Jason Bourne

I had to use my beast mode to reach a 3 minute plank a few days ago. I even growled and yelled towards the end of it.

I'm an assassin by trade, but I'm not entirely happy with how I look when my armor is off either. If you'll have me, I'm in. If it's okay with everyone else, I'd rather not post pictures of myself on the Internet, but I'll put my numbers up. If that disqualifies me, then I'm sorry. MeasurementsWeight: 190.2 lbs. Height: 5', 9"Waist(at narrowest for female, at navel for male): 31"Hip(at widest): 39.75" Wrist: 7" Forearm(at widest): 13" Neck(at narrowest): 16" StatsBMI Body Fat: 28Navy Body Fat: 19% Fat Mass: 36 lbs Lean Mass: 154 lbs

For months I have had my progress stopped by excuses that I make to myself, and the lies that I make myself believe to justify not giving my best, working haphazardly, and eating whatever I want. That ends now. The biggest obstacles that stand between me and becoming fit are my own mind and my appetite. My mind tells me that I can't do something, that I should quit when it gets hard. And my appetite tells me that I can justify eating whatever I want simply because I was hungry. My favorite scene in the Bourne Legacy is when Aaron finally breaks his bond with Outcome, and writes on the mirror, "No more," and hangs up the pill container they used to keep him captive. Today, I'm doing the same thing. I'm hanging up my excuses, and writing "No more" on my mirror. My goals for this challenge are simple, but difficult. 1. Physical Goals 100 push-ups 60 sit-ups 20 pull-ups 50 dips 140 overhead squats 2. Weight Loss 170lbs 3. Survival Goals Finish packing my Go-Bag 4. Reading Goals Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad Finish my Sudoku puzzle book

Thanks guys! My shoes still aren't here yet, so this research comes at a perfect time for me to learn about the transition before I actually have to make it.

What did you like about the mini-challenges this round? What did you not like? Should there be more? Less? The same amount? Do you have any ideas for challenges? Did you participate in any of the mini-challenges? Why or why not? I actually didn't participate in any of the mini-challenges, mainly because the storyline was a little silly, the goals were a deviant from my own personal goals, and I didn't really see much of a point in adding to my work load, especially exercises that weren't things that I was focusing on. Did you like the format of the General Chat Thread? Did you use it? Why or why not? I don't think I've ever used the General Chat Thread, but I would be open to in the future should I feel the need to. Did you find the Announcements Thread useful? Did you subscribe to it? Why or why not? Most of the announcements on the thread seemed to exist elsewhere on the forum, so I didn't subscribe, because I didn't see a need to. Anything else you'd change or add or subtract, or any other ideas about areas I've forgotten to mention The only change that I'm concerned about is myself. This forum is running very smoothly, and the guild leaders for the Assassins are some of the best. You guys keep us all informed and also have some beast challenges of your own. Keep up the good work.

I always thought that fish oil was predominately for individuals who had joint problems or for people that were lacking in a particular area and need a supplement to assist them. I'm not currently in pain anywhere, and I'm seeing progress. However, I've heard that fish oil has some other unusual properties, such as helping diminish acne and stabilizing your diet. What does fish oil really do and would it help me get into and stay in shape?

The stretching goals are really inspiring, because that's an area of fitness that I'm so bad at I haven't even attempted yet... *makes notes for the next challenge* Thanks for the motivation and great job on the challenge!

I'm glad you like your Evo's. How long did yours take to get to you? I ordered mine a week ago and they haven't even shipped them yet...

Yeah, next challenge I'm definitely going to have fewer and more realistic goals. And another thing I have to keep telling myself is that it's not all about the number of reps or how many pounds, but its about making a lifestyle change and feeling better about myself. While the numbers help with that, I can't get too consumed in it. Also, I'd like to (someday along the road) write some more about Josef, so I might save "The List" for another challenge... Stay tuned. If my VivoBarefoot shoes ever come (I ordered them last week and they're not even shipped yet) then I'm going to start transitioning to barefoot running and have at least 1, probably 2 goals on that in the next challenge. Thanks everyone for the support and comments! It really helps me stay motivated and encourages me everyday.

