Sokkasm's Journey to Mastering Airbending

[Korranation]

A little bit about me.

I started NF a year ago. A friend/math tutor's recommendation brought me here. (He was in the assassins guild.) I failed my first challenge a few times and the stress of changing majors, college, and general irl problems caused me to put on a little weight. But I'm not giving up! I've learned new habits and found out that I like working out. There's just something about getting the blood pumping, working up a good sweat, and feeling the rush afterwards. It's like a whole new kind of me time. Plus a cold shower right after a good workout is like the cherry on top. I don't have a one passion. Just a lot of strong interests. I don't like gyms. I'm unhappy with my body. And know what I need to do. 

I graduated high school at 185lb. I still wanted to change so I ate right in college and walked a lot more. I got down to 160lb. Then I got in a bad car accident and was stuck in a wheel chair for a few months. Now having to deal with the stress of trying to catch up in a major I didn't like in the first place, changing majors, dealing with family and the loss of a loved one really took it's toll. I got up to 195lbs. I'm a college student majoring in accounting. I was doing engineering last year but that was a difficult and bumpy road the entire time. Right now I'm living with my parents since they live ridiculously close to campus, it's cheaper (free rent/meals/laundry), and they still need an extra hand helping out since they have weird work schedules. I've got two sisters. One is a high school senior soon to be college student, the other is an eighth grader soon to be highschooler (I call her Lilith. Maybe I should call her Azula...) 

My last two challenges have been tough, but rewarding. My family seeing me trying to be healthy, working out at home, eating healthy has inspired them. My dad's is overweight as well but working together we've been helping each other towards weight loss. We've gotten quite a bit of workout equipment from the random spurts of exercise enthusiasm, but now I get to brush the dust off the equipment and have the pleasure of working out at home instead of at the gym. 

 

I'm back and badder than every for my third challenge! I couldn't decide if I wanted to stay with the adventurers or join the druids, but in a change of heart I'm staying here. Mainly cause I want to focus more on building better habits versus focusing solely on yoga and meditating. Plus the running I want to do makes me kind of a druidy-scout hybrid class thingy-bopper. I don't know where I was going with that. Nevertheless I'm stoked to get this going again. All new challenge, all new goals, all new conquest. 

 
Main Quest- Master Airbending

 

Learn to master airbending! To do this, I’m going to need to learn the airbending techniques, open up my chakras for max avatar state, and learn everything else there is to learn about being the avatar while I'm at it. 

 

 
Goal 1  Airbending Training (+3 STA, +3 DEX)

 

 

 

 

CHALLENGE 1: practice yoga x3 per week

CHALLENGE 2: run x3 times a week

 

Goal 2 Open the chakras (+3 CHA)

 

 

 

CHALLENGE : meditate everyday for 30 minutes

 
Goal 3 Strong as an Airbender  (+3 CON)

 

 

 

 

CHALLENGE 1: Staying within calories limit, reaching +25% protein level

CHALLENGE 2: sleep 8 hours a day

 
Life Quest -Study the ways of being the avatar (+3 WIS)

CHALLENGE : study 18 hours per week

 

 

 

Point breakdown
 
LEVEL 4:
(ALL ABOUT THAT BALANCE)
DEX : 3 (A=3, B=2, C=1)
STA : 3 (A=3, B=2, C=1)
CON : 3 (A=3, B=2, C=1)
WIS : 3 (A=3, B=2, C=1)
CHA : 3 (A=3, B=2, C=1)

 

Measurements:
Neck: 16
Chest: 40
Waist: 35
Hips: 45
Thigh: R: 23.5  L: 23.5
Calf: R: 16 L: 16
Bicep: R: 13.7 L: 13.7
 
Weight: 195.0
Dress/pants size: 16

[Terah]

Hi teammate! Just checking in.

Good luck on your challenge.

Take it easy on yourself, I see you have been trough a lot.

[Phytomancer]

Your challenge is interesting. I love the show!

I'm an earth bender through and through, but air bending training sounds really cool.

[Lag a'mhuilin]

This is awesome! I like the idea of trying to be the next Avatar because by its nature it starts an adventurous quest with a set of diverse goals/skills to achieve that don't happen over night, but will be ultimately rewarding.

 

Do you have a yoga studio or are you going to practice at home? I've been with a studio for a bit over a year now, and it can be a bit expensive, but it has helped me stay consistent, and the instructors can offer adjustments and individual guidance. Perhaps your school's rec center/gym offers classes? I've found yoga itself to be meditative, especially when it's well into the hour, I'm exhausted, and just focusing on the instructor's words and moving and breathing.

[Korranation]

 

Hi teammate! Just checking in.

Good luck on your challenge.

Take it easy on yourself, I see you have been trough a lot.

