Daetris

There are some people who naturally need less sleep; you may simply be one of them. If the specific *hours* that you're sleeping bother you (i.e. you need to be getting to bed/getting up early for whatever reason), then try leadchipmunk's suggestions.

Thanks, Mama T! In spite of the fact that I haven't posted, like, at all the last two weeks, I've been making progress, though not quite as much as I'd like in terms of frequency. On the plus side, I wogged a 13-minute mile, which I have never ever done in my life--couldn't resist a fist-pump right there on the treadmill! And though this isn't part of my stated goals, I've been increasing my weights steadily, too. On the other hand, I've only managed strength workouts 2x/week, and I haven't written a word for at least two weeks, either. I really need to engage with the forums more often to remind myself of that goal in particular. But today is another day, and I'm about to head to the gym!

This is an issue for me as well--I have a disability that really limits my ankle mobility, and I can't get them much past 90 degrees, so regular squats are out for me. I've been doing the incline leg press at the gym instead. Someone recommended wide-stance (plié) squats, too, though my knees tend to crackle a bit when I do those. I'd love to hear some more suggestions for non-squat exercises that work the quads well!

Looking forward to my second challenge! Starting Attributes: Strength (STR): 5 Dexterity (DEX): 2 Stamina (STA) - 1 Constitution (CON): 8 Wisdom (WIS): 3.75 Charisma (CHA): 2 Goal 1 (Fitness): Shave a minute off my “wogging†speed, currently 13:45 min/mile – STA 3, DEX 2 This is part of my continued HIIT training. I'll do a session each weekend (too intense to follow my strength training, and I want enough recovery time in between those during the week). Goal 2 (Fitness): Maintain 3x/week strength sessions as the fall semester gets under way – STR 3, STA 2 I've been really enjoying my strength training, and it's been relatively simple keeping it regular during the more unstructured time of summer, but need to make sure I don't let it lag in the face of pre-semester meetings and then classes starting. Goal 3 (Diet): Plan dinners so I have leftovers every day for lunch – CON 2 Last semester I managed this about half the time, which usually meant I'd end up eating Subway or worse the rest of the time. Goal 4 (Life): Write at least 15 minutes every day - WIS 3 That doesn't sound like much, and hopefully I'll usually do more, but the main thing is I need to establish this as a regular habit, not a "holy crap I've got to finish that article/presentation at the last minute!" habit...

I haven't been logging here, as I also use MyFitnessPal and it's easier to do that over there. But here's how everything shook out: Starting Attributes Strength (STR) - 3 Dexterity (DEX) - 1 Stamina (STA) - 2 Constitution (CON) - 4 Wisdom (WIS) - 3 Charisma (CHA) – 2 Current Diet: Half-assed paleo (I will occasionally eat quinoa and brown rice, some legumes, and I usually have a glass or two of wine with dinner) Current Exercise: 25-60 minutes walking and occasional jogging 5-6x/week; just began strength training yesterday, shooting for 3x/week Goal 1 (Fitness): Shave a minute off my current “wogging” speed, currently 15 min/mile – STA 2, DEX 2 Made it down to 14:30, so I guess it's a C there: STA 1, DEX 1 Goal 2 (Fitness): Actually complete those 3x/week strength sessions – STR 3, STA 1 Here I did pretty well, except for the week I was away, so I'd give myself a B on this one: STR 2, STA .75 Goal 3 (Diet): Eat at least 100 g protein every day – CON 4 Very good on this, only a rare couple of days that I went below, so A: CON 4 Goal 4 (Life): Read 4 articles/book chapters a week in preparation for my current research project. WIS 3 Really crapped out on this one. I did what was needed, but that's it. D: WIS .75 Ending Attributes: Strength (STR) - 5 Dexterity (DEX) - 2 Stamina (STA) - 1 Constitution (CON) - 8 Wisdom (WIS) - 3.75 Charisma (CHA) – 2

Thanks, folks! Like CoreyD said, after the warm-ups things felt okay--still sore, but not prohibitively so. Feel pretty good right now.

Heh--I certainly don't do them gracefully! And man, they hit muscles in my abdomen that I didn't know I had. My disability primarily involves my feet and ankles--I wear braces on both legs, which prevent me from bending my ankles more than about 90 degrees, so squats are out, alas. Thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to try it, with lots of warm-up, and see how it goes. I really want to stay on track with this.

azalais7 over there!

I've been strength training (using the New Rules of Lifting for Women program) for about two weeks. On Tuesday I did a new set of exercises (Rom deadlift, inverse rows, dumbbell press, lunges, Swiss-ball crunches), and today (Thursday) my quads, glutes, lats, and shoulders are still really sore. I'm not sure if I should give myself a second rest day or go ahead and push through. I know I'm not injured, but I don't think I would be able to lift optimally. Would it be better to do some light cardio and lift tomorrow, or is it worth it to do a strength session today even if I'm sore? Edit: According to NRL4W, today I would be doing leg press (I can't squat due to disability), incline push-ups, seated row, step-ups, and Swiss-ball prone jackknife.

