Mama T Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 stay strong scotticus! ...we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter. - Tom Robbins Current Challenge: Life, man. Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 I completely agree... I see no reason you can't succeed in being smoke free by the end of the challenge. Great progress even with a setback. Recipes look and sound delicious! I might have to make that sweet potato goodness. "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 Recipes look and sound delicious! I might have to make that sweet potato goodness. This one was good enough to be approved by both my lady and child - highly recommended. Bacon = yumness. Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 Boom! Recipe for this week: http://everydaypaleo.com/2011/03/09/sun-dried-tomato-chicken-bake/I literally can't wait to make and eat this one! Link to comment
Wolfman Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 Sweet dude! Keep me posted on how it goes. I'm back on the wagon with the smoking, and my plan is to stick with it for the rest of the challenge. My wife actually feels pretty bad for tempting me at my weakest point, so I think that she's on board. In other news, I really want to smoke right now. I just received a bill for $21,000 from the city, for the property tax that the previous owners of our house apparently didn't pay (approx. 5 years worth). So now, I have to deal with the lawyers again. It's a great house, but the previous owners suck - this is not the first time the lawyers have been involved since we moved in a month ago... In the States, new owners aren't responsible for the taxes of the previous owners, is that not true of Canada?Day one, no drinking - Check! It was harder than I thought it would be. :/ Hope you're holding up! Level 1 Ranger in Training Current Challenge I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. -- Jack London Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 In the States, new owners aren't responsible for the taxes of the previous owners, is that not true of Canada?Day one, no drinking - Check! It was harder than I thought it would be. :/ Hope you're holding up! Yeah, it's the same here. We're not responsible for it, but we do still have to deal with the lawyers, etc. Normally this wouldn't bug me so much, if not for the fact that they did a couple grand worth of damage to the house between the last time we saw it and when we moved in - and then claimed that the state of the house didn't change. Basically they had some parties, trashed all the carpets and smashed some things (a door, a wall or two, etc.) The problem is that by the time I factor in lost time at work, potential legal costs, and the overall hassle, it just isn't worth it to pursue them. So they win... Dicks. Link to comment
Wolfman Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Yeah, it's the same here. We're not responsible for it, but we do still have to deal with the lawyers, etc. Normally this wouldn't bug me so much, if not for the fact that they did a couple grand worth of damage to the house between the last time we saw it and when we moved in - and then claimed that the state of the house didn't change. Basically they had some parties, trashed all the carpets and smashed some things (a door, a wall or two, etc.) The problem is that by the time I factor in lost time at work, potential legal costs, and the overall hassle, it just isn't worth it to pursue them. So they win... Dicks. SUCK! We bought a short sale a year or so ago and the previous owners stayed (illegally) in it until we moved in. Thankfully, they mostly took care of the place, and we only ended up losing one set of built-in shelves and a gas heater/fireplace insert that was expensive to replace, but definitely not as bad as what you're having to deal with! Level 1 Ranger in Training Current Challenge I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. -- Jack London Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Wow... that's a lot of suck!! People can be such douche canoes. Hopefully you'll be free of the drama sooner rather than later!Also, built in bookcases: swoon! I love them! "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 I made this tonight: http://everydaypaleo.com/2011/03/09/sun-dried-tomato-chicken-bake/. Two minor modifications: baby brussels instead of quartered full size ones, regular sound dried tomatoes as I couldn't find any that were julienned.Unbelievably good. I've read mixed reviews about Everydaypaleo, but so far every recipe that I've hit has been a serious winner. My wife - who is now converting to paleo, btw - said that this was the best meal either of us has cooked during our entire relationship. Not to toot my own horn, but it was pretty good. Brussels sprouts cooked with Bacon are a whole different creature than the regular version. HIGHLY recommended.Otherwise, I missed a workout and had a few diet lapses over the past 3-4 days. I was pretty sick, and fell behind on my food prep... It really opened my eyes to how pervasive carbs and sugar are in a normal, "healthy" diet. Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 %#@$! I just learned that Gears of War 3 came out TODAY. Now I have to fight the temptation to buy a copy - because doing so will surely derail my tattoo goal... Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 I just realized last night that I've made some really big gains in strength and wanted to document them at the (roughly) half way point (for later comparison). It's worth noting that I started getting back into the swing of things a couple of weeks before the challenge started, so I did have a bit of a head start.BenchStart: ~70lbsNow: 130lbsDeadliftStart: 70lbsNow: 170lbs (I think I can get to bodyweight+ by the end of the challenge). Note that after reaching this weight during my last set yesterday, I came very close to puking.Overhead Press (seated due to space restrictions)Start: 40lbsNow: 75lbsPlanksStart: 30sNow: 1m5sPushupsStart: sets of 10 normal pushupsNow: sets of 8-10 with feet elevated 24-30"PullupsStart: no skills whatsoeverNow: Can do sets of 3-5 negatives with good control, Can do 1 full chinup from a dead hang, can initiate a dead hang pull-up (this is HUGE progress for me) but fail about halfway up - so close!SquatsRemain the same @ 70lbs, due to lack of equipment. I don't want to risk any sort of injury and derail this whole thing, so I'm just practicing technique. Should probably sign up for a gym membership, but the mortgage keeps pillaging my bank account...So all in all, I'm pretty stoked. Link to comment
Mama T Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 scotticus - this is EPIC. WOOT and congrats! ...we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter. - Tom Robbins Current Challenge: Life, man. Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Wow!! These are GREAT stats!! Woot woot!! "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
