[Chris-Tien Jinn]

 

I'm going to set up a challenge that mostly doesn't require the computer and internet connection because we'll be on vacation for the last two weeks of the challenge!!  I'll probably have my computer, but based on prior trips, I may not be have a decent internet connection unless we are in port.  

 

The goal is to draw 6 x week number cards from a mixed deck ... and then do them.  So, week 1, that's 6 cards.  And week 5 .... that's 30!

 

If I don't clear the cards for the week, I have to pay a forfeit to church or charity to resurrect me.  There's no guarantee that the resurrection spell will work correctly, and I could end up cursed or undead or ??  I can use the Goodberry spell (one per Omega 3 rich food eaten) to undo the damage of one card missed.  

 

Cardio:  terrain cards

Strength: monster/villain cards

Balance/flexibility:  yoga, BOSU ball workout, any other agility related thing I can think of

Nutrition: Omega-3 rich foods (cast the "Goodberries" spell for each one)

Social:  Place and encounter cards

 

Omega-3s:  Itchy skin and thinning hair .... hoping that it is just because 1) I have gotten older and 2) I have been eating more animal-based fats than vegetable-based fats.  And ... Alaska.  Hello .... let's eat some salmon!!

 

A friend of mine from the SCA commented that she needs to figure out how to "people" again, and I agree.  Teaching doesn't engage the small talk and social interactions, and I need to practice before I get on a boat for an 10-day cruise full of strangers.  

 

I think I can mostly do this with my Pathfinder and MTG Forgotten Realms cards, plus the ones that I am making.  HUM >>> might get creative and actually make my own "playing" cards for the "game"???  And .... I might pick up some tokens to represent healing potions.  For someone who doesn't currently play D & D, I'm looking at a lot of game props to help with this.  

 

I'm still in search of the dragon.  The dragon is a lifestyle and set of habits to support health and a "normal" body weight and BF%.  Not quite there, but last challenge, I pretty much coasted on habits and didn't gain weight.  Didn't lose it or reduce BF% .... so that means I AM getting close.  It just needs some minor adjustments.  

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

5 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

I'm going to set up a challenge that mostly doesn't require the computer and internet connection because we'll be on vacation for the last two weeks of the challenge!!  I'll probably have my computer, but based on prior trips, I may not be have a decent internet connection unless we are in port.  

 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

So long as we don't follow this course:

 

 

[Elastigirl]

On 6/14/2022 at 6:08 AM, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

I'm still in search of the dragon.  The dragon is a lifestyle and set of habits to support health and a "normal" body weight and BF%.  Not quite there, but last challenge, I pretty much coasted on habits and didn't gain weight.  Didn't lose it or reduce BF% .... so that means I AM getting close.  It just needs some minor adjustment

I'm in search of that dragon too!

 

Fun challenge. You forgot a goal though: post a bunch of pic's of your vacation.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

11 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

You forgot a goal though: post a bunch of pic's of your vacation.

 

Definitely will do that!!  Hubby is the photographer of the family, and he has a new camera.  Me, I just do the iPhone shots, but they work pretty well for the internet.

 

We took a long weekend trip up to see our relatives and do a belated Memorial Day grave tending .... and we stayed in a great B&B.  It was a good, realistic soft opening of the challenge.  

1. Yummy food is hard to resist.  Two-course breakfasts with juice, fruit (with sugar!), something sweet, and an egg dish --- OMG.  On the cruise, I won't be afraid of hurting the host's feelings when I just get eggs.  But, having so much food available all of the time is going to be a challenge.  
2. I did manage to get salmon one night and snuck in some avocado a few other meals.  Omega-3's are not a big part of the American diet.  
3. Weather conditions force changes to workouts.  It got HOT.  I did a good walk on Sunday, but we hid in the screen porch Monday and Tuesday.  Yesterday, I was back home and went to the gym - but still had to adjust from the plan of rowing (because classes blocked the machines) to removing the mountain card with the elliptical machine.  
4. Social:  Did talk to the B&B owners and various relatives we haven't seen for a while.  Seemed OK.  

