Turtle 21 dwells in the land of rainbows & unicorns!

[LittleTurtle]

Hi Druids!  I missed you all so much while on my journey with the Scouts!  I've determined that I am a Druid through and through and never want to leave again. 

 

This challenge is mostly going to help me save my sanity.  The holidays are coming (that totally sounds like something Ned Stark would say...)  and I want to work on getting through them without having a mental breakdown!

 

 

MAIN QUEST – FIND A HAPPY PLACE

I can already feel the holiday stress starting to sink in and it’s not even Thanksgiving!  For fact, just the other day I suffered a minor anxiety attack just thinking about possible confrontations that would transpire from spending too much time with my family.  It’s got to stop.  Too often, I let my thoughts wander furiously about what they might say to set me off.  All of this while battling seasonal affective disorder?  It’s no wonder my poor mind becomes a dark and scary place this time of year.

• Meditation: 4 x week – 10 min

I attempted meditation for a previous challenge and it didn’t work so well for me, so this time, it’s my top priority.

• Yoga: 3 x week – 20 min

Yoga helps keep me limber and reduces chronic pain which, in return, improves my overall mood from day to day.

• Sleep: 5 x week – 7 hours

My problem lately is too much sleep.  I sleep all the time.  I sleep when I’m bored.  I sleep when I’m stressed.  I sleep when I’m depressed.  For this challenge, I’ll aim to get no less than 7 hours of sleep.  Alternatively, I will try not to get more than 9 hours of sleep and limit (if not eliminate) naps.

 

LIFE QUEST – STAND TALL

I need to improve my posture.  I’ve seen too many pictures of me all hunched over looking like Quasimodo and it’s not an attractive look for me.  Not only will good posture help my appearance, but it will help strengthen my back muscles, therefore helping me with other daily chores and activities.  I plan to achieve this by placing a note on my computer at work telling me to sit up straight.  Outside of work, I plan to set prompts on my phone to help me remember and practice.

 

SIDE QUEST – MAINTAIN

I’ve finally reached my goal weight.  Over the past several years, I’ve dropped 40 pounds (from my heaviest weight ever recorded), pushed pass plateaus from hell, and lowered my body fat percentage by more than 10% (since this time last year).  I’ve joined the NF Academy, and have had major success there with getting diet and exercise under control, so I will continue doing what I’ve been doing over there to accomplish this goal.

 

MOTIVATION

I want to enjoy the holiday season and would like to avoid ringing in another New Year feeling like an emotionally drained blob.

 

 

 

...Grading to come!

[faraxk]

Great goals all around!  Sanity is a very good thing to strive for especially around the holidays.  And great job hitting your goal weight!  It sounds like you're starting from a great place going into this challenge.

[LittleTurtle]

Today, I started working on my posture.  I put a little note on my computer screen and it seems like it is just staring at me.  I've corrected myself about a bajillion times already!  This is going to be challenging! 

 

 

Great goals all around!  Sanity is a very good thing to strive for especially around the holidays.  And great job hitting your goal weight!  It sounds like you're starting from a great place going into this challenge.

Thank you!  I feel really optimistic about this one. 

[Sunmage]

Hi Druids!  I missed you all so much while on my journey with the Scouts!  I've determined that I am a Druid through and through and never want to leave again. 

 

Yay! Welcome back!

 

For the posture: When I lifted "heavy" my posture was always better. Yoga is awesome, but sometimes its helps to move some Iron oder Mass(Bodyweight excercises)...  I have to work on that posture thing to. I hunch around the pc, my shoulders are rounded again and I never sit straight, because it isn't comfortable. Does your note say something cooler than "sit straigth?"

[LittleTurtle]

Yay! Welcome back!

 

For the posture: When I lifted "heavy" my posture was always better. Yoga is awesome, but sometimes its helps to move some Iron oder Mass(Bodyweight excercises)...  I have to work on that posture thing to. I hunch around the pc, my shoulders are rounded again and I never sit straight, because it isn't comfortable. Does your note say something cooler than "sit straigth?"

