The Scarlet Pimpernel Gets With the Program

[Teancum]

The last few challenges I've been getting back into the NF academy by going through the mindset challenges. I still have a couple left to do, but I'm ready now to move on to the nutrition and workouts again. I figure it's about time I finally get with the program and see what happens. I've been finding fairly good success with keeping things simple, but still haven't seen the results I would hope for. My schedule has also been difficult recently, with lots of call, but now that's over for a while which is good timing. So it's time to dedicate myself a bit more to the process.

 

Diet - NF level 4, No added sugar

 

I've been doing IIFYM the last few months, and have been alright at sticking to my goals, but could do a bit better. I've found the times I overeat it's usually due to eating too much sugar earlier in the day or being hungry later, or else getting into binge in the evening. In looking through the nutrition module, I'd say I'm at a bout NF diet level 4, so I'm going to try to keep there and improve at having more vegetables and less bread/pasta. I'm also going to stay away from added sugar this challenge. I've done it before, but then I slipped back into old habits. As part of the "Face Your Demons" mindset challenge, I determined that sugar is definitely one of them, so this is my "stay away from it" phase where I can study my enemy and make a plan for when I face it again.

 

Exercise - Bodyweight Workout 3

 

I'm at the Bodyweight Level 3 workouts, which I'll be doing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I haven't focused on exercise recently, mostly because my back has been hurting and I've been feeling stiff. However, stretching on it's own hasn't been helping, and I think I need to build strength if I'm finally going to get over my pain/stiffness. 

 

Other

 

I'll keep going through the mindset challenges. I'm not going to weigh myself again until the end of the challenge as part of a  mindset challenge. I think it'll also be beneficial as I'm getting back into workouts and a more solid diet to judge how I'm feeling, and see how it all works at the end. I'll also continue tracking my APD score and trying to beat the previous month's average. I'm going to try to update here daily.

 

Here we go!

 

 

[Teancum]

Yesterday and today went well. I stuck to my macro goals, no added sugar, and did my workout yesterday. Definitely need to work on my side planks!! 

 

I'm a bit hungry tonight, but it's manageable. Unfortunately my wife brought home a bunch of sugary things from the store, so that'll add an extra challenge the next few days. I've been trying to get her more on board, but without much luck. Oh well, c'est la vie 

[Teancum]

Eating was good today, but the workout isn't going to happen I wanted to do it this morning, but I had the kiddies while my wife slept. Then I worked from 2-10 and planned to do it after, but now that the kids are finally down it's midnight and I'm exhausted. I'll try for the morning tomorrow, then maybe get my third in Saturday. 

[Akura]

Taking care of kids counts as half a workout, at least!

[Teancum]

Got my workout in today, and eating was pretty good! I went a bit over my carbs goal with some cherries tonight, but if I'm going to go over, I'm glad it's with cherries. 

 

Tomorrow my wife is making a special Canada themed dinner for Canada's 150th birthday!! Saturday is the actual day, but I'm working and then we'll be going out in the evening. As such I'm going to be a little more lenient on my diet the next couple days, and will allow some sugar. I do this only because I know I can get right back to where I was, and it's a special occasion. I will still record my food though, and I'm planning to get my last workout in tomorrow evening still. 

[Akura]

1 hour ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

Canada themed dinner

 

Hmm... Maybe I'm playing too much Zelda, but when I think about "Canadian food" all I can think of is frozen meat... But seriously, what is a typical Canadian meal?

[Teancum]

13 hours ago, Akura said:

 

Hmm... Maybe I'm playing too much Zelda, but when I think about "Canadian food" all I can think of is frozen meat... But seriously, what is a typical Canadian meal?

 

Lol nice. Typical Canadian food is very similar to American food. The dinner tonight will be stereotypical Canadian food - poutine (French fries, gravy, and cheese curds), Alberta beef, and a cake that looks like a Canada flag (whipped cream and strawberries). So not the healthiest thing. 

