Sterre tries to do better

[sterre]

Okay, so last challenge, I did okay. Mostly good, but I failed hit the mark a entirely and I mostly neglected the forums. I also got a bit of a wake up call in the form of actually weighing myself for the first time in years. This time, I'm going to try to do better and work harder because I really should. I also have a new long-term goal so hopefully that will help a bit more because focus is good.

 

Main Quest

So my long term goal is going to be to get down to about 62 kg (I'm currently somewhere around 68 kg). This challenge, I would like to drop 2 kg, but any progress in the right direction will really be good.

With the exception of the first measurement, I'll be using a moving 7 day average to measure progress each week (the initial measurement will probably be a four day average because that's the data I'll have), so I'll be weighing in every day, but only reporting my weight here once a week.

Measurement: Pass = lose some weight; Fail = weight stays the same or increases

Statistics: +1 CHA

Reward: A cute summer dress for losing at least 2 kg.

 

Quest 1: Yoga

This time, I'm serious. I'll be doing at least five yoga sessions a week and aiming for a mixture of different kinds of yoga sessions.

Measurement: A = 16+ yoga sessions; B = 12-15 yoga sessions; C = 8-11 yoga sessions

Statistics: +1 STR, +2 CON, +1 DEX

 

Quest 2: Run

I don't seem to have much trouble going outside and walking, but I do have trouble keeping up with my running. So I will aim for three runs a week. They can be any distance, as long as I get out there and run.

Measurement: A = 9+ runs; B = 7-8 runs; C = 5-6 runs

Statistics: +2 DEX, +2 STA

 

Quest 3: Diet

Sadly, I seem to have been eating a bit too much of whatever. So I'll be tracking my food intake at least 6 days a week on Sparkpeople (because that's the thing I signed up for forever ago and I'm way too lazy to switch over) and trying to stay within their recommended caloric intake guidelines. I'll allow myself one day of freedom per week, not because I'm going to go eat whatever I want, just because tracking every day sort of sucks.

Measurement: A = 19+ days tracked; B = 14-18 days tracked; C = 10-13 days tracked

Statistics: +2 CON, +1 WIS

 

Quest 4: Poi

Yes, a fourth fitness-type quest because I really do want to get better at doing poi since it's fun and I need some fun here. I'll aim for 30 minutes a week again, but I'll see if I can ramp that up toward the end of the challenge.

Measurement: A = 96+ minutes of poi; B = 72-95 minutes of poi; C = 48-71 minutes of poi

Statistics: +1 CHA, +1 DEX

 

Life Quest: Drawing

For a change in pace, I would like to focus on drawing a bit more. It's something that I do enjoy doing, but I never really make the time to do, which is sad. So I'll aim for 150 minutes of drawing a week (equivalent to 30 minutes of drawing 5 days a week). I want to make a habit of doing this.

Measurement: A = 480+ minutes of drawing; B = 360-479 minutes of drawing; C = 240-359 minutes of drawing

Statistics: +1 CHA

 

Total possible statistics gain: +1 STR, +4 DEX, +2 STA, +4 CON, +1 WIS, +3 CHA

 

Oh, and I almost forgot! I'm going to aim to post on NF every day with at least an update, but I'll also try to visit everyone's threads. It's not going to be an official quest, but it's something I'm going to try doing because that would be better.

 

Spoiler

 

Starting measurements

Weight: 68.4 kg

Bust: 94.5 cm

Ribcage: 81.3 cm

Waist (natural): 77.5 cm

Waist (navel): 80 cm

Hips: 98 cm

 

 

 

[SpecialSundae]

Looks like a very reasonable set of challenges! Good luck!

 

Also... Fancy a coffee soon?

[sterre]

Just now, SpecialSundae said:

Looks like a very reasonable set of challenges! Good luck!

 

Also... Fancy a coffee soon?

 

Thanks! And yeah, coffee sounds great! This weekend maybe?

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following and dreaming of visiting Edinburgh one day.

[SpecialSundae]

11 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following and dreaming of visiting Edinburgh one day.

 

If you ever get here, let me know and I'll try to arrange awesome things for you!

[SpecialSundae]

47 minutes ago, sterre said:

 

Thanks! And yeah, coffee sounds great! This weekend maybe?

 

Sunday? I'm training tomorrow morning then meeting someone in Fife.

[sterre]

1 hour ago, SpecialSundae said:

 

Sunday? I'm training tomorrow morning then meeting someone in Fife.

 

Checking when my partner's flight lands (he's in the states now), maybe Sunday isn't super awesome. He gets in late morning and I'm not sure if he'll want to come out (if he was arriving later in the day then I could come out by myself earlier). Maybe next weekend would be better?

[SpecialSundae]

 

Checking when my partner's flight lands (he's in the states now), maybe Sunday isn't super awesome. He gets in late morning and I'm not sure if he'll want to come out (if he was arriving later in the day then I could come out by myself earlier). Maybe next weekend would be better?

