MtnThg

I'm joining this challenge, but I don't have a goal in mind. Yet.

I'm a solo workout artist as well. Here's what I do.. *Take a Supplement - Something like C4 or Neon Volt always gets me pumped. You can always just take caffeine. It may sound like a farse, but it helps me get motivated and, even if it's placebo, I do it anyway. ANYTHING to keep me going. Except yohimbe. Screw yohimbe. *Psych Out - Think of everything that pisses you off. Think about that time that rude a$$hole made you drop your favorite ice cream on the pavement when you just bought it. Think about an ex that you'd like to punch in the face. Anything that'll get you hyped up. I sometimes growl/yell when I get to the end of a particularly brutal set of reps. So did Bruce lee. *Give Yourself Reasons to WIN - It hurts. I'm tired. This sucks. Suck it up. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, stop complaining and give yourself a REASON to continue. Why did you do this in the first place? You started this. Why? There must be a reason. What is it? FOCUS ON THAT. It may seem harsh, but in the end, it's mind over matter. When you workout alone, you're also facing yourself and, believe it or not, you're always your biggest, strongest, most badass enemy. Come hell or high water, do what you came to do.

Burpees. Hundreds of them. And if you're feeling particularly courageous, get a 20 or 30 pound vest. Then do more burpees. Also, as a sidenote: mountain climbers.

Agreed with this. I do almost 100% bodyweight training and I've found that different hand placements not only help to build other muscle groups and vary the levels of difficulty, but also keep people like me, who do 100 - 200 pushups a day from getting bored with it.

Looks like i've forgotten to grade myself! I've gained muscle, lost pounds while doing so, found at least an hour a day to do something I want to do, starting spending a lot more time with my daughter and basically met and beat each of my goals like a boss. I also cheated on my paleo more than one day a week on some weeks, and I only did one day of fasting. So all in all, I'd give myself a strong B letter grade. 87% And I suppose that in not reaching my "Size 32" as mentioned in my first challenge goal, that this would be considered a failure. Looking back, though, I realize that I was reaching for goals based on who I was before my daughter was born. A past version of myself. And you know what I think about that? W E A K In light of this revelation, I'm calling this challenge a win. I don't need to "return" to being a hero to be awesome. In a sense, I've become the villain. Perhaps properly, and more appropriately, the anti-hero. My goals, along with my body, are changing and always will change. Whereas then I was concerned about looks and confidence, I now realize that such a standard exemplifies that which was a hindrance to me. I already look good. I already have confidence. And, like any good comic book character, you sometimes have to forcibly shed preconceptions to grow as a superpower. And that is what I did. You can see it in a few of my posts.. that growing stage. Me, looking back at what I thought I wanted and going "Psh, F$&* that." I've taken on two fitness role-models. Herschel Walker, who does massive amounts of bodyweight exercise and looks like he could have contended in Mr. Olympia, and my all-time, Bruce Lee. Some of Bruce's quotes resounded and inspired me during tmy fitness goals, and continue to do so now. And Walker's "stop worrying so much" paradigm has brought me a lot of enlightenment on my journey. So in light of where I am now compared to who I was then? I consider this challenge not only passed, but OVERKILL. "Finish him!"

I finally weighed myself for the first time since September 1st. I weigh 167! Now, that may not seem like a ton, but I know I've gained at least a few pounds of muscle so I doubt this is an accurate assessment of exactly how much FAT I've lost. I consider this a huge win.

Strength is going well. With it comes speed and endurance.

Alright. A bit about where I'm at now. I complete September 1 - 30 on what I could consider an 85% paleo diet. I was cut to about 1,500 calories a day and I would say over the course of the entire month, my math came out about like this (yeah, I got pretty scientific with it): Basal Monthly Caloric Intake for the "Average Male" 2,500kcal * 30 days = 75,000 My monthly kcal: 33,000 Estimated caloric deficit: 42,000 At the idea that 3,500 calories is equal to one pound, I've lost 12 pounds of fat over the course of September. About 2.8 pounds per week. I am now on my 4th day of Phase 2: Strength. Seems like I'm going the flexibility, agiliy, strength and stamina route. I did what I came to do in September, even though at the first week, my scale went out and I have no clue how much I weigh, and more importantly, I don't even care. My girl has touched my biceps while I was smoking a cigarette on the porch with her, impressed. She's noticed my stomach flattening out. My confidence is higher. I'm taking a lot more time for myself these days and I'm a lot happier. I am once again in battle-mode and, where I don't feel like I'm 18 just yet, I feel better. So, while I didn't follow my goals exactly, the road less traveled actually lead exactly where I wanted to be, only better. There were a few days that I'd grab a PB&J sandwich, or get sick of yams and go for an actual potato, but the math doesn't lie. Even if I weigh the same, I know my fat levels are down. My body is doing more work with less energy. I'm gaining muscle and strength. So in the end, judgement moves to.. Grade: A. Phase 2: Strength This is amorphous. I want to get stronger. I'm using protein supplements and bought a single 25lb dumbell that I've already put to 2 hours of use. I'm going to take this challenge (even though I was a little early) to the end and keep posting my results. Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.

