BlamedCat

Thanks! Too bad my theme is only good for 6 challenges Thank you. Yeah, I'm concerned about that one and wanting to find something to replace it with, but nothing comes to mind yet. Ty You kinda inspired me for that bit lol Actually, I did that this morning With my eggs & steak & coffee, I finished up ch 9 in 1 Kings. I try to at least keep it to the little sections, but I'm not gonna bite off more than I can chew with reading so many chapters.. that's sorta like saying to get healthy you gotta lose a number of pounds... it's not a good indicator of learning / getting healthy, imho. How are you liking the Druids? How's your back?

Wow, you've got a great list of goals there! Great idea on the achievement. ToR has those too (and I came from WoW) so I know them all too well.. hmm, maybe I should implement that into my challenge next time. I really like the leveling up your life ones for sure I can't wait to see what you have crafted with your own hands... I'm SO following your thread Keep up the great work!

For those of you interested, I've started up my second challenge thread here.

So far so good! I only had sugar in my coffee yesterday morning. I did go eat at a Vietnamese restaurant (my friend wanted to get me out of my comfort zone) and one of the sauces used for the salad was pretty sweet, but I just dipped the salad in it instead of drenching the sauce over the salad. It was a nice charbroiled beef on top of a bed of steamed rice. I avoided the evil cookies last night. OH, also, ran to the sewing section of our local Walmart and picked up a measuring tape, so I can take my measurements today. I want to gather up all my stats so I can see how my body composition changed. Last time, my wife said it was changing, but I couldn't see it really, so I think this will help me. My starting weight for this challenge is 255.4. This is down from my starting weight at the last challenge which I believe was 258 or 257. So, yay for progress and LOSING weight during the Christmas season

Great job, Laureleye! I love your goals and the overall focus of what you're doing. You're doing to do great (and you're already proving that with a strong start). Keep up the pace

Yes, I did But that's why I'm putting it back on here. I don't know how to explain it other than to say that often times I felt unmotivated, unexcited, lonely, when doing it. I know I CAN do it, it just was more of a chore than an adventure. With the walks, I was going somewhere, moving, trying new routes, competing my time... The BW stuff, I was in my bathroom or bedroom just moving huffing and puffing and sounding like Lord Vader... It was challenging, but it didn't entice (not that it needs too, just sharing my thoughts). *looks back* Hmm, guess I did know how to explain it... wow. (edit) Btw, I picked the body weight exercises again, because I'm not sure what else to do right now. I know it works and I don't want to become stagnant and do nothing or fall back on replacing it with walking.

Oh the sad part is that these were MADE TODAY! I do have a couple of paleo crock pot recipes I will be trying, so I'll let you know if I find a sub, but I'm the same way.. I think I really need to just cut it cold turkey. I mean.. I had coffee this morning and resorted to using brown sugar because we ran out of white stuff... /facepalm Thank you. I haven't had a huge issue with this, but I keep hearing that if you don't get enough sleep you can stall out your weight loss / health goals. (not to mention I slept through my alarm this morning, so that was another motivator) Thank you Oh it's not silly, it just happens. Some of the OT is brutal for trying to follow and not get lost, especially with the genealogies I did churn through those before hehe. I'm actually in 1 Kings right now. I'll be reading in Chapter 9 tonight... picking up where I stalled out. My relationship with God is slacking and I can feel it on a daily basis now, so I really need to get that back in focus. I know that if I work that back into focus a lot of other things will fall into place too Now I just need to figure out this exercise goal... I'm terribly unmotivated, but I don't want to cheap out and pick a goal from last challenge

I hate folding too!! Funny enough, my wife LOVES folding, but hates hanging (which I prefer hanging). Great goals btw!