Next weekend is good, I think!

[sterre]

Well, I got my exercise all done for week 0. I managed four yoga sessions and three runs (each 3 km for a total of 9 km) and I'm excited to get the challenge underway, so I made a schedule for the week.

 

Spoiler

Sunday

• long yoga session
• 30+ minute walk
• 30 minute drawing session

Monday

• short yoga session
• 3 km run
• 10+ minutes poi
• 30 minute drawing session

Tuesday

• long yoga session
• 30+ minute walk
• life drawing!

Wednesday

• short yoga session
• 4 km run
• 10+ minutes poi
• 30 minute drawing session

Thursday

• long yoga session
• 30+ minute walk
• 30 minute drawing session

Friday

• short yoga session
• 3 km run
• 10+ minutes poi
• 30 minute drawing session

Saturday

• free day or makeup workout sessions, probably also a nice walk

 

I also started over-thinking my running schedule:
 

Spoiler

I hope to slowly ramp up my running by about 1 km each week with the eventual goal of getting back to three 5 km runs in a week (well, or four, depending how much I like to stick to this alternating day thing). So that means that my mileage this challenge should look basically like this:

 

Week 1: 10 km (3 km/4 km/3 km)

Week 2: 11 km (3 km/5 km/3 km)

Week 3: 12 km (4 km/3 km/5 km)

Week 4: 13 km (5 km/3 km/5 km)

 

Except that weeks 2 and 4 might have four runs each (I'll keep any extra runs at 3 km). Basically, I would like to be running 5 km regularly, but I don't want to rush into it. If I can get ready to be doing 15 km a week for next challenge, that would be ideal.

 

I should probably try to think of some yoga goals that I can work toward this challenge too, but other than doing it, I don't really have any off-hand.

 

I'm going to aim for getting my exercise done basically first thing in the morning right after my weigh in (and I'll probably guzzle some water before runs). That really seems to be the way I get these things done the best.

 

Finally, I don't know why I feel much more excited about this challenge than I have for a while. Maybe I got tired of half-assing things or maybe I just needed a kick in the ass to get motivated and now that I have been sufficiently kicked I'm excited to get going. Either way, I only hope I can keep this enthusiasm going.

[Snarkyfishguts]

Following along! I really like your goals! You're going to be busy but in a good way

 

[spooky]

the title of your challenge sort of makes me laugh because you always do some awesome in your challenges <3. Following along! 

[Owlet]

This looks like a great challenge, will be following along! And yay for drawing  I really need to get back into that, especially life drawing. Any plans for what you'll draw?

[sterre]

8 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Following along! I really like your goals! You're going to be busy but in a good way

 

 

Thanks!

 

4 hours ago, spookyfoot said:

the title of your challenge sort of makes me laugh because you always do some awesome in your challenges <3. Following along! 

 

Hehe, I feel like last time I slacked a bit. Also, I have the suspicion that I've been making my challenges too easy. This one will be more challenging.

 

3 hours ago, Owlet said:

This looks like a great challenge, will be following along! And yay for drawing  I really need to get back into that, especially life drawing. Any plans for what you'll draw?

 

I think I'm going to do a lot of practicing with the basics, actually. Or maybe not super basics, but there are some things I'm really not good at doing (like foreshortening and drawing hands) so I'm probably going to dedicate different practice sessions to working on something I suck at drawing so I can get better at it. Maybe when I've had enough of that, I'll try going outside and drawing stuff when the weather is nice too.

[sterre]

Week 1, Day 1 Update

 

Quest 1: Yoga

I got a long yoga session in (daily stretch routine, sun salutations, standing poses, yoga for abs, seated stretches). (1/5 yoga sessions this week)

 

Quest 2: Run

I did not schedule a run, but I did take a nice walk. (0/3 runs this week)

 

Quest 3: Diet

Food tracked. I went a bit under the range of recommended calories accounting for exercise, but I was pretty full so that's fine. (1/6 days tracked)

 

Quest 4: Poi

I hadn't scheduled any poi, but the weather was much nicer than predicted, so I played with my poi for 15 minutes. (15/30 minutes of poi)

 

Life Quest: Drawing

And I got a bit of drawing in, practicing with hatching. (10/150 minutes of drawing)

[Briniel]

Wow sterre, I'm loving your challenge. So much awesome If you want, I bet there's be a lot of people interested in seeing your drawings (even if it's "just" practice). I should get back at that, too...

I feel like there are so many awesome, well thought out challenges this time. Not that there are bad challenges normally, but this time I find myself going "wow, I could just copy that and make it my next challenge!" soooo often

[sterre]

1 hour ago, Briniel said:

Wow sterre, I'm loving your challenge. So much awesome If you want, I bet there's be a lot of people interested in seeing your drawings (even if it's "just" practice). I should get back at that, too...

