed a cough that got worse rather quickly, so I ended up spending the whole weekend housebound. No Pokemon catching, no gym, no aerials. Not a great start, nope...but from tomorrow, it's supposed to get warmer (up to 14 C, actually, with most days being around 11-12 C, versus 0-2 C from Thursday through yesterday), minimal rain (wherease it snowed this week), and a normal schedule with work again after the holidays, so I aim to do MUCH better this week to make up for it! And if I can do extra of any of those to make up for this past week as the month goes on, yay, go me?

 

Anyway. Here's to week 2 going better, I hope!

[JupiterStar]

Week 2

 

Lifestyle: Bullet Journal Daily:  0/7 Days, Grade: --

 

Fitness: Attend Aerials Class and Gym:  0/3 Days, Grade: --

 

Food: Track Daily:  0/7 Days, Grade: --

 

Fitness/Lifestyle: Go Out Pokemon Hunting: 0/1 Days, Grade: -- (So Far: 0/2, --)

Note: Since this is a grade based on my overall 4 week completion, I'll grade myself at the end!

 

Possible issues to be wary of this week; I have a very busy weekend coming up. Saturday I'm visiting the traveling Final Fantasy cafe with a friend for lunch, then joining an open mic night for dinner, which leaves only the time in between for a workout (which is doable but will be a bit tight), and then Sunday night is the Kansai International Lolitas Wands'n'Frills meet over dinner, which means I will only barely have time for aerials class that day, and I'd have to pretty much come straight home, immediately get changed, and head out of the door. So Sunday would not be the best time for aerials this week, nope, especially with work planning and chores that I have to put off from Saturday. So since the weekend is so full, I CAN'T miss things this week because I won't have a chance to make them up over the weekend. I have to plan things out pretty well in advance, and I don't like being that rigid in my plans.

 

But, shouganai? So I figure I'll do aerials Tuesday night or morning, hit up the gym Thursday and Friday as usual, and do my PoGo hunt either Tuesday or Friday afternoon, or Sunday before KIL's meet (since we can walk to the grocery store together, kill two birds with one stone). I hope I can stick to this plan.

 

Also, I have to factor in music practice time for the open mic night, and I'm still new enough to bullet journals that it takes me more time than expected to do it each day. I mean, not long, but still like 20 minutes. I just hope I can do both every day without losing too much time I need for other stuff, you know? I don't think it will be a problem, but it is something I have to keep in mind. Can't get too sucked into writing or decorating stuff, but also can't get too sucked into the music. I just have to be aware those are risks and try not to get lost in whatever I'm doing!

 

Otherwise, I think this week will go better than week 1 did. I have less to do for work, so more time for other stuff, my bujo is all set up now (mostly) so it'll take less and less time to use it, the weather will be nicer so hopefully my cough will keep getting better and not interfere with workouts...all good things!

[JupiterStar]

Oops, I've discovered two things that are throwing me off-track this week;

 

Bullet journaling is REALLY addictive, and I am now That Girl Who Gets Our Extra Tickets to my friends.

 

To elaborate, my birthday is in just over one week. Last year, a friend of mine in Hokkaido bought a season pass to the Osaka Umeda Arts Theater for shows (she had a goal of seeing 40 in one year) but then realized in July that she wouldn't get down to Osaka enough to use it, so she just gave it to me to use. I took advantage of it to hit up a few shows I wanted to see, including much nicer than usual tickets to my yearly Four Stars One World concert night. I also had time to go to more Takarazuka shows (because yes, I do enjoy oggling hot ladies in dude drag singing and dancing their way through copious amounts of peacock feathers), and a friend of mine in one of the fan clubs decided to start giving me any tickets that her other friends backed out of, especially to the special performer-only dinners and whatnot. So I sort of ended up having tickets to a lot of free or discounted shows last year. This year, I mentioned how much I've love a replacement UAC pass for my birthday if people wanted to go in together on one...no dice (that I know of), but in the last week I've been offered FIVE tickets to shows that people backed out of.

