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05-27-2007, 08:30 PM
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 The 30 days Project Mayhem experiment
Here is a question for you. Which is harder to maintain? Self discipline or discipline imposed by others on you? Self discipline, of course. Solitary activities build strong, unique and self-reliant individuals. So to demonstrate extreme self discipline I'm going to conduct a 30 days experiment where push the mind and body to it's max and I'll be here to post pictures and updates  Starting Monday, May 28, I'm going to do the following: Wake up 4:00 AM every morning and mediate. Waking up early is the hardest part for me, doing it daily would be a test of will power. - Go to the gym three times a day, doing high intensity calisthenic exercises, including Ninja-like exercise. Hardcore running. Do shadow fighting and harden my fists, shins and elbows on the punching bag. - Eat more. Double the amount of what I eat and get more muscle mass. - Hardcore meditation, two hours a day of zazen (a Zen form of meditation) A hour before waking up and an hour before sleeping. - Pretty intense Japanese learning, including vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. - Any activity that is even perceived to be unimportant will be cut off. The point of this 30 days is to have a strengthen concentration of the mind instead of letting it go on auto pilot. Strengthen of concentration means more discipline, will power and consciousness. The body is equally important also, hence the extreme exercise. The goal is to fuse body and mind to show the unlimited capability as a human being. I'll post the daily updates on this topic and in my blog.      |
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05-27-2007, 08:42 PM
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Cool. Why not polyphasic sleep too?
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05-27-2007, 09:26 PM
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Good luck!! First of all though, what's the point of getting up at 4:00 am? I mean, seems like your brain is going to be doing a huge amount of transitions and will be burning though lots of energy, better make sure you get enough sleep, like 8 hours. Right now, because I can, I wake up at noon and go to bed at 4:00 am... if you are not going to be distracted, and the daylight does not matter much, then what's the point of just randomly shifting your waking hours? I am not saying that waking up at noon is a good thing, but I'm just saying 4:00am just seems like an unreasonable time if it is an arbitrary decision, unless you are just going to see how much torture you can handle, which I guess its good to know your limits and push them further. And when you are trying to get up at 4:00 am, do this mental exercise: "If I get up a 4:00 am then I will be able to start my day, If I start my day then I can do those other activities. If I do those other activities then I will be more disciplined. If I am more discipled then I will be able to be successful"... ect... until you've reached your sentence that is your life purpose in your own words. Also make sure you have enough fun... as in focusing on people. It's an additive process I've discovered and have backed up with experience several times now, and it will keep you from getting burnt out, and its practically burnt/made mandatory by your brain that you are with other people. See what I mean by here: My figure out the feelings inside my brain/body thread So I'd do like an hour a day just walking around at the mall and doing people watching... just so that you don't start to feel bad because of that, unless you've already got plenty of other social stimulation to handle that. If you are motivated, there is no need for willpower, you'll just want to do it. And you have motivation by keeping the reason for doing all those things in your mind constantly. I have a feeling that you knew all of this already, but I want to see you succeed as much as you do so I just wanted to point some of those things out. Quote:
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Take a look at this article "Here are a few comparative shots. Oh, and I forgot to mention, all of this was done with two 30-minute workouts per week, for a total of 4 HOURS of gym time:" "From Geek to Freak: How I Gained 34 lbs. of Muscle in 4 Weeks" You have to decide if you believe his results, I've not tried it myself. I guess what I'm getting at is the whole stupid concept of the workaholic. People think that they just need to work harder and faster, but its more of the case that you need to work more intelligently and more efficiently and better relaxed to get better results than overworking and killing your mind and body. I have a feeling that doing all these changes at once will make you feel stressed out and that you might survive a say or two, and then you'll miss a day, try again, do another good 2 days or so, and then give up on it... Don't want to discourage you, but you've got to be smart about things. Well you know what's coming so good luck. And its awesome that you are going to do this. I think the reason that I'm writing this is because I recognize that I need more discipline myself. Good job for having the motivation and the courage to take on the challenge and not feeling afraid of what other people would think. Last edited by Sunnybayes; 05-27-2007 at 09:35 PM. |
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05-28-2007, 10:46 AM
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Kamma: Nope, he doesn't, he's free
__________________ Jiri Novotny Get your to-do lists organized in no time with powerful To Do List Software (Swift To-Do List) |
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05-29-2007, 01:33 AM
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PM experiment, Day 1 Video of me doing some NINJA excercise at the gym: YouTube - Project Mayhem, Day 1 Couldn't sleep last night, passed out at 2 o clock in the morning and woke up at 7 in the morning instead of 4. So much for waking up early and mediating Hit straight to the gym right away with some high intensity cardio, including push ups, pull ups, jumping, running, sit ups and plenty of time smacking the punching bag. Drank water every 10 minutes. I bruised my knuckles a bit, but that's okay, the bone gradually strengthen through repeated training so I can knock out a buffalo. Spent an hour learning basic Japanese. A good compliment in Japanese towards women is “Genki? Anata wa kawai desu yo!” (What's up? You're so adorable!) Ah well, not bad for Day 1. Could use waking up more early, work out in the gym more. I'm really sore right now, but I could still push for more. Running 10km tomorrow, rise and shine. I'll mediate for an hour tonight, hai! |
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05-29-2007, 04:31 AM
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Congratulation on that first day ken nubo... I watched that video... lots of energy there... however if you don't use protection for your knuckles while hitting that bag... you are going to tear the skin off... and won't be able to punch for sometimes... (and don't give me that "gotta be tough crap") ...I have a black belt in kyokushinkai karate... and I know that when your knuckles are raw and bloody, you have to stop hitting the bag until they heal... otherwise they will get infected and then you'll have to take a long vacation... BTW... one way to toughen up the skin on those knuckles is to dip your hands in water than pour salt on the knuckles and let them dry... but, it does take time... I'll be following your progress... and, good luck to you...  . |
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05-29-2007, 04:35 PM
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| Awsome Ken!
