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Last challenge went really well, setting aside my foolish injury. I want to take another challenge to fully cement the habits before adding very much more. Some of the wording will be tweaked, but the goals will feel pretty familiar yo those of you who have followed previously. 1. Maintain the population of Draconis saccharum at its current low level. (Keep intake of added sugars below 15g/day 80% of the time.) I surpassed my expectations to drop my sugar levels last challenge. I had thought it would take several challenges to get to where I am now. I definitely want to keep the goal in the foreground, though, so those sneaky dragons don't repopulate while I'm not looking. I am dropping the time restriction as unnecessary. 80% works out to 31 of 39 days (including the rest of 0 week), so 8 days I am allowed to indulge a bit more on something really worth it. I want to really reflect on what I choose to spend my treats on and not just mindlessly eat trail mix or something dumb. 2. Continue to introduce strains of Draconis vegetabilis to the park. (Eat 2 servings of veggies every day.) I am dropping the timing constraints on this one too. Just eat the dang veggies. I probably should look for some new recipes to try, but I'm not quantifying that this challenge. 3. Conduct regular physical surveys of the park. (Swim + GMB Elements every 5 days) I am slightly increasing the frequency here from once a week to once every 5 days. It's a nice compromise between once and twice a week, since it will basically be a bonus workout every other week. 4. Not Baroque (Art "play" once a week) I want to take one day a week to just play with techniques/media without feeling the pressure of making something postable. I have been experimenting with different things, but the process has made me frustrated because I am putting the cart before the horse a bit and wanting to make great art before I have learned the techniques. So, once a week just play with loose sketches, blending, brushstrokes, whatever, and make unpostable art. I can make postable art other days, or even after play, if I want. But the point is to make room for play with no expectations.

In recent years, Everstorm Wildlife Preserve has experienced an unprecedented explosion in the populations of species Draconis saccharum and Draconis conspera “Alba”, which has wreaked havoc on the ecological system there. D. saccharum, commonly referred to as the sugar dragon, along with related species D. conspera “Alba”, or white flour dragon, out-compete more beneficial species, such as D. fibra, D. fructus, and D. vegetabilis, such that these dragons are now threatened species even within the Preserve. Furthermore, D. saccharum has destroyed many of the feed herds with its insatiable appetite, further upsetting the delicate balance of the food web. The Health and Fitness regions of the park have been particularly hard hit. In short, it is an ecological disaster. While many have advocated for the extermination of the sugar and white flour dragons as invasive species, research has shown this approach to be undesirable on several fronts. It is virtually impossible to eradicate every dragon, particularly considering that there are upwards of 60 subspecies of D. saccharum alone, many of which are difficult to distinguish from other species, such as D. fructus (fruit dragon). It has also been noted that the sugar dragon seems to reproduce in exponentially greater numbers when the population reaches critically low numbers. This is, perhaps, a survival instinct. Furthermore, the sugar dragon – and to a lesser extent, the white flour dragon – have become synonymous with holidays and other celebrations, such that park visitors around those times would be sorely disappointed not to sight the beautiful white dragons. In light of these discoveries, Everstorm Wildlife Preserve management has resolved upon population control, rather than elimination. To that effect, a multi-stage plan has been developed to simultaneously reduce the populations of D. saccharum and D. conspera “Alba” while reintroducing stronger variants of D. fibra, D. fructus, and D. vegetabilis. The first stage of the plan will proceed as follows: Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR). Population of D. saccharum should be tracked daily to evaluate effectiveness of interventions and cut off any population growth before it becomes too severe. Translation: track sugar consumption in my journal. Biological controls. D. fructus (fruit dragons) and D. vegetabilis (vegetable dragons) will be reintroduced to the Preserve in small quantities to provide competition to the existing sugar dragon population, reducing their access to the food required to reproduce. Translation: I will eat one serving each of fruits and vegetables at lunch, and maintain my complex carb habit at breakfast. Cultural controls. To further manipulate the mortality rate in D. saccharum and to reduce the amount of damaged caused, sugar dragons will be kept in enclosures away from the feeding sites until 5pm. Exceptions will be made for holidays or special events, not to exceed three times a month. Translation: no foods with more than 5 grams of added sugar before dinner, except holidays, birthdays, etc. Manual controls. The park must be surveyed daily and dragons physically removed to their appropriate domains to maintain population control. All environments must be checked, since, as previously noted, D. saccharum is a particularly gifted mimic. Translation: go outside every day, swim once a week, GMB elements once a week.

