View Full Version : Give It a 100 Challenge - September
Hi All,
On Facebook today, somebody shared this old video of a woman who went to the gym 100 times which George Takei had posted along with the question, "What would you like to do 100 times?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5FkshLcNLQ
Her video was part of a larger movement online called "Give it 100" which, as far as I can tell, is now defunct.
I really related to the way the woman felt at the beginning of the video - like that her friends had made some positive changes in their lives and that she was happy for them, but that she felt a little "stuck" in her own. Committing to working out 100 times helped her get unstuck, and I asked myself, "What could I do 100 times that might help me feel less stuck?" And my answer was getting back to some short story writing, which is a dream I've let fall by the wayside a million times.
So today I'm committing to working on my short stories for at least 30 minutes 100 times between now and January 15, 2018. I hope I reach my deadline before then, but I'm trying to be realistic. My work gets incredibly busy between mid-October and mid-December, and I've already committed to a family vacation for eight days between Christmas and New Year's, so I need to consider all that.
Anybody want to join in? As you can see, I'm hoping to start a monthly thread on this and am starting the September one a tiny bit early.
Anybody want to set a goal of doing something 100 times?
I will drink 100 glasses of water. One of my resolutions for 2017 was to drink 3 a day but I haven't done it.
Chicken lady
8-27-17, 6:50am
I want to do this. Don't they say if you do something 30 times it becomes a habit? So, I'm trying to the of a new, simple habit that will help me toward one of the goals I'm working on. Something that I could do even on Wednesdays when I will be tired, gone most of the day, and home late all fall.
- ok, I thought it over. I am going to go to bed every night with a clean* kitchen.
if I manage it every night I will hit 100 December 4th. Thanksgiving will happen.
this is going to involve a lot of changes - not leaving work out on the table, putting the groceries away when I get home, keeping up with dishes, taking the compost out every day....
since I have extra time and energy this morning, I'm going to start by getting it clean so tonight will only be one day of maintainence.
*i give myself a pass to leave dishes drying in the drainer or rinsed and ready to load on the counter if the dishwasher is running, or not wash dh glass if he has a drink at bedtime, to soak something overnight, or to leave out work I will need in the morning.
Yay! Glad to have company!
Chicken lady
8-27-17, 8:59pm
I didn't make it. The dishes are good. And It is better. Much, much better. But not clean.
the collection of dying plants is still on the counter. The box of papers and random stuff is still on the kitchen stool. There is a half filled bowl of compost by the sink. My purse is hanging from a kitchen chair.
and I am too tired. I will start tomorrow.
Chicken Lady,
I'm not assuming that what I do 100 times will be done 100 consecutive times. I'm hoping to start tomorrow, but in aiming for a January 15 deadline, I'm expecting there to be days I don't write - in fact, many of them. So whenever you start, if you miss a day, I hope you'll just get back to it the next time you can. 100 times is a 100 times. Period.
Chicken lady
8-28-17, 6:58am
Oh, I will, but missing the first day is not starting. I kind of wish I had at least done the compost last night. My kitchen smells like wilted cilantro. I don't even like fresh cilantro. (Dh put it on his food last night)
I started today. 30 minutes of writing this morning on a busy day. Boom.
Chicken lady
8-28-17, 9:46pm
I am calling today starting.
the compost is not empty, but I emptied it today, and it has an orange peel in it. An orange peel is nice. Dh removed the entire kitchen table (it is now in the addition), and I have not dealt with the plants, but I did deal with the stuff, the box of papers, and my purse. And I am caught up on dishes. So I am going to count any day like this that only has the plants or that has fewer plants as done.
1.
That's great, Chicken Lady. I'm all for realistic goals and being gentle with ourselves.
Both of you are inspiring. Just tackling things...I like the 100 days not necessarily consecutive. I am going to try to do 15 minutes in the attic or basement for 100 days! See how that works. Starting this afternoon!
Welcome, nswef!
Because I know it's going to be especially hard for me to keep writing between mid-October and mid-December because my teaching work gets really busy then, I've also set myself some benchmark goals - to have completed 28 times by the end of September and 40 times by October 15. I'm hoping if I "front-load" my 100 times in this way, I'll stay on track for completing by January 15.
Chicken lady
8-29-17, 9:51pm
2. And I put away groceries. I still didn't do anything about the plants though.
nswef, did you start today?
