Nicks_Scotland continuing the adventure - part 2

[Nicks_Scotland]

1.  Make at least 1 never-done-before primal main meal per week!

 

How to achieve:

I’ve discovered pinterest recently and there’s a plethora of recipes and ideas for all things primal, so it shouldn’t be hard.  I need to make sure I plan ahead so that any ingredients I need I have in (supermarket in my small village is iffy at best, so I need to get ingredients while up in the big city/online etc).

 

Grading:

6+ new meals = A

4/5 new meals = B

3 new meals = C

1/2 new meals = F

 

Life points:

CON + 2, WIS +2

 

2.  Swim 3 times a week.

 

How to achieve:

An activity challenge that isn’t weather dependent!  So I have no excuses for this one!  The pool is a 5 min walk from my home/work.  Lunch hour swims are the way forward.  It may become more difficult into July as the school holidays means the pool will be full of kids and lane swimming becomes impossible.  Pretty sure they have lanes up in the morning 8 -9, so I can swim before work (means getting out of bed early though!!). 

 

Grading:

18 swims = A

12 - 17 swims = B

6 – 11 swims = C

<6 swims = F

 

Life points:

STA +1, STR +1, DEX +1

 

3.  Burn 700 calories 5 times per week

 

How to achieve:

Basically, I eat at maintenance (I count my calories religiously), so I need to burn to lose weight. 700 x 5 = 3500 which is a lb (so they say).   I workout 5 times a week anyway, burning anywhere from 500 – 900 cals, so this it to just make sure I get it all in and don’t start slacking!

 

EDIT:  I think a weekly goal of 3500 will be backup, so if one day I don't hit 700, as long as the total is over 3500 then it's still an A for the week.  Allows for a little movement on days where the gym is closed etc!!

 

Grading:

30 days = A

24 – 29 days = B

18 – 23 days = C

<18 days = F

 

Life points:

STA +2, STR +2, DEX +2

 

4.  Read 3 books

 

How to achieve:

I’ll admit right now that I have all 3 “shades of Grey†books sitting in my living room, I’ve had them probably over a year and haven’t even opened them.  I watch too much tv and haven't read a book in way too long, so I’m gonna get round to reading all 3 books to see what the fuss was all about!   

 

Grading:

3 books read = A

2 books read = B

1 book read = C

Not even finished the first book = F

 

Life points:

WIS + 1, CHA + 1

[Teros]

g/f read the 50 shades series.  She said it was like a very light dominatrix Twilight series.  idk if that means you'll like it or hate it, but that's how it was described to me.  I should probably have a reading goal too.  I have so many unfinished books that every time I think about it my ocd wants to punch me in the face.  I'm on circle 7 of 9 in the divine comedy/dante's inferno.  I also wanted to start Paradise Lost.  I believe it's a huge undertaking so i've shied away.

 

let us know what meals you end up making.  maybe it'll help others too.  I know I'm running a little low on ideas for dinners. good luck and have fun!

[chickie.monkey]

Great goals! Swimming is one of my goals, too!

 

I'm training with the Rangers this time around, but come visit me! I'll be stopping by to cheer you on. Can't wait to see what you do this time!

[MPats130]

Reading more and trying new paleo recipes are some of my goals too! 

 

Are there any farmer's markets near by where you live? That's where I plan on getting some of ingredients this summer.  Mark's Daily Apple is always posting delicious-looking recipes, so could be another reference for you. 

 

Best of luck crushing your goals!

[Tateman]

I think during my challenge I'll be trying out some paleo recipes too.  Once step at a time though  I use to have a community pool less then 5 minutes walking distance.  Never really swam there, it was more go and have fun with the kids time   Good luck with your goals

[Blaidd]

welcome back nicks. you're going to do fab this challenge. i train at the olympic pool in summer (it's outdoors) and i love it, but can't do it in winter - ever been in the atlantic in winter? - so gotta think of other ways to entertain myself. good luck xx

 

I'm training with the Rangers this time around, but come visit me! I'll be stopping by to cheer you on. Can't wait to see what you do this time!

w00t!!!  we're sorry to be losing you, but so glad you've moved to the rangers - lucky them.

[Teros]

you leave my rubber workouts outta this !

 

You know, you could always.... grow... some paleo stuff for the fun of it.  I'll be planting green beans this week.  It's not 1 of my challenge goals but it's just something i'd like to try.  If it goes well- say hello to a bunch of pepper-plants.

[Effie_]

What are you doing to burn so many calories per workout on a regular basis?

[Nicks_Scotland]

Been missing in action since I posted my goals as my mum and sister were up visiting and I did nothing but eat (badly).  It wasn't good!  I'll do replies here then a proper update in another post....  Thanks for posting though!

