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The cold turkey ended up being the only way I could do it, I reduced a few times and failed. However, despite the horrible headaches I am going pretty good so far with about a week of no soda and only 1 24oz slip up haha. I'm not convinced that cold turkey is the best way to do it, but it seems to work for me! Weirdly, my weight loss slowed after quitting for a bit. I guess I was just dehydrated or maybe the tiredness from caffeine withdrawal made me burn less calories.

Lost 7lbs so yayy! Probably mostly water weight, but still a good motivator! Meal Plans I may try some teas to help get my last few ounces of soda per day gone. I have quite a few teas that I used to drink, maybe I just got lazy. The snacks are a great idea guys and definitely something I need to plan, I'll let you all know what I come up with! I gotta come up with a few that work for me, I like the raw honey and toast idea and I'm going to try to brainstorm a few more that work for me. I always forget to eat my carrots and celery laying in the bottom of my fridge xD I agree with the loving sweet tastes part Sometimes you just gotta fix that craving, ya know? So far I stuck to mostly eating chicken and veggies for main meals, along with some snacking (some healthy, some not). My goal is to keep recording everything I eat and start planning a few snacks to have handy. Soda Agree totally, it's crazy how much more focused I feel reducing soda intake. Though the caffeine withdrawal is getting pretty real lol. I feel like cutting soda is almost all of my weight loss lol, we will see in a few weeks. On the soda front I did 0oz Tues, 12oz Weds, 24oz Thurs and hopefully 0oz today. The change from an average 12oz a day compared to 40oz a day is making me feel a lot more focused. Though I feel quite tired from the caffeine withdrawal. The headaches are quite bad Thanks for all the good vibes and advice everybody, it helps a lot! Sure! You should post a thread for yourself and your goals and I'll be sure to follow you PM me a link, same goes for anyone else!

Hi everybody! Long time blog reader and have done challenges / been in shape before, but let myself go. Currently about 230 with some fairly bad eating habits. So I will be implementing Staci's meal planning post recently on the blog for dinner and lunch to make this transition easier. Additionally, trying to reduce soda intake to 0 fairly quickly as it doesn't make me feel the best mentally. So should look like this: Chicken breast, sweet potatoes, vegetables x 2 for just about every day's lunch and dinner starting 4/5/2016. Soda dropping by 12oz each day from ~40oz/ a day starting today 4/4/2016. Fairly drastic, but this easy pre-done food suits my personality. I'll have to watch breakfast and snacks and I will post in a week after we see how I do. I'm a computer programmer and love all kinds of RPGs (Dragon Age Inquisition) and simulation games (Cities Skylines!). Hopefully after I lose some weight I can rekindle my love of martial arts as well! Hit me up with advice/concerns or just friendly chat! xD

Results so far, plus injured :X Sorry for being so late responding. I have some good news and some terrible news. I actually broke my foot two weeks ago while moving a friend into his new apartment so I had to stop walks and gym on doctor's orders. Being bedridden for the first 3 weeks except minor walking around house sucks! However, this definitely encouraged me on my diet and soda fast and I have made considerable progress. Also, I grew my freelance web development business quite rapidly to 21 hours within the last 7 days despite including a holiday! The other silver lining is that I did well enough with walking and working out throughout the first 4 weeks that I managed to make non failing grades xD Needless to say though I will have to do mostly diet focused challenges for 4 more weeks and therefore next challenge cycle. Although my doctor says he could approve arms workout (aka not being housebound) soonish (who knows though). I will report back in two days when it officially ends; however, I wanted to respond to you guys as you have been helpful keeping me thinking I have to check back in! Quest 1: Continue current strength training routine for my 6 week challenge = D. 23 workouts. Missed 3 before foot broke, missed 12 after, will miss 2 more. A: 33-36 workouts B: 29-32 workouts C: 26-28 workouts D: 22-25 workouts F: <21 workouts Quest 2: Walk ~30mins a day for a brisk pace 6 days / week = D. Similar story missed 5 walks before foot, 14 missed or will be missed by the 7th. A: 33-36 workouts B: 29-32 workouts C: 26-28 workouts D: 22-25 workouts F: <21 workouts Quest 3: Transition to a paleo diet and maintain it for the last 30 days of the challenge = A. Excellent progress. i roughly ate 70 plates with more and more each day towards the end. I was lagging before I broke my foot, but it upset me so much I felt I had to complete these diet challenges strongly. A: 65-84 plates B: 50-64 C: 30-49 D: 20-30 F: <20 Side Quest: Quit soda = B. 35 days so far, potentially 37 days for a 12 day streak! Almost totally free of it, just need to remove that itch to have a coke every two weeks or so. This may take another 6 weeks to go totally zero. A: 38-42 days no soda B: 32-37 C: 26-31 D: 20-25 F: <20 Life Quest: Acquire a part time job = PASS I worked 21 hours this week, so great success! Pass: working+freelancing >= 20 hours a week. Fail: work+freelancing < 20 hours. Overall, D, D, A, B, PASS. Did well considering, however, breaking the foot was very frustrating... I'd like to say I passed or will pass on Sept 7th, but I don't know what to pursue after. Could I move into a guild and just pursue a diet based challenge or should I just stay in level 1 rebels and do that?