Meditation, i was up to 83 days recorded and then got sick last spring. I still meditate most days but just started really tracking again
I read something interesting recently. Not a direct quote as I can't find it but here's the gist of it:
We are only capable of so-much decision making in a day. Thus it is important to get things done early that need to get done. Late in the day it'll sit and wait for another day.
Lends credence to this idea (also read somewhere): each day have only 3 things on the to-do list. Do those first. The rest of the day is a success because your list is done.
I find those principles help me every day!
Chicken lady
8-30-17, 6:51am
Lol! Clearly that person with three things on their to do list does not have executive function issues.
the first three things on my literal "to do" list every day are "make breakfast, do chores, milk." Milk is on there seperately because I put it in the freezer to chill, and even though I do it every single day - if I don't look at the list and see the word "milk" I will forget to take it out after an hour and it will freeze and the jar will break.
breakfast and chores are on there not because I will forget to do them, but because sometimes in planning my day ahead, I would forget to allow time to do them.
i can manage getting dressed without a list. But sometimes I don't get hungry before I have to leave the house, and in the absence of a reminder, I forget both to eat breakfast and to pack a lunch. I also forget to brush my hair, which is long. I keep a brush in my car for those moments when I catch a glimpse of myself.
TooSweetForMe
8-30-17, 8:38am
I've been reading this thread, and I think I'd like to join in. I'm going to apply it to my walking. Trying to get in at least 5000 steps a day, may work up to 10,000.
I read something interesting recently. Not a direct quote as I can't find it but here's the gist of it:
We are only capable of so-much decision making in a day. Thus it is important to get things done early that need to get done. Late in the day it'll sit and wait for another day.
Lends credence to this idea (also read somewhere): each day have only 3 things on the to-do list. Do those first. The rest of the day is a success because your list is done.
I find those principles help me every day!
If you have that reference somewhere I would love it. I made a mistake that already got me in trouble this school year. I am taking the lumps for it, All I can tell my boss was that there was too much chaos over the entire week. Moving things, have staff not know what to do, all my materials in boxes in the hallway, changes in paperwork, no power one day. Now he really wants to help me and check in a lot, but it really was the perfect storm right then. maybe something so he can trust this is not going to be my normal way of working.
Too Sweet, I've been doing 5000 steps for a long time...this month I tried to increase the number of 6000 days and succeeded.
No, I did not start my 15 min. attic or basement yesterday...I love the only 3 things on your list but don't seem to have that skill! But I will start.
In less than an hour outside I dug up 3 rosebushes bought at Ollie's 2 years ago that reverted to wild and seem to draw nothing pollinating so out they came today! Been on the list for a year. I also removed some fencing in the garden that has been interfering with good mowing, also on the list for at least a year. AND I measured the utility windows (attic, basement, garage in preparation for getting rid of the attic supply of old curtains, drapes etc. from my husband's dad's house...that I keep just in case. Now having the right measurements I know which cute little curtains are useless to me and which long curtains aren't necessary. I'm counting that time as working on the attic. See how convoluted my thinking gets? But, I'm quite pleased to have a few "once and done" jobs finished. Unlike weeding and cleaning that just have to be done weekly. Thanks for this 100 day idea and the 3 things a day and the do it in the morning.
Chicken lady
8-30-17, 1:56pm
Imho, the prep work is part of the job!
Chicken lady
8-30-17, 9:45pm
3.
i still did not do anything about those plants. But I cleaned out the cat food closet, and I cleaned out and scrubbed under the sink. And I set up my new compost can under the sink - very fancy and shiny with a lid, instead of the old dented metal bowl on the counter, so I don't feel like I have to take the compost out all the time to have the kitchen be clean (but I did today because there were onion skins). If it is just coffee grounds and orange peels, it can wait. And now the bowl is gone from my counter (off to the scrap metal pile)
i need to to do those plants tomorrow though. They are becoming a much bigger job than they are.
Chicken lady
8-31-17, 8:31pm
4.
and I took care of the plants.
Congrats, Chicken Lady, on getting to the plants!
Just completed Day 5 here.
Chicken lady
9-2-17, 7:42am
I am calling yesterday 5. A lot of wedding related stuff was left on the counter, but it needs to be there.
i did the dishes but didn't take out the compost.
