Chris-Tien Changes Targets

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Basically, my goal since the founding of the Blue Group at the Temple of the Jedi has been to figure out what real life skills and abilities would approximate the fictional abilities and skills of Jedi Knights.  Or any of the heroic paladins from myths, epic tales, fantasy/sci-fi books, and role-playing games.  

 

And then .... here's the kicker .... figure out how to train up to be like my favorite characters from those stories, D&D and RPGs. I have been working on my long-term curriculum for quite a while and am gradually copying it over to my Epic Character page.

 

Meanwhile .... here we are for the March challenge.

 

The overall challenge for the rest of the year is to get down to "normal" range for my height, age, and gender.  146 lbs.  Below 150 for the first time in 9 years.  

 

 

There.  I said it.  I commit to it.  I will do it!!!

 

Why???

I will feel better and be able to do more things that I want to do.  I will look better and have greater self esteem.  I will view myself with greater self-respect. During the golden years of the Temple of the Jedi, I weighed 127 lbs (21% body fat).  Right now, I don't feel like myself, and I certainly don't look like myself.  Part of my RPG story is the path to recovering my best self.  

 

How??

 

A Jedi May Need to Ration Food

As much as I hate to do it, I am going to count calories.  For MARCH, I will simply count them.  No budget .... just setting the bench mark in preparation for setting a budget on calories and macros in April.  

 

A Jedi is in tune with the Force

1)  I will impose discipline and avoid alcohol.  I've already gotten coffee intake down to two cups per day, but alcohol is empty calories ..... and probably accounts for most of the weight I've gained gradually over the past decade.

 

2) I  will meditate.  I've already started a meditation PLP and am up to 12 minutes, adding a minute each day until I get to 30.  It does help calm me and prevent emotional eating

 

A Jedi trains every day

1) I am going to run a 5K at the end of the month; so I will do training runs 3 times each week for a total of 12

 

2)  I will do strength training OR go to karate class 3 times each week for a total of 12

 

March Bonus Goal

 

To do something worthy of a cool, custom title.  

 

What's that, Yoda???

 

 

Eh.  Sorry, but you're wrong.  I've been here a long time, and I feel like I should have done SOMETHING noteworthy.  It's cold in the shadows.  

 

Changing Targets

 

After 2 years of JOB HUNTING, I finally have a real, full-time position.  No more project work.  No more contract work.  No more adjunct classes.  

 

The rub is where we currently live forces us to commute a long way.  My new job is an hour away.  Hubby's job is 45 minutes away.  So, we're moving .... again.  (I probably set the record for number of moves during the years I've been at Nerd Fitness.   I'm an accidental gypsy.)  

 

So, I'm switching targets from job hunting to house hunting.   We'll see how long my prey eludes me .....

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Progress bar summary

Count calories (25/25)

 

RANGERED!!!!!!

100%

 

No alcohol (32/40)

 

80%

80%

 

Meditation PLP (30/30)

 

RANGERED!!!!

93%

 

Training Runs (10/12)

 

83%

83%

 

Strength training or karate class (7/12)

 

58%

58%

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

My Pokemon Team

 

 

Krabby 

Water type:  Drink 64 oz of water per day for a week

 

 

Abra

Psychic type: try Headspace app daily for a week

 

 

Hitmonchan

Fighting type: memorize first new kata

 

 

Eevee

Normal type: Increase average step count by 1K

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

[our story so far .....]

[Elastigirl]

Awesome challenge, very focused!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following along again.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Thanks, guys!!!

 

It was a rough day spent out stalking the elusive, perfect house.  Our realtor has been suggesting that we look into building one .... and took us to see a model home by her recommended builder.  And I loved it.  There were a few things that I'd change, but it was really very well built and homey.  We're sleeping on the idea, but this might be the only way we get something we really will like and live in for the next 15 years.  

 

 

And, after a frustrating and tiring day, I did NOT have wine.  Or whine, for that matter.  

[Mrs Van]

Off to a running start! So much good going on, and a lot of stress that is falling away! And just for the record, you have done something noteworthy - you faced your legacy and overcome! You faced your situation and soldiered through it. You were thrown around a lot, but you are still standing, and moving forward, even if it feels like a crawling pace for you. NOW ... now you can increase those steps and end up in a run because your base (house, job, together with hubby) is steadying and will be solid soon (well after you build the house ).
 

 

In this case: bricks that life has thrown at you...

You ARE successful!

 

And last but not least...

 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Thank you, Eleze!  