 

Other stereotypical Canadian foods are ketchup chips, Kraft Dinner (macaroni and cheese), a meat pie called tourtiere, Nanaimo bars, etc. And anything with maple syrup lol

[Teancum]

So, as promised, yesterday and today were a fat fest. But it was planned, and I still made SOME healthy choices, like having a protein shake for breakfast rather than leftover cake. Tomorrow will be kind of a transition day, then back to full force on Monday! Happy 150th Canada!!

[Teancum]

After the weekend's study in gluttony, I'm back at it today. No sugar, within calorie limits (a bit over on protein actually) and completed by workout today! Those side planks still kill though! 

 

The weekend reinforced the fact that I can't just have a "cheat meal". If I deviate, I tend to go way off, and then since I've given up for the day I actively look for unhealthy things to eat. It's really terrible. Following the 80/20 rule though, if that only happens once every month or two, I should still be ok. I'm really hoping that as health becomes more of a lifestyle I'll lose that drive. 

 

I didn't get my third workout in last week. I did do a ton of walking Saturday though. I will do it this week! I will finally complete the "C" workout! Embarrassingly, I've never managed to get 3 in a week before when trying the academy workouts, and therefore have never done workout C. This week that will change though!! 

[Teancum]

Ate well today, all set to exercise tomorrow! 

[Teancum]

The rest of this week has gone pretty well! Once again the weekend messed up my eating slightly, but not near as bad as last weekend.

 

Yesterday was a potluck, and today was a barbeque at a friend's house. At both I over ate a bit, more so at the potluck, there was just so much deliciousness! I stayed clear of the desserts at both though! I did also have lemonade at both (so still added sugar), but I'm proud of myself for avoiding dessert. 

 

Today also had some good and bad. The bad: I caved and ate part of a kit Kat bar and one bite of a cupcake. The good: the bite of cupcake tasted grossly sweet and I had no desire for more, so hopefully that means my tastes are changing a bit again. I also finally did workout C!! That means all three workouts done for the week. I like workout 3C because it's the only one I can complete everything fully without modifications haha. Gotta work on those push ups and side planks!! 

 

I've realized that I haven't been as strict on added sugar this time, and I'm ok with that. I'm tracking my macros this time (unlike last time I went sugar free), so as long as it fits my goals I'm ok with sauces and things with sugar in them. So really I'm attempting to stay away from sweets/desserts for a bit more than anything. Oh, on that front, there were also some free cookies in the lounge at work this week that I avoided. Hooray! It's so much easier when I can say to myself "I don't eat that" rather than "I shouldn't eat that". 

 

Still not weighing myself, but aside from the over eating on the weekends I've been feeling pretty good about things! 

[Teancum]

Today was good! Diet was pretty much on point, and I even gave away a full size mars bar I won for doing well on a quiz in one of our lectures! 

 

I also worked out today... and am seeing progress!! I did five real push ups! And the side planks didn't kill quite as bad today! 

 

So overall, a very good day! 

[Teancum]

It's been a crazy week! I didn't realize I haven't posted since Monday! 

 

The week was pretty good though. I was close to my calorie goal every day until the weekend (more on that later), although I exceeded my carb goal a couple days. Done pretty well staying away from sweets, but there were a couple times I wasn't as strict and had the last bite of my wife's cookie or something. Overall not bad though. 

 

I did all three of my workouts this week! What's even better is I'm already seeing progress! I was able to do the full set of 5 pushups for the first time ever! And my side planks were slightly less torturous! (only slightly). 

 

That brings me to yesterday and today. It's our 5 year anniversary this year, so we had an early staycation. We went to a matchbox 20 concert last night and a street festival today. So there was much junk food. But actually I had a really healthy dinner both yesterday and today, so that was a good choice. And lots of walking. I don't mind having sugar and junk food for special events, the trick is just making sure everything doesn't turn into a special event, and also that special events don't last for multiple meals / days all the time. 

 

I'll be interested to see what my weight is like at the end of this challenge, cause I feel like in general I'm doing pretty well, but these weekends keep getting to me. Which, honestly, is probably the most accurate "healthy" I can be right now while trying to avoid a temporary "diet". So we'll see! 

[Akura]

Sounds like an almost perfect week!

