Fit for Duty

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Fit for Duty

Chris' reception at the Rangers encampment was mixed. Old friends and new greeted her warmly, but the local commander was less enthusiastic - sending her to the retirees' house with the order to make herself useful without getting in the way of those on active duty. It was a logical decision, albeit an unwelcome one. Chris had become weak during her nine years in the Wizards' Tower; her weapons and unarmed combat skills had degraded; and she had no armor, weapons, horse, or tack.

For a few days, Chris sat among the elders in shock, trying to resign herself to her new life of repairing leather and gathering herbs. But she just couldn't do it. She had spent too many years training and serving as a Ranger to hang it all up. She wasn't going to give up quietly --- she was going to fight the decision, but she had to wait for the right time to ask the commander to reconsider --- she had to first get back into fighting shape and pull together the equipment she would need for active patrols.

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The next six weeks are hard to predict. I'm still job hunting - so I may need to fly out for job interviews. I will need to fly out for a conference. AND my daughter needs back surgery (three bulging discs) something this fall, and so I will need to take care of her for a few weeks (how many and when are still unknown). So, HOW I will work at achieving my goals may adjust over the challenge.

My current plan is to use my Bowflex 3 times per week. I will check the weight load tomorrow and probably increase most of them. They are recorded in Fitocracy.

I'm currently on week 5 of C25K. It gets tough from here out, but I've done the program before and know I can get through it if I just make working out a priority. Then, I'll see what 5K races are available wherever I am! I'd love to do something different like an obstacle run. But we'll see where I am - literally - in a month. Between runs, I will walk ... probably doing the Zombie's Run app.

Losing weight is a different kind of challenge. I've hit a plateau. I eat fairly healthily except for wine and beer. So, I'll be increasing my exercise but also tracking what I eat via SparkPeople. Calories: 1200 - 1550, Fat < 60 grams, Carbs < 150 grams, and Protein 116 - 166 grams.

Organizing is also a little vague, but I plan to tackle an area each week. Unpack boxes, determine a system, and put things in their place. I've been here more than three months, and we still have quite a few boxes still laying about. Time to unpack them or put them on shelves.

Summary

Fitness Goals:

- Strength training 3 x per week (increase weights weekly) (+3 STR, +2 STA)

- Complete C25K (+3 STA)

- Lose 6 pounds (+3 CON)

Life Goals:

- Organize my things (switch summer to winter clothes, workout & martial arts gear, cosmetics, jewelry, unpack boxes on main floor, kitchen) (+2 WIS, 2+ CHA)

[Thilde]

Love your narrative and your goals. I did C25K (several times) and Week 5 is always where I noticed it started to get harder. You can do it though! Obstacle races FTW!

Sounds like you have a lot going on in life; I admire how you've set up this challenge for yourself, with an awareness of all the unknowns coming at you right now, but still not using it as a reason to just give up and set your goals on the back burner. Props for that, and I look forward to seeing you smash all your goals this challenge!

[EmCee]

Lots of uncertainty ahead for you, it sounds like. Good luck with the job hunt AND with your daughter!

As for your goals... nice and clean! What is this Zombie Run app you speak of?

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

What is this Zombie Run app you speak of?

Oh you GOTTA check this out: https://www.zombiesrungame.com/ I think a lot of people are put off by the price tag, but if you like scifi/fantasy stories, having one unfold as you run missions as one of the story's heros is a a MUST. I did a review of it here: http://bzjohnson.org/2012/09/13/game-review-zombies-run/

[EmCee]

Oh you GOTTA check this out: https://www.zombiesrungame.com/ I think a lot of people are put off by the price tag, but if you like scifi/fantasy stories, having one unfold as you run missions as one of the story's heros is a a MUST. I did a review of it here: http://bzjohnson.org/2012/09/13/game-review-zombies-run/

I'm not really into scifi/fantasy but this sounds like more than listening to the same playlist every time I run! I'll look into it! As a general rule, I hate paying for apps...

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

I know. I looked at it quite a while before purchasing. It would be nice to have a demo version ... maybe their radio mode could be free.

