WeirdAbbott: A Week Late

[WeirdAbbott]

Alright, about a month after joining NerdFitness, I think it is about time that I start this challenge. I intended to join this round, but lost track of time and didn't realize it had already started. SO, after reading up on what to do to join a challenge...here I am! Making my goals and my own thread to keep everything together!

 

So, my goals for the next 5 weeks are:

 

1. Keep a journal of what I eat everyday and keep my daily amount of calories below 2000. [WIS +2 ] [CON +3]

I know the biggest challenge of losing weight is what you eat. Sure I can go run on the treadmill for 20 minutes and lift weights and whatnot, but it isn't going to do me any good if I was it down with four slices of pizza. "You can't out run your fork", right? So, I think if I take this small step and figure out exactly what I am eating everyday, it will help me in the long run. I have created an account on MyFitnessPal.com and I'll be using that to log all of my eating habits.

Grading: A= <2000 B= <2100 C= <2200 D= <2300 F= >2300

 

2. Run/jog for 10 minutes straight [sTA +5]

One thing that I've always wanted to be able to do is to run for long periods of time. I've never been able to do that and I would really love to. I think by doing the interval training 2-3 times a week will help me do that. I think being able to run for that long will help in a plethora of different ways.

Grading: A= 10+ minutes B= 7.5 minutes C= 5 minutes D= 2.5 minutes F= <1 minute

 

3. Do 1 Rep of the Advanced Bodyweight Exercise [sTR +4]

Again, I've already kind of started this one last week...but I did it MTW, and then haven't done it since. So, starting now, I'm going to go no matter what. I'm going to do the bodyweight beginner exercises to start...I'm able to do about two sets of that right now. I think after being able to do the beginner one on a constant basis, I'll be able to bump up to the advanced (hopefully).

Grading: A= 1 Rep of Advanced B= 5 Reps of Beginner C= 4 Reps D= 3 Reps F= 2 Reps of Beginner

 

4. Let's Go Explorin'! [WIS +1]
A little more than two months ago, I moved to a tiny studio apartment in Columbus, Ohio. I spend a lot of time online and playing video games...not a whole lot of time to visit this city here. So my goal is to go out everyday and explore Columbus, view things that I didn't see before. I'll take a picture of something everyday and post it on here to show everyone my state capitol. I think this goal will also help me be responsible with posting updates of this challenge as well as the whole picture part of this challenge.

Grading: A= Take picture and post everyday B= Post everyday, but no picture C= Take picture, but no post D= Take picture/post only a couple days a week F= This will be my only post

 

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Ok, so these are my goals. This is my first challenge, so if I am way off on my goal making or how to grade each goal, PLEASE tell me or make suggestions. It took me a day and a half to post this topic because I was looking up how other people have done it the whole time. Hopefully this goes well, even though I'm a week late to this challenge, I think I can do this (or at least most of it, ha!)

[jtj016]

Your goals are awesome.  I especially love the exploring goal.  I have lived in a small town with a fairly deep history for 2 years, and I have barely even left my house other than for work.  You might have inspired me to explore it a bit.

 

Also, welcome to The Rebellion!

[Laureleye]

I think it's much better to start late than keep putting it off till "next time".  Your goals look nice and solid. 

[WeirdAbbott]

Well, after day one, I realized what my habits are and what I need to fix.

1. According to MyFitnessPal (totally awesome site that I suggest everyone should use), I went over my calorie number by about 200. But, minus the workout I did, it was only a wee bit over. So, not so bad for my first day.

 

2. Part of my workout that I did was 15 minutes on the treadmill. I mostly walked at a pretty good pace, but I actually jogged for 2 minutes straight (walk to catch my breath) and then another minute straight. So a total of three minutes of jogging is pretty darn good, seeing as that I usually just walk the whole time.

 

3. So my entire workout was not the beginner bodyweight routine, but about half of it. I started off with the aforementioned treadmill run/jog, then I did 3 sets of (set of three numbers shows how many I did each set):

• 10 dumbbell rows (each arm with 15lb weight)
• 5, 7, 10 inclined push ups
• 7, 10, 12 dips
• 10, 11, 12 crunches

So it isn't anything incredibly major, but by the end of a half hour, I was beat!

 

4. Sadly, I didn't really have the opportunity to go exploring all that much today (no excuse). I guess the extent of it would be looking in the furniture aisle at Wal Mart with my girlfriend (to be fair...it's an aisle I've never been down, so it's kind of like exploring).

 

Not too bad for my first day...hopefully tomorrow will improve!

[jtj016]

Sounds like a good first day.  Also, I've gotten lost in the furniture aisle in Walmart.  Don't take it so lightly!

[Laureleye]

A great day 1.

[Zeuel]

I really like your exploring goal. I live in my state's capitol as well(well technically east of the capitol) and I am guilty of spending too much time online and not enough seeing the sights.

