NightWatcher13 Posted February 21, 2022 Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 Hey all, long time no see! Work went completely sideways on me, and I think I knew after last year I'd either have to wait to pick this back up until I either moved up in the company and got a normal M-F schedule, or left the company. The last 3+ years have been an educational experience - but it's time to leave the job that's been eating my life and making it difficult for me to develop routines in my life that didn't involve eating fast food. The experience I gained while there has opened a couple of doors for me, and I will be leaving my current company this Friday. Which is both really exciting, and really scary. I have learned a lot for my career, but my health (both mental and physical) has taken a hit - I am tired, stressed, and my breathing issues have gotten worse which I think is largely due to lack of exercise the last few years, but working in a powder production / chemical factory while also having a sensitive respiratory system to begin with probably also didn't help. I was getting my RHR lower most of last year but added stress currently have it hovering in the mid 80's, which... is not great. I'm giving myself a couple of weeks between ending this job and beginning the new one, for a couple of reasons - one is to give myself some time to decompress and process after leaving my current job, and the other is to give myself a chance to start developing some habits before getting to the new job. Main quest - reclaiming my health bar 1 - Flee the zoms: Picking back up with Zombies, Run! as a training program, going for walk/runs on a nearby trail when weather allows, and doing indoor training when it doesn't. Week 1 plan - Train today (Monday), Thursday and Saturday. 2 - Food planning - I'm actually doing a lot better on this than I had been when I still lived in nowheresville, but right now I'm having trouble with the actual food planning part - thankfully I have some back pocket recipes that are easy to throw together (I have some chicken noodle soup cooking in the Instant Pot right now due to lack of planning/executive disfunction issues) but I would like to get more to the point of actually having a set menu for the next week, get the list together, and get what I need for that. Mealime has been super helpful getting me partway there, so my goal is to get better at planning ahead for food. Week 1 plan - I have smoothie stuff for tomorrow morning, and ingredients for soup/salad lunches and shepherd's pie dinners Tue and Wed (work days), I'll have to go get groceries Thursday for the rest of the week. 3 - Unpack and reset apartment: I moved early last year, but never unpacked all the way - I would like to get the clutter dealt with, get some new shelves and other items I picked up put up, and generally just reset my home base to be a place that helps make my life easier and less stressful. I think step 1 of this is going to be making a list, since it's been too big of a thing to tackle on its own and needs to be broken down. Week 1 plan - take stock of what needs to be done, and write it down as a list. I'll reassess after the first week a bit and try to determine whether I need to adjust anything or not. I'll also try to post on here at least twice a week to help keep up motivation. 3 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted February 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 Zombie run for today: 2 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Elastigirl Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 Welcome back! 1 Quote Wisdom 22.5 Dexterity 13 Charisma 15 Strength 21 Constitution-13 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind' Luke 10; 27 Link to comment
Defining Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 Ooooh, zombie run! I've tried to start that before but couldn't get into it. 1 Quote ...but I'm adorable! Ask anyone who doesn't know me... Link to comment
Waanie Posted February 23, 2022 Report Share Posted February 23, 2022 Welcome back . 1 Quote Link to comment
