Cavilie ponders, “What would Picard do?�

[Cavilie]

I don't want to wait until November 11, so this will be a 7 week challenge, starting with week 0... Week 0 is a trial week to sort out the goals & set the pace, but won't count towards the total.

 

Inspiration:

I just started another rewatch of my favourite TV series – Star Trek: The Next Generation and I have decided to draw upon that for inspiration. I love many of the characters but on is my clear cut favourite. And I think he is a great role model!

 

Jean-Luc has many awesome qualities that I want to focus on in this challenge: he is reliable, responsible, driven, hard-working, passionate and values his health – he is in great shape!  So when I am wondering if I should, for example, eat ice cream instead of practicing handstands, I can simply ask myself “what would Picard do?â€. 

 

Main Quest:

Short form: feel better in my body and do awesome things with said body.

 

My life is pretty great. I have achieved a lot of the big goals that I have worked towards. My family is rad, and I have friends that I love and hobbies that make me happy. However, I constantly dragged down by my insecurities and general feeling of self-lameness (less severe than self-hate, but still not good). My main quest is to get right with myself! I can do this my treating myself well – mind and body. I am an advocate of healthy living and I want to be a positive example. And equally importantly, being fit and feeling comfortable in my body makes me happy! Exercise is great for my soul and helps me get through my hectic life.  Self-care is important, and exercise and healthy eating are some of the best things I can do for myself.

Often when I struggle, I get in a rut. Ruts are bad. So to counter this, I am adding a “never two in a row†rule. That means that I have to turn it around the next day. I can’t skip two daily work outs in a row. I can’t eat poorly (self-evaluated at C or less) two days in a row.

This main quest is rather abstract and immeasurable; I am okay with that.  Within the framework of this main quest, I can develop many specific and attainable sub quests. Which are as follows:

 

Diet Quest:

Short form: a. log my food, grade my eating  & b. lose 5 pounds.

 

Resulting from an unhealthy relationship with food, I am a few (many) pounds heavier than I would like to be. I know what healthy eating looks like for me, and I feel best when I eat healthy. But sometimes my emotions and thoughts get in the way and I use my fork to self-destruct. I keep learning more about myself in this regard. Anyways, the quests!

·         Every day, I need to log what I eat and grade my eating. My grades will be assigned based on how closely I follow the diet laid out by my person. I’ll average my marks at the end of challenge and assign stat points accordingly. (2 CHA)

Strategy talk: Sometimes I make shitty decisions. Now I have a plan! Before I eat, I will ask myself ‘am I hungry’. If I am not, rather than giving myself a food hug I will do something else nice – go for a walk, do some gymnastics, snuggle my dog, focus on my breathing, have some tea. If I feel crazy, I can ask myself ‘what would Picard do’? And I can watch this helpful inspirational video: 

·         Weight loss…. The entirety of my success on this part of the quest is not dependent on the scale but my weight does matter to me. I would like to lose five pounds over the course of this challenge. That will get me a bit closer to my goal weight. Forward progress is great, even if it is slow. (2 CHA)

o   November 5 weigh in: 176.2 lb

 

Fitness Quests:

Short form: a. daily flexibility routine b. work out at least 5 times per week.

 

I started gymnastics a few months ago, and I am head over heels in love. I have never loved a sport this much. I can’t get enough. What I lack in skill (I am very lacking in skill), I make up for in enthusiasm.

I am still working on the basics – I want to get them down solidly before I move on to more complex skills. Currently, I am only focusing on tumbling. The ‘basic’ skills I am working on: cartwheels, handstands, bridge, kicks, front and back rolls. I am working towards: front and back walkovers and round offs.

Gymnastics and aerial training have made me very aware of how weak and un-bendy I am. I want to address those shortcomings in this challenge.

