Sterre slims down

[sterre]

Introduction
A few years ago, I tried the couch to 5K and discovered that I really enjoyed running. I stopped for a while because PhDs are hard work and then after I finished I got really lazy for a while. More recently, I've started up again. I completed the couch to 5K again and just increased my weekly distance to 20 km (I actually ran my first 20 km week this week). For now, I'd like to stick with this distance, mostly because it's stupid hot outside already and just accomplishing a 5 km run is hard enough. Maybe when it's more bearable outside, I'll work on running further and faster. For now, just not taking a break from running is an accomplishment.
So I've chosen to focus more on trying to lose some of the weight I gained during the two months I was living with my parents after finishing my thesis (and maybe a bit more because why not). I don't own a scale though, so I'll be going based on measurements.
 
Main Quest
Get down to a 68 cm (approx 27") waist.
This is slightly slimmer than I've ever been as an adult, but I think it's something I can do (maybe not in 6 weeks, but eventually).

Measurement: A = 68-71.6 cm waist, B = 71.7-73.6 cm waist, C = 73.7-75.7 cm waist

Reward: +1 CHA
 
Quest 1
Continue to run 20 km a week (or 120 km over 6 weeks), preferably in four 5 km runs.

Measurement: A = 120 km, B = 84-119 km, C = 72-83 km.
Reward:  +4 STA, +1 DEX

 

Quest 2
Do the 30 day plank challenge. I tried this once before and made it most of the way through. This won't last the entire 6 week challenge though, so after that, I will just loop the last week until the end of the challenge. (note: the plank challenge involves rest days so it's not unreasonable to do every day)

Measurement: A = 34-42 days of plank, B = 30-33 days of plank, C = 25-29 days of plank.

Reward: +1 STR, +2 STA
 
Quest 3
Do the BBWW (or a similar weight routine) twice a week. I'll replace the dumbell rows with dips because the largest bottles sold here are 2L bottles which are way too easy and I don't feel like buying hand weights.

Measurement: A = 12 weight exercises, B = 9 weight exercises, C = 7 weight exercises.

Reward: +2 STR, +1 STA

 

Life Quest

Get a better job. Right now I have two jobs that I'm super overqualified for and don't give me enough hours. So apply/interview for at least one job a week until I have a better job.

Measurement: A = 5-6 job applications (or a new and better job), B = 4 job applications, C = 3 job applications.

Reward: +2 WIS

 

Motivation

I'm 30 and I don't want to end up in shitty health when I'm old.

 

Current measurements

Bust/Waist/Hips: 91.8cm/76.2cm/95.5cm

Thigh right/left: 57.4cm/57.4cm

 

 

edit: Added some reward stat points and revised grading scheme slightly.

[Alaia]

Hi sterre, awesome to meet you. I've followed your thread as your goals seem fairly similar to mine (although you seem a bit further along than I am). Thanks for linking to the 30 day plank challenge, I may just give that a go! Good luck, and see you around the forums!

[sterre]

Nice to meet you too! The 30 day plank challenge is pretty fun (or at least the parts of it I did were fun) so I definitely recommend it.

[blkhole24601]

Ooh, a plank challenge! I'm keeping this for the future; thanks for the link!

 

Best of luck to you!!

[RogueWelkin]

Hey Sterre, I’m RogueWelkin Ambassador for the Adventurer’s.

 

It looks like you've got a pretty solid challenge here, definitely good stuff all around. For the One-Arm Dumbbell rows it doesn't have to be a hand weight or a bottle, if you have a backpack, suitcase, messenger bag, or something similar you can just load it up with stuff to get it to a weight that challenges you and then proceed from there. I see you have the Scouts in your tags, definitely a good choice if you're heavily into running. If you haven't done so yet be sure to check out their general chat thread. You can also head on over to the Assassins and check out their general chat thread if you want to get any tips on doing the bodyweight stuff.  If you’d like to talk to me you can either check out my current challenge 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 topic here as well so you’ll probably see me again anyway. I’ve also created an accountabilibuddy group just for Level 1’s called Rogue Squadron Recruits. Feel free to check it out if you want to get and provide support with other Level 1’s.

 

Good Luck!

[sterre]

Thanks! I'll check out those resources!

 

For now, here's how my first day went:

 

Quest 1

Ran 5.2 km. (5.2/20 for the week)

 

Quest 2

Completed day 1 of plank challenge: 2 simple planks held for 30 and 40 seconds each. (1/42 planks)

 

Quest 3

First session tomorrow. (0/12 weight exercises)

[Ryoko]

Hi! I'm working on 5k runs as part of my challenge, too. We can support each other!

