Starlite has entered the game!

[Starlite]

Age: 31

Gender: Female

Height: 5'0"

Weight: 101 lbs / 46 kg

 

Introduction: Long(er) version here. Short version - I've always been thin, and I've always been weak. After recovering from a total thyroidectomy, I want to build up some strength. I don't think my goals are unreasonable, but as this is my first ever attempt at something like this, I'll just have to see how it plays out.

 

Main Quest: Get stronger.

 

Goal #1: Basic strength training sessions (Beginner Bodyweight Workout), 3 times a week

A = 19 - 21 Sessions

B = 14 + Sessions

C = 7 + Sessions

F = < 7 Sessions

 

Goal #2: Cut down to no more than 1 can of soda a day (currently approx. 2 a day).

A = < 42

B = 42 - 60

C = 60 - 70

F = 70 +

 

Goal #3: Eat at least 2 portions of fruit/vegetables a day.

A = 75 +

B = 65 +

C = 55 +

F = < 55

 

Side Quest: Pay £250 off existing debt, and accrue no new debt. I have something of an issue when it comes to personal finance (and impulse buying!), which I've been rollercoastering since splitting from my long term partner in 2012. I currently have almost £3,000 in personal debt, although it's all interest-free until 2017. The important part here is not to accrue new debt.

A = £250, and no new debt

B = £200 +, and no new debt

C = £130 + (minimum payment), and no new debt

F = Any new debt, regardless of payment.

 

I'll be logging my activity through a spreadsheet (here), which I'm going to make public in the hope that it will encourage me to keep it updated.

 

Motivation: I want to be able to go out for the day and not be exhausted after walking around for less than an hour.

 

Looking forward to this!

[ninjakitten]

Looks like a good challenge to me. I think bodyweight exercises are a great way to achieve your goal. But then I might not be objective, I really like them myself.

 

Why do you plan on cutting back on the soda? (Just me being curious, sorry. ) I try, too. I just drink way too much caffein. But I already dread the headaches. 

[Starlite]

Thanks ninjakitten I tried the routine for the first time yesterday, and it's a challenge for me, but doable.

 

As for the sodas, I'm just scaling down, really (I was on 5/6 a day at the start of the year - haven't had any major issues with headaches or withdrawal that I've noticed yet). I don't even like them that much, it's just pure, utter laziness that I'll grab a can instead of taking the extra 5 seconds to pour a glass of water or milk! And possibly caffeine addiction, I dunno. But sodas are pretty expensive, when you sit down and look at it, and I'm poor, sooooo...!

[ninjakitten]

Ah, it can be tough, but if you're already down to 2 cans instead of 5-6 I am sure you can manage. For me it is just the caffein. I already switched to diet soda, or I'd probably look like a pufferfish right now - I am really drinking that stuff like water. And that's not counting any coffee yet. Saving some money is a good bonus, though, that's true. 

[jeremymboyum]

Soda money racks up pretty quick! I agree. Especially if you're drinking it like water which I used to do. Trying to cut that out myself. Next will be coffee which is probably just as expensive of a habit...

 

Great quest goals! I like your financial goals too, that is inspiring.

[thist514]

I love the debt goal!  That's awesome that you're taking accountability for it and taking care of it.  I just leveled up from the level 1 body weight workout to level 2.  It's an awesome workout and I hope you love it.  I can't wait to see how you progress and how strong you get  

 

Remember when you're putting on muscle that diet is a big player in the equation (love that you're adding in the fruits and veggies), but also make sure that you're fueling your body after that workout.  Nothing worse then putting in all that effort just to have your body consume your muscles. 

 

Good Luck!

[Starlite]

Soda money racks up pretty quick! I agree. Especially if you're drinking it like water which I used to do. Trying to cut that out myself. Next will be coffee which is probably just as expensive of a habit...

 

Great quest goals! I like your financial goals too, that is inspiring.

It really, really adds up! Good luck with cutting down yourself

 

 

Remember when you're putting on muscle that diet is a big player in the equation (love that you're adding in the fruits and veggies), but also make sure that you're fueling your body after that workout.  Nothing worse then putting in all that effort just to have your body consume your muscles.

 

That's a good point! I have a freezer full of salmon and chicken breasts at the moment, so I'll be doing my best to put back in whatever I'm sweating out

 

Excited to start tomorrow, woo!

[Princess Pineapple]

As a fellow soda addict I'm surprised how many of us there actually are.

Good luck for tomorrow. I'm keeping watch!

[Feowyn]

Hi! I'm trying to gain weight too. It's been slow and I haven't been as disciplined as I should be, but tracking my food to make sure I get enough and doing body weight exercises has helped so far.

[Starlite]

That's great to hear, Feowyn, it's reassuring to know it can be done!

[erosan]

Those are some great goals. Well planned and measurable. Well done!