Hi Ken: Great concept, and an excellent video. You've got your work cut out to keep that pace up for 30 days. Go for it! Regards: -Tom
__________________ [Tom Johns Easy Secret to Goal Setting: http://www.easy-success-systems.com/...alsetting.html |
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05-30-2007, 04:28 AM
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| PM experiment, Day 2 Picture+076.jpg (image) Here is a picture taken yesterday. I doubt I'll bulk big time at the exercises with the cardio and dumbbells, but we'll see. Woke up at 4:45 in the morning, did my “laying in bed” meditation before promptly falling to sleep 60 seconds later. Now I know why people meditate in locus position. Woke up at 6:30, ate breakfast and meditate for 30 minutes. I found out that, interestingly enough, I can literally have no thoughts for 10-15 seconds before another thought springs up. Did Zazen meditation, a form of meditation where it's just enough just to sit and have “no mind”. No visualization, affirmation or following breath needed. Afterwards I ran 8km in 45 minutes. I hate running, cause my lung burns, my head throbs, my chest constricts and my legs feel wobbly. But I ran anyways. Maybe at the end of the 30 days I'll build enough stamina to run like a Ninja. Didn't learn much Japanese today, but I did learn how to do the 12 hand signs of the Zodiac! Practice for hours on how to effectively do the seals, which I'll post a video tommorow or something. Edit: *sighs* I feel like I'm slacking! I should have went to the gym after dinner. Going to meditate again for a hour tonight. Last edited by ken nubo; 05-30-2007 at 04:47 AM. |
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05-31-2007, 05:21 AM
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| PM experiment, Day 3 Video: YouTube - Project Mayhem, Day 2 Owwie, my shins hurt from yesterday's run. It makes funny noises when I rotate my ankles. I woke up at 4:45, did my laying in bed meditation and fell asleep again. Damn it. But then again, I only had 4 hours of sleep. Test of will power. Perhaps tonight I'll go to bed early. Hai! My body was aching, and honestly, I hate going to the gym. High intensity sparring match is cool, but just lifting weights? I realize those are just lame excuses anyways, so at 8 in the evening, in a moment of spur, ran to the gym. Immediately went to the punching bag and did some cardio with kicks, punches and elbows. Picture+079.jpg (image) Should've listen to the other Karate dude and not be gong-ho, because I scraped the skin off my knuckle, the size of half a penny but that's okay. Then I did hardcore weight barbell lifting, curls, squats, bench press and all that sizzle. Didn't take much breaks between sets, kept my heart beating fast and panting. This got me wondering ... should I spent 1 hour at the gym with hardcore intense training or 3 hours of leisure training? But I know the answer would be 3 hours of intense training. Did push ups with sweats the size of bullets dropping down on the mat and did some stretches before leaving the gym. Freaked out some guy with my flexibility, especially when my elbow goes back beyond 90 degrees. Excuses are lame, it doesn't feel bad if you just do it. Meh. Last edited by ken nubo; 05-31-2007 at 05:39 AM. |
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05-31-2007, 05:36 AM
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Fantastic efforts ken... congratulation... and sorry about the knuckle... Quote:
If you are working on your willpower... knock yourself out and push to the limit... However, if you are working on improving your physical capacities... any respectable coach will tell you that rest is every bit as important as exercises... So, maybe, you should opt for a happy medium... Congratulation... and best of luck to you... PS.- Leave that knuckle alone until it heals... in the meantime you can work on the sandbag with your feet... (kicking) ... and for god's sake... wear some shoes to do it...  . |
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05-31-2007, 05:51 AM
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I punched at an "incorrect" angle and scrapped it. As for excercise, my goal is just to push the body to the max, a test of will power. |
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05-31-2007, 04:42 PM
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I did something similar for 9 weeks a few years ago- it was called Navy Boot Camp. I was 26 at the time, 8 years older than just about everybody else, so it was quite an ordeal. By the time I was done, I was definitely in shape, but I was dying from lack of sleep, and after a while, the Drill Sergents screaming 'Move Like You Have A Purpose' in everybody's face got very old. I did it though- made it through without burning out or killing anybody. The point I am trying to make is that you might want to be careful about pushing yourself too hard, because putting yourself through extreme stress is not very healthy. Case in point- just about everybody in my boot camp company got extremely sick. It wasn't because of any nasty bugs going about, but the stress everybody was going through was wreacking havoc with our immune systems. Also, after about four weeks, tempers really started to get hot for absolutely no reason, again because of stress. All those stories you hear about 'blanket parties' are true... |
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06-01-2007, 03:20 AM
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| PM experiment, Day 4 Picture+080.jpg (image) (Beer and chips with sour ass lemons) After 3 days of hard training, I think it's a well deserve break. Didn't do any exercise today, but I did learn how to count in Japanese, from 0 to 1000. It's pretty simple actually. I actually didn't do any zazen meditation either. When train, train hard. When rest, rest as the old Japanese proverb goes. Running and zazen with Japanese learning resume tomorrow. |
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06-01-2007, 03:53 AM
