[shaar]

Hello my nerds!!  WELCOME to my uhhh... 50-something-th challenge... (I lost count, hmm, I should recount and update my little brain huh?) here on Nerd Fitness!  I am REALLY EXCITED about this one, because after the past Hell Year that I’ve dealt with, I’m feeling ready to lift myself up a little bit more and re-start setting some building blocks in place and kicking my own ass into gear.

 

To do this I’m going to turn towards my past here - yep, I’m literally copying a challenge I did in 2015.  

 

 

1. Holy shitcakes 2015?!!?!! Wow that’s old. (Psst shaar, so are you.)

 

           2.Did you know I keep all of my past challenges in a Google Docs folder labeled Nerd Fitness?? Well now you do (how exciting for you to know huh), and it goes all the way back to my first one in September 2014.

 

          3. Obviously to say Nerd Fitness has been life changing for me is an understatement. I’ve been somewhat wayward over the past years and have also shouldered a LOT, but my last challenge rekindled what I already knew - these forums are invaluable and I’m ready to take advantage of that again!

 

HO-KAY SO. 2015 shaar(awy) was just starting out and at this point in her timeline was getting ready to set some groundwork for GREATNESS.  And I’m about to do it all - over - again.  I’ll be editing these goals just a teensy bit to update them for Current Shaar, but the overall accomplishments are going to be about the same.

 

With the help of a THEME - it’s been a hot minute since I’ve done a themed challenge, and in honor of this one (and the original content) I’m going to lean into the prettiness of the FF7 remake to get this going. ANDDDD I’m going to grade myself too, just like the frickin’ olden days! Ahahahaaa yeah here we go~

 

 

Quest 1 - Less Mako, More Mana

 

So near the end of last challenge I took a big step away from alcohol and it was very eye opening. (DIFFICULT, but eye opening.)  I’d been drinking a -lot- since my mom’s passing and to deal with my anxiety/depression/PTSD and it eventually started affecting everything in a negative manner - my sleep, my anxiety, my digestion, my weight - I am at the highest weight I’ve ever been and I know a lot of it is from boatloads of empty calories.  I went a week with no alcohol and it was unreal what a difference it made in literally every aspect of my life.  I want to keep this habit up!!  For this quest, I will only have a drink if it is 1. At a social function, or 2. Friday evening or Saturday.  NO exceptions.

 

A - Nailed these goals and stayed within my lines!

B - Managed to stay within these parameters for 4-5 weeks of the challenge.

F - Captain Morgan called, he wants his boat back.

 

Quest 2 - Stocking up on Sylkis Greens

 

I’ve sat down with Ao and told him, once I get back from my NYC trip I am CLEANING UP MY DIET!!!  No cookies, no delicious lemon sponge cakes, no brownies... I won’t cut treats out completely BUT I definitely need to moderate better. I’ve been eating way more junk than usual and IT ENDS NOWWWWW.   Also I need to work on cleaner lunch solutions for me, and work to snack healthier.  As much as we both love the occasional treat (he is a WAY bigger sweet tooth than me) I know we are both on the same page with preferring to eat as cleanly as possible, so I’m sure with his support we will be able to nail this one - this goal is all about fueling myself better!

 

A - Managed to stay within my parameters for the whole challenge - and feel good about my choices!

B - At least had 4-5 weeks of solid successes in the kitchen.

F - Hello I am the new Burger King mascot.........

 

 

Quest 3 - Training for AVALANCHE

 

This is a big one too.  Between having covid and traveling and general feeling unsavory-ness, my activity streak has kinda been in the shitter. I go back to work part-time after the 4th of July so before that, I want to take advantage of as much time as I have to set some good and consistent habits!  My goal here is activity - three gym days (two weekday, one weekend) alongside one outdoor day - this can be hiking, kayaking, walking in circles around the neighborhood (or local cemetery, ps i looove walking through cemeteries, does that make me a weirdo) - but making consistent activity a better habit is the name of this goal!

 

A - Nailed my activity goal every week!  Yeah!

B - Did my best but only managed 4-5 weeks of goals met.

F - I have become potato.

