Rhovaniel: Becoming a Badass Ranger

[Rhovaniel]

 

 

This is not a themed challenge. They have their place, and I will probably return to them in time, but this one is about self-discovery just as much as self-improvement. And for that, I think I need to take a step back from themes, or creating goals with characters like Aragorn in mind. I don’t wish to sound self-centred, but I do wish to increase my self-confidence, self-believe and self-worth.

 

Goal the First: A healthy body to nourish a healthy mind

 

-       Two Stronglifts workouts a week. Include assistance work like push ups and planks

-       One dedicated bodyweight workout a week to build strength in exercises like push ups. I hate not being able to do full ones.

-       Running twice a week. Now that I’m considering running a 10k with a friend in July for Race for Life, I need to increase distance. Not sure how that will work yet. Maybe a 5 k run a week and one longer run, edging up the distance weekly? Not too sure yet.

 

Goal the Second: A healthy body needs healthy food

 

Simple. I hate MFP. Just… I can’t. I won’t. I don’t know why, I just don’t log. I may log breakfast, sometimes even lunch. But it’s rare I actually log everything and that means it doesn’t work for me. The plan, therefore, is not to count calories, or even macros at this stage. It is simply to be mindful at mealtimes, with no distractions if I can help it (TV, Work, uni) and to follow a nutrition plan I got from Break Point.

 

-       Follow Nutrition Plan 7 days a week (they include a ‘cheat’ or variance’ day)

-       No distractions at meals, be mindful of both what I’m eating, when I get full and portion control.

 

Goal the Third: A healthy mind to nourish a healthy body

 

-       This one I don’t know what to do with. I’m edging towards visualisation, meditation and trying to revive my journal. The aim, whatever I do, is to ease the pressure off myself about the future, and what I am going to do. I just need to take some time daily to figure me out. Basically, relaxing. Breathe. Recalibrate. Deliver (a Break Point mantra I’ve taken particularly to heart…)

-       15 minutes daily working on whatever I need to to get my mindset right. 

[Elastigirl]

Great challenge! I love the quote at the beginning. 

[Rhovaniel]

4 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

Great challenge! I love the quote at the beginning. 

Thanks. I was searching for an appropriate one, and this one hit the nail on the head. 

 

Okay, so this might be a bit of a random post. But one of the things I struggle with is self-confidence, particularly in regards to how I look. So.. today, I posted two photos on Instagram when I handed in my dissertation. And it's a proud moment for me, no matter what I look like. I've been working on the project for almost a whole year. So, I figured I'd repost it here. Because I need to get comfortable with saying: Yes, I am proud of myself for my achievements. It's also the first time I've posted in Instagram for a while, with the same intention. Self-confidence = Self-belief.

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

22 minutes ago, Rhovaniel said:

I handed in my dissertation

Awesome! Well done.

And following.

[jonfirestar]

Amazing challenge you've come up with here! If there is a place where it is okay to be self centered it's in your own challenge thread  don't feel bad about making it about you. It is about you. I might even observe that your tendency to use fictional characters is to draw attention away from yourself.

 

I really do understand your issues with self image and self confidence so I won't patronise you by telling you that you shouldn't be so silly and that you look good (although that is my gut reaction and quite true). Instead I'm going to tell you that you've done a brave thing. You should be proud of that moment and are right to want to share it.

 

I, for one, am privileged to share and proud of the Ranger you are today. 

 

Well done Rhovaniel. Keep on Rangering! 

[EricMN]

4 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Because I need to get comfortable with saying: Yes, I am proud of myself for my achievements.

...

Self-confidence = Self-belief.

 

I can't like this enough.

[Rhovaniel]

22 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

Amazing challenge you've come up with here! If there is a place where it is okay to be self centered it's in your own challenge thread  don't feel bad about making it about you. It is about you. I might even observe that your tendency to use fictional characters is to draw attention away from yourself.

 

I really do understand your issues with self image and self confidence so I won't patronise you by telling you that you shouldn't be so silly and that you look good (although that is my gut reaction and quite true). Instead I'm going to tell you that you've done a brave thing. You should be proud of that moment and are right to want to share it.

