My Little Challenge: Recruit Forum Friendship Is Magic

[trawlerman]

Warning: this is long. Sorry about that. It is my first post after all! :-)

A little bit of background:

I was chubby as a child and chunky as a teen, but lots of activity kept me from really ballooning out. In high school, I was probably around 185. At times in college, I got up around 220, but I'd usually lose whatever weight I gained by working a summer landscaping job.

The last year of college, I slimmed down significantly.

In October 2001, at age 22, I was the leanest I had ever been in my life. Down to an average of 160, I was sick for a while and down to an all-time low 145 on my wedding day, 10/6/01.

Over the next twelve years, I slowly returned to bad childhood habits without the counterbalance of that childhood activity. The weight kept creeping up. Part of this was struggling with quitting cigarettes over years and gaining weight each time I'd quit again. And part of it was (not) adapting to new work and life situations that did not *require* much movement so I just stopped moving as much while continuing to eat too much junk.

In January of 2013, I was the fattest I'd ever been in my life. About 275-280 at 5'7". A lot of body fat. Very little muscle. I was tired all of the time. I was cranky. I was weak. Mostly, I had fallen into a lot of very bad habits over a long period of time and they kept kept getting worse.

It was the beginning of a new year. I decided to get serious about losing weight. Just like I had tried and failed to do every other year. For the first time ever, though, I started seriously reading fitness articles instead of pretending that I knew what I was doing (which I obviously didn't!). Everything about the fitness culture was strange to me. I didn't know the names of anything. I couldn't tell the difference between a set and a rep. I couldn't do any of the exercises I saw recommended. It was all rather overwhelming and discouraging.

In February 2013, I discovered Nerd Fitness. I can't remember exactly how, but it was the result of a search query like "how does a fat idiot like me do a single pullup?" Sure enough, Steve's article showed up somewhere in those results. The time he took to explain the exercise and lay out a logical progression was so extremely helpful to me that I spent the next few weeks devouring the NF site. On February 19th, I bought one of Steve's fitness guides and started moving more and eating better. That led to a C25K and further running (truly amazing getting from "I can't run longer than 10 seconds without getting winded" to "I can run for 30 minutes without stopping!" to "I can run for 10 miles" and "I can run such-and-such time Mile/5k/10k") to StrongLifts to just being more mindful in general. But I still can't do a pullup. Some day!

Anyhow, long story short, I've been working on living a healthier life since that point.

BUT.

In the Fall of 2014, I was at my lowest weight in a long time, 213. More importantly, physically and emotionally, I felt better than I had in years.

Through the winter of 2014/2015, I let things slide and by Spring, I was around 223. But this was partially okay because I had been focusing on strength training through the winter and had been hitting PRs. By Spring, I knew I had to focus on losing weight again, but cutting calories made me miserable and I wasn't feeling the running bug even though I had enjoyed it last summer. Bad decisions over vacations led to gaining weight instead followed by a couple of weeks of rigorous losing only to have another vacation time or big party and on and on. I'm back up to 227-230. And I'm miserable, stuck back in old cycles of depression and disgust that aren't any good for me. I've kept doing some exercises, but haven't done any program consistently and have suffered in progress all around because of my uncertainty about what I really want to be doing.

That's why I'm here. More than anything else, I just need to focus on weight loss. I can focus on skills and guilds later. Right now, I'm just focused on the Adventure and probably headed to the Adventurers Guild for the next challenge. Right now, I'm happy to reset to noob and join for my first ever rookie six week challenge.

I'm hoping that posting regularly to a thread here will keep me honest and keep me focused. I'm hoping that reading the threads of other first-timers here will be an encouragement to me. I hope to be a positive spur to others and I hope that others will also spur me on.

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So, here goes:

The Main Quest

"And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.â€" -Luke 10:27

That's the present goal and the end goal. That repeated "all your" are sticky words. I figure I'll never be done working on this one.

Anyhow, the overall lifetime goal is:
Love (of God) with:
Heart
Soul
Strength
Mind
(and love my neighbor as myself)

Specifically right now, I think that I need to focus on the heart and soul, the appetitive will. Further strength of the body or at least maintenance of my current strength ought to also be a result of sticking to a plan of dietary self-control.

A poor diet and lack of self-control have been ongoing hindrances to me. I have a disordered and damaging relationship with food and drink. These are good gifts and I abuse them. I have made strides in this area in the past two years, but there is still much work to be done. As much as I hate it, I've realize that I need to be ever vigilant in this area. It is not something that I can coast in.

