Follow the Quest - Wherever it Leads You - T.A.Barron

[NightWolf714]

Follow the Quest - Wherever it Leads You - T.A.Barron​

​

Hello all. I’m a 36 year old AFAB person. I’m currently working on trying to improve myself in various ways. And this includes my physical health. I’ve tried exercising before but it was always short lived. But I’ve kept up with Darebee for a couple of months now and so it’s looking pretty good. Decided to try out the community events and, by extension, maybe keep up with the community here soon. (Assuming it doesn’t get overwhelming for me.)

So I guess I’ll just do some fun facts because I never know what to write in these things, haha.

Quick Fact

• I currently live in Nashville, TN, USA.
• I currently work as a night shift nurse (which means I keep the weirdest hours. So, my days are basically whenever I wake up until whenever I go to bed, whatever time that may be).
• I’m polyamorous. Between my spouse (“the mate”) and my boyfriend, and a couple of close metamours (partners of my partner), I have a pretty nice support system.
• I have a black cat named Marooney. He’s my baby boy, even if he’s a senior at this point.
• I’m a furry and enjoy a variety of nerdy/geeky hobbies and interest. Also kinda witchy.
• I love doing art and craft things. My main is drawing, but I dabble in other areas.

And that’s probably enough (or maybe too much) for this, haha. So ending with my goals in regards to exercising.

Abstract GOALS:

• Regular working out. Ideally some amount every day.
• A more toned body. Specifically I have some loose skin (which may be loose subcutaneous fat?) that I want to get rid of
• Improve my strength. Specifically, if I’m ever clinging over the side of a ledge or cliff and I’m by myself, I wanna be able to pull myself up.
• Improve my stamina. As a kid, I would participate in my hometown’s 1-mile race. I want to be able to do that again.

Concrete GOALS:

• Be able to do a body-weight pull-up.
• Be able to do a clutch flag pull-up.
• Be able to run a mile without needing a break.

 

[NightWolf714]

Good, you're here. A routine ain't worth much unless you put in the work every single day. Keep it up. - Jack Howl (Twisted Wonderland)

~*~In Progress~*~

• Light Therapy - 30 minutes Daily - During darker half of the year
• Daily Hug Challenge - Completed but continuing to do
• 10 Minutes Daily Meditation - Completed challenges, but continuing
• Universal Warmup - Daily Before Other Exercises
• TEN - 30 Day Challenge
• Daily Gratitude Challenge - 30 Day Challenge
• Counting Victories Challenge - 30 Day Challenge
• Mood Tracker - 90 Day Tracking - March, April, and May

~*~Optional~*~

• Balance Workout - Daily at Some Point
• Better Sleep - Daily in the Evening
• Micro Shred Workout - Daily at Some Point

~*~On Hold~*~

• Hero's Journey - 60 Day Challenge

~*~Completed~*~

• Recovery: Post Cold, Flu, or Covid - 15 Day Challenge
• Zero Hero - 30 Day Challenge
• Ornaments 2024 Community Challenge - Star Ornament using Step Jacks - 1,000/1,000 COMPLETED
  
• Merlin workout - As a Darebee workout of the day challenge challenge
• Snowball 2024 Community Challenge - 470 jumping jacks
  
  completed
• Back and Core Program - 30 Day Challenge
• Arms of Steel [Seated] - 30 Day Challenge
• Meditation Challenge - 30 Day Challenge
• Daily Hug Challenge - 15 Day Challenge
• Abs Standing - 30 Day Challenge - For January 2025
• 1-Minute Meditation Challenge - 30 Day Challenge
• Foundation Program - 30 Day Challenge - Level 2

 

[NightWolf714]

Why do this?

I will just copy/paste what I posted to from the following thread here.

---

That's a good question and one I've thought about here and there. I've tried exercising before, but since starting Darebee, it's the longest I've kept up with it. I think because the programs let me check things off and that helps me with accountability. And the RPG ones are fun! But I know that "why" is really important when doing most anything so been thinking a little. So far I've got:

1.) I'm in my mid-30s. I want to be in good shape so I can do the things I wanna do when I'm older. Hell, I wanna be able to do the things I wanna do now! My physical fitness went down a lot in my 20s and I wanna fix that.