·         Daily practice: I am going to work every day to improve in key areas – splits, shoulder flexibility, bridge and handstand. I will record my progress in this sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ai4WicKAma42dFFKYzBYQ3c1RVd1SGNvSGR4YjFEckE#gid=0. The workout doesn’t need to happen at the same time, but I need to be sure to warm up for the splits, kicks and bridge work. (4 DEX)

·         Weekly workouts: I would go to most of these anyways, but for a few of the work outs I need that ‘extra’ motivation. Below is the general schedule – but things change week to week. Ideally, I will work out every day; however, if I work out 5/7 days of the week I am counting that as an A. (2 DEX, 2 STR)

o   Monday: Gymnastics

o   Tuesday: Strength

o   Wednesday: Gymnastics

o   Thursday: Silks & Trapeze, Conditioning & Flexibility. Optional – drop in handstand practice

o   Friday: Spin

o   Saturday: Strength until I start Saturday gymnastics in December, or aerial open gym.

o   Sunday:  Run, strength or hot yoga.

Life Side-Quest:

Short form: early to bed, early to rise.

 

Recently I have been getting up late (and getting to school late). This is probably because I go to bed late and have poor sleep hygiene. I plan to correct this by going to bed 15 minutes earlier every week. My average bed time is midnight. So I will be in bed, lights out and no TV at 11:45 in week one (one hour later on the weekends). I can read my textbook in bed after this time, but nothing else. And I can only hit snooze once. I will set my alarm for when I want to get up, and get up then. (3 STA)

Revision! I flourished when I was working towards my last 'life' goal and I want to focus on that a bit more before moving on to something else. So, the goal is to study for at least an hour every day and to  go to every class unless I have a conflicting academic commitment. And I will try really hard to be early! (3 WIS)

[Cavilie]

Reporting from yesterday - I will use this template for the rest of the challenge.

 

Diet Quest: Logged all the foods, and ate according to plan.  I got an A.

 

Fitness Quests: 

Daily routine - great success. I did it at gymnastics & did more than required. 1/1

​Weekly workouts - Gymnastics, it happened and it was awesome. Still can't really do anything, but had fun as usual. And I am one step closer to being a real gymnast - I got my first rip. 1/1

 

Life Quest: Bed at 12:25, but I watched tv and took a while to fall asleep. To my credit, I wasn't counting it as day 1. 0/1

[raptron]

YAY! Here you are! Captain Jean Luc Picard will never steer you wrong. I loved TNG growing up -- maybe I should give it another rewatch sometime as well. 

 

Your schedule looks intense! With gymnastics and silks both, you are going to be one strong, supple lady in a short order. I think your daily stretch/workout log actually looks pretty good on top of the work you are already doing. I don't know how much more you'd need, seeing as you have very little by way of rest time in your plan. If you feel particularly weak in a particular area, maybe add in an additional daily drill to work on it, but I wouldn't add too much more conditioning on top of what you're already doing.

 

GAH! I am super excited to watch your progression!

 

This challenge is going to rock. 

 

[Tamesis Greer]

Picard & gymnastics. Awesome combo! Good luck!

[Paradigm]

I like your challenge Can't wait to see how it goes. 

[Cavilie]

Raptron: I agree, I think I'll keep what I have for now and add on later if needed. Strong and supple sound great to me!

Tamesis Greer and Paradigm: thanks for checking out my challenge!

Today...

Diet Quest: Logged all the foods, and ate according to plan. I got an A.

Fitness Quests:

Daily routine - did it! 2/2

​Weekly workouts - body weight strength at home. Made progress. 2/2

Life Quest: going to bed at 1130, success! 1/2

From my phone....

Edit - my hubby measured my front splits and I am about 9 inches from the floor on each side. Holy crap that is so far away!!!!!

[Mad Hatter]

Love the video I will watch it and over again whenever I feel like succumbing to the crazy.

 

Can't wait for gymnasticsy (totally a word) bendy adventures!

[Reinfire]

Can't wait to see more of your challenge

[Cavilie]

So, I just had a beavertail & a grande peppermint mocha with a friend. For those who do not know what a beavertail is, see the helpful picture below. I ate the rightmost one.

 

It was a nice treat - first beavertail and peppermint mocha of the year. That said, I feel like I have way too much sugar and grease in my body right now. So this nasty full food feeling is usually a bad thing for me and I tend to binge when I have made sub-optimal food decisions. BUT! Today this is not going to be a binge. I have the food for the rest of the day packed, and I will eat that. I won't eat the snacks at the meeting tonight because that will be way too much food and then I will be full for gymnastics and being full at gymnastics sucks.

