Suzaqu: "You can't take the sky from me"

[Suzaqu]

Here we go! My first challenge as an assassin! 

 

Overall, I want to to get stronger while maintaining flexibility, and of course become healthier and hopefully my quests reflect that.  I'm happy for feedback, part of the reason I'm getting this up so early is I want to hear what everyone else thinks!

 

Strength:

 

I will do some form of tricep workout 4 times a week. It can be dips, pushups, chaturangas or weights. My barre, pilates classes, and yoga can all fulfill this requirement, if we do tricep work in them.

 

Grading: 24-22 times = A, 21-19=B, 18-16=C, 15-13=D, 12 and below=F

Points: 4 STR

 

Health: 

 

I will limit myself to 7 drinks a week. I’ve successfully had this limit before, and will be able to do it again. The one exception is the first week of the challenge, which contains my wedding anniversary and I assume an allowed boozy weekend.  That and the weekend of the 4th of July I’m allowed more, but I have to stick to 5 drinks for the weekdays of the week containing those exceptions.

 

Grading: 42 or fewer=A, 43-46=B, 47-50=C, 51-54=D, 55 or more=F

Points: 2 CON, 1 STA

 

Flexibility:

 

I will do legs up the wall, for at least 3 minutes 5 times a week.

 

Grading: 30-27=A, 26-24=B, 23-21=C, 20-18=D, 17 and below=F

Points: 4 DEX

 

 

Life quest:

Finish at least 3 books over the course of the challenge. I lost the habit of fun reading in college, and I want it back. It doesn’t matter if the books are ones that I already started, I just have to finish them (as I have a whole pile of half read books). They cannot be books I already have read.

 

Grading: 3 books=A, 2=B, 1=C, 0=F

Points: 3 WIS

 

Rewards!

If I complete all challenges with an B or better, I can a buy set of exercise clothes, because everyone wants to feel fancy! 

 

 

Overall I’m hoping this will go well and there will be no sudden but inevitable betrayal! (Weak excuse, but I had to include my favorite line!)

[Trewest]

You won me over with the Firefly theme.

[raptron]

Get some tris! Woo! Love it.

[suzyQlou]

Nice start!  I can tell its' going to be a great challenge for you.  Very solid goals.  And Happy Anniversary!

[SpiralGalaxy]

A Firefly reference *and* a alcohol-limit challenge. We were separated at birth!

 

(Well, I didn't do a Firefly theme this time, but I <3 <3 <3 <3 Firefly!)

[Suzaqu]

Ugh, way to start out the challenge Suzaqu, by not posting for 4 days! Thank you everyone for checking in, I'm excited to get started!  My triceps are less happy with me, but that's okay, they can deal

 

Quick update, I have been able to stick to one drink a night, have done tricep work twice and have stretched every night, so I have been making progress. My internet at home has been wonky, so I apologize again for the lack of posting. 

 

On the reading front, I am 50 pages from the end of a book that I started ages ago, and am 25% of the way into another, so I'm happy with my progress thus far.

 

My progress:

Quest 1: 2/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

Quest 2: 3/5, 0/7, 0/7, 0/5, 0/7, 0/7

Quest 3: 3/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5

Life quest: 0/3

I haven't quite figured out how I want to do the colors on these yet, because my quest 2 is counting the opposite way. I think I may keep it green until I hit my limit, then move to yellow, and if I go over make it red. Any suggestions? 

 

And don't worry my fellow Ravenclaws, I have been working on my spells too! Push-ups, planks, and squats galore! 

[raptron]

Yay for checking in and glad you are working hard on the challenge-front. :3

[Trewest]

Ugh, way to start out the challenge Suzaqu, by not posting for 4 days! Thank you everyone for checking in, I'm excited to get started!  My triceps are less happy with me, but that's okay, they can deal

 

Quick update, I have been able to stick to one drink a night, have done tricep work twice and have stretched every night, so I have been making progress. My internet at home has been wonky, so I apologize again for the lack of posting. 

 

On the reading front, I am 50 pages from the end of a book that I started ages ago, and am 25% of the way into another, so I'm happy with my progress thus far.

 

My progress:

Quest 1: 2/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

Quest 2: 3/5, 0/7, 0/7, 0/5, 0/7, 0/7

Quest 3: 3/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5

Life quest: 0/3

I haven't quite figured out how I want to do the colors on these yet, because my quest 2 is counting the opposite way. I think I may keep it green until I hit my limit, then move to yellow, and if I go over make it red. Any suggestions? 

 

And don't worry my fellow Ravenclaws, I have been working on my spells too! Push-ups, planks, and squats galore! 

 

Green when you're on track with your end goal, yellow if you start to fall behing, and red when there is no way to reach the goal?

 

Way to go on limiting drinking. It can be surprisingly hard to achieve that self discipline.

[BoxingYogini]

What's your favorite episode? There are so many good ones to pick. It's hard for me not to pick Mal in his pretty bonnet though.

