VioletFlame's 2013 Level Up - Challenge #1

[VioletFlame]

Hello fellow Druids,
 
My name is Margie and this is my first official challenge on the boards.  I have been following NerdFitness for about a year now, but never got around to joining the forum and participating seriously.  I know how much it helps to have accountability and a supportive community.
 
I am 50 years old and pretty happy right now with my health, eating habits, and weight.  I really want to get stronger and leaner though, and up my cardio.  I have a big goal this year to finish my dissertation, and I know the cardio helps improve my thinking.
 
Here are my goals for the next 6 weeks.
 

• Cardio: at least 3 hours total every week.  My goal is to work up to 6 hours at the end of 12  weeks, so I'm shooting for 4.5 by the end of the challenge.   And… I will be happy if I achieve anything over 18 hours at the end of the challenge.  Currently I am averaging 20 to 40 minutes per day walking, so this shouldn't be too hard to up the intensity and time.
  
   
• Strength training:  at least two 15-minute sessions each week.  I am doing pretty much nothing right now, so this goal is starting out really easy.  I like going to the gym, but I haven't been there in months, and I don't really like going in January – a little too crowded.  So I'll start with home workouts and see how it goes with going to the gym.  Achievement at the end of the 6 weeks will be 3 hours total – that seems really, really low, but I know if I expect too much I will get discouraged and just give up.
  
   
• Eating habits:  I do a diet that is high in vegetables and healthy fats (based on the Body Ecology diet).  I don't really like meat, so I have to make an effort every day to get my protein (this forum has really good advice on non-meat protein).  My goal is to stick to my eating plan 80% during the week.  That comes down to 6 out of 7 days.  I don't know how I'll do on this goal, I went overboard with the sweet stuff last month.  I'm hoping the extra exercise will help with the eating goals.  I actually did really well this past week.  I'll track this goal on a weekly basis, and average the grading.  This one might be a little harder to measure, but I know from experience that I need flexibility in my eating plan.
  
   
• Life goal:  This goal for the next 6 weeks is to write at least 6 pages on my dissertation each week.  I am hoping to catch some inspiration and do more than that, but I'm starting from 0 right now, so I have to be honest with myself.  So achievement will be 36 pages at the end of the 6 weeks.

All my goals are quantifiable (do I sound like a research nerd ), so my grading with be on the 100%, 90%, etc. scale.
 
I will come back later to figure out the level up points, I am still trying to figure out the best tracking methods.  I signed up for fitocracy last week, but I don't know if that is going to work for me.  I might just go back to using a google spreadsheet.  That worked for me a few years ago.
 
I look forward to getting to know all of you better and cheering you on to your goals.
 
Margie

[VioletFlame]

My attribute points:

 

Goal 1 (cardio)  STA +3  DEX +1

 

Goal 2 (strength)  STR +2  STA +1

 

Goal 3 (eating plan)  CON +3

 

Goal 4 (dissertation)  WIS +4  CHA +1

 

I have to copy this list to remember what each one is.

As a reminder, we use 6 attributes in NF Real Life Roleplaying:

In this challenge, we have six attributes:

• Strength (STR) - physical strength
• Dexterity (DEX) - agility and speed
• Stamina (STA) - Endurance and Energy
• Constitution (CON) - ability to resist damage and disease
• Wisdom (WIS) - intuition and sense of things around himself
• Charisma (CHA) - force of personality and physical attractiveness

[Capntain Nazca]

It sounds like you have a good foundation to start with, Margie!  Six pages on your dissertation each week sounds reasonable, as long as you are doing a bit each day and not saving it all until the end of the week!  Thanks so much for cheering me on, its a good feeling, and I will be here to cheer you on as well!  

[Lowenna]

Hi Margie, looks like you've got some really good goals there, good luck!

 

What are you writing your dissertation about?

[VioletFlame]

Hi Margie, looks like you've got some really good goals there, good luck!

 

What are you writing your dissertation about?

It's about discussions in online classes.  And I am happy to report that I spend a good 4 hours on my dissertation today.  I am still in the proprosal process, but I think it will be moving along quickly in the next three months.

[Capntain Nazca]

Hmmmm... I'm taking online classes right now.  I really hate the discussions... they feel extremely forced and like little more than jumping through a hoop.

[VioletFlame]

Hmmmm... I'm taking online classes right now.  I really hate the discussions... they feel extremely forced and like little more than jumping through a hoop.