Day 2 of 15 min. in the attic- got curtains separated, those to keep in a plastic tub and a big box ready for Goodwill ( must put it in the car) and a bag of trash, 2 boxes of Christmas ornaments to be put in the car for Goodwill as well.
Teacher Terry
9-3-17, 6:16pm
CL: I found the things you have to put on your list each day interesting and am wondering if you have ADD or ADHD? It sounds like the wedding was a lot of fun and a great success.
Chicken lady
9-3-17, 6:29pm
My family says I have IDD. Interest deficit disorder. I can't remember to do things I don't care about. Also the minor details of life (like moving the milk and lunch and remembering to brush my hair) get shoved aside by other things that catch my attention, but not "sparkly" things, like the "oh look a chicken" joke - things like "I have time to trim some pots before i leave for work."
Teacher Terry
9-3-17, 7:36pm
That's interesting. Maybe it is thinking you can get everything done in a short period of time so you forget about what you don't think is important.
Chicken lady
9-3-17, 8:31pm
More likely forgetting about what I don't think is important leads to thinking I can get everything done.
Chicken lady
9-4-17, 9:55pm
6.
the wedding knocked me back a couple of days, but I am back on the wagon.
CL, I hope you enjoyed the wedding!
Chicken lady
9-5-17, 6:58am
It was wonderful!
Chicken lady
9-5-17, 9:30pm
7.
Chicken lady
9-7-17, 8:58am
So, yesterday was 8. Anybody else still here?
Yep, I've been plugging away at the attic and steps...I think day 4, I'll have to find my list. With the attic, I brought down 2 tubs and sorted, put in Good will pile and have a bag for the Humane society of towels. All the goodwill stuff is in the trunk and will be dropped off this morning on my way to lunch with my sisters! When I straighten up the kitchen after dinner I think about you CL. Kind of helps me get motivated to do it!
I am at 42 days of consistent meditation, even with some days being 5 minutes before bed i am still doing it!
Zoe Girl, Do you notice any difference in your sleep patterns? Emotions? That's wonderfully consistent!\
Chicken lady
9-7-17, 5:46pm
Aww, thanks nswef, now I have to keep doing it - lol. Sounds like you are making good progress.
and Zoe girl, that is great!
I am falling short by about 1 water bottle a day.
Yppej, I bet you can fix that a 1/4 cup at a time...
Zoe Girl, Do you notice any difference in your sleep patterns? Emotions? That's wonderfully consistent!\
Yes, i have been very consistent, i started 30 years ago but have had my ups and downs. I sleep better overall, mostly i manage the insomnia of middle age better. I get back to more grounded emotions that are even. I am sometimes better at my job, details are my challenge, but i am less stressed about it.
Challenges are that i can't watch tv for hours until i want to fall asleep or eat loads of junk food and caffeine.
Chicken lady
9-8-17, 5:58am
Yppej that is "I am getting close".
i didn't make it yesterday. Dh did the dishes, but I got caught up in prep work for class tomorrow and left stuff on the counters and didn't take the compost out. It was still close, but if I start giving myself points for close I'll get lazy and not develop good habits.
i like this better than the "Seinfeld chains" because I don't have to start my count over, so I don't feel badly about the close days. Less "pass/fail", more "percent avg."
Way to go, Everybody!
I am on Day 12. My first "benchmark goal" is to hit Day 28 by September 30th, with ten of those days being one-hour sessions. So I'm on track to hit 28 if I keep it up, but way behind on one-hour sessions. I've only done one of those so far. I may be able to do a couple this weekend though.
In order to hit my goal of 100 by January 15th, I'm going to have to "front-load" because I know I will slip a lot between mid-October and mid-December when my teaching schedule will be super-busy.
But this is the longest stretch of writing consistently I've had in months, so thanks to all of you joining in. The slight peer pressure helps!
Zoe Girl, I've been thinking I've been adding 100 days of meditation to my goals. We'll see. Your progress is very inspiring!
I drank a lot of water today because it was slow and boring at work, so boring I even had three pieces of dark chocolate from the candy jar, which I had avoided for about a month.
TooSweetForMe
9-8-17, 8:14pm
Finally Day 1 of 5000 steps! Am going to try walking the circle of our neighborhood in the morning and in the evening, making sure to take my phone with me for step count.
ej, great work on the writing. Give yourself credit!
Too Sweet- good plan on the outside walking!
