RBW Redemption

[realbrickwall]

In the Assassins' order, the only true failures are those who do not have the mettle to stay.

 

Last challenge, I did not do well. Did I meet some goals? Yes. I did. And I am still doing better for myself than I did before NerdFitness. But I am not pushing myself as hard as I can. In my first two challenges, I defied the obstacles that made fitness difficult for me. In my third challenge, I let those obstacles control me. I can't let that happen again.

 

In my first challenge, I taught myself to be better at fitness. I must re-learn this. I remember what needed to happen to get me there. And so, I am following my old path. Like Altair, I will become an even greater master by becoming a student once again.

 

Goal 1: Cool Runnings - It's winter, and winter sucks for running. It really does. But I see people out running anyway. I have no REAL excuse. However, I understand that undertaking such an endeavor requires proper equipment. I can't just run in sub-freezing weather wearing my gym shorts and a t-shirt. I need a winter fitness wardrobe. And, since I'm employed again, I can buy one! I am planning to start with a NF hoodie and some sort of sweatpants from Target, but we'll see where this takes me. I will grade myself based on how well I stick to running after I go shopping this Wednesday or Thursday (I'm not sure which is my day off). I will be following C25K.

 

Goal 2: Soldier Skills - For the holidays, my parents got me a book of military training regimens. It's 90% bodyweight stuff. I am going to pick a regimen that I can do, maybe mod it a little for strength (I would prefer to do 3 1-h push-ups than 30 push-ups, for example), and just do it. Having a program made my first challenge WORK, so I'm doing that. I will grade this by program stick-to-it-ness.

 

Goal 3: Earn the Shirt - My friend, asshole that he is, got me a present too. I jokingly asked him for a t-rex (since I didn't want to do gift exchanges this year, having little opportunity to get gifts while unemployed and in a foreign country with limited bag space). He got me this shirt. Now, since using that shirt properly will require me to have a nice belly (though it's much nicer than it used to be, allowing me to wear pants that show off my backside, it's still a bit of a gut), I need to keep trimming down! Paleo worked for me once, and I think it just might work for me again. It might even be easier with my roommate also being paleo-ish. I will grade this by stomach size, though I can't say for sure I know what an A should be right now.

 

Life Goal: Efficientize - A lot of what I have to get over when I want to do productive stuff is how LOOONG it will take. Yes, I know, it deserves the time, but the daunting task of packing it all in one day is scary! So...I'm learning to do that better. UFYH will help me with cleaning, but the rest is up to me! Much of my work will involve actually timing myself on things and learning from the experience. I carry a stopwatch in my pocket (and on my wrist) already, so what's stopping me? I'm also efficientizing my internet usage! I've already turned my webcomic experience into a single RSS feed. If I can get forum subscriptions on there, I'm basically going to cut my internet usage by like a quarter, but I'd be willing to settle for e-mail subscriptions. Not sure how to grade this yet.

[Wild Wolf]

Welcome back, sir! Good to see ya!

Great choice on running. I really need to implement that more.. And build that stamina up! You'll be my inspiration to start running more. Lets do it, RBW!!

Wolf

[GradSchoolVixen]

That shirt is awesome, haha.  Good luck!!!

[lemongranita]

Winter is eeeeevil. I've been setting off on runs cosily layered up with hoody, hat etc., but then I overheat halfway. Hope you find some good kit!

[realbrickwall]

Welp, I schlepped down to the athletic wear part of Target today and got some stuff! A compression shirt, long mesh pants, a long-sleeved undershirt, and long underpants. Just one of each, but on milder days like today, I only need to use one or the other for each body half. It cost a lot of dough for even that little!

 

I tried myself on Week 3 of C25K today, and I made it. I actually made a mistake and didn't give myself as much rest time as I was supposed to. Oh, well! The only issue was that the sidewalks are covered in uneven 3-inch ice, slush, and snow. I was dodging icy areas and getting my feet wet the whole time, and wet feet in winter is bad! My toes were numb when I walked in the doot.

 

But, all in all, I was just so happy after my run. I raised my hands in the air and walked with vigor. Then http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA0LbKipmRs'>this song came on. And now I'm hungry so I'm going to eat a ton of meat and also a clementine.

