Building a Foundation

[Varoun]

Alright, this is it. This is the one. No more excuses.

 

Hi. This is me. (Warning: Shirtless chubby/fat 20-year-old)

Looking at those pictures is painful. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not in the best shape in the world. Certainly not the worst, but definitely not where I need or want to be. At twenty years old, I'm ashamed of my body. That's enough reason for me to want to change. 

 

Main Quest
 

Over the next six weeks I am going to build a strong foundation for better physical health. At the moment I don’t have much going for me physically. I'm incredibly weak for my age. And while I’m trying to improve my diet, I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be. With that in mind, here are the steps I want to take:

1. No more sugary drinks. My liquid intake will be restricted to straight water, unsweetened tea or sugar-free flavored water packs.
    
2. Start a bodyweight exercise routine. I don’t really have a whole lot going on in the upper-body department (as you can see), so I think it’s time to finally start incorporating some upper-body workouts. I haven't decided what my routine will be yet, but I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.
    
3. Keep up with my cardio. At the moment I try to run at least three times per week. I'm usually pretty good about keeping with my schedule, but I'll often find myself slipping up and not going here and there. I want to stick with it and try to build my endurance. Right now I'm using the Zombies, Run! app on my phone to track my progress, and use it as a motivator.

Life Quest

 

It took a lot of thinking, as there are so many aspects of my life itself that I want to improve, but I finally settled on something. Over the next six weeks, I want to read--and write about--at least five non-fiction books. I've only really just began seriously delving into non-fiction, and I have a whole stack of books that I’d like to read over the course of the next six weeks, starting with Fabric of Freedom by Esmond Wright. I feel non-fiction will help me broaden my horizons and help me finally delve deeper into things I've always been interested in.

 

Motivation

1. I’m doing this because I want a better tomorrow. I'm always the guy that looks forward to the future, who dreams about all the possibilities life can throw at me. And I want a tomorrow where I can look into the mirror at the end of the night and say 'yes, today I worked hard, learned something I didn't know before, and did something to benefit my future.'
    
2. I’d be lying if I said I’m not doing this for vanity’s sake too. I want to look good for other people, and I want to feel and know that I look good. I’d like to be able to fit into those clothes I like, and wear them well enough to be noticed.
    

[Varoun]

Progress Report for Monday, September 16th

Main Quest: Today was a pretty good start for the challenge! In the cardio department, I walked 3.82 miles, with some intermittent running spurts here and there, the longest of which was two minutes long. I think I could have ran longer if I would have tried, but the family was with me this time so I wanted to spend some time with them on the walkway. Along with the walk I sat down and tried to get some research done about potential body-weight routines. I've got a few I'm interested in, and I'll try a few of them tomorrow to test the waters and see what's best for me.

Life Quest: ... Is about to start! Once I'm done posting here I'm headed to bed, where I'll finally crack open Fabric of Freedom by Esmond Wright. It tells the story of the American Revolution, a topic that I'm always interested to know more about! I'm a major history buff and the Revolution is one of my highlights, so I'm excited to see what Mr. Wright has to share. 

[Awkward Rogue]

The beginner body weight circuit on this website is actually really good. I found that it's really easy to build up on. Over the past 2 weeks I went from BARELY being able to finish 2 circuits, to finally getting up to 3 circuits today (added russian twists cause I feel that I need more core strength.)

It's funny, looking at your pic is like looking into a mirror for me. xP I'm 22 and in quite similar shape as you. I really admire your life goals (the first one especially) since there are so many things that I too am interested in and would like to learn more about.

Good luck! I'll be following your progress since it's very similar to my own : )

[Varoun]

Progress Report for Tuesday, September 17th & Wednesday, September 18th

 

Quest Progress: So far so good on all fronts. Between yesterday and today I've walked/ran about 5 miles. My diet has been pretty consistent aside from a slip-up earlier today with dinner (since I was pretty much forced to get fast food) but so far I've kept away from sugary drinks entirely. I haven't had much luck with a bodyweight routine just yet, so I've tried to make up for it by walking/running every day. As far as my Life Quest goes, for now I've switched from Fabric of Freedom to Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! because I'm struggling with remembering names and dates, which is frustrating for me so I can't really concentrate all that well.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Awkward. I haven't looked at the forums lately so I didn't see your post until just now, but I'll be sure to give it a try tomorrow!

