Challenger: Hratheceane

[Hratheceane]

Hratheceane here, prepared to be Challenged. My daily diary is where I do my record keeping, but here I'll update it weekly. My goals are diet-focused, because my diet has been my weak point, even when I was "on a diet."

 

MAIN QUEST 

Hratheceane aims to reach her full potential by losing twenty pounds of fat. By her estimations, she wishes to be be near 145 pounds. She wants to reach this goal by her 210th birthday in early December. She intends to stay as Paleo as possible and she'll use a simple notebook she carries with her to track sugar and carbs. I will be adding strength training and bodyweight exercises. I'm pretty terrible at the gym, so hopefully this helps me actually get stronger.

 

GOALS

• Drink Three 27 oz Water Bottles a Day

A: Drink Three Bottles Every Day

B: Drink Three Bottles Every Day but One

C: Drink Three Bottles Three Days in a Week

D: Drink Three Bottles Two Days in a Week

F: Don't Drink Three Bottles Any Day

 

• Keep Added Sugar Below 24 Grams a Day

A: Below 24g Every Day

B: Below 24g Every Day but One

C: Below 24g Three Days in a Week

D: Below 24g Two Days in a Week

F: Above 24g Every Day or above 50g Any Day

 

• Keep Carbohydrates Below 100 Grams a Day

A: Below 100g Every Day

B: Below 100g Every Day but One

C: Below 100g Three Days in a Week

D: Below 100g Two Days in a Week

F: Above 100g Every Day or above 200g Any Day

 

Though I'm not a fan of counting of any sort, I imagine it won't be too difficult to track added sugar, at least. There won't be much to track. I'm doing Paleo, too, so I'll try to use sites online that will help me track how many carbs are in the non-grain-based foods I'll be eating. I can manage that for six weeks, I tracked like crazy for six months before!

 

LIFE CHALLENGE

 

Don't use the scale for the duration of the challenge. Measurements are only allowed at the half-way point.

 

This is in order to break myself of the bad habit of weighing daily

 

I am motivated to become the person that I've always seen hiding underneath it all. I want to be an example for my friends and family who are struggling with health issues thanks to misinformation and the American diet. And, finally, I want to prove to myself that I can reach my goals if I try hard enough.

 

But, on another note, I really do want to feel comfortable exposing my arms and legs and wearing the clothes that I want to. I want to be able to pass mirrors in stores and not cringe if I'm wearing shorts. I used to wear a hoodie and jeans year round, no matter how hot the weather got. Now, that just won't do. But, also, COSPLAY! My fiancee has been wanting to cosplay with me for years but I never felt comfortable. I've wanted to cosplay Rikku from Final Fantasy X, Sailor Uranus, Shizuma from Strawberry Panic, and maybe someone as difficult as Bayonetta. It's just lots of exposed legs...I'll do it.

[cepopaladin]

Welcome! Good set of goals you've got there, especially the hydration goals. I'm not sure if your hydration goals are solely for hydration, but I've found that staying full of water staves off hunger quite nicely.

 

Cosplay as Rikku would be awesome btw. I definitely wanted to be her for Halloween circa 2001, but chickened out for the same reasons. Do it for the both of us!

[Hratheceane]

Welcome! Good set of goals you've got there, especially the hydration goals. I'm not sure if your hydration goals are solely for hydration, but I've found that staying full of water staves off hunger quite nicely.

 

Cosplay as Rikku would be awesome btw. I definitely wanted to be her for Halloween circa 2001, but chickened out for the same reasons. Do it for the both of us!

 

My hydration goals are there mainly because I'm one of those people who could go for days without drinking a single thing. I was just not a fan of water as a kid, since the only water available was basically unfit for drinking. I'm definitely in need of a motivation to keep drinking every day.

 

And I'm still deciding, I think I like Final Fantasy X-2 Rikku's outfit more than her original. It certainly would be easier to make, which is necessary for a beginner like me, lol. 

[Toshimi]

Though I'm not a fan of counting of any sort, I imagine it won't be too difficult to track added sugar, at least. There won't be much to track. I'm doing Paleo, too, so I'll try to use sites online that will help me track how many carbs are in the non-grain-based foods I'll be eating. I can manage that for six weeks, I tracked like crazy for six months before!

