Artemis Joins the Mandalorians

[Artemis]

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't heard yet, there's a new Star Wars Movie coming out this December.  There may be mentions of the movie/characters in this thread.  You have been warned.

 

The short version of my story: Nerd attending University who has never been in very good shape, but who let the whole situation get out of control.  Currently working on losing weight and becoming fit.  At present, my weight loss deadline is December 17th, as I'm building a set of costume armor for TFA.  I don't expect to reach my weight loss goal (reach 160lbs), by this date, but I'm going to make as much progress as possible.  

 

The theme this time around is Star Wars in general though it will probably center around Mandalorians.  I'm starting this challenge today, so it will a 7 week challenge instead of the standard 6 weeks.

 

1. Prepare for Battle - Foundational Fitness

 

 

For the duration of this challenge, I will be working my way through the Darebee Hero's Journey Program.

     Challenge Goal: Complete 49 days of the Hero's Journey program.

Bonus:  Hit the gym 2x a week for some stationary biking.

Reward - STR +2; STA +2

 

2. Fit into the Smugglers Compartment - Become more Flexible

I am ridiculously inflexible and it's kind of sad.  Flexibility is great for all kinds of things, including fitting into smuggling compartments and infiltrating enemy strongholds through air ducts.  

Challenge Goal:  Stretch for 5 minutes daily (starting 10/30)

Reward - DEX +3

 

3. Eat Like a Warrior

This time around I'm not going to be strictly Paleo, but it will be fairly close (I like cheese...).  I intend to track my food intake in a journal and possibly start experimenting with a food scale.

Challenge Goals -
                           1. Track food intake in my food journal without fail.  Hold myself accountable for my eating habits.

                           2. Cut caffeine by the end of Week 2.  Diet soda is not healthy.  It needs to go.

Reward - CON +3

 

 

4.. Maintain the Starship - Life Goal (broken into Mini Goals)

Challenge Mini-Goals:

• Obliterate the inbox - I have about 2,500 unread messages that need to be eliminated. Cut my email down to 500 messages total.
• Clean the Crew Quarters - Finish organizing my room and make sure it stays clean. 
• Prepare the Armoury - Complete my Mandalorian Armor.  I've got 7 weeks and almost an entire kit to build.  It will be tough, but it's doable.  Main build week - Thanksgiving.
• Find Mercenary Work - Apply for a minimum of 14 internships for next summer (avg. 2 per week).
• Beyond Basic - Practice my Italian on Duolingo (minimum of 25 days of some kind of activity).

Reward - WIS +3

 

 

Ultimate Goal - Fit in the Armor

Same as last time.  Lose 12 pounds throughout this challenge in order to "fit" in the armor.  That's under 2 pounds a week since I'm playing for 7 weeks. 

Challenge Goal - Lose 12 Pounds

          Bonus: Lose 15 Pounds - Prize TBA

Reward - STA +1; CHA +1

 

Current weight (10/25) - 191 pounds

                               11/2 - 187.2 pounds

           

 

Side Quests

 Engage in Skirmishes - Participate in the Assassin Mini-challenges (minimum 4 of 6)

Join a Squad - Follow some other challenges and chat with members of NF (weekly basis: post a minimum of 5 times in other people's threads.  I need to make friends). 

Become a Commander - Finish my supervisor training by November 26th.  (official deadline = Dec. 4th)

[shaar]

You had me at Mandalorians. <3

 

I too cannot WAIT for the new movie!!!  We haven't bought our tickets yet... maybe wait out the initial hype and go in a week or two later?  The trailer gave me chills.  Aaahh~

 

I love your challenge and am looking forward to seeing the WIP parts, and I completely sympathize with you on the cheese thing!  I'm trying to cut it out of my diet (mostly) because dairy makes my insides upset, and messes with my skin... but oh, so tasty.  Too tasty.  Cheese, why??

[Red1263]

This is a great Challenge! I especially like the Hero's Journey as your workout routine. But I have a quest-ion: Do you workout every day? or when you do exercise, it's the following day on the Hero's Journey?

 

In either case, I'm following

[Artemis]

You had me at Mandalorians. <3

 

I too cannot WAIT for the new movie!!!  We haven't bought our tickets yet... maybe wait out the initial hype and go in a week or two later?  The trailer gave me chills.  Aaahh~

 

I love your challenge and am looking forward to seeing the WIP parts, and I completely sympathize with you on the cheese thing!  I'm trying to cut it out of my diet (mostly) because dairy makes my insides upset, and messes with my skin... but oh, so tasty.  Too tasty.  Cheese, why??