I am at day 5 on the attic restructure/declutter. I am counting sorting, going to Goodwill to drop things off as part of the process as well. It is all attic related. My steps over 6000 I am on day 4. Feeling good about the progress.
Now to keep up.
Chicken lady
9-9-17, 8:18am
Way to go too sweet!
Yppej, just keep trying to focus on the water instead of the chocolate. Or at least alternate. Maybe when you feel like a piece of chocolate you can tell yourself "after I drink a bottle of water"?
nswef, are you starting to see a difference in your attic?
ejchase, keep it up! Even if you don't get all your hours in, you are making good progress! Change takes time.
I was "close" again last night, so I am still at 8.
I have learned some things about tweaking my schedule this week though. The first week of school is always difficult, and I did well at not over planning it. I will need to front load my week by cooking meals with plannedovers ("leftovers" on purpose) on Sunday and Monday. I can cook on Tuesdays for a while, but I have a class starting in October and after that Tuesday will be "fend" (eat out alone or pack/eat leftovers whenever because I'll get home basically at bedtime) Wednesday's are going to be his night to cook or take me out. And th/f will be something simple or the plannedovers. Saturday will be cooking or finishing up. Tonight it will be an awards ceremony for a friend though.
also this week I am going to an event Thursday night.
i will need to make sure I have the baked goods ready for the week by Monday night. If I do them early this will mean prepacking servings of dessert and putting them "away" somewhere so that dh doesn't just eat them all before they are needed for his lunches.
going to bed with a clean kitchen on Tuesdays is going to be challenging once my class starts.
Yes, CL I am seeing a difference even after only an hour total up there. We're lucky that the attic is stand up, floored and windowed so it is not unpleasant or dangerous to be there. That's also how it got so full! Easy to just stick stuff on the steps and all over the floors. Several years ago I did this and moved everything to one area so most of the attic was clear, but it had started filling up. Today I sorted up there and rearranged the top sides of the steps with things we use during the year- fans, humidifiers, the picnic things, the blender, the French fryer, boots- I put the winter needs on one side and the summer on the other. Started another goodwill box and the steps up to the attic are clear! all in 15 minutes. I am hoping this thread keeps me at it!
Chicken lady
9-10-17, 7:34am
It was more work than I expected, but yesterday was 9.
this is why I have to keep up with it. After a couple of days it seems like I'm only back a few things, but then I start cleaning the up, and the recycling is full, and the drainer is full, and the dishwasher is full, and this has to be hand washed, and that goes in the basement, and something else goes out to the barn.... And the next thing I know I've been cleaning up the kitchen for almost an hour.
I did manage to get in two more one-hour sessions this weekend, which brings me to three - just need seven more of those by September 30, along with 7 more other sessions of at least 30 minutes.
One thing that's been helping me is getting to bed early. This summer, when I was on a very light work schedule, I found myself staying up until one or two in the morning some nights watching stupid television. Maybe I just needed to get it out of my system. But I've been working really hard to get to bed by 9:30 on the nights when I have to either be attentive to my daughter or get to work early the next morning. If I can get to bed then, I can get up at 5:30 and squeeze in 30-60 minutes of writing easily before I need to face my other responsibilities.
Chicken lady
9-10-17, 9:05pm
Nice!
i also find bedtime helpful, although sometimes frustrating because there is always something else I want to do.
i know sometimes I spend too much time online, and my video is also on the iPad, so dh and I made a deal. If I stay up past ten "doing things" he takes my iPad. The next day I am only allowed to have it for work. The idea of not being able to check in on my boards or read the comics or check my personal e-mail will usually send me scurrying to bed.
today was 10!
Chicken lady
9-11-17, 9:31pm
11.
Chicken lady
9-12-17, 8:59pm
12.
Ej, How's it going? Cl, good on the day 12. You have lots of other "goings on"! I'm on day 9 or time 9 for the attic. Progress in little steps. Yesterday was to be my day all to myself but a friend needed me so that was more important.
Hi All,
As of yesterday, I was at 18. Hope to make today 19. Keep up the good work, Everybody!
Chicken lady
9-15-17, 12:40pm
Yay team!
i got 13 on the 13th, but then I went to a party last night and let everything slide. I'll have a lot to do to get it back to 14 tonight.
Chicken lady
9-16-17, 7:42am
I did it! 14. It's starting to fel a little like the new "normal".