Fantastic post. I saw the title and thought "hell, if she's 18, then I'm 17!" or something similar. Was real cool to see someone with the same mindset. The best of luck to all your goals. I was working on the same thing, but I'm going by phases. I'm not as worried about shrinking as I am getting strong. On the thought of paleo, if you need anything feel free to send me a message, as I went from drinking about 2 liters of Mtn Dew, nothing but junk food and easy stuff to eating about 90% paleo and it was rough. A support mechanism would have been so awesome, so I'm offering up mine if you ever need anything. I did a lot of research on recipes and shopping as well, if you ever have questions. Your goals seem awesome, and I'm sure you'll make yourself proud. And as I always say, "Do work."

Day 12 My headaches are gone. My gut isn't as hateful toward me as it was when I first started. I've been doing workouts and raised my push up count before muscle failure from 20 to 40. It is a lot less difficult to move quickly and stand for long periods at work. My daughter feels lighter. I have lost a belt notch! I've lost about 2lbs so far but I think I've lost more fat than two pounds, I think I'm just replacing some of it with muscle. Average so far: B.

Thank you, Krunchy! Good to know I'm not the only one. Day 3 I'm doing well. My gut is not taking the change so well, and has been upset since yesterday. I figure this is my body reacting to the lack of "toxins" it normally receives in the form of Mountain Dew, Energy Drinks, dairy, etc. I haven't had a single grain or processed sugar since the last day of August. I can feel cravings for sugar almost all the time now, but it is manageable. Chicken and veggies have been my staple meals, with sunflower seeds, cantelope and bananas as my snacks. So far, so good. A note? I'd really like a beer. Grade: B

Day 1 I would consider this a success, all things considered. I made it through to 19 hours fasting, took my daughter for a long walk and worked out for 27 minutes. I broke my fast with veggies and marinara sauce and a leftover drumstick of chicken with some sunflower seeds. Grade: B

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Good luck!

Congratulations on becoming a father in the near-future!

I have indeed done intermittent fasting before. It's actually not that bad to go 24 hours or more. Once you hit about 16 hours, you don't even feel hungry anymore! Or at least, I don't. The last time I did this, I went 36 hours, and it was glorious. I felt great, and my first mean was eggs, bacon and raspberries and it was absolutely delicious. Fasting really helps you remember to appreciate your food. Basically, I drink water all day. Sometimes, if I get so hungry I can't stand it, I'll take a few psillium fiber pills, but that's a desperate measure. I did my research on fasting long before I tried it. When I get more in shape and my body is more use to using its own energy reserves again, I want to try a slightly longer fast. That'll be in the future though, and possibly when I'm trying to cut off my last few stubborn percents in body fat. Today actually marks the first fast of this month. It's going well so far. Thank you for that. I'm a stay at home dad, which I think has become my "go to excuse" for having gotten so out of shape and having gained so much weight. Before the pregnancy, I weighed 155 consistently, could run a mile without getting (too) winded, was climbing, hiking and doing cardio like nobody's business. You could see my abs! I would guess that I was at about 13-14% body fat. Now, according to some online calculators, I'm at 24% body fat with a "shield" of fat in front of my abs, can barely work out for ten minutes without getting winded and too sore to move. I figure that if I can find ways to include my daughter in my workouts, I won't feel the need or want to fall back on being a stay at home dad as an excuse to be out of shape. Not to mention, it'll give her more exercise at a young age which will help prime her to be healthier later in life, and will allow us to spend more QUALITY time together. Win-win-win! Thanks again for the response, Skywalker. If you're ever curious about intermittent fasting, feel free to ask. I might be able to help you out.

My Main Quest: Fit Into a size 32 (-4 sizes from 36). Side Quests *At least two intermittent 24+ hour fasts per month. *Walk/Carry my daughter to the park at least once a week. *Do a home workout for 20 minutes, three times a week (at least one of these during fast). Life Quest: Cut down from 20 cigarettes a day to 10. Life Quest 2: Learn Basic Parkour Diet Side Quest: Go at least 75% paleo. Fitness Side Quest: Take 1 hour a week to do something for myself only. Motivation: My daughter and my confidence are my biggest motivations. I want to live longer and be stronger and smarter for my daughter's sake. As for myself, I want to be more confident with the way I look, and appearance is a consequence of fitness. Current Measurements: Body Fat: 24% (+/- 3% Calculated with Navy System) Waist Size: 36 Weight: ~180 Height: 5'8"