Eboncat's 2nd Challenge

[Eboncat]

Well, that sucked.  I had this half typed out and it just deleted itself.  I was just typing along. I have no idea what I hit.  Poop.

 

Starting stats:

5'8", 128-130 lbs

Neck: 12.5in, Bicep: 10.1in, Forearm: 9.0in, Chest: 33.5in, Waist: 29.7in, Hips: 38.9in, Thigh:20.8in, Calf: 13.2in.

Standard pushups: 5

 

So, my 1st and 2nd goals are just amplifications of 2 goals from last time.

 

I was mad at myself for not doing well on my push-up goal, well, basically for ignoring it for the 1st 4 weeks and not having a plan at all.  So, now I have a plan.  I found an app and website www.hundredpushups.com that has a training plan I can follow.  I'll do 3 sessions a week on non-consecutive days.  Based on the initial test I am level 1 (go figure!). If I can keep up with the training plan, I'll be doing 25 push-ups in a row when I finish this challenge!  I'm not being that ambitious, however, the goal is just to not skip any training sessions.

 

Goal 1: Push-up sessions 3 days per week (non-consecutive) following the training plan on my app. +2 STR, +2 STA

             *extra bonus (TBD)* if I can actually do 25 pushups in a row at the end of the 6 weeks.

 

I want to continue my workout success from Challenge 1 and add to it.  So my goal is to do something physical every day.  3 must be strength training, 2 cardio and the others can vary.  I am going to be doing at least 20min of something on the days I work early.  My pushup sessions can count toward this.  So can stretching (at least 30min).  I also bought a 30min Yoga dvd to try out.

 

Goal 2: Workout every day.  3 strength training, 2 cardio + 2 more.  +2 STR, +1 DEX, +2 STA, +1CHA

 

I need to drink more water and I need to eat breakfast so that's goal #3.  If I don't eat before work I just drink coffee all morning and then pig out at lunch.  I've been drinking about 6 cups of water most days, but I need to make it a more regular thing.  By breakfast I mean something that's at least 300 cal and nutritious.  I will be trying various things to find something I like that's quick to make or I can make ahead of time.  I found a recipe for paleo egg muffins I've made to try for this week.  A protein shake with fruit will count as being ok.

 

Goal 3:  Drink 2 L of water every day and eat breakfast every morning before work. +2 CON

 

And finally, the life goal.  My house is generally a pigsty, at least the parts company doesn't see.  My husband, who works from home, keeps up with the laundry, dishes and vacuuming.  I occasionaly do dishes and pick up my stuff.  I admit it, I'm a slob.  I made sure to warn him before he married me that I was not going to be a good housewife.  Anyway,  I'm going to do something about it, but I'm starting slow.

 

Goal 4: Deep clean 1 room each week.  Includes dusting, picking up, moving furniture (with help if needed), cleaners, and Pledging the woodwork. Oh, and windows.  Both sides, weather permitting. +2 WIS, +1 CHA

 

I want to be in an accountability group too, but I can't get a Google acct - it keeps telling me I'm invalid.  I'll keep trying.  I was able to get to the sign-up sheet last time.  Oh well.

[AquaNat]

Sounds great, I know you'll beast those push-ups.

 

Hope you started right this morning! I'm trying to do a couple of pure cardio sessions per week. Are you doing them on specific days?

 

I'm just off for my first run of the challenge, followed by a bit of a weights session, plie squats and toe raises FTW!

[BlamedCat]

I like your challenges  I'll be watching your progress, you can do this!

[Eboncat]

Sounds great, I know you'll beast those push-ups.

 

Hope you started right this morning! I'm trying to do a couple of pure cardio sessions per week. Are you doing them on specific days?

 

I'm just off for my first run of the challenge, followed by a bit of a weights session, plie squats and toe raises FTW!