Chicken lady
9-17-17, 7:24am
Last night was 15. I am currently operating at 75%. Going from almost zero to 75% in three weeks is pretty good! Things will happen - events, holidays, major cooking projects.... So if i can get to 90 i'll be delighted.
You're doing great, Chicken Lady!
Chicken lady
9-18-17, 7:04am
Thanks! I'm up to 16.
Dh set the old, small kitchen table up with no leaf in the larger guestroom, so i now have a "desk" on the first floor where i can have my paperwork mess. So that keeps it out of the kitchen even on days i don't get to everything (almost all the days) Added bonus,it is as far as you can get from our bed in the original house without going to the basement. So when i get up early, i can work here and not bother dh.
You will love having that table. Congratulations on using it for some peacefulness.
Chicken lady
9-19-17, 6:26am
17 yesterday.
Chicken lady
9-19-17, 9:39pm
18.
Day 10 of attic and I am stuck! I just stood there trying to figure out where to start with the stuff....I took down the trash bag I had filled previously, moved some boxes, emptied a cabinet of linen tablecloth but only put it on the stack of other linens. Clearly I need to do more sorting. I will! The 6000 steps- I have 9 this month, so feel pretty good about that, too.
Nswef, congrats on the steps and the attic!
My mantra when stuck on decluttering or organizing: "Do what's easy." That sometimes gets me over the hump.
I completed Day 23 of writing today.
Chicken lady
9-20-17, 9:59pm
19.
More ideas for getting unstuck - group like items, move from one side toward the other picking up each thing and making some kind of decision, even if it's just "goes here" vs. "move", find one thing to fix, clean, or get rid of and do that.
I'd like to join in. My goal is 100 days of low-carb eating. I was going to say by the end of the year and realized that was probably not doable. That would only give me 2 days to get to low-carb and for holidays. But who knows, maybe I can do it.
I just started a small pot of soup with some rice in it and I'll probably have leftovers for tomorrow. I'll see if I want to freeze it and start right away or wait another day.
CL I came to the same thoughts you did about just doing what was easy first and the sorting. So that's the plan for the next few days. While journaling I thought I could turn that huge damask tablecloth into a duvet...There is a matlasse double bed cover as well that I could use. They both were my husband's grandmother's linens. Then there are all the pictures in frames that I've had over the years as décor and got tired of-wanting cleared walls. If I get them all into categorized boxes or piles - photos, knick knacks, kitchen, papers, linens (much reduced already), books, lamps! Some will be easy to get rid of. I like having this check in! Thanks all for the encouragement and accountability.
I'm starting today! The leftover soup is being used for dh's lunches and my breakfast was my low-carb fave: eggs, sausage, sauteed cabbage. I'm now sipping a red chai tea (no caffeine) with Splenda and coconut cream. It feels good to challenge myself. I'm doing a Costco shop today and will stock up on the basics.
Welcome, Geila!
I completed Day 24 today!
Chicken lady
9-22-17, 5:41am
Go ejchase!
i am giving myself 20 for last night. It wasn't perfect, but it was close enough.
9 days over 6000 steps and 19 over 5000...Feeling good about that. Attic, spent time thinking about it yesterday so plan to do day 11 today!
Teacher Terry
9-22-17, 4:29pm
I didn't count but I am taking a bag of clothes and leashes, collars etc to our local HS. They put sweaters on the tiny dogs because they get cold. They also use the leashes etc to walk the dogs. I have had 2 dogs pass in 3 months so have lots of stuff. Plus they were girls and I now have a new baby boy so of course he can't wear pink:)) He is only 3 lbs so gets cold. I probably have 30-40 items to donate.
Chicken lady
9-23-17, 8:44am
I didn't clean up the kitchen last night. It made me grumpy when I got up this morning. Also complained to dh that he was home all day and only made it worse.
He said he was at home WORKING (he worked from home) not cleaning the kitchen.
but I think if you take an hour and a half commute out of your work day, you should be able to give 15 minutes of that back to the kitchen! - at least unload the dishwasher. You ate half my pizza - what were you doing while it was in the microwave?
ok, rant over. Still at 20.
Chicken lady
9-23-17, 9:33pm
21.
I finally watched the 100 video and was so impressed by the woman who made it. Thanks for posting it, ej!
I've also been inspired and motivated by the rest of you on this thread who are in the 20+ range and keep moving forward.
