6 Week Challenge - August 6 - September 17

I am on day three of my third 6 week challenge through NerdFitness. My specific challenge thread is here. 

For those of you too lazy to click the link, here are my goals:

1. Two family athletic activities per week.
2. Continue daily exercise and food tracking, and cut out caffeine completely.
3. Finally get that stinkin' 10 pull-ups goal.
4. Pass my certification tests, and either get a new job or get paid more at the current one.

And here are some before pictures. They aren't very impressive since I didn't take pictures before my last two challenges. I have noticed some increase in my arm and shoulder muscles.

I hope that there is a visible improvement in the near future. At least by the end of the challenge.

Anyway...lets be healthy.

7 Days of Sex

The other night the wife and I were flipping through On Demand, trying to find something to watch on TV to unwind after a long day. Right at the top of the list was a show called "7 Days of Sex". I was intrigued by the tittle. Turns out it is a show that takes couples who are struggling in their marriages and has them commit to having sex 7 days in a row.

We noticed, through the two episodes we watched, that the relationships of each couple were dramatically improved. Not that the sex by itself improved anything, but it seemed to put each person into a state of being more inclined to please their significant other.

The wife and I were inspired. Our own sex-life had been less than stellar as of late. And our overall relationship wasn't perfect either. So, why not try a week of sex? Lets see if we can get similar results as the couples on the show.

We are now 2 days into it. Today will be day 3, once we get around to it later. I've already notices some big changes. Not that we haven't had sex 2 days in a row before, but knowing the week long commitment is there helps.

For one thing, we are talking a lot more to each other about sex. Specifically, about our sex and how good/bad it is. And that has led to some definite improvements between the sheets.

We've even talked a little bit about....fantasies...*gasp*. A nun just fainted somewhere.

I'm excited to see what other changes come over our relationship over the next few days. And, who knows, maybe we won't stop at 7 days. Maybe we'll keep going.

Fail Boating Leads to Depression

I hope you're sitting down. What I am about to tell you will blow your mind.

When you suck at life, it's depressing.

I know. Mind blown.

Lets just say that I have conducted an experiment for the last 4 days or so in how being a big bag of suck effects your happiness. Studies have shown that it has a negative affect.

A Shift From Protector to Partner

I hope this doesn't come across as feminist in any way. I hate those wack-jobs.

While on a long run the other day I was thinking. It's something I do a lot while running. Sadly, I generally don't do it well. I remembered my youth, specifically the time while I grew where I pictured the woman that I might some day marry. And as I remembered, I couldn't help but compare those day-dreams of youth with the actual woman I am now married to.

First of all, I remember thinking that I wanted to marry a petite, delicate woman. One that I could carry easily in my big strong arms. I saw her, this future wife, as something that I would need to protect. In other words, I bought into that old school archetypal wife.

But, I married a strong, independent woman. I married someone that doesn't need my protection. I married someone that sometimes needs to protect me. And my life is richer for it.

The relationship that allows for an equal partnership is so much more fulfilling that what I had pictured when young. I'm exceptionally happy that I married who I did, and that I've grown to appreciate something so much more beautiful and powerful.

I find it interesting that society still tries to portray women as subservient to men. Women are not second class citizens. They are not a collection of body parts created for our enjoyment. My wife is my equal or better in every way that matters, and I love her all the more for it.

Inspiration

Keep Moving Forward

This post title is a rip-off from the Disney film "Meet the Robinsons."  Which is, by far, my favorite of the Disney animated films. Even though it wasn't as popular as some of their other films.

Anyway, I've loved the quote and the concept since the first time I saw the film. A while back, it, along with some other things, inspired me to write this:

I Am Strong, Intelligent, Faithful, Loving and Honest

I Work Hard, Play Hard, and Live Out-loud.

I Love My God, My Family, My Neighbor, and Myself.

Admittedly, I have not given my "Standard" as much thought recently as I should. But I do still think that is describes the ideal me. It contains the things I think are important for me.

I recently watched a video done on Arnold Schwarzenegger's 6 steps for success. It was actually really interesting stuff. So I'll go over it really quick.

1. Trust yourself.
2. Break the Rules.
3.Don't be afraid to fail.
4. Don't listen to the nay-sayers.
5. Work your butt off.
6. Give back.

Great stuff, right? Weird that it came from Arnie.

Well, I've been trying a lot more lately to 'move forward'. It's been hard, especially considering the situation my family is in, financially.

But I want to be better, and do better. At life. And so I am working at it. I'm fighting off the nay-sayers and my own encroaching depression to stay motivated. I'm doing this. No. Matter. What.

Did Not Finish

My blog the other day brought back memories of another Cross Country race in high school.

I was part way through my sophomore year, my first year of high school and as a runner. Things were going well. I'd lost 20 lbs of fat and gained it back as muscle. The real races, against runners from other schools were just starting. It was at a home meet, that this story happens.

The race started like normal. I was as excited as ever to run. Maybe even more so. The signal was given and a few dozen teenagers took off. It felt good, and there was a lot of adrenaline in my veins for that first bit. I was on a familiar course with new opponents to gauge myself against.

By the time I was in the second mile of the 3.2, the adrenaline was gone, and I was left running on my own strength and determination. But I was holding strong. I knew I could do it. I'd done it before, afterall.

I started into the third mile and I was hurting. It was hard. I was winded and my side hurt and my legs were sore. It was too hard. Slowly, I convinced myself that something must be wrong. It shouldn't hurt this much.

Then I stopped.

I lay panting in the grass while other runners passed me by. A few of my teammates voiced concern for me. I waved them on. After a few minutes I got up and walked back to the starting line.

I got back and my coach immediately let into me. He didn't yell, but I could tell he was disappointed. I made my excuses and continued on the day.

The next day in school, I went into the coaches office and saw the big poster-board he'd made to track our times and such. Next to my name, in black sharpie, were the letters "DNF."

I was ashamed. I'd seen those letters before, by the names of some of my teammates, but not by mine. Did not finish. It was the mark of failure.

I ran for two years, the mile and 2 mile in Track, and the 5k in Cross Country. Never again did the letters DNF appear by my name.

I had another teammate whose drive amazed me. His name was Mike. One time, at a large invitational, meaning there were several schools and hundreds of runners, he placed very highly in his race. Despite sharp pain in his leg, he ran. Only after the race did we discover that his leg was broken. He had a stress fracture that ran from the top of his Tibia to the bottom.

He ran 3.2 miles on a broken leg.

That, my friends, is determination. We should be just at strong.