chrisevans17

I am in Terrell (which is about an hour away) but my parents live in Tyler so I am out there quite a lot. I'm always down for a meet up

I'm in Terrell myself.

I'm down for a meet up! I think rock climbing and burritos sounds awesome!!! Count me in.

I am in Terrell. Been looking for fellow NF members out this way for a long time

I was there for that show. In their defense, because I have had wonderful experiences other than the (old) venue being too small, it is not the show but the people that volunteer. The day-to-day crowd control stuff is not done by official convention people, it is done by volunteers. There have been a number of complaints about their volunteers and those people do not get to come back to volunteer anymore. They do they best they can to get as many quality people as they can, but a lot of the volunteers do so because they thing they can get free swag from the celebs. Also, if I am not mistaken, that was the largest crowd they had ever had up to that point and a LOT of things were handled poorly because they got overwhelmed with the number of people that attended. Overcrowding has been there biggest problem for the last several years. They have moved to the Dallas Convention Center this time (away from Irving Convention Center where they have been for a few years now) and hopefully the overcrowding issue will be fixed.

Sorry I have been a crappy partner. You have done great during this challenge. I have not. Proud of you. Although I did manage to quit smoking during this challenge. Was not a specific goal but I will take the victory.

Thanks for all the feed back. I really think it is just mind over body. I have pushed through and that seems to have helped.

I suck at updating and have sucked at this challenge, but I thought I would make a final post for those who still care........... I SLAYED THE SMOKE DRAGON!!!!!!! I have officially quit smoking!

I have successfully slayed the smoke dragon. Through the recommendation of a friend I tried e-cigs. It was the day walker of smoking (all of the strengths and none of the weakness...more or less). There was no more smell, no more lung issues, no more side effects of smoking. Then I started trailing off because there was no need to light up and finish an entire cigarette because the e-cigs were ready to go all the time so one or two drags fot my fix and I was good to go. I realized a few days ago that I can't remember the last time I actually smoked anything and don't even really care. I have little to no cravings and most of those are just in my head. No withdrawl, no nic-fits, no nothing. I have slayed the smoke dragon and did not even realize it. w00 to the 00t \m/ TRY NOT. DO. OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY \m/

I have been having trouble lately with being super tired (like falling asleep watching TV after dinner) and not wanting to work out. I usually adhere to the "well clearly my body needs the rest" policy but perhaps that is allowing me to be lazy. It challenges my motivation a great deal to push through the fatigue. Thoughts?

Happy belated birthday! You are doing MUCH better than I am at this challenge. Sorry I have not checked in. I have been out of touch with the world for a bit. I'm slowly finding civilization again. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for checking in. I have been super busy and away from Internet access for a bit now. This is my fist chance to sit with a good enough connection.

Rita and Zedd banished me to the Island of Illusion (look it up, that is a thing from season 1). Have not been able to do much. I find it poetic that Steve posted about how to stay healthy when you are super busy. Ironically I have not been able to read it because I have been too busy. Here is a quick recap of my progress... Week 1 Diet: B, only slipped a few times Fitness 1: C Fitness 2: C Fitness 3: slow going, but did have a yoga session with my buddy Life: so far so good Week 2 Diet: A Fitness 1: C Fitness 2: C Fitness 3: nada Life: not as good as week 1 Week 3 will be the end of my exile and I will be free of the island as of Thursday. I will spare everyone the details but I'm fighting my way out and back to civilization.

It was interesting. I am still not digging yoga. I did the workout, just forced it the whole time.

I forgot how hard it is to get back to it. Learning how to use my powers has not be easy. I have had to retreat from a few battles even. This morning Rita and Zedd sent a massive storm that stopped any chance of a workout or run. My son has ballgame tonight so I can't do anything tonight. The rain kept me indoors and the resulting power outage kept me off the treadmill. I have made time for myself this week by getting caught up on Game of Thrones (HOLY HELL THE RED WEDDING!?!?!?!). I have a Yoga session schedule for Saturday morning with my challenge buddy. Not big on the Yoga thing but I am really looking forward to it.

I have adjusted this to be a long-term goal. For now, by the end of this 6 week challenge, I want to be able to run for a mile non-stop. I am hoping my strength training and yoga will help.

You are rocking this challenge already! Great job. "See" you Saturday.