 

I, for one, am privileged to share and proud of the Ranger you are today. 

 

Well done Rhovaniel. Keep on Rangering! 

Thanks  It means a lot. 

 

18 hours ago, EricMN said:

 

I can't like this enough.

It's a big mindset change for me, I'll be honest. I come from a family where I was raised never to ask for things, because it's rude. I'm not sure how far they meant for me to take it, but I somehow grew up feeling like I shouldn't want things, definitely shouldn't ask for them and shouldn't draw attention to myself for anything.... Slowly, I'm breaking down those old mindsets. 

[Rhovaniel]

So.. today. Thankfully, it's Zero Week and I'm not tracking because today and last night have just been a constant snacking session. Stuff I don't usually go for, too. Crisps. Breakfast bars. Chocolate cake... Ugh. Ok, that one would be my weakness most of the time.  And tomorrow, I'm eating out with my partner. Partly to celebrate me almost being done with uni and partly because we haven't had a 'date' in a while. I'm going to look up the healthy options in advance for that one, though. It's purely because I'm avoiding my last assignment and revision for my two exams, I think. I just don't have the motivation. But, I've forced myself to edit a good 10 pages or so, despite the lack of motivation. And read a chapter of a book as a revision exercise. In a bit, I'll sort out my notes for the other class, so I can start revising that stuff too. 

 

The positives of the day: Went to the gym this morning. Decided since I'm in no real rush to get my numbers up, I'd de-load further to really get a feel for form. Squats 40kg, OHP 20kg, Deadlifts 50kg. Managed without any dramas, and more importantly, this time around I didn't have a moment where I thought I wouldn't be able to get back up on my last set of squats. Did 3 quick sets of 30 second planks, stretched and left.

Also, had a very productive meeting with my tutor, who gave me some pointers for my editing and even printed out my entire draft so far so that it would be easier for me to edit. And then I assembled the pull up bar I bought. My study doorframe is too wide, unfortunately, and the only place it fits is the downstairs bathroom near the front door. Gave it a try. Ow. But at least I can practise bar hangs at home now, and eventually work up to pull ups. 

[jonfirestar]

2 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Gave it a try. Ow. But at least I can practise bar hangs at home now, and eventually work up to pull ups. 

 happy you put it up and gave it a go. Deadhangs do suck quite a lot when you first try them. Immagine trying to do them whilst weighing 130kg!  Not fun at all. Soon though it'll be no big deal. The first time you try a negative it might feel like you just can't hold yourself up but soon you'll be gently lowering yourself with ease.  I'm gonna pull something I read in @RedStone's post today that happens to be a true. Every time you do it it's going to get a little tiny bit easier. It just takes time. You'll get to that pull up. 

[iatetheyeti]

Liking the not-a-theme going on here. I'm going to echo Jon and say I get where you're coming from, and please don't feel bad about making it about you. It is about you, and there's nothing self-centred in that at all. We have all got to be our own first priority, and we have all got to care for and nurture ourselves in order to become the best we can be.

 

(...following along, of course!)

[Rhovaniel]

1 hour ago, iatetheyeti said:

Liking the not-a-theme going on here. I'm going to echo Jon and say I get where you're coming from, and please don't feel bad about making it about you. It is about you, and there's nothing self-centred in that at all. We have all got to be our own first priority, and we have all got to care for and nurture ourselves in order to become the best we can be.

 

(...following along, of course!)

Glad to have you! and thanks  

[Moros]

Congratulations on turning in your dissertation!  And one day early too!

 

[Rhovaniel]

8 hours ago, Moros said:

Congratulations on turning in your dissertation!  And one day early too!

Thanks. To be fair, I'd be a nervous wreck if I handed it in on the day. So many things that could go wrong. That said, I'm still not done with my creative writing. Most of all, it needs a title and I'm struggling. Ugh. 

