InPursuitOf....a new challenge!

[InPursuitOf]

getting ready for my first challenge! Couldn't have come at a better time. I've been flirting with the idea of joining nerd fitness for months.
And then I got divorced, and have all that much more reason to do this, really do it, and feel good about myself!
Low and behold, I join nerd fitness academy this morning and a challenge starts the same day!

This lead up to Christmas parties and photos is another form of perfect timing!

(secret goal: I have a 2 week trip to Ireland planned for Dec 5th, and I'd love to look great!)


Main Goal: Lose 30 lbs and/or get to a size 8 jeans. 15 lbs during this 6 week challenge.

Quests:
1: Eat mostly Paleo, most of the time, for 6 weeks (No obvious sugar, grains, dairy or processed foods. Yes legumes)

Note: No stressing about minor amounts of sugar, dairy or flour in sauces or restaurant meals. I have to order in a foreign language much of the time, so that level of stress just isn't worth it!

• Grading: A = 2 meals a week with grains/dairy, B = 3 meals a week with grains/dairy, C = 4 meals a week with grains/dairy, D = Fail that week

2: Get 60 minutes of intentional movement a day (walking where weather allows)

• Grading: A = 60+ minutes a day each day, B = One day with less than 60 minutes, C = Two days with less than 60 minutes, D = Three or more days, and a Failing Grade

3: Drink a minimum of 3L of water a day

• Grading: A = 3+ Litres every day, B = 6 days of 3+ Litres, C = 5 days of 3+ litres, D = DRINK MORE WATER (and fail that week)

Motivation: I need to lost this weight and be proud of who I see in the mirror and feel comfortable in my skin.

(Side Motivation: Be ready to go out at a moment's notice, without dreading "what can I wear that won't make me look and feel uncomfortable??")


Edit: I travel for work, and for the rest of the year that will be 100% travel. So...good thing I love bodyweight workouts and walking ;-)
I also forage at hotels and restaurants for all my meals, which gets challenging (especially for this girl who loves to cook!). Added challenge: most of this travel is "foreign", meaning around Europe and I'm an American, and I LOVE trying new, local dishes. Those are often a surprise, and often quite calorie dense.

Edit 2 to add Grading criteria and formatting now that I'm on a "real computer" not my ipad..

[Koaladle]

We have the same quest for #3! I've stayed very hydrated the last week, and I've noticed a decline in the amount of junk I consume. There's no room! :-D

 

I have no insight as to the reasons you divorced (and it's none of my business), so I'll just say I'm sorry to hear of any hardship that results from it, and assuming things are now better, I am glad to hear of it. I'm awkwardly trying to say that I'm glad you're here and I send all relevant well-wishing to your personal life.

 

BUT ANYWAY

 

I hope you have fun with your quests! These lifestyle changes are so much easier when enjoyable. :-)

[InPursuitOf]

Thank you for lighting up my morning! 😆

⤠ðŸ¨

[InPursuitOf]

Also, after reading through (most...) of your thread I REALLY need to learn to forum! Or stop posting exclusively from mobile platforms...maybe both ;-)

That'll be my homework after work today

[Jormungand]

I love the idea of getting in an hour of intentional movement. So many health issues could benefit from just having people get up and move every day. Good luck with your eating while traveling. I agree that it is an added challenge, but one I'd also be willing to undertake. Enjoy. 

[InPursuitOf]

I do love the travel! Especially when I get sent to interesting places like Germany, Ireland and Croatia (lately), Not places known for low-carb lifestyles...but thats why I only committed to 6 days a week! Everyone needs to enjoy life along the journey 

 

 

It makes other parts of life more difficult, but in the short term totally worth it 

 

 

 

Thanks for the support!

 

 

 

Progress toward 6 week Challenge Weight Loss Goal

16.6667%

16.6667%

[Koaladle]

Thank you for lighting up my morning!

â¤

 

THERE'S A KOALA EMOJI? TEACH ME YOUR WAYS.

