Setting Out

[Urgan]

...to join the Warriors Guild soon. I know we're two weeks into a 6 week challenge already, but hopefully I can play catch-up and make it turn out okay. I've been working out since August 2014 and already have a major goal, the real challenge here is posting it online and proving myself to the Rebellion.

 

So here are my goals:

 

Quest: Take my deadlift and squat from 65 and 55 lb to 80 lbs in pursuit of my main quest of hitting100 lb

 

I have started posting a detailed log in my battlelog, please let me know if this is allowed while on the Level 1 Rebels challenge. I figure I'll at minimum update weekly here?

 

Side Quests:

1. Exercise consistency

Maintain 3 days/week exercise regimen

2. Sleep

Get in bed by 9:30 PM on weeknights, 10:30 on Friday/Saturday

3. Nutrition

Log food and beverages consumed

Drink 8 cups of water daily

No french fries under any circumstances, minimize appearance all fried food from diet

No soda per No Soda PVP

 

Motivation

Get much stronger and continue raising my quest goals in order to improve my quality of life and avoid the natural consequences of a sedentary life. 

 

That's it, now I'm going to get to it.

[Urgan]

So far so good for today, got in bed on time last night, exercised according to plan (increases by at least 5 lbs per week to meet this challenge), met my nutrition requirements (no frieds, no soda, 8+ cups of water, and logged everything in my Battle Log. 

[Teirin]

Hi Urganagru, welcome to NerdFitness!  The warriors will be happy to have you.  You can post daily updates here or a battle log as you like, but preferably update this thread regularly.  You may also want to check out the mini challenges here. Say so if you have any questions :-)

[Urgan]

Thanks Teirin, I'll be sure to post here until the end of the challenge so people can follow here without having to slog through the log lol.

[Urgan]

Mini-quest 1:

 

1. Is your overall quest achievable (over a short or long period of time)?  Is it reasonable? 

 

I can either get it done in the 3 and a half weeks, or at least get very close to it with my squat, an 80 lb deadlift is definitely a reasonable goal, based on my progress thus far

 

 

2. Do your 3 quests all build towards your main quest in little ways, or are you taking on too much? Do your quests have sub-quests or is it just one thing to focus on? 

 

Absolutely, sleep, quality food, and obviously exercise are imperative for reaching my goal, accountability and the knowledge logging these things brings will push me on

 

3. Are your main goals realistic? Can you scale them to smaller steps to fit your life better, even if it will make it take a little longer to achieve them?

Are your goals able to be measured and tracked?  What will you use to track them?

 

I believe they are, since I'm shooting for smaller gains over the duration of the challenge, they could be prolonged for a few more weeks if need be, I'm tracking my progress with my own personal sheet(for quick historical review of the numbers, like via a bar chart or some similar), sig progress bars, and detailed notes in the battle log

 

4. How are you grading your goals?  Are they pass/fail (“every dayâ€, “not even once over the six weeksâ€)?  Is there a reward for the effort, or are you only grading yourself on whether or not you “lose the weight†or “run the distanceâ€?

 

I guess it's pass/fail on a daily basis when it comes to following my plan for the week. The workout is the reward, being able to shift the weight and stand up with the guys, even if my weight isn't as heavy right now--pound for pound, I feel pretty competitive, though!

 

5. What is your plan for continuing/altering/grading those goals if you become ill or injured?

 

I just don't go to the gym if I feel sick, but the proper rest and good food never stops, in fact it becomes even more important in those cases. You can also just do a portion of your normal routine if the full plan seems insurmountable for whatever reason. No matter what happens, tomorrow is another day and not the end of the world.

 

6. Did you take into consideration any special occasions (Labour Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc) that may occur during the challenge?  What modifications do you need to build into your goals for those?

 

I will either take Thanksgiving as an additional rest day or do bodyweight exercises. The gym is technically open, but I'm part of the cooking/hosting this year, so probably gonna be stuck at home.

 

7. Do any of your main goals conflict with each other? Will one goal make it hard to do another?

 

Nope, not that I can see! Food, sleep, exercise.

 

8. Do you already have the time in your schedule to actually complete the goals you’ve set?  If not, what are you planning to do to make time for them?

 

I've made this part of my lifestyle now, time is not a factor after work.

