WxStormer Storms the Mountain, Take 2

[wxstormer]

Greetings everyone.  This is my second try at Challenge #2.  I had an issue in the last challenge where I had to go to the hospital which kinda knocked me out of action for two weeks.  However, for this challenge, I can say that I already have won it.  I waited until after Camp Nerd Fitness to actually formally start the challenge because I knew the experiences there would impact what I want to do in this challenge.  And it definitely did so.  Camp was freaking awesome.  Lots of friends were made and a lot of education took place.  It also acted as what I call a transformational experience in my life.  Some of this I will post about in a Woot post later this week.  

 

My Character:  I'm an Ogre Adventurer

 

My Main Quest:  As of now, I want to lose another 100 pounds.  I currently have lost approximately 50 pounds since April 2014.  Once I get down 150 pounds I can have a surgery that will solve the root cause of many of my other health issues.  But at my weight, the surgery is a bit too risk for me to undertake.  

 

My Transformational Quest:  This what has changed the most due to Camp Nerd Fitness.  I found that my life has been very lonely and unfulfilling and I need to change it immediately.  I need to create my Jedi Council and batcave.  I need to get out and do more.  I need to stop being lazy.  I need to get my ass kicked from time to time.  I want to be a Hero.  I want to value myself as a person and not worry about what people think about me.  I need to do activities that push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me.

 

Continuting Quest:  

I'm changing this to my continuing quest because it will be an active part of every quest from hereon out.  I'm also adapting it to be more flexible for the future.  So my goal now is to maintain a certain level of activity.  On days I don't go to the gym, I want to make sure that I get at least 10,000 steps.  On gym days, I need to make sure that I kick butt.

Grading:  

A - Completed for at least 39 of the 42 days

B - Completed between 30-39 of the 42 days

C - Completed between 25-30 of the days

F - Less than 25 days

Reward:  +STA (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)

 

Challenge Quest 1:  

Angry Bird Fitness Workout.  I'm going to make this easy.  I want to be at level 2 on all phases by the next challenge.

Grading:

A - Made Level 2 on All 4

B - Made Level 2 on 3 phases

C - Made Level 2 on 2 phases

F - I'm a wuss.

Reward:  +STR (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)

 

Challenge Quest 2:

So I have been on a Paleo diet since this challenge has started.  I'll use this as a stepping board to continue to be good.  So I'll judge this based on how much I follow the Paleo plan with a few modifications.

Grading:

A - Completed 90% of the time.

B - Completed 70-89% of the time.

C - Completed 50-69% of the time.

F - Less than 50% of the time.

Reward: +CON (3 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C, 0 for Failure)

 

Real Life Reward for Completing Challenge (Part 1 of 2):

I'll do this reward if I complete two challenges (this being part 1 of 2).  Fly to Seattle and hang out with a friend who has just moved there and do some hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park.  It was fun when I last did it 8 years ago.  Plus it will get me out of the house.

 

I AM A HERO!!!

[wxstormer]

OK, Yesterday I had a stressful day at work then a fight with traffic to go to Austin for a conference at mid-day.  Still managed about 6.5 miles walking (I didn't keep my phone with me, so Fitbit only said 10,500+- steps).  Yesterday I did 40 BW squats to failure and a few pushups and planks.

 

Woke up today at a friends house and kicked off with 45 BW squats, 10 planks, and 20 push-ups.  And I'm exhausted.  Back to the conference, then back to work.  Maybe gym tonight...

[DaniRiekwel]

You are a hero!

[wildross]

Hey!  Sorry our paths didn't really cross at camp.  Great to see the work you are putting in.  You might be interested in this thread

 

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/53662-the-chronologically-blessed-2/

 

The original "Chronologically Blessed" thread is here  Accountability group for older folk

[wxstormer]

Today's WOD:

 

Morning:

40 BW Squats

10 full pushups

20 kneeups

10 planks

10 one arm rows (25 pounds).

 

Evening:

3 reps each of 65, 85, and 105 bar squats (upper)

10 reps of bar weight bench

15 minutes of water walking

2 mile evening walk with dog.