Day 3 completed.
Chicken lady
9-24-17, 3:42pm
3 consecutive days is a good start!
Chicken lady
9-25-17, 6:05am
Last night was 22.
today I get my new counters and dh is coming straight home from work to help me move the fridge, so technically I'll be cleaning a new kitchen starting tonight or tomorrow. But there is still no microwave in the new kitchen, and I microwave his egg every morning. Might leave the toaster in the old kitchen for now and keep fixing his breakfast there. Which means that is the space to clean. Honestly, the new kitchen shouldn't be too hard to keep clean. It isn't near an entrance to the house, and the dishwasher is going to stay in the "mud room" so we will take dirty dishes there. dh thinks I'm crazy, but I just paced it off - it is 20 steps from the table to the old sink and dishwasher. 8 from the table to the new sink.
if he wants to do more plumbing to save me effort on housework, he should move the washer and dryer upstairs to the master bath!
Teacher Terry
9-25-17, 12:35pm
Glad your new kitchen is coming together. So are you keeping 2 sinks? if so 'I guess it doesn't make much difference.
Chicken lady
9-25-17, 12:56pm
The original kitchen is an 8x8 room directly off the garage. It will keep the stainless steel sink and the dishwasher. Rinsing and loading of dishes will be done in this room. "Farm" related jobs such as milk filtering and the washing of muddy carrots will still be done in this room. "Washing up" after coming in from dirty outdoor work will be done in this room.
Cooking and some hand washing of dishes will be done in the new kitchen.
Teacher Terry
9-25-17, 1:11pm
That makes perfect sense to me. It will be nice to have a mud room.
Congrats on the new kitchen, CL! And thanks for the encouragement everyone.
Day 4 completed. It feels like it should be day 30! Has it only been 4?
Chicken lady
9-26-17, 5:20am
I got up to 23 last night. I am at 86%.
because we still have a microwave in the old room and not the new one, I now basically have two kitchens and I'm not sure how to manage this. I think I need to redefine success.
Cl, redefining success is a good idea. Bravo for the 23rd time! I'm on 11 with the attic and 10 with the steps (6000 or more)
Chicken lady
9-26-17, 9:41am
So, I think "the kitchen" will be clean when the breakfast table and all the surfaces in the new kitchen are clean and the new kitchen sink is empty. When there is no paperwork on the counter in the old kitchen, when all the food is put away, the compost has gone out if needed, the coffee maker is set up for the next day, and any dirty dishes are at least rinsed or soaking (if required) in the old kitchen.
as I move items to their new homes, there are likely to be a lot of dishes and kitchen gadgets left out on the old counter - for example, this morning, when I packed lunch, I dumped all the clean plastic lunch containers on the counter. Their basket is going to go through the dishwasher and the get put in it's new location - after which containers will go back in it after they are used. I haven't set a deadline yet for getting rid of left behind containers.
CL - my original kitchen was about the size of your old one - roughly 8x8. After seeing how much work you and my neighbors have done for an addition, I'm glad we had the option to expand ours without changing the footprint.
Day 5 completed. Yesterday I was very tempted by saltine crackers (which are very high carb), but I was able to limit my intake to one cracker! My tummy had been unsettled, and I justified the crackers as a health necessity. But after having one, I realized that I didn't really need them, and sure enough, my tummy settled down just fine on its own.
I'm thinking about adding in workouts to the count. If so, yesterday would be Day 1.
Chicken lady
9-27-17, 7:17am
I am giving myself 24 last night even though I am fudging it a little on the old kitchen - I didn't really rinse the dishes, I just put them in the sink and ran water on them - there is so much disarray there wasn't really room to rinse and stack, but they will fit into the dishwasher today. Also, dh left a piece of mail on the counter, and there is a bag of drinks not put away because I haven't figured out where they go yet. I was too tired for any more decisions. I could have just stuffed them in a cabinet, but that seemed counterproductive (pun! - lol!)
Ha! Cl. Counter productive! I wonder if putting dishes in the sink and running water on them is rinsing??? I did day 11 on steps. EJ- how's the writing?
Gedila, Congrats on the ONE cracker...It's that kind of noticing that I lack and I know it is vital. So, good for you!
Hi nswef - congrats on day 11 of the steps! You've inspired me to add workouts to my 100 challenge.
Day 6 of low-carb completed.
