Ash's New Adventure!

[AshPS]

Ok, this is my 5th challenge. And, I honestly had a hard time deciding where I wanted to go with this one. Obviously recomping is my main goal as there is still work to be done there, but I have aimed my last 3 challenges at just recomping and I needed something different this time around. I found I was feeling a sense of boredom, no challenge.

 

Funny thing, since I have been reading peoples new threads I see that a lot of people are sharing a similar idea of wanting something new to add to their challenges.

 

Sooooo, as my friend swampling titled her new thread..........here's to something old and something new! 

 

MAIN QUEST

 

Recomp. There is still some leaning out to do and some muscle to build.

 

 

Now, the three missions I have chosen to focus on this round are going to aim at more than just the recomp basics (macros & weight training), but still move me forward to that end, improving me physically in all aspects.

 

MISSION 1:

 

Macros. In my first challenge I aimed at eating when I was hungry, focusing on sensible portions and eating clean. When I began the recomp I started aiming to hit a specific number of CALS/ PRO/ CHO/ and FATS. And I have done that the last 4 challenges. You know what I found. I don't like it and it stresses me out. Having to weigh everything, measure it out specifically down to adding or subtracting beans or spoonfuls does not fit in my life well.

 

Now don't get me wrong, if it works for you it is awesome for fine tuning your nutrition goals. But, ultimately for me.........I just want to teach my kiddos that they can enjoy eating sensibly and cleanly.

 

So, I am going to perform a little experiment with this challenge. I am going to only track my food daily not actual macro numbers. I believe there are 42 days to this challenge so my goal will be to have 42 days of 'Good Nutrition'. Each day that I eat clean, sensible portions with no snacking or junk gets counted toward that 42 days. This also includes the weekly refeeds (usually Saturday or Sunday). That will keep it simple and refeeds are planned. I have been doing macros long enough that I know what enough protein and such looks like in my day. And I use protein powders and such so no worries there.

 

My aim over the course of this challenge will be to see if this approach will be as successful as it was my first challenge and lead to continued inches lost.

 

Grading: 42 days A 35-41 days B 25-34 days C  anything under 25 is a FAIL for the challenge

 

This will make things simpler because I can focus more on FAMILY meals and not trying to separate my meals from theirs ALL of the time. And how I successfully handled my first challenge.

 

 

MISSION 2:

 

Yoga (balance, core & flexibility). I did yoga once in a past life (lol). But have not in a long time. Strength training makes me stronger but really does not do much for my flexibility or terrible balance. (And it is terrible, uh hum. ) 

 

I was introduced to Bellyfit last challenge and there is a half hour section of yoga/ core work that I usually skipped, as I was just doing the cardio.

 

So, I will have three days of weight training and 2 days of the week I will do Bellyfit with the yoga work or I will add another yoga workout on Bellyfit days. I can also choose to do yoga and some other cardio like my freestyle dance or Zumba.

 

MISSION 3:

 

Bellydance! This is not just for the core work involved, it is also just for the sheer darn fun of it. I took bellydance a long time back, and I loved it. But, like some things in life I just didn't because I told myself there was no time for ME anymore. Well, this is. Good core work and destressing and fun.

 

I am going to relearn the basics of bellydance with this program:

 

 

 

 

And I am also incorporating learning one of the numerous varieties of bellydance known as tribal fusion. I will be using this one:

 

 

 

 

So I will have 3 days of weight training interspersed with 2 days of cardio/ yoga and one day (probably Saturdays) of a bellydancing lesson.

 

Grading:  A for 6 days completed, B 4-5 days completed, C 3 days completed, and a FAIL for the challenge for less.

 

LIFE GOAL:

 

This will be a continuation of my life goal from the last challenge just more simplified and encompassing and shall be known as Project Organization as it will be an inside out approach. The idea being to simplify and organize ALL aspects of my life.

