A Survivor Is Born: Snowfox Becomes Lara Croft

[Virago]

"A famous explorer once said that the extraordinary is in what we do, not who we are. I'd finally set out to make my mark, to find adventure. But instead adventure found me. In our darkest moments, when life flashes before us, we find something. Something that keeps us going. Something that pushes us. When all seemed lost, I found a truth. And I knew what I must become."

 

 

Hi guys! First official challenge on the forum, though a long-time reader & Rebel!

 

Some big life events in 2014 set up some MASSIVE changes for me that are kicking off 2015. I'm subletting my apartment, leaving my office drone desk job on January 21st, embarking on a big road trip from Wisconsin to Arizona, working at the Arizona Renaissance Festival for February-March (and living in a tent in the desert for the duration), and then embarking on another road trip to settle in Oregon. My life is about to become a HUGE adventure.

 

I'm still working on defining my overall quest, but I've been brainstorming, and the person I want to be...

• works out regularly and has an active lifestyle
• spends time outside frequently
• DOES things, not just PLANS them
• doesn't procrastinate (see above!)
• eats mindfully (paleo/primal/Whole30)
• loves wholeheartedly
• coaches/trains/teaches -- helps others
• respects and believes in self
• doesn't say "I can't"

I'm happy with my weight, but I struggle with consistency when it comes to working out and cooking; I'd like to get better at those habits, and get a little leaner and a lot stronger. Per calipers, measurements, and photo comparison, I think I'm around 24% body fat, and I'd love to reach 20% this year. I've never quantified that goal before since I'm happy with the number on the scale (I don't even own a scale, which makes it impractical to set weight-based goals) so I'm not sure how much time that will realistically take. Any thoughts?

 

Ever since the newest Tomb Raider game, I've wanted to be Lara Croft, and even cosplayed her at my first con last year. I want to really feel like a confident, strong badass next time I cosplay her (ummm, at the Camp Nerd Fitness costume party!?!?). So here we go!

 

Given that I'll be on the road and have no idea what my life's about to look like, I'm going to be pretty gentle with my goals for this challenge - but I DO want to participate so I start the year off strong, even amid all this chaos.

 

• Goal 1: Don't hit snooze. Easy enough to track! Either I do, or I don't. 
• Goal 2: Create new morning routine including movement & meditation. It will be hard to have a routine while I'm moving, but I'll do my best to settle into a routine of 2 minutes of meditation and a sun salutation every morning before starting my day. I also really want to work on my fear of falling by practicing handstands, so I think I'm going to incorporate that into this as well. Maybe I'll take a pic of me doing my first-ever handstand at the end of the six weeks! 
• Goal 3: Eat mindfully following paleo guidelines. I'll keep a log of this -- if I can't manage a daily food log during this chaotic period, I'll at least log any non-paleo choices.
• Goal 4: No impulse spending. My goal in December was to stop using credit cards, and I succeeded! A cross-country move + quitting a stable job is going to be difficult financially, and I'm looking at potentially going to grad school later this year, so I want to keep the momentum from last month going this month. 

Hopefully these are small enough to maintain while on the road while still covering my priorities of improving physical, mental, and financial health! Also, if you have suggestions on quantifying/setting a realistic body fat % alteration goal, I'd love to hear them. Usually I just focus my goals on eating cleaner or lifting regularly, but I thought going at it from this angle might help. 

 

Let's do this, 2015!

 

A = 40-42 days on point (only missing 0-3)

B = 35-39

C = 30-34

 

Also, I'll be using HabitRPG to track my progress as well. If you don't already use it, check it out!

[TMedina]

Welcome to Oregon! (eventually)

[Knightwatch]

This.  Is.  So.  Awesome.  

[Terra]

Following! 

[Virago]

This.  Is.  So.  Awesome.  

 Aww thanks! Also, deadlifts are my favorite. I shall take your avatar's advice.

[goodbye_farewell]

Definitely a whole lot of awesome here. You sure this is your first challenge

 

So you are going to Camp? I've loved Tomb Raider since beating the first one on my PS1.

 

 

I feel old now...

