Terrormortus' First Challenge

[terrormortus]

Alright so time to do this! My goals are as follows.

 

1. Be able to do 55 push-ups in 2-minutes

Why?: Well A) it would be pretty bad ass to be able to say that I can crank out 50 push-ups in two minutes. But in addition I need to be able to do 40+ for the Guard's Physical Fitness Test, and I aim to over achieve.

 

The Plan: Right now I already head to the gym 4 times a week and include a set of push ups as part of my warm up. On top of that I'm going to picking up my morning routine again, basically using the set of exercises I do for a warm up as the routine. So ideally I'll be doing at least 1 set of pushups a day and two some days. 

 

How is it Graded?: At the end of the challenge I'll set up one final time and see how well I do. Then I multiply the total number by 2 and there is my grade out of a possible hundred. 

 

Reward: +2 Strength +2 Stamina

 

2. Run My Walking Route

Why?: Running is important from staying in shape to avoiding zombie hordes. On top of that I am planning on being in a couple of 5ks this summer so this is a way for me to work up to them.

 

The Plan: Optimistically I hope to at least walk/jog everyday as well as do at least 2-3 cardio sessions at the gym. For the first three weeks the goal will be to move towards being able to jog the entire route, and the final three will be to being able to run it. What's going to be a big thing is saying to myself I can do it, a big part of my problem with this is the fact that I still sort of identify as a Fat Guy and this needs to stop.

 

How it is Graded: Grading will be based on one final run on my route, assuming weather permits if not I'll do it on a treadmill. The goal time will be 30 minutes (as the route is about 2.5 miles) to run the entire thing, with points taken off for every minute that I have to switch to jogging (-1), walking(-2), or stopping completely (-3). At the end of the run I'll tally the score. So total points possible will be 100. Making the run in 30 nets me 90 points, every minute above a -1 and every minute below is a +3. Then subtract any penalties for slowing and presto we have a score.

 

Reward: +3 Stamina +1 Constitution

 

3. Go to the Aikido Dojo at least Twice a Week

Why?: I just started taking it and nothing helps learn something like repetition. It's a style I've wanted to do for a while as well so I want to really put forth the effort.

 

The Plan: I already have it set up that I will be going to the dojo every Thursday at 6pm. Other then that I need to base it around my schedule, which should work as they have both and morning and evening class for adults.

 

How it is Scored: Each time I go will be equal to a +1 towards my total points. At the end of the challenge I will go over my battle log and add up points. Passing will be 12 points, but I can actually do better or make up for any emergencies that pop up as well.

 

Reward: +2 Dexterity

 

4. Keep My Damn House clean.

Why?: I did spring cleaning and I would actually like to keep my house clean. It just looks better and is less stressful on me.

 

The Plan: Basically I need to use the "Do it Now" philosophy on cleaning. Basically I just need to do things like the below and stop putting things off till it takes a week to clean my stuff out.

-Rinsing all dishes before putting them in the sink and doing the dishes every 1-2 days.

-Doing my laundry when my basket gets full as well as folding it when it comes out of the dryer before putting it away.

-Throwing away junk mail, receipts, and other trash immediately.

-Not throwing things in random places. "Every thing has a place, and everything in its place."

 

How it is Scored: On Sunday I'll grade myself on the following.

-Has the Kitchen been cleaned?

-Has the Living Room been cleaned?

-Bathroom?

-My room?

-Laundry done, folded, and put away?

-Dishes done?

And on top of that I can reward myself for any extra tasks I do. Getting rid of crap, reorganizing books, etc, etc. At the end I tally them up.

 

Reward: +2 Wisdom +3 Charisma

[Blaidd]

Welcome Terrormortus.  You've set up your goals nicely.  Do you have a starting point for your pushups? Good luck

[terrormortus]

Doh! Whelp no time like the present.

 

Currently I am a 23 year old, 232 pound, 5'8" male. Hoping to lesson that weight number if I can. Starting points for the goals are as follows.

 

Goal 1: Currently at the Gym I can run about 15 minutes on the treadmill, but that doesn't transfer very well to the real world so I can run maybe a quarter of the way right now.

 

Goal 2: Right now I can regularly do 35 push-ups before my arms start to give. I usually don't time them but I'm going to my next strength visit (I like to leave rest periods in between them).

 

Goal 3: Literally just starting Aikido as I do this challenge.

 

Goal 4: Within the past week I managed to mostly clean my house. Through out half a dumpster worth of crap, donated more, and reorganized all but one room and that's because there is a tv I need to get rid of right now.

[whiskeybrigade]

Good luck with the pushups. In the military they were always my kryptonite. Right now I'm using the site http://hundredpushups.com/ to try to increase my score. I'll let you know if it works out or not.

