Briniel: Just keep swimming!

[Briniel]

Hello everyone!!

 

 

Last challenge I came back from a little break and rocked it the first three weeks. Then I got a cold. A big, bad cold, which tried to throw me off my path with bone-rattling cough-attacks and and make me lose my breath by stuffing my raspiratory system with evil, clingy balls of snot. But, no more!!! I'm recovering, gaining back my strength and will continue on the path I have chosen, no matter what kind of bacteria and viruses nature throws at me. Mwaahahahaha!!! ... sorry... got a bit distracted there.

Anyways, the thing is, last challenge went great and I think I will continue doing what I've been doing. I've tweaked my goals just a little bit, but all in all, I'll just keep swimming.

 

Here's what I'm up to:

 

Goals and motivation

I want to get fit and healthy and strong. Not necessarily in that order. But I'm on a quest to become a better me and part of that is sorting out my diet, using my body in other ways than sitting in front of the computer and getting my life in order. One of my long(ish)-term goals is to finally be able to do a real push-up (I'm at 4-5 knee push-ups right now), another is to find a (second) job. I also want to fit into some clothes I bought back then. I want to be able to run again without getting knee pain and/or out of breath too easily. I want to have the energy to do the things I love and the money to afford them. So, without further ado, here's my challenge No. 5

 

 

Quest 1: healthy dieting habits

I've made a habit of drinking enough water/tea and avoiding refined sugar and white flour. I won't track the latter anymore (got that down), but I'll try to improve the drinking even more. Last challenge I added "more veggies" to the list, which I'll continue this time. I have noticed that on some days I eat only musli and sandwiches (whole-grain, but still) so this challenge I'll try to eat at least one "proper" meal everyday. Proper means: I cooked it (not necessarily on the same day) and it is not a simple thing like fruit salad, porridge, a sandwich or something like that. Just a regular meal like my mom would have put on the dinner table.

 

• drink at least 2,5l of water or tea every day (+1 bonus point for every extra 2,5l/week, -1 bonus points for every day I drink less)
• have one "proper" meal each day (+1 bonus point for every extra meal, -1 bonus point for every day I forget)
• eat more (cups of) vegetables than the week before (+1 bonus point for every 2 extra cups/week, -2 bonus point for each week I fail)
• eat some sort of veggies with two meals every day (snacking counts as a meal) (+1 bonus point if I eat veggies with every meal, +1 bonus point for each day I forget)

 

Quest 2: get moving, get strong

I do enjoy physical activity, just not all kinds. Last challenge I got very far by aiming for 3 sessions of some sort of sports (running, swimming, rowing, badminton, workout, whatever), depending on what I feel like. I will continue playing badminton once a week and will try to get back into running (my knees have been acting up the last time I tried, so I'll take it slow). I will also try to get in bodyweight workouts regularly. I will track my progress in a seperate spreadsheet. Yoga didn't go too well last challenge but I know it's something I enjoy once I get into it, so I'll aim to do some sort of practice every day. And I finally want to reach that "one real, proper push-up" goal, so I'll try myself at knee and/or incline push-ups everyday. I like the idea of doing AMRAP, so I see where that'll lead. I don't know yet if that's too much, so I'll adjust accordingly.

 

• do some sort of fitness activity 3 times a week (+1 bonus point for every extra session, -1 bonus for every one I forget)
• do at least 15 minutes of yoga every day (+1 bonus point for every extra hour, -1 bonus point for every day I forget)
• do knee/incline push-ups every day and track how many reps I can do (+2 bonus points for each week with consecutive better reps, -1 bonus point every day I forget)

 

Quest 3: getting my life sorted out

There's a lot (read: A LOT) of stuff I could put on here, but I'm going to focus on the things I want and need to do the most. Top of the list is getting a job. I currently work 2 days a week and while that pays the bill as long as nothing unforseen happens, it's really not a reliable option for the future. I've finally, after a lot of struggling, started sending out applications last challenge and I'll continue with that in the current one. I will also continue reading up background information for my current job and doing office work for my father's business (whenever there is things to do... I might have to adjust the target there). And since I continue to put some of my money into singing lessons, I will make the most of them by practicing in addition to the weekly lessons.