Fairly well. Almost fully paleo just in time to try it for 30 days. I have eased in nicely with only a few lower energy symptoms that seem to be fading. However, I still need to up my vegetable intake. On the workout front, I am working out and making solid gains and haven't missed a day. Starting to get much more visible deltoids and biceps! I'm on track to make all A's and B's which I would be crazy happy about. I have a small spreadsheet tracking it, which I will post after I get another week in.

Hi, I am computer science. My specific fields of study are graphics and artificial intelligence. I primarily did research on designing graphical analogues to complicated problems that make them easier to solve for our poor dumb computers. What do you study? Also as of day 2. Working out well, Haven't eaten enough vegetables and the reduction in carbs has left me a bit tired. Though, I actually like it so far!

Hi everybody! I'm a freshly graduated masters student who is spending a bit of time improving my health while looking for phd programs. I have been in great shape in the past but stress, anxiety issues, among other things have gotten me out of shape. I used to be a competitive martial artist, but am now also interested in more traditional strength training. Looking forward to joining this wonderful community! The 21st is my birthday and I intend to hit the ground running for the July 28th challenge as my present to myself 5'10 / 230lbs / Male Class: Ranger / Monk My goals are to improve my appearance, get back doing martial arts casually, and gain strength in a lean way. Main quest: Losing weight and gaining a good muscle foundation back My goal is to lose roughly 60 lbs of fat and gain possibly 10lbs of muscle in 6 months (putting me at ~180lbs by January 2015). I have already lost 20 lbs in 1 month with some rather strict dieting and a few p90x videos lol. At the moment I have a gym buddy and have been going 6 times a week strength training for 3.5 weeks and have seen significant muscle growth. I have stayed at 225lbs-230lbs for that period (I assume I have lost fat and gained muscle). Quest 1: Continue current strength training routine for my 6 week challenge. 3 days a week of different body pairs repeating twice with 1 break day. A little unconventional, but so far the results have been great. My actual rest time is more like 30 seconds. From: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKf0UqBiCQI4Ol0To9V0pKQ (Buff Dudes) Day 1 legs/shoulders Barbell Standing Military Press Leg Press Barbell Up Right Row Weight Plate Sissy Squat cable lying lateral raise Barbell Deep Squat Dumbbell Lateral Raise Barbell Front Squat Barbell Romanian Deadlift Barbell Standing Alternating Front and Back Press Day 2 chest/back Barbell Bench Press Cable Incline Fly Cable Cross Over Barbell Decline Pullover Barbell Bent Over Two Arm Row Barbell Deadlift Cable One Arm Seated Row Wide Grip Lat Pulldown Cable Straight Arm Push Down Barbell Reverse Grip Bent Over Row Day 3 biceps/triceps/forearms Dumbbell Hammer Curls Barbell Reverse Curl Dumbbell Concentration Curls Barbell Curl Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl Dumbbell One Arm Seated Wrist Curl Barbell Reverse Wrist Curl Over Bench Weighted Tricep Dips Weighted Bench Dip Dumbbell Standing One Arm Triceps Extension Barbell Reverse Grip Skullcrusher Barbell Close Grip Bench Press Dumbbell Tricep Kickback So 6 days x 6 weeks is 36 workouts. Grading will look like this: A: 33-36 workouts B: 29-32 workouts C: 26-28 workouts D: 22-25 workouts F: <21 workouts Quest 2: Walk ~30mins a day for a brisk pace 6 days / week. I'd like to improve my cardiovascular health. 6 x 6 again is 36: A: 33-36 workouts B: 29-32 workouts C: 26-28 workouts D: 22-25 workouts F: <21 workouts Quest 3: Transition to a paleo diet and maintain it for the last 30 days of the challenge. My current strategy of counting calories works, but is frustrating. I want to give paleo a try for 6 weeks. I have already done a lot of research and reading, and started cooking a few meals paleo. I have no problems eating enough protein and the protein I do eat is already paleo with the exception of an occasional sauce. I also have no trouble keeping a pretty good caloric deficit. My focus is going to be on getting enough vegetables. My goal is 2 plates of veggies a day of various types, favoring greens. 2 plates x 6 weeks x 7 days = 84. A: 65-84 plates B: 50-64 C: 30-49 D: 20-30 F: <20 I am debating setting a limit on my nut and fruit intake and provisions for if I break paleo egregiously. I am currently thinking about that before I start. Side Quest: Quit soda. Previously have quit for 2 years, but fell off the horse. I have dramatically cut my intake down recently and want to have 6 weeks of no soda for the challenge weeks. 6x7 = 42 days. A: 38-42 days no soda B: 32-37 C: 26-31 D: 20-25 F: <20 Life Quest: Acquire a part time job By the end of 6 weeks I want a part time job that earns me some extra money on the side. I will submit apps and build a resume starting the 28th. Most likely this will be in web development or some other development (possibly freelancing 20 hours a week). Pass: working+freelancing >= 20 hours a week. Fail: work+freelancing < 20 hours. Motivation: Mainly appearance-based and I would like to regain my confidence. It'd be nice to find a cute guy (I'm gay) after l I get an overall healthier lifestyle. The gains I have already made have made me feel much better and more accomplished. I have kind of been a recluse for the past two years and would like to get back to dancing and having fun with friends out! *Tracking workouts with jefit app and my todo list with habit rpg. Feel free to comment or help me adjust my goals. I've fallen off the horse and appreciate all the help I can get! I have my full routine and can post it as well.

