My inner Dothraki says Athdavrazar! (an icedtrip challenge)

[WizardTrip]

Shieraki gori ha yeraan!

("The stars are charging for you" - Said to someone who is going into battle)

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Character Name:

icedtrip

Race:

Dothraki

Class:

Warrior

Age:

32

Height / Weight:

6'3 / ~225

Stats:

0/15 points remaining

STR:

5

DEX:

3

STA:

3

WIS:

1

CON:

1

CHA:

2

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Fitness Goals:

0/10

- Almost there! B

10 Pull-ups

- started challenge at 5

STR +2 STA +1

- BAM! DONE! A

Increase DL Working Set to 405

- started challenge at 385

STR +2 STA +1

- CRUSHED! A+

Complete Warrior Dash

- signed up for end of May

STA +1 DEX +2

Diet Goals:

0/3

- SUCCESS W/ ROOMMATE'S HELP! A

Take Lunch to Work 3 x Week

CON +2 CHA +1

Life Goal:

[TD]0/3

- TAKE THAT SALLIE...PAID! A

PAY OFF ALL THE STUDENT LOANS!

WIS +3

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Background:

Towards the end of last summer, one of my closest friends made a very harmless comment to me that changed my life. To this day she does not know that her comment had any kind of impact on me, if she even remembers it at all. Although I had been hovering in the 250-260lbs range for 10+ years, it wasn't until this moment that I truly saw how my weight and overall "unhealthy" appearance was holding me back from so much. I have not looked back since.

I began by cleaning up my diet and cutting back on social drinking. I decided to put my condo's gym to use in the only way I knew how, by hitting the treadmills. I quickly learned the same thing I had always learned after starting at a gym, I hate to run, but I pressed on out of determination. I still remember the first time last fall when I was able to run for a solid 30 minutes without stopping. It was a first! Around this time, I wanted to put my focus elsewhere before I gave up entirely due to my dislike for most cardio activities.

I went into research mode. I had always despised the meatheads at the gym and out around town, but I knew that if I wanted to get my body into the shape and appearance I desired, I'd need to hit the weights. Since my condo's gym only had dumbbells (and only up to 60lbs), I was able to find an all body dumbbell routine (worked in some bodyweight exercises too). I quickly discovered that the meatheads weren't the only ones hitting the weights, and I fell in love with this routine and kept at it. This is when I started to take notice of changes. I was gaining strength....fast! I was having to go in notches (plural!) on my belts. People were starting to notice and giving me compliments! I had made it over the hurdle that I had never been able to do before, and this made me want to go further.

During this DB routine, I found Nerd Fitness. I honestly can't even remember how, but that doesn't matter, I found a great community like I had never seen before. This started phase 2 of research mode. I started reading about Paleo, Starting Strengh, Stronglifts, and DEADLIFTS! I knew my next goal. Having done the DB routine for ~6 months at this point, and having outgrown the 60llb DBs in my condo's gym, I needed to find something else. Luckily, there was a gym at work, but what I didn't know at the time was, it had a full free weight section with squat rack.

This is when I started my Stonglifts 5x5 program and started lifting heavy!

Goals:

I honestly didn't know where to begin with my goals, but once I set down to write them out, they became pretty obvious.

Fitness

10 Pull-ups

As of the end of last summer, I thought I could do a few pull-ups, only to have reality step in with a big whopping "1". I have a door chin-up/pull-up bar that I had been using, to get better, everytime I passed under it, but have not been as diligent as I was when I first got it. It's time to set it back up. As of a couple weeks ago, I could steadily get 5-7 pull-ups. With this challenge, I plan on knocking out a few pull-ups each time I walk under the bar (it's between my living room and bedroom, so I'll walk under it a good bit). By the end of this challenge,

I WILL do 10 pull-ups!