 

Short form: I ate decadent food, it was a nice experience. I am back to eating on plan.

 

[raptron]

Ooh, I could totally go for one of those with banana right now. Though, actually, I think I just want some bananas. Look delicioussss!

 

And yeah, being full for gymnastics is probably one of the worst feelings in the world. I was in that boat on Monday. NEVER AGAIN! 

[Cavilie]

And yeah, being full for gymnastics is probably one of the worst feelings in the world. I was in that boat on Monday. NEVER AGAIN! 

 

.I totally agree. I felt terrible last week when I had a bowl of chili an hour before gymnastics. Warmup was painful....

 

[Mad Hatter]

I did that before contortion class the other week. Never ever again....

[Batwoman]

No worries. I'm here.

 

 

Your schedule is intense. I'm excited to see how your challenge goes. You will probably rock it. PICARD!!!!!

[Nymeria]

I'm going to lurk here, mostly because thinking about Picard always brightens my day.    Wow, your training schedule is intense!  I'm about equally unbendy with the splits, so I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress.  If you manage to get the splits, I'll feel really inspired and motivated to give the whole thing a try (even though I really hate flexibility training).

[Cavilie]

Batwoman and Nymeria - so happy to see you here! Awesome. I am going to be so happy and inspired if I manage to get those splits too!

Super awesome assassin support team: you are all fantastic. Rock on.

And for today....

Today...

Diet Quest: Logged all the foods, and ate off plan (as above). I got a C. Which means I ate junk food but I didn't binge. Huge victory!

Fitness Quests:

Daily routine - did it at gymnastics. 3/3

​Weekly workouts - had gymnastics, it was awesome. Worked on front tuck. Learned a beam mount and totally failed at it, but at least it was funny. I love gymnastics so much. 3/3

Life Quest: hit snooze this morning, but going to bed at 1145, partial success! 1.5/3

From my phone....

[Paradigm]

I find it pretty cool that we're both trying to get to the elusive splits. So you have to keep posted about this because I want to stalk your progress  

[Cavilie]

Oh my goodness tonight's double header killed me. More later.

Sent from my phone, please forgive any typos and general oddities.

[Cavilie]

Diet Quest: Logged all the foods, and ate according to plan.  I impulsively ordered tempura when I was out for dinner, and shared some of my hubby's food.  I got a B.

 

Fitness Quests: 

Daily routine - Did it thru the day and at the gym. I think I need to let myself change the daily schedule if required for the work outs I am doing that day. 4/4

​Weekly workouts - Handstand class was cancelled so I did it on my own . Silks & Trapeze was super tough, but I made progress from Sunday! The hour of conditioning and flexibility after that was killer! I feel so exhausted (in a good way). 4/4

 

Life Quest: Will be in bed by 11:30 at the latest. I hit snooze this morning but not as much. I am not sure if this no snooze thing is for me.... 2/4

[Paradigm]

Looks like you're doing pretty well though, considering the challenge hasn't even officially started yet!

[Mad Hatter]

1 hour of conditioning after class is just crazy!

[Nuala]

****This is a semi-automated message from your Robot guild leader.****

 

Hello and welcome to the assassin guild! I am Nuala and I'm your guild leader. First of all, I want to thank you for having chosen our guild as your first official one, it makes me really happy and proud. I really hope you will enjoy being with us and that you will find here all the support you need. 

 

What you need to know.

Whatever you do, remember that your challenge is your priority. Mini-challenges, guild activities, PVP are not mandatory. They are here for you to have fun, discover new exercises, have some friendly competitions but they must not hinder your progresses. If a mini-challenge seems too overwhelming for you, don't do it. I know this challenge will be difficult for many with Thanksgiving for the Americans Nerds and Christmas approaching. Just remember that failure only happens when you give up totally, not when you take a few days break. 

 

Being here with us will give you access to many other not mandatory activities, aka:

- Creative mini-challenge. The creative mini-challenge will start on Monday, November 11 and will last the whole challenge (aka 6 weeks). As the name may suggest, you will be asked to do some creative media according to a theme.