 

Also, after reading through (most...) of your thread I REALLY need to learn to forum! Or stop posting exclusively from mobile platforms...maybe both ;-)

That'll be my homework after work today

 

Everything I learned about foruming I learning from lurking Cracked.com. Read a few of their articles and you'll see the similarities. I definitely would not be able to manage from the mobile platform; I take notes on my inner dialogue (especially the negative stuff) during the day so I don't stare blankly at my screen with no idea what to say. GIFs and images are the last thing I do; sometimes a reference comes naturally, sometimes I have to look up the sentiment and pick one. Those are my secrets! Don't tell anyone! (lawl)

 

I look forward to your handiwork!

 

I love the idea of getting in an hour of intentional movement. So many health issues could benefit from just having people get up and move every day. Good luck with your eating while traveling. I agree that it is an added challenge, but one I'd also be willing to undertake. Enjoy. 

 

I make my husband get up from Bearded Man Command Center every couple of hours to get a stretch in, and I have ended up drinking so much water that I either get up and move or face disaster. It's an excellent undertaking if you're like us, where Butt takes root instantaneously when in contact with Comfort. Getting the momentum going is the hardest part, but totally achievable. :-)

[weirdwritergirl]

I love the idea of intentional movement (as opposed to a specific exercise regime)-- more likely to become just a part of life that way (hopefully)

 

Good luck with your challenge! :-D 

[InPursuitOf]

I love the idea of intentional movement (as opposed to a specific exercise regime)-- more likely to become just a part of life that way (hopefully)

 

Good luck with your challenge! :-D 

 

 

Thank you! 

I went that way because I spend so much time traveling and working. Some days I'm near my beloved Kettlebells, other days I'm in an airport or car. 

I think its applicable to everyone's daily struggles though. Just because you're near your own home doesn't mean you don't have challenges making time to exercise!

[InPursuitOf]

Went to an actual gym in Colorado (it  got way too cold and snowy in the mountains to hike!)

I think I might die....in a good way:)

 

Definitely got my hour in today

[InPursuitOf]

 
Week 1 Grades and Summary:

I did well! I give myself an A- for 1 B, and 2 As. 

 

• I lost some weight and feel like my jeans are a tiny bit big on me (I was eating like utter crap the last 3 weeks before this challenge though...so some of that is certainly water weight). 
• I feel healthy, and my muscles are wonderfully sore
• I'm proud of myself, and ready for more next week!

 

Main Goal: 
Lose 30 lbs and/or get to a size 8 jeans. 15 lbs during this 6 week challenge.
Week 1: Lost approximately 12 lbs (starting and final weekly weight not on same scale, so approx). Status: On Track. 

Quests:
1: Eat mostly Paleo, most of the time, for 6 weeks (No obvious sugar, grains, dairy or processed foods. Yes legumes):
Week 1 Grade: B+: I had two meals with grains (tortillas), and a third that my mom had sprinkled a bit of aged hard parmesan on before giving it to me. Minor infraction...but an infraction!

• Grading: A = 2 meals a week with grains/dairy, B = 3 meals a week with grains/dairy, C = 4 meals a week with grains/dairy, D = Fail that week

2: Get 60 minutes of intentional movement a day (walking where weather allows)
Week 1 Grade: A

• Grading: A = 60+ minutes a day each day, B = One day with less than 60 minutes, C = Two days with less than 60 minutes, D = Three or more days, and a Failing Grade

3: Drink a minimum of 3L of water a day
Week 1 Grade: A

• Grading: A = 3+ Litres every day, B = 6 days of 3+ Litres, C = 5 days of 3+ litres, D = DRINK MORE WATER (and fail that week)

[Koaladle]

Well done on week one! The wee infraction, while an infraction, is not much of an infraction, and really hardly even counts as an infraction. BUT it's your judgement that matters on this thread and not mine, so I will cease commenting on your grading.

 

Overall, you've done an outstanding job! YAY! WONDERFUL! HAPPY ADJECTIVES! KOALA EMOJI!

[jrosto]

Hi InPursuitOf, great job with Week !

 

I saw you mention kettlebells... I love me some kettlebells.  

 

It looks like you are doing a very nice job of transitioning to Paleo, I follow a similar plan (The Primal Blueprint) and have enjoyed great success.  I can see how travel in Europe can be challenging, but still doable.

 

You are off to a really great start with this challenge, you have good cause to be proud of yourself

 

As you can see by my avatar,  I'm one of the Assassin ambassadors.  Let me offer you an official invite to come check us out 

 

Here is our recruit thread for Future Assassins, and this is where we keep all the important guild info.

