wxstormer

Hey everyone... I'm curious about getting some advice about my form. I'm starting StrongLifts 5x5 and am a newbie and never have done any sort of weight lifting until I learned the basics from Spezzy at Camp. However, my body geometry doesn't let me do the full forms so I'm attempting to do them the best that I can until I lose more weight. My form videos are in my Challenge post -> http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/56485-wxstormer-assassin-apprenticeship/?p=1279725 For the squats, I try to make sure that I'm not putting too much weight to the front of my foot by making sure that I can wriggle my toes. The bench was all over the place, but I find I was much better doing more weight that I didn't video (may do that tomorrow). Thanks in advance.

You're not late.. Good luck...

Unfortunately I slacked off Thursday and Friday and missed gym Friday night. So to rehab my step count, I ended up doing 15000 steps yesterday (weekends are my big step days anyways). I worked my butt off yesterday doing things around the house and walked over to Wurstfest to get my Pork Chop on a Stick (yes, it is healthy). Today is church work day, a team meeting at noon, and start work on my greenhouse to keep my tomatoes alive during this winter. I want to do a 3 mile walk tonight, but that will be weather dependent. This weeks goals are to complete the gym circuit, Christmas concert on Friday night (yeah, it is before Thanksgiving), more bodyweight, finish redecorating my living room, and start planning for camping next weekend. Sometime this week I need to take Celena on a date.

Your pictures turned out much better than mine... Good job with the challenge...

OK, as promised, my beginning pictures. These are actually from two weeks ago. Do not click on them if you are squeamish. I would consider them extremely NSFW because your eyeballs are likely to start bleeding from looking at them (nothing too graphic except a lot of fat).. It shows I have a long way to go. But still better than how I was back in April... Front: https://drive.google.com/ open?id=0B5NKHQsxdGZGRDFFSEhRb2tvalU&authuser=1 Side: https://drive.google.com/ open?id=0B5NKHQsxdGZGUUZiaTJhbjNsbG8&authuser=1 Back: https://drive.google.com/ open?id=0B5NKHQsxdGZGUUZiaTJhbjNsbG8&authuser=1 The links have been purposely broken to keep them from displaying in the forum and to protect the innocent...

Synopsis for Days 1 - 3: Monday - StrongLifts 5x5 - 85 pounds Squat, 85 pounds press, 125 pounds deadlift. 1 mile dog walk at 2.9 mph. A rather measely 9K steps. Tuesday - Did a 3.2 mile performance walk. Tried to average around 3 mph, but had to slow down for the dog and the fact that it was freaking cold out there (I walk at night). Approximately 12K steps. Wednesday (Today) - Stronglifts 5x5 - 90 pounds squat, 1 set of 80 pound press for video check (see below), 5 sets of 75 pounds bench and 3 sets of 95 pounds bench, 130 pounds deadlift. 1.5 miles on the treadmill at 3.5 mph. I'm impressed, though. I got up to 157 on the pulse rate on the treadmill (played with incline and speed settings), and recovered to 116 in about 60 seconds. A few months ago, I'd be at like 150 for a few minutes afterwards. I know I hit 145 or higher when the sweat starts to pour off. Walking back to the car in my workout shirt and shorts was fun and painful. OK, one of the things I did tonight was tape my squat, press, and bench for evaluation. My deadlift looks just like all the videos and I have scraped up my legs, so I'm fairly sure that I'm doing that with proper form. I'm sorry the videos kinda suck, but I had to use my tablet because my phone camera sucks (HTC One M8). Squat Video: Press Video: Bench Video: Comments from me: I think some of you will say that I need to go lower on my squats. I kinda have a body geometry issue where my thighs aren't able to go down much farther. I tend to go down more everytime I do them, though, because I'm stretching my muscles more and more. And yes, I had the bar way too high. Press - I think I arch my back too much and I'm not consistent with the lift. Bench - I think I actually did better with more weight than this video. I need to move further out so the bar can go straight up and down. I hate this video, though. I think I look like a beached whale.. Oh well, motivation to keep kicking ass.