 

Ty for checking in. 

Best of luck in your challenge too. 

I don't plan to take it easy, slowing down and not being productive makes me go from mad to sad. And being sad pisses me off for some reason. (Weird how things work out like that.) I'm hoping to use this constructive anger I've got to pwn-ing my goals, kicking butt, and being a lean-mean-avatar-fighting machine.

Ty for the hugs. hugs are da best. 

 

 

Your challenge is interesting. I love the show!

I'm an earth bender through and through, but air bending training sounds really cool.

 

Glad to provide such interesting material here. Avatar's a real masterpiece. You don't get shows like that too often. 

I'm still figuring out which element suits me best. That last earthbending challenge was a little too rock hard for my liking. 

 

 

This is awesome! I like the idea of trying to be the next Avatar because by its nature it starts an adventurous quest with a set of diverse goals/skills to achieve that don't happen over night, but will be ultimately rewarding.

 

Do you have a yoga studio or are you going to practice at home? I've been with a studio for a bit over a year now, and it can be a bit expensive, but it has helped me stay consistent, and the instructors can offer adjustments and individual guidance. Perhaps your school's rec center/gym offers classes? I've found yoga itself to be meditative, especially when it's well into the hour, I'm exhausted, and just focusing on the instructor's words and moving and breathing.

 

Totally agree! I was trying for some diversity in mastering the elements. And it will be very rewarding in the end. If I stick to it and master all the elements I move on to tackling some bad guys. Cuz you know we've all got those big bad things in our life we've got to overcome.

 

There's some yoga classes at the rec center on campus. But the times are weird and the last one I went to was even weirder. I felt more stressed when I left than when I walked in. It might have been the instructor but that class was more of a how far can you stretch yourself and how many positions can we transition to in the quickest time possible. I'll see if I can fit it into my schedule. There is a tuesday/thursday/saturday schedule for 7 in the morning. With the morning routine I'm getting in I can make those classes and come back home to freshen up since I don't have class those days. If they don't work out well I'll stick to videos and the wii. 

 

[Korranation]

Double posting time. 

 

I just realized in my over excitement for the start of a new challenge that I spent the past three hours posting on the forum. 

 

In the future I'll do this later in the evening after all my studying and classes are done for the day. 

 

[T2sarahconnor]

Get a good nights sleep. We begin tomorrow.

[Lightning]

Wow, I am on a team with the Next Airbender!  I took a looksie at your earthbender challenge too, what a cool concept. I hope your first challenge day went well.  Can't wait to see what kind of interesting stuff you do over the next few weeks.

[Korranation]

Catch me if you can...

 

DAY 01

 

First day of the challenge. It feels like I'm not getting off to a great start. I woke up late because I stayed up late finishing homework. I cut out oatmeal from my breakfast meal hoping to get a higher protein count, but by the time I got home I had a massive headache and an empty stomach. I blacked out. By the time I came to I had eaten a whole bowl of spaghetti with Italian sausage. Captain America would not be proud of that. Afterward I convinced the family to have more Greek food for dinner and get all got gyro's to go. Tasty as they are it's the pita bread that gets me. Next time I order I'll get just the gyro meat with taziki sauce on the side. And skip out on that wonderfully tasty pita bread. I did stay under my calorie limit, but I only made it to 17% protein. 

 

I can't say much for exercising either. I didn't wake up early enough to get my workout done and I had shit at school to take care of. The treadmill is currently dismantled in the garage with nowhere to put it back together. The whole place is still littered with xams trinkets yet to be placed precariously back in the attic. I could have tried putting it back together after I got back from class but my headache and further homework due prevented that. I guess I'll use this day as my break day and call it a day. Tomorrow I will take up early and head to campus to do some yoga. Here's hoping that it's a good instructor and that I don't run into friends that workout at that hour and dis that kind of workout.

 

Studying hasn't been the best either. As much as I'd love to count going to class as studying that would be cheating. I fell asleep after I finished lunch and forgot to study. Se la vi.  However, I have homework due at midnight and three more hours to complete it. And I'm learning the material as I'm completing it so I'll call that task done. 

 

Sleeping after lunch doesn't cut it for meditation. If by some miracle I finish my homework early I'll meditate before bed. Maybe that will calm me down. It took two hours last night for me to fall asleep. 

 

Workout  X

Meditate  âœ“ 

Calorie limit/protein% âœ“/ X

Sleep (8 hrs )✓ 

Study (3hrs) âœ“ 

 

[Edit]: I'm gonna cool it on the gifs that challege. It was fun but time consuming having to find one, check if the url met the http standards, find the right size, place it, and make sure the layout was good.

