NeutralGoodPirate

Nice one Deslok. It is definitely harder than it looks! I started up Energy for the first time thinking there would be no chance I'd have to modify it to make it easier. It humbled me

Week 1 Results Goals: Meditate at least 15 minutes every day. (2 CON and 2 WIS) The book I am learning from is called 'Teach Yourself To Meditate' by Eric Harrison. It recommends that I try a variety of different meditation methods a few times and then identify which one is the best for me. Here is what I did this week: Day 1: Breath meditation. I definitely felt more relaxed at the end, but my mind wandered a lot. Appropriate quote from the book: "If we had as little control over our bodies as we do our minds, we wouldn't make it down a flight of stairs alive". Day 2: Breath meditation again. I should be moving to a new meditation every day to try them out, but I just wanted to see if I could concentrate better in a quieter place. Surprisingly, it didn't make much of a difference. Day 3: Bodyscan meditation. I found this one a bit better than counting breaths as I was able to stay more focused. However, it did make me feel slightly less relaxed. Day 4: Music meditation. This was a good one for blocking out any unwanted noise from the road outside. My mind still wandered a fair bit but I was definitely more relaxed by the end. Day 5: Affirmation meditation. Maybe I was just tired, but this made me feel very sleepy and I could not stay with the affirmation throughout the entire session (too relaxed!). Day 6: Mantra meditation. Same as the affirmation method, but this time I think I actually fell asleep a few times. The next time I try this, I will do it sitting up rather than laying down. Day 7: 'Deeper state' (slow bodyscan) meditation. This one was a little odd. The author said to do a very detailed bodyscan (shifting focus on every breath) which included internal organs, individual finger and toes, etc. Then you switch back to counting breaths. The idea of this one was to get very close to sleeping, but stay awake. I didn't find it much different from the normal bodyscan but I will definitely come back to this at a later day, maybe in a different posture. Overall: I know meditation takes a long time to learn well. I enjoy this and can see it becoming something I practice every day, even once this challenge has long finished. If you are an experienced meditator, please let me know what you think of my plan and my experience so far. Result: 7/7 Complete 2 hours of DDP Yoga every week. (3 DEX and 2 STA) As expected, this was fun and I do feel more flexible already. I have never used a workout DVD before, but DDP Yoga is definitely a good start. It was also nice to find a few others on Nerd Fitness who are currently using it too! Result: 2.5/2 Follow MobilityWOD every day. (2 DEX) When I'm doing these, it's really uncomfortable (looks like I need to keep doing them then!). When I finish, the tissues I targeted feel fantastic. Highly recommended to everyone, mobility issues or not. Result: 7/7 Side quest Maintain a body fat % of below 15. (1 CON and 1 CHA) Looking good but I should probably increase my calories as my weight has actually dropped since last week. Calm down metabolism! (Just kidding metabolism, I enjoy eating lots of food really!) Current weight and body fat %- 174lbs at 11% Life quest: Create an Epic Quest/Life List/Bucket List. (2 WIS) It has been started. I have checked out the Epic Quest forum on Nerd Fitness for inspiration and am definitely on track. Can't wait to put it on the forum at the end of the challenge. Great week for me overall, here's to many more. It is also worth mentioning that the life quest from my previous challenge has paid off because I am no longer unemployed! Peace, Druids. Thanks so much for the support.

http://botchedspot.com/comic/ddp-everyday-things/

Hey, I'm doing DDP Yoga as part of my current challenge. I got acquainted with the Diamond Dozen before the challenge started and have done Energy 3 times this week. Going to give Fat Burner a try tomorrow. How long had you been doing it before your space got blocked?

Hey, I'm not sure of the exact nature of your hip injury, but I did this as part of my MobilityWOD challenge yesterday and thought that it might be of use to you. http://www.mobilitywod.com/2010/08/episode-02-dont-go-in-the-pain-cave/

Good goals apike! An 18 month injury must be so demoralising. I'll be sure to check in to this thread with anything useful I learn about hip mobility along my current challenge.

Thanks very much, I'm sure I will. In answer to your question: I'm using a set of calipers and this calculator: http://www.linear-software.com/online.html to measure body fat %. I use the Jackson/Pollock 3 method as it's the most practical to do alone. The calipers are not at all expensive, but I do find that they underestimate body fat by around 1% Thanks Sunmage! I'll admit I had to google vipassana meditation, told you I was a novice! I'm really looking forward to learning to meditate. Thanks apike, I'll be sure to post my experiences regularly.

Right on about moderation! That's what I love about Paleo. I'm glad you're in a happy place and wish you the best of luck with this challenge!

Good luck Haku, I'm sure you'll smash it!