Increase DL Working Set to 405

Up until I started SL5x5 at the start of this year, I had never done a DL in my life. I researched proper form and started light. I then fell in love with them! Not a single exercise I had ever done made me feel more like a beast. I was determined to get the numbers up! Broke 300lbs, then set my eyes on 400lbs. I wanted to see that bar bend! I broke 400lbs and then my eyes turned to 2xBW, 450lbs! It was a tough pull, but I crushed that for the virtual meet at 455lbs. Now my eyes are set on the 500lb mark, but in order to get there, I need my working set to break the 400lb barrier. By the end of this challenge,

I WILL deadlift 405lbs for 5 reps!

Complete Warrior Dash

A little over a year ago, I had a friend try to convince me to do the Warrior Dash with her, and another try to convince me to do the Tough Mudder. I had absolutely no desire for either of them. Amazing how things can change. I started looking into the Tough Mudder a few months back, and then saw the Spartan Race video posted in a thread a few weeks ago, and immediately said to myself "I want to do that!" What?!?! Who am I?!? In my plan to get to Spartan Race ready, I needed to start smaller and looking into the Warrior Dash, I discovered that the next one near me is just a bit over a month away. By the end of this challenge,

I WILL have kicked the Warror Dash's ass!

Diet

Take Lunch to Work 3 x Week

This one will be big for me. I have had some success in the past, but it has never stuck for very long. This will become a success in 2 ways, eating healthier meals and saving money. Both will be huge wins! I will get in the habit of starting the week off preparing meals, ready to grab on the way out the door. I don't need to over complicate this with a different meal for every day. This will be kept simple, and by the end of this challenge,

I WILL be eating better at work!

Life

PAY OFF

ALL

THE STUDENT LOANS!

This will be a milestone! A 10 year milestone! I have a debt free by the end of 2013 plan in progress right now, and this will be my first milestone on the plan. These loans are already scheduled to be paid off within the next 3-4 months, but I want them gone faster. By the 1st of June, I will be able to pay off the last bit of these loans. At that point, the money will simply shift to my next target. By the end of this challenge,

I WILL have paid Sallie Mae ALL the money!

Photos:

So, I really debated posting photos. I originally had no plans on posting any photos to this site (aside from avatars) until I had met my ultimate goal of being able to see my abs. Seeing a lot of others posting their pics made me re-think this. I went home last night and looked through my progress photos, then even older photos. It was at that point I realized how far I had actually come and that there is no reason not to post them to see where I'll be in 6 more weeks. Instead of just the current photos I took this morning (May 2nd), I am showing older photos at my heaviest (2010-2011), then photos when I started to track visual progress, then today's photos.

First, some older pics at my heaviest. These were taken sometime at the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011:

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Now for the progress pictures. The first one taken on 11/01/11. I wish I had started sooner, but oh well.

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Front

Side

Back

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[Fink]

Good luck on the warrior dash. I made my fitness goals with that in mind, mine is the end of July. Any special training?

[Strawberry Squatcake]

My warrior dash is this weekend! I'm getting a little intimidated. But mostly because I haven't done any running training.

The YMCA I go to has a "gladiator training bootcamp." It's a lot of interval training. Run warmup, several high intensity interval things like box jump ups. Step ups, medicine ball throws, kettle bell training, push ups, ab work,.etc. With short runs in between. I just signed up for one, but I assume they were all the same.

[Morrigainz]

Mmmm Dothraki...

Although I gotta say, not sure I loved HBO's interpretation of Khal Drogo.

Aaaaaanyway I digress. Awesome goals...re: the food, I find it's easier if I cook up big batches of stuff on Sunday. Because I'm rarely with it enough to actually PACK A LUNCH in the morning. It's much easier if I can just grab random tupperware containers.

[Book]

Hmmm.... something about the way you do things makes me think you're going to be the strongest of us all pretty soon.

[SwimBikeRun]

Glad I'm not the only one inspired by Game of Thrones for my challenge character! Good luck with your goals!

[WizardTrip]

Updated with background and more specifics on the goals.

