Big Show: Time-Crunched Training

[Big_Show]

Challenge Number Four!

 

Main Quest: Summer holiday on the beach!

This hasn't changed since last challenge; I'm going to be on the beach in August with my family and I want to be able to walk round shirtless without feeling self-conscious.  Looking awesome would be a bonus too.

 

LQ: Learn to drive: +2 WIS, +2 DEX

For the duration of this challenge, pretty much all my free time during the evenings is going to be taken up with driving lessons.  I get back from work just after 15:00, leave the house again at 16:30, driving lessions from 17:00-18:00, then back home by 18:30 and I need to be in bed by 20:30 or so for the 04:00 alarm.  I started on Tuesday so I've had three lessons so far (Friday's a day off), but my challenge is to make sure I go to every single one of them and work my hardest throughout.  I really need a car out here in Qatar.

 

1) Get the key workouts done: +2 STA, +1 STR, +1 CON

I have two races currently in the calendar - the Aspire Torch Staircase Run on 27th March, and an Aquathlon (500m swim + 5k run) in late April.  To make sure I train for these I've worked out the bare minimum that I need to fit in.  Ideally I'll be able to do more, but as minimum I want to do 1 PT session (learning to lift), 1 bodyweight workout, 1 quality run session (either distance or speedwork) and 1 swim.  I might even make it to the 5-aside football game with my mates as well, but this is less of a priority.  So this is challenge is as much about time management and motivation as it is the actual sessions themselves.

 

2) Chin-up challenge: +3 STR

Every day I'm going to do one more chin-up than I did the day before (from standing - can't quite do them from deadhang yet).  Starting tomorrow with 1, and in six weeks I should hopefully manage 42.  Simple, but effective.

 

3) Clean fuelling: +2 WIS, +2 CON

This will be a challenge simply due to the lack of time to cook.  I've stocked up the freezer for the first week, and every weekend I will batch cook a big load of food to make sure that I don't invent an excuse to resort to takeaways, frozen pizzas, and the dreaded vending machine at work (currently my arch-nemesis).  I'll treat myself one night a week, but that'll be pre-planned and not an impulsive thing.

I'm also going to have to watch my drinking during this challenge too - I found out from this week just gone that time & energy are going to be at a severe premium, so I just plain can't afford the time to sleep off a hangover.

With a bit of luck these two thing should combine to kick-start my fat loss, which has definitely stalled for a while.

 

So that's the next six weeks of my life planned out.  Best crack on!

[Devlin]

Looks like a solid challenge, and I too foster an unhealthy hate for the canteen vending machine. It taunts me with its wares lol.

[DarK_RaideR]

Go get em, tiger!

[EricMN]

Subbed for upcoming awesomeness that I can't keep up with...

[goodbye_farewell]

Awesome stuff. Make it happen!

[Big_Show]

That's the first day of the challenge done.  A good start I feel!

 

LQ) Learn to drive

Lesson number 5 tonight - mainly consisted of doing lots of roundabouts and U-turns.  I also found 5th gear for the first time (I was indeed looking for it).  Only stalled it twice today too.

 

1) Get the key workouts done:

Straight from driving school to football - made it with just 15mins gone, so got a good workout in.  We've been playing a few weeks now, and everybody's starting to get a bit fitter and quicker now.  Which makes it harder for me!

 

2) Chin-up challenge:

One done, as ordered.

 

3) Clean fuelling:

Leftover bolognese tonight, and I resisted the urge to get fish & chips after football when the guy giving me a lift stopped for his tea (there's a rare one of these restaurants on the compound where we play).  Looks like we might be stopping there again next week, in which case I may well save up this week's cheat meal for Sunday.  They're quality fish & chips so I don't think they're that unhealthy.

 

That's Week 1 off to a good start.  I think I need to get either a bodyweight workout or a run done tomorrow after driving to give myself a proper chance of fitting everything in.  Best to topload the week instead of chasing time at the weekend I suppose!

[Devlin]

Good job resisting the fish and chips, takeaways are too damn easy haha, and yeah I find of I hammer it early in the week I get more done.

