NeverThatBored: I'm Gonna Be a Mighty King

[NeverThatBored]

Or maybe a Spartan king? I figured I’d continue with the pattern of animated movies about felines.

 

I’m going to be travelling to Paris during Week 1, from 7/16 – 7/24. So, I’m going to treat this week (Week 0) as my Week 1 and Week 1 as my Week 0. (A Cat in Paris also tempted me as a theme topic. And Aristocats is set in Paris too. There are so many animated Paris movies.)

 

 

My goals are pretty much the same as they have been the past two challenges. 

 

Goal 1: Maintain Fitness

• 3 workouts/week (usually 1 bootcamp and 2 at home bodyweight workouts)
• Run 1x/week + ankle alphabets before and after. I’m working on 3.7 miles right now, and trying to get up as close to 5 miles as I can before the Spartan next month. 
• Walk 16 miles/week (64 over course of challenge)

 

Goal 2: Movement Focus (Spartan Prep)

• I’m done with sets of burpees. The moment I was able to achieve 30 in a row, I lost interest in doing these. So, I’m switching to a grease the groove approach. I’ll do the remaining 350 burpees I owe from the past two challenges over the course of this one.
• Climb stuff – I dropped this completely last challenge, but I should at least try to practice climbing stuff in preparation for my fear of heights. Mainly the jungle gym at the park. I’ve thought about trying bouldering at a rock gym, but that might be pushing it. That’s the sort of thing I’d love to try, but I’d rather have a friend along for. 
• While I’m at the park, I might as well use the monkey bars. 

 

Goal 3: Food

 

Part A: Maintain What Works (23 points/week)

• Don’t eat after 8pm (or within 3 hours of bedtime) (-1 point for failure). Exceptions on Thursdays where workouts and Aikido coincide.
• Don’t eat more than 1 bad food/meal in a day. Desserts are counted separately from meals in most cases. (-1 point for failure)
• Eat primalish most of the time (19 meals / week allows for 2 variance meals) (-1 point per failure, +1 point for extra primal meal)
• Aim for primal snacks on 4 days/week and then non-primal snacks ok 3 days per week (out of 4 points/week)
• Aim for at least 1 primal meal and 1 50% meal per day when travelling or hosting (-1 point per failure, +1 per success)
• Plan/prep meals over the weekend and prep/freeze meals for weeks when this doesn’t happen (+1 point when done successfully)
• Write down bad reactions to food choices in an ongoing spreadsheet to dissuade myself from making that choice a second time. Not connected to any points. Doing this is slowly starting to help me make better choices. Slowly.

 

Part B: Conscious Eating

Think about what I’m about to do before eating something. Ideally, pause and take a few deep breaths. If I eat something unhealthy, recognize and acknowledge that I’m about to sell out my future self. (4 points per day – 3 meals and snacks)

 

Part C: Cholesterol Management SomethingSomething
The nature of this goal will depend on what the doctor says about the bloodwork I’m getting done on the 13th. I probably won’t be able to hear the results from her until I’m back from Paris. So for Week 0 (my Week 1) I’ll just keep aiming for 25g of fiber per day. Then I’ll evaluate and decide on this goal after I get back and hear what the doctor says. 

Goal 4: Be a Mighty King (life goal sort of)

This is where I try to stretch things to somehow fit my theme.  Kings need to see things from a variety from perspectives, so I’m going to do the same. I want to spend 4 hours/week standing when I would not have otherwise and 2 hours/week sitting on the ground instead of on furniture. 

 

There's a communal standing desk at work, so I should be able to get the standing done easily during the 3 days I'm in the office if I do about 1.5 hours each day. 2 hours of sitting on the ground will probably happen at home while reading or watching TV. I'll probably break this down into 30 minutes 4 days a week. 

 

I chose this goal because I have a lot of posture issues and muscle imbalances related to sitting, but I never had the same issues when I used to always sit on the floor because on the floor you naturally fidget a lot more. It's more natural.  And the standing has some obvious benefits as well. 

Bonus Goals:

These earn me extra points, but they cannot take priority over my main goals. 

• Meditate daily (7 per week)
• Yoga 4 times per week, of any length
• Clean the sink before bed 4 times per week
• NEW Sleepy Sundays – try to get things done (grocery shopping, workouts, etc.) before Sunday, so I can spend Sunday resting instead of running around stressed. Be in bed by 10pm so I start the week off with enough rest. 

 

I really liked sleepy Sundays last challenge, so I’d like to try to make it a habit. 

