Joker

I have tried to quit soda so many times, I have the worst withdrawals, especially because it does escalate my migraines, and to be honest I have tried the coffee and tea thing, I just hate coffee. Tea works sometimes, I have even switched to diet soda at times. And I know, it is worse for you supposedly, but I have heard mixed reviews. The sugar from soda will crystalize in your body, but the aspertain (sp) from diet soda is horrible for you. So it does seem like either way with soda, you lose. I have tried, I hate the withdrawals, it is like a drug, because, well, it is. I know I need more water, which is why I try the enhancers, even as a kid I never drank water because I just wasn't thirsty, so it has always been a struggle, and I am working on it. But as far as the soda and how bad I want to feel better, I mean, honestly, not that badly. When I was competing I had a decent diet, but not perfect, and was working out as much as possible, at one point I was doing the P-90x doubles, which isn't saying much, but I like to think it was pretty good for me, but, I still drank soda, and did pretty well. At this point my goal is just to make it less Soda, and as much water as possible, however that can be done. I will try shotgunning at those times, because that is something that I have not tried yet, I think it could be helpful.

@Tanktimus the Encourager I have actually been intrigued by the walk to Mordor Challenge, I have wanted to look into that and maybe ways to make it more fun for me. @Raincloak I have always loved that song by Toby Mac, been awhile since I heard it, so thank you. I do need to stretch, no argument there, it is important. I know that the water enhancers are not the healthiest thing on the planet, but in my curent situation, all I drink is soda, energy drinks, and alcohol, so considering for the moment that the enhancers are actually helping me to be consious about drinking water, it does seem like at least a step in the right direction-I could be wrong. But yes, I have always had bad posture and back issues, as a kid I was constantly tested for scoliosis but never had it. When I am running and in shape it helps, but at the moment, I literally walk from one room to the other and am out of breath. My body sometimes craps out on me, and the doctors have no idea why. I really do want to begin walking and stretching, because I do feel that it is at least a start.

I have been on this site on and off, and have participated in a couple of six weeks challenges, though have never finished one. I am also a member of the NF academy, though have not made a lot of progress. I have always struggled off and on with my fitness and health, sometimes I fall into a slump, and I just cannot get out of it. Last year I competed in two Spartan Races, and a Tough Mudder, and shortly after that, I fell off the wagon, and did not do anything. My diet has been a sea of fast food restraunts, alchol, and sitting on the couch, for the past year. I am in the worst shape I have ever been in my life. It hurts my back so bad just walking, and I am so stiff in the morning. I got to a point, where I mostly haven't cared about my health, or my fitness. I have wanted to have fun and be irresponsible with my body. And unfortunately because of it, I am in pain physically, all the time. I am also not in the best place mentally or emotionally. I am now realizing that this is against the path that I folow, or rather, am supposed to. Also I am causing myself a lot of future health problems, and by continuing to build these bad habits it is just going to be harder to fix them in the future. The current problem I am facing is not really knowing where to start. I feel like the only thing I can do is walk right now, but I want to get into the workouts that I used to do. But, I feel like if I did that, I would be pushing my body a little too far, and I am concerned about putting the stress on my heart. Also, I hate drinking water, and have a hard time eating right. I feel like I can have whatever I want, whenever I want, so it is hard to turn down Burger KIng or Ramen, for Chicken and vegetables. Especially because, well, I hate chicken and vegtables. I have started to make some changes, I have bought a lot of water enhancers, to help me drink water. I have stopped buying fast food for myself, and try to work in veggies here and there, but still love microwavable dinners, and all of that. I am still working on my goals.

Thank you for the article, I will be sure to check it out.

Poke away. Thanks for the tip, we are kind of set in our budget for this month though, maybe I will use it for the next. I am not writting anything specific, just anything that comes to mind. Mostly my own personal reflections as they pertain to my growth. I might look to write some short stories, or poems, not sure yet. Just mainly trying to get back into the habit of writting again, as I did a lot of writting when I was younger. Thank you very much, likewise.

Week One: Jan 7th: Paleo: Dinner-Chicken, vegtables, pinto beans, cheese, fish. Run: None Agility: None Writing: None Jan 8th: Paleo: Breakfast-Omlet (though there was bacon in it) Lunch-Pinto Beans with cheese Run: 1 track lap (run was interupted) Agility: Did some light jump roping and burpees Writting:None Jan 9th: Paleo: None Run: None Aglity: Plyo, Burpees Writting: 71 Words Jan 10th: Paleo-Lunch: Pinto Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Chicken, Breakfast: Banana Run: 1 Mile Agility: None Writting: None Jan 11th Paleo: Lunch: Pinto beans with cheese, Snacks: Banana, Cheese Run: None Agility: None Writting: None Jan 12th Paleo: Dinner-Chicken,Vegtables, fish Run: None Agility: None Writing: None *As a side note, Beans seem to be controversial in the paleo diet. I have read conflicting articles. The way I see it, they are natural, come out of the ground, and are a healthier alternative than what I would normally pick. So, I am pretty much good with it, feel free to correct me if I am wrong in that.