Official Results: Original Goals were: 100 push-ups - 71 push-ups (increase of 30) B- , (1 STA) 100 overhead squats - COMPLETED, (increase of 60), A, (1 STA+1 STR) 22 pull-ups - 17 pull-ups, (increase of 2), B- 3 minute plank - COMPLETED, (increase of 2 minutes) A, (2 STA+1 CHA) 100 sit-ups - 40 sit-ups, (increase of 0), F 25 dips - COMPLETED, A, (1 STR) Swim 1/2 a mile or more - Not attempted, DNF Do one muscle-up - F 10% body fat - 19% body fat (no change) D 170 lbs - 185lbs (loss of 5 lbs) D Eat completely Paleo - I had a week or so where I totally blew it, and overall I ate healthy, just not Paleo, D Les Miserables - Not even started, F The Call of the Wild - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) White Fang - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) A Study in Scarlet - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) The Hounds of the Baskervilles - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) Overal stats: Goals attempted: 16 Goals completed: 7 Total points accumulated: 4 WIS, 4 STA, 1 STR, 1 CHA Analysis: I probably was a little too ambitious with this challenge and picked a few goals that weren't realistically achievable (muscle up and all Paleo were the two big ones). Upper body is coming along nicely, and my reps are steadily increasing. The next area I need to target is my abdominal section, mainly by eating right and doing a lot more planks, sit-ups and other exercises to really get that part of my body in shape. Conclusion: A pretty good challenge, with about a 40% success rate. I learned my weaknesses and my strengths, what to work on and what I'm good at. I also realized the power of motivation and how to push myself to succeed. Big things to come! Grade: B-

Official Results: Original Goals were: 100 push-ups - 71 push-ups (increase of 30) B- , (1 STA) 100 overhead squats - COMPLETED, (increase of 60), A, (1 STA+1 STR) 22 pull-ups - 17 pull-ups, (increase of 2), B- 3 minute plank - COMPLETED, (increase of 2 minutes) A, (2 STA+1 CHA) 100 sit-ups - 40 sit-ups, (increase of 0), F 25 dips - COMPLETED, A, (1 STR) Swim 1/2 a mile or more - Not attempted, DNF Do one muscle-up - F 10% body fat - 19% body fat (no change) D 170 lbs - 185lbs (loss of 5 lbs) D Eat completely Paleo - I had a week or so where I totally blew it, and overall I ate healthy, just not Paleo, D Les Miserables - Not even started, F The Call of the Wild - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) White Fang - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) A Study in Scarlet - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) The Hounds of the Baskervilles - COMPLETED, A (1 WIS) Overal stats: Goals attempted: 16 Goals completed: 7 Total points accumulated: 4 WIS, 4 STA, 1 STR, 1 CHA Analysis: I probably was a little too ambitious with this challenge and picked a few goals that weren't realistically achievable (muscle up and all Paleo were the two big ones). Upper body is coming along nicely, and my reps are steadily increasing. The next area I need to target is my abdominal section, mainly by eating right and doing a lot more planks, sit-ups and other exercises to really get that part of my body in shape. Conclusion: A pretty good challenge, with about a 40% success rate. I learned my weaknesses and my strengths, what to work on and what I'm good at. I also realized the power of motivation and how to push myself to succeed. Big things to come!

Well, last day of the challenge! I've been eating right so far today, and I hope to continue. I've learned a lot from this challenge, and achieved some awesome goals. I can only go up from here! Thanks to everybody who subscribed and followed, please do the same on the next challenge and I would be much obliged to you. Official wrap-up to come.

Had a great, almost-Paleo day today. Ham omelet for breakfast, chicken salad for lunch, and vegetable soup for dinner (with a slice and 1/2 of bread.) Not a perfect day, but one of the best that I've had in a while. I feel great, energized and healthy. It's a great feeling.

Here's my current reps: Squats: 100+ Push-ups: 70 Pull-ups: 15 (this number has gone down, not sure why) Plank: 3 minutes Sit-ups: A very dismal 30 Dips: 30 (probably could do more) As the challenge reaches the end in only a few short days, I think that my push-up goal is the most achievable, so I'm going to focus all of my energy on that for the few days we have left. But for the next challenge, my abs are going to be burning the calories like mad, let me assure you.

