Agent Katia vs the Sea Monster

[CourageousKate]

some amazing goals (and don't be surprised if i steal your theme in my last challenge of the year (for just before i fly out to Brazil)

 

Good luck hun xx

Do it!! My original title was going to be "AgentKatia vs. the Sea Monster, or How to get a Superhero Bikini Body in 6 Weeks" to be cheeky. But thought better of it because I didn't want to get flamed by those who missed the sarcasm

 

And thanks! You were always a motivator to me in other people's threads last challenge, so I'm looking forward to following your adventure this time around!

[CourageousKate]

YESYESYES. Kind of getting a crush on the way you think.. don't make it weird. Great start to your challenge!

Ha! Love And thanks!

 

Cake, so hard to avoid  I do have my nephew's birthday coming up on the 20th.  I guess I will be avoiding cake that day.

IT IS. You've still got time to come up with an awesome alternative treat you can be excited to have in lieu of cake. Which is exactly what I should have done. Also, I was the one who purchased the awesome cakes (my job is both very cool and kind of a problem!), so I could have made all kinds of different choices. I for one don't function well if my motivator is "withholding."

 

I love the way your daily log is set up Katia Plus I totally relate to the end goal for your challenge, that was supposed to be me this fall (but all sorts of stuff got in the way).

 

Slay those sea monsters girl!

Thanks Annabelle! I hope a monster-slaying beach vacation is in the cards for you for next year

[orcwarrior]

Other than my fat-loss goal listed above, but as implied by my motivation, my ultimate life goal is to be fit. Meaning I am strong, I run swiftly, I am flexible, I eat healthfully, and my bodyfat percentage is in a low, healthy range. 

 

I approach fitness from a survivalist perspective (though, I'd say I'm a moderate survivalist rather than hardcore). I want to be able to manage whatever situation I find myself in. Climb that tree to escape the Wargs? No problem. Run through a tangled jungle with the stolen idol to escape the angry natives? You've got it. Hand-to-hand combat on a crane suspended over a city? Done. And as a card-carrying member of the Fellowship of the Bat, I will one day be able to roll out of bed, fall straight forward, and start my pushups, Dark Knight style. 

 

I’ve stepped into the arena as a Ranger this go-around because I feel like it’s the right place to approach my diverse goals with an eye on strength and agility. 

 

Great answer to my question!  Makes sense to me.  Sounds like you're already very rangerish in your goals and your approach to fitness.  I think you're already showing lots of wisdom in setting a diverse set of goals that target your eating and include workouts that lead directly to your desired outcome, above.  Looks good - keep it up! 

 

Good luck in this challenge!  I like how you're tracking your goals very specifically and giving us the condensed update. You're inspiring me to do something similar to help myself be more accountable day-to-day.  Thanks!

[Fonzico]

Hi! Some good-looking goals you've got there, lady! I must say, I feel like we have a LOT in common - I recently managed to finally do ONE pullup (working on two consecutive now) and I have a yoga goals this round also and I just moved to the Rangers too! So maybe we can be friends

 

And I have an upcoming vacation that is serving as some serious short term motivation also. Gotta love it!

 

I also dig your philosophy - very boy scout. Be prepaaaaaaared! (<- Lion King style)

 

Good luck, and see you around!

[idealistinfire]

 

I also dig your philosophy - very boy scout. Be prepaaaaaaared! (<- Lion King style)

 

hehe, that's what I was thinking when reading this thread!   

 

Add me to the group loving your theme and motivation - I, too, want to be in shape to survive, although I tend to look at more, um, boring and realistic threats rather than zombie apocalypse.  Hence my Escape the Cave challenge to have more fun with life and become a better me.  Loving your attitude and enthusiasm so far!  It's catching

[Iamatt122]

KATIA!!!! welcome back! ia m subbing right now...and on the lookout for sea monsters flleing to the california coast away from you in Hawaii. Love the theme and love your awesome attitude. Go for it!

