Faervel17

[Faervel17]

Hello, my name is Faervel. I'm a brand new member from Canada. I'm a mother, wife and photographer. I'm looking to push myself and change some really bad habits over the next six weeks. Would be a huge bonus if I could look good in a bikini by June 1. 

My weight is 148lbs

My height is 5ft 5in

I'm 22 years old.

My goals are:

 

1) Cut out the crap . (+3 CON)

I'm a junk foodaholic. I can't resist it if it's near me. Even if I'm eating really well I tend to overeat on crap. So, I need to eliminate it. No chocolate, no iced cream, no chips, no pop, no cake or cupcakes, really just limiting all the treats.
I WILL be allowing myself 2 iced teas a week, frozen yogurt and popcorn as well as one cheat day per week. Not that I will be allowed to overindulge that day but just to curb the craving and desire. 
 

2) Drink More Water (+2 CON)

I really need to add more water to my diet so I will have a goal of 4 classes (500ml) of water each day. I will allow myself to count 1 cup of tea as water.

 

 

3) Lose 6-10 lbs or at least 2 inches in my waist (+2 STR +2 STA +1 DEX)

I'm on the very tip of the normal scale and I just want to drop back down to more middle. Nothing fancy. I plan on achieving this by eating healthier meals, cutting the crap, doing my bodyweight workouts, going to bed earlier (not 2am or later) and adding more water to my day. I know it sounds like a lot all combined but it's not to me. I've been doing really good at eating better all year, been keeping up with my workouts, the crap and water are part of my other challenge. It's all just a matter of maintaining what I'm already doing but do tend to drop more than I would like. 

4) Personal - ACE my glamour photography. (+3 WIS +2 CHA)

I am currently adding a new genre of photography to my work and it's glamour. I am taking a course and I need to finish it, print everything off and make a pose binder to refer back to just before sessions, finish making my backdrops and cleaning out my space a bit better, and get some people in to actually practice this and have images for marketing. This also sounds like a lot but this is my job besides being a mom so this is what I put my time and effort into the most. 

 

Thanks for having me in the group, Would love to help encourage you all as well. We're in this together and I'm so excited to be part of a team working towards goals. 

[WildColonialGrrl]

Hey there!

A good start to your goals but it looks like you have two combined into goal 1 that you could split into two goals. You might find one easier to manage than the other and get a better result. Also more chances of success.

[chojinfire]

I'd agree with what WildColonialGrrl says If you split out your food and water goals, it'll give you a higher chance of success and an ability to focus better.

Also, there could be some more local willing models on NF on here for your glamour shots. Might be worth a shout out if you haven't already

 

Good luck!

[Pookie]

I found a great way of making sure I drink enough water... have in bottles already what you need to drink that day. Easy visual of how much you have to go, no second guessing yourself 'did I drink 3 or 4 glasses?'. I chill it in the fridge and I have had the habit of meeting my water goals for a long time now, was tricky at first, but making it fool proof by it already being there really helped.

 

I also agree with splitting it to make a separate goal for each, its very unfair on yourself to achieve one and not the other and grade on that, when in reality they are very separate ideas to achieve.

[Faervel17]

Thanks guys. I did separate them into two challenges. I originally viewed them as one because drinking more water would flush out the crap but I totally see your points. 

Still figuring out the forum but that's a great idea to ask for models via here. Thanks!

[Snayll]

Hi Faervel, looks like your health/ fitness goals should work pretty well together. I'm guessing you'll notice a big difference in how you feel by the end of these 6 weeks. I've enjoyed photography over the years too, but I found I didn't like it as a job, so it's more just a hobby/ artwork now for me. Exploring a new area sounds fun, do we get to see some of your work?

[Faervel17]

Thanks Snayll. I'm really just hoping to feel better and get back down to the mid range of normal in weight. I will have some pictures and my measurements posted by the end of the week I just really wanted to get myself in on the challenge. 

I am very new to my photography only been doing it with deep study for about a year so I finally think I have enough work to start a website and am working on it right now with my brother in law and when I have it up of course I'd love to share

[chojinfire]

I've been a hobbiest photographer for years, and dream of going pro. One day I'll be able to... I hope! Would love to see your work though

 

Also, how's the challenge going?

