Tinessael's Journey to the Awesomness - Second step.

[Tinessael]

Hi! After three tries at my first challenge, I finally made it! So now I will have a go at my second challenge. 

So, my main quest is to lose weight. (Being awesome, strong and hot included) This is the reason why I choose Adventurers. (Also, because I like trying new sports out, even if I will stick to running for now). My goal is to weigh 110 pounds. ( I am pretty small, so no worries - still healthy weight for me.) Right now I weigh 140.2 pounds.  I lost 4 pounds on my last challenge, so I am hoping to keep that up. (I also lost two  pounds this week...does this count to this challenge? ^^) 

So, for that I will: 

Goal 1: 

Stay under 50 grams of carbs every day. I stayed under 20% last challenge, but I also noticed that the percents aren't doing it for me. (Hey, I am at 21%...I know, i will eat some cheese and bring it at 20% again, which clearly NOT the way it is supposed to work. 20% was about 60-70 grams for me, so now I will make it slightly more difficult for me). 

+3 Constitution, +2  Charisma

 

Goal 2: 

 

As in my previous challenge, I will wear my fitbit and log everything - AND I will stay under my given calories on loseit! 

 

+5 Endurance

 

Goal 3: 

I will go running three times per week and do the half-marathon training plan. I've took part in a Trail 10K this autumn, but I wasn't so well prepared...so now I will have a go at a half-marathon end of may. 

 

+4 Dexterity, +1 Strength. 

I won't do a side/ life quest and try to keep it simple.  I took this half year off to do research in a lab...NOT done yet, but have to start classes again, and I have to start with the block that is considered the most difficult of all. Yays. So as a un-official life-goal...err..I am going to survive the next 5 months. 

May the Games begin! (Tomorrow ^^)

 

Summary week 1: 
 

Running 3 times per week: Fulfilled 2,5 times. 83%
Staying under my calories: fulfilled 6 out of 7 days. 
Staying under 50 g of carbs: 6 out of 7 days. 86%

 

So that's an A! Yay!    

 

Summary week 2

Going running: 2 out of 3. 67%  -C

Staying under my calories: 5 out 7. 71% - C

Staying under 50 g net carbs: 4 out 7. 57% - C

 

So... a C it is.   

 

Summary week 3

Running: 4 out of 3 - An A! An A+!

Calories: 5 out of 7. A C.

Carbs. 2 out of 7. 29%. A D. 

 

So a C altogether.   

 

Summary week 4

 

Running three times a week: F

Calories: 4 out of 7. a C. 

Staying under 50 g net carbs: Also 4 out of 7. Also a C. 

 

A D altogether,  

 

Anyway, summary of week 5: 

Jogging three times: check! an A

Staying under my calories: 3 out of 7...a D. 

Staying under my carbs: 1 out 7...that will be an F. 

 

a C! :-)

 

Summary week 6

Going running: yup, three times. An A

Carbs: 1 out of 7. an F

Calories: 3 out of 7. a D

 

Which also makes it a C. 

 

And a C for the whole challenge.

[Countess D'If]

Psh. You're already awesome, strong and hot.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Tinessael]

yeah you're right ^^ I should paraphrase that to: reach the ultimative awesomeness, hotness and strength!   

And you've made me blush...

 

Anyway today (since I won't eat anything else tonight)

- I am at 48 net carbs...it's close, but I made it!
- It was the most perfect weather of 16 degrees and sunny and I went jogging and I loved it! I am truly enjoying the fact that I am enjoying running that much right now. (I hope it made sense?) I mean... 3-4 years ago I couldn't imagine running more than 2-3 km and enjoying it. And now? BAM! 6,4 km, 1:10:00 and a slight sunburn on my cheeks after the long winter. 
-I still have 400 calories to go, mostly because of the burn from the running. 

And this is a photo from the awesome weather, blue sky and flowers and trees blooming everywhere. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B19gR2z9BBn_VGw2bS1zd2ZaSGVFYS16QlhodlZoRVh5R19v/edit?usp=sharing

 

So. That made a very bad day much better. 
 

