LostOne1775 First Challenge

[Ba'sini'on]

Well this is my first challenge so here I go!

 

 

1). Abs are Made in the Kitchen

                    My goal is to watch my portion size, keeping it palm size or eating until I am satisfied. Also identify the difference between a bored hunger and real hunger. I am currently on a poor man's Paleo diet. I can't afford the grass-fed meat, or almond flour, but I still stay away from grain as much as possible. (Wisd. +1)

 

2.) Going on 3! WOOT!

               I am a big sugarholic! But I cut that out ever since I found Nerd Fitness. It's been two weeks since I had a Cookies and Cream bar, or ice cream! Just have to keep that up! (Const. +2)

 

3.) And they say Girls can't do Pushups!

               I can currently do 25 full pushups (nose to floor). I want to get to 50. So I will work on my form, stamina, and strength every other day. (Str. +1)

 

4.) Pump it up!

               Work out everyday but Sunday. On Sunday I will do the P90X Yoga or Stretch to relax my muscles. My workouts will be mainly bodyweight, but including my sandbag to. I will also take the time to run, and not give-up just because it's cold! (Str. +1, Sta. +1)

 

5.) There is Nothing better in life than finishing something you put off for to long.

               My life goal is to turn off the t.v.. Keep a list on hand on jobs I need to do and spend the rest of the day working to finish them. No longer will I stop and watch a show I am currently recording! I will also read a book everyday, along with working on my math and drawing. (Wis. +2, Dex. +1, Char. +1)

 

Those are my goals! I will be posting 3-4 times a week on how it is going. Also, I broke my ankle and I need some advice on how to strengthen it. Since I want to go into the Marines it can't be a problem. And maybe some good websites on bodyweight exercise ideas. Plus, and this is optional, a better nickname for me than Frankenstein! My sister calls my that because of the plates and screws in my ankle, and I don't like it.

           

           My Strategies are to plan my workouts, and just have the drive to do them. My biggest problem is working out in the morning. I don't know others do it, but it's almost impossible for me.

 

LostOne1775

Race: Dwarf (average height, no skills, chunky, dwindling intelligence).

Race I want to be: A really AWESOME Marine

Height: 5'7"

Current weight: 230 lb.

Attribute points: Str. 5, Dex. 2, Sta. 2, Con. 3, Wis. 2, Cha. 1

Class (current): Adventurer

Class: Ranger Assassin

[BruteSquad]

I will be interested to see how this goes.  I love the pushup goal!

 

I respect the diet goal, but statistically tracking calories will be your best bet for steady results.  There are free apps and spread sheets.

 

HOWEVER, the bored vs real hunger thing is HUGE!  If you get through that , the hard part may be done.

 

I look forward to seeing your updates.

[Ba'sini'on]

Thanks!

Does counting calories really work?

[BruteSquad]

I have lost 80 lbs counting calories.  It does not work unless you can be totally honest about what you put in your pie hole.

 

Let me share a little bit.  I got a scale to see how fat I was after seeing myself in a video.  I had to return the scale because it only went up to 380 lbs.  I got a scale that went to 440 lbs and was worried that would not be enough.  I was at 425 lbs.  All I could do at first was walk and count calories, I lost about 40 lbs that way and then started lifting and doing body weight exercise and still counting calories and paying attention to macros.  Last time I weighed myself I was 345 lbs.  I haven't been on the scale for a while.  My first weight goal is 300.  I used to compete in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at that weight. (I am 6' 4" tall and about 3' wide at the shoulder)  After that I will evaluate where I need to go.

 

But, lately I have been focused on training for a Spartan Race, and I haven't looked at the scale.  I still count calories, I can see the difference in the way clothes fit, and in the veins starting to be visible on my arms and legs.  I will have to step on a scale soon to see if I need to reduce calories again.  Even if your at weight, and calories are good, tracking the Macros (Protein, Fat, and Carbs) can be a big deal as you tweak them into the sweet zone.

[Ba'sini'on]

Well if I had to rate my challenge so far it would be a D  . I haven't worked out as much as I would like. But that's going to change, I'm going to step it up!