Good luck on the warrior dash. I made my fitness goals with that in mind, mine is the end of July. Any special training?

My warrior dash is this weekend! I'm getting a little intimidated. But mostly because I haven't done any running training.

The YMCA I go to has a "gladiator training bootcamp." It's a lot of interval training. Run warmup, several high intensity interval things like box jump ups. Step ups, medicine ball throws, kettle bell training, push ups, ab work,.etc. With short runs in between. I just signed up for one, but I assume they were all the same.

I'm really looking forward to it. I've never done one before, but was told that the majority of the running is just in between the obstacles. My short distance running isn't all that bad, and I'm pretty quick for a big guy, but I plan on getting out and running to build up a little endurance. The lifting that I've been doing should allow me to conquer the obstacles, I hope.

Mmmm Dothraki...

Although I gotta say, not sure I loved HBO's interpretation of Khal Drogo.

Aaaaaanyway I digress. Awesome goals...re: the food, I find it's easier if I cook up big batches of stuff on Sunday. Because I'm rarely with it enough to actually PACK A LUNCH in the morning. It's much easier if I can just grab random tupperware containers.

This is what I need to do! My only problem is, preparing things on Sunday, then looking at those things on Thur or Fri and thinking "Is this still good?" I'm not that great at knowing when something has gone bad (unless mold, bad smell, etc) and have always erred on the side of caution by throwing away things too early.

Hmmm.... something about the way you do things makes me think you're going to be the strongest of us all pretty soon.

HAHA! Thanks! I tend to push things pretty hard. Sometimes to the point where I won't stop till something goes wrong. This is where I need to be careful and check my ego at the door, but as long as I safely push myself, I hope to reach goals I set for myself (that is, reasonable goals). It wasn't until I started lifting heavy that I realized how good it felt to turn on "beast mode"!

Glad I'm not the only one inspired by Game of Thrones for my challenge character! Good luck with your goals!

I made a comment in a thread a number of months back jokingly saying that I wanted to be able to pull off a Khal Drogo by this year's Halloween. Not sure if that will happen, but when I saw this challenge, I couldn't say no to the Dothraki!

[Morrigainz]

This is what I need to do! My only problem is, preparing things on Sunday, then looking at those things on Thur or Fri and thinking "Is this still good?" I'm not that great at knowing when something has gone bad (unless mold, bad smell, etc) and have always erred on the side of caution by throwing away things too early.

I've found that most things keep. For instance, egg monster. I make it on Sunday, and I usually eat the last piece on Saturday, although I've eaten some even a little later. Chicken, veggies, etc definitely stay good for a whole week. The only thing I'm really leery about is fish. Otherwise, I'm perfectly comfortable making something on Sunday and not eating it until Friday. At first I was nervous, because I go to school (leave work around 11 am, get home at 10 pm) and don't have a fridge available there. Apparently your food won't go bad from a few hours out of the fridge...and I've found this to be true. I grill up some chicken breast, take it out of the fridge at 11, and eat it for dinner around 6. I've had no problems that way.

Anyway good luck with the experimentation I think we should share recipes because I'm ALWAYS looking for more stuff to make!

[WizardTrip]

I've found that most things keep. For instance, egg monster. I make it on Sunday, and I usually eat the last piece on Saturday, although I've eaten some even a little later. Chicken, veggies, etc definitely stay good for a whole week. The only thing I'm really leery about is fish. Otherwise, I'm perfectly comfortable making something on Sunday and not eating it until Friday. At first I was nervous, because I go to school (leave work around 11 am, get home at 10 pm) and don't have a fridge available there. Apparently your food won't go bad from a few hours out of the fridge...and I've found this to be true. I grill up some chicken breast, take it out of the fridge at 11, and eat it for dinner around 6. I've had no problems that way.

Anyway good luck with the experimentation I think we should share recipes because I'm ALWAYS looking for more stuff to make!

Absolutely! Time to go into recipe research mode!