[Faervel17]

I'm doing really good at keeping hydrated and drinking more water. I did really well Monday and Tuesday for eating way better today was my husband's birthday so I did have pizza (his request) and cake with him. Did well the rest of the day except supper. I have not been able to do my exercises as I overdid it last week and just needed to give my body a break so I will be back at it tomorrow. I have sucked at going to bed early due to a teething child who has been monopolizing my sleep time. Photography course is on track. Lots of videos to watch still but I'm over the halfway point

[Faervel17]

Update! I'm going to be busy all weekend so I want to update now then Update Sunday too. I've been doing really well at drinking more water, I started back up my exercise routine after being a bit sick and am back to cooking healthier meals (may slip up a bit this weekend being so busy but going to keep trying), making steady progress on my photography course and hope to have the course done and be practicing by the end of the month. 

This weekend is really going to be a test for me so I am hoping I can eat well and remember to stay hydrated. Staying active won't be hard when there is a pool and waterslide involved. 

[WildColonialGrrl]

Do what you can this weekend and if it goes astray, don't beat yourself up about it, just get straight back into the good habits! You re doing great so far!

[Faervel17]

My weekend went very astray! Did my best but it was still off. Got tons of exercise, ate lots and actually ate pretty good considering it was all restaurants but ate too much, managed to drink lots of water though. 

Been back into normal this week and doing really good in all areas. 

[Faervel17]

Sorry I have not checked in thrice this week but only twice I really hope that doesn't disqualify me I did not mean to I simply forgot to check in. 

This week has been my worst week in a very long time. I have been struggling immensely in all areas and really need to get back on track. 

[Georges]

Don't worry too much about one bad week - we all have them!  (I used to think mine were a sign that I couldn't make it through a six week challenge, until I realized that my tough weeks might have more to do with hormones than willpower or how hard I'm trying.) 

 

Is your rough week anything we can help with?

 

There's certainly plenty of time left in the challenge to make progress; sometimes it's best to just look forward and recommit to your health, and nevermind what last week looked like. 

 

If you've read the success stories on the NFblog/homepage, and the successful Rebels here in the forum, you may have noticed that a lot of us stumble a bit, especially at the beginning.  As long as your stumbles are still forward progress, you'll keep getting closer to your goals!

[Rhyme]

Can confirm, there's lots of stumblin' going on. I wasn't very happy with my first two challenges, and just as I start to feel like this one's taking off, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and find myself slipping into the whole "just avoid it" mentality. But like Georges said, what we've done so far doesn't decide the challenge -- there's still plenty of time to make what we want of it!

[Faervel17]

Thanks guys, I'm just going to put myself out there and be open. 

First, I'm new here I'm read quite a bit of the blog posts but I haven't taken the time to sit down and read the forums or really get into it yet it's hard to get yourself into a new community and I'm struggling with that a bit. And it is my own fault I haven't given it enough of my time. 

Second, last week was really hard because my husband had been lying to me and we ended up separating. However, we have three young kids so we agreed to give things one last chance which also includes some counselling  I was so depressed and truly out of it I didn't eat, didn't sleep, didn't want to function at all I basically just did the bare minimum for the kids and then was a sad lump in the corner. The first day (after he was home again but things didn't settle right away) that I was able to eat, drink and sleep again was Saturday and today is the first day I feel like I have any amount of energy.

 

Yesterday I was beating myself up for having a bad week and eating only crap when I did eat and then I decided no I did the best I could and now I'm going to pick things back up. So I'm about to go do my exercise routine before the hubby gets home, I have supper cooking in the oven, I have had two glasses of water so far and I am giving myself until Sunday to finish my photography course (wanted it done today but giving myself grace). 

[Georges]

I'm glad to see that you aren't giving up! 

