Urgan Returns Balance to Ruin

[Urgan]

So….it’s that time again, guys and gals. Fall is in the air, the holiday season is just around the corner, a new challenge is up and ready to roll...oh, what’s this? I’m not in the Assassin’s Den anymore, I’m standing in a strange...courtyard thing. Huh. Well, there’s that.

 

 

I feel introductions are in order, as this is my first foray into the mist-shrouded lands of martial arts-dom. I am a 28 year old tiny tank who lifts like it’s going out fashion whilst dwelling with the Assassins and living the dream of being a true Warrior by way of the Monastery. Can a tank be a Monk? We’ll surely find out. I come here humbly to ask for the assistance of those who know the spirit of martial arts and have lived this dream a long time before I even thought about pursuing it. * coughs * All that is to say this is a new thing, halp plz. Yoga is as close as it’s gotten as of a month ago and...lolnope.

 

For first challenge with the Monks, I’m going for a simpler format while getting a feel for this new training that also cements what I already know are Things to Do. Those who’ve followed me in the past will be well familiar with the drill in that respect LOL. And with that, let’s get right to it!

 

CYAN - SHINKENDO - (STR+1, DEX+2, WIS+1)

If only I could have the sword skills of Cyan...I aspire to fight with such skill and honor as a man who knows loss and presses on to save the rest of the world from Ruin in spite of seemingly having nothing left to live for.

 

Shinkendo is my art and I have a whole three classes under my belt, it is once a week each Saturday morning bright and early.  I will be practicing at a minimum twice a week. Additionally, I will be posting my lifting exploits here, which includes the technique specific addition of grip-work to help bring my forearms/wrists/fingers up to snuff. Can’t be wielding the bokuto with wussy fingers. 

 

Shinkendo practice is defined as working weak links and reviewing material for 15 minutes as of Week 0 - time will increase as I adapt

 

Grip work is defined as follows:

 

- I will take the deload opportunity to start afresh with Double Overhand Deadlift grip for as long as I can manage it at 3x3

- Plate pinches for time, baseline as determined by Week 0

- Dead hangs for time, baseline as determined by Week 0

 

The grading:

Shinkendo - 4/wk - 4 = A, 3 = B, 2 = C, else F

Grip Work - 3/wk  - 3 = A, 2 = B, else F - failure to complete one aspect of grip work is failure to complete any grip work

 

 

 

EDGAR - MOBILITY - (DEX+2, CON+2)

Ah, the King of Figaro. Figaro Castle is known for one big thing: Mobility. Its ruler is an engineer of remarkable skill in creating Tools that own the competition. Seriously. Just try going up against him. Yeah? Didn’t think so.

 

This quest is all about the mobility. Here I will record daily adventures PVC and ball rolling, stretching, and all things rehab. This includes what I’m mobilizing, the custom patented Hit Parade (what’s sore, tired, hurt, cranky, broken on my person), with special focus on the Migraine Report to help me figure out what/when/where/why they are occurring. This is a serious mission to resolve a 3 year mystery! Don’t ask why I waited 3 years to fix this, I haven’t a clue, either. But this ends now!

 

 

The beginning of each week, I will re-evaluate my situation re: systemic tightness and fatigue. I suspect I have worn something out or knotted sufficient muscle up that I'm fighting dysfunction under the bar and during regular life. If I still hyperextend after these issues are addressed, I will need to implement remedial work to correct this:

- reset squats to empty bar (Cyan)

- BW squats

- Dead bugs  http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dead-bug 

- Planks

- Leg Raises

 

No grading necessary for the aches/pains journaling, I have already committed it to routine.

 

The grading:

Daily Mobility -  7/wk - 7 = A, 5 = B, 3 = C, else F

Hit parade/Migraine Report - NA

 

Bookmarking this for http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/70717-urgan-storms-in-with-section-9/?p=1681892'>future reference.

 

 

SABIN - DIET - (CON+1, WIS+1)

You can’t expect to kick ass without serious dedication to the proper diet...EATING (almost) ALL THE THINGS. Sabin knows this all too well--even on a ghost train, one must take great care to consume the proper number of calories. Suplexing a train requires a lot of a person.

 

I’m on a recomp roll, and I want to continue the trend of eating at maintenance to see how far I can carry it. For me, this looks like a target of 2500 calories on average (a minimum of 2250 calories daily will be necessary to make this happen). All other macros will be logged as follows:

 

Calories/Carbs/Fat/Protein

Running Avg of Calories

 

Sugar can take a flying leap this challenge, I am not concerned with it this time. I want to try to get as close to 2500 I can average out to see if I gain at these levels. I may adjust the target mid-challenge, this is fine, the only thing I must do is log the macros.

