DJ Trippy T Cracks the Combination

[DJtrippyT]

OMG IT'S HERE IT'S HERE IT'S HERE

 

[jumps up and down clapping like a seal]

 

It's the new challenge!!!!! I'm modestly calling this one....

 

**** DJ Trippy T CRACKS THE COMBINATION!****

 

 

Because in this episode, I am almost 73% convinced that I know what the hell I am doing, and am going to put all the pieces and bits together in a magical formula that will make me successful, wealthy, and alluring. Or at least better at crossfit. Let's do it!

 

 

Per usual with my challenges, I have a workout section, a food section, and a Paleo hack, plus this time an additional lifestyle adjustment that's coming along for the ride. I just need to line all the tumblers up correctly and... BAM!

 

 

 

 

Workouts: THE FUN STUFF

 

 2 - 3 x week cycling (not training for a particular event so this is just maintenance/enjoyment riding). Scheduled for my bike fit this Friday, so hopefully this will ease up my knee pain. Or maybe I'll just transition to riding one of those giant tricycles like old folks have in Florida. I bet those are easy on the knees.

 

3-4 x week in gym - still with crossfit style workouts, but going to throw in one straight strength workout every other week -  probably squats, as that’s the real power-builder. I may start posting workouts below the spoiler so I don’t bore everyone to death, since they’re always pretty similar. You can only post about doing 150 squats in a row so many times. Which I did, on Sunday, by the way (preens shamelessly).

 

Walking:  I'm going to add a lot of walking to this challenge: my goal is to walk 200 miles in the six weeks (which isn’t nearly as bad as it sounds; it’s like 4 miles a day, or two laps around the neighborhood.)  I know everyone has probably read that book “Born to Run†about how humans are designed for running, but I actually really believe that humans are born to WALK. Seriously, if you get just a bit of practice in, you can literally just walk all day with no adverse effects. So I’m adding this as a way to get some outdoor time, do some easy, zone 2, fat burning activity, and burn a few extra calories without risking overtraining injury or burnout. It will also help prep me for an extensive hiking trip I’m planning next fall.

 

If I can get thru this challenge workout-wise without, um, dying, I am going to register for an OCR, and you can all watch me flail in the mud. 

 

FOOD:

 

Ah, this is the key, and I am sooooo close to figuring this out. I really believe that there’s no one diet/exercise plan that works for everyone, and I think that there’s some survivorship bias on every single diet plan. In other words, I know a bunch of people that seem to do super well on vegan, all- natural, super light diets with a ton of yoga, and try to convince me to do it, but they all have the same long, slender body type and probably would just thrive on that diet even without trying to turn themselves into a human paper clip. I also know some ultra-runner and biker types that swear they do fine chugging down powerbars and gels and super high-carb stuff, but again I think they probably have the right metabolism for it, and also that they are burning SO many calories that it really doesn’t matter what they are eating, just that they are eating EVERYTHING in an attempt to keep ahead of their metabolic demand.

 

(then there are people like my boyfriend that seem to thrive on a steady diet of Bugles and chicken wings, and I just don’t even know what to say about that other than it pisses me off.)

 

For myself, as what could laughably be referred to as a power athlete, I seem to work best on a *fairly* low-carb diet, and for ages I assumed I did best on two meals a day, but last challenge I experimented with 4-5 meals a day and was surprised to find I really liked it and felt a lot more energetic on it. (which is not to say it wasn’t a pain in the ass.)

 

 

I also experimented with a lot more carbs (200-250 grams as day) and that didn’t work out so hot. So this time around I am going to combine and refine both those ideas; eat smaller meals 4 times a day, but keep my carb count around 130-150 daily, except for long bike ride days, as I need more gas in the tank for those. Also, stop eating after 5 pm, as this is an easy calorie restrictor, and I’ve read that women tend to better with food restriction in the evening rather than the morning. I won't do that every day, though. 

 

 

I’m also going to experiment with eliminating cheat days. If I’m staying low(er) carb I should be able to eat about what I want quantity-wise, and I find that periodically loading up on carby junk is just a disaster for me - I get sluggish and sleepy, I feel like crap the next day, and I start craving junk again within 48 hours. So I’m going to go the six weeks straight thru, and see if I can break that cycle.

 

Side note: I wrote this part out the day before Steve put his “Why Cheat Days Suck†or whatever article out, and now I feel like I’m a genius. (preens shamelessly)

 

Paleo: Be the caveman. Cavechick. Whatever.

 

I am, as I often mention, one of those Paleo weirdos, and my challenges would not be complete without me trying to work in some flaky Paleo biohack. This time around, I want to try magnesium baths (i.e. soaking my feet in epsom salts and warm water, to absorb the magnesium), and eating more fermented foods (note: this does not include beer, pumpkin or otherwise). 

 

 

Lifestyle:

 

This is a bit different from the normal challenge stuff, but I want to bring - not a lifestyle improvement, exactly, but a lifestyle revamp to my challenge, in that I want to steer my career in a different direction.

