ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 After an on-again off-again (mostly off again) love affair with fitness over the last several years, I feel I have finally found a fitness fellowship with the Rebellion! I have my Lvl 1/First Challenge posted in the newbies section, but wanted to take it a step further with a daily commitment to logging my progress and sticking with this by posting here in the Battle Logs. I feel like this is going to be crictical to help me make it through. Between my company undergoing a lot change, a crazy toddler, and a very pregnant wife, I have a feeling it is going to be the small daily commitments that make all the difference. Feel free to check back often, leave a tag and I’ll support you on your Battle Log as well. Glad to be shoulder to shoulder with you all in this and can’t wait to get going on my very first Challenge!!! 2 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Day 1: Weight: 214.0 lbs Sleep: 7 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: 5 min stretching 5 min warm up - Shadowboxing 20 min Intervals - 1 Set Meditation: 15 Min meditative walk Meals: 8am - Strawberry Greek Yogurt, Granola, Coffee 11:30am - Protein Shake, Banana, Coffee 2pm - Protein Bar, Craisins, almonds 5:30pm - Chicken, noodles, broccoli & cheese 9:30 - Scoop of Peanut Butter, milk Mood: Pretty tired from busy weekend but stoked to get an early start on my Level 1 Challenge! Energy on workout was medium, encouragement on NF post replies really helped me push through in getting started today(Thanks Everyone!!!). On to Day 2! 2 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 Day 2: Weight: 212.8lbs Sleep: 7 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Did not stretch, but started light jog to warm up. 30 min run - 2 miles Meditation: No Meditation Today Meals: 10am - Strawberry Greek Yogurt, Granola, Coffee 12:30pm - Egg White & veggie omelette, oatmeal, craisins and almonds. 4:30pm - Protein Bar and Banana 5:30pm - Protein Shake and Apple 9pm - Scoop of Peanut Butter & Milk Mood: Woke up a little sore already. Energy okay. Run felt good, but definitely need to take it easy before adding more miles. Also didn’t meditate, which put me in a bit of a funk today. Notes: Beginning of the run was a bit demoralizing, as there was a lot of belly jiggling. My shadow did get into a lava-lamp like groove, which was soothing in a way, and made the rest of the run bearable. Shout out to my Scout Sage @Rubik'sCat for recommending I go the slow and steady route to start with. Pushing past the 2 mile mark would not have been a good idea today. On to day 3!!! 3 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Day 3: Weight: 211.8lbs Sleep: 8 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Rest day - 30 minutes in the pool swimming with the kiddo Meditation: 15 Minute Morning Meditation Meals: 10am - Greek Yogurt, Granola, Strawberries, Coffee 1:30pm - Egg White Omelete, Asparagus, Oatmeal 5:30pm - Protein Bar and Banana 7pm - 2 Hotdogs and Spinach Salad Mood: Woke up pretty sore, glad it’s a rest day! Followed @Mactavish’s lead and hopped in the pool today to try and stay active. Started the day with morning meditation, which definitely has me in a better place than usual. Will work towards making that time a daily habit. Notes: Feeling pretty sore and was tempted to do more today, but tomorrow is Body Weight/Kettle Bell Intervals so figure it’s best to rest up. Went waaaay too long without eating this afternoon and ended up in hangry territory then light headed. Making a note to not go longer than 3 hours without eating something. Halfway through the first week, onward to day 4!!! 2 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Day 4: Weight: 211.8lbs Sleep: 8 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Stretching & Shadow Boxing - 5 Min 1 Interval Bodyweight/Kettlebells - Finished in 18 Min Meditation: 15 Min Morning Meditation Meals: 9:00am - Coffee 12:00pm - Greek Yogurt, Granola, Strawberries 1:00pm - Protein Shake & Banana 3:45pm - Protein Bar & Apple 6:00pm - Pizza 10:00pm - Scoop of Peanut Butter & Milk Mood: Woke up surprisingly sore. Ate a little crappy yesterday so glad to see I maintained on weight. Bit of a late start on eating but got back on track. Feeling a little tired but know I’m on the tail end of the first week. One more workout day to go! Notes: Starting to feel more energized during