LuckyMe Starts Over

[Wandern]

Last challenge had mixed results for me: on one hand, I did finally get into those shorts and I made it through most of my to-do list. But on the other, I completely failed on the diet-watching goals, and an upper back injury kept me out of the gym. I can feel the strength I’ve gained in the past year draining away. So, I feel like I’m starting all over again. Sob.
 
Goal 1: I do not miss workouts.

Strategy: Get my body up and to the gym at least 3 times a week.

18 possible points. A=17+, B=15-16, C=13-14 anything less is a fail. +3 STR, +1 STA, +1 DEX

I’m still not supposed to do strength training for my upper body for at least the first week of the challenge.  It’s been a month since I’ve had my early morning workout, and I’ve gotten out of the habit. Even if it’s just to do some cardio, I need to develop the early workout habit again.

Goal 2:  I live mindfully.

Strategy: Meditate 10 minutes 5 days a week, minimum

30 possible points. A=28-30, B=25-27, C= 22-24  Anything less is a fail. +2 CHA, +2 WIS, +1 CON

I’ve tried this one before. Let’s see if I do any better this time.
Goal 3: I do not waste time.

Time-wasting habits are keeping me from focusing and leveling up in some areas, but I’m not real sure how to make this into a SMART goal.  Here’s the attempt – I’m open to other ideas:

Here’s what’s bad: pointless web surfing/online shopping, excessive fiction reading, stupid digital games (solitaire, Mahjong, etc.)

Here’s what’s good: sewing, reading for professional/personal development, home/garden maintenance, trip planning, walking, time with family and friends.

Mini-goals:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points)
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points)
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points)
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point)
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point)
• Paint front porch (1 point)
• Family camping weekend (1 point)
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point)
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point)

42 possible points. A=40+, B=38-39, C= 36-37 - +1 DEX, +2 WIS, +1 CON

I’ve already deleted all games off the phone except Angry Birds (I’ve 3 stars on all Star Wars and Seasons levels – I don’t want to lose that data!). I won’t shop unless I need something (recent obsession with eBags has got to go – I do not need a new bag!). I will only check in to NerdFitness once a week – it’s too easy to spend a lot of time here.  I can read one novel a week – more is excessive.  I hate to paint myself into a corner by putting hourly limits on computer use – but I do need to be mindful of what I’m doing on-line and not let stupid stuff steal my life.

No walking goals this time: now that the weather is warm, I don’t need the extra incentive to get in the walking. And no diet goals this time: I’ll be avoiding grains and sugar for the most part, but don’t care to measure or otherwise be strict with the diet this time around.

[Me_]

I have had to start over a few times and it is always very rewarding because you get back to pace so much faster. It is a nice reminder that is something happens you really don't go back to 0 and if you do then it is like you are in double exp mode because your body remembers how to do the work outs and build the muscle you lost so it seems to do it my effecintly the 2 or 3 or 4 time around..

[I am Eve]

Good goals and interesting reflections.

As for me I actually count NF computertime as meaningful, it often inspires me to do something else or tend to myself.

I totally identify with the goal of not wasting time, but maybe it's extra important to allow for "cheat days" here?

Also, thinking of finding other activities for R&R, because you do play games to relax I guess. I mean exchanging the activities you do for other activities rather than not allowing certain games, etc

Sorry, it's late and I should be sleeping but I hope you understand ;-)

[ScurvySpider]

Good goals; I like em; although one is the opposite of mine (I want to visit NF MORE).

Want to make sure you saw the NF blog "5 ways to instantly become more productive" which mentions site-blocking software which I did use, and ultimately disabled after it helped me through the initial rough patch, where I'd go online for a business purpose and out of an almost unconscious habit, find myself clicking where I said I wouldn't go.

 

This is excellent:

not let stupid stuff steal my life.

Words to live by, both online-time-related & actually every-thing-in-the-world related.

[Thredith]

Hi - I had to write because I like sewing too and don't make time for it enough.  Living mindfully is a great goal.  I hope you keep us posted on how that goes for you.  Good luck on keeping up with your workouts!  This should be a great place for that!