I was going to add that in there, but I don't have any thing specific other than building it up. I was going to incorporate more plyo and core excersies into my work-outs, as well as things like jumprope so that I can be more agile. If I am already at two miles and am running/jogging more frequently, I think it is worth a shot to try for five. Maybe I will bring it down to four.

I have decided to go with the adventure class this time because I feel like I shoud a pick a class more in line with my goals, and it doesn't seem like I am in line with any one thing, other than making changes and getting better. My first goal, is to eat more paleo. I do not want to be stritcly on any sort of diet, as I still want to indulge from time to time, but I would like to be able to at least make five out of seven days all Paleo, or mostly, I am not giving up my whey shakes. +CON 2 +WIS 2 My second goal, is to work on a goal that I did not finish in the last challenge. That was to run 5 miles. I have managed to work up to 2 miles, so far, and that has apparently taken a lot of work. So 5 miles without stopping, and if I manage to complete that early, than I will work on my times and getting faster. +STA 2 +DEX 2 My third goal is to work on my stamina and agility. I need to be able to move, be faster, and not have to worry so much about how long I can go for. +STA 2 +DEX 2 +STR 1 My level up my life goal is to write more. It was something that I used to do all the time, and somewhere I just stopped. I want to work up to writting at least 200 words daily, making that 1,400 a week. +WIS 2 I will add in my attribute points for each goal a bit later, and my plan of action for tackling these later, but since today is the first day, I figured I should set this up now.

I would not be eligible to win by any means, but I would like to 'report' all the same. Just to see where I am personally, and finish what I can. I did not make my goals, moving took a toll and a lot of time. Plus some goals I did not have the resources, water being one of them. We moved in, but for several days did not have a steady source of water, let alone ten glasses for any day. Running there wasn't really a lot of places to do that, and I wanted to scope out the area before running somewhere blindly. I could have finished Meditation, that one was just laziness. But my finishing highest numbers for the challenge were: Burpees: 75 Run: 2 Miles Meditation: 20 Minutes Water: 7.5 Glasses I will do better next challenge. Not sure if I will keep any of the same goals, do them all again, or pick totally different ones. I do have time to think about it.

Week Five: December 10th: Burpees: 75 Run: None Meditation: 10 Minutes Water: 7.5 Glasses December 11th: Burpees: None Run: .50 miles Meditation: None Water: None December 12th Burpees: 20 Run: None Meditation: 2 Minutes Water: 5 Glasses (Been a busy couple of days with packing and running errands)

Week Four Update: I did not get as many numbers as I would have liked to, but I did make progress towards everything, so that is something. There is still time to get as close as possible and I am still confident that I can make at least some of my goals. The kicker is, I am moving this week and dealing with a whirlwind of the financial waves that come with that. So, while I will be doing my best, there is a lot going on that is making it difficult for me to get to where I want to be. Health this week, has also not been the best, as seen in my lack of burpees and running. But I am hoping it will be better and that I will be able to get my numbers up. Here's to tackling the stress and the goals this week.

Week Four: (The week of numbers) December 3rd: Burpees: 50 Run: None Meditation: 12 Minutes Water: 4 Glasses December 4th: Burpees: 20 Run: 2 Miles Meditation: None Water: 5 Glasses December 5th: Burpees: 25 Run: .75 miles Meditation: 15 Minutes Water: 5 Glasses December 6th: Burpees: None Run: None Meditation: None Water 2 Glasses December 7th: Burpees: None Run: None Meditation: 17 Minutes Water: 2 Glasses December 8th: Burpees: 10 Run: None Meditation: None Water: 2 Glasses December 9th: Burpees: None Run: 1 Mile Meditation: 20 minutes Water: 6.5 Glasses

Update For Week 3: Alright, I spent the majority of this weekend, realizing just how much I need to get my ass in gear. I did make progress this week toward each goal except meditation, but it is a difference of five minutes, if I cannot make that small transition, then that is pretty sad. Also, consistency has been an issue as well. I get closer to making my goals, but not each day, and I am not concerned about doing it all every single day, especially at this point, but there should be more days by now, that have numbers, and higher numbers. Not just two or three a week. So the goal this week is definitely going to be consistency. More days where I make progress, and have actual changes, rather then just one day where I hit the mark. Obviously that would not be the point of my goals, or probably anyone's. I don't remember putting five miles as my running goal, I thought I had put four as that is my current goal. But that is my long term aim, so I will stick with it. I may not actually hit five miles, but I have decided to add another run day to my work-out schedule because it wouldn't hurt and may actually help. So two things for this week: consistency and self-discipline.

Way to be devoted to what you want. =) Sounds like you had a very busy and productive day, hope you continue with the awesome work.

Thank you for the tips Kelly, it is much appreciated. I have noticed over time that when I drink more/enough water I feel better, which is why I had picked it as a goal initially. I'm sure if I committed to it better for two days, and took out the rest of the crap I drink in a day, I would notice a bigger difference. I will see if I can start that tomorrow, I figure if I start earlier in the day, that might make a difference as well.