Did my pushups this morning and a 15 min ab routine.  The cardio days are generally Sunday and Tuesday or Thursday depending on my work schedule fot he week.  It'll be Thursday this week.  The pushups are Mon, Wed, Fri. 

 

Thank you both for the encouragement!

[Eboncat]

Well, yesterday and today have gone well.  I've gotten in my workouts and breakfasts and drank all my water. 

Did the 1st push-up workout yesterday.  I didn't get the total in - could only do 1 in the 2nd set and 2 in the 5th - which left me 2 short for the day.  I don't know if I had more trouble because it was first thing in the morning and the house was chilly (cold muscles)?  I did some warm-up for my shoulders 1st, probably helped some.  Tomorrow I'll be doing the training session in the afternoon/evening, so we'll see if that makes a difference.

I tried the paleo egg muffins for breakfast yesterday.  Pretty tasty, but next time I make them I'll use more pepper/spices.  They're about 100cal each, and I ate 2, so I also ate a 100 cal of greek yogurt w/ strawberry to get to the 300cal breakfast.

So far, so good!

[BlamedCat]

Well, yesterday and today have gone well.  I've gotten in my workouts and breakfasts and drank all my water. 

Did the 1st push-up workout yesterday.  I didn't get the total in - could only do 1 in the 2nd set and 2 in the 5th - which left me 2 short for the day.  I don't know if I had more trouble because it was first thing in the morning and the house was chilly (cold muscles)?  I did some warm-up for my shoulders 1st, probably helped some.  Tomorrow I'll be doing the training session in the afternoon/evening, so we'll see if that makes a difference.

I tried the paleo egg muffins for breakfast yesterday.  Pretty tasty, but next time I make them I'll use more pepper/spices.  They're about 100cal each, and I ate 2, so I also ate a 100 cal of greek yogurt w/ strawberry to get to the 300cal breakfast.

So far, so good!

Sounds like you're off to a great start  Not making the set amount just means you have something to strive for and yeah, cold muscles certainly doesn't help, but it sounds like you're on the right track.  I can say that working out in the afternoon seems to work best for me (when I do it).

 

Maybe toss in some jalapenos with your egg muffins?  I did that for mine and they were delish.  Keep up the great work!

[Eboncat]

Jalapenos!  What  great idea. Thanks!

[BlamedCat]

Jalapenos!  What  great idea. Thanks!

Sure thing!  Also, if you haven't already, a bit of meat/bacon might work as well.  Just fry it up ahead of time, and crumble it into the unbaked mixture along with your slice of jalepeno and there you go, you've got a few more flavors to work with

[Eboncat]

Thanks!  I used chicken this last time, but bacon would be more breakfasty (is that a word?) and be yummier.

[BlamedCat]

Thanks!  I used chicken this last time, but bacon would be more breakfasty (is that a word?) and be yummier.

Yes, breakfasty is an official word of breakfast connoisseurs... I'm sure it's right up there with second breakfast and Elevensies  And yes, much yummier, let me know how it does for you

[Eboncat]

Yay!  I was able to do all my push-ups today.  Woo Hoo!! 

[BlamedCat]

Yay!  I was able to do all my push-ups today.  Woo Hoo!! 

Congrats!!!

[AquaNat]

Nice one, go you!

[Eboncat]

Week summary:  I hit all my goals. Wheee!  And I did extra pushups for my last training sets yesterday.  For cleaning, I did the easiest room - the guest bath.  In my defense, my parents are coming to visit this week, and that's the bathroom they'll be using.  I also did the hallway next to it.

My husband has convinced me to try the Insanity Fit Test for my workout tomorrow morning.  Wish me luck!

[AquaNat]

Eeep, I tried their fit test a few years back and seriously, I could do it on its own as a decent work out! Congrats for an ace first week, keep it up!

[BlamedCat]

That's a great start and a good summary for the first week.  Now that's behind you and WEEK 2 is before you, rock it!  And good luck with the inanity fit test.