 

Nice to meet you.

[18ck]

Hi Sterre

I like what you've done here. I'm 18ck and I'm a scout group leader. Under normal circs, I would invite you along to the Scout Tavern to say hi but I've already seen you there so I guess you're already scouting around and exploring before you've even started. Good work! I like that your goals are well rounded and I especially like that you're trying to improve your situation by looking for a new job. Good luck with it!

[sterre]

Hi! I'm working on 5k runs as part of my challenge, too. We can support each other!

 

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too.

 

And yay for also running 5k! A lot of my friends irl who are runners are all into marathons and stuff lately so it makes me feel a little wimpy sometimes, but I think it's a nice, comfortable distance.

 

Hi Sterre

I like what you've done here. I'm 18ck and I'm a scout group leader. Under normal circs, I would invite you along to the Scout Tavern to say hi but I've already seen you there so I guess you're already scouting around and exploring before you've even started. Good work! I like that your goals are well rounded and I especially like that you're trying to improve your situation by looking for a new job. Good luck with it!

 

Thanks! I actually have an interview for a new job tomorrow. I'm not sure if it's much better than what I have overall, but since my primary job isn't going to give me almost any hours for August (because of summer vacation) it's hopefully going to be an improvement in the short term at least while I continue looking for something else. It also actually requires a university degree so I feel less overqualified.

[18ck]

Cool!

[sterre]

Today's update:

 

Quest 1

Rest day (5.2/20 km for the week)

 

Quest 2

Completed day 2 of plank challenge: 2 side planks on each side held for 30 and 20 seconds each. (2/42 planks)

 

Quest 3

Completed 2 sets because I can't do more yet. (1/12 weight exercises)

(1st / 2nd set details):

squats: 20 / 20

push ups: 7(3) / 6(4) (parentheses indicate knees on ground)

lunges: 20 / 20*

dips: 10 / 10*

plank: 30s / 20s

jumping jacks... replaced by cross body knee/elbow touching and extension to spare the downstairs neighbours. 20 on each side for each set.

*I went very slowly on the last few of these ones in the second set because they were super hard.

[redimagination]

Hey, nice challenge! It is somewhat similar to mine so thought I would come and see how you were doing with yours. I'm building up to 5k (again - I used to be able to do it, but life).

 

With the BBWW, I used to end up getting a rucksack and filling it with as many heavy things as I could. Though after a while it was a struggle to fit anything heavier in!

[sterre]

And I'm doing the SMART mini-challenge!

 

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

The main quest is probably a bit of a challenge. I think it's doable, but it might take more than 6 weeks and it might be a bit harder than I think. It's also possible that I might not be able to hit the actual target number I set (like I said in the OP, I've never been that thin post-puberty, though my thinnest is just about 2.5 cm larger), but to be honest anything within the A range would definitely be a victory for me and I'd probably call it good. I just thought it wouldn't hurt to be a touch more ambitious.

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?

My three quests are all pretty related to the main quest and I don't think it should be too much. I'm maintaining the weekly running distance that I built up to before the challenge (which might be a bit of a challenge on its own just because of the heat) and then adding a bit of strength training on top of that. I know that when I try to increase distance and start strength training it feels like doing too much too fast, so hopefully maintaining the one and adding the other will be good.

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 think that my quest goals are realistic. The main goal might take more than 6 weeks, but I definitely thought about selecting things I would actually do instead of things I probably really should do (e.g. I chose to aim for strength training twice a week instead of three times because I think I'll actually do two, but three is maybe a bit iffy).

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

My goals are measurable. I have a text file that I usually use to keep track of my workouts and I'll be updating my challenge thread with my progress regularly for the sake of accountability.

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 have grades based on 100/70/60% completion of my smaller quests goals and in the range of a few centimetres for the main quest. For my main goal, I still consider it a pass if I've lost even a single cm and there's a bit of a buffer for what I consider an A on that goal. While completing this mini-quest (and indeed, as a result of the next question), I've also decided to revise my grading of the plank challenge quest to give a range for an A (this will be now be 80-100% instead of just 100%).

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

Since I'm grading most of my challenges based on how many I've accomplished by the end, in principle, I can make them up if I have to take some time off (e.g. I can work up to a slightly longer weekly running distance or add a third workout to later weeks). Upon further reflection, however, I've decided to add a bit more of a range to the A grade when it comes to the plank challenge since that one depends on work being done every day (except the rest days) instead of doing a certain amount by the end.

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?

In principle, my anniversary falls on a scheduled run day. If necessary, I can move the run to the day before or after or I can try some longer runs earlier in the week to compensate for skipping it.