[WeirdAbbott]

Day Two:

Overall, I feel much better than I did yesterday. I woke up this morning feeling awfully sore (that's what I get for not stretching afterwards), so I made sure that I did better today.

 

1. I kept track of what I ate today, and before I worked out (I do that last everyday, after dinner), I was at 1,600 calories...400 below my goal. So that is a big A+ for this goal.

 

2. Today, my workout consisted of running and walking. I went for a half hour, switching between walking and running. Of the thirty minutes, I jogged for 9 of them in three minute increments (the other 21 was a pretty quick walk). So, for those playing the home game, I went from 1/5 running (3 of 15) yesterday to almost 1/3 (9 of 30).

 

3. I didn't do any other work out but running...so no progress was made on the 1 rep of the Advanced Bodyweight workout goal.

 

4. Today I did a bit of exploring. I drove a circle of the highways in Columbus, couldn't really stop and take interesting pictures, but I can show you the route that I took. [EDIT: I can't figure out how to upload pictures...but I promise I took a picture of the note of directions I wrote haha]

[WeirdAbbott]

Day Three:

Today was pretty good. I actually got to sleep in a little bit (which for me is 7:30 haha).

1. Today I ate around 1700 calories (300 short) after my work out. I'll count that as a point for goal number one.

2. I only walk/ran today to warm up for ten minutes...but of those ten, I ran for 5.5 of them (off and on). So in three days, I've gone from a fifth, to a third, to more than half! Let's hope I can keep that momentum going through tomorrow (my designated running day.)

3. For my workout today, I took each of the areas that the beginner body weight exercises cover, but just changed each exercise.

-Lunges: 20, 20, 22

-Overhead tricep curls: 10, 10, 12

-Hamstring dips (whatever they're called): 20, 20, 24

-Reverse dumbbell rows (each arm): 10, 10, 15

-Side planks (each side): 15 seconds, 15, 20

-Jumping jacks: 30 each set

4. I didn't really do too much exploring today (outside anyway, it was raining pretty good all day). But I did do some job searching...I think that count, right? Haha

[cracked_belle]

RE running goal: have you ever heard of Couch to 5k?  the Zombies Run crew put out a Zombies 5k that I whole-heartedly suggest.

[WeirdAbbott]

Day Número Four!

1. Today I only ate 1544 calories, and with that I realized something. My big problem when it comes to eating is that I snack a lot when I am bored...so if I keep myself busy (like I did today) I won't think so much about eating. Plus, after my workout today, I lost about 340 calories...putting me way under my goal for the day.

2. So, on Tuesday I worked out for 30 minutes (walked 21, ran 9). Today I improved it by one (walked 20, ran 10). I probably could have pushed myself a little harder, but any improvement is a step in the right direction, right?

3. Since today was running, no progress was made on goal number three.

4. For most of the day, I didn't get outside much...too much job searching. But around 4, my girlfriend and I went to her doctors appointment in a part of town I've never been to. It was actually a really nice building with a really nice grassy area...however, I didn't think to take a picture. Oh well...good day overall if you ask me.

[WeirdAbbott]

Day 5:

 

Well, today could have been a whole lot better. My girlfriend and I drove up from Columbus to Toledo for her doctors appointment, a two hour drive, only to wait in the waiting room for over two hours, finally being seen by the doctor at 5PM (when the appointment was at 3!) 1. I had only eaten breakfast at that point, so by the time I got back home, I totally smashed and went over my calorie number for the day. And because I was at home visiting my family and what not, I didn't get a chance to do any sort of working out (goal 2 or 3). And to top it all off, I was too tired at the end of the night to make my daily post (4) or go exploring, seeing as that I've made that drive from Columbus to Toledo a bunch of times, with nothing new to report.

 

Hopefully today, I can at least get one or two of my goals back in the right track.

[WeirdAbbott]

Day 6:

 

Today was a little better, (1) I ate around 1900 calories, less than my goal...but I didn't really get to work out at all (2 and 3). I mean, I was up and moving, not just sitting around all day, but no official work out. Another day of realization for me...whenever I come back home to Toledo, it's going to be really hard to find time to work out. Whenever I'm in Columbus, it's easy because I already have a routine set and there is a work out room in our apartment complex, so it's easy. I just have to find a way to do that over the next four weeks. Also, the fact that I have posted a day late (part of 4) is kind of a -1 for that goal as well. Starting tomorrow (Monday), I'll be able to get back on track.

[WeirdAbbott]

Day 7!

 

Today, I got back to Columbus and the goals got back on track!

