Raven's First Challenge

[Raven]

Samunwal, that's was exactly what I was going to answer to Jimmie65 ! Learning a foreign language take a lot of time and need to be worked everyday... I was able to improve my english level with books, Internet article, songs and movie/tv show after I left school. But I've still a issue to deal with. My accent. It's terrible! XD (Except in my head, when I think in english, I've a great accent. But I can't talk like that in real life, too baaad...)

And so, my last two days !

[Week 3/Day 6 Report]

- daily reading : complete ! I take some time to read a short story by Haruki Murakami instead of my current book.

- diet goal : complete ! I manage to always have two kind of fresh fruits and vegetables at home, it helps a lot to eat well ! And I also have a lot of green in my freezer...

mini-challenge : I was out a big part of the day, too tired to jump in the evening, so my final total is 7100. It's not that bad!

[Week 3/Day 7 Report]

- daily reading : complete ! I'm still on my John Connolly's book.

- diet goal : complete ! I eat some crap this week-end (aaaaah candies...) but I also cooked two nice recipes... The first one is some breaded chicken, but with cornflakes! The next step will be to cook it as a homemade burger. The second recipe was classic cookies with big chocolate chunks. Both of the recipes were taken from books I recently bought, and I can't wait to try other things !

- fitness : I run a little this sunday. I picked an easy workout to go back on track, but hell it was hard... :/ I haven't run for more than a month, and I've only manage to do 21mn of running (3x7mn) and lot of walk. Total of the workout : 47mn and 5,48km. And I don't think I can improve my stamina while I still have a too low level of iron and B12 vitamin in my blood...

I'll do the week report tonight !

[Raven]

[Week 3 / General report]

About my fitness goals :

- I found a sport (hem sorry, an art) to practice and a club really close to my home ! =) I'm happy about that, it's already a great part of this goal complete. I'll probably make some change about the points I reserved for that goal, because Aïkido doesn't focus on the same kind of things as Taekwondo. Less strengh and stamina, but more wisdom and dexterity!

- No beginner bodyweight work out for this week. This is bad, really bad ! (but I jump quite a lot )

- Running : once this week, with a lot of difficulties. I don't know if I'll still focus on that goal for the next 3 weeks or if I'll do some bodyweight work out instead. I'll see !

- mini challenge of the week : not ashamed of my participation, total jumps : 7100!

About my eating goal :

Quite a good week for this one, keep going girl !!

About my reading goal :

Perfect week, I was able to read everyday and I also begin to need it daily!

So, to make it short, for my fourth week I need to :

- go to Aïkido twice (and buy a kimono!)

- continue the daily report here, it worked great last week

- go easy on running, and replace it with a bodyweight workout if I don't feel it

- work on my diet, especially on searching what foods go well with my Crohn's.

[Raven]

[Week 4/Day 1 Report]

- daily reading : yup, still going well for this one !

- diet goal : ok too, but my lunch was too heavy and it was difficult to digest... It made me sleepy all the afternoon and I couldn't concentrate on my work at all. It's not the first time it happens, so I cooked my lunch for today (Tuesday), and I'll see if it's better !

[Blaidd]

Hey Raven,

I saw the post on your frenzy thread. Are you struggling with motivation to do more, or just finding the right workout to work into your routine (in amongst the Aikido)?

[Raven]

Hi AngelBlaidd !

For now, I just want to the right workout to work into my routine. Maybe after a couple of month, I'll want to add some stuffs in my week program or increase the difficulties of my workouts, but first I want a good basis that I can do for the next months/years without having the feeling of preparing the Olympics every week ! =)

The question is :

- to determine what kind of workout is the best (I'm thinking about a quick (30mn) simple bodyweight workout),

- and how to measure the improvments !!!!

I think it's the key here : to find a good way to track my progress. The scale is not really a good tool for that, but some pictures and body measurements can be a better idea. But how many times a month? And how many months for, hmmm let's call it my first workout program?