Jupiter Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 Welcome back! 1 Quote New Battle Log, Old Battle Log, Current Challenge 2022 Challenges: Challenge 1, Challenge 2, Challenge 3, Challenge 4 2021 Challenges: Challenge 1, Challenge 2, Challenge 3, Challenge 4, Challenge 5, Challenge 6 2020 Challenges: Challenge 1, Challenge 2, Challenge 3, Challenge 4, Challenge 5, Challenge 6, Challenge 7 Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted February 26, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2022 On 2/21/2022 at 9:32 PM, Elastigirl said: Welcome back! On 2/23/2022 at 2:20 PM, Waanie said: Welcome back . On 2/23/2022 at 10:06 PM, Jupiter said: Welcome back! Thanks! Good to be back On 2/22/2022 at 6:14 PM, Defining said: Ooooh, zombie run! I've tried to start that before but couldn't get into it. It's useful for me - stories are the main reason I'm as much of a gamer as I am, so the story of the game keeps me coming back for more (even if it is years later than when I started playing the game now). 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted February 26, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2022 So, about Thursday: Between the weather, the interview I had in the early afternoon, and the game of phone tag I was playing all morning, and getting off work at 11:15 pm the night before - I wound up not having the spoons to pick up groceries or do any real exercise. 😕 So not a useless day, but no "points" for the day either. Today: SQ1 - It was pretty outside but the wind was super cold, so I didn't spend much extra time out there. SQ2 - I've got a meal plan made up, just need to get the groceries - probably tomorrow (I had some leftover soup for lunch, and have a movie night with dinner provided with friends tonight, so food is covered for today) SQ3 - Still need to make this list. Mom's coming up Wednesday this coming week though, so that's definitely going to have to happen fairly quickly. Yaaaay external deadlines. 3 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Chesire Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 Welcome back! Never tried Zombies, Run! but maybe that will be my return to running spring plan. Enjoy (the snow-less) run time! 1 Quote daily dare 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 #8 #7 #6 #5 #4 #3 #2 #1 Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted February 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 11 hours ago, Chesire said: Welcome back! Never tried Zombies, Run! but maybe that will be my return to running spring plan. Enjoy (the snow-less) run time! They have a couch to 5K as well as the base game, just as a heads up in case that might be something you'd also be interested in. If you do the C25K part you get extra story that takes place between the first and second run in the base game, but if you don't you don't really miss anything important to the main storyline. I've definitely been enjoying the time outside though, my body and brain both agree they've been beyond starved for nature time and more getting outside is needed 2 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted February 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 Yesterday (Sunday) SQ 1 - Did zombies, run!, and made it about 2 k in the time I had the run set for. It was pretty out, and not too cold, but still windy as heck. SQ 2 - I did a grocery run after the zombies, then made some mini naan-pizzas for late lunch and the zucchini/carrot noodle dish from the meal plan I posted above - had to substitute pork cutlets for the chicken due to shortages (it's what the store had) but overall it worked well, so no complaints. The smoothie was breakfast. SQ 3 - #$&%. Week 1 totals (no actual goals for this one, but still tracking what's going on) Today (monday) SQ 1 - No zoms today because Volleyball starts back up tonight (I'm actually headed there in about 10 minutes from writing this) SQ 2 - Made a BLT + scrambled egg for breakfast before dentist appointment, then had leftovers from the veggie noodles last night and a lorge salad with homemade lemon dressing - which was a little too heavy on the lemon, next time I'll add more of something else to the mix to help mellow it out. It was pretty darn good though. SQ 3 - wound up playing phone tag with insurance company and former employer trying to sort out COBRA coverage for this month, since my next job's insurance starts April 1st & I have doctor appointments both tomorrow and Wednesday, so this did not get as much attention as it deserved. I did get the list actually started today though, so that's a plus. 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Elastigirl Posted March 1, 2022 Report Share Posted March 1, 2022 Those meals look super yummy! 1 Quote Wisdom 22.5 Dexterity 13 Charisma 15 Strength 21 Constitution-13 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind' Luke 10; 27 Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2022 18 hours ago, Elastigirl said: Those meals look super yummy! They definitely were! The mini pizzas were exceptionally good, though i think next time I'll brush the crust down with some oil to help keep them from burning cause they did get a little singed. Volleyball yesterday was fun, but I had to be a bit careful not to piss of my left shoulder - so playing mostly right handed. Miles wanted attention after I got home for movie night after volleyball, hence the extra catittude in the picture. Today (Tuesday): SQ 1 : Today was warmer, and not remotely as windy. The sun peeked out a bit but it was mostly cloudy. 