Fultonator Swings into Spring

[fultonator]

I'm all about the 30's and 40's: the clothes, the hair, the music, and the dancing... everything that made the Swing Era.

 

I love swing dancing. I Charleston and Lindy Hop every chance I get. And I've decided to up my game during this challenge. 

 

Last challenge was all about kick-starting good habits and changing my behaviours around food and fitness. And I accomplished that. But if I want to accomplish my main quest of losing 30 lbs, then I need to up the intensity. That's what THIS challenge is all about.

 

I could have chosen to up my intensity by going to the gym or joining an intense cardio class. But frankly, that just doesn't do it for me. So I decided to focus on something that I love: SWING DANCING.  I want to better my technique, learn new moves, and increase my stamina on the dance floor. 

 

Anyone else ready to swing into spring?

 

Main Quest

 

My ultimate goal is to lose about 30 pounds.  During this challenge, I would like to lose 5 pounds.

Getting lighter and stronger will mean I can dance longer!

 

Specific goals

 

1) Improve my dancing - This goal is two-fold. Firstly, I want to make sure I get adequate practice time (2 hours per week) either during class or at home. Secondly, I want to learn at least 2 new moves or variations in swing dancing every week.

+3 STA, +2 DEX

 

2) Improve my strength - I would like to work towards some simple aerials and lifts in swing dance. Although being lighter will certainly help with that, being stronger is actually way more important. I will start with BBWW twice per week, with the intention of increasing my strength training in the near future.

+3 STR

 

3) Improve my diet - I will using MyFitnessPal to track my calories. Currently, I eat too little protein. My goal is to eat 70g of protein every day.

+5 CON

 

Life Side Quest

 

I used to have a bit of an artsy side but I've let it wither a bit. I'd like to work on some of my more "artsy" skills/hobbies this challenge - 2 hours every week. I don't want to pigeon-hole myself into working on one thing, as sometimes you don't get the opportunity. So, I have my choice of three activities: Photography, Piano, or Poetry.

+2 WIS

 

Declaration of Motivation 

 

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." - Baryshnikov

 

Starting Stats

Weight: 192 lbs

Chest: 41.5"

Waist 33.5"

Hips 42"

 

Grading Scheme 

 

Main Quest

 

1) Dance 2 hours per week and learn 2 new moves/variations per week

Since this is two-fold, 50% of my mark will come from practice hours and 50% will some from improving my repertoire.

A = Danced at least 12 hours during challenge       ---   Learned 12 new moves/variations

B = Danced 9 hours +                                              ---   Learned 9 

C = Danced 6 hours +                                              ---   Learned 6

D = Danced 3 hours +                                              ---   Learned 3

F = Did not practice dance                                       ---   No new moves

 

2) Do BBWW twice each week

A = Did BBWW 12 times during challenge

B = Did 9 times

C = Did 6 times

D = Did 3 times

F = Did not do BBWW

 

3) Eat at least 70 g of protein everyday

A = Met protein goal everyday (42 days)

B =  32 days

C = 21 days

D = 10 days

F = Never met protein goal

 

Side Quest

- 2 hours of "artsy" skills every week

A = Worked on skills 12 hours during challenge

B = Worked on skills 9 hours +

C = 6 hours +

D = 3 hours +

F = Did not work on skills

 

---

 

"I want her to be a flapper, because flappers are brave and gay and beautiful." - Zelda Fitzgerald

[Darth Shoes]

I love this theme and this idea.  I do some hilarious swing dancing moves when I am out and about, no one knows what to think.  The club on campus is a little too fast paced for me, but I want to give it a try.  Good luck, I'll be checking in on your progress!

[RogueWelkin]

I've always had an interest in swing dancing, but have never gone out and done it. When I was a wee lad I did some ballet and tap (shh...don't tell anyone).So I definitely feel this is an awesome goal, and being aware that it's the best way to fitness for you while you'd likely stumble with other ones is a great start.

 

I do have a comment on the scoring, as I recall (unless it's changed recently) you get a total of 15 points to spread across your goals with a maximum of 5 points per goal allowed (I see one of yours has 6 overall points.) Just something to keep in mind with scoring and such. 80D

 

Your challenge looks awesome, and I can't wait to see how you do!

