Darkfoxx Cycle 12: Batacular

[darkfoxx]

This challenge is Batman themed, in honor of Batty's 75th. 

 

 

 

Overarching Goal: Building A Better Bat

 

 

My continuing and overarching goal for this entire NF journey has been to build a better/more healthy/more fit/whathaveyou version of me. What does that look like? I don't know. There's the image in my head and then there's the more modest and realistic goal - and I'm guessing reality is going to lie somewhere in-between. (vaguely - 15% body fat & guns ala Linda Hamilton in T2)

 

To achieve this goal, I've leveled up my food (mostly and some cycles better than others), I've participated in a couple of muddy obstacle courses (and plan to do more), "run" a "real" 5k (also plan to do more), followed a few fitness-oriented programs, and have made working out a priority 4-5 times a week. I still have a ways to go, but I think I'm on the right track - I just need to keep this trajectory going + add some more specific challenges into the mix. 

 

 

Goal 1: Fitness - aka be capable enough to escape the Joker whenever

 

 

 

Always fitness. I like my 4-5 days a week workout schedule, so I'm sticking to that. The Spartan WODs seem to be working well for me so far, so I think I'll continue down that path with yoga worked in on the days I don't want to do the WOD/can't because it's raining or something. This is dangerously close to one of those pick your own adventure plans that I suck so horribly at, but since I've been able to keep it up for a week, maybe I can keep it going? 

 

I would also, ideally, like to work in one of my other side goals here - like being able to do an unassisted pull-up - but we will see how drained this kinda intense workout plan makes me. 

 

 

Goal 2: Metrics - aka Sciiiience! Like Poison Ivy? (go with it)

 

 

 

Metrics make me happy and they work for me, so I'm sticking with them. As a refresher, my metrics are: 100 grams or under of carbs, 70 grams or over of protein, under 100 grams of fat and around 1500 calories. Water is the recommended by FitBit 64 ounces, and on the weekends I like my step count to be over FitBit’s recommended 10,000. I track food with My Fitness Pal and exercise, sleep and water with the FitBit Flex. Weight and BF are tracked with my FitBit Aria scale. 

 

Although I don't eat cow dairy any more, this was too great not to share

 

Moving on. 

 

 

Goal 3: Socials - Like With Superfriends & Shit

 

Ok, so I'm not really talking about social media here, but stick with me 

 

 

I feel the need to force myself to be more social. Mostly because my comfort zone is warm and snuggly … also because I realize that snuggling in my comfort zone doesn't really get me what I want in life. I'm not 100% sure what that is, mind you, but it most likely involves someone paying me for doing something I find more fulfilling than what I'm currently doing. So I should probably speak to humans. In meatspace. 

 

 

 

Life Side Goal - Get My Wardrobe Dialed-in Like Harley Quinn

 

 

Wardrobe restructure. I've been really into building a minimalist wardrobe lately and think I might be ready to make the jump. Sites like this and Pinterest are fueling this current obsession. My need to purge crap from my house is also driving this desire. 

 

 

Diet Side Goal - NaNa NaNa NaNa NaNa

 

 

 

I'm pretty dialed in here. More 'Batman Does Not Eat' shenanigans here. 

 

 

More Bats

 

 

And More Bats

 

 

 

Starting Measurements

 

Neck: 11.5 inches

Under Bust: 29.5 inches

Waist: 26.5 inches

Hips: 38.5 inches

Arm (left): 9.5 inches

Thigh (left): 19 inches

Body fat (calipers): 19.6%

Weight (at wake up): 119.3 lbs

[darkfoxx]

Grading Post

 

Goal 1: Fitness - aka be capable enough to escape the Joker whenever

Stick to my 4-5 days a week workout schedule - Spartan WODs, yoga, pull-up work. 

 

Week 1 Wrapup: This was a forced rest week, and I am glad to say I didn't completely sit on my ass. I did hill walks, pull-up work, and kept generally active. A for the week.

 

Week 2 Wrapup: Success. I did my first round of acupuncture this week, which completely jacked my back/tailbone system up (it was hurting all weekend) but hopefully my chi has simmered back down for this week. Left leg still weaker than right, so I will not be going crazy this week, either. A for doing what I could and sticking to something. 

 

Week 3 Wrapup: Life keeps handing me scheduling changes + varying pain levels and I'm switching things up and rolling with the punches. I haven't lost my giveafuck, so I'm counting that as a win this week. A. 