 

The way I see it, NerdFitness is here to help us get better (at whatever it is that we're currently leveling up).  That means that when the Really Big Stuff comes up in life, it's important to prioritize.  If the challenge helps you take good care of yourself and keep your photography goals moving forward, that's awesome.  But if you don't have time to spend on the forum, or updating as often as you wanted to, there is no reason to.  So, instead of "my own fault I haven't given it enough of my time," really, I think it's more "taking care of the kids and myself as well as I could was what I could do."  Seriously, don't beat yourself up over last week at all.  Keep in mind that until you decided to try counseling, there was a very real, valid grieving process that you started.  Be good to yourself while you regain your strength!

[Faervel17]

Thanks that helps a lot actually. I have a tendancy to beat myself up and then quit so I have to give myself permission to grant graces.

I've been doing much much better this week, staying super hydrated, cooking a proper supper and eating better lunches, been working on my course, and am back into my exercise routine. Today is a break day as I pushed things a bit hard but I'm going grocery shopping and going to the mall for frozen yogurt and plan to window shop just to walk the mall a bit and count that as my activities (hey beats sitting on the couch/computer). 

[Faervel17]

I'm not doing so good this week at cutting out the crap. I'm also really saddened to know that the challenge is half over. Oh well....I AM going to continue out this challenge strong because I've been doing so good in other areas.

[WildColonialGrrl]

]

I'm also really saddened to know that the challenge is half over. Oh well....I AM going to continue out this challenge strong because I've been doing so good in other areas.

That's it, keep your chin up! There is still half to go and you would no doubt have learnt a heap about how emotions affect your eating habits in the last few weeks. Focus and learning from what you observe have got to be just as important in the long term as meeting any challenges you have set for yourself.

Stay strong. You CAN do it!

[Georges]

  Focus and learning from what you observe have got to be just as important in the long term as meeting any challenges you have set for yourself.

A lot of the really successful rebels had to learn this during their first challenge!

 

When I'm discouraged at all about how a challenge is going, first I look back to how things were before I started it and think about how far I've come.  Then I think for a minute what I would be doing if I weren't in the challenge.  Generally, I find that either I'm doing better than I thought I was (even if I'm not earning any points), or that I'm doing better than I would be doing without NerdFitness to remind me of my goals & progress, or (usually) both.

[Faervel17]

Your very right! When I feel good I am okay with cooking and eating good but when I am down emotionally I resort to junk food. and processed food which only makes things worse. I also learned that week before my menstrual cycle I crave anything and everything chocolaty or sweet like iced cream, chocolate, cookies, etc. All of it I just can't shake it either so I'm finding some healthier recipes that can curb that craving but not backtrack my progress. 

Weekend was amazing, sun was out for the first time all year and the snow is still there but just around the yard so we played outside. Played ourselves out and learned how out of shape we really are. Think I'm going to move my work out to earlier in the day as I was active all weekend but then was too tired to to my entire workout by the evening so ended up just focusing on half one day and the other half the next day. 

[WildColonialGrrl]

When/If you get hormonal chocolate bender thing sorted please, please share! I think what the hell, I just ate ALL the things, then I look at the calendar. There has to be a way around it...

[Faervel17]

I'm still working on the chocolate thing. I'm supposed to bleed Monday so I've been fighting it all week so far and it's been a challenge. I made some "healthy" brownies that didn't taste good at all, other than that just working on limiting how much I have. 

Because I have been anticipating being down for a few days I've been working out harder and pushing myself more because then my 1-2 days rest will be well deserved if not needed. Did a huge workout the first two days and then my program yesterday was supposed to be a rest day but I balked that and did my beginner body weight workout plus went for a short but intense run with my husband at sunset. Today I have to do my program again and then again tomorrow and I'm off to the lake for the weekend. Thinking I'll "rest" Saturday but we'll be teaching 2 of our kids how to ride bikes properly (we live on a farm) and taking them to the park. And then Sunday morning I have another short run with the hubby planned. 

[Faervel17]

So I ended up being sick all weekend even though I was away and yesterday was the first day I started to feel better today I'm out of bed but not moving fast. I hope to back into routine tomorrow but I do need one more day of leisure and rest. 

I have to quit being so hard on myself and remind myself this is my first challenge, my first attempt it's okay to be trying my best but not know what kinks would get in my way.