Tundralily: Wild at Heart

[tundralily]

Last time on the Rebellion... 
 

I am continuing to prove the darkness within wrong. That I am not at failure, that I am stronger than I think I am, and that when strength, calm, harmony, and love come together, there is no power in the verse that can stop me. Not even when the darkness within tries to hijack my brain and sabotage my efforts towards leveling up my life.

 

 

This time on the rebellion

 

Winter is coming.... Am I ready for that? 

 

The light outside continues to fall away as the days get colder. 

 

I'm off on a new adventure to join the Rangers of the North and become a Dúnedain. 

 

 

I was born in the North, and continue to build a life in the North. The North is in my blood, my heart, my mind. I love living where I do,  and want to embrace the seasons as they change to a time for the land to rest and lie quiet. 

 

This is my home. As a Ranger of the North, I will defend my home and country with my last breath. 

 

This challenge is about rest, preparation for the months ahead, and letting go of the past.

 

 

 
Rest - My body is getting more tired as the dark continues to come and I will focus on keeping my energy levels up for Dúnedain training. November is my least favourite time of year because of the dark and impatient wait for ski season to finally arrive! I love WINTER because of skiing, but don't like the transition into winter with the dark and rain. 
 
Preparation - This is a season of change which I will use to prepare for the coming winter months, and to increase my physical conditioning for ski season. 
 
Past - In many ways, the past continues to haunt me. In the way that I interact with my family, myself, and struggle to heal the impact of trauma in my life. The above quote is my new mantra for the challenge, and I love it!
 
 
Main Quest

Building strength, calm, harmony, and restoration of my heart, body, soul, and mind.

To reach my goal weight of 170lbs (currently 195ish lbs)
 
To become a battle ready Dunedain.
 
Motivation 
 
I will face each day with an open heart, be adventurous in all the ways that piqued my curiosity, have specific long-term goals, and practice kindness and compassion towards myself. I will meet myself where I am with love, compassion, and without judgement. I will celebrate the smallest of successes and be gentle with myself if I fail, focusing instead on learning what works for me. I will respect the limitations of my mind, body, heart and soul, and find the edges where I can growth from.
 
Challenge Quest - Become a Dúnedain Ranger and prepare myself for the coming months. 
 
I think I tried to do too many things this time and struggled because of it. Too many big changes and additions to my routine does not make a happy lilly!
This challenge is about discovering and cultivating those keystone habits that I will need to develop the foundations and routines for the life I want to live.
 
Quest 1 - Greet the sun
 
A Dúnedan rises early to greet the sun and is ready to face the day. My current morning routine leaves me grumpy and rushed to get out the door. Time to take back my mornings! This will be a multi-challenge goal. 
 
Goal - No more snoozes! I love my snoozes to the point where we snooze 4 or 5 times in the morning. I'm using  this  technique to get up when my alarm goes off. Points - 1 per day if I don't snooze for a total of 42. +2 CON, +1 STA
 
Reward: If I make it through a morning with no snoozes, I can play Oblivion for 20 mins. 
 
Goal - Take my meds! I am supposed to be taking some meds, Vitamin D, and fish oil to combat the winter blues. I forget to do this on a regular basis. Points - 1 per day for each day that I take all 3, for a total of 42 points. +1 CON. 
 
Quest 2 - Ranger Training 
 
Dúnedan physical training requires strength, speed, and the ability to adapt to any situation. To improve my physical condition, I will:
 
Goal - Lose 7lbs by the end of this challenge to weigh 185lbs. This may be a bit ambitious, but I would like to see what I can do. I'll be happy if I lose 5lbs. +3 CON
 
Reward: Nerd Fitness Tshirt! 
 
Goal - Complete 6 weeks of New Rules of Lifting for Women. I am really enjoying strength training and want to kick it up a notch. I will get at least 2 gym sessions a week, and complement with a bodyweight workout at home if I can't make a third at the gym. +3 STR
 
Reward: New workout tank-top. 
 
Benchmarks (These are hey, look at what I can do but not graded goals)
Squat 80lbs 
Deadlift 50lbs 
 
Quest 3 - Ranger Friends!
 
Goal: Post on Nerd Fitness 3X weekly and cheer on fellow Rebels and Cut Lasses. Points - 18 points +2 CHA
 
Life Quest - Preparation for Winter (+2 CHA, +1 DEX)
 
This will be an evolving list of things I need to do for winter. For each item completed, I'll get 1 point and a undetermined reward. Ones that say weekly can be count for up to 6 points if completed weekly. 
 
Stuff to do 
- Make a Christmas list 
- Take out the recycling 
- Clean the bathroom once weekly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,)
- Change your addresses at the bank 
- Change our car insurance so it will be cheaper in January
- Get renter's insurance 
- Develop a season plan for ski coaching once I know what group I am coaching
- Do laundry weekly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,)

- Book your physio appointment 

- Book Benji (the dog) on our flights home for Christmas

  Email Stacey about ABCFP recommendation letter 

- Finish ABCFP registration by Christmas

- Finish Christmas shopping by December 1st 

[RES]

Following you from the RPG Fanatics looking forward to all kinds of awesome things!

