Grey-Eyed Elinox

[elinox]

 

Main Quest
To live a healthy and balanced life by exercising and trying to eat healthy.
 
My Motivation
I've successfully dropped weight by counting calories so my diet will mostly be staying the same with 1200 calories per day M-F and then blow meals on the weekends. 

I enjoy doing themed workouts and for this challenge it will be in honor of the Greek goddess Athena, for whom my main quest is geared towards with the Darebee Athena’s Playbook workout. 
 
Smaller Quests
1. Athena’s Playbook = Body Weight Exercises/General Fitness

 

I was on a two week vacation in February but now it’s time to crack down and get back into shape. I’m back with the Warrior’s Guild for this challenge because Athena is the goddess of heroes, warriors, battle, intelligence and wisdom. 

 

I’ve never tried Darebee before so we’ll see how I like their programs. I’m starting with Athena’s Playbook because it’s geared towards general fitness which, I hope, will help me with toning and strength. 

 

Scoring: x/30 days
Reward: +5 to STR

 

2. Anti-Sugar Goddess = Sweet Treats 

 

With vacation, my sweet tooth has gotten way out of control, so I need to rein it in. As a warrior and battle goddess, Athena needs to be in top physical and mental health to be able to fight to the best of her ability. Doing so requires good foods, not junk foods with sugar for energy.

 

Because of my blow meals on weekends, I’m going to try to only have sweet treats on the weekends. I’m considering “sweet treats” to be things with high amounts of processed sugars like Oreos, ice cream, cookies, etc.

 

Scoring: x/20 days
Reward: +4 to CON & +4 to CHA

 

3. Owl-Eyed Lady = Meditation

 

With a heavy focus this challenge on getting back into the fitness routine, I want to add in meditation simply because I think it helps focus my mind on internal stuff. As the goddess of wisdom, Athena would know her own mind very well. So I want to practice meditation at least once a week.

 

Scoring: x/4 weeks
Reward: +2 to WIS
 

[Grumble]

This is owl right.

 

Welcome back! If you figure out the solution to sugar cravings, please let me know.

[elinox]

8 minutes ago, Grumble said:

If you figure out the solution to sugar cravings, please let me know.

 

I've been searching for this illusive magical secret for years and no prizes so far...

[calanthrophy]

1 hour ago, Grumble said:

 If you figure out the solution to sugar cravings, please let me know.

 

Since switching to Paleo and basically never eating sweet stuff anymore I don't get sugar cravings.

Probably not the answer you're looking for though.

[Grumble]

5 minutes ago, calanthrophy said:

 

Since switching to Paleo and basically never eating sweet stuff anymore I don't get sugar cravings.

Probably not the answer you're looking for though.

 

It's a good answer, and not one I hate. I just don't know if its feasible with my current family dynamics.

[Blocky]

12 hours ago, calanthrophy said:

 

Since switching to Paleo and basically never eating sweet stuff anymore I don't get sugar cravings.

Probably not the answer you're looking for though.

 

I second this. It got even easier when I went from Paleo to Keto...

[elinox]

Quote

Since switching to Paleo and basically never eating sweet stuff anymore I don't get sugar cravings.

Probably not the answer you're looking for though.

Quote

I second this. It got even easier when I went from Paleo to Keto...

 

I've heard this from other people who follow the Paleo diet. Although I've never heard of Keto.

 

I've thought of trying Paleo, but I really like grains and sweets, so I don't want to give them up completely. I just want to control my cravings for processed sugars better. 

[Parsnip]

13 hours ago, elinox said:

I just want to control my cravings for processed sugars better. 

 

I did it the first time with lots of herbal tea and dark chocolate. Basically have a couple of go-to snacks/drinks that will satisfy the craving (or at least distract you long enough you forget about it). You've got to sit down and savour it though, full attention on it.