 

 

[Jarric]

On 6/14/2022 at 2:08 PM, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

For someone who doesn't currently play D & D, I'm looking at a lot of game props to help with this.  

 

You can never have too many D&D props, just saying. I bought new dice to play online a couple of years ago 😛

 

[Artemis Prime]

Love the card-based challenge!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

9 hours ago, Artemis Prime said:

Love the card-based challenge!

 

You're still the master!!

 

Cards left for this week

Cardio

Island: rowing

Hiking: lol ... go for a hike

 

Social

General Store:  Go buy something and interact with the staff

 

Strength Training

Orc:  OCR training workout

General workout:  WOD

 

Martial Arts

Stick work:  Michelle Christa Smith's flow workout.  Kenobi has inspired me to try working on this again.  

 

Flexibility and Balance

Yoga

 

Goodberries

I have 5 in the bank; so I won't die this week.  Pretty sure.  

 

TODAY .....

Did the archer's workout and increased weights again.

 

One-armed dumbbell row:  15 lb x 8, 17.5 lb x 8, 20 lb x 8 (Yes, the CrossFit set has some weird sizes ...)

Dumbbell shrug:  15 lb x 8, 17.5 lb x 8, 20 lb x 8

One-arm side laterals:  8 x 8, 10 x 8, 12 x 8

Assisted pull ups:  blue band x 8, blue + purple x 8 (too easy!!), blue band x 5 (need to get my own set ... we're missing the black band in the main gym)

Chest press: 70 x 8, 75 x 8, 80 x 8 (PR!!)

Bench dips: 3 x 20 body weight

Bicep curls:  8 x 8, 10 x 8, 12 x 8

Bent-over flys: 8 x 8, 2 x 10 x 8

Forearm planks: 30 sec, 45 sec, 45 sec

Overhead triceps extension:  8 x 8, 10 x 8, 12 x 8

 

I stretched, but I think I'll feel this tomorrow.  I can't make tomorrow's yoga class because I have a meeting, but I'll do a video yoga session either Friday or Saturday.  

 

[Elastigirl]

28 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

tick work:  Michelle Christa Smith's flow workout.  Kenobi has inspired me to try working on this again.  

 

This is so fun!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

2 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

This is so fun!

 

It is surprising how tiring it is as well!!

[Elastigirl]

16 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

 

It is surprising how tiring it is as well!!

Truth.  I just use a PVC pipe. but it can get heavy. I think it's a fun way to move my shoulders in patterns that I don't normally do

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Today ....

 

Played

• The Island card:  did 20 minutes of rowing machine.  3.2K
• General Store card:  Met with a non-profit org about their website and bought a (really awesome) iced chai, ended up talking to a potential student about our department's curriculum and audit policy, and had a former student (on campus for their reunion) stop by my office.  So ... lot's of peopling

Goodberries

• Avocados!!  Did avocado toast and ended up adding avocados to our fish tacos as well.  

 

[Jarric]

On 6/16/2022 at 11:39 PM, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

Chest press: 70 x 8, 75 x 8, 80 x 8 (PR!!)

 

Nice one on the PR! 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Started working on my "light saber" flow practices again.  7 minutes is a long time when you're out of practice.  Much sympathy for Obi-Wan in Kenobi.

 

We went to REI to pick up some clothes for the cruise.  Lots of layers and being ready for wet and cool weather.  I picked up some new hiking shoes:  Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof.  It took a while to find shoes that fit and were in stock in my size.  We're going to take them for a spin tomorrow morning before it gets hot here.

 

I finished the week with 4 remaining cards:

1. Hiking
2. Yoga
3. Defeat an orch (OCR training)
4. Undefined "weightlifting" card

Since I ate something high in Omega-3's every day this week, I ended up wounded but still very much alive.  

 

I'll keep those 4 cards and draw 14 more to see how an 18 card week goes.  Obviously, I can only really handle 6 or 7 terrain cards ... so there will be some fudging.  And the generic "weight lifting" card will be replaced with something more detailed.  I am still figuring out what cards to make and add to the deck for a well-rounded challenge that won't leave me too well rounded.  