 

Reading more and trying new paleo recipes are some of my goals too! 

 

Are there any farmer's markets near by where you live? That's where I plan on getting some of ingredients this summer.  Mark's Daily Apple is always posting delicious-looking recipes, so could be another reference for you. 

 

Best of luck crushing your goals!

 

There's a farmers market every now and then in my village, but not regularly enough that I can get some better ingredients.   Supermarket will have to do for now!   I've seen a few good ones on Mark's Daily Apple.  I'll let you know how they go!

 

I think during my challenge I'll be trying out some paleo recipes too.  Once step at a time though  I use to have a community pool less then 5 minutes walking distance.  Never really swam there, it was more go and have fun with the kids time   Good luck with your goals

I'm really not a great cook at all, I'm looking forward to experimenting though.  As my mum always says, if you can read you can cook!     I don't have kids (or even like kids! haha).  I want a big empty pool all to myself so I can swim and get a good workout!

 

 

welcome back nicks. you're going to do fab this challenge. i train at the olympic pool in summer (it's outdoors) and i love it, but can't do it in winter - ever been in the atlantic in winter? - so gotta think of other ways to entertain myself. good luck xx

 

Thanks, day 1 didn't go to plan! eeek.  But I'm determined that day 2 will be the real start.....  Outdoor pools - brrrrrr (even in summer here I recon that would be brrrrrr!).   I'll stick to my heated indoor ones

 

you leave my rubber workouts outta this !

 

You know, you could always.... grow... some paleo stuff for the fun of it.  I'll be planting green beans this week.  It's not 1 of my challenge goals but it's just something i'd like to try.  If it goes well- say hello to a bunch of pepper-plants.

But they sound like soooo much fun!

 

I wish I had the space to think about growing stuff.  I live in a block of 4 flats, we've a communal garden out the back, but it's just grass and space to hang our washing.   Also, I can barely keep alive the cactus plant that I have on my desk at work, so actually growing food - it's doubtful.  Look forward to hearing how yours are going though!

 

What are you doing to burn so many calories per workout on a regular basis?

 

I do 2 classes 4 days a week.  First class is a bodyweight exercise class, then the second is normally spinning.  I normally hit 350 per class, so 700 should be easy.  I'm rather hardcore when it comes to workingout, I go all out and beast it everytime.

[Nicks_Scotland]

My plan for the week between challenges was to be a recovery week exercise wise (it was, only did 4 classes instead of 8 and a gym session).  My food plan was to stay as much on primal as I could (maybe a few treats) and definitely keep to my calories.  This didn't happen.  Mon - Wed were fine, then Thursday onwards was a complete disaster!  I ate waaaay over my cals and primal went out the window.    Not beating myself up about it cos I rocked the 6 weeks prior and I'm about to rock the 6 weeks coming.  

 

That being said, day one wasn't good either!!

 

Everything was going smoothly til lunchtime.  I took my long lunch and headed to the gym for my bodyweight exercise class, only to get there and be told that there was an exhibition in the studio and classes were cancelled.  Raging.  I went to the gym instead and burned 350 cals (I love my HRM).  I knew that spinning wasn't on in the evening cos of the stupid exhibition so that kinda put me all wrong.  I didn't want to go to the gym twice and I got really annoyed with the whole situation.   Needless to say on the way home from work I got chinese takeout, a couple of bottles of cider and some ice cream!  Ooops.  I actually ate so much that I felt sore and sick!  

 

I did, however, make my first primal meal of the challenge which will see me through the next few days,  - apricot chicken.   I'm loving the slow cooker, so easy!!

 

  

 

 

I also have started today well and I have my swim stuff with me, all ready for a lunch time swim.  Then I've arke and spinning class after work.  That should make up for yesterday's blip.  And I'm gonna start book 1 tonight and I can read some more during the lunch hours that I'm not swimming.  

 

I'm a planner, if I have things all planned out - it works better for me.   Can't wait to be a few days in, the sugar should all have gone from my system then and it'll be easier to stay on plan!

[Tateman]

Even with a rough evening to day one, it's good to see you bounce right back on it

 

That apricot chicken looks good.  I need to get some slow cooker recipes going too.  Are you using a cookbook, or finding things online?  

[Mother_of_Dragons]

Hi, great goals! I love swimming and I love reading. I measure swimming by how many lengths I can do in a certain amount of time. As for reading, DO NOT read the Fifty Shades Series, they're terrible. Worst drivel I've ever had the misery of suffering through. I'd be happy to make some recommendations if you have a a specific genre you like to read?