[Suzaqu]

Green when you're on track with your end goal, yellow if you start to fall behing, and red when there is no way to reach the goal?

 

Way to go on limiting drinking. It can be surprisingly hard to achieve that self discipline.

 

I like it! That's the perfect way to do it, because it makes my numbers green in the end if I succeed. Last time, the green numbers were the only thing that kept me going at certain points.

 

It is hard! It's really just become a habit for me at this point, which is not how it should be. I'm trying to mix it up using fruit infused water and maple syrup lemonade as a treat at the end of the day and that seems to be working. Excuse me while I think aloud for a bit.... My main obstacle to this goal seems to be that I want a drink while making dinner and one while eating dinner. So I'm trying to replace the during dinner one with flavored water, and the during dinner one with lemonade. If I still want something after all that, I can have it while I relax after dinner.

[Suzaqu]

What's your favorite episode? There are so many good ones to pick. It's hard for me not to pick Mal in his pretty bonnet though.

 

Oh man, that's a super hard question. I do love the pretty bonnet so much. 

 

In terms of favorite stand alone episode  I have to go with Our Mrs. Reynolds or Jaynestown

For episodes as part of the overall storytelling of Firefly I have to go with Ariel or Out of Gas

(so basically I avoided picking a favorite episode at all, but hey, I listed less than a quarter of them as favorites, which took a lot of work!)

 

Have you watched Castle? I love it on it's own, but the occasional subtle Firefly references make it even better!

[Suzaqu]

Yay for checking in and glad you are working hard on the challenge-front. :3

 

Thanks for stopping by! I'm super impressed by your handstand goal. I'll need several more challenges focused on arm strength before I can get anywhere near that.

[Trewest]

I like it! That's the perfect way to do it, because it makes my numbers green in the end if I succeed. Last time, the green numbers were the only thing that kept me going at certain points.

 

It is hard! It's really just become a habit for me at this point, which is not how it should be. I'm trying to mix it up using fruit infused water and maple syrup lemonade as a treat at the end of the day and that seems to be working. Excuse me while I think aloud for a bit.... My main obstacle to this goal seems to be that I want a drink while making dinner and one while eating dinner. So I'm trying to replace the during dinner one with flavored water, and the during dinner one with lemonade. If I still want something after all that, I can have it while I relax after dinner.

 

I'll make myself deals. If I really want to drink X, I have to drink 2 bottles of water first. Then if I still want X, I can go ahead and drink it. Normally by the end of bottle 2 I do not WANT anything else to drink

 

I love slicing cucumbers and freezing them, then I can toss it into water for a cool down and refreshing taste. Grapes work well too.

[Suzaqu]

I'll make myself deals. If I really want to drink X, I have to drink 2 bottles of water first. Then if I still want X, I can go ahead and drink it. Normally by the end of bottle 2 I do not WANT anything else to drink

 

I love slicing cucumbers and freezing them, then I can toss it into water for a cool down and refreshing taste. Grapes work well too.

I'll have to start doing that, I use carrot chips to fill myself up all the time when it comes to avoiding treats, I like the idea of doing it with water too. And since it's summer, hydration is always good!

 

 

I like that idea! I've been putting cucumbers and mint in my water (on hold for now since I overharvested my mint plant) but I haven't thought of using them as ice cubes, I'll have to try grapes next!  

[raptron]

Cucumber + basil is a really nice flavor as well. Plus now that summer fruits are coming out, melons and things are also grand in water. My big problem is wanting to snack or drink a beer when I get home, so I usually chug like a 32oz mason jar of water first -- similar to Trewest's strategy. Pretty nice and keeps you hydrated for sure.

 

Castle is great -- well, actually, I can't speak for more recent seasons because I stopped watching a bit ago, but what I have seen was very enjoyable. 

[Kementári]

 

*builds up her tent* I'm definitely staying to watch

No, seriously, I like the way you have everything in there. And good luck with the legs, I know that one's tough >w> I'm not in the Firefly fandom (yet) so have some Winchesters instead~

[SpiralGalaxy]

My favorite Firefly episode was Out of Gas, hands down! 

 

The funny thing is, my wine consumption skyrocketed when I eliminated soda from my diet--for the longest time I was so used to having something with flavor to drink, that I just switched from soda to wine--very bad for my liver. I'm no expert on moderating alcohol, since you can see that my strategy has become no buying any, but I've finally gotten used to drinking just water with meals. Not sure how--all the water I drink at work helps, I think, because I've finally gotten used to it as a default. Also, moving back to a hot, humid place has helped because after running around outside with the kids after work, I *really* want some water!

[Suzaqu]

Guys, I have a confession *whispers* I think I may be a nerd  I finished two books last night! Turns out it's really easy to read when you make it your main priority instead of killing hours on the internet doing nothing.  I think I may have to up the challenge to 4 books, or maybe I'll tackle a hard one. I'm still only about halfway through Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

 

In other updates, I have stuck to the one drink a night rule, and since it's my anniversary, I gave myself the weekend off, so success on that goal for the week.

