Lyr

Quick update for now. Met most of my goals for last week. I want to start pushing myself more with my workouts, but I need to start scheduling time to do that. I did all my yoga and ate my veggies, and most of the bedroom is clean.

Hey, congrats on getting back into the swing of things! How did today go?

Congrats on all your hard work (and on your shirts)! How much further to your next reward? Not that it's about the rewards, necessarily, but still?

Dominic, I totally did. In fact, I had all of my cleaning goals done by dinner on Sunday - thanks to your encouragement! Now, onto my bedroom . . . which admittedly needs way more work than the office did. Oh well. Here goes! Week 1, Day 6: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Done. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Meant to . . . but then I fell asleep. Oops. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Perfect, I think. I was at a party with a veggie platter, so it was hard to count how much I consumed there, but I'm pretty sure it was at least one serving. On top of everything else I ate, it worked. Goal 4: Organize the House Hung pictures and organized/listed all my books. I ended up inputting them into Goodreads and . . . wow, I need to stop buying new books. Goal for the next challenge, haha? Week 1, Day 7: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Not today, but I've also already done my three for the week so I'm ok here. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week No excuses for this one. I just kept putting it off for some reason. That means I didn't do any yoga this week, which is odd because I've been doing it at least once a week for awhile now. I will definitely be more diligent going forward. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Done! Goal 4: Organize the House Cleaned the plant and vacuumed. This room feels great now! And I've accomplished everything on the list! Week 2, Day 1: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Not done. Spent my evening cooking healthy meals for the week, though, so I don't feel like a slacker. Also watched a movie about a telepathic tire. Not something I'm proud of. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week See above. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Done! Goal 4: Organize the House Nothing new here. Week 2, Day 2: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Off to do that as soon as I post. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Will do tomorrow and Friday, though. If I don't, please nag me. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Perfect tonight. I even had homemade garlic bread and I introduced a friend to the wonder of spaghetti squash. Goal 4: Organize the House No progress. I need to review exactly what I need to organize and try to do a little each day. I'll try to get started after I work out. Ok, that was a wicked long update. I've found that (except for the yoga) I usually have enough time to do what I need to do, but not necessarily enough time to come in here and report on it. I'm going to work on that going forward, though, because this support system is only as good as I make it.

Thanks Dominic! You're right, I'm totally procrastinating with the picture hanging. It's too late tonight to be hammering on the walls (neighbors would hate me!) but it will be conquered tomorrow. And Hiraedd, thanks for your (continuing) support! I'll return the favor. Week 1, Day 3: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Not today. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Slacker day. Goal 4: Organize the House Didn't get to any of this tonight. Week 1, Day 4: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Not today. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Done. Goal 4: Organize the House Book list started. Week 1, Day 5: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Done. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies One serving short. Goal 4: Organize the House Nothing new here.

Ok, we're a couple days in now. Is everyone still excited? This is usually the time when I begin to question my goals, but so far I'm liking what I'm doing.

Dogs are basically the best personal trainers ever. They won't let you say no to a walk! Also, great job maintaining a (mostly) healthy lunch despite the temptations! I'm also confident that you'll smoke your colleague! Keep at it!

Thanks for your support!! I wanted to do a little more than I actually did today, but the fact that I did something means that I haven't fallen off the wagon. As long as I can do a little each day, I'll be good! Week 1, Day 2: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Did one circuit of the BBW. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Done. Again, with no meat and veggies to spare. Goal 4: Organize the House Didn't get to any of this tonight.

Hey, we're accountabilibuddies (or however you spell that), so I wanted to stop by and say hello. Your goals are definitely challenging, but you should be able to conquer them with lots of hard work - and we'll be here to help you! One thing about the diet goal that always helps me is to just not buy things that I might be tempted to cheat with later. If you can avoid buying chocolate (or whatever) during the 30 minutes you're in the store, then it makes it so much easier to avoid at home . . . because, well, you never bought it in the first place. Good luck!

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate the encouragement! Week 1, Day 1: Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week Not today. Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week Not today. Will try to get to it tonight. Goal 3: Eat my Veggies Done. Probably closer to 6 servings of veggies, and I haven't had any meat. Had some peanut butter for protein, though, so I am being careful about that. Goal 4: Organize the House Did some of it. The desk is in the attic, the papers have been filed, and the closet is organized. Not tidy, really, but organized. I'll take it.