 

Week One, Day One:

 

Goal the First: A healthy body to nourish a healthy mind

 - I figured I'd get one of my runs out of the way early this week. Headed out, not really feeling like it. Had to do a couple short walking stretches, which is never a good sign. I just couldn't do it. Made it 3.5km but I really wasn't feeling good so instead of the extra loop to make a 5k, I headed home. I think it had something to do with eating chicken I'd cooked on Monday. I really should have just thrown it out, but I can be stubborn sometimes. I'll count it, but will try to make up an extra cardio workout at some point during the week, maybe. 

 

Goal the Second: A healthy body needs healthy food

- I go shopping tomorrow, so no nutrition plan yet and I think I'm going to have to tweak it a bit, and pull meals from other weeks to make it work for me. But the basic principle will be the same. Ate reasonably well, and no mindless snacking. The ice-cream I had was entirely a conscious decision.  

 

Goal the Third: A healthy mind to nourish a healthy body

- Still not sure what I'm going to do with this one. For tonight, I'll just try to clear my mind and attempt meditation before I go to sleep. 

 

Bonus: I made a total of 65 seconds on my dead hangs. It's tough, but I got up to 15 seconds a couple of times. So, first day of my Ranger Feat done for the mini. I even have baby callouses forming on my hands, just below my fingers, already. Feels good. (I mean, not the sore part, but the fact that I managed to hang on to the bar for that long.)

 

 

Oh, and it's 23 weeks till I go back to BreakPoint. It's weird that a single weekend can have such an impact on me, but I really miss it!

[jonfirestar]

12 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Bonus: I made a total of 65 seconds on my dead hangs. It's tough, but I got up to 15 seconds a couple of times. So, first day of my Ranger Feat done for the mini. I even have baby callouses forming on my hands, just below my fingers, already. Feels good. (I mean, not the sore part, but the fact that I managed to hang on to the bar for that long.)

 

One day you'll jump up the to the bar and be able to hang out there nice and comfy for a while and you'll look back and the sore will have all been worth it Don't beat yourself up too much for not being able to go with your run. You tried and if your body just was feeling rough maybe it was the best decision.

[Maggie-Miau]

Becoming a Badass Ranger? I think you mean becoming an even more Badass Ranger. Cheering for you, Rhovaniel!

[ForestGoddess]

Not all caught up yet but I just wanted to say I am following this challenge. I think you are awesome. I will come back and say more later. But wanted to cheer you on even though I have only a little time!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Following! 

[Rhovaniel]

8 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

 

One day you'll jump up the to the bar and be able to hang out there nice and comfy for a while and you'll look back and the sore will have all been worth it Don't beat yourself up too much for not being able to go with your run. You tried and if your body just was feeling rough maybe it was the best decision.

That's the goal! I love seeing the little improvements! Like how squatting with the 20kg bar was kind of a big deal the first couple of workouts. What was heavy then is now a light warm-up! 

 

3 hours ago, MiaulinTheCat said:

Becoming a Badass Ranger? I think you mean becoming an even more Badass Ranger. Cheering for you, Rhovaniel!

Aww, thanks, but I think I have a way to go yet...  Glad to have you along!

 

44 minutes ago, ForestGoddess said:

Not all caught up yet but I just wanted to say I am following this challenge. I think you are awesome. I will come back and say more later. But wanted to cheer you on even though I have only a little time!

Thank you! I'll head over and check in on your thread in a bit  

 

39 minutes ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Following! 

Hi! 

[Rhovaniel]

Okay, let's keep the ball rolling. Week One, Day Two

 

Goal the First: A healthy body to nourish a healthy mind

 - Got to the gym nice and early. There was a guy in early as well that last time I was in the gym told me I was squatting wrong because I used my legs most and should be using my butt more. So that was an awkward one. (No idea if he's right or not, but either way, unwelcome. I was literally mid set when he said it the other day...) Luckily he went to the other side of the gym and I got my workout in unhindered. Squats, bench press and inverted rows. Held 30 second planks 3 times as a finisher. 