[Virago]

Definitely a whole lot of awesome here. You sure this is your first challenge

 

So you are going to Camp? I've loved Tomb Raider since beating the first one on my PS1.

 

 

I feel old now...

Game graphics have certainly come a long way, huh? I didn't have access to any gaming consoles as a kid (though I did play KOTOR I & II on the family PC, aww yeah) so missed out on a lot of good classics. The Tomb Raider reboot was my first official intro to Lara Croft and I for one loved her more vulnerable, "normal person" backstory. Lots of people complained that she was "too whiny," but I'm pretty sure I'd be crying if angry foreigners were unloading a Gatling at me while stranded alone on an island, sooo.... Yeah, the realism and resourcefulness really appealed to me. Can't wait to cosplay her again at Camp NF!

 

And like I said, been a NF reader for a long time, just new to the forum

 

I had epic, vivid, horrible nightmares last night and woke up at 3am (and subsequently laid in bed wondering if the person snowblowing at 3 was, in fact, a serial killer) and am really dragging at work today, but I'm happy to say day 2 is off to a good start: I didn't hit snooze! I fell back asleep for a few minutes anyway, but I'm letting it slide due to the 3am disturbance, and when my alarm went off I specifically thought "Don't hit the snooze button!" (Followed by "@#*$ I'M TIRED!")

 

I also got my meditation and sun salutation in. I was too tired to do any pullups or handstand work, but I'll get that in after work instead. 

 

I dragged myself to the grocery store and ate paleo all day yesterday, even saying no to the chocolate someone put out on my desk! I'm a glorified receptionist, so my desk/counter is the drop zone for office treats -- seriously uncool. I'm struggling not to take a piece right now, which is why I'm posting here instead I had turkey, blueberries, and almond butter for breakfast and have a roasted chicken thigh & potato medley waiting for lunch -- yum!

 

I really want a pair of extra warm winter boots, but it's not in the budget right now and I'm leaving Wisconsin in 3 weeks, so I can get by with the waterproof boots and smartwool socks I have now. I also declined stopping for a latte with coworkers, so I'm going to say I'm doing well on impulse spending too! 

 

Did I mention how exhausted I am? I feel like I should direct horror movies with how elaborate my dreams were last night. I have a massage tonight, so hopefully I can come home and pass out after.

[dsavage]

Subbed. Living in a tent sounds so awesome.

[JuiceeTarget]

I like that you are looking at all of this change as an invitation to redefine yourself on your terms. Sounds awesome!

[Virago]

I like that you are looking at all of this change as an invitation to redefine yourself on your terms. Sounds awesome!

Thanks! I had an incredibly rough spring last year, but it led me to making all of these changes, so it was pretty great overall. Excited for the renewal and adventures this year will bring!

 

Subbed. Living in a tent sounds so awesome.

I agree! I'll be setting up in the desert on the 26th if all goes according to plan and will definitely be sharing how that goes, and how it affects the challenge/goals. I think spending more time in nature and less at a desk in front of a computer is really going to help, but I'm sure it will be challenging at times too. A good experience to have!

[Heironymus]

Life changes can be tough but amazing. Good luck with your goals. Your trip sounds like a lot of fun, especially the Ren Fest.

 

How did you like cosplaying Croft? Two of my friends are pretty obsessed with the games and one of them cosplayed her at Dragon*Con two years ago. It was a blast.

[Virago]

Life changes can be tough but amazing. Good luck with your goals. Your trip sounds like a lot of fun, especially the Ren Fest.

 

How did you like cosplaying Croft? Two of my friends are pretty obsessed with the games and one of them cosplayed her at Dragon*Con two years ago. It was a blast.

 

Nice! She has way more props than I did - I didn't have time to do the ice axe or bow, just had a rifle. Maybe I can do those in time for Camp! I had fun getting really dirty/messy with it though, since she goes through a lot in the game. Lots of fun! 

 

I found another Lara (this was at ACEN 2014)

[bumblebee]

I moved from Wisconsin to Oregon a couple years ago. I love the west coast!

[missycochran]

Where in Oregon are you going?  I have lived there many years and it is the central hub of all my family for generations.  A tiny bit jealous

[Virago]

I moved from Wisconsin to Oregon a couple years ago. I love the west coast!

