AgentKatia vs. DINOSAURS!

[CourageousKate]

That's right, I'm going BACK IN TIME.

 

Epic Quest:    Reduce my body fat to 24%

 

Motivation:   Increase my athleticism to improve my chances of surviving the Zombie Apocalypse or other End-of-World Scenario

 

To make it back alive, I need to:

 

1. Outrun A Dinosaur

 

 

 

I'm afraid of running.

 

Rock climbing? No. Hiking in all sorts of terrain? No. Flying trapeze? No. Running? Yes.

 

I'm afraid of feeling like I can't catch my breath; I'm afraid of injuring myself; I'm afraid of looking like a complete idiot. But I'm trying to do things I'm afraid of these days. So I signed up for a 10K in January. And training starts now.

 

Goal: Complete 2 sessions of Zombies, Run! 5K Training each week, while maintaining some combination of Rebel Training, Pilates, and yoga for a total of 4 planned days of activity per week. [sTA 3 / STR 1]  

 

 

2. Eat Like A Cavewoman

 

 

 

Thoroughly inspired by KingLeeroy and Tateman, I'm going to complete the Whole 30 this challenge. (Which, for the unfamiliar, is like PALEO X-TREME! for 30 consecutive days.) My intention is to discover my (suspected) food sensitivities, which I'll systematically test for in the last week of the challenge. 

 

Goal: Complete the Whole 30 Friday, September 20th–Sunday, October 20th, plus 7 days of testing for food sensitivities. [CON 4 / CHA 1] 

 

 

3. Outclimb A Velociraptor

 

 

Okay, in a true contest of me vs. a Raptor, my money is on the lizard. But! Being able to do a pull-up (my goal for three challenges now) can't hurt. 

 

Goal: Work toward 1 unassisted pull-up on the bar 5 days a week, at least 2 days of negative pull-ups. [sTR 3 / STA 1]   

 

 

4. Unwind, Cavewoman Style

 

 

I love doing stuff. I love being distracted. But lately I've felt like I am hitting the reset button, and it's not working.

 

Goal: Completely unplug and be still at home 1 waking hour per week. (Reading, knitting, etc. are okay. No computer, iPhone, or TV.) [WIS 2]

 

 

Grading System

 

Since I've fashioned each of these goals to be "Yup, I did it" or "Nope. Fail," I'm going to grade on rate of success. So:

 

A    90% Success Overall in Challenge

B    80% 

C    70%

D    50%

F    Under 50% 

 

 

Fitness Philosophy: Why I'm A Ranger

 

(originally posted here)

 

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

 

I approach fitness from a survivalist perspective (though, I'm pretty moderate about it). I want to be able to manage whatever situation I find myself in. Climb that tree to escape the Wargs? No problem. Run through the tangled jungle with the stolen idol to escape 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.

[vortexofsleep]

Kaaatiiiiaaaaa!!!

 

I am SO STOKED for this challenge, you have no idea.  And your goals are hardcore this time!

 

Running disturbs me too.  I wonder how many challenges will go by before I do some sort of running thing.  It crosses my mind occasionally, mostly because I'd finish my distance challenges faster if I ran.

 

I *just* got done reading about Whole30 and then see that you're doing it!  I suspect that you will inspire me with this, same as you have with so many other things.

 

Pull ups.  That's my goal now too.  I'm only kinda twitching when I hang from the bar, but I'm patiently following my progression guidelines and trying to do at least one more (assisted) a day. I'll get there!  It may take me a year, but I'll get there!  Speaking of this, I'm hoping that I'll reach some strength point where it becomes easier and I can start advancing quickly.  But if not, then slow and steady...

 

 

Regarding the FotB, Thorns is in--talked to him via PM, and I sent a message to Silas, but haven't heard back yet.  

 

 

LET'S DO THIS!

[Batwoman]

Yay fellow bat enthusiast!