Alliance with who, I hear you asking? Well, you, of course! And also my doctors, husband, teachers, new co-workers, new boss, local librarian, probably the baristas at my favorite coffee shop that just reopened... This summer for me is really the pinnacle of the idea that no man is an island - with all the transitions and new tasks going on, I'm going to be depending on the people around me more than ever: One grad school semester just ended, but a new one is starting soon (May 17th) and I'm taking twice as many credit hours as usual so I can get started on my thesis. My current job will be ending very shortly (May 28th) and then I will be slowly transitioning to a new one over the summer, complete with writing my own programs from scratch. I'm also having surgery on June 2nd to repair a persistent issue from my c-section back in 2017 (laparoscopic and out-patient, but surgery nevertheless...and honestly barely-not-experimental surgery, this procedure has only been around for about 4-5 years). While it won't be healed this summer - it takes a minimum of 3 months to heal, so at least September before I'm ready for anything else - we will also be discussing our next steps RE: infertility treatments... ...while simultaneously welcoming not one, not two, but THREE family babies this summer. Two of which live close enough that we're fully expected to visit. And apparently provide gifts for, which no one told me until yesterday but that's a whole other story. Also doesn't "Summer Alliance" sound kinda badass? Or is that just me? Anyway, that means that while my quests are focused on a few different things, I'm trying to find ways in each one to build some of those alliances with others so they're nice and strong for the variety of tasks they have to survive: Quest One: Walk (or maybe run) This will obviously need to pause right after my surgery, though I'm not entirely sure for how long. But family walks are a favorite of my kid and it's good for all of us (plus it should be easy to score a few points with another camping trip planned in May, we always hike at least one trail!) I got the Walk to Mordor app...I think 2 challenges ago now? and we are about 5 miles shy of Buckleberry Ferry. I'm also going to start including personal walks and runs, if I go on (m)any, but my RE says I'm under no circumstances to go more than 14 miles a week. Why 14, I'm not actually sure, it seems rather arbitrary. But he's the expert who I am paying literally tens of thousands of dollars for his help, so a 14 miles per week cap it is. If I got to that cap exactly every single week, it would actually get me precisely to the doors of Bree...but I'm definitely not going to get that cap every week even before I consider the fact I'm also having surgery, so I'm setting my goal at being captured by the Barrow-wight instead. Though if the surgeon says I need to sit on my butt more, I might stop at Tom Bombadil's house. I have my pre-surgery consultation at the end of May and should be able to ask her then. Quest Two: Begin Tackling the Sugar Beast Boo! Hiss! I don't want to do this...which probably means I need to do this more than just about anything. Holy cow do I eat a lot of dessert and it only gets worse when I'm stressed. I'm going to be stressed a LOT this summer. But I also managed to gain weight my last challenge despite my goal being to lose a tiny bit of weight, so...yeah. It has to be done. Going to start on easy mode: no more than 3 servings of dessert a day, preferably 2 but I'll forgive 3 if I'm really struggling. "Servings" to be determined as I go but that's mostly so I can't like load up an entire plate full of cookies and call it one dessert...because that is, admittedly, something I would actually do. Not kidding y'all, I have a real problem. This admittedly doesn't help me connect with anyone but it'll make me feel less like a disgusting slob, so that's also good, right? Quest Three: Be Social Every day, I need to reach out to folks. Somewhere, somehow. Could be on here. Could be on Instagram (where most of my social media contacts/friends/former students/a few family members are). Could be my infertility support group. Could be chatting to a grad school classmate on Teams, not that that happens very often at all. Could be meeting with my new co-workers and/or new boss to set up stuff for next school year. The only person who doesn't count is my husband, because I rely on him too much and part of the goal here is building more external network. Also I literally chat to him every day already, duh. (Also, just liking posts doesn't count. I have to actually say something. Should be obvious, but with me you never know.) Quest Four: Make Something Yeah, yeah. I said I was going to simplify this challenge. And you believed me? This is simple for me, that's one reason why I fail at so many of these hahaha. What can I say, ranger brain is a real thing. Anyway, this is legitimately a connections thing as well. My son has been waiting very, very patiently for me to finish the shirt I started sewing for him literally months ago, and I also have 2 projects to do in his bedroom (2 book rails and a shoe organizer). I feel AWFUL that he's waited this long, but he hasn't complained even once, and I'd like to prove to him that mommy can indeed come through...at least eventually. I've also debated making crib quilts for the expected babies, because patchwork is a happy place for me and dammit, I just can't handle shopping for baby things right now with where we are on our infertility journey. (I actually hate the rest of quilting, hahaha, but love making patchwork. Apparently it's genetic, because I have an entire bag full of quilt tops that my great-grandma made the patchwork for and never actually finished turning them into quilts). Also, I'm convinced that the fastest way to make social headway into a new job is offering some baked goods or other food treats - gives you a reason to stop by a bunch of random desks, it's an easier topic to talk about, and most people are happy to enjoy something homemade they didn't have to actually make. There's zero percent chance I'm doing all of that this challenge, so my goal is to make something. Literally one thing. Or very good headway into that thing, if I do a quilt (because those can take quite a long time and my free time is at a real premium until I graduate next May).

Hi All, I'm back for the 2019 Holiday Challenge and I'm wanting to go back to the basics: walking, snacking, sugar & cleaning. Nutrition Quests Limit the amount of sugary products per day – I will get the hang of this sugar beast at some point… Baked goods (biscuits & cakes) = No more than the size of my palm or Loose goods (chocolates & lollies) = No more than half the size of my palm or Packaged goods (ice cream & chocolate bars) = No more than one package size Slow down after work snacking – I have a morning and afternoon snack at work but also find myself hungry or fake hungry out of habit when I get home but I usually end up eating something way too big to be classed as a snack and this would definitely be helping me not lose weight and actually gain it. Don’t eat anything that doesn’t fit into one of my Tupperware snack cups or Don’t eat anything that doesn’t fit onto a single rice cake Fitness Quests Walking – I was walking in the mornings but it’s now too warm and it was only a short walk, but I used to do some real walking daily back in my early 20’s and miss the amount I used to walk. Walk to the dog park after work while my dogs get taken their by car, I’m not sure but the walk may take 20 minutes max or less I want to work up to walking 5 days a week there and back but start with 3 days a week one way Level Up Your Life Quests Daily Cleaning – I have really let go here and when you have two dogs one of which malts it’s required, I also don’t want to waste my weekends cleaning either so I think if I do a little every day than that will work. 10 minutes per day minimum Check my (Habitica) app for my list of daily to do’s Check (Flylady) website’s Flight Plan and Daily Focus for more daily to do’s

I’m back again I was originally thinking of skipping this challenge but then I though screw it, I’ll do the challenge! Food/sugar is currently my biggest problem at the moment and I’ve dedicated two quest to it to try to help that issue. The Challenge:  Nutrition Quests No two in a row sugary snacks & deserts – Because I have an issue with eating too many sugary foods (usually chocolate) I will be implementing the no two in a row rule and hopefully in the future I can make that rule last longer: I will not eat sugary snacks &/or deserts two days in a row. Limit the amount of sugary snacks & deserts – By having a clear and cut size rule that I can stick to and not a generalised don’t overdo it: Baked goods (biscuits & cakes) = No more than the size of my palm. Packaged goods (chocolates & lollies) = No more than half the size of my palm. Fitness Quests Yoga – Apparently exercise is good and my last challenge was to yoga once a week so now I’m upping that to twice a week to get momentum going, with access to printed routines, apps, YouTube videos & classes there are no excuses: 2 days a week at the minimum. Level Up Your Life Quests Meditation – I didn’t succeed with this last time so I am at it again and will succeed this time, plus I really need to do this for my mental & physical health: 3 days a week using my Calm app. Minimum of 2 minutes required. I’ll be posting on a weekly basis as that’s easier for me to stick to that daily.

