stillskies fills her crystal bottle

[stillskies]

 

MAIN QUEST: Keep on keeping on. Re-establish habits to make me a happier, well-balanced person. Break necks with my thighs.

 

As of the last challenge, I hit my weight goal. Now it's all about maintaining and focusing on my mental well-being. Also, keeping up with jiu jitsu. Those three months of no bjj really show, and I need to re-learn the things I've lost, and continue to work on the things that I'm learning. Everything is shades of progress. 

 

 

THE CHALLENGE: Collect hearts to fill my crystal bottle.

 

I mentioned in the last challenge that I was starting to feel burned out - not just in life, but on challenges. Building habits takes work and commitment, but with only a week or so between challenges, it's easy to burn out. Add in that I have a vacation coming up where my usual routine will be disrupted (yay Mexico!), I really need a break. However, I also recognize that, for me, a break will likely signify not coming back (at least I'm honest). So I'm going to do something a little different from what I've been doing. Instead of the usual 3 habit quests + life quest, I'm going to do one challenge, grab bag style.

 

In order to complete this challenge, I have to collect 400 hearts by the end of the challenge, which averages out to about 67 hearts a week. The 'hearts' are points, and points are earned by completing activities. Of the 400 total points, I have to have at least 50 in each activity category.

 

I've grouped out the activities into the four general categories I usually do for quests: Exercise, Food, Mental Health, and Fun. Some of the activities can only be achieved once (it's hard to, say, get multiple 3rd stripes on my belt, or hit 25 books read more than once), while others can be reaped daily if I so choose (I likely won't choose, because the whole point of this is to be fun and relaxing). Some activities have really high points because of the difficulty (3rd stripe, race PR, hitting 50 books read, etc) while others have relatively low points because it's feasible for me to do them daily/they're habits (taking my pre-natal, getting 8 hours of sleep, etc). 

 

So, without further ado, here's my crystal bottle! 

 

 

THE BONUS CHALLENGE: Participate on the forums & Ioryogi's special challenges

 

As the type of challenge suggests, this is a BONUS, not a requirement. I used to do a good job of keeping up on the forums, participating in the Courtyard, keeping up with my challenge log, etc, and then I fell off the wagon. Hard. Part of it was feeling overwhelmed with everything that was going on. Part of it was just pure laziness. So, when I'm not feeling overwhelmed and I have free time, I'm going to try to improve upon the following:

 

 

Updating: I've been trying not to use the internet at home - I'd rather spend my time playing video games or reading, or cuddling with my wife - and I used to do the bulk of my updates at home before bed. But that was when I had set goals. This goal is set up so that I really just have to keep a weekly total, so updating at work will make it a little easier. 

 

Other People's Threads: I had this habit of following ALL THE PEOPLE! and wanting to give ALL THE SUPPORT!, but that's a sure fire way to have me feel overwhelmed and trail off a few weeks in. This challenge, I'm going to be mindful of who I follow, and I'm going to try to comment every so often to show support.

 

The Courtyard/Minis: I've just been lazy. Really going to just try to be around more. 

 

THE BONUS CHALLENGE PART 2: Ioryogi's special challenges

 

 

In addition to the being around thing, I'm also adding in the following bonus minis, but these ones will net points!

 

Study Spanish: I'll be going to Mexico during week 4 of the challenge, and since I will inevitably have someone speak Spanish to me (I look mixed, but Spanish speakers tend to see me and start talking to me in Spanish during the summer, curse you tan!), I'd rather not stare blankly at them. I was decent as Spanish before moving to Colorado, so it's really just a matter of reviewing. +5 points for every hour studied (Fun Category)

 

Let Maaya Pick My Food: I'm crap at eating lately, and I have to be completely and say that I've never even bothered to look at macros (not since the Great Sugar Challenge, anyway). So, in an attempt to get back on the eating well bandwagon (and see what balanced macros feels like), I'm going to let starsapart pick my food. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. If she doesn't choose it (or okay it within my macros), it doesn't go in my mouth. +25 points for every week she picks my food (Food Category)

 

Watch BJJ Videos: As last challenge showed, I'm really bad at this. I recognize the positive impact/potential of it, but I'm just lazy, and let's be honest - watching these videos is boring. +5 points for every video watched - max of 10 points per day (Fitness Category)

 

THE POINTS 

 

 

Because my grab bag kind of addresses everything, I'm just going to go with a nice easy point system for this challenge (are you sensing a theme here, yet? dumb down my challenge enough that even Kobato could achieve it):

 

STR : 2

DEX : 2

STA : 2

CON : 3

WIS : 3

CHA : 3

 

THE WISH aka the rewards

 

 

 

So, since I'll be running my very first half marathon in November, I'm going to make my reward be this: if I can pass this challenge, I will buy myself a brand new running costume/outfit for the race - including accessories (but not including shoes).

 

THE STARTING LINE to come night before/day of challenge

 

 

The Pictures

 

 

The Measurements

Neck:

Chest:

Waist:

Hips:

Thigh:

R:               L:

Bicep: 

R:               L:

 

Weight: 158.8lbs

Dress/pants size: 8

[starsapart]

[BlackTezca]

Oh I like this!  Nice grab bag format and should be more laidback without being a true break (because I would miss you...)

