Wolf Berry

To conclude.... Overall, I am very pleased with how this challenge went! I was able to lose around an inch from my waist, gain muscle, and establish healthier eating habits! Now the goal is to stay in good shape during the school year.... I plan on going to the gym around 3 times per week, where I can do whatever I want (like a yoga class, run, lift weights, etc.). I took some before/after pictures that I was going to upload, but I can't figure out how to do it! >.<

Thanks! Next challenge will probably be more difficult for me to balance with class and homework, so we'll see how that turns out!

Progress Report: Week 6 Yesterday instead of hitting the gym, I chose to do a strength-intensive routine. My workout definitely payed off as I felt that much-wanted muscle burn this morning! It feels good to finally feel that muscle pain, which sounds funny but I feel like it's an indicator that I am doing enough in my work-out to increase my strength over time. I took pictures of my waist-line yesterday to compare with my starting photos (from late May, but still the beginning of my fitness revamp). I will probably post them at the end of the challenge, but it is so reassuring to see the difference!

Week 5 Update: I completed my goals for last week pretty early (by Wednesday/Thursday), and I found that running barefoot on my gym's indoor track to be the most efficient way for me to exercise. I know that I won't be able to continue this once I move back to university (as the gym there is limited to treadmills) but for the meantime I find it much easier to run and I don't get too hot if I run without shoes. I also found that running to audio books is a very good idea for me if I am not trying to concentrate on distance. Anyway, my hydration goal has been going very well. After much thought I decided to "quit" my summer job a week early and have some rest and relaxation time before heading back to school. Although working retail was a good experience for me this summer, it is something that I do not want to do later in life. I enjoyed the company of my co-workers, but some of the store policies regarding employee treatment I found to be unwelcoming. Week 6 Plan: The final week is here!! I'm planning on hitting the gym on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If that doesn't work out, then I will have Friday and Saturday available to switch my gym days around. One of my concerns following this challenge period is that I won't be able to keep up with staying hydrated once I start my classes again. Drinking more water = going to the bathroom more = getting up more in class = annoyed teacher, and the last thing I want to do is annoy my teachers >_<.

Thanks for the support! I think I had a rough time on this climb because the trail for the descent wasn't maintained at all, but I always get knee pain the next day from all the work anyway. Thanks! And I know it was a "combo hike", but I don't know if it's called anything else!

End of Week 4 Update: Annnnnd I'm back! My trip to the mountains was beautiful and rewarding in so many ways. I hiked to the top of Mount Democrat, Mount Cameron, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Bross. The funny thing is that the hardest part of the climb (for me) was the descent down Mount Bross. I don't know how the trail that was there was considered a trail in some parts, but it easily took 2 hours, where the hikes up to all of the mountains took around 4.5-5 hours. Anyway, I am done with my challenges for the week! And although I almost missed my hydration challenge, I was able to pull through! For Week 5, I am going to focus on challenging my mind with meditation and drawing as I prepare to head back to campus in the next few weeks. Grading Thus Far: Week 4: Quest 1: Run 3x a week, at least 2 miles (Altered to Run 1x a week, 2 miles + Monster Hike): PASS Quest 2: Make it to 25 push-ups= DONE: A for the week, A for the quest overall Quest 3: Hydration, 48oz-64+oz, 5 days a week: A Weekly Grading avg: A Challenge Grading avg so far: A

Thanks for the support guys! I'll definitely let you know! I've seen some ones floating around the internet that look good, so if I try them out I'll let you know! Week 4: Day 1 & 2: The week has started out well! I've been more aware of what I am eating and drinking each day. According to my measuring tape I have lost around .5 of an inch from my waist! I did miss 1 day of my hydration goal, but I am back on track today. I made it to the gym this morning, and after running my 2 miles, I decided to try a few laps barefoot. Since I have been wearing minimalist shoes when I work out for about the past year I figured that running barefoot wouldn't be much different. Well I was wrong. It felt much easier and much more natural, and I am considering ditching my shoes the next time I visit the indoor track at my gym for at least one of the miles that I run. Hope you all are doing well! Good luck on week 4, almost there!!

Plan for Week 4: Alrighty, on to Week 4! Week 3 proved to be a challenge for me, as I returned from vacation, encountered sleep problems (still not really sure what that was about), and weird head-aches. For Week 4, I plan to increase my number of reps on all of my strength exercises, get to the gym at least 2 times (as I will be doing a big hike mid-way though the week which will account for one of my gym days), and keep on track with my daily water intake. However, I will be making a few changes to my plan. First of all, instead of having my over-all goal be based on my weight, I will focus more on my body measurements. Overall, the only place where I feel could use some "shapening up" is my mid-section. So I will be changing my goal from losing 5 lbs, to losing an inch off of my waist! I feel that this is a much more realistic and accurate goal of my overall fitness. Because I am doing just as much (if not more) strength training as I am cardio, my body will probably gain weight as I increase in muscle mass. Second, I will admit that I have not been eating as well as I was the first two weeks of the challenge! For these final 3 weeks I plan on focusing more on what into my body, and where my food comes from. I will be trying to up my intake of fruits, vegetables, and plant-based protein, and lowering my intake of processed carbs and animal proteins. This isn't to say that I will be eliminating all of my processed carbs and animal proteins, I just know that I usually tend to feel my best on a more plant-based diet with small amounts of animal protein. In fact, I felt my best when I tried a vegan diet for a month in college, but it proved to be much too hard to follow with a dining hall being my primary source of food....

