Redimagination - Back to basics

[redimagination]

I started a challenge last time but I failed due to my inability to deal with emotional problems without hiding in bed and eating junk food. So that is the basis for my challenge. It is about getting back out there and to learn to deal with problems in a more constructive way. I have learned that there is more to the challenge than what I do; but there are external influences. All of this I aim to challenge myself with. It will be similar to my first challenge but with the lessons learned. I ventured out not being properly equipped and had to run back to safety. This is not about beginning my journey but my training to begin my journey.

 

Main Quest

To develop a proper habit. To keep going even when my mind tells me that hiding from the world is better. So to deal with emotional issues in a more effective way but to understand my brain needs some love too.

 

Quest 1 - To go to the gym at least once per week.

This is regardless of what my brain wants me to do. No matter how long I go for there needs to be one visit. This might not seem like a lot but if I can go once I can go more.

 

Total gym visits: 6+ = A;

                          5 = B

                          4 = C

                          3 = D

                          2 or 1 = F

 

Quest 2 - To eat better and not comfort eat

This might be harder. My last challenge I started out already eating healthy. So my challenge is to cut out all the rubbish and get back to all the lovely fruit and veg. I'm going to be structured about this and not go cold turkey.

 

So:

Week 1: 5 portions of junk food

Week 2: 4 portions of junk food

Week 3: 3 portions of junk food

Week 4: 2 portions of junk food

Week 5: 1 portions of junk food

Week 6: No junk food

 

If I manage to stay within the limits = A

If I go over = F

 

Quest 3 - Do a set of push ups four times a week

This is a little mix of building a habit of working out and wanting to improve my push ups. Plus it gives me a more specific fitness challenge that won't take much time out of my life so no excuse!

 

Total sets over challenge:

24: A

18-23: B

12-17: C

6-11: D

> 6: F

 

 

Life Quest

I can't just rely on being fit and healthy to survive. I need brain power too.

 

I've let myself go education wise and have gotten quite lazy. I also want to go back to education and possibly get my masters or something. At any rate I used to love learning and want to get back to learning again. This will help improve myself by giving me more knowledge and build up a habit to make it easier if I go back to education. And even if I don't learning stuff is good.

 

I challenge myself to spending at least 1 hour a week learning something more. Obviously it may end up being more but it has to be at least an hour. This is a manageable chunk of time. I can give up and hour of laziness a week to better myself. I haven't got a list of things I want to learn but it will range from current affairs to subjects I wouldn't necessarily think of.

 

Total hours:

6+ = A

5 = B

4 = C

3 = D

> 3 = F

 

Motivation

I hope the theme of my challenge is obvious. It is about dealing with my life in a more pro-active way and become the person I would like to be. To stop letting things that upset or stress me get in the way of my life. I'm starting this challenge again small. It isn't because my last challenge was too difficult but it is easier to ignore. If it is smaller chunks even if something does get in the way it will be easier to motivate myself to keep going. It isn't about the quantity but just getting out there and doing something, no matter how small, every week. Not just the weeks I want to.

[puddletheduck]

Great set of goals and motivations. I particularly like this:

 

This is not about beginning my journey but my training to begin my journey.

 

There are so many possibilities for future goals and destinations - but sometimes it's important to step back and take a good, hard look at the basics. I'll be doing the same in my challenge (ultimately I want to fly but first I'll settle for bouncing rather than waddling).

 

Your one hour of learning sounds like it will be very valuable - masses can be learnt in a focused hour!

 

Best of luck

[deerskin]

Emotional eating is something a lot of people can relate to. We are all here if you ever need to rant/talk!

[redimagination]

Great set of goals and motivations. I particularly like this:

 

 

There are so many possibilities for future goals and destinations - but sometimes it's important to step back and take a good, hard look at the basics. I'll be doing the same in my challenge (ultimately I want to fly but first I'll settle for bouncing rather than waddling).

 

Your one hour of learning sounds like it will be very valuable - masses can be learnt in a focused hour!

 

Best of luck

 

Yeah, I think it is sometimes easy to get carried away especially seeing some people with awesome specific goals. But getting back to basics and setting up a good habit will make the more exciting goals more achievable.

 

I'm hoping so. Going to make it as varied as I can and hopefully learn some interesting stuff. Will do my best to report back what I have been learning that week.

 

 

 

Emotional eating is something a lot of people can relate to. We are all here if you ever need to rant/talk!