[rowan]

BOOM DOMINATE DAY ONE!  Good job getting that momentum going, and also congratulations on finding 5th gear!  I am kind of jealous of your driving adventures - I personally love driving, but I live in a city where cars are pretty useless and awkward.  You should learn to do donuts!

[Big_Show]

Good job resisting the fish and chips, takeaways are too damn easy haha, and yeah I find of I hammer it early in the week I get more done.

 

That's the thing, it's a sit-down restaurant place (only one fish takeaway here and it's apparently rubbish) and the food looks so good that I can almost persuade myself it's a healthy choice...

[Big_Show]

Goddammit, a new takeaway/restaurant has just opened across the road from the hospital and they're giving away FREE DELICIOUS-LOOKING FOOD TO ALL STAFF at 11:30!

 

This is just plain mean.

 

Luckily I'll be in a meeting.  Never thought I'd say that.

[Xena]

Great start! Looking forward to more awesomeness. Resist the takeout monster :-)

[Balthazar]

Here, cos . . . England?

[Devlin]

Goddammit, a new takeaway/restaurant has just opened across the road from the hospital and they're giving away FREE DELICIOUS-LOOKING FOOD TO ALL STAFF at 11:30!

This is just plain mean.

Luckily I'll be in a meeting. Never thought I'd say that.

God damn that's some bad luck, I walked into the house a few days ago to a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, I almost slipped haha.

[EricMN]

Goddammit, a new takeaway/restaurant has just opened across the road from the hospital and they're giving away FREE DELICIOUS-LOOKING FOOD TO ALL STAFF at 11:30!

 

This is just plain mean.

 

Luckily I'll be in a meeting.  Never thought I'd say that.

 

I currently work in the main office of a chain of convenience stores. The test kitchen is an open area right off the main hallway. They seem to spend an inordinate amount of time testing recipes for chocolate chip cookies. There's never any left out for public consumption - thankfully - but the scent is enough to break the willpower of even the strongest people. I barely stand a chance some days.

 

This is why I try not to leave my desk much.

[Big_Show]

Damn, just lost my post for some reason.  Here's the shorter version:

 

God damn that's some bad luck, I walked into the house a few days ago to a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, I almost slipped haha.

 

I currently work in the main office of a chain of convenience stores. The test kitchen is an open area right off the main hallway. They seem to spend an inordinate amount of time testing recipes for chocolate chip cookies. There's never any left out for public consumption - thankfully - but the scent is enough to break the willpower of even the strongest people. I barely stand a chance some days.

 

This is why I try not to leave my desk much.

 

This is what I'm talking about - why is there only temptation around when we're trying to avoid it?  Not fair...

 

LQ) Learn to drive

Lesson number 6 tonight - I really need to stop stressing about thing so much.  And to start braking sooner before roundabouts.  But mainly the stressing thing.

 

1) Get the key workouts done:

Straight out for a run after getting back from driving school; I need to get into the habit of getting in, getting changed, and getting on with it before I have time to think about doing anything else instead.  I had all my kit laid out ready on my bed, so I'll keep doing this too.

That's one of the four targetted workouts done.  I'll aim for the bodyweight workout tomorrow.

 

2) Chin-up challenge:

Two done, many to go.

 

3) Clean fuelling:

Avoided the takeaway (although identified the healthy options in case I do end up there - their filipino dishes like Chicken Afritada and Chicken Caldereta were apparently quiet healthily done).

All my eating was good today, had some more of the nuclear chilli reheated from my freezer stockpile.  I'll make another one of these at the weekend to replenish my healthy homemade freezer stash.

 

Day 2 done.  Early night now, and aim to keep the momentum going tomorrow.

[shaar]

Found you!!  WOOHOO!

 

Ugh, free delicious looking food... glad you avoided it right off the bat and did some recon for future temptation!  Smart move!

[Big_Show]

Goddammit, temptation's back again - I've just had a long chat with someone at work about the fact they're making so many mistakes.  I really hate these kinds of conversations, so it's left me streesed and now all I can think about this that bloody vending machine.  It's only an hour until lunch and I'm not hungry, but that doesn't seem to be helping.

 

If only I could drop everything and go for a run.  That always helps matters.

[Amdhiel]

WOOT!! I found you... better a little late than never .

