♫ starsapart lives the good life ♫

[starsapart]

"we all got our stories but please tell me

what there is to complain about 

when you're happy like a fool

let it take you over

when everything is out

you gotta take it in 

oh this has gotta be the good life...."

 

 

MAIN QUEST:

Win the House Cup!  And don't forget - it's all a game, so have fun with it!

I'm certainly guilty of taking myself too seriously sometimes, but lately I've been working on lightening up and living in the moment.  Guys, bumps in the road aside, my life is so good, seriously.  And so, since my fitness regimen is chugging along like the Hogwarts Express, I decided that this challenge is the perfect time to play a little game with myself.  I have a long list of little things I could or should do so... why not all of them?  At once?  Yeah, maybe it's crazy, but I'm a crazy flying assassin, and anyway, trust me to come up with something that requires a complex spreadsheet.

 

I'm excited, because this way I get to fly, lift, sing, cook, spend time with my wife, laugh with my friends, enjoy the beautiful fall weather, and not worry so much about keeping my goals up while I live it up at CAMP NERD FITNESS in week 3.

 

How It Works:

1. Each Hogwarts House has been assigned a focus area and a list of 10 goals.  Most accomplishments earn me 5 House Points.  A few (marked bonus) earn 10 points, and a few (marked negative) subtract 5 points (STUDENTS OUT OF BED!  5 POINTS FROM RAVENCLAW!).  Bonuses are balanced by negatives to give each house a roughly equivalent chance at winning.
2. At the end of the challenge, all houses have to have earned a minimum of 200 points (an average of 40 tasks complete, aka ~1 per day) in order for the challenge to be considered a success.
3. In the end, this is all about balancing my life priorities.  Every week, the trailing house will be given an extra bonus challenge (worth 20 points!) to encourage me to give attention to the part of my life I've been neglecting.
4. There are no limits to the number of times per day/week/challenge I can cash in on the same accomplishment.  If I get 3 PRs in one day, for example, that's super!
5. Stat points will be awarded based on which House wins the Cup!

 

Ambition (and Fitness) - STR, DEX, STA

Slytherin is all about ambition, and I don't lack that... I want to be better, stronger, and more graceful than the me of yesterday.  Slytherin can earn points in the following ways:

• Doing straight leg straddle drills

• Backbend practice

• Splits practice

• Achieving a barbell PR

• Doing a set of pull-ups or chin-ups at home

• Taking a dance class

• Doing some yoga

• Taking a bike ride

• Going for a walk outside

• Trying a new workout

Loyalty (and Self-Care... and FOOD) - CON, CHA

Hufflepuffs are kind and diligent, and I need to be kinder to myself and more diligent about caring for myself instead of always pushing for the next accomplishment.  Also, Hufflepuff common room is right by the kitchen, and let's be honest.... every other House is jealous.  Hufflepuff can earn points in the following ways:

• Trying a new recipe

• Eating >100g of protein in a given day

• Getting to bed by 10:30pm

• Giving myself a facial

• Giving myself a pedicure (or treating myself to one at the nail salon)

• Having a quiet night in

• Getting up a wee bit earlier and taking a bit of time in the morning for tea and reflection

• Anything that keeps the romance alive in my marriage

• BONUS: Batch cooking for more than two meals

• NEGATIVE: Getting to bed after 11:30pm (Camp and non-work weekends exempt)

 

Wisdom (and Adulting) - WIS, CHA

If ever there was a House that exemplified rational thought and adulting, it would certainly be Ravenclaw.  In case you weren't aware, this is my favorite House - and I am told by my friends that I am a boss at adulting.  Still, there are a few things I could benefit from improving.   Ravenclaw can earn points in the following ways:

• Buying a holiday gift in advance

• Dressing up for work

• Doing something with my hair that isn't a ponytail or bun

• Warming up before rehearsal/performance or working on my music in general

• BONUS: Spending <$150 on weekly groceries

• BONUS: Doing some yard work

• BONUS: Putting $50 into savings

• NEGATIVE: Buying >2 snack items when food shopping

• NEGATIVE: Buying clothes or shoes

• NEGATIVE: Going out to eat (work-related outings and travel days exempt)

