Darkfoxx 3: With A Vengeance

[Fonzico]

I went nuts with it last year. I made birds-nest necklaces for all the ladies, spice blends for every household, homemade Baileys for the gentlemen and superhero capes for the kiddos. I think it all went over reasonably well, although the capes didn't really hold up.

[BlamedCat]

I just wanna say... You two are really creative and awesome

[darkfoxx]

Lol. That's pretty much exactly what I was thinking of for the liquor this year - my mother's recipe for Irish cream. Not sure how that will work with the cream part and shipping, though. 

 

Ooh. Spice blends. That's a great idea! Birds nest necklaces also sound pretty awesome. 

 

I had also thought maybe home made bacon caramel popcorn (I make my own bacon), but since I'm not eating caramel or popcorn I"m not so sure on that one ... paleo cookies I can do. Bacon bleu cheese cookies I *have* to do (or my dad will revolt). 

 

And thanks BC. I've been fairly obsessed with crafting since I was tiny; I'm just glad it's popular now.  

[darkfoxx]

Week 6 Weekend Wrapup & Weekly Summary

 

Goal 1: Drink Like A Fish. 

 

Hit right at this goal every day this weekend.

 

Had no trouble going over the minimum rec. this week at all. A

 

 

Goal 2: I See Those Workouts. Let's Take Them A Little Further. 

 

Friday: Mostly rested. Walked a little in the freeze & rain and that was enough for me. 

Saturday: Still cold, but we walked for hours.

Sunday: I felt like we did a lot more than we actually did. We stayed within a 5-block radius, shopping all day.

 

I worked hard this week. My workouts were great; my weekend was a little light, but I needed it again this week. My back was really acting up by Friday. A

 

 

Goal 3: Metrics! All The Metrics! 

 

Metrics. Spreadsheet. Lurve. Math! Blergh!

 

Friday: DH's green smoothie for breakfast; my edamame kale salad for lunch; bombay spiced chickpeas snack; a cup of sunday gravy with 1 toast point + 3 onion-slathered meatballs for dinner; 1 skinny vanilla latte for a warmth bolster.

 

Fat was ok, over on carbs, protein was great. 

 

Saturday: Berry Veggie Naked Juice for breakfast; bunless burger with caramelized onions, mushrooms, a slice of swiss and a bite or 2 of bacon + 1/4 of my side of fries for lunch (with a coffee); snack pack of red pepper hummus + nut crisps (gluten-free) for dinner.

 

Fat was ok, over but not killer on carbs, right at the protein mark. 

 

Sunday: Skipped breakfast; pork carnitas tacos (corn tortilla) with tortillas & salsa for lunch; sashimi with sauteed veggies & ginger dressing salad for dinner.

 

Fat was ok, over on carbs, protein was leaps and bounds over the mark. 

 

 

A since I mostly ate well for the week, didn't manage to make myself sick when eating crazy, and kept up with my metrics as best I could. 

 

 

Goal 4: Finish What You've Started.

 

I did great with this goal this week - took and processed pictures, worked on my second scarf, and finished 4 out of 7 tea towels. A

[darkfoxx]

Challenge Cycle 3 Wrapup & Results

 

 

Goal 1: Drink Like A Fish.

 

I did really good on this goal. I started out a little rocky - trying for th first day to force too much liquid into my system - but with some great advice from all of you, I dialed the crazy back a little and switched my goal to 1 large tea + 1 bottle of water. Which worked wonders. Having that bottle by my side all day was a great way to keep track of what I had and had not been drinking all day. 

 

During vacation, I was less-than-hydrated, but I did what I could when I could. Lugging around 5 pounds of camera equipment + or - a 20 pound pack is a lot for a body to do when walking all over creation and back. 

 

A = +1 STA, +1 CHA. 

 

 

Goal 2: I See Those Workouts. Let's Take Them A Little Further. 

 

I also did really good on this goal. I kicked up my workouts with added spider pushups on most days, got into crow, and made the transition to 30 Day Shred parts 2 + 3. I didn't do much jogging, but when I did, I worked hard. 

 

During vacation, I kicked my own ass with walking and 1 day of spider pushups like a damn fool. 

 

As promised, here is me - in my Nerd fitness gear - in crow, doing a spider pushup, and just for funsies in Warrior 3 (with a modified flying pose - because I'm a dork and I can't help myself). 

 

 

A= +4 STR, +4 DEX.

 

 

 

Goal 3: Metrics! All The Metrics! 

 

This was fun for a metrics nerd like me and not quite as frustrating as I had thought it would be. I used SELFNutrionData pretty much exclusively, with company websites for supplemental information any time I ate anything packaged. Link to metrics spreadsheet.

 

I took a break from metrics while on vacation because I knew that would drive me insane and lead to enjoying myself less. I am glad I did. 

