jedi Chris-Tien Gets Off the Plateau

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

It's May, and unfortunately, I'm still up on that damn plateau.  

 

 

164 pounds.  

 

Yes, my jeans are getting loose.  (Go me!!!)

 

Yes, I'm finding that I can trot up the stairs (with a pack on) instead of crawl up them (really, I never crawled .... just wanted to). 

 

Yes, I am attacking days with more energy and resolve than I have in oh, about 10 years.  (And I warn people in my office that I AM A SHARK.  They think I'm cute and energetic.....what do they know???)

 

 

But sooner or later, that scale IS going to reflect the new reality.  Or else!!!

 

 

So, I need to exert discipline - train harder and sacrifice things that are holding me back.  (Yes, I'm looking at you, wine and pizza.  Don't think I didn't notice that you account for the majority of my calories each week.)

 

I really need a big, solid goal to work toward that puts me back into the "training for" mindset:  Warrior Dash 2017!!!!  Soon enough to be serious, but far enough away to be feasible.  

 

I'm taking Margaret Schlachter (from Dirt in Your Skirt) as my Jedi Master.  Her book is an easy introduction that is getting me started.  There's probably better, more in-depth books out there, but I don't want to become an underpants gnome.  I've got enough to get started and a year to work on upper body strength and agility.  And mental toughness.  

 

Getting off the plateau (Get down to 162 lbs or less)

It can be difficult to find your way down if you've lost the trail.  Trust me, I get lost fairly often on hikes, and I know this to be true from experience.  So, what's the plan?????

 

1) Use your body!!!  28 days of OCR fitness training, based on Schlacter's example workout .... which is mostly bodyweight training.  That schedule includes rest days, and I've already planned out how to gradually increase the challenge over the coming year.  Plus, it  also involves preparing to run 5K, which will keep me in training to do fun runs, like the Color Run and a Zombie Run.  

 

2) Embrace the obstacles in front (or below) you.  Do obstacle-specific training.  Every non-rest day.  I'd randomize them, but I'll have to allow for passing on exercises that require equipment that isn't readily available on that day ... like the bouldering wall at the campus gym.

 

3) Keep moving!!!  It's one of my favorite ways to tackle a dungeon. It's not efficient, but it eventually you will get out.  Or die, which is another way of finding the way out on the corpse run. In this case, increase step count to 11K per day.  And don't die.

 

4) Travel light.  (That's what I'm trying to do here .... Didn't you see the goal above?  Oh yea, I did see that.  But do you realize that you're talking to yourself????  Must be the heat and dehydration.  You better get off this plateau.  Yea, like I'm not trying .....) Keep net calories at 1375 per day BUT distribute over 5 or 6 smaller meals each day.  

 

5) Live off the land!!  (Cuz there ain't much cake and ice cream up on that there plateau.)  Increase protein.  It's at 75 grams average right now, which is low for trying to build muscle.  Aiming for 82 grams.  I think protein powder is going to be my new friend.  And low sugar jerky.  And salad greens and carrot sticks.  Cut out the wine, eat less pizza even on Friday, and fill up on fruits and veggies.  

 

 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

“The point is,” growled Scourge slowly, emphasizing every word, “that the mission only succeeded because of a young boy.”  His golden eyes roamed over the faces of the Jedi Council, meeting agreement amongst some members and controlled hostility from others.  

 

“A Force-sensitive boy,” Kira interjected helpfully from behind the Sith Lord, only to be met with disapproving glances from all of the Jedi Masters.  They were meeting in the grand Council room on Tython to discuss the attack on Corellia and the revelation that the Emperor was sending out members of the Dark Council to destroy entire planetary populations through ancient, secret Sith sorcery.  That these Sith would become immortal in the process was nearly as disturbing as the fact that anyone, even their enemies, would hold the life of billions of people in such low regard.  It was an abomination almost too horrid to contemplate, even among these experienced masters.  

 

“As I was saying,” the Sith lord continued … “Master Jinn was no match for Darth Xaoc, even with the distraction of controlling not only Jedi Kira but the other humans he had gathered for the ritual.”