Adventure (and Fun) - CHA

No one parties like a Gryffindor, and I could probably do with being a bit more like the Lions in this.  Having fun is important, too!  Gryffindor can earn points in the following ways:

• Spending face-to-face time with a friend

• Skyping with a friend or relative

• Hosting an event at home

• Doing anything that furthers my plans for AWESOME HALLOWEEN DECOR this year (crafting, decorating, etc)

• Going on an outing with stillskies that ISN'T just shopping for necessities

• Engaging in some collab gaming (video or board or card - it all goes!)

• Reading a book for >1 hour

• Reading in Russian or French (non-book media are fine)

• Working on a puzzle

• Posting a picture or video to my thread

 

Which House will emerge triumphant at the end of term?  Taking bets now~!

 

(I'm thinking Slytherin has an unfair advantage, here, but who knows?)

 

 

Measurements:

Neck: 12.8"

Waist: 26"

Hips: 36"

Shoulders: 40.5"

Thigh: R: 20.7"  L: 20"

Calf: R: 14.7"  L: 14.4"

Bicep: R: 10.7" L: 10.5"

 

Weight: 133.8

BF%: 19.47%

Dress/pants size: 0/2

[starsapart]

 

Week 0

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

 

Challenge Summary

 

Final points are in!  Let's take a look at some numbers (loooooooots of numbers - I will forever be a Ravenclaw) and then break it down, shall we?

 

 

Before Measurements:                    After Measurements:

Neck: 12.8"                                              Neck: 12.7" (-.1)

Waist: 26"                                                 Waist: 26" (=)

Hips: 36"                                                   Hips: 36" (=)

Shoulders: 40.5"                                       Shoulders: 40.7" (+.2)

Thigh: R: 20.7" L: 20"                               Thigh: R: 20.8" (+.1) L: 20.1" (+.1)

Calf: R: 14.7"  L: 14.4"                              Calf: R: 14.7" (=) L: 14.5" (+.1)

Bicep: 10.7" L: 10.5"                                 Bicep: R: 10.5" (-.2) L: 10.5" (=)

 

Weight: 133.8 lbs                                      Weight: 133.6 lbs (-.2)

BF%: 19.74%                                            BF%: ????

Dress/pants size: 0/2                               Dress/pants size: 0/2 (=)

 

So, no bf% number right now - I'll get the caliper test in the next few days, when the gym has time - but looking at those numbers, if this isn't perfect textbook maintenance with standard and expected variation, I don't know what is.  Maintenance is apparently having the occasional 3000 calorie day and mowing through more food than I ever thought possible.  Also, having 6 pack abs while still eating baked goods, because my wife bakes delicious things and I have iron willpower BUT STILL.  What a bizarre world I live in.  An EXCELLENT bizarre world.

 

Based on the final House Cup standings, I will award the following stat points:

• 1st Place: Hufflepuff - 5 points!
  • +3 CON, +2 CHA
• 2nd Place: TIE between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor - 4 points each!
  • +2 WIS, +2 CHA
  • +4 CHA
• ​3rd Place: Slytherin - 2 points!
  • ​+1 STR, +1 DEX

Otherwise known as the challenge where stars becomes CHARISMATIC AS HELL.  Goodness.  Apparently, level 10 is where your charisma goes spiking through the roof.

 

As I mentioned in my week 6 write-up, this format unexpectedly turned into a learning experience.  By doing ALL THE THINGS AT ONCE, I really figured out where I'm lacking and where I'm succeeding.  I don't think I need any more protein goals going forward, for example, and I've really broken through the mental block when it comes to doing Pretty Things with my hair and clothing.  On the other hand, getting me to rake leaves or practice backbends is like PULLING TEETH.  I think I've found a good balance for my social life vs. quiet time at home.  I think I haven't begun preparing for the holidays properly.  In other words.... I think I have more work to do.  Isn't it lucky that there's another challenge just around the corner?