It is. Maybe the best reason that I can maintain a paleo diet, though I have been staying more towards chicken, pork, and turkey rather than beef.

I had the same experience with soft drinks. Last time I regularly drank one was in May 2012. I quit cold turkey. I broke the string on the flight home from camp, but that was more a requirement than anything else (upset stomach and low blood sugar, so I had a Sprite). It tasted like horse pee (just imagining what horse pee would taste like as I've never done it). I generally don't do fast foods, unless you call Bill Miller's fast food. My main vice is BBQ, but without sauce, it should be considered Paleo...

Yeah. It's in an old industrial building in town. About 17,000 feet, half of which is weights (both free and machine). Three power racks and 5 squat racks, and 8 bench press stations and a whole lot of equipment that I have no clue how to use (or am ready to use). Only thing I miss is the fact I can't do my water walking anymore (and it doesn't have much at all in the way of cardio - treadmills, elliptical, bikes, etc). But it is 5 minutes from home and I can't use the excuse that it is too far away to get my rear out of the house once I get home at night (worked out at 10PM last night)... Progressed to 85 pounds on the StrongLifts plan. Squats are no problem as I could probably double that number and still easily do them. My deadlift is at 125 (you start higher) and that too is easy for me. The Barbell Rows is kicking my butt And I think I hit my max on Overhead Press for a while. Struggled mightily to finish my last set. I've been doing more press than bench lately, but I need to get back up to speed. Kinda afraid to go over 100 on them... I think my form is screwed up on the press. I arch my back a lot. I notice that my body does this naturally as I get my arms at shoulder level and above. I don't remember that being a good thing, but you haven't done a form instruction video yet for the site (or at least one that I can find). I'll make a video once I can find a suitable place for the camera.

Go girl...

Greetings everyone. I'm new to the Assassins Guild after finishing up Challenge #2 (x2) with the Adventurers. I'm still a work in progress and kinda need help from multiple guilds. But I'll gain the most right now by being an Assassin until next Camp Nerd Fitness next Fall... For a quick background on me, I'm a considerably overweight 42 year old guy who started to get serious on the fitness journey last April after being diagnosed as a Type II Diabetic. I'm also motivated in losing weight in order to have a much needed major surgery that will make a significant impact on my standard of living (and hopefully keep me out of the hospital). I've bonded with a great group of people last September when I attended Camp Nerd Fitness # 1 (see my post that I link in my signature for my experiences and my Yearly Quest). What is my current regime? I currently do the StrongLifts 5x5 program three days a week and do a bodyweight regime on the off days along with a healthy dose of walking and jogging. I'm currently involved in an almost continuous Fitbit challenge with a few rebels and currently average over 70,000 steps a week. I'm also starting to work on my Grip Strength. My Main Quest: As of now, I want to lose another 100 pounds. I currently have lost approximately 50 pounds since April 2014. The problem? Since I've started adding bodyweight and StrongLifts, my weight loss has ceased. However, I have noticed the difference in that I'm able to wear clothes that I haven't worn in years (down 4" in waist and 1 shirt size). Continuting Quest: For the last challenge, I have adoped a new ongoing quest to maintain a certain high level of activity. On days I don't go to the gym, I want to make sure that I get at least 10,000 steps. On gym days, I need to make sure that I kick butt. My overall goal is to make sure that I'm at least over 70,000 steps a week. Challenge 1:Continue doing my workouts. I finally found a gym I can live with and do my StrongLifts regime as well as some Cardio... Bodyweight is still my major goal. I can do everything BUT Pullups.. I'm not likely to tackle that anytime soon. I will be happy if at the end of this challenge to be able to actually hold my actual body weight using the pullup bar on the Power Rack I use. I'm also want to continue building up my Grip Strength and increase mobility. I'm not going to do Parkour, but I want to better my balance and slacklining (without a slackline - using beams/etc that are low enough to the ground to be safe for me). Challenge 2:Diet. I suck at diet. I'm starting to make food to take with me to work, but I haven't gotten the vegetable balance in my life. Part of it is the limited amounts of veggies that I can eat. I'm good with meat. I've also been good at grains (or the lack of). I still have to get a minimum amount of carbs since I'm on a basal insulin (dose half of what it was in April) and have had a few pretty bad lows, so I'm being careful. I'll consider this a roaring success if I don't eat out more than twice a week, OR find that I can stand broccoli or eggs. Challenge 3:Push the Envelope. I'm an introvert and an aspie. I cope with this by staying in and avoid living on the edge. This isn't healthy for me. Another realization after getting home from Camp was that I needed to stop giving f@'s about what other people may think of me and live for myself. Last challenge I accomplished this by marching Alumni Band for the first time in 12 years and actually doing one of Amy Clover's bootcamps up in Austin. This year, I have the following things to do that will push me: 1. Go camping at the Texas Rennaisance Festival Thanksgiving weekend and actually party with the other campers. Yes, party. Maybe bring someone special. 2. Actually do a hike a week. One of these should be Enchanted Walk. This is my time of year to be outside and I need to kick myself in the butt to do it. Life Challenge:I made up a list I posted on my blog (see the Road Ahead link in my signature) of things that I want to accomplish in the next year. I need to mark a few more things off of it. During the last challenge, I've already done a few things and have tried to do a few others. The Camping/Hiking/Running will be done. I'm working on the girlfriend thing, but lets just say that I completely suck at it. I generally have tried striking up a conversation with someone new rather often. Also, depending on when I take my reward trip, I may be able to do the Hike Mt. Rainier. And yes, I have taken progress pictures and will be posting them soon.