 

The grading:

Maintenance - P/F - Either I log my macros or I do not. There is no partial credit.

 

 

GOGO - MIMICRY - (CON+2, WIS+1)

The master of mimicry: Gogo is a mystery by and large, but what isn’t a mystery is how useful he/she is on the battlefield simply with the ability to copy the previous action, no matter how esoteric the technique.

 

Nothing esoteric here: I just want to repeat prior challenge goals of enforcing a workday curfew and weekly measurement scheme to track how well my Sabin goal is working. Bedtime is at 10:30PM Sunday - Thursday; Wednesday I take my weight, Sunday I take weight and measurements.

 

The grading:

Curfew - 5/wk - 5 = A, 4 = B, 3 = C, else F

Measurements - 2/wk - 2 = A, else F

 

 

TERRA  - CLEANING - (WIS+1, CHA+1)

Terra begins the game with all the questions in the world about herself, and few answers. As the story progresses, she fears and doubts herself, but searching deep within she discovers who and what she really is--a hero fit to save the world from Ruin and Kefka for both of her peoples.

 

I am not wracked with doubt, but I am riddled with closets full of stuff that is poorly organized and junk that shouldn’t even be in my life if I’m really honest. This quest is all about clearing out all that is unnecessary from storage. Any recess with junk in it is fair game, but the main targets this challenge are the three closets attached to each bedroom in our house. Pretty simple, right?

 

The grading:

Cleaning - 3/challenge - 3 = A, 2 = B, 1 = C, else F

 

Starting Stats:

Weight: 111.0 lbs

Waist: 23.1"

Hips: 32.0"

Biceps(L/R): 10.3"/10.1"

Forearm(L/R): 9.3"/9.1"

Thighs(L/R): 20.0"/20.0"

Calves(L/R): 12.0"/11.9"

 

Sounds good to you? Let's do this thing! Setzer, take us out!

 

[Urgan]

WEEK 1 DEBRIEF

 

CYAN

Shinkendo - 4/4

Grip Work - 3/3

 

Shinkendo practice is going well, I won't lack for things to improve on, however.

 

Grip work baseline has been established, it's only up from here! 

 

EDGAR

Daily Mobility -  7/7

 

Aggressive use of both barbell and BodyBar, tennis ball, and hands are serving to keep tension migraines at bay. I can think of no greater motivation to mobilize.

 

SABIN

Maintenance - Pass!

Week Avg: 2481 / 249 / 112 / 130

MFP Goal:  2500 / 250 / 111 / 125

Calories are farther off, but just look at them macros overall. Day-umn. Ace.

 

GOGO

Curfew - 5/5

Measurements - 2/2

 

Thursday: 111.6 lbs

Sunday:

Weight: 112.0 lbs (+1")

Waist: 23.0"  (-.1")

Hips: 32.0"  (NA)

Biceps(L/R): 10.3"/10.1" (NA,NA)

Forearm(L/R): 9.4"/9.1" (+.1", NA)

Thighs(L/R): 19.9"/19.9" (-.1",-.1")

Calves(L/R): 11.9"/11.9"  (-.1", NA)

 

Recomp is the name of the game, and so far the results are good. 2500 calories, give or take a few, are no longer sufficient to bulk, as you can plainly see. However, I scored a sweet 112 lbs once again, which makes me giddy. No more 111.2, at last. 

 

 

TERRA

Cleaning - 0/3

 

Master - 80%

Guest - 0%

Office - 20%

 

Master may be done, I'm holding off on declaring 100% because there's a bunch of bedding and purses that may be relocated, depending on how the other closets go.

 

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WEEK 2 DEBRIEF

 

CYAN

Shinkendo - 4/4

Grip Work - 3/3

 

No class due to a poorly-timed boxing session + massage, but I believe I am getting the hang of shuffling on my floor with bokuto in hand. Now I need to improve on maintain the distance between my feet as I shuffle along. After several rounds of back and forth, my stance kinda goes pear-shaped. I didn't spend any time simply standing in place with bokuto because I have so much room for improvement with the shuffle.

 

Grip was pretty lousy due to Thursday being appropriated by touring Spartan, but I put in the time. Improvement needs to happen next week.  

 

EDGAR

Daily Mobility -  7/7

 

I'm seeing less migraine spotting during the week and the Friday's massage session eliminated the tightness around my neck clear into Sunday, which I don't think happened on my first session. This is the only area of true improvement this week.

 

SABIN

Maintenance - Pass!

