Road Adventures: Snowfox becomes Lara Croft, Round 2

[Virago]

Hey Rebels! Let's do this

 

My main Nerd Fitness quest, while still being developed, was inspired by the Tomb Raider video game reboot last year. I loved "new Lara's" relatability as she struggled to become a tough, strong survivor, and I'd like to do the same! Young me read books about adventures instead of going on them, and I hated sports. It's only been in the last 2 years or so that I've really found my way to fitness, beginning with this site and garage crossfit workouts. I'm still having a hard time seeing myself as fit/athletic, but I'm working on it!

 

In January this year I quit my desk job in Wisconsin and hit the road to live in a tent in the desert and work for the Arizona Renaissance Festival. (It's AWESOME so far.) When the Faire ends in March (also when this challenge draws to a close), I will pack up and move to Portland, Oregon -- and hopefully begin working as a personal trainer! I passed my NASM CPT exam in late November last year and also have my CFL1, but my own workout history began only recently and has been pretty inconsistent, and I do NOT feel ready to start training others. 

 

Therefore, my overall goal for this challenge -- especially since I essentially only work Saturday and Sunday and have the whole week off to work out and pursue things that are important to me -- is to build a consistent and active lifestyle, and prepare for the intimidating challenge of leaving Receptionist Me behind and showing up in Oregon ready (well, readier?) to start looking for coaching jobs. So:

 

Goal 1: Activity. My tribe and I go on 3 mile "perimeter walks" of the Faire 4 days per week. Three days per week we do bodyweight crossfit workouts (15min or less of dips, squats, push ups, and sit ups, primarily) and another day or two we'll work with kettlebells (no barbell access out here, sadly!). I'm also doing self defense lessons 3-4 times per week, and the odd yoga class or hike thrown in there. I'm still working on more defined parameters to stick to, but if I keep to the overall active daily schedule I've created in the past week, I'm giving myself +1 STR and +1 DEX at the end of the challenge. I'm working on handstands, safe falls in combat, and being able to do more than one strict pull up - maybe I'll work those into the grading process.

 

Goal 2: Mindful fuel. It's tough to eat paleo out here -- we have a propane camp stove, but an unreliable cooler. Does anyone have advice on how to get enough green things in my diet?? I don't want to live off of beef jerky and clif bars for the next month. Anyway, I'm going to do my best to eat paleoish, and I haven't been hydrating enough, so I'm going to shoot for getting through 3 water bottles per day. +1 CON if I am successful!

 

Goal 3: Study/practice. I have my NASM textbook with me and tons of training/coaching resources online to go through. I also have a tribe member who wants me to help her lift when we go to the gym (which we really only use for showers... shhhh). I led some "squat therapy" and gave some technique pointers on squats before one of our crossfit sessions and will keep learning and practicing while I'm out here so I'm more prepared for the next chapter! +1 CHA. 

 

Goal 4: Saving. Moving across the country is expensive, and I'm going to do my best to be at Camp Nerd Fitness this year (YAY!), so I need to be setting money aside. I'm obviously not making much out here right now, but I'm going to set aside at least $50/week if not more. +1 WIS. 

 

I'm nervous about all of my larger goals, but optimistic. Let's do this!

 

[Virago]

Today's off to a fairly good start! We don't do perimeter walks on Mondays, but for crossfit, we did 4 rounds for time of 18 push ups, 18 squats, 18 sit ups, 18 dips. I finished in just over 6 minutes. Nice way to start the week Then it was off to "bazaar" (a market/breakfast gathering on Monday mornings after Faire weekends) for bacon and eggs, and then I practiced my V-sit hold, did some handstand practice using the trunk of my car to rest my toes on, and worked on my push ups, which currently leave lots to be desired. I'm currently at our favorite local cafe watching Again Faster mic'd instructional videos and reading articles on Breaking Muscle, and I have a self defense/combat lesson tonight! 

 

This life is the best. 

[goodbye_farewell]

Sub'd! But will have to read later.

[goodbye_farewell]

OK, I am all caught up. I'm still pretty jealous of this unencumbered life you are currently living! Enjoy it

[Virago]

I can't believe I'm here!! It was a scary decision to make, but what better time to do it than right now  

 

My challenge is off to a decent start -- except where hydration is concerned. Oof. I have a "drinking problem", you guys - in that I don't ever drink enough I've been getting about 2 water bottles instead of 3 so far. If we count coffee/tea I might be close enough... 

