NeverThatBored Passes Go

[NeverThatBored]

Hi all!

 

I've been lurking on NF for a few months and learning a lot. I've never been very good at talking to people on forums, but I decided I'd give this a try. If all goes well here, I eventually hope to become a Monk.

 

Background: I've been working at my first desk job out of college for about a year and a half now, and I'm AMAZED at how stiff and inflexible and weak and sleepy I've become because of it. So my ultimate goal is just to become strong and flexible and feel good in my body.

 

I'm a list-maker who is constantly trying to develop new habits, get rid of old ones, and refine existing ones. I have a list of 100+ (very specific) behaviors that I want to eventually improve, but I've been taking Steve's advice and focusing on one habit at a time for a few weeks before adding a new one.

 

I've been doing yoga for a while to try to increase my flexibility and get rid of stiffness. I was working towards a 5K too, but I think I might have a stress fracture (going in for an X-Ray soon), so I have to take it easy on the running for a while. I'm not very coordinated, so I don't love sports, but I love walking, bodyweight exercises, and strength training. And I love to cook!

 

Main Quest: Lose 30 pounds and get back to the weight/fitness level where I felt best!

 

Mini-quests for this challenge:

1. Stop eating after 8pm (or 3 hours before bedtime) every day. I started doing this last week after I had to fast for the doctor and noticed how GOOD I felt the next morning. The difference in how I feel in the morning was noticeable right away. 
2. Walk at least 20 minutes a day. I think part of my struggle with running may be that I've been otherwise sedentary, so even though it didn't seem like much, running put a lot of stress on my underused legs. I'm trying to walk every day to help build up strength and stamina and keep myself moving forward.
3. Bodyweight strength training 2-3 times a week. I was doing the beginner bodyweight workout for a few months and then I stopped doing it for a month or so, so I'd like to get back to doing that consistently and build strength.

Life Quest: Read four books over the course of the challenge. I used to regularly read a book a week but lately I haven't had the energy. I'd like to get myself back in the habit!

 

Motivation: You can live the life you want, but the rent is due every day. Right now I'm not living the life I want; I'm just tired all the time. So I have to start "paying rent" by getting myself healthy again.

 

I look forward to completing this challenge together with everyone!

[NeverThatBored]

Miniquest 1

1. Is your overall quest achievable (over a short or long period of time)?  Is it reasonable?

   • ​Yes. I've been 30 pounds lighter in the past through just living a healthier lifestyle, so I know it's achievable.

2. Do your 3 quests all build towards your main quest in little ways, or are you taking on too much? Do your quests have sub-quests or is it just one thing to focus on?

   • I have a bunch of quests in mind, but I think I've focused this one well. Walking, strength training, and not eating after 8pm all support the main quest.

3. Are your main goals realistic? Can you scale them to smaller steps to fit your life better, even if it will make it take a little longer to achieve them?

   • ​I have the "lose 30 lbs" goal mentally broken down into 10, 10, and 10, but I prefer to list the ultimate goal here. I don't think there would be any benefit or anything I'd do differently if I broke it down further.

4. Are your goals able to be measured and tracked?  What will you use to track them?

   • ​Yes. For all three, it's a simple yes/no to measure/track whether I did them.

5. How are you grading your goals?  Are they pass/fail (“every dayâ€, “not even once over the six weeksâ€)?  Is there a reward for the effort, or are you only grading yourself on whether or not you “lose the weight†or “run the distanceâ€?

   • ​I'm focusing more on completing the goals than on the main quest. If I walk and stop eating at 8pm most days, I'll consider those successful. If I do bodyweight strength training 2 times a week, regardless of how well I do, I'll consider that a success.

6. What is your plan for continuing/altering/grading those goals if you become ill or injured?

   • ​Walking/strength training could be affected if I were injured. In that case, I'd replace them with something as similar as possible to accommodate an injury.

7. Did you take into consideration any special occasions (Labour Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc) that may occur during the challenge?  What modifications do you need to build into your goals for those?

