How a Hero Learns to Live: Spark's Third Challenge

[Spark]

Greetings fellow conscious beings! Spark here, with another mad-science body experiment challenge, this time with added life goals!

 

And exclamation points. I make no apologies.

 

Challenge 1: Lift the World, Atlas. (note that this is in addition to my regular workouts).

     a. Squat. That is, squat 20/day, bodyweight, for the first week. Each week of the challenge thereafter, add another 20/day. Ambitious from where I'm sitting now, but my experience with the kettlebell swings of the last challenge tells me that I can do it.

     b. Shoulder mobility. As of now, it's very difficult for me to reach back far enough to grab hold of a barbell for proper low-bar squats. I'm going to add three shoulder-mobility-workout days each week, MWF.

 

Challenge 2: Eat like a Hunter.

      Whole30. That's it, whole-hog, for the whole six weeks, no excuses or slacking. In my case, that includes defeating the cheese-beast. It's basically paleo, without me half-assing it like I have been.

 

Challenge 3: Work like a pro.

      a. 2000 words a day. I'm a freelance writer, so I have to write. No excuses, unless I'm physically unable to write. This used to be my regular dailt output (thanks NaNoWriMo!) but I've slacked off. This is unslacking.

      b. Edit a minimum of ten pages a day. I have stories languishing on the hard drive. Have you ever seen a digital file gather dust? Not pretty.

      c. No video games until after 5PM, and hen only if I've finished parts 3a and 3b for the day. Seriously, this is one of my bigger problems, time-management-wise.

 

Side-Challenge: Planks of steel. (Special thanks to Aminarra)

      a. Work my way up to a 30-second plank. Probably the same days I'm working shoulder mobility. There was a time that I thought I was doing planks right, and then I did the reading and found out that I was not. o.o

      b. Work leg raises and bridges on the same day.

 

Spark's beginning point for this challenge:

Weight 461. (209 KG, or 33 stone).

Neck: 22.5"/58cm

Chest: 57.5"/146cm

Bust: 66"/168cm

R Bicep: 18.5"/47cm

R Forearm: 15"/38cm

Waist: 53"/134cm

Belly: 66"/168cm

Hips: 56.5"/143cm

R Calf: 20"/51cm

 

*deep breath* Hoo. Go RANGERS!

 

*edited to add the video game part*

[Mdowning]

Sub'd Spark! Good luck with Whole30 and those squats. Any chance we may see some excerpts of your writing?

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

[Spark]

I'm working on getting the first chapter of my current book available for free, but it'll be a little bit. I'll send you a PM when I get it going. I'd rather not seem like I was using the forums to advertise, is all.

 

More than I already do. o.o

[ShadowLion]

Looks like you are gearing up for an awesome challenge!

 

Any particular routine you plan to use for your shoulder mobility? (Curious, as I will be doing some shoulder durability work and am looking for resources and also have some resources you might find useful.)

 

Writing - cool!  You might want to check out the Renaissance Rebels accountabilibuddy group. Bunch of writerly types in it, generally. I am planning to do some sort of anti-procrastination and productivity enhancement activities for the group this time. Stay tuned...

 

Subbed and cheering!

[Spark]

I plan to start with dislocator-stretches, door stretches, and Indian-club movements with my homemade clubbells. After a couple of weeks I'll see where that's gotten me.

 

*looks forward to staying tuned*

[Yllek]

Great goals! I've done 1 round of a full whole30 and half of one. The first round I stayed really strict for 2 months and then the holidays happened. And for the second one I decided to add whey protein after the first 2 weeks for financial reasons. Be ready for the first 2 weeks. After that it gets easier every day. Good luck.

[Yllek]

Hope your shoulder ferls better.

[DarK_RaideR]

Subscribed and supporting. You go demolish those goals of yours!

[Zahira]

Good goals! Good luck on the Whole 30! I actually like doing it, although I do miss my wine. It looks so sad, sitting in the fridge, getting passed over. The squat challenge is insane, but I know you can do it!

[Beaucastle]

subbed by the dragon.

[AnnieP (respawned)]

Stalking er... Subbing from the Renaissance Rebels thread. *Whistles, trying to look nonchalant* You don't mind if an Assassin watches, right?

Subbing for the writing and squat challenges.

[kumamon]

Goooooo Spark!!

[lyricalsharon]

Hey! Your goals look great! 

Bravo on the video games part. Time management is something I am still learning, but as I slowly shift my priorities, I discover on a continual basis how much more fulfilling and productive my life can be. (Including the times for entertainment - they become more special when they're not taking over my life).

 

Anywhoo, way to go! 

[Spark]

That makes total sense, and is something that I'm going to remind myself about when I'm whining about not playing Borderlands.

[Phayze]

Spark-E! You're a BEAST, so I'm subbing to watch you be awesome again. Give it Hell, bro!

[Twilight]

GO SPARK!

 

[GillyNomad]

great challenges! Good luck with the squat challenge....that's gonna be tough but so rewarding at the end! 

 

Subbed!

[Stonie]

Hai! Subbed! 

 

I like to see how people work their routines into their lives. And I like exclamation points! And squats.

[Aminarra]

Does sitting and standing a bunch of times count as squats? Lol yesterday, I worked a truck rodeo and was sitting, standing, pacing, walking, judging for 10 hours. Totally counts as a work out, right?

[Spark]

Only if you were sitting with proper form.

[Aminarra]

Happy Monday!

[Hornbeam]

2000 words a day would be brilliant! I'm going for 200, just to get back in the habit in a tiny way, and not leave room to beat myself up for reaching too far and failing! Good luck!

[Epsilonx2]

Excellent goals! It sounds like you've got some very serious work ahead of you, but I'm sure you'll rock it. That no cheese thing would definitely be rough for me. I've wondered whether I'd do well with a Whole30. Best of luck with everything! I can't wait to see how you progress!

[T2sarahconnor]

Great challenge! You will rock this. Congrats on doing whole30. I love my Paleo half-assing self. Trying to be more disciplined this time. Would love to have you share with us what you are eating. I am always looking for new recipes.

[Spark]

Happy Monday INDEED!

 

Hope everyone got off to a rocking start. I know I did.

 

1. 20 Squats

2. Followed True30 like it was my last hope of survival. I feel...well, pretty good, though it's probably too early to tell.

3. a. 2036 words.

    b. 16 pages edited.

    c. No vidya games before five!

 

Meal A: Scrambled eggs, scrambled in olive oil with some garlic for seasoning. A sausage patty. Sliced strawberries. Orange juice.

Meal B: Watermelon, sliced apple, tuna wraps (tuna fish with a little dill, onion, and mayo, wrapped in lettuce leaves). Water.

Snack: Chicken leg quarter, glass of grape juice.

Meal C: Shrimp/mushroom/onion/green-pepper kebabs, brushed with a garlic-and-olive-oil mix before baking. Watermelon. Strawberries. A serving of mixed almonds and cashews.

 

Cheers!