 

I don't know about calorie counting, but I'm going to give it a try. I'll also keep a food diary, just to show myself just what I put in my mouth. And since I sold most of the goats, my time with the animals has been significantly reduced. So I will do my workouts out there.

 

I really love Nerd Fitness the people here are very helpful. And I have never felt so motivated, I think it's the fact I can relate the challenges and role-playing to my love for video games  ! I am a really big fan of Batman Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, also Elder Scrolls, Sly Cooper, Crash Bandicoot, Dishonored, Spyro the Dragon, Portal, and many more (I would say Assassin's Creed to but, honestly I like Batman more that AC). And I noticed that all the games I like are with heroes who are really physically (especially Batman!). So that is my main focus right now. Train like a hero in training, eat like one, live like one, and ultimately become a hero! Just like Chesty Puller!   

 

(If you don't know who he is, you can look him up on wikipedia or ask a Marine)

[BruteSquad]

I think if you are at least keeping a log of what you eat it will make you conscious of what you are putting in your mouth and as such will have a positive effect period.  I could not really count calories well until there was a place online and a phone app to do it.  Because I wasn't willing to track it all day and then have to manually enter calories.  But being aware of what you are eating is a big deal.

 

When I am doing an exercise I hate...oh ....like ....I don't know....RUNNING.... I will keep saying things to myself like: "Superhero training isn't supposed to be easy!"  "Do today what others won't so I can do tomorrow what others can't"  and "the only easy day is yesterday."  When running I imagine that I need to reach a battle to save a princess, or to save the world, or help......Yes.....Batman.  It is what I did as a kid and it works well for adults as well!

 

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, always be Batman!

[Ba'sini'on]

I'm going to start posting my workouts and diet on the Daily Battle Log Forum, as well as posting on this thread.

 

I tried the 20-minute Hotel Workout, it was awesome! It was only Level 1 but still a great workout. I didn't get to try my outdoor ranch workout like I hoped, due to the fact I got to preocupied with Terry Pratchett's book Reaper Man. Took me all day to finish it (hey I like Death and his character is always entertaining to read).

 

At least I got a good workout in, but I need to manage my time better. Anyone here have any advice on focus. My family has always told me that I have terrible focus unless, it is about video games, good books, movies, drawing, and useless facts. Then I have a one track mind that can't be stopped (mom said I'm like pit-bull), and I will remember everything about it. How do you harness your focus, I would need it to be able to pay attention to my surroundings.

 

Honestly, I have a feeling some of this is due to me formerly having siezures as a child   (that was my face whenever one hit me). I had to take medication to prevent them, some of which had caused me to gain weight rapidly, and cause drowsiness. But in any case I need to strengthen my mind as well as my body. After all Batman's mind is like a steel trap, and his focus is so extreme that pain doesn't faze him. I have that pain tolerance to, to a degree of course, but when I broke my ankle it was twisted to the side and I reset it without crying. Even my dad was impressed (but then again he squeals whenever he has to get peroxide on a cut, and he nearly puked when the doctors took off my shoe and my foot rolled to the side, are all guys that squeamish?).

 

In all seriousness, how does one gain an iron-clad focus. Superheroes have them, they focus solely on the task at hand and won't stop until everyone is safe. That's the kind of mental toughness I want to achieve. It would be useful for the Marines as well as in life!

[BruteSquad]

I was fortunate to have served in the US Navy and learned all about self-discipline that is a prerequisite to focus.  They have a way to do it that you can't really duplicate at home.  However you can take some of the basic ideas and apply them.

 

First, without a schedule, you will not be able to have mastery of your time.  All a schedule really is, is a plan.  The old saying, if you fail to plan, you really are planning to fail.  So you need a schedule.  It doesn't have to be every moment, and you need to schedule time for reading and video games if you love them.  Then I would suggest an alarm.  If you have on hour to read, set an alarm, and when it goes off, DO NOT finish the page or chapter.  Go back to the beginning of the chapter you are on.  Same with video games, when the alarm goes off, if you can save there, fine, if not, when you start again you will start at your last save.