 

Unlike last challenge I shall not make this a daily goal but more weekly. The aim to be at least 3 days a week devoted to simplifying or organizing some aspect. Because, quite frankly, there are days (more than I would like to admit lol) that I do well just to make all the basics in a day happen. But, I thrive on simplicity and organization so it was important to me to carry this over to this new challenge.

 

Ok, there it is in a nut shell. I may tweak this more later.

 

And now a shout out to my accountabilibuddy Vilkacis (who has been with me 5 challenges now).......

 

LET'S DO THIS!!!!! :triumphant: :triumphant:

[Vilkacis]

Woot! First reply! Hahaha Sounds like an amazing list of goals, and I can't wait to hear about the balance improvement! I'm lucky, for a fat man I'm actually fairly well balanced... hahahaha Best of luck, I'll be here rooting the whole way!

[TennisGeek]

MISSION 1:

 

Macros. In my first challenge I aimed at eating when I was hungry, focusing on sensible portions and eating clean. When I began the recomp I started aiming to hit a specific number of CALS/ PRO/ CHO/ and FATS. And I have done that the last 4 challenges. You know what I found. I don't like it and it stresses me out. Having to weigh everything, measure it out specifically down to adding or subtracting beans or spoonfuls does not fit in my life well.

 

Now don't get me wrong, if it works for you it is awesome for fine tuning your nutrition goals. But, ultimately for me.........I just want to teach my kiddos that they can enjoy eating sensibly and cleanly.

 

So, I am going to perform a little experiment with this challenge. I am going to track my foods daily. I believe there are 42 days to this challenge so my goal will be to have 42 days of 'Good Nutrition'. Each day that I eat clean, sensible portions with no snacking or junk gets counted toward that 42 days. This also includes the weekly refeeds (usually Saturday or Sunday). That will keep it simple and refeeds are planned. I have been doing macros long enough that I know what enough protein and such looks like in my day. And I use protein powders and such so no worries there.

 

My aim over the course of this challenge will be to see if this approach will be as successful as it was my first challenge and lead to continued inches lost.

 

Ash, I think you may like this article. If you get a bit of time, read this one.

 

Strong Isn't Really the New Sexy/Skinny

 

In particular, this section: Quote -

 

Nowadays, I don’t know what I weigh. I absolutely love to move, love feeling badass and love seeing myself get fitter…but those aren’t things that define me. I realized the life I had to live in order to be as lean as possible wasn’t the life I wanted. So my sacrifice is being a few pounds heavier than what I used to consider ideal, but it means a full life. And I’m good with that. More than good. I’m awesome with that. I don’t need a mantra to make me feel good about myself or to pressure me into molding my body. Especially one that is steeped in bullshizz.

 

I was impressed and amused that you were able to do that accurate macro counts in last challenge. (I cannot.)

I guess it was actually stressful as you say.

 

Last week I was on vacation, and I made ground beef/sweet potato hash twice. Burger once.

I cooked a lot of breakfast food with lots of good protein. Eggs, bacon. Sausage.

 

No pizza, no pasta, no chips.

I provided Dark chocolate. Almonds. Some good bread. Butter. Some rice and some fries.

Tacos. Lots of fruits and veges. Lots of roast beef, some cheese.

Some beer for me. Why not!

 

End result - same weight for me. I was happier for sure. I think everyone was happy.

 

I think your goal is right on. It's about finding a sustainable daily life that makes and keeps you healthy.

That also makes your family's body and soul healthy too.

 

Good luck with your challenge. Be happy with kiddos. *HUGS*

 

-- TG

[AshPS]

Woot! First reply! Hahaha Sounds like an amazing list of goals, and I can't wait to hear about the balance improvement! I'm lucky, for a fat man I'm actually fairly well balanced... hahahaha Best of luck, I'll be here rooting the whole way!

