Tiggs86 vs the Zombie Apocalypse

[Amandaba]

Hey all this is my 1st challenge over here with the Rangers(previous challenge was adventuring).

 

Last challenge I was preparing myself for the RUN for your lives 5k obstacle course that was conveniently a couple of days before the end of the challenge. I ended up one of the undead (not surprising as the STATS this year show only 1/3 of the people actually "survive"). But, I think I've caught the mudrun/obstacle course fever. I was able to complete the course (and needed help only on the steep, massive mud hill), but it was slow going. My Main Quest is to be able to complete the obstacles quickly (like their meant for) and to be one of the friends on the team that can make if over the obstacle and be able to turn around and help those that can't do it alone. Instead of the other way around. This goal is LONG TERM like next summer when mudrun season comes back around again, and of course in working towards it I'm hoping for some side effects (smaller dress size, healthier eating habits, more confidence). 

 

     Steps to take this challenge:

  1) Complete Dumbbell Division workout 3x per week.  2 STR 2CHA

            Previous challenge I was working on 2x per week. I plan on also using my "fitness evaluation" at my gym to have a PT tell me if I'm lifting properly, and heavy enough and maybe have a comparison eval at the end of the challenge?

 

  2) Cardio 3x per week.  2 STA  2 DEX

            Earlier this year and before the last challenge I had been sporadically following the Zombies, RUN! 5K training in order to learn how to run again. But I quit it for something a bit more structured for my Run For Your Lives obstacle course that took place, conveniently at the end of the challenge. SO, I am going to do the week's worth of Zombie's Run 5K training each week  to try to make it 5K without stopping. 

 

           This past challenge I struggled a bit with fitting in my workouts when I worked (I do 12 hour shifts either 7a-730p or 7p-730a) I'm hoping this time around I can figure out how to make it work.

 

   3) Eat the recommended amount of fruit and veggies per day. I struggle with this, especially veggies. 5 servings per day 4 CON

           Last challenge I cut out fast food, during this break I've eaten at a few different places I used to love and UGH! that stuff's gross now! Even pizza tastes nasty!

 

   Life Quest:

 Well this has nothing to do with mudruns, but I seriously need to get to work on all of my crafts! I have 2 kid quilts that need to be done by October, and 2 that need to be done by February, a Christmas stocking for the newest edition to the fam, and countless other half finished crafts that are laying around (scrapbook from semester in Mexico in 2007, half done embroidered towels, etc etc.) So for this challenge I am going to dedicate one hour, on the days I don't work, to working on these crafts. And clearing out the clutter they create in the process! I know it's not something that intimidates me but I just find other things more exciting than finishing what I started. The challenge is to finish (or at least work to finish) these things that have been started then forgotten. The I can focus on the really cool crafts (like my guy-friends Ren-fest Captain Hook-like coat or my friends vision of a Renaissance-era female Assassin's Creed costume.   3 WIS

 

My motivation?

           Run For Your Lives  has a set of adult-sized monkey bars and I made it across them! Never in my life have I been able to make it past  pesky bar #3. People were falling off all around and I kept going! It was REALLY slow and I could only do it one bar at a time (not hand over hand) and had to swing myself back and forth to get momentum enough to make it to the next bar but I MADE IT! I also was the last person on out small 3 person team with one of my flags intact, I actually still had it up until the second to last zombie horde (I was the only one still "alive" out of a group of 8-10 people who charged the zoms with me, to protect my flag) which was WAY better than I thought I'd do.  I couldn't believe that in 6wks of 2x a week strength and 3x per week running training I could go from not ever being able to do monkey bars to completing them and being able to pick up enough speed and agility to dodge and weave around that many zoms for as long as I did!  I can't wait to see what I can do next!

      

My reminders?

           Everyone got a medal (survived or infected depending on your status) and a Warrior Wear workout shirt with Run For Your Lives on it. I wear it to the gym and while I'm watching my form I see that logo and imagine myself flying through obstacles and dodging zombies, and helping my team survive the Zombie Apocalypse!

           I've also noticed that a lot of my clothes are fitting better and those that fit well before the last challenge are now bordering too big. Side Effects! YAYNESS!

 

Here's my photo Album (beware Before pics): http://nerdfitnessrebellion.com/index.php?/gallery/album/541-tiggs86journeytoawesome/

  

[WildColonialGrrl]

Your life quest makes me feel guilty for all the UFOs (UnFinished Objects) I have around the place... Still working on my goals for the new format but may join you in the Rangers (if I feel brave enough).

[laurabzz]

Nevermind my question about your training that I posted in my forum post. Yay dumbbells! 

 

Also, I did Zombie 5k thing for a couple of weeks too, it's a great app. I just didn't like running, after all

 

Welcome to the Rangers! Good luck with your chanllenge your goals are super solid.

[Amandaba]

 

Also, I did Zombie 5k thing for a couple of weeks too, it's a great app. I just didn't like running, after all

 

Welcome to the Rangers! Good luck with your chanllenge your goals are super solid.