My longish short-term goal is to lose 50 pounds over the course of five of these challenges. After I've focused solely on weight loss for that time period and achieved a healthy weight, I'll consider my options and see what kind of fitness "class" I'd really like to specialize in. I'm not sure of the future challenge dates, but I'm guessing that will take me into next summer.

Below are the short term "quests" for the present challenge.

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Six Week Goal - Focused Challenge

*For this six week challenge, I'd like to lose 10 pounds.*

That's a number that I think that I can realistically achieve without going crazy.

So, three concrete steps toward that goal.

1) Eat better (or at least less). Count Calories. This is what worked for me in the beginning. I know it works. I just got lax and thought that I could do without it. Well, I can't. It's a helpful crutch. I do hope to someday be so inclined to the best choices that I no longer need to do this. Right now, I know I need it.
*The goal for these six weeks is to end each day at no more than a modified 1500 caloric intake* (meaning that I can eat 2000 calories or so on certain days without feeling guilty IF FitBit activity mods the number.)
A caloric deficit is the main thing, I know, that will make the weight loss happen.

2) Move more. Use my FitBit One. This is another crutch that I had dropped too soon. I will wear the danged thing clipped to my waist all day long. And I will not put it through the wash again.
*The goal for these six weeks is a minimum of 10,000 steps a day and 20 floors a day.*
Lately, I've hit this on many workout days but not on "off" days. I need to start just walking more and hit this goal every day. I still plan on working out, squats, deadlift, oh press, bench, (and I usually walk laps in between sets at the gym) and probably at least some running/hiking (which will also obviously contribute to steps). The steps guideline is the bare minimum that I should be aiming for even when I'm not doing something more intense. It's there to keep me mindful of moving more throughout the day at work especially when I'm usually doing a lot of sitting. Moving more will mean burning more calories will mean losing the weight.

3) Spend appropriately. During and after the work day, I can waste a lot of money on food choices that are not good for me. A $2 coffee here. A
bad $8 drive-thru choice there. $5 at the gas station on junk items that I really don't need. It all adds up, subtracting from my bank balance and adding to the waistline.
*The goal for these six weeks is to spend $0 on myself.*
Exceptions are the three Gs: gasoline, groceries and giving. Besides those necessities, I hope to cut out all wasteful spending on myself. Spending less will mean eating less will mean losing the weight.

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Side Quests - Mind

I love to read both for pleasure and for growth in knowledge and wisdom.

It's not too hard to keep up with the pleasure reading. I'll be doing that.

That pleasure reading is often also mind-stretching, but I have more focused goals in mind. I'd like to begin to learn Latin and I'd like to have a firm handle on Luke-Acts.

So...

1) Language - Latin

I'm going to start Visual Latin and take it slow. There's no hurry here. Just like this fitness thing, this language goal is going to be a lifelong struggle.
*The goal for these six weeks is to finish and master the content of the first six weeks of the Visual Latin program.*
http://www.compassclassroom.com/latin.html

2) Bible - Luke-Acts

I made my own print edition of Luke-Acts formatted for easy reading: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615745067/
*The goal of these six weeks is to read through Luke-Acts twice a week, twelve times total.*
I'd like to have a good handle on the general outlines of the books. I'll probably also read secondary material that I have on the two books. Most important, though, is just the repeated exposure to the text itself.

3) No Morning Internet

I don't usually have a problem getting up early. Most days, I wake up around 5-5:30. It usually takes me an hour of puttering around to drink my coffee and fully wake up. What I usually do with this time is fritter it away on the internet, checking email or Boardgamegeek.com or Facebook or Feedly feeds or whatever. Rarely is this internet time spent in a productive way that will make me a better person. Mostly, it is wasted time.
*The goal of these six weeks is to cut out this morning internet usage and use this morning pre-workout pre-work time to engage in the previous two items.*

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Motivation - Family

I am married to a beautiful woman. She's smoking hot. I am the father of seven amazing children with an eighth on the way; the oldest is 13 while the youngest is living the good life in the womb. I'd like to stick around quite a while longer and enjoy these children and some day maybe their children. My wife is a positive and stable influence. The children are all active, slim, and not obsessed with weight. I get home cooked meals all of the time. My weight issues are my own, rooted in unhealthy childhood patterns that have persisted and resurfaced in my adult life. Anyhow, I'd like to be the good role model in this area that I should already be. I'd like to be active with my children. And I'd like to be doing this for a long time to come.