[Siferiax]

Looks like you've done some serious consideration for this challenge. Good luck with navigating life's challenges!

I'm sure you'll do great at smashing another challenge

I'll be following along anyhow

Still need to read your Zombies, run! review... been putting it off... as I have many things.

[Hugh]

Great goals again Chris.

We'll all be backing you up!

[Seabright]

Chris! Once again into the breech!

I really love how you set your goals with full knowledge of the coming obstacles. This means you probably already have an idea of how you are going to get things done, yes?

You can do this!

[cline]

Welcome back!!! Good challenge coming up!

[Kuiken]

YES! Story time with Ranger Chris is back!

Week 5 is a beast in C25K-I think I did it twice before I felt like I wasn't dying. But if you keep at it and the weights, those 6lbs should disappear!

[AJHLegacy23]

Looks awesome! Definitely keep us updated!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

"Go on with ya, my dear" the elder chucked quietly. "We've done enough sorting and putting supplies in order. You just take yourself off for a bit while I rest a spell here. It'll do us both some good, I dare say."

Chris looked at the old ranger a moment, a guilty look crossing her face as she glanced out of the window for at least the hundredth time. "But we're not done yet. There's still all of the boxes in the undercroft to bring up and sort."

"We will, we will, my dear. Have some pity on an old warrior whose earned a bit of rest. You go stretch those long legs of yours and come back good and tired. Then maybe I'll be able to keep up with ya!" The retired ranger shook her head at the younger woman in a mixture of amazement and annoyance. "These things will keep an hour or so and no one will be the wiser."

"Thank you, ma'm." Chris started toward the door. She was wearing an odd mixture of clothes that were alternately too big or too small in an unappealing variety of colors. "I'll take care not to be seen ... and I'll be back before you know it."

"Of that I'm sure, young ranger ... now shoo and let me get a few winks."

Fitness Goals:

- No weights today

- Oh yea! Did Week 5 Day 2 of C25K and was on fire (not literally, of course) with the glorious fall weather. 69 degrees, sunny, dry, breezy. It doesn't get any better than this. Walked extra before while talking to darling daughter

- Started logging food with the goal of losing weight. I'm making myself a deal. If I'm making my goal of a pound per week, I don't have to count those darn calories. We hates it we does, my precious!

Life Goals:

- Organizing - got all boxes on the main floor UNPACKED!!!

[Siferiax]

Sounds like you had better weather than me! haha, good going!!

Congrats on all the unpacking!!! Great job!

I never managed the calorie counting, because I never knew what something I ate was calorie wise.

I didn't want to weight everything either. Sure there are apps, but they be English, I happen to be Dutch... not everything is findable.

I found Noom (for android) has a brilliant system. You log whether an item is green, yellow or red and if it's tiny, small, medium or large. Then you get an approximate number of calories.

You don't have to count, but you still get an idea anyway. It's about being conscious of what you take in, not so much exact numbers, I guess.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

There are a couple of nice programs like that. "My Weight Loss Coach" for the Nintendo DS (and iPhone ... don't know about Android) is similar. My real problem times are stress or holidays, when I wouldn't pay attention to it anyway.

[Siferiax]

HAH! I have that "game" for the DS, so I know what you mean

Also totally the same with the problem times. (or when my parents have chocolate out on the table).

Just do your best

[cline]

Fitness Goals:

- No weights today

- Oh yea! Did Week 5 Day 2 of C25K and was on fire (not literally, of course) with the glorious fall weather. 69 degrees, sunny, dry, breezy. It doesn't get any better than this. Walked extra before while talking to darling daughter

yahoo!!! Glad to see you are still crunching along on this. How do you feel about it? I've found this weather strangely inspires me to run (gah - which is a total shock to me). There are several people here doing C25K this time around. Awesomeness.

- Started logging food with the goal of losing weight. I'm making myself a deal. If I'm making my goal of a pound per week, I don't have to count those darn calories. We hates it we does, my precious!

I've tried to lose the last 10 pounds and it's been tough to get it to budge. It is slowly. But resist urge to weigh yourself all the time - water, salt, etc. = depression if you weigh several times. I've also found that 1 lb a week is sometimes a lot to hope for. Clean, clean diet is always way better than calorie counting.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Also totally the same with the problem times. (or when my parents have chocolate out on the table).