[Terah]

Stay in there. We are supposed to be learning from our challenges, not to make them perfect

You might not have stuck to all of your goals, but you were successful in sleep, studying and meditating and you kept within your calorie limit. Well done!

[Korranation]

Wow, I am on a team with the Next Airbender!  I took a looksie at your earthbender challenge too, what a cool concept. I hope your first challenge day went well.  Can't wait to see what kind of interesting stuff you do over the next few weeks.

 

That's Right! I'm the next airbender. The one and only. Avatar Sokka. Thanks for taking a look at my previous bending endevour. 

Much more interesting stuff coming up soon. I'll try to get team avatar together and throw a party. 

 

Stay in there. We are supposed to be learning from our challenges, not to make them perfect

You might not have stuck to all of your goals, but you were successful in sleep, studying and meditating and you kept within your calorie limit. Well done!

Thanks! Guess there's no such thing as perfect. 

 

[corkyw]

Hey, your challenge seems really interesting, you've made a lot of goals for this so its good you did so many of them on the first day. Keep up the good work

[Korranation]

Up and over...

 

 

DAY 02

I'm not gonna let a bad day stop me.

 

I woke up extra early this morning to get to get to yoga class, only to find that the weather had iced over the windows of my car. Too bad I don't know waterbending yet, or else I could have just melted the water off. Because of the ice and weather I was late for yoga class. They lock the doors once class starts so I couldn't participate. I went home, started up my computer, found a yoga video and went to work.

 

 

I stumbled upon this wonderful channel focused on yoga. The youtuber even started a set of videos for a 30 day yoga challenge. I have a tendency to get over excited and jump on the first bandwagon I see but I really want to finish this 30 day challenge she made. But that would mean yoga everyday minus weekends. I could still do running every Tuesday/ Thursday/ Saturday since I don't have class. 

 

I made my calorie count and protein percentage today. I picked up a tub of whey protein powder while grocery shopping for dinner. We're having kind ranch chicken casserole. There weren't many choices so I picked up Designer Whey Gourmet Chocolate. It's not the best tasting stuff, but at least I'm getting my protein. My last tub of soy protein tasted pretty good probably from all the sugary fakeness. I'm going to have a protein shake when I get home after classes because of how hungry I am and my tendency to beinge before dinner. 

 

As for meditating. I'm gonna be doing that at home. I can't do it outside in this weather. I've got a cozy corner in my room with lots of pillows. Hopefully I can stick it out better than Tenzin's kids. 

 

 

Workout  âœ“ 

Meditate  âœ“ 

Calorie limit/protein% âœ“/ âœ“

Sleep (8 hrs )X

Study (3hrs) âœ“ 

 

[Edit]: woops I got carried away with the gifs again

[Korranation]

Hey, your challenge seems really interesting, you've made a lot of goals for this so its good you did so many of them on the first day. Keep up the good work

Thanks! I try to keep things interesting. 

And I'll keep the good work comin.

 

[Lag a'mhuilin]

Great find on that 30 days of yoga channel.

[Korranation]

Great find on that 30 days of yoga channel.

 

I know, right?

Now I don't have to wake up super extra early to get to the sessions at the gym. I don't want to be two minutes late and locked out again. 

I just need to focus on keeping my room clean so I can have space on the floor to stretch.

Plus I'll still keep my goal to three times per week, but still do five so I can stay on track with the challenge. 

 

[Korranation]

Bow to your senpai...

 

DAY 03

 

Had the urge to put a funny gif up today.

 

I've been having trouble getting to the 8 hour mark for sleeping. Idkl if I just can't fall asleep like normal or I keep getting distracted before bed. I've gotten a lot done already.

 

 

I woke up early today and continued by 30 day yoga challenge. I focused on the instructors words and breathing. I didn't even realize I was sweating until the session was over.

 

 

We ran out of eggs for breakfast so I had to sneak a greek yogurt from Lilith. So has so much food she'd never notice one cup missing. I grabbed some of last nights leftovers for lunch and some protein powder for an on the go shake to have between classes. If I don't attack the pan de dulce at the house I'll be at 31% protein for the day. After dinner I'll meditate (and edit this sentence later to say that I successfully did.)

 

 

Got to school early to get some studying done. Only problem is NF keeps distracting me. It's just to fun on the forums. Plus the accounting I'm studying for is boring. Maybe if I think about it in terms of being able to apply it to the homemade candle company I've wanted to start then it'll be more fun and the information will stick this time.

 

 

Workout âœ“

Meditate X

Calorie limit/protein% âœ“/ ✓

Sleep (8 hrs )X

Study (3hrs) âœ“

[Lag a'mhuilin]

You have a bigger collection of relevant memes, animations, and photos than anyone I've seen on here.