[Tinessael]

So, yesterday I came at 49 net carbs. (Yay). And I was 20 calories under the daily norm (because of fitbit adjustment - It actually forced me to do some tidying up in the evening to earn it).  YAY!

 

Surprisingly, even after 49 net carbs I am back in Ketosis, which is surprising, because I usually need 20-30 net carbs. 

And I am so sore from running on monday (after a longer break). Today the weather doesn't seem that nice, but I hope it will clear out later. I am determined to go running today!

 

I also gave  my bike to be fixed (the front wheel got stolen ) and my student bus card ends on 28th, so after that I will be riding my bike!

[Tinessael]

Today at 45 net carbs! 

Unfortunately it was raining the whole day, so I didn't go running...but I did go to a Body Pump training at the university sports' center. Ouch. Sore. Already. Dammit. I'll count it as half a jog and hope I can go running tomorrow/ on Friday. 

Calories ok (due to the burn from Pump mostly)

After 50 euros I could ride my bike again (through the really bad rain, of course). 

[Tinessael]

So, thursday was also successful with no jogging due to the extreme soreness after Pump Workout and rain, but 30 net carbs and in my calories. 
Friday started out well, but then I didn't have any time to go running and them a friend of mine organized a party and afterwards we went to a club, staying until half past 6 in the morning with plenty of drinks...also I didn't eat anything proper before the party, so I even if I stuck mostly to cheese and tomatoes and grapes and nuts, still really overate...and then the drinks. I did try to choose the more-low-carbish-choices like gin tonic and wine, but erm...still almost double the calories I'm supposed to eat and 180 g of carbs. But a lot of movement because of dancing the night away and walking home. ^^

 

But today I forced myself to go jogging (as the best cure for a hang-over). Ok, not my fastest time... but another 6,4 km! yay! And I am trying to balance out the huge surplus of yesterday, so not eating much I am going to try cooking the kale-bacon recipe tonight. 

[Harika]

You are off to a strong start!

[Tinessael]

Yay! A person in my thread!

 

Anyway, summary for the week: 

Running 3 times per week: Fulfilled 2,5 times. 83%
Staying under my calories: fulfilled 6 out of 7 days. 
Staying under 50 g of carbs: 6 out of 7 days. 86%

 

So that's an A! Yay!

[Harika]

I think that type of first week is the best, fantastic but just enough room for improvement to push harder for week two!

 

How do you feel? Getting better at runs? Do you have more energy with less carbs?

[Tinessael]

Since I am doing low carb (just less strict as now) forever now, I don't feel this surge of energy anymore as I first did 2 years ago when I first started . But what I do always feel is that I get sort of more...balanced. My emotions don't have the ups-and-downs but stay more steady. That is very pleasant. 

And I only have done 4 runs of different distance until now so I don't really feel any progress.``
 

BUT with enormous feat of my willpower I did go running today! A short run, but still. 

 

Stayed under in carbs and calories...even if yesterday my dinner consisted of chips and nutella...not the healthiest I could eat ^^

[Harika]

You could also have eaten worse, or nothing. 

 

I had a short-lived addiction to a hazelnut/white chocolate duo spread and slices of bread - or just on the knife, or a taste on my way out. It was bad, yet I am disappointed that I can no longer find it.

[Tinessael]

I did find a paleo-nutella recipe! ( I mean hazelnuts and unsweetened cocoa powder...should be tasty ) I am going to try it as soon as my boyfriend has eaten  the pound-dose of nutella. XD

[TennisGeek]

Since I am doing low carb (just less strict as now) forever now, I don't feel this surge of energy anymore as I first did 2 years ago when I first started . But what I do always feel is that I get sort of more...balanced. My emotions don't have the ups-and-downs but stay more steady. That is very pleasant. 

 

Me and friend of mine discover the same thing. We don't have ups and downs in energy level. We don't crash late morning/afternoon.

