I refuse to buy new clothes just because Christmas happened.

[Sarah Barr]

Went to parents' for holidays. Vegetarian food at my parents' consists of white bread, cheese and pasta. Hogmanay involved seeing how many jaffa cakes I could fit in my mouth at once (five) plus copious quantities of booze, and the interim was made of takeaways and ready meals. I was doing well, too. 

Now my good jeans don't fit and I refuse to shell out for new ones when these ones have hardly ANY holes OR paint stains. 

 

Main Goal:

Fit (comfortably) into my good jeans.

 

Challenge Goals:

- Visit gym on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

- Walk the 2.8 miles home from work on Wednesday and Friday.

- Stick to 1500-1800 kcal a day, logged in a food diary on my daily battle log. Proper food. None of this "nachos count as dinner if there's chilli on them" nonsense for six weeks. It's crisps with cheese.

 

Life Goal:

- Do sword-fighting drills for 15 minutes every weekend, then spend 15 minutes learning a new technique. Increase drills time by five minutes a week to practice the technique learned the previous week. 

 

 

Allons-y.

 

 

P.S. Technically second challenge, but I flunked the first one quite dismally. Looking forward to finishing this one.

 

P.P.S. Good luck with your challenges!

[SuNoYo]

Well Christmas is bad enough for maintaining weight, but adding Hogmanay right afterwards is begging for two things: massive hangovers and overindulging on everything.

But at least your horse/conveyance of choice is ready and raring to go, just turn all that stereotypical Scottish fury (I'm assuming you live in Scotland) into beating your holiday weight gain until it runs away crying.

[Tommy Khaos]

Welcome to the rebellion! The sword fighting techniques are definitely an intriguing part of your routine!

[Stacee]

Sword-fighting! How bamf! 

[Rookie]

Hey! Just curious where do you do your swordfighting? I have been wanting to learn, but have not had much luck lol.

[Sarah Barr]

Hey!

 

Thankyou for the motivation, SuNoYo! Edinburgh has no snow yet but as soon as there's enough for snowmen some are getting raged at with a sword. I'm excited.

 

Rookie: I joined an experimental archaeologists' combat school called Lothene for six weeks in Edinburgh a couple of years ago, and the drills were really useful. Not that helpful for you way over in Canada I know, but here are the online resources I've been using!

http://wychwood.wikidot.com/fighting-sword (Nice guide to single-handed swords, which are my favourite because I like having a big round shield on my left arm!)

http://learn-sword-fighting.com/#welcome (I haven't used the non-free videos yet, but the free resources are interesting for longsword training.)

My training ground is my living room at the moment, but as soon as I get boots with decent grip I'm going back to Lothene to do some outdoor training. You do get passers-by shouting "THIS IS SPARTA" at you a fair bit but fresh air and space to swing about is important.

 

Have a look at your local colleges to see if any have medieval reenactment societies, ours let non-students in if they were nice and paid the £5 membership fee!

Failing that, start a group and learn together! You don't need to spend lots of money on a wooden practice sword, the key thing just has to be that it's fairly heavy and straight. There was a tutorial on the Lothene website about carving a sword out of a sledgehammer handle but I can't find it. There is a photo here for a rough impression, though.

 

...I now realise that was probably way more information than you were looking for. I should stop skiving off from work now. But I hope that helps!

 

o/

[Rookie]

Hey!

 

Thankyou for the motivation, SuNoYo! Edinburgh has no snow yet but as soon as there's enough for snowmen some are getting raged at with a sword. I'm excited.

 

Rookie: I joined an experimental archaeologists' combat school called Lothene for six weeks in Edinburgh a couple of years ago, and the drills were really useful. Not that helpful for you way over in Canada I know, but here are the online resources I've been using!

http://wychwood.wikidot.com/fighting-sword (Nice guide to single-handed swords, which are my favourite because I like having a big round shield on my left arm!)

http://learn-sword-fighting.com/#welcome (I haven't used the non-free videos yet, but the free resources are interesting for longsword training.)

My training ground is my living room at the moment, but as soon as I get boots with decent grip I'm going back to Lothene to do some outdoor training. You do get passers-by shouting "THIS IS SPARTA" at you a fair bit but fresh air and space to swing about is important.