 

If you want to be a superhero, then training should be like a video game.  What would Batman say if he was training with you. (My first two heros, other than my father, were, Sherlock Holmes and Batman.)  Motivate yourself as if you are going to report in to Batman, or BruteSquad, or whomever your hero might be

It takes effort, but self talk helps focus.  You have to quiet your brain and tell yourself, "do this one squat, keep back straight.  Good job, just a little lower, okay now explode out...Nice....wow my legs hurt...okay, then just do this one squat..."  That is what I do...and yell out loud, "Come on John, you are better than that, you can do it!  Go get it!"

 

That is my input.

 

Nice job on the workout!

[Ba'sini'on]

Love Sherlock Holmes, read most of his mysteries and I am a big fan of Jeremy Brett's interpretation of the character.

 

Started Monday as a planning day. I came to the conclusion that the first step is to block out all distractions. So the t.v. will be unplugged. And I will no longer turn on my computer in the morning, I will wait until evening when all chores are done.

 

I like the idea an alarm or timer for my reading. I'm going to try that after lunch (that's usually when I play games or read), but keep a bookmark handy!

 

Batman as a trainer...hmmm...

I'm going to do that. But I'm going to team him up with BruteSquad! And Corvo Attano (Dishonored in case your wondering). And I cannot forget Lara Croft from the new Tomb Raider, watch the trailer and you will see determination, strength, and durability! Also for running my insparation will come from Fallout 3 (the terrain around here greatly resembles the game minus, you know, the green trees and shrubs  ).

 

U.S. Navy huh? I'm surprised you are not trying to talk me out of joing the Marines, or telling jokes about them. I get that from almost everybody I have told, 'Why not the Air Force you get more pay?' 'You know what U.S.M.C stands for right? Uncle Sam's Misguided Children!' 'Join the Navy it's not that hard to get in, unlike the Marines'. My family is unsupportive of me (especially my grandmother, she thinks the Marines will get me killed). I had friends who were very helpful but they moved, so I'm glad I have you BruteSquad to give me support.

 

Don't refrain from being D.I. with me, I actually thrive on harsh truths. It makes me angry and determined to prove them wrong!

[BruteSquad]

Why would I talk you out of the Marines?  Outside of the joking I have done with them as a Navy "Squid" the ones I have known with only two exceptions have been outstanding people.  What they do takes courage and internal fortitude.  I considered the Marines but I wanted electronics training that I couldn't get with them.  I ended up training with Marines in a school for ship's defense with small arms course.  It was hard core and they were all professionals.  They are good at what they do.  My only comment is if you are going to be a Marine, you damn well better earn it.  Be a professional and have your s*** squared away.

 

I do have Marine Jokes.

 

I Have dishonored.  I know who Corvo is   

 

Sherlock, when I read him, I always thought of him more like the incarnation that Robert Downey Jr. plays.  I was disappointed when I saw the old movies as I ALWAYS saw him as a man of action.  Not some guy wandering around looking at clues like Mycroft.  He did cocaine for goodness sake, no way he was that calm!

 

I am looking forward to seeing your plan!

[Ba'sini'on]

Found this big guy outside my bedroom door:

 

It's a Columbia Silkmoth. They are not even native to California, don't know how he got here. But he was the biggest and prettiest moth I have ever seen. And if you look up California moths you will see we have some of the ugliest moths, so this was an improvement!

 

Felt really good today to work hard all day and not put the t.v. on or check my e-mails on the computer! I even took off the alarm on my phone that alerts me to e-mails and facebook. Worked out and then read two chapters of Holy Superheroes! (really good book), and almost finished mucking out all the stalls. I will definately finish tomorrow. But I think the most satisfying thing was when I turned on the t.v. this evening and I fell asleep because I was exhausted! I haven't done that since my packing trip in the Sierra Mountains (lost 50lb. in two weeks, due to the walking, riding, and 3 meals a day).

 

Hey BruteSquad your advice on training with superheroes and you, worked really well. Batman really tore into me, and you almost made me cry! But I finished and didn't listen to my Brat voice telling me it's to hard and I should stop. I finished a whole workout without taking break longer than 1 minute! My last exercises were sprinting and climb-ups, I couldn't finish the sprints because I was tired but I didn't want to walk so I jogged forward and sprinted back. That was exhausting!