Ex:

- Assassin alphabet

- Assassin ads

Participation in creative mini-challenges usually grant you +1 CHA if you decide to use the stat system.

 

- Mini-challenges: Every other Mondays, I will publish a new mini-challenge. These one lasts one week and will ask you to do some special exercises. There will be 5 mini-challenges, the story telling will be done by VengefulPear.  Depending of the exercises, you will be able to earn one stat points for your participation. More infos in the mini-challenge thread.

 

- PVP. PVP are competitions started by other members of the rebellion. If you enjoy measuring yourself to other, they may be the right thing for you. I can suggest you:

- Juggling PVP: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/39383-november-11-december-22-juggling-pvp/

- Handstand PVP: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/39126-november-5th-december-31st-handstands-pvp/

- Poses in unusual places: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/16638-poses-in-unusual-places/

- Crazy jump rope PVP http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/39112-nov-4th-unlimited-jump-rope-challenge/

- Hooray: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/24603-pvs-the-honorable-order-of-rebellious-appraising-yeomen/

 

Of course, these are only example, feel free to check the PVP forum to find or even make your own PVP! Remember to check the rules though 

 

What I expect from you!

Consistency, awesomeness and regular updates. One update at the end of the challenge won't do, I want to be able to see you are still here with us. One Update a week is a minimum. More would be even better 

 

Don't stay by yourself. If you want people to follow your thread and support you, you may have to do the same. You will probably find many people who share the same goals as you, go visit their thread, cheer on them and they will probably do the same. 

 

Make sure you subscribe to the announcement thread:

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/39116-guild-information-and-announcements-subscribe/

And if you don't want to subscribe, make at least sure you read it once a week. I usually update it on Monday to present the new mini-challenge and Assassin most wanted list. 

 

Don't stay by yourself bis! The assassin's den is open to all, you have funny gifs to share, a story to tell, needs some advices or just want a place to chat? The Assassin's den is the place to go (also, we have corgis)!

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/39117-the-assassins-den-ask-an-assassin-general-chat/

 

What else?

If you have any problems, questions or suggestions for the guild, feel free to send me a PM. Also, I'm still looking for journalists to work on the weekly most wanted list. The job is quite simple albeit a bit time consuming. PM me for more details.

 

Sorry for the wall of text! I wish you luck for this challenge! 

 

****This was a semi-automated message from your Robot guild leader.****

[Cavilie]

1 hour of conditioning after class is just crazy!

I felt like a crazy person. After class(es) I felt like a noodle. A floppy floppy noodle. I could hardly sit up for dinner.  This morning I am SORE but way more functional then I thought I was going to be! I think this stuff is going to make me strong.

[Cavilie]

In Boston for the weekend. Food will be wonky. Exercise should be good. Ready to just have fun with friends!

[Gneiss Assasin]

Hey girl, I'm soooo looking forward to doing this challenge with you. I think we have a few things in common once again and this time around I'm really focusing on nutrition. I can really relate regarding issues with self acceptance and appreciating where we are now. It's important to have goals and keep evolving to more awesomeness but accepting and loving who we are now effects our health too. Being more loving, kind, and appreciative of the bodies we have now because they really are living miracles and do so much for us! I just need to finish writing up my challenge and get it up today. Anyhooo, love your challenge. All of it and you're great support for me. Onwards!!!

[Cavilie]

Hey girl, I'm soooo looking forward to doing this challenge with you. I think we have a few things in common once again and this time around I'm really focusing on nutrition. I can really relate regarding issues with self acceptance and appreciating where we are now. It's important to have goals and keep evolving to more awesomeness but accepting and loving who we are now effects our health too. Being more loving, kind, and appreciative of the bodies we have now because they really are living miracles and do so much for us! I just need to finish writing up my challenge and get it up today. Anyhooo, love your challenge. All of it and you're great support for me. Onwards!!!

You are starting your challenge - WOOT!

 

Can't wait to go thru this one too.

 

So, I'm back from Boston. Food and workouts were on hold for a couple days. Which is fine. I had a good time - but WAY too much bus time. So much bus.