Wandern Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 This is my fourth challenge, and I seem to be at a plateau. No weight loss, no significant gains in strength, and, most importantly, no further progress on getting into those shorts. And, it’s a really, really busy time of year and I have lots of stuff I need to get done. Most of which I have been avoiding the last few months. So. It’s time to kick things up a notch. Make some reach-for-it goals and get myself going again. I have 2 main goals for these 6 weeks: get into those shorts at long last dang it, and get sh!t done. I’m taking a cue from Chanda and using some nesting sub-goals that should push me towards the big ones. Here’s how I’m going to do it: Goal 1: Exercise. Weights: Nerd Fitness Barbell Battalion Rank 1B Workout. That’s lifting 4 times a week. I’ll be adding weight slowly to avoid injury. 24 possible points. A=24 points. B=22 points. C=20 points, D=18 points. I actually started this last week, and am supposed to take off every 6 weeks, so I’m giving myself 4 points to start. +2 STR, +1 DEXPark in the far lot 2x/week minimum – 12 points. A=12+, B=11, C=10, D=9. +1 STAGet in an “extra†walk (after dinner, weekend hike, etc) 3x/week minimum. 18 points. A=18+, B=16, C=14, D=12. +1 STAGoal 2: Mind the DietThe first two weeks of the challenge will be back to “induction†mode: <30g (net) carbohydrates per day. No grains, no sugar, no legumes, minimal dairy, minimal fruit and nuts. Veggies and meat, meat and veggies (and eggs). Hubby and I did this back in August. It helped. 14 days. 14 days=A, 13=B, 12=C, 11=D CONI will keep daily calories under 1800. 42 days. 40+=A, 38=B, 36=C, 34=D. +2 WIS +1 CONI will use a food-logging app (MyNetDiary) for everything I put in my mouth this 6 weeks to make sure I meet the other 2 goals. I hate measuring and keeping track of what I eat, but I find that I need to recalibrate my idea of what a serving size is a couple of times a year. It’s been over 6 months since I’ve logged regularly, so it’s time again. 42 days. 40+=A, 38=B, 36=C, 34=D. +2 WISGoal 3: Get Sh!t Done.Finish the Coursera class, do the required reading, lectures, tests and quizzes. Class finishes May 6. Finish the Woot! project and submit it to the AQI (by May 1) Finish the Plum Blossom Venn project (by May 27) Clean out shed (by April 28) Mulch garden paths (by May 5) Finish prepping garden beds (by May 10) Finish planting garden (by May 11) Cut back forsythia/red tip bushes (by May 27) Contact the retirement plan people from an old employer and make sure I’m still on their books (by May 1) Plan/execute younger daughter’s birthday party (by May 27) Plan summer trip (by May 15) Clear out closet (by May 6)That’s 12 items. 10+ done=A; 8 done=B, 6=C, 4=D. +3 CHA, +1 WIS, +1 DEX I probably won't be on the boards much, but I'll try to keep up with some of you anyway and participate in the guild challenges. WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
I am Eve Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Hiya!Awesome goals, I especially like the detailed deadlines for getting it done!And parking in the far lot, I have a firm belief in those everyday things we do.Best of luck! I have chosen to believe in myself. Link to comment
ScurvySpider Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 "Veggies and meat, meat and veggies" -- gah, how can you remember all that?Good luck with the goals. Since a lot of the to-do items are physical labor, I see you pushing through the plateau still in time for shorts weather. Level 3 Fox DruidSTR +4 / DEX +5 / STA +3 / CON +2 / WIS +7 / CHA +2"If you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon." (G. Lightfoot) Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 I especially like the detailed deadlines for getting it done! Some things have to be done in order - if I didn't make a timeline, I'd try to wait till the last week :-/ WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 "Veggies and meat, meat and veggies" -- gah, how can you remember all that?I know, right?! Stupid, complicated diets.... Week 1 Day 2 Check In Goal 1: ExerciseWeights: I lifted yesterday and today: 2/24Park in the far lot: Did that today: 1/12Extra walk: Did it today: 1/24 Goal 2: Mindful DietDay 2 of <30 carbs (sigh)Day 2 of 1800 caloriesDay 2 of logging (Have I mentioned that I hate diet logging?)Goal 3: Checklist:I got nothin'. No progress on anything at all. WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Sunmage Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Great! It is cool to have you back! Fate whispers to the warrior: "You cannot withstand the storm." The warrior whispers back: "I am the storm." Link to comment