 

 

I currently work in the production side of TV & advertising, which is nice in that I freelance and theoretically can work/not work as I see fit (this does not always work out in practical reality), but the further I move up the production side of the chain, the further I get from the creative side and into the accounting side. And while I may not know what, exactly, I was put on this earth to do, I am fairly certain that staring at excel spreadsheets all day isn’t it. So I want to move out of the production side, and start establishing myself as a director. I made my first film last year (which I’m still editing) that I was the co-director and writer of, and I want to do some more projects like that, and also start a web series. I have two in mind; one on compact living, tiny houses, and minimalism, which are subjects that I'm personally obsessed with; and another on outdoor travel with a twist.

 

I want to work on a sponsored adventure series that I have been playing with for a while, where I drum up support for a charity while doing some sort of outdoor thingy. (I know that sounds really specific). The first one I have in mind is to do a combo kayak/bicycle transit of the Florida Keys (kayak from Key Largo to Key West, then bike back) and in the process raise money for The Turtle Hospital, which is a sea turtle rescue center in the middle keys. My plan is to raise a certain amount (or get sponsors) to cover costs on the trip, and then the rest goes to the charity. So in this case, if the trip costs are probably close to $1500 (there will be 3 people involved, transportation, rent the kayaks, etc) so I would set a goal of $12,000 - so that we could make a 10k or more donation to the Turtles. I originally planned to do it next fall, but I decided to move the timetable up, as time and turtle waits for no man. Or woman.  I know that sounds nuts, but really, why not swing for the fences, right? Right.

 

Obviously this is not something that will happen in one six week challenge; but it takes time to turn the boat, and if I start putting it out to the Universe now, I can start making progress. And it'll give me some accountability.

 

 

 

Ummmmm….  okay, I think that’s it. I guess I should go walk now, and start logging some miles...bonding with some turtles... etc.

 

 

(This last image has nothing to do with my challenge; it was just too funny not to use.)

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following! Good luck breaking the excel chains and letting your creative juices flow through you like the force through a Jedi when the music gets exciting.

[BitterOyster]

Gotta agree with you on the born to walk thing, even when very overweight and inactive it suprised me how much I could walk just by keeping on going. And there is something fulfilling about being able to get around with nothing but your own legs.

Your sponsored adventure idea sounds AMAZING. What a way to raise money for a good cause!

[Raxie]

I really like that idea that humans are born to walk! Your goal surrounding it is great.

 

And that charity sounds amazing, yay turtles! Can't wait to hear how that turns out

[DJtrippyT]

Your sponsored adventure idea sounds AMAZING. What a way to raise money for a good cause!

 

 

 

And that charity sounds amazing, yay turtles! Can't wait to hear how that turns out

 

Thanks! We shall see...

 

Here's some stills from the movie I made last year that I'm still editing (because I'm pathetically slow), in case anyone's super bored and has caught up on the eleventy thousand new threads coming online with the new challenge.

 

We had turtles in this one, too. It's some sort of theme...

 

 

 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

A movie with turtles... That turtle picture looks a little young to be picking up martial arts...

[Raxie]

Awww such a cute little turtle! Those are great pictures.

[DJtrippyT]

It was cute! We filmed a sea turtle conservation group doing surveys of an emptied nest, and that little one was still in the bottom, so they took him down to the waterline and sent him on his way. It was neat. If it's a female and survives, she'll come back to that same beach in 15 years to lay her own eggs.

[DarK_RaideR]

If I can get thru this challenge workout-wise without, um, dying, I am going to register for an OCR, and you can all watch me flail in the mud.

 

Following and shamelessly cheerleading you in order to make that happen.

[Raxie]

It was cute! We filmed a sea turtle conservation group doing surveys of an emptied nest, and that little one was still in the bottom, so they took him down to the waterline and sent him on his way. It was neat. If it's a female and survives, she'll come back to that same beach in 15 years to lay her own eggs.

That is so amazing! I used to be mildly obsessed with sea turtles when i was a kid they are such cool creatures. It's really great you're helping with such an awesome cause

Sent by TARDIS delivery service. Apologies for typos caused by interactions with the time vortex.

[DJtrippyT]

 

Following and shamelessly cheerleading you in order to make that happen.

I just spit coffee laughing when I scrolled down to this...

[DJtrippyT]

Fermented foods haul from the store today: 

 

 

Kefier (probably going to go in smoothies), 2 kinds of yogurt, kimchi (looks kinda gross), fresh saurkraut (not sure if this is live-fermented or not; I'll be able to tell in a day or two, if the lid starts to bow upward from C02), some cheese made from unpasturized milk, and some raw apple cider vinegar. I have no idea what to do with the vinegar, but just buying it made me feel like I should be wearing hemp shoes and have white-girl dreads.

 

Also, just throwing this out there in case Rurik and Dark_Raider need reminding...