[Wandern]

I have had to start over a few times and it is always very rewarding because you get back to pace so much faster. It is a nice reminder that is something happens you really don't go back to 0 and if you do then it is like you are in double exp mode because your body remembers how to do the work outs and build the muscle you lost so it seems to do it my effecintly the 2 or 3 or 4 time around..

 

Oh, I sure hope that's the case for me! I was sooo close to a pull-up. It would be really discouraging if I can't even bend my elbows again.

 

Good goals and interesting reflections.

As for me I actually count NF computertime as meaningful, it often inspires me to do something else or tend to myself.

I totally identify with the goal of not wasting time, but maybe it's extra important to allow for "cheat days" here?

Also, thinking of finding other activities for R&R, because you do play games to relax I guess. I mean exchanging the activities you do for other activities rather than not allowing certain games, etc

Sorry, it's late and I should be sleeping but I hope you understand ;-)

 

Hi Evenewbie! Great to see you here again!  My gaming lately has been game after game of Solitaire  embarrassingly. It's mindless, I'm bored by it, and it's just a habit I want to replace with something equally enjoyable but more productive. Sewing is just as relaxing, and I can get surprising amounts done even in just 15 minutes at a go.  

 

Good goals; I like em; although one is the opposite of mine (I want to visit NF MORE).

Want to make sure you saw the NF blog "5 ways to instantly become more productive" which mentions site-blocking software which I did use, and ultimately disabled after it helped me through the initial rough patch, where I'd go online for a business purpose and out of an almost unconscious habit, find myself clicking where I said I wouldn't go.

 

This is excellent:

Words to live by, both online-time-related & actually every-thing-in-the-world related.

 

Hi again, Scurvy Spider! Nice to see familiar avatars! Thanks for the reminder on the site-blocking app. I keep hoping I can keep things under control without it... 

 

I agree with you, the folks here on NF are inspirational, and do keep me going - But if I'm on NF because I'm doing the inertia thing on the computer instead of doing something I say I want to do (like sew or read that book that's been on my list forever) then it's getting in the way of goals. But, you and Evienewbie may be right - one hour a week may not be enough. Hmmm.... 

 

Hi - I had to write because I like sewing too and don't make time for it enough.  Living mindfully is a great goal.  I hope you keep us posted on how that goes for you.  Good luck on keeping up with your workouts!  This should be a great place for that!

 

Thanks, Thredith! I'm hopeful that cutting out a bad habit will give me room to develop a good one. I've done some needlework and quilting for years, but since it's never been a habit, I've never really gotten good at it. And I want to get good at it. 

[livingroovy]

Great goals, LuckyMe!! Love that you are following the "I am someone" format. A lot of times it feels like we are starting over, only to discover that it all comes back quickly and great strides are made! Glad you are sticking to it and creating the life you want!

[Wandern]

Thanks, Groovy! Two steps forward, one back (I hope it's just the one)...

 

Week 1, Day 3 Check- in

 

Goal 1: Get lazy bones up to the gym 3x per week. I went Monday and today, so 2/18 points so far

 

Goal 2: Meditate 10 minutes 5x/week. Three times so far this week: 3/30

 

Goal 3: Task list:

 

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - 1.5 hours so far 1.5/18
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - done for the week: 1/6
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Reading One Small Step: the Kaizen Way - which I started for personal development, but there's a lot in there I can apply to the job, so I'm counting it: 1/12
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - nope
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - no progress
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - talking about it
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I've done some playing, but no reading
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.

The weekend's coming up, and I want to get the cars done, read and stitch after I get all the other normal stuff done.

[swaffe]

I love your goals, and I can totally relate to the wasting time, and I think its great that your trying to tackle it!

[Wandern]

Thanks, swaffe - time management is hard. There are so many ways to wast it!

 

Week 1 Day 7 Check-in

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) I managed all 3: 3/18 points

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): I at least attempted meditation for 10 minutes 5 days this week.