 

 

LQ) Learn to drive

Lesson number 5 tonight - mainly consisted of doing lots of roundabouts and U-turns.  I also found 5th gear for the first time (I was indeed looking for it).  Only stalled it twice today too.

 

Man o man how I miss getting to drive a stick. I was born and raised on stick and automatics are just soooo dull! Stalling only twice is awesome!

 

LQ) Learn to drive

Lesson number 6 tonight - I really need to stop stressing about thing so much.  And to start braking sooner before roundabouts.  But mainly the stressing thing.

 

Best thing about sticks.... actual engine breaking so you don't have to use the break as much. Just take your foot off the gas and coast unless you're going a bunch faster than you want.

[Big_Show]

 

Best thing about sticks.... actual engine breaking so you don't have to use the break as much. Just take your foot off the gas and coast unless you're going a bunch faster than you want.

 

That's one of the things my instructor's trying to get me to remember to do.  Instead of accelerating for too long, braking too late, and then stopping waaay before the junction... practice.  Practice makes perfect.  Or at least, practice makes gradually less sucky.

[Amdhiel]

That's one of the things my instructor's trying to get me to remember to do.  Instead of accelerating for too long, braking too late, and then stopping waaay before the junction... practice.  Practice makes perfect.  Or at least, practice makes gradually less sucky.

 

So random question... did you not drive in England, or have you just never driven stick?

[Big_Show]

So random question... did you not drive in England, or have you just never driven stick?

 

Never driven before at all in my life.  Couldn't afford a car at Uni, didn't need one afterwards, so just never quite round to it.  Really sorta wish I had now though, it would have been much easier to learn in the UK!

 

Day 3 review:

 

LQ) Learn to drive

Lesson number 7: U-Turns galore!  I'm getting better at braking into them and going round roundabouts correctly, and only stalled it once tonight.  Still stopping a bit suddenly for my instructor's liking though, and pulling away is still a bit juddery at times.  Lucky I've got another 33 lessons paid for really...

 

1) Get the key workouts done:

I have felt absolutely exhausted all day.  I think exercising so late in the evening messes up my sleep, as it's taking me longer to drop off even though I'm definitely tired.  So I'm calling a rest day, heading to bed an hour earlier to read, but I've already set out all my kit for tomorrow night's bodyweight strength workout.  For which I will feel super-rested, and really energised having just had a flawless driving lesson.  Oh yes I will indeed.

 

2) Chin-up challenge:

Three.  Boom.

 

3) Clean fuelling:

So nearly wavered at work while knackered this afternoon, but just managed to cling on despite the lure of a sugar boost.  I've packed an extra apple for work tomorrow to see if that helps!

 

Right, time to go drink my (decaff) tea and wind down with a book.  Early night for the win!

[Amdhiel]

Never driven before at all in my life.  Couldn't afford a car at Uni, didn't need one afterwards, so just never quite round to it.  Really sorta wish I had now though, it would have been much easier to learn in the UK!

 

That explains everything!! For breaking... ease up the last few seconds, it will help decrease the jerking.

 

Good job today!!

[Devlin]

Well done on the driving man, I've only recently passed myself. It's too easy to just not do it. But it's important.

Good job staying away from the temptation too, it's tricky but maybe that Apple will help.

[EricMN]

Goddammit, temptation's back again - I've just had a long chat with someone at work about the fact they're making so many mistakes.  I really hate these kinds of conversations, so it's left me streesed and now all I can think about this that bloody vending machine.  It's only an hour until lunch and I'm not hungry, but that doesn't seem to be helping.

3) Clean fuelling:

So nearly wavered at work while knackered this afternoon, but just managed to cling on despite the lure of a sugar boost.  I've packed an extra apple for work tomorrow to see if that helps!

 

The apple is a good idea.

 

I chew gum. It satisfies the urge to chew and helps me resist the urge to eat when I'm bored or stressed. Mint gum doesn't seem to lose its flavor as quickly as most other varieties, either.

[Balthazar]

 

1) Get the key workouts done:

I have felt absolutely exhausted all day.  I think exercising so late in the evening messes up my sleep, as it's taking me longer to drop off even though I'm definitely tired.  

 

 

I get this to, so I find it easier to get up a bit earlier and do it first thing, If I leave it for later in the day it invariably never gets done