intervals. Getting an ‘attack’ vibe a couple of exercises in, which is quickly replaced by a ‘don’t-pass-out-don’t-pass-out-don’t-pass-out’ vibe. Progress is progress I suppose. Day 5 here I come!!! 1 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Day 5: Weight: 212.0 lbs Sleep: 9 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Rest Day Meditation: 15 Min morning meditation Meals: 8:30am - Coffee 9:30am - Strawberry Greek Yogurt & Granola 2:00pm - Egg White veggie omelette, Oatmeal, almonds & craisins 5:45pm - Cheese Stick, Banana & Energy drink 8:00pm - Soufflé, salad, bread, cheese Mood: Woke up feeling pretty good. Energy is decent. Not super thrilled about not losing any extra weight over the last couple of days. All the recent hot dogs and pizza probably isn’t helping.... Down a total of 2 lbs for the week though, which isn’t bad. Notes: Really going to have to watch my diet and may have to throw in a couple of extra workouts with the 4th of July weekend coming up. Hotdogs, Funnel Cakes, and Sodas OH MY! (Might sound lame but that’s how my cheesy dad brain works). Took an unscheduled rest day due to work and family stuff, glad I started slow with my goal of 4 workouts per week, means I can still pick up a workout tomorrow to stay on track. On to day 6! Quote Link to comment
Orias Malus Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Down 2lbs for a week is a success! What's your diet strategy? Quote Assassin in Training Current Challenge: None Previous Challenges: L1 Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Thanks @Orias Malus! Switching my eating back to when I would drop weight for MMA. It’s macro nutrient based (only keep track of proteins, carbs, and fats instead of calories): 4 Meals a Day, each with: -30 Grams of Lean Proteins -30 Grams of Whole Grain or Fruit/Veggie Carbs -10 Grams of Healthy Fats (nuts, avocados, etc.) It was a good steady way to lose weight but still have enough energy for my workouts. Typically lost 3-5 lbs per week depending on the amount of sleep I was getting (10 Hours was I deal but would shoot for 8-9 Hours daily) and how much water I was drinking (2 Gallons on heavy work out days). The problem I am having now is that I was working out 1-2 hours, 5-6 days a week (depending on energy) on that eating plan to get those results. I’m now working out 30 minutes, 4 days a week so I either need to up my work outs or trim down my eating. Finding the Daily Battle Log helpful to find and tweak patterns. While my body is not up to doing longer, more intensive workouts yet, I’m feeling more energetic and might add in another smaller workout during the day. Figure that’s probably healthy anyway since I have a SUPER sedentary job. How about you? 1 Quote Link to comment
RubiksCat Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Hello again! The difference between day 1 and day 2 was 1.2 lbs for you. I just now noticed that looking back on it. Very impressive. If it's only water weight, still impressive. One thing I am wondering is what is your goal weight and how far away do you expect to have that goal accomplished by? Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Thanks! I think the day before I started I had eaten a lot of salty food. Was still nice to drop that much weight right off the bat. Target weight for me is 160 lbs, so a little over 50lbs to go. Currently targeting end of the year (8-10 lbs per month). Main struggle right now is consistency, I have a bad tendency to let my eating and exercise habits go over the weekend, then have to work extra hard to make up ground during the week. 1 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Day 6: Weight: 212.4 lbs Sleep: 9 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Stretching & Warm Up - 5 Min 3 Mile Run - 42 Minutes (Splits 12/15/15 Min) Meditation: 10 Min Morning Meditation Meals: 11:30am - Greek Yogurt, Strawberries, Granola, Coffee 2:30pm - Chef Salad, Breaded Chicken, Soda (Ate way too much, should have only eaten half) 6:30pm - Sugar Free Energy Drink 10:00pm - 1 Scoop Peanut Butter & Milk Mood: Starting to slide back on my weight loss a bit, which has me a little frustrated, but also determined to figure out what’s causing it. Noticing that I have more energy now so it might be time to do a little increase in workout frequency or duration. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid eating unhealthy when out with the family (moderation is the best I can do at times) so I want to set myself up for success with some additional output knowing that I don’t always have complete control of what’s available for intake. Notes: After the unscheduled rest yesterday I felt WAY better on my run. Set out to do 2.5 miles but kept an even pace, joints felt good, so finished the full 3 miles! Will find out tomorrow if that was a good idea or not, but felt like I listened to my body and feel good that even though my weight might be inconsistent, my fitness is gradually improving. Next stop Day 7 and my 1 week review on the Lvl 1 Challenge Forum! Quote Link to comment
