[TaloraDion] Taking back my life!

[TaloraDion]

Introduction

Hi, I'm Talora Dion! I have been struggling with fatigue of unknown origin, insomnia (worsened by exercise), anxiety, and various "weird" medical issues (like seemingly random allergic reactions to food) for about 5 years now. This is my quest to get my life back!

 

Current stats: 5'7", about 150lbs, size 8 (Canadian), a mile long list of minor to moderate severity medical complaints.

 

Main Quest

I want to be healthy, fit, and happy, with more energy than I know what to do with! Specifically, here's what that would look like:

 

Endurance Measures

• Able to mountain bike for a full day and be only slightly sore the next day, with no impact on energy levels for the following week
• Run 5km with my dog 3x/week

 

Strength Measures

• Deadlift 200lbs 1rep (Currently 75lbs?)
• Back Squat 120lbs 1rep (Currently 45 lbs)
• Press 75lbs 1 rep (Currently 30lbs)
• 25 toe pushups in one set (Currently 2 :S )
• 3 pullups (dead hang, no kipping) (Currently none)

 

I want to achieve this by April 30th, 2015. This will likely entail losing some weight (and I would like to weigh closer to 130lbs) but my focus is on HEALTH and ENERGY.

 

Quest #1

Goal: Eat Whole30 for the 6 weeks of the Challenge.

Measurement: A = 100% success, B = 1 mistake, C = 2+ mistakes

Rewards: A = +2 CON, +3 WIS; B = +1 CON, +2 WIS; C = +0 CON, +1 WIS

 

Quest #2

Goal: Sleep 8+ hours every night (11pm - 7am)

Measurement: A = 5+ nights per week, B = 4 nights per week, C = 3 nights per week

Rewards: A = +2 STA, +1 DEX; B = +1 STA, +1 DEX; C = +1 STA, +0 DEX

 

Quest #3

Goal: Strength training 3x/week; starting with the NF Basic Bodyweight workout, until that gets too easy, then I'll figure out what to do next.

Measurement: A = 18x during the Challenge; B = 14x during the Challenge; C = 10x during the Challenge.

Rewards: A = +1 STR, +1 CHA; B = +0.5 STR, +0.5 CHA; C = +0.5 STR, +0 CHA

 

Motivation

I used to be fit: epic all-day XC mountain bike rides, 4+ days a week in the gym lifting heavy, CrossFit. I want to be that fit again. I want to look that good, and be that capable, again. I want to make serious progress in life. I want to be fierce and strong, with the energy to make the most of my time as this particular collection of particles!

[ChristArtist]

Hi TaloraDion!

 

I have a lot of medical issues as well and I can empathize, though I did not start from that epic fitness!

Once medical issues start adding up, and you can't find an answer, it can get frustrating.

 

I didn't notice what levels you are at right now - specifically the weight quests.

Write out where you are, so that you know where you are going, and you can see it!

 

BTW, I'm ChristArtist, one of the Adventurer Ambassadors.

I wanted to stop by your thread to offer support - because I know about several of those medical issues you listed...and, I WANT TO BE FIERCE AND STRONG!  and I love how you put it! "with the energy to make the most of my time as this particular collection of particles!

 

I have created an accountabilibuddies group for us to support each other for the next 6 weeks.  If you are interested in Storming the Castle - please come join me!

 

For more information, head on over to the Adventurer’s Tavern where you’ll find lots of great ideas and inspiration.

If you’d like to talk to me,  you can either check out my current challenge  Prep for Camp NF, or pm me on the board.  

If you have any questions on how to use the forums, check out this tutorial.

 

I’ll be following your thread here as well so Let’s do this!

[jaex]

Here's hoping that you can figure out what ails you.  Were you having these medical problems back when you were doing all that amazing exercise or did they happen afterwards?

[TaloraDion]

Hi TaloraDion!

 

I have a lot of medical issues as well and I can empathize, though I did not start from that epic fitness!

Once medical issues start adding up, and you can't find an answer, it can get frustrating.

 

I didn't notice what levels you are at right now - specifically the weight quests.

Write out where you are, so that you know where you are going, and you can see it!

 

BTW, I'm ChristArtist, one of the Adventurer Ambassadors.

I wanted to stop by your thread to offer support - because I know about several of those medical issues you listed...and, I WANT TO BE FIERCE AND STRONG!  and I love how you put it! "with the energy to make the most of my time as this particular collection of particles!