 

Have a look at your local colleges to see if any have medieval reenactment societies, ours let non-students in if they were nice and paid the £5 membership fee!

Failing that, start a group and learn together! You don't need to spend lots of money on a wooden practice sword, the key thing just has to be that it's fairly heavy and straight. There was a tutorial on the Lothene website about carving a sword out of a sledgehammer handle but I can't find it. There is a photo here for a rough impression, though.

 

...I now realise that was probably way more information than you were looking for. I should stop skiving off from work now. But I hope that helps!

 

o/

 

Nono this is great I have been wanting to learn. There are some SCA groups in my province but they are kind of far away. Thank you for those resources I will have to have a look! And you could always kick those people into a death pit.. just saying

[SuNoYo]

@Sarah Barr: Don't talk to me about the weather, it's all rain and wind and storm conditions. I mean, at least you have the chance of snow and thus the opportunity to behead snowmen. If at all possible this should be filmed and put to some form of epic music - Attack on Titan's intro theme perhaps? Perhaps some epic music from A Game of Thrones; you can pretend to be part of the Night's Watch and you're fighting Others.

All that info on sword fighting you posted makes me wish there was a place near me that did anything other than fencing (which is too far away to feasibly reach on foot), I mean when someone tells you that one of their hobbies is sword fighting/sword drills you automatically think they're a badass.

 

So how have the first two days of the challenge been? Beheaded anything yet?

[Sarah Barr]

Heh, I like that idea. I'm thinking the Xena theme. Or if the footage is terrible, Joxer the Mighty.

 

Not beheaded anything yet, but I've done sufficient exercise in the gym to make many, many muscles sore. I didn't know you even COULD get sore armpits from working out. And a trainer showed me how to do adapted burpees using a step so I can do more than 2 and work my way to proper ones.

 

Going to attempt to make a target for swordfighting. I keep getting blankets from people when they move flat because I'm a bit fanatic about crafting and free fabric is awesome, so I think I'll make a great big dummy enemy out of those with targets to hack at. Preferably one about six feet tall, because at 5 ft 3 I have a big disadvantage when it comes to fighting anyone who isn't also 5ft 3 or shorter.

 

Hope your challenges are going well!

o/

[Tkal]

Going to attempt to make a target for swordfighting. I keep getting blankets from people when they move flat because I'm a bit fanatic about crafting and free fabric is awesome, so I think I'll make a great big dummy enemy out of those with targets to hack at. Preferably one about six feet tall, because at 5 ft 3 I have a big disadvantage when it comes to fighting anyone who isn't also 5ft 3 or shorter.

Same "shortness" here

By experience I can tell you that when you fight with the average (tall) guy, he has as many problem as you with the height difference. So, if you make your target as the average Joe, you are actually helping yourself in the long run.

Anyway, really cool to find somebody into HEMA also on this side of the pond. And in the meantime, you drop by the monks, you will find several people who share your passion, me among them Although my bokken and shinai haven't left my house for the past 3 years

[Teros]

quick question: what is your level of fitness prior to starting this 6 week challenge?  If you were working out 1-2 times a week, then the plan you have right now is going to overload your body after roughly 2.5 weeks.  If you were working out 4-5 times a week prior to this challenge, then your current setup is doable. 

 

I actually have the reverse problem.  The jeans that I have are starting to wear thin and there's almost a hole. I need to drop a pant size.

 

You know what helps with grip strength for swordfighting?  Using a sledgehammer to workout.  I've found my grip has gotten much better and my forearm muscles are able to handle more as well.

[Sarah Barr]

Tkal: That makes sense! I shall make Blanket Dummy average-height and also name it Joe.

 

TerosX: Fitness level is pretty low, but not completely terrible! Before Christmas I was doing the Beginner Bodyweight Workout a couple of times a week and walking home a couple of times a week too. I was a bit lax with it though, so I'll take your advice and make sure I cut down if I start feeling burnt out. If I can find a place that isn't my living room that I'm allowed to swing a sledgehammer around in, I'll definitely give that a go! Sounds more productive than getting one of those squeezy grip things. And also considerably more fun. Especially if I can locate Def Leppard.

 

Also, man, I hate that jeans wearing thing. I have lost beautiful jeans to thigh rubbing. 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

*goes to nose around in the monk area*

 

...

 

Oh, I'd forgotten how cheesy that song is.