 

One of these is to Takarazuka's newest original show, The Poe Clan, which opened YESTERDAY. And my (yet another) friend who had an extra ticket offered it to me above everyone else for free as a birthday gift. The seats are FRONT ROW AISLE, right where the revue travels down during the finale. I could not turn those down. Except, um, they're on Thursday. AKA one of my gym days. And I got offered them Tuesday, too late to reschedule.

 

Damn. I'll try to make it up by using my nice shiny new Circit home gym after the show (I'll get home around 7, too late for my gym buddy). I'd count that as a gym workout, if I actually do it for at least 30 minutes. 

 

As for the journaling, I have spent waaaaaay too much time on my journal, to the detriment of other stuff like studying. Oops. And it's mostly decorating the damn thing and filling up the To-Do pages and Future Log. Oh, and my Lolita collection pages.

 

PS, I think I have a problem. At some point between 2013 and now, my Lolita dress collection went from one to 18. Also a skirt, 4 blouses, 7 pairs of shoes, 3 cardigans, a truly ridiculous amount of hair accessories and wrist cuff sets, 3 bags, 3 petticoats (WHY do I need 3? I DON'T KNOW!), and a dozen pairs of tights and knee socks. Which I added to today. Um. When did that happen? I guess one good thing about the journal, now I can SEE what I have all in one place and it does make it a lot easier to go, "....but do I REALLY need that Innocent World Tales of Red Riding Hood salopette JSK and matching capelet? Do I REALLY?"

 

Anyway, yeah, bullet journals. Feeding some OCD tendencies I wasn't aware I had. Seriously, I'm not being hyperbolic, I had no idea how many lists of stuff I made, or how much I like cataloging and numbering things until now. Oh dear. Maybe I should limit myself more. Like, I get to open my journal twice a day, max, for 10 minutes or less each time. Something to make me stop checking stuff off every time I have a break at work.

 

This got weird. Sorry. I blame the rain?

[Wobbegong]

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

more Takarazuka shows (because yes, I do enjoy oggling hot ladies in dude drag singing and dancing their way through copious amounts of peacock feathers)

I hardly think any justification is needed for liking Takarazuka. Everyone with a soul needs more hot ladies in dude drag singing and dancing their way through copious amounts of peacock feathers. Even the turkey peering in my window right now would probably be pleased. 

 

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

Except, um, they're on Thursday. AKA one of my gym days.

Uhhh... I'd go to the show hands down, but that's just me. I think your idea of an at-home workout will solve the issue nicely, but keep us posted! 

 

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

As for the journaling, I have spent waaaaaay too much time on my journal, to the detriment of other stuff like studying. Oops. And it's mostly decorating the damn thing and filling up the To-Do pages and Future Log.

Finding a balance is hard. When I first started my bullet journal, I was like that. Everything was getting recorded all the time. It wasn't sustainable in the long run, but as I started scaling back I... kept scaling back and now I don't use it at all. Sigh. However, keep in mind that there's a lot of up-front effort with a BuJo, as far as decorating the pages and setting up schedules goes. You might find you naturally have less to do as time goes on. 

 

4 hours ago, JupiterStar said:

PS, I think I have a problem. At some point between 2013 and now, my Lolita dress collection went from one to 18.

I bet you look cute in all of 'em  For reals though, I can see why that might be a problem. I certainly wouldn't have adequate closet space for all of that. I'm glad to hear tracking all of them has made you more aware of what you've got and is helping you take a step back when faced with more buying options, but also consider that if having all of those makes you happy, there's not really a reason not to collect them. And if it does make you happy, I'm sure you can find a way to prioritize organizing and managing your collection. 

 

As far as determining that, you could always try Marie Kondo's method and dump all of your loli-garb into a big pile on the floor and pick up every piece one at a time and ask yourself "Does this spark joy?" Clothing *is* her recommended starting place. 

[zeroh13]

Happy birthday, @JupiterStar!

 

How did your week go?