 

Quest 4 - Lifestream

 

I’ve still got a lot going on over here, and the prospect of returning to work soon is daunting in multiple ways.  As I forge onward and re-set these goals for myself, and figure out what I want and what serves me, I really need to stay present here and keep posting. Cheesy moment - I have many lifestreams in my life that keep me going, that uplift me and care for me when I need it.  This place is one. So I’m gonna be here.

 

A - Kept my promise and stuck the hell around.

F - Fell off the wagon, ultimate fail.

 

That’s it, pals!  Digging into the annals of history to retrace my steps towards what works, and what will hopefully kickstart this path to me again!!  In the famous words of Cloud, LET’S FUCKIN’ MOSEY!! (Okay I know he really didn’t say it like that but let me have a little bit of hype here ok)

 

❤️❤️ 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

2015 NF forum energy was something else. It feels like a lot more and a lot less than seven years ago. Here for support and to say "Rangers Gonna Ranger!

[fearless 2.0]

HAHA shaar! what a cool idea!!! I must look at my old challenges as well  I dont even remember which year I started! I had a break and came back as 2.0. loving your challenge and am looking forward to hanging out with you again! YOU WILL KILL IT!!!!!  

[shaar]

Hiiii friends, thank you all for checking in and saying hi! We are settling in to watch some horror movies to wrap up Sunday, but more updates tomorrow! ♥️

[Ann of Owlshire]

Awesome! Wishing you the best on this challenge. ❤️ 

[Salinger]

Hey Shaar, support right here for you from me haha

 

Oh and in your last challenge you asked what is my fave horror film....hmmmmmmmm well i adore Halloween too, and Friday 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, and i love love love Texas Chainsaw Massacre....

 

Have you seen Hereditary? Newer horror film. I loved it so much. 

 

Anyway, go go go - you are amazing and i love you xx

[shaar]

15 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

2015 NF forum energy was something else. It feels like a lot more and a lot less than seven years ago. Here for support and to say "Rangers Gonna Ranger!

 

That was definitely the era of the HYPE, I think!  Good times, good friends, Rangers DEFINITELY Gonna Rangerrrrr~

 

14 hours ago, fearless 2.0 said:

HAHA shaar! what a cool idea!!! I must look at my old challenges as well  I dont even remember which year I started! I had a break and came back as 2.0. loving your challenge and am looking forward to hanging out with you again! YOU WILL KILL IT!!!!!  

 

I definitely fell down the rabbit hole of reading allll my old stuff... past shaar is kicking my ass!!  It is very motivating though to see just how much I could do, and definitely lit a fire under my ass. WE WILL KILL IT, TOGETHER!!!

 

1 hour ago, Ann of Owlshire said:

Awesome! Wishing you the best on this challenge. ❤️ 

 

Thank youuu and I will pop by to cheer you on shortly too!! ❤️ 

 

1 hour ago, Salinger said:

Hey Shaar, support right here for you from me haha

 

Oh and in your last challenge you asked what is my fave horror film....hmmmmmmmm well i adore Halloween too, and Friday 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, and i love love love Texas Chainsaw Massacre....

 

Have you seen Hereditary? Newer horror film. I loved it so much. 

 

Anyway, go go go - you are amazing and i love you xx

 

Hereditary is OUTSTANDING and definitely in my top favorites too!  Have you heard of/seen Vivarium?? Not really horror as well but soooo fucking weird and creepy and definitely worth a watch!! We were blown away by that one and recommend it to people all the time.

 

YOU ARE ALSO AMAZING ❤️ 

[shaar]

Z E R O W E E K

 

This will be a true zero week for me, as I'm traveling from Wednesday through Saturday to NYC, and while there will be a loooot of walking (good for goals) I'm not going to be as heavy handed with my diet.

