Caramel's quest for strength.. so the world might be mended.

[Caramel]

Having bailed on a previous 6 week challenge about a year or so ago, I am determined to succeed where my past self has failed!

 

One of my favourite games, Demon's Souls, has taught me that there is no learning without pain, and all failure can do is bring you one step closer to success. With that in mind, I have joined the gym and plan to make it my mission to keep getting fitter and stronger, while supporting myself with healthy food. So here goes!

 

Goal #1: Visit the gym regularly. 

A: 4 gym days a week.

B: 3 gym days a week.

C: 2 gym days a week.

I'm currently working on taking advantage of my new gym membership and incorporating free weights into my workout routine. I'm aiming to steadily increase the weight I can handle, while making sure I can manage at least 2 sets. I'm not looking to hulk up in appearance, but I miss feeling as strong as I did when I used to do martial arts at university, and want to see marked improvements in what I can squat and press, while getting rid of my office-job belly. I figure at least 3 visits a week will have me on track for that, with some low-impact exercise on the days outside the gym, whether it's swimming at a pool or just walking to and from work (~ 3 miles each way).

 

Goal #2: Pull up or shut up.

A: 5 pull-ups in a row

B: 3 pull-ups in a row

C: 1 pull-up in a row. 

This is the one (kinda) weight-specific boundary for my gym progress: I wanna be able to do full, unsupported pull-ups. I can also work on this at home, seeing as I have one of those Home Gym doorway bars, so on the days my arms aren't aching, I will be working on this at home as well. I may adjust the grading scale for this one, seeing as I'm unsure how quickly I'll be able to progress strength-wise during the challenge, but 5 in a row seems like a good goal to aim for!

 

Goal #3: Eat healthier, cook more.

A: Cook 5 meals per week. 

B: Cook 4 meals per week

C: Cook 3 meals per week. 

 Working at night makes my meal times a bit funny, and more often than not I end up taking a store-bought sandwich and some crisps into work with a caffeinated drink, which hasn't done wonders for my health. I aim to read up on general healthy eating, and increase the amount of meals I cook from scratch, instead of out of a box. I will also count any post-gym smoothies I prepare that have healthy benefits as a bonus point, and in the interests of making it a challenge, every time I eat takeout will detract one point from my overall meal score, and every meal must have at least one form of fruit/vegetable. Gots to eat my greens, yo!

 

 

Side quest: Look for martial arts classes in the local area

Pretty self explanatory! I will count this one as completed if I end up attending at least one session at a martial arts class, or one of the boxing activities in the gym, with the aim of making it a recurring thing. It will be a Platinum Pass if I keep going to it afterwards, so I don't just attend one class somewhere, decide I don't like it, and stop looking for anywhere else. 

 

I'll see about what guild I'll be aiming to join as the challenge progresses, as well as working towards creating my character and adding stats to the goals listed, but that's the basic gist of it! I'm looking forward to seeing and feeling my progress during this challenge, and any suggestions or bits of feedback are always appreciated!

 

[IceGiant355]

Excellent goals! Looking forward to "seeing" you crush them in the next 6 weeks!

[Caramel]

Thanks, Icegiantinasgaard! If I get so ripped I develop reality-bending telepathic powers, you'll certainly be the first to witness it!

[IceGiant355]

Oh, Caramel...selling yourself short already?? WHEN, not if!

[Pherales]

Great goals!  Get those positive energies flowing, 'cause you're gonna do awesome this challenge!

 

[lishvicious]

Martial arts class sounds awesome! I would love to do similar - but alas I can not with my small children permanently attached to me

[Caramel]

Oh, Caramel...selling yourself short already?? WHEN, not if!

Hey, you never know. Only sith deal in absolutes brah!

 

Great goals!  Get those positive energies flowing, 'cause you're gonna do awesome this challenge!

 

And the IT Crowd gifs just keep on coming! Haha, thanks a lot!

 

Martial arts class sounds awesome! I would love to do similar - but alas I can not with my small children permanently attached to me

Yeah, I used to do martial arts in university, and it was great socially and fitness-wise, so I'd like to get back to that level if possible. 

