Smurray coming back into the fold

[smurray]

Without going into much detail, I have fallen off the wagon over the past year and have lost all gains that I had made before.  It is time for me to get moving again and take back my health.  I have some new challenges in life before me and I need to take them one step at a time.  Here are my goals:

 

Diet goal 1:  Eat at least 3 meals a day and include fruits and vegetables in every meal.  I have fallen back in my love affair with fried food and I have got to get back on track with more fruits and veggies and less fried potatoes and meats.  BTW fried veggies will NOT count!

 

Diet goal 2: will be to lose 10 pounds.  I will weigh in at the gym today to begin my starting weight.

 

Exercise goal:  I am off of my schedule for exercising and here is a chance to get back on.  I will walk to the gym during lunch 3 times a week and work on mainly strength training.  My goal for testing is to increase my pushup limit from 38 to 50 and get one pull up.

 

Improvement goal:  I am starting my MBA in August and I have to study for my GMAT test.  I will study 3 times a week towards the test and pass it within this challenge.

 

My fifth goal is one is to exercise my creative muscles.  I need to make 1 item a week out of reclaimed materials.  I figured this would be a good way to get back into creating things and giving my brain a rest from the rest of the world.

[Jogong]

Hi Smurray!

I just started my first challenge and I'm so stoked!  I can def relate to falling off the wagon.  I made great progress a couple years ago and then backslid.  Fast food and being a couch potato, that was my undoing.  I read your goals and they sound awesome, really well balanced.  The creativity challenge really caught my eye, that sounds very fullfilling.  I know you can do this.  Cheers!

Jogong

[smurray]

Hi Smurray!

I just started my first challenge and I'm so stoked!  I can def relate to falling off the wagon.  I made great progress a couple years ago and then backslid.  Fast food and being a couch potato, that was my undoing.  I read your goals and they sound awesome, really well balanced.  The creativity challenge really caught my eye, that sounds very fullfilling.  I know you can do this.  Cheers!

Jogong

Thanks Jogong.

I will be sure to post a weekly picture of goal five no matter how nasty the thing looks.

[smurray]

Ok, I got a midday post to make sure I get some facts in:

My first pushup attempt had me stopping at 40 so I should be able to get to 50 and maintain it by the end of this challenge. I also threw in a 2mile run during lunch for the quick workout. I usually get a 5k in, but a month ago, I did a mud run and my knees were tad tender and decided to do the Elliptical for a few weeks. On the elliptical I did get a good workout, but I sure can tell the difference starting back to running today.

I checked my weight which came in at 254.5 lbs. of laziness. Hopefully I can get that 10lb goal and a couple of more to touch the 240 mark by the middle of July.

[smurray]

I am going to try the attribute system this time:

In this challenge, we have six attributes:
 Strength (STR) - physical strength
 Dexterity (DEX) - agility and speed
 Stamina (STA) - Endurance and Energy
 Constitution (CON) - ability to resist damage and disease
 Wisdom (WIS) - intuition and sense of things around himself
 Charisma (CHA) - force of personality and physical attractiveness
 
There is no list of rules as to what exercises or life goals go with specific attributes - you decide this on your own, but please make sure they make sense.

 

Goal 1 is Diet (eating) so 3 CON

Goal 2 is Diet (weight loss) so 1 CHA (you always look good losing a few) 1 STA (more energy) and 1 DEX (lighter on your feet means you move a little quicker)

Goal 3 is Exercise (strength) so 2 STR and 1 STA (increase of reps is included

Goal 4 is Study so 3 WIS

Goal 5 is Creativity so 1 WIS and 2 CHA (always helps with your personality)

 

With that in mind, %100 would be the following:

STR 2

DEX 1

STA 3

CON 3

WIS 3

CHA 3

= 15 points for challenge

 

Do you think that is a good breakdown or should I distribute differently?

 

My detailed goals for reference:

 

Diet goal 1:  Eat at least 3 meals a day and include fruits and vegetables in every meal.  I have fallen back in my love affair with fried food and I have got to get back on track with more fruits and veggies and less fried potatoes and meats.  BTW fried veggies will NOT count!

Diet goal 2: will be to lose 10 pounds.  I will weigh in at the gym today to begin my starting weight.

Exercise goal:  I am off of my schedule for exercising and here is a chance to get back on.  I will walk to the gym during lunch 3 times a week and work on mainly strength training.  My goal for testing is to increase my pushup limit from 38 to 50 and get one pull up.

Improvement goal:  I am starting my MBA in August and I have to study for my GMAT test.  I will study 3 times a week towards the test and pass it within this challenge.

My fifth goal is one is to exercise my creative muscles.  I need to make 1 item a week out of reclaimed materials.  I figured this would be a good way to get back into creating things and giving my brain a rest from the rest of the world.