It's been a few challenges since I was here on Nerd Fitness so now it’s time I got back into my fitness routine. For my next challenge, I’m going with a 10th Kingdom theme. I did this one before, a few years ago, but since it’s soon International 10th Kingdom Watch Week, I thought it would be appropriate to do this again. And since I still don’t particularly enjoy the 4 week style challenges, I’m going to do another double challenge at 8 weeks like I did back in 2016 and 2018. That should put me at February 11-April 14, with a week in the middle for a brief rest, I think. The 10th Kingdom is my favorite movie (technically it’s a mini series) and book of all time. It’s about a young woman named Virginia who is seeking to find herself and escape from her boring life. She ends up being transported, along with her screw-up father Tony, to a magical land where fairy tales are real. And they’re not the golden fluff from Disney either! Along the way she is rescued, repeatedly, by Wolf, a reformed convict whose sole mission in life is to woo her. He is half-wolf and must fight his own animal instincts along their journey. The adventure takes them on a whirlwind tour throughout the nine kingdoms where they encounter Trolls and dwarves, a magic gold river fish, the Kissing Town, an Evil Queen, elves and fairies, poisonous mushrooms and Prince Wendell who has been turned into dog. They must help Prince regain his throne and thwart the most evil woman alive; all while simply trying to go home. My goals are properly kingdom themed too, mostly with a focus on Wolf since he’s my all-time favorite character! 3 smaller Quests 1.“Baste it, roast it, toast it, nibble it, chew it, bite right through it, wobble it, gobble it, wrap it round a couple of chickens and am I ravenous!” -Wolf Don’t Eat the Magic Mushrooms (or in my case, the magic sugary snacks!) I need to cut down on processed junk food. Ideally, I would kick the fake sugar habit completely, but that goal hasn’t ever stuck for long, so I’m going to simply be limiting my sugary snacks to only on the weekends with my blow meal and on my birthday. During the week, I want to stick to snacks like fresh fruit, popcorn and nuts. Food features as a sub-theme throughout The 10th Kingdom from the mushroom omelettes in the swamp, to the fizzy stuff in Kissingtown, to the poisoned champagne at Prince Wendell’s coronation, to the apples from the Merry Pips Apple Orchard, to the fine food from the Peeps. I know I would love one of Wolf’s bacon sandwiches! Scoring: x/40 days of no sweet treats (M-F, accept on my birthday) Reward: +4 to CON & +4 to CHA 2. “Oh cripes, they’ve found us!...Run, run!” -Wolf Walking/Running I’ve successfully added walking into my workout but I need to do better at challenging my cardio. I want to really challenge myself this time, and since it’s a double challenge, I think 60 miles in 2 months/40 days is reasonable. I’m going to walk for most of this challenge, but I also want to add in some running. Maybe run 2 times per week at the gym for 15 minutes. Miles will be added towards my total. Walking through the 9 Kingdoms was the easiest way to get around and to remain undetected from the Queen. And while I don’t plan on walking the entire length of the Disenchanted Forest (1,000 miles!), walking quickly with my heart rate up should keep me safe enough from the Huntsman to survive! Scoring: x/60 miles Reward: +3 to DEX (+1 for every 20 miles reached) 3. “You may not get hurt, but huff puff, you won’t get loved either.” -Wolf Darebee’s “Foundation” workout My husband wants to try to exercise together in the mornings, so I thought we’d give another Darebee workout a try. This time though, since it’s been awhile since we did hardcore exercises, we’re going a bit lighter with the “Foundations” workout. Even though “Foundations” is only for 30 days, I will likely repeat it for the second half of my double challenge. Or else maybe try another, 30 day workout from Darebee, we’ll see. To get around in the 9 Kingdoms, you have to be quick on your feet and ready to go old school with transportation, which can include anything from riding horses, to carriages, to simply walking everywhere. You also need to be able to think on your feet and make good choices. So healthy and fit overall. All the characters, but particularly Wolf and Prince, are decently physically active and it helps them get around more easily. Scoring: x/60 days of Foundations Reward: +4 to STA Huff puff let's do this!

Sometimes in life you can focus on growth. Other times, you need to just buckle down and focus on not losing what you've built. This challenge is (primarily) the latter. So I started my new job and it is a hot mess. There are two different classes being held in the same classroom at the same time and all admin can do is shrug their shoulders and say we *might* get a set of dividers in "a few weeks". But when/if they do come, they'll only be 4 foot tall. Oh, and did I mention that we start with students on Monday? I've also been actively banned from actually discussing the topic I'm supposed to teach in class - I'm teaching English as a Second Language and yet am supposed to use the English Literature and Composition standards. Apparently the ESL department has some kind of incredibly stupid theory that directly teaching English grammar and vocabulary is "holding kids back from their full potential", so instead I'm supposed to teach bullshit like "let's create plot maps for short stories!" and just kinda somehow hope they figure out the whole language thing on the way. And I'm only going to get 2 out of my 5 plan periods a week (which may be illegal, I'm trying to look into it) because they require we sit in at least 2 meetings of at least 60 minutes each every week; also they fired their substitute management company and dropped from a 98% substitute fill rate to only 70%, so when it's not your day to sit in a meeting you're "basically guaranteed to be required" to fill in as a substitute at least one day a week on your plan period. Which does come with a little extra pay - it's technically considered extra duty, just like sponsoring a club after school or something like that, usually around $20 an hour - but every other district I've ever taught in just sends out all staff e-mails looking for volunteers, so you can choose if you have the extra time to give that day or not. Here, I've been informed that if you get called, you really can't say no. I mean, you technically can, but apparently it gets you put on the shit list immediately and it'll effect your evaluations and contract renewals if you say no even once. All that plus some smaller nonsense and some upcoming issues with the baby's daycare timing (he's turning 1 this November and we recently learned that when he turns 2 next school year, they'll bump his drop off time up half an hour. Right now my husband can drop him off at 6:30 and then rush to work since both my husband and I have to start at 7 - my job is too far away for me to do drop off even now. Apparently once baby turns 2, we won't be allowed to drop off before 7. Not sure why it changes, but it does.) means I'm honestly already checked out and planning on job searching again in the spring. Which means I really, really need to pass the Spanish Praxis (super intense test to prove you know your content area well enough to be a teacher) to qualify for like five times as many job openings. There's a massive lack of Spanish teachers in the area at the moment and several jobs are still open right now, even in "good" districts that normally don't have any problem filling openings by May, much less August. I was always planning on passing the Spanish Praxis...in like 2 or 3 years. New goal: pass in January 2019. As in, 1 semester from now. This is...ambitious, to say the least. There are at absolute minimum 12 credit hours of college classes that I'd say I need to pass before I should even bother to think about taking the Praxis. These are not simple tests, and I have a ton of gaps in my Spanish. But I don't have time for that, so...here we go!!! Overall, my goals are to hold firm and not backslide (too much, if any) on my fitness and nutrition while really hitting the Spanish hard and at the same time trying to survive what is looking like the worst school year of my career so far: Fitness Quest #1 Goal: 8 workouts. Of any kind. Running, cycling, pushups, planks. Whatever. Be active 8 times. Notes: I'd like to put my goal number higher than that. I know I'll lose a little fitness if I only work out 8 times, especially allowing for any kind of workout, and my gains from the last few challenges have not been well cemented yet since I've basically just begun. However, I feel like I really can't make this my focus right now and it honestly exists more to make sure I do anything at all. Grading: 8+ workouts = A 7 workouts = B 6 workouts = C 5 workouts = D 4 or fewer workouts = F Nutrition Quest #1 Goal: I'm sticking with the "one dessert a day" concept. I'm currently debating if I'm going to start including soda/frou-frou coffee too. Maybe. Notes: I'm doing a points system this time since there are a number of family birthdays during this challenge (6!) and possibly my own too (which is actually during the next break week, but who knows when we'll celebrate). 28 days in the challenge = 28 dessert points "free", 1 per dessert. As stated in the goal, I'm starting off not counting soda/fancy sugary coffee drinks but am debating on adding them into the sugar counter as well. That might happen partly through the challenge as I decide if I can handle adding that in yet. Grading: 28-29 points used = A 30-32 points used = B 33-34 points used = C 35-36 points used = D 37 or more points used = F Life Quest #1 Goal: SPANISH. So. Much. Spanish. Notes: Okay, this is going to get a little nutso. So good modern language courses (and the Praxis) are set up along the 4 language competencies: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. (plus culture, but that's not really a competency). We know that all 4 skills are interlinked yet develop separately. I need to focus on all of them, frankly, plus some direct time on vocab and grammar. Therefore, my goal is to 1) practice at least 3 of these 5 categories of Spanish a day: reading and listening to authentic Spanish, writing on Lang-8, speaking with my husband and/or a tutor that I'm debating hiring, vocab and grammar flashcards/exercises pulled from any of those experiences or my Repaso workbook. I am taking Intermediate Spanish 2 this fall on Monday nights and can count class time and homework as long as it fits into one of my categories. 2) I want to spend bare minimum 20 minutes per competency per day. It really needs to be much higher than that, but I want to set my minimum low so if I have some rougher days - like I know I have back to school night later this week, which will take up almost all my evening study time - it's not impossible for me to "pass" the day anyway. 3) I need to make sure I don't leave any category behind and start developing lopsided skills, especially since certain skills are frankly easier to study (fit into schedule, find materials, etc.) So I must practice each skill at least once every 3 days, absolutely no less frequently. Grading: 28-27 days of min. 1 hour total Spanish practice = A 26-25 days = B 24-23 days = C 22-21 days = D 20 or fewer days = F

