IAmInfinite Gets Challenged

[Infinity.Creates]

Two of my Quests are from people challenging me, and I have made a discovery - I like being challenged by other people. I run faster when I'm racing against one other person, I like making things under a time limit, etc. It's not as effective when it's just me setting goals - I like to have a clear purpose. I know that's the reason why you have the motivation/purpose section when you first build your challenge, but it doesn't provide the same thrill of self-reliance and accountability. 

 

In any case, here are my five challenges for this year :

 

Quest 1 : Study (WIS)

 

Mocks this week, so I won't give an official start to the challenge until the 9th. But yep, same habit again. (It'll be here until June don't worry) I'm getting better at doing some study, but I need to increase the time slightly. So, for a day to count, it needs to match my Monkey Tamer hours and/or my study to-do list for the day.

 

 

Quest 2 : Bible Study (CHA)

 

This was pretty good last challenge! I got it into the routine, and looked forward to spending time with God. I'm just into Joshua, and I'm roughly a week behind being on track to read the entire Bible by Easter.

 

 

Quest 3 : Exercise (STR)

 

I got a yoga mat for Christmas, so I need to use it. At minimum, I need to do the DB Flexibility Challenge, plus the Daily Dare, for the day to count. Ideally, I will also do a short yoga mobility workout for a warm up, and then some form of bodyweight work for the main section.

 

 

Quest 4 : Diet (CON)

 

I have been challenged to loose 15 kg in 6 months. By the end of June, I need to be 75 kg, and I will win some camping gear. Nothing like a bit of competition and reward to get me to loose weight. 

This weight loss will be done via dieting. I will cut out empty carbs and sugar. For Week 2 I will experiment with cutting out dairy, and in Week 4 I shall cut out red meats.

This grading will be stricter, as I need to lose an average of a pound a week.

 

28 days + (+4 CON)

24 days + (+3 CON)

21 days + (+2 CON)

18 days + (+1 CON)

 

 

Quest 5 : Journal (CHA)

 

I think it's time to upgrade to building five habits (especially as all four are ones from the beginning, just slightly adapted or built upon). I used to journal every day beginning last January, but then the summer holidays came and I just fell asleep instead of writing. Amazing what the holidays can do to your routine (I probably need to do something about that. In the future).

Every night, I will write at least three sentences on the events/emotions of the day.

I plan on building this into a longer night routine, but this shall be it for now.

 

Grading:

75%  21 days + (+4 stat)

50% 14 days + (+2 stat)

25%  7 days +   (+1 stat)

 

Still no theme, which is surprisingly unfun. I really want  to put a theme or some story line around my quest, but it is too much effort to maintain. Maybe I should make it a habit in the future.

One point of good news : I'm running a D&D game this Friday/Saturday for my friends. I'm still trying to think of story, but I shall be focused on my exams for the next three days.

My new years resolution : 

 

Just Be 

 

 

[jonfirestar]

Following to make sure you live up to that resolution!!  

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following along again.

[Infinity.Creates]

22 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

Following to make sure you live up to that resolution!!  

I shall try

 

21 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following along again.

Welcome back! 

[Infinity.Creates]

I've been doing well so far this challenge (even if it doesn't quite count yet). Journalling is still on hold due to messed up sleep schedule due to now waking up early, and finishing practise papers at various times. I might also add the 30 day challenge with yogawithadriene, as I've seen quite a few people mention it, and it seems pretty good? I'll try out Day 1 instead of my mobility workout. May take longer, but my time management is getting better, so I can do it.

 

I want to start doing an activity, and it was between martial arts, rock climbing, and swimming. The cheapest, easiest, and most reliable option would be swimming, but I haven't owned a costume in around four/five years. I have gone swimming since then, but often in shorts and a shirt, and in open water. There's a new large swimming pool opening in the university nearby, so when it opens I might buy a costume (despite fears that I will have to buy a new one in five months) and go swimming again.

 

Also, for themes, I'm thinking maybe something D&D related? Eg Critical Role, or my current campaign, or a fresh story for Infinity .... Thoughts are to be had.

[jonfirestar]

On 03/01/2017 at 9:06 PM, IAmInfinite said:

I've been doing well so far this challenge (even if it doesn't quite count yet).

It totally counts if you are making good on your commitments now!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Where'd you go? I hope we see you back and raring to go for week 1.

