Heidi: Lucky 13

[Heidi]

 

New Goal as of 9/22/2014:

Bizarrely enough, I'm scrapping all my goals for this challenge and replacing them with a single do-it-or-not goal. It occurred to me a couple nights ago, and now it's in effect, so if I can keep it up for the whole challenge, it will be life-changing. It's kind of private, but if I know you, feel free to PM me and I'll let you know the criteria. Yes, all the stuff below still matters, but it is truly eclipsed by this one. Besides, it will be interesting to see how much of the water, walking, decluttering, routine life habits have been truly formed when I'm not focused on them directly. If I'm right, they have been established and will help prop me up in this new challenge.

 

So, new goal & stats:

Keep it up. 35/35 (and beyond)

CHA +5

WIS +5

CON +5

Main Goal: I am focused on keeping my balance in the tightrope land that I live in.
These are my steps to achieve my main quest.
I know: they sound pedestrian.
But there's something at the core that I need to address, and that's more important than pounds on a barbell or miles per hour.

Fitness.
Wow, there is a lot going on fitness-wise this challenge. I am heading to NF Camp at the beginning of the challenge, and then coming back to a full-court press training for the Spartan Race in Fenway in November, which is a few weeks after the challenge ends, but preparation is everything (just ask Teros).
I doubt that I'm going to be hard-body ripped, or anything, but that's not going to stop me from trying.

• Abs workout 3x/week STR +2 DEX+2
  Because there is no balance without core strength, but with core strength I can achieve darned near anything.
• Walk 7500 steps a day STA+1
  I turned the corner on the habit of this last challenge, and I'd like to see if I can increase both my consistency and my peak. Extra bonus points for days where steps are 10,000+ (416+/hour), or stairs are 24+ flights climbed (1 flight/hour). Because the Spartan race isn't just about one-off die-for-Hollins moments of digging deep, it's also about having the stamina to keep doing what you need to do, long after the desire to do it has left the building.

Good food.

• Water 2L+/day CON +2
  it's a habit, so I'm not really looking to increase it, but being aware of it is still important so that the habit doesn't disappear, especially if I get a job.
• Eating what we have CON +3
  I went out of my way at the beginning of the year to stock the freezer with grass-fed organic locally raised beef, and I signed up for a weekly delivery of locally grown fruit and vegetables from small farms. It's nice and it is just right. We don't need much more than what we have each week, and by sticking to what is here we are eating well, and usually together. A meal plan will be handy for the week so that we know what to thaw from the freezer and what to pair together for the evening meal.

A happy, secure home.
Because this is the whole point of everything.

• One-on-one time with each of my children once a week. CHA +2
  I like doing things with my family, but our lives are such that if we don't go out of our way to make time for each other, then it doesn't happen. The good news is that we do really well once we start making time for each other. Ethan likes it when I go to his football games or other marching band performance. Graeme loves hiking. Vivian loves cooking and stories and building stuff and going to the playground. I can do these things.
• Money and finances WIS +1
  Amazon fast continues. There are a few shows we are signing up for this season, but mostly we are enjoying time together. Last challenge I was able to save up enough to pay for a Hawaii trip for Ethan with the band; back-to-school clothes for everyone; register two for the Spartan race in November; and a year's membership to the rock climbing gym and a full set of gear for Graeme as well as two birthday bashes. This isn't small, and I couldn't have done it without being hardcore judicious about where I spend. So this continues. Also, it would be nice to get a job that pays decently.
• Routines STA +1 CHA+1
  These are essential to our mental health and happiness. I need to make after-school checklists for the children, weekend checklists for us all, get after preschool care arranged for Vivian. Also a weekly meal plan once the vegetables arrive. Not anything too sophisticated, more like a checklist of what we have and what we are going to put together.

Nightly routine, even on the weekends:

9:00 quiet hours and Vivian Bedtime

10:00 Kitchen is closed and internet, television and all electronics are off. OFF! For real!

11:00 lights out everywhere. 

Yes, all of them. 

No, this is not the time to decide to do laundry or take a shower.

Even if you can do it in the dark.

You're right, I *am* supermean.

[Jittersthe.Clown]

Can't wait to see what comes of this.  

[Heidi]

Edited the original post with my goals outline and stat points.

Looking forward to it, as ever.

[Heidi]

Lunch with Vivian today

Swiss and Colby cheeses, Genoa salami, three eggs, basil and grape tomatoes.

via smoke signals from my Fire

[Sunmage]

Welcome back!

 

Sounds good!

[T2sarahconnor]

Looks awesome as usual!

[Heidi]

Had a cup of Greek yogurt and an amazing, huge peach for dinner. Lots of water and lemon tea today, which is excellent for my outlook and attitude.

Total of 1209 calories, with 46 g of carbs: 15% from carbs, 56% from fat and 29% from protein.

