sicil - lapsed Ninja with a funny belly, challenge #1

[sicil]

I'm a 20-something working professional living on the Canadian west coast. I work long hours in the creative industry and relax over video games & engaging books. I used to be a high-level ninja - 10 years ago, I was a black belt martial arts instructor. The reflexes and training are still there, but hampered by an old injury and an abysmal lack of stamina.

Confession first: I've let myself off easy. Due to my diminutive height, it's been easy to feel like I'm doing 'all right' when compared to everyone else. I'm an avid hiker from spring to fall, and have recently gone car-free, so I walk, bike, and transit everywhere. I also squeeze in yoga at least once a week. I figured that was a good enough strategy to shed the winter weight once the parkas came off. (That was a joke.)

What changed: This year, I've been disturbed by a few instances when strangers assumed that I was pregnant. I've even had one woman try to give me her seat on the bus. It was the worst feeling in the world. (Nothing against pregnant women at all. You ladies are beautiful. I'm just not one of you.) With a friend's resort wedding coming up (not much to hide behind on those sandy white beaches), I've made the commitment to take the reins to my health and form a consistent, habit-forming lifestyle that appeals to me.

Starting stats:
5'3, 140 pounds
Belly: 34"
 

-- CHALLENGE --

 

Workout At Least 4x / Week: +2 STR, +3 STA
Deets: targeted training routines, including interval training, tabata-inspired sets, etc.
A: 4x+ / week, 30 min each
B: 4x / week, 30 min each
C: 3x / a week
D: 2x / a week
F: Sitting on my ass

Eat a Clean Diet: +5 CON
Deets: starting with this meal plan with a few substitutions, limited to 2 meals 'free' per week
A: Follow the plan, 100%
B: Slip up once or twice
C: Slip up more than that
D: Slip in fast food
F: Give up and crawl under a rock. Or become said rock.

Lose 2" off my "Pregnant" Belly: +4 DEX
Deets: measurements weekly
A: Lose 2"
B: Lose 1"
C: Lose 0.5"
D: No inches lost
F: Inches gained

Still Finding The Time To Game: +1 WIS
Deets: crack open the console at least once a week
A: WIN! (no brainer)
F: LOSE the easiest challenge ever...

That's all I got so far. Feedback appreciated!

[abs]

Woop woop! Great goals, definitely achievable!

"diminutive height" you have a good three inches on me!

Love hiking too!

Good luck on your journey, I hope this is an enjoyable six weeks for you!

(too many !!!s I know.. this is all very exciting tho!)

[sicil]

Woop woop! Great goals, definitely achievable!

"diminutive height" you have a good three inches on me!

Love hiking too!

Good luck on your journey, I hope this is an enjoyable six weeks for you!

(too many !!!s I know.. this is all very exciting tho!)

 

Haha, I can now officially change my race to 'giant.'

I'd like to train up to do the West Coast Trail in my backyard by next year. Maybe next challenge!

Good luck to you as well! Envious that you have dogs = instant motivation!

[Montblanc]

Omg. Someone thought I was preggers at one point too! Lol. I can't help it though, I really *REALLY* like those empire waist dresses ya know? XD It tends to hide my fat well. XD
I like your goals and wish you the best!! I just youtube Tabata, that looks scary! ^^;

[sicil]

Omg. Someone thought I was preggers at one point too! Lol. I can't help it though, I really *REALLY* like those empire waist dresses ya know? XD It tends to hide my fat well. XD

I like your goals and wish you the best!! I just youtube Tabata, that looks scary! ^^;

 

Thanks Montblanc! I hate it that fashions never look good except on skinny waif models.

Tabata - I did this one last night and practically had a heart attack! I've heard great things about interval training in general.

[Montblanc]

Thanks Montblanc! I hate it that fashions never look good except on skinny waif models.

Tabata - I did this one last night and practically had a heart attack! I've heard great things about interval training in general.

 

You did that?! That's crazy! And without a video?! You have motivation!!! XD 

(Pins it) 

Everything I do has to be with video. I think interval training is good too!

I'm going to keep checking up on you too throughout this challenge. Youre the first person I've talked TALKED to in this entire site making you my first friend. Lol. 

[sicil]

You did that?! That's crazy! And without a video?! You have motivation!!! XD 

(Pins it) 

Everything I do has to be with video. I think interval training is good too!

I'm going to keep checking up on you too throughout this challenge. Youre the first person I've talked TALKED to in this entire site making you my first friend. Lol. 

The planks-into-pushups KILLED me!

Usually I have to have a video, but her instructions were pretty specific. I think videos are good for the first bit, but once you get familiar with the exercises then you can build your own.

Looking forward to more of your updates!

