[Magnhild] From a Slave to a Shield-Maiden.

[Windranger]

Hey my shield-maiden, back from Holidays and ready to read some viking awesomeness

I see you often post that you struggle with food. I'm just wondering, do you use anything like a plan or a tool to note down what you eat? Do you buy for a week and cook yourself or are you rather spontanous and go out a lot? Trying to better understand you so I might lend a helping hand (or axe) in battle

 

"a helping hand (or axe) in battle" - well said!

 

I don't use a plan. I often tried but with being short on money and having the food at home my mother buys for us I fail over and over again. I am going to start eating in the mensa with the new semester start tomorrow. I love to eat every few hours but therefore I'd have to make food for my "bento box" every evening. I will do that whenever we have lectures during the mensa-time.

 

 

I am living together with my mother and my two brothers. There's always much chocolate, cereals, toasts, ice cream, .. at home and I am so used to go to the kitchen and grab some of this. There would be fruits, vegetables and meat also but most of the time I take the wrong food. Especially when I had something with grain or chocolate already that day I have huge struggles to choose a healthy food again ..

 

Just had cereals with yoghurt and a banana. The urge for chocolate and grain is far less strong now than when having only cereals with milk.. Maybe having a fruit or vegetable with every "unhealthy" meal helps me keeping the urge for unhealthy stuff in rein. Good that you asked and got me thinking about it, I probably wouldn't have recognized that so far xD

[Padfoot]

If it's any consolation--eating right is HARD. I'm going for a different type of food focus--gain, not loss--but even then, it's remarkably difficult. There's so much easy, cheap crap out there, and it's hard to resist the temptation to just grab something, to shut up your stomach, and just go on with the seventeen other things that need doing. It's hard enough when I'm shopping and cooking only for myself--living with someone else, and not doing your own shopping adds another layer to it.

 

That said, it sounds like you're trying to be aware of what you're eating, that you're making steps to eat right, even if it's hard. It's a good step, and it sounds like that increased awareness is already turning into action. Keep it up, m'lady, and Odin's will be with you.

[oromendur]

Just had cereals with yoghurt and a banana. The urge for chocolate and grain is far less strong now than when having only cereals with milk.. Maybe having a fruit or vegetable with every "unhealthy" meal helps me keeping the urge for unhealthy stuff in rein. Good that you asked and got me thinking about it, I probably wouldn't have recognized that so far xD

 

A practice I've used in the past to trick myself is to keep a food diary. It doesn't have to be anything fancy -- pencil scribbles on the back of old paper out of the recycling bin worked for me -- and you don't have to fight with yourself about changing your eating habits, or counting calories or carbs, or anything even remotely difficult. You just have to commit to writing down everything you put in your face.

 

This is harder than you might think, but telling yourself that "I don't have to change a thing, I can eat anything I want, I just have to record it" helps. And it's funny how the mere act of having to write down "twelve marshmallows and sixteen chocolate chips" could tip the balance on whether or not I chose to eat them

 

Awareness and self-knowledge aren't sufficient (c.f. the ridiculousness in my own challenge thread) but it is necessary and important, and doesn't have to be complicated. Now, reading those diaries a week later and facing up to the results of the choices one makes, well, that's a bit harder...

 

Of course there's always this one:

 

 

 

Maybe not the best idea, though Keep fighting the good fight, shield-sister!

[Windranger]

If it's any consolation--eating right is HARD. I'm going for a different type of food focus--gain, not loss--but even then, it's remarkably difficult. There's so much easy, cheap crap out there, and it's hard to resist the temptation to just grab something, to shut up your stomach, and just go on with the seventeen other things that need doing. It's hard enough when I'm shopping and cooking only for myself--living with someone else, and not doing your own shopping adds another layer to it.

 

That said, it sounds like you're trying to be aware of what you're eating, that you're making steps to eat right, even if it's hard. It's a good step, and it sounds like that increased awareness is already turning into action. Keep it up, m'lady, and Odin's will be with you.

 

I am trying.. but yet I don't really made progress unfortunately..

