Kain's (How to train your Dragoon) challenge

[Kain]

Intro:

This is my first challenge. I have been "leveling up" officially since April 4th 2011 where I weighed in at a massive 247lbs. I have been kicking some serious butt and now sit at 212lbs. I plan to become as fit as possible and Dragoon Warriors are strong, can jump great heights, and are very fast so it works out perfect that my nickname was already Kain.

Starting weight: 212lbs

Height: 5'11"

Fastest mile: 7:56

The Blueprint

Fitness:

Run a 7:30 mile

Continue with Insanity workouts and complete the "Fit Test" with greater scores

Drop below the 200lb mark

Win Biggest Loser challenge at work and donate money to Japan - Complete 06-27-11

Finish a 5k with my Vibram Five Fingers - Complete 06-28-11

Diet

Mostly Paleo, not interested in counting calories

Drink only once a week, if at all

No grain at all

More fresh fruit/veggies

Level Up

Return to Mt. Hebo and get to the top (was restricted due to snowfall April 30th) - Complete 06-04-11

Work on budget - Save approx $200/month

Beat FF4 without sacrificing workout time or sleep

[Kain]

Starting photo. The good thing about starting out much heavier is I am not AS ashamed to post this up since I am proud of where I am and plan to keep looking better. A severe lack of sunshine has also hindered my ability to get a little darker. Such is life.

[Kain]

First results from Insanity Fit Test. You have a minute to do each exercise

Switch Kicks - 100

Power Jacks - 40

Power Knees - 79

Power Jumps - 30

Globe Jumps - 6

Suicide Jumps - 13

Pushup Jacks - 24

Low-Plank Obliques - 32

[spezzy]

hey, great job so far with the weightloss!

insanity... thats a program similar to p90x, right?

[Kain]

hey, great job so far with the weightloss!

insanity... thats a program similar to p90x, right?

Sort of...a co-worker just gave me the video files so I loaded them to my ps3 and have been going through a couple of them. Seems like lots of cardio/plyometrics/etc. I did the Plyometric Cardio Circuit training which is like a 40minute video and think I soaked my wood floor with sweat. It is killer and most of the people in the video took breaks at different points too.

And, thanks for the compliment!

[Kain]

Just bought a NF shirt. Hopefully that will increase my abilities...or at least I can look good while recovering.

[Kain]

Day 1 Progress.

Ate great throughout the day.

Completed the Insanity - Cardio Power & Resistance (39minutes)

Ran 1.21 Miles in 10:42 (VFF's)

And in a few minutes after interneting, going to log some time on FFIV

[Kain]

Day 2

Ate great today

Completed Insanity - Cardio Recovery (32:56)

Going to give my legs a break tonight

Playing FFIV later

[Kain]

Day 3

Mhmm, Continued to eat well. Think I need more protein for lunch. Had two bananas with Almond Butter. Almond butter is very think, so the portion of almond to banana has to be just right. We get it at the store by pressing a button that crushed them.

Completed Insanity - Pure Cardio (38:15)

Ran 1.37 Miles in 12:28 (VFF's)

No FFIV tonight, going to get some sleep.

And saturday is my return to Mt. Hebo, so hopefully I will check that off the list a.s.a.p.

[Kuni]

I love the name of your challenge bro, very clever! You are shedding pounds faster than a dealer who just got his door kicked down.

Edit: I have that exact same play kitchen for my kids, probably not uncommon or particularly coincidental at all but I thought I'd mention it anyway

[Alethea]

Dude, you had me at the thread name. That's the earliest game I remember playing as a kid, and Kain remains one of my favorite FF characters. Just did a run through a while back, and somehow managed to skip the summoner's cave entirely. Next thing I know there's a giant mech ending the word. Arg. Where're you at?

2 bananas and almond butter for lunch? That sounds DELICIOUS (have you tried apple and almond butter? Also to die for), but doesn't sound very satisfying for the long haul between lunch and dinner. If it were me, I'd just bring a hunk of chicken or something to snack on first, but I'm weird like that. something higher protein, lower fat, since the almond butter is a good fat.

[Kain]

I love the name of your challenge bro, very clever! You are shedding pounds faster than a dealer who just got his door kicked down.

Edit: I have that exact same play kitchen for my kids, probably not uncommon or particularly coincidental at all but I thought I'd mention it anyway

Thanks bro. The kitchen mostly just sits there, except on occasion. My kids rarely play with their toys with any consistency for whatever reason. Makes me wish I didn't spend hundreds of dollars on toys for them, but oh well. They enjoyed it and that one was from "Santa". Note to self, when trying to play Santa, assemble before Christmas Eve. It took forever to assemble that damn Kitchen.

Dude, you had me at the thread name. That's the earliest game I remember playing as a kid, and Kain remains one of my favorite FF characters. Just did a run through a while back, and somehow managed to skip the summoner's cave entirely. Next thing I know there's a giant mech ending the word. Arg. Where're you at?

2 bananas and almond butter for lunch? That sounds DELICIOUS (have you tried apple and almond butter? Also to die for), but doesn't sound very satisfying for the long haul between lunch and dinner. If it were me, I'd just bring a hunk of chicken or something to snack on first, but I'm weird like that. something higher protein, lower fat, since the almond butter is a good fat.

Thanks! I am actually about to head over to the summoners cave. I didn't get to play last night but will continue on my journey tonight.

Actually, I also had Beef Jerky with my lunch, but since the banana/almond butter was a newer thing for me I figured I would post it. I keep meaning to cook up chicken for my weekly lunches but sometimes I just fail to do so. I haven't tried apple with almond butter, but I don't like apples as much.

