Allycat2407's first challenge

[Allycat2407]

Another rebel here to join the NF rebellion. Although I am new here, I have, over the past year, been making many changes to level up my life. I am not working as crazy much. anymore. I actually get a decent amount of sleep now. And last but not least, after being a vegetarian for 9 years, I became a 100% plant-based vegan in October. (@ScottPilgrim: when do I get my super-powers?) Now I feel it's finally time to work on my health. I have actually been doing that for a little while (I started round about the time this challenge started). So I'm retroactively entering this challenge.

 

MAIN QUEST

- Attain a body-shape that allows me to cosplay a superhero. I am not looking to cosplay Thor or Captain America, but I would love to pull off the Punisher, which I am currently a little too chubby for.

 

DIET

- Eat snacks and/or drink alcohol on no more than 2 days a week (and only at social events). In my experience, it is relatively easy to eat healthily and lose weight on a vegan diet, so I don't feel I have to drop unhealthy treats altogether. I mean one of life's goals is to have fun, right? When I visit a friend for their birthday I enjoy sharing food and drinks (in moderation) with them. But why do it when I am at home, on my own?

 

FITNESS

- Complete endurance training (swimming or biking) 2 times a week. We have an exercise bike at home, so I can just place my laptop in front of it and combine watching TV with a little exercise. I try to watch series with fit actors (like Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as extra motivation.

- Complete strength training (NF beginner body weight workout) 2 times a week. This one is new and has me a little anxious. I work in IT and study linguistic, so I have 0 strength.

 

LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE

- Complete the KonMari method for decluttering the house. Marie Kondo is a Japanse tidying guru who wrote The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, which I plan to use to get my house in order.

 

I appreciate any feedback on this challenge 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Welcome to the Rebellion!!!!

 

Actually, your goals sound great.  Very measurable and feasible.  Is there a plan or schedule with the KonMari method?  That's the only goals that looks like it might be hard to decide if you've succeeded or not by the end of the challenge.  

[Allycat2407]

Is there a plan or schedule with the KonMari method?  That's the only goals that looks like it might be hard to decide if you've succeeded or not by the end of the challenge.  

 

Yeah, the book has a very concrete checklist of things to do, so I will definitely be able to say whether I completed it or not

[Allycat2407]

Progress for week 1

 

DIET GOAL #1

- I had unhealthy snacks on many days. Small portions, to empty out the pantry. I don't like to waste food, still could've done better. Grade: C

 

FITNESS GOAL #1

- I actually did endurance training three times. Gives me a little wiggle room to compensate in other weeks. Grade: A+

 

FITNESS GOAL #2

- I hadn't actually started with strength training. Maybe I can compensate in the upcoming weeks. Grade: F

 

Starting weight: 102.9 kg

Final weight: 102.7 kg

[Allycat2407]

Progress for week 2

 

DIET GOAL #1

- I had one social event where I had unhealthy snacks and only a single glass of alcohol. And one where I only a single glass of alcohol, which compensates for the fact that I did have a sugary snack on a third day. Not a perfect week, but I'm happy about the result and my resolve. Grade: B

 

FITNESS GOAL #1

- I sat on the stationary bike once and I also went for a very long walk. I'm not sure if I should let the latter count as endurance, but it's better than nothing. Grade: C

 

FITNESS GOAL #2

- I actually did strength training three times. I did the NF beginner body weight workout. I can only do 2 circuits and the first time I had trouble with the push-up (i.e. I couldn't really do one), because of my height (I'm 1.97m or 6ft 5½in). The second time I replaced them with inclined push-ups, which are hard, but I can manage those. For the third one, I replaced jumping jacks with the speed skater, because I live in an apartment and jumping jacks were too noisy. Grade: A+

 

LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE

- On Saturday and Sunday I completed the first round of tidying: clothes and linnen. Threw out 9 bags (some going to trash, most going to charity). Grade: A

 

Starting weight: 102.7 kg

Final weight: 101.4 kg

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Nice job on your goals!!!!  Just keep chipping away at it.  Persistence ..... even at a B level .... will get you the results you want.  

[Allycat2407]

Progress for week 3

 

DIET GOAL #1

- I had two social events where I had unhealthy snacks and some alcohol. One was drinks with a major client. They work in the alcohol-industry, so there was a lot of alcohol, but I managed to sneak in a water every few rounds. Still, I did manage to stick to the 2 day rule. Grade: A

 

FITNESS GOAL #1

- I used the stationary bike twice. Grade: A

 

FITNESS GOAL #2

- I did the NF beginner body weight workout twice. I added 1 kg to the dumbell. Grade: A

 

LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE

- I did a lot of tidying: books, DVDs, videogames, boardgames, electronics, papers, office supplies, D&D stuff, alcohol, food, kitchen utensils, glassware, tableware. I'm about 75% done now. Grade: A

 

Starting weight: 101.4 kg

Final weight: 101.6 kg

 

Overall good week, no weight loss, but no (significant) gain either.

