AMZRaven

So.... Totally disappeared for three weeks and now the challenge is done... The good: I'm down to 205, WOOT!!! And my swimming is consistently at a half mile a swim day, which is three days a week, so, coolio... The bad? There was two birthdays this challenge and saying no to imported cake of delights was, apparently, impossible, so... There was cake sinning three times... The ugly? I STILL cannot do the freaking pushups! Between school, work, homework, stress, and the sudden curtailing of a social life... *sigh*

Well, a little late but still might help: I get these major chocolate cravings that usually knock me back pretty badly, but I recently discovered these frozen banana rounds covered in dark chocolate- not exactly what SHOULD be eaten, but a way healthier alternative that kicks the chocolate craving right out http://www.dole.com/Products/Banana-Dippers/Banana-Dippers If you're like me and find it so hard to waste the willpower that should be going to working out on avoiding chocolate, its a great way to get the sweet at only 100 calories and not too bad a batch of ingredients. WalMart carries them. ;-) Good luck staying ON the wagon though!

Ok, so ten days no check in... Boo, BUT! I started school again, after a three year hiatus and oh my goodness, I am insane to have signed up for six classes in two days... and four days of work leaves me with Saturday off to read 6 chapters a week... Whoof... Even so, I have managed to remain on the Paleo diet, been good about only drinking once a week and have gotten it WAY down to just one glass of either beer or a mixed drink (only way I drink soda now, but I think its a worthwhile way ) Went swimming three days this week, hitting about 20-23 laps each day, which in my gym is the equivalent of a rough half mile... So OK with that! Oh! And on a whim I bought a pair of jeans a size smaller and they FIT!!! Woot! I am down to a size 12! One more size to go, and I will be completely ecstatic! I'm finding this challenge to be less of an actual "challenge" and more of a habit builder.... or I would if I could manage to make myself do those pushups!!! 3 weeks down, 3 to go!

Check in time! Day 6 of the swim-every-day week, apparently, and I am STILL not tired of it, Yay! Also, I have cracked the over 20- lap limit... by a ton actually, 45 laps in an hour, oh yeah! Still proud of myself for being able to actually Walk normally upon exiting the pool that day. Very happy with progress in the water. As for push-ups... *sigh* 10 in a row done modified, but i still can't manage standard ones without collapsing 2 seconds into the form... But one day at a time, I suppose... Food-wise, today was my Paleo-sin day, and oh was it delicious... Still, potato, steak, cheese, and guacamole make for one happy tummy... followed by frozen banana dipped in dark chocolate... well, for all the really unhealthy stuff I could've eaten, I'm actually ok with my choices. Other than that, resolution to drop the drinking is so far 7 days in, no break, Walking... well, I consider an extra three days of swimming to forgive the missed day of walking I am actually quite content with this challenge, and ready to push even harder for the next few weeks,

Yep, when meat starts going a little bland, try marinating it (for all of 5 minutes) in lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper- it gives it a zing and is quick, easy, and cheap! I have officially begun to lose the fat on my arms as the underlying musculature is beginning to show- yay swimming! And thanks to that, I have finally, Finally cracked the one push-up barrier! Ok, so it was modified push-ups but still, 5 in a row this morning! Woot!

Inspiring goals there, I think I might join you on the stretching as flexibility is NOT by any stretch of the imagination a strong suit of mine! It seems you have a great handle on your goals, and even some small slip ups are both expected and proof you're human and on the struggle to get better

Wow, talk about motivated and staying on track! You, sir, are an inspiration Good luck getting another contract (or steady full time employment, whatever floats your boat) and keep up the great work, your "starting off gently" would have me wheezing and praying for mercy Good luck on the next five weeks, rooting for ya!

Alright, progress report time! I have actually made it to the gym for three consecutive days *happy dance* and am proud to report that day 1- 10 laps killed my breathing but stubbornness pushed me to 15. Day two, I managed 17 consecutive laps, woohooo! And yesterday, my gym closed early, so I barely scraped in with time to swim for 25 mins, but, OMG, I actually did 20 laps with only one 2 minute break between sets of 10!!! SO PROUD!!! As for food, *drool* had steak and grilled onions and avocado last night, goodness I love being a carnivore... It is surprisingly easy to stay within paleo guidelines even when eating old school mexican meals... Now, seeing progress in the water, I am so psyched to go swimming... for the 4th day!

