Have you ever considered piracy? You'd make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.

[Wolverine]

Have you ever considered piracy? You'd make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.

Intro

My name is Dillpedo Torpedo. I am a pirate and an assassin. I used to lift heavy weights and go to a gym. Then my son was born and I had to get creative with my training. I am now obsessed with working out at home, bodyweight calisthenics, and gymnastics skills. This is my fourth challenge.

Challenge Goals

Goal 1: Complete bodyweight routine at least four times per week and go running once a week. +2 STR, +2 STA

The first part of this goal is a level up of last challenge. I will be doing a split routine rather than full body, and I will need to complete it four times per week rather than three. I'm actually planning on working out five times per week, but I wanted to give myself some wiggle room as The Boy Wonder is constantly changing up his schedule and this often results in some sleepless nights.

The second part of this goal is actually the one I am most hesitant about. I hate cardio with a fiery burning passion and I have been able to talk myself out of it for a long time (it's not necessary for weight loss, it will hurt muscle gain, etc.). Time to stop whining and start getting my heart in shape. So, I'll be adding in a run once a week. Not a bike, not a swim, a freaking run. Just do it, Dillpedo, just do it. I'm going to shoot for 3 miles, and I'm doubtful that I'll be able to run that entire distance right out of the gate, but I aim to be able to do so by the end of the challenge. If I can do this, I will be beyond proud of myself. This one is a biggie folks.

Goal 2: Complete a set of full ROM pistol squats and full ROM shrimp squats. +2 STR +1 DEX

Before my lower back injury last challenge I had JUST worked my way up to a pistol or two on each leg. Now I'm struggling with assisted and partials. Time to get myself back on the big boy train. I've never tried shrimp squats but I've always wanted to do so; now's the time. I will complete at least one set of 3 pistol squats and shrimp squats on each leg by challenge end.

Goal 3: Reduce bodyweight to 135 lb. or achieve six pack awesomeness, whichever comes first. +3 CON, +2 WIS

I have no idea what my weight at ~10% bodyfat and my current muscle mass should be, so I'm reducing my weight until I get there. Last challenge's goal was 145 lb. this challenge it's 135 lb. If at some point along the way I look how I am aiming to look, I will take a picture for posterity, maintain that weight until challenge end, and call this goal achieved when I do.

Goal 4: Read a photography article once a week, do one photography shoot per week, edit and process at least three pictures per week. +3 CHA

I do a lot of product photography as part of my job. Product photography is boring and it has sucked the life out of me. Time to get excited about taking pictures again, learn some new techniques, and get out there and take some pictures that aren't as dull as dirt. Learning a bit of followthrough wouldn't be the worst idea either, so I can't just take the photos I have to edit them and get them posted too.

Goal 4: Complete all 12 JavaScript Fundamentals lesson on Codeacademy. +3 CHA

So, you may have noticed the crossed out goal above. I had originally planned on improving my photography this challenge, BUT some projects have come up at work that would really benefit from me focusing on learning some basic programming. So, I'm swapping goals. I feel like they are comparable goals (improve a self taught skill, add some excitement back into what I do for a living, followthrough) and within the same spirit so I'm not penalizing myself at all for the swap.

Starting Stats

Age: 30

Height: 5 ft. 7 in.

Weight: 145 lb. (I enjoyed my week off)

[Kyliewyotie]

OMG the anticipation!!!

[SpiralGalaxy]

Love yer flag!

[Wolverine]

Warmup

Elbow Lever: 6 sec. / 5 sec. / 2 sec.

Could NOT get the form right for some reason. I don't think my stab is right, as my elbows keep slipping off of my torso, and my feet are too high which leads me to believe that my elbow angle isn't right either. We all gotta start somewhere, I suppose.

Tuck Back Lever: 8 sec. / 8 sec. / 9 sec.

Finally figured out the form and how to tell when I'm parallel. These felt good.

L-sit: 21 sec. / 21 sec. / 11 sec.

Wasted by the last round, but good form.

Elbow Flag: 3 sec. / 3 sec. / 4 sec.

This progression is much better than the jump to full tuck flag. I can lift myself up smoothly and hold on both sides. I'm looking forward to these... although winter is upon us and the pole is in the unheated garage. Man alive I just about froze this morning.

Tuck Dragon Flag Negative: 3 / 3 / 2

Finally have my form down. Core was nice and straight. I'm a lot weaker on these than I was expecting, but that's what progressions are for.

