imprimis5's Razor

[imprimis5]

Challenge #4

 

The time for collecting underpants is finally over! I know what I want and how to get it. I'm going to take the shortest route to my destination. Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitate.

 

I have a work-related trip this month that'll take me out of town for a few days. Travel always makes these challenges harder, especially if the hotel doesn't have a gym. So that'll be a meta-challenge in and of itself.

 

• Eating Right: I'm still eating paleo, almost entirely. I still have some weaknesses, though. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are my roughest points. Baked goods I can normally avoid, but sometimes they just call so strongly to me that I can't avoid it. Ice cream is a lesser concern; it's a nice reward at the end of a long day, and I've switched to no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream. But I'd still like to make sure I don't make too big a habit of it. Iced coffee is the biggest one. There's a lot of sugar in it, and it's been a part of my morning habit for so long that I don't even think about it anymore. I always forgot to report it previously because I just plain forgot. So I'm going to continue recording my meals and snacks here. I'm also going to have a spot specifically for whether or not I drank iced coffee, had baked goods, or had ice cream, since those are my trouble areas.
• Physical Activity: The gym, at least four times a week. Running outside when I can, health and weather permitting. Yoga at least five nights a week. 50 Push-Up Challenge.
• Lookin' Good: This is a little weird, and a couple things may be hard to quantify. But I want to transform from being a slob with the care I take with my appearance. I'm not in a job that cares what I look like, so I have to do it for myself. So I'm going to shave at least twice a week, I'm going to learn one thing about handling long hair each week, and I'm going to get rid of any unflattering clothes.
• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Tuesday Update

• Eating Right: I'm still eating paleo, almost entirely. I still have some weaknesses, though. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are my roughest points. Baked goods I can normally avoid, but sometimes they just call so strongly to me that I can't avoid it. Ice cream is a lesser concern; it's a nice reward at the end of a long day, and I've switched to no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream. But I'd still like to make sure I don't make too big a habit of it. Iced coffee is the biggest one. There's a lot of sugar in it, and it's been a part of my morning habit for so long that I don't even think about it anymore. I always forgot to report it previously because I just plain forgot. So I'm going to continue recording my meals and snacks here. I'm also going to have a spot specifically for whether or not I drank iced coffee, had baked goods, or had ice cream, since those are my trouble areas.
  • Note: Unless mentioned otherwise, assume I drank water with a meal.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are never paleo.
  • Monday breakfast: Paleo egg salad
  • Lunch: Baked chicken thigh, baked sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli
  • Dinner: Ground beef and onions, baked sweet potato fries, steamed cauliflower
  • Snacks: Banana, 90% chocolate
  • Iced Coffee: Yes
  • Ice Cream: Yes (no-sugar-added chocolate coconut milk ice cream)
  • Baked goods: No
• Physical Activity: The gym, at least four times a week. Running outside when I can, health and weather permitting. Yoga at least five nights a week. 50 Push-Up Challenge.
  • Gym: Upper body day with the trainer yesterday. He's pretty happy with my progress, since I'm bumping my numbers up every time. We also especially noticed that my attention to my chest over the last couple weeks hasn't been in vain. My bench press had the most dramatic improvement of everything. Also, apparently I'm his favourite client, since I've had the most dramatic improvement of anyone he's worked with in the last year. I'm good for business. :-P
  • Gym: I'll be going to the gym by myself this afternoon, assuming I don't get so stressed out with being back at work that I'm incapable of doing anything but going home and losing myself in a book.
  • Running: I've been a little under the weather with some head and chest congestion the last several days. Seems like running in the cold air might not be the best idea right now, until I'm not coughing and sneezing gunk out.
  • Yoga: I did a new routine last night, and it's definitely a step up in challenge. Definitely gonna need to work on that one a little more. Crescent Lunges are the devil.
  • Push-Ups: Yesterday was a rest day in the plan. Today is 5.
• Lookin' Good: This is a little weird, and a couple things may be hard to quantify. But I want to transform from being a slob with the care I take with my appearance. I'm not in a job that cares what I look like, so I have to do it for myself. So I'm going to shave at least twice a week, I'm going to learn one thing about handling long hair each week, and I'm going to get rid of any unflattering clothes.
  • Shaving: I did not shave this morning. I look like I'm trying to grow a bow tie.
  • Hair: I don't even know where to start with this. I guess with some YouTube tutorials, maybe?
  • Clothes: I'm not sure if I'll get around to this tonight or not, but maybe I'll try to at least set aside one or two items.
• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.
  • I've looked up a few places to take my class. Looks like there are a couple super local ones, but I need to call and make sure the information isn't out of date.

