Ellestar - Training for Adventure

[Ellestar]

Hello all,

 

I'm Laura (Ellestar) and this is my second 4-week challenge. I decided to do this challenge in the Adventurers guild as my ultimate goal is to prepare for the adventure of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this summer.

 

Big Picture Goal (Main Quest)

To be fit for Kilimanjaro

To lose 30+ kilos and have a healthy BMI

 

S.M.A.R.T goals

Keep my diet healthy - limit chocolate/sweet etc

Gym/Swim minimum 2 times a week

Yoga every day

Hill walk at least once a week

Couch to 5k - finish last few weeks and get back to running 5k

 

These are very similar to my first challenge goals but I want to build consistency so I'm carrying on the same path but adding in some running.

 

Let's do this!

 

[Aquarii]

Welcome to the adventurers! So glad you decided to join us.

 

On 2/11/2019 at 4:28 AM, Ellestar said:

my ultimate goal is to prepare for the adventure of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this summer.

 

That is an amazing goal. I have never done any kind of mountain climbing, but that sounds like an incredible experience.

 

I love your SMART goals for this challenge. How is your challenge coming along?

[Ellestar]

On 2/16/2019 at 3:11 AM, Nova Aquarii said:

Welcome to the adventurers! So glad you decided to join us.

 

 

That is an amazing goal. I have never done any kind of mountain climbing, but that sounds like an incredible experience.

 

I love your SMART goals for this challenge. How is your challenge coming along?

 

Thanks for the welcome 

 

I'm been plugging steadily away at my goals. I'm really aiming for consistency.

I'll do a wee update.

 

[Ellestar]

UPDATE WEEK 1: Mon 11th Feb - Sun 17th Feb

 

Start weight 91.1kg

End weight 89.6kg

 

Lost -1.5kg

 

S.M.A.R.T goals

• Keep my diet healthy - limit chocolate/sweet etc

So this challenge I'm relaxing the rules ever so slightly and trying to get myself into the habit of moderation. I'm allowing myself 2 squares of chocolate a night - if I want.

I've reintroduced oats (I was missing my porridge!) and dairy and enjoying increased breakfast variations.

I've been sticking to these new goals pretty well. Had parents and friends round for dinner on Sat but cooked healthly venison mince pie with root veg topping and fruit salad for dessert. I'm happy with my consistency and progress.

 

• Gym/Swim minimum 2 times a week

I'm failing on this front. I know that going in the morning is the best option for me but I'm struggling to motivate myself to get out of bed. Need to work on this!

 

• Yoga every day

Nailing this! After doing Yoga With Adriene Dedicate in Jan I decided to continue with the Feb Care calendar. I've done Yoga every day so far and if time is short I just swap around the sessions to suit. I figure it's better to do something than nothing but I'm loving the practice of just taking some time and getting on the mat.

 

• Hill walk at least once a week

I did a hill the Sat before this challenge started but this weekend I had my parents visiting and they had other things they wanted to do. I had to choose between a hill and a run and the run won out. Will do a quick hill tonight after work to keep my legs going.

 

• Couch to 5k - finish last few weeks and get back to running 5k

I did the 3 sessions of C25K for the week - each running for 25 mins. On Tue I cam home from work and ran around the park - even though it was dark! On Thurs I ran home from work before my class in the evening. On Sunday I ran in the afternoon after Rifle Club. I made it my priority to fit these all in this week.

I feel some improvement and although I am taking the odd 30sec-1min walking break, I'm just happy to be making progress.

 

NEXT WEEK

 

Diet - Continue

Gym/Swim - I have Barre booked for Wed so must fit in one other session

Hill - Go somewhere for a hill on Sat

Run - do C25K week 8 - planning for Tue, Thurs and Sat/Sun 

 

 

 

[Ellestar]

So I haven't been very good at updating this time round but I have been relatively consistent with my challenges:

 

S.M.A.R.T goals

Keep my diet healthy - limit chocolate/sweet etc

I've been pretty good at this. Chocolate is my weakness so I've allowed myself a square after tea at night and haven't gorged on whole bars of chocolate. I'm aiming for sustainable moderation and so far so good.

 

Gym/Swim minimum 2 times a week

I have failed at this. Made it to the gym a couple of times this month but not yet managed a consistent habit.

 

Yoga every day

Nailing it! Still loving YWA. Completed her February CARE calendar and now onto March RESET - not beating myself up if I miss the odd day. Aiming for 300 days of yoga this year and I'm on track.

 

Hill walk at least once a week

I've managed this apart from last week. I've done at least a little hill in Edinburgh or further afield. Climbed Ben Chonzie (Munro - over 3000ft) the other weekend which was great. Highest hill so far this year.

 

Couch to 5k - finish last few weeks and get back to running 5k

Slightly fell of the wagon 1st week in March. Had sore calf and generally felt exhausted. Plan is to get back to Parkrun this Saturday.

 

GENERAL PROGRESS AND THOUGHTS

 

11 Feb Start weight 91.1kg

10 Mar End Weight 87.5kg

LOSS 3.6 kg

 

In general I'm maintaining healthy habits.

I'm definitely focusing more on what I eat - keeping the majority of the food I consume really healthy - lean protein and veg.

I'm allowing myself the odd treat as I want to make this sustainable and not feel deprived, but I'm keeping the treats as "treats" and not just the norm.

I'm still LOVING doing Yoga every day. My aim is 300/365 days this year - even if it's only 5 mins. I don't beat myself up if I miss the odd day but try and not miss more than 2 a month. I always feel better when I do it and generally love how it makes me feel. This is a habit I enjoy and hope to maintain forever!

 

I'll aim to be more regular in updating for the next challenge!