 

 

A practice I've used in the past to trick myself is to keep a food diary. It doesn't have to be anything fancy -- pencil scribbles on the back of old paper out of the recycling bin worked for me -- and you don't have to fight with yourself about changing your eating habits, or counting calories or carbs, or anything even remotely difficult. You just have to commit to writing down everything you put in your face.

 

This is harder than you might think, but telling yourself that "I don't have to change a thing, I can eat anything I want, I just have to record it" helps. And it's funny how the mere act of having to write down "twelve marshmallows and sixteen chocolate chips" could tip the balance on whether or not I chose to eat them

 

Awareness and self-knowledge isn't sufficient (c.f. the ridiculousness in my own challenge thread) but it is necessary and important, and doesn't have to be complicated. Now, reading those diaries a week later and facing up to the results of the choices one makes, well, that's a bit harder...

 

Of course there's always this one:

 

 

 

Maybe not the best idea, though Keep fighting the good fight, shield-sister!

 

 

I started to keep on account what I am eating once or twice but as one can see from my challenge log.. I am not so accurate at it. I thank you for your adivce and I will definitely make a new attempt writing down what I am eating using pen and paper

 

The mead diet sounds great though.. I will probably do that when I mess up the rest of the challenge to get at least rid of some of the failure days But well.. I am not motivated to let that happen, I am still motivated to bring life back to order. I wonder how things develop now that university starts again.

 

Thank you for your active support all the time shield-sister! I hope you are fine and things are going well!

 

I again and again seem to forget who is watching and I am living dishonourably lazy. I hope at least you make it to keep in mind that the gods watch us and you show them what you're made off!

[Amren]

1^st Quest: explore the landscape --> walk 5 km per day (STA)

 

The way to university for example doesn’t count. Only going for a walk in order to get out of a building is relevant.

 

Exception: When the weather is really, really bad but I guess that won’t happen.

 

Reward: a new pair of trousers

 

 

 

Wow, five miles a day. That sounds like a long way! Good luck

I like that you are giving yourself rewards, good idea.

[Windranger]

Wow, five miles a day. That sounds like a long way! Good luck

I like that you are giving yourself rewards, good idea.

 

It's a one hour walk a day and totally worth it. Only didn't pay attention to it the last days, dang it. Alright these are the things I want to do in the near future:

• have a conversation with my future me again (sounds weird but somehow that's really nice)
• track food
• track performance (energy, mood, concentration)
• pay huge attention to fulfilling my quests
• adopt the new daily routine

 

For the next 24 h this is the plan

1. grab some coffee (11 pm)
2. study
3. go for a walk
4. go to university
5. write exam
6. have lunch, go for a walk
7. attend two lectures
8. follow-up those two lectures
9. drive home and immediately go to bed (7 pm)

[Amren]

good luck @ your exam

[Windranger]

good luck @ your exam

 

Thank you, I can need it!

[Alexandrite]

Really impressed with the responses and support you are throwing out there to all us lvl 1's, just wanted to show some in return. I really like the way you've laid out your quests, following. =)

[Windranger]

Until one hour ago my day was awesome. I was feeling fine and everything was alright. Then I came home from university and ate and ate and ate and ate ..

 

I wanted to make myself breaded fish for dinner but didn't take the fish out of the freezer in the morning so it needs some time to defrost. In the meantime I ate lots of unhealthy stuff. Now that I am loaded with that unhealthy stuff my mum came home with food and prepares dinner.. Should've stayed at school like I had planned to following up the lectures. Instead I drove home because I was hungry and tired from a whole day at university.. Coming home hungry when there is no (healthy) meal (nearly) ready is a damn miserable idea I guess..
 

[Amren]

Until one hour ago my day was awesome. I was feeling fine and everything was alright. Then I came home from university and ate and ate and ate and ate ..

 

I wanted to make myself breaded fish for dinner but didn't take the fish out of the freezer in the morning so it needs some time to defrost. In the meantime I ate lots of unhealthy stuff. Now that I am loaded with that unhealthy stuff my mum came home with food and prepares dinner.. Should've stayed at school like I had planned to following up the lectures. Instead I drove home because I was hungry and tired from a whole day at university.. Coming home hungry when there is no (healthy) meal (nearly) ready is a damn miserable idea I guess..

