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wxstormer

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    WxStormer Storms the Mountain, Take 2

    in Adventurers

    Posted

    Today I decided to do a max out session on BW squats.  I ended up doing 67 total in 3 sets (30, 20, and 17).  That is freaking awesome.  I definitely can tell the difference in my walking.  Though my fitness track in Map My Run says I only did 2.8 miles per hour last night on my first "lap", and 2.6 mph overall, I also had to stop for traffic, let my dog pee about 10 billion times, adjust collar/lead.  I think I had like 6 minutes total of lollygagging around.  That means I did 3.1 miles per hour.  I want to get to 4 mph eventually, but hitting the 3 plateau without any difficulties and no heart rate spikes rocks.

     

    The problem with maxing out BW squats is that it made pushups and planks incredibly hard.  Like only 10 pushups and 3 planks.  But I will say it is a net positive.

     

    I've been thinking of adding something else - softball.  They have a super social league that is for people who don't have much experience and don't have a problem if they suck.  Thinking about doing that.  It'd be my first organized sport (I'm sorry, but I don't consider bowling a sport) since Middle School (band took care of HS PE).  Wish me luck and courage.  It's more of going into beast mode and being awesome.

     

    Also, I have a date tonight.  Yes.  Me.  Engage beast mode.  It's only a movie, but it's something.  I've decided to stop being a wuss and making other people's decisions for them (i.e., by not even taking part) and just be myself and let the chips fall where they may.

    JLE819 - Jelly Belly Jody - A Dragon In Disguise

    in Level 1 Rebels

    Posted

    Greetings.  I'm a 350 pound guy (down from just under 400) and walking is a good start.  I did it for a few months and you'll start losing weight.  Don't worry about hitting the 20 min/mile marker that much.  I still only do that when I try, but I've built endurance (like 3-5 miles).  Speed will come as your muscles get stronger.  As you get stronger, you may want to look into body weight squats.  They hurt like hell when you start, but you'll notice that your mobility improves quickly.  Check with your doctor first and make sure you look up proper form because they are easy to do wrong.  And keep a positive attitude.  You'll have times of struggle and pain, but engage your "beast" mode and all will be better.

    • Like 2

    WxStormer Storms the Mountain, Take 2

    in Adventurers

    Posted

    Today's WOD:

     

    Morning:

    40 BW Squats

    10 full pushups

    20 kneeups

    10 planks

    10 one arm rows (25 pounds).

     

    Evening:

    3 reps each of 65, 85, and 105 bar squats (upper)

    10 reps of bar weight bench

    15 minutes of water walking

    2 mile evening walk with dog.

     

    What was different today was that after first 10 squats, the rest were super easy. Like I did 10 in one set then 29 in the next set. I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting more pain and suffering (that was the pushups today). My last squat I had for 2 minutes. That also was painful...

     

    Last night I did a 2.5 mile walk with my doggy and I'm probably going to the gym to do bar squats, deadlifts, and benches and some water running.

     

    So today I give myself props for my first ever attempt at doing bar squats.  Yeah, the weights kinda suck, but I don't want to pressure myself with them yet.  I just want to stay comfortable with weight lifting until I reach my pinnacle in body weight squats.  But I do want to stay in practice so that I remember form.

     

    I'm finding that I''m walking faster, probably due to the squat.  That freaking blew me away...

    WxStormer Storms the Mountain, Take 2

    in Adventurers

    Posted

    OK, Yesterday I had a stressful day at work then a fight with traffic to go to Austin for a conference at mid-day.  Still managed about 6.5 miles walking (I didn't keep my phone with me, so Fitbit only said 10,500+- steps).  Yesterday I did 40 BW squats to failure and a few pushups and planks.

     

    Woke up today at a friends house and kicked off with 45 BW squats, 10 planks, and 20 push-ups.  And I'm exhausted.  Back to the conference, then back to work.  Maybe gym tonight...

    Bodyweight Squats to Failure(?)

    in Strength Training!

    Posted

    Hey guys, quick questions.  I'm working on doing bodyweight squats, but I hit a failure point today (or what I think is a failure point may not actually be a failure).  When I got up, it felt like my legs wanted to give way (i.e., the muscles were too tired) at times.  In the future, should I actually let myself hit this point?  It wasn't that many, but I am still a rank beginner... 