Oh, don't worry. I messed up and ate a bunch of sweets tonight that I probably shouldn't have, and I did have some fruit, cheese and dinner before the day was done. I probably ended up somewhere around 1600, not counting all that sugar. *ugh* When it comes to food, especially sweets, I can *try to* rationalize everything, but I know deep down that a few moments of pleasure that I get from eating that food are really not worth it in the long run. Thanks! It was really hard and rather painful, but I'm happy to cross it off the list.

To all of you guys who gave your input, thank you so much! After lots of deliberation and thought, I decided to buy a pair of VivoBarefoot Evo II's. I'm so excited and I can't wait to start putting some miles on them. Thanks again!

Just hit my three minute plank! Yes! I switched to doing it on my hands instead of on my arms, which actually helped alot. Also, in the middle of it I tried to switch to just one hand to give my other one a break but it didn't really work, it just made it harder. But I did it! I also just ordered a pair of barefoot shoes, so my next challenge I'm definitely going to be incorporating some running goals. I might just head over to the Scouts camp for a challenge, idk... We'll have to see. Drinking lots of water today, have only eaten around 300 calories and I'm not hungry at all. Water rocks!

I've been thinking about making the switch to barefoot running for awhile now, and after a lot of deliberation about which shoes to get, I settled on the VivoBarefoot Evo II. While I'm waiting for them to be shipped, I wondering what are some good things to be doing in order to prepare for the transition. Vivo's website had all sorts of videos, drills and incremental steps, but I didn't really think all of that was completely necessary. How did you guys make the switch (for those of you who did)? What worked and what didn't work?

The plank just about killed me, but it actually felt really good after I finished it. I'm starting to get used to "the burn" and I'm really liking it. It's funny that you should mention salads, because I've just started eating alot of them recently, with bacon, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, cucumbers and carrots. They're my new favorite thing for lunch. The calorie thing is really the key, and I totally get that not all calories are created equal. I'm working on that.

Just hit 70 on my push-up reps! I also almost did a 3 minute plank, I was about three seconds short. *ugh* I get your point Wolverine about weight fluctuation. I realize that I still need to be eating at a consistent calorie deficit if I want to lose weight. It's as simple as that really. I really just need to exercise self control and discipline about what I eat. Drinking water is REALLY helpful. It helps my entire body run at its best, keeps me hydrated, and also helps curb my random hunger cravings. Quick question about hunger: I heard that your stomach will actually shrink or expand depending upon how many calories your body is used to intaking. Is this true?

Thanks for the advice. Just finished White Fang! I probably won't be able to get to Les Miserables, just because I'm really busy with lots of other stuff that I have going on. I've kind of switched from a focus on my weight loss to focusing on building muscle and increasing my reps. I realized this after eating incredibly low calories for two days, and also doing lots of strenuous physical activity. I gained two pounds during those two days, and I'm convinced that it was all muscle. So for the next challenge I'm not going to give up on losing weight, but I'm not going to worry about it so much as improving my overall physical performance.

Thanks guys! I really wanted to keep the story going, but I had to make a choice between the REAL me who was making significant progress, or the FICTITIOUS guy I made up to get me motivated. I think it's obvious which one I chose. But in my challenge summary I'll probably give the ending to Josef's story, and tie back into the next stage of Bourne's training. Stay tuned! Been eating more salads recently, but realized just how much water I need to drink in order to stay properly hydrated. Because of my weight, height and activity level, I should be drinking 8 oz of water an hour. I don't drink nearly that much now, so I'm hoping that by upping my water intake, I'll not only keep myself healthy, but possibly even lower my body fat percentage by curbing my hunger and making my body more efficient. Sit-ups and planks are my biggest weakness right now. My abs really aren't what they need to be, and I still have a lot of excess fat in that area. It seems like no matter what I do, I can't up my plank time or my sit-up reps. Any suggestions on how to really boost my ab workouts? I've done bicycles, crunches (which don't really help it seems), sit-ups, planks, but I don't really know of any other body weight exercises that I could do. Any thoughts or suggestions?

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