LOAN #3 PAID OFF!!

MY SECOND FEDERAL LOAN IS PAID OFF!!

It was a bit of a rush to get this paid off before the end of the year, but it's so worth it! I haven't calculated how much I saved yet though, so I'll add that later.

Successful Workout!

I'm immensely proud of myself. I went to Vasa to do a proper workout, and I succeeded!

I did cardio on the Elliptical for 20min while watching Fantastic Beasts, then did a weights circuit for my upper body (arms, chest, back). I've done research, and they say that unless you're looking to be a sort of bodybuilder or build up endurance for a long-distance race, then you want to employ the Strength Method. This is where you lift heavy weight for low reps and sets. Makes sense, right? This method helps build your overall muscle strength and it works when you target multiple muscle groups, instead of just one specific muscle.

For example, instead of just doing tricep curls, then bicep curls, etc. you can combine that all in one set. This also makes it easier to complete a faster workout.

Here's what I did:

-- 3 (3R) Iso-lateral incline press, 30 lbs
-- 4 (6R) Iso-lateral front lat pulldown, 35 lbs
-- 3 (3R) Assisted chin lifts
      - Inner, 85 lbs
      - Middle, 100 lbs
      - Outer, 115 lbs
-- 3 (5R) Chest press, 55 lbs

I should have written down what muscles each of these target, but I know I covered my triceps, biceps, deltoids, pecs, trapezius, etc. What's amazing is that the Assisted chin lifts offset your weight, so you can eventually make it to being able to do them on your own. The machine I was using had three positions. I believe the first was a chin-up (underhand grip), then a neutral grip (parallel handles), and then the pull-up (overhand).

Since my strength gave out more and more with each grip, I'm going to alternate which one I start with, while still decreasing the weight with each grip type. This way, each version gets a chance to start with 85 lbs offset to avoid disproportionate strain. I'm hoping that once I get strong enough to handle 85 lbs offset for all three, then I start increasing the weight at an even pace across all three grip types.

(I hope that makes sense. I don't understand the various terminology. I know what to do, but not how to explain it. After looking on pinterest, I also realized that I didn't control my breathing, but I'll do better next time)

Yeah, so go me! I'm already deeply feeling the strain, but it's a good soreness, not a painful one that means I did something wrong. Tomorrow is lower body! (I'm donating plasma that day so it's best to avoid any sort of strain on my arms)

Oh, and I was also good about eating! I had a Whey Protein Shake right after with a bagel, and I'll have tofu soup for lunch, then chicken curry with rice for dinner, along with green beans.

I'm thinking about posting an end of the week summary of everything I do, to keep me accountable, but also avoid posting here every single day.

LOAN #2 PAID OFF!!

I JUST PAID OFF THE FIRST OF MY FEDERAL LOANS!!

I've saved $250-270 in interest by paying it off about 7 years early. Granted, that doesn't seem like a lot, but it's the smallest loan I had, so it's to be expected. It's also paid off 9 months earlier than if I just kept up the simple Snowball effect by only putting in the monthly payment leftover from my Wells Fargo loan. Now I can put $70 into my second smallest loan!

But first, I do believe I've earned myself a massage! I can't wait. My neck and shoulders could really use the attention.

Car and Computer Troubles

These past few weeks have been insane. I am returning to my original attack plan because my previous Step 3 has had complications and I can't focus on it for the moment.

HOWEVER, there have been frustrating car and computer issues to deal with in the meantime. I went to visit my sister and her family this past weekend and I had a great time. Before I left though, my "Check Engine" light went on. I also have a headlight that's been out for a while so I decided to get that fixed. I was going to do it myself, but the Walmart I went to provided the service, so I took it.

Fortunately for my safety, the mechanic noticed and showed me that a front tire had a bulge in it. It likely was a result of my car being "tapped" by an unobservant driver. Then he showed me that the back tires had nearly worn through the tread. My smartest course of action was to get all new tires in addition to the headlight replacements. Now, I'm glad it was noticed before I was driving in the middle of nowhere, and I had almost all the money to cover the cost from my car sinking fund.

Yet then when I went to my appointment to have my car looked at, the warning light turned on because my oxygen sensor needs to be replaced. Doing so will cost about $200, so that's a further expense for me to pay later next week.

And then unfortunately, as I've said about my computer hard drive dying--my brother couldn't fix it, so he referred me to a data retrieval company. I just called today and got a lovely high quote plus parts if needed. Yippee.

Then fortunately again, I just filed my taxes and will get almost enough to cover the cost of getting my computer fixed. So there's that, but I was desperately hoping to use that tax return money to pay off one of my student loans.

Well, that's not happening.

But it'll be worth it to get my files back. I was stupid and didn't save a backup of my NaNoWriMo work, and that's got my most recent version of the story I'm submitting for WIFYR. Hopefully, they can retrieve my files in time so I have it. Plus there are other files that weren't recently backed up so this service is worth the cost. I just wish I didn't have to pay it.

So in conclusion, I'll be behind a few hundred in my plan, but ti's still going! My Step 2 Month Ahead budget is now back up to halfway finished! I'd change the graphic but that Excel file is on my old hard drive and it was troublesome to make. I'm not making another one, so you'll just have to wait until I get my files back.

Plan Update

(1) [COMPLETED]
(2) [WIFYR COMPLETED]
(3) -$$$$  (Unexpected, 11.3% completed)
(4) $2,600  (32.1% completed)
(5) $15,600 (9.7% completed)
(6) -$$$$  (Student Loans)

Step 3 should be further along, but there have been two errors on my paycheck and 10hrs of overtime haven't been paid to me yet. I hope it's resolved by Friday when I get my next paycheck.

2016 Year in Review

22 posts in one year, with only two months missed. Compared to the previous attempt of 18 posts in six years, I'd say I finished 2016 pretty strong!

Here's to a more successful 2017!