fieroandrew

10/13 The TrailBlazer Challenge Backcountry Race. My first 13 mile race, and the first race I've done in a couple years. It should be a fun time.

That analogy... is amazing. I've never thought of it like that. Thank you for that. I tried the pictures approach for a while. I stopped for a while because I got discouraged, but I think I'm going to give it another chance and actually compare them every once in a while. Never did that, and that sounds like it could help a good deal.

Argh. I'm so upset with myself for burning all my vacation time from work already. I wanted to do that this year! If you run it, let us know how it was!

Man, for some reason I never knew more people where around here. Silly spam filters on my email... Anyway, sweet! So does anybody here want to go for a hike or something?

My favorite hiking spot is an old quarry out in Knoxville that has been turned into a little slice of nature. Ijams (our guardian of nature) and a mountain biking club worked together to run some trails out. Something about looking at how nature just casually reclaimed all the area is always mind blowing to me, and with all of the different trails and connectors that they have, it's easy to spend more than a few hours out on them. Heck, I even run the trails somedays and I still find it just amazing.

So I've been losing weight and exercising since the begining of the year (Gotta love convient start points). Since that time, I've dropped a fair bit of weight and was doing great. Then, I smashed head long into my oldest opponet and the only one that I could never figure out how to beat. That is my own internal "view" of my body. My family, friends, fiancee, etc. all tell me that I'm looking so much better and they want my secrets, but I just can't see whatever it is they see. To me, I'm still looking like the fluffy man I was before I started. I keep trying to tell myself that I've obviously lost a fair bit of weight and that I should be proud about it and all that, but instead I'm finding myself losing to my body image. It makes it so I lose motivation and just kind of give up for a while. Eventually, I'm able to overcome it enough to get some work outs in and it quiets down for a while, but then it'll rear it's ugly head again and restart the cycle. I'm sure there's not an easy fix for how to deal with it, but does anyone have suggestions/hints to help weaken it? I am willing to try just about anything, but I'm at a loss for how to deal with it.

My stress reducer (when I can get it done) is trail running. Even just a 30 minute run up a gravel/mulch trail can help. Something about having to focus in on the trail alone just helps me sort through and deal with whatever is stressing me out. It's simple enough and gives you a great change of view too.

I run because: I don't want to end up with the weight problems that plague my family. To sleep better. Keep my stress levels low and easily managable. To see the sights! And to get the "crazy" looks when people see me running in the rain.

Day 2 of training for a job! Yay! Anyway, I did 30/60s prompted by Zombies, Run for a grand total of 38 minutes. I started to cramp up pretty good during those, so that just made it all the more interesting. Also, I'm not a fan of running in the evenings. For some reason, I found it far more mentally difficult than when I ran in the mornings. Guess it's just a "whatever you're used to" kind of thing. Calorie-wise, I stayed in diet at 1763 calories. Honestly, MyFitnessPal was starting to freak out because dinner was my big meal (seriously, I NEED groceries right now, what is this "proper breakfast/lunch")and before I had added dinner I was at 573 calories for the day. While I was debating how I could get some more calories in, my roommate stomped into the room and announced that he was hungry and everyone who wanted free Firehouse Subs had to come with him. So, yeah. that was dinner... and my day! So, I suppose it's time to sign off until later!

Good luck on all your goals! I'd be a little concerned with the exercise every single day thing, but that's because I know my body couldn't handle it right now. If you think yours can, by all means, Kill it dead! When I first joined, I was guided to not have a specific number goal for weight (for a 6 week challenge), rather think about the ways you can help it out. For example, mine was to eat 1900 or less calories a day. Those are just my opinions, and remember we're all rooting for you!! EDIT: Also, I've never heard the phrase "rather eat socks" but that's awesome! I'm going to have to start using it!

You can get this done! (I'll actually find your thread and support ya there too, I just don't want to wander away from this without updating first). So yesterday, as predicted, was a complete and total rest day. Well, except for my hour long stroll and nature exploration. Stayed in my diet, but just barely, coming in at 1857 calories. Today, I did an abridged version of the sword/circuit routine I am doing since I had to get to day 1 of training for a new job. Diet went really well, it's hard to overeat when you can't afford food! I had a total of 1250 calories, with 1,000 of those coming from dinner alone. Can't wait to start getting paid so that I can finally afford to get some groceries.

