Nightcrawler_Bamff Rejoins the X-Men

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

Photo by Robert W Scott Photography on Flickr:  

 

Costume by me

Photo by Robert W Scott Photography on Flickr

 

Nightcrawler has been working hard to lose the extra pounds he had gained during his two years away from the team.  Over the course of the next four weeks, he plans to drop the remainder of the excess weight and rejoin his friends at the mansion.

 

Goal:  Finally get back to my Weight Watchers goal weight!

 

Plan:

     1.  Follow the Weight Watchers program:  Track everything and stay within my points allowance each week.

     2.  Go to the gym three days a week:  I got a gym membership between challenges and plan to use it!  I don't feel like I need a goal for while I'm in there for now...Its still new and exciting and I feel like just getting in will result in doing real workouts each time.

     3.  Stay out of the pantry at work:  Continuing this from the previous challenge since I had so much success that time!  There is a cupboard at work that is always filled with junk food, which is a major reason for the weight gain over the last 1-2 years.  I am not good with self control when it comes to free food, so I go all or nothing - either I eat everything I find in there all day long, or say its off limits and cant have any of it.  I am staying out of it all together.

 

Life goal:  Improve interpreting skills:  I was accepted into a control group for a program that ends in November or December in which they will pay for my national certification test at the end, which costs about $450 and has a 14% pass rate.  Because of the low pass rate, I am considering this a free trial to see what I need to expect when I actually have to pay for it.  However, I would LOVE to not have to pay for it at all, so will be trying my best to improve as much as I can over the next six months.  

     How:  Finish the initial tests:  The program involves tests at the beginning and end to compare.  The first set of tests is due April 1 and they are fairly time consuming.  I did the practice ones, which took me about five hours all together...And they are much shorter and far less work than the actual tests.  I am not entirely certain what the next steps after that are, but I will update this part of the challenge at that point.

[raptron]

Excellent. Get at it.  

[Lilmissbri]

XMEN!!!! HYPE

I'm literally reading their comics right now. haha

[Manarelle]

That's such an amazing picture, congrats again on pulling that all together. What is the interpretation test on? ASL? Foreign language? Something entirely else?

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

On 3/23/2018 at 1:04 AM, Lilmissbri said:

XMEN!!!! HYPE

I'm literally reading their comics right now. haha

X-MEN!!!!!  YEEEESSS!  

 

On 3/23/2018 at 11:36 AM, Manarelle said:

That's such an amazing picture, congrats again on pulling that all together. What is the interpretation test on? ASL? Foreign language? Something entirely else?

Thanks!  It was definitely a push to get it all together!

The first tests dont actually seem to be tests.  More of interpreting practice drills.  Later, I will be taking an ASL proficiency test and at the end of the program, I will be taking the national certification test, which is on ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL interpreting as well as an ethics portion based on the ASL interpreters' Code of Professional Conduct.

 

SORRY FOR DELAYED RESPONSE!!!  I forgot to follow my own thread!  Haha!

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

Week One Review:

 

1.  Weight Watchers:  Tracked everything!  Mission accomplished!

2.  Gym:  Monday (15 minute run, full body circuit on machines the gym has set up, plus lower back stuff and extra ab work), Thursday (5k run - 1/2 hour!  I still got it!), and Sunday (5k run/walk)

3.  Work food:  Few treats left out on counter, but wasn't from the kennel and I tracked the points for it.

 

Result:  Down 1.3 pounds since the previous week (and 1.4 lbs over the week between challenges!)!  All together, 19.1 pounds lost since January 1!!

 

Life Goal:  Interpreting:  FAIL!  So much going on that I didn't have ANY time to work on my stuff!  This week is already going better in this category, though.

 

Gymnastics notes:  In the last few months I did my first kip on uneven bars, but they still aren't consistent - I can only do one per class and I lose it again, haha!  And its not every time.  BUT I've now done four all together!!  Woo!  Currently working on aerials again, getting easier on the floor using a springboard, but still not consistent.  

 

 

[raptron]

Four kips! NICE work! Also that's almost 20 lbs! You're killing it.

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

5 hours ago, raptron said:

Four kips! NICE work! Also that's almost 20 lbs! You're killing it.