 

Anyways, hello! I'm one of the Assassin Guild's Ambassadors… You know us, right? Lots of us are into bodyweight training too, so if you want to hang around like-minded people, we'd be glad to have you around.

In the meantime, I'm sure you can find useful information and support both on our Den and in our member's challenges (look for the assassin's phonebook on the assassins' forum soon and you can even find members that are working on the same goals as you).

If you've got questions come and hang around for a while in the Level 1 Assassin Initiates Q&A/Chat thread… or PM me.

[Starlite]

Hello erosan, and thanks for the support

 

So I did my first proper workout yesterday. Myyyyyy goodness, some of the noises coming out of me...the neighbours probably thought I was being murdered when I was trying to hold a plank for 15 seconds.

 

It was really tough to get through all three sets (I had to take a twenty minute break between 2 and 3), and my form was atrocious (nearly fell over multiple times doing the lunges), and my bum muscles are hurting this morning(!), but hey, at least I did it! The other goals weren't too challenging (0 soda, 3 portions of fruit/veg), but hey, it's only day one. Not time to get too excited just yet!

[erosan]

wohoo! congrats!

now, you remember that it can always be day one when it comes to sticking to your goals…

[ninjakitten]

So I did my first proper workout yesterday. Myyyyyy goodness, some of the noises coming out of me...the neighbours probably thought I was being murdered when I was trying to hold a plank for 15 seconds.

 

It was really tough to get through all three sets (I had to take a twenty minute break between 2 and 3), and my form was atrocious (nearly fell over multiple times doing the lunges), and my bum muscles are hurting this morning(!), but hey, at least I did it! The other goals weren't too challenging (0 soda, 3 portions of fruit/veg), but hey, it's only day one. Not time to get too excited just yet!

 

Planks are much harder than they look for sure. And I sometimes still lose balance while doing lunges, too. It does get better, though. Even for a clutz like me, so I bet with a bit of practice you won't have any problems at all. But seems you were doing great! I'll be excited for you, even if it's just day 1.  

[Princess Pineapple]

I can plank but can't do squats or lunges very well. I can trip over air though so I think I can plank because it's static!

Just push for a extra second each day and don't worry about the noises!

[starsapart]

How did the first week wrap up for you?  Hope it went well!

[Starlite]

I'm still here! I made the mistake on Thursday of trying to do a consecutive training days, and ended up in quite a bit of pain over the weekend (my intention was to do more during the week so I could have weekend "off", which I ended up doing, but I was only able to do 2/3 sets today).

 

I'm doing smashingly on my soda goal, only having 3 so far overall.

 

I bought a water bottle to use at work, and I'm getting through much more water now, which is also helping to settle cravings for soda. I also bought a bum bag / fanny pack. I wanted an arm band really, something to keep hold of my phone while I'm doing my routines, but my arms are too skinny for the arm bands, so I had to compromise!

 

Still going, though. Onwards!

[ninjakitten]

Awesome! Sounds like you're doing really well. Especially the soda thing, cutting back on this can be pretty tough, but I do agree that drinking more in general helps a lot. (Also my water bottle helps me keep track of just how much I drink much better, so I overestimate as easily... I mean there's the chance to underestimate, too, but I am fairly sure that never happened in my case. )

 

Hope the second week will be as awesome.

[Princess Pineapple]

Well done! I bought an arm band but it made me feel lopsided which I didn't like so I bought a "flip belt". It's really good for the gym and for running. It was a bit pricey but I know I will get the use of it.

[Feowyn]

More water, less soda- double win! Keep it up! 

[Elastigirl]

Awesome will power on cutting back the soda!

How did week 2 go?

[Elastigirl]

How's the challenge going?

[Starlite]

Okay, soooooooooo kind of fell off this last week.

 

My excuse is that I was in the process of looking for (and then being offered!) a new job, so everything else kind of fell to the wayside!

 

I didn't do a single exercise routine last week, and I must've drank at least 1 soda a day (probably more, but I didn't keep track). Still kept on the fruit/veg stuff, though - finding that one really easy. I probably ate more than 2/day, but I'm just going to put in the minimum on my spreadsheet as I didn't keep proper tabs on what I was eating, but I do know I at least had fruit and veg x 2 every single day.

 

So I guess now I'll be dragging myself back into the routine. I'm going to have a busy 2 weeks at work as I close down all my current ongoing projects ready for me finishing at my current workplace, then I'll be starting a new job on the 13th, so no rest for the wicked! I'll do my best to get back on the horse!

 

Thanks for the nudge, Elastigirl - I'd been neglecting the forums, too!

[ninjakitten]

Oh! Congratulations! A new job! Awesome news. I wouldn't worry about the rest so much, it seems you've been really busy. As long as you don't give up on everything completely a few days won't change much! Hope you had a great start into week 4!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Keep on trying!!!  I'm having a rough challenge this time too, but I'm rocking at least one goal and trying on the rest.