Orias Malus Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 21 hours ago, ReturnOfTheDad said: Thanks @Orias Malus! Switching my eating back to when I would drop weight for MMA. It’s macro nutrient based (only keep track of proteins, carbs, and fats instead of calories): 4 Meals a Day, each with: -30 Grams of Lean Proteins -30 Grams of Whole Grain or Fruit/Veggie Carbs -10 Grams of Healthy Fats (nuts, avocados, etc.) It was a good steady way to lose weight but still have enough energy for my workouts. Typically lost 3-5 lbs per week depending on the amount of sleep I was getting (10 Hours was I deal but would shoot for 8-9 Hours daily) and how much water I was drinking (2 Gallons on heavy work out days). The problem I am having now is that I was working out 1-2 hours, 5-6 days a week (depending on energy) on that eating plan to get those results. I’m now working out 30 minutes, 4 days a week so I either need to up my work outs or trim down my eating. Finding the Daily Battle Log helpful to find and tweak patterns. While my body is not up to doing longer, more intensive workouts yet, I’m feeling more energetic and might add in another smaller workout during the day. Figure that’s probably healthy anyway since I have a SUPER sedentary job. How about you? Sounds like you have prior habits and experience to bolster your current program, so that's awesome! My diet strategy is a little different. I'm trying to align with the "slow carb" diet originally created by Tim Ferriss. The idea is to create a set of meals out of a limited range of ingredient types, and then repeat those meals as often as possible. One day a week is a cheat/refeed day. Workouts on this diet don't have to be anything beyond 30 minutes 2-3 days a week. I'm focusing almost entirely on food rather than exercise, since that'll be where most of my wins come from. 1 Quote Assassin in Training Current Challenge: None Previous Challenges: L1 Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Smart plan! Diet is where it’s at. I can never seem to outrun my fork.... Thanks for sharing, looking into the ‘Slow Carb’ plan now to see what I can incorporate. BTW, great job in the 5k! 1 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 Day 7: Weight: 212.4 lbs Sleep: 9 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Rest Day Active Rest - 1 Hour in the pool with the little one. Meditation: 10 min morning meditation Meals: 10:00am - Egg White veggie omelette, Oatmeal, craisins, almonds Coffee 12:30pm - Protein bar and banana 3:30pm - Protein Shake 5:30pm - Beef Lo Mein & Veggies Mood: In a good mood this morning! Weight gain evened out with an extra 10 minute to my workout and some moderation with eating. Going to continue with these minor changes today to see if that’s what will get me back on track. Notes: Got some good diet information from @Orias Malus and will be working in some elements of the Slow Carb diet. Biggest changes will be to increase my protein intake right after waking up, shifting from fruits and whole grains to more beans and veggies, and to cut back on my beloved dairy. First week down, I know the next challenge hasn’t officially started yet, but I’m really glad to have started this and know changes aren’t going to come overnight. Parts of sticking with things this week have been tough, but the structure and encouragement offered by Nerd Fitness and everyone here has made a big difference and I’m actually looking forward to keeping this going next week. Many thanks everyone, on to Week 2! 2 Quote Link to comment