 

I'm one of those people who's volunteered to take a leadership role and/or ambassadorial role for years, and told that "it'll come" .... and I try not be too frustrated when other people get picked.   I can't put up the impossible awesome numbers in PvPs or challenges that some of our members do.  (I've tried .... I just get injured.) I just keep going - and support as many people as I can .... sometimes hundreds in a challenge - but I don't stand out.  

 

All I have is persistence.  The ground under me is shifting sand, but I keep going.  My brother and mother died.  We've lost jobs.  We have had floods and fires. We've had to move over and over.  And yet, I keep logging in, doing my best to eat well, and exercising at least SOME most days.  

 

I'm like the Webble child's toy.  I wobble, but I don't fall down.  

 

 

Or maybe the Ever Ready Bunny??

 

 

(You have to admit it .... those bunnies are cute!!)

 

Ok, enough whining (but no wine-ing)!!!

 

I've scheduled my workouts for the week.  I estimate that I have about 4 weeks left of unscheduled days to fill, and then my project management skills will be challenged to the max between work, commuting, building a house, prepping to move, and healthy living.  In truth, I expect that being busy will result in a great increase in health and fitness.  It's always been that way in my life.  The busier I am, the happier and healthier.  

[Mrs Van]

You might not have the title "ambassador", but you are 100% there in my and others' books! You went through all those heartaches, yet you were there for us! Your light is still shining, not even life itself could put a bucket over it. Let it shine!

 

YOU ARE AWESOME!

 

Now... how about some house floor plans? Please? Pretty Please? With a cherry on top? I love looking at houses and floor plans!

[SkiBlue]

OOOOOO This is awesomely exciting!!! Building your own house?! New job? BEING AWESOME!!? I can't wait!!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I do love me some floor plans. 

[Xena]

I'm really excited for you about the new job. I know house hunting/building/moving is stressful, but at least it is building toward something good.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Today, I retreated to the comfort of the gym to do my strength workout:

 

Today's strength training (Workout A) - increases in red

Dumbbell chest press on stability ball:  8 x 10; 2 x 10 x 10

Stability ball pass: 1 x 5; 2 x 6

External rotation side-lying with dumbbells: 5 x 10; 2 x 8 x 10

Lateral raises (dumbbells): 5 x 10; 2 x 8 x 10

Shrugs (dumbbells/plates):  2 x 8 x 10, 10 x 10

Back extensions (dumbbells/plates): 5 x 10, 10 x 10, 12 x 10

Seated abduction:  2 x 108 x 10, 120 x 10

Seated adduction: 2 x 108 x 10, 120 x 10

Standing heel raise (plates/dumbbells): skipping while heels heal

 

And then, I got in some walking outside.  Not my crazy-long walk .... just a short one to bring up my steps for the day.  I'm inching up my average steps per day.  

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

You might not have the title "ambassador", but you are 100% there in my and others' books! You went through all those heartaches, yet you were there for us! You're light is still shining, not even life itself could put a bucket over it. Let it shine!

 

YOU ARE AWESOME!

 

Now... how about some house floor plans? Please? Pretty Please? With a cherry on top? I love looking at houses and floor plans!

 

 

I do love me some floor plans. 

 

 

Ok, floor plans .....

 

Hubby likes the Melrose layout, although we'd make some changes.  We really want a 3-season porch.  They don't have the layout of the one house we visited ..... which I liked a lot.  It's going to be negotiation time ......

 

Thought for today from my main man, Emerson:

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Looks like a great floor plan. Good workout too.

[petefeet]

Following along, hope everything is going well with you.

[Mrs Van]

Three seasons house as in porch around the house? I see there is a nice "mudroom" entrance from the garage and the laundry is inside. I don't know how people remember to finish the washing and drying when the laundry room is outside. It looks good! What changes do you have in mind?

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Three seasons house as in porch around the house? I see there is a nice "mudroom" entrance from the garage and the laundry is inside. I don't know how people remember to finish the washing and drying when the laundry room is outside. It looks good! What changes do you have in mind?

 

Porch as in a roofed and enclosed "room" off the back door.  Not heated and usually on stilts or a slab (not over the foundation/basement).  You can't really sit out there in the winter, but it's a lovely place to sit spring, summer, and fall.  Not quite outside but not inside either.  Mosquitos and flies are so bad up in our area that it can be hard to sit outside for much of the year.  And the laundry has to be inside in the northern USA .... it would freeze otherwise!!!  Up here, the only question is what level it's on: main floor, basement, or bedroom level.  I like the main level so that I can do laundry while cooking or even watching TV in the evening.  I'm not sure I'd like it on the second floor, but that would eliminate carrying laundry up and down stairs!!!

