"You can make yourself into the person you read in books about, you can be the hero of your own story. You are that person, you just need to unlock your inner potential and to do that you've got to keep on clearing the dungeons and slaying your inner demons - one day at a time." - Neila Ray
I am a nerd. Pikachu is my spirit animal, Superman is my personal hero, and I chug blue Gatorade like its a mana potion. Now, I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a supernerd, but I do tick some boxes off the qualifications. A bit of a tomboy growing up, I spent more time roughhousing with the neighborhood guys and playing Nintendo 64 (yes, I'm sort of old...), and watching sci-fi and reading comics, and basically fantasizing of the day I'd magically get transported to some far-off world where monsters still existed and 'hero' was a legitimate career choice. Unfortunately, over a decade of waiting, and that still hasn't happened (but I still check every wardrobe I come across - just to make sure it can't transport me to Narnia... or Middle Earth, I'd be okay with that too).
Now, in the "real" world, I work/study in health care, and the further I delve into the subject, the more I realize what a hypocrite I've been. This is not my first time on this site, nor is it my first attempt at losing weight, or getting healthy, and all that wonderful jazz. "With great power comes great responsibility" (guess who said that one
) and as a health care worker, I know we're sort of set to a 'higher standard' in certain areas, as we are the ones who tell our patients, y'know... "Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you." But really, what right do I have to tell them that when I don't do it myself? I can understand, and 100% empathize with people who come home after a long day at work, or a 4-hour lecture, and just want to throw themselves onto the bed and not do a single thing. I guess I just spend so much time worrying about taking care of others, I neglect to take care of myself. And after years of neglect, and continuously "falling off the wagon" I can safely say I'm unfit and unhealthy.
This, of course, got me thinking of ways in which I could stay "on the wagon" and not fall off again. Psychologically, I know that continuous failure has made me associate dieting and exercise as 'bad', and as something to dread. Every time I try, it ends up feeling more like a chore and less of a choice, and eventually I give up because I just can't stand it. Looking for more 'positive reinforcement', I considered the things I enjoyed doing, and how I could incorporate it into my physical wellness. Then, as I was logging into one of my PC games to do some daily quests... it hit me. The thing that makes games so addicting (in my opinion) is the sense of achievement and gratification it gives... you kill some monsters, hunt for items, turn in a quest... boom! You level up, you get a reward, and now you get something new and shiny to play around with. It gives you incentive to keep going, to keep playing, and to keep leveling up.
What if I could do that with my weight loss and overall health?
It may seem a bit unconventional, but I think it'd be a bit of long-awaited wish fulfillment (to live my life [metaphorically at least] like the heroic characters I play) with the added benefit of improving my health and fitness. I haven't quite figured out all the 'mechanics' of it yet, but if any of you have played any sort of MMORPG, developers are always adding 'updates' and 'game patches' to improve content; similarly, I'll be adding new things as I progress along. So, I guess without much further ado, let's get this started!
(If this doesn't make any sense to you, that's okay. It does to me
)
-------
STARTING STATS
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 5'2/158 CM
WEIGHT: 161.5LBS/73.26KG
BMI: 29.5
STRENGTH: WEIGHT TRAINING +1 EXP; INCREASE WEIGHT LEVEL +2 EXP BONUS
DEXTERITY: 30MIN CARDIO +1 EXP
INTELLIGENCE: SUBSTITUTE 'JUNK' FOR 1 PIECE FRUIT OR VEGGIE +1 EXP
ENDURANCE: GOING TO GYM +1EXP; GYM 4X WEEK +2 BONUS EXP
LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
1: 10 EXP
2: 20 EXP
3: 30 EXP
4: 40 EXP
5: 50 EXP
6: 65 EXP
7: 80 EXP
8: 95 EXP
9: 110 EXP
10: 125 EXP
DAILY QUESTS
BREAKFAST CHAMPION - 0/1 +1 EXP; EAT A FILLING AND BALANCED MEAL TO START YOUR DAY WELL! BE A CHAMPION OF MORNING METABOLISM!
HYDRATION HERO - 0/8 CUPS OF WATER +1 EXP; DRINK UP! DON'T LET DEHYDRATION SLOW YOU DOWN!
CALORIE KING - 0/1500 +1 EXP; FOOD IS FUEL! YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT... DON'T BE A DOUGHNUT!
RIGHT TIMING - RESETS EVERY HOUR (NO EXP GAINED); DON'T LET A GOOD BODY GO TO WASTE! GET UP, GET MOVING!
ACHIEVEMENTS
GREAT START! - LOSE 10LBS TOTAL; REWARD NEW SHIRT!
