Laura's "Y U waste so much?" Challenge

[Hermione Gainser]

Starting Stats:

STR: 15.45| STA: 4| CON: 10| DEX: 3.25| WIS: 10.25| CHA: 5.45

GOALS:

Goal 1

Eat efficiently- Can a warrior feed herself properly on $5 a day? Well, no. Probably not. But reading this blog post got me thinking about how much I spend on food per pay period (twice monthly pay schedule). Could I figure out how I spend and get a rough estimate of what it works out to per meal? Sure. And it would include excel sheets and formulas and graphs, OH MY! (nerdy delight!).

The What-Work on spending less for nutritionally sound food.

The How-Post updates as pay periods end and at end of challenge. Experiment with cheaper sources of protein. Plan recipes that utilize shared ingredients.

Possible Points: +2 WIS, +2 CHA, +1 CON

Sub goal- Spend less, eat less. By default, if I'm spending less on food I should be able to keep myself in check. Theoretically. We'll see. No points awarded here but goal is to keep it 1850 or less (subject to change).

Did really well here. 4.38 points total--I'll round down to 4.25--+2 WIS, +2 CHA, +.25 CON. Lowest I got my daily cost to was $10.06. Not bad, over all. The behind the scenes goal here was to be able to pay more to expenses as this is the most expensive time of year for me (and not even b/c of Christmas!).

Sadly, I made no real breakthrough in the affordable protein department. 'Eat more dairy' is the only thing that seemed to help some. So, now I'll stock up on cheap meat when it's on sale to save myself some $$ in the future.

There will be a part 2 next challenge, I think.

Re sub goal: I actually stopped tracking and it's been wonderful. Thanks to IF I've been able to determine when I'm actually hungry and eat then. It's very freeing. According to my recent measurements I've lost ~4lb (though, I'm sure some of that is water weight). Clocking in at 158.6--which is my pre injury weight. At the start of the challenge I was ~163.

Goal 2

Squat myself silly- Doctor gave me the okay to start squatting again with the caveat I do lots o' reps, light, light weight. I'll be posting in the Help Me Build a Workout Plan thread soon. ETA: here's my thread. I'd love thoughts.

The What-- Develop new plan OR decide on specific coaching and change plan completely; Squat twice a week and do supplementary quad work on non squat day.

The How-- Research, Post for help in 'help' forum, email folks about coaching, SQUAT.

Possible Points: +2 STA, +2 STR, +1 DEX

Solid A here. Lots of research. Lots of help from my NF peeps. Lots and LOTS of squats. 5 points earned--+2 STA, +2 STR, +1 DEX

Goal 3

A mind is a terrible thing to waste- What? You mean I waste more than food? YES! My life is filled with the intellectually uninspiring. My job, while fun, does not challenge my mind. At home, though I don't have cable of any sort, I miraculously find ways to waste my beautiful brain. For whyz?! I want to be able to discuss more than Supernatural and the nuances of Harry Potter.

The What- Spend at 6 hours weekly on my online classes. (A&P, Statistics). Read non guilty pleasure/fluff (Sorry Harry!)

The How- Log on and get to work! I have plenty of time (at least 4 days each week) at home.

Reading Part 1: I joined the NF Book club! So, one book per challenge here. I don't have control (just a vote) over what's picked so if it's fluffy it's okay. Discussion makes for the smarts.

Reading Part 2: Work my way through the gads of books we have at home that I've not read. Start with classics and 'should have read by now /shameface' and move on down the line.

Current: Crime and Punishment. For this: minimum of 2 chapters weekly.

Possible Points: +2 CHA, +1 WIS

Decent showing here. Did lots of reading, lots of studying. Really, the last week was the worst, the week before a slightly lesser showing but still close to total. Over all 2.5 out of 3 points earned. +1.5 CHA, +1 WIS

Side benefit of this challenge: MOAR confidence when meeting new people. Why yes, I can talk about something other than HP. Go me!

Goal 4

Cardio- Ugh. I know, I know! But sometimes we need to experiment. So, here it is.

The What- LISS in the form of walking; Elliptical

The Walking How- At work lunchtime walk: 30 mins 3x/wk; At home neighborhood walk: 30-60 mins 2x/wk

The Elliptical How- Post lift 15-20 mins, every lift.