[Blaidd]

Have you tried the Angry Bird Workout yet - it's a quick workout that takes about 30min or less. It covers the basics (as far as i can tell), you can do it just about anywhere and it's fun. Also it won't feel like you're training for the Olympics. It challenges you and you can level up as you go along. NF has a few workouts that i've heard of, but this is the one i wanted to try out (as a beginner). I think the nice thing about the workout is that it gets progressively harder and pushes you to do a little more every time. When you've completed all levels, you can begin another workout. Depending on your fitness and strength level this could take you a month or 6 weeks or 3 months (i don't know your levels).

As for measurements, you could use a fitness tracker like MyFitnessPal or Fitocracy to keep track of things. If i can make a few suggestions on the measurements:

1. Rather track centimetres/inches and body fat lost than kilograms/pounds - you might gain kilo's on the scale while putting on muscle, but because you're losing fat at the same time, your BF% and cm's will go down.

2. Track the weight lost once every 3 weeks or once a month - you will drive yourself crazy measuring things every day/week. You could land up having a bad PMS week and that throws it all out, so once a month works better (for your sanity).

3. Take your measurements at the same time of day every time

4. Measure your PR's (personal records) every time you workout.

i hope this helps some. Let me know how it goes.

[Raven]

It's perfect, thank you ! (and yay, one point for the Adventurers ! )

That's exactly what I have in mind, but with clearer goals and great tools. I've already try the NF beginner bodyweight workout, but the Angry Bird one sound really funnier ! The fitness trackers seem interesting too, I'll give a try for both and see what is the most adapted for my needs.

Can't wait to start everything you suggested !

[jimmie65]

I've been incorporating the Angry Birds workout into my routine and it really works out well.

[Raven]

And it seems that it has help you to have great results ! so, go for the Angry Birds Workout !!!

[Samunwal]

Make sure you check out the other body weight workouts that are linked to the page AngelBlaidd sent you. Give you some ideas for variety and some stuff to work up to, in the case of Batman.

[Raven]

Yep, I've only tried the beginner bodyweight workout, and the others seem great to! I can also pick only some exercises from those workouts and work it everyday... You guys give me some nice advice to improve my fitness goals !

[Week 4/Day 2 Report]

- daily reading : complete ! Two chapters at work, during my lunch time!

- diet goal : half complete. Fruits are ok, but I eat the same meal at lunch and dinner (a healthy salad with tomato and pepper in it) so it's not really 2 different vegetables.

- fitness : I did my second Aïkido lesson, and it was great !! And it was more two lessons than one : the first part was a classical one and the second part was with weapons !! loved it!

Another great day, with a lot of good advices... Thank you guys !

[Chanda]

Come over to post so I can follow your progress.

Great goals. I am really looking forward to seeing how you do in the challenge! Keep up the great work and positive attitude.

[Raven]

Thank you !! =)

I've got some great advices today , and I think it will help me a lot to build a nice basis! ^^

[Kinder]

www.bodyrock.tv is also a great site with body weight workouts, and many are only 12 minutes long. Great HIIT workouts and I do them daily. There is also some equipment used in some exercises, but many can be modified or you can alternate an exercise in place of it.

[Raven]

Thanks Kinder !! It seems great, I'll watch some this week end !

[Jaksavage]

Keep killin it Raven! You're doin great!

[jfrankovich]

I like your goal of eating at least 2 fruits and 2 vegetables each day. This is an area I've definitely improved on lately... a year ago, I wouldn't even touch broccoli, and now it's one of my favorites!

[Jaksavage]

Speaking of veggies...I now love Brussel Sprouts...as long as they are made right....aka I make em! lol Tried to get my GF to eat them...she couldn't manage more than a bite! lol Guess it takes time for some veggies to grow on you!

[jimmie65]

I got my wife to eat brussel sprouts - cooked them with bacon and smothered cheese all over them.