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*IMPORTANT NOTE*

I will be pretending that September 18th and 19th exist in a different space and time than this six week challenge. They are sanctioned "cheat days." I will be spending the weekend in a cabin at Letchworth State Park with childhood friends. There will be hiking, but I'm pretty sure that no matter how much hiking we do, it will not fully counterbalance the amount of feasting that will be happening. Besides these two days, the plan is sticking to the challenge every day! For six weeks!

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I've got to re-read all of the "real life rpg" stuff here, but I'm pretty sure that I've got this right and right now I am...

Trawlerman, the Level 0 Halfling Adventurer.
STR 0
DEX 0
STA 0
CON 0
WIS 0
CHA 0

Gotta love those newbie stats! I haven't figured out grading for any of the above, but it should be pretty obvious if I'm staying the course or going off course. I'll keep a tally and post here daily and reckon with stats after three weeks when it's leveling up time.

Anyhow, if you got through all of that, well, thanks. I've blogged in the past but always about things outside of myself, movies, books, other stuff. I'm not nearly as comfortable with straight autobiography like this. Which is probably why I've avoided posting to these boards for years now even though I've used some of the sub forums as resources and been comfortable reading posts. Just not writing any myself!

Again, just glad to be here and starting fresh.

I'll start journaling here starting Monday when the challenge officially begins.

AD VICTORIAM!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I'm really curious why you want to learn Latin. I had to learn it at school and the only reason for me was, that in Latin you could translate the cooler texts.

Best wishes for your challenge. Remember that you can allway tweak your goals and change them to your liking in the first weeks. Perhaps you can use this last weekend to try them out.

[trawlerman]

Hi Luciana,

Basically, I've bought into all of the "Why Study Latin?" arguments. For example: http://www.slu.edu/colleges/AS/languages/classical/sluclassics.html

I'm a fan of self-directed learning and want to be a part of the "Great Conversation" that we have all inherited (whether or not we have paid any appreciative attention to it!)

I love words. I love language(s). There's something strangely appealing to me about taking the time to read Caesar's Gallic Wars in its original language.

I took French in high school and college. I admit that I never put any effort into it. I was discouraged that my tongue just didn't seem to be able to make French sounds! And I also was put off by the fact that I couldn't easily skate through the courses. It really took effort and I was immature and not as studious as I should have been. I got by, but only ever acquired rudimentary French skills. Even so, I continued to like the *idea* of learning another language.

So, there are lots of reasons to learn a dead language, but one cool reason for me is that no one can make fun of me for my atrocious accent. Well, I guess people still can and there are pronunciation wars, but those people are silly.

Have you kept up with your Latin at all? Do you remember what you used to learn it? Was it Wheelock or Henle or something else? I'm starting with a pretty simple program and hoping to transition over the next couple of years into a fuller program. It's definitely harder to be doing it alone apart from a knowledgable teacher, but the Internet provides lots of connections that were not previously available.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I love words. I love language(s). There's something strangely appealing to me about taking the time to read Caesar's Gallic Wars in its original language.

That one really was one of the better texts I had to translate in grammar school. And I liked Orvid's Metamorphosis. Sadly I have forgotten all about Latin. I can guess what a few syllables mean. But I can't remember any grammar. We didn't use a programm - Only books.

Good luck with your goals and best wishes. I'll be checking in here from time to time to watch your progress.

[originalpiratematerial]

What an interesting set of goals and side-quests!  You've put such a lot of thought into this.  Looking forward to following along!  

[Melissa Louise]

Howdy!  Following along and looking forward to seeing what you do in these six weeks.

 

I am also a big reader, and often read myself to sleep.  Right now I'm toggling between Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg, the Outlander series of novels, and a wilderness surival book.  What's on your pleasure reading shelf lately?

 

As far as the whole relationship with food and drink goes, I hear you.  I've spent a lot of time giving in to the sugar demons, in particular.  What's working for me right now is a ketogenic diet.  It's not for everyone, and it is very challenging, but the main upside for me is that I don't have the giant sugar cravings as much anymore.  On the whole, I am much less hungry on this diet than I normally am.  Just putting it out there in case you're looking to do something a little different. 

 

Also love your Latin goal!

