Eboncat's Quest to Eat More and Get Stronger

[Eboncat]

My Motivation:

 

It says: To be healthy and strong, so I am a good example for my son, and so I am around to watch him grow up and be here for him for as long as possible.

 

My Main Quest:  To get stronger.  I have been stuck at the same weights for all my lifts for the last several weeks.  I think I know what the main problem is, but it's going to take smashing a large mental block to get through it. 

 

Some background/what the mental block is from:  3 years ago I was a lazy sloth (still am, really).  I wasn't severely overweight, but I was headed in that direction, and flabby.  I don't know exactly what triggered my desire to change - my kid, my mom getting diagnosed with pre-diabetes...  probably a combo of things.  I wanted to lose about 20 lbs.  I started tracking what I was eating with Lose It and was appalled by how many calories I was eating - about 2300/day.  Much of it junk - chips, a whole bag of Smartfood popcorn.  I cut my calorie intake to 1200/day, and when that wasn't enough (because I rarely hit it), I cut to 960/day.  I did that for about 9 months and lost most of the weight.  No exercise at this point yet.  Then I started working out off and on (p90x mostly).  I was using 2 and 4lb weights.  I bumped my calorie intake up to 1200/day (using MyFitnessPal by this point, better food database).  I was still eating a lot of processed foods for breakfast and lunch.  Once I started on NF this last January, I started improving the quality of my food - much less processed food, cut out most grains, stopped getting the "low fat" crap.  I was lifting 10 lbs for curls and such by this point.  Up thru May of this year I was PR ing every few weeks, got up to 20lbs for a curl, started dumbbell squats and dumbbell deadlifts (I work out at home).  About 8 weeks ago, I suddenly lost about 5 more lbs.  It scared me, and I upped my calorie intake goal again, to what MFP says would gain me 1/2 lb per week (about net 1900).  I hit that about 1/2 the time.  I've got weight down and built up muscle to the point where I'm getting compliments.  But I'm not making any more strength gains. I know I need to eat a calorie surplus to build muscle.   I'm afraid to increase my net calories back to what I was eating when I was so unhappy with myself.  I am literally sitting here with what feels like stagefright as I get ready to type out my goals for this challenge, but here goes.

 

Goal 1:  Eat a net 2000 cal/day, with 125g protein at least 4 days/week for 3 weeks, then 5 days per week.  There.  There it is in black and white (ok, green and white).  And I realize I may have to adjust this upwards, this is probably too low.  But I can't right now.  This is my starting point.  I will log my food in MFP every day.  I am going to start a battlelog to track this, will be linked in my signature. Goal edited 7/31/13.

CON +2, WIS +3, STR +1

 

Goal 2:  Stay in bed to sleep at least 7 hours at least 5 nights per week.  I have a bad habit of staying up past midnight watching Netflix (Fringe is my current addiction).  Then I have to get up before 6 or 7 depending on the day for work, or to get my workout in before work.  This is not helping any aspect of my life. By "stay in bed" I mean trying to sleep, not playing with my iphone or reading.  Edited to fix wording 8/2/13.

WIS +2, CHA +1, STA +1, CON +1

 

Goal 3:  Increase lifts.  Vague, I know.  I want to increase my deadlifts, squats, benchpress and rows.  I just don't know what a reasonable increase in the the course of 6 weeks would be.  Current #'s: deadlift 40lb db x6; squats 35lb db x 6; benchpress 22.5lb db x 6; one-arm row 30 lb db x 8.  I also have been stuck on 8lbx8 for side lateral raise for months.  It's embarrasing! 

STR +1, CON +1, STA +1

 

Life Side Quest: Write in a Journal 3 days per week.  Haven't done this since high school.  I wanted to do it for the last challenge, but decided on the yardwork goal instead.  I need to reflect on my life a little more.  Doesn't have to be more than a few sentences.  WIS +1

 

Grading:  for each goal: 90% A, 80-90% B, 70-80% C,  Less than 70%, fail.  The main quest goals 1 & 2, fail either = fail challenge. Goal 3 is based on the first two - a way to gauge if they're working, so will not fail challenge by itself.  Life goal is extra, will not fail challenge by itself.