[imprimis5]

I added a new challenge after something reminded me of it.

 

• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.

[Oramac]

10 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

I added a new challenge after something reminded me of it.

 

• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.

 

Awesome!!  It's been a while since I did all that crap, but as I recall, it doesn't take terribly long.  Not nearly as long as the BS in Illinois, at least.  (Looking at @Broba Fett here.  )

[imprimis5]

1 minute ago, Oramac said:

Awesome!!  It's been a while since I did all that crap, but as I recall, it doesn't take terribly long.  Not nearly as long as the BS in Illinois, at least.

 

It took around two months for me to actually get it in Indiana, between filing the paperwork and actually receiving it. I hear it's gotten quicker since then, though. After all, that was years ago.

[jonfirestar]

Awesome challenge. Following along!

[imprimis5]

12 minutes ago, jonfirestar said:

Awesome challenge. Following along!

 

Glad to have you aboard!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I'm following as well.

[imprimis5]

7 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I'm following as well.

 

Greetings!

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Wednesday Update

• Eating Right: I'm still eating paleo, almost entirely. I still have some weaknesses, though. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are my roughest points. Baked goods I can normally avoid, but sometimes they just call so strongly to me that I can't avoid it. Ice cream is a lesser concern; it's a nice reward at the end of a long day, and I've switched to no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream. But I'd still like to make sure I don't make too big a habit of it. Iced coffee is the biggest one. There's a lot of sugar in it, and it's been a part of my morning habit for so long that I don't even think about it anymore. I always forgot to report it previously because I just plain forgot. So I'm going to continue recording my meals and snacks here. I'm also going to have a spot specifically for whether or not I drank iced coffee, had baked goods, or had ice cream, since those are my trouble areas.
  • Note: Unless mentioned otherwise, assume I drank water with a meal.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are never paleo.
  • Tuesday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
  • Lunch: Baked chicken thigh, baked sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli
  • Dinner: Ground beef and onions, baked sweet potato fries, steamed cauliflower
  • Snacks: Banana, 90% chocolate, almonds
  • Iced Coffee: Yes
  • Ice Cream: No
  • Baked goods: No
• Physical Activity: The gym, at least four times a week. Running outside when I can, health and weather permitting. Yoga at least five nights a week. 50 Push-Up Challenge.
  • Yesterday Gym: Half an hour solo session. 500 m row to warm up, Romanian deadlifts, push-ups, TRX rows, side plank, stretch. It felt really great, but I'm feeling those deadlifts today.
  • Today Gym: Wednesday is my regularly scheduled rest day from the gym. It'll be the mental gym of board games with friends tonight, instead. :-)
  • Running: No run today or yesterday. I feel like I'm almost over this head and chest congestion, though.
  • Yoga: The boyfriend and I were feeling tired last night, but we did this anyway. Actually, I'm really proud of him. I gave him the choice of whether he wanted to do yoga with me or not, and, after a little hesitation, he breathed in and said he would, even though he really wasn't feeling it. He's not going at sticking to physical activity when it's not fun, so this was another big step. We stepped it back a little to an easier routine, which turned out to be a good thing for both of us.
  • Push-Ups: I did 5 more push-ups in the evening, even though I'd do 25 earlier in the day. :-P Tonight is 10.
• Lookin' Good: This is a little weird, and a couple things may be hard to quantify. But I want to transform from being a slob with the care I take with my appearance. I'm not in a job that cares what I look like, so I have to do it for myself. So I'm going to shave at least twice a week, I'm going to learn one thing about handling long hair each week, and I'm going to get rid of any unflattering clothes.
  • Shaving: I shaved last night. Note to self: if it's been a few days, trim first, then shave. I ripped myself up pretty bad. :-P
  • Hair: I'm changing up my shampoo and conditioner routine, trying to find the best solution for silky smooth long hair. Washing it twice a week seems to be working well, but conditioning it more frequently (like it seems I should do) is bad and leaves me greasy. Trial and error is fun!
  • Clothes: I didn't do this at all last night. I did, however, give some thought as to what I'm going to do with the clothes I don't want anymore. Suggestions on where to donate? Salvation Army is out, and Goodwill is only a last resort.
• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.
  • I didn't do anything about this yesterday.