2.) I kinda have an image of myself and what I want it to be. I have an imagine in my head of what I want my body to look like. I also have an image in my mind of what I want it to be able to do. Not too long ago I was telling a friend that I'm working on getting stronger. He also knows that I'm super short. So we agreed that my goal was to be smol swole, haha.

3.) I relatively recently heard the idea that, largely, your body uses a certain amount of energy each day. And if it's not used physically, it's gonna get used mentally. So that's been encouragement to exercise to help with my mental and emotional health.

4.) The main, I guess, concrete "why" on this list. My nephew is about 15 years old now. I use to love visiting him, picking him up to swing him around or carry him places. Even as he got older. And, well, that's gotten a lot harder to do now. And I want to still be able to do that for as long as he'll let me. Plus, it use to be amusing for me to carry around someone taller than me in my late teens, early 20s and I want to have that party trick again. XD

---

5.) Another concrete one that I am surprised I completely forgot about when writing this. I strongly remember being a little kid and my dad would show off his really cool "flag pole trick." Better known as a clutch flag pull-up. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I had always wanted to be able to do that. So maybe it's about time to realize some dreams and get to work on that.

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/12/24)

• Joined Darebee's forums and made a few comments here and there
• Joined the Ornament 2024 challenge - Did 200 step jacks
• Created this Check in Log.
  • May add more of my self improvement things on here for accountability but figuring out which ones. And in general which ones to add back up (like water tracking)

 

[Fremen]

Welcome

 

[NightWolf714]

Thanks @Freman !

 

[Germanamazon]

Hello and welcome

I love your why

 

[Mamatigerj]

Welcome to the Hive! Cheers for Recovery and Zero Hero!!

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Hi and welcome! I just joined about a month or so ago. You're in good company here!

 

[Anek]

Hello and welcome!

 

[NightWolf714]

Thanks for the warm welcome all! ^_^

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/13/2024)

• 400 step jacks. Like yesterday, these were done in 50 rep sets scattered throughout the day. I hit it hard because the weekend may be a bit busy. This puts my total at 600/1000.
  • My poor noodles arms~
• First attempt at updating the first post of this check-in thread. One day I'll figure out what's a good amount to share or not. But not today, lol!

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/14/2024)

• 200 more step jacks for today. I was hoping to do more, but I'm not surprised. Between a Christmas party and going to bed early, it is what it is. I'm proud I got some in today. (Also, the party is where the above buff goose got mentioned. Too amusing not to share.)
  • Goal is to do 200 more tomorrow before time rolls over. Sunday is family day, but I think the crew will be understanding of it.
• Tomorrow may try to increase my water drinking. I use to do that and think it's a good idea. I'm having decent look with my giant water bottle, but it's hard to track so I may have to have the mate and BF help me brainstorm a bit.
• Also may consider if I want to tack on any other challenges such as food related ones. But ... that's a bit overwhelming so not sure when if I do for that one. ^_^;;; Especially with so much Christmas/Yule stuff going on for me. Currently watching my weight to make sure it stays stable or decreases, so that may be enough for now.

 

[aku-chan]

 

[MadamMeow]

Nice to meet you!

 

[NightWolf714]

Hello and good to meet you both @aku-chan and @MadamMeow !

 

[JCU]

Welcome! Congrats on your completed programs!

 

[NightWolf714]

Welcome! Congrats on your completed programs!