 

1. Today I only ate around 1000 calories, half of my goal. Probably not the best amount to be eating, but I was pretty darn busy today and I didn't feel the urge to eat as much. (+1)

 

2. I changed things up today and made it a running day. The previous amount was 10 of 30 minutes running, today I ended up with 12 of 30! I think in small doses I can keep adding more and more until eventually I can start putting them together and run for longer periods of time. (+1)

 

3. Today was running, no progress made on bodyweight exercises. (0)

 

4. I spent more time in Toledo than Columbus today, not a whole lot of exploring going on...but at least I posted on the day of! (+1/2)

 

Also, I've been thinking about making Sunday (my off day) a day of stretching...maybe yoga? Does anyone have any like yoga for beginners kind of things that they would recommend? I'd greatly appreciate it!

[cracked_belle]

2. I changed things up today and made it a running day. The previous amount was 10 of 30 minutes running, today I ended up with 12 of 30! I think in small doses I can keep adding more and more until eventually I can start putting them together and run for longer periods of time. (+1)

sounds like a great plan.

[WeirdAbbott]

Day Number 8!

 

1. Today I ate around 1400 calories, way below the goal. A point for me, and maybe a bonus point for making it over 10 days without soda! (+1)

 

2. While today wasn't a running day, I ran/walked for 10 minutes to warm up. While that may not seem impressive, I kept up the momentum of the past few days by running 50% of the time. AND, all 5 of those minutes were in a row! Beating my previous record by a whole two minutes. (+1)

 

3. Today was a workout day, and it went as follows:

Ran/walked for 10 minutes

Lunges: 20, 20, 26

Planks (regular + both sides): 20 seconds, 20, 20

(Wanted to try and do pull-ups, but realized that I wasn't able to do one...maybe by the end of 4 more weeks?)

Hamstring dips: 20, 20, 22

Inclined Push-ups: 5, 7, 10

Dips: 5, 8, 10

(After the end of the workout, I finished it up with 50 jumping jacks) (+1)

 

4. Well, I posted on time today. As far exploring goes, nothing incredibly exciting. I went to a (really nice) strip mall where my girlfriend and I went to a $5 and Under store that I've never been to. It was pretty cool, and I realized it was incredibly dangerous...I could lose a lot of money in a place like that haha. (+1)

[WeirdAbbott]

Oops...a day late. Day 9 and 10!

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Day Nine!

 

1. Yesterday, I ate around 1400 calories (before workout) (+1)

 

2. It was a running day, and the momentum just keeps on going. Of the 30 minute walk/run session, I moved up from 12 minutes of running to 15 minutes and 15 seconds of running! Over 50%!! That mark might be hard to match/beat, but I'm gonna keep busting my butt do achieve this goal.

 

3. Yesterday was a running day, nothing as far as goal number 3 goes.

 

4. As you can see, I am a day late posting...no point here.

 

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Day TEN!

 

1. Today I ate around 1400 calories again (before workout). This is becoming a much easier goal than I thought it would be. I just have to keep track of everything and realize that I don't have to eat when I'm bored.

 

2. Today, I walk/ran for a 10 minute warm-up. Of the 10 minutes, I ran for 6 minutes! My record is still 5 1/2 minutes of running straight, so I'm just past halfway on goal number two!

 

3. Today was the bodyweight workout...and I wish I would have been able to push myself harder (only did two sets), but I wasn't feeling very well. I sure hope I'm not getting sick or anything. But anyway, here is what I did:

10 minute warm-up

Inclined Push-ups: 7, 10

Dips: 7, 10

Planks (regular + left + right sides): 20 seconds both times

Hamstring dips: 20, 20

Dumbell Rows: 15, 15

Lunges: 22, 22

(AND, to make up for only two sets, I went swimming in our apartments pool that opened yesterday. I did 10 laps in a 40-some foot pool...boy was I feeling out of it afterwards)

 

4. Well, I posted on time today, that's a plus. I didn't really do a lot of outdoor exploring...more like exploring in my mind. I've been in a mopey funk the past few days and I'm not really good at expressing how I feel or what is bothering me. So, I had a good long talk with my girlfriend, shed some tears, and tried to figure out how to get out of this funk. I feel a little bit better now, but I think that might be the extent of my exploring for a couple days.

[Honeybee]

I love your exploring goal!  I'm embarrassed to admit how much I don't get out of the house.  I may have to adopt a similar goal for the next 6WC (if you don't mind.)    

 

I can really relate to all of your goals!  Run/jog for 10 minutes straight is something I'd love to be able to do.  I will work on that one with you as soon as the weather improves--we went from 80F and sunny to 12 inches of snow in just six days!  

 

I'm glad you're doing well with your goals and hope you get out of your funk soon.    

[cracked_belle]

I've been in a mopey funk the past few days and I'm not really good at expressing how I feel or what is bothering me. So, I had a good long talk with my girlfriend, shed some tears, and tried to figure out how to get out of this funk. I feel a little bit better now, but I think that might be the extent of my exploring for a couple days.