[rangersmith0930]

mmmm... That chicken looks yummy! I was going to do a crock-pot chicken recipe, but life happened today. I will save it for tomorrow I guess. 50 Shades isn't exactly quality lit, but I enjoyed reading them and heckling characters in my head and with others who had read them. hahaha

[falll]

Wow, you are a very determined lady. Very admirable. I wish my community had a pool, I would go swimming every chance I had.

 

You're apricot chicken looks delicious. My stomach rumbled when I saw the pictures, lol! Looking forward to seeing what else you'll cook up. Have fun reading!

[Nicks_Scotland]

Even with a rough evening to day one, it's good to see you bounce right back on it

 

That apricot chicken looks good.  I need to get some slow cooker recipes going too.  Are you using a cookbook, or finding things online?  

Online for just about everything.  I discovered pinterest and that's got heaps of recipes that I'm gonna try out.  The apricot chicken one is here:  http://paleoinpdx.com/2013/01/25/simple-supper-friday-slow-cooker-apricot-chicken/

 

And it's delicious!

 

Hi, great goals! I love swimming and I love reading. I measure swimming by how many lengths I can do in a certain amount of time. As for reading, DO NOT read the Fifty Shades Series, they're terrible. Worst drivel I've ever had the misery of suffering through. I'd be happy to make some recommendations if you have a a specific genre you like to read?

I did my first swim at lunch today.  Had the whole pool to myself except for one other guy that was also doing laps.  You shouldda seen his body!  wow.  Aaannnnyway.  I just do breaststroke for 20 mins continuous.  I can't do crawl anymore cos my back is fecked and when I try it really aggravates it.  So breaststroke all the way.  Not really sure on calorie burn, my HRM isn't waterproof (meh).  MFP says 254 for 20 mins but it's always high on it's numbers so I'm going for 175.  As for 50 shades, too late, I'm onto the second chapter.  I hate to say it but I love trashy stuff! lol   I'm a series girl too, anything that has a few books with an ongoing story is for me.  Harry Potter, dragon tattoo, hunger games and on.....

 

 

On to today's proper update:

I'm back in the game!  Good and proper on the way to 6 weeks of goal achieving amazeballs.  

 

In summary:

1.  Primal meal of the week made and eaten - was yummy too!

2.  First swim of the week done!

3.  Burned 989 cals in exercise (175 swim, 330 body weight class, 484 swimming).   That makes up for yesterday's low 350!

4.  Started book 1 of 50 shades of trashy-I-don't-care-who-knows-I-like-it grey!!

 

Now I need to go shower and eat (primal of course my dears!!!)

 

xx

[Effie_]

 

 

 

I do 2 classes 4 days a week.  First class is a bodyweight exercise class, then the second is normally spinning.  I normally hit 350 per class, so 700 should be easy.  I'm rather hardcore when it comes to workingout, I go all out and beast it everytime.

Yeah, that sounds hella hardcore. You go!

[Teros]

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." -churchill.

 

As long as you caught yourself and are already back on track then you're doing great.  far too often 1 screw up during the day can lead to 1-2 bad meals, and then a few day binge and self-loathing.  downward spiral.  chinese is my weakness but that is my only cheat-meal.  And since it is takeout from a buffet, I get to fill the container with certain foods in priority.  1) fill 60% of my container with sesame green beans and broccoli. 2) get some chow mein. 3) get a couple spring rolls. 4) fill remaining small space with 'bad' stuff like general tso's or noodles and beef teriyaki. 5) get CHOPSTICKS since they take forever to eat with. 

 

It's worked like a charm the past 6 weeks.

 

and I have an idea what book series mother-of-dragons would suggest.... or should I call you... KHALEESI!

[Tateman]

Nice work so far!  When I saw your post about the slow cooker, I spent a lot of time today checking out crockpot/slowcooker recipes.   I was surprised at just how much in out there.  Paleo and non paleo.  Thanks for the link.  I might have to make some very soon

[chickie.monkey]

Girrrrrl! That recipe looks nomalicious! Thanks for the link! This is our favorite slow cooker recipe. We have it once a week. http://paleomg.com/honey-ginger-apple-shredded-pork/

 

Keep posting recipes. Maybe we can trade.

 

I'm taking my first spin spin class tonight. I'm excited, but scared that it will kill me. Wish me luck!

[Muryanp]

Wow, really nicely set, your challenge!

Congrats!

 

I'll be sure to keep an eye on it, it looks like there are tons of stuff for me to learn here

 

As for the reading goal: yay you! I'm a bookworm, so I'm all in for books and stuff.

Never read this series, though, I think i dont actually get the appeal. Anyway, hope you can have lots of good times with it.