Bro, you can do it...

Like I said when I started this challenge, I kicked this challenge in the butt.. There were a few setbacks - like getting a pretty serious sinus infection in the middle, but overall have done well. My Main Quest is still in a holding pattern. I'm just about the same weight as when I started. The difference is that I am gaining muscle mass which is hiding the losses. I can tell my losses are happening because I'm losing inches. Clothes seem extra roomy. Pants are down 3" in size. I put on a pair of jeans I last wore 10 years ago and it fit. Transformational Quest.. I say that you need to read my post on my blog titled "The Road Ahead" (link) to see my overall goals for the Transformation Quest. I've already checked off some things. I did Alumni Band and kicked ass and took names. I did Amy's Bootcamp and survived the entire thing (unlike Camp where I lasted mere minutes). I've went on a date or two (though that is my definition of date. Celena might have a different definition). Signed up for Pax South in January. Talk to a random person at the gym every time I go. So this is still a work in progess. Alumni Band information Bootcamp Photo: Continuing Quest: Not quite 10,000 daily, but I averaged over 60,000 per week, so I'll give myself an A. CQ1: Squats: I can definitely do 30 BW squats in one set. I can do 60 in 2.5 sets. So that is a solid Level 2 and almost a Level 3. PushUps: Other than at Amy's Bootcamp, I can do real pushups (without knees, unless I had a hard weight lifting day the day before) 2 sets of 10. So Level 2 there. Back: One Arm Rows are easy. I can probably do the inverted, but I don't always have a chance to get to that one. I will say I'm at a Level 2. But I don't think I will be able to improve past Level 2 in the forseeable future because of my weight. Planks: Man. These are harder. Yes, I can do them at 15 seconds at a time. But Not 60 seconds in two planks for 30 seconds a piece. Knee planks, yes, but not real planks. So Level 1 here. So a solid B on that one... CQ2: This is the one I have problems with. I try to eat Paleo, but I still breakdown with breads and potatoes some time.. I'll give myself a C, because I am successful about 2/3 the time... Real Life Challenge: Win! I'm definitely going to visit Daryl and Susan, and maybe a few other CNF-ers up in the Seattle area this winter. I haven't figured out when, but it is definitely going to happen. So I award myself with +3 STA, +2 STR, and +1 CON which takes me to STR: 4, CON: 5, STA: 5 and on to Level 3. For Level 3, I'm going to be an Assassin because I'm working on body weight (with StrongLifts 5x5 strength training), mobility, and stealthiness. Still doing Scout type things, but for now I'll progress faster doing Assassins type things (to get my strength up to do better walking/running/jogging - Hey, I am down to 19 minute miles if I try... )

You're doing fine, bro... Life happens... See ya Saturday...

