cn3wton forges his future.

[cn3wton]

How about that for illiteration?

 

My last few challenges have been extremely helpful to push me to my goals, but I do have a tendency to go overboard just a tiny bit on the scope of them. So for this challenge I am going to take a ever so small step back from the complicated challenge and go back to the simple stuff.

 

Goal #1 - "Meal Prep"

So I know a lot of people view meal prep as this huge undertaking of making every meal for the week in one go and freezing it. That's not really my goal this challenge. Instead I want to harken back to a previous challenge of bringing food from home for lunch at work. Since I have begun intermittent fasting I have been eating lunch again, and I want it to not only be something I bring in from home, but something delicious I prepared. No frozen box meals. Just like previous challenges a week will be complete if I successfully bring my lunch the number of times equal to the challenge week number. SO week #1 is 1 prepared meal. ETC.

 

Goal #2 - Set a Schedule

Since I can set my schedule at work I have been a bit loose with it. Going in later here earlier there. I would like to get  a more consistent schedule nailed down.  Due to my 3 hour daily commute I really enjoy having time when I get home to enjoy myself. Going to bed at 8-9pm was very limiting. I think currently I would like to set a time of 10pm as my goal as it seems to work well. 6am wake up time gives me plenty of time to get dressed and get to work at 8am. Leaving at 4:30 means I am home at 6 and get 4 hours to spend with the dog and do other things.

 

The commute eats up a lot of time and is less than ideal, but I think this is a good plan. I fully expect this to adjust. When I reach a weight I am comfortable returning to the gym at I intend to go back to morning Crossfit classes. It is on the way(ish) to work which means I could attend the 6am class, shower then drive to work and hopefully be there between 8 and 830. But thats a future idea.

 

So same as goal #1, days stuck to the schedule equal to week number will earn me a success that week.

 

Goal #3 - Off day exercise

Currently DDPY is 3 days a week for roughly 20 minutes. It has been working well. But I would like to slowly transition to getting physical activity in on the off days. It doesn't need to be another DDPY workout or even a workout. Just something that gets me moving. Building things, working in my shop, etc etc. That will all count as long as I am moving and not just laying on the couch.

 

I think everyone understands how I am going to score these so no point repeating it. 

 

 

I look forward to this challenge!

[Shello]

I like your schedule.  Work/life balance is so important, especially with all your other goals needing your time and attention.  

[WhiteGhost]

I misread your title as "cn3wton forgoes his future" and I was like uh oh, what happened  

 

 

[DarK_RaideR]

Here for this!

[cn3wton]

20 hours ago, Shello said:

I like your schedule.  Work/life balance is so important, especially with all your other goals needing your time and attention.  

 

I am learning just how important it is more and more each day!

 

6 hours ago, WhiteGhost said:

I misread your title as "cn3wton forgoes his future" and I was like uh oh, what happened  

 

 

 

LOL I was going to use craft but forge sounds way cooler!

 

4 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Here for this!

 

Always a pleasure to have ya here dude!

[cn3wton]

Todays lunch. I went to a local market and picked stuff up to make another salad. 10/10 the peaches turned this salad up a huge notch!

 

[Rookie]

58 minutes ago, cn3wton said:

Todays lunch. I went to a local market and picked stuff up to make another salad. 10/10 the peaches turned this salad up a huge notch!

 

Solid lunch! So colourful 😮

 

I thought you meant you have a 3hr commute each way and I almost died. It almost makes your commute seem reasonable after that but no I would die lol. I have been working from home for over a year now because of the pandemic. I am going to die when I have to drive to work again.  Setting a consistent schedule sounds like a good plan. I know on my riding days I go straight from work to riding then I don't get home until 8-9pm and I feel like I can't really do much and I am literally killing time until bed. Thats one good way to feel like you are stuck in a rut fast.

[cn3wton]

9 minutes ago, Rookie said:

Solid lunch! So colourful 😮

 

I thought you meant you have a 3hr commute each way and I almost died. It almost makes your commute seem reasonable after that but no I would die lol. I have been working from home for over a year now because of the pandemic. I am going to die when I have to drive to work again.  Setting a consistent schedule sounds like a good plan. I know on my riding days I go straight from work to riding then I don't get home until 8-9pm and I feel like I can't really do much and I am literally killing time until bed. Thats one good way to feel like you are stuck in a rut fast.

 

Thanks it was delicous!

 

You are right some times a busy schedule can be great and make you feel like you are really accomplishing things. But sometimes it can get you feeling stuck really really quick!

[18ck]

Wow - a mix of fruit salad and salad salad. Was there any dressing involved? I'm intrigued? 

 

Anyway, I'm glad the result was good. With raspberries and peaches in the mix, it's hard to go wrong really! 

[cn3wton]

16 hours ago, 18ck said:

Wow - a mix of fruit salad and salad salad. Was there any dressing involved? I'm intrigued? 