10/10, nice day for walks. SQ 2 : Made another BLT/egg sandwich for breakfast before the walk, then made the kale salad from the meal plan up above - had one for lunch, and 2 are put away for later meals. I'm thinking maybe make the meatballs with sweet potatoes for dinner, but pizzas might win out for sheer ease and deliciousness. SQ 3 - now that I'm back from walks and doctor appointments, I'm going to work on getting the apartment sorted this afternoon... I probably won't get everything done, but I can' at least get it to the point where I'm not super anxious about Mom walking in tomorrow. 2 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 6, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2022 Wednesday: Mom got here SQ 1 - no zoms, but we did go for a short walk with Dani (Mom's doggo) after she got here SQ 2 - IIRC (cause I forgot to take any pics, and haven't picked back up with food tracking very well yet) I had a tropical smoothie for breakfast, picked up a Jimmy John's sandwich on the way back from a Chiropractor appointment for lunch, and made the turkey (well, chicken cause Mom no like turkey) meatballs with mashed sweet potatoes and carrot/apple slaw from the meal plan. Twas a very good meal, will definitely be doing mashed sweet potatoes again. SQ 3 - Didn't get any of the box unpacking done I wanted to, but I did get the floor vaccuumed, dishes caught up, and guest bedroom/living room/bathroom/kitchen neatened up before Mom got here between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Thursday: I had picked up a ticket to go to COSI to see the Marvel exhibit before I knew Mom was coming up SQ 1 - no walk this day, I did explore COSI a lot but there was a lot of stopping to say "What's this? WHAT'S THIS!" throughout the visit, COSI photos under the spoiler tag to save space. Spoiler Cosi pics: Marvel stuff: Practical? Not at all. Do I WANT one? Heck yes! Just couldn't put that book down... Little dino park outside: 100' tall skeleton made of chicken wire Cuba exhibit that I didn't even know was visiting until I tripped over it: They had a whole explainer by this explaining why you see a whole lot of "vintage" cars in Cuba, basically they got cars a long time ago before an embargo kept them from getting new cars for decades, so people learned how to fix and maintain the cars they had way past their expiration dates. Give me a big enough lever... IDK, it's shiny and I liked it SQ 2 - Got lunch at COSI, which was expensive but a fairly healthy salad with chicken added. Mom and I had dinner at R&B's place, he made us some chicken masala, his favorite thing to make, with orzo. I don't remember what I did for breakfast before leaving for COSI though lol. SQ 3 - nada Friday: SQ 1 - no zoms again, but took a longer walk with Mom and Dani. SQ 2 - I made steaks and foil potatoes for dinner with everyone, I had the leftovers from the meatballs and sweet potatoes for lunch. (Rose & Brandon liked the new Cat and Mouth game I picked up... they were just a little competitive. We made Mom watch Encanto after dinner) Saturday (yesterday) SQ 1 - Mom went and hung out with the kids, so Dani and I went for a zombie walk ourselves. I think she enjoyed the walk, but she was tuckered out by the end of it. SQ 2 - Rose had invited me and Mom to a ladies tea even at her church while Mom was visiting, so that was breakfast. I had a leftover kale and pork cutlet salad with a couple of bacon slices chopped up into it for lunch, we had dinner out for the BIL's birthday at a fancy-ish place in downtown. Rose knows someone who drops off macaroons the coffee shop she works at sells, and asked if she could do a macaroon cake for his birthday... and y'all. SQ 3 - with Mom visiting, COSI trip and hanging out with R&B extra this week, the actual unpacking has been put on the back burner probably until Mom heads home this coming week, but I'm kinda ok with that right now cause the family time is nice, and it's been a really nice week off work ❤️ next week I'm still off (i think Mom's heading back on tuesday) so I'll be able to look at getting some unpacking/reorganizing maybe then, and getting up the shelves I bought etc then. 