Come to camp next year. It was hard to remain introverted at camp because of the community. I was one of the biggest social misfits around and I was able to interact and get to know people...

Boxer Briefs work well for me, and if I am going to be especially hot or it is exceptionally humid, I'll use some Gold Bond medicated powder to keep everything in check...

Time for an update. I ended up taking antibiotics for a week, but I think I still have at least a small sinus infection, but it hasn't stopped me. I held off on any major physical activities until last weekend. Since last Thursday, I've ended up doing a total of 12.4 miles including one over 3 and a speed walk today of 2.44 miles in which I set a new personal record of an average of 3.1 miles per hour over some kick-ass hills. I also started to do a bit of trail walking up Panther Canyon and around Landa Park, but I made the mistake of doing it too close to nightfall, so I was unable to finish all of the trail (it closes at sundown). This weekend I hope to do Alumni Band which will involve a crapload of walking and marching around Austin. We'll see how that goes. Hopefully I can do it all. I'll engage beast mode to do it all.. I'm also involved in a Fitbit challenge with other participants of camp. I'm not ever going to win one (unless I have a miracle this weekend), but I want to remain competitive. Oh, a question out there for the runners/walkers. How do you get your heel to stop hurting from walking? This is the main pain that I have after doing walks/jogs. Do I need an insert? It hasn't gone away even with all of the walking that I do and normal tennis shoes/walking shoes/running shoes don't seem to make a difference. Thanks.

Greetings from a New Braunfels-er who works in San Antonio...

I was able to do a quick one mile walk on Sunday. Went to the doctor on Monday and found out that I had Acute Bacterial Sinusitis and Bacterial Conjunctivitis.. The fevers have been over for a day or two now, but the rundown feeling still is pretty present. I meant to do a mile and half last night, but ended up crashing as soon as I got home from practice. I do plan on walking tonight some, and to slowly restart my body weight workouts in the morning. Being sick freaking sucks.

Good job.. Doing better than me...

Most definitely... You and Amy can come up with exercies that can torture us...

I've been updating more on Facebook lately than here.. Until last Thursday, my goal was about 3 sets of 20 reps of squats and 3 sets of 10 pushups (either knee or full, depending on what I can do). On Thursday, taking my trip to Dallas kinda triggered a latent sinus infection that I had. So I've been suffering with it since then. Since I'm trying to follow the Neck Rule, I can't do exercise other simple walks. I'm hoping to get over it this week... I want to get back to being off and running... So that means I missed my concert AND my attempt to tackle Enchanted Rock. I will tackle Enchanted Rock this fall/early-winter. I will conquer it... Also, my whirlwind of travel has been finished. I've been away from home for quite a few days - first for Camp, then for Spiceworld (IT Conference), and finally WFX (Church Media/Tech Conference). My dog missed me.

Yeah. I'm horrible and have no self confidence when I'm in most social circumstances, but my self confidence soars when I'm in my "zone" or where I have my most competence. So I understand your technical self confidence. We can fight this. Maintaining a secondary persona gets to be very tiring. I did it for 20 years and have just decided if people don't like me for who I am, I just won't care. So I dropped the persona and started using the extra energy to read and react to people better. I did this at CNF and had a positive experience with lots of new friends. I just did this at another event that in the past I would have just hid in the corner to avoid the social overload, and I did excellent and never had a meltdown or overload. It's the first step that is hard. As for me, I was diagnosed a bit over two years ago at 39. It was a relief in that I finally figured out why I was so different than everyone else. In the past (before my diagnosis), I was trying the techniques that NT's do to help improve their self esteem and relieve social anxiety, but they never worked. Once I was diagnosed, I started tackling at a different level and had a much better response.

Jess, we are on the same type of journey. I have 100 left (out of the 150 goal). Enjoyed meeting you at camp. Looking at the pictures makes me sad that I'm back there.. Keep up the good work...

You aren't late. We were kinda busy kicking butt and being heroes last week... I miss all of you guys already... Kick ass.. You can do it. Your second task is like mine...