 

Your dinosaur/cavewoman them is outstanding. Paleo isn't too scary. I tend to cook a lot of stuff in bulk so that any time I get a pang of hunger I have my healthy Paleo foods at the ready.

 

As far as running, I too loathe the running with no purpose. I don't get it. I'd like to some day incorporate some endurance, because Zombie 5ks look awesome and yes if society collapses due to a zombie virus outbreak cardio will be important.

 

Good luck with your goals! And I'll be watching (probably from a Gargoyle of some kind).

[AverageJoe]

Katia, Great topic and goals. I've been working on my running for the past two challenges and I can honestly say that as much as you may hate running when you get the point when going for a 2-3 mile run is an "easy" day it feels great!!  Good luck!

[CourageousKate]

Kaaatiiiiaaaaa!!!

 

I am SO STOKED for this challenge, you have no idea.  And your goals are hardcore this time!

 

Running disturbs me too.  I wonder how many challenges will go by before I do some sort of running thing.  It crosses my mind occasionally, mostly because I'd finish my distance challenges faster if I ran.

 

I *just* got done reading about Whole30 and then see that you're doing it!  I suspect that you will inspire me with this, same as you have with so many other things.

 

Pull ups.  That's my goal now too.  I'm only kinda twitching when I hang from the bar, but I'm patiently following my progression guidelines and trying to do at least one more (assisted) a day. I'll get there!  It may take me a year, but I'll get there!  Speaking of this, I'm hoping that I'll reach some strength point where it becomes easier and I can start advancing quickly.  But if not, then slow and steady...

YAY! I'm stoked too my friend. I'm glad you're here!!! And, uh, yeah... the first two goals kinda are hardcore for me... but I think I can do it. I mean, I need to start running now, or I'm going to actually end up injuring myself in January. And I've been working my brain around the Whole 30 thing for at least a month, so it's time. I'll say more once I actually start doing it, but I cut sugar and refined carbs last challenge as a prep. I'm thinking that will help this time around. 

 

I'm stoked you are working on pull-ups! I am glad to see you're following progression guidelines. I'm going to check them out. I have a feeling that they're somewhere along the same lines as what I've been doing. 

 

Also, thanks for rallying the Bats

 

Yay fellow bat enthusiast!

 

Your dinosaur/cavewoman them is outstanding. Paleo isn't too scary. I tend to cook a lot of stuff in bulk so that any time I get a pang of hunger I have my healthy Paleo foods at the ready.

 

As far as running, I too loathe the running with no purpose. I don't get it. I'd like to some day incorporate some endurance, because Zombie 5ks look awesome and yes if society collapses due to a zombie virus outbreak cardio will be important.

 

Good luck with your goals! And I'll be watching (probably from a Gargoyle of some kind).

Thanks Batwoman! When you cook in bulk, are you freezing? Or fridging? I'm planning to experiment, but I'm curious what others have done

 

And right? It's so hard to convince myself that running is important when I'm NOT being chased by zombies. I thought the Zombies!Run would help for that. 

 

Katia, Great topic and goals. I've been working on my running for the past two challenges and I can honestly say that as much as you may hate running when you get the point when going for a 2-3 mile run is an "easy" day it feels great!!  Good luck!

Thanks Joe! That's really awesome to hear. I am definitely looking forward to considering anything more than catching the bus as an easy run

[Batwoman]

7 days is the limit for storing cooked food in the fridge, so depending on how you do your grocery shopping would affect whether you fridge/freeze. I go grocery shopping Saturday mornings, then do my cooking day on Sunday and have food for the week and then start the cycle again.

 

I used to work as a line cook and I'm Serve-Safe certified. If you don't know what that is, it is basically a test that I took to prove that I know how to handle food and not sicken/kill people. So when I say have leftovers/cook-ahead meals for no more than 7 days I do have some knowledge that I base that on.

 

It has made a world of difference though and I do highly recommend it!

[GingaNinja]

Yay big love to you Katia, I am stoked by your goals! Good luck with your Whole 30 and I love the unwinding one. Yay!

