bookgirl_me’s idea. Her description:
What say you to a thread about posting about certain goals/successes we set ourselves/achieve?
The catalyst for this is a bet I made with a classmate: he wagered I couldn’t pass the Cooper’s Test (a fitness test: run as far as you can in 12 minutes). I’d been thinking of getting back into shape for a while, but it never really clicked until now. It’s just so much easier to be motivated when you’re doing something with friends- sort of like NaNoWriMo, except in my case with running (I actually did “NaNoRuMo†or whatever I called it a few years back when I ran a total of 50 kilometers or so in a month but I can’t find the thread).
Anyhow, I know most MBers are pretty determined/high achievers: it doesn’t have to be about fitness, just setting yourself a not-that-easy goal and working towards it (together). Anyone with me?
Enigmatic thread title by Rebecca.
So… life/progress report:
I’ve written down all my goals for next week in a notebook and am making shorter lists of tasks for each day (This started on Friday).
The running
I’ve gone running once thus far and plan to go again today. I didn’t run the Coopers test, but after the warmup, I did check to see how long I could keep going on 15 km/h- four minutes, pretty precisely, which isn’t bad considering I’ve only exercised twice since graduation. Right now, I’m just going to go for being able to run at 12 km/h for 15 minutes (not very hard) and then see where I want to go from there. I’d love to get off the treadmill and run outdoors too, but since it’s snowing, I think I’ll have to pass for now.
The academics
I’m actually feeling pretty confident. The (important) exam is on May 3, so I have a bit of time. Usually, I’d make study plans based on how much time I had left and assign myself goals that were much to high, then get stressed about reaching them and depressed if I didn’t. This time around, I’m just going to try and study until I feel I’ve accomplished something each day and trust that it will be enough. Anyhow, I’ve done my problems for number theory, skimmed lin Alg and started seriously studying for Analysis (the exam on May 3). Today’s plan is (surprise) more Analysis and then reading my textbook for the Java programming class so that I can start to work on the programs I need to write.
Misc.
There was a makeover planned as well: I’ve already bought new makeup/concealer (which I hate doing, because I have trouble finding something that works with my glow-in-the-dark pale complexion), went to a hairdresser (didn’t end up getting my hair cut because they were only taking hair models for very short hair), helped my dad out, cleaned my room, signed up for kickboxing lessons and am going to check out a local gym and call my dermatologist tomorrow. I also went to a party yesterday/early this morning; met a lot of old friends, had fun but made sure to stay in shape so that I can study today.
So yeah, I’m kinda on a roll lately.
(*pokes other MBers*)
Nice!
Let me know if you need help with your academic work — I am pretty busy on a daily basis but if I have a couple days’ warning I can usually help. (The way I see it, explaining something will help me understand it better, so I’m very willing to make time to explain things) I’m taking number theory now, took analysis a year and a half ago, and I have almost two years’ experience with Java.
Good luck with your future tasks!
Good luck with everything!
Ooh, I like this!! I’m currently just trying to sort out my life, I guess? So maybe I can utilize the next week (spring break, w00) to get a head start on this.
Goals:
-Organize room, especially paperwork and clothing.
-Improve work ethic.
-Exercise more, even if just walking up and down the stairs a few times.
-Actually do all my homework.
Let’s see how this goes…
Day 3
Today I did my first attempt at the Cooper’s test! Got 2.37km in the 12 minutes, which is pretty decent. The pacing was a nightmare though- I started out on 12km/h, then went up to 13km/h because I was feeling moderately sucky and figured I might that if I was miserable, it should at least be over fast… until then with 4 minutes or so to go I dropped down to 10km/h and then just gave up and walked on 6km/h for the last minute. So yeah, I have something to work on :s . On the other hand, the hive mind/a certain wiki says that >2.30 is good for my age and I haven’t exactly been training.
I did the reading for programming and it looked pretty straightforwards, so all I’m missing today is more Analysis studying… I think I’ll try to look at some problems before I go to bed.
In a fun bit of cooincidence, I’m about to begin a similar project for English class, known as Project Walden.
The overall goal is to change your lifestyle for a week and journal about it. I chose to spend a lot of time writing, and to do that through cutting out all the websites and whatnot in my life. Because, while I chose them carefully and they’re all valid and informative in theory, when I spend the day on a hundred different websites nothing gets done.
I will be checking in every morning during the time I’ve granted myself as an exception. Other than that, I’ll just be writing.
I’m aprehensive. The whole thing sounds like a giant combination of lots of fun and lots of effort, and I’m *this* close to backing out and taking a vow of silence or whatever. Four more minutes, and it’ll be too late. Here I go.