The first workout of the challenge is in the bag and it felt pretty darn good. The holds I'm most excited about so far are the front/back levers and the flag. Would be over the moon stoked to progress with these.

I'm doing some experiments with circuit style static training this round. I know this is gonna spread out my gains a bit, but I really didn't have anything I wanted to focus on exclusively and I always feel like the holds I do later on in a workout get the short end of the stick. I'm working under a time constraint too, and going from one exercise to the next is a big time saver.

[livingroovy]

THE SUSPENSE AND PRINCESS BRIDE REFERENCES ARE KILLING ME.

What'd'ya got?!

[Nuala]

And you call that warm-up exercises? I call that "Ohgodnoeskillmekillmenow" exercises. So happy to follow you again! *stalker mode engaged*

[drsloomis]

Welcome back, sir! Looking forward to following your progress!

[PitBull_Liz]

I have absolutely no idea what any of the stuff you mentioned it, but I assume it's hard and you'll manage to do it anyway! Huzzah!

[Wolverine]

OMG the anticipation!!!

DUDEBRO. You just rocked my socks by posting that vid. +1000 AWESOME

Love yer flag!

Thanks, SG! I'm about to change it, but thanks.

THE SUSPENSE AND PRINCESS BRIDE REFERENCES ARE KILLING ME.

What'd'ya got?!

I tried to find the coolest pirate ninja assassin ever. I think I have succeeded.

And you call that warm-up exercises? I call that "Ohgodnoeskillmekillmenow" exercises. So happy to follow you again! *stalker mode engaged*

Yay, Nuala! You rocked your last challenge! I'm looking forward to following along with you again!

Welcome back, sir! Looking forward to following your progress!

Heh. I will miss T-rex, but I like the new avatar.

I have absolutely no idea what any of the stuff you mentioned it, but I assume it's hard and you'll manage to do it anyway! Huzzah!

I'm going to try and post some links this challenge so that more people know what I'm talking about and can try some of the exercises out for themselves if/when they want. Thanks for the huzzah!

[Kyliewyotie]

Ok the suspense is over, I prolly should edit my earlier post. But removing Rocky Horror seems wrong.

I love your goals, are we going to get to see said pictures each week?

That would be something I look forward to for sure!

[drsloomis]

Ok the suspense is over, I prolly should edit my earlier post. But removing Rocky Horror seems wrong.

I think it may be illegal in some states.

[Aeryn]

Ooh, loving the chance to see a much more advanced bodyweight workout than mine - gives me something to look forward to! And you had me at the Princess Bride references, the rest is just gravy.

[Y-Not]

Yup, following you this challenge. Seems to be where I want my fitness to go and also have a little one coming, so seeing a dad fit in workouts will be great motivation for my future.

[Wild Wolf]

Whew! Dillpedo is back ladies and gents!!! You sir, have some good goals! And I love the theme of this challenge

Way to go on working the back tuck lever and tuck dragon flag... I need to work on front and back levers more... So you are gonna be my inspiration going forward!!

"I, too, am not left handed!"

Wolf

[Elastigirl]

Very cool challenge. Dread Pirate Roberts is always a win

[Draco]

A gymnast with six-pack abs who can run three miles and squat like a shrimp? Inconceivable!

Consider your thread subscribed.

[Happienumber]

And you call that warm-up exercises? I call that "Ohgodnoeskillmekillmenow" exercises. So happy to follow you again! *stalker mode engaged*

So seconded.

Jaw.Hits.Floor.

[RandomWanderer]

first of all.. anyone who titles their thread from a Princess Bride quote is alright in my book! lol.

secondly, whats a ROM pistol squat? good luck with your challenge brother!

[Sea Level]

Goal 1: Complete bodyweight routine at least four times per week and go running once a week. +2 STR, +2 STA

The second part of this goal is actually the one I am most hesitant about. I hate cardio with a fiery burning passion and I have been able to talk myself out of it for a long time (it's not necessary for weight loss, it will hurt muscle gain, etc.). Time to stop whining and start getting my heart in shape. So, I'll be adding in a run once a week. Not a bike, not a swim, a freaking run. Just do it, Dillpedo, just do it. I'm going to shoot for 3 miles, and I'm doubtful that I'll be able to run that entire distance right out of the gate, but I aim to be able to do so by the end of the challenge. If I can do this, I will be beyond proud of myself. This one is a biggie folks.

Awesome. I dig this. This is something I need, but have also been hesitant about. Looking forward to your success!