 

• send out 2 applications every week (+2 bonus points for every additional application, -3 bonus points every week I send less)
• take time for singing 4 times a week (this includes lessons) (+1 bonus point if all of these are at least 40 minutes, -1 bonus point if I do less than 4 times)
• read for work longer than the week before, measured in minutes (+1 bonus point for every extra hour, -1 bonus point if I do less than last week)
• do office work for 6 (?) hours every week (no bonus points here, since this depends so much on the workload)
• kitchen counter zero every night before going to sleep (+1 bonus point if I do this perfectly for a whole week, -0,5 bonus points if I do it first thing the next morning, -1 bonus point for every day I don't do it at all)

 

 

Okay, now to the thing we all know you've been waiting for: my new and fancy pretty purple spreadsheet!!!! *sparkles*

 

(now with automated progress percentages, automated ratings, automated gradings and automated color coding)

 

 

Phew!! There's still the whole "making my home comfortable" business, so I have another huge printed spreadsheet on the wall next to my computer with all the household chores. No grading here, I just want to check off when I do something to get a feel for how often I do stuff and eventually figure out how often I should do stuff. I've neglecting this a little bit, so I'll try to get to it daily. As well as my financing spreadsheet where I write down what I spend. I'll also try to follow the 52 weeks home organising challenge as loosely or closely as my timetable allows. Aaaand I'll update a list of one-time things that I want to do during the next 4 weeks. Like my taxes. Or throwing a birthday party.

 

So, there's lots to do, but last challenge showed me that I'm well up for it, if I set my mind to it. Which I have! I'm pumped, I'm on point, I'll rock this, I'll...

 

 

Have a successfull challenge, everyone

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following along again.

[fleaball]

Fancy pants spreadsheet! Everyone seems to be doing them now and I've been resistant, but I wonder if it would help me to have a visual. :\ Well. If nothing else it would help me procrastinate for a few hours by dicking around in Excel, right? =P

[NeverThatBored]

Fancy pants spreadsheet! Everyone seems to be doing them now and I've been resistant, but I wonder if it would help me to have a visual. :\ Well. If nothing else it would help me procrastinate for a few hours by dicking around in Excel, right? =P

 

I'm definitely about to copy Briniel's spreadsheet format and use it for my challenge. I haven't had much luck in the past with tracking in a spreadsheet, but I think the way she has it organized would actually be very easy to stick with. 

[NeverThatBored]

Briniel - for the AMRAPS, you might find that you need a rest day in between each one depending on how fatigued your arms get. 

[Briniel]

Following along again.

Yay!!

 

Fancy pants spreadsheet! Everyone seems to be doing them now and I've been resistant, but I wonder if it would help me to have a visual. :\ Well. If nothing else it would help me procrastinate for a few hours by dicking around in Excel, right? =P

Dooo iiiit!!!

 

I'm definitely about to copy Briniel's spreadsheet format and use it for my challenge. I haven't had much luck in the past with tracking in a spreadsheet, but I think the way she has it organized would actually be very easy to stick with. 

I'm actually thinking about chaging the format a little. I have so much other stuff going on that I want to keep track of and I'd like to have one place to cross it all off. Last challenge, I made additional "battle plans" for each day each morning, which was nice, but redundant. I'm thinking a daily cross of list like maegs had should be nice, but incorporating both the stuff from the spreadsheet, as well as stuff like "pre-cook for work tomorrow" or "do a batch of laundry" or "go out to play cards" (which I have neglected oh so much lately). I don't know yet... maybe a spreadsheet with several pages, one where I cross of EVERYTHING and one which looks all nice and tidy like this one? That might actually work... Oh, and if you need mine excel file as a template or something, let me know. It has some nice code going on, if I may say so

 

Briniel - for the AMRAPS, you might find that you need a rest day in between each one depending on how fatigued your arms get. 

I thought as much, that's why I said I'd adjust if necessary. My usual tries at push-ups haven't left me tooo winded, since I just can't do that many, but we'll see how it goes when I try that every day. I'm pumped, though

[Briniel]

I just took measurements as a starting point for this challenge (I do weekly weigh-ins every monday (if I don't forget) and measurements once a month).

I'll add the difference to the beginning of last challenge (January 4th 2016) and the beginning of my journey here on NF (June 10th 2015) as comparison.

 

kg/cm

weight: 62,2 (-1,3/-8,3)

BMI: 22 (-0,4/-2,9)

bust: 89 (-3/-8)

waist: 80 (-1/-4) (though I'm not sure I'm measuring this right... slimmest part is 71)

hips: 86 (-2,5/-11,5)

thigh: 57 (-2/-7)

arm: 28,5 (-1,5/-4)

 

pounds/inches

weight: 137 (-2,8/-18,3)

BMI: 22 (-0,4/-2,9)

bust: 35 (-1,2/-3,1)

waist: 31,5 (-0,4/-1,6) (though I'm not sure I'm measuring this right... slimmest part is 28)

hips: 33,9 (-1/-4,5)

thigh: 22,4 (-0,8/-2,8)

arm: 11,2 (-0,6/-1,6)

 

I'm really really happy with the numbers, especially on my hips and thighs. Not so much on the bust (how did I lose 3cm there over 4 weeks!?) but that's okay. I'm pretty happy with my current weight, too. I don't feel like I need to lose more, but I'm not going to mind if it happens when I continue eating and exercising like I have.