 

A great first week to us all!

o/

[Nicks_Scotland]

Girrrrrl! That recipe looks nomalicious! Thanks for the link! This is our favorite slow cooker recipe. We have it once a week. http://paleomg.com/honey-ginger-apple-shredded-pork/

 

Keep posting recipes. Maybe we can trade.

 

I'm taking my first spin spin class tonight. I'm excited, but scared that it will kill me. Wish me luck!

 

Chickie doll, I have pork in the freezer, I am so making this next week.  Looks amazing!

 

Hope your spin class goes well, it really does get easier the more you go and it's such a big calorie burn!  Let me know how it goes!

 

As for the reading goal: yay you! I'm a bookworm, so I'm all in for books and stuff.

Never read this series, though, I think i dont actually get the appeal. Anyway, hope you can have lots of good times with it.

 

I'm about half way through the first book, it's pure filth but it's a very easy read!  Perfect for a single gal like me! haha

 

I recon I'll be through all 3 books well within the 6 week challenge time frame.  I'll start another series, one with maybe a bit more story to it.  Suggestions welcome!

[Nicks_Scotland]

End of day 3 and Monday's blip seems like a lifetime away.  Back on it 100% with a vengeance.

 

1.  I currently have a chilli in my slow cooker, I figured I needed something so I can at least alternate meals.  Apricot chicken everyday would be a wee bit boring!  I didn't really follow a recipe for this, I just tried to decide what veg would go good in a chili (went for red and orange peppers, courgette and of course onion and a tin of tomatoes).  Then i checked recipes for the spices I should be using, cos I know that there's normally more than just the actual chilli powder.  Luckily I had them in my cupboard, so it's also got cumin, paprika and garlic.  Here's hoping it's good!  It's lunch for tomorrow so I'll report back!

2.  No swim today

3.  914 cals burned (443 cross training and 417 spinning).  I am still in love with my Wednesday classes.

4.  Read a bit more of the insatiable Mr Grey during my lunch hour.  Will be finished it in no time.

 

Really need to get my ass to bed, it's late!  Before I go though, I'd like to point out that during my last challenge, I moaned non-stop about the crappy Scottish weather and how it was still snowing, raining and blowing a gale most days!   You'll notice I haven't mentioned the weather in this challenge yet, mostly because I'm scared I'll jinx it.  It's been glorious for about a week now, like glorious so much that I have my kitchen and livingroom windows open and it's 12.37am and it's still warm.  YAY for summer finally arriving!  

 

Night all! xx

[Muryanp]

 Suggestions welcome!

 

Well, (a little bit late, I recognize, but it's because literature classes here in Brazil suck) I recently read The Catcher in the Rye. Man, what a fenomenal book it is! And following it I read the Perks Of Being a Wallflower - although it was made into a movie I havent seen it yet. I would suggest those ones, but i guess they're pretty obvious choices and might have already been read.

If they are done readings, I'd suggest my two favorite books of all times: One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Márquez) and Blindness (José Saramago).

Just realized that there is also a movie on Blindness. But I dont think it makes the book justice.

 

o/

[Teros]

if your looking for series; I suggest The Dark Tower by stephen king.  It's hard to pinpoint what exactly is going on during the series simply because of how outside the box it is.  It's kind of like a future apocalypse plus a western plus a time travel sci-fi horror thing... It's really weird.  Also, this was the series King wanted to write, but was too scared to so he instead wrote 27 spin-off books about it.  A lot of them tie into it over his lifetime.  Very weird but insanly good as the story continues.

[chickie.monkey]

Chickie doll, I have pork in the freezer, I am so making this next week.  Looks amazing!

 

Hope your spin class goes well, it really does get easier the more you go and it's such a big calorie burn!  Let me know how it goes!

Girl!! My arse is SO freakin sore!!! :distress:   I am having a very hard time sitting down! I just wish someone had warned me about how much the seat was going to hurt! Other than that, I had a great time. I couldn't walk when class was over and I was pretty sure I was going to cry and/or yak, but it was fun. I'm totally going back next week (with a gel seat cover!)

 

Well, (a little bit late, I recognize, but it's because literature classes here in Brazil suck) I recently read The Catcher in the Rye. Man, what a fenomenal book it is! And following it I read the Perks Of Being a Wallflower - although it was made into a movie I havent seen it yet. I would suggest those ones, but i guess they're pretty obvious choices and might have already been read.

If they are done readings, I'd suggest my two favorite books of all times: One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Márquez) and Blindness (José Saramago).

Just realized that there is also a movie on Blindness. But I dont think it makes the book justice.

 

o/

I didn't realize the Perks of Being a Wallflower was a book. I've seen the movie, and it was AMAZING. I'm definitely going to have to read the book.