 

Lessons Learned:

• See above re: priorities.  There are some things I'm doing well and some that I'm NOT doing well.  This will inform my goals for my final challenge of the year.
• Ajora on a cracker, I need to eat a lot.
• I also need moar carbs.  Thankfully I figured this out before gnawing off my own arm in frustration.
• I loooooooooove ballet but I have some form issues to correct in jumps and I need to be more careful about not forcing turnout.  These will need addressing ASAP or I will hurt myself.
• Straight-limb straddles and I are still not getting along well, but I'm going to try a more organic approach and hope that gets me somewhere....
• My programming is improving but still not perfect.  Work in progress...
• Choreography is fun.  And scary.  AND I HAVE A SHOW IN DECEMBER OMGEEEEEEEEEEZ.
• I want to work on handstaaaaaaaaaaands!  But hahahaha #priorities, filing this one away for 2016 because see the bullet above?  That has to be my NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
• .....................But I never did get my pedicure.

 

 

See you next time, nerds~!

[Urgan]

Strapped in and ready to roll. Can't wait to get this challenge party started!

[blkhole24601]

Ohai~

[Trewest]

I actually think Hufflepuff has a decent chance....

[shaar]

Cheering for Hufflepuff because I've come to the soul-searching conclusion that I really am a Puff at heart.

 

LOVE THIIIIIIIS

[Urgan]

I actually think Hufflepuff has a decent chance....

 

Tell me her sheet doesn't make you nostalgic (and I'm not even a big HP fan)? Am I the only one who feels like this may become a one-woman mini challenge? Not very mini, actually...

[starsapart]

Strapped in and ready to roll. Can't wait to get this challenge party started!

Ohai~

 

Ladies!  Welcome...

 

 

I actually think Hufflepuff has a decent chance....

 

I'm terrible at self-care but I am excellent at food SO WE WILL SEE.  Who knows, I could go off the rails completely and just faff off for 6 weeks.... then Gryff would win by a landslide.

 

Cheering for Hufflepuff because I've come to the soul-searching conclusion that I really am a Puff at heart.

 

LOVE THIIIIIIIS

 

IT IS AN EXCELLENT HOUSE.

 

Have you seen these shirts?  Huff is adoooooooooooooooorable:

 

Tell me her sheet doesn't make you nostalgic (and I'm not even a big HP fan)? Am I the only one who feels like this may become a one-woman mini challenge? Not very mini, actually...

 

I may or may not have used the same formatting.  Why reinvent the wheel?

 

Maybe I'm nostalgic, too......................

[Suzaqu]

Always in for ravenclaw, even though I myself am not good at adulting currently. It's actually one of my challenge focuses once I get it all written up (must find more gifs...)

[miss_marissa]

Came to poke around.

Stayed for the Harry Potter and dope spreadsheets.

 

[Sam Ashen]

 

 

Adventure (and Fun) - CHA

 

Where does CAAAAMMMMPPPP  fit in?

[shaar]

Where does CAAAAMMMMPPPP  fit in?

 

I like how camp has evolved to bolded extended capslock!!

[starsapart]

Always in for ravenclaw, even though I myself am not good at adulting currently. It's actually one of my challenge focuses once I get it all written up (must find more gifs...)

 

Ravenclaw FOR LIFE.

 

Gifs can be tough..... this time I'll have it easy.

 

Came to poke around.

Stayed for the Harry Potter and dope spreadsheets.

 

 

Yay, welcome!

 

Where does CAAAAMMMMPPPP  fit in?

 

Ohhhh so many places! Off the top of my head:

• Doing some yoga

• Going for a walk outside

• Trying a new workout

• Eating >100g of protein in a given day

• Spending face-to-face time with a friend

• Engaging in some collab gaming (video or board or card - it all goes!)

