AThousandWords gonna Rise Up

[athousandwords]

It’s the come-back-Hamilton-themed-challenge you never knew you needed!

 

So - I’ve been super flakey this year (I mean, holy cow, is it really June already?), only participating in a few challenges, and usually not completing them. If you haven’t met me yet (haven’t had the chance), I have a pretty good intro written up in my last challenge. That should catch you up.

 

About four months ago, my hubby and I decided to start baby-making, and that’s consumed a lot of my focus and my own health/goals kind of took back burner.  Which, I know, is dumb, because being healthy can only help with trying to conceive! Anyway, we’ve been finding that the process isn’t quite as quick as we’d hoped, and I realized that I can’t just put my life on hold while I’m waiting.

 

 

So here I am, back again. NerdFitness is like my happy, get-shit-done home. I always come back when I need a kick in the pants.  This time, unlike previous challenges, I’m not focusing on losing weight, just maintaining healthy habits and keeping my sanity while TTC. In addition, I’ve taken on some freelance work outside of my normal job (Hamilton would be proud of my hustle) so I just need to work on my productivity.

 

>>--- GOALS ---<<

 

 

1: Ten Five Food Commandments (3 CON)

Goal:

• No grains
• Vegetable at every meal

• Drink 8 glasses of water a day

• No alcohol

• Substitute green tea for coffee

Graded: Daily - 20% per itemized goal, averaged across the month

 

 

2: Rise Up. (1 STA, 2 DEX)

Goal: Practice yoga for 30 minutes, 3x a week. Bike Ride 1x a week.

Graded: Weekly - 25% per exercise, averaged across the month

 

 

3: Work. Non-Stop. (2 WIS)

Goal: Identify and complete five tasks every business days. Record tasks in a journal at work.

*In addition: Enable StayFocused during business days to limit non-productive activities.

Graded: Daily - 20% per completed task, averaged across the month

 

 

 

4: Write like you’re running out of time. (2 WIS)

Goal: Journal 4x a week

Graded: Weekly - 25% per journal day, averaged across the month

 

>>-- TRACKING --<<

 

Link to spreadsheet

 

 

I have the honor to be
Your Obdt. St - 

a. thousandwords

[Rurik Harrgath]

Glad to see you back! 

[NeverThatBored]

Hi!! Welcome back!

[Raze]

Welcome back!

[athousandwords]

5 hours ago, jcsimmons said:

Welcome back!

 

17 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

Hi!! Welcome back!

 

On 6/13/2016 at 2:50 PM, Rurik Harrgath said:

Glad to see you back! 

 

Thanks guys!!  It's so nice to see familiar faces when I get back

 

[athousandwords]

Week 1, Monday

 

Goal 1: 80%

Goal 2: 0

Goal 3: 0

Goal 4: 0

 

Strong start to the challenge, as you can tell.  

 

Actually I'm struggling to get over a shitty cold right now, but I didn't want to put off starting this challenge so I decided to dive in. And that means my first day wasn't terribly stellar, because I went straight to bed after dinner instead of working out or journalling or anything productive.  In addition, I spent a fair part of yesterday setting up my challenge, so my actual work productivity suffered. Kind of the opposite the point... whoops.

 

Today is going better - I set up StayFocused for Chrome, which, combined with a concrete list of tasks, really helped me focus on getting work done. Enough that I finished my whole task list by 3pm and now have some time to update here and go check in on some challenge threads (uh, before my next meeting anyway)! I still need to go find people and catch up and do all that good stuff you do at the start of a challenge when you haven't been around for 4 months... hi guys, remember me? I didn't drop off completely, I promise!

[fleaball]

On 6/13/2016 at 2:43 PM, athousandwords said:

a. thousandwords

This made me laugh so much harder than it should have. Well done. I just started listening to this soundtrack on repeat two weeks ago, so I'm loving the theme.

 

It hasn't really been 4 months has it?? Shit. I kept thinking "I should check in on her on Facebook because it's been a while" but then obviously didn't because nah, it's hadn't been that long. Sorreh .