[HalflingOfficeDrone]

Sounds like you are off to a great start! I love your fith goal. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[Nzyme]

Yea def want to see your progress in pics as you go along! 

[fluffyrin42]

I am going to try the attribute system this time:

 

Goal 1 is Diet (eating) so 3 CON

Goal 2 is Diet (weight loss) so 1 CHA (you always look good losing a few) 1 STA (more energy) and 1 DEX (lighter on your feet means you move a little quicker)

Goal 3 is Exercise (strength) so 2 STR and 1 STA (increase of reps is included

Goal 4 is Study so 3 WIS

Goal 5 is Creativity so 1 WIS and 2 CHA (always helps with your personality)

 

With that in mind, %100 would be the following:

STR 2

DEX 1

STA 3

CON 3

WIS 3

CHA 3

= 15 points for challenge

 

Do you think that is a good breakdown or should I distribute differently?

 

 

 

I think this sounds like a great breakdown!  Have you decided what your starting stats will be?  You get 15 points to distribute according to how you view yourself today as well... that way you can also target future goals against where you see yourself needing improvement.

 

Overall, though - great challenge goals!  Can't wait to see your projects for Goal 5!

[DrWho]

Great Goals! I took the GMAT a couple years ago so I know how difficult it can be to sit down and study for that test.  Believe me if you haven't taken the test before every second you can take to study is well worth it! I'm sure getting your work out and eating schedule back on track will help you concentrate even more for your test!

[smurray]

I think this sounds like a great breakdown!  Have you decided what your starting stats will be?  You get 15 points to distribute according to how you view yourself today as well... that way you can also target future goals against where you see yourself needing improvement.

 

Overall, though - great challenge goals!  Can't wait to see your projects for Goal 5!

I forgot about the 15 points to start with.  I will have to ponder that a bit.  Now does that mean you start at level one before your first challenge?  There are times I feel that I am at level 0, but of course moving up.

 

Great Goals! I took the GMAT a couple years ago so I know how difficult it can be to sit down and study for that test.  Believe me if you haven't taken the test before every second you can take to study is well worth it! I'm sure getting your work out and eating schedule back on track will help you concentrate even more for your test!

I started a Masters program before and had to take the GMAT.  I think I had about 6 weeks in it last time, but this was 10 years ago.  I do have an assessment test that I am going to take and I will concentrate on my weak areas.

[fluffyrin42]

I forgot about the 15 points to start with.  I will have to ponder that a bit.  Now does that mean you start at level one before your first challenge?  There are times I feel that I am at level 0, but of course moving up.

 

 

Yep!  You start at Level 1 and move up from there.  Each challenge is an opportunity to level up.  I passed on leveling last challenge because I wasn't able to really complete much, so I'm still at Level 1 even though I'm on my second challenge...  It's pretty free form so just have fun with it!

[smurray]

Time to take a few minutes to update....

 

I finally got a signature entered.

 

Goal 1 has been going well. I have been eating an apple in the morning with my tea to get the metabolism going for the day.  Lunch has been either a Subway sandwich from the fit area of course, with plenty of veggies piled high or a salad that I make in the office and since I have been studying pretty hard this week, dinner has been the same…. at the office.

 

Goal 2 won’t be updated except on a weekly basis since it is dealing weight loss.

 

Goal 3 is doing well.  I have exercised twice this week and worked on pushups both times.  Monday was my pretest with a score of 40 and today I knocked out 3 x 15 with 30 sec rests then went to failure at 9 reps.  The pull up needs a little work and the best place for me to concentrate on that is the basement at the office, we have an old school setup down there and I can work without getting in the way of others at the gym.  I have done them before down there; I just got to get back to it.  If anyone else is interested, Steve has a pretty good write up on how to do a pull up. http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/

Also, I got a 3.5 mile run put in during lunch for National Running Day.

 

Well, I digress. Now is goal 4.  I scheduled my GMAT for July 22.  The other date offered was the day after a camping trip with the family and I know that would not have been a good idea.  I have a prerequisite class I am working on right now and I have scheduled my test for it tomorrow in order to get it out of the way.  Starting Friday, it is full steam ahead on the GMAT.

 

Goal 5 is a fun, little one since I have been stuck at work so far this week.  I may have time to do another project this weekend, but with one of the nation’s largest yard sales happening in town, that may be a problem.  I found an empty Fiddle Faddle box here at the office and I have wanted to try making gift boxes.  I gave it a try and now have a great pencil box to add to the mess on my desk.  Here is the link to the instructable if anybody is interested.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Gift-Box-from-a-Cereal-Box/

 

 

   

 

 

 

[Nzyme]

Looks like your well on your way to taming your goals for this challenge. Glad to hear you've also signed up for the GMAT. Good luck studying!  

