[blkhole24601] Vicki Defends Against the Blight!

[blkhole24601]

Introduction: Hello! I'm Vicki, and this is my very first challenge on Nerd Fitness! I'm a rocket scientist by day and an actress by night, and I used to be an avid runner until the darkspawn (=depression) decided to wreck a Blight upon everything that I was/am. I've been very off and on trying to get back into things, and I was on the verge of falling off the wagon again when Maaya, another NF newbie, convinced me to join up with this site. Now, I'm hooked, and I'm hoping this will stick for life!

 

Main Quest: Run a half marathon by December 31, 2014. Currently I'm signed up for a half marathon on October 19, and that's what I'm aiming for now!

 

Quest 1: Run 4x/week. [sTA: 4, DEX: 1]

Basically, I'm trying to stick to Hal Higdon's Novice Half Marathon Training Plan, which conveniently would start up right as this challenge is kicking up! I've built up my base, though I wish I was faster, but that's what interval training and my other quest is for!

• A = 4x/week
• B = 3x/week
• C = 2x/week
• D = 1x/week ONLY IF this was the long run
• F = 1x/week and it wasn't the long run

Quest 2: Strength train 2x/week [sTR: 3, STA: 1]

This is the other part of trying to make myself faster and strengthen my endurance. For now, I'm going to stick with the Beginner Body Weight Workout and add dumbbells when it starts to get easier as I'm nowhere near ready for the Advanced version, and the lunges are kicking my butt plenty as it is, but I might switch it up with something completely different every now and then, too.

 

Revision (8/5/2014): On days I will not be running and strength training on the same day, I will do the TMNT workout. Otherwise, if I am running and strength training on the same day, I will do the BBWW. Not set in stone, though; if for some reason I can't do the TMNT on my strength-only day, then I won't, and it won't hurt my grade as long as I do strength training twice in a week.

• A = 2x/week
• C = 1x/week
• F = never ever ever

Quest 3: Minimize eating out [CON: 3]

When I'm in class, or in rehearsal, or in a performance, it is very easy for me to slip into a "I'm too busy to cook! I need to go to Noodles & Co for dinner!" mindset. No more! I want to cook more, and the first step is to say NO to eating out! I'm giving myself one freebie a week for the sole purposes of when my friends might want to go out for dinner or lunch or brunch. I don't want to be unsocial, either! My body and my wallet both will thank me for this.

 

Revision: IF I wind up going out more than once in a week because of social reasons, as long as I order only a drink or just share an appetizer/dessert, I can award myself an A- or a B+. If I wind up eating a meal, then it's down to a B, C, etc. On the flip side, so it feels less like cheating/going easy on myself: if I eat out by myself even just once, it's an automatic B, even if it was the only time all week I went to a restaurant, etc. If I went out alone and then did a social outing, no matter what I ordered, it's a C, etc. Harsher grading if I ever go out alone!

• A = 0-1x/week
• B = 2x/week
• C = 3x/week
• D = 4-5x/week
• F = 6-7x/week

Revision as of 8/13/2014:

• If I have a planned social outing, as in, my friends messaged or texted me at least 24 hours in advance, then it will not count against me.
  • If I make unhealthy choices, it will be a half grade (+/- system) penalty.
• If it's a spontaneous social outing (less than 24 hours advance notice) regardless of meals, drinks, etc, I dock half a grade unless I order nothing but a water and maybe veggies (some restaurants do have a veggie tray as an appetizer).
  • If I make unhealthy choices, it will be a full grade penalty.
• If I go out by myself for anything, be it meals, snacks, or drinks, it's a full grade penalty.

Life Quest: Do something towards furthering acting career every day [CHA: 2, WIS: 1]

As this challenge ramps up, my show will close, and I will be dangerously close to falling into a depression, convincing myself I'm not good enough to act/sing/perform in public, and just letting myself get complacent in general. I refuse to let this happen, so every day, I will do something towards bettering my career. This means that every day, I will practice AND either: sign up for an audition, look for monologues/songs, read/watch a play, take a dance class, study a dialect/language, study a new skill, embellish an old skill, etc.

• A = 7x/week
• B = 5-6x/week
• C = 3-4x/week
• D = 1-2x/week
• F = never ever ever

Motivation: Depression, like the darkspawn, is never truly defeated; it just goes away for a while until they find a new archdemon and incite another Blight. But like the Grey Wardens, these are things I must do to remain ever vigilant. Also want to increase skills in scouting and barding because rogues are awesome, I am just saying.