 

Week 4 Wrapup: Not a bad week overall. Not perfect, but not bad. I even got a good workout in the day after acupuncture, which I wasn't expecting. 

 

Week 5 Wrapup: A good week. Got done what I needed to get done and pushed myself a little. 

 

Week 6 Wrapup: Another good week. Got some great workouts in and some great weekend walking. Plus: Ran A Mile and 5ked it out! 

 

Grade & Points: I did good on this goal. A. I got some great workouts in, despite not following a set plan (which is usually my kryptonite), and I ran my first freaking mile ever during my 5k + finished in just under 42 minutes. Whoop! +3 STA +2 STR +2 DEX

 

 

Goal 2: Metrics - aka Sciiiience! Like Poison Ivy? (go with it)

As a refresher, my metrics are: 100 grams or under of carbs, 70 grams or over of protein, under 100 grams of fat and around 1500 calories. Water is the recommended by FitBit 64 ounces, and on the weekends I like my step count to be over FitBit’s recommended 10,000. I track food with My Fitness Pal and exercise, sleep and water with the FitBit Flex. Weight and BF are tracked with my FitBit Aria scale. 

 

Week 1 Wrapup: This was a good week overall. And I didn't go crazy during the weekend. Score. A!

 

Week 2 Wrapup: I'm counting this week as a success. I was slightly over on calories a couple times this week and under on protein during the weekend, but at least i didn't go crazy and eat allthethings. I feel good about my week. A. 

 

Week 3 Update: I wasn't perfect this week, but overall I feel like I stuck to my track. A. 

 

Week 4 Wrapup: Not perfect but not terrible. I hit my goals most days and was cognizant of the overages on the other days - nothing was a real surprise here. 

 

Week 5 Wrapup: Not a perfect week, but not bad. I had a few overages, but my weight stayed in check. 

 

Week 6 Wrapup: Whoo. The weekend wasn't 100% perfect, but it was pretty darn good. And the week wasn't bad, either. 

 

Grade & Points: I wasn't perfect here, but I did a good job overall and kept myself in check and on the right track. A. +3 CON

 

 

Goal 3: Socials - Like With Superfriends & Shit

I feel the need to force myself to be more social. Mostly because my comfort zone is warm and snuggly … also because I realize that snuggling in my comfort zone doesn't really get me what I want in life. I should probably speak to humans. In meatspace. 

 

Week 1 Wrapup: I made good baby steps here. I went to my doctor's appointment, attempted to talk to fellow dachshund owners in the park, and chatted with a bartender. A. 

 

Week 2 Wrapup: I had acupuncture and book club this week, and I set up a doggie play date for this next week. Score. A.

 

Week 3 Wrapup: Spoke to the neighbors and invited them over for games; acupuncture; yoga. 

 

Week 4 Wrapup: I'm actually keeping on top of this goal, surprisingly. 

 

Week 5 Wrapup: Socials happened. 

 

Week 6 Wrapup: I had book club, went out to eat with friends, and saw those same friends at the pet fair. 

 

Grade & Points: Shockingly, I did good on this goal. Totally thought I was going to suck at this. Didn't. A. +3 CHA

 

 

 

Life Side Goal - Get My Wardrobe Dialed-in Like Harley Quinn

Wardrobe restructure. I've been really into building a minimalist wardrobe lately and think I might be ready to make the jump.

 

Week 1 Wrapup: A. I did the full week of assignments in the two-week process. 

 

Week 2 Wrapup: Moving along on target here. A.

 

Week 3 Wrapup: Moving right along here. 

 

Week 4 Wrapup: My wardrobe restructure is coming along nicely. 

 

Week 5 Wrapup: This goal is almost complete. 

 

Week 6 Wrapup: This goal is complete. 

 

Grade & Points: This was a really fun goal to complete. My finish line doesn't quite look like what I had anticipated, but I'm happy about where I got wardrobe-wise. And I now I know what gaps I need to fill in going into fall and won't be as tempted to shop because I'm bored and buy things because they're on sale. A. +2 WIS. 

 

 

 

Diet Side Goal - NaNa NaNa NaNa NaNa

I'm pretty dialed in here. N/A.

[Knightwatch]

Came for the bats. Stayed for the acular.

[Fonzico]

Nothing too surprising, but awesome very the less (and killer theme, I must say ) Prepare yourself for way too many "Holy _____, Batman!" jokes over the coming weeks.

