[BitterOyster] Pokemon GO for it!

[BitterOyster]

As you may have noticed if you’ve followed my challenges, I’m a huge fan of Pokemon and I love exploring my local area so I’m having a lot of fun with Pokemon GO. Rather than fight the urge to play I’m going to take advantage of it by planning my exercise around it and buying in-game currency as a reward. I’ve deliberately never played a game with micro-transactions as I can’t justify spending money on it, but if it’s truly motivating me to kick ass in fitness I'll make an exception for Pokemon.

 

 

Usual Activity

 

3x Stronglifts

2x Gym visits, at least one by bike. There is one Pokestop at my gym but more on the way when riding a bike.

6/7 days knee exercises

 

 

BONUS: attend early morning gym class

BONUS: [one-off] see the new physiotherapist

 

 

Pokemon GO OUTSIDE

 

Play Pokemon GO outside at least once a day, at minimum walking to the Pokestop at the end of my street.

1x per week longer walk, run, ruck or bike ride – can’t put numbers on this yet as I’m still figuring out what is going to work.

 

 

Pokemon Candy

Log food minimum 6/7 days a week. Going over targets is ok for now, just keep logging.

BONUS: [one-off] Finish entering all new custom meals into MFP

 

 

Pokedex

4 hours/week minimum on Lynda.com lessons. I'm learning graphic design skills to extend my illustration skills.

 

Rewards

I'm using a points system to calculate rewards, cashed in at the end of each week. I'm only aiming for 200 points per week normally.

Stronglifts - 10pts per session +10pts bonus for a full week completed

Gym - 30pts per gym visit + 20pts per bike ride

Tracking food - 5pts per day + 5pts bonus for a full week (7) completed

Knee exercises - 5pts per day + 5pts bonus for a full week (7) completed

Lynda classes - 5pts per hour, capped at 30pts per week

 

Early morning gym class - bonus 10pts each

 

180 points – 100 Pokecoins

200 points – 200 Pokecoins (This is equivalent to a 100% week)

250 points – 550 Pokecoins (Exceptional week)

280 points – 1200 Pokecoins (Nearly the maximum point value)

One-off bonuses – 550 Pokecoins each

 

[BitterOyster]

[reserved for results]

 

Week 1 notes to self

start of week 3:30 remaining on Painting with Vectors

To do: summarise first half of Illustrator basics

create thick + thin dry brush ink brushes

find texture scans (maybe on a thumb drive somewhere?)

Week 2

2h classes so far, Illustrator for Web is at 1h remaining

[Traxex]

I love this! You are going to have SO MANY coins and lures, dude. 

[Jarric]

I knew you'd be all over Pokémon GO as a challenge when it came out, knew it! 

 

Following along again to watch you Ranger this one!

[Marauder]

Awesome!  I love the coins as a reward system.  So much fun!  Following along.  

[BitterOyster]

17 hours ago, Traxex said:

I love this! You are going to have SO MANY coins and lures, dude. 

I might have to adjust the amounts down a bit actually, I don't want to be a Poke-Scrooge But at least it'll help me catch up with all the people in my neighbourhood who are crazy high levels. I wish I could play all day to level up but I'm busy right now and trying to get on top of my freelance work before I increase my hours of wage slavery.

 

Actually, my housemate and I were complaining to each other about how we both have heaps of work to do but only want to play Pokemon GO, so I suggested we make a to-do list for the next 2 days, and if we both complete everything I'll drive us to the beach on Tuesday and we can have a guilt-free water type catching session. It's been working really well so far!

 

16 hours ago, Jarric said:

I knew you'd be all over Pokémon GO as a challenge when it came out, knew it! 

 

Following along again to watch you Ranger this one!

Where could you possibly have gotten that idea from?

[Traxex]

8 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

Actually, my housemate and I were complaining to each other about how we both have heaps of work to do but only want to play Pokemon GO, so I suggested we make a to-do list for the next 2 days, and if we both complete everything I'll drive us to the beach on Tuesday and we can have a guilt-free water type catching session. It's been working really well so far!

 

That's actually a super great idea. I have a beach an hour away... maybe I should suggest this to my SO

 

 

[BitterOyster]

^It doesn't have to be a beach, any place you really want to go that will motivate you to get stuff done! I've been talking to other trainers and asking them where they find rare Pokemon.

[Traxex]

10 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

^It doesn't have to be a beach, any place you really want to go that will motivate you to get stuff done! I've been talking to other trainers and asking them where they find rare Pokemon.

 

Shhhhh I haven't been to a real beach in years. Don't take this away from me!

[Rurik Harrgath]

Hopping on board for another exciting BitterOyster Pokemon challenge.  I still need to get around to that Lightning Badge (ruck to the electrical plant) you inspired me to try all those months ago! 

[BitterOyster]

^Apparently now electric Pokemon can found near power plants, or so I've heard! I was totally ahead of the curve! Also my Safari Zone real-world location has a ton of Pokestops

[Raxie]

Oooh this is awesome! It's really cool how you've incorporated Pokémon Go into all your stuffs!

[BitterOyster]

^Thanks!