 

Anyway, I'm glad the result was good. With raspberries and peaches in the mix, it's hard to go wrong really! 

So the recipe was

Peaches, Blueberries, Raspberries. Calls for all fresh but the peaches where delmonte pre sliced peaches 100 cals for the container.

Spring Mix, hand shredded/torn (it really did make a difference to tear it into small pieces!)

Olive oil drizzled on top.

Grind Sea Salt and Pepper on top

Squeeze 1 whole lemon on top

 

So no traditional dressing. But the flavors all combine to make an amazing flavor. I covered the recipe a bit more in my battle log. But I didnt mix it and its very important to try to get a bite of everything on the fork and man oh man was it good!

[18ck]

Certainly sounds good! 

[cn3wton]

I am looking forward to kicking off this challenge, but like always I try not to wait until the challenge.

 

I will say that this morning I got up at 6am and should have stayed up. I wasn't overly tired, didnt need to sleep. But I went back to sleep for an hour because I could. 

 

I am going to purchase a lunch box that can heat up the food. I want to avoid using the microwaves. Its basically a bag with a hotplate in it. But my friend has made some amazing things in it. I could see this being a good way to make lunches that actually feel like meals and not just reheated leftovers.

[Shello]

That salad looks tasty.  I've seen salads with strawberries or mandarin oranges that look good too but I've never tried them.

 

I've never heard of a lunch box with a hot plate in it.  I'm very intrigued.  I quite hope you get one now so I can see what you can do with it.  

[cn3wton]

1 hour ago, Shello said:

That salad looks tasty.  I've seen salads with strawberries or mandarin oranges that look good too but I've never tried them.

 

I've never heard of a lunch box with a hot plate in it.  I'm very intrigued.  I quite hope you get one now so I can see what you can do with it.  

I ordered it and will keep everyone informed on whether or not I think its worth it! My friend raves about it.

[18ck]

11 hours ago, Shello said:

I've never heard of a lunch box with a hot plate in it.  I'm very intrigued

I share the curiosity here. The challenge hasn't started properly yet and already, with this hotplatebag and the fruitsaladsalad, you have blown my mind twice. 

[Jarric]

I really like the way you're scoring this challenge as building up a day each week, it's an interesting plan.

 

Haven't quite managed to get my head around the idea of salt and olive oil on blueberries though, it just sounds so wrong

 

[cn3wton]

9 hours ago, 18ck said:

I share the curiosity here. The challenge hasn't started properly yet and already, with this hotplatebag and the fruitsaladsalad, you have blown my mind twice. 

 

I try I try. I will certainly keep everyone updated!

 

3 hours ago, Jarric said:

I really like the way you're scoring this challenge as building up a day each week, it's an interesting plan.

 

Haven't quite managed to get my head around the idea of salt and olive oil on blueberries though, it just sounds so wrong

 

So its not JUST blueberries. It really is the mix of all the flavors. The spring mix, the peaches, the blueberries and raspberries. The lemon and oil. It all kinda comes together in a delicious flavor explosion! I wasn't sure about it either but I took the plunge and it was worth it.

[cn3wton]

So today is going to be a day close to my calorie limit. And I am okay with that. 

 

I'm not going to say crap like "I earned it" or whatever. But I haven't been out to eat dinner with people in forever. I have already allotted the calories for the meal and I am not going to sweat it. I know that tomorrow the scale might reflect this choice. But I don't care.  The whole point of this approach is to learn moderation and control.  I can't eat everything I used to, but I can certainly enjoy myself.

 

The heated lunchbox comes in next Tuesday and I can't wait to share the results with everyone. I am getting increasingly excited to try it for many reasons. Good meals that I can make at home that don't taste horrible and reheated in the microwave. Cost savings. The list goes on!

 

The schedule is going to be, I don't want to say tough, but it is going to be a change. I did already talk to my boss about it and hes all good with whatever so that makes it easier.

 

Last night I threw axes until I built up a moderate sweat. So I always have that to fall back on for the extra exercise goal!

[Rurik Harrgath]

On 5/4/2021 at 10:53 AM, cn3wton said:

Goal #2 - Set a Schedule

 

Since I'm on work shutdown due to Third Wave, this is gonna be an important one for me.  The current routine calls for outside time (walk or yard) with the fam, inside for a short internet break (forums, YouTube, Reddit etc) while I enjoy my pre-workout, and then into the gym before noon.  Afterwards the afternoon is home projects (I'm building squat stands and cleaning today), and then I look after dinner plus relaxing through the evening.  I think it's important to have structure even when there's 'nothing to do' otherwise it's all too easy to become entirely sedentary.

 

Not saying that has anything to do with your structure, just that your goal reminded me  

 

23 hours ago, Shello said:

mandarin oranges 

 

I loooooooooooove a good Asian style salad 🤤

[deftona]

Hi there! That salad looks amazing and I can't even imagine what this magical hot plate warmer thing is about so I am looking forward to the review of this. 

[cn3wton]

Start to the first week of the challenge!