In short, we don't drag any more. 

It's very pleasant as you say, and we can be far more productive throughout the day since we don't feel starving or low energy.

 

Right now, I'm trying find right snacks when I feel hungry late afternoon.

So far, 1/4cup whole milk + 1/2 scoop whey protein (chocolate flavor!) does the trick for me, but I want some variations.

Pistachios / almonds are also an option but it is rather high in calories and doesn't stop hunger much unless I eat a lot.

 

I'm thinking to get Steve's PaleoJerky as treat but it's kind of pricey option, so it's probably sometime food.

[Tinessael]

Yesterday was very close, but I managed to keep my eating 7 calories under the daily norm and 50 net carbs. No time to go jogging, because I had 24 hours to write a paper. Not nice. 

 

Today...no time to go running. Silly student council

100 calories too much. (damn you cheese.)

50.5 net carbs. I will let it count as half a day done.

 

As you see, I use cheese as a afternoon snack. Only I like it too much and tend to overeat. 

As a win of willpower...I resisted buying an ice-cream today. I really had a craving for ice-cream, and I pass 2 places where you can buy ice-cream on campus on my way home. So it was difficult. 

[Harika]

+2 Willpower!

[Tinessael]

So, summary week two. 

On one hand, it didn't go as well as I thought. BUT, when I did go over my calories/ carbs, I am really proud that I didn't go aaaaaalll over board, like I am used to. (Suddenly having 200 g carbs and eating 3500 calories instead 1500). I had 60-70 g of carbs and that is WITH alcohol and parties and other social events, or I had 100-200 calories overboard, mostly because I forgot to log something and then ate to my calorie limit). So i think I am definitely learning. 

 

Going running: 2 out of 3. 67% (But oe of my longest runs yet - 9.6 km AND my second-ever, very hated FARTLEK run. I am exhausted this week.) -C

Staying under my calories: 5 out 7. 71% - C

Staying under 50 g net carbs: 4 out 7. 57% - C

So that's a C for last week. 

[Harika]

Not bad, and learning is always a win!

 

Are you eating to limit because you are not satiated or just because you are allowed to? If you are satiated then perhaps a list of filling, acceptable, snacks would help?

[Tinessael]

Hm, I'm just eating because I'm allowed to. :/ I like food. ^^

 

Another run on Monday. Aaaand today I am again over my carbs. Chocolate in the meeting today and I come home only to find out that my mum has sent me my favourite chocolates . So I am at 55 g carbs. 

[TennisGeek]

Hm, I'm just eating because I'm allowed to. :/ I like food. ^^

Another run on Monday. Aaaand today I am again over my carbs. Chocolate in the meeting today and I come home only to find out that my mum has sent me my favourite chocolates . So I am at 55 g carbs.

55g total for the day?

Not bad at all.

-- TG

[Tinessael]

Yeah, it isn't. But still over my goal. But I am starting to think that 50 grams is a bit too harsh, especially if I am trying to work up to 30 km/ week of running. For example today I ate some potato salad and in two hours went running and it was definitely easier. So maybe I will try hard to meet the goal on my rest days? I don't know. This week wasn't so good carbwise, because I only met my goal on two days. So maybe I am just making up some excuses. ^^

 

But I've met my calorie goal on all days but one. (Another party yesterday). 

AND I've already been jogging three times! (6,4 Fartlek, 8K long and 5K short&fast). And for the mini challenge this week I will add a 4th run this week and see how it goes. So tomorrow another 5K it is. 

Somehow I am getting fed up with this challenge...can't wait for a new one ^^ You know that feeling? I've already planned my goals for next challenge ^^ And the challenge after that. And another one after that. I probably should slow down or something. 

[Harika]

I typically only go one ahead, and have it mostly planned before week 3. This challenge is atypical in that I have not done so.