Thanks!  Three more pounds till I can start going to Weight Watchers meetings again, haha!  When you're more than 2 pounds over your goal, you have to start paying and going every week again, so I havent gone because all I have to do if I wait until Im back in that range is pay for one missed month (instead of the 14-ish that I've actually missed).  I have used up all my free online things I get from weighing in each month and started having to pay each month starting a few months ago, but to do meetings again would cost a lot more.  So...three more pounds and I can start going again, haha!  They charge you for getting fat!

[Manarelle]

On 3/28/2018 at 5:03 PM, Nightcrawler_Bamff said:

The first tests dont actually seem to be tests.  More of interpreting practice drills.  Later, I will be taking an ASL proficiency test and at the end of the program, I will be taking the national certification test, which is on ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL interpreting as well as an ethics portion based on the ASL interpreters' Code of Professional Conduct.

 

Practice is always good. I briefly considered interpretation when I got into foreign language study; decided against it, but the ethical questions of interpretation are intriguing, probably more so with ASL and the body language/ facial expressions that go into it. 

 

Hella grats on the weight loss, keep slaying it!

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

On 4/1/2018 at 4:29 PM, Manarelle said:

 

Practice is always good. I briefly considered interpretation when I got into foreign language study; decided against it, but the ethical questions of interpretation are intriguing, probably more so with ASL and the body language/ facial expressions that go into it. 

 

Hella grats on the weight loss, keep slaying it!

 

Thanks!

 

We had two Spanish-English interpreters in out class.  ASL-English is very different because its federally required.  We had a few courses just based on ethical scenarios!  The body language/facial expressions are part of the grammar of the language, so the only thing you really need to worry about "ethically" is making sure you don't come off as mocking the hearing presenter.

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

Week Two:

 

Oops!  Took me a couple days to get to this!

 

Disclaimer:  I planned to not stay on plan for Easter because it was the end of Lent and I had given up the snack cupboard and wanted to give in one day.

 

1.  Weight Watchers:  Fail...ish...I tracked throughout the week and planned to not stay on track on Sunday, but I also didnt track on Saturday and know I went way over my allowance.  

2.  Gym:  Fail...ish.... Tuesday (personal training!  Worked on chest, back, and legs...I was sore until Sunday!!  Which is why I didnt go back until Sunday) and Sunday (20 minute walk - Got sick on Saturday, so took it easy).

3.  Work food:  Pass...ish...  Stayed out of the cupboard (except for Easter, which I allowed myself), but Saturday people brought in cookies and doughnuts, which never made it into the cupboard, so were free game...and I may have gone a little overboard.  Sunday I allowed getting into the cupboard, so ate a bunch AND someone snuck in after we closed Saturday and hid eggs filled with candy throughout...so...I ate a bunch of that too.

 

Result:  GAIN 1.2 pounds .  I knew I would gain and planned for it.  That was my strategy for Easter:  Eat what I want and pay the consequences of a gain on the scale, then immediately get back on track.

 

Interpreting:  FINISHED THE TESTS FOR THE PROGRAM!  And got paid for doing it!  Worked on it a couple times throughout the week, but we didnt have a vet at work Friday (but we were still required to be there to answer phone calls...) so I got to sit there for the day and do my homework!  It was great!  Now I'm just waiting to get my American Sign Language Proficiency Interview scheduled.  

 

Gymnastics notes:  Nothing new/exciting.  Worked on aerials for a bit, but stayed pretty low key...someone hurt themselves during a drill, so no one wanted to put too much into their skills.  

[raptron]

The pound gain is just little blip in the long run.

 

Aw, sorry someone got hurt at practice. That's no fun for anyone. 

[Manarelle]

On 4/4/2018 at 3:25 PM, Nightcrawler_Bamff said:

so the only thing you really need to worry about "ethically" is making sure you don't come off as mocking the hearing presenter.

 

Interesting. May I ask how that happens? Obviously, it's a common enough thing that you know to watch for it. 

 

On 4/4/2018 at 3:44 PM, Nightcrawler_Bamff said:

AND someone snuck in after we closed Saturday and hid eggs filled with candy throughout...so...I ate a bunch of that too.

 

Is your coworker on 9gag? I swear I saw a thing talking about how the poster had never seen so many adults in a vet clinic running around excitedly looking for eggs. Small world. 

 

Sounds like your personal trainer went a little overboard, glad you're feeling better. /Agree with Raptron - the weight gain is a blip, you'll knock it out fast by staying in routine. Keep up the good work!

