Wolverine

Hope so. Thanks!

I cannot believe I survived almost a month without having witnessed this. This. Is. Epic. I'm a better person for having seen it. I feel this way too, but I think my lackluster attitude/performance has to do with choosing the wrong goals. I'm gonna have a lot of thinking to do between now and the beginning of the next challenge. I hate to say it but... could be time for you to go check out another guild and be inspired by a crop of new folks! On a completely unrelated note, I'm in a football pool that is totally ridiculous. Basically you win money if your team gets 19 points. Doesn't matter if they win or lose, just that they got 19 points. We had to pull team names out of a hat and I got stuck with the freaking Cowboys. I suppose it could have been worse, but I HATE hoping Dallas scores. It's so... wrong. I feel dirty inside.

I have JUST started experimenting with barbells again. The weight is still really low and the jury is still out on whether or not I'm ready for lifting again. I never have to force the strength/hyper stuff, it's the conditioning stuff that gets me. I used to be very creative with my cardio but my left leg is still a limiting factor. I tried to go for a run recently, made it half a mile before being in massive pain (calf) and had trouble walking for about a week afterwards. I feel like only half of my calf is firing, thereby causing that half to take on the entire load and thus overwhelming it. If that makes sense? Until the nerves settle down (if permanent damage hasn't been done), I'm out of luck on most conditioning stuff. I don't have access to a pool. The bike still bothers my lower back. So... swings (which also happen to be great butt/back strengtheners, which I also really need right now). But I think you're right... maybe saying "conditioning" X times per week (or whatever) and leaving that open to whatever I feel like doing would be a better option.

Agreed. Crazy Wolf (and friends)!

Have you checked out Kyliewyotie's challenge? He's got a really busy job and is preparing for the arrival of his first kid. The premise of his challenge was establishing a baseline of fitness. The minimum thing he can do to move in the right direction while under stress and time crunch. You may find it helpful to check out. It's been working really well for him!

Be kind to your knees!

I will gladly take some of your rain if you would like to share it, Oh Tenacious One? When I came home from work yesterday there was this wonderful smoke smell... like campfire smoke. I figured someone had lit up their wood-burning fireplace. Then I realized it was 90 degrees outside. Then I realized I live in California. Then I realized I was smelling yet another gigantic fire. Doh!

Congrats on that 4th pull-up! I'm with everyone else on the KB workshop... you're gonna rock it!

I noticed myself standing up straighter as I read this...

Sounds like the break was necessary and jumping right back into the challenge when you said you would kept it a break and not a falling off the wagon. Awesome. Glad you survived the almost hurricane!

Woohoo! Awesome!

I am totally stealing that calf routine. I still struggle with calf weakness in my left leg and I think this may be the ticket to at least getting SOME training in! I may also be stealing your weight chin-up routine too... I am a thief. You're doing great, TG!

I'm glad to see that you're sticking with your challenge and doing really well overall. MUCH better than I on that alcohol goal! My weight loss goal for the challenge is 160 lb. and I've been sitting at #@%$@*&^$* 162-161 and my body is refusing to budge. It's pissing me off. Like royally pissing me off. I've been avoiding a self sabotage, but I see it on the horizon.

It's a 1977 in "campable" condition... which basically means that it has two good wheels, a solid floor, and a shell that doesn't seem to leak. My wife found this on Pinterest - a photo of our camper in its heyday ("our camper" as in our actual camper!). All the vinyl has since been removed and we're going to be completely restoring it, but that's it! I'm glad that I have someone else on the board with questionable math skills. Woohoo strong finish! Back is holding up. Thanks for thinking of me! True. Very, very true. Wise man. Hopefully, entering easier times... now! My BIG work project is done and I should have a little more free time coming my way! Training is the only thing that keeps me sane! Thanks, Wolf! I've dropped the swings at this point. Started strong and then just quit. Debating whether to modify or drop this goal outright for the next challenge. We'll see.

So... I am in fact alive but crazy busy. First, vacation - yay! Camping in our brand-new-to-us 1977 13 ft. Scamp Trailer... great trip, much smoke. CA is going from earthquake state to fire state in a hurry. Second, business - meh. Traveled north for a business trip which was cool, but have been SLAMMED ever since. As far as goals are concerned, I've been training but not swinging, stretching like a fool, eating like a fool, and drinking like an even bigger fool. So... about a 50% split between A's and F's. That balances out to an average score, right?

MONDAY Apparently I'm really into the "challenge" format at the moment. PLP I've been doing daily pull-ups for awhile now and decided to formalize it and step up my game a bit. Found this. Why not? LR = left / right Pull-up: 2 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 2Lunge: 2 LR / 3 LR / 2 LR / 2 LR / 2 LRPush-up: 2 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 240 Days I'm seriously obsessed with Dan John. A little bit of 300 Swings (with an eye on 10,000 Swings), a little bit of The Forty Day Workout, a little bit of Even Easier Strength, and this is what you end up with. LR = left / right ** = Increase weight, reps, sets, or time Molding Mobility Bodyline Drills: 60 sec. each hold Strength + KB Swing Circuit: 3 rounds KB Get-up: 35 lb. x 2 LR** KB Swing: 12 kg. x 25 Bench Press: 105 lb. x 3** KB Swing: 12 kg. x 25 TRX Batwing Row: BW x 5** KB Swing: 12 kg. x 25 Band-assisted Pistol Squat: BW - 23 lb. x 3 LR** KB Swing: 12 kg. x 25 L-sit on Parallettes: BW x 15 sec.**

Heh. Sorta. Pinky blisters are hard core, yo.

Almost forgot. Yay, football season.

I don't suppose you can whip out weapons while hula hooping? That gives me a most excellent mental image.

Cutting isn't that bad once you get into the swing of things. I've had a lot better luck with going low on rest days and staying at just above maintenance on training days. Still come out in a deficit each week and still maximize calorie intake for muscle/strength retention, but don't end up feeling nearly as deprived.

I think rolling with the punches and listening to your body are more important than a perfect week. Adjust your goals and that ends up BEING a perfect week! Of course... I have yet to follow my own advice so... grain of salt and all that. Congrats on the hockey finals!

Congrats to the hubby and to you. Great way to end week 2!

I am standing at work flexing my butt cheeks to the dulcet tones of Sir Mix-A-Lot. Win. You're doing great with the booze (or rather, lack thereof)!

Damn fine week 2, good sir!

Ring pull-ups are harder. It's decided. I'm finding this window into skill acquisition fascinating... as well as the glimpse into the mind of a coach.