 

SO GET THIS, I'm leaving Wednesday morning via train, it's one of the faster Amtrak trains so it'll take me about 3 hours to get there, BUT.  In upgrading my seat from coach to business class, I now have the option to reserve my seat in.... THE QUIET CAR.  I had no idea this was a thing but apparently each train has a quiet car, with lower lights and reserved seating and the basis of The Quiet Car is that you absolutely cannot be an obnoxious assbag or talk out loud excessively.  Headphones MUST be worn in The Quiet Car if listening to music or a movie.  NO phone calls may be made in The Quiet Car except for emergency. Y'all I am so stoked about this you have nnooooo ideeeaaaaa.  Do not bother me, do not look at me, leave me the frick alone and let me relax, yes I reserved my seat close to the bathroom in case I have to pee this is all EXCELLENT.  I literally can't waiiiit.

 

Oh yeah the city will be super fun too, HA!  We are just shitting around town Wednesday, going to the Museum of Modern Art Thursday, and Friday going to a weird-ass indie metal/sludge show at an underground bar that radiates massive 90's/grunge/welcome to the underworld energy.

 

 

GOOD STUFF.

 

But before all that is TODAY, and today will be dedicated to mostly paying bills, reviewing my travel plans and check in times and making sure everything is in order, doing some vacuuming around the house, and relaxing.  Tomorrow will be a busier day so I'm taking this downtime GLADLY.

 

Mmmmm quiet car.  OK I'M DONE, going to follow some more of y'all's new challenges nowwwwww!~

[Salinger]

14 minutes ago, shaar said:

 

Hereditary is OUTSTANDING and definitely in my top favorites too!  Have you heard of/seen Vivarium?? Not really horror as well but soooo fucking weird and creepy and definitely worth a watch!! We were blown away by that one and recommend it to people all the time.

 

YOU ARE ALSO AMAZING ❤️ 

 

Is that the one with Jesse Einsberg about the couple in that freaky neighbourhood?? If so, I have seen the trailer loads but not seen it yet. But i will be GETTING ON IT now you have recommended it eeeeek. 

 

Looks sooooo good xx

[shaar]

26 minutes ago, Salinger said:

 

Is that the one with Jesse Einsberg about the couple in that freaky neighbourhood?? If so, I have seen the trailer loads but not seen it yet. But i will be GETTING ON IT now you have recommended it eeeeek. 

 

Looks sooooo good xx

 

Yes, yes yes, YES, I don't want to spoil anything but JEEZ yes please watch it and let me know what you think??

[Salinger]

1 minute ago, shaar said:

 

Yes, yes yes, YES, I don't want to spoil anything but JEEZ yes please watch it and let me know what you think??

 

Will do very soon, xx

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Have fun in the introvert car.

[Ahyar Dreamspark]

That quiet car sounds niiiiice 😮 

 

Cheering you on this challenge also! I'll try to not drop off the face of the forums again, lol. Week zero for me involves no booze also, so that should be doable. I mean, I've done it before, right? (I am also at the highest weight I've ever been since like 2003 and I hate it.)

 

17 hours ago, shaar said:

          3. Obviously to say Nerd Fitness has been life changing for me is an understatement. I’ve been somewhat wayward over the past years and have also shouldered a LOT, but my last challenge rekindled what I already knew - these forums are invaluable and I’m ready to take advantage of that again!

 

100% agree with this. 2 of my best friends IRL I met on these forums, and forums also have the advantage of, well...not being Facebook. I have NF Prime and, even though I try to stick to the NF Prime Facebook group only, I always get distracted by notifications, and there's the endless scrolling and the evil algorithm designed purely to grab and keep your attention and ugh. The forums are so PEACEFUL by comparison.

[shaar]

1 hour ago, Salinger said:

 

Will do very soon, xx

 

 

1 hour ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Have fun in the introvert car.

 

OMG it really is the introvert car, isn't it... what am I becoming in my old age....... GET OFF MY LAWN errrr out of my train car you hooligans!!

 

59 minutes ago, Ahyar Dreamspark said:

That quiet car sounds niiiiice 😮 

 

Cheering you on this challenge also! I'll try to not drop off the face of the forums again, lol. Week zero for me involves no booze also, so that should be doable. I mean, I've done it before, right? (I am also at the highest weight I've ever been since like 2003 and I hate it.)