 

As for metrics goals, I looked toward Mark Bittman's nutrition goal outline (Source) with an eye toward getting into those metrics. I mostly did not, and it was really interesting to see what meals were within line and what meals were not. 

 

Measurements

 

Neck at narrowest: 11 1/4" (beginning) - 11 1/2" (end)

Bust under breast: 32 3/4" (beginning) - 32 1/2" (end)

Waist at narrowest: 28 1/4" (beginning) - 28 1/2" (end)

Hip at widest: 41 1/2" (beginning) - 41 1/2" (end)

Thigh at thickest: 21" (beginning) - 20" (end) 

Arm at widest: 10 1/2" (beginning) - 11" (end)

Weight at wakeup: 134.4 lbs. (beginning) - 132.5 (end)

Height: 5ft. 2 3/4 inches (5'2" for measuring purposes) 

 

According to my FitBit scale, my BMI is: 32.7% (obese) (start) - 31.8% (normal) (finish). 

According to the Navy's metrics, my BMI is: 34% (obese) (start) - 34% (obese) (finish).

According to a random simple online BMI tracker, my BMI is 24.5% (upper limit of normal) (start) - 24.1% (upper end of normal) (finish).

 

Interesting. I made no real loss or gains in body mass, had a slight weight decrease, and reduced my bmy a bit according to some metrics. I definitely feel like I stagnated this challenge on the weight front, but I feel like I did become a bit stronger overall. 

 

A = +3 WIS.

 

 

Goal 4: Finish What You've Started.

 

I kicked ass at this goal. I not only completed a trip journal (not even on the list of things I needed to do), but I finished 2 types of jam (and bought ingredients for 2 more), took extra pictures and processed those, finished my scarf (and started a new one), and finished a bunch of tea towels for a gift. 

 

I even carried this goal through on vacation, finding a little time to knit while on the bus. 

 

A= +1 CON, +1 CHA.

 

 

 

Wrapup: I felt like I had a solid challenge. Not stellar (stellar would have been more weight loss), but solid - I conquered the water demon, slayed the sloth troll, counted the treasure, and exercised that crafty muscle plenty. Whoo hop! On to challenge 4!

[Fonzico]

Heh, I approve of your superman-warrior! Nice pics!

And really, you had a great challenge! You know as well as anyone that weightloss isn't as straightforward as all that. You got straight "a"s for crying out loud!

Anyways, celebratory dance party!

*I don't know what's going on here, but it can only be a good thing*

[darkfoxx]

Rotflol. That is the single greatest thing I've seen in days. Possibly greater even than new Arrested Development. 

 

Yeah, I know, but I wanted all As and to have lost the last little bit of weight I wanted to lose and to have the 'dream body' I want that is completely unachievable.

 

Unrealistic, I know. And I won't let it get me discouraged - I will just work at kicking even more ass next cycle and will break out of my plateau.

 

It's going to happen, dammit.

[Pookie]

*glares* you did amazing and you know it.

 

The weight loss stuff is a mysterious science and nothing is guaranteed, so you are forbidden to beat yourself up over it and you have to look at the great stuff you did do. 

[darkfoxx]

@Pookie. I know, I know, I did good with the challenge, and I'm not beating myself up - just noting disappointment. It's totally not sending me on a crap food bender this week, or even a dip in workout frequency (though admittedly it was hard to motivate myself to yoga last night). I just have all these unrealistic goals that I keep fooling myself into thinking might actually happen (like my ginormous hips might someday just decide to disappear without surgery) and when I'm confronted with the reality that that hasn't happened, I tend to freak out a little. 

 

I am not letting it get me down, though, and will keep plowing ahead regardless. I have to - I have a challenge that I *will* ace starting in less than a week.  

[Pookie]

Good good, I'm glad its not getting you down or annoyed too much. Here's to the next challenge!

[BlamedCat]

Focus on staying awesome and just keep going, you'll break through that plateau... just do what works and don't do any knee jerk "quick fixes" k?

[darkfoxx]

I am, I am, BC. I'm (hopefully I think at least this year) past knee jerk fixes. I have 2 food blogs to keep up and things in my head aren't that dire. I just need to push harder at what I'm already doing and mix some more stuff in to bust this plateau. 

 

Doing a slackass workout like last night is probably not the answer. (I did 2 slack ass WOD workout reps and decided to make jam & do more tea towels with the rest of my time since I just couldn't make myself do the workout I needed to be doing). 

 

Tonight will be better and back on track. 

[BlamedCat]

I am, I am, BC. I'm (hopefully I think at least this year) past knee jerk fixes. I have 2 food blogs to keep up and things in my head aren't that dire. I just need to push harder at what I'm already doing and mix some more stuff in to bust this plateau. 

 

Doing a slackass workout like last night is probably not the answer. (I did 2 slack ass WOD workout reps and decided to make jam & do more tea towels with the rest of my time since I just couldn't make myself do the workout I needed to be doing). 