OMG the anticipation!!!

Bahahaha! YES!

[TeaKwonDo]

Alright Dill, it's another round of awesome. Can't wait to see what crazy moves you bust out this challenge.

[tinkerer]

I don't know if it will help you love running, but I can share what keeps me excited about it:

Time yourself.

Set up a course that has some known distances, or if you have a smartphone set it to chime in every half a mile or 5 minutes or some other interval with your current distance and time/pace. I have mapmyrun set to let me know those three items every mile, but if you knew where your distances were you could use a stopwatch just the same. What that does for me is to give me motivation: improve, even by 1 sec/mile on each run. If my first mile comes in high, I'm excited. If it comes in low...the next one requires more digging.

That's what works for me...hope it helps! If not, there is always zombies! run! The non-smartphone version of that involves having a lot of supportive friends, but I think it would be more fun.

[Waldo]

Nice, adding in some running.

Good luck with this challenge. You've got to be getting abs here soon, it doesn't look like there is hardly any fat left.

[inara]

Princess bride and rocky horror, this is off to a great start already!

[Kyliewyotie]

zombies! run! The non-smartphone version of that involves having a lot of supportive friends, but I think it would be more fun.

Sounds awesome!!!

[Wolverine]

Ooh, loving the chance to see a much more advanced bodyweight workout than mine - gives me something to look forward to! And you had me at the Princess Bride references, the rest is just gravy.

Ha! Thanks, Aeryn. If you are interested in bodyweight, you've come to the right place. I train very similarly to Waldo and KnockingDog and AtSeaLevel, you should check their threads out too, if you haven't already!

Yup, following you this challenge. Seems to be where I want my fitness to go and also have a little one coming, so seeing a dad fit in workouts will be great motivation for my future.

Congrats on the baby! It's definitely changed my training quite a bit. Went from gym to home, barbell to bodyweight, and I've really had to learn to roll with the punches. Check out the threads I mention above, they will provide much motivation for your future endeavors!

Whew! Dillpedo is back ladies and gents!!! You sir, have some good goals! And I love the theme of this challenge

Way to go on working the back tuck lever and tuck dragon flag... I need to work on front and back levers more... So you are gonna be my inspiration going forward!!

"I, too, am not left handed!"

Wolf

Thanks, Wolf! My back lever is gonna rock... The jury is still out on the dragon flag...

Very cool challenge. Dread Pirate Roberts is always a win

RIGHT? The ORIGINAL ninja pirate assassin!

A gymnast with six-pack abs who can run three miles and squat like a shrimp? Inconceivable!

Consider your thread subscribed.

Ha! Thanks, Draco!!!

So seconded.

Jaw.Hits.Floor.

Oh, that was my workout... not my warmup. I just warmed up at the beginning of it.

first of all.. anyone who titles their thread from a Princess Bride quote is alright in my book! lol.

secondly, whats a ROM pistol squat? good luck with your challenge brother!

Full range of motion. I've been doing partials (down to a chair or stack of books, etc.) and I plan on doing full pistols by the end of the challenge.

Awesome. I dig this. This is something I need, but have also been hesitant about. Looking forward to your success!

Thanks, ASL. I'm still grumpy at myself for adding running. I really don't want to!!!

Alright Dill, it's another round of awesome. Can't wait to see what crazy moves you bust out this challenge.

You better be bringing it, KDog. I'm looking to you for motivation once again.

Set up a course that has some known distances, or if you have a smartphone set it to chime in every half a mile or 5 minutes or some other interval with your current distance and time/pace. I have mapmyrun set to let me know those three items every mile, but if you knew where your distances were you could use a stopwatch just the same. What that does for me is to give me motivation: improve, even by 1 sec/mile on each run. If my first mile comes in high, I'm excited. If it comes in low...the next one requires more digging.

That's what works for me...hope it helps! If not, there is always zombies! run! The non-smartphone version of that involves having a lot of supportive friends, but I think it would be more fun.

I was pondering Zombies, Run! but your timer idea sounds good to. A little competition has always helped me... never competed against myself before, though!

Nice, adding in some running.

Good luck with this challenge. You've got to be getting abs here soon, it doesn't look like there is hardly any fat left.

Seriously. I swear I must be hiding chub in my cheeks or something because the scale keeps going down and I keep looking the same... I'll be hitting you up for maintenance/bulking advice one of these days.

Princess bride and rocky horror, this is off to a great start already!

Now... I gotta keep it up!