[Pat G]

Getting that debt snowball rolling is a smart way of controlling your debt. Solid work.

The way you've shaped up so quickly is a tribute to you. I tip my hat to you sir.

[Bean]

Down with Sallie!

[WizardTrip]

Getting that debt snowball rolling is a smart way of controlling your debt. Solid work.

The way you've shaped up so quickly is a tribute to you. I tip my hat to you sir.

Exactly! With this being the first big step, let the snowball effect roll! And thanks for the compliments! I have been determined more than anything this time around, and am loving every minute of it! Each minor milestone makes me smile these days and that is something I have needed for a long time!

Down with Sallie!

YES! I actually have that last payment listed in my budget spreadsheet as "That bitch Sallie Mae"

[Pheidippides]

Good luck with your challenge... Wouldn't have to cut off your braid.

[WizardTrip]

Progress is being made:

Fitness:

Warrior Dash Prep:

Run: Half mile in 5 minutes (plan to increase this on rest days)

Squat: 45 x 5, 95 x 5, 135 x 3, 185 x 5, 185 x 5, 185 x 5, 185 x 5, 185 x 5

Bench Press: 45 x 5, 95 x 5, 135 x 5, 165 x 5, 165 x 5, 165 x 5, 165 x 5, 165 x 5

Pendlay Row: 135 x 5, 155 x 5, 155 x 5, 155 x 5, 155 x 5, 155 x 5

Pull-up:

Hit the pull-up bar when I got home, but after my workout, was just able to squeeze out 4-5 consecutive pull-ups. Bar will remain in the doorway throughout this challenge.

DL:

Tomorrow is DL day and I plan on making sure I'm solid at 385. Plan on upping to 390/395 next week. Although my goal is 405 x 5, I hope to blow this one up! HOPE!

Diet:

Made 2 days worth of lunch last night and forgot today's in the fridge. Oh well, at least I'll be good for Wed and Thurs, then need to make sure to get something made for Fri to hit my 3 for the week.

Good luck with your challenge... Wouldn't have to cut off your braid.

After this challenge, I will still have my braid!

[Hermione Gainser]

PULL UPS! DEADLIFTS! NO MORE STUDENT LOANS!

Love it. All of it.

[PrincessHeather]

YES! I actually have that last payment listed in my budget spreadsheet as "That bitch Sallie Mae"

That is an awesome life goal, and I gotta say, you will feel AMAZING knowing that bitch will never speak to you again!

[Morrigainz]

Did I show you the awesome chicken stir fry I made the other day? It's in my challenge thread I think.

[WizardTrip]

Did I show you the awesome chicken stir fry I made the other day? It's in my challenge thread I think.

Just went and checked it out! That looks soooo good (shitake mushrooms and baby bok choy....yum!)....much better than my beef stir fry that is sitting in my fridge rather than in front of me being devoured!

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Just noticed your talk of food. My mom, whose never steered me wrong with food health, general said 7 days from when you make it. But she always went off of smell. I make stuff on Saturday and Sunday and eat all week, sometimes even on Saturday.

I've been making a spicy sweet potato hash with 1-2 sweet potatoes, sometimes bacon sometimes a pound of ground sausage, spinach and various other veggies. I spice it with garlic salt, black pepper, smoke paprika, chiotle chili pepper powder... Anyway, I eat it for breakfast, and it keeps well and warms up just as tasty. I posted a recipe in my blog. Replace the bacon with whatever meat you like. And you can use most veggies.

I also live off my grill. I'll grill several pieces of chicken, pork chops, etc and eat them all week. I also cut up a bunch of salad stuff for all week. I like grilled meat and avocados on salad.

Mmmmm..

Hungry!

[Morrigainz]

Kelly...this....this sounds delicious. I will be checking out for next week. I hate to admit this, but I'm getting a little egg-monstered out.