HEAVY LIFTER - INCREASE WEIGHT LEVEL (REPEATABLE); REWARD SMOOTHIE FROM JAMBA JUICE!
SLOW N' STEADY - 1 HOUR CARDIO (REPEATABLE); REWARD +5MIN EXTRA SHOWER!
RUNNING IN PLACE - RUN A 5K; REWARD NEW SHOES! (YAAAAAS PLEASE)
PUSHUP MASTER - 100 PUSHUPS; REWARD NEW WATER BOTTLE!
GOING PLACE! - LOSE 20LBS TOTAL; REWARD $25 GAMECARD
CURRENT LEVEL: 0
CURRENT EXP: 0
NEXT LEVEL: 1 - REQUIRES 10 EXP
------
Like I said, if none of that made sense, its okay. It makes sense in my mind, lol. The 'daily quests' are certain goals I'd like to make a habit, for varying reasons. Some people say eat breakfast, others say it don't matter... personally, I'd like to be able to eat something in the morning that is relatively healthy and filling to 'set' me up for the rest of the day. I definitely notice I don't snack as much on days I've eaten breakfast, so that's what I'd like to aim for. Water is important, of course, not just because that's what the majority of our bodies is comprised of, but also because proper hydration is generally good for mental sharpness, excretion of toxins and metabolic waste, and it helps stave off those false senses of hunger. Right now, my calorie goal is to eat within the 1200-1500 range, though that's more of a way to keep myself more mindful of what I'm putting into my mouth. Lastly, I spend a lot of time at my desk and for several hours at one time. Getting up every hour to do a little stretch, maybe some jumping jacks or squats, walking a few 'laps' back and forth across th room... just to keep myself from becoming too sedentary, to allow my blood a chance to circulate more properly.
The achievements are some longer term goals, such as being able to run a 5k or do 100 pushups and so on. I'll definitely think of more along the way, but its a pretty good foundation and something I think I can stick to.
That's about it for now. If anyone can think of other easy, 'beginner' goals or long term achievements and random, appropriate rewards, feel free to add on! Any and all input is appreciated.
Live long and prosper!
I am a nerd. Pikachu is my spirit animal, Superman is my personal hero, and I chug blue Gatorade like its a mana potion. Now, I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a supernerd, but I do tick some boxes off the qualifications. A bit of a tomboy growing up, I spent more time roughhousing with the neighborhood guys and playing Nintendo 64 (yes, I'm sort of old...), and watching sci-fi and reading comics, and basically fantasizing of the day I'd magically get transported to some far-off world where monsters still existed and 'hero' was a legitimate career choice. Unfortunately, over a decade of waiting, and that still hasn't happened (but I still check every wardrobe I come across - just to make sure it can't transport me to Narnia... or Middle Earth, I'd be okay with that too).
Now, in the "real" world, I work/study in health care, and the further I delve into the subject, the more I realize what a hypocrite I've been. This is not my first time on this site, nor is it my first attempt at losing weight, or getting healthy, and all that wonderful jazz. "With great power comes great responsibility" (guess who said that one
) and as a health care worker, I know we're sort of set to a 'higher standard' in certain areas, as we are the ones who tell our patients, y'know... "Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you." But really, what right do I have to tell them that when I don't do it myself? I can understand, and 100% empathize with people who come home after a long day at work, or a 4-hour lecture, and just want to throw themselves onto the bed and not do a single thing. I guess I just spend so much time worrying about taking care of others, I neglect to take care of myself. And after years of neglect, and continuously "falling off the wagon" I can safely say I'm unfit and unhealthy.This, of course, got me thinking of ways in which I could stay "on the wagon" and not fall off again. Psychologically, I know that continuous failure has made me associate dieting and exercise as 'bad', and as something to dread. Every time I try, it ends up feeling more like a chore and less of a choice, and eventually I give up because I just can't stand it. Looking for more 'positive reinforcement', I considered the things I enjoyed doing, and how I could incorporate it into my physical wellness. Then, as I was logging into one of my PC games to do some daily quests... it hit me. The thing that makes games so addicting (in my opinion) is the sense of achievement and gratification it gives... you kill some monsters, hunt for items, turn in a quest... boom! You level up, you get a reward, and now you get something new and shiny to play around with. It gives you incentive to keep going, to keep playing, and to keep leveling up.
What if I could do that with my weight loss and overall health?