[Tateman]

Sounds like great goals!  I know you will do great on Whole 30.  Those first couple of weeks you might be ready to kill and eat that dinosaur haha.

 

For me, preparation turned out to be key.  Once I started using my slow cooker more, it got better for me.  Things I can reheat quick helped me a lot.

[DFTBAmanda]

Hey!

I love your running goal, mostly because I view running as that thing I will only ever do if I'm being chased and my very life depends on it. A funny thing starts happening after making yourself run for awhile though. After several weeks, one day you just wake up, put on your shoes, and go do it. And you don't have any hesitation and for the first time you don't feel like you'll die after the first 5 minutes and you keep going just because you're able to. And I have to tell you, the first time that happens its frickin WEIRD. Still not sure if its a positive feeling :-P

Jeez, everyone's doing their whole30s this challenge, and I'm just over here trying to find food that isn't batter-fried!

[Amandaba]

fantastic goals Agent! Love your creativity (and your theme since a couple of days ago I got bite by the IgottawatchJurrasicParknow! Bug) Good luck to you! I find reading or needlework are excellent ways to unwind oneself! I embroider and there's just something about stabbing something with a needle again and again that's just soothing...

[CourageousKate]

7 days is the limit for storing cooked food in the fridge, so depending on how you do your grocery shopping would affect whether you fridge/freeze. I go grocery shopping Saturday mornings, then do my cooking day on Sunday and have food for the week and then start the cycle again.

 

I used to work as a line cook and I'm Serve-Safe certified. If you don't know what that is, it is basically a test that I took to prove that I know how to handle food and not sicken/kill people. So when I say have leftovers/cook-ahead meals for no more than 7 days I do have some knowledge that I base that on.

 

It has made a world of difference though and I do highly recommend it!

Thanks! I love seeing how people meal plan for the week. We've been basically cooking every night for a while now, and I'm ready to go back to pre-planning. This is a great chance to play with it. How cool that you are Serve-Safe certified! I didn't realize that was a thing! Very useful information/skill-set to have

 

Yay big love to you Katia, I am stoked by your goals! Good luck with your Whole 30 and I love the unwinding one. Yay!

Woot! Thanks! You and me both KL! Eat well and relax.  

 

Sounds like great goals!  I know you will do great on Whole 30.  Those first couple of weeks you might be ready to kill and eat that dinosaur haha.

 

For me, preparation turned out to be key.  Once I started using my slow cooker more, it got better for me.  Things I can reheat quick helped me a lot.

Ha! Thanks Tateman. I wonder what dino steak tastes like...

 

Okay. I'm doing it. We're getting a slow cooker this week. I was doing some research earlier today and found a lot of prep-freeze-cook (in a crockpot) meals that seemed really simple and tasty (and Whole 30 compliant). We don't own a microwave, so I've been hesitant to do freeze-ahead cooked meals. It never occurred to me to freeze the raw ingredients ahead... Mind blown.

 

Hey!

I love your running goal, mostly because I view running as that thing I will only ever do if I'm being chased and my very life depends on it. A funny thing starts happening after making yourself run for awhile though. After several weeks, one day you just wake up, put on your shoes, and go do it. And you don't have any hesitation and for the first time you don't feel like you'll die after the first 5 minutes and you keep going just because you're able to. And I have to tell you, the first time that happens its frickin WEIRD. Still not sure if its a positive feeling :-P

Jeez, everyone's doing their whole30s this challenge, and I'm just over here trying to find food that isn't batter-fried!

Right? I just figure I shouldn't, like, pass out or something if I am being chased for dear life. And, well, I hope you're right. I definitely feel that way about other forms of exercise, that they get easier and more second nature with practice. I just have such a mental block against running... Let's blame 7th grade gym class in the Texas heat, shall we? 

 

Good luck in your search for unfried food! At least it sounds tasty... but I'll bet you're pretty sick of it, huh? 