[athousandwords]

3 minutes ago, fleaball said:

This made me laugh so much harder than it should have. Well done. I just started listening to this soundtrack on repeat two weeks ago, so I'm loving the theme.

 

It hasn't really been 4 months has it?? Shit. I kept thinking "I should check in on her on Facebook because it's been a while" but then obviously didn't because nah, it's hadn't been that long. Sorreh .

 

Oh good, I was hoping there would be more HamFans around here. Enjoy your descent into madness as you slowly replace all other music in your life with Hamilton.

 

And no, not really 4 months!  I think the last challenge I did was in April - so really only 2 months?  Although the last challenge I actually completed was January, so maybe more like 6 months??  The four months is just how long we've been TTC, which is when my brain got taken over by baby rabies...

 

[Maggie-Miau]

 

HAMILTON CHALLENGE OUI OUI MON AMI JE M'APPELLE LAF-

 

Ahem. Uh, sorry...Following along for the Ham and also to cheer enthusiastically for you!

[fleaball]

12 minutes ago, athousandwords said:

 

Oh good, I was hoping there would be more HamFans around here. Enjoy your descent into madness as you slowly replace all other music in your life with Hamilton.

 

And no, not really 4 months!  I think the last challenge I did was in April - so really only 2 months?  Although the last challenge I actually completed was January, so maybe more like 6 months??  The four months is just how long we've been TTC, which is when my brain got taken over by baby rabies...

 

I pretty much have it going constantly. So sad. But not really. But kinda. 

 

Oh phew. So I'm not as terrible a friend as I thought. =P Baby rabies sounds really unpleasant.

[athousandwords]

13 minutes ago, fleaball said:

Oh phew. So I'm not as terrible a friend as I thought. =P Baby rabies sounds really unpleasant.

 

Yeah, truthfully it kind of sucks.  

 

16 minutes ago, MiaulinTheCat said:

 

HAMILTON CHALLENGE OUI OUI MON AMI JE M'APPELLE LAF-

 

Ahem. Uh, sorry...Following along for the Ham and also to cheer enthusiastically for you!

 

O HELLO 

 

 

All Ham fangirling is totally allowed here - thanks for following!  I'll bounce over to your thread.

 

[weaver]

I know that point of not putting your life on hold anymore!

 

I've somehow held myself back from listening to Hamilton, partly so it doesn't become the only thing I listen to and partly because I'm sure it'll make me sad that it's sold out until forever and I'm not sure I'll ever get to actually watch it. I should probably just give in, though.

[athousandwords]

19 hours ago, weaver said:

I know that point of not putting your life on hold anymore!

 

I've somehow held myself back from listening to Hamilton, partly so it doesn't become the only thing I listen to and partly because I'm sure it'll make me sad that it's sold out until forever and I'm not sure I'll ever get to actually watch it. I should probably just give in, though.

 

I held off for long time too, for the same reasons, but it's a really good soundtrack! I recommend listening straight through the first time and reading the wiki page summary if you're not all that familiar with Alexander Hamilton's life story... and you know, who was, prior to Hamilton??

[athousandwords]

Week 1, Tuesday

Goal 1: 60%

Goal 2: 0

Goal 3: 100%

Goal 4: 0

 

Week 1, Wednesday

Goal 1: 60%

Goal 2: 0

Goal 3:N/A

Goal 4: 0

 

I ended up taking a sick day yesterday to try and conquer this cold I've been fighting all week.  It was nice to have a break, especially since work hasn't really picked up yet, so I could afford to take some time off.  I basically binge-watched Avatar: The Last Airbender and drank copious cups of tea (Iroh would approve).

I haven't made much progress yet on journalling or exercise; I'm really out of the habit of both and find that if I don't consciously schedule the time to do so, it won't get done.  So tonight I'm committing to practice Yoga for 30 minutes when I get home from work, and to journal before bed.  Got to make those habits stick!