 

I will earn my place in the Marines. My hopes are to graduate the Martial arts school, Mountain Survival school , Water Survival, etc. I want to take any class I can.

Glad to know you have nothing against Marines!

I just have one question: Should I talk to a recruiter before I am ready or after? I have some questions that I can't find answers to online. It would help me out if I talked to a Marine or someone who has gone through the recruitment process.

[BruteSquad]

First of all let me say I am proud of how you put your plan into action.  A lot of people talk about a plan but never actually do it.  I am glad you really pushed yourself, that is also hard for a lot people.  Even if it was Batman and I!  You did the work.

 

Let me tell you about recruiters.  I was lucky and got one that was about to retire and told me the truth.  The first thing he told me is that recruiters don't lie, but they may gloss over or "forget" to talk about some things.  I have a number of friends that are Mariens, just not active, (once a Marine always a Marine) and can answer most of the questions you might have.  I will tell you something about the military in general.  Anything you want to do for training, have it in writing before you enlist.  Once in, you are part of a machine that puts you where they need you.  You don't get to sign up for a class like college.  You have to ask, apply, get approval, and you will get the training your Officer in Charge needs for his/her unit.  What you want won't matter as the team is what will matter.  And you will be tasked with what the team needs.  ALL Marines are riflemen first.  Every Marine can be put into combat and is expected to be combat ready.  Marines, Navy, and I am sure Army are all teams.  You can pursue specific training, but that is usually negotiated before enlistment or be for re enlisting.  In between you will serve in a unit as part of a team.  Also, you could end up in combat.  Combat is not like on TV.  I fought in the Gulf War.  It is nothing like the movies.

 

So I am saying, talk to a recruiter when you are ready to enlist and know exactly what you want.  You can get a lot of information online.  And I may be able to answer a lot of questions without any added glitter.  If you want some specific info from a recruiter, stop in a multi service recruitment center and pick up the info you want.  Don't show that you are all Marine, pick up brochures from some of the other branches before walking over to the Marine recruiter.

 

Beautiful Moth!

[Ba'sini'on]

Although I love snow, I hate the fact my ankle doesn't. It's a great hoot to my family now that I am a walking snow/rain radar.

 

Couldn't workout today. As I was going out my door one of the cats tried to make a dash for it, and I ended up slamming the door on my pinky toe. And of course it was the toe on my left foot, which was the foot attatched to the ankle that was broken. And the door happened to be the outside door that is 2" thick and made of oak! And since it was snowing outside I had to wear my boots. So in one day I ended back with my old nickname 'gimpy'  .

 

I taped my swollen toe to the other one, just in case it was broken. But pushups, lunges, hanging leg raises, pretty much anything that requires toe work, is out of the question.

 

I'm going to do pilates, that way I'll be off my feet. And maybe mix it in with something like squats and 'girly' pushups...or something. If you have any ideas let my know.

 

So far I have still stuck to my challenge of not watching t.v. or going on the computer until evening. And I have started studying the United States Marine Guidebook. And I also have stuck with my own private challenge of not complaining when someone needs help. (although I did gripe and groan when my sister asked me to help her look for one of the dogs got out, but I was warm and unable to go up and down hills and though brush!).

[Ba'sini'on]

Quick Update:

 

Going to step it up on my workouts, just because I don't feel like it doesn't mean it's right. And I have already started on REALLY watching what I eat.

And since my toe is feeling better I'm going to walk every other day.

 

Wish me luck!

[BruteSquad]

 

Quick Update:

 

Going to step it up on my workouts, just because I don't feel like it doesn't mean it's right. And I have already started on REALLY watching what I eat.

And since my toe is feeling better I'm going to walk every other day.

 

Wish me luck!

I do not wish you luck.  I call on you to push and fight and make it so!  "Luck often enough, will save a man, if his courage holds" Buliwyf  13th Warrior.

 

Although I love snow, I hate the fact my ankle doesn't. It's a great hoot to my family now that I am a walking snow/rain radar.