Week 3 Day 6 & 7: Yesterday I was planning on completing my cardio for the week and had my gym stuff all set to go for when I got off work. But as soon as I got to work, I became very dizzy and got a massive head ache that didn't go away until late last night. Ug. So instead, I worked on some ab exercises! For some reason I'm not really feeling sore the next couple of days after I work out. I usually really enjoy that "sore muscle pain" feeling for some reason, as it lets me know that I've done enough! Maybe I'll try increasing my number of reps in each set? Today, I'm planning on getting to the gym after work today to squeeze in that last bit of cardio before week 3 ends! If I feel up to it, I'll also keep working on my push-ups and see how far I can get before the end of the challenge! Week 4 will be a very interesting week! I have a hike planned out that will take the place of one (and maybe 2, as it will involve 3-4 14ers) cardio days! Hopefully the scale at the gym will work today so I can see what's left to lose! Grading Thus Far: Week 3: Quest 1: Run 3x a week, at least 2 miles (Altered to Run 2x a week, 3 miles): PASS (if I get to the gym today) Quest 2: Make it to 25 push-ups, currently at 3 sets of 19: A for the week, A for the quest overall Quest 3: Hydration, 48oz-64+oz, 7 days a week: A Weekly Grading avg: A Challenge Grading avg so far: A

Week 3 Day 5: Hmmmm, time for some improvisation! I was planning on heading to the gym to run today, but what was intended to be a 1-hour nap turned into a 4.5-5 hour nap.... So instead, I'll be doing some jumping jacks and jump roping at home for my cardio (As well as walking the dog). In a burst of fitness insanity I attempted to complete my 25 push-up goal today, and made it! I guess I let the thought of upping my reps hold me back or something, not too sure! As far as my weight goal is going, I may have to start using another scale. When I got up this morning it said I was 115 lbs, then 5 minutes later I was 120, then 109 soooooo..... There is a beam scale at my gym in the locker room, and I'll probably start using that to judge my weight because those are "supposed" to be more accurate than the digital scales.

Thanks for all the support!

Week 3 Day 3: Not really sure what's going on, but I've been really sleepy all the time during this past week. I go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up at a reasonable time each day, but I always feel like I need to nap! Yesterday I was able to run at the gym. I was shooting to run 3 miles, but about 1.5 miles in I started feeling sick. This is probably because I ate too close to my workout time, and I probably had too much water before starting out. Because of this, I stuck to my usual 2 mile run. Today, I am feeling way to sleepy to do much other than push-ups. I'm really not sure what's going on with my sleep. I'm eating enough, drinking enough, doing enough each day, but I'm just always so tired! Ug!

Week 3 Update: (Days 1 and 2): Didn't really get around to posting these past couple days! Yesterday was a bit hectic with travel plans and such, and the day before was filled with things to do! I was able to hold to my hydration goal for both days, and between the plane flight and a nice long nap, I can safely say that I caught up on some sleep yesterday! Today I plan on getting back into the swing of things; I'm planning on hitting the gym later and working on my strength training later tonight! Thanks! I had to improvise a bit but it worked out! I'll be shooting for another 3 mile run today! The thing is, when I went to the other gym to run (as mine was down for maintenance at the time), they didn't have an indoor track. Instead I was running on a treadmill, which I find to be easier than running on a stationary surface. Also, the indoor track area at my gym isn't well air conditioned (if it is at all) which can make things a bit tricky! But I will be trying it out today!

Thanks so much! Good luck on your week 3!

Day 14: (Week 2, Day 7): End of week 2! I feel like I've done a pretty good job with my quests this week, even-though I had alter them a bit to fit into my travel schedule! I was able to reach my hydration goal yesterday of 64 oz. For week 3, I should be able to go back to my original running schedule of 2 miles, 3 times per week, although I kind of liked running 3 miles! I keep saying that I need to start on my life quest (meditation), but I never do it! For week 3, I plan to change that. I'm getting to a point in my life right now where I'm finding it hard to see positivity in people and things. This is really getting me down and I really need to change my outlook around! Over all, I'm pleased with the way things have been going with my challenge! I may skip my weigh-in this week, as I usually eat a less healthy diet when I'm visiting my family (Lots of red meat and breads)! I really think that my hydration goal has helped me from eating as much as I usually do, especially on vacation. It's amazing what simply drinking more water can do for your body! Personally, I feel fuller for a longer period of time, my thought process is clearer, and my skin feels and looks better! I hope that everyone has had a great week! Grading Thus Far: Week 2: Quest 1: Run 3x a week, at least 2 miles (Altered to Run 2x a week, 3 miles): PASS Quest 2: Make it to 25 push-ups, currently at 3 sets of 19: A for the week, C for the quest overall Quest 3: Hydration, 48oz-64+oz, 7 days a week: A Weekly Grading avg: A Challenge Grading avg so far: (4.0+4.0+2.0)/3 = 3.33 = B