<3

I have lots of Crazies, and I can't properly express them unless I write them out.  so good on you for finding a way to get that shit out. 

[WeirdAbbott]

Thanks you guys, I'm feeling a little bit better now. I just have a hard time putting thoughts together and expressing how I feel...I'm getting a little better with that, could still use some improvement though.

 

Anyway, (A day late) DAY 11!

 

1. Yesterday I ate around 1500 calories (before workout). (+1)

 

2. It was a running day, and my previous two records were (out of 30 minutes) running for 15m15s and also running for 5.5 minutes straight. Well, with this running session, my personal best are now up to running for 16 minutes and 15 seconds out of 30...and running for 6 minutes straight! And to think, at this time last week, I was only at 9 minutes total running and 3 minutes straight. Looks like I'll be able to actually hit this goal! (+1)

 

3. No progress made due to it being a running day. (0)

 

4. More job searching + more brain exploring = kind of like real exploring right? Yeah, I didn't think so either...plus I didn't post on time. Oh well... (0)

[WeirdAbbott]

Day Twelve!

 

Today (yesterday) was a pretty lazy day. No points for my last goal today.

 

1. I ate around 1,900 calories today. Short of the 2000 mark, which is good, but more than the 1400 that I've been eating the past few days. (+1)

 

2. I walk/ran for a 10 minute warmup today. I broke a record, running for six and a half minutes straight (previous was 6). (+1)

 

3. It was a bodyweight workout day, and I was only able to do 2 reps because after that, I started feeling awfully dizzy and shaky.

Walk/Run for 10 minutes

Crunches: 20, 22

Push Ups: 10, 12

Dips: 10, 12

Step Ups: 20, 20

Hamstring Dips: 20, 22

Dumbell Rows (20 lbs): 15, 15

 

4. Wasn't able to do much of anything, my girlfriend is about to have her nursing school finals and has been studying like a mad-woman for the past week...which means I couldn't even go online to job search. (0)

[WeirdAbbott]

Ouch, a day and a half behind...

 

Day 13 (Sunday):

 

Sunday was my day off. I didn't keep track of anything (even though I'm almost certain I didn't go overboard anyway). My girlfriend and I drove up to Toledo for the day for my cousins graduation party at this really nice country club (so there is my exploring goal). A well needed day of rest.

 

 

Day 14 (Monday):

 

1. Yesterday, I didn't eat a whole lot. I only ate around 1300 calories, and most of it was a big dinner I had before working out. (+1)

 

2. This weeks M/W/F will be the bodyweight exercising, so I only ran for the 10 minute warm-up. My previous record was 6.5 minutes out of 10, today I ran for 6 minutes and 45 seconds...IMPROVEMENT! (+1)

 

3. Yesterday's workout went better than the previous one. (+1)

10 minute warm-up

Dumbbell Rows: 10, 12, 12

Hamstring Dips: 20, 20, 22

Lunges: 20, 20, 22

Push Ups: 8, 10, 8

Dips: 8, 10, 8

Crunches: 10, 12, 12

 

4. As you can see, I'm pretty late with the update and I didn't do much exploring yesterday either. (0)

[WeirdAbbott]

Day 15!

 

Today I took a step...backward.

 

1. I only ate around 1300 calories today. While I was below the mark for myself, it wasn't the healthiest diet today. (+1)

 

2. Here was the problem for me. Today was a running day, but my shins and knees began to hurt pretty bad (a 4-5 on a scale of 1-10). I was only able to run a total of 15 minutes, including a high of only 4 minutes straight. Pretty far from my 16 minute mark from last week. (0)

 

3. Today was a running day, nothing on this goal...although, I'm sure if I did any bodyweight exercises, I would probably feel better than I do know. (0)

 

4. This morning was interesting. I didn't have any plans, but then I had to deal with a little bedbug problem my girlfriends friend was having. So we took care of that, and then I applied for 9 different jobs. AND I posted on time today...so I'll count that as a point. (+1)

[cracked_belle]

sorry I've been MIA from your thread.

 

did you do any body weights yesterday, to make yourself feel better?

[WeirdAbbott]

I did not do any weights, I should have, but I didn't.

 

Day 16!

 

1. Yesterday I only ate around 1600 calories, below the goal...but I did eat some ice cream after my workout. Still giving myself a point for the day (+1).

 

2. I tried to make up for my lack of running the other day, so I made yesterday a running day. I started off fine, but my knees began to hurt again. So I was only able to run for 4 minutes straight and for only 9 minutes total of 30. Plus a point for completing the 30 minutes, minus a point for taking a step back (0).

 

3. No workout yesterday (0)

 

4. As you can see, I have posted a day late, and I didn't do a whole lot of anything either. (0)

 

Ouch.