tenaciousglee Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 Started Phase 1 of Engineering The Alpha during the last challenge. My goal is to follow the prescribed workouts 4 days a week. More to come! 1 Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Supporting you! 1 Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Day 1 - Prime Workout 1 overslept a bit, so I cut the workout in half, but I still did it! Circuit A:Goblet SquatIncline Bench PressDumbbell RowRomanian DeadliftPlank Circuit B:Chin-upsGlute Bridge (aka Hip Thrust)Reverse LungeLateral Raise I was supposed to do 4 sets of Circuit A and 3 of Circuit B, but just did 2 of each. There are 4 different workouts per week in the program and I'm realizing it will be tough to follow a M-T-Th-F pattern since I'll be out of town this Thursday, but I'm planning to do M-T-F-Sa. I'm excited for this bonus challenge because I need to focus on just one thing for a little while. The Engineering the Alpha program calls for me to workout 4 days a week, go low-to-no-carb, and follow a 16/8 fasting/feeding pattern. I tried that during the previous challenge and broke Steve's cardinal rule of making too many changes at once. Hopefully this focus on hitting the gym will help me ease into the New Year challenge. Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Maledictus Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 The workouts in phase 1 are ok. Phase 2 is as brutal as you want it to be. Good luck with it. Quote "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself" -- TolstoyNot sure if it was buzz or woody that said it though. Spartan double trifecta progess: 100%100% Tough Mudder "10 x Legionnaire": 100.0%100.0% "Run ALL the things or die tryin'" 110%110% fitocracy Ogre Magi Lvl 16 Ranger STR: 38|DEX: 58|STA: 59|baCON: 34|WIS: 30|CHA: 30 Previously Completed: Spartan Trifecta, Enough TM Headbands to make a ski mask Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 The workouts in phase 1 are ok. Phase 2 is as brutal as you want it to be. Good luck with it. Thanks! I better go back and read up on Phase 2 before the next challenge starts. Today the sleepinator struck back, but I still got up and did a short workout. 2 sets each of Decline Push-upsChin-upsDipsHanging Knee Lifts Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Good job man! Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2013 No workouts on Wednesday or Thursday, unless you count 12 oz curls and toddler lifting. Got back in the groove on Friday. Day 5 - Prime Workout 3 Deadlift x3 2 circuits of:Javelin PressGoblet SquatInverted RowSingle-Leg Hip Raise thenPlankJumping JacksChin-ups I got several gift cards that I'm excited to use on a kettlebell and some heavier dumbbells. Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted December 27, 2013 Report Share Posted December 27, 2013 Oh boy! Kettlebells! They are so much fun! I really think they are the most versatile of weights-you can do anything with them. Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Got up early on a Saturday to work out! What have you done to me, Nerd Fitness? Headed to the store later for some more training implements! Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Well, the trip to the stores on Saturday was kind of a bust - nobody had anything in stock. However, I was able to order some stuff online. I'll have an adjustable kettlebell and some TRX-style straps coming my way soon! Day 8 - Prime Workout 3 Same as Day 5 above. Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 YAY! Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Day 9 - Prime Workout 1 Battled the sleep-in monster and won. I always feel better after a workout, but it's been so hard lately to get my butt out of bed. I moved the alarm clock across the room last week and that helps. Today, I still hit snooze and got back in bed, but only for 5 minutes. I'll be glad to have tomorrow morning off, especially with it being New Year's Day. Circuit A:Goblet SquatIncline Bench PressDumbbell RowRomanian Deadlift Circuit B:Chin-upsGlute Bridge (aka Hip Thrust)Reverse LungeLateral Raise Forgot to include Planks in Circuit A, so I threw one 30-second set in between circuits. Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Nicely done, sir. Plans for tonight? Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted December 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Nicely done, sir. Plans for tonight? A friend invited me and the mrs to a country club black tie affair. Busting out the tux! Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Oooh, excellent! We had friends over for a fancy food-eating booze-drinking Cards-Against-Humanity-playing affair. Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Oooh, excellent! We had friends over for a fancy food-eating booze-drinking Cards-Against-Humanity-playing affair. Nice! The country club shindig was interesting. It felt like I was at a wedding where I didn't know anyone. The band was good and we danced a bit and laughed at the drunk people. I also discovered that if I want to improve my posture, I just need to wear my tuxedo more often. You can't help but stand up straighter in that thing. Day 10 - Start of my 31 day Hard Hat ChallengeMy goal is to do at least one set of bodyweight exercises every day in January. I did a set of 25 decline push-ups. Day 11 - Prime Workout 4Had to cut it a little short, but I did it! My bodyweight exercise for the day was 20 pull-ups split over 3 sets. Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Day 12 - Prime Workout 2 Only did half of this workout, but I still hit the gym. The Alpha workouts tend to run about an hour including warm-up and cool-down, which is usually longer than I allow myself in the mornings. I haven't worried too much about it because this is still the "Prime" phase and I think the emphasis is on maintaining muscle. The next phase will be more intense and I'm planning to get up earlier in order to complete the workouts. Today's BW exercise was 4 sets of hanging knee lifts. Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Nice! The country club shindig was interesting. It felt like I was at a wedding where I didn't know anyone. The band was good and we danced a bit and laughed at the drunk people. I also discovered that if I want to improve my posture, I just need to wear my tuxedo more often. You can't help but stand up straighter in that thing.You should totally wear the tuxedo more often. (Not because I care about your posture, but because I'm on a crusade to get men wearing suits more often.) Nice workouts! Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Cheers! 1 Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Yay suit! Workout today? Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted January 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 You know it! I've now achieved my mini-goal of 4 workouts each week, but I'm going to wait until Sunday to deem it an official Level Up. 1 Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted January 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Day 13 3 sets of 10 diamond push-ups Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Shiny! 1 Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
tenaciousglee Posted January 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Day 14 5 sets of 5 dips I'd consider this bonus challenge complete. Level Up! Quote Level 32 Minifig Jedi Assassin Current Challenge | Battle Log | "Epic" Quest Previous Challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 "A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse." -Stephan Dolley, Jr. "You don't get stronger by skipping workouts." - me, to myself, about 3 times a week Link to comment
Eilyd Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Congratulations! Do you have your next challenge thread up? Quote The Quest to Become Black Widow | In Which Eilyd Thinks She Can | (Blog) A Matter of Eloquence Link to comment
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