A wild challenge appears

[This is Seth]

This is my challenge, there are many like it but this one is mine.

So, this is my first 6 week challenge and my vacation is taking place right in the middle of it. I think I'll be able to keep up some form of a BW routine whilst travelling, so that should keep things in line for me. Anywho, time to list out my goals...

Fitness Goals -

1) 10 unassisted chin ups. [i'm at 3 now but assisted chin ups have become a staple in my workout, hoping to level these up.]

2) Up my rep maxes to:

Squat : 225lbs [current : 185lbs] Quest Completed

Deadlift : 200lbs [current : 185lbs] Quest Completed

Bench : 160lbs [current : 135lbs]

3) Find a 2 mile course and run it. [My run now is about 1.3 miles, I need to find a new road to run down..] Quest Completed

Diet Goals -

1) Cut back on carbs. < 120g

2) Consistent protein intake. > 150g [[GOAL UPDATE! thanks to supplement shop guy]]

Financial Goals -

1) Zero out both credit cards

2) Move all left over money from BoA saving to ING saving Quest Completed

Life Goal -

1) Make it back from Ireland alive...[kidding, kind of]

2) Get out to the next /r/boston meetup. Quest Completed

Before Photos -

Measurements -

Weight : 214lbs

Bicep : 15"

Chest : 44"

Naval : 40.5"

Waist : 39"

Quad : 22.5"

[smedly]

This is my post, there are many like it but this one is mine...

Good luck and have fun in Ireland!

[This is Seth]

Thanks man! Good luck on your goals too.

Really hope that I don't weird out the people at the B&B's as I'm doing lunges around the house and dips on their furniture...

[Kishi]

On the other hand, those are some fine conversation-starters. You never know who you'll run into.

[NorthRoad]

I like your economical goals good luck on the low carb while traviling ! It can be hard, but just go for meat, and order extra salad instead of fries/tatoes etc

[This is Seth]

I did that at the pub this past weekend and the all too friendly staff there had a good time with my side salad instead of fries. Where I'm staying is huge on their local fish, so I'm hoping I can just stuff my face with the catch of the day all week.

The financial goals are just as important to me as the fitness goals. Like most kids with their first credit cards, I really made a mess of things. So now, I'm working on turning it back around. Hard to hit some of my 5 year goals without an amazing credit score.

[smedly]

I did that at the pub this past weekend and the all too friendly staff there had a good time with my side salad instead of fries. Where I'm staying is huge on their local fish, so I'm hoping I can just stuff my face with the catch of the day all week.

The financial goals are just as important to me as the fitness goals. Like most kids with their first credit cards, I really made a mess of things. So now, I'm working on turning it back around. Hard to hit some of my 5 year goals without an amazing credit score.

Speaking of kids with there first credit cards... I was $2 under my limit this month thanks to text books and protein...

[This is Seth]

Careful with that. If they have the option, setup the mobile notifications for balances within X% of your limit.

[Hermione Gainser]

I did that at the pub this past weekend and the all too friendly staff there had a good time with my side salad instead of fries. Where I'm staying is huge on their local fish, so I'm hoping I can just stuff my face with the catch of the day all week.

The financial goals are just as important to me as the fitness goals. Like most kids with their first credit cards, I really made a mess of things. So now, I'm working on turning it back around. Hard to hit some of my 5 year goals without an amazing credit score.

Fresh, local fish sounds awesome. I miss coastal living. Glad you're not afraid to ask for what you want Rock on.

[This is Seth]

Goal Progression in Week 1:(9/6 - 9/12)

I plan on updating each reply as the week progresses, rather than reply each time I want to check in. Saves on paper, you know?

Fitness Goals-

1) Chin Ups : uhh, I didn't really check on these... whoops

2) Upping teh weights

2a) Squat : 9/12 225lbs, once again, hit the goal but for two sets... I want them alllll

2b) Deadlift : 9/9 205lbs, that's over my goal but only used it for one set... I want all sets at this weight.

2c) Bench : 9/7 145lbs woot for progress

3) Find 2 mile route : I did a 1.5 mile run... with a bit of a break in the middle. That break was due to running to the gym and realizing it was closed, and then running home.

Diet Goals -

1) Carbs < 120g [x] [x] [x] [o] [o] [x] [x]

2) Protein > 100g [x] [x] > 150g [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Financial Goals -

1) CC balances - put a thousand towards one card, but that was really to stop the bleeding from this weekend's outing to the outlet mall in Maine.

2) Savings moved - Still haven't called BoA to figure out how to officially close my savings with them

Life Goals -

1) not making any promises here

2) meetup on the commons on Saturday... after that, I may have to add in a new goal

[Seabright]

Hey, nice start to your challenge! Good luck closing the account at BofA. They always seem to really really want to hold on to your money as long as they can.

[This is Seth]

If they want my money, they should offer me more than .000000014% on my savings. Lame.

Thanks for the encouragement though. It's been rainy for the past 2.5 days, which is a bit of a bummer for getting out and to the gym. BW routines up in the attic will have to do for now.

[Foolishnostalgia]

If they want my money, they should offer me more than .000000014% on my savings. Lame.