[Edigo]

Subbed from the rpg as well

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[tundralily]

Challenge goals updated!

[starsapart]

Fabulous challenge!  I am here to follow along and cheer you on via the Cutlasses!

[Edigo]

Nice challenge update! I lile your focus

For the pills, can you put them somewhere to help you think about it? Like next to your morning coffee prep, or maybe setting an alarm on your phone for it? I take a lot of pills myself and sometimes you need to give yourself some help to remember it

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[tundralily]

Nice challenge update! I lile your focus

For the pills, can you put them somewhere to help you think about it? Like next to your morning coffee prep, or maybe setting an alarm on your phone for it? I take a lot of pills myself and sometimes you need to give yourself some help to remember it

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Thanks! That's a great idea about the phone alarm. I already leave them next to my toothbrush and will make the spot more obvious.

Fabulous challenge!  I am here to follow along and cheer you on via the Cutlasses!

Ahoy there Cap'n! Thanks for the visit and I be looking forward to sailing with ye!

[tundralily]

Morning one: no snoozes, success! I feel awesome for not going back to bed after my shower either. I actually feel somewhat awake this morning and am hanging out on nerd fitness before working. I also did a round of stretching from starting stretching, yah for the flexy bendy!

[Anaticula]

Fellow CutLass subbing your challenge.  I really like your goals, you know what areas you need to improve in and you've set some very good ideas for following them.  The changing season can be really hard.  I have the exact opposite problem of you these days. I've no problem waking up, but I find myself ready to go to sleep once the sun goes down even though it's not even 7pm! 

[DaemonCorax]

I love your goals.  My schedule is shifting these days because work.  Winter doesn't get me down, but sleep and I have a very complicated relationship.  Trapping myself in a rigid routine is the only way I can function.  Oddly, waking up at 5 and going to bed at 9:30 is treating me better than waking up at 7 and going to bed at 11 was...

 

I'll be checking in this challenge!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Ahoy there ship mate! Great goals. I'm also a slave to the snooze button and regularly mash the snooze button 3 or 4 times.

Good luck with the New Rules program. I'm just coming to the end of stage one and I've loved every minute of it!

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[tundralily]

Fellow CutLass subbing your challenge.  I really like your goals, you know what areas you need to improve in and you've set some very good ideas for following them.  The changing season can be really hard.  I have the exact opposite problem of you these days. I've no problem waking up, but I find myself ready to go to sleep once the sun goes down even though it's not even 7pm! 

 

Thanks! Glad to know I'm not the only one who struggles. Keep up the good work!

I love your goals.  My schedule is shifting these days because work.  Winter doesn't get me down, but sleep and I have a very complicated relationship.  Trapping myself in a rigid routine is the only way I can function.  Oddly, waking up at 5 and going to bed at 9:30 is treating me better than waking up at 7 and going to bed at 11 was...

 

I'll be checking in this challenge!

 

Thanks for checking in, sounds like we have a similar relationship with sleep 

Ahoy there ship mate! Great goals. I'm also a slave to the snooze button and regularly mash the snooze button 3 or 4 times.

Good luck with the New Rules program. I'm just coming to the end of stage one and I've loved every minute of it!

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Glad to hear you enjoy the New Rules program, I'm loving it so far. What are you up to now? 

[tundralily]

Hope you all had a great first day! My challenge is off to a great start. I woke up early this morning with no snoozes, did some yoga on my mat, and did a round of the Advanced bodyweight workout at lunch today. I was more awake today (though still tired after a bad nights sleep) than I have been in a long time. I'm excited to see where this takes me!



Here's to a good dive into tomorrow!

[Pyrorazor]

Ahoy fellow Cutlass! I'll be here to cheer you on as we set sail on the high seas! Nice job on your first day!

[BattleKat558]

I love the way you've done your challenge.  I really hope that in my later challenges I can take the time to make them this epic.  For my newbie induction I kept it simple but I really want to emphasize the RPG-ness of it.  I'll meet up with you later in the Rangers guild

[aeshnidae]

Subbed, although for some reason my first post didn't take. You're farther north than I am, but my football team (the Ravens) plays in the AFC North and I'm considered a rude northerner by American standards (at least, according to the southerners I've met).   

 

[tundralily]

I had an epic story post and update written out but it got ate by the forum monster. He must of been hungry this morning! I'll have to re-write it later when I'm not on the way to work. 

 

 

Day 2 and 3 Update!

 

My last couple days have been going well on the challenge front. I managed to get myself out of bed 3/4 morning this week with no snoozes and on the early side to boot! I lifted a new PR for deadlifts last night with 50lbs, and am feeling it today. Celebration in the Ranger camp, who wants some rum? 