 

YAY for my buddy being first!!! :triumphant:

 

Well, you had better be well balanced considering what you do for a living! I would have probably killed myself the first day on the job, and why NO ONE can get me up a 35 foot ladder. lol

 

But, hopefully by the end of this challenge I will be better. Ought to be an interesting start though, lol.

 

Awww, Vilkacis....I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Now.......uh hum........where is that thread mister!

 

lol  HUGS!

[AshPS]

Ash, I think you may like this article. If you get a bit of time, read this one.

 

Strong Isn't Really the New Sexy/Skinny

 

In particular, this section: Quote -

 

Nowadays, I don’t know what I weigh. I absolutely love to move, love feeling badass and love seeing myself get fitter…but those aren’t things that define me. I realized the life I had to live in order to be as lean as possible wasn’t the life I wanted. So my sacrifice is being a few pounds heavier than what I used to consider ideal, but it means a full life. And I’m good with that. More than good. I’m awesome with that. I don’t need a mantra to make me feel good about myself or to pressure me into molding my body. Especially one that is steeped in bullshizz.

 

I was impressed and amused that you were able to do that accurate macro counts in last challenge. (I cannot.)

I guess it was actually stressful as you say.

 

Last week I was on vacation, and I made ground beef/sweet potato hash twice. Burger once.

I cooked a lot of breakfast food with lots of good protein. Eggs, bacon. Sausage.

 

No pizza, no pasta, no chips.

I provided Dark chocolate. Almonds. Some good bread. Butter. Some rice and some fries.

Tacos. Lots of fruits and veges. Lots of roast beef, some cheese.

Some beer for me. Why not!

 

End result - same weight for me. I was happier for sure. I think everyone was happy.

 

I think your goal is right on. It's about finding a sustainable daily life that makes and keeps you healthy.

That also makes your family's body and soul healthy too.

 

Good luck with your challenge. Be happy with kiddos. *HUGS*

 

-- TG

 

Thank you TG!

 

Very interesting article, though I will say that I think sexy is ultimately in the eye of the beholder, lol.

 

But, you are correct. The person who was/ is coaching me through the recomp has a goal of being a professional natural bodybuilder and will be entering his first competition in April. For him exact computation of macros is important. It can make a tremendous difference to what he does. But, my goals are different, and maybe a bit more relaxed I guess you might say. I want to be strong, fit and healthy. I want to be a good example to my kids and teach them good habits. And it doesn't have to be perfect.

 

Good luck to you too! hugs back!

[Swampling]

Good morning, Ash!

 

Your new challenge is looking good!

 

Love the yoga and bellydancing goals! (Although I could probably not learn the bellydance moves to save my life!)

 

Here's to another successful challenge!

:triumphant: :triumphant:

[AshPS]

Good morning, Ash!

 

Your new challenge is looking good!

 

Love the yoga and bellydancing goals! (Although I could probably not learn the bellydance moves to save my life!)

 

Here's to another successful challenge!

:triumphant:

 

Good Morning swampling!

 

Well, it has been awhile since I have done it, lol. We will see how rusty I am!   And you can probably out yoga me any day!

 

And Yay for a new challenge!

 

Have an awesome Monday and first challenge day!

[Waldgeist]

Found and subb'ed!

[Countess D'If]

I know what my macros are supposed to be, but they are so so intimidating!

Good luck with the belly dancing, it is so beautiful

[drunkensnake]

Belly Dancing!! W00T! awesomeness! good luck with all that! I'll be checking in!

[AlexCold]

I'm here! 

 

Good luck friend. I don't have a doubt though that this will be easy. 

 

I could watch those videos for days.

[AshPS]

Found and subb'ed!

 

YAY Waldgeist!!! 

 

Now get that thread up so I can follow! lol

 

 

 

 

I know what my macros are supposed to be, but they are so so intimidating!