   • ​I have plans written out (not on the forum) for challenges I think I might face and what to do for each. For example, if I'm busy and don't get to eat dinner before 8pm, I'll eat something light because that's healthier than skipping the meal, even if it means not accomplishing the goal that day.

8. Do any of your main goals conflict with each other? Will one goal make it hard to do another?

   • ​No

9. Do you already have the time in your schedule to actually complete the goals you’ve set?  If not, what are you planning to do to make time for them?

   • ​​Yes

10. Are you trying to build multiple habits, or is all your energy focused on your main quest?

    • ​​I am gradually adding habits a month at a time, so that I'm not focusing my energy on too many things.

[Teirin]

Hello!  Why wait on joining the Monks when you can start now?  Is there any particular martial art or fighting style that you're interested in?

 

Your challenge goals are good general plan and will set you up for anything else you want to do.  Running can wait, not worth risking further injury right now.

 

I'm one of the ambassadors for the Monk's guild.  We keep an eye out for people who may wish to join our guilds and help out with the Recruits.  Many of the martial artists and fighters hang out with us.  Many of us also cross-train with other fitness types (running, weight lifting, bodyweight strength training).  If you'd like, please feel welcome to drop by the Monk's Courtyard.  I'll be keeping an eye on your thread.  Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything!

[NeverThatBored]

Hi Teirin,

 

Thanks for the invitation! I'm so happy someone replied~ I figured I should at least complete a Recruit challenge first before joining the Monks. But I'll definitely stop by the Monk's Courtyard and take a look around.

 

I don't have a martial art that I'm currently interested in. I used to do Karate (from age 4-12), and briefly experimented with Taekwondo in college, which I really enjoyed. I'm limited by what's within driving distance, so I don't think I have too many options to choose from! I kind of want to get in better shape before I commit to a class.  I do have my eye on an Aikido class offered at the local YMCA this summer. I'm definitely in the trying-things-out phase of this whole process. 

[Teirin]

Oh certainly, complete the recruit challenge.   You can still consider it joining though.  We have no application process :-D 

 

For Aikido, Mistr, SaraKingdom, and RisenPheonix would be great people to ask any questions you may have.  RP is currently on vacation but the other two are around.  I think they cover the three major styles in Aikido.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Your goals are looking good. Good job on finishing the first mini challenge, too.

I should try out not eating after 8 pm, too. But somehow there always gets something in the way.

[NeverThatBored]

Your goals are looking good. Good job on finishing the first mini challenge, too.

I should try out not eating after 8 pm, too. But somehow there always gets something in the way.

 

Hi! Thanks!

 

I've never been very good at it, but I've also never been very motivated to do it. I kind of thought it was just fake diet advice. But after I did it I realized it actually had a purpose for me at least, since I generally just want to eat cookies after 8pm 

 

I think it's about what works for you though. 

[NeverThatBored]

Aaaand, I'm already sunburned. I went on a nice long walk though! I burn so easily. T_T

 

No strength training yet, but the week is young.

[NeverThatBored]

Beginner Bodyweight Strength Routine 1/2 complete! 

 

I was able to do regular push ups for 2/3 circuits, and complete everything else (with some catching my breath breaks), so I haven't lost all the strength I gained when I was doing this a few months ago. I've really got to upgrade to heavier dumbbells for the rows, but they're so expensive!

 

But man. It's amazing how what is essentially a 15 minute workout can take so much out of you.

[NeverThatBored]

I've decided that my reward should I complete this challenge is to buy either that new set of dumbbells or a membership to NF Academy. 

[NeverThatBored]

So I joined the Return of the Walkers PVP to go with my walking, which has already been motivating. ^.^

 

I'm sore from that workout yesterday, but in that nice way that makes you feel like you're making progress. I think I'll post in the form check topic soon to make sure I'm doing some of the exercises correctly though. I don't want to get too far in and feel like I'm making progress only to realize later I've been doing everything wrong.

