otter905's Second Challenge

[otter905]

Goal #1

Whole 30 for 5 CON

For the entire challenge = 5pts

For 30 days = 3pts

-.25 for every blatant cheat

 

Goal #2 

Food Journal for 3CON

 

3pts = writing it every day, 2pts = having something for everyday, but not writing it every day, 1 pt = 5 days/week

This is more to keep track of my Whole30, so I can look back and see if there is anything that I should tweak or change once the challenge is done.  Also then I can keep track of whether I cheated or not.

 

Goal #3

House chores for 2WIS

 

2pts = 6 days , 1pt = 3 days

I have a list of things that need to be cleaned/fixed/done around the house.  I will work on 1 thing every weekend for up to 3 hours.  If it takes longer to finish the project, it will be rolled over to the next Saturday.

 

 

Goal #4

Quit smoking for 5CHA

This is either a pass or fail.  If I am smoke free at the end of the 6 weeks I get 5pts.  Otherwise none.

I have already weened myself down to 3 -4 cigarettes a day.  So this will be tough, but I can do it!!

 

PS I realize I have no fitness goals this time around, but these are the things I feel need the most work at this point.  I do crossfit 3 - 5/week and have been seeing some huge progress in that area.  I am constantly pushing in this area and don't feel the need to focus on one sole fitness goal at this time.

 

[Sambalina]

Those are some really tough goals, otter! They're great and should really help you level up your life.

 

The mini-challenge this week is to examine our goals and make sure they're SMART and not too overwhelming. It's just my opinion, but possibly doing the whole 30 and quitting smoking at the same time might be asking a bit much of you willpower. There are lots of people here on NF who have done both, but I'm not sure they would have made it if they tried both at once - the goals are so intense and involve huge habit changes. However, only you know what you can handle. If you can rock it, or just want to try to see how far you can get - full support!

 

I hope the challenge goes well for you - and welcome to the adventurers!

[otter905]

Thanks Sambalina - maybe I will give a couple of days and tweak if needed.  Part of the reason I am trying both is because it is recommed to not smoke with doing Whole30. 

Over the past few of months I have been trying to eat more Paleo but find myself being lazy, not cooking and grabbing something to eat.  So I'm trying the Whole30 to be strict with myself and make myself more aware of my choices.  Also I have been weening myself off cigarettes since the beginning of January.  I'm hoping that the 2 will not be overwhelming because of the changes I have previously made....only time will tell.

[Sambalina]

You sound like you've thought it through

We are all here to support you! Go hard, otter!

[otter905]

Day 2 and going strong - I took my weight, some measurements and pictures Monday - I keep forgetting to post them though.

I've had a slight headache off and on - only to be expected with no sugar or nicotine and less caffeine.  I just keep thinking of how GREAT I will feel in a few days!!

 

So far I have learned:

Cookups are fabulous things.  It has been so nice not having to worry about what is for dinner when I get home at 8:00pm. 

 

Black coffee is NOT enjoyable.  I have made a decent coffee with almond milk and cinnamon- I believe this will grow on me.  If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

[otter905]

Half way through day 4 and feeling extremely cranky.  I really want to go get a double double and have a cigarette.  Thank God I have striking class tonight.  Gonna go sweat out all the crankiness.

[otter905]

Here on day 6 and I don't have much energy...this is to be expected with the whole30.  So far I am par for the course with Whole30,  I have some chicken,kale chips and sweet potatoe fries cooking for my dinner. And very much looking forward to it all!  I have not had a cigarette all week and have written in my food journal everyday. 

 

I spent an hour putting drywall putty in the seams and nail holes in the crown molding in my dining room.  I went to the library and had a nap while it was drying.  Then spent 2 hours painting the crown molding.  I still have some to do and the ceiling needs to be done. I am hoping to complete this tomorrow, but promised a friend i would go shopping with her, so we will see.  But either way that is my house chores done for the week.

[otter905]

Started the week off right with a cookup on Sunday.  Its not lasting as long as I hoped, since I have been very hungry the last couple of days.