 

http://trainheroic.com/crossfit-open-preparation/

 

It's coming.... 

[DarK_RaideR]

I like to use lighter versions of vinegar like white or apple cider in salads because of the milder flavor. Also if you've just fried something, from meat chunks to pumpkin bites, instead of throwing away the remains, add some rosemary and a splash of vinegar (beware of alcoholic fumes) and stir for a moment until it thickens into an out-of-nothing sauce.

 

I recently mastered the muscle up and I'm confident about handstand walks. Participating in the Open is part of my epic quest as well. Comparing scores with fellow Rebels will only make it sweeter.

[Hermione Gainser]

Awwwwww yis! Great challenge!  Also, you're cool as hell. Did you know that? 

[DJtrippyT]

Awwwwww yis! Great challenge!  Also, you're cool as hell. Did you know that?

Stahhhhp now I'm embarrassed

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I have four different kinds of flavored vinegar and I do not wear hemp shoes. Apple cider vinegar goes really well with pork as a marinade or in the cooking process. As D_R said beware the fumes. You can also make a vinaigrette for dressing. Mix equal parts olive oil and apple cider vinegar with some salt and pepper and other herbs as you so choose, whisk together and pour over vegetables or salad and boom! Instant flavor.

[Rurik Harrgath]

Because in this episode, I am almost 73% convinced that I know what the hell I am doing, and am going to put all the pieces and bits together in a magical formula that will make me successful, wealthy, and alluring. Or at least better at crossfit. Let's do it!

 

If that's the case, you're still miles ahead of me.  Still figuring all this stuff out... but I'm trying to be scientific about it.

 

As if you didn't know I was going to pop in eventually!

[DJtrippyT]

If that's the case, you're still miles ahead of me.  Still figuring all this stuff out... but I'm trying to be scientific about it.

 

As if you didn't know I was going to pop in eventually!

This is the only time I will math in public, I promise

Good, now that you and Tank are here I am sure to get my RDAB (recommended daily allowance of beards)

[Stronkey Kong]

You should totally make your own sauerkraut. It's too easy. All you need is chopped cabbage, salt, and jar or crock of some type.

 

Also, I totally approve of both film topics.

 

Finally, not to be negative... but, I don't think you're going to get much Mg from Epsom salt soaks. The outer layers of our skin are dead and for the most part waterproof. Sure the dead skin cells swell and get pruny, and they pick up some Mg from the bath, but that stuff is going to stay in or on the skin. Your blood and lymph don't visit the epidermis. Life would be a lot harder if it did.

 

Or just take Epsom salt soaks if you like them. They're harmless if not good for you. It probably has some benefit. Meh. I just highly doubt you'll get Mg from it.

 

If you want Mg in your system doing something biologically relevant, just eat more leafy greens, especially those with A LOT of chlorophyll like spinach. The darker the green the better.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Brogo adds to RDAB as well.

[DJtrippyT]

Brogo adds to RDAB as well.

But Brogo is not an Officially Licensed Ranger Beard for two more challenges.

[Rurik Harrgath]

This is the only time I will math in public, I promise

Good, now that you and Tank are here I am sure to get my RDAB (recommended daily allowance of beards)

 

 

You should totally make your own sauerkraut. It's too easy. All you need is chopped cabbage, salt, and jar or crock of some type.

 

I love saurkraut, but for some reason I always assumed it was quite a bit more difficult than this.

 

Might have to add that to my To Do list for days off coming up, alongside beef borscht and bratwurst and just have a Good Ole German Time of things!

[DJtrippyT]

You should totally make your own sauerkraut. It's too easy. All you need is chopped cabbage, salt, and jar or crock of some type.

 

Also, I totally approve of both film topics.

 

Finally, not to be negative... but, I don't think you're going to get much Mg from Epsom salt soaks. The outer layers of our skin are dead and for the most part waterproof. Sure the dead skin cells swell and get pruny, and they pick up some Mg from the bath, but that stuff is going to stay in or on the skin. Your blood and lymph don't visit the epidermis. Life would be a lot harder if it did.

 

Or just take Epsom salt soaks if you like them. They're harmless if not good for you. It probably has some benefit. Meh. I just highly doubt you'll get Mg from it.

 

If you want Mg in your system doing something biologically relevant, just eat more leafy greens, especially those with A LOT of chlorophyll like spinach. The darker the green the better.

I bought some spinach to toss in smoothies. It'll even me out from all the bacon. Hmmmm I'd read that you could absorb Mg transdermally. Phooey. Not having a home chemistry kit I'm not sure how I'd even test for it.

I actually bought a fermentation lock so I could do my own fermented stuff in a mason jar, but I'm slightly terrified that I'll food poison my household

[honeybadger]

I'm along for the ride!

I'm also afraid to try making my own sauerkraut.

[Sloth the Enduring]

If the fermentation goes bad it will obvious enough that you wont eat it.  This is based on my one experience trying to make sauerkraut.