Dirty's little challenge

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

 

 

Main Quest:  Pass the Marines Physical Fitness Test with maximum scoring.

 

What does this main quest entail?

 

• Being able to do 8 pull ups
• Run 3 miles in 21 minutes (4.82 km in 21 minutes)
• Do 100 crunches in 2 minutes

I'm lucky enough that my main quest has three separate compartments that I can focus on and add on as I go. Each 6 week challenge will have me adding on another component to the one I've already mastered and hopefully in three cycles I'll have succeeded. The time limit I have to achieve this is by Januaray 1st, 2014.

 

Diet and Fitness Goals:

 

 

1. Strength and speed

STR: 2  | DEX: 1  | STA: 1

 

Right now I'm part way through doing the Zombies, Run 5k app. I'm at the point where each of the missions is challenging (the first two weeks were a bit too easy so I doubled up on the missions) so if I inculde a quick home bodyweight routine before each of the missions I'll be challenged enough and require a rest day. Consistently complete these missions, track progress for repititions on the body weight workouts and continue to progress .

 

2. Train hard, rest hard:

 STA: 1 | CON: 2 | WIS: 1

 

Huge part of training is recovery. My body will tell me how much I need to sleep (when I'm done for the day I go down hard) but I need to make sure each of my meals has adequate protein, carbs and fat to match my new training plan. Weight loss or fat reduction is not the goal right now. Make sure each of my meals has a good serving of protein, a veggie or fruit, and a good source of carbs. I'll be taking pictures of each of my meals to track this. Right now I'm not doing great on keeping to my schedule of a day on a day off for my running/bodyweight routines .

I'll say I'm allowed to walk the dog, go for bike rides to do errands or a yoga workout is fine and encouraged. Anything more than that might be hindering progress. This will be a goal that helps me listen to my body better.  

 

 

3. Complete a 5k without walking

  DEX: 1 | STA: 3

 

At the end of the Zombies 5k I should be able to run 5k consistenly without stopping. This will be awesome and huge towards getting to my goal of 3 miles in 21 minutes. After I can run 5k then I can work on dropping the speed.

 

 

Life Sidequest:

 WIS: 2 | CHA: 1

 

Visit the library-

 

I like reading and I'm broke. Visiting the library helps me get a little bit of exercise (about 30 minutes away on bike), has me reading to keep my mind sharp, and is something I really enjoy. It's also close to the farmers market that's open on Wednesdays and Saturdays so I might want to keep my questing alined with that for some local grub  . A good goal to making me a well rounded individual.

 

 

What's my motivation?

 

My mother was widowed at a young age by a drunk driver. She lost her husband who left behind a baby and a toddler, was without a job or a high school education, and had to get through this while getting multiple surgeries on her eyes and heal broken bones. She always taught us never to rely on a man, be able to take care of yourself financially and stand on your own two feet.

 

I'm a small girl (5 feet). I'm taking what my mom taught me and taking it a step further. I want to be able to run away or stand my ground and take care of myself physically.

 

I want to be motivation to my family and friends. I want my niece to be able to look up to strong female role models in real life.  I want my mom to know that health is a choice that you can take one step at a time (because of what happened to her she's prone to over-eating and poor stress management now, I want to help her with that).

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

My motivational vision board with a print out of my 6 week challenge attached to it. First thing I see when I wake up in the morning

[Thunderneath]

Awesome start to this thread. Your goals are awesome, and your motivation is super inspiring. Best of luck with the challenge, I'll definitely be following along with your progress.

Those side life quests are great too. I'm lucky to live in a town with a great library, I swear I basically grew up there. What do you plan to read?

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

Awesome start to this thread. Your goals are awesome, and your motivation is super inspiring. Best of luck with the challenge, I'll definitely be following along with your progress.

Those side life quests are great too. I'm lucky to live in a town with a great library, I swear I basically grew up there. What do you plan to read?

I'm planning to read a little bit of everything. Looking for fantasy or science fiction recommendations but I'm mostly just going to the library and picking out 3-4 fluff reads and one heavy book. That way it keeps it fun enough that I'll enjoy myself (because isn't that what free time is for?).

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

29th:

Logged 10.71 km by completing two Zombie 5k missions. Found the last mission challenging so I'll be doing one mission a day with the beginner body weight circuit (plus dips and crunches). Will be adding those the day after tomorrow since I'm wiped.

