The Scarlet Pimpernel Plays Tetris

[Teancum]

 

The focus of my challenge this time is all about fitting within limitations (an If It Fits Your Macros diet) and flexibility (I still want to work on increasing my flexibility by daily stretching before starting back into bigger workouts, especially since my back is still hurting quite a bit). In light of that, I thought "What better theme to have than Tetris, and if I'm doing that why not make it game!"

 

The Rules:

 

1. 3 random tetronimoes (just learned that's what they're called!) drop each day, one each for protein, carbs, and fat

2. If I'm within 5g EDIT: ~5% for a given Macro, I can place that block anywhere it fits on the bottom of the screen. If I am outside 5g EDIT: ~5% then the block drops automatically down the center of the board

3. Doing my daily stretching allows me the ability to rotate all the tetronimoes for that day

4. Actions Per Day (APD) average for the week gives me that number of bonus squares that I can use to fill in holes to complete rows. 

5. Completed rows are tallied and scored 1 point each at the end of the challenge. The number of completed mindset quests at challenge end forms a score multiplier (ex. 2 quests = 2x number of rows completed, 5 quests = 5x, etc.) 

6. If the block pile reaches the top of the screen I lose any previously accumulated points and start over. 

 

Goal score: 150

 

The actual score number will be mostly driven by mindset quests, but it'll be important that I don't reach the top, so the macros that are the focus of the challenge become more important.

 

Example end-of-week screen:

 

APD average = 7, so I get to insert 7 squares:

 

5 rows completed and disappear, so my running score is 5, the rows disappear, and my board for next week is:

 

 

So that's it! It's a bit labour intensive, so I can't promise that I'll update every day, but I will follow the rules, and at least get a weekly board up!

 

[Manarelle]

This is brilliant. As you say, a fair bit of work, but brilliant. You can do it!

[Teancum]

The board for yesterday and today:

 

 

So far so good with meeting my macro goals! I haven't stretched yet today, but I will. Also hoping to log some reps for the mini.

I started using a protein shake so I could meet my protein goal. I discovered today that it tastes WAY better with half a tablespoon of cocoa added, which barely adds any calories, so worth it!!

[Red1263]

I'm no stranger to Tetris, but the fact that you've made a theme out of it is incredible! I'm looking forward to this!

[Teancum]

First a rule update - I've changed the 5g requirement to ~5%. That's about 10g for protein and carbs and 5g for fat. I realized that it was a bit too restrictive even when I am doing quite well, and that 5g for my fat goal and 5g for my carb goal are very different numbers relative to the total.

 

For the last two days:

 

 

I went outside on carbs and fat yesterday, but still did my stretching so luckily not too much damage was done (those two s-tiles in a row would have been perfect though!)

[Manarelle]

Good rule update. That's a pretty narrow window to get to, but 5% is not unreasonable. Your APD should take care of those misplaces S blocks, too. How was the week, overall?

[Teancum]

Weekly Report:

 

End of week board:

 

 

APD average: 8

 

 

Score: 6

 

New Board: 

 

 

Not a bad week! Definitely a few times I was over the limit on one or two macros, but overall I've been fairly good at keeping close to my goals, and often even when I'm over on a macro I'm still close for the total calories. Usually the carbs are the culprit - sometimes it looks like I have some room for a little dessert, but then there are more carbs than I expect in the food I have later. 

 

I lost over 5 lbs this week! I expected that, since it's newbie gains in a way, coming off all the extra food at Easter. It still felt good though. 

 

Stretching has been good too. I've been doing a few stretches, at least for the problem spots every day. I'm not convinced I'm making much progress, but consistency is king I guess. I'm also falling behind a bit on the academy challenges - keeping a bedtime has been harder than it was previously. I need to get moving on them, cause that's where most of my points are coming from!

[Manarelle]

On 5/1/2017 at 10:25 PM, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

I lost over 5 lbs this week! I expected that, since it's newbie gains in a way, coming off all the extra food at Easter. It still felt good though. 

 

Heck yeah! Big congrats there! Noob gains or not, it's still an improvement that wouldn't have happened without your effort. Keep it up!

[Teancum]

Update:

 

 

Here's the update for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Monday was not so hot, Tuesday I ate too many delicious home-made cookies, but yesterday was really good. I had a treat in the afternoon, but adjusted my dinner to fit. I'm away this weekend, so might not get to post til next week, but we'll see! Still need to get on those mindset quests!

[Manarelle]

How'd the weekend go? Were you able to track things, or did you take a break for the time away? Considering we're halfway through the challenge, you have a good clean board so far.

[Teancum]

14 hours ago, Manarelle said:

How'd the weekend go? Were you able to track things, or did you take a break for the time away? Considering we're halfway through the challenge, you have a good clean board so far.

 

Haha not quite so clean now unfortunately... I'll try to update it tomorrow

[Teancum]

Okay, here's the damage from last week...

 

End of week board:

 

 

Just barely survived... I forgot to stretch on Friday (even though I did some good exercise in the airport), and being on vacation I very quickly gave up on meeting my macros unfortunately. It is hard when you're eating out more, and with other people all the time, but I certainly could have tried harder.

 

APD average for the week: 8

 

 

Weekly Score: 5

Cumulative Score: 11

 

New Board:

 

 

Yikes, this week is going to be a challenge... especially considering the start of it so far (I'll update again later). Hopefully I can make it through though. Also still no mindset challenges yet! Argh, getting to bed on time has been proving harder than I thought... I guess that comes with the territory of a newborn. C'est la vie.