scotticus Posted September 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 scotticus - this is EPIC. WOOT and congrats!Wow!! These are GREAT stats!! Woot woot!!Thanks Guys! I'm pretty blown away and more than happy with my progress so far. Now if I could just get more sleep, and stop with the cigarettes already... Link to comment
scotticus Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Note to self: life really gets in the way sometimes. A couple of colds back to back, a weekend long migraine (the first in two years), and a business trip to Washington have left me feeling pretty pasted. I'm pretty proud of the fact that I stayed on top of the diet and the workouts while in DC, but I'm feeling pretty friggin' dead right now. Also, I smashed one of my fingers doing some work around the house, and the nail is now a giant blood blister. It's going to fall off, no doubt, but in the meantime it's kind of limiting how much weight I can manage. As it stands: - the smoking is still a problem (new goal: quit for the last two weeks of the challenge) - the pullup goal is in serious jeopardy (due to the finger) - the diet goal is going to come down to the wire (The last 2-3 days were an absolute disaster. I need to eat really clean for the next two weeks) - the reading goal is still looking reachable - the tattoo goal is a FAIL (It was going great, but then our stove died. Bye-bye spare $$$) My interim report card is not looking so good... Link to comment
Mama T Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 hey scotticus - really sorry to hear about the cold, fingernail, stove, etc. life definitely does get in the way, but I guess this is why they call it a challenge, yeah? I like that you still have the positive attitude to not just quit - keep the faith, and we've got your back. shit happens, but as long as you keep trying to level up, and don't make excuses, then you've won. hope you feel better. ...we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter. - Tom Robbins Current Challenge: Life, man. Link to comment
scotticus Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 hey scotticus - really sorry to hear about the cold, fingernail, stove, etc. life definitely does get in the way, but I guess this is why they call it a challenge, yeah? I like that you still have the positive attitude to not just quit - keep the faith, and we've got your back. shit happens, but as long as you keep trying to level up, and don't make excuses, then you've won. hope you feel better. Thanks! I actually think that you've hit the nail on the head - my big win this time around is not giving up altogether. Old me would have definitely just said $% it, and then just gotten distracted with other things. Also the not making excuses, but instead accepting certain things and/or taking ownership for others is pretty big, too! Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Thanks! I actually think that you've hit the nail on the head - my big win this time around is not giving up altogether. Old me would have definitely just said $% it, and then just gotten distracted with other things. Also the not making excuses, but instead accepting certain things and/or taking ownership for others is pretty big, too! Mama T always knows exactly what's up! Glad you've got the new you going on and that you can keep on with it all! Your goals really don't sound too far out of reach (aside from the tattoo goal) because you really have been kicking some serious butt in this challenge. Keep up the good work! "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
scotticus Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 OK, so my deadlift has been coming along pretty good. As a result, a sort of mini-challenge for deadlift formed in my head: lift all of the weights that I have for my at home barbell - a total 190lbs. I'm pumped to say that I just did that three times. That means I've officially lifted 4 pounds more than my current bodyweight. le woot! Link to comment
cacodaemonia Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Woo, nice job with that mini-challenge! I can't imagine lifting more than my body weight, though I admit I've never tried it. Glad to see you haven't let recent setbacks, well, set you back. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Human-Dryad Ranger Fitocracy Shelter Sketches If you want to live an interesting life, you're going to spend half of it being terrified. -Mary Hollinshead Link to comment
Aejaxe Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hey man, just read through your thread. I don't think I can complain or bitch about anything for like... the next month. Way to push through the things that are getting in your way, its awesome. Good luck with these last two weeks, you can do it! And congrats about your deadlift PR!!! Link to comment
Mama T Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 OK, so my deadlift has been coming along pretty good. As a result, a sort of mini-challenge for deadlift formed in my head: lift all of the weights that I have for my at home barbell - a total 190lbs.I'm pumped to say that I just did that three times. That means I've officially lifted 4 pounds more than my current bodyweight. le woot! woot to the wootity woot! <-- new rebel cheer?that is awesome! congrats! ...we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter. - Tom Robbins Current Challenge: Life, man. Link to comment
scotticus Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Made this. No pictures though because I WAY overcooked it. Due to the stove issue, it had to go on the BBQ and despite my best efforts, cook time was somewhat skewed... I still highly recommend this one though, because it was really good despite being borderline charred. Cajun version, I suppose?http://crossfitcostamesa.com/fit-foods-cinnamon-apple-pork-chops-paleo/On the upside, my wife also continues to transition to a paleo-ish diet which is making things a whole lot easier to maintain.I'm @ 5/6 for my new meals goal, and I've actually made some of the recipes more than once. Smell that? Oh yes, that's the smell of delicious food and an impending win... Link to comment
Aejaxe Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Smell that? Oh yes, that's the smell of delicious food and an impending win...*deep breath in, slowly exhales...* I love this smell... Keep it goin man. Link to comment
scotticus Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Woo, nice job with that mini-challenge! I can't imagine lifting more than my body weight, though I admit I've never tried it.While I wouldn't say that it was particularly easy, I thought it would be a lot tougher than it actually was. I'm terrified of injury, so I won't push myself beyond the proper technique zone. If I had to bet, I'd say that you can totally do it - just work up to it safely Link to comment
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