[Maggie-Miau]

Following, Infinite! Best wishes for your Challenge and all endeavors, present and future! *Breaks out the Pom Poms*

[Infinity.Creates]

17 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Where'd you go? I hope we see you back and raring to go for week 1.

Eek! Hi again!

 

It has been a fun and exhausting weekend. I finished my last exam - maths on Thursday. Went home, finished the last Mistborn book, cursed the cliffhanger, and then went to bed. The maths exam did not go as well as it could have, but it was much better than last year, so I now I have improved since then. 

 

On Friday, I spent the day (after waking up late) doing a couple Librivox poems, building a 4 hour D&D campaign, and then catching a train to my friend's house for her 18th. My phone died on the train and I didn't know that way to the house. I created plans A to C so I wasn't panicking, but thankfully, when I arrived I tried to switch on my phone and it had enough juice to call my friends so they could pick me up. Three people offered, which was fun I'm so popular! *hair flick*

 

We stayed up till 5 am watching AVPM and Now You See Me, and just talking. Woke at 10 for breakfast and started the D&D game, which lasted until 5pm, before I came home. Home and shower and sleep. 

 

I slept for 12 hours last night, and now I am about to go walk to church. I can't wait for the challenge to get started, and I think I'm going to start it today to get my night time routine settled. My to-do list for today:

Church, Bible Study, Clear up my revision stuff and get started for the new year, plan my EPQ presentation and final tasks, sort out a night time routine. Check up on the Rebels and some of the Rangers. Do the Daily Dare and yoga routine.

Shouldn't be too much!

[Infinity.Creates]

On 1/6/2017 at 11:00 AM, jonfirestar said:

It totally counts if you are making good on your commitments now!

Ehh, I'm only at 50% right now, but starting the challenge I should be getting the last parts in

 

16 hours ago, MiaulinTheCat said:

Following, Infinite! Best wishes for your Challenge and all endeavors, present and future! *Breaks out the Pom Poms*

Thank you! 

[Infinity.Creates]

Desire for communication isn't at the highest, so my forum activity is a bit low, but it should improve after tomorrow. I'll be getting all my mock results back by then, and a lot of this nervous energy should dissipate by then.

I improved on my Ethics grade from my AS test, which is good, and got an average score in Physics 1. Just maths and Physics 2 to go. I have a feeling that maths did not go so hot. *sigh*

Spent the evening making an awesome bullet journal page, just because I have so many appointments and dates and plans being thrown at me, and I like the colours. However, I will forgive myself if I don't keep up to date with the weekly planner, as long as I write a journal entry every day.

The rest of my habits are coming along just fine though! For the exercise, I've been doing the 30 days of yoga with Adrienne (because I saw it recommended a couple of places on this here forums), along with whatever mini challenge the Rangers are giving me, and the Daily Dare. But I need to try and get some ECs with DD, not just 'doing' it. I know I'm stronger than this!

[Xena]

Your challenge looks great. Hope the rest of the exams go well. How are you liking the 30 day yoga challenge?

[Infinity.Creates]

18 hours ago, Xena said:

Your challenge looks great. Hope the rest of the exams go well. How are you liking the 30 day yoga challenge?

It's pretty good, though slightly advanced? My hands keep slipping on the mat every time I do a downwards dog, but I do my own stretches and transitions, which she encourages, so thats pretty good!

[Erza Scarlet]

Heya! Back again.  

3 hours ago, IAmInfinite said:

My hands keep slipping on the mat every time I do a downwards dog,

I've never really done yoga so can't say much, but could you wear yoga gloves? It might help with the slipping...

[Xena]

Yoga gloves would definitely help (if you have them). You could also use a towel (they have fancy mat-cover towels, but a regular towel works). Here's a link you might find useful

https://www.doyouyoga.com/how-do-i-prevent-slipping-in-downward-dog/

 

I think it helps to play around with your hand position (spread wide, index fingers pointing forward) and how the weight is distributed in your hands (weight evenly on the palms...probably more accurately described in the article).

 

Sounds like you are doing great though!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

In NF Yoga they mention keeping a lot of weight in your fingertips can help stop hand slippage in Down dog, also you can walk your hands back (closer to your feet) slightly to change position.

[Infinity.Creates]

Thanks for the advice! I shall be trying the towel thing. I tried to focus on pressing down with my fingertips but I am still slightly too weak. I'll get there soon though!