As for the small children, have you ever heard of nunchuks? Just tie some shoelaces between them and swing away!

 

.....

 

I should never have kids.

[shaar]

Awesome, crush those pullup goals!!  I can do one measly one right now, I'm hoping to eventually do more as my upper body strength improves...

 

You GOT this!!

 

[T2sarahconnor]

Welcome back! Outstanding challenge!

Good luck and I will be cheering you on!

If you are interested in an accountabuddies group I just made a Matrix themed one. May not mend the world but it will make you stronger!

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/53850-level-1s-take-the-red-pill/

[KayDubEff]

Get it! Best of luck on the cooking goal! Let us know what you end up making.  Cooking is something I struggle with but would like to do more, so I'll be watching!

[lishvicious]

Hmm maybe not

 

Yeah, I used to do martial arts in university, and it was great socially and fitness-wise, so I'd like to get back to that level if possible. 

As for the small children, have you ever heard of nunchuks? Just tie some shoelaces between them and swing away!

 

.....

 

I should never have kids.

[IceGiant355]

Hey, you never know. Only sith deal in absolutes brah!

Hey, even if they have nothing else, they're confident as f*** they'll succeed. Besides, it's the lack of a moral gray area that's the downfall, and that's not so much my problem.

[Blaidd]

Welcome back.

 

You might notice that i've added a Monks' tag and an Adventurers' tag to your thread.  This isn't to pigeonhole you into particular guild, but rather to bring one of their ambassadors here to offer you encouragement, support or advice.  Your goals this challenge fit well with the overall spirit of their guild and you are more than welcome to pop into their Tavern/Courtyard and introduce yourself to them.  You are also more than welcome to pop me a message anytime. 

 

Good Luck

AB xx

[Caramel]

Thanks for the support everyone! Looking forward to going to the gym after work tonight and starting off strong!

 

I realised that it'll actually be tomorrow by the time I go, seeing as I finish work at 4am, but I kind of still consider it Monday, so it won't affect my challenge goals. 

 

Making stir fry chicken for dinner tonight, it's not the most imaginative thing ever but it's a start for me, and I've also got some greens, fruit and almond milk to make an awesome post-workout smoothie! LET'S GO!

[shaar]

HECK YEAH!  Time for a strong, tasty, healthy start!!

 

What kind of greens are you going to put into your smoothie?  I usually do just fruit and coconut milk in mine, I think it's time for me to branch out.

[Caramel]

HECK YEAH!  Time for a strong, tasty, healthy start!!

 

What kind of greens are you going to put into your smoothie?  I usually do just fruit and coconut milk in mine, I think it's time for me to branch out.

Well, I've been lurking on this smoothie recipe thread, and a lot of people suggest sneaking spinach and/or kale into the recipe to get some healthy nutrients into the smoothie without affecting the taste too much, and I'm down for ninja'ing my way into eating healthy, so what the heck! Might try it with some blueberries and banana as well, and some almond milk. I'm not usually the instagram kinda person but I'll be posting the results of my twisted experiements on here in case you wanna see how it goes xD

[Caramel]

Whew, good first day!

 

Went to the gym after work, and by the end of it I could literally see the sweat evaporating off me. I didn't even know that was a thing!

 

Managed 3 sets of:

25kg squats x10

20kg press x3, then 4 after the first set (suck it gravity)

12kg bent over rows x10

20kg deadlift x10

30kg sitting chest press (it was there, don't judge me)

 

I also attempted pull-ups on a bar, first with some negative pull-ups and then just trying to brute force it. No such luck, but I think I just need to train my biceps to fear me more than the laws of physics, and I think the stream of expletives that came out while I was attemping this will really help!

 

I was gonna make an awesome post-workout smoothie when I got home, but I just found out that our blender doesn't work, which sucks. I'll see if I can fix it tomorrow, but if not I'll just buy another damn blender because I want my smoothies dammit!