[Eboncat]

Eeep, I tried their fit test a few years back and seriously, I could do it on its own as a decent work out! Congrats for an ace first week, keep it up!

Yes, I asked if they had any workouts that were 20 - 30 min for before work and he said this would be short and burn tons of calories.  I'm off to do it.  I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[BlamedCat]

*pokes you with a stick*  did you die?  *worries about insanity warm up death rates* >_>

[Eboncat]

*pokes you with a stick*  did you die?  *worries about insanity warm up death rates* >_>

   Sorry about that.  I had work, and then my son's birthday dinner.  I have survived.  It was intense, but I pretty much kept up with the slower guy (although I don't think my form was great).  I am encouraged that I didn't collapse in a heap!  I'm not sure I'll use it as a workout in the future, I'd rather run for 30 minutes for a short cardio workout.

[BlamedCat]

   Sorry about that.  I had work, and then my son's birthday dinner.  I have survived.  It was intense, but I pretty much kept up with the slower guy (although I don't think my form was great).  I am encouraged that I didn't collapse in a heap!  I'm not sure I'll use it as a workout in the future, I'd rather run for 30 minutes for a short cardio workout.

Oh good good.  Work is important and your son's b-day dinner is absolutely important  I'm glad you survived and didn't hurt yourself AND didn't turn into "the Blob" afterward, kudos for the effort and the conquering (even if form wasn't perfect). <hi5>

[CB3]

You sound so very motivated to rock this challenge! Keep it up!

 

And the Insanity work out gets easier when you do it more often. Yes, it sounds like poking yourself with a red hot poker would be more fun but the workout will get easier and your form will improve the more you torture yourself with it.

 

You made a post on another member's post how you don't think that building muscle is improving your metabolism. I thought you might like to know that every pound of muscle you put on burns an extra 50 calories a day with you even thinking about it. So if you replace 10 pounds of fat with 10 pounds of muscle you will burn roughly an extra 500 calories a day just by being! How's that for boosting your metabolism?!?!?!

 

Keep rocking them goals!!

[Eboncat]

You sound so very motivated to rock this challenge! Keep it up!

 

And the Insanity work out gets easier when you do it more often. Yes, it sounds like poking yourself with a red hot poker would be more fun but the workout will get easier and your form will improve the more you torture yourself with it.

 

You made a post on another member's post how you don't think that building muscle is improving your metabolism. I thought you might like to know that every pound of muscle you put on burns an extra 50 calories a day with you even thinking about it. So if you replace 10 pounds of fat with 10 pounds of muscle you will burn roughly an extra 500 calories a day just by being! How's that for boosting your metabolism?!?!?!

 

Keep rocking them goals!!

Thanks for the encouragement!  I'm starting to notice some more muscle definition now and am hoping that will translate to my body fat % improving.  I'm still thinking about doing Insanity for my next challenge after I finish the program I'm doing now.

[AquaNat]

Hey, glad you're starting to see the results of those push ups! I think I need to shift some of my body fat before I'll see and real definition.

 

How's your cardio going?

[CB3]

I like to challenge myself with push-ups, though I can't do many regular (25 or so) I love the definition I see in my arms too and in my shoulders. 

 

Good luck on the Insanity! I don't have the full program at home and have thought about it. I am fairly busy with my own form of lifting torture (I totally enjoy it though  ) and maybe I'll get bored and try it.  Who knows?!?!

 

Keep working at it!

[Eboncat]

CB3 - I hope I can get to 25 or so regular pushups by the end of this 6 weeks.  That's what the program I'm using says I should be able to do if I can keep up with it.

 

AquaNat - Cardio is going ok.  I have been running on the treadmill for 30-40 minutes twice a week.  But my parents are visiting and the guest room is also the treadmill room, so I'm having to find other options to get my cardio in.  It's been kind of fun trying out some different things.  My body fat is concentrated around my hips and thighs, so no definition there yet.  I still have some fat to get rid of and some muscle to build.