[Maggie-Miau]

19 hours ago, weaver said:

I've somehow held myself back from listening to Hamilton, partly so it doesn't become the only thing I listen to and partly because I'm sure it'll make me sad that it's sold out until forever and I'm not sure I'll ever get to actually watch it. I should probably just give in, though.

You should absolutely come suffer with the rest of us. It's maddening fun, I swear! >:}

 

19 minutes ago, athousandwords said:

 I ended up taking a sick day yesterday to try and conquer this cold I've been fighting all week.  It was nice to have a break, especially since work hasn't really picked up yet, so I could afford to take some time off.  I basically binge-watched Avatar: The Last Airbender and drank copious cups of tea (Iroh would approve).

I haven't made much progress yet on journalling or exercise; I'm really out of the habit of both and find that if I don't consciously schedule the time to do so, it won't get done.  So tonight I'm committing to practice Yoga for 30 minutes when I get home from work, and to journal before bed.  Got to make those habits stick!

 

Ooh, I do hope your cold gets better! My brother and I have actually been meaning to start Avatar soon!

 

Cheering for your journaling and yoga!

[fleaball]

2 hours ago, athousandwords said:

 

I held off for long time too, for the same reasons, but it's a really good soundtrack! I recommend listening straight through the first time and reading the wiki page summary if you're not all that familiar with Alexander Hamilton's life story... and you know, who was, prior to Hamilton??

Everybody totally is now. I decided I wanted to read the biography that inspired it. 30 copies in the DC library system all checked out, and 73 holds on it right now. I might get tickets to the show faster before the books becomes available. o.o

[athousandwords]

8 hours ago, MiaulinTheCat said:

Ooh, I do hope your cold gets better! My brother and I have actually been meaning to start Avatar soon!

Cheering for your journaling and yoga!

 

It's such a good show!  This was my second rewatch of the series, I'm starting Korra next.  Plus, you get to feel like a cool waterbender when you do yoga, so that's a definite plus (or at least, I do...).

 

5 hours ago, fleaball said:

Everybody totally is now. I decided I wanted to read the biography that inspired it. 30 copies in the DC library system all checked out, and 73 holds on it right now. I might get tickets to the show faster before the books becomes available. o.o

 

O_O  Now I'm afraid to check...

 

Also, remember when, "Who shot Alexander Hamilton was considered an obscure fact...?

 

[fleaball]

You've seen this one right? 

 

 

[athousandwords]

14 hours ago, fleaball said:

You've seen this one right? 

 

Sorry, the correct answer was "Aaron Burr, sir"

[athousandwords]

Week 1, Thursday

Goal 1: 100%

Goal 2: Yoga

Goal 3: 100%

Goal 4: Journalling done

 

Now that is what I call a successful day!

 

 

I think planning ahead and committing to yoga and journalling definitely helped.  Also, that StayFocussed extension for Chrome - I owe it everything. It's not like I didn't realize how much time I waste on Facebook/Pinterest/Reddit but having a timer counting down "You have 15 min left..." really hammers it home for me. I've been getting tons of work done the last two days. I actual feel like a productive human.

 

Biggest wins yesterday:

- Turning down cornbread with dinner so I could stick to my 'no grains' rule

- Going straight upstairs after work to practice yoga, even if it was just for 30 minutes, and even though it meant I didn't eat with my family

- Journalling before watching TV. I probably would have resented it otherwise

[Maggie-Miau]

15 hours ago, athousandwords said:

 

It's such a good show!  This was my second rewatch of the series, I'm starting Korra next.  Plus, you get to feel like a cool waterbender when you do yoga, so that's a definite plus (or at least, I do...).

 

 

Okay if I accomplish nothing else in this life, I want to do exactly whatever is happening in that GIF. I want a water squid thingy

 

50 minutes ago, athousandwords said:

Week 1, Thursday

Goal 1: 100%

Goal 2: Yoga

Goal 3: 100%

Goal 4: Journalling done

 

Now that is what I call a successful day!