Awesome! Where in Oregon are you? We should meet up in the spring and share some WI pride

 

Where in Oregon are you going?  I have lived there many years and it is the central hub of all my family for generations.  A tiny bit jealous

Moving to Portland! I've never been, but I've always wanted to go to the Pacific NW

[JuiceeTarget]

I grew up in Portland and a large part of me wishes I could go back. Unlike California (where I am now) it has actual weather, but not 4 months of freeze your ass off, 4 months of hot and thundery with 2 months of awesome like you get there in WI.

[Haikoo]

Aw, sad you are leaving WI (we really don't have enough nerds here), but the adventure sounds awesome!

[Virago]

I grew up in Portland and a large part of me wishes I could go back. Unlike California (where I am now) it has actual weather, but not 4 months of freeze your ass off, 4 months of hot and thundery with 2 months of awesome like you get there in WI.

Yeah, I'm a four seasons kind of gal myself -- I don't think I could handle a California Christmas To be honest I was even a little apprehensive about Portland winters since I LOVE snow. Now, of course, it's -2*F here and 56 in Portland and that sounds great, so I think I'll adjust fine.

 

Aw, sad you are leaving WI (we really don't have enough nerds here), but the adventure sounds awesome!

I'm sad to go, too -- I honestly love it here. Even in this brutal cold I've been marveling at how astoundingly beautiful Lake Michigan is on my drive to work in the mornings. But I'm 24, lived here my whole life (with a brief 3-year stint in Minnesota for college) and I'm long overdue for this kind of adventure The vast majority of my mom's family is here as well as some very dear friends, so I'm sure I'll be back plenty!

 

Alright, check-in time. Captain's log, Earth date 01-07-2015...

 

Goal #1: Not hitting snooze. I've been doing great with this one! It helped that I got to sleep in until 730 instead of 630 today, but my first thought was again "Don't hit snooze!" so I think I'm forming a good habit here

 

Goal #2: Morning routine. I did my 2min of meditation and my sun salutation again! I think halfway through the challenge I may revisit this and add more to that goal -- maybe drinking a glass of water? I struggle to stay hydrated. I have not been feeling quite ready to do the pullups/handstand work right away in the morning, but it's also difficult to motivate myself to do them as the night goes by, so we'll see. Going to do today's handstand work after submitting this post

 

Goal #3: Mindful paleo eating. Ehhhh... wavering a little, but still doing well overall. I ate a good breakfast (still not enough! eat more, dammit!) before my doctor's appointment today - turkey, blueberries, and almond butter again. (Side note - doc says I'm super healthy! She did a quick push/pull test during my physical and also noted that I'm 'stronger than most women'. Awwww yeahhhh. ) I had one of the "protein boxes" from Starbucks on my way to work after my appointment and did not eat the bread/peanut butter, just the egg, cheese, and fruit, so I feel pretty good about that. I did get a small latte too though, which I deemed an acceptable indulgence at the time but I think that's kind of pushing it. I also ate a paleo lunch. What's the problem, you ask? Well, I came home irritated and overwhelmed and subsequently inhaled grapes, then dark chocolate, and then some maple almond butter. Could be worse nutrition-wise, I suppose (I stayed strong in the candy/chips section at Walgreens!), but definitely not mindful. My stressful work days and hormones are both very loudly demanding that I find something sweet to indulge in, and the cold is weakening my resolve!

 

Side note #2: I am insanely stressed right now. I have 9 more work days left to wrap up a bunch of projects, and to top it off, I am well acquainted with the person who is coming in to cover for me after I leave, and she hurt me very badly last year, so that adds some emotional stress on top of the work stress. (Luckily my boss is aware of the situation and we won't be overlapping at all.) On top of work, I'm coordinating a subletter for my apartment and all the chaos of moving out and preparing for an extended road trip. My social calendar is also slammed as I try to fit in friend dates with everyone before I go. It will all be worth it and incredibly exciting, but right now it's overwhelming as hell. That combined with the cold is making me want to curl up with Skyrim when I get home instead of doing the dishes, putting away laundry, or cooking/eating healthy. Ah well. All we can do is our best, right? C'est la vie. All of this is temporary. Plus, the healthier I eat, the better I feel/better able I am to handle the rest that's on my [metaphorical] plate.