 

Kira started to speak up again, but Chris distracted her with a mental nudge.  Not now …. she warned, and the younger Jedi relented with an almost-childish pout.  Carson had been recognized as a full-fledged knight some time ago, but she still had a good deal of maturing ahead of her.  

 

Scourge droned on, his deep voice echoing in the expansive room.  “If she is to defeat the Emperor, who is far more powerful than one of his underlings, she needs to resume training.   She was too slow through the tunnel, although I waited as long as I could before starting the assault on the manufacturing facility.  And she could barely hold her own against the fallen Jedi Narezz.  She clearly needs to work with a master …..”

 

From the Grandmaster’s chair, Satele interrupted smoothly, “... who we have already chosen for her.”  The tall Sith was clearly taken by surprise, and Chris had to smother an undiplomatic smile.  He had been hinting for weeks that he was willing to take on the task of whipping her into fighting shape, a prospect that Chris frankly did not relish.  “The Emperor will, no doubt, regroup and attempt to seize control of another planet.  You can aid our intelligence network in assessing which are the most likely targets as well as seek to determine the Emperor’s movements, while Master Jinn studies with Master Calathea.”  She scanned the room, making sure the other masters were in agreement with her plan before continuing.  “If the Force is with us, Chris-Tien will be ready to face the Emperor by the time we have a plan for getting near him.”

 

[EricMN]

Man, I missed this all last challenge. And now you're being drawn into the OCR world. Soon, Jedi, your skills will be complete...

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

My new protein shake mixer for post workout refueling.

Sent via two swallows carrying a message in a coconut.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Oh hell yes. With the Warrior Dash:

 

[Elastigirl]

So excited to see you prep and run in the Warrior Dash!

[TankGrrl]

That bottle is awesome

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[WorldSparrow]

I love the story as always! Looking forward to another great challenge. 

[Mrs Van]

I think your colleagues will soon learn to take Jedi Shark seriously! Here to support you in all.

[SkiBlue]

Returning for the awesome attitude!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Wait, did someone say OCR?

 

I never knew there were books on OCR training.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

On 5/4/2016 at 8:15 AM, Charlie_Quinn said:

Wait, did someone say OCR?

 

I never knew there were books on OCR training.

 

Oh yea.  There are LOTS of books on OCR training.  I went with Margaret Schlachter because her introduction cracked me up ... and also resonated with this former athlete turned couch potato. If she can do it, I can too!!!

 

[Thom Stépan]

Following along.

Woden uses ravens, I use an iphone.

[Mistr]

You have a solid plan for moving forward.

 

I was stuck on a similar plateau last year. What got me off it was a single week of no white flour, no sugar (as an ingredient, fruit was allowed). I decided to try it as an experiment between challenges. I wanted to test myself and see how my body responded. I learned that I am just fine without refined sugar in my diet - at least in terms of cravings. Social pressure is something else again. One side benefit is that vegetables taste sweeter to me, which cuts down on my temptation to eat sugary things. YMMV

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

I'm cutting down on refined sugars and find that they really make my heart race sometimes.  But maybe a drastic break would help get the scale moving.  

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

On 5/4/2016 at 10:12 PM, Elastigirl said:

So excited to see you prep and run in the Warrior Dash!

 

I'm getting into the training for this.  Did sprints (on the indoor track) yesterday and threw in some lunges for good measure.  You have to understand that I HATE lunges.  But I did 'em.

 

Tomorrow, Mr. Wizard needs to do a presentation up in the Cities, and then we're going to go look at bikes.  He gets a "free" bike from Erick's as a bonus for buying a new Subaru.  Love it!!  But since he has a bike he likes, I GET THE BIKE!!!  So, we're shopping tomorrow for a hybrid commuter bike for me.  I'm not much of a recreational biker, but I always feel guilty for driving a couple of miles to get groceries at the co-op.  In our sleepy, little town, it's an easy bike ride mostly on side streets and bike trails.  So .... a nice commuter bike for around town.  

 

But that means I'll be chilling for 30 minutes to an hour on a beautiful location with lots of trails.  So, I'm going to bring a kettle bell and work on walking around, carrying an awkward weight.  Oh yea, I'm getting into this adventure .....