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2022 Sunday: SQ 1 - no zoms because I walked with Mom and Dani, but we did go on a pretty decent walk SQ 2 - Think I just had toast for breakfast (mom got some fancy butter, so I tried one piece with just the fancy butter and one with that + cinnamon sugar). I made some sheet pan salmon and zucchini chunks with lime/cilantro rice, which Mom definitely liked. Dinner was tilapia and risotto in white wine sauce - my mom got my BIL Julia Child cookbooks for his christmas present, so he's been starting to experiment with french cooking. Monday (yesterday) SQ 1 - it was grey, gross and rainy all day, so I opted for a yoga w/Adrienne that was pretty easy on shoulders, and hooooo boy my hips definitely appreciated the stretch. SQ 2 - Had a late breakfast/brunch instead of lunch, I made a hash with the leftovers from steak&potatoes on Sunday and scrambled some eggs with it. Definitely a good use of leftovers, and a way faster hash than making it with fresh potatoes. Then last night I made two roast chickens with mashed red potatoes & gravy, which were a big hit - plus now I have enough chicken leftovers to do the rest of the thai peanut chicken and zoodles I have a recipe for. SQ 3 - (no unpacking / organizing, still on hold for visiting time) Mom heads back home today after lunch, and it's supposed to clear up here in early afternoon so I should be able to get a walk in today - lunch is either going to be some mashed sweet potatoes and chicken sausage or the zoodles, depending on which Mom & Rose prefer to eat while they're visiting, then I think I'm going to kill some of the leftovers from cooking the last couple of days for dinner. We'll see what happens the rest of today, but overall even with SQ 3 being put on pause, it's been a good visit this week. New job starts a week from yesterday. 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2022 Tracking data from last week - estimate in for Wednesday's KM, since I forgot to turn on Fitbit before the walk and didn't have Zombies, Run! going to track distance for the walk. Overall, not a bad weekend - I even got a 25 km bonus from my Pokemon, Go! app on Monday so I got some steps in. Busy week, but good week. 2 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Waanie Posted March 8, 2022 Report Share Posted March 8, 2022 I'm glad you had such a good time with your mom last week . Your kale salad looks so pretty, what did you put in it? Your meals sound good in general, as well! Congrats on a successful week 2! 2 Quote Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2022 19 hours ago, Waanie said: I'm glad you had such a good time with your mom last week . Your kale salad looks so pretty, what did you put in it? Your meals sound good in general, as well! Congrats on a successful week 2! Thanks! That was kale, carrot ribbons, scallions and a homemade peanut dressing (4 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp honey, little bit of sesame oil and a pinch of red pepper flakes) with a diced up pork cutlet on top. Definitely a pretty filling meal too! *Edited to add - forgot the lime juice in the dressing - 1 lime's worth 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2022 Yesterday (Tuesday) SQ 1 - It was pretty nice out yesterday, and there were buds all over the place - still fairly cold, but spring is prying the door open slowly. SQ 2 - Got to use my spiralizer Mom got me a long time ago (remember me talking about needing to organize my apartment? Couldn't find the dang thing for the past couple of weeks, she found it like 5 minutes after setting her stuff in the guest room. She doesn't even live here! Moms.) to make the zoodles and chicken recipe I had on the meal plan for me, Mom and Rose for lunch. Also... spiralizing carrots results in this bit of comedy gold: Dinner was a leftover chicken leg/thigh quarter and mashed potatoes, and later some mac & cheese with mushrooms mixed in - which makes sense that I got extra hungry later in the day, I forgot to eat breakfast. 🤦♀️ Related to food stuff - I got everything sorted on My Fitness Pal so it talks to my Fitbit, so now I can start food tracking again and get more of an accurate view of what my intake actually looks like, and get a better sense of how to tweak it. SQ 3 - Got list written out more thoroughly, and got 4 loads of laundry done (1 load clothes, then lots o'bedding) Tasks for today (Wednesday) - move boxes from bedroom to guest room - pick spots for shelves, get them put up - run (walk quickly) from zoms - ??? - Profit 😛 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Waanie Posted March 10, 2022 Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 23 hours ago, NightWatcher13 said: Thanks! That was kale, carrot ribbons, scallions and a homemade peanut dressing (4 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp honey, little bit of sesame oil and a pinch of red pepper flakes) with a diced up pork cutlet on top. Definitely a pretty filling meal too! *Edited to add - forgot the lime juice in the dressing - 1 lime's worth Do you think that tahini will work instead of the peanut butter? I can't eat peanuts, but I have plenty of tahini. This sounds like it would work as a side for lunch as well . 