rekkanize

It's quite delicious and incredibly economic. Unrelated, I've fallen behind in updates. Nephew was born this past weekend, parents drove down and I'm not sure what happened to last week. I'll update when I have more than a few minutes.

Ran me around 250$, only because I got all the equipment from a local brewing store I like. You can get all the equipment for ~160$ if you're in the US. Here's the popular science article I found that has a list of the parts needed and a video. It's great, I don't much like normal water now so this works great for me. If you're interested in getting this setup, make sure you either get a regulator with the teflon plumbing tape already on it or get some and put it on all of the joints. If you don't, it will leak.

This week went better for the diet, only slipped up once. The workout not so much, missed one day and snow got dumped everywhere. In brighter news, I can now make club soda at home! Purchased this setup for myself as a birthday gift. I just need to find a place where I can purchase 1L soda bottles since you're not supposed to reuse them too much. Cheers!

Small update: Terrible conditions outside have lead to straining leg muscles pretty badly while walking to school. Haven't biffed yet *knock on wood*, but have reduced workout to nothing with legs for fear of hurting myself.

Week one is done, I missed a few things diet wise and didn't get a chance to go for a walk due to weather. Also missed 3 classes last week. Sleep schedule is nearly back in order. Back in order enough to make it to class. Didn't end up making chili yesterday. Ended up going over to my brother's place for dinner as my sister-in-law is due in about 3 weeks. Plan on making chili today. Cheers

If you're at the point you need references don't be shy. Just tell them straight up. 'Hey, I'm looking at pursuing a job opportunity, would I be able to use you as a reference?' It's not like you're betraying them or anything. Being open and honest is the best course of action here. Then when you leave, you end up on good terms with your current manager. Which leads to a better reference. Just make sure you don't say you're leaving because John Doe is an asshole or anything remotely similar. Make it non-personal and they won't take it personally. Cheers

You're welcome! Glad I could help you with part of your challenge. I'll update that post with pics when I make it this weekend. I have to say, I was a little overzealous doing yesterday's workout. I'm incredibly sore today. I normally like taking the stairs, up isn't so bad. It's the going down and that slight shock to the muscles that kills me. Doing some yoga after class today. Then I should be back on track with sleep schedule as well. Just in time for my weekend. Spending a few hours making my class schedule ftw! Broke down and got a chocolate bar yesterday. I managed to limit myself to a regular size one though and nothing else. Ran out of coffee and milk last night. I think that was my downfall. Usually the act of making coffee in my new aeropress then drinking it alleviates sugar cravings. Side note: best purchase you can make it freshly roasted coffee. It's leagues better than anything you can buy in a grocery store.

Well here it is! Things to cut 1 1/2 large chopped yellow onion 4 large minced garlic cloves 500g chicken washed and cubed (breast, thigh, etc. skinless and boneless) 1-2 jalapeno pepper, seeded, finely chopped (Adjust depending on how hot you like your chili, I use 3-4 depending on size) Spices (I'm going to play with adding more spices this weekend, will update) 1 teaspoon coriander 2 teaspoons cumin Salt and Pepper to taste Other 1 large can diced tomatoes in juice (~800ml) 1 large can kidney beans (~800ml) - replace with mushrooms if on paleo diet (Haven't figured out exact amount yet, will update) 2 cups frozen corn kernels Juice of 1 lime 1/2 cup sour cream Garnish (Not manditory, makes it look nice for photos and adds some flavour) Finely chopped red onion Finely chopped cilantro Directions: 1. Heat large saucepan with ~1tbsp canola oil or another oil used for cooking (not olive!) over medium-high heat. 2. When oil is hot, add onion and garlic, saute until onion begins to brown 3. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides 4. Add jalapeno, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper, crushed tomatoes and beans (or mushrooms) 5. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes 6. Add lime juice, corn kernels and sour cream 7. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes 8. Serve with chopped red onion and cilantro (Not mandatory, but adds flavour) Makes 4-5 servings (depends on how large your serving is) Notes: If you don't have a large sauce pan, use a large pot. If not non-stick make sure to stir frequently to avoid burning to the bottom of pan.

I'm not a huge fan of dark chocolate, I've found that some fancier cheeses help get rid of the cravings as well. I made some chicken chili last week that was delicious. So naturally while eating the leftovers this past weekend I looked up suitable replacements for beans in chili. One of the first results was mushrooms. I'll upload a photo this coming weekend when I make it. Making it for Sunday dinner with my brother and sister-in-law. I'll also include the recipe I've been using. Cheers

Journal / Update Day 2 update: Sugar cravings are horrific, discovered lemon water or coffee helps a lot. I will have to get more lemons until the cravings dimish. Diet isn't very hard to do. Just a lot of veggies, and some meat for every meal. Thankful I'm a competent cook. I've just been cooking meat and various veggies for meals, or just eating veggies raw. Making chicken chili with mushrooms instead of beans this weekend. When the weather improves I'm going to purchase a bike and go for bike rides on off days instead of swimming. Pool is difficult to get a lane in, can't go after class because it is all booked until it closes. Lunch is when I have to go and it's always super busy. Going to go for a walk instead of swim on Thursday. Workout is rough, I'm more out of shape than I thought I was. I've also started doing a limited amount of yoga before bed to help with sleeping. I'm incredibly inflexible, I've always known that. It's just after reading week and my sleep schedule has been messed up. Hopefully fixing that tonight after staying up to reset it for tomorrow night. I've missed three classes this week already due to sleeping in. EDIT: Forgot to mention, I've made it through 2 sets of the BBWW minus 10 lunges. Aiming for two full sets by the end of next week.

Edmonton checking in!

Good point, I would have seen that if I had finished reading the entire workout page. D'oh! Alternating with cardio.

Will update this post with my weekly point totals. Final -/216 Grade: Stat increases: -- Diet Week 1: 24 Points Week 2: 28 Points Week 3: 27 Points Week 4: Week 5: Week 6: Fitness Week 1: 5 Points Week 2: 4 Points Week 3: 2 Points Week 4: Week 5: Week 6: Life Week 1: 1 Point Week 2: 1 Point Week 3: 2 Points Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:

Good evening. I'm Rekk. This is my first challenge and really the first time I've wanted to get in shape again. I'm 193cm(6'4) and currently weigh 135kg (297lbs). My longterm goal is to get down to 86kg (190lbs). The immediate thing that comes to mind, is weight and diet. I need to get my diet in order before the weight will start to change, regardless of how much I exercise. Goals: Diet - 28 weekly points, 168 total points (following rketterman's point system) Start and maintain a 100% paleo diet. I need to stop succumbing to sugar cravings with things like ice cream, chocolate, cookies, etc. I believe changing my entire diet will help curb these cravings and eventually eliminate them. 21 points for meals 7 points for beverages (full day) per week. Sta +2, Con +2, Wis +2 Fitness - 6 weekly points, 36 total points Follow the beginner body weight workout for the entire duration of the challenge (6 weeks). 3 days a week, alternate days will be swimming. Sundays as rest day. 6 points for workouts. Str +3, Dex +2, Sta +2, Cha +1 Life - 2 weekly points, 12 total points 1. Attend 100% of my classes, I've been struggling with attendance since the realization that nobody cares in high-school. 1 point per week for 100% attendance 2. Become more truthful, tell no large lies. White lies are alright for now, try and reduce frequency. 1 point per week for 0 large lies Wis +1 All of the above is from rketterman's post. Below will be the update post. Cheers, Rekk