Jormungand: Challenge II

[Jormungand]

This is my second challenge and first with the Rangers. The levels of enthusiasm around this place are infectious to say the least. I've been very much anticipating the time that I could finally join up with all of you to take part in your exploits. 

 

Here is the quick and dirty version of what I look to accomplish this year:

 

I lost roughly 30 pounds last year, and I will keep it off. In fact, there are a few loose pounds that are still clinging to my body like grim death. Those need to be dealt with. My goal weight (for now) is to get and stay below 200 pounds. I hit the first part of that goal a couple weeks ago, but with weight fluctuations and the holidays, I think I've tipped back up. I'm not too worried about it though. I know that I've already come this far, and I know that I have what it takes to go even further. I participated in a handful of obstacle course races (OCR) last year, and my wife and I have already signed up for at least four this upcoming year. It's time to really take this seriously as I have a pretty massive race that I am looking to do in November called World's Toughest Mudder. I'm trying to focus a lot of my training on what it will take to succeed in that event. I guess that was more dirty than quick...

 

First Quest: Go for a run/ruck at least three days a week. I consider a qualifying run as anything faster than a walk and longer than a mile. I've gone on a couple of rucks since reading about them on here, and I am hooked. I'm pretty proud of the tape job I did on the bricks that I put in the backpack. Not aesthetically pleasing, but effective. 

 

Second Quest: Do strength training at least two days a week. I will include any outdoor-related activities like wood chopping or snow shoveling.

 

Third Quest: Don't eat anything that comes out of a wrapper. My wife and I make a lot of our meals at home, but I have found that I will cheat and pick up snacks throughout the day. For example, it's pretty easy to convince myself that bag of trail mix is healthy because it has nuts and raisins in it. The same thing is said with things like protein bars. This quest is admittedly pretty broad, but I will refer back to Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart when he said that "I know it when I see it." 

 

It seems like there are already a number of Rangers training for some OCRs this year. I am already looking to see what I can pick up from others in the sport. 

[Koaladle]

I haven't written my third challenge yet due to an absurdly busy week, but the third quest REALLY resonates with me. I've been fighting off the junk food, but lately it's been so accessible that I cave in more than I would like. Best of luck! 

[Raxie]

Hehe I really like the way you're approaching your food quest - nothing out of a wrapper. So smart! Good luck this challenge

[Jormungand]

Thanks, Raxie. At first I thought that it might not be much of a quest, but then I actually sat down and thought about how often I go to the gas station or store and pick up something like a protein bar or bag of trail mix, which is tough because there are few things I love as much as trail mix.

 

Midweek Update: I've gone for two rucks this week already. Also, yesterday I got in a strength training session and a 1 mile run afterward. So far, my distance with rucking and running combined is 7.3 miles this week. I am holding strong with avoiding anything packaged or wrapper(ed?). I've caught myself a couple times reaching for something at the store out of habit, but so far so good. I hope everyone is seeing similar results with their own goals.

[Raxie]

Great job so far this week!

[Koaladle]

[Jormungand]

Week 1 Recap:

 

I was successful with my quest goals. The only one I really struggled with was the eating challenge. At times, I'd be walking through the store and see some of my old favorites sitting in plastic tubs. I'd think to myself, "Well, that food isn't technically in a wrapper." But, deep down in my heart of hearts, I knew it was just the same old terrible food choice in a different container. If I started making adjustments now, there'd be no end to what I could "technically" get away with. 

 

The fitness parts of the challenge were less of an issue. I ran/rucked 8.3 miles total, a number I'm hoping to increase each week of this challenge, and I made it to the fitness center twice. 

[Koaladle]

If you're going to make adjustments, make them more strict--like going to a butcher for better quality meat, or opting for carrots with the tops still on rather than bulk packed in a plastic bag (holy crap the taste difference is mind blowing). ;-) You're right, though; the backtrack kind of adjustments are a Pandora's Box.

[Thom Stépan]

Well done on the decision to stay away from unhealthy former favourites. That sort of thing is always the hardest.

Great job on the rucking and getting to the fitness centre.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[SaltyDragon]

Glad to see it going well for you. Count me as another one who's impressed by the food quest!

[originalpiratematerial]

Well done indeed on the food front. I have yet to get rid of sugar cravings - a hangover from Christmas.

