Small Changes, Big Results

[X-23]

So, I've had my challenge planned out for a week or two, but I wanted to wait until the next challenge to post. This is my first challenge. I'm Kerri, and I'm a Marvel, crime drama and psychology nerd. I currently am in rough health and want to change that. I have decided on 5 "Main Quests" per say to focus on for the next 6 months to a year. I have then broken them down (with the help of the wonderful challenge planning sheets!!!) and broken those down even FURTHER! 

 

My 5  Main Quests: 

 

1. No More Diabetes (get out of diabetes/prediabetes range)

2. Lose It, Woman (lose 80 lbs to get under 200)

3. Publish that Poetry ( publish the poetry book I've been working on for over a year)

4. Sell that Stuff! (Sell some artwork/have a platform to do so)

5. Go Back to School (Go back to college at least part-time)

I'm going to be posting the further breakdown of these quests in my Daily Log (Someday I'll Be a Spy.)

Here are the goals I will be working on in my first 4-week challenge! 

 

Quest 1 Step 2 Part A:  Record/track my sugar intake on an app (such as MFP) for 4 whole weeks.

Quest 2 Step 2 Part A & B: Decide the times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eat breakfast at the designated time for 4 weeks.

Quest 2 Step 3 Part C:  Do 10 squats, 20 wall push-ups, 20 wall slides, and 10 sec plank every day for 4 weeks.

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks.

Quest 4 Step 1 Part A : Finish the Hex Girls cross-stitch by the end of this 4 weeks.

Quest 5 Step 1 Part A: Call the advisor at the college and set up an appointment by the end of this 4 weeks.

 

 

To stay on track, I will be tracking the times I eat breakfast in this thread, logging my sugar in MFP, and my exercises in my bullet journal.  I will also be updating ya'll on the art and writing progress!

 

I will actually be using Foodeducate too when the 4-week challenge starts.

[Lady Amezan]

What awesome detailed goals! I'm rooting for you!

[Jett]

How's the first week going? What times did you decide on for your meals?

[X-23]

So I had some car trouble and some other stuff happen this week that made me forget about the challenge starting  

 

Quest 1 Step 2 Part A:  Record/track my sugar intake on an app (such as MFP) for 4 whole weeks.

Will be starting to do this tomorrow, on MFP or Foodeducate or something.

Quest 2 Step 2 Part A & B: Decide the times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eat breakfast at the designated time for 4 weeks.

Breakfast is 930. Lunch is 1:30. Dinner is 6:30. Snack between that and my 11:30 bedtime. 

Quest 2 Step 3 Part C:  Do 10 squats, 20 wall push-ups, 20 wall slides, and 10 sec plank every day for 4 weeks.

Ready to start this again tomorrow. I got this

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks. 

I'm getting close to finishing the first section, probably need to just work on it tomorrow then it'll be done.

Quest 4 Step 1 Part A : Finish the Hex Girls cross-stitch by the end of this 4 weeks.

I've got the "& " started, and just need to do the word "AIR" then add some quick backstitched words, then I'll be done (probably two full days of work if I try haha)

Quest 5 Step 1 Part A: Call the advisor at the college and set up an appointment by the end of this 4 weeks.

Almost did this today but then decided to wait til Monday

[Harriet]

That's a lot of quests, very ambitious! It's super cool that you're writing your own poetry book. And great that you have specific deadlines; my creative personal projects often get neglected for long periods of time. Anyway, good luck! May the spirit of industry be with you!
 

 

 

[X-23]

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks. 

I'm getting close to finishing the first section, probably need to just work on it tomorrow then it'll be done.

 

 

 

FIRST SECTION IS EDITED AND TYPED UP <3 Boom!

 

Also, Harriet, I've been working on this poetry book for like two years now... so my creative projects tend to the same thing too xD

 

[Harriet]

Yay Boom! Congrats! Now, onto the next thing, right? Or maybe a celebratory dance? 

 

[Jett]

On 9/21/2018 at 7:46 PM, X-23 said:

So I had some car trouble and some other stuff happen this week that made me forget about the challenge starting  

 

That's alright! Shit happens. Sometimes you just have to get back to the fitness goals when it's possible, and not worry too much about the missed days. You only fail the journey if you stop trying to take a step forward. Rests and pauses are fine.

 

On 9/21/2018 at 9:44 PM, X-23 said:

FIRST SECTION IS EDITED AND TYPED UP <3 Boom!

 

Way to go!

[X-23]

Quest 1 Step 2 Part A:  Record/track my sugar intake on an app (such as MFP) for 4 whole weeks. 

Okay, I'm at 2 days of tracking so far.

Quest 2 Step 2 Part A & B: Decide the times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eat breakfast at the designated time for 4 weeks.

Okay, I'm at 1 day for breakfast on time.

Quest 2 Step 3 Part C:  Do 10 squats, 20 wall push-ups, 20 wall slides, and 10 sec plank every day for 4 weeks.

Pft, I'm still on day 0.

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks.

I created the cover page for this section, but I'm too tired/out of it/hungover/fibro flaring to actually edit today.

Quest 4 Step 1 Part A : Finish the Hex Girls cross-stitch by the end of this 4 weeks.

Worked 30 mins yesterday, 1 hourish today.

Quest 5 Step 1 Part A: Call the advisor at the college and set up an appointment by the end of this 4 weeks.

Going to call tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

[RES]

 

Seriously though, too many goals can derail progress...you feel like you can't do them all perfectly so you end up not doing any. Focus on the most important and when they become habit then add more.

[X-23]

Quest 1 Step 2 Part A:  Record/track my sugar intake on an app (such as MFP) for 4 whole weeks. 

I slacked for about 4 days on this, but starting back up

Quest 2 Step 2 Part A & B: Decide the times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eat breakfast at the designated time for 4 weeks.