PACT Plan Challenge 2 "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise" I'm continuing my plan to Put Away Childish Things (PACT) which you can read more about here. I will be continuing my daily calorie goal, taking the next step in my sugar goal, and adding in a sleeping goal which will be the big focus of this challenge. I also plan to maintain my habit of walking every day, but will not report on it in this challenge. June Goals Eat one or less servings of sweets per day - YES/NO One day per week with NO sweets - YES/NO/PENDING Eat less than 2500 calories/day - YES/NO Go to bed by 10:00pm daily - YES/NO Wake up and get ready at 7:00am daily - YES/NO Determine diet habits and triggers and adjustments to be made - YES/NO/PENDING Get new bank account - YES/NO/PENDING It looks like a lot, but I think it'll be manageable. The sweets and calorie goals I've been working on for over a month, so it's basically a continuation. The sleep and wake-up goals are paired (I need to go to bed earlier if I'm going to get up earlier) and are the big focus this challenge. The last two are just to be done sometime in the month. The first is to help fill out my future goals to get a better handle on my diet and change some of my bad habits. The second is just a to-do that fits with the challenge theme =) As with last month, I've identified a few obstacles I'll face and a plan to overcome them. First off, later this week I am graduating!! That'll likely mean extra food and a late night. I'll allow 2 sweets for the day on both Friday and Saturday (graduation parties) and will eat healthy while not at the events to leave more calorie room. Saturday night is the banquet, so I will waive the bed time that night, and adjust the wake time on Sunday to 8 hours after I go to bed. I'll also be camping later in the month, and plan to bring less sweets than usual and more fruit. I will also note that the calorie goal will shift down as needed if I gain weight two weeks in a row while actually following the goal. I hope that this system will keep me on track for weight loss, but also make sure I don't try to move down too fast. Thanks for taking the time to read! I'll be glad to have the support!

This challenge, I'm heading into the darkest forest to fight some serious monsters that threaten the nearby village... OK, it's not really like that. Actually I'd prefer a dark forest. This challenge I'm going on an eight day business trip to Las Vegas. I've got a three-day prep class there, followed by a crazy all-encompassing exam for a certification for work that I've been preparing for for YEARS now. Then three days at the trade show. I would rather fight monsters than have to figure out how to work out in Las Vegas. Seriously--it's usually 90 degrees at night in June, and I live in the mountains where it still kind of snows now and again. Not to mention the free meals at the trainings, the business lunches, the business dinners, the meals with sales reps who want to spend, spend, spend... Then, when I get back from Vegas, the very next day my family and I leave for Cozumel, Mexico, for seven more days in the sweltering (and HUMID) heat. I'll be scuba diving almost every day, which means I shouldn't exert myself too much when I'm not diving (decompression issues, and nitrogen dilution complications) or at least time my running for 6-8 hours post- and pre-dive. Plus, all-inclusive resort. Which basically to me means "all the desserts". My challenge this time around is to at least stick to a bare minimum of working out while out of town, while trying to maintain my sugar intake. I know I won't be able to keep my healthy vegetable intake like I did this past challenge, but I can at least focus on the sugar. So here are the specifics: 1. Run for it: at least three regular runs, plus one long run per week. 1 point per run, 2 per long run (6+ mi) 5 points/week -If I'm at a resort/hotel/casino and it's STUPID HOT out, I'm allowed to work out on the treadmill, spin bike, or elliptical, in which case 45 min constitutes a "long run". I'd go insane otherwise. -One run can be subbed for cross training on a bike. 1 hr = regular, 90 min = long ride. MTB or road, doesn't matter. 2. Banish sugar: No more than 10 tsp (40g) added sugar daily. Seems like a lot but it goes QUICKLY. 5 points/week, 1 point per day 3. Fiber: Try (do or do not, right, Yoda?) to keep my soluble fiber up. That means oatmeal, fiber smoothie, or at least an apple + a whole orange daily. 5 points/week, 1 point per day 4. Water: Drink the water. That's right, I'm going to start tracking water now. Decaf black coffee counts as water, as does plain decaf green tea (these are staples of my life). 64 oz/day, 5 points/week, 1 point per day. 5. Archery practice: Since I KNOW I can't do this weekly, it's going to be bonus points. Up to 1 bonus point per week. 6. Get on the bike: Up to 1 bonus points per week for riding to work, 1/2 point per day. 7. Weights: Up to 1 bonus point per week for lifting, 1/2 point per day. It's a complicated strategy but I think it'll work out OK. There's four main activities, and three bonus activities. The total would be 80 points, so I'll put 75 as a pass since there's still up to 3 bonus points per week. I didn't end up buying that recurve bow after the last challenge because, well, it turns out my compound bow either needs significant work, or it needs to be replaced. It is VERY old (15+ years, that's old for a compound) and I actually hunt with it, so I want it to be a) effective b) accurate and c) lethal. There's nothing worse in my mind than unethical hunting (ie, wounding or making an animal suffer). The point is, I might need to save my pennies to get a new bow, which will not be cheap. So, I put $200 away this month towards a new bow. if I make my challenge this time around, I'll put another $250 away. That gets me about halfway there

