Ambera Wave Shape-Shifts to woodandbronze - Taking It Down a Notch

[woodandbronze]

Hi!

Winter blahs have set in. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to get going in the morning. I don’t feel like going out, don’t feel like doing much, just want to stay in my jammies and veg… you know?   So, I’ve decided to give myself a break this week and ease off a little bit when the challenge begins. As it happens, this challenge will be a shorter one because my trip to Portugal is in 4 weeks. Yay!

 

My main quest continues to be my weight loss goal - lose 8.2kg by Dec. 31st and I’ve got 6.6kg to go
SMART goals: In the last challenge, I worked to eliminate snacking and I did that by making sure my meals left me feeling satisfied. Problem was that I discovered mug cakes and came to rely on them more and more for dessert. Not good - even though they were low carb, too much sugar went back into my diet. So, I want to work on defining dessert as fruit or a cheese plate (cheese, nuts, fruit). I will continue to eliminate snacks from my diet, drink at least 1 glass of water before each meal, measure portions, eat greens every day, eat at the dining table (mindful eating), and not buy pasta, bread, cookies and other empty calories (except butter, cheese) when grocery shopping.
 
Quest 2: lose body fat by getting stronger
SMART goals: I will continue daily back exercises to help correct imbalances when doing unilateral exercises, train to defeat The Widowmaker (level 2 boss battle), and I’m going to reduce my cardio to just 20’/day. And if the weather isn't conducive to going out, I'll do my home gym routine (squats, doorway bodyweight rows, bodyweight deadlifts, knee pushups) to failure.

 

Quest 3: work on my social skills
SMART goals: Since I retired, I am socially isolated, and being an introvert doesn't make life easy in this respect. So, I’m going to read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and see how I can apply the principles in my life.
 
Quest 4: learn the ukulele
SMART goals: I’m going to make sure that I’ve memorized the chords covered in my lessons before moving on to the next one, and on days when I don’t feel like practicing I am going to either cut the practice short or break it up into shorter sessions interspersed through the day.

 

[Sciread77]

Following. Especially for insights from Dale Carnegie’s Classic. Which I’ve not read in myany many years and could probably use. 

[WolfDreamer]

21 hours ago, Ambera Wave said:

you know?

 

I absolutely do know...

 

Your goals look good. Let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[woodandbronze]

I've decided to retire the name Ambera Wave - it was a random pick and I never really "felt it". I've been woodandbronze for years and am re-introducing myself.

[Sciread77]

First of all, I love the name woodandbronze. (As a major fan of steampunk).

 

Second, I logged in and saw this and it just cracked me up. 

[gryffinkat]

On 2/4/2019 at 11:44 AM, woodandbronze said:

Since I retired, I am socially isolated, and being an introvert doesn't make life easy in this respect.
 

 

Not retired myself, but I so hear this! I've decided to skip social goals for this challenge, but it's definitely the next thing I want to add for the next challenge. I'm interested to hear how this goes for you!

[woodandbronze]

Today's stats:

Quest 1 - no snacks; fruit and cheese for afters

Quest 2 - did my back exercises, walked outdoors 0:27:40, and bodyweight training

Quest 3 - finished reading Part 2 of Carnegie

Quest 4 - practiced ukulele for 30 min.

[woodandbronze]

Today's stats:

1. no snacks; fruit for dessert

2. did my back exercises and am heading out for a walk a little later

3. I read more Carnegie today (up to chapter 3.5) and I think I'm going to drop this quest for now - a book written by an extrovert for extroverts is not a good choice for a confirmed "innie". While I intend to finish the book, I think the notes I took back when I read "Introvert Power" would be of more use, but this needs a rethink

4. short 15 min. ukulele practice today

[woodandbronze]

Today's stats:

1. no snacks; fruit, cheese for dessert

2. did my back exercises, trudged through the 33 40cm of snow we got overnight to the gym and rowed 5000 metres, then trudged back home and did bodyweight training

3. On hold, but finished reading Part 3 of Carnegie

4. 1 hour ukulele practice

[woodandbronze]

Happy Valentine's Day! Did you send those little cards to your classmates when you were a kid?

 

Today's stats:

1. no snacks; made a valentine's mug cake for dessert

2. did my back exercises, and walked in- and outdoors 0:26:46

3. finished Carnegie. I did reach out to some old friends today and am happy to say that I got a 50% response rate, which confirms that I need to be more proactive in my relationships.

4. practiced ukulele 45 min.

 

 

[Sciread77]

14 hours ago, woodandbronze said:

Happy Valentine's Day! Did you send those little cards to your classmates when you were a kid?

 

Today's stats:

1. no snacks; made a valentine's mug cake for dessert

2. did my back exercises, and walked in- and outdoors 0:26:46

3. finished Carnegie. I did reach out to some old friends today and am happy to say that I got a 50% response rate, which confirms that I need to be more proactive in my relationships.

4. practiced ukulele 45 min.