[Elastigirl]

25 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

 

I'm getting into the training for this.  Did sprints (on the indoor track) yesterday and threw in some lunges for good measure.  You have to understand that I HATE lunges.  But I did 'em.

 

Tomorrow, Mr. Wizard needs to do a presentation up in the Cities, and then we're going to go look at bikes.  He gets a "free" bike from Erick's as a bonus for buying a new Subaru.  Love it!!  But since he has a bike he likes, I GET THE BIKE!!!  So, we're shopping tomorrow for a hybrid commuter bike for me.  I'm not much of a recreational biker, but I always feel guilty for driving a couple of miles to get groceries at the co-op.  In our sleepy, little town, it's an easy bike ride mostly on side streets and bike trails.  So .... a nice commuter bike for around town.  

 

But that means I'll be chilling for 30 minutes to an hour on a beautiful location with lots of trails.  So, I'm going to bring a kettle bell and work on walking around, carrying an awkward weight.  Oh yea, I'm getting into this adventure .....

A bike, awesome! I hadn't thought of just bringing a kettlebell and practicing farmer carries when I am somewhere and just waiting around. Great idea.

[WorldSparrow]

 

I'm getting into the training for this.  Did sprints (on the indoor track) yesterday and threw in some lunges for good measure.  You have to understand that I HATE lunges.  But I did 'em.

 

Tomorrow, Mr. Wizard needs to do a presentation up in the Cities, and then we're going to go look at bikes.  He gets a "free" bike from Erick's as a bonus for buying a new Subaru.  Love it!!  But since he has a bike he likes, I GET THE BIKE!!!  So, we're shopping tomorrow for a hybrid commuter bike for me.  I'm not much of a recreational biker, but I always feel guilty for driving a couple of miles to get groceries at the co-op.  In our sleepy, little town, it's an easy bike ride mostly on side streets and bike trails.  So .... a nice commuter bike for around town.  

 

But that means I'll be chilling for 30 minutes to an hour on a beautiful location with lots of trails.  So, I'm going to bring a kettle bell and work on walking around, carrying an awkward weight.  Oh yea, I'm getting into this adventure .....

I love your enthusiasm! I used to do the majority of my travel by foot or bike. It always amazed me that people would drive two blocks, when to me it seems like more work to do so.

Definitely need picks of the bike and the beautiful locations.

[Mrs Van]

A new bike that is awesome! Such a great idea to chill on the trails, and tagging a kettle bell along for the ride

[annyshay]

I see you've hit the ground running.  Heh.  No?  Only funny to me?

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

 

I'm trying to get caught up with people's threads and find a new picture for my avatar for the coming challenge .... but the collie insists on "helping" me.  Despite the sudden heat, the big shaggy wookie is plastered to my side.  

[Sloth the Enduring]

New bike day is the best day. I knew a few folks at Erik's; I like their shops even if they're the local corporate giant. Let us know what you bring home.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

10 hours ago, Sloth the Slow and Steady said:

New bike day is the best day. I knew a few folks at Erik's; I like their shops even if they're the local corporate giant. Let us know what you bring home.

 

I know, it goes a bit against the grain to buy from a big chain, but the two local shops down here have inventory that STARTS at a grand ..... I want quality, but that's a bit more than I want to spend right now, especially since I haven't ridden in decades.

 

I further refined by commuter hack and have started taking the train through Mpls to the East Bank of the U, where I catch the campus connection bus to the St. Paul campus.  With construction projects in downtown, the train saves me nearly 20 minutes!!!  Steve's book didn't really teach me much that I didn't know already, but it did spark creativity in dealing with obstacles!!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Commuter's parkour?

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Always jealous by the trails your town has. Here our "trails" end up being wider paths for kids to go to school, which ends up also being right next to the busiest roads of cars and semis/farm trucks coming through...

 

Curious by how your bike looks, and find it interesting on how your "fitting in stuff" into your daily life.

 

And wow... puppy snuggles up in the 80s jeesh, must really needed the cuddle time.