 

 

On the work front, things have got rather...intense? I still really enjoy my job but the pressure to now start producing work is there. I'm temp and am going through a period where management is deciding to hire me fulltime or not. Eppp. I'm anxious about that, but know I can do it! The by product of waking up feeling more refreshed from no snoozes is I now feel more calm and collected before I head to work, and feel better prepared to face my days. Epic win!

 

[Charlie_Quinn]

Boo those forum monsters! But yay for deadlift PR! 

 

Crack open the rum, cheers!

 

[DaemonCorax]

I had an epic story post and update written out but it got ate by the forum monster. He must of been hungry this morning! I'll have to re-write it later when I'm not on the way to work. 

 

 

Day 2 and 3 Update!

 

My last couple days have been going well on the challenge front. I managed to get myself out of bed 3/4 morning this week with no snoozes and on the early side to boot! I lifted a new PR for deadlifts last night with 50lbs, and am feeling it today. Celebration in the Ranger camp, who wants some rum? 

 

 

On the work front, things have got rather...intense? I still really enjoy my job but the pressure to now start producing work is there. I'm temp and am going through a period where management is deciding to hire me fulltime or not. Eppp. I'm anxious about that, but know I can do it! The by product of waking up feeling more refreshed from no snoozes is I now feel more calm and collected before I head to work, and feel better prepared to face my days. Epic win!

 

 

 

This is totally my life right now:  Deadlifts and work uncertainty!  My work uncertainty is not as immediate as yours - I'm on a year to year contract, so I don't have to start getting nervous until the spring, although my subconscious likes getting a jump on these things.  Depending on your work environment, it sometimes helps to sit down with people one on one and use the time to show of what you have done and ask probative questions about strategic planning for the next year.  By showing that your brain is already involved in future work, you can make it easier for bosses to see you as a part of the team in a more concrete way moving forward.  This varies by work environment, but I strongly believe that you can never advocate for yourself while sitting in a corner and waiting for an answer.

 

In the meantime - deadlifts relieve stress.  Hooray!

[tundralily]

Week 1 Update 

 

Rest - I spent this week focusing on trying to get some good sleep and doing lots of flexy bending to relax my muscles. My sleep quality was awful (for other reasons...damm nightmares), but on a positive note, I can definitely see a change in my flexibility!

 

No snooze - 5/7 days. Woot! I used my snooze alarm this morning and have felt sluggish all day because of it. Back on track for tomorrow!

 

Preparation - I had an epic workout on Wednesday, and needed a couple days off. I tried doing a bodyweight workout on Friday but it didn't feel right. I need to space out my workouts this week and not go so full out on just one workout! 

 

Life Quest - Preparation for Winter

I got 3 points so far this week for completing the following items: 

 

Taking out the recycling 

Doing laundry 

Making a christmas list. 

 

Short update, I have to go to bed to be at work in the morning but I hope everyone had a good weekend! Catch up with you guys tomorrow 

 

 

Past - In many ways, the past continues to haunt me. In the way that I interact with my family, myself, and struggle to heal the impact of trauma in my life. I'll be posting more about that this week and some ways I've come up with to tackle this part of my challenge.

[Anaticula]

Week one has gone well for you, can't wait to hear about week two!

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Week 1 Update 

 

Rest - I spent this week focusing on trying to get some good sleep and doing lots of flexy bending to relax my muscles. My sleep quality was awful (for other reasons...damm nightmares), but on a positive note, I can definitely see a change in my flexibility!

 

No snooze - 5/7 days. Woot! I used my snooze alarm this morning and have felt sluggish all day because of it. Back on track for tomorrow!

 

Preparation - I had an epic workout on Wednesday, and needed a couple days off. I tried doing a bodyweight workout on Friday but it didn't feel right. I need to space out my workouts this week and not go so full out on just one workout! 

 

Life Quest - Preparation for Winter

I got 3 points so far this week for completing the following items: 

 

Taking out the recycling 

Doing laundry 

Making a christmas list. 

 

Short update, I have to go to bed to be at work in the morning but I hope everyone had a good weekend! Catch up with you guys tomorrow 

 

 

Good for you! Looks like a solid start!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Thanks for checking in, sounds like we have a similar relationship with sleep

Glad to hear you enjoy the New Rules program, I'm loving it so far. What are you up to now?

Sorry, I completely missed this! Must read threads more carefully! I just finished stage one of New Rules today. You are supposed to take a break between stages but I'm jumping straight into stage 2. 1, because I missed a week with flu a couple of weeks ago and 2, I don't want to not lift for a week!

Congrats on a great first week. [emoji1]

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[DarK_RaideR]

So how's Week 2 coming along?

[Charlie_Quinn]

Hey tundra. I hope week 2 was OK. 

 

Stay shiny!