[Effie_]

Hey, don't forget pregnant bellies are beautiful! And non-pregnant bellies are also beautiful!

[sicil]

Hey, don't forget pregnant bellies are beautiful! And non-pregnant bellies are also beautiful!

Yes, this is a good reminder. No offense to all of my pregnant lady friends out there!

[TankGrrl]

Good looking goals!

 

I'm slightly scared by your ninja baddass'ry 

Good luck with the challenge.

[sicil]

Good looking goals!

 

I'm slightly scared by your ninja baddass'ry 

Good luck with the challenge.

Cheers and thanks! Quick question - do we start updates under new threads? Or just as comments on the original one?

[TankGrrl]

Cheers and thanks! Quick question - do we start updates under new threads? Or just as comments on the original one?

 

Just post them here in your own challenge thread. That way your lovely friends *wave* can subscribe and come back and check on your updates.

[sicil]

Just post them here in your own challenge thread. That way your lovely friends *wave* can subscribe and come back and check on your updates.

Ah gotcha, that makes organizational sense. Thanks! *wave*

[Nara]

Hey~ Seems like your gaming to get in game! I know how the letting yourself go feels, did that myself before picking back up not too long ago~ But your gunna conquer Hyrule with your Mastersword of goals and those temples won't have nothin' on you! You got this challenge *3*

And maybe if people mistake yer belly for a preggers belly you can tell them you just got your ninja equipment hidden down thurr xD hahaha

[sicil]

Hey~ Seems like your gaming to get in game! I know how the letting yourself go feels, did that myself before picking back up not too long ago~ But your gunna conquer Hyrule with your Mastersword of goals and those temples won't have nothin' on you! You got this challenge *3*

And maybe if people mistake yer belly for a preggers belly you can tell them you just got your ninja equipment hidden down thurr xD hahaha

Hey Nara, thanks for the words of encouragement and geeky references! Having such a wonderful support network definitely helps me in my ninja journey!

I think I'm gonna have to get me some huge-ass throwing stars to tuck into my clothes...

[ManicSpider]

I had the opposite problem when I was 8 months' pregnant. Because I was quite large to start with, a new girl at work had no idea I was having a baby in a month! *lol* I was like "GAH! I swear my tummy doesn't normally look like this!" 

 

I've always wanted to go to Canada. Is the area you're in nice? Also, I'd be really keen to hear what you read. 

 

Best of luck with the challenge!

[ispysteph]

What changed: This year, I've been disturbed by a few instances when strangers assumed that I was pregnant. I've even had one woman try to give me her seat on the bus. It was the worst feeling in the world. (Nothing against pregnant women at all. You ladies are beautiful. I'm just not one of you.) With a friend's resort wedding coming up (not much to hide behind on those sandy white beaches), I've made the commitment to take the reins to my health and form a consistent, habit-forming lifestyle that appeals to me.

 

My friend at university is now pregnant and does this thing where she links her fingers together and rests them on her growing belly- and I find I am starting to do this without thinking!! Oh gosh..

 

I'm so glad you confessed what you expected/ what really happened- it's refreshing to see and how you're learning from it as a result. 

 

Your goals look really good

[sicil]

I had the opposite problem when I was 8 months' pregnant. Because I was quite large to start with, a new girl at work had no idea I was having a baby in a month! *lol* I was like "GAH! I swear my tummy doesn't normally look like this!" 

 

I've always wanted to go to Canada. Is the area you're in nice? Also, I'd be really keen to hear what you read. 

 

Best of luck with the challenge!

Hello yummy mummy! I don't think any of us should ever have to apologize for *being* pregnant.

Canada is amazing, and I'm pretty lucky. I'm in Vancouver, which rains too much... then the sun comes out and we all stop complaining. I did a trip out to the Rockies this month and re-discovered glaciers and glacial lakes. I have never been such a motivated hiker.

I used to read a lot of high fantasy, but now dabble in everything as long as it keeps my attention. Having grown up with Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, I'm trying to make my way through The Crystal Singer, but it just isn't grabbing me. I devoured Ender's Game (top 5) and all subsequent sequels (middling to good). Good writing and original concepts/characters are huge for me. Any suggestions?

By the way, just noticed that you're a fan of Bioshock. Way to game.

[sicil]

My friend at university is now pregnant and does this thing where she links her fingers together and rests them on her growing belly- and I find I am starting to do this without thinking!! Oh gosh..

 

I'm so glad you confessed what you expected/ what really happened- it's refreshing to see and how you're learning from it as a result. 

 

Your goals look really good

Well, at least you know that if you pretend to be pregnant, the whole world will be much nicer in response. That might help with your goal of striking up conversations with complete strangers?

Thanks a lot for the encouragement! I believe for change to occur, there has to be a tipping point somewhere. This has been a great way to both gain support and reinforce accountability, so I'm excited to see where the journey will take us all!