    WxStormer Storms the Mountain, Take 2

    in Adventurers

    Posted

    Greetings everyone.  This is my second try at Challenge #2.  I had an issue in the last challenge where I had to go to the hospital which kinda knocked me out of action for two weeks.  However, for this challenge, I can say that I already have won it.  I waited until after Camp Nerd Fitness to actually formally start the challenge because I knew the experiences there would impact what I want to do in this challenge.  And it definitely did so.  Camp was freaking awesome.  Lots of friends were made and a lot of education took place.  It also acted as what I call a transformational experience in my life.  Some of this I will post about in a Woot post later this week.  

     

    My Character:  I'm an Ogre Adventurer
     
    My Main Quest:  As of now, I want to lose another 100 pounds.  I currently have lost approximately 50 pounds since April 2014.  Once I get down 150 pounds I can have a surgery that will solve the root cause of many of my other health issues.  But at my weight, the surgery is a bit too risk for me to undertake.  
     
    My Transformational Quest:  This what has changed the most due to Camp Nerd Fitness.  I found that my life has been very lonely and unfulfilling and I need to change it immediately.  I need to create my Jedi Council and batcave.  I need to get out and do more.  I need to stop being lazy.  I need to get my ass kicked from time to time.  I want to be a Hero.  I want to value myself as a person and not worry about what people think about me.  I need to do activities that push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me.
     
    Continuting Quest:  
    I'm changing this to my continuing quest because it will be an active part of every quest from hereon out.  I'm also adapting it to be more flexible for the future.  So my goal now is to maintain a certain 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.
    Grading:  
    A - Completed for at least 39 of the 42 days
    B - Completed between 30-39 of the 42 days
    C - Completed between 25-30 of the days
    F - Less than 25 days
    Reward:  +STA (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)
     
    Challenge Quest 1:  
    Angry Bird Fitness Workout.  I'm going to make this easy.  I want to be at level 2 on all phases by the next challenge.
    Grading:
    A - Made Level 2 on All 4
    B - Made Level 2 on 3 phases
    C - Made Level 2 on 2 phases
    F - I'm a wuss.
    Reward:  +STR (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)
     
    Challenge Quest 2:
    So I have been on a Paleo diet since this challenge has started.  I'll use this as a stepping board to continue to be good.  So I'll judge this based on how much I follow the Paleo plan with a few modifications.
    Grading:
    A - Completed 90% of the time.
    B - Completed 70-89% of the time.
    C - Completed 50-69% of the time.
    F - Less than 50% of the time.
    Reward: +CON (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)
     
    Real Life Reward for Completing Challenge (Part 1 of 2):
    I'll do this reward if I complete two challenges (this being part 1 of 2).  Fly to Seattle and hang out with a friend who has just moved there and do some hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park.  It was fun when I last did it 8 years ago.  Plus it will get me out of the house.
     
    I AM A HERO!!!
    • Like 1

    Chapter 2: WXStormer Prepares for the Journey

    in Adventurers

    Posted

    Unfortunately, bad news.  I'm already going to say that I have failed this challenge.  I'm going to continue to do what I can, but I have had to miss 1.5 weeks of the challenge by having an infection that has progressed to sepsis and a 4 day hospital stay.  I'm fairly sure that I will be limited to walking only for the next 7 to 10 days, which will limit what I can get done...

     

    I was doing relatively well walking a fairly good amount per week.  I was averaging about 20 miles per week with at least three days with 10,000 steps.  I actually prefer the longer walks because I wait until it is pretty early night-time (around 10~11 PM) in order to avoid the oppressive Texas heat.    My main limiting factor is my dog (he has hip dysplexia and distances greater than 3 miles bothers him).

     

    On the diet, the goal is to pretty much eliminate all non-essential carbs from my diet.  One of the good things that came from my hospital stay is that I got my A1C results back early and I am now at 5.9 which is an excellent value for a Type-2 diabetic..  

     

    For the next week or so, I'm going to follow the recommendations of my doctor.  I'll enjoy Camp Nerd Fitness (and have joined the Academy whenever I get back in shape enough to continue).

     

    The real motivation is to lose enough weight so that I can have the surgery necessary that would fix the problems that caused my hospitalization this time (and last October).  I tired of being here and having to stay in the hospital for something that I can control.

     

    More later....

