Zaci Deets

Thanks! And glad you like 'em - I thought they were a pretty good little set of bodyweight exercises, and the videos are clear and helpful too. You're right! And I do enjoy these exercises so I'll keep doing them

4.20! BOOM! ; b Have been a bit rubbish about this challenge, but I'm glad at least that this time beats my previous by 19 seconds.

Mini update! Did a workout tonight I didn't get started until about 10.30 pm, and I thought I wasn't going to but then for some reason really wanted to do a workout. My boyfriend is away so I could crash about in the living room without disturbing him also I did the workouts on this page: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2013/jul/02/workouts-for-runners-basic-core-training for about 20 minutes. They are for runners, but I wanted to do them as they seem like good core exercises. I also did 5 minutes of weights with my medicine ball, focussing on upper arms, AND I also did my skipping! Finally! I skipped for 4.20, which isn't amazing but it does beat my previous record and it feels good just to have got it done So, positives all round!

You're joining the monks for boxing? Yay! My last challenge I went over to the monks when I took up boxing again and it's been a great community to be part of (like the adventurers of course! :b ) of course you should take a break from challenges if you feel like it, but if you do do the next one I'd enjoy reading about your boxing

Hey peoples. I've been AWOL for a while - I started a new job as soon as I got home from Scotland last week. I'm working as an English language teacher for July, and it's workload-intensive even though it's only 20 hours ish a week as you have to plan lessons and create resources etc. So some stuff has inevitably fallen by the wayside a little! Last week round up: Goal 1 - workout/boxing This was completed as I did one home workout and another day I went for a run although I didn't go to boxing. I am pretty proud of the run because I did it in the morning (NOT my best time of day) and in the rain (thank you Irish summer!). So mini woot for that Grade - B+ Goal 2 - Touch rugby Fail - didn't go and only did two workouts so I can't substitute a workout for this goal. Grade - F Goal 3 - Diet Aargh aargh not good. I didn't track while I was away and only tracked intermittently when I got back. The days I did track I stayed within the limit. Grade - D Goal 4 - Getting up early I did do this one 5/7 days, so yay for this goal Grade - A This week so far: Goal 1 - no workouts so far, aiming to go to boxing tomorrow Goal 2 - went to touch last night, where we played a game against the IRISH NATIONAL TOUCH TEAM!! I can now say I've played at international level : b (Obviously we lost. Quite badly. But we did score 3 tries, which is pretty good against an international side I think!) Goal 3 - no tracking so far this week, although I have begun tracking again today. Goal 4 - I'm working, so this goal is going well. Yay for structured days! Right-o, back to it! Hope everyone is good and here's to finishing these last couple of weeks strong!

Cheers LW! I have been thinking of your wolf to get motivation going ; b

Well done on your goals, especially the diet one! Well done for making up your other goals too - you've got the right attitude to finish strong!

I think this is a really good point. There's no point sticking to a goal that doesn't suit you now (even if I did suit you a month ago). If you're changing and shifting goals in response to real things, rather than changing for the sake of changing (the active form of underpants-gnoming, perhaps?) then it can only be a positive thing. Also - about the body fat thing; I think if you're pleased with the way your body is improving - the way it looks and moves - and you're noticing positive changes then that is the main thing. As LW says, methods of measuring can vary, and also there may be multiple reasons why your % changes.

Sorry about the ankle stuff! That 'what to do when you're injured' article from Steve was spookily timely - I think he must be spying on us all ; b Also congrats on the volunteer work! Taking care of cats and kittens sounds awesome

So sorry to hear about your dad. Your strength and determination (picking up the 30 day off challenge) in the face of that situation is inspiring

Well done! You're doing amazing. You've got the right attitude and it's going to pay off in more ways than one in the end

Yay for starting fresh! Go beast this week Tabris

Candied spicy bacon and homemade chorizo? That sounds so delicious, and I'm massively impressed that you're making it all (I'm Scottish, so I basically regard food that isn't fried and/or battered with awe and wonderment). You should have your own cookery show! Um . . . Canadian Chow with 7FG. Taste Tornado with 7FG. . . . I'll get back to you on the names.

I am loving all the courage wolf pictures! Does your Muay Thai instructor know about your ankle problem? I was just wondering if maybe they might have adapted exercises for you to do while you're dealing with that. Good luck with the Cat Rescue service also!