Today, I come home to these........ EVIL COOKIES... and they're No Bake Fudge Cookies. Just... gah.. after dinner everyone was eating one but me. I almost caved in and had one, but I ran to a banana and was like "What if I mash this up with some butter and cocoa powder, that'll taste okay" Umm.. no... it didn't.. it was wretched... le sigh... I still haven't had a cookie, but does anyone have a substitute I can destroy this craving with? (Not Gallagher and a sledge, but rather a recipe perhaps?)

Hello, my fellow nerd-ites! I've been contemplating my challenge goals recently and crafted some good ones. I'll continue to craft this today to get it fine tuned with points and such. (I just want to get the basic info down now so I have it documented.) As the title hints at, I've had an attack of the groans lately. After this holiday eating fest, I'm groaning at some of the bad habits I've re-picked up over the month. So, what do you do when you have a case of the groans? You do something about it... even if my body groans with disapproval at the impending effort to beat it and my mind into submission. Overview: Heath & Fitness Tame the Beast Realistic: Limit intake of sugar to 1-2 items a day. Ideal: Consume zero sugar all day. Rest for the Weary (REVISED) Realistic: 6-7 hrs of sleep 5 days a week Ideal: 8 hrs of sleep every night in a week Move the Mountain (these can be substitued for something else if I find something I really like, and I AM looking) Realistic: Complete 2 body weight workouts every week Ideal: Complete 3 body weight workouts every week Level Up Your Life (REVISED) Learning is Growing Realistic: Take 3 courses total at www.udemy.com or elsewhere (ehow.com) and level up my knowledge and skills in various areas. Ideal: Take 6 courses total at www.udemy.com or elsewhere (ehow.com) and level up my knowledge and skills in various areas.Spiritual Health (bonus) Path of the Paladin Realistic: Reading the Bible once a day at least 6 days of the week. Ideal: Reading the Bible everyday, three times a day (like eating). Detail Explanation: Heath & Fitness Tame the Beast I have picked back up the bad habit of eating sweets again. Drinking sweet tea, etc. I have to nip this in the bud and stop it ASAP. The only way I'm going to do this is if I get tough on myself. I'm limiting myself to 2 items a day, but idealy I want to eat zero sugar laden things as possible. I did say 1-2 because there's just some sauces and things that I will not have control over. Rest for the Weary (REVISED) I woke up late and rushed to work, arriving late this morning. I normally sleep okay, but on 6 hours of sleep. I need to start tracking this and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night so I can stop stalling my health progression. After all, I keep hearing that poor sleep habits can hinder weight loss. Move the Mountain (these can be substituted for something else if I find something I really like, and I AM looking) I'm terrified of this goal. I failed this MISERABLY last challenge with 30% completion. I just couldn't motivate myself to do any body weight workouts. I dreaded them. I really really really need to do some workout since I don't have a gym membership and I have girly weights here at the house (thank's to my awesome wife). I'm putting this back on here to push myself to find something enjoyable about it or find a suitable substitution. Necessity is the mother of invention I will still toss in walks into the week, but I won't rate myself goal wise on them this time.Level Up Your Life (REVISED) Learning is Growing I was challenged by my brother-n-law and a mutual friend, to keep learning. Life never stops moving and we need to always be bettering ourselves in every way possible. They turned me onto this website udemy.com, which has tons of online courses for all sorts of topics. There are a lot of paid courses, but there are also a LOT of free courses too. I'm going to try to further my abilities as a web designer with some basic coding classes and such. I'll also just be looking for useful things to learn, like how to calculate letter grades in Excel for my tracking worksheet I need to adjust this because the udemy.com courses are VERY indepth.. the first free class I signed up for has 24 sessions! So I'm thinking, even though the sessions aren't very long, that I can truly commit to learning them about 3 - 6 over the course of this challenge. I'm shooting for 3, but will do more if I have time.Spiritual Health (bonus) Path of the Paladin As it's often been said, Christianity is a relationship not a religion. My relationship with God has been slacking lately and that's completely on me. I haven't been taking time daily to spend time reading the Bible and in prayer. I want to work on this area of my life because I firmly believe that you have to be healthy in all areas of life. If this area suffers, then everywhere else suffers too. I'm going to get back to taking the time to read daily. You'll notice I'm not putting a number here like "a chapter a day" etc. The point is to be organic with this like any other relationship. I want to spend at least one time a day on this, but if possible, I want to get in a habit of spending more time, maybe three times a day just taking a moment to read the Bible and meditate on it. It's like getting spiritual food/nourishment (I'll also be adding my starting stats here. In addition I am creating a spreadsheet that I'll link in my handle to track my progress as I post on here)