So last challenge was all about getting back into participating in the forums. I didn't stop exercising, though some bad news about my cholesterol (it's high) and a little winter "puffiness" has got me keen to up my training and improve my eating habits. This time around it's all about getting ready for the massive "Boulder Bolder" 10K at the end of the month, as well as getting back into archery and keeping up my strength training. Plus, in the interest of a healthy diet, I'm going to focus on positive eating habits rather than limiting what I can and cannot eat. Except for added sugar. That's going to be something I watch like a hawk. 1. Make a run for it! This session, I'll make four training runs (or sub one cycle session for any of the non "long run" workouts) per week. Schedule to be determined by Monday morning and stuck to all week. The race is the Monday following the end of this challenge. +1 per run, +2 per long run, graded out of 20 points total. 2. Veggies! I'll stick to the recommended FIVE servings of vegetables per day. Not grains, potatoes, etc. Though sweet potatoes count, as long as they aren't from the freezer aisle of the supermarket. +1 for five servings, +.5 for three servings, up to 28 points. 3. Giving sugar the finger. Sugar intake is linked to high cholesterol and so I'm going to keep my "added sugar" to a minimum. I'll keep a diary of my sugar intake and keep it below 10 tsp (40g) of added sugar per day, 15 tsp (60g) on "long run" days. +1 point per day for every day below the goal, for 28 points. Sugar from fruit and veggies doesn't count. Processed foods with "sugar" in the nutrition block do count as would juice if I drink any. 4. Moral fiber. Every day, I'll make myself either a big bowl of oatmeal (watch the added maple syrup, buddy...) or my super fiber smoothie (one orange, two cups of spinach, one cup of raspberries, and an optional scoop of protein powder). +1 point per day, for 28 points. 5. You only get one shot! Archery practice (at least) once a week. +5 points per week, for 20 points. 30 arrows. (But really, the first shot is the only one that counts.) 6. Weight a minute: Bonus points for strength training. Up to two times a week I'll hit the weights in the gym, just so I don't lose what I've gained. +1 per workout, to count against point losses elsewhere. 7. I want to ride my bicycle! More bonus points, for riding to work. +1 per day, but has to be in addition to another workout, and max 2 points per week. Can't make up for lousy eating by biking to work... That's a possible 31 points per week, or 124 points total. There are a total of 16 extra credit points available too. If I make 112+ points I can reward myself with that new recurve bow I've been thinking about for a year now. I'll weigh in on Monday morning, and weigh out on Sunday May 27. Maybe I'll even see a change.

Does anyone else get crazy intense sugar cravings? I have a dangerous sweet tooth and I've been trying to cut down on my sugar intake and eat more cleanly. Sometimes I'll try going cold turkey and other times I'll try slowly reducing the amount (I've gone from 5 tablespoons of sugar down to 1!). I feel so discouraged because eventually I get these insane cravings that persuade me to do horrible, horrible things (like venture out into a snowstorm to buy cookie dough and then eat a dozen chocolate chip cookies) and then I feel like all of my progress is lost. Does anyone here have tips that help with sugar addiction? Is it better to go cold turkey and suffer the withdrawals or try to wean myself off?

After a while lurking in the logs I'm back for a challenge. Completely nutrition related challenge, I'm going to stop eating CRAP for 4 weeks. Goals: - No carbonated drinks - No refined carbohydrates - No added sugar - No Processed Foods This basically puts me back into Paleo which always makes me feel good and gives me more energy. I'm expecting a rough first week as the Sugar fairy has me in her power again and the carb monster is at the party too but I've done it before and I can do it again! Edit: Damn I thought this challenge would be all nutrition related and nice and easy, then I saw the Ranger mini and a Ranger's gotta Ranger after all. Ranger mini goals: Distance Feat: Walk 100km in this challenge Speed Feat: Try for a 2K row PR Recover feat: Sleep or at least stay in bed 8 hours a night during this challenge Ranger Feat: Finish my first Audible book

I'm working on reducing my sugar intake. I'll do pretty well until someone brings me sugar (coworker brings donuts to work, classmate bakes me cookies, lab partner has ice cream she doesn't want to eat and offers to me and Sunday night potlucks). It's not like I look at and say "oh I shouldn't eat this" and eat it anyway, I don't think at all. I forget I'm trying to limit my sugar intake, I forget that I'm overweight and need to cut this. It's like I'm being possessed or hypnotized. All I can think about is eating that sugar until it's gone, and once I do, I feel horrible. Does anybody else go through something like this? If so, what do you do when external forces and internal demons override even your best planning? If I have overlooked a forum that has discussed this previously, please direct me to it!

