HappyCat Takes it up a Notch

[HappyCat]

 

So hey, Im a day late but here goes. Im HappyCat, a long time divorced 40 something empty nester still trying to figure life out and get a handle on this health and fitness thing so i can have a lot more energy to enjoy all the things i used to enjoy when I was younger and fitter and not feel like im barely surviving. Im interested in camping, hiking, 4x4 touring and lately been looking into geocaching but not really sure how to get started with it. I foster cats for a local shelter and spend a lot of time in my yard (i grow organic fruit and vegetables), i also juggle a full time job, a couple of part time ones, ageing parents, fledgeling adult children and a severely neglected group of friends. Im tired, Im grumpy, i feel far too old, get off my lawn.

 

Challenge 3 - Takng It Up A Notch

 

Basic challenge framework is staying the same as before. Moving on from Rebels now that Ive had a successful challenge, since my interest lies in hiking, camping, rucking, off roading etc Im thinking Adventurers will be a good fit for me. Flu hit me hard in the off week and im still trying to shake it off (I dont get truly sick very often, when I do Im a very angry, frustrated patient)

 

Main Quest: To create and entrench self care routines for body, mind and spirit

 

Mini 1: Cardio - 45 min daily/10,000 steps, with 2 rest days available each week to be used if needed. 

Time to take the cardio up a small notch.

 

Mini 2: Eat a healthy, low carb, minimally processed diet, not less than 1200 calories and not exceeding 1500 calories in any given day, with 2 cheat meals available each week to be used if needed.

This is workng for me, not changing anythig this challenge

 

Mini 3: Journal - thoughts, feelings, dreams, whatever 10 min once a day before bed

Continuing from last challenge, been very slack with this while Ive been sick

 

Mini 4: Go Hiking (3 hrs minimum) twice, bonus piints for an overnight camp 

Potentially got a lot going on this challenge so not sure I will be able to get away, but at least if I can get out and get a couple of half decent hikes in its a win.

 

Mini 5: Unpack 1 box of crap from my junk/storage/pantry room each week

Emptying my spare room to get it ready to rent out meant having to really confront the amount of junk and crap Ive stored away over the last 10 years. Now that its condensed into my tiny pantry room, I cant move in there and the landlord will pitch an absolute fit. It has to be addressed and dealt with once and for all. hoarding is bad m'kay

 

Life Quest: Lose 4 clothing sizes and self loathing, gain energy, charisma and inner peace - to make this more concrete and measureable, I'd like to lose 2kg per challenge ( averaged out at half a kg per week i think this is reasonable)

This was workable last challenge so going to continue it this challenge without adjustment.

 

Accountabilibuddies - Walking to Mordor and Back Again

Continues from previous quests

 

Epic Quest: This one is a 3 parter:

Continues from previous quests

1. Pay down my credit card - Ongoing

    * Take card out of wallet and stash somewhere I will forget about DONE

    * Set up automatic transfer on paydays to transfer $50 to the credit card account DONE

    * Hide the account from view online DONE

I believe this will take approximately 1.5 years 1 year and 4 months to go

 

2. Save a $5000 emergency fund - Ongoing

   * Set up an automatic transfer on paydays to transfer $50 to the emergency account until credit card is paid off DONE

    * then increase transfer to $100.

   * Hide account from online view DONE

I believe this will take approximately 2.6 years 2 years and 7.5 months to go *had to dip into this for vet fees, time increased by 1.5 months*

 

3. Save $30,000 towards a home deposit & stamp duty - Ongoing

   * Set up an automatic transfer on paydays to transfer $50 to the home deposit account until Emergency Account is up to $5000 DONE

   * then increase the transfer to $150

   * Hide account from online view DONE

I believe this will take approximately 6.6 years 6 years and 5 months to go

 

•  

[HappyCat]

Challenge 3 - Takng It Up A Notch - Day 1, Week 1

 

Mini 1: Cardio - 45 min daily/10,000 steps, with 2 rest days available each week to be used if needed. 

By the power of redbull zero and a truckload of flu meds - 176 minutes/22817 steps. Did my office cleaning job, mowed both lawns and scrubbed the house top to bottom. Overcafeinated and overdid it but i was just so sick of the chaos and disorder. 