 

We all <3 Mandalorians.  I'll post a few WIP pics of finished pieces as I work my way through the kit.

 

I've got a family member picking up my tickets today.  A bunch of my friends have been planning this since Disney bought Lucasfilm and we're all getting together to go opening night.  I do have to check with the theater manager in regards to helmet/weapons rules. AMC has a no masks/weapons policy for TFA, however lightsabers are allowed...  Our hometown theater is a smaller chain though, so I'm not sure what their rules will be.

 

I adore cheese and it's only gotten worse after my semester in Italy.  I'll probably try cutting it out at a later date, just to be sure I'm not experiencing unknown reactions, but for now a bit of cheese will help keep me sane.

 

 

This is a great Challenge! I especially like the Hero's Journey as your workout routine. But I have a quest-ion: Do you workout every day? or when you do exercise, it's the following day on the Hero's Journey?

 

In either case, I'm following

 

The Hero's Journey is an everyday workout program for 60 days that can be done with solely bodyweight (which is ideal, since I'm still mildly terrified of the University gym).  Intensity is somewhat up to you as you can choose different "levels" on a day by day basis.  There's a general cycle of intensity so that there are "rest"/stretch days, or days where the workout is minimal.  Other days are much more difficult.  I gave this an attempt towards the end of last challenge and made it a bit more than a week before I got sidetracked by mid-terms.  I'm going to do better this time and really dedicate some time to the program

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I'm following, too.

[Red1263]

The Hero's Journey is an everyday workout program for 60 days that can be done with solely bodyweight (which is ideal, since I'm still mildly terrified of the University gym).  Intensity is somewhat up to you as you can choose different "levels" on a day by day basis.  There's a general cycle of intensity so that there are "rest"/stretch days, or days where the workout is minimal.  Other days are much more difficult.  I gave this an attempt towards the end of last challenge and made it a bit more than a week before I got sidetracked by mid-terms.  I'm going to do better this time and really dedicate some time to the program

Interesting. Wait, why are you terrified of the Gym? You have just as much right to be there, you paid for tuition it all comes together. Ahh, I get it now. 

 

And I trust that you'll do excellent this time around, I'm looking forward to it. 

[Artemis]

I'm just not super used to gyms and generally feel like I don't really belong.  It's kind of a confidence thing and, yes, it's stupid.  I enjoy the stationary bike, but even then I prefer to go during relatively off-hours.  I'm kind-of trying to ease into a regular gym routine and hopefully will gain a bit of confidence over time as my fitness improves.  

[shaar]

I'm just not super used to gyms and generally feel like I don't really belong.  It's kind of a confidence thing and, yes, it's stupid.  I enjoy the stationary bike, but even then I prefer to go during relatively off-hours.  I'm kind-of trying to ease into a regular gym routine and hopefully will gain a bit of confidence over time as my fitness improves.  

 

I love my gym but also have never been at a prime time... like 6pm after work.... I don't think I would have a good time. ^^;;  Right now I go at 7:30am when most people are headed to work/school so it's fairly quiet and I can have the racks to myself for a bit.  I'm fairly confident but I also hate being crowded when I work out!!!!

[Jothra]

I'm not really into gyms either, but only because I'd rather have a super-portable workout instead.

[SkiBlue]

 

The short version of my story: Nerd attending University who has never been in very good shape, but who let the whole situation get out of control.  Currently working on losing weight and becoming fit.  At present, my weight loss deadline is December 17th, as I'm building a set of costume armor for TFA.  I don't expect to reach my weight loss goal (reach 160lbs), by this date, but I'm going to make as much progress as possible.  

 

The theme this time around is Star Wars in general though it will probably center around Mandalorians.  I'm starting this challenge today, so it will a 7 week challenge instead of the standard 6 weeks.

• Prepare the Armoury - Complete my Mandalorian Armor.  I've got 7 weeks and almost an entire kit to build.  It will be tough, but it's doable.  Main build week - Thanksgiving.

 

WHAAAAAAAT?! Where have YOU BEEN!? This is fantastic! Good luck on trying to complete it in time!! (Obviously) love the theme and the goals. I'll be sticking around for this one!