 

I have been feeling like I'm getting sick, which could be 1 of 3 things:

1. I'm getting sick

2. detxing from not smoking and diet change

3. allergies

 

Here's hoping its not #1.  Still killing this challenge and feeling great!

[Zeuel]

Congratulations on doing great for the challenge! I've heard quitting smoking can be difficult. Keep it up!

[otter905]

Congratulations on doing great for the challenge! I've heard quitting smoking can be difficult. Keep it up!

 

Thank you,  It can be difficult, but I was at a point where I really wanted to quit and didn't enjoy any of it anymore.  It makes no sense to go to a crossfit class then go home and have a cigarette.

[otter905]

Started the mini challenge today.  I will be working on my posture for 15min a day. Sitting/standing straight, shoulders back, head held high for 1CHA point.

 

As for my challenge:

I did another cook up yesterday/last night.  This should see me through the weekend.   As much as I don't enjoy cooking I am really enjoying the cookups. 

 

My food journal is being done everyday and I'm keeping track of my moods and how hungry I am when I eat. 

 

I have it planned out to finish the crown molding and ceiling Friday evening for my house chores for the week, or if its nice I might do some yard work.

 

The cigarette cravings are few and far between now.  I think I picked a really good time for this. I was definitely ready.  I have even gone for "coffee" with friends who smoke and out to the bar without having a craving.

[otter905]

So, the end of week 2 and going strong.  Just did my cookup for the week.  Sausage/hard boiled eggs for breakfast, pulled pork and cabbage for lunch and some chili full of veggies for dinner.  This should keep me going for a few days  PMS has made the whole30 very difficult this weekend.  I am seriously considering cheating with a "real" coffee today.  I am still experimenting with what will make a black coffee taste good.

 

Everything else is going good.  Food journal being done every day and not many cigarette cravings this week.  Even considering giving away the cigarettes I have left over.  I AM NOT A SMOKER! 

 

I spent a couple hours finishing my crown molding and painted the ceiling in my dining room Friday evening.  And  spent a couple of hours on yard work yesterday (this was difficult after doing a hero WOD in crossfit first).

 

I remembered to practice my posture this weekend for the mini challenge.  Spent 15 minutes sitting straight last night while reading and practiced sitting straight all through church today.

 

I went through my closet earlier this week and got rid of everything that is too big for me now.  I was NOT looking forward to this and it was very depressing to see my favorite pieces having to go.  I now need to go shopping to get some new favorite clothes, which I am not very excited about.

[Aggi]

Wow! Great week.

[otter905]

I've come down with a sore throat and ear ache.  This is really bugging me, because it has taken all my energy and motivation.  I was very glad/thankful for having prepared food at home yesterday.  I totally would have "grabbed" something not healthy last night if not.  There was no way I was cooking!

 

Mini challenge done - did my 15mins everyday and am still conscious of my posture more than I use to be, hopefully this will start to become habit instead of thinking about it all the time.

 

Trying to figure out what my house chores are going to be this weekend.  Think I might have to check my list.  I do still have some painting to do, but need to recruit some help for it and I'd really rather be doing something outside!

[otter905]

The whole30 has been a little challenging this week with being under the weather.  I have drank a whole lot of tea and had some trouble eating the last couple of days. I had to throw out some food this week (I hate doing that!!).  I tried to change my eating times a little so that I am only eating 3 meals a day and no snacking.  

Still haven't found a good alternative for coffee, black coffee is getting a little easier to drink but is still not good to me.  I'm not ready to give up coffee yet, however that may be in a challenge in the near future.

 

I decided to do some cleaning of blinds this weekend for my house chore.  That way I can get some inside cleaning done, but I can take them outside and clean them.  Get some sun at the same time. Also I need to do my dining room floor and my grass needs to be cut. 

