Spezzy is her own adult.

[spezzy]

Alright, so I've spent most of the beginning of this year focusing on self care, which was needed, and I'm very happy I took that space. But now, it's time to get my shit together again. 

 

Last year, I struggled hard on a lot of challenges. I didn't do a lot of what I intended to do, and looking back, it's pretty clear what I need to be successful. 

 

I need....

 

 

 

 

But, lets be realistic here. I've done just fine previously - I've even won a trophy on being an adult.

 

 

*

 

*Yes, I'm aware that I've used this image many times before. I won the trophy for being responsible, not for being creative.

 

And while I've been like this:

 

I've got some goals, and if I want to hit them, I need to be more like this:

 

 

So, here we go.

 

FIRST, NUTRITION: I'm working on cutting weight right now. I've lost about 15lb over the last few months without tracking, but I'm now at the point where that loss has stalled and I need some better data. 

 

So, the plan is:

• At the beginning of each week, plan out my meals, and stick to the plan.
• If I go off the plan, track that data.
• I plan on using a spreadsheet over MFP, which I'll link here. 

 

SECOND, FITNESS: The program I'm doing now is fairly high volume and intense and requires me to go to drive a bit further to a better gym, which is fine, but that eats into my schedule. I'm also struggling with recovery from this program with the volume and reduced calories.

 

Plan:

• At the beginning of each week, plan out my workouts and where I can go for each workout. Make substitutions ahead of time if I know I can't make it to nicer gym
• Bring food with me to gym and eat it so I don't get burnt out halfway through.
• Work on mobility and recovery at least 20 minutes per day, every day. If I go to yoga, that counts.

 

**My current fitness goals are to just maintain strength while leaning out, and to have fun. I have no intentions or desires to compete in anything anytime soon. 

 

THIRD, MINDSET: If you've read one of my challenges for the last year, you know that I've been trying to build up a meditation habit. That's going to be this too! But, instead of going at it alone, I looked at my failure and got an accountabilibuddy. So @Wufkar will be helping me out here. 

 

Plan:

• Use the Headspace app
• Meditate at least 3 minutes per day
• Go to yoga at least three times during this challenge (including week 0)

 

FOURTH, PROFESSIONAL: I've got some certification tests coming up, which means I need to study! Which also means I've got additional responsibilities on top of just work, which is fine, but I need to fit it in.

 

Plan:

• Make a schedule at the beginning of the week and stick to it. This includes getting my butt out of bed on time in the morning.
• Include studying at least 5x per week
• Work and studying must be done at a desk or table, not at the couch. 
• Phone must be left away from said desk or table.

 

 

 

And that's it!

[Gemma]

 

17 minutes ago, spezzy said:

 

• Work and studying must be done at a desk or table, not at the couch. 
• Phone must be left away from said desk or table.

 

 

 

These seem like very important factors in productiveness that I have never copped to before. 

[Wufkar]

Sooo uh. Hai. Been a while since I got an alert. 

 

You should tag me in as a studybillibuddy too. Cus I r not so great at it. 

 

 

Yus Yus. Great things. 

[Raxie]

 

Here have this consolation kitten

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

You are way adultier than you realize.

 

[Wufkar]

wait. Did.. Am I the adultier adult here?

 

[spezzy]

3 hours ago, Gemma said:

 

 

 

These seem like very important factors in productiveness that I have never copped to before. 

 

I'm easily 2x more productive at a table, 3x more productive at a desk, and 5x more productive at a coffee shop. If I don't have my phone next to me, it's exponentially more productive. And of course, I still prefer to cuddle on the couch with Madi.

[Scaly Freak]

I feel an urgent need to put this whole adult thing into perspective.

 

 

 

Suggestion for studying: Noise-cancelling headphones with either white noise or easy-listen background music. (It is highly recommended to visually confirm the location of any pets or children about every 15 minutes or so if you do this, since you won't be able to hear them take advantage of your preoccupation over the white noise or music.)

[RedStone]

8 hours ago, spezzy said:

5x more productive at a coffee shop. 

 

This is 100% what got me through my biggest rounds of testing last year... even with the hubbub and activity of the outside world, it was so much easier for me to tune out than the distractions of being home!

[Grumble]

8 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

I feel an urgent need to put this whole adult thing into perspective.

 

 

 

Suggestion for studying: Noise-cancelling headphones with either white noise or easy-listen background music. (It is highly recommended to visually confirm the location of any pets or children about every 15 minutes or so if you do this, since you won't be able to hear them take advantage of your preoccupation over the white noise or music.)

 

First off, I now want to fill a large space in my house with playpen balls.

 

Second, the headphones are a good idea. As is the visual confirmation.

[spezzy]

14 hours ago, Wufkar said:

Sooo uh. Hai. Been a while since I got an alert. 

 

You should tag me in as a studybillibuddy too. Cus I r not so great at it. 

 

 

Yus Yus. Great things. 

 

13 hours ago, Wufkar said:

wait. Did.. Am I the adultier adult here?

 

 

hahaha okay, lets be studybillibuddies tooooo. @nightlight wants in too I need to relearn how to study. 

 

And yes, you are the adultier adult

[spezzy]

10 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

I feel an urgent need to put this whole adult thing into perspective.

 

 

 

Suggestion for studying: Noise-cancelling headphones with either white noise or easy-listen background music. (It is highly recommended to visually confirm the location of any pets or children about every 15 minutes or so if you do this, since you won't be able to hear them take advantage of your preoccupation over the white noise or music.)