It may seem a bit unconventional, but I think it'd be a bit of long-awaited wish fulfillment (to live my life [metaphorically at least] like the heroic characters I play) with the added benefit of improving my health and fitness. I haven't quite figured out all the 'mechanics' of it yet, but if any of you have played any sort of MMORPG, developers are always adding 'updates' and 'game patches' to improve content; similarly, I'll be adding new things as I progress along. So, I guess without much further ado, let's get this started!
(If this doesn't make any sense to you, that's okay. It does to me
)-------
STARTING STATS
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 5'2/158 CM
WEIGHT: 161.5LBS/73.26KG
BMI: 29.5
STRENGTH: WEIGHT TRAINING +1 EXP; INCREASE WEIGHT LEVEL +2 EXP BONUS
DEXTERITY: 30MIN CARDIO +1 EXP
INTELLIGENCE: SUBSTITUTE 'JUNK' FOR 1 PIECE FRUIT OR VEGGIE +1 EXP
ENDURANCE: GOING TO GYM +1EXP; GYM 4X WEEK +2 BONUS EXP
LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
1: 10 EXP
2: 20 EXP
3: 30 EXP
4: 40 EXP
5: 50 EXP
6: 65 EXP
7: 80 EXP
8: 95 EXP
9: 110 EXP
10: 125 EXP
DAILY QUESTS
BREAKFAST CHAMPION - 0/1 +1 EXP; EAT A FILLING AND BALANCED MEAL TO START YOUR DAY WELL! BE A CHAMPION OF MORNING METABOLISM!
HYDRATION HERO - 0/8 CUPS OF WATER +1 EXP; DRINK UP! DON'T LET DEHYDRATION SLOW YOU DOWN!
CALORIE KING - 0/1500 +1 EXP; FOOD IS FUEL! YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT... DON'T BE A DOUGHNUT!
RIGHT TIMING - RESETS EVERY HOUR (NO EXP GAINED); DON'T LET A GOOD BODY GO TO WASTE! GET UP, GET MOVING!
ACHIEVEMENTS
GREAT START! - LOSE 10LBS TOTAL; REWARD NEW SHIRT!
HEAVY LIFTER - INCREASE WEIGHT LEVEL (REPEATABLE); REWARD SMOOTHIE FROM JAMBA JUICE!
SLOW N' STEADY - 1 HOUR CARDIO (REPEATABLE); REWARD +5MIN EXTRA SHOWER!
RUNNING IN PLACE - RUN A 5K; REWARD NEW SHOES! (YAAAAAS PLEASE)
PUSHUP MASTER - 100 PUSHUPS; REWARD NEW WATER BOTTLE!
GOING PLACE! - LOSE 20LBS TOTAL; REWARD $25 GAMECARD
CURRENT LEVEL: 0
CURRENT EXP: 0
NEXT LEVEL: 1 - REQUIRES 10 EXP
------
Like I said, if none of that made sense, its okay. It makes sense in my mind, lol. The 'daily quests' are certain goals I'd like to make a habit, for varying reasons. Some people say eat breakfast, others say it don't matter... personally, I'd like to be able to eat something in the morning that is relatively healthy and filling to 'set' me up for the rest of the day. I definitely notice I don't snack as much on days I've eaten breakfast, so that's what I'd like to aim for. Water is important, of course, not just because that's what the majority of our bodies is comprised of, but also because proper hydration is generally good for mental sharpness, excretion of toxins and metabolic waste, and it helps stave off those false senses of hunger. Right now, my calorie goal is to eat within the 1200-1500 range, though that's more of a way to keep myself more mindful of what I'm putting into my mouth. Lastly, I spend a lot of time at my desk and for several hours at one time. Getting up every hour to do a little stretch, maybe some jumping jacks or squats, walking a few 'laps' back and forth across th room... just to keep myself from becoming too sedentary, to allow my blood a chance to circulate more properly.
The achievements are some longer term goals, such as being able to run a 5k or do 100 pushups and so on. I'll definitely think of more along the way, but its a pretty good foundation and something I think I can stick to.
That's about it for now. If anyone can think of other easy, 'beginner' goals or long term achievements and random, appropriate rewards, feel free to add on! Any and all input is appreciated.
Live long and prosper!
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But that aside, it was a pretty decent start.
). Basically, I was stinting my metabolism by "starving" myself until meal time, and then overloading when I should have been eating more frequently and in moderation. Now, because I'm getting up, and moving around, and getting an hour or so of designated exercise almost every day, I feel like I'm just soooo hungry all the time. Like, I wake up and I'm actually hungry (that used to never happen); I go to the gym, and afterwards I'm just like "feeeeed me!"; I look at the sun, and its like, "Oh, hey.. that looks like an orange. OMG, an orange sounds so good right nowwww."