 

LIFE CHALLENGE

 

Don't use the scale for the duration of the challenge. Measurements are only allowed at the half-way point.

 

This is in order to break myself of the bad habit of weighing daily

 

 

 

Counting isn't for everyone. I have tried several times and it didn't work for me. I stumbled across a tracking app called two grand, that instead of actually counting, you post pictures of what you eat. keep you accountable, without the counting. Just something to consider

 

Welcome to the challenge!

[Hratheceane]

Counting isn't for everyone. I have tried several times and it didn't work for me. I stumbled across a tracking app called two grand, that instead of actually counting, you post pictures of what you eat. keep you accountable, without the counting. Just something to consider

 

Welcome to the challenge!

That sounds like a much more interesting and useful version of people who instagram everything they eat. 

 

Thanks for the welcome!

[Hratheceane]

And I'm deciding on my rewards, but I believe a proper knife set and a food processor would be a good way to reward myself with something good for this challenge, since it's mostly food related. I will be able to prepare more and more really interesting recipes that'll keep me eating healthy.

[cepopaladin]

My hydration goals are there mainly because I'm one of those people who could go for days without drinking a single thing. I was just not a fan of water as a kid, since the only water available was basically unfit for drinking. I'm definitely in need of a motivation to keep drinking every day.

 

And I'm still deciding, I think I like Final Fantasy X-2 Rikku's outfit more than her original. It certainly would be easier to make, which is necessary for a beginner like me, lol. 

I definitely used to be the same way with water. I've got to be really religious with it or I'll simply forget until I am so dehydrated it hurts. I still haven't managed slow consumption yet though, so every 2-3 hours I drink my entire 24oz bottle and refill. 

You're right, FFX-2's Rikku would be much simpler. As a non-sewing human, I don't know hard these things really are, but it looks like you could do a X-2 costume (almost) with no sewing (just choice shopping). Just curious, but how would you make her weapons?

 

And I'm deciding on my rewards, but I believe a proper knife set and a food processor would be a good way to reward myself with something good for this challenge, since it's mostly food related. I will be able to prepare more and more really interesting recipes that'll keep me eating healthy.

Proper knives definitely help and chopping is kind of relaxing once you get good at it. You're also let likely to cut yourself if the knife is of good quality and sharpened/honed properly.

[ElemHH]

LIFE CHALLENGE

 

Don't use the scale for the duration of the challenge. Measurements are only allowed at the half-way point.

 

This is in order to break myself of the bad habit of weighing daily

 

I weigh myself far too much, but have actually improved from how I used to be, so i understand this goal. Some of the other people I follow have incorporated measuring body parts, so they can see the changes they are making, even when the numbers on the scale aren't reflecting their work.

Start and end measurments (possibly midpoint too) might be worth doing. I wish I had done that for my first challenge, but will definitely do it for my second one.

[Blaidd]

I love your life quest.  Hiding the scale might actually make you feel better about your progress too. 

 

You might notice that someone has added a tag to your post.  This is not to box you into a corner but rather because your goals or lifestyle have links to the guild you've been tagged and we'd like to bring you to the attention of one of their guild ambassadors. These ambassadors will be able to offer you advice, encouragement and support on your goals.  You don't even have to wait around for them to come introduce themselves to you, you are more than welcome to pop into the Adventurers' board and introduce yourself to the guildies there. I am also around to answer any questions that you might have so do not hesitate to PM me.

 

Good Luck with your challenge

AB xx

[Hratheceane]

You're right, FFX-2's Rikku would be much simpler. As a non-sewing human, I don't know hard these things really are, but it looks like you could do a X-2 costume (almost) with no sewing (just choice shopping). Just curious, but how would you make her weapons?

 

There are a few different ways to make something like that. Some people go simple and just use cardboard, or paper maiche. I'll ask my art-school friends what they'd do, because I'd really want to have them.

 

I weigh myself far too much, but have actually improved from how I used to be, so i understand this goal. Some of the other people I follow have incorporated measuring body parts, so they can see the changes they are making, even when the numbers on the scale aren't reflecting their work.