[Awkward Rogue]

No problem xP My wife and I have been doing the beginner body weight workout for a few weeks now, and it's been really interesting. Also, showed her  your picture and she has similar sentiments in that you're quite similar in both body type and also said you could very well be my doppelganger xP

[Varoun]

Progress Report for Thursday, September 18th - Wednesday, September 25th

 

Sorry for not keeping updates as regularly as I should, this past week has been incredibly busy. 

Overall I sort of fell off the wagon for a bit over the past week. I didn't run on Monday (as I woke up later and nearly missed work) and I snuck a root beer during my break... But aside from that things have been going well. I'm about halfway through my book, and I've kept up with my running habit besides Monday. I still haven't had any luck with finding a bodyweight routine that I'm really enjoying, but I'm still doing them every Tuesday and Thursday! I'll get it this week. 

[JessFit]

Good for you for sticking to it even though you don't love the bodyweight routine. I hope that you find something you like because enjoying the workout makes it that much better

[Varoun]

Progress Report for Thursday, September 18th - Wednesday, October 2nd

 

I have to admit I'm getting depressed. I'm only just now seeing the effects of what the past two years of inactivity and passivity have done to me. I can never seem to maintain momentum. This always happens. I've kept up with my running for the most part, and I'm doing good with the sugar (only had one sip of a Pepsi earlier in the week) but I just feel like crap. Useless. Like I have no purpose, no drive, no reason to continue doing what I'm doing. I don't mean that in a suicidal way, I'd never even give that a thought, but just in a 'why can't I improve myself?' way. I just can't focus on the things that matter to me. I pick up a book about a topic I'm interested it, but suddenly I just put it down and go to bed. Or play my game again. I get tired of reading it after only a few pages. 

I really wish I could fix myself. Like there was just a magic button. Perseverance was never my strong suit, and no matter how hard I try to fight them my demons seem to always come back and bite me in the ass.

I'm going to keep trying, but it's getting harder with every passing week. 

[JessFit]

Sad to say there is no magic button, it takes work or else we would all be "perfect" but that would end up causing other problems. Ypu can do this, you wanted to do this for a better tomorrow but I know that is never easy. Do 2 things today that make you a better person: 1. Don't give up on this or on yourself and 2. Do something, anything, no matter how small, that gets you closer to your goal! Every single person here started at the very beginning and every single person here struggles. You are not alone in that. Read some other challenge threads and you will see how true it is. You can fight through this, I know that you can!

[typod360]

Keep your chin up and keep pushing! I know it can be rough. I agree completely with JessFit's suggestion of doing just two things a day. Don't overwhelm yourself, just keep a steady pace. Most importantly, if you do stumble, GET BACK UP! The biggest reason we fail isn't because we slip, it's because we give up when we slip. Good luck, mate, and keep updating your challenge/journal so we can keep helping you! We all have down days and up days, the goal is to keep working for more up and less down.

[Loopus]

Hey dude, my friend JessFit up there directed me over here.

And look - momentum relies on the conservation of energy laws, being that you cannot create or destroy matter. same applies to strength, willpower, whichever! willpower is finite, so use it sparingly. focus on being better today than you were yesterday - fitter, walking those extra steps, reading more, deeper into a topic, whichever!

and as for motivation, think about this. why the heck did you sign up here in the first place. Something was in your head saying ''this can help, this can make me better.'' You have been moivated ever since you joined this site.

So think about that - you want to do this to look fiiiine. And you will! But its not easy.

Dr House once said that ''there are 3 options in life. be good, get good, or give up.'' And the Rebel Army - one hundred thousand of us - do not give up! We are a pack, a herd, we hold each other up! You dont give up on us, Varoun!

Improve yourself now - listen to this song, then rewrite why you're here - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hbkZrOU1Zag&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhbkZrOU1Zag

And Varoun? Ill be keeping an eye on you, young pup. I wanna see that motivation! I WANT TO SEE THOSE PERSONAL BESTS BEING SMASHED!

Oohrah?

[minx34]

Hey Varoun! Hang in there, buddy! I know it can be hard because when you first start to change the effects aren't immediate and hard to see. But by starting and committing yourself you have already done the hardest part. It's okay that  you aren't perfect, but keep chipping away at it! You don't have to read whole books in a day, as long as you just read a few pages or a chapter. You don't have to beast the body weight workout on your first try; what you struggle with, try to do just one more rep the next day, or modify it. Don't lose hope, keep going!