 

What was different today was that after first 10 squats, the rest were super easy. Like I did 10 in one set then 29 in the next set. I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting more pain and suffering (that was the pushups today). My last squat I had for 2 minutes. That also was painful...

 

Last night I did a 2.5 mile walk with my doggy and I'm probably going to the gym to do bar squats, deadlifts, and benches and some water running.

 

So today I give myself props for my first ever attempt at doing bar squats.  Yeah, the weights kinda suck, but I don't want to pressure myself with them yet.  I just want to stay comfortable with weight lifting until I reach my pinnacle in body weight squats.  But I do want to stay in practice so that I remember form.

 

I'm finding that I''m walking faster, probably due to the squat.  That freaking blew me away...

[Devyn]

I like your challenge and I like how you have levels within the levels!  These are good!

*cheering for you

[wxstormer]

Hey, I'm analytical.  Former engineer and all...  

[wxstormer]

Today I decided to do a max out session on BW squats.  I ended up doing 67 total in 3 sets (30, 20, and 17).  That is freaking awesome.  I definitely can tell the difference in my walking.  Though my fitness track in Map My Run says I only did 2.8 miles per hour last night on my first "lap", and 2.6 mph overall, I also had to stop for traffic, let my dog pee about 10 billion times, adjust collar/lead.  I think I had like 6 minutes total of lollygagging around.  That means I did 3.1 miles per hour.  I want to get to 4 mph eventually, but hitting the 3 plateau without any difficulties and no heart rate spikes rocks.

 

The problem with maxing out BW squats is that it made pushups and planks incredibly hard.  Like only 10 pushups and 3 planks.  But I will say it is a net positive.

 

I've been thinking of adding something else - softball.  They have a super social league that is for people who don't have much experience and don't have a problem if they suck.  Thinking about doing that.  It'd be my first organized sport (I'm sorry, but I don't consider bowling a sport) since Middle School (band took care of HS PE).  Wish me luck and courage.  It's more of going into beast mode and being awesome.

 

Also, I have a date tonight.  Yes.  Me.  Engage beast mode.  It's only a movie, but it's something.  I've decided to stop being a wuss and making other people's decisions for them (i.e., by not even taking part) and just be myself and let the chips fall where they may.

[Jessikuh]

50 pounds down? Sounds like you're already kicking some serious ass.  I'm glad you found motivation at camp. I know we all did.  

I know you'll get down to your goal weight. Your goals are great, challenging but attainable. Go for it, dude!

 

YOU ARE A HERO!

[cmhutch]

Great set of goals and grading, and you've done awesome so far! I love how much motivation everyone has taken from camp  

[Kim Taura]

Well, hello sir!

[wxstormer]

I've been updating more on Facebook lately than here..  Until last Thursday, my goal was about 3 sets of 20 reps of squats and 3 sets of 10 pushups (either knee or full, depending on what I can do).  On Thursday, taking my trip to Dallas kinda triggered a latent sinus infection that I had.  So I've been suffering with it since then.  Since I'm trying to follow the Neck Rule, I can't do exercise other simple walks.  I'm hoping to get over it this week...  I want to get back to being off and running...

 

So that means I missed my concert AND my attempt to tackle Enchanted Rock.  I will tackle Enchanted Rock this fall/early-winter.  I will conquer it...

 

Also, my whirlwind of travel has been finished.  I've been away from home for quite a few days - first for Camp, then for Spiceworld (IT Conference), and finally WFX (Church Media/Tech Conference).  My dog missed me.  

[wxstormer]

I was able to do a quick one mile walk on Sunday.  Went to the doctor on Monday and found out that I had Acute Bacterial Sinusitis and Bacterial Conjunctivitis..  The fevers have been over for a day or two now, but the rundown feeling still is pretty present.    I meant to do a mile and half last night, but ended up crashing as soon as I got home from practice.  I do plan on walking tonight some, and to slowly restart my body weight workouts in the morning.  Being sick freaking sucks.  