Start and end measurments (possibly midpoint too) might be worth doing. I wish I had done that for my first challenge, but will definitely do it for my second one.

Yeah, I'm thinking beginning, middle, end measurements would work, just without weighing.

 

I love your life quest.  Hiding the scale might actually make you feel better about your progress too. 

 

You might notice that someone has added a tag to your post.  This is not to box you into a corner but rather because your goals or lifestyle have links to the guild you've been tagged and we'd like to bring you to the attention of one of their guild ambassadors. These ambassadors will be able to offer you advice, encouragement and support on your goals.  You don't even have to wait around for them to come introduce themselves to you, you are more than welcome to pop into the Adventurers' board and introduce yourself to the guildies there. I am also around to answer any questions that you might have so do not hesitate to PM me.

 

Good Luck with your challenge

AB xx

I agree, this time around my challenge is pretty much adventurer. I consider myself an "Adventurous Druid" mainly because being in Nature and at my camp is a huge part of my motivation. I'll be incorporating more Druidic style once I have the diet thing down. Thanks!

[AvitusXenoi]

It's almost Monday >:} Are you excited or what? Do you have a song that is kind of your go to battle theme? Of course we probably all have many, but I'm pretty sure Different Sense by Dir en Grey will cast berserk on me.

Your goals are pragmatic and within your grasp, look forward to seeing your next challenge after you tear this one to shreds

[Hratheceane]

It's almost Monday >:} Are you excited or what? Do you have a song that is kind of your go to battle theme? Of course we probably all have many, but I'm pretty sure Different Sense by Dir en Grey will cast berserk on me.

Your goals are pragmatic and within your grasp, look forward to seeing your next challenge after you tear this one to shreds

It really depends, but I'm a daddy's girl, so it's a lot of the music he listened to when he worked out. Lots of Disturbed, but I like listening to kind of epic metal too? So this song Emerald Sword gets me going, or When the Dragon Lies Bleeding. Hero's Comeback is a good running song for me, super Narutard here. Dir en Grey's got some impressive music, but I tend to look to Gackt or the GazettE if I want some Japanese musical motivation.

 

I'm super excited, and almost a little scared now. It's that first challenge thing: Will I manage to keep this up for six weeks, will I actually see a difference by the end of it, and all that jazz.

[AvitusXenoi]

I haven't listened to Gackt in years but I remember really wanting a pair of kickass pants he wore lol. I suppose fear is natural, but every time i get on a roller coaster the fear vanishes after we get over the first hill. good luck and enjoy the ride

[Hratheceane]

Also, I guess the most difficult part of this is that, while I definitely want to keep my carbs and sugars down, it's going to be difficult to track without measuring everything. I will therefore really be trying to keep it well below those targets, so even if I underestimate, I shouldn't be going over. That's the only way I could do this without failing and not having anything change by the end of the six weeks. I will do my best to keep a proper food diary, though, and post it here so that people can point out if they think I'm actually eating more than my estimations.

 

Edit: I'm debating on linking to my old food diary. I was dieting from July 11th 2014-October 2014 basically. It would be for people who might be curious when I talk about how I used to eat when on a "diet" and how off the mark I was. I still lost 20 pounds that way, but it was a grueling 6 months that really made me unhappy. In fact, my fiancee has some bad history with MFP and her eating disorder. So it might be a little triggery? I dunno. Maybe I'll post it at some point.

[Hratheceane]

Gah double posted

[AvitusXenoi]

My plan is to just keep a notepad with me at all times and use that as I go for my food diary. Then once a week or so when I update my challenge thread I'll just type that in real quick. That way I don't have to worry about trying to remember it or being on the computer every day. Actually the computer that I do own is so old it doesn't even have an Ethernet port, I do all my nerd fitness stuck on my android phone or in the business center at work. I may be new to nerd fitness but I am NOT new to respawning; Let's be done with that and make ourselves proud

[ElemHH]

Yeah, I'm thinking beginning, middle, end measurements would work, just without weighing.

Sorry, I misunderstood your goal. I thought you were trying to stop yourself from using the scale every day, but were allowing yourself a midpoint scale measurment to gauge your progress. I didn't mean to suggest something you were already planning.

 

 

but I tend to look to Gackt or the GazettE if I want some Japanese musical motivation.