 

I know -- there is a lot of room for improvement.  Look at all the learning that goes on in a site like this. There is so much wasted effort in online classes. Don't get me started

[Capntain Nazca]

Maybe it is the difference between being forced to participate and given a quota... and wanting to participate and learn.  I've been taking online classes since 2009, and most of my learning has been through my own research.  The discussions have helped nil.  They have been more like people being forced to make small talk about subjects they aren't that comfortable with, or subjects they are bored of.

[Spider]

I agree! I teach online Latin for my school system (in addition to the classroom) and often my classes are so small that if the kids are working at their own pace (which is an option), the discussions are irrelevant. Student A is at week 8, but student B is at week 5, so the discussion assignment becomes meaningless.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good job on the dissertation. I want to chime in as well on the online classes bit, I only ever had one class where the online discussions where anywhere near as good as NF, and that was a blackboard component to a traditional class! Your goals look great.

[VioletFlame]

Week 1 Monday check in:

 

Previous week's report: (week 0 - my practice week)

Goal 1 (cardio): too hard to add up minutes in fitocracy, I moved over to myfitnesspal.  I am pretty sure I met my goal.

Goal 2 (strength): 20 min total - good start - did the NF home workout yesterday, got 2 sets of 8 reps.  Feeling it in my quads this morning - feels good.

Goal 3 (eating plan): yes - all days were on except Thursday.  Making a pot of cabbage soup to eat during the week was a very good idea.  Need to make another veg. soup for this week.

Goal 4 (dissertation): mostly getting organized, I'll count 1 page written on Sunday

 

This week's plan:

Mon - dissertation day, 40 min cardio, rest day from weights, eating at home

Tues - 60 min cardio, strength workout, eat at home

Wed - work at college day, fit in 15 min cardio, let 1 or 2 meals slide today

Thur - dissertation day, 40 min cardio, strength workout, eating at home

Fri - kink in schedule - have to go to college, need to make up cardio on weekend, let 1 meal slide (maybe 2)

Sat - dissertation day, 60 min cardio, strength workout, eating at home

Sun - dissertation day, 60 min cardio, strength workout (backup if missed Sat), eating at home

 

Friday is usually my day off, but this week I am presenting a training at the college.  Sometimes I go off my eating plan on the days I don't work at home.  It's definitely tied into my stress level, so the unknown factor is whether or not my dissertation work will feel stressful this week. If I can stay on track on Wed., then I'll not worry about Friday's meals.

 

I am starting off my week feeling pretty good.  I plan to post updates here on NF on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays - in the mornings before I start working on my dissertation.  Cardio goal is 3 hrs and 15 minutes. Strength feels on track as well, just need to make the time for it.  Eating should be ok this week.  Dissertation - jumping in with major time commitments this week, have to remind myself that I can do this.

 

Things I'm looking forward to this week: 

-book club phone call this evening - reward for today's dissertation work.  I can finally report that I submitted part 1 of my proposal to my mentor this morning.

-weather is looking nicer this week, I think I'll be able to take some long hikes with our dogs

-I am looking forward to checking in on NF, I like this community

-Seeing some of my instructor buddies on Friday, I actually like doing these trainings at the beginning of the semester

-hmmm, Friday is usually date day with my husband, I need to figure out something else to do to make up for that

 

Ok, time for dog walk. I am feeling good about my plans for the week.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Looks like a good plan for the week. Let us know how it goes.

[livingroovy]

Hey Margie, welcome to the Druids! Love your goals... so clear and able to be held accountable to! Glad to have you in the challenge.

[Capntain Nazca]

How did your monday go, Margie?  

[VioletFlame]

How did your monday go, Margie?  

Hi there CN,

I had to change my schedule around - unexpected work popped up on Monday.  But... I am happy to report that today I am back on track. Ahead of schedule even.  I copied a lot of different notes into my dissertation template file and I already have over 5 pages for the week.  I decided to count wordcounts, and it's really motivating to see that number go up.  I still have more notes scattered here and there to incorporate, so I think I'll see if I can add 10 pages this with and do some actual writing this weekend.

 

I saw on your thread that you were going out and facing temptation to drink pop - I hope you are able to maintain control.  If not, you will be better prepared next time.  I have learned to adjust as I go - things never quite work out as planned.

[VioletFlame]

I added this table to the top of my dissertation file.  It is a template form, so it already had 900 words in it.  My goal is 6 pages per week, I figured out today that the easiest way to count that is via word counts.  I'll update this every Monday morning so that I'm adding 2000 words to what I have so far. I really like seeing immediate progress towards my goal
 
oops - need to figure out how to add a table

 

cheated with a screen cap:

Oh, and just realized that the numbers in the End column need to be in the goal column.