[CourageousKate]

Great answer to my question!  Makes sense to me.  Sounds like you're already very rangerish in your goals and your approach to fitness.  I think you're already showing lots of wisdom in setting a diverse set of goals that target your eating and include workouts that lead directly to your desired outcome, above.  Looks good - keep it up! 

 

Good luck in this challenge!  I like how you're tracking your goals very specifically and giving us the condensed update. You're inspiring me to do something similar to help myself be more accountable day-to-day.  Thanks!

 

Thanks orcwarrior! I really appreciated the question. I'd thought it through but not fully articulated it, so it was really helpful. 

 

I function much better if I can track things in a very precise way—it definitely helps me with my accountability! LOVE the spreadsheet in the Rebel Fitness Guide for that very reason. Good luck!!!!

Hi! Some good-looking goals you've got there, lady! I must say, I feel like we have a LOT in common - I recently managed to finally do ONE pullup (working on two consecutive now) and I have a yoga goals this round also and I just moved to the Rangers too! So maybe we can be friends

 

And I have an upcoming vacation that is serving as some serious short term motivation also. Gotta love it!

 

I also dig your philosophy - very boy scout. Be prepaaaaaaared! (<- Lion King style)

 

Good luck, and see you around!

Fonzico!!! TWO PULL-UPS???? In my dreams (and my future, dammit!). We should be friends Also, Lion King FTW! Definitely have ALL THE SONGS (and most of the lines) still memorized And I was a Girl Scout, like... K–12... so you aren't far off 

 

Good luck to you! I'll be checking in on you soon.

 

Add me to the group loving your theme and motivation - I, too, want to be in shape to survive, although I tend to look at more, um, boring and realistic threats rather than zombie apocalypse.  Hence my Escape the Cave challenge to have more fun with life and become a better me.  Loving your attitude and enthusiasm so far!  It's catching

Thanks!!! And right??

 

I'm loving your Escape the Cave challenge btw!!!

 

KATIA!!!! welcome back! ia m subbing right now...and on the lookout for sea monsters flleing to the california coast away from you in Hawaii. Love the theme and love your awesome attitude. Go for it!

ENTHUSIASM! I love it so much Matt!!! Thanks for having my back. I'll send the injured ones your way. You can finish them off for me.

[CourageousKate]

So. NO REFINED CARBS WEDS! YESSSS!

 

This week is... well, life, whatever. Busy. But to the point, I've got a final exam this Saturday for a certificate course I've been working on for the past 1.75 years, and I am determined to be awesome.  That means I might be a little neglectful around here for the rest of the week, but KNOW that I am not neglecting my DOING of the challenge.

 

I took last night and this morning as rest days. I was going to make this morning a yoga day, but decided the sleep would benefit me as I work on my final tonight. I still agree with my choice

 

Yesterday's report:

 

Wednesday, July 31st

 

TENTACLE SNAPPING:   No work

AQUATIC DEXTERITY:   1 / 2 weekly yoga   (Pilates 1; Yoga 0)

SIREN SONG:                      MFP: All meals tracked; Salad: Made! (1 / 3 challenge restaurant lunches)

SWAB THE DECK:             Sink Shined! (3 / 3 days)

 

Weekly tracked items (ungraded, to support Siren Song)

 

REFINED CARBS:     M: 5 servings; T: 5 servings; W: 0 servings

DRINKING DAYS:     0 / 3 

RESTAURANTS:        0 / 3

[Fonzico]

Fonzico!!! TWO PULL-UPS???? In my dreams (and my future, dammit!). We should be friends Also, Lion King FTW! Definitely have ALL THE SONGS (and most of the lines) still memorized And I was a Girl Scout, like... K–12... so you aren't far off 

Seriously, I am NOT in very good shape. I was just freaking determined to do it. It probably took 6 months or so of actually working at it... but it is so validating to be able to haul yourself up there! What I'm saying is... if I can do it, ANYONE can!