 

This is the Den where all the Assassins hang out, have some fun, and share ridiculous gifs.        Sneak on in and say hello (or lurk, you know whatever).  The Assassin phonebook is a cool place that we keep updated with who is working on what.  You can check out their threads or ask questions.

 

Here is the Assassins' Scullery food chat thread.  It is full of good Paleo, Primal and conventional recipes.

 

I'll be following along, so please ask any questions you come up with

 

Welcome to the Rebellion!

[InPursuitOf]

Thank you Jrosto..

I think feel a minor epiphany coming on, bear with me. 

 

I was initially thinking Ranger since I hate running, don't tend to climb everything in site, and am not a monk/druid, and I don't want to be a warrior...but today I did.  I've been heavy so long its become part of who I am, but not who I want to be. 

 

I went geocaching and was up and down the tailing pile (stuff they dug out of the mine shaft ~100 years ago) so happily my mom called me a billy goat. 

 

IT WAS FUN! 

I never understood the appeal. Today I figured it out on my own, and get back from my hike to see a hint to check out Assassins. 

Done and Done! 

 

 

 

 

I jokingly say I want to be a ninja when I grow up. its always a joke because I'm obviously not built for it.  Funny how you forget old dreams when you're heavy for a while. Turn them into humor as a defense for your own mind. I honestly didn't even consider that my body type could change to allow dancing and climbing etc etc without looking ridiculous and hurting myself. I've been taking about dance classes and learning to fence for years.  I could actually BE someone who dances and fences and kicks ass. Watch out. 

 

 

 

I can't believe it never crossed my mind that I could be anything other than what I currently am, only maybe a little slimmer. Never. Even. Crossed. My. Mind.

Embarrassing. It wasn't even that long ago that I was rock climbing and making foam swords for drama class. I'm only 30 ffs. Just embarrassing. 

 

 

Thanks for listening Internet!

[InPursuitOf]

 

I saw you mention kettlebells... I love me some kettlebells.  

 

It looks like you are doing a very nice job of transitioning to Paleo, I follow a similar plan (The Primal Blueprint) and have enjoyed great success.  I can see how travel in Europe can be challenging, but still doable.

 

 

 

Now that I've calmed down a bit

 

 

I took a look at your workout log. I love it! I think my next challenge will focus on implementing something similar in my life. I'm bouncing all over the place traveling for work this quarter, so can't consistently have my kettlebells (/cry)

2016 is looking more stable though

 

 

I read the Primal Blueprint too. I rung home so much more than the Paleo literature did. I'm basing my diet off it and seeing early success (see below )

I feel more ready to take on the world too!

 

My first real challenges in that arena come this week though

 

 

Thanks again for the assassin suggestion! 

[Koaladle]

YOU ARE TOTALLY AN ASSASSIN. CLIMB THE CLIMBS, DANCE THE DANCES, FENCE THE FENCERS! YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE, AMAZON!

[Koaladle]

POSTING A SECOND TIME BECAUSE I AM ECSTATIC FOR YOU! 

SO PUUUUUUUUMPED!

[cotterpin]

Hi InPursuitOf! I was just poking around the threads & yours caught my eye - great challenge and excellent job on week 1! I just have to follow you because I want to live vicariously through all of the traveling... AND I would love to hear your thoughts on managing paleo (mostly) while doing it... My workout goal is similar to yours - just do SOMETHING every day. I love the idea, and the variety of being able to do whatever I feel like at the moment. 

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Wow, you had a great first week. Congraz on the progress.

And you are even fencing. That's really cool.

[Jormungand]

Great job on your first week. It was a lot of fun to read your epiphany post.

 

A man I know once said: "Be your own spirit animal." There is no limit to how awesome and badass you can be. I looking forward to reading your journey.

[Tatoru Executioner]

Hiya InPursuitOf..... Sorry its taken me so long to come check out your challenge since you posted on mine.... Got lost in these portals!

 

I see you did an amazing job your first week!  So awesome.  I miss all the traveling I got to do when I was in the Navy.  Really wish I could afford to take Mrs. Tatoru journeying through foreign countries.  I'm very interested to hear how you are managing your paleo transition.  I am kinda / sorta trying, just neutralizing grains at the moment.

