Sambalina

I never thought of researching it - and I research everything! Great idea, PA. I'll have a look into it.

You are an inspiration! Hmmm... I will investigate this further. Certainly, being able to cook something for dinner while I'm at work is a REALLY good idea. Plus, bone broth will be a possibility! Kiiiiiiiim Rest your freaking wrist, would you! <3

Your overall philosophies sound really flexible and healthy, PA. I agree, it is definitely important to find a balance between physical, social, and mental health. It is a pity that these days they generally can't all be satisfied at once, with so many social pressures making situations mentally or socially unhealthy is you don't want to eat their food, or physically unhealthy if you do. I think your plan is a good one As for walking around your island at night? Hells no! You stay inside and use that Wii - the wet, windy roads sound really scary!

Kim - yeah, he's going because he says he curious, and doesn't want to judge them based on a knee-jerk reaction. It's also the same religion one of his grandmothers was heavily into - which he didn't know when he found them. He believes he came across them for a reason, and while that reason may not be to 'join their ranks' permanently, he feels there is something for him to learn about the situation. The fact that he discusses his worries and suspicions with me, while continuing to keep and open mind is, I think, a good thing? PA, the money, apparently, goes towards the rituals and materials costs, and food for everyone. But, I did get to see KJ for lunch yesterday, which means I didn't get my third gym session for the week because my gym closes on Sundays. So, today I'm going to do a bit of bodyweight work and then after lunch I'm going for a big walk to a lake that's out the back of the University where I work. I've never been out there, but I've been told it's a good walk. I'll take some photos. Also, yesterday... I went out for lunch with KJ and was given what I thought was tea. It wasn't.... it was a super sweet jujube cordial thing So, not knowing this, I knocked it back - I was really thirsty. So, sugar-free day 4 was destroyed HOWEVER, because it was not my fault, I am not going to lose all my money. I won't get my $5 for yesterday, but this is really more about me learning and controlling myself. What do you guys think?

Lol, Momo... love the dedication!

You're doing great Kim. Every little bit counts! Im now trying to imagine fitting one of these wonerous crockpotd into my kitchen which is the size of a posrage stamp....

Weird about the whey, Dom. But although it'll take a bit of extra work, I'll bet your breakfasts are going to be delicious! One of my faves is making a big pot of chicken and veg soup at the start of the week and then just re-heating a bowl for breakfast. Add eggs for extra awesome (protein).

I agree completly, Dom. He does too... but is still going. What it comes down to is me being scared its going to 'take him away from me'. But, what can I do? I can interfere with someone's religion, even if its new abd kind of creepy. It's his life. Better I find out now, anyway, rather than if I became more committed to him!

Hey guys! As always, your support means the world to me. Ankther day down sugar-free, so $15 earned so far. As for what I'll do with the money if I fail? I am waaaaaay too selfish to donate it to something I don't like. I'd just never do that. I dont want to put SO much pressure on myself that it becomes this huge thing. I will just remove that amount from my 'fun money' budget and use it to pay bills! Gym is going well, though the DOMS im getting from this new routine are impressive About the only thing I'm enjoying from the Academy are the workouts.I felt the lessons were just stuff from the blog rewritten, plus I do a lot of independent health research and reading, so there wasn't anything new there, and the message boards are women only. There's nothing wrong with that, but I just don't really like the vibe. Lesson planning is all on track. Things with KJ are good on a relationship level, but I am a little worried about this traditional Korean religion he's started to get heavily involved in. He described it himself as "cult-like" and he has started spending a lot of time and money there over the past 3-4 weeks. I am being super supportive, but really dont want to be telling people the story of that time I had that boyfriend who I had to breakup with because he joined a cult! It does seem to be helping him with his stress levels, but when he chooses to spend all night paying to meditate instead of being with me... I'm hoping the intensity is just a phase. Once a week is great, all weekend including overnight is a bit more than I am willing to work with.

Hey PA, nice progression of your goals from the last challenge to this one. The continuity and progress should really help keep you on track for your main goal. Is it cold where you live? I'm sure the WIO must be a life-saver if it is - I have trouble just going outside to walk the 5 minutes to the gym, I can't imagine trying to motivate myself to go out there for 40 minutes voluntarily!

I'm with you there, too, Momo. I'm actually shifting my workout to tomorrow because my muscles are still too sore from the last workout, and I know from experience that means I won't be able to go as hard on the next one. Sounds like you're off to a great (ans heavy!) start - keep on lifting, you're awesome!

Hey all! Things are all good so far. Yup, $10 is in the kitty. Oh man, Dom - that is.... such a horribly awful-wonderful idea. Ok, I'm gonna do it - if I slip-up, I lose the lot and have to start over again. As I sit here happily munching on strawberries, it seems the easiest thing ever... but we all know it's not. And with a low of -10C and a high of -4 today, I am REALLY looking forward to some Vanuatu sun!

Mmmmm... pork. That is all.

Hey Kim! I've been looking for yoooooooouuuu! I am so sorry to hear you are injured. Sucks big donkey balls, that does. Coupled with the cold, sounds like you are really making the best of a crappy situation. Re. knives - here in Korea they use big kitchen scissors to cut lots of meat, and I've picked up the habit. It doesn't work for everything, but it makes things like bacon a breeze!