 

I have created an accountabilibuddies group for us to support each other for the next 6 weeks.  If you are interested in Storming the Castle - please come join me!

 

For more information, head on over to the Adventurer’s Tavern where you’ll find lots of great ideas and inspiration.

If you’d like to talk to me,  you can either check out my current challenge  Prep for Camp NF, or pm me on the board.  

If you have any questions on how to use the forums, check out this tutorial.

 

I’ll be following your thread here as well so Let’s do this!

 

Hi ChristArtist, and thanks for the welcome! I added my current strength capabilities as you mentioned

 

I'll go check out Storming the Castle and probably join--accountability is gonna be needed.

 

Thanks again!

[TaloraDion]

Here's hoping that you can figure out what ails you.  Were you having these medical problems back when you were doing all that amazing exercise or did they happen afterwards?

 

Hi jaex,

Nope, all the medical issues started afterward. Major life change + ridiculously stressful job + a whole bunch of other changes = a tired, sick TaloraDion who could no longer lift weights or bike.

 

I'm slowly figuring out the problems; it just takes time to get to the bottom of it. For instance, this weekend I confirmed that I have a fairly severe intolerance to mustard (!!), which means it's one of the causes of my digestive, err, upset.

 

One step at a time...

 

Cheers!

[ChristArtist]

Hi jaex,

Nope, all the medical issues started afterward. Major life change + ridiculously stressful job + a whole bunch of other changes = a tired, sick TaloraDion who could no longer lift weights or bike.

 

I'm slowly figuring out the problems; it just takes time to get to the bottom of it. For instance, this weekend I confirmed that I have a fairly severe intolerance to mustard (!!), which means it's one of the causes of my digestive, err, upset.

 

One step at a time...

 

Cheers!

 

Intolerance to mustard!  Oh my heavens...I'm afraid that would be an undoing for me.  Really, I'm joking.

I have spent two years trying to figure out what has caused much of my problems - and I have finally just given up - grains, sugar, dairy.

I have tried to find a way to enjoy any of them...and, it always boils down to the big three.

So - as you can figure - ice cream and cake are out!  Now, the ice cream - that has been my hold out for a year....I just can't make it work!

 

It is a hard road - but hugely beneficial - and completing whole30 is a godsend in learning things.

Have you signed up for their email list?  And I know the site starts another site wide whole 30 -  or I thought so.

Reading It Starts with Food changed my relationship with food - and my favorite cook book is WellFed.

 

So - I commiserate, but also salute you...there are things that eating well can do for our bodies and our psyche's that no one ever told me.

I pray that YOU start seeing some very definite relief soon!

[TaloraDion]

Intolerance to mustard!  Oh my heavens...I'm afraid that would be an undoing for me.  Really, I'm joking.

I have spent two years trying to figure out what has caused much of my problems - and I have finally just given up - grains, sugar, dairy.

I have tried to find a way to enjoy any of them...and, it always boils down to the big three.

So - as you can figure - ice cream and cake are out!  Now, the ice cream - that has been my hold out for a year....I just can't make it work!

 

It is a hard road - but hugely beneficial - and completing whole30 is a godsend in learning things.

Have you signed up for their email list?  And I know the site starts another site wide whole 30 -  or I thought so.

Reading It Starts with Food changed my relationship with food - and my favorite cook book is WellFed.

 

So - I commiserate, but also salute you...there are things that eating well can do for our bodies and our psyche's that no one ever told me.

I pray that YOU start seeing some very definite relief soon!

 

Thank you I did a Whole30 last year (June - July) and felt much better--but then went back to how I normally eat as soon as the 30 days were up (basically, gluten-free, which leaves a whole lot of room for junk food!). I am considering joining the Whole30 group starting on their website, but I don't want to spread myself too thin between here and there.

 

It Starts With Food was definitely revolutionary for me. I've been Paleo-ish since late 2009 but ISWF really solidified the reasons for what to include and what to avoid. It is also one of the VERY few diet/nutrition books that I recommend to friends and family. And YES, I love Well Fed! WF2 is next on my list of cookbooks to acquire.

 

You know what's funny? I never liked mustard until about 3 years ago when I started to appreciate it as an ingredient in recipes, to add some flavour. The last few weeks, I have been craving it like mad--and I have proven to my own satisfaction that I can't have it. So strange that I am craving the taste when it makes me feel SO awful.