And Lion King rules. I still have my cassette tape of the sound track, because I am THAT cool.

 

Good luck with your exam! We'll be here waiting to hear all about it, and about your wildly successful, if undocumented challenge week.

[Tateman]

Very nice work.  Good luck with your certificate course.

[orcwarrior]

[mitch_dee]

And as a card-carrying member of the Fellowship of the Bat, I will one day be able to roll out of bed, fall straight forward, and start my pushups, Dark Knight style.

On that note I saw this today and the first thing I thought of was you and the FotB:

and I will refraine from any other ass signal jokes!

 

Good luck on your final!

[idealistinfire]

Good luck! And thanks - glad you're enjoying the Cave too.  Once I escape my Cave, I was planning on ending up on a jungle island.  Perhaps I'll add a sea monster or three in your honor

[Silas Randwulf]

I am SO late to everyone's threads apparently, but you've got some awesome goals set-up Kat, good luck!

 

Also, card carrying? Do we have cards? We SHOULD have cards. somebody get on that haha. FotB!

[GingaNinja]

I love coming to your thread it always makes me chuckle, glad that your goals are going super well. Well done on the refined cards and good luck on your course!

[Thorns]

I am SO late to everyone's threads apparently, but you've got some awesome goals set-up Kat, good luck!

 

Also, card carrying? Do we have cards? We SHOULD have cards. somebody get on that haha. FotB!

 

 

Didn't you get yours?

 

[Amandaba]

0_0 OMG I WANT ONE!

[Thorns]

Hehe.  I knocked that together in about 5 minutes (if that), but thanks!

[Malfurion]

Great !

Kick that sea Monster !!!

[CourageousKate]

I have so much catching up to do! But before I go in for that, UPDATE:

 

Week One Summary 

 

TENTACLE SNAPPING:   5 /5 days of pull-up work. Yay!

AQUATIC DEXTERITY:   1 / 2 weekly yoga. (Pilates 1; Yoga 0) Boo. No excuses there... that should've gotten done.

SIREN SONG:                      MFP: All meals tracked; Salads: Made! (1 / 3 challenge restaurant lunches)

SWAB THE DECK:             Sink Mostly Shined! (6 / 7 days)

 

Weekly tracked items (ungraded, to support Siren Song)

 

REFINED CARBS:     M: 5 servings; T: 5 servings; W: 0 servings; R: 2 servings; F: 2.5  servings; Sa: SO MANY; Su: 3 servings 

DRINKING DAYS:     3 / 3 (Did you celebrate IPA day??)

RESTAURANTS:        0 / 3 (Not sure how that happened, but I am a-okay with it!) 

 

Take-aways: The final threw me for a loop at the end of the week, but part of the reason I decided to start doing these challenges in the first place was to keep me honest and focused during hectic times. So, the fact that I did okay overall last week is pretty amazing to me. In the past, if I'd devolved Saturday, that meant Sunday was a free-for-all too. And maybe the next week too... etc. 

 

The yoga really should've gotten done. I prioritized (very fun) social stuff over the weekend and didn't figure out how to fit in yoga. I've spent part of this morning setting myself up for success the rest of the challenge by pre-paying and scheduling several classes in the coming weeks. 

 

Oh! And the final went okay. I don't think it was my very best work, but it got done and turned in, so I should be... good. (Fingers crossed! Sleep deprivation definitely impairs judgment.)

 

WEEK TWO

 

Monday, August 5th

 

TENTACLE SNAPPING:   5 reps at 55lbs on the pull-up machine (I didn't know what I was doing.)

AQUATIC DEXTERITY:   0 / 2 weekly yoga   (Pilates 0; Yoga 0)

SIREN SONG:                      MFP: All meals tracked; Salad: dinner instead of lunch (1 / 3 challenge restaurant lunches.)