Haha, I know. It's a lot, but the more specific I am, the less wiggle room I have to falter and make excuses. So, ultra specific it is. Plus, the nerd in me loves lists. I do the same thing with the challenges. Good for a little while, but once the honeymoon phase wears off, I just trail off. NOT GOING TO DO THAT THIS TIME! I'm going to stick with it until the end. And so will you!

Ok, I'm in! I'm just getting my thread set up, but I'm looking forward to this.

My last challenge fizzled out from the beginning, but I'm back and focused. I've taken a lot of time to work on these goals, and I think that they're both achievable and . . . well, challenging. Goal 1: Strength Training 3x/Week I’m starting with the Beginner Body Weight Workout, and I’m going to plan on increasing weight/difficulty as I move along at my own pace. Rewards: +2 STR, +2 STA, +1 CON Goal 2: Yoga 2x/Week My yoga sessions must last longer than 15 minutes to count toward this goal, and they must include a period of shavasana and/or meditation at the end. Rewards: +1 DEX, +2 STA Goal 3: Eat my Veggies I must eat at least four servings of vegetables per day, and limit meat to one serving per day. I’m going to allow myself one cheat day per week during which I can either a.) eat less than three servings of veggies or b.) eat meat twice. Rewards: +2 WIS, +1 CON Goal 4: Organize the House Below, I’ve outlined exactly what must be done and I’ve given myself a suggested timetable. All items, other than Stretch Goals, must be done by the end of the challenge, but the schedule given is a guide, not a rule. If I’m able to complete any stretch goals, I’ll reward myself with a small treat per goal completed. Rewards: +3 CHA, +1 CON Week 1: Office File everything. Sort books in some rational manner. Make lists of books I’ve read and not read. Hang diploma and brain picture. Vacuum. Organize closet. Move writing desk to attic. Clean poor, dirty plant. Find a way to organize desktop. Week 2: Bedroom Sort clothes into Donate, Alter, Store bags. Organize nightstand. Buy prettier laundry baskets. Set up an area to get my clothes ready the night before work. Clean under bed. Rearrange closet and organize bottom of closet. Go through jewelry and put into jewelry box. Wash comforter. Stencil/hang something above the headboard. Week 3: Living Room Clean out side table. Organize bookshelves. Find a place for everything. Care for plants. Clean out entertainment center. Clean hedgie’s house. Clean TV. Week 4: Kitchen and Dining Room Organize pantry. Clean off fridge. Clean out fridge/freezer, including washing them down. Set up spice rack. Set up hooks to hold pot lids on door. Organize under the sink. Sort tea. Clean plants. Scrub floors. Clean cabinet doors. Week 5: Bathrooms Clean floors. Clean walls. Hang artwork. Scrub tub. Organize vanities, shelves, and drawers. Week 6: Entryway and Car Organize landing space. Get trash bin for the car. Clean trunk. Wash car (if given a warmer day). Clean car interior. Get new doormat. Organize hall closet. Stretch Goals Replace cabinet doors. Paint coffee table. Paint dresser. Make curtain for office. Make curtain for dining room. Clean all windows. Paint/Touch up all molding. Week 1 Summary Goal 1: A Goal 2: F Goal 3: A- Goal 4: A

Good job so far! I love your walking goal!

The yoga has been going really well. Did two yesterday - one in the morning and one in the evening. Although the one in the morning was a set I'd done before, so I'm on the fence about counting it toward my challenge. It's technically not part of the 21-Day thing - well it is, but I did it last week. I wasn't able to get to the gym yesterday. Snow doubled my commute time home, so I didn't have time. Did the yoga instead, though, so that's something. Pushups are progressing. Up to 11 now! And compliments are going well, too. I know by now that I won't be able to finish the running program, and probably not the yoga. That's entirely my own fault - I started too late and wasn't diligent. These goals were so different from my last ones, and I'm afraid that I may have crafted them in a way that guaranteed my failure. Still, going to stick it out to the end to see how far I can make it.

Ok! Feeling better, which means back to the gym tomorrow. I have to say that one big change I've noticed since joining NF is that I'm now excited to go to they gym. Like, really excited. I would go now if I could, but it's closed and cold outside. Anyway, gym tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe Thursday (scheduling on Thursdays is tight, so we'll see). I've also fallen behind in yoga, but I've started that up again. Pushups are about the same, but I've been working on them steadily. Compliments are also going well. I've met my quota every except one this week. I might have to up this for more challenge. I'm thinking about adding in one random compliment to a stranger whenever I'm out somewhere.