 

Yeah, it is a difficult habit to break but it has become obvious to me over the last challenge that it is something I need to do. I broke a couple of months of healthy eating in days and despite knowing I feel better when I eat better it is still hard to get myself back to that. But thank you, I do need to be better at letting my emotions out instead of keeping them to myself all the time.

[Eleanorsbee]

Nice set of goals ... and I have a little tip for you with going to the gym that might help.

 

I found that going to the gym was always stressful for me, not because I didnt like working out or was scared of being seen doing it wrong and all the other worries that people hear about. But it was more to do with the social phobia of going and not being comfortable going to a new place when I would be more comfortable at home, or out for a walk or somewhere I was used to.

 

So I started making the Gym one of the places I went to, even if I wasnt going to work out, so I would pop in there for a coffee in the cafeteria and to read a paper, or If I needed a new pair of shorts, instead of getting them from amazon, I would spend £15 more and buy them from the gym shop .... really want a diet coke, drop in to the gym and use a vending machine. .. ok it costs 3 times the price but what it did was make using the carpark, walking through the doors and feeling at home inside the gym as a second nature ....... with in a month, popping in to work out or go for a swim was perfectly normal. ... AND paying £1 for a coke meant I cut right back on coke

 

Of course this comes from someone who was more fearful of new environments and unknown places than the fear of using the Gym, so might not apply .... but if it helps

[Balthazar]

Heya!

 

Big kudos for dusting yourself and getting back on the horse for this challenge.

 

Out of interest of you decided what it is you are going to choose to learn?

[redimagination]

Nice set of goals ... and I have a little tip for you with going to the gym that might help.

 

I found that going to the gym was always stressful for me, not because I didnt like working out or was scared of being seen doing it wrong and all the other worries that people hear about. But it was more to do with the social phobia of going and not being comfortable going to a new place when I would be more comfortable at home, or out for a walk or somewhere I was used to.

 

So I started making the Gym one of the places I went to, even if I wasnt going to work out, so I would pop in there for a coffee in the cafeteria and to read a paper, or If I needed a new pair of shorts, instead of getting them from amazon, I would spend £15 more and buy them from the gym shop .... really want a diet coke, drop in to the gym and use a vending machine. .. ok it costs 3 times the price but what it did was make using the carpark, walking through the doors and feeling at home inside the gym as a second nature ....... with in a month, popping in to work out or go for a swim was perfectly normal. ... AND paying £1 for a coke meant I cut right back on coke

 

Of course this comes from someone who was more fearful of new environments and unknown places than the fear of using the Gym, so might not apply .... but if it helps

 

Thanks for that! It isn't so much about the fear of the gym. But as someone who does suffer from social phobia I can relate to this. I didn't go to the gym for a while until I could go to one that was outside the town in which I lived. It was easier to do knowing that if I did make a full of myself that it would be around people I would never see again. But thank you for what you wrote, I'm glad you worked out a way to get yourself to the gym (and gym prices definitely help you kick unhealthy eating habits!) I will take it though for future reference.

 

Heya!

 

Big kudos for dusting yourself and getting back on the horse for this challenge.

 

Out of interest of you decided what it is you are going to choose to learn?

 

Hey!

 

Thanks! I'm hoping I have learned something from the last one and get back what I had before.

 

Not entirely sure yet. I'm going to take it week by week. I have different ideas in my head but will see how I feel. Will be posting on here what I have been doing though.

[Blaidd]

you have it within you to deal with those problems.  Maybe next time you feel the bleakness coming on or find yourself mindlessly eating because of emotions, stop yourself right there and make a small decision to move forward, just a baby step is enough.

 

You might notice that i've added an Adventurers' tag to your thread.  This isn't to pigeonhole you into particular guild, but rather to bring one of their ambassadors here to offer you encouragement, support or advice.  Your goals this challenge fit well with the overall spirit of their guild and you are more than welcome to pop into their tavern and introduce yourself to them.  You are also more than welcome to pop me a message anytime. 

 

Good Luck

AB xx

[redimagination]

Thank you AB

 

First day has gone well. Have visited the gym (it is the only time this week I can due to work and having off-peak membership) and got my set of push ups in (total of 10 after my workout).

 

No junk food yet but there is a possibility of a cupcake tonight. I have refused donuts though and not just because they are jam donuts.

 

No learning today I am saving that for either a work day or the weekend. I didn't want to do everything on day 1 and then forget about the challenge.