• Posting a picture or video to my thread (after)

[BlackTezca]

Looks like Camp can extend through out all the houses!  Awesome!

 

What else is awesome?!  THIS CHALLENGE IS AWESOME!  Really love the format here and the themes being tied together!  Sounds like this is gonna be a really fun challenge for you.

 

However, the most awesome of all awesomenest things is...YOU!!!

 

HURRAY!

[starsapart]

Looks like Camp can extend through out all the houses!  Awesome!

 

What else is awesome?!  THIS CHALLENGE IS AWESOME!  Really love the format here and the themes being tied together!  Sounds like this is gonna be a really fun challenge for you.

 

However, the most awesome of all awesomenest things is...YOU!!!

 

HURRAY!

 

Woooo!  All but Ravenclaw get points at Camp.... but at least I can't hit my negative points at camp, either!  So there's that.

 

I am really excited about this format..... not even going to pretend otherwise.  I LOVE HARRY POTTER.

 

Seriously flirting with the idea of watching an HP movie every Sunday (starting with the Sunday before this shindig begins) while I do this, for ~ambiance~

[Sam Ashen]

Seriously flirting with the idea of watching an HP movie every Sunday (starting with the Sunday before this shindig begins) while I do this, for ~ambiance~

 

*counts on fingers*  How many FF episodes do I have to watch as a refresher?  9?  3 weeks?  3 per week.  It's going on my Quest List!

[Suzaqu]

Oooo, I like your idea of watching the relevant media during the challenge! I'm going to have to add that to my challenge, oh no, now I have to watch mean girls again ;(  maybe it will even happen tonight. I admire your spreadsheet! So fancy! #goals

[Suzaqu]

Nothing to see here...

 

[shaar]

Oooo, I like your idea of watching the relevant media during the challenge! I'm going to have to add that to my challenge, oh no, now I have to watch mean girls again ;(  maybe it will even happen tonight. I admire your spreadsheet! So fancy! #goals

 

“That’s why her hair is so big. It’s full of secrets.â€

 

XD

[Suzaqu]

“That’s why her hair is so big. It’s full of secrets.â€

 

XD

 So good. I tried to find a way to work that quote into my challenge but I couldn't  

[Strickland5]

I'm lost here mostly cause my wizard named Harry is Harry Dresden ... sorry but Zombie T-rex for the wins! 

 

Regardless I'm impressed with and in awe of your impressive spreadsheet goodness while trying to figure out how I can fluff up in my own challenge thread.

[sylph]

Wow. Thats... elaborate.

 

Question:

 

Going out to eat is a negative for Ravenclaw, but an outing with the wife is a positive for Gryffindor.

So if you go out to eat with your wife, does that count negative for one and positive for the other? 

[BlackTezca]

Woooo!  All but Ravenclaw get points at Camp.... but at least I can't hit my negative points at camp, either!  So there's that.

 

I am really excited about this format..... not even going to pretend otherwise.  I LOVE HARRY POTTER.

 

Seriously flirting with the idea of watching an HP movie every Sunday (starting with the Sunday before this shindig begins) while I do this, for ~ambiance~

 

If you do this, that means I need to binge watch Attack On Titan.

 

...Which is not a bad thing at all actually!  All in the spirit of the challenge!!

[Kagetsukai]

I'm lost here mostly cause my wizard named Harry is Harry Dresden ... sorry but Zombie T-rex for the wins! 

 

I agree. I suddenly want to do a Dresden Files challenge, though I would have a VERY hard time finding GIFs for it.

[Strickland5]

I agree. I suddenly want to do a Dresden Files challenge, though I would have a VERY hard time finding GIFs for it.

They'd all be from the Sci-Fi channel TV series with Paul Blackthorne

 

 

 

or the Dresden Files Fan Filming projects

 

 

 

 

okay back to your regularly scheduled Harry Potter world challenge cup thingie