[Sarah Barr]

Week 1 evaluation:

 

Monday: 1850kcal; Gym completed

Tuesday: 1414kcal; Gym failed

Wednesday: 1720; Gym completed for Tuesday; no walk home (modification to exercise schedule rather than failure).

Thursday: 2772kcal; chopped off 200kcal from 1800kcal limit for next 5 days to compensate

Friday: 1250kcal; walked home

Saturday: 1579kcal; swordfighting completed - tripped a circuit breaker by being a clumsy oaf.

Sunday: 830kcal so far - planned dinner and extra tea with milk should take this up to 1497kcal 

 

Diet: 

Weekly calories: 12082

Daily Average: 1727kcal

(Oh look, I don't have to stick to less than 1600kcal tomorrow and Tuesday to make up for the nachos that messed up Thursday!)

 

Exercise:

Gym: 2/3

Walking: 1/1

Swordfighting: 1/1

= 4/5

 

 

So according to the grading system below, this week scores a B for diet and a B for exercise.

Huzzah!

Hope your first weeks went well too!

 

o/

 

 

Grading System Wot I Just Gone Done Came Up With:

 

Average caloric intake/day:

<1200: D (Fail)

1200 - 1350: C

1350 - 1500: B

1500-1650: A

1650 - 1800: B

1800 - 1950: C

>1950: D (Fail)

 

Exercise:

 

5/5: A

4/5: B

3/5: C

2/5: D

1/5: E

0/5: Fffff-

[Tkal]

So according to the grading system below, this week scores a B for diet and a B for exercise.

Huzzah!

Hope your first weeks went well too!

A B is not bad at all!

Keep in mind that in the end is is what you accomplish in 6 weeks that matters. So, keep it up!

By the way, you have all my understanding about the constant rain

[rocky555]

I like your caloric grading where you are not allowed to overeat and undereat.

B week is good work. But next week you better be an A!

[sword4sail]

Fellow sword fighters should unite! Good job on your goals though. It may be one step forward two back, but we'll make it. I like to use fighting as a motivation for working out/eating right when I'm tempted to slack... or sailing... I'll be sure to check out your resources!

[Sarah Barr]

So that was a rubbish week. Started off well enough, but it's Cs for both Diet and Exercise. 

My flatmate has decided I'm not allowed to practice swordfighting in the living room because she wants a large inflatable bat that has been hanging on the light fitting since Halloween put back up. I'd taken it down so I didn't burst it. I feel this is exceptionally unfair. A fairer reason is the whole nearly-breaking-the-light-fitting thing. It's also too late in the term to go back to Lothene, I think I'll have to wait till next semester now. Which is in September. So I don't really know if I can even do it now. I'm going to research spaces in which I'm allowed to do it; or maybe something bad will happen to the bat.

It's not even her bat.

Stupid bat.

Hmm. 

Corridor too narrow, bedroom way too small, kitchen too full of things that would admittedly make a lovely noise if hit very hard with a big stick. Outside parks too, er, illegal without permission. Flat's communal garden too occupied by small children and large dogs. And may not actually be communal. 

I'll just do it in the living room when I'm alone in the flat. And avoid the lights.

 

This week is so far going better. After the dismal suckiness of last week I've gone a bit harsh and stern, and to make up for setbacks I am exercising daily and only going between 1500 and 1650kcal. Just for this week. Then it's back to the normal plan next week. Not going bananas with the exercise, just half an hour a day.

 

Good luck for your third weeks!

[Teros]

dismal suckiness of last week

Do you mean the B that you got?  That's not suckiness at all. That's good.  You gotta lay off yourself a bit.  As long as you're making improvements, things are going in the right direction.  Positive reinforcement (reward for good) is proven to be way more effective than negative reinforcement(punishment if you didn't finish/not good enough).

[Sarah Barr]

Oh! No, I meant the Cs I just scraped this week just past. Was pretty happy with the Bs I got in the first week! Aiming for As this week though, and will bear in mind what you said about positive reinforcement!

[Sarah Barr]

Week three summary:

 

Lots of old friends came to town and not only did we go see a mammoth exhibition at the museum (if you're in Edinburgh, go see it, it's amazing and absolutely worth the £9 entry fee) but we also drank. A lot. I spent most of my weekend in various pubs. I did really well during the week, managed to use heavier dumbbells during my last workout AND did another set of the routine, which I've not been able to do before. So I hope I manage a B. 

