A wild Firebudgie has appeared!

[Ailinea]

Hi folks!

I did my workout today and was nomming a healthy lunch (grilled chicken, an apple, and a salad) in front of the computer before my shower, when I saw a post on Tumblr that pointed to this site. I don't know how I managed to tear myself away to actually get my shower (okay, maybe it was the overwhelming smell of sweat), but came back and kept reading.

I love you guys already!

So, um, I guess a bit about me.

I'm a 33 year old female, geek, gamer chick, and tired of being out of shape. I wasn't always this way (I'm sure that sounds familiar) and was active through college. I was small enough to be our men's crew team coxswain. Alas, I also got caught up in the post-graduation sedentary lifestyle. Put on weight, went on a diet, lost the weight, something would happen, put weight back on. The most recent was losing my dad (cancer), grandfather (old age), my job (*whimper* I loved that job), cutting my brother out of my life (he's a jerk so I'm actually glad about this, but the stress leading up to it was rough), and having relationship issues with my Significant Other ALL IN A VERY SHORT TIME SPAN. Long story short, all that and the resulting depression has been rough, and I got really close to my previous peak weight.

But back in April I started making a change. I'm going to Blizzcon for the 4th year in a row (yep, I'm a WoW player--more attempts on Ragnaros tonight, my guild is tied with 3 others in competition for the server first Rag kill, and as of the last time I checked I was the top-geared mage on the server). I was determined that THIS year I would lose weight for it...maybe even make a costume!

So far, I have lost 20 pounds the healthy way and am even down a jeans size since last year's Blizzcon! I still have a ways to go--I would like to lose another jeans size by Blizzcon for this year (I have 2 1/2 months to do it), and I'm aiming to lose a total of another 45 pounds before NEXT YEAR'S Blizzcon (2012, so I'm in no rush) based on previous weight/fitness levels. But you won't see me complain if I weigh more yet wear smaller clothes. I've begun to focus more on strength training rather than just cardio, and have seen a positive change in my body and good shape that I haven't seen even when I was rowing. I changed my diet to pretty much the Paleo diet (without even knowing there was a name for it), and while I seem to have hit a plateau...well, I think I can blame that on some burnout I was feeling.

So anyway, I came here and saw today's blog post, and it really spoke to me. I had already decided, "Hey girl, it's August 1, time to get back on track," but it was very timely to see that post too. And I think it motivated me to do more than just read the articles and the forum, but actually join.

A few other things about me:

I've gone back to school and am finishing my degree in Web Design.

I have a thing for phoenixes. Always have. Guildies have adopted my word for them: Firebudgies. (Hence the title of this post.)

I plan to get a tattoo of a phoenix WHEN I hit my weight/fitness goal. Not "if." "WHEN."

I collect rubber duckies.

I tend to lurk a lot, post very little, but when I do I get overly verbose.

And most importantly...

FOR THE HORDE!

[Everlaststar]

For the Horde! God I put so much time into that game. Before I finally gave it up because of RL, I think I ended up vicariously living through my belf rogue. Oh Meekha, how bada** you were but I now realize I want to be just as awesome! It's nice to see fellow female wow fanatics!

[Antiope]

It's been months since I played WoW (school getting in the way and such). And I'm just as verbose when I delurk, yay wordiness twins. AND. And. I also have set a tattoo goal for myself when I hit my body fat goal, I'm not sure what (I'm thinking the Jedi Code, or the Capitoline Wolf right now). Anyway, welcome and I hope the comm can keep you motivated toward your goals!

[Ailinea]

Thanks for the welcome! I have to admit, my character (in my icon) is fitspo for me. This Blizzcon I will look like a human, but next year I swear I will be my Blood Elf! I feel that if I can make time for raids, I can make time for getting fit. Doing my best to motivate my guildies, too.

Trade trolls say girls don't play WoW, or that if you're a girl you have to be unfit, overweight, and living with your parents. Well, that's a challenge! Game on, trade trolls!