 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Yesterday, we had a great hike in the morning.  It was such a lovely morning that we did the full hike around both loops of this park:  https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/iowa/jacob-krumm-nature-preserve

 

With some detours for birding, we ended up doing a 6-mile hike to really test out new gear:

• Merrell hiking shoes - did awesome.  A little loose with the light-weight socks, but no blisters or even hot spots
• Zip-off convertible pants - how have I lived without these??  It was cool when we started but got pretty warm as we neared noon.  So glad we could convert to shorts and then back to pants for lunch.  
• Smaller day pack.  I finally found one that carries my water bottle and a few essentials for a 1/2 day hike.  It also means that hubby needs to carry his own pack and not put all our stuff in mine.  🤣

None of our shore trips will be that long next month; so I think we are ready.  Well, I need to buy a new swim suit (old one is way too big .... yea) and get vaccination information verified ( ugh) for the cruise line.  But I think we should have the right gear to be comfortable.  

 

Since it was Father's Day, we also had a very brief phone call with darling daughter (she was at her FiL's place).  And we went to a movie (Lightyear .... I recommend it) and grilled steak.

 

I have made a few more cards for the game and am still refining this idea.  With the heat and the need to recover a bit today, we'll see how this goes.  

 

 

[Artemis Prime]

3 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

Zip-off convertible pants

I absolutely love my convertible pants! I have two pair, and I'm really tempted to go for 3. 

 

4 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

Smaller day pack.  I finally found one that carries my water bottle and a few essentials for a 1/2 day hike.  It also means that hubby needs to carry his own pack and not put all our stuff in mine.  🤣

I somehow ended up with a really small pack that almost isn't enough for a full day, but it's perfect for a 1/2 day. I thought it was kind of a waste since there's no reason I couldn't use my day pack, but even though I know better, a larger pack always means shoving in stuff I know I won't need just because I have the space for it. That small pack is now the one I use more than my two larger ones combined. And yes, not being able to take on anyone else's stuff is a definite perk!

[Waanie]

Following!

 

I'm glad that the hiking gear is working out for you; 6 miles is a nice distance . I haven't had zip-off pants for ages; I always feel so exposed to nettles and ticks if I hike in shorts.  I'm glad they're so convenient for you though!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

1 hour ago, Artemis Prime said:

I absolutely love my convertible pants! I have two pair, and I'm really tempted to go for 3. 

 

Yes!!  As I was trying them on, I was reminded of some of my favorite pants from Sahalie (now out of business).  I bought two colors (slate and olive) and would have purchased tan if they'd been in my size.  

 

1 hour ago, Waanie said:

I always feel so exposed to nettles and ticks if I hike in shorts.  I'm glad they're so convenient for you though!

 

Yes, you definitely need to consider the location.  This park has WIDE paths ... nettles are far away.  We picked off a couple of ticks.  The nice thing about the pants is that you can adjust to local conditions.  

 

Cards for the week

Travel

• Woods:  Hiking
• Plains: Running
• Island: Rowing
• Swamp:  Lazy river or kayaking
• Forest: walk
• Island: Rowing 
• Mountain
• Riding Horse: can be used to convert one day to a bicycle ride

Monsters/Villains/Living up to our heros

• City Gate: Darebee Guardsman workout
• ??: CrossFit WoD (if I don't like anything we are doing for the last 3 days of classes .... I plan to do the Eva Strong workout as solo beginner version in honor of Uvalde)

Places and People

• Inn:  coffee or drinks with someone
• Farmhouse: Farmer's Market (Thursday and/or Saturday)
• Village House: cleaning, gardening, and repairing around the house
• Monastery:  practice kata, read MA related books/articles, look at options for martial arts training locally
• General Store:  order/buy something I need .... like a new swim suit

Balance/Flexibility

• Wooden Bridge: BOSU ball workout

Mindfullness

• Shrine:  Meditate
• ??:  "light saber" flow

Knowledge and Skills

• Nothing drawn this week

[Silmarilliane]

On 6/15/2022 at 10:44 PM, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

So long as we don't follow this course:

 

 

This song always reminds me of the Follyfoot TV theme

 

 

[Silmarilliane]

Also following to see if you end up rowing the distance of the cruise in the ship's gym  

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Yesterday's challenge was to rest.  I'm not good at scheduled rest days.  But rest days will happen whether planned or unplanned.  And the unplanned ones end up taking more than a day.  🤦‍♀️

 

Yesterday's Cards:

• Shrine:  Meditate
• General Store:  Ordered a new swim suit
• Nutrition: avocados .... hubby bought a BAG of small avocados!!!  

