NeverThatBored Passes Go

[Nnimn]

Just read through your challenge and I hope you feel better. I'm so impressed you keep going anyway though. And push-ups are awesome - as long as you increase your numbers at least once a week that's progress -that's my goal anyway

[NeverThatBored]

I walked 5 miles this afternoon going downtown and back. It's so lovely out~

 

I really really didn't feel like working out today (and I was surprisingly still sore which I was using to justify waiting until tomorrow) but I got myself to do it! It is amazing how much more you sweat when it's warm out. 

 

I increased my push ups to 7, 7, and 6 for the three circuits. I'm still struggling with maintaining the lunge form in the second and third sets, but baby steps! I also caught myself losing good form on the squats a few times, so I guess I'll have to pay more attention to that. 

[NeverThatBored]

I got a workout in today~ it was just a little easier to get myself going this time than the last. I did 7, 7, 8 on the push ups so I'm making progress there, which is very exciting! I'm still struggling a lot with keeping form on the lunges though. I think I need to do some yoga to loosen my hips. 

 

I walk a little bit less on days that I know I'm planning to work out, but I figure that's an ok trade off. 

 

Also! Good news on the leg front. My MRI came back and I don't have a fracture, but I do have shin splints. I had no idea those were visible on an MRI! The doc recommended a couple of sessions with a physical therapist to get advice about how to run in a way that prevents shin splints, since I've been struggling with this for so long. 

[ABlessing]

Good job working out even though your sore - sore muscles are your body way of telling you it's working!

[Teirin]

Shin splints and PT sound quite a bit more manageable.  Are they able to schedule you in soon?

[NeverThatBored]

I haven't talked to them yet! I don't think the scheduling should be too bad though. 

[Ilham]

Yeah good to know it's not a stress fracture. Those usually mean there's a worse underlying condition and they keep happening until something major is done. Good luck with the shin splints though, they're still a pita. 

[NeverThatBored]

I've been putting off the mini quests so it's time to finally do them! First up, Mini 3

 

1. I am most struggling to stick to the bodyweight strength training. I'm managing the bare minimum 2/week, but I definitely don't get myself to do it easily.

2. I looked at the NF articles about putting fitness first, prioritizing fitness, and the braveheart technique

3. Honestly, while it's always refreshing and motivating to read about putting exercise first, it isn't my core challenge. I think I just like walking, which I've done an excellent job of prioritizing, while I don't like the bodyweight workout as much. Either I do it at home and feel awkward doing jumping jacks in my 3rd floor apartment or I do it at work and feel awkward because people will see me struggling with push ups. But I'm closer to mastering it and I have no intention of stopping just because it's not my favorite aspect of fitness. I always feel great once I do it. 

 

What does help me is remembering that nobody ever works out and then regrets doing it. The braveheart technique applies well for me, and I've used it successfully. Once I make myself change, or just get myself to start that first set of squats, I know I'm going to do the whole workout and the hardest part is done. I think in the future, as I get stronger and start feeling greater accomplishments, it will get easier and easier to make myself work out. In the meantime, I've set the reasonable goal of 2 per week because I know that's completely achievable. So far, I've been able to stay on target that way.

[NeverThatBored]

And now for Mini 4!

 

1. Goal Allocation

Q1 - Walk 20 minutes every day - 2 DEX & 2 STA

Q2 - Don't eat after 8 (or 3 hours before bed) - 2 CON

Q3 - Beginning bodyweight workout out 2 times/week - 2 STR

LQ - Read 4 books - 2 WIS

 

2. Mid-Challenge Summary

Q1 - 100%

Q2 - 100%

Q3 - 83% (I started the challenge a week late so I'm behind a week)

LQ - 50% (I've read one book and parts of 3 others, so together I'm about halfway through the goal...but I feel like I should have completed a second at this point)

 

3. Challenge Allocation - I hope I'm doing this right! I believe you allocate 10 at the mid-point and 10 at the end for your first challenge.

Q1 - +2 DEX, + 2 STA

Q2 - +2 CON

Q3 - +2 STR

LQ - +1 WIS (to be increased + 3 if I catch up by the end of the challenge)

 

Plus I'll add the +1 STR and +1 CHA at the end of the challenge from Minis 2 & 3. 

 

4. Signature

STR 2 | STA 2 | DEX 2| CON 2 | WIS 1 | CHA 0

[NeverThatBored]

Got in a workout and 45 minutes of walking today. I did 10, 10, and 8 on the push-ups, which is a significant improvement. I held out a little longer before I started struggling with form on the lunges too. I'm still getting dizzy around the time I start the third circuit, but there's clearly progress. Once I master the push ups (which I'm sooo close to doing!) I'll be doing the full workout and I can focus on getting perfect form and reducing breathers.