30th:

Rest day! Had a bowl of raisin spice oatmeal with pecans for breakfast. Enjoyed my day off by walking the dog, cleaning the house and going to the movies with my best friend. We watched The Wolveine and I got pumped for Anime North next year since I'm crossplaying as Wolverine. Made red kidney beans with tomato rice, cauliflower and roasted beets for dinner. That was exceptionally delicious. Had fish tacos for dinner but those left something to be desired. Didn't particularly enough the red cabbage slaw that I was supposed to stuff them with. Next time I'll make it with more familiar toppings but I'm glad I had some fish left over for breakfast tomorrow.

31st:

Work and then run! Had leftover pieces of the cod from last night mixed with brown rice and peas/cauliflower to make jook. Happy I completed my entire zombies 5k mission with 100% running during the free form run portions. This brought me to running 3 miles in 32 minutes during the first portion (there was a 5 minute walk at the start and a few walk/run intervals and some bodyweight work during). I'm really excite to have that as a benchmark to work from (shave 11 minutes off and my goals complete!). Got in from my run just before a thunderstorm started. Did one round of the body weight circuit and then hit the showers. Had some white beans in the slow cooker all day while I was at work. Smelt amazing! Served them with brown rice, pattipan zucchini thinly sliced and roasted beets. Very hearty dinner for a very hungry girl! Have a ton of leftover beans though so I'm going to repurpose half the batch as a white chili later on ( put in the freezer till the time comes) and give a container away to another friend. I was waaay to excited about the fact my meal was almost entirely locally grown with the exception of the beans and rice. I love our local farmers market and can't wait to to again on Saturday.

1st:

Rest day! Had a bowl of mixed grain porridge with dates and pecans. Going to bring some rice and beans to work so I can have a quick lunch before biking over to the library.

[fluffyrin42]

Heya!  I love the motivation for your challenge.  Those are some really impressive and aggressive goals you have!  Go get 'em!

 

(Also, your meals sound delicious!)

[Thunderneath]

Great update post, Dirty!

Zombies 5K makes me wish I still had a smartphone- it sounds like a ridiculously fun way to progress in running. Your food sounds delicious, and great work on the bodyweight routine. Are you tracking your strength/bodyweight workouts?

 

NERD CHAT

What version of Wolverine are you cosplaying as? Classic blue n' yellow, wifebeater and jeans? Patch? I'm sure it'll be cool no matter what, just curious. Also, how'd you like the movie? The part of me that rationally analyzes a movie's qualities completely shut down when ninjas showed up. It was all inner-10-year-old from there.

END NERD CHAT

 

 

How'd the library trip go? I'm not much of a fantasy/sci-fi novel reader, as I get most of that from comics, but I'd totally recommend the Dresden Files series if your library has 'em.

Great, fun fantasy that starts out like The Big Sleep meets Harry Potter, then grows into epic good-vs-evil, dimension-spanning, vampires-n'-elves'n-angels-n'-warlocks badassery. 

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

1st:

Went to the library and picked up 5 new books. Two of them are express reads so I have to bring them back in a week. Picked up a mystery book (it was wrapped in plain brown paper and the only thing you know is the genre. I chose psychological fiction). Then went for a three hour walk with my friend in a wildlife sanctuary in our city) amazing to see for the first time! Then went out with my roommate for beers, steak and pasta at our neighbourhood dive bar.

2nd:

Looked forward to working my shift then doing my groceries but ended up working a double shift. Made decent money but got out too late to go for my run. I was still feeling a bit sore from my random attempt at pull ups at the sanctuary so it was probably best I had two rest days lol. Bought a club house sandwich at work and had rice and beans plus carrots to tide me over. Probably should have ate more.

3rd:

Woke up bright and early to head down to work to let my coworkers in for my shift and give my bosses parents the morning off (usually if I'm closing the restaurant they open it). Wore my workout gear there, had a some bacon and eggs with strawberries then headed off on my run. Was two minutes slower than my last run but I'm going to attribute that to the fact I ate a little more food than I should of.

When I got home from my run and showered I headed into my room to get ready for the farmers market. My roommates puppy had found my bottle of Tylenol and ate some when we were gone. I called her at work, biked down there to relieve her so she could bring the poor boy to the vet (work at the same restaurant). He's doing fine but apparently I'm pulling another double again today so she can stay home and take care of him. Poor thing!