Thank so much! And I love the mini panther in your profile picture. Black kitties are the best <3

 

[JCU]

They are! I'm lucky to have 2 right now, though Nox is our cryptid and I can rarely picture him There is something to be said of whites, though. Casper seems more like a bleached orange most days

 

[NightWolf714]

They are! I'm lucky to have 2 right now, though Nox is our cryptid and I can rarely picture him There is something to be said of whites, though. Casper seems more like a bleached orange most days

Awww! They sound precious~

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/15/2024)

• Last week I was gonna try starting mediation. That lasted two day (not even in a row) so restarting that today.
  • Got 5 minutes in. This attempt is going better than I've done previously, so I'm kinda motivated for it.
• Decided to add on the universal warmup workout this morning. And convinced the mate to join in with it, haha.
• Did 200 more step jacks to complete the Star Ornament for the Ornament Challenge!
• Decided to try a bit of experimental cooking. That is usually NOT my area, but for whatever reason it seemed fun. Took way longer than expected but it was tasty.
  • It was leftover red potatoes, some skinless/boneless chicken breasts, a can of asparagus (drained), can of mushrooms (also drained), a can of cream of chicken with a half can of milk (I used almond because it's what I had), sprinkled a bunch of sazon seasoning on it, then topped with some cheese.
  • 
• Why not start sometime else. I struggle some with insomnia, so also trying out the Better Sleep workout.
• Tried to drink water today. Not including other fluids (like remembering I have elderberry syrup I use as a tea), it was about 60 oz. Probably a bit much, honestly. Still figuring out the best way to stick with it. I think a small, more manageable water bottle might be better and save the big one for hikes and road trips.
• Not exercise/health related, but got shown a new gaming store. That was dangerous, haha.

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[Mamatigerj]

Happy Ornament Day!

 

[Aldethar]

Hehe. Gaming stores are dangerous indeed.

And congrats on the Ornament

 

[JCU]

Congrats on your ornament!

In food, so long as the end result tastes good, the looks and process don't matter!

 

[Anek]

Congrats on the ornament!

 

[Germanamazon]

congrats on the ornament!

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Congratulations on the ornament! And don’t worry how a meal looks. It’s how it tastes (& doesn’t get anyone sick ) that counts

 

[MadamMeow]

Congrats on earning your star!

 

[NightWolf714]

Thanks a bunch everyone! ^_^

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/16/2024)
Had date night with the BF earlier. Normally he's been cooking, but he wasn't able to and suggested Chinese Takeout since it was an unusual option (we normally get together Tuesday nights when the place is closed). I can not be held accountable for the amount of food I got, haha. At least between that and other leftovers, I don't have to worry about lunches for the next couple of days.

• Universal Warmup completed.
• 5 minutes of meditation done. Found out there's a 30 day challenge for that for 5 minutes starting out, so why? Went ahead and counted it as day 2 and did the extra bits.
• challenge time! Got 15 jumping jacks for 15 attacks over the course of the night.
• Day 17 done of Core and Back
• Day 17 done of Arms of Steel [Seated]
• Felt pretty good, so did the daily workout. Didn't connect that is technically Tuesday's, but oh well, lol. Merlin workout completed
• Better sleep done for the second night in a row.

Not too bad a night! A bit more than I was planning, but I'm not hurting so I figure it's okay. Tonight will start my two night shifts in a row (I do 1-2 12-hr shifts a week basically) and I haven't quite figured out how to best get a workout in then, so it's probably good that I did so much.

Even though I see I already got at least one attack lined up when I wake up, lol.

ETA - Forgot I was semi-tracking water. About 30 oz if I'm calculating it right. Not too bad. I'm also moving away from the giant water bottle (saving that for hikes and road trips) and switching to a smaller but easier to manage bottle. We'll see how that goes. Now for real, nighty night, lol~

 

[WolfDreamer]

Not too bad a night!

That's great to hear!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Hello fellow witchy person
Looks like you're doing great with your workouts already, glad you made it to the hive in time for festive shenanigans

 

[NightWolf714]

Thanks @WolfDreamer (love the profile pic) and @Maegaranthelas !

Though being in time for the festive shenanigans may be my downfall, lol.

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/17/24)
I don't know how, but I managed to get some workouts today despite work. Here's hoping I can continue that tomorrow.