 

fantastic goals Agent! Love your creativity (and your theme since a couple of days ago I got bite by the IgottawatchJurrasicParknow! Bug) Good luck to you! I find reading or needlework are excellent ways to unwind oneself! I embroider and there's just something about stabbing something with a needle again and again that's just soothing...

Ha thanks! I definitely saw the remastered 3-D JP when it came out. SO. GOOD. I mean. It just holds up, ya know? I was going to use JP stills, but realized I really wanted to use a pic of Raquel Welch, so I went with a pre-1970s Hollywood theme instead  

 

And your stabbing comment made me lol I've tried my hand at cross-stitch (made my sister a Dalek piece), but I've never tried embroidery! It seems like you'd need a steady hand?

 

 

 

Quick update for the week:

 

I'm on track with my pull-up work, but haven't started running (current plan is for Friday) or completed my one hour of quiet. I've been contemplating and prepping for the Whole 30 to begin Friday. So soon!

[Blaidd]

Nice goals Katia.  I'm sure you're gonna rock this one out.

 

If you like we have an AB Squad called Holding Whole30.  You're welcome to hang out with us if you have any questions - there are only a handful of us, so it's cool   We do things like share recipes and ask questions and check that we're still on course

[The Tin Man]

Hey, I like your goals! I'm one of those weirdos who likes running so I'm happy to see that in there.

And unplugging is something I really want to practice more. I worry sometimes about how attached I am to my phone especially.

[AverageJoe]

I haven't dared try the whole 30 yet but I do aim for mostly paleo and I agree the secret is Prep Prep and more Prep.  A large batch of cooked pork chops or chicken can be the most beautiful thing in your fridge, especially when you're hungry and tired after a workout.    

 

Also, please let me know how the prep-freeze-croc pot recipes work.  I'm always on the look out for ideas like that!  Good luck on your run tomorrow.

[CourageousKate]

Nice goals Katia.  I'm sure you're gonna rock this one out.

 

If you like we have an AB Squad called Holding Whole30.  You're welcome to hang out with us if you have any questions - there are only a handful of us, so it's cool   We do things like share recipes and ask questions and check that we're still on course

Thanks Blaidd! I appreciate the invite! I just saw your date paste tip on your thread, and man. I can't wait to learn more

 

Hey, I like your goals! I'm one of those weirdos who likes running so I'm happy to see that in there.

And unplugging is something I really want to practice more. I worry sometimes about how attached I am to my phone especially.

Ha! Awesome! Thanks Tin Man. I've heard tell of people like you. I always thought you were mythical beings... 

 

I'm in the same boat. I accidentally left my phone at home during a day trip a couple of weeks ago, and I kept oscillating between fear, anxiety, and relief. It made me think: it's time. (My husband had his phone, so we weren't actually isolated or anything.)

 

I haven't dared try the whole 30 yet but I do aim for mostly paleo and I agree the secret is Prep Prep and more Prep.  A large batch of cooked pork chops or chicken can be the most beautiful thing in your fridge, especially when you're hungry and tired after a workout.    

 

Also, please let me know how the prep-freeze-croc pot recipes work.  I'm always on the look out for ideas like that!  Good luck on your run tomorrow.

Nice. I'm roasting a chicken and some butternut squash tonight, so that will be good to have around for the weekend. (I'll have more time to do more over the weekend, but that will be good for quick and easy/backup.) I'm really interested to try those recipes, so I'll let you know! I won't receive the slow cooker till next week, but i'm planning to prep some meals this weekend. 

[Devyn]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude those are awesome goals!  I used to hate running with a passion and thought I couldn't do it and that was for people who were insane, but I did a half marathon in April. I used c25k to start running and Zombies Run to train for the half marathon. I would recommend those to anyone!  Good luck!

[vortexofsleep]

Bunch of questions for you....

 

How do you do cook and eat a  butternut squash?  I just discovered spaghetti squash and learned to cook that, but never tried any others.  We never ate squash growing up.