 

 

ugh I hate those days. It happens to me, too. On a regular basis. Today, I stuffed myself with 3 slices of toasted bread with heks'nkaas (not the healthiest topping) +  1 with nutella + some chocolate + some crackers with hummus + some things I don't even remember this afternoon after coming from the university.. and my breakfast was equally big! I felt so guilty.

 

But no worries This can be a learning moment - to learn that at such a time you must NOT go home but stay at the campus Orrrr that you must prepare lots of easy healthy snacks in cases like these. But when hungry, our emotional system takes over and it is difficult to stay rational.

[Gobnait]

Now you can have a plan in place for next time.  Perhaps you need to bring snacks so you don't get so hungry.  Perhaps you need to find a quiet spot on campus where you can zone out for a bit.  (I used to take full-on naps, but that's stupidly unsafe, especially in the more-deserted areas.)

[Alexandrite]

Not two in a row. Learn from it, then set yourself up for success tomorrow.

We keep moving forward, even if the ground moves sideways a bit!

And in your case, the shield may slip a bit, or become loose, but we tighten the straps, replace what needs to be fixed, and continue to carry it.

You can do it!

- Mobile communication granted.

[Ambisagrus]

I read this thread and then this article today...seems to go together. The bottom line seems to be...go gentle on yourself. You're making healthy choices and pursuing the right goals. You're a fundamentally good and beautiful person, so live into that reality rather than fighting your shadow.

 

ETA: Here's the abstract from the study referenced in the article:

 

Objective: Emerging theory and research suggest that self-compassion promotes the practice of health behaviors, and implicates self-regulation as an explanatory factor. However, previous investigations focused only on behavior intentions or health risk behaviors, and did not investigate the role of emotions. This study expands on this research using a small-scale meta-analysis approach with our own data sets to examine the associations of self-compassion with a set of health-promoting behaviors, and test the roles of high positive affect and low negative affect as potential explanatory mechanisms. Method: Fifteen independent samples (N = 3,252) with correlations of self-compassion with the frequency of self-reported health-promoting behaviors (eating habits, exercise, sleep behaviors, and stress management) were meta-analyzed. Eight of these samples completed measures of positive and negative affect. Results: Self-compassion was positively associated with the practice of health-promoting behaviors across all 15 samples. The meta-analysis revealed a small effect size (average r = .25; p < .001) of self-compassion and health behaviors, with low variability. Tests of the indirect effects of self-compassion on health behaviors through positive and negative affect with multiple mediator analyses revealed small effects for each. Separate meta-analyses of the indirect effects (IE) were significant for positive (average IE = .08; p < .001) and negative affect (average IE = .06; p < .001), and their combined indirect effects (average IE = .15; p < .0001). Conclusion: Self-compassion may be an important quality to cultivate for promoting positive health behaviors, due in part to its association with adaptive emotions. (PsycINFO Database Record © 2014 APA, all rights reserved)

[Windranger]

Damn. So many awesome people lending me support. That's a great feeling and pushes me to stay strong and motivated. Thank you, fellows!

 

 

ugh I hate those days. It happens to me, too. On a regular basis. Today, I stuffed myself with 3 slices of toasted bread with heks'nkaas (not the healthiest topping) +  1 with nutella + some chocolate + some crackers with hummus + some things I don't even remember this afternoon after coming from the university.. and my breakfast was equally big! I felt so guilty.

 

But no worries This can be a learning moment - to learn that at such a time you must NOT go home but stay at the campus Orrrr that you must prepare lots of easy healthy snacks in cases like these. But when hungry, our emotional system takes over and it is difficult to stay rational.

 

Haha yeah it's exactly like this. Eating and hardly being able to stop. Yep definitely should concentrate on having good meals prepared when coming home. Today I was so proud because I came home and started cooking instead of grabbing unhealthy snacks. After I had dinner I started eating chocolate again.. But well, I am still rather proud of myself that I didn't eat it before the dinner and that I didn't eat much of chocolate yet also.