I concur. I turn on my DirecTV music channels while I clean. Especially when I am home alone. I dance around with the vacuum like Mrs. Doubtfire.

The knee comes and goes. The time for myself is going well. Right now I am using it to get caught up on Game of Thrones.

I am building up to running a 5K. I have been thinking about this as well. I have C25K and Zombies, RUN 5K Trainer. Each has you take a day off between runs. They are both based on time not distance. My ultimate goal is running everyday. I am considering revising this and making it a progressive goal.

Need a buddy. Thought I had one but our schedules won't work. I am down for most anything. I am running, strength training, & boxing. My challenge thread has a schedule but I am flexible.

First, I totally spaced on XP for this. I'm working on that. Will update challenge post later. Rita and Zedd launched their opening attack on Angel Grove in the form of my being lazy. The Yoga thing is going to be difficult because Yoga is just not my thing. I don't like being rushed and with my wife being off work this week it is difficult to get up early enough to get my stuff done and get to work. I know that is an excuse but she is 6 months pregnant and waking that bear is not a good idea. My run became a mow (an issue I will have all summer) and my bad knee popped pretty bad yesterday and is giving me fits. Going to do some strength training tonight and see how that goes. I really did want to work out rather than mow last night, but it is Texas and the summer so mowing is only safe early morning or late evening which is also when I work out. Its was my first day back to a challenge and I am still learning to use my powers.

I'm in! That sounds right up my alley. I will PM you.

I decided to break this down in to chunks. I have overall goals for this challenge but I have mini-goals that will make up the whole. This is the first in a series of Power Ranger themed challenges. I will use the show formula to map out my goals. My updates will be themed as well. I know it is not really the RPG style or the “right†type of Ranger, but it works for me. My challenge “cast†is as follows: Zordon: The NF Rebellion Fellow Rangers: my “offline†friends and family Zords and weapons: my equipment (tires, sandbag, sledgehammer, etc.) Rita and Zedd: my personal hang ups Evil Monsters: temptations CHALLENGE SCHEDULE WEEKS 1-2: IT’S MORPHIN TIME!!! (Learning to use my powers) – I have been called upon by Zordon to protect the Earth from Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. I must learn to use my new-found powers. Start with alternating running and working out each day (MWF=run, TRS=workout). Rest on Sunday. Workouts will focus on strength training. Also start my day with Yoga or Pilates. WEEKS 3-4: GO, GREEN RANGER, GO!!! (The 6th Ranger) – A new Ranger appears to assist as the threat to Earth grows. Increase duration of runs. Add abs day to the workout. WEEKS 5-6: SURRENDER POWER RANGERS!!! (The final battle) – The final battle is here. It is good vs evil with the fate of the world at stake. With the combined powers of the Rangers and their Zords, evil will be destroyed. Increase duration of runs. Run and work out 5 days a week. Actual Goals: Diet – no food after 7PM except for post workout shake, especially snacking. I have a problem with late eating and it causes all kinds of problems. Grades bases on successful days. A: 6-7 days, B: 4-5 days, C: 2-3 days, D: 1 day, F: 0 days CON +2 CHR +1 Fitness 1 – Run at least 3 times a week, *edit* run 1 mile non-stop A: 3 or more days, B: 2 days, C: 1 day, F: 0 days STA +2 DEX +2 CHR +1 Fitness 2 – Work out at least 3 times a week, increasing to 5 days by the end A: 3 or more days, B: 2 days, C: 1 day, F: 0 days STR +2 CHR +1 Fitness 3 – Incorporate Yoga or Pilates Pass or Fail DEX +2 CHR +1 Life– make time for me. I do not make any time for myself and I am going to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something for me. Pass or fail WIS +2 CHR +1

This is what I have to deal with at work. This came from my unholy pig of a boss today: "Just a reminder that our technology committee is meeting tomorrow for our working lunch, 11:35-1:00. I’ll bring in pizza if Chris promises to eat no more than seven pieces by himself :)" I have a very self deprecating sense of humor and make fat jokes about myself all the time. That does not give anyone else permission to do it. I am furious but I am going to take this and show that no-talent @$$ clown (yes, I pretty much work at Initech) what he can do with his condescending smiley. \m/ IS NO FRAKKING TRY \m/ It is a bit of a wake-up call because this time last year everyone was talking about how much weight I had lost and how great I was doing. That does not make it ok, though.