Just do your best

This weekend is going to be a long streak of "no thank you" - I'll be at my mom's house, and there is always chocolate on the table and food being offered. Thankfully, it's just a habit with her and she no longer gets offended when I decline food.

yahoo!!! Glad to see you are still crunching along on this. How do you feel about it? I've found this weather strangely inspires me to run (gah - which is a total shock to me).

I often pick up running again in the fall. There's got to be something about the change of seasons that influences us. The fit to organize also falls (ha ha) consistently in this month. It felt really good to be running for 6+ minutes straight. I used to run consistently but got out of the habit and then out of condition. So, we'll see. It was really hard to run in Duluth. We'd get an ice storm or wet snow and then the roads and sidewalks would have ice patches all winter - I broke an ankle running once and so I really am leery of ice now. But we're living in a different area .... so I'll have to see how conditions will be this winter. Might go back to biking in front of the TV!!

Fitness Goals (9/25):

- No weights today

- WALKED --- quads reminded me that I jumped into running after a break

- Lost 1/2 pound .... so I did not count calories but just made sure to eat well

Life Goals:

- Started finding my exercise gear and putting it in one area in the basement or in my gym bag.

[Siferiax]

This weekend is going to be a long streak of "no thank you" - I'll be at my mom's house, and there is always chocolate on the table and food being offered. Thankfully, it's just a habit with her and she no longer gets offended when I decline food.

That's good. My parents compliment me when I decline food, so it's all good

I often pick up running again in the fall. There's got to be something about the change of seasons that influences us. The fit to organize also falls (ha ha) consistently in this month. It felt really good to be running for 6+ minutes straight. I used to run consistently but got out of the habit and then out of condition. So, we'll see. It was really hard to run in Duluth. We'd get an ice storm or wet snow and then the roads and sidewalks would have ice patches all winter - I broke an ankle running once and so I really am leery of ice now. But we're living in a different area .... so I'll have to see how conditions will be this winter. Might go back to biking in front of the TV!!

Fitness Goals (9/25):

- No weights today

- WALKED --- quads reminded me that I jumped into running after a break

- Lost 1/2 pound .... so I did not count calories but just made sure to eat well

Life Goals:

- Started finding my exercise gear and putting it in one area in the basement or in my gym bag.

sounds nasty. I really don't like ice.

Good progress making though!

[nightlight]

i didn't send you off with the retirees!! (KW did that.) LOL

[Seabright]

Hey! Nice work already!

Echoing what cline said -- keep eating clean at the weight will take care of itself. Counting calories is for sissies!

[EmCee]

I've tried to lose the last 10 pounds and it's been tough to get it to budge. It is slowly. But resist urge to weigh yourself all the time - water, salt, etc. = depression if you weigh several times. I've also found that 1 lb a week is sometimes a lot to hope for. Clean, clean diet is always way better than calorie counting.

THIS.

I often pick up running again in the fall. There's got to be something about the change of seasons that influences us. The fit to organize also falls (ha ha) consistently in this month.

Same here. Even though I live in Florida, where a change of season is really nothing, I feel more inspired to run during these months. I get so disheartened running on a treadmill and oftentimes find that, for me, it's too muggy to run outdoors during 9 months of the year. So glad to see you getting back into the groove of things. Also - I have an SUVs trunk full of things to drop at Goodwill. Hooray for fall cleaning!

[Librarian of Doom]

Great goals, and it looks like you're off to a good start!!! Love the storytelling, and belated congrats on hitting your goals last time!!!!!

[Samunwal]

Yeah, what Seabright said. Keep the exercise up, eat right and the pounds will just leave. Stick with it- we're all pulling for you.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

9/26 Log

Hum ... may be I should write down what I eat instead. Then I'd have to confess that I had a hamburger, fries, and a Guiness at the Rotary dinner tonight. ;-)

- No weights today

- Ran - W5D3!!

- Lost 1 pound total

Life Goals:

- I was glad that I had organized my gear so that I had my vest and hat and gloves.