SalsaShark037

Okay, guys and gals. It's the end of the Challenge, and I have a final report. I SMASHED the caffeine goal. Originally the goal was to keep below 400mg per day (a marked reduction), I ended up keeping it at 200mg per day, and only in the AM. I missed two days of Yoga in a row, and for that, I feel bad despite it being due to major school projects coming due all at once. I kept my step counter at or above the goal, with only a couple days below. But this goal was actually about adding walks to my off-days. And in that regard, I met the goal satisfactorily. My adjusted body weight workout goal was met. Nothing to be blown away at, but I didn't falter at any point. I have beaten the first three boss battles in the NFA body weight path. Overall, I'm proud of the accomplishments. I'm excited to come up with a new list of goals for the next challenge.

Hello, all! Checking in after the first week. As I said before, I held the right to adjust the goals during the first week because I'm just getting back into it after being lazy for too long. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew and give up again. The only goal that needed changing was the bodyweight workouts. I tried it on Monday, and it kicked my ass. So that goal is simply changing to "Monday, Wednesday, Friday: NFA Bodyweight workout." I just started level 3 this morning! I'll try the NF Beginner Bodyweight Workout again down the road. The purpose of this quest is to get back into the habbit of working out on a regular schedule

Hello, everyone! I joined the NF Academy yesterday and am already having a blast working on the Mindset portion. I am at the section "Gimme The Loot!" While I completely understand the idea behind giving ourselves healthy loot/rewards, I'm having a difficult time thinking of any. I did come up with one: If I complete my Epic Quest of reaching over 10,000 steps for the next four weeks, then I get to buy a new pair of running shoes! I currently don't own any, so this is a big deal. I don't want this to just be suggestions for what my quests' loot should be, but just a fun conversation about the kinds of loot that you've given yourselves in the past. What are some fun or interesting things you all have come up with? https://www.nerdfitness.com/character/190824 This is my character, so you all can see my Epic Quests. The "4WC" are the ones I specifically set for the 4 Week Challenge. The others are just things I want to do. If you do think of any that would work well with these, then I'd love to hear it!

ICB, I've looked into the schools around where I will be moving. There are two that have really good reviews and look promising. One is BJJ, the other is Krav. My plan is to start with BJJ (as my current experience is with striking styles), and then try the Krav school later on.

Thank you! I am familiar with SMART goals, as we use them at work during performance evaluations. I also use them in other aspects of my life. The other key to making good goals is being open to changing them. I know this isn't exactly how the challenge is supposed to work, but seeing as it is my first (and also me getting back into things after being a potato for a while) I might adjust them if it seems that I bit off too much for this first challenge. A personal rule to keep me accountable with my Epic Quests: If I took on too much too soon, I can adjust the goals during the first week. After that, if I can't hit them, then I don't get the experience.

Hey, everybody! I'm thrilled to have found this community. This is exactly the sort of thing I envisioned in a fitness website for nerds. I just found Nerd Fitness yesterday and spent the entirety of last night obsessively reading blog posts and other material, as well as some forum posts. What a kind and inviting community there is here. I love it! I, once upon a time, practiced martial arts. Kenpo Karate, Wing Chun, and Eskrima specifically. But I've been out of practice for many years (almost a decade?). Therefore, I'm at the "Respawn" stage of my training. I'm starting over and doing a few things differently. I'll be moving across the country in a couple months, so I don't want to start a new school until after then; but that's no reason that I can't start working on the other aspects of fitness: exercise, diet, and mental framework. So, for the challenge: Seeing as the 4 Week Challenge starts today, I thought it would be a great place to start. I'm keeping my goals relevant to what I've already been working on, but tightening them up and making them more specific. I've also, following suggestions I've seen in the forums, entered these in my character's Epic Quests. I made it so that they all together total 100xp. 1) Skip breakfast, eat a light snack at 9am instead. 25xp 2) Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; NF Beginner Bodyweight Workout, exercises 1, 2, 3, and 5 for 3 circuits. 30xp 3) Limit Caffeine intake to 400mg/day. 20xp 4) No sugared beverages Monday-Friday (Weekends are okay) 25xp I've read many arguments in favor of skipping breakfast, and about its role in health. The general consensus in the health community is that you should eat if you're hungry, and skip it if you're not. I'm rarely hungry in the mornings, so I have been eating breakfast as a habit more than anything else. I'm starting with four of the six exercises due to the time of day (I live in an apartment and my neighbors wouldn't like jumping jacks at 5:30 am). That number seems high, but my caffeine intake has been upwards of 800mg/day for a while now. It's time to cut it back. I've already started cutting back on sodas and energy drinks, but this goal will actually hold me accountable for it.