I am Jaex: the Italian Stallion

[jaex]

Well the Bar exam is over (thank god) and I'm back at work (meh).  Now is it time to get back to healthier habits and loose the Bar study belly.  

 

Now I usually come up with some fun story for my 6 week challenge, but since I'm already a week behind all y'all and my brain is still fried from the bar studies, I'll go with something easy.

 

In light of my future move to Philadelphia, I will base this 5 week challenge on Philly hero, ROCKY

 

GOAL #1 - Run in the morning (+1 STR, +1 DEX, +2 STA, +1 CON)

Nothing gets me going in the morning quite like a brisk jog.  My goal is as often as I can, I will do a 15-20 minute jog first thing in the morning just to get the blood pumping.  I will every morning unless (1) my fiancee actually has the day off, (2) I'm hungover, (3) I need a rest day, (4) it is under 28 degrees, or (5) it is raining.

 

GOAL #2 - Go to the gym once weekly (+2 STR, +1 STA)

Between morning jogs and my twice-weekly Kung Fu classes, I should be doing pretty well workout-wise, but I do need to get some strength training in.  That is where the gym comes in.  Might even try to learn how to do a proper weighted squat or deadlift this challenge.

 

GOAL #3 - Earn my yellow robe sash (+2 DEX, +1 WIS)

Well with the Bar exam out of the way, my next big battle is getting my Yellow Sash in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.  I have learned everything I need to learn for my test, just need to practice and get it down.

 

LIFE GOAL - Do something productive (+2 WIS, +2 CHA)

I've got a lot of my plate at the moment: I have to plan my wedding (in another hemisphere no less), find a job in Philly, and plan my move.  At least once weekly I need to do something substantive on these tasks.  That can be anything from sending out a job application to doing research on clothes and customs for the wedding.

[Odango]

So good to have you back as well Jaex!!!

I did think it was the bar exam that kept you away, so I didn't get too worried, but it's nice to see you back on NF and ready to take on a new challenge!

I am subbed and here to cheer you on!!

[Solstice Tiger]

Hi Jaex! Good to see you

 

Good luck with planning your wedding, too!! I just got engaged and I am putting that off until the farthest point in time I can. It's definitely a large undertaking. 

[jaex]

So good to have you back as well Jaex!!!

I did think it was the bar exam that kept you away, so I didn't get too worried, but it's nice to see you back on NF and ready to take on a new challenge!

I am subbed and here to cheer you on!!

 

Thank you for the support.  I am so glad the Bar exam is over.  You'd think being at home and on my own schedule would mean I would have exercised more, not less, but turns out when I cannot separate my "study" life from my non-study life when they both occur in the same apartment.  I was always thinking of what I needed to do and what I needed to study more.  Did not help that snacking was too easy at home.  Gained a few pounds (maybe 5 or so) but I am ready to kick butt and get in shape for my wedding!

 

Hi Jaex! Good to see you

 

Good luck with planning your wedding, too!! I just got engaged and I am putting that off until the farthest point in time I can. It's definitely a large undertaking. 

Big congratulations!  And I here you.  I got engaged in October and I felt like I had done so much planning for the proposal that the wedding can wait a minute.  Lucky for us her family is helping out a bunch, which is crucial since they live where we are having it and there is no way we could do it without them (the wedding is in India).

[NicTheRugger]

Hey Jaex! Welcome back to NF!  I hope the bar went well! I'm excited to see what you can accomplish with this challenge!

[jaex]

Hey Jaex! Welcome back to NF!  I hope the bar went well! I'm excited to see what you can accomplish with this challenge!

 

Thank you.  And I hope the Bar went well too.  I'll know for sure in mid-April but I do feel more confident with this past exam than I was with my first Bar exam (which I passed).

[jaex]

UPDATE #1

Got off to a good start with a run yesterday morning.  Twas short but got the blood pumping and I felt more motivated to do work throughout the day.  Sadly today it was rainy out and while I don't mind jogging in rain, I would worry for my safety running in darkness and rain.  I already stub my toes on uneven pavement on occasion; don't want to add in the danger of slick puddles.

I do plan on hitting the gym after work today.  Fiancee is at work until at least 7 PM so a perfect time to go to the gym for a bit.

[jaex]

UPDATE #2

Well I planned on going to the gym Tuesday after work.  Got so excited for it and everything.  Then when time comes around to leave work, I get into my car and realize I left my gym clothes at home.  C'est la vie.  So instead I went home and did a three reps of my modified bodyweight circuit:

squats 

pushups 

lunges

30lb dumbbell rows 

plank

10lb standing front lift 

side-lying leg lifts

sitting row crunches

 

This morning I got up extra early (woke up my fiancee's alarm), and went for a 20 minute run.  A bit foggy but otherwise nice weather.  And now I'm at work.  