Week Avg: 2342 / 212 / 116 / 113

MFP Goal:  2500 / 250 / 111 / 125

 

Wow, that is sub-par eating this week. 

 

GOGO

Curfew - 5/5

Measurements - 2/2

 

Wednesday: 113.2 lbs

Sunday:

 

Weight: 112.6 lbs (+.6")

Waist: 23.1"  (+.1")

Hips: 32.0"  (NA)

Biceps(L/R): 10.1"/10.3" (-.2",+.2")

Forearm(L/R): 9.3"/9.1" (-.1", NA)

Thighs(L/R): 19.8"/19.9" (-.1",NA)

Calves(L/R): 11.8"/11.8"  (-.1", -.1")

 

Not sure what's going on exactly, but milk is the prime suspect. Next week will be interesting...

 

TERRA

Cleaning - 0/3

 

Master - 80%

Guest - 0%

Office - 20%

 

Big fat nothing. 

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WEEK 3 DEBRIEF

 

CYAN - A-

Shinkendo - 4/4

Grip Work - 2/3

 

My shuffling work has improved to the point that I'm going to de-emphasize it in favor of simply holding the bokuto and getting a double-dose of grip training. Speaking of grip training, I switched to holding plates at my side and forgot to do deadhangs on Sunday, so Fail. 

 

EDGAR - A

Daily Mobility -  7/7

 

Migraine b gone. I can confidently say I could count the blips of head pain on one hand. Mobility is the thing. The focus has been more shoulders to glutes than neck/head, but neck massages have still been necessary to keep the tension at bay.

 

SABIN - A

Maintenance - Pass!

Week Avg:  2785 / 264 / 136 / 107

MFP Goal:  2500 / 250 / 111 / 125

 

I've really made an effort to eat more this week, and it shows. This will be interesting a week or two hence.

 

GOGO - A

Curfew - 5/5

Measurements - 2/2

 

Friday: 113.0 lbs

Sunday:

Weight: 112.6 lbs (NA)

Waist: 23.3"  (+.2")

Hips: 32.0"  (NA)

Biceps(L/R): 10.3"/10.1" (+.2",-.2")

Forearm(L/R): 9.3"/9.3" (NA,+.2")

Thighs(L/R): 19.8"/19.5" (NA, -.4")

Calves(L/R): 12.0"/11.9"  (+.2",+.1")

 

Waist increase aside, this is pretty good IMHO. 

 

TERRA - NA

Cleaning - 2/3

 

Master - 100%

Guest - 100%

Office - 20%

 

 

Progress happened with Terra finally! Now we can see this quest coming together... This was really important to get done, as furniture or the tree may be going in front of the closet door this holiday season!

 

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WEEK 4 DEBRIEF

 

CYAN - A

Shinkendo - 5/4

Grip Work - 2/2

 

Traded in a grip session for more SKD in deference to the holiday schedule. Went from 10 minutes of holding to 12--so far, so good. 

 

EDGAR - A

Daily Mobility -  7/7

 

Mostly shoulders and back, with a single episode involving my left knee. 

 

SABIN - A

Maintenance - Pass!

Week Avg:   2771 / 265 / 137 / 129

MFP Goal:  2500 / 250 / 111 / 125

 

Calories and carbs are up, shocker. At least my protein is up, too. 

 

GOGO - A

Curfew - 3/3

Measurements - 2/2

 

Friday: 113.2 lbs

Sunday:

Weight: 114.2 lbs (+1.6 lbs)

Waist: 23.3"  (NA)

Hips: 31.8"  (-.2")

Biceps(L/R): 10.1"/10.0" (-.2",-.1")

Forearm(L/R): 9.3"/9.0" (NA,-.3")

Thighs(L/R): 19.8"/19.8" (NA, +.3")

Calves(L/R): 12.0"/11.9"  (NA,NA)

 

Overall, it seems like I'm still more or less moving in the right direction still, so 2700 average calories isn't crazy. I'll keep an eye on Waist and thighs on Week 5 and if they don't move downward (assuming I maintain an average of 2700, of course), then I'll modify.

 

TERRA - A

Cleaning - 3/3

 

Master - 100%

Guest - 100%

Office - 100%

 

Finished! Sorta! Regular decor that's hiding over the Christmas season has been stuffed into the office closet, otherwise it's pretty good!

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WEEK 5 DEBRIEF

 

CYAN - A

Shinkendo - 5/4

Grip Work - 2/3

 

This week I finally memorized GBKI and was introduced to GBKN, I PR'd bokuto hold at 13 minutes, and received tangible evidence my grip is improving in class. This quest is going gangbusters late into the challenge--better late than never, yeah? I forgot my DH over the weekend, but epic SKD action made up for the oversight.