Thank you so much for the advice! I can't wait to try this out Oooohh.. hmm, I never thought about really doing that. I just go "oh yum!" and eat it. My sister n law has a problem with eating cooked veggies, but I like eating veggies raw, steamed, stewed, roasted, whatever However, I did NOT know about the poisonous aspects of raw veggies/fruits... O_O... VERY good to know. Thank you. That's okay, no one has really tossed up this idea yet, thank you for just contributing I like that idea, gets all those tasties in there without it being on bread. ty On another note, I ended up getting a Paleo cookbook for slow cookers. (just linked an ebook version) It's chalk full of neat ideas for veggies

I was struggling where to put the classifications, but I can totally see that setup too I'm curious to see what challenges would be set for each class during each "encounter" . I was also thinking that as far as scoring, you score yourself on completing your role (aka, warriors lifting total lbs/reps for Superman's goal), and then you get a group grade for how well everyone did together. Maybe if someone does exceptionally well, above and beyond, it can help even out a lower score, so the strengths of the team as a whole offset any inherit weaknesses that will crop up. Aka, if warriors lifted more than needed, then that would help compensate if scouts didn't run the amount they were required. That way each team still has a good chance to proceed on to the next "encounter". I'm in DM brainstorming mode, so this is all so much fun right now

Woah, sweet!

Of course I asked, I like your advice. Thank you:) Okay, I'll stick with one thread, a challenge one. I guess if I go off the challenges, then I should have a battle log so I keep myself motivated (which makes sense). Oh I've already made heavy use of the subscribing ability I love that feature!

cool, good to know

Where do I suggest this to them? Side note response: Ya know, I have no clue. Of course, you know nothing is set in stone, so hopefully it will all play out as it should. I have to admit, I enjoyed the Avengers But I love me some Batman...

Okay, I know I'm still new here, but a friend just tossed me this link: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=98465 and it got me thinking.... The roster for the Justice League... Wouldn't it be cool to band together, in teams spanning the different guilds to form our own "Justice Leagues" for a inter-guild challenge thing? I mean we've got: Green Lantern Wonder Woman Superman Batman The Flash Aquaman Martian Manhunter to name the possible ones for the movie... and that's 7 just like our classes: Warriors Rangers Scouts Monks Assassins Druids Adventurers Not sure how simple or complex this would be, but it just got me thinking. You could set up rounds... like "Take down Lex Luther" and break it down into what each class should be doing to fill their part in taking down the evil super villain or super threat. Anyway, I wasn't sure where to post this, so I just tossed it here. If NF had done something like this in the past, forgive me, I'm still new

I second this

I wouldn't say I did great, but I started and finished it and made some ground. I do need your advice though, considering how cluttered threads can get. Should I start up a battle blog along with a new challenge thread? Or just stick to a new challenge thread when it's released?

Haha, Wildross! Actually, that's perfectly fine. I live an hour north of Dallas and work about 30 min west of Dallas, so it's within my stomping grounds. Thanks for the verification

I think he is too, but you're right, he's pretty busy from what I've seen too. Thanks for the reply though Oh wow, glad we treat all FedEx employees with high regard around here Thanks for the invite! Rock climbing?!?! yikes! That sounds fun and terrifying. Sounds like something my wife would want to do

Obax and SpiralGalaxy - Thank you for the input. There's a lot of ideas here that I'm looking forward to trying. I will say that I have done the spinach & onion quesedilla, VERY tasty! I'd love to get into making my own dressing. My wife, actually wants to get into doing her own jams and jellies and canning.