 

Couldn't workout today. As I was going out my door one of the cats tried to make a dash for it, and I ended up slamming the door on my pinky toe. And of course it was the toe on my left foot, which was the foot attatched to the ankle that was broken. And the door happened to be the outside door that is 2" thick and made of oak! And since it was snowing outside I had to wear my boots. So in one day I ended back with my old nickname 'gimpy'  .

 

I taped my swollen toe to the other one, just in case it was broken. But pushups, lunges, hanging leg raises, pretty much anything that requires toe work, is out of the question.

 

I'm going to do pilates, that way I'll be off my feet. And maybe mix it in with something like squats and 'girly' pushups...or something. If you have any ideas let my know.

 

So far I have still stuck to my challenge of not watching t.v. or going on the computer until evening. And I have started studying the United States Marine Guidebook. And I also have stuck with my own private challenge of not complaining when someone needs help. (although I did gripe and groan when my sister asked me to help her look for one of the dogs got out, but I was warm and unable to go up and down hills and though brush!).

I understand ankle and knee issues, although I did not crush my pinky toe.  Get at it, do what you can as well and as hard as you can....what will Batman say?

[Ba'sini'on]

Toe is feeling better, so I can go back to running.

 

I recently started playing Tomb Raider, boy that game is as intense as it is gruesome! I would love to be able to do what Lara Croft does in that game. I will get there, it just takes practice and patiance.

 

What is a good interval time to gain endurance of running? I believe endurance should be worked on first and then speed. When I can actually run 3 miles without stopping to rest, then I can work on getting faster. As of now I can't even make it 1-mile with out having to slow down and walk. It's a curse I tell you, my mom was good at running and was even on her high school track team but, she hated running and still does. And I love running, jumping over rocks, outpacing my dog, and the wind in my face. But I can't run for long and I get tired way to easily. Since, it is getting warmer here I am going to try and run every other day! I will get better!!

 

Hey BruteSquad, can I take small pets with me to the barracks after I graduate? Because my mom and dad will not take care of Maitika, in fact they would rather her starve to death! If you don't know what kind of pet she is here is a line from a movie that should help, 'What's Maitika?' If you don't know just let me know and I will send a pic!

[BruteSquad]

Send a Pic!

 

But the answer is no.  No pets in barracks.  Most non married military do not attempt to have pets.  No where to keep them.  After Basic you will end up in some other training.  If not, you got taken.  Even if you want to be infantry, you should make sure you have something in writing that promises you some training beyond boot camp. 

That said, if you get to a base and you won't be in the field much, you can get an apartment off base (often people will get an apartment to share) and keep a pet.  Your best bet is to find someone that will care for your pet until you get settled and that could be a good year or so, and that is assuming you do not end up stationed overseas.

 

If I were going in today, I would attempt to get MOS 0211.  I am going to make you look it up.

 

But you should research all the jobs in the Marines and see what ones you qualify for based on your ASFAB test results.

 

I do not like to run.  I do it, but I don't like to do it.  If you are going to be a Marine, you better get used to it.

[Ba'sini'on]

Not really my kind of thing being a Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist, but thanks for the search and find!

 

As far as finding somebody to take care of Maitika...

Not many people are comfortable with looking after a tarantula. That's why I was hoping to take her, she has a small cage, eats only baby mice, and doesn't smell at all. I asked my dad if he would actually look after her, the look on his face said everything. I can imagine calling home and saying, "Hey mom how is Maitika?" And then hear on the other end,"Hector check the damn spider...I said you feed it, I'm not feeding that thing!" It's sucks when both your parents are arachniphobic! If they hated spiders so much then they should have let me get that scorpion I wanted. But I have to say Maitika is the best spider a girl could ask for. Plus, she's 17 years old, I am determined to get her to 30 (and yes they can reach that age).

 

I was hoping to become a Motor-T, Radar repair, or MP. I don't want to get stuck in an office, I'm more and outdoor, hands-on person. I really want to be Scout Sniper but, female personel can't be in the infantry. If you have any suggestions let me know, for now I'm just going to go through the job list and see what's out there now. Btw travelling is another thing I would like to do, my Marine friend was in Radar repair, and she said you are required to travel a lot in that job. Don't know about Motor-T (cars fascinate me though), and an MP is just one step away from being a working dog handler!