[WizardTrip]

Just noticed your talk of food. My mom, whose never steered me wrong with food health, general said 7 days from when you make it. But she always went off of smell. I make stuff on Saturday and Sunday and eat all week, sometimes even on Saturday.

I've been making a spicy sweet potato hash with 1-2 sweet potatoes, sometimes bacon sometimes a pound of ground sausage, spinach and various other veggies. I spice it with garlic salt, black pepper, smoke paprika, chiotle chili pepper powder... Anyway, I eat it for breakfast, and it keeps well and warms up just as tasty. I posted a recipe in my blog. Replace the bacon with whatever meat you like. And you can use most veggies.

I also live off my grill. I'll grill several pieces of chicken, pork chops, etc and eat them all week. I also cut up a bunch of salad stuff for all week. I like grilled meat and avocados on salad.

Mmmmm..

Hungry!

Kelly...this....this sounds delicious. I will be checking out for next week. I hate to admit this, but I'm getting a little egg-monstered out.

All of the above sounds really good! And I have to admit, I have yet to make an egg monster. Again, for the same reasoning as I mentioned above....in my head I just figured cooked eggs couldn't last for more the a day or 2, but now I know!

[Hermione Gainser]

That is an awesome life goal, and I gotta say, you will feel AMAZING knowing that bitch will never speak to you again!

Sallie mae is the devil. I hate her. I look so forward to this day.. sadly, it's not yet close.

Just noticed your talk of food. My mom, whose never steered me wrong with food health, general said 7 days from when you make it. But she always went off of smell. I make stuff on Saturday and Sunday and eat all week, sometimes even on Saturday.

I do the same thing.. mostly. I cook on Sunday and eat all week. Sometimes I have to cook again but that's only because I ate all my food.. not b/c something went bad

[Max Power]

All of the above sounds really good! And I have to admit, I have yet to make an egg monster. Again, for the same reasoning as I mentioned above....in my head I just figured cooked eggs couldn't last for more the a day or 2, but now I know!

I have some egg monster that's been in my fridge for a week and a half now, I'm probably just going to throw container and all away at this point.

If you do decide to cook a meal early in the week to eat on daily, make sure it's something you can use in different ways, just so you don't get tired of it.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Kelly...this....this sounds delicious. I will be checking out for next week. I hate to admit this, but I'm getting a little egg-monstered out.

Here's the link to the informal blog recipe. This week I subbed a pound of sausage (all natural, no sugar or syrup or anything - no idea if that's paleo) for the bacon and left out the olives and Rotel for no reason other than I just didn't add.

http://nerdfitness.com/community/entry.php?7319-Sweet-Potato-Bacon-and-Spinach-Hash

Whatever you like with your chosen meat is good. Peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. I add a ton of spinach b/c it wilts and is so nutrient-dense. I don't feel like fresh spinach has flavor. But if you detest it, it's not required. As with most things in life, nothing's required.

I think the smoked paprika (different than just paprika) and chipotle chili pepper (powder) make the dish.

[WizardTrip]

I have some egg monster that's been in my fridge for a week and a half now, I'm probably just going to throw container and all away at this point.

If you do decide to cook a meal early in the week to eat on daily, make sure it's something you can use in different ways, just so you don't get tired of it.

And this is why it has never stuck in the past. Need to mix it up!

Here's the link to the informal blog recipe. This week I subbed a pound of sausage (all natural, no sugar or syrup or anything - no idea if that's paleo) for the bacon and left out the olives and Rotel for no reason other than I just didn't add.

http://nerdfitness.com/community/entry.php?7319-Sweet-Potato-Bacon-and-Spinach-Hash

Whatever you like with your chosen meat is good. Peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. I add a ton of spinach b/c it wilts and is so nutrient-dense. I don't feel like fresh spinach has flavor. But if you detest it, it's not required. As with most things in life, nothing's required.

I think the smoked paprika (different than just paprika) and chipotle chili pepper (powder) make the dish.

OK...that looks amazing! Will definitely try it!