Tonight is Kung Fu and I'm excited for it!

 

edit:  I have also started standing at work again.  Too much sitting wears me out and a one hour standing here or there is better than a cup of coffee

[jaex]

UPDATE #3

Yesterday I got in a morning run (finally stopped raining!) and it felt great.  I am really liking this morning run thing; great way to start the day, even if it means I'm waking before 6AM.

 

Last night was Kung Fu class.  After having missed so many in February (damn Bar exam) it feels great to be out practicing again.  It was a long class too (most classes are about 2 hours, this one was closer to 3!) and I got some sore muscles today.  We did a lot of application practice and I am getting better with using my stances during applications to knock the target off balanced.  Before I used to do everything with my waste up and kind of ignored having a good rooted stance.  Last night was all about stepping through the target, settling into a good horse or seven-star stance and seeing if you can knock the guy over.  Fun!

This morning it was raining again, but my body could probably use a rest day so no loss.  Hope tomorrow morning's weather is better.

[Odango]

WOW! Great job getting back on track Jaex

Replacing the gym by a body weight workout at home was really good, great job on self-discipline there!

 

It must be so nice to get back to Kung Fu after having practiced that regularly for over half a year! Your body needs horse stance now!

Keep it up!!

[jaex]

WOW! Great job getting back on track Jaex

Replacing the gym by a body weight workout at home was really good, great job on self-discipline there!

 

It must be so nice to get back to Kung Fu after having practiced that regularly for over half a year! Your body needs horse stance now!

Keep it up!!

 

Thank you.  I definitely could tell I was a tad out of practice.  Not only was I a tad rusty but my legs were so sore from the workout the next day.

[Cathelas]

Fantastic goals Jaex! I like the variety, but how they overlap enough to support each other.

I have made a few trips to Philly over the last year, those steps at the museum are no joke!  It is a great town with lots of opportunity.  Of course, the food there is ridiculously delicious too, so I had to watch myself at every turn.  But it is definitely one of the cities I could see myself living in down the road.  Was trying to convince the son to look into Drexel for college, but he wasn't too convinced.

 

Just don't drink all the raw eggs

[jaex]

Fantastic goals Jaex! I like the variety, but how they overlap enough to support each other.

I have made a few trips to Philly over the last year, those steps at the museum are no joke!  It is a great town with lots of opportunity.  Of course, the food there is ridiculously delicious too, so I had to watch myself at every turn.  But it is definitely one of the cities I could see myself living in down the road.  Was trying to convince the son to look into Drexel for college, but he wasn't too convinced.

 

Just don't drink all the raw eggs

 

Thank you.  When my fiancee Philly visited earlier this year we neglected seeing the steps.  I will make sure I run those at least once.

[jaex]

UPDATE #4

Yesterday was a rest day and much needed.  I was so sore from Kung Fu.  I did, as I typically do, stand at my desk at work for a little over three hours yesterday.  I love standing at the desk and have jury-rigged using miscelanous boxes and legal pads a way to raise my mouse up so I don't have to reach and develop carpal tunnel.  If you can get away with occasionally standing at your desk I highly recommend it. Loosens you up and I am so much more productive when I am standing.

 

This morning was under the temperature threshhold where I would excuse myself from jogging.  However I woke up at 5:30 and was not going to fall back asleep.  I bundled up with four layers up top (underarmour coldgear base layer, a cotton long-sleeve shirt, running jacket zip-up, and my shiny, bright colored shirt for running in the dark).  Feet were still cold, but the run was short and felt good.  

 

I still need to hit the gym this week and that'll probably happen tomorrow.

[Odango]

Wow, well done for that run

You will feel so good at the end of this week!

[jaex]

WEEK 1 of 5 wrap-up

My first week of the challenge (the second for everyone else) went well enough.  Got in a few good morning runs.  There was only one day (Sunday) where I should have run but was just too lazy.  I missed going to the gym; the one day I planned for it (when my fiancee wasn't going to be home till late) I forgot my gym clothes.  I did get in a basic bodyweight circuit drill though.  I also could have gone on Saturday but did not; instead I lazed about the house.  Turned out okay as Sunday we had another rigorous class of Kung Fu and I'm not certain I would have survived if I came into it sore.  Great class though.  Continued working on my animals (primarily Tiger) and applications.

In other good news, I seemed to have lost my Bar belly and am back largely to where I was pre-Bar.  Now to lose the rest and look like Captain America/James Bond/insert-action-hero-here
 

[Solstice Tiger]

Sounding good! Well done on week 1 slash 2!