[Teancum]

Sorry, not much time this week, but here's the weekly update:

 

End of week board:

 

 

Just barely scraped by... yikes! Monday and Tuesday were fairly disastrous (travelling home, and my wife's birthday), but the rest of the week was actually pretty good, and good thing too because one mistake would have spelled the end! I live on though!

 

APD average for the week: 7

 

 

Weekly Score: 7

Cumulative Score: 18

 

New Board:

 

 

One more week of the challenge! It's gone pretty quickly! I'd better get on these mindset quests if I'm going to get anywhere near my goal score... I've actually really liked the format of this challenge though, I might continue it next challenge. It's surprising how motivating it is, and it's allowed me the flexibility to go over at times if I feel like it's worth it, but has the restrictions to make sure I don't do it every day.

 

I still feel like I'm not getting any more flexible though, even though I've been really good at stretching almost every day... I'm trying to be patient, but I almost feel like I'm moving backwards with it. I did lose 2 lbs this week though! As long as I can keep in that direction for a while...

 

This next week should be good!

[Mr.Six]

On 5/14/2017 at 5:43 PM, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

I've actually really liked the format of this challenge though, I might continue it next challenge. It's surprising how motivating it is, and it's allowed me the flexibility to go over at times if I feel like it's worth it, but has the restrictions to make sure I don't do it every day.

 

This was a brilliant idea for a challenge style -- glad it's working in terms of motivation.  Keep up the good work (despite the obvious challenges)!

 

How's your breathing during your stretching?  I know that's a vague question, but I am a WHM geek and have been combining deep breathing with my stretching and seen significant improvements.

[Teancum]

8 hours ago, Mr.Six said:

This was a brilliant idea for a challenge style -- glad it's working in terms of motivation.  Keep up the good work (despite the obvious challenges)!

 

How's your breathing during your stretching?  I know that's a vague question, but I am a WHM geek and have been combining deep breathing with my stretching and seen significant improvements.

 

Thanks, I've enjoyed it! And as far as breathing goes, I could definitely be more consistent. Sometimes I breathe fairly deeply and that sure makes a better stretch. Other times in impatient or my back is hurting and they're a lot more shallow. 

 

What is WHM? And how many breaths do you usually hold for? 

[Mr.Six]

11 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

What is WHM? And how many breaths do you usually hold for?

The Wim Hof Method is a breathing / cold exposure /stretching technique developed by a dutchman named Wim Hof.  I know several other nerds @Wolfen and @Helix "The Peasant" have incorporated some or all of the technique into their practice too.  The breathing aspect is a controlled hyperventilation folllowed by holding one's breath for as long as possible.  I have gotten out of my regular practice, but had gotten up over 3 minutes.  Using the same deep breathing to increase your blood oxygen levels is supposed to make stretching easier as well.  I found this to be true and significantly improved some of my stretches--forward fold in particular.  Wim contends that his method reduces inflamation, increases circulatory strength, and can help the immune system.  I won't make any proclaimations either way, but I've liked the results I've experienced.

[Teancum]

Mid-week update!

 

 

This week has been great so far! Meeting targets, and doing my stretching. I'm on track for today too. Here's to a good final week!

[Teancum]

On 2017-5-17 at 10:20 AM, Mr.Six said:

The Wim Hof Method is a breathing / cold exposure /stretching technique developed by a dutchman named Wim Hof.  I know several other nerds @Wolfen and @Helix "The Peasant" have incorporated some or all of the technique into their practice too.  The breathing aspect is a controlled hyperventilation folllowed by holding one's breath for as long as possible.  I have gotten out of my regular practice, but had gotten up over 3 minutes.  Using the same deep breathing to increase your blood oxygen levels is supposed to make stretching easier as well.  I found this to be true and significantly improved some of my stretches--forward fold in particular.  Wim contends that his method reduces inflamation, increases circulatory strength, and can help the immune system.  I won't make any proclaimations either way, but I've liked the results I've experienced.

 

Very interesting, I'll have to look into that! 

[Mr.Six]

16 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

I'll have to look into that!

Let me know what you think if you try it out.

[Manarelle]

Nice recovery from the vacation pile-up! Looks that was a pretty good motivator for you. How'd the challenge finish out? 

 

Also on stretching - yes, patience is key. It feels like months will pass with no progress and then suddenly you realize you've blown your previous records out of the water. Hang in there .

[Teancum]

End of the week... another close one!!

 

 

I did quite well most of the week, but then Saturday was a problem, and Sunday had some issues too... almost died, but I held on!

 

APD Average for the week: 8

 

 

Weekly Score: 8

Cumulative Score: 26

 

CHALLENGE SUMMARY

 

Almost died almost every week, but just barely squeaked by!! Time for the final score:

 

Cumulative weekly score: 26

Points Multiplier (mindset challenges completed): 4

 

Total score: 104

(Goal Score 150)

 

All in all, I think this was a great challenge! I didn't quite get my goal score, mostly due to not doing enough mindset challenges. But I didn't die (barely), and I got decently close to my goal score. Also I lost almost 3lbs this week, which has been about standard for weeks where I don't completely give up and gain a bunch back (looking at you travelling weekend). When I stick with the program, it works!!

 

I am going to continue this challenge for the next challenge period - it's working well, provides great motivation, and is helping these things turn into habits! Also I still have some progress to make on these goals, so I don't want to start anything new right now. Hit me up for Tetris part 2! I'll start over, try to beat my score from this round, and hopefully knock it out of the park!

 

[Teancum]

New challenge! Tetris game 2!