[trawlerman]

I just recently finished reading the Argonautica. I'm re-reading Macbeth. I'm near the end of Annals of Klepsis, a novel by my favorite 20th century writer. I'm in the middle of Science Fiction, Today and Tomorrow which is a "discursive symposium" from the 70s. I usually dip into the online science fiction magazines and have a dozen story anthologies/collections, old and new, going at the same time. So, mostly science fiction stuff, but I'll also often dip into "the classics" (like the Argonautica and Macbeth that I mentioned above). I'll also sometimes go on mystery/crime binges or read the occasional Western. And sometimes I lose my mind and read some hot LitFic title. :-)

[trawlerman]

Oh, and I'll look into the ketogenic stuff!

[Ducki]

"And I will not put it through the wash again".

 

Hahaha! This ^^^ should be a quest all of it's own! 

 

Latin - interesting! The school I work in has a school song that is in Latin and hardly a single member of staff (including me) or pupil knows what they are singing (doesn't stop us from belting it out mind). Let me know when you're ready and I may be able to provide you with a little translation exercise....

[WushuWarrior]

But the most important question is, are you a brony?  Following for the title reference and of course to drop in and cheer you on your way to your great goals!  

[trawlerman]

Ducki, it might be a long while before I'm good enough for song translation! That doesn't stop me from being really curious about it! Let's see some of the words of the song or, even better, how about a recording!?! :-)

WushuWarrior,

A few years ago, I came across a video which was a side-by-side shot-by-shot comparison of part of an episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the end of Star Wars: A New Hope. It immediately caught my attention. I started watching the show with my daughters and found that I really liked it! So, I'm a brony in the sense that I'm a male who appreciates and is a fan of the show. I'm not averse to the label, but it also does indicate being more a part of a subculture that I'm not actually a part of. I can't even remember character names and I don't obsess about the show. And I'm also not any part of the broader brony fan culture. But I do think that the show is great!

[Melissa Louise]

I just recently finished reading the Argonautica. I'm re-reading Macbeth. I'm near the end of Annals of Klepsis, a novel by my favorite 20th century writer. I'm in the middle of Science Fiction, Today and Tomorrow which is a "discursive symposium" from the 70s. I usually dip into the online science fiction magazines and have a dozen story anthologies/collections, old and new, going at the same time. So, mostly science fiction stuff, but I'll also often dip into "the classics" (like the Argonautica and Macbeth that I mentioned above). I'll also sometimes go on mystery/crime binges or read the occasional Western. And sometimes I lose my mind and read some hot LitFic title. :-)

 

 

Wow, your pleasure reading is a lot more ambitious than mine!  I love Macbeth.  Shakespeare is about the oldest thing that I read regularly.  I spend most of my reading time hanging out in LitFic, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery, and some nonfiction (mostly things I'm learning to do, and science-y things about how our brains work).  Have you got any recent LitFic recommends?

[trawlerman]

Day 1 - A Good Start

Woke up at 4:50am before the alarm.

Drank black coffee and read Luke for 35 minutes.

Morning Workout.

Down to the basement "gym corner."

[i've been slowly buying equipment. Earlier this summer, I found a good bargain on a Rogue barbell and bumper plates set on Craigslist. Just last week, thanks to an Amazon gift card, I bought a cheapish rack which should be coming in the mail next week. In the meantime, with no rack, I've been limited to only squatting what I can clean and press over my head. And I've been terribly inconsistent at training, sometimes going to the gym, sometimes staying home, sometimes skipping the hard work altogether.]

--Brief Warmup

50 JJ

10 BW Squats

--Main Barbell Workout

Squats

65x5x20

OH Press

75x5x5

Deadlift

245x1x5

--Cooldown

Walking the hill (1/2 mile down, 1/2 mile up)

While lifting, I had a Pandora station on through my Roku box and TV (I'm ruling that this does not break my "no morning Internet" challenge; I hadn't taken into account streaming music. And I accessed it via a way that could not lead to further particularly "Internetty" distractions). My favorite moment was during my deadlift warmup sets when Will Oldham's cover R. Kelly's "The World's Greatest" came on the radio. Everything immediately felt good and silly and right.

[Here's a link to a live performance of the song: http://youtu.be/jIbNKTAUe0s]

I've got a 25 minute car commute to work. Using my iPhone, I played the VL audio through my car speakers on the way in. Video 1A is only 7 minutes so I listened to it three times. I've got the content down, but I'll actually WATCH the video tomorrow, then do the first worksheet.