Hi RichDF, Thanks for goading me to post! Very cool blog--thanks for the recommendation! That's definitely what I'm shooting for. So, my progress: Goal 1: Monday I wogged on the treadmill at the gym, as it was just too hot to do anything outside. It's the first time I've done that in a while, and running on the treadmill is very different than on the bike path, so I can't really compare my progress. But I did average 14:33/mile, so I can use that as a barometer for my next indoor wog. I'll look at it as progress! Goal 2: I was hiking in the mountains last week, so no strength training as such until yesterday (http://www.nerdfitness.com/community/showthread.php?13916-Daetris-Battle-Log&p=217518&viewfull=1#post217518). Goal 3: Averaging 100 g so far, though sometime dip down to the low 90s. But more on strength days! Goal 4: Eh, this is where I really dropped the ball so far. Yes, I was on vacation, but I haven't read a damn thing for my research project since starting the challenge. Can I earn negative Wisdom points? Medieval literature is anything written in Europe between about 500 and 1500. My diss was on Chaucer, but I also work with stuff by Marie de France (11th century), Dante, and Old English texts. Not sure what I'm going to get for exercise today. I have this weird guilt thing where if for whatever reason I can't walk the dogs (it's too hot, raining, whatever), I can't bring myself to go get some alternative exercise at the gym. Especially when it's my fault for not getting out early enough to beat the worst of the heat, like today. It's not just me being a wimp--one of my dogs really can't handle heat. Too bad I can't convince the gym to let me walk the dogs around the indoor track...

Walked 43 minutes and finished 2 weight training circuits. http://www.nerdfitness.com/community/showthread.php?13916-Daetris-Battle-Log&p=206002&viewfull=1#post206002 120 g protein!

I’m brand-new to NF and very excited to begin! I’m a SF Bay Area transplant to Kentucky, where I teach medieval literature. I’m hoping to improve overall health and energy level, and drop down from a US size 14-16 to a size 10. As you can tell from that, I don’t aspire to be skinny—I like my curves!—but I do want to be stronger and sleeker. I don’t have a time frame in mind, though it would be nice to have good arms in my wedding photos a year from now (a year from today, actually!). Much as I agree with the free weight philosophy, I have a mild disability that really limits my feet and ankle range of motion, so squats/lunges/deadlifts aren’t possible and I mostly will have to rely on machines for lower-body stuff. I can do Romanian deadlifts, though, and perhaps plié squats—will have to test that out. My stats: Age: 38 Height: 5’6†Weight: 170 Measurements: Chest 42 Waist 36 Hips 42 Don’t have BF% yet, but will once I have my physical next week. Race: Um, never played D&D, so...human? Profession: Currently Adventurer, aspiring Valkryie Ranger My avatar picture is the only recent full-length photo I have right now, but I'm hoping to get a friend to take some full profile ones soon. Current Attributes Strength (STR) - 3 Dexterity (DEX) - 1 Stamina (STA) - 2 Constitution (CON) - 4 Wisdom (WIS) - 3 Charisma (CHA) – 2 Current Diet: Half-assed paleo (I will occasionally eat quinoa and brown rice, some legumes, and I usually have a glass or two of wine with dinner) Current Exercise: 25-60 minutes walking and occasional jogging 5-6x/week; just began strength training yesterday, shooting for 3x/week Goal 1 (Fitness): Shave a minute off my current “wogging†speed, currently 15 min/mile – STA 2, DEX 2 Goal 2 (Fitness): Actually complete those 3x/week strength sessions – STR 3, STA 1 Goal 3 (Diet): Eat at least 100 g protein every day – CON 4 Goal 4 (Life): Why is this one the hardest to come up with? Should I make coming up with a life goal my life goal for this challenge? ;-) Okay, okay. Read 4 articles/book chapters a week in preparation for my current research project. WIS 3

Thanks, Kelly! This is one of my favorites, actually (not one of the cringe-inducing ones). I'd figured on starting out as an Adventurer, but aspire to be a Ranger!

Jedi Jem, I wouldn't be surprised!

Found this site yesterday and very inspired! I'm a West Coast transplant to South Central Kentucky (humidity! agh!) trying to transform into a habitual exerciser. Major foodie, with preference for the paleo model (though I'm not rigid about it). Not quite the crazy dog lady, but love my two girls and fascinated by the history of dog/human relationships. Overall I just want to be generally healthy. Seeing the health problems older relatives have that are caused/exacerbated by weight is frightening, and it's much harder to get/stay in shape the older we get. But the thing that really kicked me into gear is my wedding next year. I want to feel good and have pictures that don't make me cringe (the way some of the ones from a recent engagement photo session did). My stats: 38 years old 170 lbs. Chest: 42 Waist: 36 Hips: 44 Will know my body fat percentage after my yearly physical in about two weeks. I started out on My Fitness Pal, and fortunately discovered the forum groups Eat More, Weigh Less and New Rules of Lifting for Women right away. Still using that site to track calories/nutrients, though I've customized everything. I really have very little history with dieting--tried Atkins about a decade ago for a few months, then fell completely off the wagon. Right now I'm shooting for 1700-2000 quality calories a day depending on activity, avoiding starches and grains and most sugar. My biggest struggle is getting enough protein--I should be getting 170g, but have set myself a temporary goal of 100+ (up from 60-ish). Soon I'll break down and buy protein powder, but I have to wait until my next paycheck. For fitness, I've been trying to up my daily walking, with a 20-minute minimum (usually end up averaging about 180 minutes/week). I've discovered I actually enjoy running these days (not sure when the hell that happened!), though I'm very slow and can't run for more than a minute or two at a time yet. I'd like to be able to complete a 5k at some point, but have no aspirations for long-distance running. I just began strength training and am loving it.