Hey again nerds! I wouldn't be me if I weren't neatly squeaking in under the wire to start this challenge on time. Our Cast of Characters: Merrin: Me! 31 years old, foodie, recovering junk food addict, soda free for 1.5 years, lover of avocados and bacon, novice teacher, journeyman seamstress, bubbly introvert, depressive, baker of cookies. Rebecca: The name for my Depression; the Monster I frequently try to kiss on the nose. Ifrit: Boyfriend! Main supportive force, disliker of avocados, expert bacon cook, incredibly weird, incredibly intelligent, introvert, archery master, stealer of snuggles. Part-Time Spare Spoons Puppy: only the best and sweetest and smartest dog ever, tolerant of hugs, fetcher of rope, murderer of sticks, giver of snuggles. Backstory: I went to camp in September (CAAAAAAMP) and continue to involve the lessons and challenges from there into every day life. That means being vulnerable when it's hardest, letting myself be abundant when I want to do anything but, stuffing healthy food into my face, drinking lots of tea, trying to move this wonderful instrument on a daily basis, lifting up and looking out for others, and finding what my best effort looks like as often as I can. It's the one-year anniversary of the divorce filing, and this time last year, I was researching legal documents and copying receipts and putting things into sad little folders. There are still unusual bursts of emotion around this, but I've been doing well for quite some time. Part of this challenge will remain undefined/nebulous, due to Rising Heroes! Rising Heroes, Week 1: Daily Mile Specialization Bootcamp Go the F*(% to Sleep +3 STA The break-in left my sleep schedule rattled for the last month. I'm finally getting better and feeling way less tense in the mornings. Since I've been staying up til almost mid-day, my sleep feels way off for my work days. I've got to fix that, and give myself a set, limited schedule. This also includes no screens 1 hour before bedtime. I might try to work in more stitch time on this as well. A Rating = in bed by 9. B Rating = in bed by 10. Mountains of Books! Cascades of Books! +3 WIS I used to do the '50 Books a Year' goal and while I haven't met that in some time, it did keep me on track for reading something. I'm hoping to get in at least one hour per work night. If I don't/can't (ie sometimes our elevators break and will buzz every couple of minutes and I can't concentrate too well) I'll complete it the following afternoon. A Rating = 2 books completed B Rating = 1 book completed Slaying the Sugar Dragon +3 CON My snacking habits have gotten really terrible, and I've made myself sick too many times recently on too much sugar. I need to track any and all snacks, sweets, and liquid calories. A Rating = <160g goal met 21/28 days. B Rating = <160g goal met 14/28 days. Mirror Mirror +3 CHA My skin hates stress above all else. I can eat healthy, but stress will still cause break-outs. Alternating routines as needed, bonus materials on off days. A Rating = Daily routine 21/28 days. B Rating = Daily routine 14/28 days. Bees? +3 DEX/STR These seem to challenge my bendy abilities or my bodyweight limits the most. I'll use their points system and attribute the split allotment. Bronze (15 pts) = .375 to stats. Silver (30 pts) = .75 to stats.

Sleep. GOOD. Squats. GOOOOD. Sugar. BAD! (Okay...when I typed that, this particular scene from "Friends" totally popped into my head): SLEEP GOAL: My sleep goal is simple. I must go to bed (actually go to bed and not fall asleep on my couch). SQUAT GOAL: My squat (and other exercise goal) is simple. I must get my butt on my treadmill in the basement and walk at a steep incline for 40 minutes 3-5 times per week. I must also do ALL the squats. Right now, I can do 3 sets/5 reps of bodyweight squats. In fact, I posted a Nerd Fitness Women's Academy Facebook post about how I will do a squat for every "like" I got...aaaandd...there's like...over 100 "likes" so far. So, I'll probably be doing squats until I die. (***UPDATE*** The total amount of squats I need to do is 363!! ) SLAYING THE SUGAR DRAGON GOAL: My sugar goal will probably be the end of me. I can't do cold turkey (I went for somewhere around 50 days or so once and almost went completely mental), but I have a tendency to binge. My goal is to find a happy medium. Somewhere between none and just enough to keep my happy which is hopefully no more than one or two indulgences a week. Also, I'm really damn tired of measuring my success (or failure, if you will) in pounds lost. I am a happy, healthy woman who happens to be about 10-15 pounds overweight (if I go by my doctor's recommendation, I'm only about 5 pounds away from a good weight). So, it's really just "vanity pounds", but I don't like what I look like naked. I have cellulite and bumps in places that should be smooth. Now, I've done a "Whole30" before and I've done the whole clean eating thing and the Paleo "diet", but I'm a crabby bitch when I have to be that strict with my diet. I don't eat fast food. I don't drink soda. I drink tons of water. Most of our meals are homemade and I eat so many veggies! Every once in a while, I treat myself to a cheeseburger or pizza...although since gluten seems to trigger my migraines, I've been avoiding the cheeseburgers, bread, pastas, etc. It's easy to give up wheat: I ask myself, "Is this worth potentially getting a migraine?" The answer is usually no. But sugar? Oh, sweet, sweet sugar?! Eating it does not make me sick or hate myself or...anything negative really. I just know that it's bad and that it should be avoided, but how do I turn that into not eating it? Maybe I should try hypnotism! HA! Anyway...I totally stole @Heidi's chart idea, so I'll be posting weekly progress reports with my fancy new charts! (I'm super excited about my charts!!) OH! One last thing. I'm not actually starting for reals until November 1st. I mean...I never really stopped since the last challenge ended, but I've been a bit lax and accidentally let my sugar dragon get out of control. Mostly, I think Sunday starts don't really work so well for me and because...well Monday is Halloween for crying out loud! I'm gonna need some candy *tee-hee*! But I will go for a few extra days after the official 4 Week Challenge ends. Deal? Deal. And because no challenge is complete with the awesomeness that is David Bowie and/or the Labyrinth:

Sooooo...it's been a long time since I've participated in a challenge. Let's just say it was due to some random Turtle difficulties... I just don't know what my "Big Why" is anymore. The best I can come up with is wanting to feel confident/look good in a bathing suit, but that doesn't seem to be important enough to me when I want to eat a cheeseburger with fries as soon the weekend has arrived... Seriously, I can pretty much nail my diet Monday-Friday afternoon(ish)...and then all hell breaks loose. I'm healthy and I'm happy, but I've become extremely stagnant/complacent with my diet and fitness goals because I've been the same damn weight with the same damn measurements for like 2 years now. I'm tired of looking in the mirror and not seeing progress, but if I'm brutally honest with myself...all I've really been doing for the last year or so is going in circles. My biggest downfall is sugar. I can give it up for about 10 days or so and then I fall off the wagon hardcore. I have my work cut out for me, but I seriously cannot do it alone. I need my fellow Druids' help. Will you help me?? My goals for the next 4 weeks are as follows: Main Goal: 1. No more Goddamn candy corn!! You know you have no control, so just stop effing buying it! 2. Stop being a lazy asshole - do your workouts! Minimum of 4 per week! 3. Go to bed. No...not falling asleep on the couch for a couple hours first - GO. TO. BED. DAMN IT! I'll be digging out one of the few fancy journals and special pens I bought awhile back (and then forgot about) to use for general note taking and grading throughout this 4 week challenge, but I'll be popping in here as much as I possibly can to update as well. Seriously...I don't think I can do this without you!