 

Warming up the old side-eye for the choose-your-own-workout format though... I know lack of guidance isn't really your thing. However, I have faith that you can stick with it - or live in fear of my cattle prod

[JessOfAllTrades]

I cannot wait for to use Batman gifs.

 

 

Seriously. I stopped what I was doing to go find one. Unlike Batman and his lack of flying, I'm excited to see how this challenge goes!

[Hiroro]

Woooh Batman! Looking forward to more metrics, intense workout reports, and Batmans right here! 

(And hey look at that we're both on the minimalism train  )

[Tearose]

Awesome. Subbed.

[Mikroftt]

Love the theme!  I know you can do anything you set your mind to!

[kweber05]

Meatspace...I have a TOTALLY different image when I read that! I think my goals this time around will be to start studying for the GMAT...it is time to stop dragging my feet and get to my Masters! 

[darkfoxx]

Thx, guys! @Fonzico: I'll be doing everything I can to dodge the side-eye! 

[darkfoxx]

Top post edited to include starting measurements & a vague sense of my actual end goal, body comp-wise. 

 

 

Monday Morning Update: 

 

Did my Zombie 5k obstacle course/ mud run this weekend - got through it, but my hip was killing me for most of it and I managed to bang my elbows up by running full-tilt at an incline ramp (and sliding back down - twice) - this + the rope climb were the only two obstacles I couldn't do. I tried both, though, and made a go of it. I also kept my flags until about halfway through the course (yay), when I kind of pooped out and stupidly ran into two zombies. Oops. This mud run had lots of wall climbs (my favorite) and lots of woods running with rocks (my least favorite). Water slogs (yay) and only 1 mud pit (boo, but at least it was a big one). A fun time was had by both the hubbs and I, though I was disappointed that I didn't push myself even harder - I feel like I could have gone 25% harder in the beginning before my hip crapped out and at the end when it was feeling a little better. 

 

I also signed up for the Merrill Down N Dirty mud run this October and am signing up for the Color Run 5k (also in October) as soon as the slots open up. And the hubbs is signing me up for a 5k on Roosevelt Island this Labor Day. 

 

Food this weekend wasn't the best - had some calculated carbs, but still ended up going over/under on protein. Boo. 

[Hiroro]

Sounds like the Zombie run was fun! (Though is it bad that I totally lol'd as I read you ...banged your elbows up by running full-tilt at an incline...because of the line break I pictured just running into an obstacle elbows first  ) Rope climbs are tough, there's definitely some leg technique involved...though the crazy Crossfit games people do them arms-only o_O

 

Hope your hip feels better!

[BlamedCat]

Awesome theme!  I couldn't stop laughing at the Batman Robin slapping ones.

 

Great stuff and of course subbed per usual!

[darkfoxx]

@hiroro: It certainly *felt* like I was hitting the obstacle elbows-first. I hit so hard the guy monitoring groaned  

 

And I forgot to post the recoup from Saturday. 

 

As of this morning, I'm still letting my hip rest - the hubbs thinks I should let it rest for a week, and although I really don't want to, I think that's probably wise. It doesn't hurt right now, but if I do a squat it will. So ... rest. Boo. 

 

My left arm & side are also pretty fairly wrecked. I have full range of movement, but it hurts - and my right bicep isn't too happy, either. 

 

And my abs kind of strangely hurt still. 

 

So, modification for today -- I think I'll work on handstands and holding planks as my workout for today. Might go on a walk, too, if I feel like I have the time and it's not raining after work. 

[Fonzico]

You know the drill: recovery is key. Be nice to yourself. Sounds like you had a great time though! Much awesome.

[thekatisalie]

*stalk, stalk*

[Tearose]

Hi darkfoxx! I did Warrior Dash one year, the next day I felt like I had been hit by a car, so bruised lol. It was a blast. If you're really sore soak in some epsom salts it makes a world of difference.

[darkfoxx]

@Tearose: That is exactly how I felt after Mudderella. But in a good way Epsom salt would have been a fantastic thing to to remember - but I took the whine on the couch/nap a lot approach. 

 

Hopefully I'll be back to normal from this race soon - a few muscles/tendons need to rest and a few others need to unkink and I'll be golden. 

[Knightwatch]

Congrats on doing the zombie run! One goal for this year is to fix myself enough to do one!

