Search the Community

I'm getting a bit of a jump start, but here's the outline for my 12th challenge. I want to live up to my chosen alias. My life could stand more tenacity, especially given my tendency to program hop. It could also use more glee, so I'm going to spontaneously burst into choreographed song and dance every once in a while. No, wait, that's not right. See below for my plans to be more tenacious and glee-ful. Main Goal: Build muscle and lose fat, aiming at 175 lbs and 14-15% body fat by my 40th birthday (Dec 2016). Currently at 150 lbs and ~18% BF and just turned 37. Mission 1: Complete a 31-day hard hat challenge where I will perform at least one set of bodyweight exercises every day. [+2 STA, +1 DEX] I'll already be working out 4 times a week as part of the Engineering the Alpha program (see next mission), and each of those workouts includes some bodyweight activity. That just leaves 3 days a week to fit in one set of BW exercise. Seems simple, right? I guess that's the point of the 31 day challenge. Requires tenacity and establishes consistency. I started January 1 and will continue through the 31st. I'll be mixing up my exercises with Decline Push-ups, Diamond Push-ups, Dips, Pull-ups, Hanging Knee Lifts, and Suspended Chest Flyes once my suspension straps come in. If I get crunched for time, I may just bust out some air squats or regular push-ups. Grading: A = 28-31 days B = 24-27 days C = 20-23 days D = 15-19 days F = <15 days Mission 2: Continue to follow the Prime and Adapt phases of the Engineering the Alpha program. [+2 STR, +2 CHA] I started the EtA program midway through the last challenge, but didn't really dedicate myself. So, I took advantage of the Bonus Holiday Challenge to re-start Phase 1 (Prime) for two weeks. For this challenge, I'll complete weeks 3 and 4 of the Prime phase and then do weeks 1-4 of the Adapt phase. Following the program should result in increased strength and reduced belly circumference, but I don't want to set specific bench marks because my body never reacts quite like I think it will. This one will be more of a pass/fail. Grading: A = Complete Prime and Adapt F = Do not complete Prime and Adapt Mission 3: Follow a 16/8 fasting/feeding pattern along the guidelines of the Engineering the Alpha program, tracking calories and macronutrients at least 5 days a week. [+3 CON, +1 WIS] I will follow the preset guidelines for training and non-training days and track using MyFitnessPal. The diet requirements change a bit when I move from Prime to Adapt, but I'm going to shoot for falling within a certain range of the prescribed macros. For the Prime stage, I'll shoot for 85-100 grams of protein a day and 50-100 grams of carbs per day. I'll figure out Adapt before Week 3. I'll probably use http://www.eatthismuch.com/ for help setting my menu to match my macros. For scoring, days within 10g of goal (above or below) will be full points for the day, within 20g = half a point, within 30g = a quarter point. Over 30g above or below for the day disqualifies. I'll award points for both protein and carbs. I'm stealing this from Hammlin and modifying it, so I have no idea how reasonable it is... 51-60 points = A 41-50 points = B 31-40 points = C 21-30 points = D 0-20 points = F Life Mission: Have fun with the family! [+2 CHA, +1 WIS] My goal is to complete at least 3 weekend activities from the Geek Dad's Guide to Weekend Fun with my kids. I want to spend more time investing in them and less time interacting with my phone. My kids are still pretty young (2 and almost 5), so I'm limited on how many of the activities are age-appropriate for them, but I think I can find 3 good ones. Currently considering: Superhero ABC book using construction paper, glue sticks, and pics from the internet Geeky Art Prints with shaving cream and food coloring Alien Drums with various lengths of PVC pipe See the World From the Sky with balloons and a Flip video camera Grading: A = 3 projects B = 2 projects C = 1 project F = 0 projects There you have it! I'll add in my starting measurements by Monday. edited 1/3/14 to add attribute points, scoring, and detailed description of missions edited 1/6/14 to correct scoring on goal #3