 

lemongranita, a tip I found is to go out feeling like just one more layer will make you comfortable. Running works as the substitute for that one layer. Covering your ears and hands is important, though, since circulation won't get them well enough!

[Sea Level]

Welcome back RBW! I'm looking forward to see the Soldier Skills work!

[lyranedara]

Welcome back! I'm not sure I could ever make myself go run in the cold slush, lol. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it!

[Fear]

RBW! Excellent to see you're back!

 

First off, that shirt is awesome!  Second, perhaps for your 3rd goal (the t-shirt one) you could measure your existing waist line/pants size and shoot for decreasing it 2/3 sizes?  Just a thought on how to make it measureable.

 

Also, MAJOR props for running in the cold!  Can't wait to see your progress!

 

- Michael

[realbrickwall]

Welcome back RBW! I'm looking forward to see the Soldier Skills work!

 

 

I actually may re-tool this a bit, combining the special ops fitness routines with Nerd Fitness rebel workouts. The military book has me doing 6 days of body area focus, and I hate both of those, so I think 3 days of all-around workouts using the book as a guide will be a good idea. Also, the book reminds me that I should really try to pick up swimming skills. That's one area I do not look to Altair for inspiration in,

Another thing the book reminded me to do is rucksack walks. Minimum 30 lbs backpack on a 30-minute walk over rough terrain is something I should train myself to do easily. But that is low on the list after strength training, running, and swimming, and there is much more to my life than fitness!

 

RBW! Excellent to see you're back!

 

First off, that shirt is awesome!  Second, perhaps for your 3rd goal (the t-shirt one) you could measure your existing waist line/pants size and shoot for decreasing it 2/3 sizes?  Just a thought on how to make it measureable.

 

Also, MAJOR props for running in the cold!  Can't wait to see your progress!

 

- Michael

 

Yeah, I think 1-2 inches off the belly is a realistic goal. Lower grades will probably involve me not losing as much as I like but still sticking to my diet well.

Running in the cold with proper equipment isn't as bad as I thought it would be! I even have a balaclava if I ever need it (I need to find it, though). I just need to find some place with clear sidewalks. Still, if you like running, you should totally do it!

 

__________________

 

I got started with a program called Evernote which is basically a personal cloud. I'm hoping that keeping track of my creative ideas, projects, et cetera no matter where I am will help me lead a more efficient life.

I hope to look at other Assassins' threads tomorrow and pick some padawans and some inspirations for me to Follow so I'm not tempted to come browse the forum multiple times per day. Once is enough, once I have threads tracked.

[Fear]

I'll consider the running thing, though I have the feeling the 300 workout is going to kill me....   Still, it's something I need to continue to focus on with Parkour.

 

I swear I read that as Baklava the first time through instead of balaclava, haha!

 

- Michael

[realbrickwall]

UPDATIFICATION
 

Cool Runnings: I need to go back in Japan where you can buy mens' five-toed socks for a dollar(-ish) per pair. I only manage to grab a couple pairs when I was there, and boy do you need them when it's cold and you're in Vibrams! Other than that, though, this is going well. Ran a half-mile for the first time in my whole life yesterday. And at the end of my running workout, I didn't feel completely depleted. Pretty sure I'll be totally doing a 5K for my birthday.

Soldier Skills: Full bodyweight fitness program is go! I finally ditched the last weight-based from my workout, and I feel fantastic! My workouts still challenge me (doing chinups in the middle of a circuit makes me feel like my heart is actually going to burn a hole in my chest), but I enjoy them more. I don't foresee anything stopping me from pushing my way to some serious strength. I think I might even manage a handstand push-up by the end of it all!

Earn the Shirt: I finally got around to measuring my waist. It's 31 inches, which it's been hovering near for a while. Thus, I've set my goal: get AND MAINTAIN below 30. That means for the last week of my challenge, I want to be able to measure daily and never be 30 or over. I'm going to start looking into a good calorie counter.

Efficientize: Starting tomorrow, I am going to start timing my showers. They are such long affairs...and they shouldn't be! If I can shower faster, I'll have more time for other stuff. Simple as that!

[realbrickwall]

Hey hey hey.

 

Just a quick update before I head into work today.