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - 3 hours done 3/18
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - done for the week: 1/6
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Read One Small Step: the Kaizen Way - which I started for personal development, but there's a lot in there I can apply to the job, so I'm counting it: 2/12
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - nope
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - no progress
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - talked about it
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I've done some playing, and a bit of reading. Still am not competent with the thing. Point and shoots have gotten very complicated.
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.

Nothing really completed on my task list. I need to rectify that this coming week. I've done a bunch of other things in the garden and around the house, but none "count." It's still weird not to have games on the phone - but I have reached for the book or done something productive when I find myself reaching for the easy entertainment, which is a win!

[livingroovy]

Great week 1 update! I think maybe you aren't giving yourself enough credit for the tasks you DID do- there's a lot on there! Great job with your workouts and meditation attempts

[Wandern]

Week 2 Day 4 Check-in

The biggest bit of progress was a trip to the physical therapist to do something about the back. There's a rib not moving as it should, so he popped things a good bit back there (felt like more than one rib needed mobilizing), and gave me some exercises. Says I should be back to normal in 2-4 weeks, and I can go back to weight training then. 

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) I managed all 3 already this week: 6/18 points

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): I at least attempted meditation for 10 minutes 3 days so far this week. 8/30

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - 1 hours done 4/18
  
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - not yet this week: 1/6
  
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Read a couple of papers related to a workshop I was attending:  4/12
  
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - nope
  
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - no progress
  
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress
  
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - talked about it some more, trying to fix a good weekend.
  
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I've done some playing, and a bit of reading. Still am not competent with the thing. 
  
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.
  

[I am Eve]

Weeell: if i isn't an excellent challenge start !!??

[Wandern]

Well, no - last week didn't feel like a great start. But I feel like I made up for it this week:

 

Week 2 Day 7 Check in:

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) I managed all 3 - one of them was a morning walk instead of gym visit, but I'm counting all exercise before breakfast: 6/18 points

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): I sat there and tried not to think about meditating 5 times this week: 10/30

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - 3 hours done 6/18
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - Done! it really is better if I keep on top of those weeds: 2/6
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Yup:  4/12
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - Done! (the hubby helped - poor guy vacuumed cars on Father's Day): 1
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - Done! Always more to do, but the stuff that was bugging me has been taken care of: 1
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - We have a clever plan: Next weekend! 
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I've done some playing, and a bit of reading. Still am not competent with the thing. 
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.

[livingroovy]

 

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): I sat there and tried not to think about meditating 5 times this week: 10/30

 

 

 

This made me laugh! lol it's a great start!!

 

And look at all the tasks you accomplished! Rock star!!!

[Chanda]

Awesome job on the challenge so far!!! Keep it up!!!

 

 

I am extending the meditation mini challenge another 3 days!!!! Mini-challenge now ends June 26th!

 

Keep meditating! And dont forget to log your times!

 

Together we can reach 24 hours! 

[Wandern]

Week 2 Day 7 Check-in:

 

I have discovered that the goal of camping out for the weekend is in direct conflict with most of my other time-use goals. And we didn't just camp - we backpacked this weekend. Didn't go far in, since it was a first for the girls and the first time in 16 years for me and the husband. We forgot some stuff, it rained all night, the black flies were awful - but it was still a good time. I'm not sure it's worth all the prep work just for one night, but we're meeting my parents for car-camping next weekend anyway (they have a trailer). So "free" time this week will be taken up with cleaning and organizing gear all over again...

 

Week 2 Day 7 Check in:

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) I managed all 3: 9/18 points

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): I've done more than the goal amounts for the Scarecrow challenge: 17/30

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - no sewing done this week. Holding at 6/18
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - No weeding done this week, but the deer came through and pretty well made it unnecessary, as the parts that needed weeding have no more veggie plants to try and protect: 2/6
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Nope:  4/12
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - Done!  1
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - Done!  1
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress - 
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - Done! and we plan on doing it again next weekend (even if nothing else gets accomplished): 1
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - Played with it some this weekend. We'll see what the pics look like on a big screen.
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.

[Sunmage]

Hey,

 

how is it going right now?