 Thanks laurabzz!  The zombie app is awesome. It doesn't hurt that the bike trail I use to run is surrounded by forest, and the moaning of the zombies sound like they're just behind the trees. It freaks me out, and I run faster! Running was never my thing either, until I injured my knee and was laid up for 4months. It crazy how when you CAN'T do something you WANT to do it!

[bgvanbur]

I love how you have "to turn around and help those that can't do it alone." as part of the main quest.  Nice goals and good luck.

[Amandaba]

what can I say, I'm a helper...There really was a guy doing that during our heat, dressed as Goku of all things. He'd be ahead of u,s then all of a sudden behind, then we'd see him ahead of us again; trying to help his buddies along and he STILL survived the zombies!

[Taraniztika]

Love your goals!

Have you tried green smoothies to get your daily fruit and veg intake up? I've been doing that for a while and it's really helping. I get 2-3 servings of dark greens (spinach or kale) and about 3 servings of fruit in each one. If you want some simple recipes or instructions, let me know.

[Amandaba]

Love your goals!

Have you tried green smoothies to get your daily fruit and veg intake up? I've been doing that for a while and it's really helping. I get 2-3 servings of dark greens (spinach or kale) and about 3 servings of fruit in each one. If you want some simple recipes or instructions, let me know.

thanks! that would be fantastic! I was just wondering how the heck I was going to eat 5 servings today (and whenever I work) when I can't even guarantee I'll get a break.

[Amandaba]

Whelp, this morning I went for some raspberries, and they were starting to mush, blackberries-starting to mold, watermelon? musta got old over the weekend. *sigh* luckily my Honeydew was still good (why must everything spoil so dang quick?!)  Currently working on my last serving of f/v for a total of 3 servings honeydew and 2 serving of steamed broccoli, carrots, cauliflower in my soup. No workout yet, got home nearly an hour later than I usually do (due to circumstances at work). Hoping to perhaps go for a run or hit the gym after work tomorrow (I'm gonna pack my gym bag and toss in the car to be prepared)

[WildColonialGrrl]

Wow! Noticeable difference in the pictures. You are far braver than I am in putting it all put there.

I wish I had some advice for the shift work and exercise dilemma... I'm sure you will find some way that works for you, even if through much trial and error.

Blerch to the fuzzy fruit!

[SunSeeker]

Great goals!  I don't think I could do a thing if I had to work 12 hour days. How many days a week do you work?  Are they consecutive?  Good luck with working in the time to accomplish your challenge.

 

Side effects of fitness and smart eating are a wonderful thing!

 

I have FINALLY learned after many years, to allow myself only one crafting project at a time.  Good luck on making some progress on our projects. 

[CourageousKate]

SUCH great goals. I'm really fascinated by mud runs after reading about so many NFers experiences here in the forum. Yours is inspiring though! AND!

I love how you have "to turn around and help those that can't do it alone." as part of the main quest.  

^This. 

 

Good luck! Not needed, but well wished anyway  

 

(subb'd)

[Amandaba]

Well no exercise today either, got out of work late AGAIN. Guess this means perhaps runs in the morning and weights in the afternoon for a couple of days. I've so far gotten 4servings fruit and veggies in and I'm currently not hungry, at all...I may try to just eat a serving of celery or something light so I can make that goal today. I realized on the way home I may have set myself up this week. It's my hometown's "Summerfest" and I will be camping a couple of days so I don't know if I'll get my fruits and veggies in over the weekend. I'm going to try though, see what I get done. This also means I'll have to do at least one (if not two) workouts hungover...AND it  means for a couple of my days off I will not be home to work on my crafts as I will not be home... gah! 

 

Great goals!  I don't think I could do a thing if I had to work 12 hour days. How many days a week do you work?  Are they consecutive?  Good luck with working in the time to accomplish your challenge.

 

I have a set schedule. Fri Sat Sun, Wed Thurs, Mon Tues, week off, repeat (but opposite shifts Days/Nocs rotations) So long as I can get out on time during my Day shift rotation, I could probably do a workout after work (when I don't have to get home and go back the next day). Nightshift is a completely other monster. I'm pretty much part of the Walking Dead by the time I shuffle out to my car and only stay awake long enough to shower before I'm dead to the world (I remember when I first started rotating shifts- coming home hungry and exhausted, standing at the foot of my stairs being completely torn between breakfast or my bed) and I'm pretty much narcoleptic all day following a night shift. That's the one that really caused issues last challenge, because not only am I completely wiped the day after, but I have to sleep the day of- so one nightshift sucks up two days. I'll figure SOMETHING out though, hopefully before I gotta start my nights again in a couple of weeks...

[Amandaba]

alright, serving of celery down! night all!

[Taraniztika]

Freeze your fruit and veg. Seriously. That crap goes back quick, even in the fridge.