RubiksCat Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 Everyone always has trouble outrunning their fork like you said. I hope you stick with cutting down on dairy products. There's a lot of fat and sugar in them. Anyway...I need to incorporate rest days into my weeks like you're doing instead of just randomly run whenever I feel like it. 1 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 Day 8: Weight: 212.8 lbs Sleep: 9 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Stretching & Shadow Boxing - 10 Min Bodyweight & Kettlebell Intervals - 2 Sets In 51 Minutes Splits (25/26 Min) Meditation: 5 Min Morning Meditation Meals: 10:30am - Egg Whites, Oatmeal, strawberries, coffee 1:30pm - Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Salad, Iced Tea 5:00pm - Chicken Fried Rice & Veggies 7:30pm - Protein Shake Mood: Middle of the road mood today. Seeing that weekends are probably going to be a tough time for weight loss but I am down a total of 1.2 lbs from this time last week. Also pretty tired from my run day before last. Noticing my soreness hits about a day and a half after I exercise. Notes: In keeping with my routine tinkering to keep consistent on my weight loss goal, I continued adding a little more duration to my workouts. In combination with my active rest days, I was able to knock out 2 intervals today! (Could only do 1 last week.) It was definitely a grind toward the end but good form, patience and some rocking 80’s montage music got my through. In homage to the power of music in keeping this DadBod in motion and following suit of the venerable @ladyofthebog (love your music posts!!!!), I give you a new daily section to the ReturnOfTheDad Battle Log - Motivation Music for the Day. Hitting it again on Day 9!!! Motivation Music for the Day: Because Rocky. 3 Quote Link to comment
TheDitz Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 On 6/25/2018 at 10:37 PM, ReturnOfTheDad said: I feel like this is going to be crictical to help me make it through. Between my company undergoing a lot change, a crazy toddler, and a very pregnant wife, I have a feeling it is going to be the small daily commitments that make all the difference. As a fellow Dad of two young kids and a pregnant wife I empathize with what you are going through. Sounds like you are off to a great start and I'll be following. 1 Quote Challenge - Preventing the Red Forest Link to comment
ladyofthebog Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 hey! love the music component. i feel like the music i listen to when lifting is totally inconsistent with who i am the rest of time? like, i listen to biggie smalls, ludacris, metal, and viking chants mostly. too funny. 1 Quote Daily Battle Log, Sweat like an Orc, Live like a Hobbit, and Look like an Elf “As the Wheel of Time turns, places wear many names. Men wear many names, many faces. Different faces, but always the same man. Yet no one knows the Great Pattern the Wheel weaves, or even the Pattern of an Age. We can only watch, and study, and hope.” Robert Jordan, The Eye of the World Link to comment
Elastigirl Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 Always love the Rocky Theme song. You are doing great. I find that having protein for breakfast really helps with satiety 1 Quote Wisdom 22.5 Dexterity 13 Charisma 15 Strength 21 Constitution-13 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind' Luke 10; 27 Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2018 Day 9: Weight: 212.8 lbs Sleep: 8.5 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: #1: Toddler Trudge Rookie mistake....See Notes for details... #2: Stretching - 5 Minutes 3 Miles - 45 Minutes, Splits: 15/15/15 Meditation: 5 Min Morning Meditation Meals: 8:00am - Protein Bar 12:30pm - Beef Burrito, Beans & Rice 4:00pm - Sugar Free Energy Drink 5:00pm - Chicken Fried Rice 7:00pm - Protein Shake 10:30pm - Scoop of Peanut Butter Mood: In a bit of a funk before eating. Didn’t sleep well and upper body is SUPER sore from yesterday. Feel like I might be right at the edge of overdoing it. Going to try for a run later today, but we’ll see. Weight is maintaining, which is good considering we are on vacation this week and eating out a lot. Revising my goal this week just to maintain current weight and focus on fitness goals of 2 Intervals and 3 Miles on workouts. Notes: Had an unexpected early workout carrying/chasing ReturnOfTheDad Jr around the science museum today. Carrying a wiggly 35 lb toddler on your shoulders for the majority of 3.6 miles (833 steps) takes a certain toll on the body and psyche....next time STROLLER. Undaunted, I subsequently used my best (and worst) thinking in deciding to do my scheduled 3 mile run in 102 degree Texas heat, with my already tired flabby body. To my surprise, and against any reasonable Vegas odds, I made it! More surprisingly I even kept a steady pace over all three miles. The daily work I’ve been putting in and all of your tips have been paying off. I will now be slumping into a pile of goo and potentially sleeping through the 4th of July holiday... I leave you with my roadwork anthem for the day and will (hopefully) see you all on Day 10! Motivation Music for the Day: 1 Quote Link to comment