[AnnleaArtsy]

I am a pro at keeping my home clean. Though I am a stay at home mom sooo I guess I kind of have to be a pro at it don't I? It's kind of like keeping my house clean is my main job and building up a business is my side job. So I gotta agree having a clean home helps a lot and makes everything run smoothly.

 

The Aikido dojo sounds awesome!

[Georges]

Nice goals - I'm a bit envious about the aikido...

(Say hi to Dave H. for me and ask if they want to open a second dojo a few hours north...)

 

Do you have a numeric goal for the house-cleaning points?  36?  Or are you planning in points for the 'extra tasks'?

 

All in all, sounds like life is gonna be preeetty sweet when you get these!

[terrormortus]

I am a pro at keeping my home clean. Though I am a stay at home mom sooo I guess I kind of have to be a pro at it don't I? It's kind of like keeping my house clean is my main job and building up a business is my side job. So I gotta agree having a clean home helps a lot and makes everything run smoothly.

 

The Aikido dojo sounds awesome!

 

I don't have kids but I have noticed everything moves a whole lot smoother when everything is clean. The goal also came about because I'm now running a tabletop roleplaying game on Thursdays and I don't want the house to be a complete mess.

 

Nice goals - I'm a bit envious about the aikido...

(Say hi to Dave H. for me and ask if they want to open a second dojo a few hours north...)

 

Do you have a numeric goal for the house-cleaning points?  36?  Or are you planning in points for the 'extra tasks'?

 

All in all, sounds like life is gonna be preeetty sweet when you get these!

I'll say hi, hoping he'll recognize the name Georges. And life will be pretty sweet, I figure if I can manage the fitness goals and the cleaning goals I'll have a nice little base to work on fitness wise.

 

The total for the goal is 36 points based on the areas and things I need to clean, though I can always add new things if I want. The extra tasks are there to give me a little wiggle room if I need it and to encourage me to go above and beyond. Plus this way if there is a weird situation (say working tons of hours to help out my boss) and I don't have time to do one or two things I can make up for it.

 

Good luck with the pushups. In the military they were always my kryptonite. Right now I'm using the site http://hundredpushups.com/ to try to increase my score. I'll let you know if it works out or not.

I've heard of that and I'd be interested to hear how it goes. As of right now my plan is just keep doing them and doing them and doing them.

[terrormortus]

Just a little update even though here the challenge hasn't started yet. Love the fact that as I'm going to walk away from the dishes I turn around to do them because of the challenge.

[Number-13]

C' mon man, don't forget this article: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/02/14/three-words-that-you-need-to-tell-yourself-daily/

 

Also let me know how the whole Akido thing goes, I might want to join a dojo/gym next challenge

[Georges]

Just a little update even though here the challenge hasn't started yet. Love the fact that as I'm going to walk away from the dishes I turn around to do them because of the challenge.

I love how the challenges make me more mindful, I think about things I wouldn't otherwise bother thinking about (like consequences).

[terrormortus]

Alright so I think that I'll do a play by play on each goal then save this week's mini challenge for it's own post.

 

Goal 1: Be able to do 55 push ups in 2 minutes

This goal I feel like I made the most progress on today. Even though I only did my morning routine I still pushed myself and got my total up to 39 push-ups. I didn't time myself but I feel like it's a good idea to make sure I can actually hit 55 push-ups before worrying too much about how long it takes to get them.

 

Goal 2: Run my walking route

So far no progress to report but then again it is the first day! was running low on time today so didn't have time to do the run and get to work in time. Yes it is an excuse, but it is also a reason.

 

Goal 3: Visit the Aikido Dojo at least Twice a week.

I managed to get all my paperwrk all set to start on Thursday. In addition I'll be going on Saturday morning.

 

Goal 4: Keep My house Clean

I did laundry today and a bit of cleaning like dishes and such. Still have a few things that have built up a tad but I have kept them in check so far.

 

C' mon man, don't forget this article: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/02/14/three-words-that-you-need-to-tell-yourself-daily/

 

Also let me know how the whole Akido thing goes, I might want to join a dojo/gym next challenge

I'll keep you updated on the Aikido. Also that saying, that's going to be my first ever tattoo when I get the extra cash for it.

[terrormortus]

Mini Challenge Post!

 

Goal 1: Be able to do 55 push ups in 2 minutes

Is it sustainable?: With this question I'm not sure if it is sustainable or not. This goal is less able creating a habit and achieving a milestone so I'm not sure if the question of sustainability can really be addressed well. That said, I think that it can create a habit. Part of reaching the goal was re-instituting a workout goal I have had for a while, so perhaps it will create a habit. 