Hello there, Druids. This is my 3rd challenge. I started with building new habits in my 1st and then using these habits to lose body fat with the Adventurers in my 2nd. The reason that I came to the Druids is so that I can start to: Main quest: Build habits that will protect my body and mind from harm. Harm to the body and mind comes in many forms: injury, illness, stress, anxiety, etc. I am not saying that this challenge will completely eliminate these things from my life, but it will give me the tools to prevent them as well as a means to deal with them when they do arise. Success in this main quest will be measured by the grades I receive in my goals. I expect myself to manage all Bs at minimum. Goals: Meditate at least 15 minutes every day. (2 CON and 2 WIS) I have read a little on meditation and it's benefits, but I have never tried it before. I will be experimenting with the various different types of meditation to find which is the best way for me. This is probably my most important goal of this challenge as it will improve both my mental and physical health. Grading (Days): A- 40+. B- 36-39. C- 32-35. D- 28-31 . F- Less than 28. Complete 2 hours of DDP Yoga every week. (3 DEX and 2 STA) I know it's not a traditional form of Yoga but it's the one that intrigues me the most and will still offer the benefits that traditional yoga does (flexibility, core strength, controlled breathing, etc). Grading (Total Hours): A- 12+. B- 11-12. C- 10-11. D- 9-10. F- Less than 9 Follow MobilityWOD every day. (2 DEX) This guy (Kelly Starrett) has been repeatedly recommended on this forum for diagnosing and addressing mobility issues. http://www.mobilitywod.com/ I plan to start at his very first video and work through all of his mobility WODs day to day. Grading (Days): A- 40+. B- 36-39. C- 32-35. D- 28-31 . F- Less than 28. Side quest Maintain a body fat % of below 15. (1 CON and 1 CHA) I have never tried to maintain weight before. In the past I was either aiming to lose it or eating whatever I pleased (and inevitably gaining it). I want to stay at around 15% so I'll be counting calories to do so. Current weight and body fat %- 177lbs at 12% Grading: A- Below 15%. B- 15-16%. C- 16-17%. D- 17-18%. F- Over 18%. Life quest: Create an Epic Quest/Life List/Bucket List. (2 WIS) A very important life quest for me. I will be looking to figure out everything I want to do with my life and then posting it on these forums at the end of the challenge. This will give me perspective and allow me to work out how and when I plan to do everything! Grading: A- Created an Epic Quest. B- Created most of an Epic Quest. C- Created around half on an Epic Quest. D- Started creating an Epic Quest. F- Did nothing. Thank you for reading, and I can very safely say that I am looking forward to Monday. Let's go Druids!

I just thought I'd say hello to the Druids and that I plan to join your ranks when the next challenge starts. I'm looking forward to trying things that I am currently a complete novice at (yoga and meditation) and meeting the Druid family.

End of Week 6 statistics: Height- 6' 3" Weight- 180 lbs Body fat %- 13 Workout a minimum of 5 days every week: Monday- Dodgeball League day Tuesday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Wednesday- DDP Yoga Thursday- Karate training Friday- Interval training (Running) Saturday- Solo Karate training Sunday-None 5/5 Gave DDP Yoga a try as I will be using it a lot in my next challenge. Eat Paleo: 80% Not too bad. I went to a party with my old University friends and had planned in advance to let my nutrition slide by just the right amount. Join a health/fitness related club that I have no previous experience in: Joined! Talk about leaving it to the last minute, but I have joined the Karate club and am very keen to go again this week. Life quest: Dedicate a minimum of 15 hours a week to finding work: Done. Gave another decent interview and am waiting to hear back from them this week. Overall Grades: Main quest: Reduce body fat percentage to 15 or lower Result: Currently 13%- Completed. Goals: Workout a minimum of 5 days every week. (3 STA, 1 STR and 1 DEX) Grading: A- 5+. B- 4+. C- 3+. 2+ . F- Less than 2 days. Result: 5/5 every week- A Eat Paleo. (3 CON and 2 WIS) Grading: A- 80%. B- 70%. C- 60%. D- 50%. F- Lower than 50% Result: Over 80% every week- A Join a health/fitness related club that I have no previous experience in. (2 CHA) Grading: A- Joined a club. B- Tried a new club but no commitment made. C- Found out about a good club in my area. D- Did a little research on clubs in my area. F- Did nothing. Result: Joined Karate Club- A Life quest: Dedicate a minimum of 15 hours a week to finding work. (2 WIS and 1 CHA) Grading: A- 15+. B- 12.5+. C- 10+. D- 7.5+. F- Less than 7.5. Result: Did a minimum of 15 hours a week- A Mini Quests: 1- Completed (1 WIS) 2- Completed (1 CHA) 3- Completed (1 CON) 4- Completed (1 STA) 5- Completed (1 DEX) 6- Completed (1 CHA) It's been a pleasure, Adventurers.

1. Bought myself a Nerd Fitness shirt. Can't wait for it to arrive 2. Firstly, I love the fact that through perseverance, I was able to become really good at a sport (Dodgeball) when previously, I was terrible at every sport I tried. Secondly, I love that I have realised which career path I wish to follow at a young age. Thirdly, I love that I am an optimist, but not to the point of being naive. Happy Valentines Day Mateys!