 

Goal the Second: A healthy body needs healthy food

- Just finished cooking a healthy mince (lots of garlic, chopped onion, celery and carrot, lean mince and a tin of chopped tomatoes) as day one (and day two). 

- But I bought custard donuts on an impulse. That was not clever. I will do better tomorrow...

 

Goal the Third: A healthy mind to nourish a healthy body

- I did get a few minutes of mind-clearing last night, but nothing I'd say came close to meditation. Will try tonight. 

 

Ranger Feat: I have 30 seconds left to complete... will do some now! 

[Mizbrek]

These are all fantastic goals, and I think you're right. I enjoy the themes mostly, and when I hit on a good one it can help a lot, but sometimes I struggle with it. 

 

And I think the mindset goal is so critical, and so personal. If you ask 5 people what works best for cultivating a healthy mind, you'll get 10 different answers. I think the most important thing is to find what works for you. Hell, for me it often involves logging into my favourite video game, finding a quiet spot, turning the sound up and putting on headphones. Jeez, I felt my heart rate drop just thinking about that.

 

Following along! Also will follow on Insta! Always looking for more Rangers on there!

 

Edit: Also, right there with you on the Insta stuff. One of my kind of unofficial side goals is to take more selfies, as I think it's one of those things that's good to be comfortable doing, showing and sharing pictures of yourself.

[ForestGoddess]

On 4/21/2017 at 0:55 PM, Rhovaniel said:

Thanks  It means a lot. 

 

It's a big mindset change for me, I'll be honest. I come from a family where I was raised never to ask for things, because it's rude. I'm not sure how far they meant for me to take it, but I somehow grew up feeling like I shouldn't want things, definitely shouldn't ask for them and shouldn't draw attention to myself for anything.... Slowly, I'm breaking down those old mindsets. 

What you said here resonated with me a lot. I too never ask for anything and just in the past couple of years have I actually started to think about myself and what I would like to do. It is an interesting feeling. Good and scary at the same time. But for the first time in my life I actually feel like I am starting to figure out who and what I am.

 

CONGRATULATIONS on handing in your dissertation. That is huge, and you should be so proud!

 

Good job on knowing when to step back and look inside in order to free your Badass Ranger  

[Charlie_Quinn]

Also followed you on Insta. I'll be looking out for those selfies, but I'll also be happy to see kitty pics!

 

Also, as promised, link for W.A.R OCR in September. 

 

[Moros]

21 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Okay, let's keep the ball rolling. Week One, Day Two

 

Goal the First: A healthy body to nourish a healthy mind

 - Got to the gym nice and early. There was a guy in early as well that last time I was in the gym told me I was squatting wrong because I used my legs most and should be using my butt more. So that was an awkward one. (No idea if he's right or not, but either way, unwelcome. I was literally mid set when he said it the other day...) Luckily he went to the other side of the gym and I got my workout in unhindered. Squats, bench press and inverted rows. Held 30 second planks 3 times as a finisher. 

 

It sounds like you are off to a great start!

 

However, that guy was uncool.  He's not your trainer, and not your coach, and generally discussing someone's butt who is working out is problematic at best... So, I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

 

[Rhovaniel]

3 hours ago, Moros said:

 

It sounds like you are off to a great start!

 

However, that guy was uncool.  He's not your trainer, and not your coach, and generally discussing someone's butt who is working out is problematic at best... So, I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

 

 

A great start that unfortunately fell short today. Working 13hr shifts are not fun. I get bored and I eat too much. Ugh. I will do better tomorrow. For a start, I'm back in the gym first thing  

 As for the guy... I figured it was bound to happen at some point. I just kinda went, "oh, great thanks. I'll try that." And carried on. 

 

Only positive: got my Ranger Feat done!

[Rhovaniel]

6 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Also followed you on Insta. I'll be looking out for those selfies, but I'll also be happy to see kitty pics!

 

Also, as promised, link for W.A.R OCR in September. 

 

Thanks! To be honest, its far easier posting kitty pics. They're more photogenic than I am lol.

 

Will look at the link when it's not 20 to midnight and I'm not on my phone. But thank you!