[Manarelle]

Hello there! Just saw your handle, and wondered if you read Sunstone, or if there's another backstory.  Looks like you've got some solid goals there. How do you like the beginner bodyweight workout? 

[Allycat2407]

1 hour ago, Manarelle said:

Hello there! Just saw your handle, and wondered if you read Sunstone, or if there's another backstory.  Looks like you've got some solid goals there. How do you like the beginner bodyweight workout? 

 

I don't know Sunstone, sorry. I'm a big Buffy the Vampire Slayer-fan and Willow used to be my favourite character. I copied the nickname from Alyson Hannigan and somehow it stuck. I haven't really thought of a backstory for these forums yet, but I might for the next challenge

 

As for the bodyweight workout: it is amazing! I always feel super-good afterwards.

[Manarelle]

Ha, no worries, I made assumptions and that's my fault, sorry. I will admit I have not watched Buffy, though I've heard lots of good things about it. 

 

I started out with the Beginner Bodyweight Workout (BBWW) here on nf; have progressed on to other ones, but have always stuck with 2 sets. The third one just seems beyond me, as I'm usually dropping things and being clumsy at that point. Pretty neat how alive it makes you feel though!

[Manarelle]

Yay double-posting error. Random picture instead:

 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Nice progress!!!!  I'm still at the obvious point in the cleaning and decluttering, but I might try that book eventually ..... 

[Allycat2407]

I'm about three quarters through and threw out around 50 garbage bags in volume. (Not literally, because we strictly separate our garbage.)

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

We're going to be moving this summer ... so I know I'll be taking a lot of stuff to the second-hand shops.  

 

But .... 50 bags??    So amaze!!!

[Allycat2407]

Progress for week 4

 

DIET GOAL #1

- I had two social events where I had unhealthy snacks and some alcohol. Grade: A

 

FITNESS GOAL #1

- I used the stationary bike once and went swimming once. Grade: A

 

FITNESS GOAL #2

- I did the NF beginner body weight workout twice. I added 2 kg to the dumbell. Grade: A

 

LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE

- I did even more tidying, not as much as I planned, so I won't finish in time. It was mostly because I had more work this week. (And a little bit because I wanted to watch all of Daredevil Season 2 before going to Dutch Comic Con). Grade: B

 

Starting weight: 101.6 kg

Final weight: 100.3 kg

 

Overall good week, lots of weight loss.

[Allycat2407]

Results for challenge

 

DIET GOAL #1

Goal: Eat snacks and/or drink alcohol on no more than 2 days a week (and only at social events).

Result: I started out not meeting the goal at first, but throughout the challenge I got a better grip on my diet and by the end it actually seems like a perfectly easy way to live a healthy life.

Grade: B

 

FITNESS GOAL #1

Goal: Complete endurance training (swimming or biking) 2 times a week.

Result: In the first week I did it three times, in the second week I did it only once. It averages out on twice a week, but the distribution wasn't perfect.

Grade: A-

 

FITNESS GOAL #2

Goal: Complete strength training (NF beginner body weight workout) 2 times a week.

Result: I actually only started this in week 2, but made up 1 of the 2 missed sessions from week 1. I'm quite happy with the results regardless, particularly because the endorphin-induced high it provides. Also, it took a while to adapt the routine to my situation (i.e. apartment building means no jumping jacks and inclined push-ups due to lack of strength).

Grade: A-

 

LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE

Goal: Complete the KonMari method for decluttering the house.

Result: I haven't finished yet, because the last week was a bit busy and because I underestimated how much time it takes to sift through the enormous mountains of junk. However, the results are amazing. There's only a few bits and bobs left to sort out: I will definitely be finished before Friday.

Grade: B

 

MAIN QUEST

Goal: Attain a body-shape that allows me to cosplay a superhero. 

Results: My weight went from 102.9 to 100.3 kg, which is a good start. I did strength training 7 times and endurance training 8 times and I can already notice that my body doesn't get tired as easily while doing everyday chores.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Great job on the first challenge!!!  Do you know what guild you plan to join for next challenge?

[Allycat2407]

4 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

Great job on the first challenge!!!  Do you know what guild you plan to join for next challenge?

 

I'm not sure. I want to combine strength and endurance training so that would suggest Rangers. But as a vegan, the general description for the Druid's guild also speaks to me, even if my fitness goals are slightly different. Or maybe I should stick with being a Rebel during the next challenge?

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

On 3/29/2016 at 1:58 AM, Allycat2407 said:

 

I'm not sure. I want to combine strength and endurance training so that would suggest Rangers. But as a vegan, the general description for the Druid's guild also speaks to me, even if my fitness goals are slightly different. Or maybe I should stick with being a Rebel during the next challenge?

 

Either one would be good.  You don't have to eat Paleo in the Rangers, btw.

 

I'd pick based on your goals for the challenge.  And Rebel is a perfect guild for people who don't feel that any other guild really works for them!!

[Allycat2407]

8 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

And Rebel is a perfect guild for people who don't feel that any other guild really works for them!!

 

Thanks for the input. I think I'll stick to rebels for now.