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

Great update post, Dirty!

Zombies 5K makes me wish I still had a smartphone- it sounds like a ridiculously fun way to progress in running. Your food sounds delicious, and great work on the bodyweight routine. Are you tracking your strength/bodyweight workouts?

 

NERD CHAT

What version of Wolverine are you cosplaying as? Classic blue n' yellow, wifebeater and jeans? Patch? I'm sure it'll be cool no matter what, just curious. Also, how'd you like the movie? The part of me that rationally analyzes a movie's qualities completely shut down when ninjas showed up. It was all inner-10-year-old from there.

END NERD CHAT

 

 

How'd the library trip go? I'm not much of a fantasy/sci-fi novel reader, as I get most of that from comics, but I'd totally recommend the Dresden Files series if your library has 'em.

Great, fun fantasy that starts out like The Big Sleep meets Harry Potter, then grows into epic good-vs-evil, dimension-spanning, vampires-n'-elves'n-angels-n'-warlocks badassery.

I'm tracking my repetitions of the bodyweight cycle. I've only been doing it once but am hoping to get up to two cycles shortly. Trying to let my body adjust to all the new stress I'm putting on it and not get an overtraining injury.

NERD CHAT

Going as the wife beater Wolverine! I would love to do the original costume but not quite ready for cosplaying in a body suit yet lol. I was torn about how I liked the movie. They did a pretty good job with the fight scenes but it was unnecessarily in 3-D at our cinema which is a huge pet peeve of mine. I'm also not entirely sure how true it follows the comics but looking forward to finding out. Easing myself into nerdiness a bit at a time lol.

My ex recommended the Dresden Files as well so I'll certainly be looking into it . Thanks

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

Heya!  I love the motivation for your challenge.  Those are some really impressive and aggressive goals you have!  Go get 'em!

 

(Also, your meals sound delicious!)

Thank you . I'm a huge foodie so enjoying eating is a top priority for me. It just helps that things that are good for you tend to be cheaper overall lol.

[orcwarrior]

Just checking out your thread and was impressed with your goals, attitude, and systematic approach. Sounds like you're off to a great start - keep faithful a day at a time and you should do well. Good luck!

 

Dresden files is a great series - the story does build, so it helps to read them in order. My all-time favorite series - great blend of mystery, good stories, and sarcastic humor.  Have fun!

[fluffyrin42]

1st:

Went to the library and picked up 5 new books. Two of them are express reads so I have to bring them back in a week. Picked up a mystery book (it was wrapped in plain brown paper and the only thing you know is the genre. I chose psychological fiction). Then went for a three hour walk with my friend in a wildlife sanctuary in our city) amazing to see for the first time! Then went out with my roommate for beers, steak and pasta at our neighbourhood dive bar.

2nd:

Looked forward to working my shift then doing my groceries but ended up working a double shift. Made decent money but got out too late to go for my run. I was still feeling a bit sore from my random attempt at pull ups at the sanctuary so it was probably best I had two rest days lol. Bought a club house sandwich at work and had rice and beans plus carrots to tide me over. Probably should have ate more.

3rd:

Woke up bright and early to head down to work to let my coworkers in for my shift and give my bosses parents the morning off (usually if I'm closing the restaurant they open it). Wore my workout gear there, had a some bacon and eggs with strawberries then headed off on my run. Was two minutes slower than my last run but I'm going to attribute that to the fact I ate a little more food than I should of.

When I got home from my run and showered I headed into my room to get ready for the farmers market. My roommates puppy had found my bottle of Tylenol and ate some when we were gone. I called her at work, biked down there to relieve her so she could bring the poor boy to the vet (work at the same restaurant). He's doing fine but apparently I'm pulling another double again today so she can stay home and take care of him. Poor thing!

 

Sounds like you are still keeping pretty well on track!  And poor puppy!  We had that problem with ours, but it was ibuprofen.  They got hospital admissions out of the deal.  Hope he's doing better...

 

Regarding good books to read, I have a slew of recommendations whenever you are looking for something new.    My husband is HUGE into fantasy/sci-fi and he's been filling my reading docket for the last 5 years with never a lack for a new series to check out.  Dresden is a constant favorite in our house and a good one to get started on (plus they are pretty quick/easy reads).  Once you're ready for some other recommendations let me know!