SWAB THE DECK:             Sink Shined! (7 / 8 days)

 

Weekly tracked items (ungraded, to support Siren Song)

 

REFINED CARBS:     M: 7 servings (ack)

DRINKING DAYS:     0 / 3 

RESTAURANTS:        1 / 3  (I switched my salad lunch and non-salad dinner today)

 

I generally dropped the ball on exercise at the end of last week, but I did some serious (sweaty) housework over the weekend, as well as some walking, so that's good. This week I'm back at it with an intense gym session yesterday, which included my first-ever attempt at the assisted pull-up machine. I'm opposed to exercise machines, but I thought this might be useful to do on occasion to supplement my bar work at home. 

 

Considering how much I love doing research, my approach was surprisingly idiotic. I went for it. No idea what I was doing. Fortunately, no injury, and I've read up since then. I'll try again tomorrow and then maybe incorporate it once a week or so. 

 

Anyone have any experience with pull-up machines? Thoughts? Likes? Dislikes?

 

[CourageousKate]

Seriously, I am NOT in very good shape. I was just freaking determined to do it. It probably took 6 months or so of actually working at it... but it is so validating to be able to haul yourself up there! What I'm saying is... if I can do it, ANYONE can!

And Lion King rules. I still have my cassette tape of the sound track, because I am THAT cool.

I'm definitely impressed. How did you approach it? Like what exercises did you do, and what was your progression, if you don't mind discussing?

 

My sister and I SHARED our cassette tape, and I think she's the one who still has it. Also! Thanks for the well wishes! I'm glad it's done

 

Very nice work.  Good luck with your certificate course.

Thanks Tateman! 

 

THANKS!

 

On that note I saw this today and the first thing I thought of was you and the FotB:

HA! Mitch, that is amazing. And a what a coincidence! I sweat bat signals too!!!

 

Good luck! And thanks - glad you're enjoying the Cave too.  Once I escape my Cave, I was planning on ending up on a jungle island.  Perhaps I'll add a sea monster or three in your honor

Awesome! A jungle island sounds both challenging and fun... exactly what we're doing here, right??? Sea monsters everywhere be warned....

 

I am SO late to everyone's threads apparently, but you've got some awesome goals set-up Kat, good luck!

Whatever time you've arrived, I'm so glad you're here! Thanks Silas!!!

 

I love coming to your thread it always makes me chuckle, glad that your goals are going super well. Well done on the refined cards and good luck on your course!

Thanks Leeroy, I'm glad you get a kick out of my babble I'm checking in with you soon to give some love back!

 

Didn't you get yours?

 

Sooo.... Can you make me one??? I will print it out. I am not even joking. 

 

My fotb card is currently a post-it. 

 

 

Great !

Kick that sea Monster !!!

Thanks Blackadder! Great name

[AverageJoe]

Just got caught up on your thread, love it!  FotB?  Where do I sign up?!  I actually used to be able to drop into a push up Dark Knight style.  I also really enjoyed your explanation as to how you chose your class.  I've been trying to figure out where I'll go when I'm ready to leave the adventurers.  It's nice to have some insight into someone else's thought process on that move.  Keep up the good work.

[Fonzico]

I'm definitely impressed. How did you approach it? Like what exercises did you do, and what was your progression, if you don't mind discussing?

Not at all. But I warn you, it was an extremely unscientific process. 

 

Basically, as soon as I maxed out on dumbbell rows (didn't take long, I only have up to 10lb weights at home!) I started doing reverse chin/pull ups 2-3 times a week (with quite a few lapses). Once I got up to about 8 in a row, I started just trying to do a proper one. Because I have a pull-up bar at home, I would just make an attempt every once in a while when I would walk by, sometimes a couple times a day, sometimes a couple times a week (I kept doing the reverse ones too during this time). I got to the point that I could do it from standing (ie. arms not fully extended) with a little jump, then without the jump... and then it took months to go from that to being able to do it from hanging. That transition to bring your elbows past parallel is tough! But I can legitimately do it now. (For reference, I weigh 165lbs, and cannot do a proper push up - that's next, I suppose!)