[ScoutSays]

I love swing dancing!! Haven't gone it in a few years, but used to take classes. Even named my 2 kitties (I don't have them anymore because we moved to a place that didn't allow pets) Lindy(hop) and Carolina(shag)!!

[fultonator]

I've always had an interest in swing dancing, but have never gone out and done it. When I was a wee lad I did some ballet and tap (shh...don't tell anyone).So I definitely feel this is an awesome goal, and being aware that it's the best way to fitness for you while you'd likely stumble with other ones is a great start.

 

 

You should definitely try swing dancing if you get the chance or if there is a local club near you. It is great exercise and sooo much fun!

 

 

I do have a comment on the scoring, as I recall (unless it's changed recently) you get a total of 15 points to spread across your goals with a maximum of 5 points per goal allowed (I see one of yours has 6 overall points.) Just something to keep in mind with scoring and such. 80D

 

Fixed!

Thanks

[ScoutSays]

 

I do have a comment on the scoring, as I recall (unless it's changed recently) you get a total of 15 points to spread across your goals with a maximum of 5 points per goal allowed (I see one of yours has 6 overall points.) Just something to keep in mind with scoring and such. 80D

 

 

 

CRAP... I think I botched that on my challenge... and this is my 4th challenge, you would think I would have this stuff down by now. Off to TRY to fix it! 

 

Never mind... it was fine. Good grief... I need to go home! LOL 

[fultonator]

I love this theme and this idea.  I do some hilarious swing dancing moves when I am out and about, no one knows what to think.  The club on campus is a little too fast paced for me, but I want to give it a try.  Good luck, I'll be checking in on your progress!

 Thanks!  I definitely recommend giving swing a try if you have the opportunity. It is so much fun and such great exercise. I always feel really good after a swing class.  

It's too bad your local club is too advanced... do they not offer beginner classes?  Most swing dance clubs will host classes specifically for newbies. That's how I got started!

[Darth Shoes]

They don't do classes, it's a university club.  I guess people just show up and dance.  Oh well.  Besides, I learned all my moves from Mikey (who is the big winner tonight).

[Countess D'If]

Oooh! I haven't been swing dancing for ever and ever! Great goals, girl! I'll try to remember to swing by and stalk you on MFP when I get to my desk top.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[RedCedar]

Wooooot! You rocked the last challenge, and I have no doubt you'll rock this one too. Awesome goals! 

[fultonator]

Wooooot! You rocked the last challenge, and I have no doubt you'll rock this one too. Awesome goals! 

 Thanks!  I was nervous the beginning of last challenge, but this time I'm excited!

[Darth Shoes]

 Thanks!  I was nervous the beginning of last challenge, but this time I'm excited!

I'm always pumped at the beginning of new challenges, now to push it all the way through.

[fultonator]

Day 1 Report:

 

I feel that I'm off to a good start.

 

Did 2.5 hours of swing dancing tonight, so I've already hit my weekly goal.

 

I was a little nervous about hitting my food guidelines. This is still definitely going to be the hardest part for me, but I think my first day was pretty good.  My goal was to be within 10% of my recommended carb/fat/protein.

I was 3% under for carbs (yay!), 6% over for fat (pretty good!), but was a whopping 45% under for protein (yikes!). I took the time to really look over today's food log, and I noticed I didn't have any protein with breakfast.  So tomorrow's game plan is to include protein with breakfast and hopefully that sorts out that problem.

 

So far so good!

[RedCedar]

Breakfast can be a tough one, especially if you always end up running out the door at the very last minute like I do. Good luck tomorrow! 

[RogueWelkin]

Protein can be an interesting one, I eat tons of protein throughout my day, but that's just from my food choices (which might need to be changed) and yet I still see people eating even more protein than me, but then again others aren't looking at weight loss either. But you could look into some kind of veggie/nut omelette. Spinach and Nut butter omelette or something, maybe some avocados. It should help get that protein up, though you might have to look at the rest of the day to balance the calorie count, unless your morning was all carbs...in which case the swap out would possibly do you even better, and help you feel fuller longer.

[fultonator]

Day 2 Report:

 

Today was pretty good. I was on my feet all morning for work, which is not the norm for me, so that was good.

 

I'm still getting the hang of the whole food thing. I knew getting my recommended intake was going to be challenging, and it still wasn't perfect today, although I think a slight improvement to yesterday. 