 

In that layout, I'm not sure how anyone would get to the "bonus room" over the garage.  And I realized that it would be a PERFECT place for grandkids to play.  We might want a third garage stall.  I'm bugging hubby to think about where he wants to keep his tools, woodworking shop, and (possible) wine/mead brewing nook.  

[Mrs Van]

Porch as in a roofed and enclosed "room" off the back door.  Not heated and usually on stilts or a slab (not over the foundation/basement).  You can't really sit out there in the winter, but it's a lovely place to sit spring, summer, and fall.  Not quite outside but not inside either.  Mosquitos and flies are so bad up in our area that it can be hard to sit outside for much of the year.  And the laundry has to be inside in the northern USA .... it would freeze otherwise!!!  Up here, the only question is what level it's on: main floor, basement, or bedroom level.  I like the main level so that I can do laundry while cooking or even watching TV in the evening.  I'm not sure I'd like it on the second floor, but that would eliminate carrying laundry up and down stairs!!!

 

In that layout, I'm not sure how anyone would get to the "bonus room" over the garage.  And I realized that it would be a PERFECT place for grandkids to play.  We might want a third garage stall.  I'm bugging hubby to think about where he wants to keep his tools, woodworking shop, and (possible) wine/mead brewing nook.  

I forgot about your cold weather. Your writing about the floor the laundry room must be on, reminded me of the laundry chute a friend had her husband build from their rooms on the top floor, to the laundry in the basement! She also asked for one of those old fashioned "dumb waiter" lift things (there is a specific word for it, but I can't remember now). One big enough to put the baskets with laundry in to pull to the top floor, but her husband drew the line after the chute. Sounds like you will definitely need that third garage space! Your room off the back door is what we would call an enclosed stoep/verandah/deck. Sounds so good!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

I forgot about your cold weather. Your writing about the floor the laundry room must be on, reminded me of the laundry chute a friend had her husband build from their rooms on the top floor, to the laundry in the basement! She also asked for one of those old fashioned "dumb waiter" lift things (there is a specific word for it, but I can't remember now). One big enough to put the baskets with laundry in to pull to the top floor, but her husband drew the line after the chute. Sounds like you will definitely need that third garage space! Your room off the back door is what we would call an enclosed stoep/verandah/deck. Sounds so good!

 

The laundry chute is no longer possible in the USA since it is against building code .... apparently too easy for fire to spread up through the house.  But I did love the one we had in our first house!!!

 

But, I figure that carrying heavy things up and down stairs is domestic Rangering!!!

[AngellaMarie]

I LOVE pouring over house plans. And I love the thought of building (eventually). For now we're looking for an affordable, one-income home. After the hubby joins me in MI at the end of the month he's going back to school (he never finished after his daughter was born 13 years ago) and we're going to be on the poor-er side of things for a little bit. I mean, my salary is good, but budgeting is going to be a big thing. We've done it before though, so no problem. 

 

Laundry chutes are against building codes? That explanation makes sense though. We have one in our 1960's house and my stepdaughter loves it. We hear her toys banging down all the time when she has a friend over. I think they even rigged a rope/pulley system to haul their Legos up and down, lol. 

 

And I love the term "domestic rangering"!

[Fonzico]

Long commutes are the worst - I hope you get the housing situation figured out relatively quickly!

Good luck with all the changes happy challenges!

[TheGreyJedi-Ranger]

Good luck with your challenge, fellow Jedi! I hope things work out with you. My family built a house when I was around 11 years old, and they still live there (10 years later) with it not really worse for wear aside from the wear and tear of three children growing up with friends, significant others, four different cats at different points, and now a puppy. If you build your own house, you love it in a different way than one you bought from what I've seen so far

 

Be careful with the room over garage, ours wasn't quite insulated properly. I know this from experience because I live in ours when I'm home from college! It's ~5*(F) warmer in the summer and around the same but colder in the winter. I had a tiny space heater in winter which I couldn't leave on overnight, and an old window AC unit for summers(which didn't seal to the window well and I had many many tiny insects in my room constantly), but the power bill doesn't care for that terribly much sometimes. 

 

May the Force be with you!

[amandolin]

Long commutes are awful, up until a couple of months ago a had an hour and a half commute to work I actually took a demotion to get closer to home.

 

But I love house hunting,and the idea of a new build is pretty exciting!! Excited to see where you end up on your new journey!