[TaloraDion]

Mini Quest #1

 

1. Is your overall quest achievable (over a short or long period of time)? Is it reasonable?

 

Yes. It is achievable but will not be quick or easy. It's a long path, but I am determined to get there. I refuse to accept anything less as the endpoint.

 

2. Do your 3 quests all build towards your main quest in little ways, or are you taking on too much? Do your quests have sub-quests or is it just one thing to focus on?

 

Each of my 3 quests support the main quest, like pillars holding up a structure. I cannot get well without sleeping well, eating right (for me), or remaining at my current level of physical fitness.

 

3. Are your main goals realistic? Can you scale them to smaller steps to fit your life better, even if it will make it take a little longer to achieve them?

 

I see the most difficulty with my sleep quest. It's going to take a lot of work to change my habits around bedtime, and some more work to implement the changes I think are necessary to make my recent sleep improvements stick (I'll provide more details on this in another post, as I had a HUGE breakthrough regarding sleep over the last three weeks).

 

The Whole30 (or, in this case, Whole42) is also not going to be a walk in the park. Distractions of unusual size (DOUS) will definitely be encountered. But, because I am using it pirmarily as a tool to diagnose food allergies/intolerances, I MUST adhere strictly to the rules. I will go well-armed with forethought and planning

 

4. Are your goals able to be measured and tracked? What will you use to track them?

 

I'll be recording sleep, food, and workouts in my battle log daily, and will post a "Week in Review" post here. I don't have a great track record for doing this sort of daily logging, but I think it's what will allow me to remain accountable, focused, and motivated.

 

5. How are you grading your goals? Are they pass/fail (“every dayâ€, “not even once over the six weeksâ€)? Is there a reward for the effort, or are you only grading yourself on whether or not you “lose the weight†or “run the distanceâ€?

 

I've set out a grading scale for each sub-quest. My main quest will not be achieved for nearly a year. I will add real-life rewards because it might help me remain committed.

 

6. What is your plan for continuing/altering/grading those goals if you become ill or injured?

 

Regardless of whether I am ill or injured (unless I'm hospitalized, in which case, it all goes out the window I suppose), I should be able to complete the sleep and diet quests. I may need to modify the workouts due to injury--I don't consider that a failing. If I'm horribly ill (i.e. flu), I might need to skip a workout or two; fair enough, but I will leave the grading standards as-is and assess my accomplishments accordingly.

 

7. Did you take into consideration any special occasions (Labour Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc) that may occur during the challenge? What modifications do you need to build into your goals for those?

 

There are no special occasions that will interfere with my goals. Nothing is more important at this point than getting my life back!

 

8. Do any of your main goals conflict with each other? Will one goal make it hard to do another?

 

Nope. They support each other: sleep supports eating well and being able to work out, eating well supports sleeping better and getting stronger, getting stronger supports the other two simply by increasing my commitment and motivation.

 

9. Do you already have the time in your schedule to actually complete the goals you’ve set? If not, what are you planning to do to make time for them?

 

I will have to make time to cook Whole30 compliant meals and pack lunches, as well as making a point of getting into bed early enough to get a full night's rest. I will do this by cutting down on Facebook time, EVE time, TV watching time, and "mindless internet browsing". I've got RescueTime installed on my computer and will use it to become more aware of how much time I'm actually spending on various activities. Also, prioritizing activities: no computer until I've made dinner, etc.

 

10. Are you trying to build multiple habits, or is all your energy focused on your main quest?

 

I'm trying to build multiple habits. I'm not going to sugarcoat it; it's going to be effing hard. Since my sub-quests directly support my main quest, I don't need to expend additional energy on it. My focus is going to be eating well, sleeping well, and working out regularly. I'll be saying "no" a lot over the next 6 weeks :S

[Tateman]

I've done a Whole 30 a few times.  I usually think it isn't they exact path for me to follow for the rest of my life, but I feel I learn a lot more about my eating each time I do it.  Plus it is a lot closer to how I would like to maintain my eating.

[Wolf Berry]

We have similar issues!  I have "weird allergies" to unknown foods as well! At first we thought it was gluten, then we thought it was certain types of meat. Then all my symptoms randomly went away and randomly come back! It's the most obnoxious thing and I totally get where you're coming from! We also have similar motivations! I used to be in good shape too but when I started at a university, the dorm food and stress levels got to me and I stopped frequenting the gym and started making poor food choices.