 

I've been doing somewhat poorly this challenge, and I think I know why: I'm trying to do too much. Workout six days a week, eat better, AND give up almost all the stuff I do to slack off? It's really biting off more than I can chew to try to develop all those habits at once, especially with my job being as stressful as it is right now.

 

So, I'm going to take some time to try to adjust things a little. I want to encourage my personal growth, not stifle it by setting my time expectations too high. I always think of myself as old, but I really do have some time to focus on the most important things first, and develop other things slowly.

 

Right now, I really need to develop my professional skills more than anything, so that I can get to working in my chosen field. This means that exercise will have to take a slight backseat. I will be making myself a somewhat more relaxed workout plan, but try to make it more rigid. More to come on this matter.

[Nuala]

Yeah, take it slowly and refocus on the important things.  Cheers!

[realbrickwall]

Hey, guys! I need to stop in more. Sorry!

 

I've been doing a bit poorly again this challenge. I think I've got a bit of an idea why. My job has been putting ridiculous demands on my schedule. I basically get scheduled for overtime automatically, and it's at completely unpredictable hours, with as little as 12 hours advance warning on occasions. It's really ridiculous. It's so bad that it's even getting in the way of me finding another job.

 

Now, of course, 50-odd hours a week is not enough time to keep a person from working out. That's obvious. But it's sapping my willpower, and my inability to make plans at all makes me fall apart when it comes to getting things done. Unreliable schedules DESTROY me, especially when they are both unreliable and fairly demanding.

 

I'm not giving up. Not on anything. But I'm being patient with myself and just trying to take little victories. I went on a run today because I thought it was nice out (it wasn't as nice as I thought and my hands and ears and feet hurt but I did very well which I will talk about soon). I managed 10 one-arm push-ups in a row a bit back. I'm still maintaining some pull-up strength. Just tiny things. But they're there.

 

Alright, some specifics.

 

Soldier Skills - I haven't done a single strength training session since my last update. Sad? Yes. I think I'm starting to get a little afraid of facing my lack of progress. Gotta fix that.

Cool Runnings - The process of bundling up and facing the cold is something I have trouble bringing myself to do. It's not just a half-hour run to me. It's over an hour of preparation, exercise, and recovery. It's so much harder to commit to because I can't just put on the ol' workout clothes and take off. But I manage occasionally. I started C25K week 5 (finally), and after I got to the end of the day's run, I barely felt winded. I even sprinted about a block and a half on the way home just because (also I wanted to get out of the cold). I'm feeling pretty good about tackling the rest of the week. I still can't wait for the cold to go away, though.

Earn the Shirt - Guys, I have not been eating well. At all. Being forced to eat unhealthy food as part of my job probably tipped the balance a little, but the lack of energy to go shopping and make my own food has just destroyed me. I still fit in my nice clothes, but I haven't lost a millimeter off my waist. I may even be just a tad chubbier. And yet, every time I contemplate making a meal, I just can't bring myself to do it. Even though I'm a decent cook. Even though I kind of like cooking. I just turn right back to sitting on my butt.

Efficientize - I made great rules. And I haven't followed them at all. I heard of a program that can limit your browsing for you. I just might have to do that.

 

I'm stuck in this spot of not knowing whether I'm failing because I'm bad or if I'm failing because of outside forces, and both options just make me miserable.

 

I think I could use some help, you guys.

[Elastigirl]

Sounds like mainly you are just tired from working so much. I like the idea of being patient with yourself and getting small vicories. Instead of big workouts, just fit stuff in your day, do GTG on pull ups, squats and pushups.Aim to run 1 or 2 x a week. As for food, pre prepping will be your biggest time saver. Cook a ton of meat and veggies during the weekend, then eat during the week. And get sleep, sounds like you have a tough schedule

[realbrickwall]

"Week"..."end"...I don't think weeks have ends, Elastigirl. Pretty sure that's something you're making up.

Hypothetically, though, where can I find good things that I can prepare well in advance? Most food doesn't seem to last five days. Peas porridge in a pot especially.

[Nuala]

Do you have a freezer? To make sure your cooked food won't waste, you could freeze some portions and re-heat them when needed.

 

You could also try some "almost nothing to prepare food". My favourite at the moment is butternut. You just have to cut it in half, remove the seed and put it in the oven for one hour at 190°C It's delicious, one butternut is enough for 2 meals and the preparation time is < 5 minutes.