Hi Sunmage! I've actually been doing a lot of bodyweight workouts and dumbbell stuff too (through the Academy). And you are very right; sitting straight ISN'T comfortable (yet), and standing straight feels awkward...like I'm trying to shove my chest into everyone or something. Oh! And my note says, "POSTURE, YOU!!" With a stern looking emoticon. It makes me feel like I'm being watched and judged or something. I was also thinking about strategically placing some of the photos of me all hunched over around so I'm constantly reminded of how awful it looks.

[I am Eve]

Hi Druids!  I missed you all so much while on my journey with the Scouts!  I've determined that I am a Druid through and through and never want to leave again. 

 

This challenge is mostly going to help me save my sanity.  The holidays are coming (that totally sounds like something Ned Stark would say...)  and I want to work on getting through them without having a mental breakdown!

 

 

MAIN QUEST – FIND A HAPPY PLACE

I can already feel the holiday stress starting to sink in and it’s not even Thanksgiving!  For fact, just the other day I suffered a minor anxiety attack just thinking about possible confrontations that would transpire from spending too much time with my family.  It’s got to stop.  Too often, I let my thoughts wander furiously about what they might say to set me off.  All of this while battling seasonal affective disorder?  It’s no wonder my poor mind becomes a dark and scary place this time of year.

• Meditation: 4 x week – 10 min

I attempted meditation for a previous challenge and it didn’t work so well for me, so this time, it’s my top priority.

• Yoga: 3 x week – 20 min

Yoga helps keep me limber and reduces chronic pain which, in return, improves my overall mood from day to day.

• Sleep: 5 x week – 7 hours

My problem lately is too much sleep.  I sleep all the time.  I sleep when I’m bored.  I sleep when I’m stressed.  I sleep when I’m depressed.  For this challenge, I’ll aim to get no less than 7 hours of sleep.  Alternatively, I will try not to get more than 9 hours of sleep and limit (if not eliminate) naps.

 

LIFE QUEST – STAND TALL

I need to improve my posture.  I’ve seen too many pictures of me all hunched over looking like Quasimodo and it’s not an attractive look for me.  Not only will good posture help my appearance, but it will help strengthen my back muscles, therefore helping me with other daily chores and activities.  I plan to achieve this by placing a note on my computer at work telling me to sit up straight.  Outside of work, I plan to set prompts on my phone to help me remember and practice.

 

SIDE QUEST – MAINTAIN

I’ve finally reached my goal weight.  Over the past several years, I’ve dropped 40 pounds (from my heaviest weight ever recorded), pushed pass plateaus from hell, and lowered my body fat percentage by more than 10% (since this time last year).  I’ve joined the NF Academy, and have had major success there with getting diet and exercise under control, so I will continue doing what I’ve been doing over there to accomplish this goal.

 

MOTIVATION

I want to enjoy the holiday season and would like to avoid ringing in another New Year feeling like an emotionally drained blob.

 

 

 

...Grading to come!

 

There you are Turtle! The forest has been less green without you, welcome back!

Congratulations on your goals, they're so clear and structured. I like that 

 

Meditation again, how exciting! Did you ever use that cushion I keep going on and on about?

And sleep, the very foundation that we build our days on. A constant challenge. Avoiding naps is very good and also limiting hours. Between which hours do you usually sleep? 

 

This will be interesting to follow!

[Earlsdottir]

Hey Turtle!

 

I've followed you over from the Scouts from this challenge.  You druid folk seem so nice and welcoming, I look forward to enduring the darkest days of winter with you over here!

[LittleTurtle]

There you are Turtle! The forest has been less green without you, welcome back!

Congratulations on your goals, they're so clear and structured. I like that 

 

Meditation again, how exciting! Did you ever use that cushion I keep going on and on about?

And sleep, the very foundation that we build our days on. A constant challenge. Avoiding naps is very good and also limiting hours. Between which hours do you usually sleep? 

 

This will be interesting to follow!

Thank you, Eve!  You have a wonderful way of making people feel so welcome.  I missed you so much during the last challenge! 

 

I haven't tried the cushion thing yet, but I have found a perfect spot in my living room where I can prop myself and feel fully supported, so if that stops working, I'll be looking online for something better.  