A nice big Paleo breakfast that I keep coming back to: 1 roughly chopped Romaine lettuce heart Take a tin of mackerel in olive oil Drizzle the oil from the tin over the lettuce Break the mackerel up and add to the lettuce Add a little black pepper. It's awesome if you don't mind a cold breakfast.

End of Week 5 statistics: Height- 6' 3" Weight- 176 lbs Body fat %- 13 Workout a minimum of 5 days every week: Monday- Dodgeball League day Tuesday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Wednesday- Interval training (Running) Thursday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Friday- Interval training (Running) Saturday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Sunday- Interval training (Running) 5/5 Great week for working out as I got one in every day and can now get through 3 BBWW circuits without stopping! Also my team in this new local Dodgeball league did not drop a single game, so that's good too Eat Paleo: 90% Paleo was eaten. I have put on one pound, but my body fat % has dropped. Join a health/fitness related club that I have no previous experience in: Fail of the week. I got lost on my way to the club and did not want to show up late to my first session (bad first impression and everything) so I gave it a miss. Next week is my last chance to get an A in this goal. Life quest: Dedicate a minimum of 15 hours a week to finding work: Got the 15 hours done. I gave the best interview I have ever given but unfortunately did not get the job. I did get lots of practice for my next interview so I'm looking ahead to that. Kind of a mixed week, but as always I'm staying positive! Let us finish strongly, Adventurers!

Welcome Matt! Props for owning up to your past mistake and making the decision to change your life. Enjoy the forum dude!

All exercises look good except the calf raises as they only work one muscle group and are not very functional. I'd say you would be better off replacing them with step ups or jumping (tuck jumps or skipping rope). I also agree with adding some pulling movements for your upper body. Best thing you can do is start and see if you can find any flaws through actually doing it (although I totally understand that you want to get it as balanced and efficient as it can be before starting).

I already stretch after every workout but I learned a few new ones from the video in that article.

End of Week 4 statistics: Height- 6' 3" Weight- 175 lbs Body fat %- 14 My fat loss has dropped to a healthy amount per week now (2 lbs). It seemed a bit much losing 8 lbs in my first week! Workout a minimum of 5 days every week: Monday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Tuesday- Interval training (Running) Wednesday- Dodgeball and beginner bodyweight circuits Thursday- Interval training (Running) Friday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Saturday- None Sunday- Interval training (Running) 5/5 Starting to work harder and harder as I can feel myself improving every week. Eat Paleo: 90% Paleo was eaten. Join a health/fitness related club that I have no previous experience in: I had every intention of going to my first session at a Shotokan dojo and training there this week. I did not realise they would ask me to simply observe the training for my first session. It looked very impressive and I think I have chosen well. Therefore, this goal should be completed by the end of next week as I will have officially joined by then. Life quest: Dedicate a minimum of 15 hours a week to finding work: Got the 15 hours done, no problem. I have 2 interviews over the next 2 weeks. I think this goal is starting to pay off! Awesome week and I feel as though the end is in sight!

I recommend interval training: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/01/27/kick-your-ass-and-kickstart-your-metabolism-in-20-minutes/ You may find that more fun than just running steadily and it's a more efficient workout! However, you may find that you just don't like any kind of running, which is fine. Don't do the exercise if you don't enjoy it. Find an alternative. Jump rope, walk, get involved in a sport, anything you like. As for your closing point, anyone who is looking to improve their lives belongs on this forum, so don't worry, you belong.

Hey, how is your challenge going? Where in Middle Earth are you? Have you made it to Bree?

Hey, how is it going? Can you do the 30 minutes non-stop yet?

End of Week 3 statistics: Height- 6' 3" Weight- 177 lbs Body fat %- 14 Workout a minimum of 5 days every week: Monday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Tuesday- Interval training (Running) Wednesday- Dodgeball Thursday- Beginner bodyweight circuits Friday- None Saturday- Interval training (Running) Sunday- None 5/5 for workouts and I'll be gradually upping that intensity for the second half of this challenge. Eat Paleo: 95% Paleo again. Seems to be a number that I can maintain pretty well. Join a health/fitness related club that I have no previous experience in: My martial art has been chosen! I'll be going along to a local Shotokan Karate club this week. Life quest: Dedicate a minimum of 15 hours a week to finding work: I just about managed to get my 15 hours done this week but it feels like a lot more! So, half way there and I have my main quest has already been completed. I'd say that makes this a successful week!

Props for working out in the snow Eddard! We're almost at the halfway point now, keep it up.

I am usually stocked with bags of frozen vegetables and tinned fish for convenience. However, in honour of this mini challenge, I went ahead and made a big jar of marinade/rub that most of my meat for this challenge will now be cooked in or with. Unfortunately, I can't upload photos but the recipe was: 1 part shredded green chillies 2 parts crushed garlic 2 parts crushed ginger 1 part olive oil All mixed together and now no messy food prep every time I want to add a little flavour to something.