But... you know what? I think with the recent measurements, I should check the fit of those jeans... (I bought them about 2 or 3 years ago and had a lot of weight gain shortly after, so I never really got to wear them) Maybe now... brb!!

[Lara]

Following!

[LadyWitch]

I love how organised you are! A place for everything and everything in its place... May need to adopt something similar to keep myself on track...

 

Good luck with the job hunt, I know how horrid it can be, but I'm sure you'll find something soon!

[athousandwords]

[sterre]

Looks like you have a great challenge lined up!

[sterre]

Looks like you have a great challenge lined up!

[Briniel]

Following!

 

I love how organised you are! A place for everything and everything in its place... May need to adopt something similar to keep myself on track...

 

Good luck with the job hunt, I know how horrid it can be, but I'm sure you'll find something soon!

 

 

Looks like you have a great challenge lined up!

 

 

Thanks everyone!!

 

Guys, guys, guys, guess what...

 

 

my pants fit me!!!! I tried them all on and they fit. All of them. Okay, some were just a little snug, some have gone out of style (bell-bottoms, anyone?) and some need repairs, but they fit!!! Oh man, this feels awesome. I instantly decided to wear one of the old/new pairs to the doctor's appointment (which took 2 hours. 2 fricking hours of waiting for about 10 minutes of inspection to tell me I should stay home tomorrow... urgh) and spend the rest of the day rejoicing in the fact that jeans fit better the longer you wear them. Woot!!

 

Since I'm also still sick, I did not do much regarding my challenge. Well, not too much. I had 2,5l of water (still in progress), had my one proper meal (savoy cabbage dish made by my boyfriend), ate 0,75 cups of veggies (savoy cabbage dish and a snack of carrots), did 26 minutes of yoga (this routine by Adriene, which felt so, so good) and tried for push-up AMRAPs (7 knee push-ups, 15 incline push-ups against the kitchen counter). Phew. Oh, I also signed up for the Assassins' mini and did my AMRAPs there. I feel totally out of place since everyone else is going to kick so much more ass than me, but I'll just stay happy with my very own level of ass-kickery and work on being a little bit better than yesterday

[LadyWitch]

Thanks everyone!!

 

Guys, guys, guys, guess what...

 

 

my pants fit me!!!! I tried them all on and they fit. All of them. Okay, some were just a little snug, some have gone out of style (bell-bottoms, anyone?) and some need repairs, but they fit!!! Oh man, this feels awesome. I instantly decided to wear one of the old/new pairs to the doctor's appointment (which took 2 hours. 2 fricking hours of waiting for about 10 minutes of inspection to tell me I should stay home tomorrow... urgh) and spend the rest of the day rejoicing in the fact that jeans fit better the longer you wear them. Woot!!

 

Since I'm also still sick, I did not do much regarding my challenge. Well, not too much. I had 2,5l of water (still in progress), had my one proper meal (savoy cabbage dish made by my boyfriend), ate 0,75 cups of veggies (savoy cabbage dish and a snack of carrots), did 26 minutes of yoga (this routine by Adriene, which felt so, so good) and tried for push-up AMRAPs (7 knee push-ups, 15 incline push-ups against the kitchen counter). Phew. Oh, I also signed up for the Assassins' mini and did my AMRAPs there. I feel totally out of place since everyone else is going to kick so much more ass than me, but I'll just stay happy with my very own level of ass-kickery and work on being a little bit better than yesterday

Fantastic! Well done on.. well... EVERYTHING!!! Sounds like you've had a brilliant day (other than being ill)

 

I also just have to say... Its all your fault... I made a quest spreadsheet. It's not as fancy as yours but it has everything I need... And its all your fault

[pureleeawesome]

Teach me spreadsheet senpai!

 

(This wasn't what I wanted, but it's hilarious.)

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON PANTS FITTING! It's so nice to have "new" clothes but not have to buy any, isn't it. I have a whole suitcase full.

 

Looking forward to you smashing (when not sick) another challenge. Will we be seeing rows of green?

[Merrin]

I'm just here for the spreadsheets. Yes. Following!

[Briniel]

Fantastic! Well done on.. well... EVERYTHING!!! Sounds like you've had a brilliant day (other than being ill)

 

I also just have to say... Its all your fault... I made a quest spreadsheet. It's not as fancy as yours but it has everything I need... And its all your fault

 

Other than being ill, yes. I somehow busted something inside my ear while sneezing and it hurt like a bitch the whole evening. It's okay now, it just feels weird... like when the pressure changes and you feel it in the ears and want to hold your nose and blow so the feeling will go away? Just that what feels like the cure is what busted my ear in the first place...

