Curlyfrymsu's first challenge - Exercise keeps me from going postal at work!

[Curlyfrymsu]

Hello hello! 

 

I like to think I'm in relatively decent shape, but I haven't been happy with my habits   SO, my main goal here is just to feel stronger and have more energy, I think with a quantative goal of being able to get a 300 on my physical fitness test with the Army.  My side goals that I think will get me there are:

 

FLEXIBILITY:

Be able to touch my toes with my legs straight, something I haven't been able to do since I was 6 years old (tight hamstrings, anyone??)

 

STRENGTH:

Dead lift twice my body weight (currently at 135 pounds dead lifting)

Bench press triple digits (currently at 75 pounds)

Squat my body weight (Currently able to squat 95 pounds)

Do a pull-up with no assistance

 

SPEED

Get back down to a sub-15 minute 2-mile.

 

I've always been a runner, but I find that I feel better when I mix strength training and running...the challenge for me is just sticking to a schedule!  I'm excited to finally be a member of the rebellion after lurking for a few months!   

[xanjra]

Welcome!

 

Have you planned a schedule to work on your goals?

 

M x

[Curlyfrymsu]

I've planned out a rough schedule, now actually sticking to it is a bigger issue...

 

Mondays and Wednesdays I do vinyasa yoga and a 2-3 mile run

Tuesday is leg day, I do deadlifts, squats, hamstring/glute curls, calf raises, and occasionally lunges.  If I have time, I'll do a sprint interval exercise

Thursday is chest/arm day, I do benchpress, shoulder press, dips and assisted pull ups (looking for additional effective arm exercises…)

Friday is back day, generally I do more deadlifts and lat pull-downs and a sprint interval exercise

Saturday is rest day.

Sunday I do a long run (5 miles, long for me lol) with my dad.

[adamallen]

Sounds like a pretty good plan there CurlyFry. I'll be following along to cheer you on!

[ourmisadventures]

Awesome goals! What about food? It's our fuel to do these things, so it does play a huge role!

 

For your flexibility... I *love* the series Ekhart Yoga has on youtube for runners. In the six and a half years I've been with my husband, I've never been able to out stretch him -- but now I can!! Both my running and strength training do soooo much better when I'm doing those three yoga routines. The 20-something minute one on my strength days, and the warm up & cool down ones on my running days.

[Curlyfrymsu]

Ourmisadventures-  You're so right about food!  Actually, I've transitioned pretty well into a "real food" diet...i rarely eat prepackaged things or fast food anymore and i make sure that I get well rounded meals (protein, fat, and carbs).  I used to be terrible about eating whatever was in the kitchen because I was lazy, but now I try to make a lot of food over the weekend so I'm set for most of the week   What I have noticed is that since I started heavy strength training, I've started eating a whole lot more.  Almost constantly!  I'll eat greek yogurt mixed with berries and granola for breakfast, avocado for a snack, salad with grilled chicken for lunch, apple or banana for another snack, normally peanut butter or a handful of nuts before I go to the gym, and a protein shake along with a piece of meat (steak, chicken, salmon, etc) for dinner and a ton of veggies...lately I'm on a huge asparagus or broccoli kick!  Oh and I drink water the whole time

 

I absolutely love yoga!  I normally do vinyasa yoga, the power/flow thing is really my style and keeps me focused and engaged the whole hour. Plus I rarely go the next day without being a little sore, so I see it as a good workout too!  I can almost do a full uttanasana (possibly way wrong on the spelling there LOL) without having to bend my knees or use a block.  Progress, I say!

[Curlyfrymsu]

I'll have to look at the Ekhart Yoga series on YouTube to help me to remember to stretch after my running...I'm terrible about that!

[Curlyfrymsu]

Had a great workout yesterday!!  I did my back workout since I have a big going-away party on Friday, I figure i can just get a run in on that day instead of a lengthy workout  

 

I dead-lifted 155!! Personal record!!  Plus face pulls, lat pull-downs, bent over rows, and an (unintentional) half mile flat out sprint with my puppy.  "Let's go on a half mile sprint with a leash wrapped around my legs, that seems like a good idea!" - said no one ever.  She bounced around me the whole time, I swear in her little puppy brain she was yelling HARDCORE PARKOUR!!

[The Borg Queen]

Hello! I'm scout ambassador primeval, and I see you have some running as part of your goals! Excellent. Scouts are all about endurance sports like running, walking, cycling, swimming, etc. Many of us also do strength activities and yoga. If you've any questions, feel free to drop by the Scout Tavern ( http://rebellion.ner...-and-questions/)  and say hello, but I'll pop in here from time to time and see how you're doing.

 

My only caution would be to watch out for leg day followed by any serious running. Specifically, beware of those squats. I've found that they sneak up on me and can ruin my running plans. No joke!

 

Good luck with your goals!

[Kailer]

Congrats on the PR!! How has everything gone since then??

 

I do have a question about your goals - do you have any specific milestones you'd like to reach during this six week challenge?? I see a lot of really fantastic ambitions there, but while I'm not a lifter it doesn't seem possible to double your deadlift in 6 weeks. I find it really helpful to use the challenges to set shorter term goals that can help me reach the long term ones. 

 

Let us know how it's going!

[lisawho]

Hi! I'm applying to the USMC officer candidates school, so I'm also working towards a 300 PFT   Running and working towards one unassisted pull-up are part of my challenge too!

 

Sounds like you have a pretty good workout plan in place - how have you done for the last week?

[Kailer]

Hi, Curlyfry!! Just checking in to give you a high-five and see how it's going. How have the past few days been?

[alienjenn]

hey man!!

 

 

I love the running goal... and the fit test goal!!

 

how are things going? it's the start of week five!!!! can we haz updates?