sozzielou starts 2015 off right

[sozzielou]

Happy new year fellow rebels! Here goes for level 11 ...

 

My ultimate goal is to fit comfortably in size 14 trousers. To get there, I need to drop a dress size. I need to be more active in order to burn the fat off. I am fit and healthy and rested so looking forward to starting the new year off right.

 

 

1. WORKOUT!

 

30-min workouts, 5 times per week. STR+2, STA+1, DEX+1

 

A = 28+ days with a workout

B = 25-27 days with a workout

C = 22-24 days with a workout

F = 21 days or fewer with a workout

 

2. ACTIVITY!

 

Be active outside of workout times. Minimum 10 minutes per day, 5 days per week. STA+2, CON+1

 

A = 28+ active days

B = 25-27 active days

C = 22-24 active days

F = 21 or fewer active days

 

3. WORD!

 

My employers have provided me with an advanced course in word processing, all paid for, but I need to find a few hours per week to learn it, practice it and take the exam. I want to take the exam before the end of February. WIS+4

 

A = Learned, practiced and exam date set

B = Still practicing, nearly there

C = Still practicing, will take exam but not sure if I will pass

F = Nowhere near; will have to defer exam

 

4. VALENTINE!

 

Valentine's day falls at the end of this challenge and I'd like to get away with my beau. I will need to plan a place, travel, accommodation, food, some activities and probably a bit of spending money. CHA+4

 

A = Everything planned and paid for

B = Most of it was sorted but I forgot something small

C = It was OK but I forgot something fundamental

F = We stayed at home for Valentine's day.

[Paisley]

subbing to follow along - good luck with all your goals - looks like a good challenge again.

[Charlie_Quinn]

Subbed! Did you have a good Christmas break?

[Shello]

Great way to start off the new year.  Good looking goals.  You're going to rock this one. 

[sozzielou]

Day 1 of the new challenge and I decided to look back at a time when I felt I was working really well towards my fat loss goal and see what I was doing differently then. That time was May to July 2013 and was before I started lifting. I found:

• I kept a really detailed log / journal
• I did bodyweight workouts 3 times per week only
• I walked between 30 and 50 minutes at lunchtime
• I sometimes went swimming after work
• My lunches were cold (salads)

So I decided on that basis to start this year off in a similar fashion. I have resurrected my daily battle log (there is a link in my sig, I am on page 15 now) and started wearing my pedometer again. I walked for a full 30 minutes this lunchtime and I made the effort to get up from my chair every hour and walk to a bathroom / photocopier / office that was not local to me. I think my pedometer and my log will help motivate me get more active again, which is really what this challenge is all about. So my plan for week 1 is to continue with this and get back into these habits.

[Charlie_Quinn]

Sounds good! I'll sub your battle log as well then! Will you be changing some of your workout sessions to bodyweight workouts or just stick with lifting?

[sozzielou]

Will you be changing some of your workout sessions to bodyweight workouts or just stick with lifting?

 

I'm really enoying a variety of workouts. I lifted weights on Monday and my legs really ache now so Wednesday will probably be bench press and bodyweight work ... maybe some dumbbells / kettlebells at the most. I am struggling today getting up and down from my desk so I think barbell squats will be out of the question tomorrow!

[Shello]

That sounds like a super solid plan.  Reincarnate succes! 

[sozzielou]

Week 1 review

 

Stats as at 10/01/15:

Weight 86.3kg

BF 33%

Water 48.8%

Muscle 31.6%

BMI 29.9

 

1. Workout

I have achieved 5 30-min workouts this week despite being hindered by the DOMS in my legs.

 

2. Activity

I surprised myself with how active I could be, walking outside all 5 lunchtimes plus walking further at work and getting up approximately every hour and doing something.

 

3. Word

Learned 6 chapters of my book, so I am half way through the syllabus.

 

4. Valentine

Had a look at a few hotels online but not found anything yet with a decent car parking option. So it may be a train journey, which will be a bit more expensive. Am still looking.

 

Overall it's been a surprisingly good first week. So good that it's going to be a tough act to follow so the pressure is really on. Bring on week 2!

[Paisley]

Great start to the challenge - sounds like you're doing a tremendous job. The walking everyday is a great habit to get into.

With regards to your trip away have you looked at sites like airbnb and vrbo - they have more rental apartment type places that are generally a bit cheaper than hotels and give you a kitchen space etc I'm guessing some might have parking options as well. might be work a check at least? where are you looking at going?

[sozzielou]

Thanks MLP, I'll definitely look into that.

 

So, half way through week 2 of the challenge and I only have 4 chapters of my Word syllabus book left to learn. I have found it easier than I thought it would be to learn this stuff. I don't really work with word processing, my job is all databases and spreadsheets, but it's coming to more naturally than I anticipated. Oh and my legs are aching, but not nearly so much as in week 1. Woohoo!

[sozzielou]

Week 2 review

 

1. Workout

I have achieved 4 30-min workouts this week. Monday just did not happen. But never two days in a row, right?

