Smashdown

Yesterday, I met with my Marine Recruiter. Next June, I hope to be starting OCS. But first, I have to pass the PFT. So, I have three months to get in ready. Main Quest: Pass the PFT and get selected to join OCS in June. Goals: 1. Complete 3 pull ups. 2. Run 3 miles in 24 minutes. 3. Complete 100 crunches in 2 minutes. Life Quest: Finish Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East (Seriously, an amazing book). Wish me luck, fellow Rangers! I am off to start the Armstrong Pull-up Program. "The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears, or the sea." ~Isak Dinesen

Didn't do as well as I had hoped for this challenge. Hit a rough patch after spending the day at the NY State Fair to see a crazy concert (at least I didn't fall and break my leg like a guy behind me), but I was a little under the weather after that, probably a result of dehydration (ironic, since we stood in the pouring rain for 2 hours during the concert and then slogged through half a foot of water to get to the car afterwards). So obviously, I didn't meet my goals. Goals: 1. Complete 5 days of intense cardio/lifting (at least 1 hour), 2 days of tai chi. Every week. Final grade: B. I did pretty good with this, though I didn't always go for a full hour, depending on what workout I was doing. I may have missed a day or two, but did a pretty good job making up for it later. 2. Drink at least 3 large cups of water per day. Final grade: C. Got really dehydrated a couple times during these three weeks. I got so focused on work I forgot to have water throughout the day. Started off well when I was thinking about it, but started slacking off towards the end. 3. Consume 90% of diet within requirements of the Paleo Diet. Final grade: D. It is rough going cold turkey on some of these things. Started out well enough, eating salads, fish, and venison a lot, but then I had parties, and fair food, and Amish baked goods...and it got away from me pretty quickly. Life Quest: Start a blog. Final Grade: B. I started a blog, but only have one post done so far. Trying to write short stories to gauge what people like and don't like about my writing, but it's difficult writing shorts stories all the time.

Today I discovered how excellent my Aerosmith albums are for workout music. But I do have some other music that really pumps me up. Got the classics: Space Jam-Quad City DJ's Eye of the Tiger-Survivor Hit Me With Your Best Shot-Pat Benatar We Will Rock You-Queen And some other favorites: The Fever-Garth Brooks Shock to the System & Rebel Yell-Billy Idol Crazy on You-Heart Headstrong-Trapt You Can't Take Me-Bryan Adams

Greetings all! I discovered Nerd Fitness last week and have already become obsessed. So today, I started a three-week program (since I am jumping in halfway through the current challenge). I am not new to intense workouts (I was a dual-sport athlete in college and did the Insanity workout last summer), and I have some lofty goals. Main Quest: To be able to pass the Marine Officer Physical Fitness Test with a perfect score for women (8 pull-ups, 100 crunches, 21:00 for 3-mile run) by August 19th, 2014. Goals: 1. Complete 5 days of intense cardio/lifting (at least 1 hour), 2 days of tai chi. Every week. 2. Drink at least 3 large cups of water per day. 3. Consume 90% of diet within requirements of the Paleo Diet. Life Quest: Start a blog. Wish me luck!

Greetings all! I discovered Nerd Fitness last week and have already become obsessed. So today, I started a three-week program (since I am jumping in halfway through the current challenge). I am not new to intense workouts (I was a dual-sport athlete in college and did the Insanity workout last summer), and I have some lofty goals. Main Quest: To be able to pass the Marine Officer Physical Fitness Test with a perfect score for women (8 pull-ups, 100 crunches, 21:00 for 3-mile run) by August 19th, 2014. Goals: 1. Complete 5 days of intense cardio/lifting (at least 1 hour), 2 days of tai chi. Every week. 2. Drink at least 3 large cups of water per day. 3. Consume 90% of diet within requirements of the Paleo Diet. Life Quest: Start a blog. Wish me luck!

Evicious is right. Keep a positive "can-do" attitude and you will do great things in the military. I am right there with you. I joined the forums so I can get support and advice to get in shape to join the military. I've been talking to recruiters and former soldiers for years and mental toughness is the most important thing that you need. One of my contacts joined the US Marines right out of high school with another girl from her area. My contact was not very athletic, but the other girl was, and the latter actually had a harder time because she did not have the determination the former did. Just push yourself and you will reach your goals. Good luck! I'm rooting for you!