[traabbit]

Progress Report for Thursday, September 18th - Wednesday, October 2nd

 

I have to admit I'm getting depressed. I'm only just now seeing the effects of what the past two years of inactivity and passivity have done to me. I can never seem to maintain momentum. This always happens. I've kept up with my running for the most part, and I'm doing good with the sugar (only had one sip of a Pepsi earlier in the week) but I just feel like crap. Useless. Like I have no purpose, no drive, no reason to continue doing what I'm doing. I don't mean that in a suicidal way, I'd never even give that a thought, but just in a 'why can't I improve myself?' way. I just can't focus on the things that matter to me. I pick up a book about a topic I'm interested it, but suddenly I just put it down and go to bed. Or play my game again. I get tired of reading it after only a few pages. 

I really wish I could fix myself. Like there was just a magic button. Perseverance was never my strong suit, and no matter how hard I try to fight them my demons seem to always come back and bite me in the ass.

I'm going to keep trying, but it's getting harder with every passing week. 

Hi Varoun!!! Don't give up we are here for you!!

 

Motivation can be a tricky thing. I used to be in your shoes at one point where I just couldn't find the motivation to do it. My goals seemed super far away and no matter how hard I tried I was struggling to see results.

 

Just remember these thoughts and ideas:

• You are doing this for yourself, who gives a rat's ass what other people think
• Having trouble staying motivated, treat your life like it is an epic movie Wake up in the morning and say... "today is going to be the start to an epic day!!" Verbally say it ( I mean it)...and eventually it will start to make sense that your life is epic
• Remember that you are more important than the number on the scale, you have more to offer to yourself, family, and friends than dashing good looks
• If you are having trouble staying motivated and you have the funds, join a class. You will meet new people and they will help to keep you accountable. 
• Keep doing what you are doing: hanging out and being a part of the NF community will help you meet others like you and allow you to form a special bond
• Ask for help. I know this one can suck from time to time, and I suck at asking for help too, but it can be the difference between succeeding and half-assing it Asking for help does not mean your weak, it means that you are starting to get to know yourself better I found a great person through the NF forums and we now have a facebook group together where we have our own mini-challenge that we have created to challenge one another. 
• Start with the small steps and work up to bigger goals. Yes, at first this method can be extremely frustrating, but if you start out small and make these into habits, the rest will be much easier, trust me
• If you mess up along the way, acknowledge that you messed up, move on, and think of a few ways that can help you for future derailments. (Yes derailments happen to everyone and there is no sense dwelling on them. Just pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start over). Embrace the fact that it is okay to make mistakes and often they lead to the best revelations and experiences ( I personally LOVE making mistakes; life is too boring without them )
• Find other things that you enjoy. Who cares if they are not totally fitness related Remember that you should explore and discover new things as fitness and healthy lifestyles are just two facets of a much, much broader spectrum of experience. Just because Joe Schmoe down the road loves biking, doesn't mean that you have to
• If you have the time, write down two positive thoughts about your day, each day. They make phone apps for this too!! I found even something as small as this, really changed my perspective for the better
• Remember small steps, taking moments to breathe and relax, and if it seems like Hell, just keep going. We are all going through some form of Hell and we will be right beside you for all of it

Hope this helps and if you ever need help, I am more than willing to assist!! 

 

Keep at it!

[Tehya]

Progress Report for Thursday, September 18th - Wednesday, October 2nd

 

I have to admit I'm getting depressed. I'm only just now seeing the effects of what the past two years of inactivity and passivity have done to me. I can never seem to maintain momentum. This always happens. I've kept up with my running for the most part, and I'm doing good with the sugar (only had one sip of a Pepsi earlier in the week) but I just feel like crap. Useless. Like I have no purpose, no drive, no reason to continue doing what I'm doing. I don't mean that in a suicidal way, I'd never even give that a thought, but just in a 'why can't I improve myself?' way. I just can't focus on the things that matter to me. I pick up a book about a topic I'm interested it, but suddenly I just put it down and go to bed. Or play my game again. I get tired of reading it after only a few pages. 