We did our seaside trip yesterday, I caught 14 Magikarp! Still a long way off a Gyarados but now I know where to get Magikarp. Next time will probably be a public transport trek as I didn't consider the parking costs. It was a lot of fun though, I also caught a Dratini and a Vaporeon and discovered some cool stuff in my city I didn't know about. The city was packed with people playing Pokemon Go, it's bizarre, it's like a flash mob but all over the place and every day.

[Traxex]

15 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

We did our seaside trip yesterday, I caught 14 Magikarp!

 

I'm jealous! 

 

15 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

I also caught a Dratini and a Vaporeon

 

OMG I'm soooo jealous.

 

hooray for a fun day! 

[Raxie]

15 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

The city was packed with people playing Pokemon Go, it's bizarre, it's like a flash mob but all over the place and every day.

 

Hahah that awkward moment when you realize you've run into someone else playing Pokémon. Do you smile and wave? Do you run away? Considering it's mostly nerdy people playing this game I think this is an amazing social experiment.

[Jarric]

4 hours ago, Raxie said:

 

Hahah that awkward moment when you realize you've run into someone else playing Pokémon. Do you smile and wave? Do you run away? Considering it's mostly nerdy people playing this game I think this is an amazing social experiment.

 

I've been going for the "give a knowing smile and nod" approach. Mostly I've found people respond, and at least once I've been told where to catch something cool.

 

[BitterOyster]

10 hours ago, Raxie said:

 

Hahah that awkward moment when you realize you've run into someone else playing Pokémon. Do you smile and wave? Do you run away? Considering it's mostly nerdy people playing this game I think this is an amazing social experiment.

It is fascinating! So far it varies a lot, sometimes I get this sidelong glance where someone is clearly playing and really hoping no one talks to them, and I can empathise with that. I've had a few good encounters though, including a rival team member who lent me a battery pack. I love the friendly atmosphere! I didn't talk to anyone at the seaside though, there were so many people so obviously playing it wasn't much of a conversation starter, and most were in groups or pairs.

[BitterOyster]

6 hours ago, Jarric said:

 

I've been going for the "give a knowing smile and nod" approach. Mostly I've found people respond, and at least once I've been told where to catch something cool.

 

Yeah, that information is really valuable! I haven't found much reliable online, but people really know what's common in their local area and it can be something hard to find in yours. That's actually how I heard about the Magikarp. 

[Jarric]

18 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

Yeah, that information is really valuable! I haven't found much reliable online, but people really know what's common in their local area and it can be something hard to find in yours. That's actually how I heard about the Magikarp. 

 

Yeah, I need to find out where to get Magikarp. I only found out today that you have to catch 101 of them to evolve a Gyarados!

[BitterOyster]

1 hour ago, Jarric said:

 

Yeah, I need to find out where to get Magikarp. I only found out today that you have to catch 101 of them to evolve a Gyarados!

Apparently they are also found in our local fish market! Hah!

[Marauder]

On July 20, 2016 at 8:59 PM, BitterOyster said:

Yeah, that information is really valuable! I haven't found much reliable online, but people really know what's common in their local area and it can be something hard to find in yours. That's actually how I heard about the Magikarp. 

 

17 hours ago, Jarric said:

 

Yeah, I need to find out where to get Magikarp. I only found out today that you have to catch 101 of them to evolve a Gyarados!

 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but you may want to look for a local PokemonGo group on Reddit for your area.  I found one for my state that has a TON of great info on spawn locations.  

[BitterOyster]

11 hours ago, Marauder said:

 

 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but you may want to look for a local PokemonGo group on Reddit for your area.  I found one for my state that has a TON of great info on spawn locations.  

I've joined a couple on Facebook actually but I'll have a look on Reddit, I have an account just for /r/keto. I've recently discovered /r/shittypokestops and it's hilarious.

 

So, Pokemon Go continues to be a good influence in my life.

I was trying to get up early and had just turned off the second alarm with no hope of getting out of bed when my housemate knocked on my door, waking me up, to tell me there was a Growlithe in the house, so I jumped up and caught it, with just enough time to get to the event I was going to. I just can't believe that a Growlithe (one of my top favourite Pokemon) turned up IN the house at JUST the right time! I swear I'm not making this up!

 

I ended up riding my bike to the gym as I didn't want to rush, but I probably wouldn't have had the energy to do both anyway, so it's great that I got another bike ride and gym session in this week, all thanks to Pokemon.

[Traxex]

21 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

I just can't believe that a Growlithe (one of my top favourite Pokemon) turned up IN the house at JUST the right time! I swear I'm not making this up!

 

It was fate!! The ranger gods smiling on you. 

 

21 hours ago, BitterOyster said:

all thanks to Pokemon.

 

Thank you based pokemon

[BitterOyster]

Week 1 wrapup already????

Let's go!

 

200pts = 100%

 

Stronglifts 2/3 sessions 20pts

Gym visits 2/2 sessions 60pts

Bike rides to gym 40pts

Food tracking 7/7 40pts

Knee exercises 5/7  20pts

Lynda lessons 4hrs 20pts

= 200pts for a 100% week and 200 Pokecoins!

 

I didn't think I'd like using a points sytem but I really like how I can make up for missed things with extra activities, not so much because I need to atone for them, but because it motivates me to do stuff I wouldn't otherwise and not fret about missing individual targets.

[Traxex]

YASSSSSS

 

whatcha gonna buy first with those coins??