I was 1% under for carbs (usually I'm way over for carbs, so I've been trying really hard to keep the portions in check), 29% over for fat (more than normal, but I'm not concerned about this right now), and was only 14% under for protein (as opposed to 45% yesterday!). I really tried to make sure I got enough protein today. Obviously I need to get a bit more, but I'm happier with today's numbers than yesterday's.

 

I'm still trying to figure out what days of the week would be best for strength training. Hopefully I will get that figured out before the end of the week!

[Darth Shoes]

This is going to be a constant learning and adjustment phase for you.  I simple googled "2200 calorie meal plan" and found a lot of results.  If you do that for your calorie count there will be lots of sites for weekly meal plans.  They also have varying levels of cooking talent choices.  Even an "I'm lazy, what is prepackaged that I can eat?"

[RogueWelkin]

Trying to get levels right is always a challenge. I wouldn't worry about being too low on the carbs, being low there won't really hurt you too much. Maybe you might want to look into swapping out some carb based stuff for more protein based stuff. It'll give you more energy, help build up muscle, and help you feel full longer. It's all a weird balance game.

[fultonator]

Day 3 Report:

 

Did one hour of swing dancing tonight and learned 2 new moves.

 

I was 5% under for carbs today, 6% over for fat, and was 15% under for protein. Obviously still struggling a bit to get enough protein, but I think today was alright in term of eating. However, I think I might have to rethink my goals. I don't think the goal was necessarily bad, but it might be a bit too much for me at this stage.

 

Keeping track isn't exactly difficult (I've been using MFP for a long time, and I've gotten into the habit of logging in food after all my meals) BUT trying to keep everything in balance might be too much.  I've been spending far too much time on MFP, constantly checking how much protein/carbs I have left to eat, trying to figure out if I can have this cracker, this piece of cheese, this apple, etc etc. In short, this is going to be way too time-consuming for me, and I feel my time would be better spent focusing on a more exact diet goal. So I think I am going to alter my diet goal. Hopefully that's not "cheating". I'd like to call it "re-evaluating".

 

Looking over the past 3 days, I'd really like to focus on my protein intake. I thought that lowering my carb intake would be the hardest part, but it hasn't really been that much of a challenge so far. I'm still eating my bread and pasta, just much smaller portions of it.  I didn't anticipate having so much trouble getting enough protein. 

 

Tomorrow I am setting myself the task of figuring our how best to tackle this protein issue. How should I measure it? Getting X grams of protein each day? Or maybe making sure I have a certain amount of protein with every meal?

 

Hoping to have it figured out by tomorrow!

[RogueWelkin]

Re-evaluating is an important part of succeeding, the fact that you're looking to do so is awesome. I've done so myself in past challenges and there's nothing wrong with it. Focusing on protein increase is a great way to go. How to measure it is up to you, but I'd say go as broad as possible (x grams a day) so you're not driving yourself too crazy.

[RedCedar]

Good work on the two new dance moves!

I think re-evaluating is a smart move. If you can already tell your goal will be too time consuming, find a more effective way to get the most for your effort. I remember being surprised at how little protein was actually in foods I had always thought of as "protein sources" when I kept a food journal a while back. I still haven't figured out exactly how to rethink protein, but one thing that has helped me hit targets is the addition of protein powder to breakfast specifically. 

 

Keep on dancin'! 

[goodbye_farewell]

Nice challenge. If you do some photography, I hope you share it with us...

[fultonator]

Nice challenge. If you do some photography, I hope you share it with us...

I might, although I'm definitely still a beginner and learning all about my new camera. I'm hoping to go on a hike this weekend and get some nice winter shots.

[goodbye_farewell]

I might, although I'm definitely still a beginner and learning all about my new camera. I'm hoping to go on a hike this weekend and get some nice winter shots.

 

Cool, which camera did you get?

[fultonator]

Cool, which camera did you get?

 

I was limited on funds, so got an older model.  I wanted a point-and-click/auto-focus/no-experience-necessary camera since I'm very new to this, but wanted the flexibility to go manual on everything, as my intention when buying was to gradually build photography skills. After a bit of research, I went with the Canon Rebel T3i. Produces great pictures on auto-mode, has lots of great pre-programmed settings, but has loads of options for manual settings as well, and I can export as Raw if I want. I'm just starting to mess around with different manual settings. I'm in the experimental stage, so there is a lot of crazy pictures I end up with. But every now and again I get a jem.