Good luck with the belly dancing, it is so beautiful

 

I understand as that was how I felt the first challenge I attempted to follow macro numbers. Eventually it wasn't so much intimidating as just stressful trying to keep everything calculated or fitting it to all work together. And I hated meals that used multiple ingredients because it was so hard to calculate. If I find that progress slows too much by just......eyeballing(?).....I may go back to it next challenge. But, I did pretty well my first challenge just by being conscientious of my eating what and how much.

 

Thank you Countess D'lf! I will try to pop by your thread! 

 

 

 

 

Belly Dancing!! W00T! awesomeness! good luck with all that! I'll be checking in!

 

Hey Snakes! 

 

Thank you and I look forward to it!

 

 

 

 

I'm here! 

 

Good luck friend. I don't have a doubt though that this will be easy. 

 

I could watch those videos for days.

 

Whooooooo Hooooooo Alex!!!!!! 

 

Thank you my friend! Well, lol, the idea is for it not to be too easy!

 

Lol, funny man.

 

Sorry for being AWOL on your new thread, I am trying really hard to get caught up, still haven't gotten the brigade moved......le sigh. 

[AshPS]

Chest & Arms

(working sets only)

Flat DB Press:   4 sets of 6 (2 x 4,3) (60 lbs) (2 x 6) (50 lbs), 2 sets of 16 (40 lbs total)

Incline DB Press:   3 sets of 8 (45 lbs), 2 sets of 15 (35 lbs total)

DB Curls:   3 sets of 6 (17.5 lbs each arm), 2 sets of 16 (12.5 lbs each arm)

Lying Tricep Extensions:   4 sets of 6 (30 lbs total)- 5 lb drop, 1 set of 15 (25 lbs total)

 

 

Alrighty, no raises today. Stupid me injured the ring finger of my right hand. I think I may have broken the end of it. Didn't have fast enough reflexes and got it caught in the snapping metal door of a book drop box. Fortunately most of the exercises are where I could keep the DBs in my palm and loosen my grip. The only two that caused me trouble were the curls and extensions, but the 17's were doable and I dropped the extensions by 5 and got them done. I wrapped the finger pretty thick to cushion it.

 

Never broke anything before in my life and wowzers does it hurt. Lesson learned, lol.

 

Hope everyone's first day of the challenge Rocks!

 

[Waldgeist]

Now get that thread up so I can follow! lol

 

It is, come and find me!

[Waldgeist]

 Ouch, hope your finger is not really broken.

[Swampling]

Ouch!

 

Hurting your fingers, especially the fingertips is always hell!

Sounds like an echo in here, but I hope it's not broken!

 

*hugs*

[drunkensnake]

I would venture that it is not broken, by running on the supremely scientific theory that if you think it might be it isn't.....I too have nere to break anything, but I have heard that when you do, you know it

[AshPS]

It is, come and find me!

 

Lol, made me think of hide and seek!

 

 Ouch, hope your finger is not really broken.

 

Me too.

 

 

 

Ouch!

 

Hurting your fingers, especially the fingertips is always hell!

Sounds like an echo in here, but I hope it's not broken!

 

*hugs*

 

And especially when it is your right hand and you suck at doing anything left handed.

 

Thank you! 

 

 

 

I would venture that it is not broken, by running on the supremely scientific theory that if you think it might be it isn't.....I too have nere to break anything, but I have heard that when you do, you know it

 

 

Lol, sounds like a very scientific theory to me. lol

 

I would have to ask, if a person has never broken something how would you know????   

 

All I can say is that I have smashed fingers before and this is nothing like that. The door slammed hard enough that it cut a gash through the pad of the finger. Not bad enough for stitches, just bled a lot. And today it is useless. There is an intense sickening burning and throbbing that won't go away and is not from the cut. And the burning gets 10 x worse when the finger is in a downward angle like when I type. So I have to keep holding it up.

 

No point in going to have it seen as from what I understand they don't do anything for that except wrap it. Hope it heals quick.

[AshPS]

Alright, I am running late with this. I've been busy trying to catch up on finding friends and getting my group up and running.