 

(And for funsies, some starting measurements: Weight 125.0 lbs / Body Fat 30.7% / Muscle Mass 35.2%)

 

Mini-Challenge #1: Completed, +1 WIS earned

Mini-Challenge #2: Completed, +1 CON earned

[MogiShade]

Welcome to NF!  Your challenge looks really well thought out, best of luck!

[Cassi]

I freaking love Dragon Age. I really like your goals! Looking forward to seeing your progress!

[blkhole24601]

Welcome to NF!  Your challenge looks really well thought out, best of luck!

 

Thank you! I'm excited to be here.

 

 

I freaking love Dragon Age. I really like your goals! Looking forward to seeing your progress!

 

The games are my everything, and I'm looking forward to Inquisition like crazy (and I know that pushing the release date to November hopefully means that it'll be a better game than if it was released in October but I want it nooooooow ) And thank you!

[cn3wton]

Dragon age is the bomb.

 

I think you picked some very attainable goals.

 

Good luck!

[T2sarahconnor]

Welcome to the Rebellion!

You goals are outstanding a d very measurable. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

[blkhole24601]

Dragon age is the bomb.

 

I think you picked some very attainable goals.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks! I'm hoping that I don't slip up, but I guess instead of hoping I ought just make sure that I don't, right? And Dragon Age is one of my most favorite video games, and it's on my mind a lot lately between Inquisition stuff and having restarted my playthroughs this evening. Cannot wait until November!

 

 

Welcome to the Rebellion!

You goals are outstanding a d very measurable. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

 

Thank you, and I will! Excited and glad to be here!

[Shello]

Welcome to NF. 

 

I really like your goals also.  They are well laid out and measurable but you also allow yourself some wiggle room.  That will be helpful in trying to keep this up longterm.

 

best of luck

[TaJaDor]

You sound like an incredibly cool person to know (a scientist/actress, like Hedy Lamarr! omg)! Good luck!

[TyrantLizard]

Another Dragon Age fan here. Your goals look well-thought out and meaningful. Plus strength training has significant benefits for endurance runners so they go really well together. And takeout food is a thing I've struggled with in the past (so temptingly easy when you work long hours) so I definitely feel you on that one.

 

Good luck! I'll be following along.

[katastrophenkatzchen]

You created a very good challenge, best of luck!

[Blaidd]

Welcome to NF.  I have no doubt that you're going to achieve what you're looking for.

 

You might notice i have added a Scout tag to your thread.  This isn't to pigeonhole you into a guild, but rather to catch the attention of one of their ambassadors who might be able to assist you, mentor you and offer you some advice during the course of your challenge because of your quests being very similar to what they focus on.  You are also of course welcome to visit their Tavern and introduce yourself or ask any questions you might have. Don't feel like you can't ask me too - that's what i'm here for.

 

Good luck

AB xx

[DarK_RaideR]

Welcome to NF! I'll be lending my sword-arm in your Dragon Age battles, cheering you on.

 

Also, you might want to check the Black Dog Tamers group.

[blkhole24601]

Welcome to NF. 

 

I really like your goals also.  They are well laid out and measurable but you also allow yourself some wiggle room.  That will be helpful in trying to keep this up longterm.

 

best of luck

 

The wiggle room is actually one of the keys I have to allot myself so that I don't get too disheartened if for whatever reason I can meet my goal for the day/week. Life happens and sometimes even with your best efforts you have to let things go, etc. And thanks!!

 

 

You sound like an incredibly cool person to know (a scientist/actress, like Hedy Lamarr! omg)! Good luck!

 

I'm blushing a little; I don't think I'm that cool at all (I'm a socially awkward derpface ahaha) but thank you so much for the compliment!!

 

 

Another Dragon Age fan here. Your goals look well-thought out and meaningful. Plus strength training has significant benefits for endurance runners so they go really well together. And takeout food is a thing I've struggled with in the past (so temptingly easy when you work long hours) so I definitely feel you on that one.

 

Good luck! I'll be following along.

 

Woo! *highfives* And thank you! I've been resisting strength training and I still glare at it for being on my goals for this challenge, but I'm really starting to buy into the benefits both for health reasons and helping my endurance and speed. I won't skip over these workouts like I did the past couple of times I did the half marathon training plan!

 

 

You created a very good challenge, best of luck!

