Honeybadger Versus The Hellmouth

[honeybadger]

Welcome to the Hellmouth...If you haven't guessed Buffy is my inspiration for this challenge. Why?? Well..she kicks serious ass, has amazing friends, good fashion, and did I mention she kicks ass.

Being a slayer requires consistent training to remain strong, agile and have the endurance needed to take on all the Hellmouth throws at her.

My Slayer training will be a continuation of my exercise goals from last challenge.

1. At least 40 minutes of cardio 3-4 times per week. This challenge I would like to get 3 running days in each week.

2. Complete BW routine at least 3 times per week. I am thinking about tweaking the specifics of this one and will post before the official start. I am taking this week off from squats and lunges but not from abs or push-ups.

THE BIG BAD

My Big Bad is diet...as in eating less. Hopefully, this will result in weight loss. I have struggled with making this a goal because I know progress does not always mean weight loss. AND I am easily discouraged when I don't see weight loss despite feeling better and looking better. I over the past few months, including last challenge, I was pretty consistent about keeping a food log. This has helped me understand where I need to make some changes. My diet is not bad overall but I need to be more aware of portions. So I am breaking out the food scale and measuring cups.

Goal 1: Keep daily calories to between 1200-1500 5/7 days. Calories not to exceed 2000 calories on remaining days.

Goal 2: 6 more weeks candy free.

SCOOBY GANG

I mentioned the Slayer's bad-assness earlier...and she is totally...without question. That being said, her Scoobies are important to her success. I want to be much more social and involved on the forum. This might not seem like much of a challenge goal but I struggle with social anxiety. Seriously...simply liking a post, posting or replying to a comment comes with a lot of anxiety. This will push me out of my comfort zone. I am going to need some extra support if I am going to take on The Big Bad. No pressure fellow Rangers...well maybe a little...a smidge...

Goal 3: Support fellow Rangers by commenting on challenge threads at least 3x/week. One of these must be to a new Ranger each week.

Goal 4: Post on my own challenge thread more frequently, at least 4x/week.

[Tzippi Longstockings]

We are here to support our fellow ranger! I love your theme, and will be following you with interest!

 

(I'm super-chatty, though, so you don't need to respond to me all the time, no stress. )

 

[Everstorm]

You're welcome on my thread any time, no worries! (I am shy in person, but outgoing online, go figure?)

[honeybadger]

We are here to support our fellow ranger! I love your theme, and will be following you with interest!

 

(I'm super-chatty, though, so you don't need to respond to me all the time, no stress. )

 

 

 

You're welcome on my thread any time, no worries! (I am shy in person, but outgoing online, go figure?)

Thanks for the Ranger love!!! 

[honeybadger]

Week 0, Day 3:

I am using this week to test out my goals to make sure they are realistic and see where I might need to adjust. So far my daily calories have been under 1500 calories 2 days and around 1800 for 1 day. The average is about 1400 calories. I am happy with this. Feeling like my diet goals are good. 

 

I will be weighing myself next week for a base line, I will weigh myself again week 3 and week 6. I will also be using 3 pairs of pants to track my progress because the scale is not always my friend. Does this sound crazy?

 

Pair #1: I can get on and button but are still to small to wear with comfort or decency.  

Pair #2: I can pull on but not button

Pair #3: I can't get over my hips. These have always been my slim pants. 

 

Trying to decide between running and spinning today. First some functional fitness in the form of house cleaning and dog walking!

[Everstorm]

Scales are evil. This is known. Tracking by pant-fit is hysterically funny, but effective (and not crazy).

[honeybadger]

I ate ALL THE FOOD today at dinner. We are talking bread with butter, mashed potatoes, hard cider (only 1) and the swordfish with brussels sprouts (not feeling at all guilty about the last 2). I went out to eat (a rare treat) and really had to guess at the calories. I think I still came in around 2000 calories for the day...maybe a little over. 

[honeybadger]

In preparation for the mini-challenge I broke out my new speed rope... Ouch!

 

I was able to get 8 double-unders with 3 singles in between each. That killed my previous record of 5 in the last mini-challenge!!

[Xena]

Challenge looks GOOD! Plus I saw you over on the mini-challenge thread, and I really like how you built on what you did last time around.