[CourageousKate]

Just got caught up on your thread, love it!  FotB?  Where do I sign up?!  I actually used to be able to drop into a push up Dark Knight style.  I also really enjoyed your explanation as to how you chose your class.  I've been trying to figure out where I'll go when I'm ready to leave the adventurers.  It's nice to have some insight into someone else's thought process on that move.  Keep up the good work.

Hi Joe, thanks! FotB is an Accountabilibuddies group that we formed last challenge. Very impressive that you could do a Dark Knight style pushup! Someday I'll be there...

 

Not at all. But I warn you, it was an extremely unscientific process. 

 

Basically, as soon as I maxed out on dumbbell rows (didn't take long, I only have up to 10lb weights at home!) I started doing reverse chin/pull ups 2-3 times a week (with quite a few lapses). Once I got up to about 8 in a row, I started just trying to do a proper one. Because I have a pull-up bar at home, I would just make an attempt every once in a while when I would walk by, sometimes a couple times a day, sometimes a couple times a week (I kept doing the reverse ones too during this time). I got to the point that I could do it from standing (ie. arms not fully extended) with a little jump, then without the jump... and then it took months to go from that to being able to do it from hanging. That transition to bring your elbows past parallel is tough! But I can legitimately do it now. (For reference, I weigh 165lbs, and cannot do a proper push up - that's next, I suppose!)

Thanks Fonzico. I'm actually doing a similar process, so it's GREAT to hear I'm on the right track. I'm doing dumbbell rows during my regularly scheduled workouts, and I incorporate just hanging from the bar and negative pullups. I'm up to 5 negs on a good day, so maybe I'll follow your method and start really going for them after 8 (right now I kinda go for them sometimes, just to see how far I'm progressing). I've got a pull-up bar at home too, so that's good!

 

I used "10 good military-style pushups" as a goal last challenge (that's one of the reasons the Fellowship of the Bat formed ) and I was actually surprised by the progress I made in 6-weeks. I could do ONE good one at the beginning. It ended up being the "easiest" goal of challenge for me. But I think the pull-up challenge and the pushup challenge supported each other. 

[CourageousKate]

I overdid it yesterday.

 

I'd gone to the gym Monday night instead of doing my usual morning workout, kicked my own ass, and completely forgot that I would then be getting my ass kicked Pilates-style 9 hours later. On top of that, I didn't get enough sleep. I was a zombie at work yesterday. By last night I was having trouble walking normally and I fell asleep on the couch while working. Thus no sink shining and I skipped my morning workout today (I'll make it up over the weekend) to get a really lovely full night's sleep. Luxury!  

 

Tuesday, August 6th

 

TENTACLE SNAPPING:   No work

AQUATIC DEXTERITY:   1 / 2 weekly yoga   (Pilates 1; Yoga 0)

SIREN SONG:                      MFP: All meals tracked; Salad: Made (1 / 3 challenge restaurant lunches.)

SWAB THE DECK:             Sink not shined... (Sad trombone. 7 / 9 days)

 

Weekly tracked items (ungraded, to support Siren Song)

 

REFINED CARBS:     M: 7 servings (ack); T: 3 servings

DRINKING DAYS:     1 / 3 

RESTAURANTS:        1 / 3 

 

So in other news, I'm not finding tracking or making salads for lunch to be challenging. Having them as part of the challenge is keeping me honest, for sure, but I think I need to refocus my efforts. So, I'm going for it. Starting tomorrow, 6 / 7 days a week, absolutely zero refined carbs. Since I'm starting tomorrow, this week will just be 3 / 7 days at zero (plans involving carbs are happening Sunday, so I might as well set myself up for success!).