I haven't listened to Gackt in a while. I used to have quite a few of his music videos in a file on my old laptop, I must have forgotten to transfer them over. I need to find them and then rewatch/listen to them all again.

[Hratheceane]

My plan is to just keep a notepad with me at all times and use that as I go for my food diary. Then once a week or so when I update my challenge thread I'll just type that in real quick. That way I don't have to worry about trying to remember it or being on the computer every day. Actually the computer that I do own is so old it doesn't even have an Ethernet port, I do all my nerd fitness stuck on my android phone or in the business center at work. I may be new to nerd fitness but I am NOT new to respawning; Let's be done with that and make ourselves proud

I'm not the only one with a brick for a computer, awesome! Though mine may be a slightly newer brick, from the sounds of it.

 

I haven't listened to Gackt in a while. I used to have quite a few of his music videos in a file on my old laptop, I must have forgotten to transfer them over. I need to find them and then rewatch/listen to them all again.

Do it and you're welcome~

 

____________________________________

And alright, it's Sunday. It was weigh and measurement day, the last one until three weeks from now. Here's what I got. I measure some parts in sections because I seem to hold weight there and lose it separately...like wtf?

 

STARTING WEIGHT:  164.4

Height: ~5' 6" on my good posture days

STARTING MEASUREMENTS (all of which are down from the last time I measured) in inches

Waist (smallest part):28.1

Lower Waist: 35

Arm: 13.5

Upper Thigh:26 (this is down 2 inches somehow, holy crap)

Middle Thigh:23

Above Knee:17.4

Calf:15.9

Around Ass:41.8

Hips (Which are basically around my thighs): 42

 

I have no clue what to expect for six weeks of this. Honestly, if I could just get below 160, I'll consider that a weight loss success. 160 has been my stopping point for so long! If it goes REALLY well, maybe I could even hope to be near my second goal of under 155 (Normal BMI range for the first time ever)

 

Let's diggity do this.

[Hratheceane]

Since I'm really not a fan of My Fitness Pal, I got an account on Cronometer, which tracks every last little thing. Unfortunately, it doesn't know added sugar from normal sugar, So I'll still have to watch out for that.

 

I tried to cheat just a little bit today, seeing as the challenge starts tomorrow. Nah, the diet soda I tried to drink just tasted awful to me. Go figure. And I have no desire to go get pizza. I want to do this right, and I will.

 

And also, in my counting of carbs, I will mention what my effective carb count is along with the total.

[Hratheceane]

Ugh, I wish I stopped hitting the "Last Page" button! Well, I think I'm going to try to post in this once a week with my updates and such, but I am totally going to check it in case some people are trying to chat with me!

 

So, I'm using Cronometer. I practiced tracking yesterday, and I'm liking it much better than MFP. The drawbacks for MFP is that it seems like it punishes you for going over their calorie count, and for going over their level that they put for anything. However, not all of their food has the necessary information, and they don't care if you're eating in your calorie range but without any sort of proper nutrients, which I probably was doing before. Speaking of nutrients, beef liver is pretty awesome.

 

Theme song! Break My Stride, it's always my positive, "I can do this" song. Go on, listen to it and tell me you don't feel like you can tackle this with a smile on your face!

[JacenRKohler]

Your quests are very similar to mine.

Best of luck to you.

I hope you are successful.

[Hratheceane]

Ya know, guys, I expected some people would have a reaction to my diet change. That makes sense. I just didn't expect pity of all things from the waitress as I tried desperately to find something on the menu that would fit what I want to eat. Unfortunately, the place we went seemed unable to make anything appetizing. I had broiled salmon, a salad, and some green beans. I just drowned it in EVOO and made sure I had enough calories today.

 

But seriously, pity?? She didn't even want to say "dessert" around me, and my mother and the waitress were discussing in front of me how much they liked what my mom got, which was seafood alfredo, basically my old go-to at this place. It just rankled me. It didn't help that she kept checking back every five seconds like I would know immediately where to look. I'm sorry, I don't want to eat a cold salad every time I go out. Maybe they should up their steak game. Then again, this is a place that's just frequented by seniors who refuse to have any sort of spices on their food.