RubiksCat Posted July 4, 2018 Report Share Posted July 4, 2018 Oh good Lord, 102 degrees F. That's more hot air than from the Republican and Democratic national conventions combined (but just barely...). Good for you getting over 3 miles. You'll hit 4 in no time. 1 Quote Link to comment
ladyofthebog Posted July 4, 2018 Report Share Posted July 4, 2018 i remember running texas heat. so awful. running in texas rain is enjoyable though? kind of. in comparison. never mind. 1 Quote Daily Battle Log, Sweat like an Orc, Live like a Hobbit, and Look like an Elf “As the Wheel of Time turns, places wear many names. Men wear many names, many faces. Different faces, but always the same man. Yet no one knows the Great Pattern the Wheel weaves, or even the Pattern of an Age. We can only watch, and study, and hope.” Robert Jordan, The Eye of the World Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 Good comparison actually. I’ve never actually done a rain run, but going to have to give it a try. 1 Quote Link to comment
ReturnOfTheDad Posted July 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 Day 10: Weight: 213.4 lbs Sleep: 8 Hours Water: 1 Gallon Workout: Couple of hours in the pool with the family. Meditation: 10 Min Morning Mediations Meals: 8:30am - Egg whites, veggies, oatmeal Almonds, cranberries, coffee 11:30am - Protein Bar, Banana 1:00pm - PBJ Sandwich, Fruit & Protein Shake 5:00pm - All the things... Hotdogs, ice cream, sodas... Mood: Ouch. Definitely staring into the abyss of overtraining. Sore all over, mood is low, and mentally a little slower. Perfect time for a rest day. Shooting for a little pool time with the family, maybe some stretching....also hotdogs, lots of hot dogs.... Notes: The funk of overdoing things followed me until I finally started into the 4th of July food festivities. Around my 5th hotdog and 2nd soda the cloud started lifting (followed quickly by a sugar crash). Today is a true cheat day and I’m loving it, but not something I want to make a habit of. Back to intervals and standard diet tomorrow, and what I’m sure will be a pretty epic weight gain for my morning weigh in. Out of the junk food ‘danger zone’ and on to Day 11! Motivation Music for the Day: 2 Quote Link to comment
solski Posted July 5, 2018 Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 4 hours ago, ReturnOfTheDad said: Ouch. Definitely staring into the abyss of overtraining. Sore all over, mood is low, and mentally a little slower. Perfect time for a rest day. Shooting for a little pool time with the family, maybe some stretching....also hotdogs, lots of hot dogs.... Firstly - I'd like to make one thing clear: I don't want to discourage you. The things I'll write below are my observations and thoughts after reading your logs One thing that struck me is that you don't plan any rest days between your workouts. Personally, I don't think I would be able to sustain this type of schedule (I'm a beginner myself, I workout regularly since april this year). My biggest mistake in the past was exactly it - going all in, giving my 150% on every workout to the point that I wasn't able to pick myself up. The longest I was able to maintain this schedule was 6 months, after which I was sore, depressed and unmotivated to do anything else. Rest is also a very important factor in leveling up your fitness. I hope you'll get better after hot dog and soda marathon Keep up the good work and congrats on daily logging - that's quite a challange 1 Quote Training logs | Monthly updates Player stats (as of 18.06.2018): Age: 26 (metabolic age 17) Weight: 68.4kg (150.8 lbs) BMI: 22.9 Muscle mass: 56.2kg (123.9lbs, around 82% of body mass) Body fat: 14.8% Circumferences: - Chest: 84cm (33 inches) - Belly: 82.5cm (32.5 inches) - Buttocks: 91cm (35.8 inches) - Thigh: 52cm (20.5 inches) - Bicep: 30cm (11.8 inches) Link to comment
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