 

No power in the 'verse can stop me!  (except myself).

[BlamedCat]

Hey EC! The stalker/motivational calvary is HERE!

I really love your motivation and your goals. So cool that we are both gonna be tracking our foods. Add me as a friend on MFP please. Look for lionknight.

Now go kick some challenge butt!!

[Sulinar]

Hej Eboncat, 

 

Love the idea of putting your son's photo on your motivational message - that's a really good tactic. I'm another one that's trying to get more sleep, too (maybe we can have NF get-togethers where we go to a really comfortable hotel and all just get loads of sleep?)

 

I completely understand your fear of gaining back what you've lost - but what you've lost was fat, and what you'll be gaining is muscle. So when you see the scale go up, that's success! Make sure you take loads of pre-challenge photos of yourself with very few clothes on, though, so the dreaded scales don't drain your confidence in what you're doing.

 

Good luck with your quests!

[idealistinfire]

Huzzah for challenging goals!  I'll be honest that the fear of calories baffles me, but then, I'm still trying to lose weight.  BUT the pictures and body measuring does help when confronting the scale.  And don't listen to The Saboteur's voice - he's just evil and is trying to kill both of us, dontchya know, and his best weapon is inspiring fear.  You're not going to let a nasty, bald-headed snake undermine you this time around, are you???

[Sweet Pea]

Checking in and subbing your challenge! I hear you on the calories thing. I had one week last challenge that I ate mostly paleo, lots of quality calories, and my stomach seemed to be slimming down but it was hard to maintain. Old habits are hard to break. Best of luck to you this time around!

[Eboncat]

Hey EC! The stalker/motivational calvary is HERE!

I really love your motivation and your goals. So cool that we are both gonna be tracking our foods. Add me as a friend on MFP please. Look for lionknight.

Now go kick some challenge butt!!

Glad to see you, and I've sent you a friend request on MFP.  You can help me keep in line!

 

Hej Eboncat, 

 

Love the idea of putting your son's photo on your motivational message - that's a really good tactic. I'm another one that's trying to get more sleep, too (maybe we can have NF get-togethers where we go to a really comfortable hotel and all just get loads of sleep?)

 

I completely understand your fear of gaining back what you've lost - but what you've lost was fat, and what you'll be gaining is muscle. So when you see the scale go up, that's success! Make sure you take loads of pre-challenge photos of yourself with very few clothes on, though, so the dreaded scales don't drain your confidence in what you're doing.

 

Good luck with your quests!

I could have just had the photo of him, would have worked without the message.  He's my motivation, all by himself. 

Sleep?  What's that?

Thank you.  Logically I know that you are right, it's the emotions tied to it that are getting in the way.  I took some pics, will try to upload them later, I think.

 

Huzzah for challenging goals!  I'll be honest that the fear of calories baffles me, but then, I'm still trying to lose weight.  BUT the pictures and body measuring does help when confronting the scale.  And don't listen to The Saboteur's voice - he's just evil and is trying to kill both of us, dontchya know, and his best weapon is inspiring fear.  You're not going to let a nasty, bald-headed snake undermine you this time around, are you???

It's more I fear I'll lose the progress I've made.  I know it doesnt really make sense, since I'm working out now and eating healthy food and not junk.  I'll be keeping track of my BF% too.  As long as that doesn't skyrocket, I'll be able to cope.  NO SABOTEUR ALLOWED!!

[Eboncat]

Checking in and subbing your challenge! I hear you on the calories thing. I had one week last challenge that I ate mostly paleo, lots of quality calories, and my stomach seemed to be slimming down but it was hard to maintain. Old habits are hard to break. Best of luck to you this time around!

Thank you - glad to see you back! 

[Eboncat]

Ok, now for some starting stats: current (start last challenge/last measurement)

 

Height: 5' 8.5"  Weight: 126lbs

 

BF% 18.3 (20.1).  I get this using an Omron monitor. I record it every morning and average it across the week.  That # is the average of last Monday to yesterday.