 

Today's Progress:

 

Today was chest & arm day and that went well all things considering. Food has been tracked and I am still debating about whether to list my food here. Not sure. hmm...

 

Tomorrow is Bellyfit and my first yoga session!

 

As for project organization, I had to replace my laptop and I spent a good part of today cleaning up and transferring files. You never realize how much stuff you have on your computer until you have to move it.

 

Finger is really hurting. I think that I am going to have to make a goal one challenge to teach myself to be ambidextrous! lol

 

Have a fabulous Tuesday guys!

[Swampling]

Good morning, Ash!

 

 

Alright, I am running late with this. I've been busy trying to catch up on finding friends and getting my group up and running.

 

Today's Progress:

 

Today was chest & arm day and that went well all things considering. Food has been tracked and I am still debating about whether to list my food here. Not sure. hmm...

 

Tomorrow is Bellyfit and my first yoga session!

 

As for project organization, I had to replace my laptop and I spent a good part of today cleaning up and transferring files. You never realize how much stuff you have on your computer until you have to move it.

 

Finger is really hurting. I think that I am going to have to make a goal one challenge to teach myself to be ambidextrous! lol

 

I hear you on the computer maintenance! Although I have found that I really don't access a lot of the old stuff once I took the trouble to transfer it to the new machine... *scratches head* Guess I'm a bit of a data pack rat.

 

Learning to be (at least a bit more) ambidextrous is never a bad thing. Not only is it very handy (sorry, bad pun...), but it will also create shiny new synapses in your brain!

 

Have fun with Bellyfit and yoga!

[AshPS]

Good morning, Ash!

 

 

 

I hear you on the computer maintenance! Although I have found that I really don't access a lot of the old stuff once I took the trouble to transfer it to the new machine... *scratches head* Guess I'm a bit of a data pack rat.

 

Learning to be (at least a bit more) ambidextrous is never a bad thing. Not only is it very handy (sorry, bad pun...), but it will also create shiny new synapses in your brain!

 

Have fun with Bellyfit and yoga!

 

Good morning swampling! 

 

Data pack rat, yep, lol, I think I have the same problem.

 

Well, that might seriously go on the list for a future challenge! I should start a list on my computer of things I think of. More files!

 

Thank you my friend, I think I will!

 

Have a wonderful day!

[iatetheyeti]

Hey hey hey, I finally got here!

 

The challenge is looking good, and you've gotten off to a great start. Y'know, smashed up finger aside. That sucks, but you're right, for something like that all a doctor is going to do is wrap it up tight and tell you to be careful with it. Hope it heals quickly (and good luck with ambidexterity)!

[AshPS]

Hey hey hey, I finally got here!

 

The challenge is looking good, and you've gotten off to a great start. Y'know, smashed up finger aside. That sucks, but you're right, for something like that all a doctor is going to do is wrap it up tight and tell you to be careful with it. Hope it heals quickly (and good luck with ambidexterity)!

 

YAY!!!!!!!

 

Thank you! Yeah, that is what I have heard so i figured I would save me the bill, lol. It throbs and burns and I can't hold it in a downward angle long, but beyond that it's mostly an annoyance.

 

Have an awesome day Yeti! I think I'm finally getting a bit caught up! 

[AshPS]

First yoga session in! (Bellyfit Earth, which also includes some ab work)

 

That had a strong resemblance to playing twister, lol. And whooo hooo! I can do downward dog without face planting! Buuuuuut, trying to grab my right ankle while my left leg is wrapped around in front of me....uh hum.....that is going to take some work.   It's harder than it sounds ok??!!

 

I also learned that yoga moves are harder than they look aaaaaaand strong muscles are not necessarily flexible muscles ACK!

 

But, in some ways, lol, it actually felt kinda good.

 

Have a great day everyone!

[AlexCold]

Hi Ash! Sounds like you're doing great!

 

I think hubby might like the extra flexibility