 

I also managed to stretch and continue to work on my triceps. One more round of each this weekend and I'll be good for the first week!

 

Quest 1: 3/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

Quest 2: 5/5, 0/7, 0/7, 0/5, 0/7, 0/7

Quest 3: 4/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5

Life quest: 2/3

 

I've also had way too much fun working on the mini challenge and am training my AMRAPs everyday (rotating through, not doing each one every day).

[Suzaqu]

Cucumber + basil is a really nice flavor as well. Plus now that summer fruits are coming out, melons and things are also grand in water. My big problem is wanting to snack or drink a beer when I get home, so I usually chug like a 32oz mason jar of water first -- similar to Trewest's strategy. Pretty nice and keeps you hydrated for sure.

 

Castle is great -- well, actually, I can't speak for more recent seasons because I stopped watching a bit ago, but what I have seen was very enjoyable. 

 

Ooooo, I haven't tried basil in my water yet, I'll have to do that! Sadly, basil is my other plant I have almost killed.  Why do the delicious ones always die first!? I'll have to figure something out with my sage, that's growing really well.  I've told myself I have to drink water while I'm cooking, and the heat does help, because water is the best! 

 

I've watched all the seasons and I can tell you that the most recent ones weren't worth it. They really should have ended it after season 5 or after 6 (even maybe after 4), they were stretching to find more story arcs and the quintessential fun Castle stories (eg the steampunk one) were few and far between.  But they said they are making seasons 8 and 9 and I'll keep watching because I can't stop.

[Suzaqu]

 

*builds up her tent* I'm definitely staying to watch

No, seriously, I like the way you have everything in there. And good luck with the legs, I know that one's tough >w> I'm not in the Firefly fandom (yet) so have some Winchesters instead~

 

Thanks! Like I can say no to some Winchesters Though you will have to watch firefly at some point. It's a good fandom because it's only 14 episodes, so it's not like falling down the Doctor Who hole. All it takes is a weekend and you are hooked  

[Suzaqu]

My favorite Firefly episode was Out of Gas, hands down! 

 

The funny thing is, my wine consumption skyrocketed when I eliminated soda from my diet--for the longest time I was so used to having something with flavor to drink, that I just switched from soda to wine--very bad for my liver. I'm no expert on moderating alcohol, since you can see that my strategy has become no buying any, but I've finally gotten used to drinking just water with meals. Not sure how--all the water I drink at work helps, I think, because I've finally gotten used to it as a default. Also, moving back to a hot, humid place has helped because after running around outside with the kids after work, I *really* want some water!

 

I do love that episode, such a great way to do back story!  I love that they did it this way instead of bogging down the first episode with it.  

 

I find that I'm having to avoid replacing alcohol with soda/juice. I've already doubled my lemonade consumption, but since it's fewer calories than the alcohol, I think it's a good first step. Hopefully by the end of this I'll be content with water, but since I drink so much of it during the day, it's hard to not want a treat when I get home.

[Suzaqu]

Checking in again! (Wow, checking in at the beginning of the week, this is good for me!)

 

I did successfully finish week one! I think this week will be harder, because I'm on vacation visiting my mother for most of it, so routine is out the window.  I did make myself a snazzy little checklist thing for my planner so hopefully filling in the bubbles will keep me on track. After some overindulgence yesterday for my anniversary, I'm back on the alcohol restriction full force (and my body is thankful).  I also hope to do more specific training for Nerdwarts this week, though the pushups for troll were certainly good for my AMRAP training, and I'm certainly feeling the burn today, incline pushups are no joke. I think I'll train those for a while to improve my full ground ones, I'm still working on getting my technique to feel natural and the incline ones are helping.

 

So far today I've already got my triceps done, and am hoping to stretch after the long car trip this afternoon. Sadly I cannot read in the car at all, so maybe I'll get some reading in tonight.

 

Quest 1: 4/4, 1/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

Quest 2: 5/5, 0/7, 0/7, 0/5, 0/7, 0/7

Quest 3: 5/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5

Life quest: 2/3

[Trewest]

good luck with your vacation questing

[Suzaqu]

good luck with your vacation questing

 

Thanks! I've never vacation quest-ed before, so this should be interesting. I usually give myself vacation time off of whatever goals I'm working on (spending, sensible eating, etc) so new challenge here I come!  

 

My mother always buys all the snack food that I don't allow myself to have in the house, so I'm putting myself on a mini bonus quest! Stay in my maintenance calories for the entire trip (on average, so it's okay to be over one day if i'm under the next), today through Thursday. 

[Suzaqu]

Quick update before I head out, more details later. This is just to keep me accountable, even though quest 2 has been hard!

 

Quest 1: 4/4, 2/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4, 0/4

Quest 2: 5/5, 4/7, 0/7, 0/5, 0/7, 0/7

Quest 3: 5/5, 1/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5, 0/5

Life quest: 2/3

 

Oh, and I have been keeping up on my bonus extra quest for the vacation! Challenging, but I've done it!