Thanks as always for the encouragement! You're super good at keeping new in track! Yesterday, I did some yoga, and today I did my pushups. Yesterday I only got two compliments in, but I was good today. Came down with a cold, but I haven't let it slow me down much. Getting back to the gym soon! Need to or I'll never finish my goals and I am not OK with that!

Great job this week!! Jogging the whole time is definitely important, and I'm in the same boat as you - I'd rather jog the whole time at a slower speed than have to stop. You can always work on upping your speed later. Keep in mind, though, that even great runners sometimes stop to walk, so don't beat yourself up. Keep it up!

I'm glad that you had a good day! Congrats on the new puppy, and keep at it!

Woo Yoga! And Running! And Push ups! And Compliments! Today was a good day, but I've decided that I have to be better about logging what I'm doing. I keep a detailed record in Fitocracy, but I want to replicate some of it here. Otherwise, I'm going to fall off the wagon and then . . . well, bad things. So, today: Yoga Lesson 1. Zombies, Run! 5k Week 2 Workout 2 5 Push ups 3 Compliments - one to my bf, one to my DM, and one to a friend. And several to my cats, but I suppose those don't count.

I'm definitely having trouble getting onto the forums this challenge, but I've been going to the gym! And today is my first yoga day, so I'm excited about that. I still need to get started on the push ups. As for the compliments, I've been doing pretty well with them, but I need to do better about tracking them.

Scales can be scary, but it really is just one possible way of measuring yourself . . . and it's not necessarily the most accurate. Have you taken other measurements that you can track? It sounds like you knew that you would get worked up over the scale, so good job on not using one regularly! Just keep going! Track those planks and everything else, and next time someone wants you to way yourself, just start rattling off your stats.

Your vagabond ways do sound very cool. It must be a challenge to keep fit when you're always someplace new, so good on you for making that an important part of your life!

Ahh, things were supposed to calm down after the holidays, but it seems that they've continued on at breakneck speed. Still, I've managed to get a few workouts in and I've been great about my compliment goal. That one's actually a lot of fun, but it's definitely still a challenge. I'm a New Englander, so I tend to just stay quiet. Forcing myself to verbally acknowledge good things is humbling and definitely bringing me out of my bubble. Plus, it's nice to make someone's day, or hour, or whatever. In terms of workouts, I hit the gym this weekend and knocked off the first couple of zombie runs. I haven't started the pushups yet, though I've been trying to work more lifting into my daily routine. I'm going to start them tomorrow, though, because I doubt I'll be able to get to the gym. I don't have any real plan for how to develop them other than just doing them daily, but I'll look into it. I'm open to suggestions. I can do about 20 knee pushups in one set now. Yoga is also set to start this weekend. Yay!

Goal 1: 15 Push Ups Must be "real" push ups (not on knees). Will only count if done in one set. Grading: 15 PU = A, 14 PU = B, 13 PU = C, 12 PU = D, 11 or fewer PU = F Reward: +3 STR, +2 STA Goal 2: Complete Zombies, Run! 5k Training There are 25 missions. I was working on a 5k run for my last challenge, and while I achieved the distance, I was slower than I would've liked. I haven't run over the holidays, and while the first week of this program might be less strenuous than I am used to, I think it should catch up to me quickly. If I find that it's too easy, I'll switch to completing Zombies, Run! itself. I want to develop a better foundation for my runs, so going back to go forward might be the best option. Grading: Pass/Fail Reward: +1 STR, +3 STA, +1 CON Goal 3: Complete Yoga Journal's 21-Day Challenge Must complete within 25 days, which gives me a few days leeway in the event of scheduling issues. Grading: Complete within 25 days = A, 26 days = B, 27 days = C, 28 days = D, 29 or more days = F Reward: +1 STR, +3 DEX, +1 CHA Goal 4: Give Three Compliments Per Day These must be given to at least two separate people, but they do not have to be in person. Grading: 3 compliments per day = A, 2 per day = C, 1 or fewer per day = F. I will average out the score for each week and use that to calculate the total. Reward: +4 CHA Here I go! I'm open to any thoughts/suggestions.