Having to take swordfighting out of the running, which I am still intensely annoyed about. It means I won't actually lose marks for not doing it this week though. Got to replace it with something else. 

it isn't a health and fitness goal, so I think if I change it to theory work on swordfighting (reading, copying diagrams, memorising tactics) then I'm at least still progressing.

 

Right, totals and grades:

 

Food: 

M: 1409kcal

T: 1722kcal

W: 1300kcal

T: 2116kcal

F: 907+85+130+77 = 1199kcal

S: 2640kcal

S: 1995kcal

Average: 1769kcal/day

Grade: B

 

Exercise: 

M: Gym

T: Walk home (2.8mi)

W: Gym

T: Rest

F: Gym

S: Walk (1 mile)

S: Walk (1 mile)

Times gymmed: 3/3

Times walked home: 1/1

Times practiced swordfighting: N/A, did not do any theory work (insert various crying noises here)

Bonus: Ding. I've decided if I do extra work, I can add a Plus to my grade.

Grade: B+!

 

Much better. Very happy with that. BUT to improve on that score, I am having a dry week. Many of those calories were found in rum, and also various suspiciously pizza-shaped objects that appeared sometime after lots of rum happened. 

My friends drink a lot, and one in particular is very peer-pressure-y when it comes to drinking. She also really hates the idea of anyone going on a diet - she's all about body confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin no matter what your size, which should be lovely. But she has never understood my motives, and I really can't deal with the whole "just have another drink and stop being on a diet, look at all these BBW models, they're fat and gorgeous and proud of it and doctors are all irresponsible liars and this wealth of scientific evidence linking all these health problems to excessive weight is nonsense so stop dieting, it's stupid" rant any more so I'm just going to get an empty rum bottle and fill it with flat coke or something. Not getting sucked into debates about my own damn life decisions any more.

 

But hey, a B and a B+! That was a much better week.

 

Good luck with your week four, we're already halfway through!

[SuNoYo]

*high five*

Grats on the levelling up and sticking to your goals as best as you can! Don't worry so much about special events, it's okay to indulge sensibly and things for special events, especially if you don't see your friends as often as you like.

As to the body confident friend, have you tried telling her that when she goes on these rants she offends you? I know it's hard to confront someone, being a Brit of some sort and all, and conflict just isn't in our nature () but just tell her that you respect her life choices (or most of them) and don't try to peer pressure her into things she doesn't want to do/rant at her, and then ask her to refrain from ranting at you.

Toxic friends man. Or just toxic people.

Another alternative is to say "Yes, I believe that being body confident is a good thing, but I'm not as confident/comfortable with my body as I want to be and that's why I'm doing this. I've taken your advice and am applying it, please stop telling me to do things that make me feel happy about myself." Compliment, passive agressive snippy comment and polite request all in one.

 

Congrats on levelling up Sarah! Here's to another brilliant three weeks!

[rogaecia]

Week three summary:

 

Lots of old friends came to town and not only did we go see a mammoth exhibition at the museum (if you're in Edinburgh, go see it, it's amazing and absolutely worth the £9 entry fee) but we also drank. A lot. I spent most of my weekend in various pubs. I did really well during the week, managed to use heavier dumbbells during my last workout AND did another set of the routine, which I've not been able to do before. So I hope I manage a B. 

Having to take swordfighting out of the running, which I am still intensely annoyed about. It means I won't actually lose marks for not doing it this week though. Got to replace it with something else. 

it isn't a health and fitness goal, so I think if I change it to theory work on swordfighting (reading, copying diagrams, memorising tactics) then I'm at least still progressing.

 

Right, totals and grades:

 

Food: 

M: 1409kcal

T: 1722kcal

W: 1300kcal

T: 2116kcal

F: 907+85+130+77 = 1199kcal

S: 2640kcal

S: 1995kcal

Average: 1769kcal/day

Grade: B

 

Exercise: 

M: Gym

T: Walk home (2.8mi)

W: Gym

T: Rest

F: Gym

S: Walk (1 mile)

S: Walk (1 mile)

Times gymmed: 3/3

Times walked home: 1/1

Times practiced swordfighting: N/A, did not do any theory work (insert various crying noises here)

Bonus: Ding. I've decided if I do extra work, I can add a Plus to my grade.