 

Travel Protocols:
While I’m in Paris, I’ll be anxious enough already with worrying about not speaking the language and whether the French people all hate me. So there's no need to worry about trying to eat a certain way, or I’d go crazy. 

 

So, my goals are simple. I'm not scoring them since it's my Week 0, but I would like to at least maintain the workout/meditation streaks I have going currently. 

 

 

• 3 workouts. They can be short, but do something even if it’s just a 15 minute BBWW in the hotel room
• Meditate daily (hopefully I can maintain my headspace streak while using the WiFi at the hotel)
• MAYBE 1 run if there’s a treadmill at the hotel and I feel comfortable enough to use it. 
• Try to stretch every morning/evening or maybe squeeze in a yoga video once or twice. I always forget to stretch on trips and then turn into Frankenstein, and I would like to avoid that this time. 
   

[athousandwords]

First!

 

*ah-hem* I mean - awesome looking challenge!  Yay for cat-themed animated movies!   So jealous that you're going to Paris - we went for a few days in March as part of a larger trip, and I really want to go back!

[Basement Cat]

Awesome looking challenge, NTB!

 

For meal prep, you can cook batches of something and freeze a full meal, or you can prepare the ingredients for a meal in advance and just cook it when you get home, if you want that 'fresh off the stove' goodness.

 

Good luck with the remaining burpees!

[fleaball]

Not first! Boo! 

 

Fyi Nutella and banana crepes are the fucking bomb if they're foods you can eat. Escargot takes mostly like pesto and frog legs taste like chicken. No lie. I am so jealous of you ugh. 

 

Hooraaaaay awesome challenge whee. 

[Rinna]

Following.....

[NeverThatBored]

31 minutes ago, fleaball said:

Not first! Boo! 

 

Fyi Nutella and banana crepes are the fucking bomb if they're foods you can eat. Escargot takes mostly like pesto and frog legs taste like chicken. No lie. I am so jealous of you ugh. 

 

Hooraaaaay awesome challenge whee. 

 

I'm going to out myself as a weirdo by admitting this here, but I actually hate chocolate. So nutella is icky to me. I love crepes though. I definitely want to get my crepe on. I'm probably going to mostly ignore all food rationality about things I can eat while I'm there.  

[deftona]

Following along! Enjoy Paris - eat your weight in cheese! 

[Jarric]

8 minutes ago, NeverThatBored said:

 

I'm going to out myself as a weirdo by admitting this here, but I actually hate chocolate. So nutella is icky to me. I love crepes though. I definitely want to get my crepe on. I'm probably going to mostly ignore all food rationality about things I can eat while I'm there.  

 

Interesting, I hate Nutella because I hate hazelnuts...

 

Anyway, awesome challenge again, I'm sure Paris will be great too!

[shaar]

YESSSS sitting on the ground!!!  I love to sit on the ground, suddenly all my back pain is like, "peace out", and I'm like... wow, chairs are Terrible Human Creations.

 

FWIW I would feel the same way in Paris, thinking all the French people were "hon hon"ing at me behind my back while I stumble over words and point to food items I want.  Enjoy it!!! - the food and experience, not the stressy parts

[Maigs]

1 hour ago, NeverThatBored said:

While I’m in Paris, I’ll be anxious enough already with worrying about not speaking the language and whether the French people all hate me

In my experience from visiting like...16 years ago, most people in Paris speak English. I learned how to say "I don't speak French" in French and never needed to use it As for them hating you... I couldn't really say but if they do they'll only express it in French so you won't even notice

[Basement Cat]

I can help you with the French if you want! I'm     a French teacher.

 

But, as Maigahane said, most people will know English. So no worries. Be sure to sample the local delights! Paris ham is incredible! Try to find a place to get a croque-monsieur (a ham sandwich with melted cheese on top. Yum!)

 

[Maggie-Miau]

 

French and The Lion King all in one go

 

I hope you have a fantastic time in Paris!

[Evicious]

Great looking challenge, and I lovelovelove that you have a plan to enjoy your trip to France.

 

In all my time abroad, the same principles have applied regardless of the geographical location:

1. Always learn how to say "Please", "Thank you", and "Where is the toilet?" Politeness is appreciated in every culture, and that extends to NOT having to mime bowel evacuations to answer nature's call.

2. Learn the main faux pas and then do your absolute best to avoid doing them - but don't sweat it too much if you do. You're foreign, it's obvious, and therefore it is expected.