    Chapter 2: WXStormer Prepares for the Journey

    in Adventurers

    Posted

    This is my second challenge.  I'm sorry for being so late, but I have been trying to keep up with everything, even though I've had a ear/sinus infection that is still kicking my butt.  This challenge is to prepare me for the Journey - to Camp NerdFitness, of course.  I'm making a few modifications that I found important in the last round...

     

    I know this post sucks and hopefully I'll be able to update it and make it more exciting.  Now off to sleep and hope my head stops pounding.

     

    My Character:  I'm an Ogre Adventurer

     

    My Main Quest:  I need to lose 150 pounds by the end of next year (I would prefer faster, but I need to remain realistic and 10 pounds a month is realistic).  This will allow me to complete a surgery that will greatly improve my quality of life but is currently too dangerous for me to do (and no, it isn't a weight reduction surgery).

     

    My (Shorter) Term Quest:

    Not make a complete fool of myself at Camp Nerd Fitness and to march for Alumni Band in October.

     

    Challenge Quest 1:  

    Swim Walk/Aerobics twice a week (at least) and walk/jog for averaging 2 miles each day I don't do the gym work.  I currently do this for 4-5 days a week, but I need to extend the time and intensity.  At least once a week, add in 10~15 minutes of Cardio on the treadmill to try to increase my speed in a controlled environment.

    Grading:  

    A - Completed for at least 39 of the 42 days

    B - Completed between 30-39 of the 42 days

    C - Completed between 25-30 of the days

    F - Less than 25 days

    Reward:  +STA (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)

     

    Challenge Quest 2:  

    Angry Bird Fitness Workout.  As often as I can do it.

    Grading:

    A - Strength Training for 3 days a week

    B - Strength Training for 2 days a week

    C - Strength Training at all

    F - I'm a wuss.

    Reward:  +STR (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)

     

    Challenge Quest 3:

    I need to change my diet more.  I will eat a vegetable and a fruit every day (this will be a harder challenge than 1 and 2 for me) and continue to strictly limit sugar and carbs from my life. (Continued from last time)

    Grading:

    A - Completed 90% of the time.

    B - Completed 70-89% of the time.

    C - Completed 50-69% of the time.

    F - Less than 50% of the time.

    Reward: +CON (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)

     

    Life Quest: (Carried over from last time)

    I'm tired of being a lonely single shy guy.  I want to make new friends that I can go do things with.  This will involve me actually talking to people.  If I find a girl I like, ask her on a date.  

    Reward:  +CON (1 for new friend, 3 for date)

     

    Real Life Reward for Completing Challenge (Part 1 of 2):

    I'll do this reward if I complete two challenges (this being part 1 of 2).  Fly to Seattle and hang out with a friend who has just moved there and do some hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park.  It was fun when I last did it 8 years ago.  Plus it will get me out of the house.

     

    Though it isn't a reward, Camp Nerd Fitness is going to be freaking awesome.  HvZ here I come...  :)

     

    My Motivation:

    I've been like this for way to long.  I have a need to have surgery to correct an internal issue, but the seven plus hours of anesthesia would be extremely risky for me in this step.  Losing the weight will make this surgery possible and would reduce an irritant that I must live with daily that interferes with me living a happy life.  I'm also unhappy with the effect of my weight on my self esteem.

     

    Starting Measurements (some are estimated):

     

    Body Weight:  378.2 pounds (Down 20 pounds since April)

    Resting HR:    74 bpm

    Waist (measured just below belly button):  53 inches 

    Shoulders:      64 inches

    Hip:                 50 inches

    WxStormer storms the mountain

    in Level 1 Rebels

    Posted

    Highs have never bothered me.  My body was happy in the upper 200's and 300's.  Lowering it cause my to have energy problems for a week or two.

     

    Your sugars will be higher just after you wake up.  It's called Dawn phenomenon.  My fastings are generally higher because of it, but if you wait 3 hours after waking up, your sugars will be normal.  Our bodies flood with hormones just before waking up that does weird things to sugars.  

     

    My doctor primarily used A1C's.  Since seeing this doctor, I was 7.2, 8.6, 9.2, 9.3, and then 10.2.  I stopped drinking soft drinks and started drinking tea.  That turned into a sweet tea.  Sweet Tea is worse than drinking a 6-pack of Cokes.  I then started to do 1/2-1/2 teas.  Still went higher...  Now I drink a glass of tea with just a little bit on top - just enough to counter the bitterness of the tea.  (i.e., 24 oz glass of tea with using maybe 1/5 or 1/6 of a sugar packet).  Otherwise just water and the no-sugar drink packets you put into bottles of water.