I've done quite well on this! I think since I started I've only missed like 4 days of eating breakfast before 10AM yay!

Quest 2 Step 3 Part C:  Do 10 squats, 20 wall push-ups, 20 wall slides, and 10 sec plank every day for 4 weeks.

PFT... this is where I'm still struggling!!.

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks. 

                              It just needs typed and then I'm done with Section 2!!!

Quest 4 Step 1 Part A : Finish the Hex Girls cross-stitch by the end of this 4 weeks.

Had to rework an entire section of stitches because I misjudged the size of the letter *facepalm* so I have taken a little break. But it's almost done, and I'm still pretty sure I can finish it before the 14th.

Quest 5 Step 1 Part A: Call the advisor at the college and set up an appointment by the end of this 4 weeks.

I DID IT GUYS AND I MEET WITH HER TOMORROW!!!!

[Harriet]

Awesome! That's a lot of things you achieved this week! Hah, I knit, so I know how discouraging it is when I make a stupid mistake and have to rip back a large section. It's just part of the work, I guess.

 

[RES]

On 9/30/2018 at 6:49 PM, X-23 said:

I've done quite well on this! I think since I started I've only missed like 4 days of eating breakfast before 10AM yay!

Great job!

Personally, I don't bother with breakfast...ymmv

[Jett]

2 hours ago, RES said:

Great job!

Personally, I don't bother with breakfast...ymmv

 

I think she's doing it mainly for 'structured eating' purposes, since that helps to avoid bingeing.

Eating small, frequent meals is also helpful for diabetes and those who are pre-diabetic.

[Virxen]

Nice progress! 

 

8 hours ago, Jett said:

 

I think she's doing it mainly for 'structured eating' purposes, since that helps to avoid bingeing.

Eating small, frequent meals is also helpful for diabetes and those who are pre-diabetic.

 

I started thinking about my health more seriously because of this forum. I'm maybe pre-diabetic (I was a year ago), and I have insulin resistance, so I could really start doing that thing you mentioned! 

[X-23]

12 hours ago, Virxen said:

Nice progress! 

 

 

I started thinking about my health more seriously because of this forum. I'm maybe pre-diabetic (I was a year ago), and I have insulin resistance, so I could really start doing that thing you mentioned! 

 

I am insulin resistant myself, and that is EXACTLY why I'm structering my eating. I have PCOS, and have been on and off metformin for the last 3 years, but my insulin levels weren't improving. (Sugars were fineish, but insulin was insanely high) That's why I'm trying to eat at regular intervals and watch my sugar intake to help with my insulin levels.

[X-23]

Quest 1 Step 2 Part A:  Record/track my sugar intake on an app (such as MFP) for 4 whole weeks. 

I've been slacking on this one, mainly because I didn't have any money for food and was also in the process of getting my roommate moved in and my old one moved out.

Quest 2 Step 2 Part A & B: Decide the times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eat breakfast at the designated time for 4 weeks.

Up until this week, I was doing pretty good at this - I've had some issues waking up/going to bed the last few days and sleeping through breakfast.

Quest 2 Step 3 Part C:  Do 10 squats, 20 wall push-ups, 20 wall slides, and 10 sec plank every day for 4 weeks

Yeah, I'm going to try this again on my next challenge... cause it's something I struggled with.

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks.        

Done!!!                

Quest 4 Step 1 Part A : Finish the Hex Girls cross-stitch by the end of this 4 weeks.

Quest 5 Step 1 Part A: Call the advisor at the college and set up an appointment by the end of this 4 weeks.

 

[RES]

PCOS...I had/have this as well...I say had because complete hysterectomy, have because the issues don't go away even after that  

I would have to say doing amazing with this challenge! Keep up the good work!

 

[X-23]

Quest 1 Step 2 Part A:  Record/track my sugar intake on an app (such as MFP) for 4 whole weeks. 

I've been slacking on this one, mainly because I didn't have any money for food and was also in the process of getting my roommate moved in and my old one moved out.

Quest 2 Step 2 Part A & B: Decide the times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eat breakfast at the designated time for 4 weeks.

Up until this week, I was doing pretty good at this - I've had some issues waking up/going to bed the last few days and sleeping through breakfast.

Quest 2 Step 3 Part C:  Do 10 squats, 20 wall push-ups, 20 wall slides, and 10 sec plank every day for 4 weeks

Yeah, I'm going to try this again on my next challenge... cause it's something I struggled with.

Quest 3 Step 1 Part A & B: Finish editing first section by the end of 4 weeks. Finish editing second section by the end of this 4 weeks.        

Done!!!                

Quest 4 Step 1 Part A : Finish the Hex Girls cross-stitch by the end of this 4 weeks.

Done!!! The backing might need some glue to touch it up later, but it's done!!

Quest 5 Step 1 Part A: Call the advisor at the college and set up an appointment by the end of this 4 weeks.

[X-23]

Since the challenge is ending tomorrow...

I'm giving myself an overall grade of a C.

I did great on the writing and cross-stitch goals. I did good on the college goal. Breakfast was a touch and go.

Tracking and exercise were not accomplished the way I was hoping for. 

[Jett]

2 hours ago, X-23 said:

Tracking and exercise were not accomplished the way I was hoping for. 

 

Seems like these are always the hardest things.

 

Good job on getting your art-related goals done, though.

Any chance you'll ever share pics of the cross stitch?

[Harriet]

Good job on the quests you finished! Any ideas how you could make the tracking and breakfast stick? Were the goals too ambitious, or do you just need some more time & effort to get the habit rolling? 

 

[RES]

Great job! I'm curious on the breakfast one, you say you slept through it, were you hungry then? Maybe build in some flexibility for it or eat 'brunch'?