Possible Points: +1 STA, +1 CHA

Did so much cardio! This last week..not so much. And that's where I took the hit. BUT, I did so well the other weeks that I got 1.5 out of 2 points--+1 STA, +.5 CHA

And important lesson learned here: cardio did nothing for me. The walks helped when I was stressed, so that was great. But the gym cardio was exhausting and annoying since I was there so long anyway. Definitely not sad to stop that nonsense!

The numbers give me 13.25/15 points for an 88% success rate. Solid B+.

This challenge feels like a bigger win than that (though that's nothing to sneeze at) because of the following reasons:

1. I did have my usual crappy mid challenge performance.

2. I was able to have more money and feel more financially stable during the time o' payments and was less stressed.

3. I remembered how much I enjoy learning but also found the lovely balance between using the brain ALL THE TIME and relaxing.

4. I successfully experimented with dreaded machine based cardio. Ew. And I can now knock that off the variables list.

5. Lots of squats--went from feeling like crap to feeling pretty decent to realizing my form is getting better and better.

6. OHP PR! Huzzah! Yeah, it's only 82 lbs.. but that's finally over half my bodyweight and just that much closer to 100. So gratifying!

7. Freedom to eat and track when I want, if I want, without gaining weight.

[The Tin Man]

Woo Miss Laura! Solid(ly outstanding) challenge!

[Caution]

Yay Laura! Awesome job, really crushing those goals.

[Hermione Gainser]

Hey everybody Laura PR'd OHP (We use a lot of acronyms in this world)

Good job on the week, sucks about the studying, but that's how it goes sometimes.

haha we sure do! yayayayay!

Woo Miss Laura! Solid(ly outstanding) challenge!

Yay Laura! Awesome job, really crushing those goals.

LMAO! Thanks guys! These gifs are seriously making my day!

[Blueberries]

Hang clean practice

Just did a bunch of attempts. Taped one set, but doubt I'll post it. Eventually got past the fear of throwing the bar into my face

Cleans...they're hard.

Remember that time I cleaned the bar directly into the bottom of my chin? Yeah...

On second thought, that's probably not all that reassuring, but I just wanted you to know that I commiserate with your trepidation.

It's really one of the most rewarding PRs hahaha Take that OHP!

True story. WOOOOOOOT OHP PR!

Week 5 Recap

I ate out a couple times but nothing I didn't consider acceptable: frozen yogurt with sliced fruit (good frozen yogurt-not sugary crap), Chipotle burrito-tortilla was worst but otherwise all steak, veg and guac, latte--just milk and espresso. Had cheat meal with Boyf--Malaysian food (holyzomgnoms) and Coldstone for dessert. Otherwise, successfully informed folks that I would not eat their candy, cookies, or cakes. And actually refrained.

For the record, Chipotle burritos are always a good idea.

ETA: Oops! Forgot to read your challenge recap. BRB.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Hahaha. The gifs. Oh the gifs.

As always, you're my hero.

[Blueberries]

Re: Challenge Recap.

WOW. I knew you were doing well, but to see it all in one place... you really rocked it!

Also.... this?

And important lesson learned here: cardio did nothing for me. The walks helped when I was stressed, so that was great. But the gym cardio was exhausting and annoying since I was there so long anyway. Definitely not sad to stop that nonsense!

Same thing for me when I put it in my challenge. I was pretty happy to ditch the regular machine cardio. Glad you've got your answer for this one now, too.

[Hermione Gainser]

Remember that time I cleaned the bar directly into the bottom of my chin? Yeah...

On second thought, that's probably not all that reassuring, but I just wanted you to know that I commiserate with your trepidation.

True story. WOOOOOOOT OHP PR!

For the record, Chipotle burritos are always a good idea.

ETA: Oops! Forgot to read your challenge recap. BRB.

hahahaha at least I know my fears are not baseless!

You know, I hate to say it, but I didn't love chipotle. My body definitely didn't love it!

[msuroo]

Hahaha. The gifs. Oh the gifs.

I feel so left out. They're blocked at work, and not animated on tapatalk (the only two places I check the forums). Since Laura is cool (obvi), I still love this thread, but I'm always missing the big gif party.

Awesome challenge all the way around Laura. Most impressed that you conquered unmeasured eating! More to come when I do my challenge recap tomorrow, but let's just say that I...did not.

[msuroo]

You know, I hate to say it, but I didn't love chipotle.

This is blasphemy.

[nightlight]

wow. fantastic job here!

so proud of you.

[Hermione Gainser]

Hahaha. The gifs. Oh the gifs.