3. Remember that there are jerks in every country, but the majority of people are of average temperament: so long as you're not purposefully ruining someone's day, an apologetic facial expression is usually enough to make up for your foreign bumblings. And if you learn how to say "Sorry!" in the native language, the locals are even more likely to take pity.

4. Be passionate about your host country. Enjoy the things you like about it, and do your best to make sure you tell the people who ask (and they will) all the things you love about it. Be honest if you're prodded to divulge your dislikes, but be sure to contrast that discussion with all the reasons why that particular thing still isn't spoiling your experience. Travel is all about the differences between your "here" and everyone else's "there": remember that, and cherish the moments you get.

 

Oh, and you are planning on posting pics of this adventure - right?

[Cataleya]

Following right along! 

 

[NeverThatBored]

5 hours ago, deftona said:

Following along! Enjoy Paris - eat your weight in cheese! 

 

Yes ma'am! 

 

5 hours ago, shaarawy said:

YESSSS sitting on the ground!!!  I love to sit on the ground, suddenly all my back pain is like, "peace out", and I'm like... wow, chairs are Terrible Human Creations.

 

FWIW I would feel the same way in Paris, thinking all the French people were "hon hon"ing at me behind my back while I stumble over words and point to food items I want.  Enjoy it!!! - the food and experience, not the stressy parts

 

It's so good to hear that sitting on the ground works for you!  

 

5 hours ago, Maigahane said:

In my experience from visiting like...16 years ago, most people in Paris speak English. I learned how to say "I don't speak French" in French and never needed to use it As for them hating you... I couldn't really say but if they do they'll only express it in French so you won't even notice

 

I use the term hatred loosely. Thanks for the reassurance! 

 

4 hours ago, MiaulinTheCat said:

 

French and The Lion King all in one go

 

I hope you have a fantastic time in Paris!

 

You are brilliant. It's really interesting how they had to adjust the lyrics to work in French. 

 

4 hours ago, Evicious said:

Great looking challenge, and I lovelovelove that you have a plan to enjoy your trip to France.

 

In all my time abroad, the same principles have applied regardless of the geographical location:

1. Always learn how to say "Please", "Thank you", and "Where is the toilet?" Politeness is appreciated in every culture, and that extends to NOT having to mime bowel evacuations to answer nature's call.

2. Learn the main faux pas and then do your absolute best to avoid doing them - but don't sweat it too much if you do. You're foreign, it's obvious, and therefore it is expected.

3. Remember that there are jerks in every country, but the majority of people are of average temperament: so long as you're not purposefully ruining someone's day, an apologetic facial expression is usually enough to make up for your foreign bumblings. And if you learn how to say "Sorry!" in the native language, the locals are even more likely to take pity.

4. Be passionate about your host country. Enjoy the things you like about it, and do your best to make sure you tell the people who ask (and they will) all the things you love about it. Be honest if you're prodded to divulge your dislikes, but be sure to contrast that discussion with all the reasons why that particular thing still isn't spoiling your experience. Travel is all about the differences between your "here" and everyone else's "there": remember that, and cherish the moments you get.

 

Oh, and you are planning on posting pics of this adventure - right?

 

Thanks for the advice! I had forgotten to learn how to ask about bathrooms, so I'll work on that one.  

 

I can probably convinced to share some pictures.  

 

4 hours ago, Basement Cat said:

I can help you with the French if you want! I'm     a French teacher.

 

But, as Maigahane said, most people will know English. So no worries. Be sure to sample the local delights! Paris ham is incredible! Try to find a place to get a croque-monsieur (a ham sandwich with melted cheese on top. Yum!)

 

 

Yes. I want to eat that. Ooh, you're a French teacher. That's awesome! It's probably a little late to help with my French at this point though. 

[NeverThatBored]

GUYS. The coolest thing happened after Aikido. I went and walked around catching Pokemon with another person from my Aikido class (who also went to the same college as me coincidentally) and there were gangs of young people playing it everywhere, and it was SO COOL. There are like no pokestops or gyms or other players around where I live, so this was an amazing experience! I got to be NERDY and SOCIAL at the SAME TIME. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

That's great about social and Nerdy, I'm following again.

[Lara]

19 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

The nature of this goal will depend on what the doctor says about the bloodwork I’m getting done on the 13th. I probably won’t be able to hear the results from her until I’m back from Paris.

 

Can't they e-mail you the results?