I did pretty good with foods today, though I probably should have tried for more protein. Most importantly, I kept the calories down and resisted temptations.

--Breakfast: Lame Protein Powder Shake

--Lunch: Garden Gazpacho

(This morning, I made this by throwing garden veggies that my children brought to me into the blender. Quick and easy. A lot of tomatoes as the base. Cukes. Bell Pepper and a cayenne pepper. Onion. Carrot. Kale. Basil. Then olive oil and red vinegar and some salt and pepper.) It's a cold soup that I love, nutrient dense and low in calories. It's actually much better with really good bread toasted and buttered and dipped into it, but it's also good on its own. Bread is the enemy!

--Snacks: I had a busy day. While at work I had a pouch of trail mix and two bananas. It could have been worse. I've got to re-stock my food supply at work.

--Supper: Big Garden Salad, a bowl of chicken kale something soup and half a biscuit.

I could have planned my mid-day eating better, but I did NOT break down and buy any junk.

Anyhow, it's now 8:30pm. Goals have been met. Usually it'd be D&D night, but a friend's father-in-law had to go in to the hospital and we cancelled. So, it's off to bed for me!

Main Quest

1. <1500 modded calories?

YES! I estimated a few things, trying to overestimate. At most, I ate around 1800 natural calories, modded down by movement.

2. >10,000 Steps & 20 Floors?

YES! 12,231 & 28

3. $0 Spending?

YES! I bought necessary groceries and did not buy snacks or any other personal stupid thing while out.

Side Quest

1. Luke-Acts?

YES!

2. Latin?

YES!

Day 1 was a success. Tomorrow is another day.

[Varelse]

I want to learn (better) Latin in the future (when I finish the Master at least). I encourage you. It is a beautiful language, I love it.

 

And a recommendation, Emmanuel Carrère has writen a book about Paleochristianism and it has Luke as a "narrator" – indeed, is the point of view of Luke + the narrative incursions of Carrère, as he usually does in his books. I think you could enjoy it. I did. And now I'm more interested in Christianism than I've been before.

[WushuWarrior]

Trawlerman, your 4:50 am wake ups with no alarm are impressive, if I could get close to that I would be so excited...have you always been an early bird or did you have to work towards that rise time? I got up at 7:57 am and felt barely awake...

My hubs likes the show MLP as well and we watch it together. I love the show and buy the 3 inch pony brushables...but I only collect for the characters and I'm not completist about it bc I find being a toy completist is too expensive.... They are on my toy shelf...my glorious pony hoarde....muahaha! Got the GIJoes out but have to rearrange it again to make room for them.

[trawlerman]

Wow, your pleasure reading is a lot more ambitious than mine! I love Macbeth. Shakespeare is about the oldest thing that I read regularly. I spend most of my reading time hanging out in LitFic, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery, and some nonfiction (mostly things I'm learning to do, and science-y things about how our brains work). Have you got any recent LitFic recommends?

Melissa,

Off the top of my head...

I just recent read Ishiguro's The Buried Giant and loved it. It's a fantasy that got shelved as LitFic.

A couple of years ago, I read a book names Tinkers that I liked it a lot. It explored generational memory in a poetic way.

There have been others, but I can't think f them right now.

[trawlerman]

I want to learn (better) Latin in the future (when I finish the Master at least). I encourage you. It is a beautiful language, I love it.

And a recommendation, Emmanuel Carrère has writen a book about Paleochristianism and it has Luke as a "narrator" – indeed, is the point of view of Luke + the narrative incursions of Carrère, as he usually does in his books. I think you could enjoy it. I did. And now I'm more interested in Christianism than I've been before.

Varelse,

Thank you so much for that recommendation. I haven't read any Carrère, but I've seen his film adaptation of La Moustache and loved it. Seriously one of my favorite films of the 2000s.

It doesn't look like the book you're mentioning is available in English translation. My French is way too rudimentary to try reading the original, but I will be looking out for a translation. Or maybe there already is one and I missed it?

[trawlerman]

Trawlerman, your 4:50 am wake ups with no alarm are impressive, if I could get close to that I would be so excited...have you always been an early bird or did you have to work towards that rise time? I got up at 7:57 am and felt barely awake...