Hello! I just joined this community and I´ve been encouraged in my introducton post by @Raxie to join the 4 week challenge. This is my first challenge and I'm trying to get out of a really dark period of my life, so the goals are not going to be too ambitious, just small steps to start managing my life again. EDIT: After IAmInfinite's comment I decided to update my challenge with a reward system. I'll level up every 100 XP (experience points), and this challenge allows me to score a maximum of 200 XP (it's my first challenge so I decided to double the points, but next challenges will probably be 100-120 XP). 1) START RUNNING: I just started with C25K and I intend to keep exercising 3 times a week. Total points for this goal: 40 XP (10 XP per week) Running 3 times: 10 XP Running 2 times: 5 XP Running 1 times: 2 XP 2) FRESH AIR: I work 3 days a week and lately I'm avoiding going out of the house on my off days (art thou there, depression?). I want to get out, even if it's just for a 30 minute walk, at least 5 times a week. Total points for this goal: 28 XP (7 XP per week) Going out >5 times: 7 XP Going out 4-5 times: 5 XP Going out 3 times: 2 XP (this would be the 3 times a week I go to work. I walk 30 min to work and 30 minutes back those days, so I though that I deserve 2 points even if I only go out these 3 days). 3) QUITTING DRUGS: And by drugs I mean sugar, the most addictive drug I've ever tried. I don´t feel like totally quitting, but I am going to avoid chocolates and sweets as much as I can. I'm only allowed to cheat one day a week (I've already cheated this week, so no more sugar for me). Total points for this goal: 40 XP (10 XP per week) 1 Day of sugar: 10 XP 2 Days of sugar: 7 XP 3 Days of sugar: 5 XP 4 Days of sugar: 3 XP >4 Days of sugar: 0 XP 4) NOT SKIPPING MEALS: I'm skipping a lot of meals lately, so my goal is to have real Breakfast-Lunch-Tea every day. Just eat like normal people do. Total points for this goal: 28 XP (7 XP per week) 1 XP for every day I don´t skip my meals. 5) AVOID PROCRASTINATION: I find it easier to restrict procrastination hours (i.e. Netflix, browsing, movies, videogames) in order to use that time for more useful things (reading, walking, studying, finishing this SuperMario pixel blanket I started months ago). I'm only allowed 3 hours a day -well, when I'm working I don't have time for procrastination but the rest of the days it gets out of control-. I think trying to force me to do the things that I mentioned is not going to work for me right now. Total points for this goal: 40 XP (10 XP per week) 7 days procrastination-free: 10 XP 5-6 days procrastination-free: 6 XP 3-4 days procrastination-free: 3 XP <3 days procrastination-free: 0 XP 6) MEDITATION: God, I really need this. I'm struggling with anxiety/depression and I numb my brain with sugar and procrastination almost every day. Thirty minutes of meditation at least 3 times a week will probably do. I know it's not too much but I've never done it before and I don't know how to do it properly yet. Total points for this goal: 24 XP (6 XP per week) 3 days of meditation: 6 XP 2 days of meditation: 4 XP 1 day of meditation: 2 XP That's it. Easy, huh? Not for me! But winter is coming, you know, and it gets dark and cold here during winter, oh, it does... And you know what they say, the night is dark and full of terrors. I better prepare for the long winter and darkness. OK, maybe I'm over reacting, but I come from a warm and sunny country and North England is too cold and dark for us, sweet summer children. It can get (moar) depressing. Feel free to post some suggestions, as this is my first challenge and anything that may help me to improve is welcomed. Cheers! Lady Gx

Pluses from last challenge: No-spend September - I spent approx half of what I did during August Downsides: even with these cut-backs I was spending more than what I should budget for ==> Optimisation required Minuses from last challenge: TV habit has spiralled out of control I am crashing asleep on the sofa/after putting baby to bed I have put on about 6 lbs since starting my new job 4 weeks ago This challenge's plan: Identify where I have been tripping up Work out how to stem the tide Work out any steps to reverse the trend Implement as appropriate Monitor Areas to tackle: Sleep (need more) Sugar (blood sugar levels over the day) Spending (financial + time) And the fourth area I want to devote my challenge to: Son - coming up with plans for better: meals, evening time together, weekend time together

Hello friends! I am not dead! Just been a busy bee while simultaneously being a sloth to cope with some emotional stuff. So I'm late, but not without gumption to make this challenge a great one! My inner television character is Leslie Knope, from the best television show ever Parks and Rec. In the show, there's this mondo rich and evil company called Sweetums that manufactures (you guessed it) candy and other diabetes-causing nom-noms. Throughout the show, there are several efforts to thwart this evil establishment of sugar and this challenge I am pursuing something similar! Primarily, the challenge this round is focused on slaying the sugar dragon! I've been building up some good habits with diet and exercise, but the thing that still gets me is sweets! Glorious sweets! The terrors of afternoon snacking and social events. I've tried quitting cold turkey and wowza, that was a bad idea for me. I had anxiety attacks, headaches, mood swings, etc.. I was a nightmare to be around. So I'm going to take it in levels! Each level may last 1 to 2 weeks, but hopefully after 2 weeks the symptoms (listed above) will be manageable enough to progress to the next level. Level 1: 1 sweet a day Level 2: 1 sweet every other day Level 3: 1 sweet twice a week Level 4: 1 sweet once a week Through this process there are three concepts I'm going to focus on: Patience with my body and how it decides to handle the withdrawals. It might take me longer than one challenge to complete this, and that's okay! NOT being a drama queen about it. Coming to terms with the shame and guilt I have attached to sugar and sweets. Minor focuses: Get 8 hours of sleep. I always make better decisions and feel better when I make myself sleep 8 hours. Log onto NF daily! ~15 minutes a day should be easy to squeeze in. I just need to make it a habit. You all are huge inspirations to me and I love love LOVE reading your posts. They help me stay centered. Use my stupid BuJo! It helps me keep track of life and this is another thing I just need to make a habit. Blog once a week. This is a sort of experiment to see if it's something I want to actually pursue and work at. Some habits I'm keeping: Meal prepping (I've been making mason jar salads, stocking up on high protein snacks, planning healthy dinners for my husband and I) Working out regularly! (modified yoga once a week, cardio and strength training 2x a week) Drinking a whole lotta water Reading scriptures and prayers in the morning In closing, for your pleasure, a drunk Ron Swanson indicative of what I'm like when I've had too much sugar. Enjoy.

Hello, introductions are always so tough. Well, let's start with the basic. My name is Alexander, 22 years old and I'm from Sweden! I like daydreaming and coming up with all sorts of fantasies in my head, it's amazingly fun. So, here's the thing. I have always been struggling with my weight, I eat when I'm bored, stressed, sad and the whole spectrum of emotions. After so many years, it has turned into an extremely hard habit too break and I need your help! A place that I can turn to in my darkest hours, when the craving for "sugar" is strong. It feels nice joining Nerdfitness and it's community and I hope you all will welcome me with open arms. Thank you for reading and it's so fun meeting you all! Thank you!