 

I've started work on my own kit last challenge. I'm going to keep working on it, but I'm not aiming to finish for the new movie, hoping for early June. I'd love to see your concept and progress!! Are you on the Mandalorian Mercs forum? If so, send me your progress threads (if you have any). I'd love to keep up and see how it goes together!! Even if you don't want to join the ranks, they're still a big, helpful and friendly bunch.

 

I'm so excited now...

[Artemis]

Costume Stuff

I must build all the things!!!  It's going to be a tightly run race to finish in time for TFA, but I've been intentionally delaying the build so that it will fit better for it's debut.  Would kind of suck to build the armor, lose 20 pounds, and have it not fit right.  Obviously adjustments will have to be made as I continue to lose weight, but I'm trying to shorten the build time as much as possible.  Hopefully, this means armor that fits properly for TFA showing.

 

I've got a bunch of materials waiting around and a few things in progress currently.  Most of the work so far has been focused on items that aren't dependant on my body shape (prop weapons, etc).  My Mando is going to be almost entirely a scratch build except the helmet.  I built one once back in high school and, while it wasn't half bad considering, I'd rather not do that again.  The helmet is currently en route from one of the many helmet makers.  The paint job, visor, etc. will be mine, however I'm not personally crafting the bucket.  The rest of the armor will be made by me, and a few pieces are currently in progress.

 

Boot shopping is happening this weekend and I need to order a few leather supplies for the belt rig.  Other than that, I've got most everything ready to go.  Three weeks until Thanksgiving break, and then 8 days of dedicated build time....   and possibly very little sleep.

 

The goal of this whole project is to become an approved member of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club.  This is basically a worldwide group of Star Wars nerds who build custom costumes, attend conventions, and do epic charity work.  Yes, it is as awesome as it sounds.  I probably won't be approved by TFA, but we'll see.  It definitely won't be for lack of trying.

 

Fitness

Days 1 & 2 of Hero's Journey are complete at level 1.  Day 2: I chose to "get involved" when the stranger at the crossroads appeared.   (I should probably add that if I ever say something like "and then I rescued the man, and acquired a baby dragon" I'm not crazy.  The workout program involves roleplay elements and decisions that affect your fitness path.)

 

Other

I completed another portion of my supervisor training today, so things are progressing well.  

Leveled up to lvl 7 on Duolingo's Italian program. 

I'll try to find time to finish fleshing out my challenge goals sometime tomorrow.

[Red1263]

(I should probably add that if I ever say something like "and then I rescued the man, and acquired a baby dragon" I'm not crazy.)

This is probably the only place where you can say that randomly, and no one would bat an eye.

[SkiBlue]

The goal of this whole project is to become an approved member of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club.  This is basically a worldwide group of Star Wars nerds who build custom costumes, attend conventions, and do epic charity work.  Yes, it is as awesome as it sounds.  I probably won't be approved by TFA, but we'll see.  It definitely won't be for lack of trying.

 

So much awesome. With all the work you plan on doing in the time allotted, I don't see how you couldn't make that deadline of at least being app ready. Though TFA will probably have them busy around then.

[Artemis]

I may be done with the armor at that point but the app team could be busy, I might not quite have something up to spec, etc.

It'll happen eventually.

 

Today:

Fitness - Day 3 done. Selected 'weapons': red ribbon and magic ring (AKA martial arts and planks)

Food - Doing well with the food tracking.  3 days out of 3 so far.

 

Other

-Eliminated about 500 emails

-Spent some time on Duolingo and earned another 62 points.

-Received 2 of my midterms back.  Scores = 95% and 96%.  Yes! Win!  These made my day.

-Signed up for the Mini's

-Started posting in some other challenges.  More forum exploration planned for tomorrow night after classes.

 

I'll get the first post updated tomorrow since I really need to study for the midterm I'm supposed to take tomorrow morning.  

[Lilith]

Wow so many unread messages in your email. Thought I was bad...

 

I love that Hero's Journey thing you're going to do! I browsed through it and I thought "that looks like Neila Ray" (or however you spell that) and apparently it's the same website but upgraded! Very cool way to keep yourself motivated, survival of the fittest!