Heh, money doesn't grow in banks. Fact. If anything you'll lose it because they'll charge you ridiculous fees. Credit Unions for the win.

Good job on your progress, keep it up!

[Crooked]

1) I love your thread title.

2) I love the "this is my challenge" reworking of the Rifleman's Creed.

3) Those look like some awesome goals, and I look forward to watching your progress.

[This is Seth]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys/gals! I was a little weary of the whole "being held accountable by the forum" concept, but I'm really loving the backing that I'm getting from my squad and others.

[Kishi]

Well, yeah, man. I mean, this is the kind of community you get, where we're all trying to look out for each other and help each other meet our goals. It's a good place.

[Hermione Gainser]

Heh, money doesn't grow in banks. Fact. If anything you'll lose it because they'll charge you ridiculous fees. Credit Unions for the win.

Good job on your progress, keep it up!

Sorry to thread jack or whatever the kids call it... but speaking of ridiculous fees: Wells Fargo and some other more local (or maybe Regional) banks in my area are "testing" a new monthly fee for debit card use. Any form of use of it at all. $3/mo to pay for stuff, take money out of the atm, deposit money in the atm, etc. Ridiculous. You want to charge me $36/yr to use your bank to store my money? Awww helll NAH!

Sorry, banks make mad >:-|

So yes: credit unions for the win!!

Back to topic: Great start! Way to represent!

[This is Seth]

If I get a charge for using my debit, I'll be moving completely onto my CC and direct depositing into ING. It's probably worth it to do that now for the miles earned / cash back. But anywho...

The real reason for the post was an update on the gym adventure today. I got in two sets of 145lbs on bench, which is 10lbs more than I was using last week. So woot for that. The downside was that I really struggled to hit my 100g of protein today. I've been eating kind of weird to try out different ways of getting to that point, so I thought I'd lay out what I ate the past two days for feedback.

Tuesday meals: 94g carbs, 121g protein

Breakfast - beef jerky, nectarine

Lunch - dried fruit trail mix[too much sugar for my liking... left the rest of the bag on the shelf in the office]

Snack - more beef jerky

Dinner - giant chicken breast, frozen corn, frozen peas, fresh zucchini, scrambled egg[singular], giant glass of milk

Wednesday meals: 97g carbs, 103g protein

Breakfast - beef jerky, nectarine

Lunch - Greek yogurt, unsalted peanuts, banana

Dinner - ground turkey topped with cheddar cheese and a fried egg, with onions and peppers

So, it goes without saying that the bulk of my intake comes at dinner. And if I'm running close on some of the numbers, I end up throwing random bits into my meals, hence the randomly placed eggs. I like keeping snacks of fresh fruit and jerky/nuts at my office and I work down the street from a Trader Joe's, so it's not like I have a problem finding food. It's more that I'm looking for any ideas on simple things that I can eat during the day(I eat both breakfast and lunch at the office, if that isn't obvious yet).

And yes, I've been thinking about investing in some protein powders for breakfast shakes, just haven't completely sold myself on the idea yet.

[Kishi]

Well, if it helps any, I use those powders myself, since my diet tends toward a lower amount of protein. They're quick, filling, and the price isn't too bad if you don't mind settling for a lower amount of protein. Seeing as you're getting a solid amount right now, you could probably make do with the cheaper stuff just fine.

[This is Seth]

Thanks Kishi. There's a new supplement shop that just opened in my neighborhood, I'm going to have to pop in there after work some day. I really just need an extra 20-30g on days when I don't feel like eating so much...

[This is Seth]

Problem solved. I went into the new supplement place that popped up down the street and the guy there was really helpful. He sold me on some Isopure Zero Carbs, all the protein with no carbs... easy sale. He also pushed me towards upping to 200g a day, which might be a little harder for me. But... goal update! 150g a protein a day, gonna make it happen.

Anywho, need to bang out some body weight routines. Then wake up on time to make a shake in the morning. mmm mango peach shake.

[This is Seth]

Confidence boost of the day : I passed the couple who own the neighborhood package store on the way home from the gym this evening. The wife took one look at me and went, "That's why we don't see you that much anymore, you lost so much weight! You look great."

Thank you little lady, you just made my evening.

I did miss my carbs goal for the day though. The new 150g of protein is proving easy with the addition of the shakes in the morning and post workout... but the added milk is killing me on carbs. Going to have to work on that. But I'll worry about that tomorrow.

[Hermione Gainser]

WOOT WOOT! That's friggin awesome!

Glad the protein is working out for you! How do you feel about almond or soy milk? Both of those have less sugar and less carbs than regular milk. Just make sure you check the labels. Obviously, unsweetened versions are better. I actually really like silk brand for both.

[This is Seth]

A gf of mine got me into trying soy milk until I read up on it online. It's not exactly "great" for guys... I am willing to give almond or coconut milk a try though, they're next on the list for when I go shopping. I heard almond milk is almost as good as soy, without the downside.

[Kishi]

Almond milk is good. Keep in mind, though, it's gonna be more expensive too. You pay the same price for a half gallon of almond milk that you'd pay for a gallon of regular. And, you don't get even half the protein in a serving of almond milk that you get in regular either.