 

Mini 2: Eat a healthy, low carb, minimally processed diet, not less than 1200 calories and not exceeding 1500 calories in any given day, with 2 cheat meals available each week to be used if needed.

Im not goung to lie, it was a junk food festival. Whatever it took to keep me on my feet and functional. Calling it a cheat day. 

 

Mini 3: Journal - thoughts, feelings, dreams, whatever 10 min once a day before bed

Done

 

Mini 4: Go Hiking (3 hrs minimum) twice, bonus points for an overnight camp

Nothing yet

 

Mini 5: Unpack 1 box of crap from my junk/storage/pantry room each week

Um, i am aware of a box of junk on my work desk to be sorted....

 

Accountabilibuddies - Walking to Mordor and Back

Fitbit says 16.02km walked today

 

flu still has me feeling like death but it feels so much better to have some order around here again.

 

[HappyCat]

Challenge 3 - Takng It Up A Notch - Day 2, Week 1

 

Mini 1: Cardio - 45 min daily/10,000 steps, with 2 rest days available each week to be used if needed. 

51 minutes/10681steps

 

Mini 2: Eat a healthy, low carb, minimally processed diet, not less than 1200 calories and not exceeding 1500 calories in any given day, with 2 cheat meals available each week to be used if needed.

Breakfast: fruit/oatmeal/protein powder/almond milk smoothie

Lunch: fruit and peanut butter

Dinner: chicken/veg/bean mix stir fry in a curry/peanut sauce with 3 eggs

MFP says 1414 calories

 

Mini 3: Journal - thoughts, feelings, dreams, whatever 10 min once a day before bed

Done

 

Mini 4: Go Hiking (3 hrs minimum) twice, bonus points for an overnight camp

Nothing yet

 

Mini 5: Unpack 1 box of crap from my junk/storage/pantry room each week

1 box done

 

Accountabilibuddies - Walking to Mordor and Back

Fitbit says 7.5km walked today, 23.52km so far this week

 

overdid it yesterday, feeling it today. 

 

[Vibrantella]

Great challenge, good luck!  I hope you feel better soon (and get some rest!)

[Sylvaa]

Hey HappyCat, welcome to the Adventurers!

 

Love your challenge set up, particularly that you allow yourself breaks when needed. Do you have a place you hike regularly?

 

Also, my husband and I have been doing primarily the same thing with finances that you are - I'm cheering you on!

[HappyCat]

Years ago i used to hike a lot, when my kids were small etc....more recently though between lack of fitness and lack of making the time id be lucky to go a few times a year. That has to change. 

[HappyCat]

Challenge 3 - Takng It Up A Notch - Day 3, Week 1

 

Mini 1: Cardio - 45 min daily/10,000 steps, with 2 rest days available each week to be used if needed. 

48 minutes/11505 steps

 

Mini 2: Eat a healthy, low carb, minimally processed diet, not less than 1200 calories and not exceeding 1500 calories in any given day, with 2 cheat meals available each week to be used if needed.

Breakfast: fruit/oatmeal/protein powder/almond milk smoothie

Lunch: Remainder of last night's stir fry, plus fruit

Dinner: Chicken, roast sweet potato and mixed veg

MFP says 1342 calories

 

Mini 3: Journal - thoughts, feelings, dreams, whatever 10 min once a day before bed

Done

 

Mini 4: Go Hiking (3 hrs minimum) twice, bonus points for an overnight camp

Nothing yet

 

Mini 5: Unpack 1 box of crap from my junk/storage/pantry room each week

1 box done

 

Accountabilibuddies - Walking to Mordor and Back

Fitbit says 8.76km walked today, 32.28km so far this week

 

Feeling better today aside from the coughing. Between keeping me from sleeping and driving my coworkers nuts Im really ready for it to go away now. Pa came for dinner. Got half a mind to hike on Sunday, see how i feel after volunteering all day Saturday at the Royal Agricultural Show, I might be wiped.

[HappyCat]

Challenge 3 - Takng It Up A Notch - Day 4,  Week 1

 

Mini 1: Cardio - 45 min daily/10,000 steps, with 2 rest days available each week to be used if needed. 