[LittleTurtle]

This looks so structured and clean. I love it. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress!

[alienjenn]

ummm... 

 

I am here

 

the party may start

 

[Heidi]

I feel so centered today. I had better write it down so I can remember that yes, it *does* happen on occasion.

 

This morning went well with the kids getting up on time, needing some prodding, but not needing a drill sergeant.

I visited my mom and smoothed things out there, and then went to therapy, which went really well.

I picked up Vivian and talked with the director about needing after-preschool care if I get a job, and she is looking into a center that has extended hours; apparently if I have a full time job, I will qualify for a longer day. Happy dear sweet Lord. And here I had been trying to kludge together a million and one pick ups and drop offs to try and make this work.

 

Now Vivian and I are at home, relaxing before the football game tonight. It's probably going to rain quite a bit, so I'm taking her to my mom and niece (16 years old) and they are going to stay home if the rain is bad, and have said they will gladly keep VIvian as well and play games inside. I will be out in the rain, drenched but watching my guys. Ethan will be playing with the marching band and Graeme with be taking tickets with ROTC, so they will be engaged and great, regardless of the weather or how we do on the field.

 

Life is good.

 

I'm out of money for the month already, having booked my train to Atlanta -- apparently there isn't a shuttle from the Amtrak at all, and there isn't a shuttle from the airport on Friday morning, so I have no clue how I'm getting from ATL to camp, but it will get sorted. It will suck to have to rent a car, but that is always a final option.

[Heidi]

Part of the Happy secure home is having good, clear structure and expectations, including structuring the home schedule around the sleep schedule. 

We are having to get up and be ready and happy and positive for school and work, balancing four routines, so this challenge I'm doing the whole House Rules thing as well:

9:00 quiet hours and Vivian Bedtime

10:00 Kitchen is closed and internet, television and all electronics are off. OFF! For real!

11:00 lights out everywhere. 

Yes, all of them. 

No, this is not the time to decide to do laundry or take a shower.

Even if you can do it in the dark.

You're right, I *am* supermean.

[T2sarahconnor]

You gotta love the no electronics before bed. I have never slept better. Today was all cold dreary and rainy here so it was tough getting out of bed. I hate that it is dark now in the morning. I need to find that natural sunlight light lamp I found in storage.......

[Terinatum]

Sub'd of course. And food porn already, sweet.

I like the secure home goal a lot!

Be back soon.

[GingaNinja]

Hey Heidi, saw quite a bit of you last challenge on Teros thread, but never got round to visiting so I am making a point of subbing to you this time! Good luck with everything!

[Ryoko]

Subbed!

 

And I hear you on the financial fasting...I'm currently on an Etsy fast for an indeterminate amount of time. So far it's been two months. >.<

 

Awesome goals! You will do great.

[T2sarahconnor]

Heide

Thought you might want to say hello to this Level one. They tagged her adventurer but I think she is right up your ally. I will still be following her though.

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/53628-amren-becoming-the-wood-elf-she-was-meant-to-be/

[Heidi]

In a bad mood?

Do a workout. Still cranky? Clean something. Organize something.

Still a bit bitchy? Cook your favorite foods. Share with the kids. Ah, hell, have a glass of wine.

 

Seriously, I have been through this twice, and the house is looking better than ever.

 

Abs workout.

The Kitchen.

The Bathroom.

The baseboards.

 

Ten pushups.

Potato soup.

My mother. an argument iwth a teenager. Pinot Grigio (not an accidental pairing).

Chocolate chip cookies.

 

Sorted a cabinet.

Organized canned goods.

 

Good Morning Vietnam  on amazon Prime.

Pinot grigio.

 

I see a bath in my future.

[Bekah]

well, that sounds like an amazing plan, for some crappy situational stuff. Teenagers REALLY suck! Hugs! Have a glass or three for me too will ya?

[alienjenn]

[Heidi]

Found this on another thread and it's so inspiring that I'm just going to drop it here.

via smoke signals from my Fire

[Terinatum]

Oh wow, fantastic vid!! I love parkour and freerunning. One day!! Thx Heidi.

[Ryoko]

I've seen that vid before, love it.

[Heidi]

Yesterday's calories and breakdown:

1512, 67.3g carbs: 25% from carbs, 58% from fat and 17% from protein.

 

As already mentioned, the house was tended yesterday, and the soup and cookies are amazing (and rapidly vanishing).

Steps were over 9k yesterday, and I did the abs workout. I know it sounds silly, but after only a few weeks, I can already see some changes. I feel stronger and swear that the upper part of my abs have more visible definition.

 

Food porn heading your way from my tablet later.

[Ryoko]

Food porn heading your way from my tablet later.

 

Yay! 

[Heidi]

As promised:potato soup with fresh dill

The cookies

Today's meat sauce.

via smoke signals from my Fire