 

If you have so many planned ahead, is it possibly to condense them into one? Perhaps one challenge that changes every two weeks to hold your interest? In the Assassins someone make a pokemon themed thread were NFers supply ideas and the challenge is to complete x many of those challenges a week.

[Tinessael]

Noo I don't think that is a good idea. I am a typical overeager beginner, with 10 000 goals and so much I want to try out and do and accomplish, and it usually works out in other areas of my life, but not fitness. I've done it for years - I set 5-10 goals, and do them all for two weeks, and then I am exhausted and do a "well-deserved" break of 3-4 weeks, and so never see any progress. 

So I have now decided that I will make a long-term plan of things I want to try and in what order. 

End of May: First-Half-marathon. Goal: To complete it before they close the finish line. I think it is usually 3 hours? After that I will start with body-weight training. 
October: Second Trail-10K. Goal: To complete it with a good time. (Under 60 min for example).
After october I will probably take a power-lifting course at the university.  I am terrified, being a tiny small woman, but I think I will do it. 
I also have about 10-20 different fitness/ sports classes at the university sports'centre I really want to try out - taebo, modern dancing, capoeira, salsa, african dancing, oriental dancing, kickboxing. I am graduating in 2 years and really want to try them all. 
After the powerlifting course, I want to try the SL 5x5...
And I want to try climbing.
And then, as something ultimate, I want to take part in a trail half-marathon. It's got a lot of vertical miles, with two high hills, so that's something in a far away future that I want to do. 
And after I graduate and start earning money I want to try out crossfit ( it is insanely expensive around here).
And maybe a whole marathon some day? 
And soooome day I will start eating pure paleo. I hope. I have a long way until I am there. 

Anyway, this week: 

4 (!) awesome runs. An A! An A+!
Calories: 5 out of 7. A C. My big weakness are parties, where you get those huge bowls of chips and gummy bears and three different cakes set in front of you. It's not the alcohol that much, because I sort of calculate those calories into my day, but not the snacks. :/ But today (even with three drinks and after-party fast-food) I am under my calories. That's something. 

Carbs. 2 out of 7. 29%. A D. 

 

So a C altogether. 

[Daryl of the Pines]

I don't think it's ever a bad thing to have a long list of goals planned out, as long as you keep it all in perspective. Goals drive us to do better than yesterday. They don't need to be obsessions.

 

I totally understand the overeager beginner thing. I've had to exercise a great deal of restraint in establishing my first set of goals here on NF. Especially when it comes to things I have been successful with in the past, but haven't done for years. A part of me wants to immediately jump back to the level I was doing back then. The wiser part of me knows better. Luckily the wiser part is speaking louder today. 

[Tinessael]

Yeah, but it is difficult sometimes not to be so overwhelmed from the multitude of goals. 

 

Anyway. 

This week wasn't that good. It started with a night to Monday, where I couldn't sleep, was tired the whole day, tortured myself exhausted through a very long lab day and had to go grocery shopping after that...  and the day after that was short, but I was also exhausted. Wednesday was also a loooong lab day, and I had to go to bed early because on thursday I had to get up at 4 for a hospitation in a certain internship place, and after 14 hours I came home with a headache...and on friday I had to work aaaand on saturday and sunday it was raining. 

 

So erm. Bad eating, no sports. Tomorrow I start again with classes in the university and it isn't looking good...but I will try to start running again. I have time for at least two times! I have decided that. XD

 

So, Running three times a week: That's am F. 
Not overeating: 4 out of 7. I am surprised that I managed it that well! That's a C. 

Staying under 50 g net carbs: Also 4 out of 7. Also a C. 

Ok, wow. I was feeling so bad that I failed this week, but it looks ok. I mean, ok, it is still a D altogether, but it is a pass. *sigh* I am starting to be terrified of the half-marathon. I won't make it to train properly :7 Do you think it will be horrible if I say...the longest run I am used to will be...13-14 km? And then suddenly 21? I really like the training plan, so I don't knooooow. :/

[Harika]

I had some bad weeks too. Do not despair, we can still finish strong.