• Meditation challenge Day 3 completed before work
• Universal warmup completed before work
• Back and core Day 18 done
• Arms [Seated] Day 18 done
• Had a blast with the snowball challenge last night! Though ended up with ... 240 jumping jacks if my notes were right. O.O And I know I've got some lined up for the morning. Looking forward to seeing how much trouble I get myself into tonight.
• After hitting enter here, I'll get the Better Sleep exercise done.
• Oh and water! Not as good. Only 20 oz and a gator aid. Oh, and a cup of tea. >_<;;;

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/18/24)

• Meditation challenge Day 4 completed. Not the biggest fan of the Ommm mantra, but giving it a shot for the challenge as they appear and I'll judge fully what I think of it at the end.
• I think I got the universal warmup done. But I'm honestly not 100% sure. >_<;;;
• Back and Core Day 19 done
• Arms [Seated] Day 19 done
  • The back and core one was particularly hard for me. I think the snowball challenge is being more challenging than I thought. So I'm probably gonna pause these two tomorrow to focus on the event instead. One, it's time sensitive. But also, I wanna do that more.
• Speaking of which. Today's challenge was ... 215. Less than yesterday, but I did bigger batches at a time. Definitely felt like more. And somehow I have 195 lined up for tomorrow. OH BOY! Gonna try my best for it though. Luckily now that my shift is over, I am on holiday until sometime after Christmas.
  
• I'll get that Better Sleep exercise done right after giving Marooney (my kitty) his morning medications.
• Did better drinking water. A cup of tea, a gatoraid, and 40 oz of water (20 oz of which was mixed with a liquid IV packet).

 

[WolfDreamer]

I think the snowball challenge is being more challenging than I thought.

I often underestimate how difficult "simple" exercises like jumping jacks can be, especially when combined with other activities or exercises.

You are getting a lot done, though, and showing progress. I'm proud of you.

 

[NightWolf714]

I often underestimate how difficult "simple" exercises like jumping jacks can be, especially when combined with other activities or exercises.

You are getting a lot done, though, and showing progress. I'm proud of you.

Awww, thank you so much @WolfDreamer ! I'm definitely proud of all I've done so far. I think I underestimated my fitness levels, so I'm proud of where I am (and a bit relieved, if I'm being honest).

Though it looks like I may have overestimated with the jumping jacks a bit. DOMS is setting in so gonna stick with just the meditation, warm up, and better sleep for today, I think. And maybe a nice hot bath.

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/19/24)

Doms has set in pretty hard. I'm guessing I'll be feeling it tomorrow some as well. With encouragement from the mate due to that and the had two workdays in a row (12-hours each), I today mostly as a rest and be a little lazy day. Especially since I'll be shifting my sleep schedule to a more typical one over the next few days for the holidays. It helps that I got a nice hot bath with some epsom salt and a small bath bomb. And the mate gave me a bit of a massage too. That almost makes it worth it! XD I think tomorrow may be easier on the exercise but maybe a bit more around the house to balance it out.... Maybe. Or just taking the excuse to work on other things like art. I'm currently working on a large art project and that's taking a while. (It's been ages since I made a free-to-use base for artists to play with. So trying to make up another one with lots of options and accessories to play with.) I feel bad if I get too lazy, though logically I know that I'm not being lazy, I'm recovering and that's a different matter. Still learning to find balance with life.

• Meditation Day 5 completed. (Lol, you can tell I'm a nurse because I keep trying to type "medication" instead. XD)
• Universal Warm-ups completed.
• Held off on Back and Core today
• Held off on Arms of Steel [Seated] today
• Snowball challenge ... I held off on completely. Didn't even attempt the homework I had. I had a lot of fun and was excited so that was disappointing. But I'm trying to listen to what my body says and not actually hurt myself.
• Better Sleep completed.
• Not as well on the water. I drank a glass of sweet tea that was made with stevia (which I love!). I also had a glass of hot tea with a blend I specifically got for DOMS. I ... honestly don't know if it helps much, but it doesn't hurt. I'll try to do better with water tomorrow.

Here's a picture of the tea for the curious. It ... definitely has a flavor to it though. I added honey to try and help with that. Not my normal preference, but I'll take anything that helps, lol.