 

As for the mini challenge this week, I'm not liking it too much.  Mostly the planning/journaling part isn't up my ally as my days are pretty much the same.  I already plan my meals ahead, but it is based on what I find at the store on Sunday.  I did plan to go shopping tonight with a friend and spend Sunday with another friend.  Its not Saturday, but it will be lots of FUN! (I won't be taking any points for this one).

[otter905]

So, Almost the end of week 3.  Measurements and weight to be taken on Monday for my mid-challenge "weigh in". 

 

Today I cleaned the blinds in my kitchen and scrubbed a portion of my deck clean.  I say portion because A) I had some sheets drying on the other side of the deck and my arms were getting sore and I still want to do my dining room floor this evening.  I then cleaned my car (not part of the house chores, but desperately needed to be done and I had the bucket etc out for my other cleaning) and did the dishes.  In total it only took about 1.5hrs, I was pretty impressed with that.   I was then going to enjoy a book on my back deck, but decided to pull some weeds and spruce up my garden a bit. (My apologies to all the worms I dug up.)  Unfortunately, I get bored with this easy, so it didn't last long, but some got done. 

 

Thinking about what groceries to buy tomorrow to do my cook up.  Now that its nicer out, I don't want chilli or stew, I'm thinking of spinach salads for lunches. Mmmmmm.  But have no idea what to do for dinners.

 

Anyways, I am now off to enjoy my book Ready Player One from the bookclub reading on my back deck!!  I love the sun!

[otter905]

Weight and Measurements- Mid Challenge

 

April 15                                           May 6/13

Weight 220lbs                                 Weight 208lbs

 

Chest  37.50"                                  Chest 37.50"

Waist  41.25"  at bellybutton           Waist  39.25" at bellybutton  (35.50" at smallest)

Hips    44"                                        Hips   41.75

 

Right Arm 11.25"                             Right Arm 11.75"

Left Arm   11.50"                             Left Arm    11.25"

 

Right Thigh 23"                               Right Thigh 23"

Left Thigh   23"                               Left Thigh   23"

[LadyInRed]

Wow!!! I envy your measurements and your challenge. Look at you gaining muscle and losing fat. Congrats, congrats, congrats!

[otter905]

Wow!!! I envy your measurements and your challenge. Look at you gaining muscle and losing fat. Congrats, congrats, congrats!

 

Wow! Thank you!  I never would have imagined someone envying MY measurements.  I was very excited/happy to see the inches lost.

[otter905]

This week has been going well. It's getting to be same old, same old now.  I forgot to make something up on the weekend for "breakfasts", but have been coping/managing with fruit and extra veggies.

 

I cheated on Sunday, I put a splash of milk in my coffee and two packets of cane sugar (this is less then the double double I use to drink).  I wish I could say it tased gross and/or made me sick and that it wasn't worth it, but I enjoyed every sip!!  I am considering allowing myself to have a "good coffe" a day once the 30days is over, but at the same time black coffee is not as bad as it use to be.

 

I am still doing my food journal everyday.  I am not feeling the need for this as much now that I am not having cravings everyday.  But I shall continue untill the end of the challenge and then decide whether its worth continuing.

 

I have no idea what my house chore/s will be this weekend.  I will be busy most of the day Saturday, so I need to figure it out so I can prepare and make sure I have everything I need.  I checked my list yesterday, its really nice to see it getting smaller.  Trying to decide between the ceiling in the spare bedroom or cleaning the couch and chairs.  And if its nice I'm hoping to do some more work on my yard.

[otter905]

Start of week 5 and day 29 of the Whole30.

 

I did my cook up yesterday.  Made up some salads for lunch and sausages for breakfast.  The Whole30 was extremely challenging this past weekend.  We had cupcakes and a bbq (with fresh bakery buns) after crossfit.  I had a birthday party to go to Saturday evening and Mother's day lunch.  Thank God for supportive family, but it was soooo difficult!!!  Oh and I won a basket with cookies/pasta/breadsticks/cheese and dried fruit --this is just my luck

 

Food journal still being done every day.