 

 

Now you can have a plan in place for next time.  Perhaps you need to bring snacks so you don't get so hungry.  Perhaps you need to find a quiet spot on campus where you can zone out for a bit.  (I used to take full-on naps, but that's stupidly unsafe, especially in the more-deserted areas.)

 

Taking healthy snacks with me to university will probably help, yep - so I don't come home hungry. I'll try this when I got all my stuff in the locker and don't have to carry folders anymore.

 

 

Not two in a row. Learn from it, then set yourself up for success tomorrow.

We keep moving forward, even if the ground moves sideways a bit!

And in your case, the shield may slip a bit, or become loose, but we tighten the straps, replace what needs to be fixed, and continue to carry it.

You can do it!

- Mobile communication granted.

 

It weren't two in a row. At least I had some beer instead of chocolate and it was a very funny evening xD I try to persuade myself that I can go along without giving in to cravings - or better said at least only eat a bit of those foods and not so much. My mind is weak.. but I try

 

I read this thread and then this article today...seems to go together. The bottom line seems to be...go gentle on yourself. You're making healthy choices and pursuing the right goals. You're a fundamentally good and beautiful person, so live into that reality rather than fighting your shadow.

 

ETA: Here's the abstract from the study referenced in the article:

 

Objective: Emerging theory and research suggest that self-compassion promotes the practice of health behaviors, and implicates self-regulation as an explanatory factor. However, previous investigations focused only on behavior intentions or health risk behaviors, and did not investigate the role of emotions. This study expands on this research using a small-scale meta-analysis approach with our own data sets to examine the associations of self-compassion with a set of health-promoting behaviors, and test the roles of high positive affect and low negative affect as potential explanatory mechanisms. Method: Fifteen independent samples (N = 3,252) with correlations of self-compassion with the frequency of self-reported health-promoting behaviors (eating habits, exercise, sleep behaviors, and stress management) were meta-analyzed. Eight of these samples completed measures of positive and negative affect. Results: Self-compassion was positively associated with the practice of health-promoting behaviors across all 15 samples. The meta-analysis revealed a small effect size (average r = .25; p < .001) of self-compassion and health behaviors, with low variability. Tests of the indirect effects of self-compassion on health behaviors through positive and negative affect with multiple mediator analyses revealed small effects for each. Separate meta-analyses of the indirect effects (IE) were significant for positive (average IE = .08; p < .001) and negative affect (average IE = .06; p < .001), and their combined indirect effects (average IE = .15; p < .0001). Conclusion: Self-compassion may be an important quality to cultivate for promoting positive health behaviors, due in part to its association with adaptive emotions. (PsycINFO Database Record © 2014 APA, all rights reserved)

 

Have to admit It's way easier to live healthy when you feel good about yourself. Its the additional stress you get when you worry to much that makes life more difficult I think. Guess for me it's also the way I deal with negativ thoughts. Or how I set them (shouldn't, ... ). Thank you for the reference

[Windranger]

There's much to do now. Really much. But I like it. I like it way more than layin in bed all day long being not a little bit productive at all. Studying at university works well and eating at the canteen is great. Yesterday I didn't have breakfast, had lunch at university (steak) and in the evening I had three beers. Today I didn't have breakfast either, went for a walk for one hour, had lunch at university (hake) and when I came home I cooked myself "breaded" (coconut flakes) coley. Then I had just a little bit of chocolate, a banana and a small fruit-yogurt I studied and didn't miss any lecture. I am pleased with how yesterday and today were proceeding

[Talvi]

Hello again!!!    Magnhild is it now?   It suits you.

How are you doing?  Thanks for sending me such a nice message over the summer; it made me smile a lot.   I pretty much went off the grid on my travels, sometimes because I couldn't help it and sometimes because I started avoiding NF a little when I decided to drop my last challenge.   For shame, I know.  But I'm back now, and excited to see what you have been up to

 

How is gym, chocolate, walking and uni going?

[Windranger]

Tavli!! It's been a rather long time I heard from you. So happy to see you here again!