 

As far as sleep; a normal day for me would be falling asleep around 7 or 8 pm and sleeping until I need to wake up for work at 5:15 or sleeping until 10:00 or 11:00 am if I don't work.  For the challenge I'll be trying to stick between 10:00 pm - 5:15 am for the weekdays.  The biggest challenge will be the weekends when I don't really have a big reason to actually get out of bed.  My goal is to force myself up after no more than 9 hours.  That way, I won't really want to go to sleep at 8:00 pm, because that would mean I'd have to get up at 5:00 am at the latest!  (and I'm not a morning person.) 

 

 

Hey Turtle!

 

I've followed you over from the Scouts from this challenge.  You druid folk seem so nice and welcoming, I look forward to enduring the darkest days of winter with you over here!

 HELLO!!

 

You have no idea how excited I am to see you here!  The Druids will treat you so good you won't ever want to leave!  Winter will seem so much less dismal with your company. 

[FaePrice]

Like the goals.  Congratulations so much on the weight loss!!!

[I am Eve]

Thank you for the compliment! 

 

Very good thoughts about sleep I think, good planning to keep around 7 hours.

[LittleTurtle]

Like the goals.  Congratulations so much on the weight loss!!!

Thank you so much!  It was a long, hard road - but I made it even though I thought I never would.  Maintaining will be challenging because my mind tries to trick me into thinking I can indulge more often now...like "It's okay Turtle...you deserve it...come on!  Live a little!"  It's kinda hard to shut that voice up! 

[bluekiwi1]

Rawr!  Following!  Stand tall, Turtle!  Rawr!  Rawr!

[Earlsdottir]

Thank you so much!  It was a long, hard road - but I made it even though I thought I never would.  Maintaining will be challenging because my mind tries to trick me into thinking I can indulge more often now...like "It's okay Turtle...you deserve it...come on!  Live a little!"  It's kinda hard to shut that voice up! 

 

...I so hear that voice. It's talking to me right now. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the box of cookies in the kitchen.  Or possibly the cupcakes.  Or maybe that bottle of mead.  Hm. Maybe I should go investigate....

[LittleTurtle]

Rawr!  Following!  Stand tall, Turtle!  Rawr!  Rawr!

 

Standing tall just might prove to be the most challenging, but I think I'm off to a good start so far.

...I so hear that voice. It's talking to me right now. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the box of cookies in the kitchen.  Or possibly the cupcakes.  Or maybe that bottle of mead.  Hm. Maybe I should go investigate....

Don't investigate. Don't do it. Be strong and tell those cupcakes to shove it!

[swaffe]

Great goals Turtle... I think we could all use some sanity in our life!  Good luck with your challenge!

[LittleTurtle]

-GRADING SYSTEM-

* I will be grading myself on a weekly basis to help keep me more accountable, then at the end, I will average my weekly grades and give myself a final grade.

 

MEDITATION:

A = 4(+) x week

B = 3 x week

C = 2 x week

F= (-2) x week

 

YOGA:

A = 3 x week

B = 2 x week

C = 1 x week

F = 0 x week

 

SLEEP (between 7-9 hours):

A = 5(+) x week

B = 4 x week

C = 3 x week

F = (-) 3 x week

 

 

The following quests will be graded at the end of the 6 weeks.

 

LIFE QUEST:  If I truly believe that I put forth my best effort in correcting my posture, I will give myself an A.  Half-assed effort = C and no effort at all = F.

SIDE QUEST:  My current weight is just under 140 lbs.  If I gain 3 or more (142+), it's a fail.  If I maintain or go lose a couple, it's an A.

 

 

Great goals Turtle... I think we could all use some sanity in our life!  Good luck with your challenge!

Thanks swaffe!  I appreciate the support.

[livingroovy]

Yeay Turtle!!!

Thank you so much!  It was a long, hard road - but I made it even though I thought I never would.  Maintaining will be challenging because my mind tries to trick me into thinking I can indulge more often now...like "It's okay Turtle...you deserve it...come on!  Live a little!"  It's kinda hard to shut that voice up! 