 

 

I also saw that we are to make sure that our goals are SMART. I definitely believe so, even with the fact that for 11 days in it I'm going to be on a meal plan. There is really only one day in that entire time that I will choose to eat anything grain based, and that's the actual Event where the kids make these Loaves of the Corn Mother and serve them with honey butter. I'll just get a small bun and probably share most of it with my dad. For the rest of the time, during the meal plan, it'll just be a matter of willpower that I certainly have. And the people at my camp are definitely encouraging. I might allow myself one gluten free dessert too, but I'll be working very hard that week physically.

 

I don't have any specific weight goals for this challenge. If I could lose six pounds somehow, that would be amazing, or if I could just get under 160, but I'm just hoping to get myself going down the right path. I made sure they were very specific, and I'm tracking everything on Cronometer. Drinking enough water is something I've been working on for a while, so it's moreso a habit by now than anything. I just want to really make sure I'm accountable for that. But as for the two other goals, they basically fall into the same category. I'm just watching my carbs! The added sugar avoidance has become more of a habit. Basically, this is just reinforcing habits that I've been building while adding one more logical next step habit, which is lowering my carb intake. My life challenge makes sure I don't get discouraged.

 

I'm still deciding on a reward, and I just want to make sure I get one that works for me! A food processor is likely. So yeah, I'd say SMART?

[Toshimi]

Ya know, guys, I expected some people would have a reaction to my diet change. That makes sense. I just didn't expect pity of all things from the waitress as I tried desperately to find something on the menu that would fit what I want to eat. Unfortunately, the place we went seemed unable to make anything appetizing. I had broiled salmon, a salad, and some green beans. I just drowned it in EVOO and made sure I had enough calories today.

 

But seriously, pity?? She didn't even want to say "dessert" around me, and my mother and the waitress were discussing in front of me how much they liked what my mom got, which was seafood alfredo, basically my old go-to at this place. It just rankled me. It didn't help that she kept checking back every five seconds like I would know immediately where to look. I'm sorry, I don't want to eat a cold salad every time I go out. Maybe they should up their steak game. Then again, this is a place that's just frequented by seniors who refuse to have any sort of spices on their food.

 

Everyone reacts differently. As someone who has eaten weird for awhile (a modified paleo) you just get used to it, and brush it off most the time. Hopefully you'll find some better places. Salads do get boring after awhile. Try a burger without the bun? just ask for some meat cooked plain? there are options once you learn how to order. Took me awhile to get it all figured out, but I know you will. 

 

My bf does not eat the same as I do and often gets pasta and other wonderful looking things, but he's come to accept how I eat, and we're good with it. Yes its tough when they're discussing delicious sounding food in front of you, but think of the amazing changes you are making to better yourself. 

 

 

Your choices.... your better life. 

[Hratheceane]

Everyone reacts differently. As someone who has eaten weird for awhile (a modified paleo) you just get used to it, and brush it off most the time. Hopefully you'll find some better places. Salads do get boring after awhile. Try a burger without the bun? just ask for some meat cooked plain? there are options once you learn how to order. Took me awhile to get it all figured out, but I know you will. 

 

My bf does not eat the same as I do and often gets pasta and other wonderful looking things, but he's come to accept how I eat, and we're good with it. Yes its tough when they're discussing delicious sounding food in front of you, but think of the amazing changes you are making to better yourself. 

 

 

Your choices.... your better life. 

 

Yeah, I had to explain it to my fiancee. I told her that just because I'm doing this doesn't mean she has to eat the same way. I wouldn't force her to not have dairy if I were lactose intolerant, you know? I'm the one with the health issues that I wish to address.

 

Today could have gone pretty badly, as I mostly ate outside of my house and it was things that I was uncertain about how they were prepared. Luckily, I tracked down most of the things and I chose as low carb option as possible. I'm sure I made it well beneath 100 grams of carbs.

 

But I did so much walking in the sun today and I am JUST SO HUNGRY. I could sit and eat one of those porterhouse steaks for two all by myself.

[AvitusXenoi]

Break My Stride, yerp, I didn't know I knew it but now I know I do.

Very bouncy. Seems like it could have a place in a Pixar moment. Good luck camping, enjoy the world XD