Grade: B+!

 

Much better. Very happy with that. BUT to improve on that score, I am having a dry week. Many of those calories were found in rum, and also various suspiciously pizza-shaped objects that appeared sometime after lots of rum happened. 

My friends drink a lot, and one in particular is very peer-pressure-y when it comes to drinking. She also really hates the idea of anyone going on a diet - she's all about body confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin no matter what your size, which should be lovely. But she has never understood my motives, and I really can't deal with the whole "just have another drink and stop being on a diet, look at all these BBW models, they're fat and gorgeous and proud of it and doctors are all irresponsible liars and this wealth of scientific evidence linking all these health problems to excessive weight is nonsense so stop dieting, it's stupid" rant any more so I'm just going to get an empty rum bottle and fill it with flat coke or something. Not getting sucked into debates about my own damn life decisions any more.

 

But hey, a B and a B+! That was a much better week.

 

Good luck with your week four, we're already halfway through!

We are halfway there! Keep up the good job. Having friends visit is always a tricky time to stay on target, especially when visiting pubs. Best of luck this week!

[Sarah Barr]

Thanks guys!

 

SuNoYo, that sounds like a sensible plan, and I'm going to memorise that script for the next time it comes up. Also I just read your challenge log; you've been doing awesome! Well done!!

 

Rogaecia: Hehe, yeah, next time they come over I'm going to suggest going for a hike! You've been doing great too, I hope both of you absolutely nail the next three weeks and I'm sure you both will!

 

Woot!

 

\o/

[Teros]

 "just have another drink and stop being on a diet, look at all these BBW models, they're fat and gorgeous and proud of it and doctors are all irresponsible liars and this wealth of scientific evidence linking all these health problems to excessive weight is nonsense so stop dieting, it's stupid" rant

Understandable. What if you said that it was to get HEALTHY, not to lose weight?  You are gorgeous as you are, but that doesn't mean you can't clean up your body by eating lean protein and vegetables and wanting to feel better for your own sake- not as some societal pressure.  Maybe if it was framed that way there wouldn't be a rant? 

 

Congrats and keep it up

[Sarah Barr]

I'm not even going to grade this week.

 

My boss came back. Long story short, he never listens, assumes I'm an idiot, and there is a language barrier so I can't understand most of the things he asks me, or his replies to "what do you mean?". I have been relying on cookies, takeaway food and cheese to not cry every time he sends me another indecipherable email which turns out to be a request to do two days worth of work in two hours with a deadline of "oh I was supposed to give that to my accountant today". 

 

Haven't counted calories, walked home on Monday but otherwise haven't exercised. Gymmed and walked and ate right plenty until about Thursday/Friday last week. (Estimating a C for the week before last.) I have my gym kit with me all the time and I've been trying the Braveheart technique but the people in my gym are sneery jerks and give me dirty looks.

 

 

SOLUTIONS:

 

- Instead of beating myself up about this and eating nothing but cucumber for the next week, I am just going to ignore this week and extend my challenge by another week. 

 

- Find a better job, but last time I tried that it took me more than a year so don't hold your breath. Meanwhile, gnaw on "The Little Book of Calm" while whimpering. (Add a dab of lavender to milk. Leave town with an orange, and pretend you're laughing at it*.)

 

- See if I can force myself to work out at home. If I work out at home there is a chance I will never work out, which is why I joined a gym in the first place. If I can successfully commit to working out at home three times a week, I will cancel gym membership until such a time as I outgrow my heaviest dumbbells. My friends have been very supportive and tell me to ignore them, use them as motivation to get stronger than them, and in essence to tell them to go do something unpleasant to themselves with a barbell. Very excellent advice that I intend to use should I have to stay there, but I can't be bothered being all cantankerous for the sake of getting to use some weirdly dusty mats.

 

 

So, Grades so far:

Week 1 - B, B

Week 2 - C, C

Week 3 - B, B+

Week 4 - C, C

Week 5 - (D, E)

Week 6 - ?, ?

Week 7 - ?, ?

 

And now to hit the restart button.

 

Click!

 

*Watch the TV series "Black Books". Have wine ready. British sitcom; heavily involves wine, a bookshop and Dylan Moran.