 

19 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

I chose this goal because I have a lot of posture issues and muscle imbalances related to sitting, but I never had the same issues when I used to always sit on the floor because on the floor you naturally fidget a lot more. It's more natural.  And the standing has some obvious benefits as well. 

 

 

I'm starting to feel changes in posture after 2 months of less sitting. In fact, one of the postures that seems to be improving the most is the sitting one. Body is weird.

 

18 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

I'm going to out myself as a weirdo by admitting this here, but I actually hate chocolate.

 

Ooooh, I was going to suggest you to go to a good pâtisserie and buy yourself an éclair.

 

17 hours ago, Basement Cat said:

most people will know English.

 

The thing is... will she be able to understand that awkward accent they have?

 

--------------

Sincerely, I always stress out when I read your first post of a challenge. There are SO many things there! Good luck!

[shaar]

12 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

GUYS. The coolest thing happened after Aikido. I went and walked around catching Pokemon with another person from my Aikido class (who also went to the same college as me coincidentally) and there were gangs of young people playing it everywhere, and it was SO COOL. There are like no pokestops or gyms or other players around where I live, so this was an amazing experience! I got to be NERDY and SOCIAL at the SAME TIME. 

 

ISN'T IT AWESOME!??!  I poo-poo'ed Pokemon Go for the first couple of days because it was just SO over saturated but it is seriously amazing on many levels

[Basement Cat]

On 12/07/2016 at 10:25 AM, zenLara said:

 

The thing is... will she be able to understand that awkward accent they have?

 

Zose are faye-geh-ting werds! Put zem op, missy!

[NeverThatBored]

11 minutes ago, zenLara said:

Can't they e-mail you the results?

 

 

As far as I've been able to tell, they don't use email. Which is very confusing to me?? It's also annoying because I feel like I don't actually have access to my doctor between visits. 

 

When I've asked for copies of results in the past, they have printed them out and made me drive to the office to pick them up. So it doesn't seem like they use email. :/ 

 

11 minutes ago, zenLara said:

Ooooh, I was going to suggest you to go to a good pâtisserie and buy yourself an éclair.

 

 

There will be no shortage of pastries for me to eat, even if I cut out le chocolat! 

 

11 minutes ago, zenLara said:

The thing is... will she be able to understand that awkward accent they have?

 

 

4 minutes ago, Basement Cat said:

Zose are faye-geh-ting werds! Put zem op, missy!

 

My current strategy is just to avoid talking to anybody.  

 

7 minutes ago, shaarawy said:

 

ISN'T IT AWESOME!??!  I poo-poo'ed Pokemon Go for the first couple of days because it was just SO over saturated but it is seriously amazing on many levels

 

YES it's amazing!! There were so many groups out, and everyone would randomly comment on each other's conversations or just smile really happily at each other, and there were a bunch of people hanging out by a lure by the water, and there was a cute family all playing together, and AHHH so much awesome. 

[Basement Cat]

Speaking of Pokemon Go, somebody went and made the Westboro Baptist Church* a gym. The one and only pokemon there? Clefairy.

 

 

* For those not in North America, the WBC is a violently bigoted christian sect.

[deftona]

1 minute ago, Basement Cat said:

Speaking of Pokemon Go, somebody went and made the Westboro Baptist Church* a gym. The one and only pokemon there? Clefairy.

 

On the one had LOL, but on the other those poor people! Having to go near those awful trolls in the pursuit of Pokemon. 

 

1 minute ago, Basement Cat said:

* For those not in North America, the WBC is a violently bigoted christian sect.

 

Unfortunately, I think they're famous the world over. They're certainly known here in England. 

[Basement Cat]

On 12/07/2016 at 10:59 AM, deftona said:

 

On the one had LOL, but on the other those poor people! Having to go near those awful trolls in the pursuit of Pokemon. 

 

 

Unfortunately, I think they're famous the world over. They're certainly known here in England. 

I hope somebody goes there to play the 'flaming moltres' gag.

 

They're certainly known in Canada. They were threatened with arrest if they came to picket here because Canada has laws against hate speech.

[Sylvaa]

Re: e-mailing test results.

 

Most physician's offices will not e-mail test results due to HIPAA. There is just too much risk in either mistyping an e-mail and having it sent to the wrong person or being compromised due to the lack of security associated with traditional personal e-mails. I know it's a pain and depending on the tests kind of silly (who is really going to steal your cholesterol levels and do you really care?), but there really is a justification for it!

 

Technically, someone else isn't supposed to pick up your test results either (which is why they have you come into the office - so they can verify it is you).