 

Tonight will be better and back on track. 

Oooh okay, well that's good.  Yeah, I notice that own tendency in my own life.  It happens, just don't let it rule you

 

Hmm.. maybe you should toss in a finisher to properly kick your buttocks?

[darkfoxx]

I think I will be for next challenge. I had thought to go the 'things i can measure' route for my whole workout, but I really think I need more structure than that in my life. So, I think I will be adding a finisher I can quantify a couple times a week. 

[darkfoxx]

You guys, this week sucks. 

 

Monday: I had to force myself to do my yoga workout, but I did it. 

 

Tuesday: I did a slackass WOD style workout and lots of crafts

 

Wednesday: Found out I'm losing my job at the end of June - walked, blubbering, for 45 minutes while my poor dad talked me off the proverbial ledge - then proceeded to have 2 large adult beverages (firefly vodka + tea + lemon; one of which I ended up shotgunning like a coed because I'm really, really bad at drinking) - barely slept since I was fairly drunk and had to keep getting up to get water and Tums. Hey, but at least I wore my skinny pants while walking and got a solid 45 minutes in. 

 

Thursday: My stomach isn't happy at me even a tiny bit, but I had my smoothie for breakfast and ate a slice of bacon & 2 fried eggs for lunch. Luckily my hubby was home and wouldn't go buy me a cheesesteak sandwich from down the block. Nor will he condone me eating one (this is a big step - he's usually a really bad influence). I may try to workout today, but something tells me it's not gonna happen. 

 

And I might need a major kick in the ass this next challenge. I feel my workout resolve dissolving in front of me. Don't let me get away with any excuse bullshit next cycle, k? Yell at me - I might need it. 

 

And I want toast. 

[BlamedCat]

Okay, lets start with the nice stuff... *hugs* That sucks that you are gonna be losing your job and having a rough week this week.  I know others are gonna be better on the compassion side of things, so I'll leave that to them.

 

I will say to keep in  mind the huge life change when you make your goals.  Don't make them as if nothing is going on, otherwise you'll burn out and crash and we'll have to come find you, beat you up and drag you back on the wagon... you don't want us knocking at your door...

 

No you can't have toast... and yes you will do some workout tonight regardless if you "feel" it won't happen... no excuses.

 

You're going to make it through this, you're stronger than you feel right now.  Stay focused...

 

oh and <BrotherlyNFHug>

[darkfoxx]

Thanks  

 

You're right about the goal making - I had intended upon keeping things status quo and sweeping all the drama under the rug, but you're right - anxiety around here is about to get less manageable toward the end of this cycle. 

 

I do feel a bit better about things a couple of days later - living in a van down by the river is not imminent, so I can relax a notch or 12; and I do have a month before things even get tight. A lot can happen in a month. 

 

I did great with the no toast (mostly because there hasn't been bread in this house for over 6 months) - instead I made slow-roasted pork shoulder -- enough to eat for days and days. I had that for dinner with some pineapple. 

 

On the plus side, I finished my tea towel project(s). 

 

Here are the pics.

[BlamedCat]

Thanks

 

You're right about the goal making - I had intended upon keeping things status quo and sweeping all the drama under the rug, but you're right - anxiety around here is about to get less manageable toward the end of this cycle. 

 

I do feel a bit better about things a couple of days later - living in a van down by the river is not imminent, so I can relax a notch or 12; and I do have a month before things even get tight. A lot can happen in a month. 

 

I did great with the no toast (mostly because there hasn't been bread in this house for over 6 months) - instead I made slow-roasted pork shoulder -- enough to eat for days and days. I had that for dinner with some pineapple. 

 

On the plus side, I finished my tea towel project(s). 

 

Here are the pics.

Oh good good.  See a little breathing does wonders.  I'll be praying for you and the situation  You're right, a lot can happen in a month, but go ahead and prep (without worrying).

 

Ooooooooooohhhh.. <drools> can I come over... never had that... can I have the recipe, plz???

 

Wow, those are CUTE!  (yes I'm a guy and I admitted that).  I like those.

[Pookie]

Oh thats awful *hugs* I'm sorry, you know you can always rant out to us if you need to talk and stuff. Do you have any ideas on your next move? I'm sorry I can't recall off the top of my head what you do?

 

Good going on the pork as well, turning to healthy but comforting food is a great achievement, and even better that there is a enough for a few days to keep you occupied.

 

And the birdy tea towel is my favourite!

[darkfoxx]

Thanks. Fair warning: depending upon how this all plays out, I may be a whiny mess by the end of challenge.

I am a copywriter/editor/marketing person. Luckily: I'm in one of the best cities for writers. Unluckily: the economy is shit, this city has an overabundance of writers, and I have zero connections.