 

Goal #4: Okay, so that latte was a rather weakly justified impulse buy, but other than that I'm doing alright with spending -- only essentials (groceries, tampons, the Skyrim Hearthfire expansion pack). You heard me. That last one was an essential. 

 

OKAY. I'm going to go do those pullups/handstand practice, dishes, and eat something healthy for dinner. And then I'm going to go build a viking house on the plains and maybe fight some dragons. See you all tomorrow

[goodbye_farewell]

You do have a lot going on, but I like your attitude! Keep up the good work.

[dsavage]

It sounds like you're doing pretty well on food/paleo, awesome work! I wish I could get out of bed at even 7:30,

I think my body is trying to hibernate.

 

[JuiceeTarget]

Sounds like you have it in hand. It is good to post what went right as well as what went wrong in a day. I need to get better cataloging my emotions and how they affect my fitness motivation.

[Virago]

It sounds like you're doing pretty well on food/paleo, awesome work! I wish I could get out of bed at even 7:30,

I think my body is trying to hibernate.

 

I don't have a choice with the desk job, unfortunately. (I miss Futurama!!)

 

Yesterday was a bit off-target, but I'm alright with it. I was still up with my alarm, still did the meditation/sun salutation, and ate two paleo meals at work (and avoided the siren song of hot chocolate all day), so I'm comfortable with the off-plan dinner. A friend spontaneously invited me to a really great ramen place, and you can bet I was going to get some before I move away! They have a grassfed beef mazeman with bone marrow butter that is just divine. 

 

I work a few blocks away, but he was coming from a suburb about 40min away on a good day. Add rush hour traffic and lots of snow... yeah. I sat at the bar with a ginger beer reading Mistborn (my first time reading Sanderson!) like a huge nerd for nearly an hour. No regrets. We also had their amazing steamed pork buns as an appetizer and these delicious tiny cream puffs for dessert. Not a damn bit was paleo other than the grassfed beef and egg in my noodles, but that's alright. I saved nearly half to have for dinner today, so I didn't overdo it too much. Okay, and I also wanted to save some room for that dessert.

 

I forgot to do my 2 pull ups or handstand practice when I got home, though -- I got in around 930, tried to start up Netflix (Season 8 of Psych just arrived, you know that's right) and my internet was down for some reason. 

 

 

I ended up crawling into bed and watching S8E1 on my phone. I didn't realize I'd missed the mobility work until I was already under the covers. Definitely had an "oh well' moment. I'll make up for them today!

 

Happy Friday everyone!

[bumblebee]

I'm in the Portland area. I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest, so I was happy to move back!

 

Sounds like things are going well with the waking up with your alarm clock goal. That's something I need to work on too!

[missycochran]

Moving to Portland! I've never been, but I've always wanted to go to the Pacific NW

 

Lots of nerds in Oregon, I love the people there!  My husband and I lived up in Portland a few years (we have been in Oregon much longer).  We loved going running in the west hills.  There are 40 miles of hilly firetruck trails that are used for running and biking.  The drainage is great up there too so even though Oregon is very soggy in the winter, the trails are very well kept all year!  Man, so much outdoorsy stuff to do!  We would still be there if we could.

[Virago]

I'm in the Portland area. I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest, so I was happy to move back!

 

Sounds like things are going well with the waking up with your alarm clock goal. That's something I need to work on too!

Woohoo! I'll have to give you a shout in April

 

Lots of nerds in Oregon, I love the people there!  My husband and I lived up in Portland a few years (we have been in Oregon much longer).  We loved going running in the west hills.  There are 40 miles of hilly firetruck trails that are used for running and biking.  The drainage is great up there too so even though Oregon is very soggy in the winter, the trails are very well kept all year!  Man, so much outdoorsy stuff to do!  We would still be there if we could.

I can't wait! Wisconsin is very lovely too, but I'm excited for the change. Can't wait to do ALL THE THINGS outside when I get to Oregon!