 

2. Activity

Again, Monday let me down. I did what I think is the bare minimum of activity through the day and I did not get off campus for a walk at lunchtime. But I did get up and move so I refuse to beat myself up about it. The other four days were very good and Sunday I went out and rode my bike so overall I was pretty good at being active this week.

 

3. Word

Completed 11th chapter of the syllabus book so just 1 chapter left to learn. I spent nearly 4 hours this week on the learning and it is sinking in pretty well. Definitely on course for doing the exam by the end of the challenge.

 

4. Valentine

Been a bit lax with this. I need to make a better effort in the coming weeks if we are to have a nice trip.

 

Overall I have enjoyed week 2. My muscles ached, not as bad as week 1 so I am definitely getting back into the good habits and feeling great about that. On Saturday I did a bit of tidying work on my Batcave and I treated myself to some new workout clothes as a reward for getting back with the program! Onwards into week 3 it is, then!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Congrats on a great week 2. I love treating myself to new workout clothes. To the point where I now own more workout clothes than normal clothes! But whatever keeps you going, right?

 

Kick week 3's ass!

[sozzielou]

Midweek and a quick check in.

 

I progressed with my workouts today; added in more pressups and some jumping (I can't do lunges or jumping jacks because my knees just refuse to take it, so I do stepups and jumping (feet together) instead.) I got 3 circuits of my workout in within 15 minutes then walked on the treadmill for an uphill finisher. I am feeling full of energy during my workouts and I am feeling leaner. This program definitely seems to suit me. I need to do a few tweaks so that I enjoy it more. There is still some room for improvement nutritionally as well.

 

 And for week 3 of the challenge, I have started keeping my more detailed personal daily log. It is a spreadsheet with three pages; activity, food and progress towards goals. It's pretty much the same info that I publish in my daily battle log. Anyway it helps me. I saw my Word Processing tutor yesterday and have booked my mock exam for tomorrow; this will give me a good idea if I am lacking in any areas. My tutor recommended if I do well in the mock, to take the real exam right away afterwards! I think we'll see how it goes.

[Stonie]

Well, I'm late to the party, but way to go Sozzielou! You're rocking this new year thing to it's core! 

 

Do you wonder if there's any correlation between your increased brain power with the learning and your 30 minute walks? There's supposed to be a link there I think (Charles Darwin claimed it helped him work?). Either way, you're going great!

[sozzielou]

Stats comparison

 

                  10/01/15:         24/01/15:

Weight        86.3kg            85.8kg

BF               33%               32.9%

Water          48.8%            48.9%

Muscle        31.6%            31.7%

BMI             29.9                29.7

 

So all in all, yay! Things seem to be going in the right direction

[Paisley]

definitely heading in the right directions - well done!

[sozzielou]

Week 3 review

 

1. Workout

I have achieved five 30-min workouts this week. Yay!

 

2. Activity

I have achieved 5 active days this week. I'm finding it easier to get up off my chair and walk around but getting out at lunchtimes and off campus is not coming so easy (especially when the weather is poor.)

 

3. Word

This part of my challenge is complete. I took the exam on Thursday and passed with a score of 97%

 

4. Valentine

It's coming along, we have decided where we are going (further down Cornwall), how we are travelling (we are driving), when (going to drive down after work on the Friday) and we have a hotel booking for 2 nights. Now need to look around for some things to see and do and some nice places to eat.

 

Overall I have really got good things done in week 3. Not really had any aches or pains to speak of, so I guess I am back into the general swing of things.

[Paisley]

sounds like a great week really. Nice work on the exam 97% is great work. And you're doing a great job with the workouts and moving - 5 times a week is nothing to sneeze at. The valentine trip sounds like its coming together - sounds fun. Great week. Keep it going in week 4!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Good job on the exam! Great to hear you've had a good week. Where about's in Cornwall are you going? 

[sozzielou]

Where about's in Cornwall are you going? 

 

We are thinking St Austell area, there is the Eden Project (OH has never been) to visit and Charlestown is nice.

[Charlie_Quinn]

Oh lovely, I have family near St Austell so I know it well. Never been to the Eden project either, which is nuts as my dad lives about 10 mins away from it! I love Charlestown, it's tiny but so pretty. And it has pirate ships! 

[sozzielou]

And it has pirate ships! 

 

Arrrrrr, that is does, Matey!

[sozzielou]

Stats comparison

 

                  10/01/15:         24/01/15:        31/01/15:

Weight        86.3kg            85.8kg            85.3kg

BF               33%               32.9%              32.7%

Water          48.8%            48.9%              49%

Muscle        31.6%            31.7%              31.7%

BMI             29.9                29.7                 29.5

 

I have been somewhat preoccupied with other things this week (car issues, work) and although I have committed to my 30-min workouts every day, I haven't been off campus for a lunchtime walk at all this week so I am really happy with the progress I have made. Despite "life" happening around me, I am the boss and I know my priorities. That's a win for this week!

[Paisley]

There's a good downward trend going there.  As you say if you can continue even whilst life is getting in the way then that's a great result.  well done.