[puddletheduck]

Well done on your first day and resisting those donuts! If you have the cupcake, make a conscious decision to eat it, enjoy it fully and don't feel guilty about it afterwards. Something that helps me (when I'm able to get the necessary focus!) is being mindful and deliberate about eating junk food, and then I feel more mentally satisfied from it (and sometimes I change my mind and decide I don't want it). When I eat furtively or guiltily it just perpetuates the junk-food cycle. Not sure if that makes sense, but I hope it helps a bit!

[The Unchosen Hero]

I totally feel you about the dread of getting out and going places. For me, the hardest thing is starting--getting up and out. I find that once I'm on the way and, even moreso, once I've arrived, I tend to do all right wherever it is I'm going. Your mileage may vary, of course, but it looks like you've got a solid, reasonable plan. Best of luck with it! You're going to rock.

[redimagination]

@Puddle, yeah it does make sense. I did eat it in the end but it was because I wanted it and not for any emotional reason. No guilt here as long as I keep it to a minimum I'm doing better than before.

 

Thanks, The Unchosen Hero, it is always easier once you get there I agree. But getting there can be the hardest part. I'm starting to get the motivation back that gets me moving but my brain is still telling me that hiding is good. It is a work in progress and won't go away overnight. Just got to keep pushing myself even if my brain tells me otherwise.

 

Not much happening with the challenge today. I start work at 3pm until tomorrow.

[redimagination]

Today I completed the second set of push ups this week (one set of twelve). And junk food intake is remaining low as well. Today I bought a drink to take to work tomorrow and didn't buy myself crisps or chocolate. I had no urge to and despite stressing myself out about things I didn't dive in to food. I feel making a positive change from emotional eating to being aware of what I'm doing is having the effect that I want.

[deerskin]

Wow, that's a huge step that you didn't turn to food for stress relief! That is so awesome! Super proud of you right now.

[puddletheduck]

Today I completed the second set of push ups this week (one set of twelve). And junk food intake is remaining low as well. Today I bought a drink to take to work tomorrow and didn't buy myself crisps or chocolate. I had no urge to and despite stressing myself out about things I didn't dive in to food. I feel making a positive change from emotional eating to being aware of what I'm doing is having the effect that I want.

 

Woot! Go you! It's so empowering when your brain starts to want not to eat healthy things. And also makes the process much easier, as (at least for me) when I feel like I'm fighting my brain all the time it gets exhausting.

 

Keep it up!

[redimagination]

Thanks deerskin and puddletheduck! I feel good about being able to do it. It is definitely empowering and just shows how much I need junk food when I'm stressed. I'm currently at 4/6 junk food items this week which is an improvement. All have been conscious decisions rather than feeling like I need it to fill an emotional hole. I've kept up with my push ups (with 15 done already this morning).

[deerskin]

Super proud of your progress this week.

[redimagination]

Week 1 Report

It has been a good start to the challenge and I have felt that it has gone at a nice pace. I haven't had to push myself too much that could cause me to end up having to back to back to basics. But I haven't felt too underwhelmed that I feel I could easily breeze through the challenge or not pay much attention to it. I got back to the gym after about a month off. I thought more actively about my eating choices in relation to my food. I've kept up with my quest of doing four sets of push ups in a week (on different days).

 

So, lets look at each part of the challenge individually.

 

Go to the gym at least once a week - Completed  One visit this week. I went on Monday and enjoyed myself. Even had a run home thanks to a crazy rain storm (not that my legs enjoyed it very much after doing squats!) I started questioning myself why I stopped! I had a good workout that focused on each muscle group and my muscles definitely told me how they didn't let being so inactive recently! I'm so happy that I went back and I'm not sure I would have if it wasn't for the challenge. It would have been another time I've let life get in the way of consistency. I had a short break and I'm hoping the challenge will continue to push me to give me that consistency.

 

To eat better and not comfort eat. Total pieces of junk food = 5/5.  I am happy with this. Everything I have eaten has been a conscious decision and not based on what my emotions were telling me to eat. When I was feeling stressed and had the option of buying something greasy and salty I didn't because I didn't want to. Progress!

 

Do a set of push ups four times a week - 4/4 this week.  Yes, this week I have kept this up. Monday I done a set of 10 after my workout at the gym. Thursday I completed a set of 12, Saturday a set of 15 and today a set of 12. This might not seem like much and it is scaling back what I was doing before with either multiple sets or mutliple gym visits/ runs per week. But this is getting me back into the habit of doing things over the week without over-exerting myself. Build the habit and then build on it again. It keeps me going throughout the challenge and I love my push ups. I will never get over that thrill of when I finally managed to do one.