That does sound like a busy weekend! I think the 15% target is a good one for the challenge, and will help keep you sticking to the programme. It's tempting to keep switching because it's always exciting and motivating to do something new, but if you stick with it it'll pay off in the end Also that's great that you're inspired to write again! Go make good art

Back from Scotland! Had a lovely time catching up with friends and family (and eating out a lot!) but now I'm home again in sunny Dublin and it's back to Getting Serious! *que theme music* (*must choose some theme music*) Goal 1 Workout today after we flew back - half an hour jogging and half an hour bodyweight/strength exercises. The bodyweight/strength exercises included: Tricep dips Side sit-ups Reverse plank The killer arm workout with little weights I did at the boxing club Chest presses with 5kg medicine ball weight Tricep curls behind head with 5kg weight Various dynamic and static stretches Goal 2 Back too late for rugby tonight so I aim to get an extra workout in this week to make up for that. Goal 3 Calories under so far today! Also have been over-indulging over my wee holiday so I have been particularly careful with what I've eaten today. Goal 4 Up early this morning to say goodbye to my mum before she left for work, then we had to pack and head off to the airport. I feel like I've got back to my goals well today, and I'm going to finish this week strong! Off to catch up with everyone's threads now

Thanks! Yeah, I keep trying to see it that way. He was already trained when we got him (he'd been abandoned) but he was pretty sick (threw up everywhere for a few days and had lost some fur due to mange/stress) and when we gave him back today he was healthy and happy So there's that I guess.

Well done on the push-ups! Proper form is so important - it's great you're taking the time to perfect yours. I think one of the most valuable things about these challenges is that you can learn so much from them - in 6 weeks you can try things out, see how they work, see how you work best . . . if you can take away new knowledge about yourself (like that two days off and you get thrown) then it's a win

As a new Monk I just want to say that you're doing a good job looking after us all and I always look forward to your comments Keep on keepin' on!

Well done with the job apps! I'm in the middle of the same application rigmarole at the moment, and sometimes I feel like if I have to fill out a section detailing what my approach to teaching is, or how I would develop my position within the school, or blarg blarg fargle snaf GAH I WILL FREAKIN SNAP! (I find doing a punchy hitty type of fitness helps in these moments ; b ) It sucks to wade through apps and fill them out again and again, but it's worth it because it will lead to you getting that experience that you need to get where you want to be. You're a boss, so go do those apps like a boss! (And then go punch that irritating partner in your Muay Thai class to get your frustration out : b )

Genuinely spat out my tea at your last paragraph there! So funny Well done to you for keeping suger and snacking at bay! You are a boss. The odd slip will happen, especially around SHAAARK WEEEEK (dun dun duuuun!), but I like that saying: 'Everything in moderation, including moderation' Enjoy your float trip this weekend! Sounds amazing fun, and you also sound like you deserve a bit of a break! 11 days working is insane. Also that's great news about your partner's 90 days.

Well done! Sounds like you're getting back on track. Best of luck with that recruiter as well! Remember that rest is just as important as working out - your body needs time to adjust to your new lifestyle and come back stronger.

KHAAAAN! *shakes fist* (I tried to put a Cumberbatch gif into here but it didn't work - boo!) Hope your foot is feeling better and that you're feeling better overall too - take care of yourself and you'll bounce back 10x stronger!

Hey all! Haven't posted for a while - had a flurry of job apps and various things to do. Goals this week are going quite well - calories under the limit, getting up on time and being productive every day Touch rugby was off this week so I didn't complete goal 2 - also only one workout this week as I'm away tomorrow for a visit home to Scotland so I'll miss my Friday boxing class. Looking forward to catching up with my Scottish people! Also didn't manage the skipping challenge this week - sorry Ems! I will get back on it next week Also some sad news - I had to say goodbye to my foster puppy We returned him to the kennels today as he is up for adoption now. Hopefully he will be adopted by a nice family by next week - they think he'll get placed pretty quickly as there is a waiting list of people wanting dogs like him. I'm glad he's going to a 'forever home' but a bit gutted because I'd gotten super attached to him He was my snoozing and walking buddy for the last month and a half and I'll miss him loads. But anyhoo, onwards and upwards! Away to Scotland until Wednesday, then getting back to the challenge Going to check in with everyone I've neglected for the last week now!

Cool, let me know how you get on! Do it! I'd love to hear how you get on Hah! I love that idea. Try humming or fluttering your arms while you twirl for extra effect ; b And thanks!