Nice start Vix - keep it up. That must be so nice having someone make healthy lunches for you - awesome!

I do the can of tuna trick too, if I'm way under protein for the day. Which is often! Great work of StrongLifts, Dimple - I did the program for many months before joining the NF academy and starting the barbell program there. My main advice (as a woman who seems to gain strength a bit slowly), which you already seem to be doing, is to probably ignore the advice to up your weight lifted by the increment and time stated in SL and work at your own pace. OHP is a looooong slow road! Glad to have you along for this challenge in the warriors

Hi dimples - I love your avatar!! Thank you for your support - I always underestimate the power of sugar. And I was so happy to find the yoghurt - Korea is really changing right now in regards to being able to find sugar-free stuff.

I am giving up sugar. I will not eat sugar. I will not eat candy. I will not drink liquid calories. I will not let it control me. I will not cheat and tell myself that dried fruit is ok because it's fruit. Real fruit is ok... dried fruit is a gateway drug right now. Screw you Pinterest with your pictures of desserts and sweets. Pinterest boards involving food are now out of bounds. Previous no sugar PR: 14 days. Current count: 45 minutes. Goal: 15 days+ This is so frustrating. On the bright side: I found sugar-free yoghurt at last. It has no additives whatsoever, and says it is only made of milk (great find in Korea!). Ok: every day I go without sugar I get $5. I am not allowed to buy ANY clothes other than with this no-sugar money. I really want a new jacket, which costs about $70-80. So, in 14-16 days I will have saved enough. If I can save more, I get a nicer jacket. Go me!

Oooooh, so excited about your comp!! Awesome goals, can't wait to see how you smash them this challenge

Excellent film suggestions! Thank you both!! I've done Rise of the Planet of the Apes in the past, and it works really well. I think I'm going to try out Book of Eli. As for why I'm trying BB instead of SL? Well, I paid for it, so figured I'd better try it out! Plus, I've been struggling to see progress with SL, and mixing it up feels good. I've been doing SL for many months now, and the NF BB is definitely based around the same kind of program, just with some variation and progression built in step by step. There are progressively more difficult exercises on each level of BB rather than just trying to increase my weights all the time on SL. I think that I might gain strength quiet slowly, so seeing some progress anywhere is motivating Well, day 1 went well! My workout was a little naff as I was still so sore from my workout on Saturday! I got in there and did it, ate healthy all day, and got my work done.

Thanks Orazor - it's a work in progress Ok, here we go!! The morning of day one. I have healthy meals planned, gym scheduled, and I'm going to aim for two lessons for my film class. I'd like to be done with it by the end of the week and into ESL low, which needs a lot more work. Two weeks in that, then vacation!!

I actually live in Korea and would very much like to start learning Hapkido. However, after asking around in my little town, all the classes I can find are for children (not to mention, entirely in Korean). Perhaps when I move closer to Seoul in a few months, I can get going on this, because it's sounds really interesting.

Me too. I've read the whole series maybe 3 times now. Also, 'The Stand' by Stephen King a number of times, along with 'Rose Madder' maybe 4 times. Not 'Pet Semsatary' though.... that book creeped me out in an horrible way.

Ok, day -2 (Saturday) = total success. I did the first workout from the Barbell Battalion and it was pretty good!I I actually did workout B, because it was a scheduled deadlift day. I enjoyed it and tried one or two things I hadn't done before. One of the main differences from my previous program is that you don't squat every workout day (but I did some dumbbell squat in my warmup anyway). I think I like that as it leaves some workout time and muscle for a little more variety. I did negative pullups, which have left me with some DOMS today. My grip is REALLY hindering my deadlift. My left hand is having some major issues. I can lift the weight no problem, but I can't complete my sets because I can feel that I'm going to drop the bar... which is scary. So, I see a lot of hanging exercises in my future. Also, I've been stuck on OHP numbers a little, and switching to the push press let me work harder on getting more weight overhead. Yay! My diet yesterday was good. I struggled to get enough calories - I was only at around 1,400 kcal after dinner, so I ate a banana with some crema cheese and sesame seeds (I allow small amount of dairy) about an hour and a half after my dinner. Something hurt me though - I got almost immediate stomach cramps and am a bit bloated this morning. It was all food I'd eaten before, so not sure what's up with that. Anyway, I'm going to make some trail mix to use when I don't get enough calories in a day. And lastly, I got three Film lessons planned yesterday - Little Miss Sunshine, The Hunger Games, and Alice in Wonderland. Today's lesson is... I am Legend, I think. I'm having a bit of a hard time coming up with a good (meaningful) action film. It has to be recent enough and popular enough that I can find Korean subtitles for it. Preferably with a male lead character, as my films tend to be quite female centred. Any suggestions guys? Ooooh! And I booked my tickets to Vanuatu! I'm leaving here on Jan 26 and returning Feb 15! Organising the flights and connections was a bit of a nightmare (not to mention pretty costly), and I have a 14 hour stopover overnight in the Brisbane airport, but I get to spend three weeks with my mum, dad, and brother on a tropical island Pretty excited!!

Just awesome, Momo! Two times bodyweight is an excellent goal - you can totally do that!!