I really wish I could fix myself. Like there was just a magic button. Perseverance was never my strong suit, and no matter how hard I try to fight them my demons seem to always come back and bite me in the ass.

I'm going to keep trying, but it's getting harder with every passing week. 

I am in the exact same spot you are in.  I have never been able to maintain any momentum I get, felt like I have no purpose or drive or reason to continue on this epic journey to lose weight and become a stronger, healthier person.  Then I found this really great group of people, many of who have posted on your page - Lupus, JessFit, Traabbit, minx34 and Typod360 as of now - that have really been there for me and wouldn't let me quit.  Actually they still WON'T let me quit and I am really grateful for that.  There was one person who made me laugh and really think about why I was doing this.  She said "You LIKE the idea of moving.  You WANT to  want to move.  But Newton's first law of motion is a real bitch, ain't it?  The rick of the thing is to move on to Newton's second law of motion, so that you can achieve - you guessed it - his third law of motion in one grand finale' of science incarnate!"  Yeah I know it doesn't fully fit what you are going through but you get the point.  First law: start everything in motion; Second Law; you will stay in motion; Third Law: you will reach your goals. 

 

My suggestion, if you are struggling with your life goals right now, put them on hold.  Sounds like you have your cardio routine down.  Your sugary drinks are cut way down.  And are just struggling with the body weight exercises - specifically your arms.  Here is a good arm workout to start.  My other suggestion would be to post what you are going to do, and then post when it is done.

 

I don't know for sure right now, since I'm in the same boat, but I am going to guess that it will get easier.

[Varoun]

Wow. Thanks for all of the kind responses, guys and gals. All of your advice and encouragement is seriously appreciated.

I guess one of my biggest issues has always been that I'm a very results-driven individual. I like to see the fruits of my labor so I know that, yes, what I'm doing is making a difference. Even if it's small. If I don't see things 'happening', I quickly lose the ability to keep on doing what I'm doing, regardless of the end-game. I'm going to have to get past that, though, which will be the hardest part.

But I'm gonna keep going. Maybe what I need is to just communicate; generally I'm quiet on these types of forums, unless I have to post my reports. But, judging by you fine folk, there is a lot more to be had here. You'll be seeing me around more often from now on.

Now for some good news:

When I woke up today, I was feeling about as bummed as I had when I went to bed. I got out of bed and stepped over to the dressed by my window to get my clothes, but today I noticed something rather intriguing. Outside of my window is the yard in the back of our house, which is a great big open field that leads back to a forest that we own. But what I noticed was that, when my step-father mowed the lawn yesterday, he cut a ring around the outside edge of the field. A ring that breaks off at a point and leads down to a trail in the forest. He did this so we could have a place to drive the four-wheeler without having to cut through all kinds of weeds and brush when we go down. But me, I saw something else: not one, but two different running trails; around the field and through the forest! So now I don't have to drive five miles down the road to get to the nearest paved walk-way if I don't feel like it. 

I'll write another progress report later on tonight after I've finished everything.

[JessFit]

You will see results, maybe not in the way you expect but you will. Start by posting about your runs and exercises, what and how much you do and how hard they are, And your posts will show you doing more and it getting easier and you making progress. You may not look down and see the body you want, but that takes more time, posting will help you to see the smaller gains and the daily benefits.

 

Also, check out some other people's challenges, you will see how many of us struggle. You and Melkilkaite seem to be fighting similar battles and it could help to read about how others are coping.

 

I love that you're seeing the cut areas as running paths! Brilliant! So we all expect to hear how your run went and how you're making progress. I hate running, but I'm forcing myself to do it and I admire anyone who is doing it and I can't wait to hear about yours.

 

You're not goint to get left behind here, we don't hold with that. So lace up them running shoes buddy, because you're really able to do this, we all believe in you!

[notapersonanymore]

But me, I saw something else: not one, but two different running trails; around the field and through the forest! So now I don't have to drive five miles down the road to get to the nearest paved walk-way if I don't feel like it. 

 

 

As a country-lover living in the city, this sounds like so much awesome right now! Enjoy it, and keep on with the good work!!

[Varoun]

As a country-lover living in the city, this sounds like so much awesome right now! Enjoy it, and keep on with the good work!!

You're my opposite; living in the country, but I'd kill to be in the city. But thanks, I shall certainly enjoy it!