 

I just scraped by on having dinner before 8 today. My mouth was numb from the dentist and I didn't really want to eat like that, but I managed just in time! I'm finding that that goal has been easy to meet so far, which is surprising given how snacky I usually am after dinner. I guess telling myself food is off limits after 8 just helps me resist those cravings.

 

I also completed Miniquest 2 today.  

[ABlessing]

Color me impressed with your organization and list making.  And I empathize with the desk jockey syndrome - there is something just so very draining about sitting and doing nothing all day long.  It is the opposite of the anti-fragile.

 

Keep it up!

[NeverThatBored]

Thanks!

 

Today I got in a 20 minute walk at work during lunch (I decided to brave the 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms but I didn't go as far from the building as usual) and walked three laps around a nearby apartment complex for a total of 2.93 miles! I was having a rough day and feeling really stressed, so I walked extra to channel the stress.

 

This walking thing seems to have the added bonus of becoming an outlet in place of stress eating. I sure hope that trend becomes a habit!

 

I'm still uber sore, actually moreso since it's the second day after the workout. I'm thinking I'll do workout 2 tomorrow.

[NeverThatBored]

Still surprisingly sore! I'm usually better sooner, but I guess that's what you get when you stop for a couple of months.

 

I walked about 3 miles / 1 hour today~ 

 

I'm weirdly exhausted though, so I'm probably putting the strength training off until tomorrow and doing some less intense exercise or yoga today. 

[NeverThatBored]

I completely lied. Did the workout and feel great about it! My biggest struggle is push ups. I compromised by doing 5 regular and 5 kneeling push ups for each set, and that made the workout mentally much easier to get through. 

 

Surprisingly, I think I really enjoy squats. ^.^

[NeverThatBored]

I didn't get to walk at work today because of events going on, but I cranked out 2.5 miles after I got home. I think my legs have gotten stronger though I'm still not very brisk when I walk. 

 

I am way less sore today than I was after the first workout, which is a nice change! I also cranked out a 10 minute pilates core workout this morning just because. 

 

No challenges so far with stopping food after 8pm, surprisingly. I've been eating Paleo-ish/cutting sugar lately but I've felt perfectly full most of the time. I do need to come up with better salad dressings though. Everything I make I don't really like. 

[NeverThatBored]

I made sure to get some extra walking in since I had nothing going on this weekend, so I got in 3.75 and 3.52 miles respectively.    I think the sun does me good and I really like the feeling that I'm accomplishing something (without the mental exercise of forcing myself to do it, since it isn't too strenuous). On Saturday, I even stopped at the local college and watched the end of a softball game, which never would have happened if I wasn't walking! So this is a way to get me doing things too.

 

I got in a strength training session today too! It was unexpected because I was being pretty unambitious and considered my previous 2 enough for the week, so I wasn't considering it a new week until monday. Now I've done 3 of the 12 workout minimum I set for this challenge.

 

I upped the push ups to 6 full push ups per circuit, and I think I'll keep increasing them this way until I get up to 10 full ones. I took a breather between circuits 2 & 3, and some shorter breathers to catch my breath throughout, so I'll slowly reduce those as well. For now I need them because my lunging form starts to fall apart further into the workout. 

 

Still 100% success rate on the no-food-after-8pm rule too~

[Ilham]

Seeing how your posts describe a very active week I'm almost positive you don't have a stress fracture (I used to get many of those). Unless you still feel pain and went on exercising despite it (which would be both very impressive and dangerous). Unfortunately x-rays don't detect them, they're way too small to be seen on those, if you want to be sure you'll have to get an MRI scan (which sometimes doesn't detect them either) or a scintigraphy (which is expensive but very precise). Anyway, I hope you're pain-free and wish you good luck with your challenge, looks like you're doing well anyway .