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

Not really. I'm slightly doubling up on planks some days, but often they're different kinds of planks so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. The weight goal might cause difficulties with the running goal if my legs are sore, but since I'm going for distance instead of time, I don't think that should be a huge problem.

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?

Unless I get offered a full time job (which doesn't seem very likely since I haven't found anyone offering visa sponsorship), I definitely have time. If I get offered a full time job, I should still be able to manage since I run in the evenings (I already scheduled that around social engagements) and I can move my weight routine to the weekends if necessary.

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

It's all pretty much for the main quest. I could possibly have used to add something about diet in there, but I couldn't think of anything specific enough that I actually wanted to do. The running isn't just something I do to widdle away at my waist and if I do well at this quest, I may make a running-related one next, but burning extra calories is definitely something that tends to help with that sort of thing.

[sterre]

Hey, nice challenge! It is somewhat similar to mine so thought I would come and see how you were doing with yours. I'm building up to 5k (again - I used to be able to do it, but life).

 

With the BBWW, I used to end up getting a rucksack and filling it with as many heavy things as I could. Though after a while it was a struggle to fit anything heavier in!

Life seems to get in the way of so many good runs.

 

I suppose I could try cramming lots of stuff in my knapsack and lifting that. It might be easier than always having to clear a large spot on the table for dips whenever I want to do the BBWW (it's a low table because Japan).

[Ryoko]

Great job on your day two!

 

And what a good idea you had with the plank quest - I think I'll take a cue from you next go around.

[18ck]

That's a good job on the Smart goals. You're right that it'll be a challenge to lose - what? 8cm in 6 weeks? - but even if you don't quite make it you'll have discovered something about yourself and that's always useful.

[Kailer]

Hi! My name is Kailer and I am an Ambassador. That means I am here to help you make the most of your first Six Week Challenge! Welcome to NerdFitness – great new users like you are what keeps this place going strong

 

Let me know if I can do anything to help. If you feel discouraged or confused at any point during this Challenge I suggest you get in touch with myself or another Ambassador (regardless of guild!) before throwing in the towel. You have made a great choice coming to NF and we are here to help you succeed!

 

You've done very well to complete your first mini-challenge so soon! I'll be around regularly to check in on you.

[sterre]

Great job on your day two!

 

And what a good idea you had with the plank quest - I think I'll take a cue from you next go around.

Thanks! I think it's a pretty fun challenge (even though I didn't quite make it all the way to the end last time I tried it) and since it has built-in rest days there are a few days where I get to do tick off the box when I haven't done anything other than recover.

 

That's a good job on the Smart goals. You're right that it'll be a challenge to lose - what? 8cm in 6 weeks? - but even if you don't quite make it you'll have discovered something about yourself and that's always useful.

Yeah, I'm not actually sure how quickly loss of waist circumference can happen or what a healthy pace is for that. I know for weight loss, it's something like 0.5 kg in a week that's healthy and sustainable, but since I don't own a scale that's difficult to measure and I don't care about that one as much because if I end up a bit muscly (hah!) then I might weigh more than otherwise and it's more important how I feel and fit into clothes and such.

You're definitely right that I'll at least learn something here. Hopefully, I'll learn that setting clear goals and posting about them publicly will motivate me to keep on task as well as what sort of rate of waist circumference loss is reasonable to expect.

 

Hi! My name is Kailer and I am an Ambassador. That means I am here to help you make the most of your first Six Week Challenge! Welcome to NerdFitness – great new users like you are what keeps this place going strong

 

Let me know if I can do anything to help. If you feel discouraged or confused at any point during this Challenge I suggest you get in touch with myself or another Ambassador (regardless of guild!) before throwing in the towel. You have made a great choice coming to NF and we are here to help you succeed!

 

You've done very well to complete your first mini-challenge so soon! I'll be around regularly to check in on you.

Nice to meet you and thanks for the welcome! The first mini-challenge was definitely really useful for thinking about my goals and refining them so it was good to do early, I think.

[sterre]

My ass was hurting all day from the BBWW yesterday and toward the end of the day, my pecs started to join the suffering. I did the plank challenge early though and spent most of the day excited about my run in the evening. I also went to a job interview and spent about an hour walking in the park nearby because it was a nice park and I'd never been to that part of town before.