 

[NightWolf714]

Did some updates and clean-up on here. I separated my goals section into the more abstract and more concrete goals. Moved the snowball challenge to the complete section with my total. (Not bad for 3 days worth! Especially since only 15 was the first day!)

Mostly, I remembered something. I had forgotten my dad showed off this cool "flag pole trick" as I always called it. Turns out it was a "clutch flag" exercise. I always thought that was incredible and wanted to be able to do it one day. So that got added to both my "Why" section and my new "Concrete Goals" section. ^_^

For the curious, this is what I'm talking about. (Random photo from the internet.)

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/20/24)

Today was a bit of a long day. Not necessarily bad, but a bit emotional. Part of it is being a little tired, sure. But also realized that shark week is coming up next week. So, ahhh, I guess it's a good thing I may or may not need to pause some of my workout stuff next week, haha. Next week I'm traveling to visit family and I'm awfully nervous about how it'll go. I except a weird mix of a lot of emotions. First Christmas without my mom (she passed near the beginning of the year). But I'll be getting through and it'll be good to see the family down there. Plus presents and good food, plus a week without having to do chores, haha. And we've got a cat camera so we can check up on the baby and watch while he naps. (Dang, outta context that sounds a little creepy, lol.) The mate is patient and supportive so that helps everything.

• Meditation Day 6 done
• Universal warm-up remembered eventually, lol.
• Looked at the exercises I had lined up and seemed doable. So Back and Core Day 20 done.
• Same with Arms of Steal [Seated] though it was a bit more of a challenge. I'm trying to keep them lined up though. So Day 20 done for this as well.
• Better Sleep just finished up.
• Maybe around 24 oz drank? It's about 1.5 of my water bottles.

Night night. With this, my sleep schedule is almost shifted as much as I'll need. I'll need to get to bed even earlier tomorrow night so we can hit the road at a decent time on Sunday. (For curious, I'm on Central Time zone in the USA so it's almost 2am here.)

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/21/24)
Whoops. How'd it get so late already? Another long day but also just ... lots of loosing track of time. We might be a little late heading out tomorrow, but not terribly, though, with how much staging we've done. I guess instead of tomorrow, today is the start of the holiday loosening of the exercise reins.

• Meditation Day 7 was done eventually
• Universal Warmups done eventually
• Back and Core held off due to poor time planning
• Same with Arms of Steel [Seated]
• Better Sleep workout done though.
• Drank maybe 16 oz of water. As well as a glass of sweet tea and a hot tea (one of my favorite, honey vanilla chamomile)

Here's hoping we can get up decently early and hit the ground running tomorrow. Long day of driving ahead of us for the mate and I. May end up getting coffee on the road to help speed things up, we'll have to see.

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/22/24)

I didn't say it here yesterday, but blessed yule for those who celebrate. Today was a good day. It was a long drive, around 10 or so hours. But it was nice. The mate ended up driving all of it since he didn't feel tired and I wasn't gonna argue about that. Lots of fun conversations and chilling as we drove out. Traffic was only rough in a couple of places so that was nice. Ended up staying up a bit later than probably should since we're still on central time zone physically even if we're now in eastern time zone. We're also night owls compared to the family, so we have to adjust to that too. Luckily, they know (and know I work nights) so all's okay. We just probably won't get any breakfast specials tomorrow, haha.

• Meditation challenge day 8 done on the car ride. More focused than the last couple of days, so that's a good sign. (Despite actually being here, I feel more at ease. I'm sure hormones are settling down, which is helping too, lol.)
• Universal Warmups done .... once we got settled in the condo we're staying at, lol. But they were done! IT COUNTS! XD
• Back and Core as well as Arms [Seated] held. We'll see if I get them in tomorrow or not during any downtime. If not, (or even if do), may try for a walk tomorrow.
• Better Sleep completed
• Drank almost 40 oz of water. Not bad. Especially since we got soft drinks a couple of times on the road that the water was competing against.