Jas Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 You're doing well on goal one and two Level 1 Druid Str 2 , Dex 3 , Sta 2 , Con 4, Wis 2, Chr 2 "Take good care of your body, it's the only place you have to live" - Jim Rohn Link to comment
Brian. Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Day 2 of logging (Have I mentioned that I hate diet logging?) Me too, I found it really tedious when I tried to do it, I wish you luck. 1 Challenge completed. Link to comment
I am Eve Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Some things have to be done in order - if I didn't make a timeline, I'd try to wait till the last week :-/ So wise, I do the same. I have chosen to believe in myself. Link to comment
ScurvySpider Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Goal 3: Checklist:I got nothin'. No progress on anything at all. I don't know if this is helpful: if you could only do 1-3 things on the list, and had to let the rest go, which would the priorities be? I'm guessing daughter's party is one. Level 3 Fox DruidSTR +4 / DEX +5 / STA +3 / CON +2 / WIS +7 / CHA +2"If you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon." (G. Lightfoot) Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 I don't know if this is helpful: if you could only do 1-3 things on the list, and had to let the rest go, which would the priorities be? I'm guessing daughter's party is one. Good point. I want them all to be priorities! Got to get the garden in before too much of the growing season goes by. The daughter's party may not be a priority if her grades don't improve (grumble, grumble, I'm such a mean mom, but really!) WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Learning that weight lifting calluses do not form where I need gardening calluses: WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
HiddenValor Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Ah man, hate that for you. Maybe once you've got the lifting calluses, they can work with the garden calluses when you do other hands-on tasks...idk. Good luck on your to-do list! Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Back in the beginning of September I would have sworn that I would never log calories. Then I got curious about how much I was actually eating... and now I lost 10kg and dropped 2 sizes in my clothing. Totally worth it. I also am impressed that you are not trying to starve yourself.... 1800 sounds low but pretty reasonable. Those shorts will fit! Think of the shorts when you are logging what you eat. Now get off the computer and go get sh!t done! Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Ah man, hate that for you. Maybe once you've got the lifting calluses, they can work with the garden calluses when you do other hands-on tasks...idk. Good luck on your to-do list! Well, I've been lifting for several months, so I've got a good start on the weight lifting calluses - the gardening ones are in an entirely different place. At this rate, my hands will resemble hooves :-/ Back in the beginning of September I would have sworn that I would never log calories. Then I got curious about how much I was actually eating... and now I lost 10kg and dropped 2 sizes in my clothing. Totally worth it. I also am impressed that you are not trying to starve yourself.... 1800 sounds low but pretty reasonable. Those shorts will fit! Think of the shorts when you are logging what you eat. Now get off the computer and go get sh!t done! No, no starving here. Can't stand not getting enough to eat. If I exercise, 1800 should keep me comfortable but allow some weight loss. I'm waiting for a kid to get out of a class, so this is my allotted NF posting time. I'll get more stuff done later! WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Week 1 Day 7 Check-in: Goal 1: Exercise. Weights: Completed all 4 work-outs this week: 4/20 points (NOTE: this is a change in overall points - SInce I started the program the week before the challenge did, I'm supposed to take the last week of the challenge as a recovery week)Park in the far lot 2x/week minimum – 3 times this week! 3/12Get in an “extra†walk (after dinner, weekend hike, etc) 3x/week minimum. 