Elinox Attempts the Impossible

[elinox]

 

Main Quest

To live a healthy and balanced life by exercising and trying to eat healthy.

 

My motivation

I've successfully dropped weight by counting calories so my diet will mostly be staying the same with 1200 calories per day M-F and then blow meals on the weekends. I've managed to put on some muscle in an effort to become stronger by weightlifting and I’ve discovered that I love lifting heavy things!

 

Since this challenge runs through November, I’m going to attempt the impossible and participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) again. I participated in the 2007 (11,201 words), 2008 (10,640 words) and 2009 (5,108 words) NaNoWriMo challenges but never finished (or even come close); mostly due to lack of focus or story plot. (Although one year, my files got corrupted so I lost all of my work through no fault of my own.)

 

Since NaNoWriMo is basically an endurance trial I will be back with the Scout Guild for this challenge.

 

I know I can write 50,000 words in a story since my own original novel is 51, 273 words. But that took me years to write. So NaNoWriMo seems like an impossible task to me.

 

However, I lost over 50lbs when I put my mind to it. I restrict myself to 1200 calories per day, Monday through Friday with willpower. I gained muscles and strength through sheer diligence at weight lifting. I started learning Spanish through practice and determination. I ran 30 minutes straight just because I wanted to see if I could…

 

So, screw logic and forget my lack of a plot, I’m going for it!

 

Smaller Quests

1. NaNoWriMo

I’ve participated several times in the past in NaNoWriMo although I’ve never managed to complete it. I figure since this challenge basically falls throughout the month of November, and since I don’t really have any other goals in mind, I may as well give it another shot.

Scoring: /5

Reward: +5 WIS (one for each 10,000 words I achieve)

 

Additionally since NaNoWriMo is based on endurance, I’m going to award myself stamina points if I write every week during the 6 week challenge.

Scoring: /6 (1 point for every 2 weeks spent writing)

Reward: +3 STA

 

2 . Sweet Treats

I’ve mostly got this one down, but since it works and is something I should be doing anyway, I’m listing it here. No sweet treats Monday through Friday because processed sugar is evil.

Scoring: /30

Reward: +2 to CON & +2 to CHA

 

3. Weight Lifting

Despite focusing on writing, I will also still be diligently going to the gym. And since I like lifting heavy things, I’ve got some more weight goals.

Scoring: 1 for each weight achieved

• Chest Press: 85lbs → 100lbs

• Squat Machine: 290lbs → 325lbs

• Barbell Curls: 25lbs → 30lbs

Reward: +3 STR

 

“Because if you don’t believe in even the possibility of magic you will never find it.†– Richard Castle

 

 

[Terinatum]

Hey!

Welcome to the Scouts.

NaNo ftw!!

One question: are you eating enough good calories to balance what you're lifting? I'm no expert, but you may want to slide into the Warrior's Hall and ask around. It seems to me like you're low for calories, but again IDK for certain. Of course, if it's working... I just know that sometimes you cam lose strength if you're tearing it up in the gym, but not recovering fully with good food and better sleep.

 

I love that you just ran for 30 minutes to see if you could. Epic!!

[elinox]

On days when I lift weights I add a protein shake (within the 1200 calories) which helps with balancing it out. I know it's a low intake but it's worked since 2009 so I'm likely to stick with it.

[Erick the Red]

Writing is easy, just stare at the white screen until you sweat blood.  Good luck on NANoWriMo!  

[elinox]

Writing is easy, just stare at the white screen until you sweat blood.  Good luck on NANoWriMo!  

 

Oh yes, writing is the easy part. Staying focused and motivated is another matter entirely! Thanks!

[elinox]

I wrote 4,023 words in my NaNoWriMo story today. Off to a good start, but the task overall seems terribly daunting, even this early on.

 

I also lifted weights today. 

 

Writing: 1/6

[Erick the Red]

Four thousand words is a great start!

[elinox]

Sweet Treats: 2/30

[elinox]

I finished today at 7,282 words total.

 

And now, with a shiny progress bar thingy too!

 

[elinox]

Well my sweet treats suffered the last two nights because I had to go to another funeral. I'm going to get back on track today though!

 

I did hit over 10,000 words today! Woohoo!

 

Words: 1/5

[Princess Pineapple]

Great writing! 10000 words so far is a great achievement!

Nice challenge too. Have you been on 1200 calls a day since 2009? I couldnt survive on that little, especially when lifting!

[elinox]

Great writing! 10000 words so far is a great achievement!

Nice challenge too. Have you been on 1200 calls a day since 2009? I couldnt survive on that little, especially when lifting!

 

Thanks! And yes, both my husband and I eat 1200 calories per day, Monday through Friday. On the weekends, we have "blow meals" to keep us sane. When I lift weights, I add in a protein shake though. 

[elinox]

While I didn't write all weekend (I doubt I will during NaNo, as I'm usually busy doing other, non-computer things at home), I did catch up today a bit. I wrote 2,897 words. Not as much as I shouldn't written, but okay since I'm also playing catch-up at work since I was off half of last week. 

 

Writing: 2/6

[Erick the Red]

Good progress.  About how much time does it take to write 2,897 words? 

[elinox]

Good progress.  About how much time does it take to write 2,897 words? 

 

I've been keeping the document open all day, while at work, so it's just when I pay attention to that tab. On average, I can do about 70-80 words per minute if the muse is awake and excited.

[elinox]

I hit 17,242 words today! It's so hard to stay focused though, too many internet distractions!

 

Sweet Treats: 3/30

[elinox]

I hit 22,051 words today!

 

Words: 2/5

Sweet Treats: 5/30

[elinox]

I hit 26,035 words today! I'm over halfway there!

 

Sweet Treats: 6/30

[Erick the Red]

Looks like you are on or ahead of schedule for most of your goals.  How are you doing?

[elinox]

I had my biggest word dump today yet by adding 4,323 to my story. I just hit 30, 358 words total!

 

Words: 3/5

Sweet Treats: 7/30

[elinox]

I wrote 1,698 words today.

 

Writing: 3/6

Sweet Treats: 8/30

[elinox]

I added another 3,008 words today so I'm currently sitting on 35, 064 total and am perfectly on schedule! (*knocks on wood!*)

 

Sweet Treats: 9/30

[elinox]

I had a fantastically successful day writing! I hit over 40k words today! So I'm still well ahead of schedule. I can see the finish line now! 

 

Words: 4/5 

Sweet Treats: 10/30

[Erick the Red]

Great progress with your writing and your other goals as well.  It looks like you are setting up to knock this one out of the park. 

[elinox]

Great progress with your writing and your other goals as well.  It looks like you are setting up to knock this one out of the park. 

 

Thank you! And it seems that once I decide to do something, I just...do it. It's motivation to do other things then too. I hope other people are successful in what they attempt too!