Elem is back and as weak as a kitten

[ElemHH]

I sat out the last challenge and didn't keep up on the habits i had been building. I have noticed a decline in my levels of strength and fitness.

 

I'll be keeping this quest simple and treating it like i did the first one here. This will be about getting me back into good habits, getting back to the levels of strength and fitness that i previously reached and getting back down to the weight I had reached by the end of the last challenge (I managed to put on 16lb in the 7-8 weeks I was gone, oops).

 

I wasn't completely lazy while i was gone, I did do some work on other goals. For the last week I have been getting up at 5:30 so i could start my day off writing, as i struggled to complete tasks if i left them to late at night.

 

This week my wife and I signed up for a gym (I hadn't gone to a gym in probably 14 years). We have gone twice this week and my muscles are still sore, so for this quest my main focus will be on going to the gym regularly.

 

 

1 - Gym sessions, at least 3 times per week. I would like to build up to going more often and having sessions that are just cardio (using the treadmill to replace my outdoor runs over winter).

 

2 - Stretching. I haven't planned anything out yet, so this could take any form as long as I work on becoming more flexible. At least 3 sessions per week.

 

3 - Writing - First thing in the morning I write. i started off doing 20 minutes, but now aim for a minimum of 500 words, but preferably go over that. Every day

 

4 - Meditation - After writing I sit quietly and meditate for 10 minutes. Last year I was meditating in hour long sessions, I would like to build up my meditating time again (but don't feel the need to go that long). For now I'm happy with 10 minute sessions. Every day

 

5 - Positivity - The last thing I do before getting ready in the morning is set up a positive attitude for the day. I use a self talk script from Zigziglar.com, use my own affirmations, write down some things I am grateful for & write out my goals for the coming year For the past few days I have also been watching happy/uplifting videos on youtube. Every day (The uplifting videos aren't part of it, but are a happy bonus).

 

6 - Calories - 1,800kcal daily limit. On days I exercise i add the calories burned into my tracker and allow myself to eat more, if I feel i need to, it helps me not feel deprived and means I can go out for a walk anytime I'm hungry, if I'm already close to my limit, so it also encourages me to be active. Every day

My wedding anniversary will be in the middle of this challenge, so I'll be giving myself that day off from my limit, I don't plan on using it as an excuse to pig out, but i don't want to be counting calories in any meal we eat, just give myself the freedom to enjoy it.

 

I don't have a points allocation worked out, I'll just see what I feel i deserve by the end. I'm usually a pretty harsh self critic, so won't give myself points where i don't feel I earned them.

 

No theme this time.

 

[spooky]

YESSSS happy you are back . Love your goals, especially how a lot of them tie together. 

 

Following along as ever! 

[EVEArgent]

Good luck! We have similar goals. I will be cheering you on. =)

[ElemHH]

YESSSS happy you are back . Love your goals, especially how a lot of them tie together. 

 

Following along as ever! 

 

Thanks. Reading your thread yesterday I noticed how many things you list and how a lot of them have been in the logbook reminded I have been doing off and on for years.

 

(I print out pages with the day/date on them and a list of things i either should be doing daily or want to be doing. I give myself a green mark for a task done that day and a red for missing something that I should have done that day. Green adds 1 point, red subtracts 1 point., 100- points is one level. I've never leveled up because i don't use the pages long enough before losing interest, but have been printing them out to make a yearly journal/logbook for probably 4 or 5 years now)

 

Good luck! We have similar goals. I will be cheering you on. =)

 

Thank you. I just read your thread an realized that I don't have a calorie goal in my list. I'll have to add one. I've had an 1,800kcal limit for the last few challenges I've done, I guess my subconscious really doesn't want me going back to restricting what i eat again.

Thanks for the reminder.

[ninjakitten]

Back for more stalking.

 

And all those awesome motivational quotes you tend to post.

[jrosto]

Welcome back!

Nice, well thought out challenge to get in the groove.

[raptron]

Very solid challenge.

[AthenaMM]

I really like your challenge, ElemHH! Those are some excellent habits! I'm very glad you're back!

[ElemHH]

Back for more stalking.

 

And all those awesome motivational quotes you tend to post.

Welcome back!

Nice, well thought out challenge to get in the groove.

Very solid challenge.

I really like your challenge, ElemHH! Those are some excellent habits! I'm very glad you're back!

 

Thank you all. Now i just need to get back into writing updates.

 

 

 

Monday

 

Gym - Upper body (1hr 20 min), Treadmill 20min at 6mph

 

Stretching - No

 

Writing - 563 words

 

Meditation - 10 min

 

Positivity - Affirmations, Gratitude & Goals list

 

Calories - Final calorie count 1,645

                         I ate more than that, but going to the gym knocked some off and allowed me to eat a little more that night.

 

 

Tuesday

 

Gym - No

 

Stretching - No

 

Writing - 649 words

 

Meditation - 10 min

 

Positivity - Affirmations, Gratitude, Goals list, Self talk script, Positive/uplifting videos

 

Calories - Final calorie count 1,383

                         I had eaten nearly all of my daily allowance of calories by about 2pm (left over halloween junk at work). I went out for a long walk to burn off enough calories to allow me to eat.

                         I walked 6.75 miles and my pace averaged just under 4.8mph, so i burned off enough to eat and still have a deficit.

 

The videos i watched this morning were; two friends being reunited with the lion they once owned after he had been released in the wild & Derek Redmond finishing a race with the help of his dad after an injury.

 

 

 

Wednesday

 

Gym - Lower body (1hr 20 min), Treadmill 20min at 6.5mph

 

Stretching - To be updated later

 

Writing - 583 words

 

Meditation - 10 min

 

Positivity - Affirmations, Gratitude & Goals list, Self talk script, Positive/uplifting videos

 

Calories - Final calorie count To be updated later

 

Today's videos were a couple of cute kids. The first was a little girl going out in the rain for the first time. After watching the first i was reminded of another video i had seen and went to find it again, in it a mom tries to teach her little girl to say no when strangers offer her things.

 

 

 

 

This last video isn't part of my positivity quest, just one I like and have watched several times over the past few days. be warned, the song is catchy, I have had it stuck in my head all day.

 

[AthenaMM]

A good start to your challenge!

 

I've seen a few of those videos already, but they're all very cool!

[raptron]

These are great. 

[ninjakitten]

Good start! I hope your first week continued to be just as awesome.  

[jrosto]

Hey ElimHH;

 

Just checking in to see how things are going.  I hope all is well.

[ninjakitten]

How are you doing these days? Hope all is well.