Darwin Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 The young man donned his cloak, patterned with holy sigils and bright swirls of colour. Taking a deep breath, he set off into the wilds... 1) Mental Discipline: Ten minutes a day of meditation - my practice has been way off lately so it’ll be good to get back into the groove Allocation: WIS 3Grading: 100% - A, 90% - B, 80% - C, 70% - DExceptions - none2) Posture Brings Control: Hamstring stretches! I have really tight hamstrings, partly cos I’m tall and partly because of cycling, and it’s stopping me from keeping a straight back when meditating or doing deep squats. By the end of this six weeks I want to be able to sit upright with a straight back, with my legs outstretched in front of me, like a normal human being So for this I’m going to be doing at least two sets a day of hamstring stretchesAllocation: DEX 3Grading: Success, plus 90% of days - A, 90% of days - B, 80% - C, 70% - DExceptions - time off allowed if I pull something, I guess3) Strong in Mind and Body: Strength training three times a week. No excuses! I’ve been in rural Nepal for a few weeks with no gym, but have been doing a reasonable job of keeping up with bodyweight strength exercises. Looking forward to having barbells to lift back home though! So this challenge has three parts:- write out a lifting schedule (something approximately like 5x5 or similar)- go to the gym three times a week- each session, complete all the lifts I’d planned to Allocation: STR 4Grading: 100% of sessions - A, 90% - B, 80% - C, 70% - D. Only sessions in which all sets have been completed countExceptions: alternative exercises can be brought in if the gym is closed, or the barbells are being hogged by a rugby team!4) Buff the Squad! Post daily in the forums including at least one post on the squad thread, one in a thread in the Druid’s forum and one on my challenge thread. Offer support and encouragement Allocation: CHR 3Grading: 100% - A, 95% - B, 90% - C, 85% - DExceptions - if there is no Internet! I may not be able to post this Friday as I’ll be flying back to Blighty Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Wandern Posted April 14, 2013 Report Share Posted April 14, 2013 Nice set of goals - but I'm more interested in the "rural Nepal" bit - what took you out that way, and how did you like it? WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Hi LuckyMe - Im a med student and have been on elective there, which was pretty awesome. Stunningly brautiful country, and the people are as friendly and generous a lot, on the whole, as you could hope to meet. Also, Nepali tea and momos are made of win Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Sunmage Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Welcome here! How tall are you? Im 2meter something and my hamstrings are sooo tight right now...Lookup Agile 8 from De Franco. And Foam rolling if you did not try it yet! Pain pure, but really helps.I need to do that again, too! Fate whispers to the warrior: "You cannot withstand the storm." The warrior whispers back: "I am the storm." Link to comment
I am Eve Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Hi LuckyMe - Im a med student and have been on elective there, which was pretty awesome. Stunningly brautiful country, and the people are as friendly and generous a lot, on the whole, as you could hope to meet. Also, Nepali tea and momos are made of win Medical student, elective;IFMSA? I have chosen to believe in myself. Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Hi again! Thanks Sunmage, I'll check that out. I'm 6 foot 2, so about 188cm or thereabouts. Sorry Evenewbie, I don't understand - what is IFMSA? Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 So, status report: Two days in...Up to date on all goals except posting here - I posted twice the first day, but not on this thread. Giving myself a free pass on that one though since it was the first day! Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
I am Eve Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Hi again! Thanks Sunmage, I'll check that out. I'm 6 foot 2, so about 188cm or thereabouts. Sorry Evenewbie, I don't understand - what is IFMSA? Hi again , and welcome here. It's a med students' organization. I have chosen to believe in myself. Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Welcome to the Druids! Nepal sounds like it was an awesome experience. The quote in your signature made me smile, specially when I read that you are a med student! If you feel up to it, do join our Druid mini-challenges, the current one should be right up your alley... since you are doing strength training and also visiting the forum regularly. Its a lot of fun:http://nerdfitnessrebellion.com/index.php?/topic/27575-mini-challenge-around-nf-in-40-days-strong-like-a-warrior/ Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Woop! Yeah, that mini-challenge is ON - just finished reading Practical Programming for Strength Training, so I'm putting that into practice by writing up a lifting program (I've been using bodyweight exercises from Convict Conditioning and r/bodyweightfitness whilst away). Oh, ok Evenewbie - is it a US one then? Status report... Strength training - workouts going as scheduled, although today's was a bit half-hearted to be honest/Meditation is 4 by 4 - I've been trying out using a prayer bowl, which was an interesting change, though I think I'll stick to zazen for the most part.Posting here - I missed out yesterday (I forgot...) but hey, back today!Stretching - only one session yesterday, rather than two, but otherwise on track. Man does it hurt though. Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Oh, and yeah, Chanda, I love that quote Granny is kinda channeling Voltaire there - "The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient whilst nature effects a cure"! Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Wise woman your granny! Of course some real medicine is needed on occasion too! Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Update time! I've had a couple of days off (day of 22hours of travelling, then day of horrific jet lag) but that's ok, I think. So today, for your entertainment ladeesaaandgennelmen... A lifting program. Three days a week: For each, three warm up sets plus three work sets at 5RM - bench press - squats - deadlifts - dumbbell shoulder press ...aaaaaand that's it! For the Strong Like a Warrior subchallenge, I'm reading this: http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Gravity-Systematic-Gymnastics-Bodyweight/dp/1467933120 - I have in mind doing a body weight routine for strength a couple of 6 week challenges down the line because handstand press ups and one handed press ups and the like are MADE OF AWESOME Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Chanda Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Traveling and jet-lag suck. Glad you are back on top of things! Can't comment on the lifting program as I am by no means in the know there. But it sounds like a very Warrior thing to do! That book looks awesome. I've come across it in my searches for body weight books. Do share what you think of it. Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
Darwin Posted April 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Thanks Chanda. Yeah, it's good so far - very readable and goes into enough depth about physiology in the early parts to give me a better idea about what's going on when I do resistance training - like why, say, overhead presses, overhead dumbbell presses and handstand presses can be dramatically different in terms of difficulty with the same weights, and why different rep ranges are are useful for different things. Yesterday was a bit of a fail - no meditation, one set of stretches, no time on the forum and the lifting session I'd planned didn't happen. So today it's time to get back up again! One set of stretches down so far. Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
ScurvySpider Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Good solid set of goals & I like the separation of outcome (sitting up straight) from effort (2 stretches a day) + allowing for exceptions Level 3 Fox DruidSTR +4 / DEX +5 / STA +3 / CON +2 / WIS +7 / CHA +2"If you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon." (G. Lightfoot) Link to comment
Darwin Posted May 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 Man it's been a while! Posting to the forums has kinda gone out of the window lately...Status update:- stretching has been happening at least once most days and I have started to see an improvement in flexibility, which is encouraging- meditation not so much; sometimes it happens, mostly not.- on a more positive note, workouts are going as planned - here's my current stats:Deadlift 87.5kgSquat 47.5kgOverhead dumbbell press 16kgDumbbell bench press 24kgImproving every workout, too, which makes sense - before I started this I'd lost 7kg in 6 weeks, and a lot of strength, so I'm starting from kinda a low baseline.So here's to getting back on track! Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Wandern Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 Sounds like your challenge is going very well! I'm of the opinion that if you can see improvement, you're winning! And if you're out level-upping yourself, you can't be expected to spend too much time on the forums. WandernWood Elf DruidLevel 10STR 15 | DEX 19 | STA 18 | CON 16 | WIS 22 | CHA 20Current Challenge: Focuses on Fitness Old Challenges 11, 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
Darwin Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Hey, thanks LuckyMe I am seeing progress, which feels great - last workout deadlifts were up to 90kg, squats to 50kg and dumbbell press to 17kg. Woop! I've also put back on almost half the weight I lost whilst in Nepal Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Darwin Posted May 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 ...I'm basically turning into a Warrior , by the looks of it... Lifts up to: - Dumbell press 17kg - Deadlift 100kg, but form needs work - Bench press 55kg - Squat 57.5kg Body weight about 77kg. Time to go eat, raaaawr! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Darwin Posted May 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 So... Barbell press 40kg Squat 60kg Deadlift 105kg Bench press 55kg I am a very happy bunny Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Level 2 Wild Elf Warrior[*]Strength (STR) - 8[*]Dexterity (DEX) - 2[*]Stamina (STA) - 2[*]Constitution (CON) - 3 [*]Wisdom (WIS) - 2[*]Charisma (CHA) - 2 “I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people'll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.†Link to comment
Random Forum Guy Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Woo! I can barely squat my own body weight so good on you! Cave Dweller Druid, Level 4STR: 5 | DEX: 5 | STA: 9 | CON: 10 | WIS: 6 | CHA: 8 Start:1/2/1/3/6/2 Link to comment
Random Forum Guy Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 By the way, what are you doing to stretch your hamstrings? I've got the same problem and really need to work on flexibility there. Cave Dweller Druid, Level 4STR: 5 | DEX: 5 | STA: 9 | CON: 10 | WIS: 6 | CHA: 8 Start:1/2/1/3/6/2 Link to comment
Chanda Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Darwin! How did you go? Managing to sit with your back straight and your legs stretched out in front of you? Lusitanian Druid, Level 9STR: 13 | DEX: 15 | STA: 17 | CON: 22 | WIS: 25 | CHA: 25“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.†- AristotleCurrent Challenge: Living the Good Life II Past: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Goal: 1001 Steps on the Road to a Home -> 18/348 in 2015 5.27%5.27% Goal: loose 9KG in 2015 -> 1.5KG lost 16.67%16.67% Link to comment
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