 

House chores lacked a little this weekend as we did a thruster challenge in crossfit on Saturday.  After doing 345 thrusters in an hour, I was sore and lazy   I did do some work on the ceiling in my spare bedroom and put my dinning room back together, fixing all my dinning chairs while I did so.

 

Still a non-smoker.  I had a couple of cravings on the weekend, but nothig unmanageable. 

 

And I completed challenge #4 this weekend. Unplugged from the Matrix.

[otter905]

WOOT WOOT!! My Whole30 is done.  With only one cheat!  I went grocery shopping last night and decided I wanted a treat.  I bought a greek yogurt and some hummus.  I really wanted something bad for me, but I kept reading the ingredients and thinking I can't put that in my body now, it will make me sick!   I'm really hoping this thinking stays with me.  I think I might do a Whole30 again for the next challenge.  I want this to be my "normal" not just a monthly thing.

 

House chore for the weekend is supposed to be finishing off my deck.  I need to confirm that with my dad though.  I need some help with this one.  If not, I'm not sure what I will do.

 

I also have a hike planned for this weekend with a friend, very excited!

[otter905]

So, as you can tell from my previous post, I did not carry my Whole30 out through the entire 6 weeks. I'm still very proud of this accomplishment and am looking forward to writing parts of the Whole30/paleo into my next challenge.

 

Still continuing with my food journal. Writing everyday even though I don't feel its neccesary anymore.

 

House chore was finishing the railing on my deck.  I am so happy this is done.  My dad and I finished it Saturday.  I also started to cleanout my shed on Sunday and puttered around doing odds and ends both Sunday and  Monday (seeing as Monday was a holiday and part of the weekend- woot woot!)

 

Still a non-smoker.  Had a couple of cravings on the weekend, but its really more the habit of having one at certain times as opposed to really needing a cigarette. 

 

I know the challenge isn't over yet, but I am so proud of myself so far and my accomplishments.  Looking forward to the next challenge already!!!

[otter905]

I am extremely happy with my results for this challenge.  I feel I crushed this one!!  I am looking forward to the next challenge with building on some of the skills acquired from this challenge and making some new ones.

 

Goal #1

Whole 30 for 5 CON

Made  it through the 30 days with only one cheat.  My cookups helped with this and kept me going.

3CON for the the Whole30 minus .25 for the one cheat =2.75CON

 

Goal #2 

Food Journal for 3CON

Wrote in my journal everyday.  Felt this really wasn't need near the end, but followed it through and am now glad I am done.

3CON

 

Goal #3

House chores for 2WIS

Did these every week

week 1 - fixed crown moulding and painted

week 2 - finished painting crown moulding/ceiling and did some yard work

week 3 - cleaned kitchen blinds and some of my deck

week 4 - worked on ceiling in spare room/ fixed dining room chairs and put dining room back together

week 5 - finished railing on deck

week 6 - cleaned fridge (a bit of a slack on this one, but it was on the list)

2WIS

 

Goal #4

Quit smoking for 5CHA

I am SMOKE-FREE!!!!  I can't express how excited I am about this.

 

 

I took my points for the mini-challenges already, but here is what I completed:

Mini challenge #1 - reviewed goals for 1WIS and a fire flower

Mini challenge #2 - worked on my posture for 15min a day for 1CHA

Mini challenge #3 - had fun Friday and Sunday - didn't take points for this one

Mini challenge #4 - unplugged from the Matrix for 1CON

Mini challenge #5 - chose not to participate

[otter905]

Weight and Measurements

 

April 15                                           May 27

Weight 220lbs                                 Weight 201lbs

 

Chest  37.50"                                  Chest 36.25"

Waist  41.25"  at bellybutton           Waist  38.25" at bellybutton  (35" at smallest)

Hips    44"                                        Hips   40.75

 

Right Arm 11.25"                             Right Arm 10.50"

Left Arm   11.50"                             Left Arm    10.50"

 

Right Thigh 23"                               Right Thigh 21.25"

Left Thigh   23"                               Left Thigh   22.00"