CharlieChop

Fell off the wagon, and finally reporting in... Fitness Goals: -Complete ten consecutive pull ups. D- - Maxed out at 7 pull ups. Tried to rework my technique and never got back on it. -Attend Bikram Yoga once every week. F - Stopped going. I didn't like that this natural expression of your body is cloistered in a tiny room with white drywall walls and musky carpet. I didn't feel the natural attunement. I started doing Tai Chi, but scheduling conflicts also put this on hold. -Each morning go for a walk. F - I didn't make the most of this time. Diet/Nutrition: -Eat at least one raw meal and two vegetarian meals a week. - C- - Vegetarian meals regularly happened. Raw meals only happened here and there. Lifestyle: -Start composting. - F - Never happened. Did a Google search, but that was about it. -Begin growing something. - A+ - For years my father would always have an avocado pit (Not the same one.) sitting in a small bowl of water. I always remember the sediment that built up on the sides of the clear bowls he used. I never remember one growing. We made guacamole a couple weeks before this started. I cleaned the three pits we had and put them aside. Six weeks on I noticed a root from each. I bought some nice soil and have been treating them well. Here they are! Overall: I failed my primary goal which was the 10 regular pullups. So I must bear my burden of not having Chick-Fil-A for the remainder of the year.

I've done a little bit of fully barefoot running. Mostly asphalt. Didn't hurt too bad. I found running the last mile barefoot wasn't the best practice. Mostly this was because of how moist and sweaty my feet were. The ground just tore through any calluses I had. When I switched to running in Vibrams one of my coaches was telling people that I would have trouble breathing from having to look down where my feet were all the time. I found this not to be the case. I learned to keep scanning the area 10-15 feet in front of me so I can make adjustments to obstacles before they were literally right under my feet. Also the sensory feedback you get from your feet is astounding. More often than not you can recoil your foot before you step on anything too dangerous to put all your weight on top of.

I have just about this many miles left in my marathon training. The marathon is in October, so I can contribute at least this until then. If the challenge date is further out Im down for more miles.

I think I'm a fun adventurous runner. I like to plan new routes and explore while I run. Currently training for a marathon, already completed a half last spring. I love distance running, going a pretty quick pace. I had to run slow this weekend so my teammates didn't get lost on the run I mapped out and that hurt some, but we still had fun.

I wish my office had a shower. I would put in more of an effort to bike to work. Where are you working at? If the power goes out can you kill time by adding a few more numbers to your sets?

Here is the first of this weeks vegetarian meals. Black bean burger with guacamole and lime sour cream. I also did the Day 2 group of pullups from that site you recommended Loren. I did five sets totaling 10 pullups. Looks good for being able to make it to doing sets of 10.

I haven't read Dave Ramsey myself, but plenty of my friends have. I've cherry picked numerous ideas based on their sentiments. As soon as I remember the pin to my separate savings account I'll deposit the remaining $100 for my $1000 emergency fund. Figure it is pretty safe if I can't even remember the pin.

Thanks, Loren! That game plan looks like it will work really well. I will definitely be hitting the bar after work to follow this plan.

She has been really good about putting up with my transition to a slow-carb diet. My turn to live up to the respect and support. I want to be able to learn what I can do to help others in their efforts. If I can work on it at home and be successful with it I can share it with others.

I would like to meet more Rebels at real events. Until that point I have to add more tangible metrics aside from shame on the internet.

Humbling, but we all have our little things. Glad that you recognize it, and have the strength to admit it in front of all us. I bought an extra toothbrush so I can make sure to brush on my lunch break.