 

 

100% agree with this. 2 of my best friends IRL I met on these forums, and forums also have the advantage of, well...not being Facebook. I have NF Prime and, even though I try to stick to the NF Prime Facebook group only, I always get distracted by notifications, and there's the endless scrolling and the evil algorithm designed purely to grab and keep your attention and ugh. The forums are so PEACEFUL by comparison.

 

Hi friend welcome back!!  It's easy to drop off, no worries... I do it all the time, haha, ahahahaaaa...

 

Ugh Highest Weight Club REPRESENT or not actually because we hate it.  No booze definitely helps but it's definitely a process.

 

Mmmm Facebook.  I'm on some fitness groups there too but you're right, it's FACEBOOK, and no matter how much I try to try, I just can't.  It is very much calmer here, a kind of go at your own pace without the constant advertisements for preworkout supplements or off-brand jewelry getting shoved at you every millisecond!

[Cheetah]

I would totally ride in the quiet car.  I bought lamps for my office so I could have the lights a little lower than the stupid overhead fluorescents.

 

Happy Challenge Fren!

[Salinger]

QUIET CAR wooooooooo

 

I always choose that when i go down to London haha

 

What band are. you going to see?? xx

[fearless 2.0]

you sound really exited and I see why!  have fun! in germany we have quiet train areas too. But those are never really quiet unfortunately. people seem to have to talk 24/ 7 these days.. hehe

How cool that you get to see the city a bit. when I visited NYC decades ago it blew my mind! so exiting! 

have a brilliant evening and see you soon! 

[DarK_RaideR]

Is it just me or are traces of the CAPS LOCK vibe also making a slight comeback?

 

5 hours ago, shaar said:

Mmmm Facebook.  I'm on some fitness groups there too but you're right, it's FACEBOOK, and no matter how much I try to try, I just can't.

Ever since I shut down my account, I can't recommend this enough.

[MaeradCase]

8 hours ago, Ahyar Dreamspark said:

That quiet car sounds niiiiice 😮 

 

Cheering you on this challenge also! I'll try to not drop off the face of the forums again, lol. Week zero for me involves no booze also, so that should be doable. I mean, I've done it before, right? (I am also at the highest weight I've ever been since like 2003 and I hate it.)

 

 

100% agree with this. 2 of my best friends IRL I met on these forums, and forums also have the advantage of, well...not being Facebook. I have NF Prime and, even though I try to stick to the NF Prime Facebook group only, I always get distracted by notifications, and there's the endless scrolling and the evil algorithm designed purely to grab and keep your attention and ugh. The forums are so PEACEFUL by comparison.

This is my exact mood today. I'm exploring the rangers while I'm getting started as a rookie, and it's way better reading people's thoughts and being encouraging. And I feel like the endless scroll can't get me here!

 

(Also another member here for team Highest Weight - I didn't even realize how bad it was 'til I did measurements for starting point. I was taken aback, but I know physical appearance reflects fitness level, so I'm starting levelling up from where I am. )

[shaar]

21 hours ago, Cheetah said:

I would totally ride in the quiet car.  I bought lamps for my office so I could have the lights a little lower than the stupid overhead fluorescents.

 

Happy Challenge Fren!

 

I too hate the bright overheads - they are everywhere at my work and the amount of days I've teetered on the edge of a headache are too damn high.

 

HAPPY CHALLENGE CHEETAAAAAAH

 

20 hours ago, Salinger said:

QUIET CAR wooooooooo

 

I always choose that when i go down to London haha

 

What band are. you going to see?? xx

 

Love the frickin' quiet car I can't wait to just sit there in my bubble of PEACE.  I will always pay extra for the quiet car!!

 

Oh gosh the bands we are going to go see... hahahaaaaa... the bar itself is pretty sick and I have a feeling I won't wade too much into the Metal Pool (if it is indeed as brutal as the description suggests, i am getting old here) but the atmosphere is killer and I'm really excited for it!!!!!

 

18 hours ago, fearless 2.0 said:

you sound really exited and I see why!  have fun! in germany we have quiet train areas too. But those are never really quiet unfortunately. people seem to have to talk 24/ 7 these days.. hehe

How cool that you get to see the city a bit. when I visited NYC decades ago it blew my mind! so exiting! 

have a brilliant evening and see you soon! 