[Lightning]

 

I've been having trouble getting to the 8 hour mark for sleeping. Idkl if I just can't fall asleep like normal or I keep getting distracted before bed. I've gotten a lot done already.

 

 

 

Have you tried liquid melatonin?  I put a few drops of that in chamomile tea and have to make sure I don't fall asleep before I make it to bed.  I think the issue is finding your personal sleep cycle.  If I go to bed early (by 10) and wake up early (around 6) I feel refreshed. It sounds awful but that is my natural sleep rhythm. That being said, I almost always get 7.5 hours of sleep. I don't think I require 8; maybe 7ish is just for you too?

[Br0din]

I see what you did there, A Name change is not enough to prevent me from stalking you.  

 

 

[Korranation]

You have a bigger collection of relevant memes, animations, and photos than anyone I've seen on here.

 

Why thank you

 

[Korranation]

 

Have you tried liquid melatonin?  I put a few drops of that in chamomile tea and have to make sure I don't fall asleep before I make it to bed.  I think the issue is finding your personal sleep cycle.  If I go to bed early (by 10) and wake up early (around 6) I feel refreshed. It sounds awful but that is my natural sleep rhythm. That being said, I almost always get 7.5 hours of sleep. I don't think I require 8; maybe 7ish is just for you too?

 

idk about taking stuff before bed. I'm gonna try the more natural approach. I've been listening to a self meditation app for months to help me relax and fall asleep. I set it to repeat for half an hour. I'm usually passed out before the audio finishes. I can't sleep without that app. Its like my cup of chamomile melatonin tea. I get up at 6:30 and need to be in bed no later than 10:45. From now on my computer will be off by 10:00 and I'll just read for a few minutes and unwind. 

 

[Korranation]

I see what you did there, A Name change is not enough to prevent me from stalking you.  

 

 

 

 

mwahahaha. I'm glad you caught on. I thought a new name change would be suit me better for my avatar state. I mentioned it a few time in my last challenge. Avatar Sokka has a better ring to it don't you think? I wonder how many other rebels are out there wondering where the mighty and wonderful avatar has gone to. Bet they're searching high and low for me. 

 

[Korranation]

The more the merrier

 

DAY 04

 

Don't pretend like I haven't noticed the sudden increase in views and subscriptions. I can tell when people are watching. My Sokka sense is tingling. And it wouldn't hurt to post something and tell me how awesome I am. Because let's face it. I just am. And I extremely overcaffinated and overconfident. regardless that those two things are mutually exclusive.

 

 

I'm still ahead of the curve today. I downloaded the last three harry potter books on my nook and made the mistake of looking at one of them before bed. I stayed up a little late but since I don't have classes on Thursday got the chance to sleep in and get a full eight hours. My dog woke me up when it was time anyway. The fam didn't put him in his kennel before they left and he can get pretty needy.

 

 

I started off the day with walking for 45 minutes on the treadmill. Only reason I lasted that long was the cold weather int he garage and my desire to finish the anime I picked for watching while on the treadmill. Oran High school Host Club. That show did have it's flaws like all anime does, but it was a good finish and I was sad to see it was over. 

 

 

Had a big brunch since I started the day off so late. Plus I know that since I'm not cooking anything, my dad's working, and my stepmom will be out for night classes (she's going back to class and luckily her work is paying for the tuition and fees. At least this is something more productive for her to do.) I'll have to pick something up for my sister's. They both have practice till 5:30 so it'll be a late dinner. Hope they can agree on a healthy eaterie tonight.

 

 

On another note I've been slacking on my homework today. I'd love to get an hour... or three in tonight after I'm done with dinner, yoga, and meditation. I'd love to say "that means shutting off the computer" but I take most of my notes online and the homework is all online too. Glad I can type so fast. I read somewhere that listening to video game soundtracks help you focus while studying since they're written to keep the player engaged. 

 

 

Workout âœ“

Meditate X

Calorie limit/protein% âœ“/ âœ“

Sleep (8 hrs )✓

Study (3hrs) âœ“

[Spikings]

*drags self in* oh hey there!

 

 

Yeah I usually silently lurk in the threads because I never give myself enough time to reply on peep's threads, I blame cabbage corp.

Sounds like you're doing pretty well though, watching an anime while walking on the treadmill is a great idea, I hadn't thought of that... >_< might stick on an anime while doing my workouts next week. I'd stick on Korra for bad-ass fight scenes but I just finished that again a few weeks back. Will have to trawl through Netflix...

I know the feeling on trying to get enough time for homework and studying. I have a similar(ish) goal which requires me sitting down at a screen and typing out things, but I never get enough time right now. All I wanna do is sleep... =__=

 

Keep doing the thing, I'll be silently lurking mostly - but I'll post a motivational avatar gif or two occasionally because, well why not.