I feel like there are so many awesome, well thought out challenges this time. Not that there are bad challenges normally, but this time I find myself going "wow, I could just copy that and make it my next challenge!" soooo often

 

Thanks! I'll try to post at least a few. Maybe I'll collect a few days' worth of practice on one page and post the results when I have a full page. I'm not sure if I'll be able to include tomorrow's stuff though since I'm planning on going to life drawing and I'm uncertain of the NF policy about posting drawings of naked people.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

3 hours ago, sterre said:

 

Thanks! I'll try to post at least a few. Maybe I'll collect a few days' worth of practice on one page and post the results when I have a full page. I'm not sure if I'll be able to include tomorrow's stuff though since I'm planning on going to life drawing and I'm uncertain of the NF policy about posting drawings of naked people.

When you upload to your computer just use an editing program to blur any visible naughty bits.

[sterre]

Week 1, Day 2 Update

 

Today, I did reasonably well getting my scheduled things done, except that I skipped poi. Mostly, I was a bit tired because we had to get up early to register with the GP (finally) and they only do registrations first thing Monday mornings (and we spent 40 minutes walking there and back). Otherwise, it was a pretty good day.

 

Quest 1: Yoga

I got a short yoga session done (daily stretch routine, yoga for runners). (2/5 yoga sessions this week)

 

Quest 2: Run

I ran 3 km in 19m 27.41s. (1/3 runs this week)

 

Quest 3: Diet

Food tracked and within the correct range of calories. (2/6 days tracked)

 

Quest 4: Poi

No poi. (15/30 minutes of poi)

 

Life Quest: Drawing

I spent half an hour trying to draw hands. I got hands that basically looked like hands, even if they weren't quite right. (40/150 minutes of drawing)

[sterre]

6 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

When you upload to your computer just use an editing program to blur any visible naughty bits.

 

Not a bad idea, but that sounds like more work than my thought which was just going to involve some strategically placed post-its.

[spooky]

53 minutes ago, sterre said:

 

Not a bad idea, but that sounds like more work than my thought which was just going to involve some strategically placed post-its.

 

 

Awesome day 1 sterre! I have no doubt you'll get to poi tomorrow  

 

And yes SHARE ALL THE DRAWINGS!

[sterre]

2 minutes ago, spookyfoot said:

 

 

Awesome day 1 sterre! I have no doubt you'll get to poi tomorrow  

 

And yes SHARE ALL THE DRAWINGS!

 

Well, I did poi yesterday when I hadn't originally scheduled it so I think it's fine. I should probably try getting poi in when the weather's nice though so then I don't have to worry about skipping it when the weather's crap.

[Owlet]

 

4 hours ago, sterre said:

Week 1, Day 2 Update I spent half an hour trying to draw hands. I got hands that basically looked like hands, even if they weren't quite right. (40/150 minutes of drawing)

Hands are difficult! Pretty sure the last full body drawing I did, I ended up posing it so the hands were out of view haha. Good on you for doing the hard stuff  Can't wait to see some post-it note nudes hehe

[sterre]

6 hours ago, Owlet said:

 

Hands are difficult! Pretty sure the last full body drawing I did, I ended up posing it so the hands were out of view haha. Good on you for doing the hard stuff  Can't wait to see some post-it note nudes hehe

 

I think I'm still a ways from drawing good hands reliably and quickly, but practice makes perfect and all that.

[Briniel]

14 hours ago, Owlet said:

 

Hands are difficult! Pretty sure the last full body drawing I did, I ended up posing it so the hands were out of view haha. Good on you for doing the hard stuff  Can't wait to see some post-it note nudes hehe

That's what I used to do until a friend pointed it out. Then it became a challenge to get good at drawing decent-looking hands There are lots of awesome tutorials on anatomy out there!

[sterre]

Week 1, Day 3 Update

 

I got a late start today and was operating on not very much sleep, but I got a bunch done. I did yoga, applied for a job, ran some errands, did laundry, went to life drawing, made dinner... maybe some other stuff that I skipped. It was a busy and tiring day. So I'll try to post some sketchbook pictures of the challenge so far tomorrow. Although I might actually try just linking them from elsewhere on the internet so I don't have to resize and fiddle with images to make them work here. That's tomorrow's job though.

 

Quest 1: Yoga

I got a nice, long yoga session done (daily stretch routine, sun salutations, standing poses, yoga for arms, seated stretches). (3/5 yoga sessions this week)

 

Quest 2: Run

No run scheduled today. (1/3 runs this week)

 

Quest 3: Diet

Food tracked and within the correct range of calories. (3/6 days tracked)

 

Quest 4: Poi

No poi. (15/30 minutes of poi)

 

Life Quest: Drawing

I drew a lot of butts and stuff. I also finally met up with the Meetup group that goes to the life drawing deal (it's how I heard about it) and one guy gave me some tips on my drawings that were rather helpful. It was fun and I'm at least pretty happy with one of my drawings. I also tried out the short poses room, so I drew way more poses than when I'd gone previously. (140/150 minutes of drawing)