2 Quote Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Waanie said: Do you think that tahini will work instead of the peanut butter? I can't eat peanuts, but I have plenty of tahini. This sounds like it would work as a side for lunch as well . I don't see why it wouldn't, you'll have to let us know if it works if you try it Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 SQ 1 - Yesterday: 5.2 K walk, today: 3.5 K, with a very brief run thrown in at the end SQ 2 - Yesterday: Had some more of the leftovers from Today: Picked one of Mealime's pre-made meal plans for the next few days, I'll go get the groceries tomorrow morning now that I know Aldi restocks every morning so I'll probably be able to get the chicken then rather than this afternoon. It's not on the meal plan itself, but I added items to the grocery list to let me add the Chicken couscous bowl that @Rookietried cause they sound amazing, and I'm already getting chicken for the rest of the meals. Got breakfast tracked, haven't eaten anything else just yet... should probably do that here shortly. SQ 3 - Yesterday: Got the boxes moved from my bedroom to the guest room, but did not get the shelves up. On the plus side, that definitely freed up a lot of space in the bedroom to start organizing. Today: Not really cleaning/organizing related, but I got a little 25 pod grower planted so stuff will be ready to go into the ground in April/May. I'll try to get the shelves up this afternoon before I settle in for the evening. 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Rookie Posted March 10, 2022 Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 I hope you like it! We found it light and refreshing but also filling. I substituted the shallots for yellow onion because I’m not rich haha. And I didn’t make the feta sauce so I can’t comment on that but I used hidden valley tzatziki salad dressing instead and that paired nicely. That ground beef, cabbage and carrot dish looks really good. 1 Quote {Chase the wind and touch the sky; I will fly} Link to comment
NightWatcher13 Posted March 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 Oh come OOOON, Ohio 😕 Guess it's snow o'clock. I'll do something inside today - not sure yet if I want to try to do one of the indoor Zombies, Run! trainings or do a more laid back yoga, my muscles kinda hurt today. Not sure if I did something that's making them sore or they're grumpy at the weather. 22 hours ago, Rookie said: I hope you like it! We found it light and refreshing but also filling. I substituted the shallots for yellow onion because I’m not rich haha. And I didn’t make the feta sauce so I can’t comment on that but I used hidden valley tzatziki salad dressing instead and that paired nicely. That ground beef, cabbage and carrot dish looks really good. I've actually never bought shallots before, I'm sure I've had them in restaurant dishes before but I've always used onions when something calls for it at home - this is the first time I've actually picked one up 😆 Couldn't find couscous though, so orzo's going to have to suffice. I think that'll be dinner tonight. I made the falafel salad today for lunch after getting groceries, that is definitely a very good meal, with enough leftovers for 2 more servings this weekend. I got 2 of the shelves I wanted up last night, buuuuut the template for one of them was a bit off so the screw placement is wrong, and I need to re-align it. 1 Quote Current Challenge: Developing Roots Link to comment
Rookie Posted March 11, 2022 Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 37 minutes ago, NightWatcher13 said: Oh come OOOON, Ohio 😕 Guess it's snow o'clock. Apparently here in Southern Ontario as well. I was not mentally prepared for this. I thought it was spring time. 37 minutes ago, NightWatcher13 said: I've actually never bought shallots before, I'm sure I've had them in restaurant dishes before but I've always used onions when something calls for it at home - this is the first time I've actually picked one up 😆 Couldn't find couscous though, so orzo's going to have to suffice. I think that'll be dinner tonight. I got mine at Walmart. Ours was with the rice and I found a bigger bag of quinoa so I grabbed that too because the first time I was buying it... I only found a small organic bag. 37 minutes ago, NightWatcher13 said: I made the falafel salad today for lunch after getting groceries, that is definitely a very good meal, with enough leftovers for 2 more servings this weekend. It definitely looks good and I do love me some falafel. I had to find tahini for something recently and I just could not locate it in the store lol I could of SWORE I saw it recently too. Good luck with the shelf! 1 Quote {Chase the wind and touch the sky; I will fly} Link to comment
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