[VioletFlame]

I did really well today on my eating goals.  And I did a random act of kindness and counted it as 10 minutes of workout time.  I cleared the snow off of 6 or 7 cars in the parking lot today before I left work.  We had about 2 inches of snow fall this afternoon, and it was a good feeling to get some exercise while doing something nice for someone else.

 

I am feeling a little overwhelmed with extra work this week, but it will pass and things will quiet down again in a few weeks.  I am so glad I have a regular meditation routine and other healthy habits in place.  It makes all the difference for handling stressful times.

[MTLWordsmith]

That is so nice to help out with the snow! 

 

We got 45 centimetres about a week and a half ago - and I got to meet all my new neighbours under a similar context - everyone pitched in with eachother's vehicles. 

 

I'm sure you made those people's days. 

 

I'm sorry you're overwhelmed - but you can do it! 

[VioletFlame]

Mid-week update:

 

So far so good this week.

 

Cardio: just over 50% - 110 out of 210 minutes so far.

Strength:  over 50% as well, just need one 15 minute workout this weekend. 

Eating plan:  I have done very, very, very well this week.  Having to report my slip-ups here is having an affect in the grocery store.

Dissertation:  Doing well so far, I am glad I started with a really easy goal this week.  My other work is taking more time than I anticipated.  I would love to get 2 pages written today.

 

It's funny how when I'm eating better I have more motivation to exercise - and when I exercise I crave healthy foods.  I just need to get over the hump of starting one or the other.

[VioletFlame]

Oops, not the best food day,   So how can I make this better next time?  Make a protein drink the night before that I can have if I'm feeling rushed in the morning.  Then when I stop to buy my lunch at the grocery store on the way I won't be starving and tempted to buy the stuff I bought today.  This was definitely stress-related, and it's ok to slip up for a few meals during the whole week.  I already know what I'm eating tomorrow, I can get back on track and still meet my goals for the week.

 

I really do need one day off every week.

 

There, I feel better now.

[KB21]

Hi VF Don't feel bad about having an off day, unfortunately that's just part of being human...it happens to us all! What's so great is that instead of just giving up you are viewing this slip up in a positive manner by using it to motivate you to do better tomorrow. That is definitely something worth being proud of We all have our vices and the more we understand about them and what triggers them (eg- stress) the more we can try and avoid that situation. Last challenge I realised how much junk food I purchase from petrol stations on long drives..they literally don't offer any healthy options. So I learnt from this that I need to bring fruit or other healthy snacks when I am going on a road trip. 

Tomorrow is a fresh start so make the most of it!

All the best with your other goals too, you appear to be making great progress with your dissertation- congrats.

[VioletFlame]

Thanks KB, I appreciate your reply.  I am feeling much better today.  Life is all about the journey.  I like that quote in your sig - I love being in nature.

[VioletFlame]

Week 2 Monday check in:
 
Previous week's report: (week 1)
Goal 1 (cardio): 200 minutes = 3 hrs 20 min, goal accomplished

Goal 2 (strength): 30 min total, goal accomplished

Goal 3 (eating plan): I would give myself a C grade this past week.  Got off track on Friday, didn't really get back on track over the weekend.  It wasn't bad, maybe more a B-.  But I'm ok with that because I did well on everything else.

Goal 4 (dissertation): excellent work on this goal this week.  I am ahead of schedule.

 

Week 2 Goals
Goal 1 (cardio): 210 minutes = 3 hrs 30 min
Goal 2 (strength): 30 min total
Goal 3 (eating plan): Follow eating plan for 80% of meals
Goal 4 (dissertation): Write 4 pages
 
This week's plan:
Mon - dissertation day, 30 min cardio, rest day from weights, eating at home
Tues - 30-60 min cardio, strength workout, eat at home
Wed - work at college day, fit in 15 min cardio, let 1 or 2 meals slide today
Thur - dissertation day, 30 min cardio, strength workout, eating at home
Fri - day off, have some fun,
Sat - dissertation day, 60 min cardio, strength workout, eating at home
Sun - dissertation day, 60 min cardio, strength workout (backup if missed Sat), eating at home
 

 
Things I'm looking forward to this week: 
- (I'll have to add this in later - too tired right now)

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Great job on week one, good luck on week two. Way to go being ahead on the dissertation.

[VioletFlame]

I think I missed my mid-week update, so here is a Saturday night update. 

I am doing well on my cardio, I am on track to meet that goal by tomorrow. 

Strength training slipped this week, I did 20 minutes today (after I read the forum and got re-energized on my goals).

Eating plan is not on plan.  Too much sugar this week, which was one of the reasons I wanted to get back on track.  Tomorrow is a new day, I really need to make some veggie soup to get me through the week.

Dissertation writing - I am happy to report I have done well with this goal this week.