So today was my "optional" interval day (I need 2 a week and this was number 3). To make myself get out there and run, I actually asked my FB friends if I should or not. The overwhelming response was "yes." Of course, looking back, I realized I picked a horrid time, since all of my friends who do marathons/triathalons were all getting online. Anyway, I did 3.3 miles in about 42 minutes, with 30/60s thrown in from the 10 min. mark to the 20 min. mark. While my pace is still pretty slow (12:47/mile), it is faster than it was on Thursday. I'm hoping I can continue to speed up as I get into shape. Diet-wise, it was just another standard day. I had a total of 1,482 calories. So far, the calories have been the easiest goal, probably because I've been unemployed so I can't afford vast amounts of food. Haha. Tomorrow is my official off/rest day, so I probably won't be posting. I'm a little nervous for Monday since I have to go to training for a part-time job about the time I would normally be working out. Eh, I'll get my workouts in somehow!

Today was yet another circuit workout day. I love/hate these days so much. Love the feeling I get afterwords, hate how difficult my body finds it. But regardless, I did a good circuit workout and sword training regiment. I really like doing the two back to back. Diet-wise, I did pretty well, mostly because I was able to make myself stop eating during dinner. I stayed at 1,815 calories. I was kind of worried I wouldn't make it, mostly because I had had minimal food throughout the day, but I managed to find the brakes and just kind of stop. Go me.

Today was another run day. Woo. I've come to realize that I do enjoy running, I do not enjoy the first quarter mile. Did the Zombies, Run 5k training number 3. The best estimate was 3 miles, since Map My Run didn't recognize part of my running course and my GPS successfully decided to stop working. So that was frustrating, but managed to get the intervals in. Diet today turned out kind of odd. Mostly because my meals did not happen during the even semi-normal times. I stayed in my diet very well. 1,259 calories once all was said and done. Wee. Tomorrow brings another circuit/sword workout. Still debating if I want to do my bonus run on Saturday. Can't really decide if I want to push it or not.

After day 2 of intervals/barefoot training, I've blown past the goal. Now I have to find some motivation to do my optional run on Saturday. Still want to keep the training up so I don't feel like I'm starting quite as close to square 1 again next week.

The part that helps keep the app from getting boring is that every day's mission has different conversations/actions. I also find the plot and characters really interesting. Today I did a slightly modified version of the advanced cycle. It got a little cold so I trimmed up and cut out the one leg squats (did my sword training before all of it so I was really cold). Diet-wise, I did pretty amazing. I capped at 1,364 calories. Also got a surprise call from my mom, apparently I'm getting new clothes, which while awesome is going to kind of slow my attempt to declutter. Such is life though, and flothes that fit will always be appreciated.

After my first day of cardio, I'm almost there. I want a shiny belt!

Today wanted to really test my dedication. Woke up and got dressed to go running (with my headphones plugged in to help get me pumped up), walked out the door and it was just pouring like there was no tomorrow. I shrugged it off and changed my plan to run on the treadmill in the "fitness center" across the road. Got there, and the treadmill was completely non-functional. So I went with plan 3 and did the elliptical. I did the Zombies, Run 5k trainer program to help me keep going. It was 10 minutes of a light pace, 10 cycles of 15sec run/60sec jog, and then a 10 minute "free style" in which I did as many negative intervals (60/30s) as I could handle. I lost count at about 5 and went back to just a medium speed jog. After all was said and done, I managed to get about 2.5 miles in. Diet today... before I plugged it all in, I would have sworn to you that I completely blew my diet. Ravioli and cookies make you think that. After I clicked it all in, I found that I was still under the calorie mark at 1752 calories, which makes me all sorts of happy and excited. Time to post my mileage into the minichallenge and then sleep the sleep of a thousand sleeps! EDIT: I visited the doctor for a study I'm taking part in. I had them weigh me and learned I'm down 4 pounds from the 12th of Feb. with a pretty awesome change in body composition. Still have a ways to go to get down to my weight goals, but it's getting there!

I love Zombies, Run. It's the perfect motivation to get me running. I've been using the full app for a couple months, and I've actually started using the 5k trainer to help me get used to barefoot running. I really like the full app because even if you finish the scheduled run, they have conversations and banter that kicks in every now and then to help you finish strong. I really want to get a heavy bag so I can pick my strike workouts again, but that won't happen until May at least. I'm too excited to move into an actual "house" (duplex, but still. Way bigger than a 2 bedroom apartment!). I'd really suggest Zombies, Run. I know they're in the process of making/releasing Zombies, Run 2 but I have no idea when that is supposed to hit.

Zombies, Run! is my preferred tracking program anyway. Guess I'll actually pay attention to how far I run this week...

I voted to not do a post yesterday, since for the most part it was a rest day. I did help some friends move, but compared to the rest of the week, it was a nice break. I had to estimate my total calories, since I couldn't find the restaurant I had dinner at, but since I hadn't really eaten anything during the day, I'm pretty positive that I didn't break my limit. I really have a hard time believing that half a plate of chicken pad tai is 1800 calories. I also did 1 bag of donate-able clothing (and another bag that was just trash), so I'm still on pace for that round as well. Today I did my sword-training upper body routine and then went straight into a circuit workout out by the playground. That took a hair under an hour. The rest of the day was rather lazy since I'm still hunting for a job. Calorie wise, I did really well. I clocked in at 1300 calories while making sure I had plenty of vegi and good nutrient-rich food. Here's to a great second week!

