Challenging Yourself!

It is never a bad idea to take on some new challenges in life. For me, it was changing my diet and adding exercise to my life, as well as a vow I made many years ago now to never put an unpainted army on the table again (after playing all of 5th Edition with my unpainted Cadians).

The big, sweeping things like "exercise more" and "paint models" are good, but I like small, short-term challenges too. Right now, there are some things I need to do to really push myself - both in my fitness pursuits and regards to the hobby.

First up, the physical challenge! I need to get my rear in gear. I have put off some very, very important exercises. At first, because I wasn't in shape enough for them, but now I am and I have just run out of excuses. Time to stop being lazy!

Push-Ups

These are just a must-do. I have done them as a burn-out here and there, rounding out my workout day with it. But that really isn't enough. One of my goals beyond just losing my fatty physique was to sculpt out some aspects to look good, or going for the Pratt Effect, if you will. To get the chest and arms looking good, there isn't much better than a push-up. With body weight like mine, it is a hell of a challenge, too. For added effect, when I do burn-outs with them, I would elevate my feet on a nearby bench.

Pull-Ups

Here is one that really was a lifelong goal. Ever since I was a fat kid hating gym class, these were the one thing that seemed out of reach. They were that exercise only the really, truly fit people could do. That clearly isn't true, because I can do them now. It did take a lot of work though and even I can only do a few before I just can't muster anymore.

I started with the lat pulldown and using bands to assist. Combined with some fat loss after a few months of really killing it at the gym, I was able to do basic chin-ups. Now, I can even do one or two of the wide-arm style pull-ups in the above video. That is a big deal! That takes a lot of physical strength, not even counting the fact I am over 300 lbs.

Deadlifts

Now here is a killer exercise I avoid like the plague. Why? Because it is hard and I am lazy! Honesty with yourself  is always good, right? That being said, this exercise specifically works like... everything! Want full-body strength and power? These are a good way to get there.

For beginners, these might not be a good idea until you are comfortable with the movements and form. I would say ask someone who knows or maybe see if a trainer can assist. As with anything, do your homework first and start light. Try it with just the bar until you think you are ready to up your game a bit.

Those are the big three exercises for my upcoming week and beyond. Physical challenge accepted! The plan is to add the push-ups to my lifting days consistently. Pull-ups will be the same. Going to try to get them in after the warm-up jog I do before lifting. Most likely, until I can do them with any level of regularity, I will be just doing as many as my body allows. I will do this without bands, because I am hoping that with continued weight loss thanks to counting calories via MyFitnessPal, I will find them steadily easier as I continue to grow my upper-body strength.

As for those menacing deadlifts, those are going into the twice-a-week category. No more excuses! I know I can do them and I know they are hard, but they won't get any easier if I keep avoiding them.

Now, on to the hobby challenges!

If you aren't aware, I started planning two armies about two years ago or so. My Carcharodons Astra and my Ogres. Both of those are "dream armies" that I invested in heavily with lists, research, buying and getting ready for. I will be damned though if I haven't struggled getting going on them. Sure, I have built some stuff and primed some models, even built bases. What is the issue then? Committing to putting paint down and in regards to the Carcharodons, just building most of the stuff has become something I am just leery of in the most irrational way.

I have done plenty of painting over the years - for other people. I know how to build the models in question, as again, I have done it for others. There is some kind of mental roadblock in doing my own stuff that I can't quite figure out.

It must be as simple as the fear of being judged if they don't come out top notch. Maybe not others judging me, but maybe myself. That is the trouble of knowing more about something than your skillset can live up to. Ask me about painting models and I can tell you everything in total detail. Now ask me to do it and there is where I falter.

Time to put an end to the inaction and the fear. Time to start just doing it. As I said in the first bit of this (now very long) post, the Avenger was me pushing myself harder and I did like the end result. That isn't common for me to be at all happy with an end result (though do note, I didn't say satisfied, because that won't ever happen!). So with that minor success and the ebbing of my fear of failing at my personal projects, my goal now is to truly commit.

The Ogres are ready to paint, the Carcharodons are ready to build. I have cases for them and I need to get going! So, expect some test models and build pics in the near future and if you don't see them, call me out on it!

Caveat time! I do have a commission coming up, so that takes precedence. When that is done, I won't have anything standing between me and a fully-painted army (or four).

Now to ask the readers - what are you going to do? Got any challenges for yourself, fitness or hobby?