Bonus Points:

• Scheduled my COVID booster ... for today

 

Today's plan is to get in a workout after my booster and before the worst of the heat-dome heat builds up.  But I'm still doing it in the air conditioned gym and not at CrossFit tonight.  I used to work out in all kinds of weather, and maybe I will again.  But not today ...

 

 

[Waanie]

2 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

 

Today's plan is to get in a workout after my booster and before the worst of the heat-dome heat builds up.

I hope the booster won't hinder your workout too much!

 

12 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

General Store:  Ordered a new swim suit

Nice! Will there be a lot of swimming on vacation, or will it be too cold?

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

1 hour ago, Waanie said:

I hope the booster won't hinder your workout too much!

 

Nice! Will there be a lot of swimming on vacation, or will it be too cold?

 

I've been very lucky with vaccinations, although I'm sure the arm will be a bit sore later today.  Still, a good excuse to sip iced tea and do some non-work related activities.  Plus, it's the first day of SUMMER!!

 

I am not sure how much swimming we can do on the cruise.  I expect the pools will be heated, but not sure how the air will be ... on the other hand, I lived most of my adult life in Duluth, which is enough to test one's resistance to cold water and breezes.   🌨️ I'm bringing everything from wool watch cap and gloves to a swimsuit and hope I have the full range of temperatures covered.  🤣

[juliebarkley]

On 6/20/2022 at 8:38 AM, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

I have made a few more cards for the game and am still refining this idea. 

Please to explain a little more? I am very intrigued by this idea (have tried similar things in the past, and will likely do so in future). I saw your D&D Solo iteration a couple of challenges back and couldn't quite work out the rules for that, either. 😅 Sounds like I should check out @Artemis Prime's challenge(s) as well.

 

What part of the cruise are you most looking forward to?

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

 

Basic idea is to draw a number of cards at the beginning of each week.  Each card represents something I need to do during the week, related to the challenge.  When I accomplish it, the card goes back into the pile for next week.  ArtemisPrime has a much more fully developed set of rules than I do.  Truly, I'm still experimenting.  

 

The cards come from a variety of other games (that all use the same sized cards ...):

• Magic the Gathering: Forgotten Realms
• Pathfinder: Rise of the Runelords
• Hero's Journal Side Quest deck (not using those right now ....)
• Cards that I am cutting out of index cards and drawing myself to represent things not in the above set

The cards from Magic the Gathering all represent types of terrain.  I have no idea how that game is played, but I am using them to represent the type of cardio that I need to do.  I can only draw 6 of those each week (assuming that one day will be a rest day ...).  

 

The Pathfinder cards (and the hand-made cards) represent places, fights, and allies/heroes.  These can indicate strength training workouts.  Or they can represent other activities such as socializing or yoga or meditation.  They have a lot more variety than the MtG cards.  

 

The Side Quest cards also have a lot of fun activities to add variety. 

 

Nutrition is used as a positive, just like healing potions in D&D.  For now, each day that I eat a food high in Omega-3's, that removes the penalty - at the end of the week - of a card that didn't get completed.  

 

If I have cards left over at the end of the week, then I'm dead and need to get resurrected by a cleric or paladin ... for a generous donation to a charity or church.  

 

There's a LOT of room for refinement here.  I'm thinking that cards need to have XP and cause a reduction in HP when undone.  That nutrition needs to be treated as a potion with a variable amount of HP returned when used, just like D&D.  Challenge cards could be associated with a reward.  But I'm going slow.

 

Mostly, this is a way to introduce variety.  You could easily do it with dice rolls.