RedCedar

I have heard only good things about "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Be sure and post the link to the review when you're done

Good luck on all of your goals, especially the 100% Paleo. You're a stronger woman than I to give up beer.

THe title of your challenge thread is quite awesome. I too aspire to be an Assassin one day.

Sounds like you've got momentum on your side and you are ready to dominate!

Congrats on the 20 lbs lost and the new baby

I jumped in late on the last challenge, so this is gonna be my first full challenge. I allowed myself to lose some focus last time around, and did not commit myself fully, but I was able to complete my first unassisted chin-up! (~1/3 of the way to a pull-up, the ultimate goal!) Because of this pretty awesome accomplishment, I am crediting myself with a level up.

Level 2 Huttling Adventurer

STR: 6.75 | STA: 3 | DEX: 2 | WIS: 2.75 | CHA: 5.75 |

CON: 3.5 (+1 while wearing my NF hoodie)

(these stats include the weekly challenge bonuses)

On to the good stuff...

Fitness goal #1 Play an entire game of Rugby 7's. Some of my old rugger buddies have talked me (a large, slow prop with asthma) into playing summer 7's with them. I played some Rugby Union back in college, and wasn't bad. I even made First Team All-American for DII my freshman year. But it has been a while since I've played regularly and let me tell you, I am waaaay out of rugby shape, let alone 7's! By the end of this challenge, I want to be able to at least hang with my mates for the full 14 minutes. [+3 STA]

Fitness goal #2 Move more! Last time around I did great with my diet... but working out seriously fell off the table. I am setting myself the challenge of not letting more than 2 consecutive days go by without a workout. (Rugby practice, c25k, or body weight workouts all count, as long as I'm moving and gettin sweaty!) [+2 CON, +1 WIS +1 STA, +1 STR]

Fitness goal #3 Break through the weight plateau! I know I shouldn't be concerned about the scale, but I just can't let it go. I have been stuck for a while at the same weight and it is driving me crazy! By the end of this challenge I want to be under 200 lbs. [+3 CHA]

Life goal: Get a job! My AmeriCorps term is coming to an end (Mid-Aug.), which means I've got to figure out what the hell I'm doing next. I have been in the process of applying and applying and applying for positions... but nothing has worked out yet. I have had several interviews that have gone really well, but just as many " We really liked you BUT..." answers. I keep coming in 2nd place it seems. By July 30th, I want to know for sure what my next adventure will be. (Anyone out there in need of a good Environmental Educator...?) [+2 WIS, +2 CON]

Man, this was a tough week.

My period hit me like a freight train and I lost sight of my goals. I fell off HARD.

Still no progress on the life goal :/ and I only managed to go on one c25k run this week. My diet was not exactly on point, but I did manage to resist most of my cravings. I managed to steer clear of the grains and potato chips and CHOCOLATE my body was craving, but instead dove straight into a jar of peanut butter. Not natural peanut butter either. Super chunk (super processed) Skippy with a spoon and I ate half the jar before I could stop myself.

But today I am starting a new week. I am done beating myself up over what I could have done better, and I am going to start actually doing better. TODAY. I am going for a run this afternoon and depending on how that feels, I may even take on the Minotaur

Here's to being better today than I was yesterday

I was just curious to see what I was capable of, and thought while I'm at it I'd better plant a flag on this mountain for the ladies.

I'm not really all that tall, but with the help of my roommate and a protractor we estimated the bend in my arms to be ~30˚. So chin-ups from 150˚ instead of 180˚. 150/180 = 83.33% x 22 = 18.3 strict chin-ups. 19 strict chin-ups and 165 squats in 13 minutes or less dethrones me.

Yeah my legs are still jello!

I was doing chin-ups one at a time (no kipping) because I can't quite do a pull-up (palms facing away) yet. Not sure if I can call them strict because they were from standing and not a complete dead hang, but pretty close

Chin-up, you have been conquered! (I am pretty sure with good form, I can't see myself!) +3 STR

22 chin-ups, 164 squats in 13 minutes.

Panting and dripping with sweat, I'm claiming QUEEN of the mountain!

I'm going for the real thing, doing lots of body weight rows and occasionally using the assisted pull ups machine to get there.

The weather has been so gorgeous this weekend, making c25k really enjoyable. Maybe by the end of this I might actually like running The solo run was quite nice.

I'm in Bellingham, WA (practically Canada) and about a 6 hour drive from PDX, but with enough notice I could probably swing the trip

Yaaaaaayyy!!!! :) This is a BIG goal of mine too, not quite there yet, but hope to be soon!

c25k week one day 2, rocked it! That was my first solo run ever

It was a very nice day and there were so many people out for walks and runs, I really had to push myself to get over my fear of working out in front of other people. Then I came home and grilled up a huge portabello mushroom and a big hunk of wild caught Alaskan Sockeye, served with a heaping side of steamed broccoli and cauliflower. WIN!