[azotus]

For the dumbbell rows, you could use milk jugs or even load up a bag or backpack with weight (books can strengthen more than just your mind lol). Those dumbbell rows get easy quickly. Or you could start with bodyweight rows under a table, like mini pull ups. I love the NF bodyweight workout, because you can keep scaling it to your level. I still regularly struggle with the lunges too, they are killer!

[ABlessing]

Well done on finding ways to squeeze in walking!

[NeverThatBored]

Seeing how your posts describe a very active week I'm almost positive you don't have a stress fracture (I used to get many of those). Unless you still feel pain and went on exercising despite it (which would be both very impressive and dangerous). Unfortunately x-rays don't detect them, they're way too small to be seen on those, if you want to be sure you'll have to get an MRI scan (which sometimes doesn't detect them either) or a scintigraphy (which is expensive but very precise). Anyway, I hope you're pain-free and wish you good luck with your challenge, looks like you're doing well anyway .

 

Yeah, I have some doubts myself. The x-ray didn't show anything and now the doc wants me to have an MRI to check, but I have some doubts about whether I should pay for such an expensive treatment just to confirm. But I've been having pain in the same spot for months after every time I run, so I do wonder what it is...

 

For the dumbbell rows, you could use milk jugs or even load up a bag or backpack with weight (books can strengthen more than just your mind lol). Those dumbbell rows get easy quickly. Or you could start with bodyweight rows under a table, like mini pull ups. I love the NF bodyweight workout, because you can keep scaling it to your level. I still regularly struggle with the lunges too, they are killer! 

 

This is really sad, but I don't have a table that I can actually fit under to try the bodyweight rows! I have a weird hodgepode of furniture in a small studio apartment. I might try the backpack technique though. Thanks for the advice!

[Ilham]

Yeah, I have some doubts myself. The x-ray didn't show anything and now the doc wants me to have an MRI to check, but I have some doubts about whether I should pay for such an expensive treatment just to confirm. But I've been having pain in the same spot for months after every time I run, so I do wonder what it is...

Damn, I thought your not mentioning of the pain meant it was gone. I used to get metatarsal stress fractures, and even walking becomes very painful after ignoring it for while. It even swells a little, usually, like any other fracture would, but much less than a clean one of course. Did you notice any sign of inflammation? Oh and where do you have the pain? I think I forgot to ask that. Does it hurt when you do nothing, or just when you move/put pressure on it? 

 

Indeed even with the French healthcare system that allowed me to pay a minimal amount up front for the exams (which was then refunded afterwards), after the second stress fracture, I knew exactly what was going on and stopped paying and waiting in line for x-rays that show squat, then MRIs that are more expensive, and scintigraphies that just are crazy expensive and a painful thing to go through just to confirm whether you have one or not. I'm not a doctor or anything, depending on your answers, and if it is the first time you experience this kind of pain (albeit it lasting for months), I'd just go ahead and do the MRI, just to get it out of my head and start treating the region properly.  

[NeverThatBored]

Yeah, I've decided to go ahead with it since it's been recurring for so long. I was getting shin splints for a while, but then I got through those. Not long after that, I started getting pain in one specific part of my leg after I run (about 1/3 of the way up my right leg). It doesn't hurt until after I've stopped running, but it's concentrated in one spot and it's extremely tender to the touch. It goes away with rest and doesn't hurt when I walk, but it comes back as soon as I run again, even just a mile.

 

So sometimes I think it's a fracture and other times I have no idea. Either way, it's getting in the way. I haven't run in a few weeks now, so I'm hoping that even if it's not a fracture that's enough recovery time to heal whatever it is.

[NeverThatBored]

Update: I've been great on the walking and the food, but I waited too long on the workout this week. After Sunday, I didn't work out again until today. 

 

But I forced myself to do it today and I'm glad I did. I think I'll have trouble motivating myself until I start to get better at the push ups. 

[Teirin]

Hope they find something useful with the MRI so they can sort this out for you. 

 

Pushups take time but feel so great when you get there, and you wlll.