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

4th:

 

Went out to my parents for my grandmothers burial. Took it easy by picking blueberries, relaxing with family and generally having a good time. Nothing much, just friends and family. 

 

5th:

Did my run today! Since I'm in the northern Ontario wilderness I have no cell reception and my phone couldn't track my run officially. Found out that all three bridges on my old running routes were out of commission. Other than that enjoyed myself and did one run through of my body weight circuit. Decided today to incorporate the crunches that I'll have to do for the Marines test (better to get my form correct now then break the habit later). Read the first chapter of  J.K Rowlings Casual Vacancy, looking forward to having the next couple days off to relax. 

[fluffyrin42]

I am sorry to hear about your grandmother.  Time with family makes it better, though.  And way to get right back into your routines on Monday - that run sounds awesome!  Aside from the lack of tracking, it must be beautiful up there!

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

It's hard to keep me from running, this app is so addictive!! The combination of my runs and the circuit is really effective, I'm starting to see a lot more definition in my legs and I'm just sore enough the next day know I'll be able to recover with an extra nights sleep.

Thank you for the condolences, she had a wonderful long life and it was nice to get everyone together to celebrate it.

[orcwarrior]

Sounds like you're faithfully executing your plan!  Good job!  Sounds like you're excited to see some initial results in definition already.  It's always encouraging to me to see signs that my work is paying off.  One tip that Steve gave I've found very helpful is to track progress in multiple ways - pictures, tape measure, scale, advancing reps, lowering run times, etc.   That way there's always some progress you can look to and be encouraged, which helps you keep going.

 

My condolences as well.  Glad your family could turn it into a bittersweet occasion rather than just sad.

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

I also have pictures! I'm tracking a few ways

6th:

Regular day off. Enjoyed my food, had a nap and watched a movie with my roommate.

7th:

Did my run this morning then two sets of my body weight circuit. Added kickbacks to the dumbbell row. Feeling fine

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

8th:

So after I did my bodyweight workout on the 7th I had a great idea to try this new app I kept hearing about. It teaches you how to slowly do 100 push ups and I decided that seemed like another fun goal to add on. I fully enjoyed myself but the next morning was I ever sore!! Not only was I a hurting unit but I had to pull double shifts at work for the next two days. Very tired and I tried to eat as best I could but serving is a harsh mistress for proper meals :-(.

9th:

Woke up earlier to do my run, no dice since I was incredibly sore. Was hoping to close up the restaurant by 10 so I could do a quick mission when I got home but didn't get out until 11:30. At least I'll have another night to rest.

10th:

Woke up at 8:00 to get down to the restaurant to open. Let the other servers and cooks in then went for my run. Did .30 less than I did in the last Zombies 5k which might have been due to not eating and having a milk and juice instead before. Might try a small shake next time.

Biked down to the farmers market and got some local produce. Doing a quick circuit and the push up program before work tonight :-)

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

Also returned my express reads so I don't get a ton of late fees this morning. Still have here books from my last visit so I didn't pick up anything new

[HalflingOfficeDrone]

You are doing an amazing job with you plan.  I am inspired!!

[fluffyrin42]

Way to go last week!  Is there a place where you can stash some healthy snacks to grab throughout your shift?  Even having a handful of nuts or a few fresh veggies + nut butter nearby can help keep you fueled throughout your shift (and you can just grab a quick bite whenever you make a run back to the kitchen).

 

Keep up the great work on Week 3!

[orcwarrior]

Sounds like you're working hard on your goals!  Keep it up, and good luck!

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

11th:

Worked an open to close shift and went for beers with my ladies. Tired but good

12th:

Woke up with what I thought was a hangover from a total of 4 beers. Went and ate something, drank a bit of water then went back to sleep. Woke up at 4 pm with what actually wasn't a hangover but a cold. Hoping to out rest / put eat it so I'm good to work out tomorrow.

[Thunderneath]

Good lord, what a badass. I missed a lot of awesomeness checking out of here for a week!

 

Way to go on those runs, and the pushups. Make sure you're working at a steady pace, though! You've got 4 weeks left to rock, it'd suck to get injured from pushing too hard.

[fluffyrin42]

Oh no!  I hope you start to feel better soon!