Did you try it yet???

*Takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly* Okay, time to review my challenge goals and progress. I'm going to promise myself not to get down in the dumps over not being perfect, life isn't perfect and I can't expect to be. There's only been one perfect human and that certainly wasn't me. I got into a good routine of walking this at work, more so than at home and even managed to do it more that necessary toward the end. However, I was unsuccessful in getting into a routine of doing the body weight training. I have had many fumbles with exercise in general this run so I don't think I can give myself any bonus in these areas. Random Extra Credit: I did, however, actually look around and price martial arts dojo memberships. (I stayed away from gyms, because I do not love them, nor have a motivation to go, nor any support group for that.) Unfortunately, the dojos were a lot more expensive than I remember a decade ago (huh, I wonder why... lol), but apparently 129 per month and then 90 extra for each additional family member is a steal... Too bad I don't have the cash to commit to this. I haven't really kept super detail tabs on this, but I have noticed that we do incorporate veggies into almost every meal now. If not at dinner, then for lunch. I, myself, have picked up snacking on an avocado a day during the work week. I think I can reward myself for this one, as a team effort with my family +0.5 CON yay! I have also been working on going paleo. I can tell you that I have stumbled in this area with the holidays and it's been hard. I can also tell you there were more than a couple of nights that I went to bed feeling terrible because my stomach didn't like the bounce back to sweets and breaded things. I will say that on those days, most of the time I ate a light breakfast just in case something wasn't going to be Paleo friendly... both parties zero was paleo friendly lol, so I at least had that foresight. On a positive side to this, we have fallen in love with cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot (had it twice in the last 10 days), it's great for leftovers! My sister got me a Paleo Slow Cooker, cookbook for Christmas, so I'm eager to try out many of those recipes One I've got slotted for this week is a chicken pesto. I'm not making the pesto from scratch this time, but it should still be amazing. I have managed to do this about 80% of the time. I have also turned right back around and bought the more organic items and tried things out since this challenge began, so it was a bit more dynamic than my goal stated above. I can say that I have now tried, brussel sprouts, roasted broccoli/cauliflower, avocados, different bags of steamed veggies, chocolate coconut milk, chocolate almond milk, a can of organic thai coconut soup (not so great), organic juices (for the kiddos), baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato chips (on a whim, not standard consumption), free range chicken (whole, thigh, and breast), local organic coffee (in tasty moderation), and I have bought organic flank steak & stew meat for future meals I've yet to plan. (if anyone has a great flank steak recipe I'd LOVE to hear about it). So, +0.5 WIS, yay! So what have I learned? I've learned that some changes come naturally (the foods for the most part), while some things are a frustrating struggle (willpower for exercise). I realize that I can inspire others. My wife joined NF and has been involved in her preventative medicine program at work AND gets a free FITBIT (so jealous!) for continuing on the path. She's planning on making one small change from a bad habbit to a better one every week, so that in a year she'll have made 52 changes in her lifestyle. I've also learned that life loves to throw wrenches into EVERYTHING... from unplanned foods (Christmas parties and feasts), to weather (iced in yesterday and COLD COLD COLD (for a Texan)), to sicknesses (My wife is sick with a viral cold, My 1 yr old had a temp of 103 last week, so we had to take him to the ER, turns out he had the beginnings of strep throat, but he's doing much better now with meds.), to death (one of my close friends lost his mom on Christmas). Life is stressful, but in the end there is SO much to be thankful for and those are the things I need to focus on. Including the True reason for the Christmas season. Looking Forward... Now I need to continue to focus on my 'friendly challenge' since that's over on 1/7/2013... and figure out what I should do for the next challenge. I also need to see if there is anyone I can pair up with... So in summary, how did I do? Fitness 1. I need to start walking again, so I want to walk at least 3x a week. (60%) 2. I also need to start working out, so I'm going to shoot for doing at least 2x a week. (30%) Diet 1. My wife and I are going to commit to having veggies with at least 4 dinners a week. (100%) Life Goal 1. To take out 20-60 dollars every paycheck and squirrel it away to prove to myself that I do have the money to add to our grocery funds. (80%)

*Takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly* Okay, time to review my challenge goals and progress. I'm going to promise myself not to get down in the dumps over not being perfect, life isn't perfect and I can't expect to be. There's only been one perfect human and that certainly wasn't me. I got into a good routine of walking this at work, more so than at home and even managed to do it more that necessary toward the end. However, I was unsuccessful in getting into a routine of doing the body weight training. I have had many fumbles with exercise in general this run so I don't think I can give myself any bonus in this area. I did, however, actually look around and price martial arts dojo memberships. (I stayed away from gyms, because I do not love them, nor have a motivation to go, nor any support group for that.) Unfortunately, the dojos were a lot more expensive than I remember a decade ago (huh, I wonder why... lol), but apparently 129 per month and then 90 extra for each additional family member is a steal... Too bad I don't have the cash to commit to this. I haven't really kept super detail tabs on this, but I have noticed that we do incorporate veggies into almost every meal now. If not at dinner, then for lunch. I, myself, have picked up snacking on an avocado a day during the work week. I think I can reward myself for this one, as a team effort with my family +0.5 CON yay! I have also been working on going paleo. I can tell you that I have stumbled in this area with the holidays and it's been hard. I can also tell you there were more than a couple of nights that I went to bed feeling terrible because my stomach didn't like the bounce back to sweets and breaded things. I will say that on those days, most of the time I ate a light breakfast just in case something wasn't going to be Paleo friendly... both parties zero was paleo friendly lol, so I at least had that foresight. On a positive side to this, we have fallen in love with cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot (had it twice in the last 10 days), it's great for leftovers! My sister got me a Paleo Slow Cooker, cookbook for Christmas, so I'm eager to try out many of those recipes One I've got slotted for this week is a chicken pesto. I'm not making the pesto from scratch this time, but it should still be amazing. I have managed to do this about 80% of the time. I have also turned right back around and bought the more organic items and tried things out since this challenge began, so it was a bit more dynamic than my goal stated above. I can say that I have now tried, brussel sprouts, roasted broccoli/cauliflower, avocados, different bags of steamed veggies, chocolate coconut milk, chocolate almond milk, a can of organic thai coconut soup (not so great), organic juices (for the kiddos), baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato chips (on a whim, not standard consumption), free range chicken (whole, thigh, and breast), local organic coffee (in tasty moderation), and I have bought organic flank steak & stew meat for future meals I've yet to plan. (if anyone has a great flank steak recipe I'd LOVE to hear about it). So, +0.5 WIS, yay! So what have I learned? I've learned that some changes come naturally (the foods for the most part), while some things are a frustrating struggle (willpower for exercise). I realize that I can inspire others. My wife joined NF and has been involved in her preventative medicine program at work AND gets a free FITBIT (so jealous!) for continuing on the path. She's planning on making one small change from a bad habbit to a better one every week, so that in a year she'll have made 52 changes in her lifestyle. I've also learned that life loves to throw wrenches into EVERYTHING... from unplanned foods (Christmas parties and feasts), to weather (iced in yesterday and COLD COLD COLD (for a Texan)), to sicknesses (My wife is sick with a viral cold, My 1 yr old had a temp of 103 last week, so we had to take him to the ER, turns out he had the beginnings of strep throat, but he's doing much better now with meds.), to death (one of my close friends lost his mom on Christmas). Life is stressful, but in the end there is SO much to be thankful for and those are the things I need to focus on. Including the True reason for the Christmas season. Looking Forward... Now I need to continue to focus on my 'friendly challenge' since that's over on 1/7/2013... and figure out what I should do for the next challenge. I also need to see if there is anyone I can pair up with...