Hooley

Here's a quick update. Weight loss is going well, last time I checked I had lost 7 lb since the start of the challenge. It's not as much as I was hoping for, but I'm at that annoying stage when weight loss begins to require more effort to lose those last inches. Any advice on getting leaner at this stage will be most welcome The flat move has finally settled, so I'm back at training up to 6 hours a week, which I adore. I've also been asked to become a head instructor, which I'm over the moon about Cheers!

Hello all! Just a quick update as week 3 begins. Weeks 1 and 2 have been successful. I'm down 3lb and smashed the Tough Mudder to pieces on Saturday. Housing difficulty means that I haven't been able to start training yet, but I'm hoping that that will be solved sometime this week.

Hello all! Just thought I'd say hi. I've started my first ever challenge on NF, hoping to exchange lots of motivation and ideas between everyone, it seems like a really friendly atmosphere. It's mostly to help me get back into the fighting fit shape I was before I started my degree (4ish years ago). It's amazing how bad working towards a degree can be for your health!! Well, I'm moving on to bigger things tomorrow. I begin my PhD studies tomorrow, so I'm treating it as a full-on respawn point. My main motivation for being on here is to get as far away from the 'unhealthy student look' as possible. I've been a martial artist for 13 years, tomorrow I'll be going back to training (after a hiatus of a few months) and work towards earning my second dan. So I'm naturally veering towards the monk class. Hopefully after the 6 week challenge I'll be feeling a lot healthier and in a good enough shape to be able to take that seriously

Aah, if only it was as simple as getting a degree to master a martial art

When I was learning to do pull ups properly, I bought one of those door frame bars and put it between my living room and my kitchen. Every time I passed through that door, I had to do 5 reps. I think that would work equally well for someone attempting 1. Just jump up to the 'pulled up' position and lower yourself to the ground as slowly as possible. That'll help develop the muscles for a true pull up when you've got that down

As a martial art instructor myself, I would definitely advise that you find a different school, or even a different martial art, within which you feel comfortable. Find one that you're going to want to go to and keep going to. All of the people I work with would never dream of calling someone a liar. We'd certainly attempt to push our students' boundaries, but never in an aggressive manner. Martial arts are especially useful for weight loss as they build confidence, which is a great positive feedback loop to get into. The more you train it, the more confident you'll feel as you progress, which means you train more, which means you lose weight, which means you feel more confident, etcetera, etcetera. You got this.

That's a really interesting article! It certainly ticks off the "new thing learned today" box. As far as good 'ole Sally goes, She's a foul beast that requires slaying. I started up barely able to make it past 1 minute, but I'm starting this challenge able to get to 2:10. If I can get past that plateau and finish the song (~3:20) I will be a happy man indeed.

Hi All! This'll be my first ever challenge, I've decided it's about time that I face the facts and admit to myself that I can't reach my goals without some help. I've just finished my MSc and am moving on to better things by beginning my PhD this Thursday (17th September). I want this to be a completely fresh start for the fitness, social, and mental aspects of my life. I've been training in martial arts since I was 12, and it is a real passion of mine. I'm due to grade for my second dan black belt sometime in the next few months and my main goal is to be fighting fit enough to be able to blast through it. My main quest is therefore to become as fighting fit as I possible can, and lose the extra blubber. In 6 weeks I would love to have lost a stone (14lb). My primary side quest to help me achieve my second dan belt is to improve my flexibility. I plan to do this by stretching every morning before I brush my teeth. I would appreciate any guidance people can offer regarding the most efficient method to achieve greater flexibility, as I believe I've been stuck at somewhat of a plateau for a few years now. Another side quest would, of course, be strength training. I've never done anything other than bodyweight training, as I am already naturally strong. I will maintain this by working out every other day using pull ups, push ups, squats, and other fun bodyweight exercises. I'm currently battling with the Sally Up challenge (https://youtu.be/41N6bKO-NVI), and will keep this updated re. my improvements. In two weeks time I will be running my second Tough Mudder. To help my running, which has always been weak, I will go for a short (~3.5 mile) run on the days when I haven't done my morning bodyweight training. The last two years studying for my degree and my masters really took a lot out of me. I became less aware of what I was consuming and developed somewhat of a depressive eating habit. Naturally, the weight started piling on and my warriors body became soft and squishy. I feel like a kung fu panda. This changes now.

Thank you for the advice, guys! I'm looking forward to getting back on the horse.

I did it. I just finished my Masters degree. My graduation ceremony is later in July, and I'm starting my PhD in October. 6 years at University has led me to this moment. However, I need to re-spawn, or at least level up, as the final year of my MSc was incredibly emotionally draining. I fear that I have developed an 'emotional binge eating' habit (mostly on sugar). Does anyone have any advice for tackling such a beast? Cheers in advance!

Cheers guys, that's some good advice. I'll try replacing the multi-portion binges with some smaller, healthier alternatives. I used to snack on almonds whenever I started to feel a craving coming on, but a few months ago I started a relationship with a great girl who unfortunately has an awful nut allergy that means I can't eat most nuts when I'm seeing her anytime soon. Reaching for protein seems like a good alternative to that, as I fear that I don't have the strength to 'just have' two squares of dark choc when I know there's a whole bar there. The good thing is that when I do have this under control, all of my eating habits become healthier. Hence why I think this is the most important thing I need to tackle.

Hello all! I'm brand new to this forum. I've been an avid reader of the NF blog, and thought it was high time I checked out the forum for some extra motivation. I'm 25 years old and about to start my PhD in the UK in Physical Oceanography, which I'm super excited about. My problem is that, while I am very active in terms of fitness (I train martial arts three times a week, work out and stretch on a regular basis, and recently ran my first (of many) Tough Mudder), I suffer from a crippling sugar addiction. When the cravings hit me, there is little I can do to prevent the inevitable willpower crash. I have a very healthy pantry, and my main meals are healthy (if a bit on the large side), but the cravings have had me walking down to the local shop and inhaling a 6-portion chocolate cake. I need help. The fury of my teenage metabolism is starting to wane and while I am still in great shape, the body fat is starting to increase. Many thanks for any advice in advance, Jack