     

    Adrenaline is bad for me.  I'm too jittery.  Nothing happens sugar wise.  And caffeine has no effect on me of any kind (blood sugar or the normal responses to caffeine).

     

    Pizza or similar is the only thing that drives my sugars up to 200.  I can even eat a cupcake and it won't budge more than 160.  

     

    A one hour walk typically will lower me 30~45.   A walk with intermittent jogging will lower me up to 60 and will spike my heart rate to 80%...

     

    A basal helps, but if you are prone to hypo's, you don't want to take one..  If anything, you may need to do the shots only when you get high sugars (if you are sick or chose an unwise meal)..

    WxStormer storms the mountain

    in Level 1 Rebels

    Posted

    I'm a type 2.  I tried Metformin and it never worked.  I went in and had a high A1C and we discussed using Insulin to bringing me back down (which it has).  I'm trying to decrease the required dose.  I started at 20, went to 30, then 36.  I had the crash and dropped back to 30 and now to 28 (to keep my sugar at night at just above 100 and under 110 in the morning).  My last A1C was 6.7.

     

    Your A1C is good.  Actually, the range you give for fasting is a bit high compared to your A1C.  

     

    My crash involved some of the Lantus entering my blood stream.  I keep candy near by in case I have another crash.  I'm always on the lookout and when I get around 80 I start freaking out.  I'm at 92 right now about 1.5 hours after eating...

     

    Insulin isn't bad, but you do need to be diligent. 

    • Like 1

    WxStormer storms the mountain

    in Level 1 Rebels

    Posted

    Here is my synopsis of the first challenge.

     

    My main quest:  

    Probably won't happen, but there is a reason for it.  I haven't lost more than 8 pounds during this challenge, but I did end up gaining muscle and losing inches.  My triceps and biceps have definitely gained mass and the entire area is much less flabby. 

     

    Short Term Quest:  

    I'm upset about this one.  I could have done, but I got food poisoning this past Thursday night that was keeping me close to home so that I missed Saturday's Blacklight Run. I did the equivalent of a 5K Saturday evening, but it isn't the same thing.

     

    Challenge Quest 1:

    Week 1:  5 Days of Walking, 10.4 miles

    Week 2:  5 Days of Walking, 2 Water Workouts, 13 miles

    Week 3:  4 Days of Walking, 2 Water Workouts, 9.23 miles

    Week 4:  4 Days of Walking, 1 Water Workout, 7.14 miles

    Week 5:  5 Days of Walking, 3 Water Workouts, 10.9 miles

    Week 6:  4 Days of Walking, 2 Water Workouts, 9.6 miles

     

    I have some extenuating circumstances in that I had a hypo episode that kept me from walking for a day and then had the stomach food poisoning episode that sidelined me for two days.  For the mileage, I should have completed 72 miles, while only completing 60.27 miles.  

     

    So for Challenge # 1, I give myself a B.

     

    Challenge Quest 2:

    After starting, I changed tactics, and my strength training is duoing burpees at home and my water aqua fitness (i.e., dragging my arms and legs while water walking, and other forms of AquaFit).  I may reintroduce a bit of machine work for the next challenge.  I like the results I got by doing my water fitness, but I need to do more.  

     

    For this challenge, I'll give myself a B for doing AquaFit and some body weight...

     

    Challenge Quest 3:

    I sucked at this one.  I did better than a F, but I didn't do very well on it...  I did incorporate a few new vegetables, but work has impacted my diet more than anything.  

     

    For this challenge, I'll give myself a C minus.

     

    Bonus Quest:

    Abject failure.  I did this at the beginning, but not since.  

     

    Life Quest:

    Met a new friend doing Aqua Fitness, and I did go on a date early in the challenge.  So a success for this one.

     

    Ending Measurements:

    Body Weight:  371.0 pounds

    Resting HR:  70 bpm

    Waist:  51 inches

    Shoulders:  64 inches

    Hip: 49 inches

     

    Award Points:

     

    CON: +4, STA: +2, STR: +2

     

    Next Challenge:

     

    I'll stay an Adventurer, but I'll keep an eye on the Scouts and Assassins..  If I choose one or the other to focus on, I'll definitely keep up with that group.

    • Like 1
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