 

Also, this resonated with me:

 

 

I can't believe it never crossed my mind that I could be anything other than what I currently am, only maybe a little slimmer. Never. Even. Crossed. My. Mind.

Embarrassing. It wasn't even that long ago that I was rock climbing and making foam swords for drama class. I'm only 30 ffs. Just embarrassing. 

 

 

Exactly what I have had for a thought process for far too long.  I only imagined myself at best as losing a little weight.  It wasn't until about a month ago that I even considered being able to actually slim down and tone up to high school/early military shape.  Once I finally realized it's doable it opened the doors for imagining myself doing other things I've always wanted to do.  I love being active, I do not even know how I ended up falling off the wagon so far.  As you said, it's embarassing.  I'm only 31 myself.

 

Anyways, I'll be lurking about, following your challenge, hope you don't mind

[jrosto]

IT WAS FUN! 

 

That really made me smile

 

...I jokingly say I want to be a ninja when I grow up. its always a joke because I'm obviously not built for it.  Funny how you forget old dreams when you're heavy for a while. Turn them into humor as a defense for your own mind. I honestly didn't even consider that my body type could change to allow dancing and climbing etc etc without looking ridiculous and hurting myself. I've been taking about dance classes and learning to fence for years.  I could actually BE someone who dances and fences and kicks ass. Watch out. 

 

 

 

I can't believe it never crossed my mind that I could be anything other than what I currently am, only maybe a little slimmer. Never. Even. Crossed. My. Mind.

Embarrassing. It wasn't even that long ago that I was rock climbing and making foam swords for drama class. I'm only 30 ffs. Just embarrassing. 

 

 

Thanks for listening Internet!

 

 

I always wanted to be Sean Connery when I grew up, only problem is that I just don't look that good in a beard

 

Dancing, fencing and kicking ass.  Now that's an Epic Quest.

 

 

Now that I've calmed down a bit

 

 

I took a look at your workout log. I love it! I think my next challenge will focus on implementing something similar in my life. I'm bouncing all over the place traveling for work this quarter, so can't consistently have my kettlebells (/cry)

2016 is looking more stable though

 

 

I read the Primal Blueprint too. I rung home so much more than the Paleo literature did. I'm basing my diet off it and seeing early success (see below )

I feel more ready to take on the world too!

 

My first real challenges in that arena come this week though

 

 

Thanks again for the assassin suggestion! 

 

That's the nice thing about body weight exercises.  You can do lunges, squats, planks, push ups and jumping jacks just about anywhere.  Those basic exercises also just so happen to support kettlebell work

 

You are going to do awesome this week, a little worldly travel can't stop a Rebel Assassin

[Lady Hawk]

Greetings!! My job is also away from home, so I totally understand the body weight exercise focus. There's really so much out there you can do! I like your focus and zest for life! Enjoyed reading this thread so far and look forward to seeing your progress!!

[InPursuitOf]

This week is insane, and definitely the weirdest week of my life to date.

I want to specifically reply to a lot of above, but only have time for a mobile check in... and a 🨠for Koaladle!)

Didn't sleep Tuesday night because of a flight, had a nice healthy breakfast and lunch, but had a "treat meal" by default at and event after work. I got there and the new director had ordered apps, so 1 potato skin and Ruben egg roll piece with 3 vodka sodas went down the hatch. Not bad overall though. Could been nachos and much more fried everything too!

This weekend will be tough too. I'm staying with friends who aren't known for their healthy habits. I tried to tell the primary cook about my quest for healthy eating habits without sounding demanding or preachy. We shall see!

I'd rather eat small portions of whatever they make than be a PITA. Its only two days and I love them.

Note: I weighed myself on the balance scale in the gym at work though, and confirmed my progress! Thats motivational

4 days till Monday and control over my own meals again!

[Koaladle]

KOALA EMOJI! MY FAVORITE!

 

How I would phrase your request: "I decided after the divorce that I needed to do something to take care of myself, so I've been eating more veggies. Do you mind if I take up some space in your fridge?" Offer to drop by the grocery and pick up some fruits and veggies so they aren't put out; if your friends are like mine it won't be an issue. Snack on veggies before a meal so you have less room for the unhealthy/delicious stuff.