I've added workouts to my 100 challenge. Thanks nswef! :) At some point I will create a better definition of what a workout entails, to have a better way of measuring success. But for now, it will just be any activity that is an addition to my regular day. So the daily walk with the dogs won't count - but extending the walk will. And it has to be a minimum of 30 minutes of new activity. I hope to extend that to 45 minutes in January.
Workouts - 30 minutes:
Day 1 - swimming
Day 2 - walking
Geila, That's ambitious- 30 minutes...I tend to be a very baby step person and I would give myself credit for a 10 minute increase in activity. Otherwise I will feel like a failure and just quit altogether. But you might be very different from me. good luck!!! And again congrats on the low carb. I am not ready to do that yet or ever.
Congrats, Everybody, on your progress!
I've completed Day 28 of writing, though missed the last couple of days for various reasons. Hope to get back to it tomorrow.
EJ, That's great. Are you pleased with what has been written? Or does that come later?
Chicken lady
9-28-17, 7:59am
25! I am 1/4 of the way there! Keeping the new kitchen clean is easier than keeping the "scullery" (our new name for the old kitchen) clean. It doesn't have as many functions. I don't think it's rinsing if the dishes still have food on them but it is now wet. To me, "rinsed" means "looks clean, but probably still has non visible sugars/starches/bacteria on it"
geila, you are doing great. Don't get overextended though.
ejchase and nswef, you are doing well too!
Day 12 for steps, stalled on attic for now-outside chores call as the weather is PERFECT! CL, you realize you've added to you kitchen clean up...Congrats on 25.
Chicken lady
9-28-17, 9:52am
Well, yes and no, when I started, I expected myself to clean off the little kitchen table every night. That table was used for eating, food prep, school planning, and general stashing of mail and papers. Now that table is in a "bedroom" and is only used for school planning and general stashing of papers and I no longer clean it off every night so that part of disassembling the old kitchen reduced my work load.
The new new breakfast nook table is used only for eating and reading or doing crossword puzzles online. Even if I do some paperwork there, it is simple to toss it onto my "new desk" before bed.
We generate the same number of dirty dishes, and having more counter surface to wipe off is not a big deal. Last night dh wiped down the stove top (tomato sauce). He never does that - but I had already put the food away and removed all the dirty dishes to the scullery, and the rest of the surfaces looked so nice it jumped out at him and he cleaned it.
Ack! :0! Today I feel the SAD creeping in: desire to sleep for a looong time, craving for carbs, and a general feeling of low drive.
I'm having coffee to help me gain some energy and I have a bagel defrosting on the counter. 58 carbs in a single bagel. Ouch. But it feels like eating carbs will be the only way to get enough energy to get me out of sleep mode. So the battle has begun. So dramatic! :D
I did complete day 7 of low-carb yesterday. I wonder if I will need to adjust what low-carb means in terms of SAD season. It might be that moderate is as low as I can get. I'll have to play around with it a bit and see what is sustainable.
I don't feel bad, really, in fact I feel pretty good. I just feel like I want to go into hibernation and sleep all the time. And if I'm sleeping, I won't have the urge to eat carbs! :) But if I want to have any semblance of a normal life, I need to find a way to increase my energy. I'm already feeling better after having some coffee. Wouldn't it be great if that is all it took?!
(thanks for providing a place to vent. it does helps.)
I also have an eye infection that I've been fighting for a few days. I don't know if that is exacerbating the situation.
And - congrats to everyone on your continued success!!! It's nice to have this feeling of shared accomplishment to touch base with.
Hi Geila,
I totally support you adjusting your goals however you need to. It's a process, and we can tinker!
Re: fatigue. I've had some success this year with Vitamin D supplements. Have you ever tried those?
I agree with the tweaking business. After all, the goal is to progress and if our stated goals are causing distress, not challenge, discouragement, not a sense of achievement we need to accept that. Vitamin D helps me with winter blues. I didn't know how much until one Feb. I stopped taking it...went back on pretty quickly. Day 13 over 6000.
EJ, That's great. Are you pleased with what has been written? Or does that come later?
Here for motivation as I face Day 30!
One thing I've been able to accomplish so far while working on this goal was to put the finishing touches on a short story I started something like 8-9 years ago (before my six-year-old daughter was born!). I did some revisions on it, brought it to a writing workshop, made a few more revisions on it based on what the other students and the teacher said, and now am submitting it to literary journals. I hadn't submitted anything to a journal in over five years, so that feels like a really big deal.