 

I would definitely encourage you on any threads that seem interesting! If you look around, it's also usually pretty easy to find a thread or two that could use a little love. People relatively new to the guild, or people who post their threads late often don't get much traffic. Just popping in and saying hi can really make a difference for someone.

[honeybadger]

I am excited to officially get started. Last week's trial run of my goals was a success. I think the goals will be challenging but achievable. Last week I was able to hit my calorie goals and averaged around 1500 calories a day. I reached out to fellow Rangers without having an anxiety attack or being laughed off the forum. 

 

Week 1 weigh in: 157lbs 

 

Today I need to head to the market for some veggies and do some meal planning. My usual Monday Spin instructor is on vacation, thinking about going for a run instead taking class with a sub. 

[Xena]

So smart doing a trial run! Glad things are off to a good start. Honey badger is fierce!

 

[Tzippi Longstockings]

I am excited to officially get started. Last week's trial run of my goals was a success. I think the goals will be challenging but achievable. Last week I was able to hit my calorie goals and averaged around 1500 calories a day. I reached out to fellow Rangers without having an anxiety attack or being laughed off the forum. 

 

Week 1 weigh in: 157lbs 

 

Today I need to head to the market for some veggies and do some meal planning. My usual Monday Spin instructor is on vacation, thinking about going for a run instead taking class with a sub. 

 

Yay veggies! Yay cooking/prepping ahead! Go Honeybadger!

 

(I know this is "Badger Pride", rather than "Honeybader Pride", but whatever.)

 

[honeybadger]

In preparation for the mini-challenge I broke out my new speed rope... Ouch!

 

I was able to get 8 double-unders with 3 singles in between each. That killed my previous record of 5 in the last mini-challenge!!

Finished my Combat Feat for the mini-challenge today. Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. Jumping rope kicks my a**.... after two days in a row I think I will skip squats tonight and add an extra set of abs.

[Linsanity]

Looks like you're off to a great start already! I've used measuring cups and food scales in the past and they really teach ya what proper portions are! They'll also help train your eye so you'll be better able to exercise portion control when you go out to restaurants. Best of luck this challenge

[naarasleijona]

Week 0, Day 3:

I am using this week to test out my goals to make sure they are realistic and see where I might need to adjust. So far my daily calories have been under 1500 calories 2 days and around 1800 for 1 day. The average is about 1400 calories. I am happy with this. Feeling like my diet goals are good. 

 

I will be weighing myself next week for a base line, I will weigh myself again week 3 and week 6. I will also be using 3 pairs of pants to track my progress because the scale is not always my friend. Does this sound crazy?

 

Pair #1: I can get on and button but are still to small to wear with comfort or decency.  

Pair #2: I can pull on but not button

Pair #3: I can't get over my hips. These have always been my slim pants. 

 

Trying to decide between running and spinning today. First some functional fitness in the form of house cleaning and dog walking!

 

I have two pair of jeans  that I use to gauge my progress.  The ones that take a little effort to get on, and the ones that require some serious shimmying.  - They tell me more about my progress than anything else.    

['BoutThatActionBoss]

Love the goals! Like you, I struggle with the diet but we can most definitely do it. I am trying to be candy/sweets free for the duration of the challenge. I am such a bad sweet tooth though. And I have no impulse control when it comes to sweets. I had to remove them from my house and everything.

 

Small steps! Good luck and keep us posted! 

[honeybadger]

Ozone day today! Really glad I decided to use today as a rest day, just taking the dog for a walk has sucked. I went out to lunch with my mom and aunt and will have to estimate my calories for the meal. Even if I hit 2000 (which I shouldn't) calories for the day my average for the week would be around 1400/day. 

 

Still ZERO candy!!

['BoutThatActionBoss]

Estimating calories is hard, right? I try to do it on MyFitnessPal but it seems so inexact. I suppose some tracking, even if it isn't completely accurate, is better than no tracking? Anyway, good job! 

[naarasleijona]

Love your Scooby Gang goal! I bet there are a lot of us out there who struggle with the whole social thing. For my part I tend to have a very sarcastic sense of humor, I'm a bit snarky, and I swear a lot. I'm always wondering if the stuff I send out there is too much over the top, or is it taken the wrong way? Usually, I end up not saying anything at all so that I don't look like a weirdo... I'm really a very nice person! (I think so anyway) . I think one of the best things about these forums is that everyone I've seen so far is very positive and very accepting, so no matter what you say, it will probably be taken in the best possible way.