I wish you the best of luck with your goals!

[Aerinity]

Hey-o!

 

Popping in here as I said I would.

 

Insomnia + Depression + Food allergies are a bitch. I ended up figuring out I had a problem with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), caffeine, now-a-days lactose, and another thing or two that I'm not thinking of right now over the course of years and cutting those things out/minimizing them has done wonders for me to not feel like a sickly thing. 

 

Also, I'm not terribly familiar with Whole30, I can always go poke around myself, but I feel like maybe someone who knows something about it might have more to say? If you'd like to give your opinion that is.

[TheComebackKid]

Cheers TaloraDion, I really like how you are approaching this process. Not everything is mind over matter, but it seems like you have the right mental attitude here, which can only help. Looking forward to seeing you complete your badass objectives. -TCK

[TaloraDion]

Insomnia + Depression + Food allergies are a bitch. I ended up figuring out I had a problem with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), caffeine, now-a-days lactose, and another thing or two that I'm not thinking of right now over the course of years and cutting those things out/minimizing them has done wonders for me to not feel like a sickly thing. 

 

Also, I'm not terribly familiar with Whole30, I can always go poke around myself, but I feel like maybe someone who knows something about it might have more to say? If you'd like to give your opinion that is.

 

I've done one Whole30 before, last year. I felt MUCH better (I was really quite sick and incapacitated at the time) but it is a lot of work; you basically cannot eat premade/packaged food due to the list of things that are excluded. I would recommend doing a Whole30 if you haven't done one, and want to closely examine your relationship with food and how it affects you mentally and physically. Just be careful when you get to the end: I went completely off the rails last year and binged in a serious way when I finished, although that was also a good learning experience. This time, I am more motivated and more committed to lasting changes, so I'm hoping I can survive the end of my Whole30 (actually, it'll be a Whole42 what with the 6 week Challenge).

[TaloraDion]

Cheers TaloraDion, I really like how you are approaching this process. Not everything is mind over matter, but it seems like you have the right mental attitude here, which can only help. Looking forward to seeing you complete your badass objectives. -TCK

 

Thanks TheComebackKid! I'm working on the mental aspect after realizing earlier this year that I am my biggest roadblock to getting well and fit again.

[TaloraDion]

Mid Week 1 Update:

 

Got a tetanus shot on Monday night, and am definitely feeling side effects from that. But I still got my first bodyweight workout in last night and am doing well on eating Whole30. It seems easier this time than when I did a Whole30 last year... which is nice. They do warn that there is a "honeymoon period" at the start of a W30, so I am wary

 

I need a replacement meat for the mustard chicken I cannot eat (and will be foisting off on family/friends), so tonight I'm cooking up a pork shoulder in the crockpot to make pulled pork. Here's the recipe I'm going to use: Beyond Easy Pulled Pork.

[Aerinity]

I've done one Whole30 before, last year. I felt MUCH better (I was really quite sick and incapacitated at the time) but it is a lot of work; you basically cannot eat premade/packaged food due to the list of things that are excluded. I would recommend doing a Whole30 if you haven't done one, and want to closely examine your relationship with food and how it affects you mentally and physically. Just be careful when you get to the end: I went completely off the rails last year and binged in a serious way when I finished, although that was also a good learning experience. This time, I am more motivated and more committed to lasting changes, so I'm hoping I can survive the end of my Whole30 (actually, it'll be a Whole42 what with the 6 week Challenge).

 

 

From a quick glance (and I mean quick, less than 5 minutes) it looks mostly like a clean eating regimen. Which I mostly try to do. I don't avoid wheat products or legumes as I generally don't get enough carbs and struggle to fill daily protein allotments, but I'm lactose sensitive so I have to be very careful on dairy intake, though I would be concerned about completely cutting dairy due to the fact that if you don't consume dairy you begin to lose the amino acid production process within your body that allows for non-problematic consumption of such products. That's one of those "If you don't use it you lose it" sort of things. I went vegan for a month as part of a project for my masters degree and I've had problems with milk/dairy ever since. Though I found that having "raw" milk (read: unpasteurized) actually doesn't flare up any of my symptoms. Which personally, leads me to thinking it's more the lactose content than the milk in of itself.  Though... I'm getting pretty technical here I suppose.