 

 

Teach me spreadsheet senpai!

 

(This wasn't what I wanted, but it's hilarious.)

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON PANTS FITTING! It's so nice to have "new" clothes but not have to buy any, isn't it. I have a whole suitcase full.

 

Looking forward to you smashing (when not sick) another challenge. Will we be seeing rows of green?

 

 

Thank you!!! Yeah, it's awesome. There's a few pairs that I wore back in school days, I feel so young when wearing those (Also my favourite pair of jeans ever has a tear on the inside of the thighs. I never repaired it since that would make it even tighter, but now I might have a serious chance and repairing it AND still being able to wear it... happy happy happy!)

 

 

I'm just here for the spreadsheets. Yes. Following!

 

Everyone is just here for the spreadsheets. Welcome aboard

[Briniel]

I updated my quests a little bit (no week 0 to think things through really doesn't help).

I realized that it's not that important to me what amount of veggies I eat, but how often I eat them and make a concious decision to include them in my diet. Also, measuring how much I eat is hassle. So I changed the quest to reflect that.

I also kicked out the office work quest since I still don't have new work orders and don't like to put my questing on hold because of that. I already have two different work-related quests, so enough is enough. (I'll still do this when there's stuff to do, of course.) Instead, I decided to adapt the kitchen counter zero quest that I saw some people doing. For anyone who doesn't know what's going on, I will clean the kitchen counter every night and put everything where it belongs. There will be no dirty dishes, no clean dishes drying, no maybe-I'll-make-another-sandwich-later-I-don't-know-yet-knives... nothing (except for stuff that lives there regularly). I have the option to postpone if I do it first thing the next morning, but it will cost me half a bonus point. Since I decided to do this just now, I'll start counting from today on.

I also found some new rangers to follow and almost finished my first l of water (it's 9.43 am over here, so I'm getting a good head start). Day two is on!!

[Lara]

Tried to leave you a message last night, but was unable to post. I thought I would get up this morning and found I had left 5 identical posts in your thread   but no trace of them.

So, what I was saying was:

Congratulations!!! Fitting clothes is always the best!!! It feels SO good!

[Briniel]

Tried to leave you a message last night, but was unable to post. I thought I would get up this morning and found I had left 5 identical posts in your thread   but no trace of them.

So, what I was saying was:

Congratulations!!! Fitting clothes is always the best!!! It feels SO good!

 

Thanks!! I'm flattered you went to these lengths just to tell me that )

 

 

 

I just got an invitation to a job interview for that one job I really really want. Wooooot!!! But, it is on one of the two days that I work and I can not take time off work considering I've already missed three days due to sickness. Boooooh. Ugh, why did they have to pick a friday? It was a 2/5 chance, but still.... I just phoned with the very nice lady who is in charge of the interview invitations; no they don't play to do any interviews on other days (at least not if they find someone now), no they can't offer me a later spot right now. They might be able to if they decide to invite someone else, but she can't promise. Even then, I would have to cancel some of my work appointments that day, which might be a problem, especially on such a short notice (it's friday next week) and it's more than an hour of commute form one place to the other and I'd have to switch transportation so often that I'd probably miss my connection one time or the other so I'll be stressing out the whole time and probably won't make it on time and miss the whole thing and not get the job despite leaving work early. Aaaaaaah, I'm freaking out, this just sucks.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Just go do the interview, especially if it's for that one job.

[Phytomancer]

Nice and detailed challenge. I'm following!! Go get the interview.

[SomeGuyFromScotland]

That spreadsheet. *sigh* So pretty.

[LadyWitch]

I agree with everyone else, if its a job you REALLY want, call in sick and go! We only live once, so make the most of it and chase the things you want

[Briniel]

I can't. I have a job where I have patient appointments throughout the day, so I can't just leave without inconveniencing everyone. To be there in time for the interview slot that I have now, I would have to take the whole afternoon off, which is not happening with me having been on sick-leave the last 1,5 weeks already (there's just nowhere to move my patients to. And I can't offer to work an extra day since my office is occupied by a colleage when I'm not there, which is the reason I cannot work full time right now which is the reason I need another job). I might be able to make it in time for the later appointment (which they might or might not offer me depending on whether they decide to interview someone else), but only if I can take the last hour off and the commute goes perfectly fine.

So, yes, of course I could just leave regardless, but that's not who I am. It's not as simple as just doing the interview without being a huge dick to my patients and my boss, who has been really supportive and loyal in my whole time here (which is 6 years or something, so basically my whole working life). So I won't. Which sucks.