I want to be fit enough to run a half marathon in the spring<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nHow I\u2019m going to do it<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
75 hard has some simple rules to follow, so I\u2019ll follow those and add a few tweaks along the way too. Every day I\u2019ll take a picture first thing in the morning, probably in my pants \u2013 but that\u2019s all you\u2019re getting. I\u2019ll write the diary every day and talk about what I ate, what I did, what I read etc. The rules are;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must follow a diet<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
This one is quite easy for me. I\u2019ve been practising intermittent fasting for years and the OMAD diet works really well for me. If all the extra effort from exercise means I need more fuel, I\u2019ll move to the 16:8 diet. I already eat a lot of fibre, lots of greens and plenty of fruit. I probably only eat meat twice a week now. I\u2019ll also give up the sweet treats apart from fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s going to be a lot of guesswork on what I need to eat. Because I am a giant, my basal metabolic rate (BMR) or what I just need to just exist is typically around 2500 calories. I would burn that laying around in bed. I’m going to guess that I probably have 80,000 excess calories in body fat that I can burn off…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I burn 500-1000 calories every day for 83 days, my one meal is going to need to be enormous by the time I’m 6 weeks into this diet. I’ll probably hit the right size and shape for me by around day 45. That could also be the point that I switch over to a 16:8 eating plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, the rule stipulate NO ALCOHOL, NO TREATS, NO CHEAT MEALS<\/strong>. That’s fine by me I guess.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI must drink a gallon of water every day.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m might have to freestyle on the water component, because heavy water loading messes with my legs. I’ll probably manage a gallon, but I\u2019m going to be using the NHS definition of water \u2013 which includes black coffee, black tea etc. Because I eat a lot of fruit and veg, I’ll always be getting my fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must do two 45 minute workouts a day, and one of them must be outside<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve not really picked the right time of year for this\u2026 Freezing cold for the first 6 weeks, then rain for the rest! My go to outdoor exercise will be running, but I\u2019ll be walking too and I even lift weights outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ll be doing calisthenics indoors, and doing them every day. They\u2019re low intensity and I can fit them in around other stuff. I\u2019ve got a few other little objectives too, like how long I can hold a plank for, how many pressups and pullups I can do etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m going to do a 5×5 strength plan. But instead of traditionally splitting compound exercises by leg day, back, upper body etc \u2013 I\u2019m going to do complex compounds. Full body exercises, all in one very taxing movement. Deadlift, bent over row, clean and press, overhead squat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will need heavier weights relatively soon, but I\u2019ll cross that bridge when I come to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I must read ten pages of a book<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
No problem, I read loads of books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I be tough guy, tough like bear. So the next 83 days is going to have a Russian theme, starting with Putin’s people – how the KGB took back Russia, and then took on The West<\/strong> by Catherine Belton<\/strong>. Once I’m done with that, I’m going to move on to The Kremlin school of negotiation, by Igor Ryzov.<\/strong> I’ll keep you posted on my levels of excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI must take a photo of myself every day.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
OK, that sounds simple enough. It’s not going to be pretty, but it is what it is. I’ll add them all together on day 83 and publish one of those time lapse things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day 1\/83<\/p>You can call me Mr Potato.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nI am definitely suffering from the excesses of the festive period. I have piled on a few unexpected pounds, and I feel the fattest I’ve been in ages. Not to worry though, as this new miserable challenge will strip me of such a burden. I guess there’s no better day to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m not sure how I feel about this challenge yet, I only decided to do it yesterday. Is it really going to be that difficult? I have a feeling that starting is going to be the hardest part. The first 7-10 days of dealing with double exercise sessions, plus the inevitable withdrawal symptoms after festive excess will hurt. Once I’m done with that, I’ll be fine. Probably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n