 

Measurements(in).  The last time I recorded these was May 27th.

 

Chest: 35(32.25)

Waist: 27.5(27.5)

Hip: 37.125(37.5)

Neck: 12.125(12.5)

R.Bicep: 10(10)

R.Thigh: 20.5(19.375)

 

So, I've made some improvements the last 2 months.  That's nice to see.  Except my arms - but I really have. They are much more defined now.  No change in my waist either.  Not sure how I feel about that.

 

So,  trying to eat enough calories today I made breakfast with 4 eggs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/3 cup milk and 1/4 cup diced red onion - about 600cal.  Tasted great, but I was stuffed for 3 hours and thought I might hurl during my weight workout.  Once I got started I was fine, but egg burps are icky.  I still have 974 calories to go today.

[idealistinfire]

Egg burps are icky.  And I totally get the fear of losing progress made - that's something I'll be working on soon myself.

[Eboncat]

Yesterday was good and bad.  Good - I wrote in my journal last night, and PR'd my benchpress yesterday (25lb db  woot!).  Bad - I was 257 cal under my goal, and I only got a little over 6 hours of sleep last night.  But this is my only early morning this week, so getting 7 hours in should be easier the rest of the week.  I didn't eat anything until 10:30am yesterday, I need to start earlier to fit it all in.  I made my egg muffins last night for breakfasts, had 3 this morning with some greek yogurt.  Off to a good start, I hope.

 

p.s. I'm posting my full workout in the battle log if anyone wants to see it.

[idealistinfire]

Congrats on the PR!

[BlamedCat]

Hurray for PR's!!!  That's gonna be the first of many this challenge Under 257 isn't terrible, you gotta get in the groove, so of course there's gonna be a ramping up time. You'll get it in no time.

[PaladinAlex]

Hey Ebon, some great gols you've got this challenge. And I think you've got some great motivation too. I find things you do for someone else are much better than simply for yourself (usually), cause it's easy to let yourself down, not so much let everyone else down. The photo was a good idea too, I'm actually about to do that myself

[Rocker3722]

Dang Netflix. In my ever ongoing task to modernize my life I just got Netflix last week and it's interfering with the studying that I need to do for my final on Thursday. Good Luck!!!

[CB3]

Eboncat, you are a beauty and back!  Good thing you are not giving up regardless of your last challenge.

 

And it seems you are off to a rock'n start... weights are hard and funny things. Looks as though you hit a plateau there... you might want to do some other exercises for a bit and then go back to the usual.  Or you can reduce your weight and up the reps for a week or two that can help as well.  

 

Great going!  I'll be checking up on ya for the usual encouraging kick in the Boootay!!

[Eboncat]

Congrats on the PR!

Thanks!  I'm a little sore today.  It's all good.

 

Hurray for PR's!!!  That's gonna be the first of many this challenge Under 257 isn't terrible, you gotta get in the groove, so of course there's gonna be a ramping up time. You'll get it in no time.

Thanks.  I've been thinking about my calorie goal - I want to be there, but my stomach and food planning need to ramp up.  I'm thinking of editing my weekly goals to start at 3 days/week, then up to 4, then up to 5,  etc.  What do you think?

 

Hey Ebon, some great gols you've got this challenge. And I think you've got some great motivation too. I find things you do for someone else are much better than simply for yourself (usually), cause it's easy to let yourself down, not so much let everyone else down. The photo was a good idea too, I'm actually about to do that myself

Thank you Alex.  I do much better when someone else is depending on me, rather than just me. 

 

Dang Netflix. In my ever ongoing task to modernize my life I just got Netflix last week and it's interfering with the studying that I need to do for my final on Thursday. Good Luck!!!

I know, right?  It's a total time-suck.

 

Eboncat, you are a beauty and back!  Good thing you are not giving up regardless of your last challenge.

 

And it seems you are off to a rock'n start... weights are hard and funny things. Looks as though you hit a plateau there... you might want to do some other exercises for a bit and then go back to the usual.  Or you can reduce your weight and up the reps for a week or two that can help as well.  