 

[NightWolf714]

It's dark at this time, but I'll have to try and get a picture of the view from here to share with you all sometime tomorrow. Home is by a river and the condo my dad's friend is letting us use for the week is one on the banks of it. <3

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/23/24)
Not too bad of a day. Went out to see this Mexican restaurant for lunch that we didn't get to try last time we were down here. We had a small celebration of life we went to to support my brother-in-law for a member of his family. Did a little bit of shopping and ended up at a Chinese buffet for dinner. Only got a little overwhelmed and when I was low on spoons, managed to handle the situation pretty well. Not as much actually done today, but that's how it goes sometimes. Honestly most of the day was kinda spent adjusting to how it'll go this week? And somehow went by really quickly, though not sure how.

• Meditation completed this morning
• Universal warm-ups completed this morning
• Back and Core missed
• Arms of Steel missed
• Better Sleep done
• Didn't really drink much water. Had coffee and sweet tea, and treated to a coke

EDIT: OH! Nearly forgot the promised picture of where I'm staying at.

 

[NightWolf714]

Today's Log (12/24/24)
Oh wow! It's already Christmas eve and I'll be going to bed soon. It feels like it's been a slight blur from Yule onto today TBH. It was a good day overall, I think. Socialized, we went out to see Sonic 3 in theaters, ate some good food. I teased my sister because we had dinner at a Waffle House and we had also done that for Valentine's day. I'm not doing so well with exercising and drinking water, or much else really such as art and stuff, but I'm making peace with the idea that that's just how it is right now.

I did start up a craft project though. Partly because I'm trying to get it done in time for my chosen family's Christmas on Sunday. Which, ahhh, isn't that far off so I had to get started or else, haha. ^_^;;;;

But overall, it's going better than expected (and better than some visits have been) even if it could be better in general.

• Meditation done
• Warm ups were done eventually, lol
• Held off on back and core as well as arms.
• Gonna get the better sleep yoga after I hit enter here.
• Didn't really drink water. I thought of it, but I was partway drinking something else and forgot when it was finished. ^_^;;;

 

[Maegaranthelas]

One of the great things about chosen family is that they love you and will happily accept a post-christmas gift as well ^^
Or in my case, my besties were thrilled to get knitted cozy winter hats in the middle of summer because that's when the whim hit me xD

 

[NightWolf714]

One of the great things about chosen family is that they love you and will happily accept a post-christmas gift as well ^^
Or in my case, my besties were thrilled to get knitted cozy winter hats in the middle of summer because that's when the whim hit me xD

True true. So long as I get it to her before she's off for her summer job, it should work out well.

Today's Log (12/25/24)
Merry Christmas everyone! This is the second of my winter holidays I celebrate (as I also do Yule/winter solstice). It was a strangely different and strangely normal Christmas at the same time. Which I know doesn't make much sense, but it is all the same. It was overall better than I expected it to be. Little points here and there of overwhelmed or frustrated, but not too bad. And some somberness. But also some joy too. Everyone seemed to like their presents and I got some cool stuff as well. (My nephew gave me a set of tiny dog and cat skeleton figurines, which I never would have guessed but goes perfectly with my Halloween skeletal animal collection.)

Managed to get a break mid-day to go to the condo. Instead of exercise, it was used for a long nap and then a cup of coffee while catching up online before heading back to family socializing round 2. So all my exercising got done in the evening leading up to bed. Not the best, not the worst though.

• Universal Warm-ups completed
• Back and Core held off again
• Arms of Steel [Seated] held off again
• Better Sleep yoga completed
• Meditation 30 day Challenge - Day 11 completed. The yoga that went with it is slowly getting easier. First day of 10 minutes instead of just 5. And first time I did almost 5 minutes without peeking to see how much time was left, lol. Went pretty well, though there's a thin line between meditating and falling asleep, haha. That last couple of minutes I was pretty distractable, but that's kinda expected. The first part went really well for me, so I'm happy. Though for whatever reason, scheduling in a quick 10 minutes seems mentally a lot harder than a quick 5 minutes. Hmmmmm. :/

Happy Holidays everyone~

 

[JCU]

Happy Christmas!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Merry christmas, and well done on taking that time to rest in between the socialising.