My hubs likes the show MLP as well and we watch it together. I love the show and buy the 3 inch pony brushables...but I only collect for the characters and I'm not completist about it bc I find being a toy completist is too expensive.... They are on my toy shelf...my glorious pony hoarde....muahaha! Got the GIJoes out but have to rearrange it again to make room for them.

I had to work toward the early morning wake-ups over the past ten years. But now they feel natural to me and I love the early mornings. I find that it's the ONLY time that I can really get things done (if I don't waste time on the Internet!) including workouts. If I don't exercise in the morning, it's unlikely that I'll do it later in the day.

[trawlerman]

Day 2 - The Challenge Gets Challenging

No Work.

On Sunday, a good friend invited me to join him to see the band Of Montreal. I accepted.

So, giant margaritas and burritos for supper and a couple more drinks at the show. Good times and yet....

I've been miserable all day because I cut way back on intake despite a lot of movement. Oh well. I intend to hit these goals today no matter what! (But my poor family had to deal with my grouchiness on my day off.)

So far today,

Main Quest

1. <1500 modded calories?

Maybe, if I don't overdo it tonight.

2. >10,000 Steps & 20 Floors?

YES! It's only 4:30 and I'm at 12,808 & 67 (it's REALLY hilly near me and I went for a LONG walk this morning)

3. $0 Spending?

No. :-( My friend is treating me to dinner and the tickets, but I know that I'll buy a beer or two at the show. But, it's not a terrible thing and it's an unusual fun event, not the sort of everyday garbage that I was trying to avoid.

Side Quest

1. Luke-Acts?

YES!

2. Latin?

YES!

3. No Morning Internet?

YES!

It's been a busy couple of days. I hope to catch up on the other posts here tomorrow.

[ellis_e]

My favorite moment was during my deadlift warmup sets when Will Oldham's cover R. Kelly's "The World's Greatest" came on the radio. Everything immediately felt good and silly and right.

 

Oh! Oh, this is awesome! I didn't know about this cover. Trawlerman, you have made my day.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I find that it's the ONLY time that I can really get things done (if I don't waste time on the Internet!) including workouts. If I don't exercise in the morning, it's unlikely that I'll do it later in the day.

You're right. I love my quiet early mornings, when nobody else is awake and I can take care of stuff early on. But I guess I won't be productive before six in the morning. My bf doesn't want me to go to bed to early, because he wants to spend time with me, too.

Looks like you had a great start with your challenge. Impressive Day 1.

[Varelse]

Varelse,

Thank you so much for that recommendation. I haven't read any Carrère, but I've seen his film adaptation of La Moustache and loved it. Seriously one of my favorite films of the 2000s.

It doesn't look like the book you're mentioning is available in English translation. My French is way too rudimentary to try reading the original, but I will be looking out for a translation. Or maybe there already is one and I missed it?

 

I thought that there should be one because I read the book in Spanish, but you're right. What a pitty. At least, I think that in a couple of months the English translation would be available. 

[Winwaloeus]

Fellow latinist (for medieval studies purposes... And fun. Yes fun!) checking in! Great goals trawlerman !

I myself try to walk everyday 5000+ steps on top o my 1 hour walk /3 times a week

So keep up the good work!

Envoyé de mon RAINBOW en utilisant Tapatalk

[trawlerman]

Winwaloeus, yes to fun Latin!

[trawlerman]

Updated Day 2

Main Quest

1. <1500 modded calories?

Probably not. I know I stopped tracking things, so that's an auto-failure. But besides empty drink calories, my eating was good and with the amount of walking that I did, I may have still been in a deficit or close to it.

2. >10,000 Steps & 20 Floors?

YES! Final count was 22,331 & 68. Big numbers!

3. $0 Spending?

Yes! My friend treated me all night. Too kind!

Side Quest

1. Luke-Acts?

YES!

2. Latin?

YES!

3. No Morning Internet?

YES!

------

Day 3 has been good so far even though I'm dragging. Didn't get home until 2:30am. Slept in 'til 7am and didn't have time to exercise. :-( I'm too old for nights like these! Good thing they're pretty rare. I had a great time, but I'm paying for it today. And I'm hoping that I haven't screwed up my sleep schedule too much. Sometimes it'll take a week to get back into a normal swing after one late night. Then again, I'm camping with friends this weekend. My sleep pattern will be disrupted even further!

One good thing today is that I've gotten in a lot of walking at work.