 

I did a binge after I got off eating vegan and got really sick, so I feel you on that one. >.<

 

Though, I am all down for clean eating. I didn't do so well with it this past weekend, but I generally make my own lunches and dinners all week (except for grabbing dinner once a week, and going out to lunch with a colleague once a week). I find that prepping dinners on Sunday for Mon-Wednesday (or for the full week if you have the space/things won't spoil and/or can be frozen) into easily accessible meals makes like waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy easier. I actually have a very simple turkey taco recipe that I regularly make on Sundays (Extra lean turkey + Cayenne pepper + garlic powder + sea salt) and then leave in the fridge until it's gone. Chop up some fresh veggies when you need them, toss in the microwave to heat, and bam, done.

 

Also, Huzzah for mid-way update!

[adventurerwannabe]

You have very ambitious weight lifting goals.  Where those your  numbers in the past?  Just the 3 pullups would impress me!

 

Did you check out the ingredients on the mustard container to make sure there wasn't anything special in it that you should watch out for in other products?  I wish I was near to try the chicken.

 

I wasn't familiar with the Whole30 either.  I'll have to check it out sometime.

 

Sleep well!

[Wolf Berry]

The Whole30 sounds tough! Props to you for taking on such a challenge! I should definitely try it sometime.

[ChristArtist]

You should be in the midst of the detox of the whole30 - How are you doing?

I have put mine off until Monday - this weekend is our anniversary!

 

So - I wanted to warn you that there is an Albino running around trying to take rebels captive!

 

DO NOT GO WITH THE ALBINO INTO THE PIT OF DESPAIR!

 

Look at your week, and tell us what you did well - list your successes!

If there are any misses - how will you address them so that it doesn't happen again?

 

And - pat yourself on the back - week one is almost done - we're moving on to week TWO!

 

[TaloraDion]

ChristArtist hit the nail on the head: there was some detox going on yesterday and the day before :S I had a piercing headache and was just BEAT. Yesterday I took a 2 hour nap from 4 to 6 pm, and then was in bed at 11:20 PM and slept from about 11:45 to 10:20 AM (~10.5 hours?). However, despite waking up with the mother of all headaches, I feel MUCH better today. 

 

I didn't update my battle log yesterday because I was just too tired. I'm off to do that now... 

[TaloraDion]

You have very ambitious weight lifting goals.  Where those your  numbers in the past?  Just the 3 pullups would impress me!

 

Did you check out the ingredients on the mustard container to make sure there wasn't anything special in it that you should watch out for in other products?  I wish I was near to try the chicken.

 

I wasn't familiar with the Whole30 either.  I'll have to check it out sometime.

 

Sleep well!

 

Although I've never been able to do 3 pullups (I was able to do 2 at one point), the other goal strength numbers are approximately 130% of what I could do three years ago, right before I had to quit CrossFit due to health issues. It will definitely be pushing it to get them by next April, but I wanted a challenge!

[Tateman]

Just giving a quick check to see how the weekend was.  Week 2 is here already!

[TaloraDion]

Well, the last few days have sucked. I've kept up with the Whole30 and my workouts, but my sleep quality and quantity is rapidly decreasing--and therefore, so is my energy, cognitive skills (bye bye memory), and ability to handle stress and not freak out.

 

Enough wallowing about, time to get a plan together to deal with this.

 

Introducing... Operation Sunrise!

 

I realized recently that I've spent over half my life living in basements, most dark and almost devoid of natural light. I have to wonder if this is negatively impacting my attempts to retrain my sleep schedule--or even to experience "getting sleepy" at a normal time of night. In fact, after my recent two-week camping trip, I found myself getting sleepy at 9 to 10pm for the first time in as long as I could remember! 

 

Since my sleep was fixed while I was on vacation, camping and sleeping outside, and in my dark little basement apartment I get NO daylight in the morning, I'm going to take the radical step of sleeping outside. I have a tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag, and I will set up in my yard and hope the streetlights aren't too bright. 

[ChristArtist]

There are lights that help you reset in the morning. ..i had to use them in Ohio!

And a bit of melatonin an hour before bedtime might help. .. here in Florida. .. it's very bright for a long time!

You are changing many things. .. give your body grace! It will love you back!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[ChristArtist]

Hey - here's a start of a positivity wall for you:

 

 

have a great weekend! I believe in you!