Good suggestions, I'll adjust my goals a bit when the next challenge is posted!

Great ideas. I hadn't thought about treating my i-just-want-it purchases as rewards for accomplishing my goals. Also pampering could be cool too like massage or head massage. Converting my indulgences into rewards (as long as they aren't junk food) might be a good idea all around. That way I can feel I have earned it and enjoy it all the more.

Thanks! Good luck with yours as well!

Started a couple weeks ago with Habitrpg. I noticed quite a few people use it on here. It's a to do app where you earn xp and levels for a character representing yourself. You also get gold and can purchase rewards after successful task completions. Some of these rewards are costumes for your character, but you can also make custom rewards. So my question is, how do you reward yourself? I am looking for ideas that I will enjoy that aren't won't set back my diet and fitness goals!

Hi, I'm Cole. My main goals are to lose weight and gain strength. I am sitting at 225-230 down from 245 lbs and have already started a strength training program. Looking to lose about 60 lbs by the end of the year and gain some muscle mass. Primarily looking to do strength training, but I used to be heavily into martial arts so I will try to get back into that as well.

Hi, As part of my first challenge I want to go 6 weeks without soda starting somewhere between the 21st and the 28th. I have dropped my intake a lot lately and I'd love to join this pvp challenge. Is it open to Lvl 1 guys?

Hi everybody! I'm a freshly graduated masters student who is spending a bit of time improving my health while looking for real work / phd programs. I have been in great shape in the past but stress, anxiety issues, among other things have gotten me out of shape. I used to be a competitive martial artist, but am now also interested in more traditional strength training. Looking forward to joining this wonderful community! The 21st is my birthday and I intend to hit the ground running for the July 28th challenge as my present to myself 5'10 / 230lbs / Male Class: Ranger / Monk My goals are to improve my appearance, get back doing martial arts casually, and gain strength in a lean way. Main quest: Losing weight and gaining a good muscle foundation back My goal is to lose roughly 60 lbs of fat and gain possibly 10lbs of muscle in 6 months (putting me at ~180lbs by January 2015). I have already lost 20 lbs in 1 month with some rather strict dieting and a few p90x videos lol. At the moment I have a gym buddy and have been going 6 times a week strength training for 3.5 weeks and have seen significant muscle growth. I have stayed at 225lbs-230lbs for that period (I assume I have lost fat and gained muscle). Quest 1: Continue current strength training routine for my 6 week challenge. 3 days a week of different body pairs repeating twice with 1 break day. Quest 2: Walk ~30mins a day for a brisk pace 4 days / week. HIIT training 2 days/ week. I'd like to improve my cardiovascular health. Quest 3: Transition to a paleo diet and maintain it for the last 30 days of the challenge. My current strategy of counting calories works, but is frustrating. I want to give paleo a try for 30 days. I have already done a lot of research and reading, and started cooking a few meals paleo. Side Quest 1: Quit soda. Previously have quit for 2 years, but fell off the horse. I have dramatically cut my intake down recently and want to have 6 weeks of no soda for the challenge weeks. Side Quest 2: Retry martial arts a few times. I used to really enjoy martial arts, so I figured this would be a fun activity that could really motivate me to drop weight to get my speed and pretty kicks back. Life Quest: Spend some time acquiring a few more freelance clients and decide between jobs and phd programs. Motivation: Mainly appearance-based and I would like to regain my confidence. It'd be nice to find a cute guy (I'm gay) after l I get an overall healthier lifestyle. The gains I have already made have made me feel much better and more accomplished. I have kind of been a recluse for the past two years and would like to get back to dancing and having fun with friends out! *Tracking workouts with jefit app and my todo list with habit rpg. Feel free to comment or help me adjust my goals. I've fallen off the horse and appreciate all the help I can get! I have my full routine and can post it as well.