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ken... this is what you said in your first post... Quote:
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06-01-2007, 06:57 AM
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He's learning his limits so he can push them. Keep it up ken nubo. Has the effort been worth it? Are you still motivated to continue with it? |
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06-01-2007, 03:34 PM
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Now, ken can do anything he wants... it's his quest... but, so far, he has not even been able to wake up on time once... Ken... you need to kick yourself in the butt...  . |
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06-01-2007, 04:00 PM
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Oh yea, keep your goal in mind. Quote:
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06-02-2007, 02:46 AM
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I'm a bit conflicted. I still doing the 30 days PM trial, but should I post my progress on this forum? Is it about bragging rights or about motivating others? I'm sure there are 10000x other people with stories about pushing themsleves physically, my little trial is nothing special. I follow one of my principles -- cut off what is useless. Posting in blogs and forum takes away my time when I could be doing something else . Being professionally silently is the true marks of a, uh, professional. |
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06-02-2007, 03:45 AM
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Posting your progress has two advantages... it does motivate others... and it forces you to outdo yourself so that you can be a true example... and it has nothing to do with "bragging" since you know that you'll probably get more criticism than praise... And, being able to handle criticism... is also the hallmark of a leader and a champion... Quote:
I suggest that you go for broke... and give it all you've got... that way, you'll remember that experience for the rest of your lifetime... and next time that you are faced with a challenge... you will know the extent of your willpower... Best of luck to you... . |
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06-02-2007, 04:47 AM
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Shamou, I don't really talk your opininons seriously, cause you joined the same forum as me, yet you have 1,285 posts ... in the mASF community it's called keyboard jockey, or in self improvement, "self help junkie". I could be wrong, but I just sense that from your posts. |
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06-02-2007, 05:03 AM
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Life has been very good to me... I was fortunate enough to be able to take over 100 seminars on self-help and related subjects... it has made me a successful and happy person... and today, I try to share with others what I have learned... just as it says in my signature... "Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more." -- Anthony Robbins Now you are perfectly free to accept my opinions or not... that is your entire prerogative... and, no matter what... I still wish you the very best of luck... . |
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06-02-2007, 05:36 AM
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| what is zazen
I am really impressed by this initiative taken by the gentleman. I have two queries 1. Why have you decided to get into this programme now ? I mean people in the army do it, or i've heard of shaolin monks doing it. What would be your purpose ? It would be interesting to know. 2. What is zazen ? What exactyl do you do in zazen ? Bye and best of luck |
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06-02-2007, 06:40 PM
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Blarg, sorry for the negative post Shamou. I was drunk yesterday ^_^ Maybe you just like to post a lot. *shrugs* |
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06-02-2007, 06:51 PM
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| PM experiment, Day 5 (Friday's post) Woke up at 3:30 in the morning and sat in the lotus position for 5 minutes before lapsing into unconsciousness. Man, Zen monks are hardcore. I was running in the dirt/sand/grass land in the scorching heat for one hour, clocking around 10 km. The last 15 minutes of the run was a struggle. Huh-rah for ninja like training. My face has a little nice tan to it now  Regarding food consumption: I eat more then a man twice my size. Or maybe my friend just eats a lot of junk food or something. Not gaining much body builder mass because of the intense cardio and free weights, but I'm growing incrementally in terms of lean mass. |
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06-02-2007, 07:35 PM
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| Quote:
. Quote:
In other words... you wanna be a Dude... and they only want nothingness... Congratulation again on your efforts... and the best of luck to you... . |
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06-03-2007, 03:39 AM
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| PM experiment, Day 6 It was Friday night, I was at a farewell party, so I drank and drank. I'm not much of a drinker, so I vomited twice through my nose and did Drunken Kung Fu. Woke up at 7 in the morning and hit the gym to sweat the booze out! Did mostly free weights, and some cable machines. Worked mostly on the arms, shoulders and chest. This isn't my original 3 times a trip to the gym goal, but I realized I'm over training cause my running is deteriorating. But I'll try to hit it up and go to the gym twice a day, for a total of two hours. Or one hour of running and one hour of weight lifting. And learned Japanese all day today! I found youtube.com is a good place to learn a foreign language, especially with bad language tutorials video made from the 80s :O Yeh, I'm feeling buff now ^_^ |
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