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Welcome to NF.  I have no doubt that you're going to achieve what you're looking for.

 

You might notice i have added a Scout tag to your thread.  This isn't to pigeonhole you into a guild, but rather to catch the attention of one of their ambassadors who might be able to assist you, mentor you and offer you some advice during the course of your challenge because of your quests being very similar to what they focus on.  You are also of course welcome to visit their Tavern and introduce yourself or ask any questions you might have. Don't feel like you can't ask me too - that's what i'm here for.

 

Good luck

AB xx

 

Thank you!  I'd been eyeing the Scouts for when I graduate out of here, so this is perfect.  And will do!  

 

 

Welcome to NF! I'll be lending my sword-arm in your Dragon Age battles, cheering you on.

 

Also, you might want to check the Black Dog Tamers group.

 

Woo!  I'll need it, I know it.

 

I've been looking at them. Seems like the kind of support I'll need. Thank you!!

[Raze]

Welcome and best of luck!

 

There is nothing wrong with us socially akward derpfaces

 

dragon age has been on a very LONG list of games i want to get around to playing...

[blkhole24601]

Welcome and best of luck!

 

There is nothing wrong with us socially akward derpfaces

 

dragon age has been on a very LONG list of games i want to get around to playing...

 

Thank you!

 

True; we are pretty awesome!

 

And do! It's a fantastic game, and if you know/like Bioware, you'll love this game. They have a new one of the franchise coming out in November -- the challenge that's happening around that timeframe will probably be centered on making sure I don't have a week-long relapse while I immerse myself in the game. (Is it bad I'm planning on taking that week off work for it?)

[starsapart]

And do! It's a fantastic game, and if you know/like Bioware, you'll love this game. They have a new one of the franchise coming out in November -- the challenge that's happening around that timeframe will probably be centered on making sure I don't have a week-long relapse while I immerse myself in the game. (Is it bad I'm planning on taking that week off work for it?)

 

I second this, Dragon Age is the best.

 

And Vicki, we can both take the week off... then drag each other to workouts in the evenings between boss fights.  IT'LL BE FINE.

[blkhole24601]

I second this, Dragon Age is the best.

 

And Vicki, we can both take the week off... then drag each other to workouts in the evenings between boss fights.  IT'LL BE FINE.

 

Yes, this is a thing we shall do. LET US BE INQUISITION WORKOUT ACCOUNTABILIBUDDIES. 

[Ciara]

Dude, Dragon Age is the shiet. I could play it all day if I didn't have everything else to attend to.

 

You totally got this in the bag. Go get em!

[blkhole24601]

Dude, Dragon Age is the shiet. I could play it all day if I didn't have everything else to attend to.

 

You totally got this in the bag. Go get em!

 

I know, right? Stupid real life, stupid bills and having to pay them, arrrrrgh...

 

Thank you!

[DarK_RaideR]

Yes, this is a thing we shall do. LET US BE INQUISITION WORKOUT ACCOUNTABILIBUDDIES. 

 

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

 

[blkhole24601]

Maybe it's because I walked away from the fandom years ago (not for any particular reason other than another fandom whisked me away!), but is it sad this is the first time I've heard someone make that reference when talking about the game?

[Candace Koller]

Let's help you find someone to perform the Dark Ritual so that slaying the Archdemon does not harm you.

[Bandcamp]

1. I hope you're one of the ones who survives the Dark Ritual.

 

2. I'm all over Inquisition

 

3. Have you applied for The Keep beta yet? You don't actually have to tune all of your previous playthroughs. It lets you set everything to match what you wanted so that you can change platforms.

[blkhole24601]

Let's help you find someone to perform the Dark Ritual so that slaying the Archdemon does not harm you.

 

Haha, let's! As long I don't wind up with a demon baby, that is.

 

 

2. I'm all over Inquisition

 

3. Have you applied for The Keep beta yet? You don't actually have to tune all of your previous playthroughs. It lets you set everything to match what you wanted so that you can change platforms.

 

2. I am impatient for this game. I'm already planning out my first character. Elven mage, though I'm waiting to hear if Varric will be made available as a romance option before I decide male or female. Otherwise, I find myself oddly drawn to Dorian, which means for the first time ever my first playthrough will be done with a male character. XD

 

3. Not yet! If it fixes the Zevran romance bug in DA2, though, I'll be all over that. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to invest in a new platform before the game, but we'll see!