CHALLENGE #2: Faster Slackmistress! Kill! Kill!
MARCH 16, 2008 - MAY 10, 2008
PHYSICAL GOALS:
1. Decrease bodyfat.
Because I've already fielded a ton of email/comments about this, I give you the following disclaimer: this is about me, not about you. I am giving up sugar. Lack of cake, cookies or candy in my diet will not kill me. My attempt to get in better shape and decrease my overall bodyfat is not about you, what you look like, or what you eat. I will not "become a stick" nor am I "giving into the pressure of the American Media." Me being on a diet is not a judgment on you.
Minus an underactive thyroid and an occasional wonky hip, I'm in pretty decent health but I could be leaner. Most likely I'll eat a Zone-type diet, but honestly the thing I'm most concerned about is adequate protein and cutting my calories.
I'm shooting for 10 calories x BW and 100g protein a day, with one meal (or day, I'll have to see how my body adapts) as a "refeed." (For anyone interested in the mechanics behind this, Google "Lyle McDonald.")
Mind you, I'll screw up. Some days I'll overeat, some days I'll undereat, some days I won't get enough protein, some days, I'll have the bulk of my caloric intake in wine. My body, my science experiment. You can follow along here.
2. Continue to build running endurance/speed.
Everything I've read about running suggests increasing your mileage/time before working on your speed. I finished the last challenge with the ability to run 40 minutes (in a row! Shock AND awe!) three times a week. I'd like to continue with thrice-weekly runs, adding five minutes 10% a week. Spinning will be one or twice a week, depending on my running recovery time. Alas, I still can't afford an Actual Bike.
3. Strength/muscular endurance.
I'm interested in Crossfit but it's a wee bit complicated and now that it's gorgeous here in sunny Southern California, I have no desire to go to the gym. Also remember that I'm doing this plan on the cheap, so I need something that's not costly. That's when I discovered Simplefit which is similar to the basic Crossfit ideal, but the workouts are pared down to a bare-bones level. The best part? All you need is a pull-up bar.
SKILL GOALS:
1. Guns!
Handguns! Shotguns! A helpful reader suggested a place where I can have a one-on-one (or two) lesson on how to safely handle firearms. The bulk of my budget will go here.
2. Lockpicking!
I've heard that you might be able to learn about this long lost, erm, art here.
DISCLAIMER:
If you choose to follow The Post-Apocalyptic Workout Plan, you do so at your own risk. It's recommended that you see a Medical Professional before embarking on any sort of fitness endeavor, and only you know your body and what it's capable of doing. I would recommend that you begin slowly, listen to your body, warm up and cool down and stretch adequately. Because she says it better than I would, check out Mistress Krista's advice on using proper form and what to do in case of injury.
I also take no responsibility should you follow the recommendations of any commenter of this site. Just remember to be safe and use common sense. Those are two things that are going to help you survive post-apocalypse, too.