 

Looking forward to seeing how this workouts cause this sounds like a nice way to break up challenges and take it easy

[stillskies]

Stahhpp

 

[starsapart]

Stahhpp

 

 

Ahhhhh, Captain Dolce.

 

The source of many f-bombs in my life.

[stillskies]

Yasss. Nice and simple. Simple enough that Dobato wouldn't have a hard time. MY GOAL IS REAL.

 

[blkhole24601]

Ooooh, I like this format. I may have to use this format for my next challenge (because it'll be Challenge #9 and every third challenge = less than stellar effort all around for me).

 

And of course, here for the follow as per usual~

[stillskies]

Ooooh, I like this format. I may have to use this format for my next challenge (because it'll be Challenge #9 and every third challenge = less than stellar effort all around for me).

 

And of course, here for the follow as per usual~

 

♥ I figured this was an easy enough format, so.

[Kishi]

Wow! This looks like a great way to get around the problem of the burnout.

 

Take it easy and cruise, girl. You'll be fine.

[stillskies]

Wow! This looks like a great way to get around the problem of the burnout.

 

Take it easy and cruise, girl. You'll be fine.

 

Yup. It's very low pressure, and I can get a lot of points just by going on vacation during this challenge. I figured it was a good way to still keep up but not stress myself out over it.

 

Now I wanna go on a cruise. Thanks. ♥

[starsapart]

Now I wanna go on a cruise. Thanks. ♥

 

Next year?

[stillskies]

Next year?

 

We probably need to reach out to A and D to see if we're still doing Alaska, or if the house building/buying for them has pushed that off.

 

But next year's big trip can be a cruise, if you'd like. ♥

[BlackTezca]

You guys and planning awesome trips...a cruise?!  Really?!

Jealous.

 

...

Can I come?  I'm small and compact and eat almost anything!

[RisenPhoenix]

 

 

THE BONUS CHALLENGE: Participate on the forums

 

As the type of challenge suggests, this is a BONUS, not a requirement. I used to do a good job of keeping up on the forums, participating in the Courtyard, keeping up with my challenge log, etc, and then I fell off the wagon. Hard. Part of it was feeling overwhelmed with everything that was going on. Part of it was just pure laziness. So, when I'm not feeling overwhelmed and I have free time, I'm going to try to improve upon the following:

 

This feel.  I know it well.  Very, very well.

[stillskies]

You guys and planning awesome trips...a cruise?!  Really?!

Jealous.

 

...

Can I come?  I'm small and compact and eat almost anything!

 

lol I mean, if you and hubby want to come along, I don't think Maaya would say no?

 

 

 

 

This feel.  I know it well.  Very, very well.

 

Confession time: I have never played a Legend of Zelda game. I may have to rectify this one day, but then I remember everything I've heard about Navi and I'm just like nah.

 

It is a very feeling feel that is felt by many, I would think. Sigh.

[starsapart]

You guys and planning awesome trips...a cruise?!  Really?!

Jealous.

 

...

Can I come?  I'm small and compact and eat almost anything!

lol I mean, if you and hubby want to come along, I don't think Maaya would say no?

 

I'm game for a vacation together!!!

[Leimanu]

 

 

 

 

 

This is incredible!

[stillskies]

This is incredible!

 

Thanks! It seems like it will be a good way to just... relax during this challenge, which I desperately need.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I love your challenge and perhaps I'll use a few of your list items for my combo theme. following along.

[stillskies]

I love your challenge and perhaps I'll use a few of your list items for my combo theme. following along.

 

Thanks and feel free to take whatever you'd like. Welcome aboard!

[BlackTezca]

I finally get to see the crystal ball!  Ugh work computer blocks so much stuff!  I love the list you have!  It looks great and so many awesome options!

 

Oooo 1000 calorie workout!  Those are hard and ugh rough.  Good luck!  Ton of HIIT and a fair amount of strength training too!  I can't wait to see how this works out

[stillskies]

S and I started one of the 1000 calorie workouts - got all the way to the strength training before we had to stop due to lack of equipment. Need more weights at home if I'm going to do this with her. =/

 

I am glad you approve of my list. It's all I ever want/need out of a challenge - your approval. 

 

[BlackTezca]

My approval is absolute!

 

If you want any suggestions, for $40 I got a dumbbell set from Dicks Sporting Goods.  It's four 5lb plates, four 3lb plates and two standard size dumbbell handles.  Not perfect, but gets me through the EPIC workouts.

[stillskies]

That might not be a bad idea. I'll add it to my list of things I want. That list just keeps getting longer and longer...

[stillskies]

So, my studio is doing a summer party on 8/8. There'll be food, games, prizes, rolling, etc, but they're also doing something called Bull in the Ring, which is a take-down tournament. They're doing separate divisions for the men based on weight, but it looks like the women's division will be just anyone against anyone (obviously, they'll make brackets and what not, but). Whoever takes their opponent down first wins, and whoever makes it all the way through and win wins gets a new gi.

 

I'm..... tempted? Like, I know I'll probably get knocked out in the first round (let's be real, I have a hard enough time with rolling, and all of our take-downs are pretty much taken from judo, and I know.... 3? Maybe?), but I'm still kind of tempted to try? 

 

They're also doing a randori where, when you tap someone out, you get their belt until they win it back. XD That one I may just watch. I'll get my belt taken and never get it back. XD (Although I'm still kind of tempted to try that one, too.)

 

I'm not sure what to do? ADVICE?