And yet again I managed to miss a day. Grr is all I have to say about that. Yesterday, I turned the sword training workout into the highlight of the day so that I wouldn't be dead today. So I did that training for about an hour. Meal-wise, I really only had 1.5 meals total. My little sister decided she wanted to go to Steak 'n' Shake, so I really watched everything to that point. Even with the awesome grease, I still came in a hair under my allotment with 1858 calories, so I'm rather excited/proud of that achievement. Today was a non-workout day in some sense of the word. I didn't have a workout routine since it's technically a "rest" day. What I did end up getting to do was spend 8 hours doing a combination of removing an engine from an '85 Volvo and putting large rocks into and then out of the back of a truck. I have no idea how to really log/track that kind of physical abuse (mostly the Volvo. Had to twist nuts and screws that probably haven't turned since '85), but however you track it, I rocked it out. Diet-wise, I'm pretty positive that I went over my allotment thanks to dinner. Haven't had a chance to get it into the food diary online, but everything is written down. I'll be doing that tomorrow morning when I wake up. Right now though, I'm heading quickly to complete blackout sleep.

So somehow, even though yesterday evening I kept saying I was going to go on and log everything, I fell asleep and forgot. Yesterday's workout was a two parter. I woke up in the morning and figured I would try some of the sword training exercises my friend told me about. Did that for about 30 minutes, and found my arms/shoulders/obliques were quite toasty. Did maybe 1/4m walk to the gas station to get some household supplies I needed. Later on in the day, I did a slightly more intense version of the basic circuit because I wanted to watch Torchwood while I worked out. (Dr. Who and any episode with the Daleks is a much better workout, FYI) After all the eating was said and done, I still clocked in under my calorie goal at 1,930. While it was higher than I wanted, it was still within my threshold. Today, I did my first run in my Vibrams. I heard that it was a different experience, so I used the Zombies, Run! 5k trainer to help make sure I didn't end up killing myself. The program had me doing 15sec "slow runs" (I tried to add a little speed), and 1min "walk" (Kept going at a slow job) intervals 10 times, followed by a 10 minute "free style run" in which I tried to do un-timed intervals, based on what my feet and legs were saying. I have to say, running in Vibrams is a completely new feeling, but I kind of like it. I knew I was going to The Melting Pot for dinner (Thank everything for Restaurant Week, suddenly places that are $110 for two come out to be $50 for two), so I did my best to keep my calories down for the day. Even with that decadent meal, I still came in under my calorie goal with a total consumed calories around 1,588. I feel that might be a little low, mostly because it's hard to estimate just what percent of a dish you had when there are 7 other people sharing from the same communal plates. So I may add another 350-400 into my count, but I'd still be below my goal. I've still done a smashing good job of avoiding drinks with sugar. I've found that whenever I start to get that urge, I just scamper to the kitchen and make a pot of green tea. A) It's tasty It's good for ya, and C) No added sugars! Whenever I'm having to eat away from the house, I tend to get a small unsweet tea, just because I want a little flavor. I used to not like unsweet tea, but now I'm actually starting to enjoy the taste! Anyway, that's been my last two days. Looking forward to the weekend so I can recover... more or less. Logging out until tomorrow!

So I managed to miss the opening date yesterday. For some reason, my brain thought that it started on the 28th. Anyway, I started today with a vengeance to make up for lost time yesterday. So far, I'm staying on track. Way below my target calorie goal for the day with a grand total of 1,266. I had an unsweet tea, so I'm still good with the sugar beverages as well. As for the workout, today was a cardio interval day, and I ended up doing about 6 30/60s along with my half mile jog to the running area and back, for a total of about 35 minutes. Tomorrow is going to be a circuit day, and I'm probably going to try out some new things that my friend suggested, just to change it up a little.

Greetings: To say I'm excited for this is an understatement. I've been impatiently waiting for 2 weeks now, and patiently waiting since I found the site. Below will be my 4 goals for this particular challenge. While I've started to head towards my goal, I wanted to make it explicitly clear to myself what I should be gearing myself towards. Goal 1 - Eat no more than 2000 calories a day.Goal 2 - Drink no beverages with added sugarGoal 3 - Perform 3 body circuit workouts and 2 interval workouts a week.Goal 4 - Donate 1 garbage bag of unused clothing and materials a week. My overall goal is to continue to get down to my personal ideal weight while also decluttering the mess that I live in. Here's to a rocking 6 weeks!