[Kain]

Day 4

Insanity - Plyometric Cardio Circuit (41:43) whew, last one til Monday

I think I am using tonight as my "one" drinking night a week.

Tomorrow I go hiking at Mt. Hebo!

[Kain]

Day 5

My Hike to Hebo.

10.6 Miles. 5 hours.

Here are some pictures.

Me, glad I opted for shorts instead of pants, it was hot!

A clearing near the top.

We saw some elk in this thick forest part near the bottom. Reminded me of Princess Mononoke

We ran into some snow at the top. The dog's name is Sadie, she is my friends dog

Part of our view from the top. That darker color is the ocean! We could see the curve of the earth from there.

I wasn't aware that my friend had took this picture. It worked out though

[Kain]

Day 6 (Sunday)

Didn't work out at all, which made me feel lazy, but it was my "off" day. I actually tried on and bought a MEDIUM size work shirt. I couldn't believe it. I am not sure if it was just the manufacturer or what, but I have been an XL forever it seems like. I had to buy it just because it fit. Also bought some shorts, getting in shape only has one downside...new clothes. lol

Finished the night with some Final Fantasy IV

[Kain]

Day 7

Did my Insanity: Pure Cardio workout. (38:17)

Didn't Run or Play FFIV tonight. Had a late start because we went shopping. So I have been doing laundry and uploading photos from this weekend all night

Got a really cool t-shirt in the mail...will have to pose with it tomorrow

[prefect42]

Wow, those pictures are amazing. Definitely worth the hike, regardless of the workout. I'll probably be in Portland later this fall for work, so I wonder if I could somehow work that in somehow. I'm not a huge hiker, but I think I would definitely undergo a 5 hour hike for that.

This is arguably lowest on your list of goals, but I have to ask: where are you in FFIV right now? Favorite characters?

[Alethea]

that hike looks gorgeous. Congrats at the shirt size! That's awesome! buying new clothes is obnoxious, but it's the perfect time to stock up on awesome tshirts you find online *coughNFtshirtcough*

[Kain]

Wow, those pictures are amazing. Definitely worth the hike, regardless of the workout. I'll probably be in Portland later this fall for work, so I wonder if I could somehow work that in somehow. I'm not a huge hiker, but I think I would definitely undergo a 5 hour hike for that.

This is arguably lowest on your list of goals, but I have to ask: where are you in FFIV right now? Favorite characters?

The good news, is that you can get that view in about 2.5 hours...lol. It is a ways drive from Portland, and if you have to use a "tourist" card, I would recommend Multnomah Falls instead. I am inside of the Summoner's Cave. It actually is a big goal because I am not letting it interfere with family time, workout time, or sleep. I tried to beat it last year but ran out of steam (random battles are so aggravating nowadays). Thus far my favorite characters are Kain. I haven't really fallen in love with the other characters like I did with almost every other FF. Such is life though. Rosa's not so bad, and I always love Cid.

that hike looks gorgeous. Congrats at the shirt size! That's awesome! buying new clothes is obnoxious, but it's the perfect time to stock up on awesome tshirts you find online *coughNFtshirtcough*

I got my NF Shirt yesterday in the mail and it is in the dryer. Expect a picture later!

[prefect42]

Good to know...thanks for the tip. If it's okay, I will definitely hit you up later in the year for more information. Probably won't get out to OR until September or October.

Hmm, the Summoner's Cave in the Underworld? Don't forget to cast Float!

**SPOILER ALERT?**My favorite character in FFIV has got to be Rydia. When she saves your ass from Golbez and shows up all grown up (maybe sexiest 16 bit sprite ever?), it's just pure win. The first time I played the game, I was totally bowled over at that moment--really did not see it coming.**END SPOILERS, if we really need spoiler alerts for a 20 year old game**

That being said, Kain is a badass. His jump command saved my ass more times than I can count.

[Kain]

I was going to say Rydia too but didn't want to sound like a creepo. Yes, she does save your ass and I have been casting Float a lot.

And ta-da, this Nerd Fitness shirt is truly the most comfortable shirt I own (as Steve promised). I opted out for an XL, and honestly it fits like a Large. I think I could have gone smaller but this thing is awesome. I also think this is the thinnest looking I have ever been in my adult life. ever.

[Kain]

I posted the above picture on facebook and have gotten tons of responses of how good I look! NerdFitness baby!

Day 8

Insanity: Plyometric Cardio Circuit - (41:43)

VFF Run: 2.16 Miles (20:49). This is probably the furthest I have run in my Vibrams. Preparing for running a 5k in them in two weeks.

And.....about to go play some FFIV after I cool down from my run.

[Kain]

Day 9

Insanity: Cardio Recovery (33:00)

So...I drank a little bit last night. Oh well, was hitting a bump in the week. I actually didn't do too bad but I know I am going to be drinking Saturday so this will blow this week too as far as the goals go.

At least it isn't EVERY night.

[jmbrunson]

Come On Let's Go!

How are you liking insanity? I liked it alright and I would've gotten a lot better results from it if I had changed my eating habits when I did it. I thought about giving it another go, with my primal eating. But it will certainly drench your floor with sweat!

[Kain]

It is great so far. It is one of the few workouts that leaves me just about empty on energy. I truly feel like I have worked out after getting done with some of the sessions.

It does drench the floor with sweat which kind of sucks because we have laminate/wood floors. So basically I have a towel for wiping myself and the floor with. haha