[Jormungand]

Mid(ish)week Update:

 

Things are going fairly well on the fitness side of things. I've already had two strength training regimens this week, and I've been adding some one-mile runs in at the end just to burn things up a little more. However, I definitely am feeling the winter weather creep in to my psyche, and I'm feeling less motivated to get out and run/ruck. I'm looking to move forward from that now that I've acknowledged it. 

 

Also, I'm a little disappointed in myself regarding my third quest. I'd been doing so well with being aware of my surroundings where I habitually pick up wrappered treats, that I'd failed to notice my subconscious making inroads in other areas. My wife and I had pizza earlier this week, and I didn't even notice until (much) later that I'd picked up a couple small chocolate bars at the grocery store to have for dessert. No other slip-ups other than that but still. It's annoying (as well as slightly unsettling) that I did that without even thinking about it. 

 

Done with moping about it, though. Onward now, and I hope all of you are finding success in your own goals and aspirations. 

[Thom Stépan]

It can be a bit of a shock at how often we automatically sneak sugary treats into our diets without really noticing. You are becoming more aware of this sneaky habit so that is a good thing.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[Thom Stépan]

Time for the week two summary. I am waiting to read about the awesome.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[Jormungand]

Week 2 Recap:

 

Similar to last week. Not a whole lot changed since the midweek update. I'm not thrilled about the slip ups at the beginning of the week with my third quest. I tried to focus more on eating healthier "snack" foods. My wife made some seasoned popcorn and roasted chick peas, so that's helped. I'm also trying to be an inspiration to her as she's making some positive steps with her fitness. I've not convinced her to join NF yet, but I'm still working on it. 

 

I had two strength sessions last week, one of which included a 1 mile run. All in all, ended up running/rucking 6.4 miles. Not an increase from last week but still better than nothing. I did start doing bear complexes though for strength training, so that is something that I hope to be implementing more of. 

[Thom Stépan]

Bear complexes? What on earth are they?

Everything else is all good, don't stress about the wife joining NF too much, she might not see it as her thing.

Keep being awesome bud and kill week 3.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[Jormungand]

This is the description from Crossfit Fenrir:

 

7 Sets of the following sequence:
Power Clean
Front Squat
Push Press
Back Squat
Push Press
5 rounds of the above.

 

Here's a video on it, too. 

 

And you're right, Thom, about my wife's attitude regarding NF. I've only mentioned it a few times, and I try not to push it much. Also, thanks for the encouragement. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the four-week format for the challenges. I only did one 6WC before they changed things up, so I wasn't as used to it as so many others around here. I'm already trying to plan for the next one while still working on this one. 

[originalpiratematerial]

I only did two 6WCs so I wasn't really in the routine either, but so far I think I prefer the four-week format .

[Thom Stépan]

I've been doing the 6WC's for a couple of years now (on and off), but I am definitely liking the four week challenge more. My next challenge will be similar to my current one, tweaked to encourage progress, but basically the same. It is working so I ain't fixing it.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[originalpiratematerial]

With regard to spouses and fitness - my husband came to the gym with me for the first time on Friday and he seemed to really enjoy it. So here's to positive steps!

[Jormungand]

Week 3 Recap:

 

This past week, things went slightly better than the week before. I ran for a total of 8.25 miles and had two strength training sessions. I was more mindful of my eating quests after last week's slip-ups. I did not end up getting to do my Ranger Feat for the mini challenge, but I will try to do two for this last week of the 4WC. I'm trying to finish this challenge strong so that I can bounce right into the next one. I'm already working on figuring out what to do for the challenge next month. 

[Jormungand]

With regard to spouses and fitness - my husband came to the gym with me for the first time on Friday and he seemed to really enjoy it. So here's to positive steps!

 

That is awesome to hear. I've always felt that doing something as a team can have more lasting results. 

[Thom Stépan]

So week three has been dragged out of the ring in a stretcher and week four climbs into the ring trembling with fear.

You have been doing an awesome job Jormungand.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[SaltyDragon]

You're doing great. Excited to hear what you come up with for your next challenge!

[Jormungand]

So week three has been dragged out of the ring in a stretcher and week four climbs into the ring trembling with fear.

 

I like the imagery. Thanks for the boost.