[fluffyrin42]

Great job sticking with the diet and exercise goals - I like that you have even a basic set-up at your work.  That must be nice for breaking up the day and getting in a few pull-ups now and then.

 

Also, I think the pencil box is pretty sweet.  

[smurray]

Took my Economics test today and I got a passing grade.  One out of the two pre req classes completed, now to begin the GMAT study.  I had a win with the office lunch hour.  A coworker asked me what was for lunch and I already had a salad waiting for me in the fridge which made it much easier to avoid going out to eat.  Many times my eating out is just to get away from the office. Anybody else with that challenge?  Now getting ready to head home to cheer runners on for a 5k routed by my house.  I would have signed up, but sometimes it is just as well to stand on the sideline and encourage others, plus it will be fun to hang out with the kids since I have been studying so much.

[fluffyrin42]

Took my Economics test today and I got a passing grade.  One out of the two pre req classes completed, now to begin the GMAT study.  I had a win with the office lunch hour.  A coworker asked me what was for lunch and I already had a salad waiting for me in the fridge which made it much easier to avoid going out to eat.  Many times my eating out is just to get away from the office. Anybody else with that challenge?  Now getting ready to head home to cheer runners on for a 5k routed by my house.  I would have signed up, but sometimes it is just as well to stand on the sideline and encourage others, plus it will be fun to hang out with the kids since I have been studying so much.

 

Way to go on the Econ test and lunch!  Do you have any parks or anything nearby you could walk to and bring your lunch still?  That way you still get the break you need without the extra cost (both $ and calories).  Or if it's for social reasons, maybe you could have people meet up with their take-out.

 

Also, as a race participant - thanks for going out to cheer people along!  That's easily the best part of an organized race - knowing there are people cheering you along the whole way.    Hope you had a fun time.

[DrWho]

Sounds like you're doing great! I know exactly how you feel I hate staying in the office over lunch. Would rather get away from that place. Like fluffyrin said eat outside or going on a walk could help.

[BreakingThru]

Hey smurray,

I pack my lunch most of the time just so I can leave work early and help out with family stuff.  So I can't speak for the lunch thing but what I like to do during the day, and often, is to get up and quickly walk around the building for a few minutes just to wake up.  Gets the blood flowing.  Plus, my coworkers just assume I'm on my way to another meeting or to the bathroom If my coworkers are reading this, I'm not really who you think I am.  I'm the other guy.

 

Cool thread.  Good luck next week!

[HalflingOfficeDrone]

Way to go! You're right on track with all your goals.  The fiddle faddle box is GREAT! I can't wait to see what you create next week.  

 

I third Quintly, pack your lunch, but you don't have to eat it alone at your desk.  Get in a short walk, eat outside get some vitamin D, meet colleauges for lunch in a park.... there are options. 

[smurray]

Here is a quick update:

 

Goal 1 of veggie and fruit servings = A  (a couple of meals over the weekend were on the line.  When the kids wanted McDonald's, I got a kids meal with apples instead of the larger meals with more the double the calories.)

 

Goal 2 of weight loss = A+   I am down 3.5 lbs from last Monday

 

Goal 3 of exercise of 3 time a week with strength training = A-  I made it 3 times and worked on push ups 2 days and pull ups 1 day.  Need to do more pull up exercises and motivate myself to do some training at home.

 

Goal 4  of study for GMAT = B+  I did finish the ECON class to clear the way, but did not get any GMAT studies last week.  This week is full steam ahead.

 

Goal 5 of creative muscle = A-  I whipped out a quick one with the pencil box to meet the goal, but I know I can do better than that.  I did get out to the hwy 70 yard sale to get a fair amount of junk to work with at a good price.  Expect to see some crazy stuff show up.

[Jogong]

Looks like you made the Nerd Fitness dean's list with all those As from week 1.  Way to stay focused.  Good luck with week 2!

[fluffyrin42]

Great job on week 1!  Can't wait to see what comes out of the yard sale finds.  

[DrWho]

great job!! Can't wait to what else you make! You're going to rock it this week!! Down 3 lbs already?? freaking sweet!

[BreakingThru]

Down 3.5 lbs?  Awesome!  I think I'm up 3 pounds.     And you hit all of your goals.  Great job.  Here's to week two <thumb up>!

[smurray]

SWEET TOOTH ATTACK!!!  SWEET TOOTH ATTACK!!!   Must find antidote.... thank goodness for Tic Tacs. 

 

Other than the recent attack, today went pretty well.  Hit my food goals and made it to the gym today.  I did learn that I will not get any night time studying done at the office when I have co workers working late and talking about farming. So that goal was a bust for today.