 

Quest 1

Ran 5.2 km (10.4/20 km for the week)

 

Quest 2

Completed day 3 of plank challenge: 2 simple planks, one held for a minute and the other for 40 seconds (3/42 planks)

 

Quest 3

Rest day. (1/12 weight exercises)

 

Life Quest

Went to a job interview. It turned out that a third party was doing the interviewing, but I think it went well. The job is a bit of an improvement over what I currently have, but I'll still keep looking and will probably apply for something else by the end of the week anyway. (1/6 applications/interviews)

[Ryoko]

Ahh, that's the good kind of pain! I hope my soreness kicks in soon, it hasn't yet. I think it will after tonight. ^.^

 

I hope the interview works in your favor. Fingers crossed for you! 

[sterre]

Hehe, yeah. It's a good pain. Usually it takes an extra day to appear, but I guess I'm "lucky" this week.

[sterre]

Day 4 update! Got up early and didn't have to go to work so I got all the exercise for the day done before 10 am. I was still sore from the last time starting the BBWW, but I improved a little.

 

Quest 1

Rest day (10.4/20 km for the week)

 

Quest 2

Completed day 4 of plank challenge: 2 side planks on each side held for 40 and 20 seconds each. (4/42 planks)

 

Quest 3

Completed 2 sets and a little more. (2/12 weight exercises)

(1st / 2nd / 3rd set details):

squats: 20 / 20 / 10

push ups: 8(2) / 7(3) / 3(7)

lunges: 20 / 20 / 10

dips: 10 / 10 / 4

plank: 20s / 20s / 20s

modified jumping jacks: 20 / 20 / 15 per side

I did a bit better this time by adding parts of a third set and doing one additional push up on my toes in the first two sets. I got a bit tired by the end though.

 

Life Quest

Today I will be working on tailoring a resume and writing up a cover letter for a job I really, really want. I'll probably submit it tomorrow after getting some friends to take a look. So it's still just... (1/6 applications/interviews)

[Ryoko]

Great day 4! We did planks today in yoga and I almost crumbled into a heap. Terrific job on yours. ^.^

 

I've got my fingers crossed for you with the job! Best of luck. I do quite a bit of work on resumes, so if there's any questions you have feel free to ask.

[sterre]

Great day 4! We did planks today in yoga and I almost crumbled into a heap. Terrific job on yours. ^.^

 

I've got my fingers crossed for you with the job! Best of luck. I do quite a bit of work on resumes, so if there's any questions you have feel free to ask.

Thanks! I'm really starting to look forward to the rest day though. They get surprisingly difficult.

 

I somewhat wish I'd checked this earlier, but I got kinda excited about my resume and cover letter (after I'd written the latter) so I checked it several times (including pausing to take a shower and coming back to it with fresh eyes) and sent it in! I basically looked at what they had in the job posting and made sure to include those relevant details (even though one of them was "experience with Microsoft Office, Excel and Power Point" which I don't usually put on my resume, but I can use them so... meh) and mentioned the things that didn't get a mention on the resume in the cover letter.

 

Of course, I wrote my little email blurb (which was mostly a condensed highlight version of the cover letter with more details on availability), attached my cover letter and accidentally hit "Send" instead of "Attach file" for my resume. So I had to send a second email apologizing for that and including my resume. I'm hoping that they don't mind that sort of minor fuck up (and I probably would have liked to revise the email blurb again first, but it's probably okay) and respond positively.

 

So that means:

 

Life Quest

Applied for another job! (2/6 applications/interviews)

[Ryoko]

Thanks! I'm really starting to look forward to the rest day though. They get surprisingly difficult.

 

I somewhat wish I'd checked this earlier, but I got kinda excited about my resume and cover letter (after I'd written the latter) so I checked it several times (including pausing to take a shower and coming back to it with fresh eyes) and sent it in! I basically looked at what they had in the job posting and made sure to include those relevant details (even though one of them was "experience with Microsoft Office, Excel and Power Point" which I don't usually put on my resume, but I can use them so... meh) and mentioned the things that didn't get a mention on the resume in the cover letter.

 

Of course, I wrote my little email blurb (which was mostly a condensed highlight version of the cover letter with more details on availability), attached my cover letter and accidentally hit "Send" instead of "Attach file" for my resume. So I had to send a second email apologizing for that and including my resume. I'm hoping that they don't mind that sort of minor fuck up (and I probably would have liked to revise the email blurb again first, but it's probably okay) and respond positively.

 

So that means:

 

Life Quest

Applied for another job! (2/6 applications/interviews)

 

Congrats on sending your resume in! Don't worry about the fact that you forgot to attach it the first time. One, it's done with already so there's no use dwelling on it. No amount of worry is going to change the past. Two, I used to get a lot of resumes at my previous job, and you would be surprised how many times people do that. Honestly, it's a much bigger problem if there are typos. So don't worry, it's not that bad. I've got my fingers crossed for you!