[Oramac]

Looks like a pretty good day, overall.  Well done sticking with the yoga even though you weren't feeling well! 

[imprimis5]

3 hours ago, Oramac said:

Well done sticking with the yoga even though you weren't feeling well! 

 

It's one of those things that is nearly guaranteed to make me feel better afterward, even if it's just emotionally. But I have to fight to remember that every time I feel gross.

[Broba Fett]

This challenge is dreamy.

 

Can we spend all month talking about guns?  What are you thinking about carrying daily?  It's taken me all of a week of carrying the full size 1911 to want something pocketable.

[imprimis5]

15 hours ago, Broba Fett said:

Can we spend all month talking about guns?  What are you thinking about carrying daily?  It's taken me all of a week of carrying the full size 1911 to want something pocketable.

 

Ha. I'm down! My daily carry has been and will continue to be a Glock 30, since I'm irrationally attached to .45 ACP. It's the mid-size .45 Glock, and it fits lovely in my hand and waistband. If I want something in my pocket, I'm a big fan of the Ruger LCP. It only comes chambered in .380 (as far as I can remember), but that's not awful.

[Oramac]

15 hours ago, Broba Fett said:

Can we spend all month talking about guns? 

 

I like this plan.  

 

I'll be "that guy" and recommend the Glock 26.  I <3 mine.  Though I have been eyeing the G43 for a while, but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.  (yea, yea, I'm a glock guy.  )

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Thursday Update

 

Today's mood:

 

• Eating Right: I'm still eating paleo, almost entirely. I still have some weaknesses, though. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are my roughest points. Baked goods I can normally avoid, but sometimes they just call so strongly to me that I can't avoid it. Ice cream is a lesser concern; it's a nice reward at the end of a long day, and I've switched to no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream. But I'd still like to make sure I don't make too big a habit of it. Iced coffee is the biggest one. There's a lot of sugar in it, and it's been a part of my morning habit for so long that I don't even think about it anymore. I always forgot to report it previously because I just plain forgot. So I'm going to continue recording my meals and snacks here. I'm also going to have a spot specifically for whether or not I drank iced coffee, had baked goods, or had ice cream, since those are my trouble areas.
  • Note: Unless mentioned otherwise, assume I drank water with a meal.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are never paleo.
  • Wednesday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
  • Lunch: Baked chicken thigh, baked sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli
  • Dinner: Beer brats, fried potatoes
  • Snacks: Banana, 90% chocolate, almonds
  • Iced Coffee: Yes
  • Ice Cream: No
  • Baked goods: No
• Physical Activity: The gym, at least four times a week. Running outside when I can, health and weather permitting. Yoga at least five nights a week. 50 Push-Up Challenge.
  • Yesterday Gym: No gym. Just rest.
  • Today Gym: Ostensibly headed to the gym today for the NF Academy Gym 4B workout. We'll see how crazy the St. Louis drivers are with the snow. MoDOT opted not to pretreat the roads, so I'm expecting it to be a battlefield out there. Today may end up being a bodyweight day at home, if it would take an hour to get there.
  • Running: No run today or yesterday. I'm terrified to slipping and injuring myself when there's snow and ice. Maybe this weekend.
  • Yoga: Yoga last night. NF Yoga Water B. I think I've finally figured out Crescent Lunges, which is good. It makes me less scared to do that one again. Kinda thinking I may take tonight off, since the boyfriend and I are going to see Princess Mononoke in the theatre and won't be back until late.
  • Push-Ups: 10 push-ups last night. I am so not good at them, but I did them anyway. Tonight is a rest night.
• Lookin' Good: This is a little weird, and a couple things may be hard to quantify. But I want to transform from being a slob with the care I take with my appearance. I'm not in a job that cares what I look like, so I have to do it for myself. So I'm going to shave at least twice a week, I'm going to learn one thing about handling long hair each week, and I'm going to get rid of any unflattering clothes.
  • Shaving: Nope. Not really any need to do this every day, with my facial hair.
  • Hair: I watched a YouTube video yesterday for a few tips. Didn't really learn anything I didn't already know, sadly.
  • Clothes: Still nothing. Last night was too busy to really dig in. I think I'm going to spend a couple hours this weekend digging in. Still not sure where I'll take them to donate, though.
• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.
  • I didn't do anything about this yesterday.