[Teancum]

This week has gone ok, except today I failed a bit. It started out ok, but there were tim bits (doughnut holes) sitting by the door when I got home and I had a couple. I tracked it though, but then I had some extra spaghetti and went over my carb goal and had a couple more. Not the best, but definitely didn't go crazy at least like I often do and stuff as much in my face as I can just because I'm already over my goal. And calories wise I think I'm still in the ballpark. 

 

The other fail today was not doing my workout. I just didn't make it a priority. Yesterday my back was hurting so I pushed it to today, but then today I did some cleaning since some family is coming tomorrow, and after I was tired and didn't feel like it. Didn't help that it's my least favorite variation today. 

 

Oh well, I'll for sure get my last one in tomorrow or Saturday, and get right back to good eating tomorrow! 

[Akura]

What kind of workout do you do?

 

With my back pains I like to have several different alternatives available. So, when I feel to uncomfortable to do my "intense" bodyweight workout I have some simple and easy Yoga moves to do. So, instead of skipping my workout I just adapt it.

(In practise, of course, I skip my workout, because I'm the king of the Underpants Gnomes.)

[Teancum]

20 hours ago, Akura said:

What kind of workout do you do?

 

With my back pains I like to have several different alternatives available. So, when I feel to uncomfortable to do my "intense" bodyweight workout I have some simple and easy Yoga moves to do. So, instead of skipping my workout I just adapt it.

(In practise, of course, I skip my workout, because I'm the king of the Underpants Gnomes.)

 

I've been doing the academy body weight 3 workouts. I really should have done something, I do have some specific back exercises to do, I think I was mostly being lazy, but my back was a nice excuse. 

 

Speaking of excuses, tonight ended with pizza and cookies, and not working out. I will do my workout tomorrow though, and I'm going to try my darnedest to eat healthier again. We're also going to the lake, so that should be some good activity too. 

[Teancum]

Today was a fail. That is all. 

[Akura]

10 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

Today was a fail. That is all. 

 

Ah, that means you're back on track tomorrow. Good to know.

[Teancum]

Did my workout today even though it was late. Feels good! 

[Teancum]

This week was a disaster as far as food goes. Lots of fast food as I was driving between two hospitals over lunch this week. I know it's a lame excuse, but it is what it is. Unfortunately on Friday I devoured a whole medium stuffed crust pizza myself, so that was pretty bad. Then we went to the fair yesterday, so lots of sugar and fried food. Then at my in laws today where I'm conditioned to eat a ton every time. Boo!! 

 

One good thing from last week was that I made time for a workout between work and an evening review class, I brought my clothes and found a park. It was great!! 

 

This week I'll get back to meeting my macro goals and avoiding sugar. I've been doing kind of ok up till the last few days, and I'd really hate to have that ruin it. I just really hope I can be down some weight when I with myself again at the end of the challenge, or I'll be disappointed. I think I can do it though if I get back on track for the next 2 weeks. 

[Akura]

5 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

I know it's a lame excuse,

 

Don't see it as an excuse, see it as a "valid" reason you can learn from.

[Teancum]

So I thought there was an extra week to this challenge... Apparently not. So no time to redeem myself... 

 

This last week was bad... One workout, and tons of junk food, but in my defense we were camping, and that's kind of part of it? 

 

So, as has been the pattern, the first part of the challenge went quite well, then it all fell apart about half way through. I managed to hold on to at least some semblance of a workout each week at least. But, as has also been the pattern, my weight after the month was completely unchanged. I guess not going up is something, but I was really hoping for much better. 

 

Honestly I'm getting pretty tired with myself for not being able to follow through on these challenges, and not making any progress. I don't know why I can't just stick with it for a decent period of time. It's frustrating, but I guess I'll just have to keep trying... 

 

I'm planning on some rebranding next challenge... So stay tuned!! 

 

[Akura]

8 hours ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

Honestly I'm getting pretty tired with myself for not being able to follow through on these challenges, and not making any progress

 

I feel the same. Always remember, the effort put into these challenges is worth more than the actual results. And, obviously, one has to do a lot of reflecting and meditating after a challenge is finished. Maybe you have to do less, maybe you have to different things.