 

Life is great. I don't have any health problems anymore what makes everything so much easier and life so much more worth living

 

 

Today I brought all my studying-stuff to university and put it into the locker - including a shelf I placed in the locker to store everything. With university starting last Wednesday I also started using the canteen at university for lunch and today I bought groceries for the dinner during next week. Enjoyment of life and confidence about it are exponentially rising. I still struggle much with my chocolate addiction, but with overcoming my health problems I also got rid of my DOTA addiction and I go out more often. With staying in the city from 7.30 AM to 7.00 PM every day from Monday to Friday I am sure that the consumation of unhealthy food is descreasing and I start visiting the gym again and often. So excited

[Windranger]

What tomorrow should look like:

 

1) breakfast: apple + yogurt; bento box: pineapple and cucumber

2) go to city, attend lectures

3) canteen / kebab box

4) lectures

5) follow-up lectures

6) drive home, have dinner (vegetable casserole with tuna)

7) do BBWW 

8) wash training shoes for gym

9) relax

 

No excuses anymore. This is highly feasible and tomorrow evening I will tell you how proud I am of myself that I managed everything 

[Gobnait]

I forgot how you're addressing the chocolate addiction.  Are you allowing small amounts of the good stuff, adding cocoa powder to more savory foods, or just muscling through?  Good work on the DOTA addiction.

 

Here's to the day cooperating with your plan.  Have you thought about adding another mini-box of apple and cucumber for between the two lectures?

[Windranger]

I forgot how you're addressing the chocolate addiction.  Are you allowing small amounts of the good stuff, adding cocoa powder to more savory foods, or just muscling through?  Good work on the DOTA addiction.

 

Here's to the day cooperating with your plan.  Have you thought about adding another mini-box of apple and cucumber for between the two lectures?

 

When I have something containing chocolate I am eating what is considered "a portion" for me and that's it. This is allowed and not more.

 

I got the pineapple for the forenoon and the cucumber for the afternoon in the bento box

[oromendur]

Enjoyment of life and confidence about it are exponentially rising. I still struggle much with my chocolate addiction, but with overcoming my health problems I also got rid of my DOTA addiction and I go out more often. With staying in the city from 7.30 AM to 7.00 PM every day from Monday to Friday I am sure that the consumation of unhealthy food is descreasing and I start visiting the gym again and often. So excited

 

Hooray! Well done you! You're awesome!

 

Vic the Viking agrees

 

[Hulk In Nerds Clothing]

How's it going, shield maiden?

I see you made some progress. Keep sticking to it and it will stick with you

(Also, chooocolate...nom nom...)

[oromendur]

Unto her shield-sister the shield maiden Magnhild does amberdisa send greetings (and a part of her imaginary store of delicious and non-caloric chocolate)!

 

No excuses anymore. This is highly feasible and tomorrow evening I will tell you how proud I am of myself that I managed everything 

 

So? Tell us how it went! If well, brag a little, and if not, explain how you're not giving up, even if you are taking a few hits

[Windranger]

Hi everyone!

 

I am a bit stressed so I'll keep it short. Life is AWESOME!!

 

There's so much to do because I got to manage the current semester (5th), three subjects from the 3rd and three from the 4th. I really somehow could freak out.. But it seems like that's good for me

 

Monday: overslept one hour but wasn't that bad, lectures all day long, had lunch at canteen: fried gnocchi with leaf spinach sauce; walk: 1.5 h, sth. between 6 and 8 km; dinner: spaghetti

 

Tuesday: lectures all day long, had lunch at canteen: salted and smoked meat with cream lentils and potatoes; walk: 1.5 h, sth. between 6 and 8 km; dinner:  chocolate muffin, vegetable casserole (zucchini, bell pepper, feta, black olives) with tuna

 

Wednesday: no lectures, sleep late (catch up some sleep), studying at university from 11 am until 04.30 pm with 1/2 h lunch at canteen: stuffed breast of veal with potatoes; afterwards walk: 2h, 10 km; dinner: cereals, one toast with butter, vegetable casserole 

 

On Monday and today a colleague joined me for walking, it's so great ^_^