Do I have a reasonable rest built in?: In here lies the problem. The goal itself allows for as much rest as I want as it doesn't require me to workout everyday, but my way of achieving it actually planned on me having no rests at all. I think I will alter the plan a bit, not a lot but enough to not feel bad about taking a rest. 

Am I secretly tagging more then one goal at once?: Yes actually. I'm hoping to make the training a habit, which is tagging more then one goal. Still the goal itself is sound...

Is it something I am willing to stretch for?: Oh yes, I'm going to work my ass off for this one. 

 

Goal 2: Run my walking route

 

Is it sustainable?: I would think it falls into the above's category where it is a milestone but it might establish a habit.

Do I have a reasonable rest built in?: Yes, I'm leaving a few days to recover in my plans so there is definitely rest.

Am I secretly tagging more then one goal at once?: Sort of...? I'm wanting to get used to running regularly, though not really the goal. The next challenge might build off of this, but over all I think it is sound.

Is it something I am willing to stretch for?: I want this one but it will be something that I don't want to stretch for. Still I will be doing it *insert stubbornness here*

 

Goal 3: Visit the Aikido Dojo at least Twice a week.

 

Is it sustainable?: Oh hell yes, this one is all about creating a sustainable habit.

Do I have a reasonable rest built in?: Yes, I only go a few times a week so it should be perfectly fine.

Am I secretly tagging more then one goal at once?: Not really. I am learning a martial art as a result but I think that is a part of the goal itself.

Is it something I am willing to stretch for?: Yep, I'm going to have to work my schedule around a little bit, but it is definitely worth it.

 

Goal 4: Keep My house Clean

 

Is it sustainable?: Yep, it's all about getting me used to keeping my place clean.

Do I have a reasonable rest built in?: Doesn't need one. But it is a small about of work in random burst, so I should be good.

Am I secretly tagging more then one goal at once?: Not really. It's all about cleaning here.

Is it something I am willing to stretch for?: Yes.

[whiskeybrigade]

Good luck! I think my wife would dig it if I chose your 4th goal, but why should I when I have a wife? Booyah! I can be pretty brave because she's not on NerdFitness.

[Georges]

Nice First Day!

 

On goals like your running goal, I just take the busy days as recovery days - appropriate amounts of recovery makes you stronger & faster - and shuffle cardio to other days.  As long as I do the work on the days I can, it usually works out to the right amount, but it means I usually can't skip days without a reason (instead of an excuse ).  So, as long as you get out there enough times a week, don't let one missed day worry you.

 

Re: MiniChallenge - I like how you've been honest with yourself about where you're bundling more than one goal together.  As long as you know that you're doing it, it's all about making sure you don't take on too much (and a lot of people do, because they don't admit what they're doing).

 

I'll say hi, hoping he'll recognize the name Georges.

Haha... He probably doesn't know too many female Georges, but it's been a fewmany years, so if he looks confused, he might just not remember me...

[Leonine]

Looks like a super-solid first day to me! I second your thoughts on the push-up goal; go for form first above all else, speed'll come second!

[terrormortus]

Good luck! I think my wife would dig it if I chose your 4th goal, but why should I when I have a wife? Booyah! I can be pretty brave because she's not on NerdFitness.

 

Unfortunately for me I have no wife, lol.

 

Nice First Day!

 

On goals like your running goal, I just take the busy days as recovery days - appropriate amounts of recovery makes you stronger & faster - and shuffle cardio to other days.  As long as I do the work on the days I can, it usually works out to the right amount, but it means I usually can't skip days without a reason (instead of an excuse ).  So, as long as you get out there enough times a week, don't let one missed day worry you.

 

Re: MiniChallenge - I like how you've been honest with yourself about where you're bundling more than one goal together.  As long as you know that you're doing it, it's all about making sure you don't take on too much (and a lot of people do, because they don't admit what they're doing).

 

Haha... He probably doesn't know too many female Georges, but it's been a fewmany years, so if he looks confused, he might just not remember me...

 

I have noticed that recovery days do seem to help out a lot. I've literally had times when I've suddenly rocketed past what I had been doing thanks to a day or two off. So I try and not let days off bug me, besides I did a bit of cardio tonight to make up for it. 

 

And if Dave doesn't remember you I'll just have to jog his memory.

Looks like a super-solid first day to me! I second your thoughts on the push-up goal; go for form first above all else, speed'll come second!

Exactly, my first boss taught me that.

 

So update on goals.

 

Goal 1: Be able to do 55 push ups in 2 minutes

 

Did 43 push-ups as part of my warm-up, I'm liking this progress.