Chin-up update: I am soooo close I can almost taste it, eyes level with the bar.

I just picked up an awesome UnderArmor Heat Gear for $12 at TJ Maxx. I was a bit surprised to fit so comfortably into a Large, and I tested it out on a run today with no trouble. A bit unibooby but very comfortable and good support.

Just finished my first c25k workout!! Wooot

http://www.nerdfitness.com/community/showthread.php?10954-The-Treedwelling-Assassin <<<Post

I found one of the most badass assassin goals of (training for) a 12 foot arms-only rope climb (from thatgirljj). I've never been able to climb a rope before, so I have a long way to go, but I'm excited to work towards it!

Hey there jj,

I feel you on the anxiety! and I think it is super brave (and inspiring) that you are working towards therapy. I've never been able to reach out that far for help before feeling too overwhelmed. I hope it works out for you and you get out of the holding pattern soon. Making phone calls is one of my biggest anxiety triggers, and one of my goals this challenge is to make a bunch of work related phone calls I've been putting off for a long time.

I'm sorry your meds have such bad side effects, but way to be sweating your way out of the mopeyness, that's badass!

I am posting here in your challenge thread because as an adventurer, out challenge this week was to find someone from another guild and adopt one of your goals. Your "Treedwelling assassin" caught my eye because I love climbing trees and once I get beyond my beginner level fitness, I hope to graduate into the assassin class. I think your goal of a 12 foot rope climb sounds wicked cool. I've never been able to climb a rope before, but I am now going to add that to my list of goals, and train like it is my goal!

Basically, I just wanted to say that you sound really awesome and you inspire me!

Thanks for letting me borrow one of your goals,

~RedCedar

Anyone have ideas about what to do with books?

If you want to do something good with your extra books, I would suggest looking into your local Books to Prisoners/Books Through Bars program.

http://booksthroughbars.org/pbp/

I am a Level 1 Hutling Adventurer and my stats look like this:

STR: 3

STA: 1

DEX: 1

CON: 2 (+1 while wearing my NF hoodie)

WIS: 2

CHA: 5

My challenge will be:

Life Goal: Time to put the hardhat on and get to work! I have been procrastinating this task at work for an embarrassingly long time now. Today I made a week-to-week plan to get it done. Follow-ups under control! (+3 CON, +2 WIS)

Fitness goal #1: Start c25k and work out 3x’s per week! (+2 STA)

Fitness goal #2: Complete 1 unassisted chin-up with good form (+3 STR)

Diet Goal: No grains or processed sugar, focusing on real food: veggies, meat, nuts/seeds and a tiny bit of dairy. Also a beer cheat is allowed as reward for progress. Grill baby, grill: (+2 CON, +1WIS, +1 STR, +1 CHA)

I don't think it's chickenshit to need outside support at all. Yes, doing it for yourself is the most important, and motivation needs to come from you first, but sometimes you need a little backup. Especially if you don't have much support around you. It can be really tiring to be the only one making healthy choices if your family/friends are not, or worse, tease you about it. It's ok to need support, that's what we are here for!

When I'm low on motivation and feeling discouraged, I have a few strategies:

I ask myself "Do I want a better life than the one I am living right now?"

I read NF posts, or look elsewhere for motivational quotes/pictures/stories etc.

I keep a list of reasons why I am working on getting healthy, and I go back and read them when I need too. On of the biggest motivators for me is being a good role model for my friends and family.

I'd say try making a pro/con list of reasons to stay on track, and reasons not to. It may help you remember why you set the goals that you did, and remind you why they are important to you.

I think Druids/Clerics are way cool, and King Pigeon pose is badass! *Sending positive vibes and lots of encouragement* Good luck on your quest for a better life!

Just held a plank for 80 seconds this morning, up from a 67 second max. I'm dying a bit right now, but I still had some left in the tank to hold for 50 seconds on my second set of planks.

Woooooot! Crushed it! Major props to anyone with a running goal, and a big 'atta way to you Roocifer!

Wow! This post changes everything for me. I have been working on the assisted pull up machine at my gym and adjusting the weight every few days. I did feel most of the work happening in my biceps and forearms and it's terribly hard to engage my core and back muscles...probably bc of what your trainer said! The machine is doing all the stabilizing work for you. DOH!

I will definitely change my approach to this I like doing rows so I think I'm going to start there. Thanks for sharing!

hmmm... this is making me rethink my approach to that first darn pull up too. I've been doing a combo of inverted bodyweight rows (on my kitchen table) and the assisted pull up machine. Maybe tomorrow I will look for a good place to try doing negatives along with my inverted rows, and only use the assisted pull up machine to check how close I am to that pull up every once in a while.

Good luck everyone on the pull up quest, I am rooting for you all!

Great idea! I carried around a bag of dum-dum lollipops with me for a month for this same reason, but a straw would probably fit better into your fitness goals!

+1 for being fast enough to catch the bus!