A yummy green smoothie will be about 40% green stuff to 60% fruit stuff. I usually put 2 good sized handfuls of spinach or kale into my blender with some coconut milk (from a can) or unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Blend the crap out of that. Then put in like 2 cups of fruits. Any mix will do really. Keep it in the yellows if you want a bright green smoothie. The more reds you add the more it looks like mud. Frozen bananas make them nice and creamy.

[CourageousKate]

alright, serving of celery down! night all!

NICE! Very impressive

 

Freeze your fruit and veg. Seriously. That crap goes back quick, even in the fridge.

A yummy green smoothie will be about 40% green stuff to 60% fruit stuff. I usually put 2 good sized handfuls of spinach or kale into my blender with some coconut milk (from a can) or unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Blend the crap out of that. Then put in like 2 cups of fruits. Any mix will do really. Keep it in the yellows if you want a bright green smoothie. The more reds you add the more it looks like mud. Frozen bananas make them nice and creamy.

Yeah, I'd say smoothies are a great do-able way to get in your veg during Summerfest.

 

You probably won't have time to make these with your 12 hour shifts (and they are high in natural sugar because it's dried fruit), but another easy and more affordable fruit serving conduit is homemade Lara Bars. I've done these and a batch of her TRIO Bars and both are really good/make great on-the-go meal supplements

[SunSeeker]

Your work schedule looks hard.  Good luck on finding a workout schedule that melds around your work schedule.  Have fun at Summerfest!  Stay hydrated!  Get some water in there among the adult beverages.  And most of all enjoy your friends.  

[WildColonialGrrl]

Summerfest sounds cool! Surely there will be dancing and that could count as a workout... Unless you dance more sedately than I do? Workouts definitely help the hangovers clear more quickly!

[laurabzz]

Wow, I'm impressed that you actually do work out with such a crazy schedule. I do 12 shifts sometimes and then I'm completely dead the next day.

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

I love the Zombies 5k app . This challenge has me completing it with a running workout every other day. I'll hold you to it if you do the same . I hated shift work. The best way I found to deal with it was either have an espresso in the morning and do my workout or champ it out after work. Really hard to do mentally and physically but after awhile your body will adapt. I'm also blessed with the fact I sleep like a lot, working out actually helped me sleep longer during the day.

Good luck!

[Teros]

WOO! subbed.  Good job with the monkey bars.  I'm a way off from being able to do that.  Proud of you

[Taraniztika]

I second the homemade Larabar idea. They're super easy to make (as long as you have a food processor). You could make a whole heap of them and bring them camping with you. Apples also pack well for camping.

[Amandaba]

WellI got a dumbbell workout in, though I think I tweeked my knee (my good one!). I'm not sure what happened, or if I stepped wrong afterwards, or when I was mowing the lawn.....not sure when it happened I just know at some point this evening my knee hurt and I have been gimping ever since. No cardio today (though fighting with a push mower for 45min could count right? I WAS tired and sweaty by the time I was done!). Got all my fruit and veggies in, but I'm failing at crafts 0 for 2 now. HOWEVER, I have been working on a Vodka infusion for Summerfest, that a lot of my friends have been begging me to make. And that's taken up at least 3 hrs over the last two days. So I WAS creating something...AND I've been doing hardcore housework in case I end up housing drunks (I live a block away from the street dance).

 Saturday there is a 5k to benefit a local kid who's been diagnosed with cancer and I'm hoping my knee behaves so I can go. I figure I gotta do a run Sat anyways, might as well put $20 down and help someone in the meantime (though I may look odd doing intervals...) 

Tomorrow, we'll see I think regardless of how my knee feels I'm gonna go to the gym and do my upperbody workout. Then depending on how my knee feels, possibly a run so I can try to catch up for the week! Then maybe work on crafts for a bit (now that the vodka infused and ready, and my apartment is clean) maybe see if I can get myself going and catch up on that as well? Anyways, here's to hoping I can get my act together and salvage this week!

[WildColonialGrrl]

Vodka improvement definitely involves craftsmanship!

[Amandaba]

Fruit, veggie servings in. ThanksTaraniztika for the smoothie recipe, I had a spinach, blueberry, banana, almond/coconut milk smoothie and it was pretty darn good!  Cardio AND weight lifting done (even though my legs protested the entire time). Got the charitiy 5k tomorrow I'll be walk/running with my sister and her dog, so I'll be set for cardio this week, then planning a weight training session Sunday. Did my hour worth of crafts today (and I think I'm gonna use my vodka infusion to count for the two days prior cuz dang it took a lot of time!). Got my drink on a little earlier than planned (went to do my traditional "shoot the minnow close to my birthday" thing and my BF decided he should keep the ETOH flowing) so I will be slamming some water before bed (Really don't wanna attack that 5k run/walk already hungover!) Anywho, no camping this weekend (the BF's sisters' girlfriends bailed), but I will be busy with small town celebrations. Talk to ya'll probably Sunday night or Monday!