As stated in the primary challenge post I have my goals set before me. I wanted to go into a little more of how I plan on accomplishing these goals, and personal penalties. Fitness Goals: -Complete ten consecutive pull ups. Currently maxed at a single set of five. - Here my course is diligence. Doing pullups while going in and out of the garage has helped me. I'm going to be more conscious of doing actual grouped sets. -Attend Bikram Yoga once every week. Went to my first class this past Sunday and it was one of the most arduous things I've done. - I think this is a gateway challenge and may lead to more flexibility specific metrics. Otherwise, I will mark off this time each Sunday on my calendar and pay my $15. I have friends who already go to keep me in check. -Each morning go for a walk. Bring back the biggest rock I can carry. Next day get a bigger rock. - The walk is to wake my body up. The rock is because I hate using weights. Diet/Nutrition: -Eat at least one raw meal and two vegetarian meals a week. - My girlfriend is starting her own changes in her life. I want to support her efforts. Lifestyle: -Start composting. - I want to begin growing my own food, and not waste as much of everything else. -Begin growing something. - I first hope to grow a green thumb. In the past year I have lost sage, basil, thyme and rosemary. I also failed to grow some tulips, and my sunflowers were dead within a week. Fortunately, my orchids Oriana and Timothy are still alive. I will determine what to specifically grow by weeks end and update. I need a solid incentive to get myself going. Despite eating better and following the slow-carb diet I will occasionally stop into to Chick-Fil-A for a chicken sandwich. For the next six weeks I am going to completely avoid Chick-Fil-A. If I accomplish my goals I will reinstate my personal right to eat a chicken sandwich on my designated cheat day. If I fail in my attempts I will be barred from Chick-Fil-A for the remainder of the year.

I'm training for my first marathon in October. Debating a second in November, Tough Mudder in December, and Ragnar Relay in January. I love my Vibrams Bikilas. Got a great deal on a replacement pair 35% off, just because the color didn't sell well. Currently running in the white/grey/green ones. I guess people might actually notice the blue ones a bit more and start to ask more questions.

DIET: Currently - Slow Carb *Follow Tim Ferriss' recent suggestion of 30g of protein in the first 30 minutes of waking up. Grade: C- Assessment:Didn't focus as much on the numbers. This is usually the easiest meal for me to follow Slow Carb. During this time I transitioned from morning exercise into evening sessions. Wound up waking up later and just went autopilot most mornings. FITNESS: *Regularly run 3 miles barefoot. *Do 10 consecutive pull ups. (Currently at 2) Grade: C Assessment: I finished Born to run during this time frame. I just took it easy and enjoyed runs in my Vibrams. I let myself get swept up in the beauty of what was around me. I did make sure to take at least two new paths each week. I have gotten myself up to 5 consecutive pullups. No real excuse aside from just not being diligent. LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE: *Cut weekly discretionary spending from $100 to 50 and put the difference in savings. *Embrace being a 1 car couple and get over the death of my car. Grade: A Assessment: This section is where I did excel. My roommate and I have been carpooling to the office regularly. My girlfriend and I have been doing really well with a single car, cut the gas expense in half. During this time we also took a road trip to Tennessee to go to the Bonnaroo music festival. I've also saved a lot in car insurance (Thanks, Geico). Been doing really well with keeping the discretionary spending at $50. We've been more selective on the activities we actually go out to do. Then find good things to do at home. We've gone through several puzzles. I have also used a bonus I received along with the savings to establish my $1000 emergency fund.

DIET: Currently - Slow Carb *Follow Tim Ferriss' recent suggestion of 30g of protein in the first 30 minutes of waking up. FITNESS: *Regularly run 3 miles barefoot. *Do 10 consecutive pull ups. (Currently at 2) LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE: *Cut weekly discretionary spending from $100 to 50 and put the difference in savings. *Embrace being a 1 car couple and get over the death of my car.

I wasn't seeing a section on here yet, but I wanted to see if there are any rebels out there in Orlando, FL. Was hoping that we could get together and do a monthly event. We could hit up http://www.hardknocksorlando.com/ or http://www.rebounderz.com/ or even http://www.aiguille.com. I'm open for suggestions. If you're not in Orlando, at least start a thread to organize an uprising in your own city.

I love their shows! Worth every penny for great music, showmanship and a couple hours of time in the pit. I enjoy Great Big Sea and the Pogues, just haven't had any opportunity to see them live.

The change looks great, although I'm a little sad that you're not rocking those chops still.

Welcome! Don't worry about stopping and petting all the creatures. A little joy in the heart always helps the heart rate! If you can make sure to see an actual physical therapist in regards to your knee. I've been off the running circuit for a couple months now. I start working with an actual PT and the pain I've been having in my knee is linked to my foot and hip more than the actual knee. They'll be able to give you a series of exercise to help strengthen your knee so you can see further down this rabbit hole.