 

 

I think planning ahead and committing to yoga and journalling definitely helped.  Also, that StayFocussed extension for Chrome - I owe it everything. It's not like I didn't realize how much time I waste on Facebook/Pinterest/Reddit but having a timer counting down "You have 15 min left..." really hammers it home for me. I've been getting tons of work done the last two days. I actual feel like a productive human.

 

Biggest wins yesterday:

- Turning down cornbread with dinner so I could stick to my 'no grains' rule

- Going straight upstairs after work to practice yoga, even if it was just for 30 minutes, and even though it meant I didn't eat with my family

- Journalling before watching TV. I probably would have resented it otherwise

 

Three cheers for successful goal-smashing, friend! Great job!

[athousandwords]

Week 1 Summary

 

 

I think I hit about half my targets for week 1.  Here's a break down of goals:

 

Goal 1: I'm definitely not putting in enough effort here. I'm doing well with drinking enough water and swapping out coffee, but I've lost points multiple times by not including a vegetable with each meal (usually breakfast).  That can definitely be prevented with better planning, so I'm going to work on that this week.  Losing points from alcohol or grains is just me being irresponsible - there's really no reason to lose points there except when I choose to. And I definitely shouldn't be taking that hit on the same day (looking at you, Father's Day brunch on Sunday...).  My plan this week is to get at least 4 100% days and to not go lower than 80% on any other day.

 

Goal 2:  I turned this one around pretty well toward the end of the week, but still didn't get a bike ride in. I was planning to, on Saturday, but hubby talked me out of it because of this cough I've had - he's been fighting the same cold and said his lungs weren't really up to cardio exercise yet and I'd probably run into the same issue. So only 3/4 this week, but feeling good about my yoga practice so far. Hoping to space it out a little better next week. And hoping I'll be fully over the cold by then!

 

Goal 3:  Work has been going really well, aside from Day 1 when I spent too much time on NF and not enough time on actual work.  Writing down my 5 goals every day has been great and StayFocused has really been helping with, um, staying focused.  Just gotta keep at it this week.

 

Goal 4: Journalling is still in warm-up mode for me. I should have journaled last night but I guess I didn't know what to write about?  I think this works best for me when I pair it with yoga practice. Maybe looking up some prompts would help as well.

 

TTC Talk / Possible TMI Below...

 

In ttc news, I'm currently ovulating (I'm pretty sure), so hubby and I have been going at it like rabbits the last couple of days.  This is the first month I've tried temping/charting and I wish I'd done it when we first started! So far my chart looks pretty normal, but I definitely think I ovulate a little earlier than average (cycle day 11 instead of 14), so catching that is helping with timing this month.  This morning I had EWCM (don't worry about googling that if you don't already know what it is...) which is a big fertility indicator, so I made hubby late to work so we could have a quickie.  

 

The next phase is the dreaded Two Week Wait - which is basically the time between ovulation and when you can actually take a pregnancy test, and last month I about lost my mind with symptom-spotting. I'm hoping that this challenge and work will keep my mind off it this time around. I'd like to retain a shred of my sanity this month. I think temping will help with that - just getting a confirmation on when I ovulated, and being able to watch for a temperature rise/drop seems more productive than just wondering about every abnormal symptom.  Fun fact: apparently coming down with a cold feels a lot like early pregnancy symptoms. So that sucked last month.

 

OK - On to Week 2!  Go team!

 

[fleaball]

Trying to have a baby sounds a hell of a lot more complicated than I expected. Yikes. Crossing my fingers for you though! (At least the process can be fun?)

 

I still cannot get over this theme because it's amazing. 

[weaver]

Yessssss for your amazing day on Thursday!

 

And yesssss for EWCM! (One of these months I should probably start paying more attention to those kinds of things, especially since my cycle is all over the place and unreliable.)

[Maggie-Miau]

Aw, bless you mellon nin! I hope everything works out, fingers crossed for your success!

 

Also, best wishes for Week Two!