 

EDGAR - A

Daily Mobility -  7/7

 

All of the mobility. Got a massage that nearly killed me and was vigorous with the quest over the weekend. I need to pay more attention to my shoulders and do a better job of being thorough with them, this could be the reason why issues persist with my upper body. All the same, I gave self-care a lot of time this week. 

 

SABIN - A

Maintenance - Pass!

Week Avg:  2588 / 253 / 136 / 106

MFP Goal:  2500 / 250 / 111 / 125

 

Pretty close adherence to the target this week, protein could be better. Based on the intel gleaned over the last several weeks, I need to discover my new ideal recomp range--I think it likes around 2650 calories, making the new target:

 

2650 / 265 / 118 / 133

 

Let's see what happens!

 

GOGO - A

Curfew - 5/5

Measurements - 2/2

 

Friday: 114.4 lbs

Sunday:

Weight: 112.8 lbs (-1.4 lbs)

Waist: 22.9" (-.4")

Hips: 31.3"  (-.5")

Biceps(L/R): 10.1"/10.0" (NA,NA)

Forearm(L/R): 9.1"/9.0" (-.2", NA)

Thighs(L/R): 20.0"/20.0" (+.3",+.3")

Calves(L/R): 11.8"/11.8"  (-.2", -.1â€)

 

The weight drop is easily explained by two things: first, I purposefully eased up on consumption this week as a test to see what my measurements would do, and second, possible debloat from over-consumption of milk. This is a hard line to walk, but try, try again and all that. I don't know that I like my extremities losing so consistently, that's why week 6 will be so interesting--how do I look and how do I perform over the final week of Challenge 2015?

 

TERRA - A

Cleaning - 3/3

 

Presents! Things! Disaster grade messes incoming!

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WEEK 6 DEBRIEF

 

CYAN - A

Shinkendo - 5/4

Grip Work - 2/3

 

I studied GBKN during the week in exchange for bokuto holding and was introduced to GBST. I’m not a fan of Dead hangs, obviously, but I managed to PR with a different set-up. Plate pinches are painful, but improved a great deal this week, and deadlifts have been increasing steadily at 5lb increments over the week but are now becoming difficult.

 

EDGAR - A

Daily Mobility -  7/7

 

Shoulders and knees. My eternal enemy has been hip tightness, and I’m butting up against it here.

SABIN - A

Maintenance - Pass!

Week Avg:  2658 / 245 / 137 / 121

MFP Goal:  2650 / 265 / 118 / 133

 

 

GOGO - A

Curfew - 5/5

Measurements - 2/2

 

Friday: 113.8 lbs

Sunday:

Weight: 113.8 lbs (+1.0 lbs)

Waist: 23.0" (+.1")

Hips: 31.0"  (-.3")

Biceps(L/R): 10.0"/10.0" (-.1",NA)

Forearm(L/R): 9.3"/9.1" (+.2",+.1")

Thighs(L/R): 19.7"/19.7" (-.3", -.3â€)

Calves(L/R): 11.8"/11.8"  (NA,NA)

 

 

The modified macros appear to be taking me in the right direction. I’ll go another week to give it a proper chance.  

TERRA - A

Cleaning - 3/3

 

Presents - 17/27+ wrapped

[raptron]

WHAT. HOW IS THIS UP ALREADY?

 

You are a magician.

[Urgan]

WHAT. HOW IS THIS UP ALREADY?

 

You are a magician.

 

I...started writing it this morning? LOL. I figured the new threads would come up soon, so it seemed smart....or just crazy. Whichever. 

[shaar]

I think I slipped into your vacant spot in the Den!

 

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS THEME.  Quite possibly my favorite game ever of all time etc.  I remember when it came out and I was 13 (??), I mail-ordered the original 3 disc soundtrack from Japan with some kind of foreign money order from the post office................

[Sam Ashen]

Go get 'em!

 

[Urgan]

 

I think I slipped into your vacant spot in the Den!

 

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS THEME.  Quite possibly my favorite game ever of all time etc.  I remember when it came out and I was 13 (??), I mail-ordered the original 3 disc soundtrack from Japan with some kind of foreign money order from the post office................

 

Keep it warm for me, it's a good seat LOL. Be aware there will be Setzer gifs in lieu of coming up with a good quest to bear his name. I...totally understand this going to extreme lengths for the awesome FFVI action. I love most all the FF series, but this is definitely in the stratosphere of greatness.