[wxstormer]

Time for an update.  I ended up taking antibiotics for a week, but I think I still have at least a small sinus infection, but it hasn't stopped me.  I held off on any major physical activities until last weekend.  Since last Thursday, I've ended up doing a total of 12.4 miles including one over 3 and a speed walk today of 2.44 miles in which I set a new personal record of an average of 3.1 miles per hour over some kick-ass hills.  I also started to do a bit of trail walking up Panther Canyon and around Landa Park, but I made the mistake of doing it too close to nightfall, so I was unable to finish all of the trail (it closes at sundown).

 

This weekend I hope to do Alumni Band which will involve a crapload of walking and marching around Austin.  We'll see how that goes.  Hopefully I can do it all.  I'll engage beast mode to do it all..

 

I'm also involved in a Fitbit challenge with other participants of camp.  I'm not ever going to win one (unless I have a miracle this weekend), but I want to remain competitive.

 

Oh, a question out there for the runners/walkers.  How do you get your heel to stop hurting from walking?  This is the main pain that I have after doing walks/jogs.  Do I need an insert?  It hasn't gone away even with all of the walking that I do and normal tennis shoes/walking shoes/running shoes don't seem to make a difference.  Thanks. 

[DaniRiekwel]

Heel pain - go to a sport shoe store and ask them to evaluate your walk/run! They can recommend shoes that will help you with your problems.

 

Keep it up! 

[wxstormer]

Like I said when I started this challenge, I kicked this challenge in the butt..  There were a few setbacks - like getting a pretty serious sinus infection in the middle, but overall have done well.

 

My Main Quest is still in a holding pattern.  I'm just about the same weight as when I started.  The difference is that I am gaining muscle mass which is hiding the losses.  I can tell my losses are happening because I'm losing inches.  Clothes seem extra roomy.  Pants are down 3" in size.  I put on a pair of jeans I last wore 10 years ago and it fit.  

 

Transformational Quest..  I say that you need to read my post on my blog titled "The Road Ahead" (link) to see my overall goals for the Transformation Quest.  I've already checked off some things.  I did Alumni Band and kicked ass and took names.  I did Amy's Bootcamp and survived the entire thing (unlike Camp where I lasted mere minutes).  I've went on a date or two (though that is my definition of date.  Celena might have a different definition).  Signed up for Pax South in January.  Talk to a random person at the gym every time I go.  So this is still a work in progess.

 

Alumni Band information

 

Bootcamp Photo:

 

 

Continuing Quest:  Not quite 10,000 daily, but I averaged over 60,000 per week, so I'll give myself an A.

 

CQ1:

 

Squats:  I can definitely do 30 BW squats in one set.  I can do 60 in 2.5 sets.  So that is a solid Level 2 and almost a Level 3.

PushUps:  Other than at Amy's Bootcamp, I can do real pushups (without knees, unless I had a hard weight lifting day the day before) 2 sets of 10.  So Level 2 there.

Back:  One Arm Rows are easy.  I can probably do the inverted, but I don't always have a chance to get to that one.  I will say I'm at a Level 2.  But I don't think I will be able to improve past Level 2 in the forseeable future because of my weight.

Planks:  Man.  These are harder.  Yes, I can do them at 15 seconds at a time.  But Not 60 seconds in two planks for 30 seconds a piece.  Knee planks, yes, but not real planks.  So Level 1 here.

 

So a solid B on that one...

 

CQ2:

 

This is the one I have problems with.  I try to eat Paleo, but I still breakdown with breads and potatoes some time..  I'll give myself a C, because I am successful about 2/3 the time...

 

Real Life Challenge:

 

Win!  I'm definitely going to visit Daryl and Susan, and maybe a few other CNF-ers up in the Seattle area this winter.  I haven't figured out when, but it is definitely going to happen.

 

So I award myself with +3 STA, +2 STR, and +1 CON which takes me to STR:  4, CON: 5, STA: 5 and on to Level 3. 

 

For Level 3, I'm going to be an Assassin because I'm working on body weight (with StrongLifts 5x5 strength training), mobility, and stealthiness.  Still doing Scout type things, but for now I'll progress faster doing Assassins type things (to get my strength up to do better walking/running/jogging - Hey, I am down to 19 minute miles if I try...   )