As always, you're my hero.

!!!!!!!!!

Re: Challenge Recap.

WOW. I knew you were doing well, but to see it all in one place... you really rocked it!

Same thing for me when I put it in my challenge. I was pretty happy to ditch the regular machine cardio. Glad you've got your answer for this one now, too.

Thanks! It's nice to come back from such a crappy challenge and feel like I did well.

And seriously, I'm so glad it did nothing for me because it was heinous!

OH! OH! I was behind someone who had this sticker on their truck. I was jealous. I thought of my buddies here:

[Blueberries]

OH! OH! I was behind someone who had this sticker on their truck. I was jealous. I thought of my buddies here:

Yes! I've been wanting that sticker forever.

I feel so left out. They're blocked at work, and not animated on tapatalk (the only two places I check the forums). Since Laura is cool (obvi), I still love this thread, but I'm always missing the big gif party.

Awesome challenge all the way around Laura. Most impressed that you conquered unmeasured eating! More to come when I do my challenge recap tomorrow, but let's just say that I...did not.

Haha, roo... I love how diplomatic that was.

[Hermione Gainser]

I feel so left out. They're blocked at work, and not animated on tapatalk (the only two places I check the forums). Since Laura is cool (obvi), I still love this thread, but I'm always missing the big gif party.

Awesome challenge all the way around Laura. Most impressed that you conquered unmeasured eating! More to come when I do my challenge recap tomorrow, but let's just say that I...did not.

Oh noes! No gifs! that breaks my heart!

I look forward to hearing about the bus that wouldn't slow down!

Thanks! The eating thing came out of nowhere, honestly. I'm pretty thrilled!

This is blasphemy.

Forgive me!

wow. fantastic job here!

so proud of you.

Thanks buddddddddddddddy!

[DangerDave]

I didn't love chipotle.

I much prefer [ATTACH=CONFIG]6136[/ATTACH] to Chipotle. (Follow link to see why! So far their sales pitch isn't enough to persuade me to go for the last option listed.)

[Hermione Gainser]

I much prefer [ATTACH=CONFIG]6136[/ATTACH] to Chipotle. (Follow link to see why! So far their sales pitch isn't enough to persuade me to go for the last option listed.)

Whoa!

Well, rest assured, you're not missing much

[Max Power]

I much prefer [ATTACH=CONFIG]6136[/ATTACH] to Chipotle. (Follow link to see why! So far their sales pitch isn't enough to persuade me to go for the last option listed.)

Hmm, I got the same message when I typed in my zip code. Luckily I'm pretty good at cooking Mexican food. Crisis Averted!

[Kishi]

HAHAHAHA! Amazing work! Glad to see that you found out what worked for you and what didn't, and that you're one step closer to making your body deadlift a wookiee! Amazing work all around.

[PrincessHeather]

This is blasphemy.

Is it better or worse that I like Qdoba better?

[Blueberries]

I'm pretty sure this is so 10 pages ago, but I finally looked up the difference between RDLs and SLDLs, and it turns out that I've been doing RDLs all along. Who knew?

[Hermione Gainser]

HAHAHAHA! Amazing work! Glad to see that you found out what worked for you and what didn't, and that you're one step closer to making your body deadlift a wookiee! Amazing work all around.

Thanks, Kish!

Is it better or worse that I like Qdoba better?

I don't know... I've never had Qdoba... I'm unsure of their reputation... I do like regular chipotle peppers... nom!

I'm pretty sure this is so 10 pages ago, but I finally looked up the inference between RDLs and SLDLs, and it turns out that I've been doing RDLs all along. Who knew?

Haha I was just talking about that with my workout buddy (i still call her that even though we rarely get to work out together now). I didn't realize the difference until that conversation but I definitely do the RDL and have little to no desire to do the SLDL. That sh*t looks like it's easy to mess up.

**

So, I'm planning my workout plan for next challenge..

I'm going with Plan 2 from my previously mentioned plans but with some tweaks (this isn't final in terms of reps and such yet):

Plan 2:

Tuesdays

Squat 3x5

Bench as laid out in above link

OHP 80%max rest pause sets (1 rep, rest, 1 rep, rest, etc until 10 reps reached with 15 seconds, then add weight, rinse repeat)

Accessory work-- lunges or step ups; chin ups.

Thursday

OHP: Rest pause as mentioned above.