 

Great going!  I'll be checking up on ya for the usual encouraging kick in the Boootay!!

I hope so, I can use all the encouragement I can get!

 

Today is going ok so far.  Still need to eat about 1000 calories, but I havent had dinner yet, and we're having steak. MMMmmmm!

[BlamedCat]

EC, I'd totally do that.  That's what I did for ramping up the no sugar and the bread thing.  It's gonna take time for you to get in the habit first all, so doing a mandatory 3, then 4, then 5, etc... will help.  You'll likely get up to more than that quickly.  However, from experience, might I suggest starting with 4 days instead of 3.  Three is too easy to cram into the weekend, which isn't bad, but doesn't promote a good mental start, ya know?

[CB3]

You are doing good!

 

I agree with Blamedcat though, starting with 4 days instead of three for your meal planning will be more beneficial. Or you could have a goal where every, say...Sunday, you plan the week for food on a calendar (so everyone can see it and you can refer back to it) and then go to the store and get what you need, so you have no reason to go to the store and skimp or overdo it.

 

I have a tendency to not eat enough and now that I work out 3+ days and work as a server all weekend, I find that I am starving, then in turn that ruins my diet and my meal planning. I think you are on the right track though, Kuddos to you!!

 

I'm going to go over and check you battle log, maybe I should post there as well and we can compare numbers!! 

[Eboncat]

EC, I'd totally do that.  That's what I did for ramping up the no sugar and the bread thing.  It's gonna take time for you to get in the habit first all, so doing a mandatory 3, then 4, then 5, etc... will help.  You'll likely get up to more than that quickly.  However, from experience, might I suggest starting with 4 days instead of 3.  Three is too easy to cram into the weekend, which isn't bad, but doesn't promote a good mental start, ya know?

 

 

You are doing good!

 

I agree with Blamedcat though, starting with 4 days instead of three for your meal planning will be more beneficial. Or you could have a goal where every, say...Sunday, you plan the week for food on a calendar (so everyone can see it and you can refer back to it) and then go to the store and get what you need, so you have no reason to go to the store and skimp or overdo it.

 

I have a tendency to not eat enough and now that I work out 3+ days and work as a server all weekend, I find that I am starving, then in turn that ruins my diet and my meal planning. I think you are on the right track though, Kuddos to you!!

 

I'm going to go over and check you battle log, maybe I should post there as well and we can compare numbers!! 

 

Good advice, guys.  Thanks.  So, I'll modify it to 4 days a week for the 1st 3 weeks, then 5 for 3 weeks.  I try to get a workout in 5 days a week, so this will match that.

 

I did get my 7 hours of sleep last night and 2000 cal in yesterday.  Barely.  And it was the 2 cups of Smartfood popcorn to put me over the top, right before bed.  Better than when I used to eat the whole bag at one sitting, I guess.  I went to bed after midnight, and woke up at 5:30.  Had to lay there and tell myself to go back to sleep to get to 7 hours (day off today).  My work schedule is a mess this week, so next weight session is Friday.

[idealistinfire]

Nice work!  Sleep is a good thing, even when interrupted

[Eboncat]

Doing well, got in 2300 calories yesterday, most of it good - hamburger bun and a few fries at dinner, but I got my protein goal for the 3rd day in a row, so I'm going to call it good.  Also got 7 hrs sleep last night and wrote in my journal.

[Sweet Pea]

Sounds like an excellent day!

[CB3]

Sounds Like you are doing great, Eboncat! Keep up the good work! 

 

I haven't sen another weight workout in your Battle log yet,(though I think you have a goal of 2 lifting sessions per week, right?" I am patiently waiting to see how it goes!! Just remember when your lifting you can hear my voice....."Go, Eboncat, Go!!"

[Eboncat]

Yep, I do two per week. Next session is tomorrow. Squats and dead lifts.

[GoodDoug]

What a great challenge. Great goals and well defined. I like your protein goal, I had one of those before. 125g is a good amount, don't feel the need to bump it up unless it really becomes too easy for you.

 

I can't wait to see how you do! Best of luck