Oh my gosh, so much this- it's SUCH a persistent voice! You'll find your balance

[LittleTurtle]

I'm having a really hard time figuring out sleep.  This week has been brutal, and I feel mentally wiped.  All I can think about is how badly I want to lie down and take a nap.  I've been going to bed between 9 and 10 pm and waking up right at 5:15 am, but I am feeling exhausted today.  I'm wondering if it's because I'm experiencing high levels of stress.  I've been really good about meditating, but that sometimes leaves me even more sleepy.  I almost feel too tired to exercise.  I'm feeling a bit lost. 

 

Static buzz head.  That's my condition today.  Ugh.

 

 

Yeay Turtle!!!

Oh my gosh, so much this- it's SUCH a persistent voice! You'll find your balance

Damn the voice! 

[Wandern]

Good to see a fellow Academy person here! I'm Stitcher over there - not that I've been active on the boards at all    sigh. And I'm going to ditto SunMage - I'm finding that I stand straighter after lifting heavy (well, heavy for me). And I have trouble with the meditation goal, too. I sit, I fidget, I peek at the clock, my ear itches... 

[LittleTurtle]

Good to see a fellow Academy person here! I'm Stitcher over there - not that I've been active on the boards at all    sigh. And I'm going to ditto SunMage - I'm finding that I stand straighter after lifting heavy (well, heavy for me). And I have trouble with the meditation goal, too. I sit, I fidget, I peek at the clock, my ear itches... 

Hey Wandern!  I'll have to see if I can find you over at the Academy!  I too have been a bit inactive on the boards myself lately. 

 

I'm getting better at meditation, but your comment made me laugh SO hard about your ear itching!  I relate big time with that! 

[LittleTurtle]

Week 1 Complete!

 

Grades for Week 1

Meditation = A

10 minutes on Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri

Yoga = A

20 min on Mon, Fri, Sun

Sleep* = B

Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri - between 7-9 hrs

Wed - 6 hrs

Sat & Sun - 11 hrs (whoops!  )

 

* One thing I know I need to work on this next week is consuming more quality calories.  I believe that was one of the reasons I was feeling so lethargic.    

[ven83]

Hey, thanks for your comment and motivation ^^ see that you're going strong this week. Congrats! And I hope that changing what you eat helps you. If you don't mind answering, what are you going to eat to get more energy?

[bluekiwi1]

Rawr!  Awesomeness, Turtle!  Rawr!  Rawr!  Good luck and have fun with Week 2!

[LittleTurtle]

Hey, thanks for your comment and motivation ^^ see that you're going strong this week. Congrats! And I hope that changing what you eat helps you. If you don't mind answering, what are you going to eat to get more energy?

I made some hard-boiled eggs, bought and baked some boneless, skinless chicken breast, and cut up lots of broccoli.  I have some almond butter and apples, pistachios, and will be drinking whey protein with whole milk this week.  I don't think I got enough protein last week, and I definitely wasn't consuming enough calories.  I get so dang busy sometimes that I forget to eat, and then I either have no energy to move or I end up eating every last ounce of unhealthy (quick) food I can find to overcompensate.  This week, I have pre-packed lunches and snacks ready to go, so I have no excuses!  PLUS!  I think I'm gonna make one of my favorite Paleo recipes ever this week for dinner - Spicy Tuna Cakes (I do add a couple tablespoons of plain greek yogurt to aide in binding so I guess that makes it more Primal than Paleo).  I'd be more than happy to share the recipe if you were interested.  I just feel wonderfully optimistic for this week.    Thanks for checking in!  

[I am Eve]

Week 1 Complete!

 

Grades for Week 1

Meditation = A

10 minutes on Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri

Yoga = A

20 min on Mon, Fri, Sun

Sleep* = B

Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri - between 7-9 hrs

Wed - 6 hrs

Sat & Sun - 11 hrs (whoops!  )

 

* One thing I know I need to work on this next week is consuming more quality calories.  I believe that was one of the reasons I was feeling so lethargic.    

"Giving Turtle a high five!"