 

 

And that's me for day one. Hope you're all feeling as good as me! Let's get 'em!

[shaar]

Blender FAIL!!!

 

 

I tried a pull-up yesterday on our home bar.  I got exactly halfway then my arms ... just ... stopped.  IIRC your lats (muscles in your back) are used bigtime in pullups, so maybe I'll have to work on that!  (Do ALL of the dumbbell rows!!!)

[zzx]

Pullups are a great goal. They're hard but incredibly functional, and something that people give up on too easily. I can't wait to see how you do!

[Caramel]

 

Blender FAIL!!! 

 

 

I tried a pull-up yesterday on our home bar.  I got exactly halfway then my arms ... just ... stopped.  IIRC your lats (muscles in your back) are used bigtime in pullups, so maybe I'll have to work on that!  (Do ALL of the dumbbell rows!!!)

Aw, don't. I was so gutted I couldn't make my cool smoothie but there's randomly a new healthy eating fast food (??!) place opened on the way to work so I might pick one up from there after scrutinising them a bit....

Pullups are a great goal. They're hard but incredibly functional, and something that people give up on too easily. I can't wait to see how you do!

I know right! With any luck I'll make steady progress with that, and eat plenty of protein to fuel my muscles.

[jaex]

Martial arts class sounds awesome! I would love to do similar - but alas I can not with my small children permanently attached to me

 

Even more reason to take up martial arts.  Some good grappling and throws will take care of that issue immediately. (kidding of course)

 

 

Whew, good first day!

 

Went to the gym after work, and by the end of it I could literally see the sweat evaporating off me. I didn't even know that was a thing!

 

Managed 3 sets of:

25kg squats x10

20kg press x3, then 4 after the first set (suck it gravity)

12kg bent over rows x10

20kg deadlift x10

30kg sitting chest press (it was there, don't judge me)

 

I also attempted pull-ups on a bar, first with some negative pull-ups and then just trying to brute force it. No such luck, but I think I just need to train my biceps to fear me more than the laws of physics, and I think the stream of expletives that came out while I was attemping this will really help!

 

 

I too want to do a pull-up.  It looks so easy; you are just hanging there, and then you pull yourself up.  Apparently appearances can be deceiving.  It looks like you have a good plan of attack though, so keep at it and I'm sure you can do it!  Good luck!  

[Warg]

I read your username and now I want candy.

I'd like to get back into martial arts further down the road, too. Do you have anything specific in mind?
And yay for chasing the pullup dragon!

[balesom]

Whew, good first day!

 

Went to the gym after work, and by the end of it I could literally see the sweat evaporating off me. I didn't even know that was a thing!

 

Managed 3 sets of:

25kg squats x10

20kg press x3, then 4 after the first set (suck it gravity)

12kg bent over rows x10

20kg deadlift x10

30kg sitting chest press (it was there, don't judge me)

 

I also attempted pull-ups on a bar, first with some negative pull-ups and then just trying to brute force it. No such luck, but I think I just need to train my biceps to fear me more than the laws of physics, and I think the stream of expletives that came out while I was attemping this will really help!

 

Definitely sounds like a good first day! And the string of expletives will help, trust me. I've done some of my best work while cursing like a sailor.

[IceGiant355]

Great start!

[Caramel]

I read your username and now I want candy.

I'd like to get back into martial arts further down the road, too. Do you have anything specific in mind?

And yay for chasing the pullup dragon!

Muahaha, face the craving and overcome it through my username! 

I used to do mixed martial arts in university and found it really cool. I'm more interested in functional martial arts that you could use for actual self defence rather than flowery outdated katas and so on, but on the other hand I have always loved kung fu. So I guess I'm pretty open to most styles, and I'd like to try out boxing. What about you?

 

Definitely sounds like a good first day! And the string of expletives will help, trust me. I've done some of my best work while cursing like a sailor.

Thanks balesom! Haha, it does seem to help when you're clutching out one last lift, I will say. That 4th rep in my press was one long f*********k youuuuuu, if I remember correctly.