 

Do your girls love camping now?

[Wandern]

 

 

Do your girls love camping now?

 

We've car camped for several years with them, and they're really good campers. I think they'll start to enjoy backpacking now that they're big enough to carry their own gear. This past weekend was car camping, and we were next to some folks who stayed up *all night* talking, laughing, coughing, etc. I think they're starting to appreciate the solitude that backpacking can bring!

 

Week 4 Day 1 Check-in:

 

Busy, busy week. Didn't make much progress at all on the time-management goals. I am thinking they may have been a bit ambitious for the summer schedule, as this week doesn't look like it'll be any better: 

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) I managed all 3 last week, plus 1 today. The back is seeing some slow improvement, and with the Physical Therapist's approval, I'm cautiously moving back into the weight routines (Nerd Fitness Rebel series). Steve's post today was fortuitous.: 13/18 points

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): Did 5 last week, haven't done today's yet: 22/30

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - no sewing done this week. Holding at 6/18
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - No weeding done this week, but there's almost nothing out there anymore, thanks to the local wildlife (and I live in the suburbs!) 2/6
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - I did get this done:  6/12
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - Done!  1
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - Done!  1
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress - Even if I've not been gallivanting around camping the last couple weeks, it's been too wet to paint out there.
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - Done 2 times (can I get an extra point?): 1
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I haven't even moved pics over to the computer for screening yet. sigh.
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.

[Wandern]

Wait, what week is this? Is this Week 6 already? Geez...

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) I managed 2 last week, plus 1 today..: 16/18 points

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): Did 5 last week, plus today's: 28/30

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - no sewing done this week. Holding at 6/18
  
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - I did finally get caught up on the weeding. It's a sad, sad situation out there: there's not much left now that the weeds are gone. 3/6
  
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Not this week  6/12
  
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - Done!  1
  
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - Done!  1
  
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress - It finally dried out enough to paint, but we had other things going on.
  
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - Done 2 times (can I get an extra point?): 1
  
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I haven't even moved pics over to the computer for screening yet. sigh.
  
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.
  

[Wandern]

This challenge certainly was not the restart I was hoping it would be. The back issue seems finally to have turned the corner after almost 6 weeks of physical therapy. I did meet the get up and exercise goal, and even started gingerly doing weight workouts again - but I did lose a lot of strength. 

 

The meditating went much better this time than last-  Yay!

 

I did not make as much progress on the to do list as hoped. I made the list before the kids got out for the summer, and did not anticipate the change in schedule very well. I also succumbed to the siren call of escapist reading way too much. Got to break that habit!

 

So, at the end of this challenge, I'm a Level 6 Druid STR 11 | DEX 11 | STA 11 | CON 9 | WIS 13 | CHA 13

 

Goal 1: I do not miss a workout (3 gym visits a week) Got up 3 days last week: Final Score: 19/18 points: A +3 STR, +1 STA, +1 DEX

 

Goal 2: I live mindfully (10 minutes of meditation 5x a week): Did 5 last week: Final Score: 33/30 A +2 CHA, +2 WIS, +1 CON

 

Goal 3: I do not waste time. Final Score: 20.5 points - total failure

 

Tasks:

• Sew 3 hours weekly. (18 points) - no sewing done this week. Final Score: 6/18
• Weed the veggie garden weekly (6 points) - FInal Score: 3/6 
• Read for professional development 2 hours weekly. (12 points) - Final Score  8/12
• Clean the cars, inside and out. (1 point) - Done!  1
• Tidy front garden (more than weeding) (1 point) - Done!  1
• Paint front porch (1 point) - no progress - 
• Family camping weekend (1 point) - Done 2 times (can I get an extra point?): 1
• Read manual for new camera; get comfortable with it (1 point) - I'm giving myself half credit here - I'm not as comfortable with some of the settings as I'd like, but I can use the thing and download images. .5
• Mulch veggie garden paths (1 point) - no progress.

[I am Eve]

I think you most certainly get extra points for the camping:-)

Well done - and it's great to read that your back is getting better!