[Infinity.Creates]

Herdy blurg a depressive episode at the beginning of the week and lasted until this morning. When I started my period, which is strange, as I usually am less depressive before it. I shall have to keep track of future developments.

 

Because of this, forum activity has been a low while I spam the recent episodes of Critical Role. And classical musicians reacting to kpop. I feel better, and even if I don't, I will be posting tomorrow. I need to learn to cope and deal with my difficulties, (inspired by a Ted talk :P) by facing them, using them, or getting around them. I'm trying to find clues when I start getting depressed so I can accept it, and take advantage of the energy I have at the time. 

 

I am entering two poetry competitions. One has a £3000 prize, the other £1000. I have written the first, and have some ideas for the second. Tbh, I am really proud of the first, but I shall only be posting it later on in the year.

 

Study developments : I switched my EPQ date to the 1 st February, so all my stuff has to be in for the 7th. It's gonna be a lot of work, but I wanted to get it done with before my uni interview, and not feel much pressure over my half term holidays. Time to get my ass in gear!

 

The last two days for exercise didn't happen due the mental exhaustion, and I just felt a bit terrible about not being able to do some of the exercises, etc. I shan't do much today because my body is trying to shred itself, but tomorrow I shall look on yt for some good exercises for this time of the month. (Werewolf exercises) I might even get some shovelglove in if I don't hurt too much.

 

Bible is going great! Due to the fact that we will be studying eschatology and apocalyptic theories in Philosophy over the next month, I shall be skipping ahead to Revelations, and then coming back to the Old Testament.

 

Journalling is also good, and the bullet journal thing naturally evolved along with it, so I shall accept both parts and keep track on that as well.

 

Sorry for the bit of spam, but it's been a lazyily busy week!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

48 minutes ago, IAmInfinite said:

Revelations

It's all one Revelation  

 

Seriously though, I hope you don't have to deal with any more depressive episodes.

[jonfirestar]

Sorry to hear about the depressive episode. I hope you can learn to face your demons head on. Best of luck with the poetry competitions! 

[Infinity.Creates]

41 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

It's all one Revelation  

 

Seriously though, I hope you don't have to deal with any more depressive episodes.

I do it with psalm as well

 

20 minutes ago, jonfirestar said:

Sorry to hear about the depressive episode. I hope you can learn to face your demons head on. Best of luck with the poetry competitions! 

Thank you! I hope the competition goes well!! It's just exciting to get back into writing again

 

And thank you both for the encouragement. They come and go, and its time I faced the fact that it happens and I need to stop letting it control my life. They happen every so often, and I'm glad that this one seems to be blowing over already. 

[SkyGirl]

Finally found you!!

 

 

 

I'm so sorry to hear that you had a depressive episode ... I hope it's going away and you're feeling better now. Good for you taking it easy while you worked through it. How are things going for you now? School, classes, challenge, life ... ? I've missed you!!

[Infinity.Creates]

11 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

Finally found you!!

I'm so sorry to hear that you had a depressive episode ... I hope it's going away and you're feeling better now. Good for you taking it easy while you worked through it. How are things going for you now? School, classes, challenge, life ... ? I've missed you!!

Heyyyy!

 

It's fluctuating, and I'm allowing myself certain compensations, but tiredness is no excuse for a lack of productivity. School is going pretty well, and I've got a plan and sticking to it is not too difficult right now. Challenge is good (apart from exercise, but the diet is strong and rn thats more important) and can only get better!

 

(You also need to update your sig. I wanna find your thread as well!)

[Elastigirl]

Looks like you did good on your challenge despite your mental struggles. Is this the first poetry competition you've entered? Way to go on entering it!

[SkyGirl]

1 hour ago, IAmInfinite said:

It's fluctuating, and I'm allowing myself certain compensations, but tiredness is no excuse for a lack of productivity. School is going pretty well, and I've got a plan and sticking to it is not too difficult right now. Challenge is good (apart from exercise, but the diet is strong and rn thats more important) and can only get better!

 

(You also need to update your sig. I wanna find your thread as well!)

 

Good for you!! I'm proud of you! When will you know how you did in the poetry competition? Also I need to go back and see what you're doing with your diet ... much catching up, I must do ... 

 

And yes, I'll update my sig!! It needs some work!  :-D