Like many, I laughed at the idea of being "addicted to food" for a long time. But the more I've considered it, the more I've realized: being addicted to certain combinations and kinds of processed foods is quite real. One need only review several Google searches on the topic, as well as statements from physicians and neuroscientists that various combinations of food spike dopamine and serotonin levels pretty high, which, just like cocaine or meth, can lead to tolerance and require more and more of the same to get the same "high". Anyway, I'm here to ask the question: how do you actually BEAT this addiction? I recently finished the book "Fat Chance" by Dr. Robert H. Lustig, MD. In addition to citing a lot of evidence and discussing quite a bit of science behind this newly-emerging (albeit slowly) notion of addiction to various combinations of food, he claims that the way to beat it is, basically, "eat right and exercise." Well, gee doc, that's a lot of help. While I loved the science in the book (and highly recommend it; you can even get it on Audible if that's your thing), I found the advice for recovery pointless. "Do the thing that you least want to do to make you want to do the thing you least want to do" is not advice: it's circular (anti) logic. Does anyone have any experience with actually recovering from this kind of addiction? I'm interested in actionable information, like techniques, personal experiences, things that helped (and that didn't), and most definitely any supplements or even prescription drugs (legally acquired only, please) that can help reduce one's cravings for high fat/salt/sugar food(s), making healthy food seem more palatable. Willpower alone doesn't beat addictions this strong, especially when some of us have had that crap shoved into our bellies since before we could walk (see "McDonald's" for example). There's got to be a neuropharmacological system of some kind that we can leverage to "invert" the reward system of the brain against junk food and toward healthy food. Finding some mechanism to do that is THE answer to fixing the obesity crisis. Thoughts, anyone?

DAO Spoilers Last month was a good month, I swear! We did good and we’ve even expanded our little travelling party to include 2 dwarf merchants, Sten a Qunari killer, I mean warrior, and Leliana a Bard/Chantry sister. We helped the villagers of Lothering as best as we could. Once we found and made camp, we got word that Lothering had been overrun by darkspawn. It’s important, now more than ever, to find allies and use the Grey Warden Treaties. Alistair, Morrigan and I have talked about the treaties and we decided to head to the Circle Tower first. Circle Tower - Gaining allies #1 Welp the Circle has gone to hell in a hand basket, Blood magic, abominations and Templars calling for the Rite of Annulment. Time to save the broken Circle, no matter how much Morrigan complains! Seriously she is always complaining! The Templars said we could go up the tower but in order for us to get out, we must find First Enchanter Irving, alive. We need to save as many mages as we can and get to the top of the tower. On our way up the tower, we ran into a group of mages fighting off an abomination. Wynne, one of the mages asked to help us save the circle so she is coming with us. Looks like we might have a chance at rescuing some mages after all. Since we cleared the way to the exit, the group of mages are going to wait there until we come back with First Enchanter Irving. Each week’s completion gets us a cleared floor, last week of the challenge will be the top where First Enchanter Irving is. Top of the Tower We need to find First Enchanter Irving and I'm pretty sure he is at the top of the tower. Nothing with this journey has been easy so I'm only assuming. We need to get to the top of the tower.! I'm not looking forward to all the stairs, gah I’m still so out of shape. I never imagining so many stairs when I wanted to go on adventures with Duncan. Exercise Quest: 1. 2 Cardio workouts & 3 Body Weight Workout a week Save the Mages Wynne, you know the mage I mentioned before wants to make sure we save any mage we see and clear the way for them to run back to the main floor. That means cleaning up the place, fighting blood mages and other magical beings but at least she is coming with us. You would think I'd be less trusting of a mage from the tower who wants to help. Wynne just seems like good people. I swear I'm not usually this trusting... Food Quest: 1. Meal Plan & Meal Prep on weekends & Track food. Kill the Abominations There are 3 boss abominations that we know of, each floor has one our group must defeat. These are desire abominations and will try to sweet talk us at every turn! Resisting temptation will help defeat these abominations. Food Quest: 1. Limit Sugary foods (Week 1: 6 items per day, Week 2: 5 items per day, Week 3: 4 items per day & Week 4: 3 items per day) & Soda days (wk 1 - 3, wk 2 - 3, wk 3 - 2, wk 4 - 2) Look for survivors While we are making our way to the top of the tower, we need to keep our eyes out for any survivors. The tower was filled with mages and templars and someone has to be alive. Life Quest : 1. No credit card spending & make payments. Survivors will be found and helped only if I don’t use my credit card each week. For every credit card purchase, 1 survivor doesn’t make it. Survivor goals = 20

Instead of challenges I'm switching to this method for a bit. That way I can have some kind of accountability and still be part of the forums. I have a respawn post I made if u want a back story. So let's just jump right in. Today I had coffee, heavy cream but no sugar. Keeping sugar out of my coffee is ONE good thing I have stuck with. As a hungry as I am now, I am fighting the urge for fast food and just eat the healthier lunch I brought. And I had a delicious breakfast of pecans, banana, and cottage cheese. Better than the sausage and biscuit I've been craving. A few good things today.

The title is a total lie, it merely ties the challenge back to Buck Rogers. I'm going to keep doing the same stuff I've been doing since winter break. ETA: I should have just called this a rerun. This challenge will be even D.U.M.B.er than the last. Biking: I'm going to bike as much as I can. Too much of it will be on the trainer because of our schedules. Other Stuff: There's a lot of other stuff I ought to do (I'm looking at you mobility, you too kettlebells), but I probably won't because all I want to do is ride my bike. Eating: I've totally cleaned up my eating since winter break except for sugar, I just can't get myself to give that up.

Hello! So as part of my venture to cut out all foods that are bad or unhealthy, I have recently been looking into minimizing, or cutting our sugar intake all together and was just seeing if anyone here has already cut out sugar or is aware of how this can be done. I was reading the article from nerdfitness on why sugar is bad https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/06/17/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sugar/ and it has motivated me to stop eating sugar as much as I can. I was wondering if it is possible to bake things such as breads and muffins but just excluding the sugar in the recipe or if something else is needed in place to help it bind together. An example would be this recipe http://minimalistbaker.com/1-bowl-pumpkin-bread-v-gf/ but I would just like to know if excluding sugar would still allow breads and muffins to bake and if something is needed to replace it then what do people commonly do. I am not concerned with the overall flavor or sweetness of the breads just the consistency and ability of it to still bind properly. I know many people are switching to minimal sugar diets and was just wondering how exactly it is done with baking. Thank you! -Jack