[Oramac]

4 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

Today Gym: Ostensibly headed to the gym today for the NF Academy Gym 4B workout. We'll see how crazy the St. Louis drivers are with the snow. MoDOT opted not to pretreat the roads, so I'm expecting it to be a battlefield out there. Today may end up being a bodyweight day at home, if it would take an hour to get there.

 

I'm in the same boat.  Planning to head to the gym after work today.  Hopefully 8 hours is enough time for MoDot to get their shit together.  lol.  

 

Do what ya gotta do!

[imprimis5]

1 minute ago, Oramac said:

Hopefully 8 hours is enough time for MoDot to get their shit together.

 

Man, the year since last winter hasn't been enough time.

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Friday Update

 

 

• Eating Right: I'm still eating paleo, almost entirely. I still have some weaknesses, though. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are my roughest points. Baked goods I can normally avoid, but sometimes they just call so strongly to me that I can't avoid it. Ice cream is a lesser concern; it's a nice reward at the end of a long day, and I've switched to no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream. But I'd still like to make sure I don't make too big a habit of it. Iced coffee is the biggest one. There's a lot of sugar in it, and it's been a part of my morning habit for so long that I don't even think about it anymore. I always forgot to report it previously because I just plain forgot. So I'm going to continue recording my meals and snacks here. I'm also going to have a spot specifically for whether or not I drank iced coffee, had baked goods, or had ice cream, since those are my trouble areas.
  • Note: Unless mentioned otherwise, assume I drank water with a meal.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are never paleo.
  • Thursday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
  • Lunch: Baked chicken thigh, baked sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli
  • Dinner: Ground beef and onions, baked sweet potato fries, steamed cauliflower
  • Snacks: Banana, 90% chocolate, almonds, pickle
  • Iced Coffee: Yes, but I got it with less sugar! Baby steps!
  • Ice Cream: No
  • Baked goods: No
• Physical Activity: The gym, at least four times a week. Running outside when I can, health and weather permitting. Yoga at least five nights a week. 50 Push-Up Challenge.
  • Yesterday Gym: I made it down to the gym easily. The roads were fine by early afternoon. I've not been sleeping very well lately due to a little resurgence of anxiety, so I was super tired. Thus, I didn't have the most intense workout ever, but I still pushed myself.
  • Today Gym: Today is leg day with the trainer. I woke up with a sore lower back this morning, so I'm being very mindful of my posture today. Don't want that interfering with my session.
  • Running: Yesterday was a gym day, so I didn't run. I did row a kilometre at the gym, though.
  • Yoga: No yoga last night. We were both bushed by the time we got back from seeing Princess Mononoke, and having a rest day now and then isn't bad. But back to it tonight.
  • Push-Ups: Rest night last night. 10 tonight.
• Lookin' Good: This is a little weird, and a couple things may be hard to quantify. But I want to transform from being a slob with the care I take with my appearance. I'm not in a job that cares what I look like, so I have to do it for myself. So I'm going to shave at least twice a week, I'm going to learn one thing about handling long hair each week, and I'm going to get rid of any unflattering clothes.
  • Shaving: Didn't shave yesterday. Probably should have, but I can probably get away with it.
  • Hair: I've started brushing my hair more, as well as more often. This will help with tangles and general hair health.
  • Clothes: Again, probably won't do anything with this until this weekend. However, I did get notification that a few new workout shirts that I ordered have shipped. I should have them on Monday. Behold!
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.
  • Nothing about this yesterday. I have several calls to make today for a number of things, so this will just be one or two more of them.

[jonfirestar]

7 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

Clothes: Again, probably won't do anything with this until this weekend. However, I did get notification that a few new workout shirts that I ordered have shipped. I should have them on Monday. Behold!

Agggh! Where can I get those shirts? I bet they don't deliver internationally  

[imprimis5]

1 minute ago, jonfirestar said:

Agggh! Where can I get those shirts? I bet they don't deliver internationally  

 

They came from Activate Apparel. It looks like they do deliver internationally, but, as I'm sure you know, it almost certainly won't be cheap. I don't know what DHL rates usually run, but I'd expect something in the realm of USD $30.

[jonfirestar]

5 minutes ago, imprimis5 said:

 

They came from Activate Apparel. It looks like they do deliver internationally, but, as I'm sure you know, it almost certainly won't be cheap. I don't know what DHL rates usually run, but I'd expect something in the realm of USD $30.

 

Oh I know but sometimes you do what you gotta do. Thanks for the link!