 

The heated lunchbox comes in tomorrow. I am excited to have all the options that can provide!

 

The schedule will be started hopefully tomorrow. Today I knew I would have to work late to supervise some of second shift.

 

No specific plans for off day exercise yet.

 

This weekend was an okayish start to the challenge. I was a bit off with food choices. Calorie wise I am still good but the food choices where sub par. I am back on the wagon today!

[cn3wton]

This week has been going pretty good so far.

 

I have lost all that weight from the weekend that came from a bit looser restrictions.

 

I have taken on a project at work that has kept me running around the last few days. I havent had a chance to sit down at my desk until right now! So I would say I am getting quite a bit of exercise outside of just DDPY.

 

I plan on getting items to meal prep for lunch tomorrow. Will be the first time trying out the hot lunch box so I'll be sure to share my initial thoughts with everyone!

 

I want to try to get onto the schedule by Friday at the latest. 

[cn3wton]

So I typically share the longer write ups in my BATTLE LOG but I decided to try and consolidate some of it here for now as a change of pace for today.

 

I woke up earlier this morning and got to work 30 minutes sooner than normal. Not shocking because I usually hit the 30 minute snooze and I did not today. So that was great. I prepared a salad to bring for lunch today but wouldn't you know I left it in the fridge. So I almost succeeded at the "meal prep" goal. As far as the off day exercise goes I have not done anything intentional but I am certainly running around more at work. Dropping off my allergy meds for a few days has really thrown me for a loop so I will be doing everything in my power for that not to happen again.

 

Last night I missed the DDPY workout because I worked late at my business. So I have pushed it to today. I will not just miss it I refuse to. I did make a good salad (half of which I set aside for lunch today then left) and it was very good. Also had a "pizza" which was a low carb tortilla with sauce, chicken, and cheese on it. I was down half a pound today so that's pretty exciting!

 

I did not hit 20lbs down by 3 weeks like I hoped I would. But if I am being honest with myself I basically did that to myself with how I ate last weekend. Instead of letting that get me down I am focusing on the fact that I have recovered and am 18.5 lbs down from where I started. Which is nothing to shake a stick at! I am positive 20lbs will come soon. I have it built up as a kind of milestone in my head and for better or worse (hopefully better) I want to hit it because it will make this whole thing feel like it really is different than all the other times. It's one of the reasons I am aggravated for missing the workout.

 

I think that's about it for this update. Back to the grind!

[Rookie]

On 5/6/2021 at 10:32 AM, cn3wton said:

I am looking forward to kicking off this challenge, but like always I try not to wait until the challenge.

 

I will say that this morning I got up at 6am and should have stayed up. I wasn't overly tired, didnt need to sleep. But I went back to sleep for an hour because I could. 

 

I am going to purchase a lunch box that can heat up the food. I want to avoid using the microwaves. Its basically a bag with a hotplate in it. But my friend has made some amazing things in it. I could see this being a good way to make lunches that actually feel like meals and not just reheated leftovers.

 

On 5/7/2021 at 10:17 AM, cn3wton said:

The whole point of this approach is to learn moderation and control.  I can't eat everything I used to, but I can certainly enjoy myself.

I am still struggling with this in my challenge ^_^; 

 

On 5/7/2021 at 10:17 AM, cn3wton said:

The heated lunchbox comes in next Tuesday and I can't wait to share the results with everyone. I am getting increasingly excited to try it for many reasons. Good meals that I can make at home that don't taste horrible and reheated in the microwave. Cost savings. The list goes on!

YES YES Can't wait lol. I am so interested in this lunchbox. I don't even need one but it sounds so cool. 

 

On 5/7/2021 at 10:17 AM, cn3wton said:

Last night I threw axes until I built up a moderate sweat. So I always have that to fall back on for the extra exercise goal!

This is the type of exercise that sings to me!

 

31 minutes ago, cn3wton said:

I prepared a salad to bring for lunch today but wouldn't you know I left it in the fridge. So I almost succeeded at the "meal prep" goal.

At least you didn't leave it on the counter

 

31 minutes ago, cn3wton said:

As far as the off day exercise goes I have not done anything intentional but I am certainly running around more at work. 

This is the type of exercise I want lol Where it just happens and its not intentional. 

 

31 minutes ago, cn3wton said:

Instead of letting that get me down I am focusing on the fact that I have recovered and am 18.5 lbs down from where I started. Which is nothing to shake a stick at! I am positive 20lbs will come soon. I have it built up as a kind of milestone in my head and for better or worse (hopefully better) I want to hit it because it will make this whole thing feel like it really is different than all the other times. It's one of the reasons I am aggravated for missing the workout.

Great job!  Just keep doing what you have been and you will hit 20lbs soon. BUT definitely great job on the 18.5lbs.

[Elastigirl]

Congrats on all that weight loss! And I thought I was following your challenge, but somehow I was not?! Here now , ready to cheer you on.