[Raven]

It's a nice goal because it's also perfect to try new things and different kind of veggies !! For example, yesterday I cooked cauliflower (I hope Google trad translate it well ^^) with some béchamel sauce... It was the first time I try those two by my own (my mom cook it, but I've never try it before) and it was delicious ! I was like a 4 yo girl saying "I did it!!! And it tastes good !!! yeaaah!", and very proud of myself... x)

But ok, I was not alone, I cooked with my BF. ^^ And I'm very lucky because he enjoys cooking and eating good recipes too... Oh, and he's Morrocan, which also means morrocan food... Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum !

Never try Brussel sprouts, it's still some kind of nightmare for me... The ones we have at school when I was a kid were pretty horrible ! x) But maybe one day, I'll wake up and say "hey, I want to try Brussel Sprouts today!" ^^

And thanks again everybody for the support, I really enjoy coming here and see all the motivation in every thread !!

[Jaksavage]

I used to make them at a restaurant I worked at and they were BANGIN!! I shaved them on the mandolin and sauteed them with onion, bacon, garlic, and sherry vinegar! I like trying new foods so long as they don't smell gross lol Keep at it Raven! Your doin great!

[Samunwal]

It's a nice goal because it's also perfect to try new things and different kind of veggies !! For example, yesterday I cooked cauliflower (I hope Google trad translate it well ^^) with some béchamel sauce... It was the first time I try those two by my own (my mom cook it, but I've never try it before) and it was delicious ! I was like a 4 yo girl saying "I did it!!! And it tastes good !!! yeaaah!", and very proud of myself... x)

But ok, I was not alone, I cooked with my BF. ^^ And I'm very lucky because he enjoys cooking and eating good recipes too... Oh, and he's Morrocan, which also means morrocan food... Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum !

Never try Brussel sprouts, it's still some kind of nightmare for me... The ones we have at school when I was a kid were pretty horrible ! x) But maybe one day, I'll wake up and say "hey, I want to try Brussel Sprouts today!" ^^

And thanks again everybody for the support, I really enjoy coming here and see all the motivation in every thread !!

I'm not sure about how to do it, but I'm sure you could find it on Google, but one of the absolute best ways I ever had cauliflower (Google translate did you right, by the way) was in a Greek Cypriot restaurant. As near as my brother and I could tell, all he did was to put a big floret in a small bowl or ramkin that could go in the oven, then filled the bowl with tahina and roasted the whole thing. The two flavors were wonderful together. guess I'll have to try this one when I get back home.

As for the sprouts at school, in American schools I think everything but the fishsticks were horrible.

[Raven]

This is what is great with veggies : the ways to cook them are endless ! FYI, the bechamel sauce is made with butter, flour, milk and salt/pepper/nutmeg. It's really easy and tasteful !

It's been a few months that I've decided to try at least four new recipes (salty and sweet) per month. A good way to keep cooking and enjoying it! ^^

[Week 4/Day 3 Report]

- daily reading : nope ! But it was for a good cause !

- diet goal : only one veggie and one fruit.

[Week 4/Day 4 Report]

- daily reading : read two chapters today.

- diet goal : yep, it's good for this day !

- fitness : I did my thursday Aïkido lesson. It's not easy, we currently are doing some advanced exercises ! I need to be patient, and it'll be ok. Ah, and I also need to improve my falls, my left shoulder and my right hip hurt me a little... :s It's not that bad, but some rest will be appreciate !

[Raven]

Hey ! no, I'm not dead... I'll take more time tonight to check how everybody is doing!

[Week 4/Day 5 Report]

- daily reading : yep, still going well ! I don't read fast in english but reading every day is the best way to progress in a book! ^^

- diet goal : ok too ! I eat at my parent's place and guess what we had for dinner... cauliflower !!

[Week 4/Day 6 Report]

- daily reading : ok, two more chapters done !

- diet goal : complete, I cooked some pumpkin soup, it's always a nice meal to eat in autumn !

I'm pretty happy with those two goals, I'm in a good way to create two nice habits !

[Raven]

Well, I'm a little tired so I'll do my weekly report tomorrow.

[Week 4/Day 7 Report]

- daily reading : complete ! ^^

- diet goal : a perfect day, with a loooot of nice stuffs... including home made praline/Nutella cookies !

Good night everybody, be ready for the next week !