 

Had an AWESOME self defense lesson yesterday and this morning! Did the 3 mile walk and movement practice (working on handstands, crow pose in yoga, V-sit hold, and deeper push ups) both days too. Crossfit today was: 

 

4 rounds for time

10 jump squats

20 push ups

10 jump squats

20 dips

10 jump squats

20 sit ups

 

I finished in 7:43. Phew! 

 

Snapped this pic yesterday:

[DJtrippyT]

Wow! You are doing an amazing thing and I hope you have a blast!

[Virago]

Hey guys! Not big on forums and don't have lots of internet time out here, so I apologize for the lack of updates. Things are going okay overall this time around. 

 

Challenges:

• It's hard to make healthy food choices when I don't have a refrigerator. 
• I really struggle with drinking enough water throughout the day, so I haven't been hitting anywhere close to 3 water bottles a day. Why is this so hard for me?!
• I'm influenced by the weather (to be fair I do live in a tent), so on rainy days I'm less likely to go for a walk or practice moves outside (my tent isn't big enough to do much other than push ups in it -- I can't stand up inside). 
• My mentor/friend was sick last week, so there were no perimeter walks or combat/self defense lessons. (We also were open on Tues/Thurs for student days, so would not have had walks or lessons on those days anyway)

 

Positives: 

• Active schedule is going great despite the interruptions last week!
• I'm setting aside at least $50 a week, usually more.
• I've been reading articles and watching videos, or bookmarking them from my phone to read when I have laptop time/wifi.  

 

We're modifying the CrossFit open workouts and following along with a bodyweight version, which is a blast! For 15.1 (15 toes to bar, 10 deadlifts, 5 snatches, AMRAP in 9 min, then you have 6 minutes to get your max clean + jerk), we did AMRAP 9min of 15 toe-touches (lying on your back with legs up at a 90* angle), 10 kettlebell deadlifts, and 5 kettlebell swings, and then a max plank hold at the end. Fun stuff! Still deciding how to modify 15.2 for Wednesday's workout (overhead squats and chest-to-bar pull/chin ups). 

 

Just over 3 weeks left out here, and then I'll be shaking up my routine AGAIN when I move to a new state... and start looking for an internship/volunteer option to get into coaching. I don't feel ready.

[Virago]

Small win: asked the delightful owner of my favorite local cafe if there was a way to get the sausage/egg/cheese breakfast sandwich without the bread/bagel. She's on board. I know what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow!

[Terra]

Just found ya!  What a wonderful adventure...  I'll keep an eye out for your posts. 

[Rurik Harrgath]

Just found your Challenge as a suggestion beneath mine while writing my last weekly update post.  I love the Tomb Raider influence (especially since the last game was amazing!)

 

Looks like you're doing well so far and should have no troubles keeping it up.  I'm in for the sub; looking forward to more of your pictures and more Tomb Raidery goodness!

[Virago]

Just found ya!  What a wonderful adventure...  I'll keep an eye out for your posts. 

Thanks!!  

 

Just found your Challenge as a suggestion beneath mine while writing my last weekly update post.  I love the Tomb Raider influence (especially since the last game was amazing!)

 

Looks like you're doing well so far and should have no troubles keeping it up.  I'm in for the sub; looking forward to more of your pictures and more Tomb Raidery goodness!

Thank you! That last game totally rocked, I agree

 

As I said before I'm no rockstar with forums. To be fair, I spent the last week packing up my campsite, saying farewell, and driving north. I have now relocated from the desert to Oregon to start the next adventure! I have my first-ever personal trainer interview this afternoon and I am freaking out.

 

Here's the belated rundown on this challenge:

 

Activity goal: Yep! It tapered off a bit towards the end because most days were in the 90s, but until then I did great. It's been a week or so with 3 days of driving in there, though, so I'm itching to start moving again. With the move to a new city, I'll do my best to get going ASAP. Anyway, +1 STR and +1 DEX for this.

 

Fuel goal: Nope, sadly. I did alright on food, but I definitely did not reach my hydration goal, so I don't feel right giving myself any points for this. I might work a more modest hydration goal into the next challenge. I know how important it is!

 

Study goal: Not quite as much as I wanted, but I did keep this up to an acceptable level, especially if recreating my resume and linked in and applying for fitness jobs counts. +1 CHA

 

Saving goal: Yep! Put aside a fair amount of what I made. +1 WIS. 

 

Belatedly jumping into the next challenge shortly!! 

[Virago]

If anyone's interested in following along, current challenge is up. Time to tackle leveling up in a new city!  

 

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/63113-snowfox-leveling-up-in-a-new-city/