 

9. Are you trying to build multiple habits, or is all your energy focused on your main quest?

 

I'm taking this one at a time, first I started cooking meals at home, then I began exercising, and now I'm trying to get better at going to bed at a decent time. I'm a die-hard night owl.

[Urgan]

Did the mini-quest 2, too. I may do 3 soon.

[Urgan]

So far, so good, I believe. Other than no workout on Thanksgiving, my only sticking point has been, predictably, sleep management. 

[Urgan]

Well, folks, I got sick so yesterday's training was axed to avoid spreading this funk around. I hope to be well enough to give the gym a shot tomorrow.

[Urgan]

A major milestone in completing this challenge: I went to the gym today and hit a PR of 80 lb on the deadlift. It was only for one set, but technically I was trying to go a little easier on myself tonight. I feel so far my diet tracking has been right on point, my water intake admirable with a little flexibility, adherence to bedtime needs a little work, and my exercise regime is aggressive without being potentially classified as suicidal. All in all, going good so far. 

[Teirin]

Great work on the deadlift!  You're progressing very well.  Have you dropped by the Warrior's Mead Hall to say Hi yet?

[Urgan]

Thanks, deadlifts seem to come most natural, but the squats will come. No, not yet. Oughta do that. 

 

Today's training comment: attempted to up my weight at OHP...failed to get all my sets, but my foot's in the door with 40 lbs. Next Thursday I will conquer.

[Urgan]

Sleep so far this week has been kinda jacked up. One hour less is the difference between having energy all day and crashing headfirst into a couch pillow.

[Urgan]

It's amazing how you can increase weights more often than you think you can when you're pushed to do so. I've passed my goal for the deadlift (85lbs), and the squat is closing in on it (70lbs).

[Urgan]

Thursday, I got this seemingly random prompting that I should be showing my parents how to train properly. I'm hoping to get them to do squats and deadlifts--Saturday I demo'd the form, and they made some fairly admirable attempts. Only time will tell if they take it up. They were willing to listen, at least. Not sure I can assume more than that at this time.

[Urgan]

As we close in on the twilight of this challenge, here is my review of the past (in my case) 3 weeks:

 

Week 1 - B-

 

1. Exercise consistency (3 workouts/wk) - I have missed one workout due to Thanksgiving day

2. Sleep (9:30 weekdays, 10:30 weekends) - mediocre to bad, most of my bedtimes have been a little on the high side, but I am aware of this and react accordingly during the day

3. Nutrition - all food and beverages meticulously logged, no fries, no soda, water intake is a little low (particularly on weekends) but acceptable

 

Week 2 - A

 

1. Exercise consistency (3 workouts/wk) - I have missed one workout due to illness

2. Sleep (9:30 weekdays, 10:30 weekends) - fairly strong compared to week 1

3. Nutrition - all food and beverages meticulously logged, no fries, no soda, water intake picked up from week 1, weekends are still my weak point

 

Week 3 - A

 

1. Exercise consistency (3 workouts/wk) - 100% attendance

2. Sleep (9:30 weekdays, 10:30 weekends) - blah! mediocre, started off horrible and improved since I was too exhausted to be bad. Talk about backwards progress

3. Nutrition - all food and beverages meticulously logged, no fries, no soda, water intake good and high during week, terrible during weekend as per usual

 

What do we notice? I don't like rest and I don't drink enough water Saturday and Sunday, but other than that things are generally improving?

[Urgan]

It's hard to believe this year, 2014, is nearly over. Not so long ago, in January, my lifestyle was so different. I had a different job, different dwelling, was single, sedentary, and unhappy. January 2015 will look a totally different. I feel fondly about the place I lived a year ago, otherwise the contrast is amazing. It puts the goals of the last six week challenge into perspective in a good way. 

[Urgan]

Okay, since it's been 3 weeks, I'm going ahead and leveling up/assigning points for RP. At the end of the 4th week, assuming I make my goals, I'll do so again unless advised otherwise.

 

1. Exercise consistency (3 workouts/wk) - +3 STR, +1 DEX

2. Sleep (9:30 weekdays, 10:30 weekends) - +1 STA, +1 CON, +1 WIS

3. Nutrition - +2 CON, +1 WIS

 

So there you have it. The week marches on, I've added 5lbs to my squat, five more to go before end of challenge. I swear I will make it by Saturday!

[Urgan]

As per my report in the battle log...today I officially completed the final leg of this challenge with a 80lb squat for reps! With a little inventive dinner, I feel quite pleased with myself.