1 hour ago, Grumble said:

 

First off, I now want to fill a large space in my house with playpen balls.

 

Second, the headphones are a good idea. As is the visual confirmation.

 

ha, I love XKCD. This exists, Grumble: http://www.chiliahedron.com/ballroom/

 

I'm a huge music person and headphones make a huge difference, I always have them at my desk, thought I recently got a nicer speaker and have been listening to that lately. Haven't noticed much of a difference but I also have my own office with a door that closes, so that's super helpful

 

 

1 hour ago, RedStone said:

 

This is 100% what got me through my biggest rounds of testing last year... even with the hubbub and activity of the outside world, it was so much easier for me to tune out than the distractions of being home!

 

Yeah, and if I know I need to be at the coffee shop until I finish my tasks, I focus better for some reason. 

[spezzy]

14 hours ago, Raxie said:

 

Here have this consolation kitten

 

 

14 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

You are way adultier than you realize.

 

 

 

https://media.giphy.com/media/9VlBZ4Nkc11ao/giphy.gif

[Grumble]

Just now, spezzy said:

ha, I love XKCD. This exists, Grumble: http://www.chiliahedron.com/ballroom/

 

Of course it does. I wonder how grimble would feel about her room being repurposed...

[Khuja, Dwarf Tank]

1 hour ago, spezzy said:

 

 

hahaha okay, lets be studybillibuddies tooooo. @nightlight wants in too I need to relearn how to study. 

 

And yes, you are the adultier adult

I need to relearn how to study too, *follows your challenge to get tips on studying*

[Urgan]

Gonna make those Adulting goals fit like

[farflight]

Following to learn how to adult

 

 

I woulda followed sooner, but my arm is tired from trying to open the damn door...I've been pushing for hours

[spezzy]

9 hours ago, Khuja said:

I need to relearn how to study too, *follows your challenge to get tips on studying*

 

hopefully I'll do well enough to help  I'll take all the tips I can get though!

 

5 hours ago, Urgan said:

Gonna make those Adulting goals fit like

 

hahaha i love that show

 

4 hours ago, farflight said:

Following to learn how to adult

 

 

I woulda followed sooner, but my arm is tired from trying to open the damn door...I've been pushing for hours

 

hahah! 

[spezzy]

I meditated last night, will again tonight.

 

today's workout: 

back squat 190x2x5, 195x2x5

Bench press 155x3x3, 135x2x8

Incline bench

dips

single arm dumbbell overhead

rows

hollow rocks

ring turnout holds, assisted

pullups

and i'm sure something else.

 

[Wufkar]

If you haven't studied in a while, 5x a week might be a lot. Treat it like a new workout program. Strengthen those braaaaains

 

I find that I do better if I study less often with larger blocks of time. Definitely being alone and turning on the tunes. 

 

Off to meditaaate

 

Edit: the baby being the adultier adult.. Something feels off about this.. 

[Scaly Freak]

16 minutes ago, Wufkar said:

If you haven't studied in a while, 5x a week might be a lot. Treat it like a new workout program. Strengthen those braaaaains

 

Stronglifts tells beginners to make sure they take breaks. This goes for studying too, if you're new or haven't been doing it for a while.

 

Set a timer. 20 minutes studying, then 10 minutes away.Then 20 minutes studying, then 10 minutes away. Makes a huge difference.

[Juni0r83]

5 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

Stronglifts tells beginners to make sure they take breaks. This goes for studying too, if you're new or haven't been doing it for a while.

 

Set a timer. 20 minutes studying, then 10 minutes away.Then 20 minutes studying, then 10 minutes away. Makes a huge difference.

 

I've actually had huge success with the Pomodoro technique which looks very similar to this. While not necessarily being designed to be followed strictly (more like, use this model, come up with something that works for you) goes 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off, complete 4 cycles, then take a longer break (like say, 40 minutes, or in my case, about a week). There are specific pomodoro timers you can find for phones that if they don't tick (mine does) should be super helpful if this is a direction you're thinking about going in.

[spezzy]

8 hours ago, Juni0r83 said:

 

I've actually had huge success with the Pomodoro technique which looks very similar to this. While not necessarily being designed to be followed strictly (more like, use this model, come up with something that works for you) goes 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off, complete 4 cycles, then take a longer break (like say, 40 minutes, or in my case, about a week). There are specific pomodoro timers you can find for phones that if they don't tick (mine does) should be super helpful if this is a direction you're thinking about going in.

 

I do this for work a lot. I have this: https://smile.amazon.com/Miracle-Minutes-Management-Kitchen-Workout/dp/B00889AV9A/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518113381&sr=8-1&keywords=cube+timer+purple and it is the best.

 

 

[spezzy]

14 hours ago, Wufkar said:

If you haven't studied in a while, 5x a week might be a lot. Treat it like a new workout program. Strengthen those braaaaains

 

I find that I do better if I study less often with larger blocks of time. Definitely being alone and turning on the tunes. 

 

Off to meditaaate

 

Edit: the baby being the adultier adult.. Something feels off about this.. 

 

I've been studying 2-3x a week, so going up to 5 should be good. I like shorter sessions better mainly because I don't have days off of work, so I don't have entire days where I can just dedicate to studying. My brain needs smaller chunks for sure

[peelout]

I don't have any gifs so I'm just going to quietly follow.

 

I do find it strange that w/ all you've accomplished and all that you do, that you don't feel you are "adulting".  My perception is quite the opposite.