[ManicSpider]

Hello yummy mummy! I don't think any of us should ever have to apologize for *being* pregnant.

Canada is amazing, and I'm pretty lucky. I'm in Vancouver, which rains too much... then the sun comes out and we all stop complaining. I did a trip out to the Rockies this month and re-discovered glaciers and glacial lakes. I have never been such a motivated hiker.

I used to read a lot of high fantasy, but now dabble in everything as long as it keeps my attention. Having grown up with Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, I'm trying to make my way through The Crystal Singer, but it just isn't grabbing me. I devoured Ender's Game (top 5) and all subsequent sequels (middling to good). Good writing and original concepts/characters are huge for me. Any suggestions?

By the way, just noticed that you're a fan of Bioshock. Way to game.

 

 

The Pern novels were the first fantasy books I chose to read myself When I was kid my Mum read me the Hobbit and then gave me Lord of the Rings but when I was a teen most of what I read was Sweet Valley High or Agatha Christie or The Scarlet Pimpernel. I've never read Ender's Game, though I keep meaning too. Everyone keeps saying how good it is! At the moment I'm loving Lois McMaster Bujold - she writes brilliant Space Opera - and I'm also reading through the Hornblower series. I'm keen on Napoleonic nauticals That reminds me that Temerraire was a great book - the Napoleonic Wars but with dragons providing an airforce. It was a fun read. 

 

I dabble in photography, and I dissolved into a puddle of "Oh, I want to go there!" when you mentioned glaciers and glacial lakes.Every now and then when I'm bored I go on the Canada real estate sites and daydream 

 

Bioshock has me hooked - the ending of Infinite was so good! Now I'm back in Skyrim though I've been tossing up whether to re-play Borderlands 2. Do you have a favourite game? 

[sicil]

The Pern novels were the first fantasy books I chose to read myself When I was kid my Mum read me the Hobbit and then gave me Lord of the Rings but when I was a teen most of what I read was Sweet Valley High or Agatha Christie or The Scarlet Pimpernel. I've never read Ender's Game, though I keep meaning too. Everyone keeps saying how good it is! At the moment I'm loving Lois McMaster Bujold - she writes brilliant Space Opera - and I'm also reading through the Hornblower series. I'm keen on Napoleonic nauticals That reminds me that Temerraire was a great book - the Napoleonic Wars but with dragons providing an airforce. It was a fun read. 

 

I dabble in photography, and I dissolved into a puddle of "Oh, I want to go there!" when you mentioned glaciers and glacial lakes.Every now and then when I'm bored I go on the Canada real estate sites and daydream 

 

Bioshock has me hooked - the ending of Infinite was so good! Now I'm back in Skyrim though I've been tossing up whether to re-play Borderlands 2. Do you have a favourite game?

Cool, I'll put all of your suggestions on my list! But I might not get so far because, y'know, video games. Ursula Le Guin remains one of my most favourite authors of all time. The way she writes... pure joy.

Canada may be nice to look at... but then you look at Vancouver's ridiculous housing prices and you remember why you don't live here.

For nostalgia, my favourite video game of all time would have to be Xenogears. Current generation, I'd say Mass Effect - the storyline lured me away from RPGs, probably forever. But then Bioshock took that to a whole new level. I love meticulously-crafted narrative experiences, regardless of the genre!

[rogaecia]

These are awesome and definitely attainable goals.

I can sympathize with people assuming I am pregnant. This just happened the other day at work. I wear baby doll dresses and I am not sure if that made it worse.

Cheers to kicking butt!

[sicil]

These are awesome and definitely attainable goals.

I can sympathize with people assuming I am pregnant. This just happened the other day at work. I wear baby doll dresses and I am not sure if that made it worse.

Cheers to kicking butt!

I loooove baby doll dresses. I love dresses! I guess we'll just have to find another style that works for our bodies.

Cheers to you too! Looking forward to seeing more updates.

[peggysr]

Nice specific goals!

 

I too am in awe of your ninja skills.  I'm a lifelong non-athlete, so this is new territory for me.  Making it through the first six week challenge was probably the longest I've stuck with exercising.

 

I've been pregnant and loved it, but I totally agree with not wanting people to think I look pregnant when I'm not.  Those empire waistlines are so flattering though...

 

Yay for book buddies.  Has anyone read books by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller.  They write wonderful space opera, and I'm hooked on their books.  I read a LOT, especially fluff.  It's a nice break from the job, the kids, the rat race.

[Kohakuu]

Go Sicil! Achieve your goals! Don't become a rock! Rocks are boring! Boring things are boring! I don't know where I'm going with this! Oh, right! Go Sicil! Do awesome things! Yeah!