[Urgan]

Week 4 - A-

 

1. Exercise consistency (3 workouts/wk) - 100% attendance

2. Sleep (9:30 weekdays, 10:30 weekends) - Much the same as week 3, started off horrible and lowered into an acceptable range  from pure tiredness

3. Nutrition - all food and beverages meticulously logged, no fries, no soda, water intake good and high during week, terrible during weekend as per usual

 

1. Exercise consistency (3 workouts/wk) - +3 STR, +1 DEX

2. Sleep (9:30 weekdays, 10:30 weekends) - +1 STA, +1 CON, +1 WIS

3. Nutrition - +2 CON, +1 WIS

 

Minidungeon 1: +1 WIS

Minidungeon 2: +1 CHA

 

This was my first challenge, so it's kind of my chance to get into the swing of it, I guess? I'm closing out this challenge thread and going back completely to the battle log unless/until I decide to jump into a challenge with the Warriors. It's been cool, and I've learned a lot from the people at NF and from doing this challenge, firstly that I can do more than I thought I could going week to week and I'm going to continue the progress cautiously, as I do not want to get injured and stall out. After all, once I hit 100 lbs in my deadlift and squat, I'm gonna be headed straight for 200! I also need to set a goal for my presses...hmm...I'll have to think about that. I'll update my log with my new direction. Oh, and writing everything down definitely enhances compliance with my goals, so there's going to be even more documentation coming soon. 

[Sygil]

Hi! I finally figured I'd drop by your thread, even though the challenge is over now.

 

 I'm going to continue the progress cautiously, as I do not want to get injured and stall out. After all, once I hit 100 lbs in my deadlift and squat, I'm gonna be headed straight for 200! I also need to set a goal for my presses...hmm...I'll have to think about that. I'll update my log with my new direction. Oh, and writing everything down definitely enhances compliance with my goals, so there's going to be even more documentation coming soon. 

 

Yes, progress slowly and cautiously! This is the way to... not be in the state I'm in I was a little too eager to find good maximum weights on some exercises where I thought form was more simple than it really is. I presume this is how my arm injury came about.

 

As for OHP, I hope you realize it is the most difficult lift of those you're focusing on and will likely increase much more slowly. Of course, BP will help with that too. Just remember to keep them balanced!

 

Regarding your comments on sleep - as you may have noticed, I found I needed way more sleep with workouts added into my life. Perhaps you need to retarget them thar bed times?

 

Anyhow, you definitely kicked some ass! You're free to continue your challenge for another two weeks if you want, but stopping at the 4 week marker is of course fine too. I'm sure you'll be deadlifting 200lbs in no time

[Urgan]

Hi! I finally figured I'd drop by your thread, even though the challenge is over now.

 

Yes, progress slowly and cautiously! This is the way to... not be in the state I'm in I was a little too eager to find good maximum weights on some exercises where I thought form was more simple than it really is. I presume this is how my arm injury came about.

 

As for OHP, I hope you realize it is the most difficult lift of those you're focusing on and will likely increase much more slowly. Of course, BP will help with that too. Just remember to keep them balanced!

 

Regarding your comments on sleep - as you may have noticed, I found I needed way more sleep with workouts added into my life. Perhaps you need to retarget them thar bed times?

 

Anyhow, you definitely kicked some ass! You're free to continue your challenge for another two weeks if you want, but stopping at the 4 week marker is of course fine too. I'm sure you'll be deadlifting 200lbs in no time

 

 

Thanks for dropping by, I wasn't even here when the challenge started, after all. I too have the fever to apply ever more weight to the bar, but any more than 5 a week is Asking For It, yes? Even that is stretching me a bit. I am painfully aware OHP will be the lagging indicator of improvement lol--and that's saying it lightly, as only this weekend I was able to put 40 lb 3x5 over my head. I may lower my sets on everything to try to mitigate the challenge slightly. Sleep and sufficient quantities of food have been a big challenge, I found if I can get three meals in prior to workouts in the 4-5 PM range, I don't have the afternoon slump, of course I've been trying to turn out the light at a decent time, to varying levels of success (so you too have a kitty alarm clock? It is a powerful motivator to get up...except on weekends...). I will need to consider this closely for the next challenge to see what I can do about it. Thanks for the encouragement, I'll do my best to get as close as I can to 200!