 

 

Go get 'em!

 

 

Ah, my friends! Glad to have you along. There's plenty of room in the airship for everybody--let's go kick some insane clown angel ass! 

[shaar]

Setzer was probably my favorite... I cosplayed him once a long time ago.  Oh boy. ><;;;

 

My favorite FFIV comic:

 

 

DANCING MAD!!  Muahaha...

[Urgan]

Setzer was probably my favorite... I cosplayed him once a long time ago.  Oh boy. ><;;;

 

My favorite FFIV comic:

 

 

DANCING MAD!!  Muahaha...

 

Mah sister. The cast of this game is just the best. 

 

 

LOL. I wanna suplex a train....

[RisenPhoenix]

I see so much Final Fantasy VI love here.  And it makes me so very, very happy.

 

Also I really can relate to all of your goals.  So.  Let the stalking commence!

 

[Urgan]

I see so much Final Fantasy VI love here.  And it makes me so very, very happy.

 

Also I really can relate to all of your goals.  So.  Let the stalking commence!

 

 

AGH! Kefka! Kill it with fire!...oh wait, it's RisenPhoenix. Whew. You scared me.

 

Yay! Glad to have you. Teach me your ways.

[RisenPhoenix]

AGH! Kefka! Kill it with fire!...oh wait, it's RisenPhoenix. Whew. You scared me.

 

Yay! Glad to have you. Teach me your ways.

 

Pretty sure Kefka would giggle at fire.  Bugger is tough to kill.

 

And pretty sure you don't want to learn my ways right now.  They tend a bit towards "Can barely keep up with his own thread" these days.

[Alanna]

Working on grip strength = deadlifts?

[Urgan]

Pretty sure Kefka would giggle at fire.  Bugger is tough to kill.

 

And pretty sure you don't want to learn my ways right now.  They tend a bit towards "Can barely keep up with his own thread" these days.

 

The disease is insane clown. The prescription is MOAR FIRE.

 

But...but you know aikido...! *makes want grabby hands at sky*

 

Working on grip strength = deadlifts?

 

How did you guess I'm gonna do double overhand until the bar falls out of my fingers? Also, farmers carries around the gym floor for extra pain. Sensei said work on grip....

[elvenengineer]

I'm down for the deadlifts!!!!!

[Sam Ashen]

How did you guess I'm gonna do double overhand until the bar falls out of my fingers? Also, farmers carries around the gym floor for extra pain. Sensei said work on grip....

 

Hook "I Hate My Thumbs" Grip!

[Urgan]

I'm down for the deadlifts!!!!!

 

W00t! Lifting is still going on 3 days a week as per usual, so there will be the usual barbell shenanigans. Hopefully the Monks won't get annoyed with the noise and boot me...I don't drop the bar (on purpose), I swear! 

[Urgan]

Hook "I Hate My Thumbs" Grip!

 

But...but I don't hate my thumbs, I rather like them where they are! 

[Sam Ashen]

W00t! Lifting is still going on 3 days a week as per usual, so there will be the usual barbell shenanigans. Hopefully the Monks won't get annoyed with the noise and boot me...I don't drop the bar (on purpose), I swear! 

 

PSA:  NF's best Power Lifter has been hanging out with the Monks the past two Challenge Cycles.  I forgot to mention that the last time I posted.  You are very likely to find her.

[Urgan]

PSA:  NF's best Power Lifter has been hanging out with the Monks the past two Challenge Cycles.  I forgot to mention that the last time I posted.  You are very likely to find her.

 

That is true. I would not mind her stopping by. She's better than I at both lifting and any martial art, much less specifically judo. 

[Alanna]

How did you guess I'm gonna do double overhand until the bar falls out of my fingers? Also, farmers carries around the gym floor for extra pain. Sensei said work on grip....

 

Any excuse to do more deadlifts!

 

I'd recommend hangs, too, but given your bodyweight to deadlift ratio I suspect the deadlifts will be more effective...

[elvenengineer]

I mean, any excuse to do more deadlifts is a win in my book.

 

Hangs could be good once grip is tired after deadlifts, perhaps? 

[Urgan]

I am going to have to make a little grip helper routine now...fun fun. Right after I get myself straightened out from whatever I did to my back and neck.

[Sam Ashen]

Grip:  It's embarrassing enough when I hand a jar over to my 80yo father for him to open.

[RisenPhoenix]

Re: weight lifting monks

There are in fact a few of us here. I want more of us, but we do exist. So at least they haven't thrown me out for being a Lifting-Sprinting-Monking fool. Yet.