[Teros]

Wow. Thanks for all of the kind responses, guys and gals. All of your advice and encouragement is seriously appreciated.

I guess one of my biggest issues has always been that I'm a very results-driven individual. I like to see the fruits of my labor so I know that, yes, what I'm doing is making a difference. Even if it's small. If I don't see things 'happening', I quickly lose the ability to keep on doing what I'm doing, regardless of the end-game. I'm going to have to get past that, though, which will be the hardest part.

 

That is absolutely the hardest part.  I think as a society we have such an impulsive NOW NOW NOW attitude, that if we go for a jog a few times this week, we better see results on Saturday.  Sadly, it's not that way.  It's much more slow and deliberate.  If you don't like your workout, you need to switch it up.  No workout stuck for me until I decided to use a sledgehammer.  I've stuck with this workout for 5+ months now.  I also doubled the weight.  I now weild a 20 pound 'warhammer' (most stores don't sell them because only construction workers use, I later found out.)   It's awesome.  The best workout is the one you stick with.  Also, I found that throwing out the scale made a big difference.  By framing it into a different context, it won't feel hopeless.  Instead of "I want to lose 20 pounds in a few weeks", then checking the scale and being devastated that I went UP a pound; I think of it this way:

 

I am going to eat these healthy foods and work out twice a week.  I know that if I just keep doing this, I will be healthier and the weight WILL come off.

 

By making this switch from a # in a certain time to instead = make healthy choices from now on, I've seen results.  I've dropped 3 pants sizes, since that's my only way of knowing my weight loss.  I have energy, and I mentally feel....clear?  Like a fog is lifted from my brain.  I'm achieving my new reframed goal every day by just eating real foods and kicking ass twice a week.  It makes things simplier.  Even if you're going 100% perfect, if you have stress from following a plan; you WILL gain weight.  So keep it simple and try not to sweat the small stuff.  We're here for you.  RPG FANATICS.

 

 

[Loopus]

Varoun - can we get some pics? Im rural Scottish - my old house was in a little bowl carved by a glacier, filled with forest, in other words beautiful - now stuck in urban Australia - grey, dry, dirty, bushfires and every damn thing trying to kill you.

I miss my forest. *sniff*

[notapersonanymore]

You're my opposite; living in the country, but I'd kill to be in the city. But thanks, I shall certainly enjoy it!

 

We could timeshare? ;D

[Evicious]

Hey Varoun, 'nother RPG Fanatic here! Following in the great footsteps of my fellow Fanatics, I wanted to stop by and let you know that 1. You WILL accomplish your goals so; no matter how many setbacks you experience, if you keep getting back on your feet and moving again, you will always reach your destination, and 2. No matter how long it takes, the important thing is that you make it to where you want to be. We wait for a lot of things in life - sometimes we don't notice we're waiting for them, other times we're happy to wait for them, and then there are times where the waiting just plain ol' sucks! - but the things that are MOST important to you are always worth the wait. You got this, bro!

[Tehya]

How did yesterday go?    I know you can do this.  DON'T STOP, DON'T GIVE UP!!! -- its a really cute video with a great message!!!

[notapersonanymore]

How did yesterday go?    I know you can do this.  DON'T STOP, DON'T GIVE UP!!! -- its a really cute video with a great message!!!

 

Oh, she is just too cute!

[Varoun]

Progress Report for Thursday, October 3rd & Friday, October 4th

 

So sorry for not following up last night, I went to bed pretty early 'cause I was feeling beat after all the activity yesterday. After logging on and checking all of the great replies and encouragement I got, I went out and walked/ran the trail out back for about 3 miles (which is around 8 laps, I discovered) but I didn't see Colin's post for a picture until I had already gotten back and it was dark. I'll try to go out tomorrow and grab some before work! 

Then I came in and did my body-weight workout; yeah, I was pumped up enough to do both! I still haven't found a 'great' one yet, or at least one that I think will work best for me. So if anyone has any suggestions on that front, please feel free to share them with me. 

My diet has been going well, and I decided to give my life goal another try. Starting on Monday when it arrives from Amazon, I'm going to be reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, at the suggestion of a friend. From what I know of it, it's reminiscent of Orwell's 1984 or Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, both of which are also on my To-Read list.

I just wanted to say thanks again for all of your encouragement and advice. I really appreciate it. It's meant the world to me.