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I'm really curious to see your costume, when it's done

[SkiBlue]

Good luck on your midterm! That's kinda what I was expecting; mostly app ready, but missing one or two tiny things, and the app team going TFA crazy! >.<

[Artemis]

My legs hurt and stairs are temporarily my mortal enemies. Finally starting to really feel it from the last couple of days and I had to modify today's excercises to compensate. Doubled the number of bridges since I couldn't manage the 1 legged bridges (did 3 and then started cramping.)

Wow so many unread messages in your email. Thought I was bad...

I love that Hero's Journey thing you're going to do! I browsed through it and I thought "that looks like Neila Ray" (or however you spell that) and apparently it's the same website but upgraded! Very cool way to keep yourself motivated, survival of the fittest!

Nothing super important thankfully. Mostly from blog subscriptions and things

There will be some costume photos though I'll try to keep it somewhat minimal and stick to mostly finished pieces.

[Son of Rylos]

Totally up to seeing your success and excitement for the challenge and The Force Awakens.

[Artemis]

Fitness:

-Day 5 is done at Level 1. Acquired a dragon hatchling.

-Food tracking complete

-Stretching complete

 

It was my siblings birthday back home, so I spent a ridiculous amount of time on the phone with family and other people.  This led to a bit less productivity.  Accomplishments:   

- Some more cleaning

- Ordered groceries. I am experimenting with a local grocery delivery service in preparation for the coming snow.  Not only is it more efficient timewise, I buy only what I need instead of going "ooh. That looks good."  Occasional grocery trips may still be necessary, but this is a good start.

- Weekend Homework is started

- Spent about an hour and a half researching costume boots.  I've got a few pairs bookmarked on Amazon and ready to order pending a decision.  Once I track down my measuring tape, I'll have a better idea of what will fit properly.

-10 points progress on Duolingo.

 

 

 

Apparently, we may be going to Hawaii this summer... Must work harder! Moar fitness! Moar weightloss!

[Lilith]

What kind of boots are you looking for? A specific color or type?

And hey even though you were socialising with family you still got things done! That's a win right there! And socialising is also important

[Artemis]

I'm hunting for what is essentially a black motorcylce/riding boot with some kind of tread.  Ideally mid-calf to knee length.  Finding something that fits those requirements isn't hard, but I have to be sure that I can hide any zippers/laces (Mando Mercs Costume requirements).  Zippers up the inside of the leg are okay, however zippers up the outside would have to be hidden.  I've found several options that might work and that are within budget.  Measurements still need to be taken and then I'll pick a pair I can order and return if necessary.

 

Probably something kind of like this:

[Artemis]

Day 6:

 

Fitness: Hero's Journey Complete @ Lvl 2.  Wall pushups used (max reps. - 20, 20, 17, 17, 16, 15, 12). Weapons - Ring (5 mins total of Planks/Elbow Planks) and Red Ribbon (side kicks)

             - Food tracking complete

             - Stretching complete

 

Other:

            - Groceries were delivered and I got quite a bit of cooking done.  Hardboiled some eggs, 3 veggie/sausage mix meals made, prepped chicken for fajitas (marinating overnight), orange juice pops in the process of freezing.  More progress tomorrow depending on how much homework I have.

           - Duolingo: 30 points progress.  Finished the color unit

            

Costume:

              - Oiled pouches.  This is my 3rd or 4th round of oiling my pouches.  A couple are WW2 era, a couple are from the 60's and 1 is Vietnam era.  In short, they're old enough to have turned into leather bricks without the proper care.  The oil is helping soften the leather back up and prevent cracking.

              - Nearly finished my 3 wooden throwing knives (much primer and sanding; finally finishing up the metallic paints). Does anyone know what the rules are on pics of weapons/fake weapons.  I'll show you guys my prop rifle and things as long as it doesn't break any rules. 

              - More boot research

              - Started a list of the few other supplies I still need.

[Lilith]

Really nice boots! I find it a bit weird you can't have zippers but oh well! The kind of boots you can choose I find really pretty!They would also be comfy because you don't want heels!

I don't know whether there are rules for weapons but I haven't heard about it or seen it. So my guess is no? You can put it under a spoiler tag just to be safe I guess!

[SkiBlue]

These are the boots I ordered for my kit. Short, inner zipper and elastic bands in the back for stretchiness to fit over my beef calves. They're quite comfortable and come in some cool colors. They go up to just below my knee.

 

As for prop weapon pictures, I would message an admin or moderator about that. I'm not sure where you'd find that information, but a spoiler would be a good idea.

 

Hope that helps!