 

How big is your crock pot?  Did you know you can do a bunch of sweet potatoes at one time in the crock pot?  Just wrap them in foil, stand them on their end longways, and cook all day.  (I am definitely craving sweet potatoes now.)

 

OMG, speaking of crockpots, I did a pork shoulder in there once (I think it was called a "picnic"?  I'm really not up on meat cuts) and it had bones in it.  Well after I picked out the meat and bones, I put the crock out in the snow so everything could gel up (a fridge would also be appropriate, haha) and it became this thick fragrant amazing mass of concentrated porky goodness that I later used for soup stock.  I STILL DREAM ABOUT IT. It was the best broth EVER.

 

What's your current extended hang time on the pull up bar?  I'm going to time myself tonight.  I'm sure it's going to be puny (like my muscles) so I want to use you as my comparison 

 

 

 

....so many parentheticals.  sorry.

[Batwoman]

 I did a pork shoulder in there once (I think it was called a "picnic"?  I'm really not up on meat cuts) and it had bones in it.  

 

Picnic is the type of cut. It comes from the lower part of the shoulder.

 

**grapples away**

[Batgirl]

Batman has a dinosaur in the batcave.

[CourageousKate]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude those are awesome goals!  I used to hate running with a passion and thought I couldn't do it and that was for people who were insane, but I did a half marathon in April. I used c25k to start running and Zombies Run to train for the half marathon. I would recommend those to anyone!  Good luck!

Awesome! I love personal recs for aps. I'm waking up to Zombies tomorrow... I'll let you know

 

How do you do cook and eat a  butternut squash?  I just discovered spaghetti squash and learned to cook that, but never tried any others.  We never ate squash growing up.

 

How big is your crock pot?  Did you know you can do a bunch of sweet potatoes at one time in the crock pot?  Just wrap them in foil, stand them on their end longways, and cook all day.  (I am definitely craving sweet potatoes now.)

 

OMG, speaking of crockpots, I did a pork shoulder in there once (I think it was called a "picnic"?  I'm really not up on meat cuts) and it had bones in it.  Well after I picked out the meat and bones, I put the crock out in the snow so everything could gel up (a fridge would also be appropriate, haha) and it became this thick fragrant amazing mass of concentrated porky goodness that I later used for soup stock.  I STILL DREAM ABOUT IT. It was the best broth EVER.

 

What's your current extended hang time on the pull up bar?  I'm going to time myself tonight.  I'm sure it's going to be puny (like my muscles) so I want to use you as my comparison 

So many ways to prep butternut squash! So many dishes to try!

 

One of my fave/easiest ways to prep it is just to halve it longways, scoop the seeds, poke some holes in the peel, and bake it face down on an oiled cookie sheet at 375 for like 45 minutes (till done). Then you can use the insides mashed as a side dish or pureed to add to a sauce or use as a soup base (or to stuff inside ravioli if you're really ambitious). The other night I made a brown rice butternut squash risotto. Totally not Paleo/Whole 30, but it was tasty! I just made the risotto as I normally would (brown rice takes forever long), and then when it was done added a couple cups of pureed roasted squash, about a cup of freshly grated parm, and salt and pepper. The flavor was fantastic! 

 

Tonight I'm going to peel and cube the squash (I hate peeling it). I'll start the same way (cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds), and then cut the thin part away from the thick part so that there are four pieces that are easier to handle and keep still. Then I'll use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outsides. I'll cube the squash and put it in the bottom of my roast pan with my chicken. Should be tasty! You can also just put the cubes on an oiled pan and roast them, then eat them as is. Or there are any number of concoctions. This one looks pretty great, and I know that Blaidd was talking about making a lasagna using slices of squash as the "noodles." 

 

I actually haven't done much with spaghetti squash! How do you like to eat it?

 

The crockpot will be a 6-quart one... I wanted to be able to do a roast or whatever, and I wanted automatic settings so that it can switch to warm when we're not home in time. The sweet potatoes are BRILLIANT, and no I did not know that. It is happening, though. Batman.