 

Life Quest - completed. Today I spent just over an hour on my learning something quest. I used my boyfriends university books to read through some politics. It is something I already engage in (member of a political party, occasional campaigner) but I haven't felt too enthused recently. But a referendum was recently held where I used to live (Scotland for all of those that have kept up to date with it). I couldn't vote in the end as I have moved to England. It was seeing people telling others not to vote if they were voting against them and pretending that it would be counted anyway that angered me and found my political passion again. So I used today to brush up on some of the more basics that I haven't necessarily learned about. It was an interesting hour and would have gone on longer but I have a job application that I want to get filled in.

 

Overall I feel this has been a very sucessful week and feeling very good about the challenge.

 

Week two I am hoping will be just as good. I have the week off from work so I have no excuse for not fitting things in. I will be at the gym tomorrow. I will get all my push ups in and back to learning (subject yet to be decided). I'm going to go for a run as well and dust off those cobwebs. I am determined to make this week productive (both for the challenge and myself) but also restful. I even have reading on my to do list so I make time just to sit down, read and relax.

[deerskin]

What a great start to the challenge! It's smart to build in some rest and relaxation so you don't burn out at the middle of the challenge.

[redimagination]

I was going to use today to get a bonus gym visit in this week but still not feeling 100% after fainting after giving blood yesterday. Should feel better tomorrow and hopefully I will make a visit to the gym. I did do some yoga yesterday morning which was good and reminded me I really need to do more. Today shall be about resting and not doing too much so I can feel better.

 

Otherwise, this week has been good. I have been to the gym and not really had any junk food (apart from the crisps the nurse told me to eat after fainting so doesn't really count).

[redimagination]

Went to the gym yesterday. I pushed myself more than I have been recently and got some personal records so happy with that.

 

Only annoying thing was this guy who came in. My gym is quite small and the weight section is very minimal (one squat rack, EZ bar, smith machine, dumbbells, three benches). So this guy comes in and starts using the EZ bar to do curls. And then does curls in the squat rack and then uses dumbbells to do curls. He keeps this up doing them all in cycle (just curls, nothing else) and then leaves without putting anything away. He then does some floorwork using a step, mat and kettlebell and yet again doesn't put anything away. I don't often get annoyed with other people in the gym but he was something else!

 

Off for a nice walk today with my boyfriend

[redimagination]

Week 2 Update

 

Hello! Hope everyone is enjoying their second week!

 

Gym visits - 2 I had a week off work so managed to fit in a second visit. If I didn't give blood on Wednesday I could have done another. But thankfully I didn't as I ended up passing out after giving blood. I still didn't feel right on Thursday either so had a rest day with plenty of fluids. But I think this week has gone well otherwise as I have been active in other ways (going out, long walks, yoga). I haven't just been sitting around doing nothing!

 

Junk Food eaten - 4 Yeah, this wasn't too bad. One thing was basically due to having nothing else in the house. Then my boyfriend wanted tiramisu so I had dessert twice. But overall happy with what I've done. I did have crisps (my major weakness) but that was medically advised after fainting so couldn't refuse!

 

Sets of Push ups - 4 Yeah, perfect. Though I have noticed it has been 10 reps each time this week instead of improving on what I managed last week. Partly due to gym visits and possibly the yoga workout I did before my set today. But still I have kept it up.

 

Hour of study - Completed Managed that this afternoon! This weeks subject was global sociology. Interesting and got my brain thinking which is always good!

 

 

[puddletheduck]

Well done on your second week! Sounds a good, solid week, and well done for working around giving blood

[redimagination]

Thank you!

 

Not sure how this week is going to go. Letting things get to me and overthinking. Probably not helped by the 'back to work' feeling. I couldn't go to the gym yesterday as I was waiting on a call (no signal in gym). I should go this morning but I have no motivation but I'm going to try. Even if it is just for 10 mins! On the plus side I haven't touched any junk food despite feeling like this!

 

Edit - went to the gym. But didn't manage much and have gained a bruise thanks to my earphones getting caught and causing me to fall. Also nearly hurt my back with poor form. Was there for about 10-15 mins. I couldn't handle other people being in the weight section either and my brain just wanted me to run. But at least I went...

[puddletheduck]

Going is the main thing. Even if you don't stay long, you've gone and done what you can. Sometimes you might click into it and do more than you expected, other times you might just do a bit. But, like you said, at least you'll have gone.

 

I can empathise with the over-thinking thing. I guess it depends what you're overthinking, but maybe concentrating on focusing on one day at a time will help?

 

Congrats for avoiding junk food when things felt tough!