Ok, three days into the game and foodwise, I am kicking butt!... but drink-wise? *sigh* I need to cut back on the alchy and bad! So, some improvement in the diet, but not as awesome as it could be, I'm keeping up the hope of progress though! As for the exercise, would you believe that just as good intentions to go swimming at the gym surfaced, my car decided it not only needed to drain its battery, but also that it was a great time to get crashed into -.- *shakes head* so much for reliable transportation, ah well, no one was hurt and I cant complain about that... Push ups, though... geez, I knew I had weak upper body strength, I just didn't know HOW weak... So, one push up done... yay.... Well, in reply, as for tracking progress, i'm really not that focused on numbers (totally un-geeky, i know) more on strength and fit... Since I started these challenges I have lost 20 lbs (yay me!) and dropped one and a half pants sizes (woot!) but this challenge, I am hoping to increase my stamina (swimming 10 laps consecutively is VERY difficult currently, as is walking more than a mile) and strength (push-ups!!! damn you weak arms!!) I also have some pictures tracking progress and whoa, are those encouraging! As for the push-up website, I love how it staggers a daily workout, giving you time to recover between sets, phew! I needed that plan! So, on we go, three more days to eek through, but thanks a million for the encouragement: I can DO THIS!!! :-)

My mission, as I have chosen to accept it, is to drop down to 160 lbs. As my current weight makes dropping to this in the course of six weeks not only desperately unhealthy, but also untenable, the goal for this challenge is to drop to 200. In order to reach this lofty goal, my quests for this challenge are as follows: I will return to Paleo eating, only stepping outside the bounds for alcohol a maximum of once a week, but forsaking all grains, as it should be, I will return to working out in my own way, swimming a minimum of twice a week, I will also go for a walk, whether in my neighborhood, or preferably in the park at least once a week. I will finish 10 push-ups in a row at the end of this challenge! Should I overstep the limits that I have imposed on myself, my point breakdown is as follows: For Eating Paleo: Every single day: 5pts, Failing one- three times: 3pts Failing any more than: 0pts Working out: Three times a week: 5pts Missing one-three workouts: 3pts More than: 0pts Pushups: 10: 5ts 7: 3pts 5 and below: 0pts Whew... this is going to be interesting!

-.- so, some walking in the park (maybe 2 miles over a week) is all I have to report... But, still no bread! I am so proud to have cut out all grains, 90% of sugars, and my diet is going quite well! Now all I have to do is get off my @$$ and exercise... One step at a time now, pushups after work today, no excuses!

Ok, so, still sadly lacking in the workout department and walks have ground to a halt... Booo... But, I bought a size 14 pair of jeans and... THEY FIT *squee* so happy! Still eating paleo, still trying to find the motivation to work out, and Still having a lot of trouble eating enough calories, but altogether happier than before! I love this!

Three days in and I just lost my support in my now-ex boyfriend... ugh, I feel zero motivation to go work out, even though I know I should... I will do my best to get to the gym today... or maybe i'll try the body weight workout at home... no clue what to do to get ahead in these goals... at least im still eating well...

Alright, so this is my second challenge, first time in a guild, and totally psyched! So main goal is carrying over from the first quest: Lose the weight and fit into a size 14! (one size at a time, I say) As for the mini-quests to get there... hmmmBeginner's Body Weight Workout: at least 1x a week! (Learned from experience- smaller goal = larger possibility of getting it done!)Walk more than 1 mile at least 3x a week!Make it through the holidays without breaking the no grains rule! (A little sugar and mashed potatoes won't KILL me, though maybe we can try mashed yucca... hmm)As for the side quest: Complete transition from Wells checking to Capital One 360, and pay off another $200 on the credit cards!!

Cant wait for the next challenge, been losing momentum without the "Six weeks to get it done" hanging over my head :-D Anyone have good motivating tips to getting out there now that the cold is coming? (if only it snowed, then snowball fights would be EPIC!)