Deadlift 3x8-12 light weight (for 2-3 wks, then 1x5)

Clean form work

Accessory work--single legged squat work; hip thrusts; chin ups.

Saturdays

Squat 3x8-12 lighter weight than Tues.

Bench as laid out in above link

Accessory work--bent over row; lunges or step ups or front squats (light)?

KB swings

I'm not set on the placement or necessity of my second day of OHP or placement of KB swings. Originally, I wanted to do the swings on Thursdays but I'm not sure which is a better idea. KB swings will be done in a ladder. I need to be a more well rounded warrior.

I'm also going to start back with a more... deliberate... Leangains plan. I'm really not sure what to do in terms of cut or recomp, though. I'm tired of cutting but I'm not sure if I'm in a place where I should recomp.. decisions, decisions.

P.S. some girl at the gym told me I've lost a lot of weight. I tried to sound thankful but it really made me kind of sad. I didn't lose weight. I mean, I did, but not much. What I've lost are inches and I'm not entirely sure it was the good kind. I'm pretty sure it's muscle I've lost..granted, that will be rebuilt, but still... you know you're a warrior when..

[weirdquark]

I've done Single Leg Deadlifts before (with dumbbells) and the balance is hard to get down. I actually found them easier with slightly heavier weights. I never got up high enough that the weight was limiting my progress; it was always that I'd lose my balance and have to put my other foot down to not fall over.

[Blueberries]

Haha I was just talking about that with my workout buddy (i still call her that even though we rarely get to work out together now). I didn't realize the difference until that conversation but I definitely do the RDL and have little to no desire to do the SLDL. That sh*t looks like it's easy to mess up.

So clearly autocorrect hates me. I meant difference, not inference, obvs. What confuses me about SLDLs is that they're apparently pulled from the floor instead of the hang, but I swear when I first read about them, they were what I found last night when I looked up RDLs. So I dunno... Anyway, you should get your workout buddy back.

So, I'm planning my workout plan for next challenge..

I'm going with Plan 2 from my previously mentioned plans but with some tweaks (this isn't final in terms of reps and such yet):

Plan 2:

Tuesdays

Squat 3x5

Bench as laid out in above link

OHP 80%max rest pause sets (1 rep, rest, 1 rep, rest, etc until 10 reps reached with 15 seconds, then add weight, rinse repeat)

Accessory work-- lunges or step ups; chin ups.

Thursday

OHP: Rest pause as mentioned above.

Deadlift 3x8-12 light weight (for 2-3 wks, then 1x5)

Clean form work

Accessory work--single legged squat work; hip thrusts; chin ups.

Saturdays

Squat 3x8-12 lighter weight than Tues.

Bench as laid out in above link

Accessory work--bent over row; lunges or step ups or front squats (light)?

KB swings

I'm not set on the placement or necessity of my second day of OHP or placement of KB swings. Originally, I wanted to do the swings on Thursdays but I'm not sure which is a better idea. KB swings will be done in a ladder. I need to be a more well rounded warrior.

I'm also going to start back with a more... deliberate... Leangains plan. I'm really not sure what to do in terms of cut or recomp, though. I'm tired of cutting but I'm not sure if I'm in a place where I should recomp.. decisions, decisions.

P.S. some girl at the gym told me I've lost a lot of weight. I tried to sound thankful but it really made me kind of sad. I didn't lose weight. I mean, I did, but not much. What I've lost are inches and I'm not entirely sure it was the good kind. I'm pretty sure it's muscle I've lost..granted, that will be rebuilt, but still... you know you're a warrior when..

I think I don't understand what you're doing for the OHP rep, rest thing. Do you do 1 rep, rest, 1 rep, rest all the way through 10? Is the 15 seconds you mentioned the length of each rest? #confused

Re: Inches. Maybe you recomped a little bit? Looking for the bright side.

Seems like all of us are in OMGWTFBBQ mode right now about where to go body-wise. Fun stuff.

[Blueberries]

I've done Single Leg Deadlifts before (with dumbbells) and the balance is hard to get down. I actually found them easier with slightly heavier weights. I never got up high enough that the weight was limiting my progress; it was always that I'd lose my balance and have to put my other foot down to not fall over.

Wait... there are single leg deadlifts, too? That sounds scarier than the straight leg deadlift video I saw. I'm already a little paranoid about messing up my back... I can't imagine attempting them on one leg.

[Hermione Gainser]

There are! They are fun. It's more like RDL than SLDL.