I'm pretty sure that I had 7 good years in college! Good luck!

I finally got the two of them to clean out the garage, if you can call it that, this past weekend. They are getting married next month. I told them if they want to have a place to keep all of their wedding gifts until they can work them into the household without disrupting everyone they'd have to make the room in there. Ironically, half of the mess is an excess of luggage. Guess what is on their registry...

Alethea, I appreciate the sympathies! I've been out of commission since the end of July. I have a biomechanical evaluation tomorrow afternoon. They are supposed to do an evaluation of my run, look at my shoes and determine where they are wearing the most. From there I believe they will either give me a regiment to follow, or be scheduling me for regular physical therapy sessions. I'm looking forward to continuing my minimalist pursuits. Right now I live with four other people. It can be pretty difficult to keep my focus while at least two of those four enjoy leading decadent lives. I plan on breaking my comfort zone next summer and moving to a new city. I'll need to be more stringent in determining what actually comes with me across the country.

Asuria, Thanks!! I hope to have some up soon. Some of my photography is already displayed on one of the pages of my blog http://www.cmgalvin.com/blog. I will provide an update once I have more of my art up for sale on Etsy.

I like it, and will have to try this soon. I've been mostly doing slices and baking them until they are slightly crispy more like a chip. I need to stop sprinkling brown sugar into my mix though. I'll also add some Pirate's Bite. It is an awesome pepper blend that my roommate picked up. I fear I'll have to purchase her a lot more soon.

I can't really call it paradise since this isn't where I want to be any longer, but to many it is. My name is Charlie, I currently live in Orlando, Florida. I'm not a tourist, so it isn't much of a paradise to me. I enjoy seeing the unpolished side of the world, not the consumeristic beast that has spawned in the life support city that has grown with the presence of Disney and the other theme parks. Growing up in the sunshine state has mostly left me with a very laid back attitude toward most everything in life. I've done well to get as far as I have on it. I have a decent job that isn't too demanding of me and gives me full health insurance. I know that there is more for me though. I've been reading this blog for a couple months now and have been enjoying the articles. I've been writing my own blog (http://www.cmgalvin.com/blog for some time now. I talk about various facets of my life and interests; fitness, travel, minimalism and occasionally some cooking. Since the beginning of 2009 I lost 25 lbs, quit smoking, ran a half marathon, run Warrior Dash and rode a 100 mile century bike ride. I've started breaking through my shell and took my first trip out of the country and spent a week in Nicaragua. In my efforts I have been doing what I can to help others. In the long term I think I'm in good standing. In the short term I know I'm on a plateau. I haven't done too much exercise in the past two months. Tomorrow I was supposed to run my first full marathon. That has been put on hold due to a knee injury. I start physical therapy this coming Tuesday. Unfortunately, in the time that I have been trying to get my knee checked out and repaired everything else has gone stagnant. Since I couldn't run I also stopped going to the gym. I've put 10 of those 25 lbs I lost back on. Now it is time for me to go big or go home. Here is my list of where I want to start: 1. Get back in the gym - At least start with a routine that will strengthen my core, shoulders and arms until my knee is better and I can do a full body workout. My Workout Log 2. Get my knee better - I've fallen in love with running. It compliments my soul. I can't wait to get back out there. 3. Tear down my cubicle walls - I signed up for Odesk and have been working with one of my best friends to start doing more freelance web design. I want to grow this practice and make money for myself. 4. Grow my business - I'm an artist, I have an Etsy store. I need to put in the effort to get my art listed and selling. 5. Blog - Determine my audience and my voice and make both grow. I have scheduled a survey for this coming Monday. Hopefully it will give me some great feed back from my regular readers. 6. Travel - I want at minimum at least one additional stamp each year in my passport. 7. Learn to dance - My girlfriend is amazed at how rhythm deficient I am. 8. Couchsurf - I've signed up and met a few of the locals. I think this is a great way for me to step out of my comfort zone. Looking forward to see where I can make things happen before the next 28 day challenge. Then going to see which one of these could use that as an additional ass kicking to move forward when that starts. Charlie