[darkfoxx]

Week 1 Day 1 Recap

 

Yes ... squats are fantastic. And I kind of miss them. 

 

Overarching Goal: Building A Better Bat

 tl;dr version: continue on the 'changing my body for the better' track by building muscle and losing fat. 

 

 

Goal 1: Fitness - aka be capable enough to escape the Joker whenever

4-5 days per week; Spartan WODs + fitness-style yoga + be flexible when needed + pull-ups & handstand work if possible. 

 

Since I'm going light this week to give myself a chance to fully recover from the weekend, I took it fairly easy today - logged a 30-minute walk in the (all hills) park, and worked on handstands. Held a wall kickup for 30 seconds before my cheeks felt like they were going to fall off from all the blood rushing to them. 

 

 

Goal 2: Metrics - aka Sciiiience! Like Poison Ivy? (go with it)

As a refresher, my metrics are: 100 grams or under of carbs, 70 grams or over of protein, under 100 grams of fat and around 1500 calories. Water is the recommended by FitBit 64 ounces, and on the weekends I like my step count to be over FitBit’s recommended 10,000. I track food with My Fitness Pal and exercise, sleep and water with the FitBit Flex. Weight and BF are tracked with my FitBit Aria scale. 

 

Breakfast: Boo! No Smoothie! Had half an avocado with some of the zucchini salsa I made last week + "chips" made out of cucumbers + coffee with maple syrup

Lunch: A bunch of leftover shredded zucchini sauteed in a little ghee with pulled pork

Dinner: Sirloin steak with a cucumber/tomato salad and leeks

Snacks: The last half of my mixed nut pocket snack thing + kombucha

 

Calories: 1,349

Carbs: 50

Fat: 104

Protein: 74

Sugar: 20

 

Everything was great, but fat was a touch over. I'm not stressing since I'm sure it was the avocado that put me into the fatty doghouse. 

 

 

Weight: 119.3 lbs. 

Calories In vs. Out: 1349 In vs 1483 Out

Sleep: 7 hours & 36 minutes - awake 0x, restless 4x

Very Active Minutes: 9 / Distance: 2.78 miles / Steps: 6,884 

Water: 60+ ounces

 

 

Goal 3: Socials - Like With Superfriends & Shit

Forcing myself to be social: I'm aiming for once a week out of the house (aside from weekends) doing something that is either directly social (like attending a meetup, game night, book club, actually going out with a friend, etc.) or on my way to social (I'm counting going to the doctor as a social activity because my doctor is through Freelancers Union and they have 99999 networking and social events).  

 

Nothing done here. I *do* have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, and I looked into flights for my upcoming trip to see a friend IRL (it's not until October, though).

 

 

Life Side Goal - Get My Wardrobe Dialed-in Like Harley Quinn

Wardrobe restructure. I've been really into building a minimalist wardrobe lately and think I might be ready to make the jump. Sites like this and Pinterest are fueling this current obsession. My need to purge crap from my house is also driving this desire. 

 

I *want* to jump into this process willy-nilly and get with the purging. But ... I'm deciding to take a more measured course instead. At least for now. Completed Day 1 of the Upgrade Your Wardrobe In 30 Minutes A Day 2-week program by working to define a personal style concept. 

 

 

Diet Side Goal - NaNa NaNa NaNa NaNa

I'm pretty dialed in here. Depending upon what the doctor says, I may do something additional with nutrition. 

 

[Fonzico]

Oh squats. How I love thee. Did some today, felt great.

 

Good job taking it easy-ish with the hilly walk though. Food looks good too - off to a solid start!

[JenniferStark]

Batman and mudruns! So much awesome so little time.  Best of luck with your challenge!

 

[darkfoxx]

Yas! Love the .gif, @JenniferStark

 

@Fonzico: I'm a touch - dare I say it - jealous at your ability to currently do squats. And it looks like more hilly walks on the docket tonight - hilly walks with back stretches to try and unkink some of these muscles! (and maybe the incline fly things I wanted to try in the doorframe)

[Fonzico]

[Hiroro]

Aaaaah after this challenge you should go buy yourself a Batman cape to do squats in! Or since you're minimizing your wardrobe you could...make one with one of the garments you're tossing. Teehee black item + light colored item + big dark item = cape.

Oooooooh you could wear it for your next mud run!!

 

Ok done now. 

 

Perhaps we shall start calling you darkbatfoxx. That sounds like a truly intimidating creature.