[Cathelas]

Good work on losing the Bar belly!  Academic stress is where it all starts.  Freshman 15... then all downhill.  

[Odango]

Woot!! Woot! Yay for losing the bar belly so fast, that's awesome

Keep it up

[jaex]

Thanks guys for all the support.  It always brings a big smile on my face to see posts!

 

WEEK 2/5 UPDATE 1

I really need to adjust to the daylight savings time.  I keep staying up too late (by like an hour, whodathunkit) and not being able to rouse myself in the morning for a jog.  That was fine on Monday when I was still really sore from Kung Fu Sunday but not as much this morning when I had no excuse.  I am a morning person, goddammit, and I better start acting like it! 

 

In the non-fitness world, I have found a great job opening in Philly.  Definitely need to gt my resume and cover letter looking perfect and send that up there ASAP.  Problem is I need to find the time for it.  Tonight I have some legal work to do for a non-profit I'm a boardmember of and tomorrow is Kung Fu night.  And Thursday I am seeing my sister for the first time in too long for drinks.   

 

[HanShotFirst]

Good luck for the job! Out of curiosity what form of Kungfu do you practice?

 

I did Shaolin for a while, may go back later this year dependant on work/study.

[Kyellan]

WEEK 2/5 UPDATE 1

I really need to adjust to the daylight savings time.  I keep staying up too late (by like an hour, whodathunkit) and not being able to rouse myself in the morning for a jog.  That was fine on Monday when I was still really sore from Kung Fu Sunday but not as much this morning when I had no excuse.  I am a morning person, goddammit, and I better start acting like it! 

 

Dude, it's three days later and this whole time change thing is still killing me. I'm a morning person too... at least, I think I am! I can't figure out when the hell it is. =)

[jaex]

Good luck for the job! Out of curiosity what form of Kungfu do you practice?

 

I did Shaolin for a while, may go back later this year dependant on work/study.

 

For almost a year now I have been studying Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.  Later this year though I am moving to a city where there isn't a Northern Shaolin school to attend so I am also getting some exposure to other styles like Hung Gar and Jook Lum Southern Mantis.

 

Dude, it's three days later and this whole time change thing is still killing me. I'm a morning person too... at least, I think I am! I can't figure out when the hell it is. =)

 

Well at least this morning I forced myself up earlier even though I had another late night (this time for work).

[jaex]

WEEK 2/5 UPDATE 2

Well despite having another late night last night (thanks to some work I had to do), I actually managed to wake up early enough to get in a good run.  Looked to be about 1.7 miles.  Helped loosen me up to as I've been sore since Sunday's Kung Fu.  My only complaint with the morning run is my throat gets dry part way through the run.  Anyone have a similar issue or can offer an idea how to prevent dry throat during a short workout?

 

Kung Fu class tonight.  Right now it is raining, and I hope that stops.  Class is outdoors and rain = mud which will lead to another stained shirt.  

 

In unrelated news, dried blueberries are delicious.  

[jaex]

WEEK 2/5 UPDATE 3

Last night was another Kung Fu class.  It started frustratingly slow.  We have a new student so the first hour was spent talking about background of Kung Fu, our style, yaddayadda.  All I wanted to was get moving.  However after that long discussion, class was amazing.  Because of the slow start we actually stayed an extra hour so I still got in two full hours of Kung Fu.  Got in lots of application training and I continue to improve with that.  Also did some Iron Pole exercises so my arms are a tad bruised today but not too bad.

 

As I mentioned before, my Kung Fu instructor has been introducing me to different styles so I can better choose a new school when I move this summer.  Well yesterday I learned some walking drills from Jook Lum Southern Praying Mantis style of Kung Fu.  It was a trip.  It seems the emphasis of the style is coiling the body and releasing all this coiled tension when striking.  For example, the most common stance in the walking drill was sort of a mix of a horse stance and bow stance, but the feet and knees are pointing inwards.  Then I have my hand on my hips, elbows out, and I am coiling my back and trying to push my elbows as far forward as possible.  Really unique feel and despite its awkward look, I did feel like I still had good root and balance.  

 

The instructor also showed a few applications with the walking drills.  Since I wasn't using hands just yet, I saw some leg scoops, kicks, and leg blocks.  I really enjoyed it.  

 

Since I am not certain I described the stance well, here is an image I found from google that looks like what I was doing (at least with the legs):

 

 

With the late night (I still need to grocery shop and shower after class which ended at 10PM), I excused myself from running this morning.  

 

I am also continuing to stand regularly at work.  I probably average 3 hours a day standing now and can easily stand for 1.5 hours without noticing.  Today I have also been playing around with the stance while standing.