 

 

 

That’s a pretty good response rate! Also, kudos for following through on that one. 

[woodandbronze]

Yesterday's stats:

1. no snacks; fruit for dessert; skipped dinner

2. did my back exercises, rowed 5000m, and bodyweight training

3. response rate increased to 62.5%

4. 15 min. practice

 

I've come down with a cold, so won't be doing very much for the next few days other than sleep.

[woodandbronze]

On 2/16/2019 at 8:36 AM, woodandbronze said:

I've come down with a cold, so won't be doing very much for the next few days other than sleep.

... and read.

 

On Tuesday, I started reading "The Tao of Seneca, vol. 1" that Tim Ferriss published and put online for free 2 years ago (the link is easy to find). Since I'm out of condition physically for the remainder of this challenge (gotta be healthy for my upcoming trip), I'm morphing Quest 2 into a 30 min. meditation/day and Quest 3 will be to read one of Seneca's letters/day and "acquire something that will fortify you... and after you have run over many thoughts, select one to be thoroughly digested that day", then share it here.

 

Yesterday's stats:

1. hardly ate, but I treated myself to a lemon mug cake with a hot lemon-ginger infusion

2. meditated 30 min.

3. read "On the Philosopher's Mean". My take-away is that philosophy aims to give a sense of sympathy and sociability to all (so, don't be a poser)

4. 15 min. practice

[annyshay]

Looking good! Love the new moniker.

[woodandbronze]

Today's stats:

1. had a better appetite today; no snacks, fruit/nuts/cheese for afters

2. meditated 30 min.

3. "On Sharing Knowledge" - "... the living voice and the intimacy of a common life will help you more than the written word." I'm still wrapping my head around "intimacy of a common life", but I can appreciate this advice on the importance of communication

4. 20 min. practice

[woodandbronze]

Today's stats:

1. made a mug cake

2. meditated 30 min.

3. "On Crowds" - as much as I would like to paraphrase, I just can't say it any better. "Associate with those who will make a better man of you. Welcome those whom you yourself can improve. The process is mutual."

4. 15 min. practice

[woodandbronze]

Today's stats:

1. no snacks; fruit, nuts, cheese for dessert

2. meditated 30 min.

3. "On the Philosopher's Seclusion" so that he could write for the purpose of helping future generations. He offers a few examples, but here's one for the Rebellion: "indulge the body only so far as is needful for good health."

4. 45 min. practice

[woodandbronze]

Yesterday's stats:

1. no snacks, but had 2 vegan low-carb mug cakes for dessert

2. meditated 30 min.

3. "On Philosophy and Friendship" - making friends should be the result of a natural appreciation for the other person, not for some selfish reason.

4. 45 min. practice

 

Today's stats:

1. no snacks, fruit for dessert

2. meditated 30 min.

4. "On Living to Oneself"  - solitude is not beneficial to "fools", as it gives them the rope to hang themselves

5. 1 hour practice

[Waanie]

You're doing great . How are you reconnecting to your old friends? Are you just texting/emailing, or also meeting in person? I can imagine that being retired gets a bit lonely after a while, so I hope that the reconnecting with old friends is lasting .

[woodandbronze]

9 hours ago, Waanie said:

You're doing great . How are you reconnecting to your old friends? Are you just texting/emailing, or also meeting in person? I can imagine that being retired gets a bit lonely after a while, so I hope that the reconnecting with old friends is lasting .

I sent them all text/email, and hopefully, once our weather improves enough that we can all come out of hibernation mode, we can make plans to see each other.

 

Today's stats:

1. no snacks, a bit of cheese for dessert

2. meditated 30 min.

3. "On the Blush of Modesty" - involuntary physical reactions triggered by psychological reasons (e.g. blushing) can be toned down by training, but never overcome. "And we cannot forbid these feelings any more than we can summon them"

4. haven't practiced yet, but it's on the plan for this evening

[Waanie]

7 hours ago, woodandbronze said:

...once our weather improves enough that we can all come out of hibernation mode...

Wheh, I'm glad that the climate here is moderate enough that we can go outside except for maybe a few days per year. It would be so sad to stay inside all day, is the weather really so bad that you can't go out?

[woodandbronze]

9 hours ago, Waanie said:

Wheh, I'm glad that the climate here is moderate enough that we can go outside except for maybe a few days per year. It would be so sad to stay inside all day, is the weather really so bad that you can't go out?

I usually love winter, but this one has been tough, because of the radical changes from mild to subzero temps within a 24-hour period. They've been too frequent, making mobility difficult and downright dangerous. Then, there's the fact that I'm sick and trying to get over a cold before flying to Portugal. Okay, I'll stop whining now

[annyshay]

Feel better soon! When's Portugal?

[woodandbronze]

15 hours ago, annyshay said:

Feel better soon! When's Portugal?

1 more sleep!!!

[annyshay]

2 hours ago, woodandbronze said:

1 more sleep!!!

Excite!