Generally speaking, it is hard to get a story accepted in those journals - in the past, I've had to submit to 50 or so places before I got an acceptance! So my usual strategy is to submit to about ten places at once (letting them know my story is a "simultaneous submission") and then keep re-submitting as I get rejections. It usually takes a year or two of this before a story is "placed," but it's still nice to see a story in print. We'll see what happens this time.
Now I'm working on a new story. A first draft is always grueling. I think of it like the work of breaking up the soil in a garden before you can plant seeds. I just have to let myself flail around and make a mess before I can figure out what exactly I'm doing. But it's exciting anyway to be working on something new.
None of this would be happening without the support of this group. Thanks to all of you so much for being out there working on 100 times of something with me!
Nswef: Congrats on Day 13!
Chicken lady
9-29-17, 12:39pm
Sounds like great progress on the writing.
Nswef, that adds up to a lot of steps! Imagine how far you gave walked!
Geila, keep adjusting SAD is rough.
last night was 26.
Guys, I did NOT eat the bagel! I stayed on here posting away until the craving subsided. Day 8 completed!
But I'm bringing caffeine back in to help with the energy situation. I'm on my second cup of coffee. It will probably end up being too much caffeine, but I'll deal with that if it happens.
I've tried Vit D before but my stomach doesn't do well with it. Vit B12 does help though, so I make sure to eat foods high in that. My computer is now located in a south facing room with a window right in front of it and that has been nice too.
Everyone is doing so well on this challenge. Thanks for starting it EJ!!!
KaluGansito
9-29-17, 1:06pm
Loved the video!!!!
I'm thinking in giving it a 100 to my meditation practice, starting next week, once I'm all settle in my new place!
One thing that has kept me going through some other things, like fixing my financial situation, is NOT to seek Perfection.....I keep trying to remind myself that it does not need to be perfect
Perfection can kill your spirit. Good enough is pretty good! EJ I'm so impressed that you have a polished piece and have submitted it! Bravo! day 26 on the kitchen, CL is fantastic. No bagel Geila and south facing window- two big steps for sure. Kalu- you might check Zoe Girl,she's done lots of meditation. May I suggest Gratefulness.org as a place to start meditating. I'm pretty sure someone on this board recommended it.
Chicken lady
9-30-17, 8:46am
I am at 27.
Geila, I think not eating the bagel was amazing!
i'm starting to have the SAD struggles with caffeine here too. I've been allotting myself a cup of tea in the afternoon. I am NOT going to get hooked back on diet soda. I can't remember exactly when I "quit" (I still drink it sometimes at parties or restaurants) but it will be a year some time in late fall. I'm taking B complex vitamins (when I remember) and the new addition is so full of light! Dh designed it with windows that catch the first and last rays for me.
hello KaluGansito, welcome.
Day 9 completed.
CL - your rooms full of light sound wonderful! Congratulations. And how awesome that you get to use them now.
nswef - Perfection Kills. I love it. You are a wise one, my friend.
Kalu - welcome and congrats on your new place!
Teacher Terry
9-30-17, 3:03pm
I am starting to go through my clothes again as the seasons change. CL: I love that you are getting more light.
Chicken lady
10-1-17, 8:08am
I did not clean up the scullery last night, so I still have 27 days going into October. 27 out of 34. If I clean up tonight I will be back at 80%. This week should be easier because dh is traveling for work and I will cook almost nothing. Although, maybe I will make cheese. I am out of mozerella and I would have time to do it after work with no dinner to cook and eat (dinner - fresh mozerella, bread, apple and carrot sticks, done!)
I'd call 27 days a huge win! Making cheese is quite something to me.
Chicken lady
10-1-17, 9:10pm
Making farm cheese is really easy and mozerella is easier than it sounds. It's just having some uninterrupted time in a very clean kitchen.
i have decided I don't have to clean the scullery any more. As long as I don't leave papers in it and keep up with the dishes. All new food items are coming into the kitchen and that is now where all the cooking and eating happen and where the compost is. Otherwise I will end up scooping things back into drawers that I dumped to sort out instead of seeing them until I make a decision.
so, dishes are in the dish washer or rinsed and waiting, no papers, new kitchen clean, and I'll take care of my teacup when I go to bed - 28
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