And now, I do believe I may have to steal your goal for my next one.

Good luck with the challenge!

[Xena]

I've seen a few small misunderstandings on the forums, but they usually get cleared up pretty quickly (as far as I can tell). I can also say, I've never seen anyone be delibrately rude or unkind on NF.

[honeybadger]

Love your Scooby Gang goal! I bet there are a lot of us out there who struggle with the whole social thing. For my part I tend to have a very sarcastic sense of humor, I'm a bit snarky, and I swear a lot. I'm always wondering if the stuff I send out there is too much over the top, or is it taken the wrong way? Usually, I end up not saying anything at all so that I don't look like a weirdo... I'm really a very nice person! (I think so anyway) . I think one of the best things about these forums is that everyone I've seen so far is very positive and very accepting, so no matter what you say, it will probably be taken in the best possible way.

And now, I do believe I may have to steal your goal for my next one.

Good luck with the challenge!

I can relate, I also have a snarky, sarcastic sense of humor...and a potty mouth at times. It has gotten me in trouble at times, never here but in life. I definitely think this causes me to filter and edit as well as contributing to my social anxiety.  I have also noticed many people have similar Scooby goals which is helping me get over myself.

 

I've seen a few small misunderstandings on the forums, but they usually get cleared up pretty quickly (as far as I can tell). I can also say, I've never seen anyone be delibrately rude or unkind on NF.

People have been nothing but kind and supportive to me...

[honeybadger]

Week 1 Day 6

So I continue to feed my new obsession with jumping rope. I practiced all different jumping variations for 40 minutes today. I had to force myself to stop because I still needed to go for a run! I managed to get 3 miles in but my legs were tired....

 

Diet wise, this week has not been the best in terms of quality food but I have managed to keep my daily average around 1400. This seems to be the sweet spot for feeling satisfied. Not sure if I will notice any difference in when I try on my pants tomorrow.

[Everstorm]

I guess I am pretty ignorant of jump roping techniques. What all variations do you practice?

[honeybadger]

I guess I am pretty ignorant of jump roping techniques. What all variations do you practice?

There are so many variations you can do. You can change foot position and how you jump. For example, jumping with feet together side to side or front to back (rather than just up+down). You can also move your feet in and out like jumping jacks or front to back. There are also things you can do with the rope like double unders or cross overs (crossing the rope in front of you as you jump). There are a bunch more but these are the basic ones I am practicing. Sooooo much fun. 

[honeybadger]

Week 1:

 

Week one went well overall. I managed to hit my goals, complete the mini-challenge and fall in love jumping rope. I am more than a little bruised thanks to my new love but it is totally worth it. Here is how it breaks down.

 

1. At least 40 minutes of cardio 3-4 times per week. This challenge I would like to get 3 running days in each week. 

I did 40 minutes of cardio 3 days, and 1 day for 30 minutes. Monday- 10 min of jump rope and 35 min running, Tuesday- 10 min of JR and 20 min bike, Thursday- 40 min JR and 30 min run, Saturday- 40 min JR and 35 min run. 

2. Complete BW routine at least 3 times per week.

I struggled a bit here. I did push-ups and abs 4 days but did not do any squats or lunges. Still not sure what I want my BW routine to look like. I would like to continue to focus on abs and push-ups.

 

 

THE BIG BAD

 

Goal 1: Keep daily calories to between 1200-1500 5/7 days. Calories not to exceed 2000 calories on remaining days.

I had 6/7 days between 1200-1500 and one under 2000. Still have snack and dinner left for tonight but looks like I should average about 1400 a day. This week I would like to focus on more quality calories. 

Goal 2: 6 more weeks candy free.

Candy? What candy?!

 

SCOOBY GANG

 

 

Goal 3: Support fellow Rangers by commenting on challenge threads at least 3x/week. One of these must be to a new Ranger each week. 

Done! Supported fellow Rangers and they have reciprocated. Yay!!!

Goal 4: Post on my own challenge thread more frequently, at least 4x/week. 

Done!!

 

My pants fit me the same. I managed to get on the scale and weighed in at 156lbs.