4 times this week! 4/18Goal 2: Mind the DietThe first two weeks of the challenge will be back to “induction†mode: <30g (net) carbohydrates per day. Managed that 4 days this week. We got some store-brand cole slaw on Thursday and I was shocked to find that there were over 20g of carbohydrate in my serving (I had already eaten, it, of course :-P). Friday was totally on purpose. Chocolate. Interesting to note that my slaw had just as many calories and carbs as my serving of chocolate. And chocolate-covered strawberries are on the menu this evening. If I have 3, I'll go over by 15g for the day. I've still been <50g carbs, even on my bad days, which isn't bad at all, IMHO. So, I want to tweak this goal. Maybe aim for <30 for 4 days/week on average for the whole challenge? That'd be 24 days total. If I can have chocolate once or twice a week, I won't feel so much like I'm in deprivation mode.I will keep daily calories under 1800. So far, so good. Even on my bad days it's been more like 1600. And I haven't felt deprived.I will use a food-logging app (MyNetDiary) for everything I put in my mouth. I've been logging. Hating it, but logging.Goal 3: Get Sh!t Done.Finish the Coursera class, do the required reading, lectures, tests and quizzes. Class finishes May 6.: Progress: I still have Week 4 lectures to do, but at least finished week 3 Finish the Woot! project and submit it to the AQI (by May 1): no progress Finish the Plum Blossom Venn project (by May 27): some planning done Clean out shed (by April 28): no progress (I know there are mice in there and I just don't wanna :-( ) Mulch garden paths (by May 5) - no progress - this might get done after planting, which will be OK. Finish prepping garden beds (by May 10) DONE! YAY! Finish planting garden (by May 11): plants on order Cut back forsythia/red tip bushes (by May 27): no progress Contact the retirement plan people from an old employer and make sure I’m still on their books (by May 1): no progress Plan/execute younger daughter’s birthday party (by May 27): no progress Plan summer trip (by May 15): broad outline done. Nothing specific, except for flights. Lodging, car rental decisions are the next step Clear out closet (by May 6): no progressFocus this week: Course, Woot!, Shed, Retirement plan WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
allirep Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Gardening FTW - i am trying my hand at this this year. i had to get my plants in the ground 2 weeks ago though b/c our spring has already sprung (except it was suddenly 40F again this morning... what?!?!?!) Introspective Bookworm (Lvl 6)STR 8.5 | DEX 10 | STA 11 | CON 13 | WIS 15 | CHA 11Look, I... I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am. I... am a librarian. (Rachel Weiss, The Mummy)Intro/Current Challenge | Fitocracy | MFP Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Sounds like a great start to the challenge! Keep it up! I am one of those people that strongly believes that life is supposed to be fun. So in my humble opinion some chocolate belongs in a balance happy life! Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Gardening FTW - i am trying my hand at this this year. i had to get my plants in the ground 2 weeks ago though b/c our spring has already sprung (except it was suddenly 40F again this morning... what?!?!?!) Us, too! and I think I saw a bit of frost in the low spot across the road. Made me glad I haven't put tomatoes out yet. WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Sounds like a great start to the challenge! Keep it up! I am one of those people that strongly believes that life is supposed to be fun. So in my humble opinion some chocolate belongs in a balance happy life! Yes! And there are some days I'd rather eat a bit of chocolate than wear shorts. Which is probably why having shorts as the goal is not such a great idea in the winter ;-) WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Yes! And there are some days I'd rather eat a bit of chocolate than wear shorts. Which is probably why having shorts as the goal is not such a great idea in the winter ;-) Shorts or Chocolate... there's your next challenge title right there! But of course you wont need it because you'll fit into your shorts after this challenge right? Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
I am Eve Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 I prefer shorts and chocolate ;-) I have chosen to believe in myself. Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 I prefer shorts and chocolate ;-) That of course is the ultimate goal! Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
ScurvySpider Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 At this rate, my hands will resemble hoovesthere are some days I'd rather eat a bit of chocolate than wear shorts.Cloven?Only some days? Level 3 Fox DruidSTR +4 / DEX +5 / STA +3 / CON +2 / WIS +7 / CHA +2"If you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon." (G. Lightfoot) Link to comment
radialgirl Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 At this rate, my hands will resemble hooves :-/ ooooh boy tell me about it! between sailing and the gym my hands get straight up nasty, especially over the summer Challenge 1 (incomplete) Current Challenge Where I am has nothing to do with where I will be. Link to comment
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