49 minutes/11318 steps

 

Mini 2: Eat a healthy, low carb, minimally processed diet, not less than 1200 calories and not exceeding 1500 calories in any given day, with 2 cheat meals available each week to be used if needed.

Breakfast: fruit/oatmeal/protein powder/almond milk smoothie

Lunch: chicken, sweet potato and veg plus fruit

Afternoon snack: peanut butter

Dinner: Stir fry - chicken, bean mix and veg plus 2 eggs

MFP says 1331 calories

 

Mini 3: Journal - thoughts, feelings, dreams, whatever 10 min once a day before bed

Done

 

Mini 4: Go Hiking (3 hrs minimum) twice, bonus points for an overnight camp

Nothing yet

 

Mini 5: Unpack 1 box of crap from my junk/storage/pantry room each week

1 box done

 

Accountabilibuddies - Walking to Mordor and Back

Fitbit says 8.65km walked today, 40.93km so far this week

 

One of my foster cats went on trial today, fingers crossed shes got her forever home. Another's trial is up in 2 days and I already know she will be staying where she is, her new owner is absolutely besotted with her. 

[Teros]

On 9/26/2016 at 0:00 AM, HappyCat said:

 

lately been looking into geocaching but not really sure how to get started with it

 

(i grow organic fruit and vegetables),

 

Im tired, Im grumpy, i feel far too old, get off my lawn.

 

Mini 5: Unpack 1 box of crap from my junk/storage/pantry room each week

Emptying my spare room to get it ready to rent out meant having to really confront the amount of junk and crap Ive stored away over the last 10 years. Now that its condensed into my tiny pantry room, I cant move in there and the landlord will pitch an absolute fit. It has to be addressed and dealt with once and for all. hoarding is bad m'kay

 

Geocaching is something I've wanted to look into as well.  I know a friend that does urban ruck exploring (secretly) so I'm debating hanging out with her once I lose another 20ish pounds and see from there how I feel about getting out of my comfort zone.

 

What kinds?  I grew green beans and spaghetti squash once but that was it.

 

 

[Dagger]

I hope you feel better by now. How is it going?

[mom2sjm]

Phew!  You've got alot going on!  How did week two end up?  Two weeks left to play, still plenty of time to jump back in and get back on track.  

[Teros]

*poke*

[HappyCat]

Im still alive. Just. lol

 

Week 2 was a complete shambles. Lots of drama with my youngest son at the beginning of the week that resulted in him having to move back into my house with nothing but a bag of clothes, lots of chasing around sourcing furniture and reorganising the house and finances... no workouts and LOTS of stress eating. My handle on life completely fell off.

 

Ive got the handle duct taped back on this morning - the desire to rock in a corner is reducing, but Im afraid to step on the scale or check my bank accounts/credit card (no, really). Feeling very much like Im starting over at square one, with an extra mouth to feed as well (until he finds a job, which may not happen unless someone walks up and slaps him over the head with one). The future feels very uncertain right now, Im very nervous of making any plans or acknowledging any hopes.

 

Yesterday was day 1 of week 3, no exercise, lots of comfort eating, didnt journal (havent journalled in a week - since everything blew up). Today Im starting over and picking up from where I am. I cant redo the week that's gone. But I can do better today, and every day following.

 

 

[Dagger]

That sounds tough. And it sounded like you just needed to keep going best you can.

 

I definitely notice I fall back several steps everything extra tension is added into my day. Basically I don't have as high a new normal as I would wish. So when I fall back, I stumble onto territory I wished I had completely left behind me. But I hope, and I believe, that we can get these new habits fully established and going for a while, when we can push on to harder things, our new normal will be of higher standard than it is now.

 

But it is okay, that it isn't. And there is no need to add "yet".

 

*Sends good and steady thoughts*

[stealthstitcher]

Good ol' duct tape. And if that handle on life falls off again, you can always add more. There's no such thing as too much duct tape. Or if that doesn't work, you can find a potholder to hold onto the edge of the pot of life ... okay, that metaphor broke down but what I mean is, hang in there! 

[Vibrantella]

Sorry to hear about the upheaval and stress.

On ‎10‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 2:55 AM, HappyCat said:

Today Im starting over and picking up from where I am.

Well done!  

[mom2sjm]

Happy final week of the challenge!

You got this!!