 

Goal 2: Run my walking route

No actual walking of the route, but I did get in a cardio day at the gym. It was more focused on interval training but the leg muscles still get strengthened regardless.

 

Goal 3: Visit the Aikido Dojo at least Twice a week.

Heard back from Sensei Small about what I need for class, which is thankfully nothing since I already filled out the waiver.

 

Goal 4: Keep My house Clean

Got all the dishes done and kept everything picked up. Thinking tomorrow if I have time I'll clean the bathroom and sweep and mop the kitchen. Also figured out three bonus cleaning things I can do. Organize comics, sort through dinnerware (mainly glasses as I have too many), and clean my car.

[terrormortus]

Took an actual walk today and managed to find out what my starting point is for goal 2. At a brisk walk (aka walking with a purpose) I cover the route in about 45 minutes. So all I have to do is reduce that by a third or die trying! (kidding)

[terrormortus]

Goal 1: Be able to do 55 push ups in 2 minutes

I am giving myself excuses for this and the below already. This will stop now. 

 

Goal 2: Run my walking route

See the above.

 

Goal 3: Visit the Aikido Dojo at least Twice a week.

First ever visit! So apparently I am very flexible which is good and the people are friendly so that is awesome. I'm getting the basics fairly well but some of the things they showed me aren't clicking quite yet.

 

Goal 4: Keep My house Clean

Been working on it steadily. Today the kitchen got cleaned and mopped. Tomorrow more will be done!

[terrormortus]

Alright so today is our first ever grading day! Granted only two of the goals actually have weekly grades, but still!

 

Alright so the first category is my Aikido goal. Unfortunately I only get one point this week. I ended up missing the exit I needed to take on Saturday, getting lost at the next one, so by the time I got back the class was half over. This was my bad, I started out let as it was and was distracted in the car. Both of these things I would like to point out can be easily remedied though.

 

Second one is keeping my house clean! Of the six total points that I could get I have gotten... five and a half! I lost a half point in my cleaning of the living room. Now granted it is clean as I've kept it picked up but I didn't have a chance, or more accurately make time, to sweep and mop the floors like I planned on doing. Good news is though that I only lost half a point and have already started two extra projects to make up for it. They don't count until completed though, so after I finish one and get supplies for the other I will actually have more points then planned. 

 

So all and all. I'm making good progress for the first week.

 

 

Goal 1: Be able to do 55 push ups in 2 minutes

Managed to crank out 45 today, though the last one was a little iffy.

 

Goal 2: Run my walking route

Ran for a full 24 minutes on the treadmill, now I just need to bring that outside.

 

Goal 3: Visit the Aikido Dojo at least Twice a week: Points so far: 1/2

 

Goal 4: Keep My house Clean: Points so far  5.5/6

[terrormortus]

Hehe, I forgot how much Zombies Run makes me push myself.

 

Did a morning jog with the first mission and I got into it after that little confusion with Runner 93. I'll admit knowing what was at stake (in the game) really made me work a hell of a lot harder. I managed to do the entire route in 32 minutes. Yeah that's right, almost hit my time goal today and feeling pretty good.

 

But on the humble side of things I do have a bit of ways to go on the running goal. I had to run/walk the entire way though I did do a lot more running than I thought I would be able to. Going to the gym after work though suffered as a result, I think that days I do the route like this need to count as cardio days otherwise I feel like I'm going to be playing with an injury.

 

Tomorrow is aikido in the morning with is nice and relaxed so I think I'll just stick with that and call it a rest day.

[WildColonialGrrl]

Looking good!

You are doing really well so far and I reckon you'll smash out week 2!

Next challenge I might need a housekeeping one like yours... I'll see how it progresses and be inspired with any luck.

[whiskeybrigade]

Awesome!

[terrormortus]

Thanks. The house keeping is actually once you get some momentum going.

 

I managed to get up at 8am and get to class at 9am! Was pretty fun, I'm going to try my luck again tomorrow morning and see what happens.

[Leonine]

Sounds like you're on a roll, man! Great job with the running, Zombies Run is pretty fun!

[terrormortus]

Sounds like you're on a roll, man! Great job with the running, Zombies Run is pretty fun!

It is awesome indeed. Kinda a bitter sweet day as I just did Mission 2 of the new season. Met some new characters... but found out who was lost. I will miss them.

 

On that note the weather this morning was dismal, so I didn't do a morning run. And of course the rest of the day during my twelve hour shift the weather is amazing, go figure. Well I said screw you to the weather and went out to run when I got home... at 10 pm. Plus side was it was a beautiful night with a nearly full moon and almost no clouds, utterly amazing time to run. 

 

And on top of that got my time down to just under 31 minutes and tackled my first hill.