[Teirin]

Excellent.  That is clear progress.  Getting workouts in does get easier over time.  You're breaking the momentum of not working out :-)

[NeverThatBored]

For (Maybe)Mini #5, we're supposed to share a recipe.

 

I made the Madras Chicken Salad from over at Nom Nom Paleo a few weeks ago and I was blown away! It's easily the tastiest chicken salad I've ever eaten. 

 

 

Just look how tasty this looks. 

[NeverThatBored]

I didn't get the BBWW in today, but I will definitely get it in tomorrow. Instead, I walked for an hour and did some yoga for my hips, which have been killing me lately. So it was not an inactive day. 

 

I've been trying to up my reading game. Nonfiction just takes me so much longer than Fantasy! There's less of a pull to read it.

[NeverThatBored]

Ok ok, I managed to make myself work out. I'm having a tough mental day in terms of self-esteem and lack of social life, but at least I managed to exercise. And I went on a second walk after my workout to cool off. 

 

I'd be more excited about this if I was in a better mood, but I did 10 push ups for all 3 circuits! I'm not sure my form was correct at the end there, but it's a start. I felt bad on my first round of squats, but I finished strong on those too. And I lasted just a little longer on the lunges. 

[NeverThatBored]

Guys! I feel so good! I worked out today, and that's already impressive because I usually give myself more than the one rest day I gave myself between this workout and the last. But I also did 10 pushups for all three circuits again! AND I felt good doing the squats today. AND I only started really struggling on the lunges for the last four or so!

 

I've been doing well on walking too! I got in 9 miles this weekend.

[Son of Rylos]

Those are some great accomplishments. Your body is starting to get the feel of doing the exercises. Just let the upward progress go slowly and smoothly otherwise your body might reject your efforts. Very proud of the progress! This challenge will soon end, you ready for #2?

[NeverThatBored]

Heck yeah! I'm already plotting. ^.^

[Ilham]

Awesome to see you're still making progress! Those shin splints, are they giving you any trouble? Did the doctor prescribe something to treat them?

[NeverThatBored]

I have a PT appointment tomorrow. They were only bothering me after running so it hasn't been an issue for other things, but I'd like to be able to run more. 

[NeverThatBored]

Mini 6 - pick a guild! 

 

I talked to Teirin and some other monks over in the Monk's Courtyard a bit ago to scope them out. They seem like cool people. ^.^ But since I'm not really doing a martial art yet I think I might be better off starting with Rangers or Adventurers for their mix of disciplines that interest me. I decided to go with Adventurers for my next challenge. 

 

I did sign up for an Aikido class in July though, so we'll see how that goes! If I do find a Martial Art that calls to me, I'll definitely head over to the Monks. 

[Teirin]

Cool!  Wander over whenever you feel like it's time :-D  The Adventurers will be glad to have you!

[NeverThatBored]

I worked out yesterday and managed to do all of the push ups once again. I had access to a gym so I was able to use 20 lb dumbbells for the dumbbell rows.

On the negative side, I had my first lapse on not eating before 8. T_T I was on a train until late so I wasn't able to have dinner until after 9 that night. It's not a huge deal, but annoying when I was so close to a perfect run.

[Ilham]

Don't worry about it, you did the best you could given the travelling situation. Congrats on trying new things, will you have access to that gym more often?

[NeverThatBored]

Nope, I'm away from home right now. I actually have access to two gyms at home too though. One only has machines (like not even floor space for bodyweight workouts) and the other one at my work has dumbbells, but no barbells. I've done the BBWW at my work gym before and will again, but a lot of times it's just easier to get it done at home.

I'm definitely considering buying some adjustable dumbbells for home. And I'll probably start using the work gym more now that I'm more comfortable with the workout.

[NeverThatBored]

Final Challenge Update

Thank you so much to everyone who helped support me and keep me accountable during this challenge! Knowing I had to report back here helped me stick to the workouts. I'll be looking for you all and following you next challenge. 

 

Main Quest - lose 30lbs

The weight fluctuates by about 5 pounds throughout the week, so I'm down 5-10 pounds depending. This is the first time I've made weight progress in a long time and I've been able to wear clothes that had gotten too snug. I'm so excited~~

 

BBWW 2 times/week

I succeeded at this! I completed a total of 10 BBWW workouts since I joined the challenge a week late, and I built up to doing the complete circuits with all sets/reps as I went. 100% - 2 STR

 

Don't eat after 8pm

I failed at this on two days of the challenge because I was travelling. Pretty darn good!

94% - 2 CON

 

Walk at least 20 mins every day

I did it! I walked every day for a total of just over 100 miles walked during this challenge! 

100% - 2 DEX & 2 STA

 

Life Quest - read 4 books

I read two books and about 1/3 of three others, so I'll count that as 3 books total.

75% - 1 WIS