 

Do you have that pork shoulder recipe? It sounds divine! Also, I don't have snow, but I DO have a fridge. I guess that will work. 

 

I'll time myself tonight on the bar! I'm making progress on jumping up to a pull-up (I get to eye-level with the bar, and then I can scooch up another millimeter or two) and on the negatives, so I've stopped timing my hangs (out of laziness). 

 

Picnic is the type of cut. It comes from the lower part of the shoulder.

 

**grapples away**

Informative, AND I loled. Thanks

 

Batman has a dinosaur in the batcave.

His name is Bowser and he FOLLOWED me home. I swear! Bats honor!

[GingaNinja]

Hehehehe! Katia your threads always make me laugh so much! Glad things are going well your end!

[AverageJoe]

All this talk of squash, roasted chicken, and pork shoulders is making me hungry.  I actually just wanted add one of my Fav squash recipes.  Roasted acorn squash filled with Sloppy Paleo Joe.  Cut the squash in half lengthwise, remove seeds and score the flesh into a checkered pattern. I coat mine with oil salt and pepper and roast skin down.  Then I make my Sloppy Paleo Joe filling, which is simply browned ground beef, carmalized onions, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin.  Add the filling to the squash when the squash is ~2/3 done and continue to roast.  The "sauce" from the sloppy joes seep into the scored squash (Yummmmmm). Best part the squash is it's own bowl!  

[vortexofsleep]

Oh. My. Gawd.  I *WILL* be making that squash sloppy joe soon!  I'm hoping for some different squashes from my CSA these next few weeks!

[CourageousKate]

Hehehehe! Katia your threads always make me laugh so much! Glad things are going well your end!

Ha! Thanks Leeroy!

 

All this talk of squash, roasted chicken, and pork shoulders is making me hungry.  I actually just wanted add one of my Fav squash recipes.  Roasted acorn squash filled with Sloppy Paleo Joe.  Cut the squash in half lengthwise, remove seeds and score the flesh into a checkered pattern. I coat mine with oil salt and pepper and roast skin down.  Then I make my Sloppy Paleo Joe filling, which is simply browned ground beef, carmalized onions, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin.  Add the filling to the squash when the squash is ~2/3 done and continue to roast.  The "sauce" from the sloppy joes seep into the scored squash (Yummmmmm). Best part the squash is it's own bowl!  

Ooh, awesome thanks! I am remembering this one. I'm gonna make a sausage stuffed acorn squash this week! Yum!!

 

Oh. My. Gawd.  I *WILL* be making that squash sloppy joe soon!  I'm hoping for some different squashes from my CSA these next few weeks!

Tis the season Lmk what you do with your spaghetti squash!

 

Also, Vortex, my current "record" for hanging from the bar is 60 seconds, at which point my fingers feel like they're going to fall off (because I never got the weightlifting gloves like I promised Thorns I would do..).

[CourageousKate]

Week One Summary 

 

OUTRUN A DINOSAUR:          1 /2 runs. 3 / 4 days of planned fitness.

EAT LIKE A CAVEWOMAN:   Began Whole30 Challenge, completed Days 1–3.

OUTCLIMB A RAPTOR:            5 /5 days of pull-up practice; 2 / 2 days of negative pull-up practice. 

UNWIND:                                       Gonna do tonight! Er, I got carried away prepping meals for the week... I'm gonna double up on Week 2, but I'll

still lose points... It's only fair.

 

 

Not too bad, considering I sorta almost forgot about the challenge at the beginning of the week. Whole30 is going okay so far, but MAN this afternoon I feel like I was hit with a truck. Ick. We'll see how tomorrow goes...

 

I don't think I actually ran enough (or hard enough) on my first run training, but I never use a treadmill, so I was kinda just trying to get used to it and practice my form, so I'm okay with that.

 

On to WEEK TWO!