[BruteSquad]

Not really my kind of thing being a Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist, but thanks for the search and find!

 

As far as finding somebody to take care of Maitika...

 

Not many people are comfortable with looking after a tarantula. That's why I was hoping to take her, she has a small cage, eats only baby mice, and doesn't smell at all. I asked my dad if he would actually look after her, the look on his face said everything. I can imagine calling home and saying, "Hey mom how is Maitika?" And then hear on the other end,"Hector check the damn spider...I said you feed it, I'm not feeding that thing!" It's sucks when both your parents are arachniphobic! If they hated spiders so much then they should have let me get that scorpion I wanted. But I have to say Maitika is the best spider a girl could ask for. Plus, she's 17 years old, I am determined to get her to 30 (and yes they can reach that age).

 

I was hoping to become a Motor-T, Radar repair, or MP. I don't want to get stuck in an office, I'm more and outdoor, hands-on person. I really want to be Scout Sniper but, female personel can't be in the infantry. If you have any suggestions let me know, for now I'm just going to go through the job list and see what's out there now. Btw travelling is another thing I would like to do, my Marine friend was in Radar repair, and she said you are required to travel a lot in that job. Don't know about Motor-T (cars fascinate me though), and an MP is just one step away from being a working dog handler!

I tell you what.  If your spider is all that would keep you from being a Marine, I will take care of her.  I have not had spiders before, but I have had rats and I have friends that are vet techs and deal with exotics.  So don't let that slow you down.

 

As far as infantry...I thought that was in the process of change.  But maybe not.  I worked on Radar in the Navy.  Good way to go for electronics training and I made it cross into X-ray and Medical imaging repair in the civilian world.  I make a good living and enjoy my job most of the time.  The guys I knew that worked in the Motor pool were stuck on one base, but that was Navy, don't know how the Marines do it.  MP.....if you want to deal with jerks all day for a living....go for it.  Think about what an MP does.  They clean up the drunks and the unruly, and doesn't transfer to any civilian job after you are done.  Not even law enforcement.

[Ba'sini'on]

Thanks for the offer! Let's see what happens when I actually get recruited, maybe my mom and dad will have a change of heart (I seriously doubt that), if not I will take you up on that offer! It's been a good week so far, been working out whenever I can and working hard on keeping busy.

 

There is a Armed Forces Career Center in Santee, which we go every other week to pick up groceries. I'm thinking of going there to get some answers on jobs female Marines can have, and that will fit what I'm looking for. I'm already writing a list of questions to take with me in a notebook, which I will also use to write down what they can offer me. If you can suggest any questions that will come in handy let me know!

 

What is your take on having a college degree before joining the military? My mom wants me to get my AA before I go, she says so I will be an officer when I graduate. But I read that you need a Bachelors degree in order to be an officer in the Marines. Personally, I would rather work my way to the top than just get there because of a degree. Sure being an officer would be more money, but I have no problem living frugal and with limits. That's why I want to stay in the barracks, it's free! Besides, even if I started going back to school it would take 4 years the traditional way to get my Bachelors. On top of that, I would have to get a loan and buy the books and whatever I need. My parents are on a strict budget, it's next to impossible to find a job remotely close enough for me to drive to, and I don't want to get a loan. My sister is still paying off hers.

 

My hope is that I will get physically capable to get past the recuit training, get a top score on my ASVAB, find a good job in the Marines, have the extra schools ready for me, and then just work . The Marines are going to be my career. Honestly just the though of spending most of my life in the Marines is what I have always dreamed of. And that's not an exaggertion, ever since I was a kid I have always wanted to be in the military.

[BruteSquad]

IF you were interested in being an officer there are two ways to go...but I would look for an ROTC scholarship if that were the case.  The other is Annapolis and that is a rough road to be an officer. 

 

You would need a BA to be an officer.  And there are people that are enlisted that have BA's so being an officer is something you would need to pursue.  You can get a BA while in the Marines and get them to pay for most of it, then decide if you want to be an officer.  Being in the military I took a number of college courses.  If you were joining the Marines based on money, officer or not, you wouldn't be joining the Marines!

