Chelsey

I've noticed most people have assigned reward points to their challenges based on how well they do or if they complete their goal. I thought about editing my challenge and doing the same thing but I've decided I would be able to more appropriately dole out points once I've completed the challenge. It's been pretty slow still, trying to stay motivated While I didn't do as much activity as I wanted this week I did do a little every day! I've got a more rigid plan for next week and there's a swim club that desperately needs to be looked in to

When I started wrestling Freshman yr of high-school, I had a HORRIBLE time staying hydrated! Just the worst. I was constantly dehydrated, all the time, and my freaking heck are there a lot of symptoms of dehydration. I realized that since drinking a lot of water at one time wasn't really my MO I forced myself to drink every time I passed a water fountain. Taking little sips here and there doesn't really seem like effort, but it helped a ton. In college there were fewer fountains so I took longer drinks and ended up with two special cups in my house, one for the kitchen sink and one for the bathroom sink. 11 years later and if I don't have at least one full Nalgene every day at work... I feel like crap for days. I still take a drink of water every time I see a fountain, every time I'm in the kitchen and every time I go to the bathroom at home. At work I have my handy-dandy Nalgene and after years of conditioning it's second nature to take a sip every few minutes. I guess it's like when you go to the bathroom "just in case", even though I wasn't thirsty I took a sip every time I had the opportunity that way I didn't have to worry about forgetting my water bottle, or not wanting to drink a huge amount at one time to get my goal.

I second what Fear up there says, specially since you're in VT. CSA's and Farmer's Markets abound in New England. You can sometimes work out with the CSA coordinator a "working share", (that's what we called it at the CSA I subbed for this summer back in Maine). Basically, in exchange for a share, or partial-share if it's just the one of you and depending on what you can arrange... you would volunteer a few hours a wk. Could be difficult to find a winter one but look around Feb for sign-ups for the coming spring! I was lucky enough to be friends with someone who actually signed up for a working share but their policy of "send someone in your place if you can't make it" and "who does the work gets the goods" meant that nearly every week in July and and August I was coming home with insane amounts of organic produce and even got a gallon of raw whole milk out of the deal, (not as appealing to some-definitely if you're going full paleo). I'm in a similar spot as yourself with the depression and fatigue. I've been on and off, but mostly on, with depression for the last ten years and only this last month or so have I incurred the full-time fatigue aspect of it :S Personally, I'm doing the 6 wk challenge in hopes that it'll relieve enough anxiety and tension that I can venture out of my comfort zone more readily and that maybe just having the extra endorphins around will help me with using sleep for recovery and not just for keeping my eyes closed Good luck

Thanks guys!!! Wow, I like to think of myself as an intelligent person.. but somehow never thought of a cue. Always tried to just DO something, but sometimes when I'm not having a good brain day, (far too often) I can hardly get out of my chair. I'm going to have to try using the onset of sadness as a cue to start working out. Can't see a downside, get sad, work out, get endorphines. Seems simple enough!

Off to a slow start, got my baseline for Push-ups, sit-ups and how long I can hold a standard plank. Unfortunately, the pool was crowded tonight so I wasn't able to actually SWIM... I did tread water for quite some time tho! I'm going to make a habit of updating my numbers every Tuesday Keep in mind it's been a while and I'm a stickler for form so doing it right is far more important to me than doing a lot right off the bat, Push-ups: 5 Sit-ups: 20 Plank: 45 seconds Tomorrow I've got a core workout, a body weight workout and a date at the dog park! Should be good and mildly exhausting

Hokilly Dokilly, here goes! I know it seems like I'm busting in a little ambitious, but I have confidence in my ability to adapt and recover, as well as creativity in the "activity" department I've set two easier physical goals and one that actually scares me a bit. My life goal is as much about me as my dog Soddee, who just turned 7 and who I'd love to have a better relationship with. Physical Goals: 1. Improve my numbers for Push-ups, sit-ups and planks. Legitimate exercise 5 days a week M-F, (must include warm-up, stretch, 30 min of activity, cool-down dog walk of at least 15 min) Focusing on core and body-weight sessions. 2. Set a time for 500 m breast/side stroke and improve it! Swim for at least 30 min 1 x/wk, preferably 2 x's/wk (In addition to #1) 3. Be able to perform 2 full pull-ups. This is my big one, as currently I can do NONE, but if I can get to 1, dammit I can do 2! Other than doing arm+back days with plenty of down time between them and doing assisted pull-ups, I'm not entirely sure how to do this. I've read about 15 "how to do your first pull-up" articles but I can't seem to get my muscles to work together and get my ass up to the bar!! Any suggestions are totally welcome! Personal Life Goal: 1. Form a better relationship/spend more time with my dog. Go on at least 1 Mommy/Doggy day trip somewhere unfamiliar each week. Right now we're a little at odds with the move and my not taking him out often enough. There are a lot of beautiful places to hike, play, stroll, explore out here and I need to work on my anxiety of new situations. As a bonus, the pooper really likes car rides and tends to behave more agreeably when he spends a lot of time with Mom Long Term Accomplishment: Since my brain is constantly changing what it wants to be happy... this is at least my LT physical goal. Swim: 500 yds - 14 min Push-ups: 42 - 2 min Sit-ups: 50 - 2 min Pull-ups: 6 - 2 min Run: 1.5 mi - 12:45 min *bonus BA recognition to anyone who's familiar with this

I've been stalking the NF community for nearly a year and a half now :S I know, shame. Time to finally dive in! Being as tomorrow is a Monday, (and I really like to start projects at the beginning of a week), the start of the newest challenge AND I've developed a pretty embarrassing aversion to "the holidays", I figure now is a great time to get goin'. I recently made a huge life change and moved entirely across the country and it's taken a huge toll on my motivation. Not to say it was my strongest trait before..In fact it's my biggest issue. I've struggled with depression for quite some time now and while I've made changes and started awesome-ing myself in the past, it's never stuck. I was doing pretty good on my last stint, right before the move I got through 6 solid weeks of working out 5 days a week, more colorful, diverse eating and positive attitude adjustment! Just goes to show how difficult it can be to form a habit, (I can't possibly be alone in that department). I have specific lifestyle interests and physical goals that put me in the position to adopt any of several classes but going on what I believe are my strengths and desires I'm going to assign myself to the Rangers, (just know I have strong Assassin-like tendencies). I'm not here to lose weight or develop strict eating habits, I'm here to become the baddest-assinest ME I can, physically and mentally. Time to get started!