 

If anyone talks in my quiet car I'm gonna clock 'em!!!!!!

 

NYC is like nowhere I've ever been, I like to think of it as Disneyland for Adult Adventurers, there's a vibe there like no other and it's just so invigorating! I've felt safer in NYC than almost every other place I've visited too, I think it has a lot of stigma, but depending on where you go it's just a huge melting pot of people trying to live their lives and look out for each other.* And there's literally SO much to see and do, little shops, eateries, coffee nooks, museums... you could be there a month and still only see a small sampling of the stuff in your neighborhood!

 

*stay out of the ghetto though lol

 

15 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Is it just me or are traces of the CAPS LOCK vibe also making a slight comeback?

 

Funny you should notice.........

 

 

Slowly but surely feeling more and more like the Old Me, and it is EXCELLENT

 

14 hours ago, MaeradCase said:

This is my exact mood today. I'm exploring the rangers while I'm getting started as a rookie, and it's way better reading people's thoughts and being encouraging. And I feel like the endless scroll can't get me here!

 

(Also another member here for team Highest Weight - I didn't even realize how bad it was 'til I did measurements for starting point. I was taken aback, but I know physical appearance reflects fitness level, so I'm starting levelling up from where I am. )

 

Hi new friend!!

 

I wholeheartedly agree the forums are so much more personal and comfy than any social media!  I have made some amazing and wonderful friends here that have helped me along the way so much.  I hope you stick with it and build some awesome relationships too, while killing your goals!!

 

WOOOOO Team Highest Weight, we should maybe start making t-shirts or something huh, actually that's a terrible idea... we will defeat the weight demon together without matching clothing!  (Also measurements hooooo boy, they always tell the tale and sometimes it's definitely a shocker.  You got this tho'!!)

[shaar]

Z E R O W E E K

 

GOOD MEOWNING FRIENDS

 

 

Today I have a pretty busy day on deck so I will likely keep this short!  I've already showered and washed my hair, had breakfast, and shortly I'm going to go run some errands for last minute trip things.. will come home to pack and double check my train ticket info and timing and parking situation at the station, charge all of my good ol' electronics,  and I should be good to mosey for tomorrow!  My train zooms out at around 9:30 and the station is about an hour away so I will leave here around 8 to account for traffic and also Good Timeliness.

 

I'm sure I'll be posting a lot of pictures and stories on my instagram (elrohiir) and I'll likely make an update from The Quiet Car tomorrow - I think my ride is about 3 hours.  But after that I may be scarce until later on in the weekend.

 

Here's to ADVENTURE and I hope you all have a great day and week and everythhiiingggggg WOO

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Talk of the Quiet Car reminds me of The Diogenes Club that Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about in his Sherlock Holmes Stories. It was a club of which Sherlock's brother Mycroft was a member and co-founder. Here is Doyle's Description:
 

There are many men in London, you know, who, some from shyness, some from misanthropy, have no wish for the company of their fellows. Yet they are not averse to comfortable chairs and the latest periodicals. It is for the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club was started, and it now contains the most unsociable and unclubbable men in town. No member is permitted to take the least notice of any other one. Save in the Stranger's Room, no talking is, under any circumstances, allowed, and three offences, if brought to the notice of the committee, render the talker liable to expulsion. My brother was one of the founders, and I have myself found it a very soothing atmosphere.

[MaeradCase]

1 hour ago, shaar said:

WOOOOO Team Highest Weight, we should maybe start making t-shirts or something huh, actually that's a terrible idea... we will defeat the weight demon together without matching clothing!  (Also measurements hooooo boy, they always tell the tale and sometimes it's definitely a shocker.  You got this tho'!!)

No, I like that idea! 😂 I've seen people show how much their body changed by putting on a shirt from before. I'd be down for it! Plus I'd totally bring it to my first Nerd Fitness camp to get signatures on the back! 😍

The question is what color? Purple/blue/green?

[Cheetah]

8 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

The Diogenes Club

 

Sounds like my kind of place.

[fearless 2.0]

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!