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

On 4/7/2018 at 12:34 PM, Manarelle said:

 

Interesting. May I ask how that happens? Obviously, it's a common enough thing that you know to watch for it. 

 

 

Is your coworker on 9gag? I swear I saw a thing talking about how the poster had never seen so many adults in a vet clinic running around excitedly looking for eggs. Small world. 

 

Sounds like your personal trainer went a little overboard, glad you're feeling better. /Agree with Raptron - the weight gain is a blip, you'll knock it out fast by staying in routine. Keep up the good work!

How it happens that you would come off as mocking?  Well...you are talking AS that person, so you have to take on their personality and affect and that can easily be perceived as mocking.

 

No...not that I know of.  Also, there were only two of us there to look for them haha.

 

We were trying to figure out numbers, so we were going to max reps/max weight...also, I haven't really worked out like that in a long time.

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

Week Three:

 

1.  Weight Watchers:  Fail.  Surprise day off on Sunday so ended up partying Saturday night and Sunday.  Worth it, though (or...it was at the time and thats what I'm going to keep telling myself so I dont get discouraged, haha)!

2.  Gym:  Fail.  Monday (walk/weights)...thats it....Was gonna go Friday, but ended up getting supper with coworkers instead, and Sunday, but ended up partying...oops!

3.  Work food:  Fail.  Stayed out on Saturday, but made an excuse for one of the things then my will crumbled.  I WILL do better this weekend!

 

Result:  Another gain.  I AM back on track now, though, so not too discouraged.  

 

Interpreting:  Still waiting to get contacted to set up the ASL Proficiency Interview.  I set up a self paced continuing education thing with my peer mentor that were gonna work though and started working on that.  This is based on interpreting in health care settings, specifically the cardiovascular system.    Havent made it very far because of time constraints, but working on it this week.  Also got a screening set up for the interpreting call center on the 18th!  On less positive news, I had 16 hours of interpreting lined up for the next few months, but all except three hours got cancelled.   Oh well...it was still a good sign that I am able to get that much work and will continue getting more!

 

Gymnastics:  Worked on the tumble track a little and got my roundoff-double back handspring-back layout back.  Hadn't REALLY lost it, but it had been a while since I worked on it.  

[raptron]

Aw, sorry you had cancellations for future work, but agree that it is great you are getting bookings.  

 

And having fun is always worth it, IMO! 

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

Final Week!

 

Weight Watchers:  Didnt track over the weekend   Oops...I know I went over my allowance, but tried to keep it reasonable.

Overall:  Tracked most days..pass...barely

Gym:  Only went twice.  I plan to go on Fridays or Sundays, then people want to go eat after work...I have really bad fear of missing out and will ALWAYS choose socializing over things im SUPPOSED to be doing...so...for me...I am ok with that sacrifice.

Overall:  If I include gymnastics, I worked out at least three times every week, though that was not part of the challenge.  I am, however, satisfied with the routine I'm getting into, so I will count this as a win.

Work food:  Stayed MOSTLY out of the "pantry," but did get into it once.  Im chalking that up as a win!

Overall:  Couple slip ups, but mostly stayed out.  Pass

 

Result:  Lost 2.4 pounds...I think my measurement may have been off last week...oh well...I'll take a 2.4lb loss!!  

Overall:  EXACTLY the same weight as the week before this challenge started...FAIL.  The goal for the challenge was to continue the losses and get back to weight watchers meetings, which did not happen.  I will have to continue this overarching goal for the next challenge.

 

Interpreting:  Studied the heart for a few hours this week for my continuing education thing.  I still have 40 pages left in the heart section of the textbook I found online.  I know I have enough info at this point to get what I need from this "workshop," but the more knowledge I have, the better!  I have a meeting planned with my peer mentor next week and well discuss what we learned and how to sign those concepts.  

Overall:  Got a LOT accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.  I will have exciting news for the next challenge!!  Not necessarily INTERPRETING related, but work related.

 

Gymnastics:  NEW SKILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Been a while since I got something new!!  I have been doing front handsprings and front tucks on the tumble track for a while, but finally combined them!!!! I will post the video shortly! 

[Nightcrawler_Bamff]

25 minutes ago, Nightcrawler_Bamff said:

Gymnastics:  NEW SKILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Been a while since I got something new!!  I have been doing front handsprings and front tucks on the tumble track for a while, but finally combined them!!!! I will post the video shortly! 

Well...apparently I cant post it at all...  Wrong file type...