[imprimis5]

Just now, jonfirestar said:

 

Oh I know but sometimes you do what you gotta do. Thanks for the link!

 

Happy to help. I know the pain, despite living in the US. A big-ish part of my job is shipping board games and replacement parts for board games that people order off of our web store or through customer service channels. It's painful to see a $20 mailing label print out to ship two or three cards to Sweden or the like.

[Xena]

On 1/4/2017 at 9:47 AM, imprimis5 said:

 

• • Hair: I'm changing up my shampoo and conditioner routine, trying to find the best solution for silky smooth long hair. Washing it twice a week seems to be working well, but conditioning it more frequently (like it seems I should do) is bad and leaves me greasy. Trial and error is fun!

 

I was going to suggest you play around with conditioner, but looks like you figured that one out.

 

There are smoothing products that can help (they typically have dimethicone in them). You would only want to use a few drops. You might like them or they might feel greasy to you.

 

Might also help to identify a celebrity who has hair you like that is similar in texture to yours. Try googling something like "how to get hair like...[name of person]" 

[imprimis5]

Week 0 Saturday Update

 

 

• Eating Right: I'm still eating paleo, almost entirely. I still have some weaknesses, though. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are my roughest points. Baked goods I can normally avoid, but sometimes they just call so strongly to me that I can't avoid it. Ice cream is a lesser concern; it's a nice reward at the end of a long day, and I've switched to no-sugar-added coconut milk ice cream. But I'd still like to make sure I don't make too big a habit of it. Iced coffee is the biggest one. There's a lot of sugar in it, and it's been a part of my morning habit for so long that I don't even think about it anymore. I always forgot to report it previously because I just plain forgot. So I'm going to continue recording my meals and snacks here. I'm also going to have a spot specifically for whether or not I drank iced coffee, had baked goods, or had ice cream, since those are my trouble areas.
  • Note: Unless mentioned otherwise, assume I drank water with a meal.
  • Note: Items in bold are not paleo. Baked goods, ice cream, and iced coffee are never paleo.
  • Friday breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs
  • Lunch: Baked chicken thigh, baked sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli
  • Dinner: Spinach salad with baked chicken, bacon bits, egg, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette
  • Snacks: Banana, 90% chocolate, almonds, three delicious kolaches because I'm weak
  • Iced Coffee: Yes, but I had them cut the sugar back again
  • Ice Cream: No
  • Baked goods: See above kolaches
• Physical Activity: The gym, at least four times a week. Running outside when I can, health and weather permitting. Yoga at least five nights a week. 50 Push-Up Challenge.
  • Yesterday Gym: Leg day with the trainer. I kill it every time. Did 14, then 12, deadlifts of my boyfriend's bodyweight. Made the joke that if he had handles, I could just use him next time. But seriously, leg day is quickly turning into my favourite day.
  • Today Gym: Once I finish typing this up, I'm going to go get coffee and read for a bit, then go directly to the gym. Probably Academy working Gym 4A.
  • Running: Still dangerously cold and icy.
  • Yoga: Yoga last night. NF Yoga Water B. Wasn't really feeling it because I was so tired, but I did it anyway. Remember when I said I had Crescent Lunges figured out? I was wrong. Ugh.
  • Push-Ups: 10 push-ups last night. Rest tonight.
• Lookin' Good: This is a little weird, and a couple things may be hard to quantify. But I want to transform from being a slob with the care I take with my appearance. I'm not in a job that cares what I look like, so I have to do it for myself. So I'm going to shave at least twice a week, I'm going to learn one thing about handling long hair each week, and I'm going to get rid of any unflattering clothes.
  • Shaving: It's in the plans for today.
  • Hair: Really happy with my hair today. Seems like a stricter brushing routine, combined with a little more care with shampoo and conditioner, goes a long way. I don't wanna overdo it, though, so gotta be careful.
  • Clothes: This is in the plans for this weekend, once the boyfriend wakes up and I can work in the closet without disturbing him.
• Ranged Attack: I'm going to get my Missouri license to carry during this challenge. Or at least file for it. I have no idea how long it'll actually take to come in. This means taking a class, then filing the paperwork.
  • Thanks to a little help from @Oramac, I figured out how much this whole process is going to cost me. It is going to be way pricy, by the time I get through the class and actually pay the fees. Like around $650. Oof. But at least I've figured out a place that I can take my class, and I know what to expect. While the class may happen this month, getting the permit may not happen until next pay check.