 

Here is what I tell everyone.  Listen to those that you love and seriously consider what they are saying.  But remember, this is YOUR life.  You have to live it and the results of what is done are results YOU have to live with the rest of your life.  Choose wisely.  You can learn things from other people's experiences.  But you are responsible for how your life turns out.

[Ba'sini'on]

Thanks BruteSquad! Your right, I don't feel called to going back to school. I want to go in the Marines and take some classes and build up my points to get my degree, but in the end I will still be in the Marines. The degree will just be an 'break glass in case of emergency' item.

 

I just have to decide on what I want my degree to be on!

 

I have been slacking on my workouts lately. I haven't even ran in a while! There is no excuse though, it my problem and I must deal with it!

 

So from now on I will do what I HAVE to do. If negative thoughts come into my head, I will ignore them and tell my body to get moving! I have come to the conclusion, that those negative thoughts were born out of my habit being a witchy, whiny, lazy, will of a wet noodle, little girl (that's the lighter version). I won't even give myself the title of an woman or adult. I haven't really grown up. If I had, then I would have been in the Marines a LONG time ago. I would have been more physically and mentally able, and not have my head steeped with unimportant facts that only come from hours on the computer. There are a lot of things I could have changed if I was more responsible. But there is no dwelling in the past, I have to move forward and get to my goal.

 

Thanks for your help BruteSquad! You advice and just responding to my 'rants' drive me everyday. My dad even told me today that I looked thinner. But I will believe it when my clothes no longer fit.

 

The only real limitation on your abilities is the level

of your desires. If you want it badly enough, there

are no limits to what you can achieve.

-Brian Tracy

 

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is

you who will get you where you want to go, no one

else.

-Les Brown

[BruteSquad]

There is a fine balance between resting enough, and being lazy.  There is a fine balance between feeding who we are and indigence in our own interests to our detriment. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes we need a trigger to see it.

 

For me, I used to play DAOC.  I would get up on a Saturday morning with a list of things to do and sit down to run one quest and as I finished, someone would log on and need help with a quest and then someone else would log in......then it would be 4 in the morning Sunday morning.  I lost weekends to the computer.  Then one day, the futility of it all sank in.  I could be the greatest player in all of DAOC (I wasn't close) but it wouldn't get the living room clean, it wouldn't get the lawn mowed, it wouldn't make my life any better, and when I was laying on my death bed I wouldn't be recalling the epic battles I played on a computer.  For me, and many others, the feeling of accomplishment provided by playing the video game is false.  It tricked me into feeling like I had accomplished a great deal with little real effort.....when all I had done was sit on my ass and look at pixels while learning how to manipulate my keyboard so that the pixels would reward my effort to master the keyboard manipulation.  Once this set in, I started to play less and less and I realized it was like a drug addiction when I was playing only once a week but could not bring myself to close my account....but finally I did.  It was a great decision.  Now I play my PS3 games about once every two weeks....sometimes as much as twice a week on rare occasions...but not a lot.

 

If you can figure this out now, that you need moderation in false realities, then you have the chance to make your real reality something amazing.  If I can help you with that, then I am happy to do so.  I think you will be an amazing woman.

[minderly]

Did you ever contact the recruiter?

 

About degrees...I bet the recruiter could give you info on which positions in Marines help guide to civilian applications or degrees. I think there is some info like that online.

 

Keep up the good work though :-) I'm sorry that your support system friends aren't around, but we are :-)
 

[Ba'sini'on]

The biggest thing I hate about the after affects of finishing a workout, is the muscle spasms. I sit down and try to relax, and then the muscles in my arms and legs start twitching, it's annoying!

 

Today is the start of sticking to my challenge without fail! And although it's been just one day, I have already changed my schedule for the better. I just need to work on keeping my workouts short but effective. My dad has been cleaning the garage, all for my weight machine! He claims there won't be any room but, I'll make room. Hehehe  !

 

I am focused, I am going to finish this challenge with at least a C+, I will...OOOH! Look peach rings, my favorite!!

(Just Kiddin!)