 

Dark hot chocolate in particular really helped me get used to less sweet stuff. Recipe:

• 100% cocoa, 1+ tbsp (I take 4tbsp now, I like it really strong)
• some stevia - lower this over time e.g. start with 2 tsp, then try 1.5 tsp...
• Add hot water and 1/4 cup milk (or cream if you need the extra calories)

 

Good luck!

[elinox]

Thanks for the recipe @Parsnip that sounds yummy!

[elinox]

Athena: 1/30

 

The warrior woman has already kicked my ass. I did Day 1 of Athena's Playbook and while I did 3 sets (Level 1), I feel tired and shaky. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, but it was harder than I expected, which is a sobering thought. 

[elinox]

Athena: 2/30

Sweet Treats: 1/20 (goldfish crackers)

[elinox]

Athena: 3/30 (I even exercised on my snow day!)

 

Sweet Treats: 2/20 (orange, goldfish crackers & nuts)

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

I exercised on my snow day, too!

 

Well done to the both of us!

[elinox]

3 minutes ago, Emerald_Dragonfly said:

I exercised on my snow day, too!

 

Well done to the both of us!

 

And likely I'll get another shot too because of shoveling whenever the snow finally stops!

[elinox]

Athena: 4/30

Sweet Treats: 3/20 (goldfish crackers & nuts)

Meditation: 1/4 (14 minutes)

 

The single drum beat I was using from MyNoise wasn't very good and so was actually more distracting than helpful.

[elinox]

Athena: 5/30

Sweet Treats: 4/20 (goldfish crackers & dried cranberries)

[elinox]

Athena: 6/30

 

Yoga today, yay!

 

Sweet Treats: 5/20 (pizza goldfish crackers & dried cranberries)

[elinox]

Athena: 7/30

[Grumble]

It's only been a week, but something I found perusing the internets was a tsp(ish) of cinnamon in coffee/water/non-caloric drink. It's been my only change outside of restarting my IF and I have definitely noticed a decrease in sugar cravings. 

[elinox]

17 hours ago, Grumble said:

It's only been a week, but something I found perusing the internets was a tsp(ish) of cinnamon in coffee/water/non-caloric drink. It's been my only change outside of restarting my IF and I have definitely noticed a decrease in sugar cravings. 

That just sounds like a good substitute for coffee creamer! I may have to try that tomorrow, thanks!

 

Athena: 8/30 (yesterday)

Sweet Treats: 6/20 (pretzels)

[elinox]

Athena: 9/30 (today)

Sweet Treats: 7/20 (prezels & dried cranberries)

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

On 3/26/2018 at 4:37 PM, Grumble said:

It's only been a week, but something I found perusing the internets was a tsp(ish) of cinnamon in coffee/water/non-caloric drink. It's been my only change outside of restarting my IF and I have definitely noticed a decrease in sugar cravings. 

 

14 hours ago, elinox said:

That just sounds like a good substitute for coffee creamer! I may have to try that tomorrow, thanks!

 

I thought...huh, will that mix well with my creamer?

 

I've heard that before, but never tried... perhaps it is time to give cinnamon a shot...

[Grumble]

9 hours ago, Emerald_Dragonfly said:

 

I thought...huh, will that mix well with my creamer?

 

I've heard that before, but never tried... perhaps it is time to give cinnamon a shot...

No idea, I'm not a creamer in my coffee kind a drinker. Try it with crappy coffee first so if it sucks you don't feel too bad about wasting it.

[elinox]

3 hours ago, Grumble said:

No idea, I'm not a creamer in my coffee kind a drinker. Try it with crappy coffee first so if it sucks you don't feel too bad about wasting it.

 

Honestly, I wasn't a "coffee drinker" at all until about two months ago. I'm still not convinced I like the stuff, I just like what it does to me. Still, anything to make it taste less like coffee!

 

Athena: 10/30
Meditation: 2/4 (15 minutes) 

[elinox]

Athena: 11/30

Sweet Treats: 8/20 (pretzels)