Ideally, my next move would be to find a freelance gig or 3 that would keep me busy enough so I can still keep my business going and still work from home. Most likely I'll have to go work in an office again - with an hour+ commute - and my schedule is going to go to absolute shit.

The pork, on the other hand, was awesome. We've been munching on it and aside from eating crab-stuffed chicken + 90 million pre-dinner things they bring you at the diner we went to at 10:30 last night, food has been on track. I didn't even sample the garlic bread they brought.

As for the tea towels, I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. They're not perfect, but they are good enough.

[darkfoxx]

@BC thanks! Here is the recipe for the salsa: http://gastography.com/2013/06/01/tropical-chicken-broccoli-with-spicy-pineapple-salsa-paleo/

The pork is a recipe from one of my favorite chefs, David Chang: http://yummysupper.blogspot.com/2011/10/pulled-pork.html?m=1

I used sea salt and just liberally sprinkled.

Here is a pic of its pr0n-y goodness: http://gastography.com/2013/05/30/may-30-2013/

[Fonzico]

Wow, that's awful about your job, I'm so sorry! At least you've got a little bit of time to figure things out... perhaps something better shall come of it - try to stay positive, in spite of your pessimistic instincts

And same advice to you as I gave to pookie - set yourself some goals that will help support you when the stress kicks in, not add to it.

On the plus side, those tea towels are fantastic! I adore them - stencils and fabric paint? And for the record, the imperfections are absolutely part of their charm. Yup, totally stealing that craft idea.

[BlamedCat]

@BC thanks! Here is the recipe for the salsa: http://gastography.com/2013/06/01/tropical-chicken-broccoli-with-spicy-pineapple-salsa-paleo/

The pork is a recipe from one of my favorite chefs, David Chang: http://yummysupper.blogspot.com/2011/10/pulled-pork.html?m=1

I used sea salt and just liberally sprinkled.

Here is a pic of its pr0n-y goodness: http://gastography.com/2013/05/30/may-30-2013/

DK, That's... <drool>  amazing... thank you very much.  I'm certainly going to have to do this in the crock pot to help with my eating goals  Thank you.

[darkfoxx]

@Fonzico: I'm trying. My hubby did the math and it looks like we won't end up living in a box in New Jersey if I am unemployed a couple of months, so that is a huge huge huge load off my mind. We also found out that we aren't losing the renters currently in the house we own, and that is also a huge load off. 

 

I used fabric paint & made paper stencils on the silhouette for the tea towels. I would not suggest using black card stock for the stencils - I got a little bleeding. 

 

I'm re-thinking my goals this morning and will post a bit later, once I knock the cobwebs out, get a little work done, and apply for a few of the jobs that have piled up in my inbox over the weekend. 

 

On the plus side of life, this is what being a rebel gets you ....

 

Went this weekend to get an 'interview outfit' since I haven't had a job I've had to leave the house for in 3 years - needless to say, jeans & a top probably aren't going to cut it on a job interview. Not even with a little jacket. Sundresses, either. 

 

So we head to the mall to pick something out. I decided to go the dress route with a nice jacket or something so I don't sweat to death. 

 

I probably don't have to tell you guys that clothes trying on has always been a minefield fraught with meltdowns for me. When I'm fat, it's hyperventilating in the corner; when I'm skinny, it's 'why if I'm xx size, are my hips still there disgust' - both backed by a very mean, very dark internal monologue. 

 

The hubby and I pick out a metric ton of dresses - I'm paying attention to cut, but not 100% - and we end up both gravitating toward my favorite dress look that I only look halfway decent in about 25% of the time - a standard shift dress. I throw some pencil skirts in the mix (also a hard sell on my body) and we head to the dressing room, sizes to choose from in tow.

 

And you know what happened? I didn't freak out. Sure, I didn't fit in all the dresses - hell, I couldn't even get some of them over my hips from the top down - but I didn't even start up with blaming my body, and I didn't let it get me down. I found an adorable salmon/navy/taupe striped a-line dress, a grey shift dress, a bonus a-line summer dress, and a bonus a-line black & tan structured dress that I look fabulous in. And I didn't even pay attention to size. At least 1 I know is in a 6 - and it's a touch big on me but not too bad - and I am fairly certain the others are 4s. I didn't even try for a 2, though I think I'm close to fitting back into that dress size. 

 

I came to the internal realization that it doesn't fucking matter. What matters is that I look good and I feel confident. And find a tailor that can hem, since I haven't managed to grow out of munchkin stage in my 30s. 

 

So, go me. First time in a long time I was able to try on clothes without animosity. That's what being a rebel has gained me and that's why I'm going to keep strong through whatever kind of shit life wants to throw at me. 

 

Thanks, guys.  

[darkfoxx]

Cycle 4 link: http://nerdfitnessrebellion.com/index.php?/topic/30418-cycle-4-live-free-or-darkfoxx/