bigkislowski

Nice to see someone else starting the challenge halfway through :] You're goals are awesome and I feel you on the whole "no one to try parkour with". Some activities just seem like they were meant to do with someone else. But kudos to you for deciding to start anyway!

This week hasn't been going well for me :\ It seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to get stuff done! Goal 1: Run one mile without stopping Progress: I haven't been to the gym since Sunday. I don't like running outdoors since I can't track my speed or distance and it's hot as, well, a desert. My goal is to go after work on Friday and each morning on Saturday and Sunday. Get in some good runs those days since I know I won't have the time Mon-Thurs next week as well. Goal 2: Regain back walkover Progress: I've taken a few days off from putting pressure on my wrist, but I'm not really sure if it's done anything. In general it's aching less but when I try to stretch it there's still a slight pang there. Maybe another few days is all it needs. I have been doing armstands and one armed bridges though, so I'm working on other areas of it. Goal 3: No fast food Progress: I'm kind of kicking ass at this one :] Yesterday in between work and class I was having a real craving but I had a handful of almonds and went to class and by the time I was out, that junk was the last thing on my mind. Goal 4: Study French at least 5 hours a week Progrès: This is another one that's kind of fell by the wayside. Luckily I did two hours on Sunday, so I just need to fit 3 more in for the week. Friday and Saturday are ideal days, so I want to try to squeeze in an hour tonight.

An appropriately named challenge for me, since what's always holding me back is "I'm too tired". I have the nasty tendency of always feeling exhausted, which opens the door for me to excuse myself from getting things done. Sink full of dishes? I've had a long day, I'll do them in the morning. Friends are meeting up at karaoke? I can see them on the weekend when I have more time. I should really go to the gym? It's a long drive that I just don't want make right now. And classes four nights a week after a full day of work certainly isn't helping my case I've started eating a healthier diet and taking vitamins hoping that it was the underlying problem of my exhaustion, but I haven't really noticed any change in my energy levels. I even tried drinking more coffee but all that did was make me jittery. And sleep isn't the culprit since I usually get 8 - 9 hours a night. I'm kind of convinced it's just my body used to being lazy and still wanting me to be lazy. I think I just need to push through it at the end of the day and think "yeah I may be tired, but I'll be going to sleep in however many hours anyway so I'll just do what I need to do and get on with it".

I can pick up a pedometer tomorrow evening after work/class, so anytime later this week is a good starting point for me! I've seen some people use Google Doc spreadsheets around the forums to track distance things like this. Maybe I can tinker around with one at work tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. I'm up for walking as companions or racing :] Or start out as companions and break into a race as we near the finish line haha

Let's do it! I just need to pick up a pedometer and I'll be ready :]

Current goals: I jumped in this challenge half way, so I think my goals are still pretty solid. I've been thinking that practicing French 5 hours a week may not be lofty enough, but I work full time and my evening college classes start tomorrow, so I don't want to overwhelm myself. 1 year goal: I want to be able to look back at who I am today, and know that I am a better person in every way. More fit, more wise, more motivated, more skilled, etc. 5 year goal: Have my Bachelors degree. I'm hoping to get this done in less time, but since I only do classes part time I think five years is a good goal. I'm sure I'll have to buckle down and do some online courses and even summer ones, but I want to have it accomplished by the time I'm 30. 10 year goal: This one was definitely difficult. I thought of some normal things (be married, have a family, own a home) all of which I would like, but I don't know when will be the right time for those things.

125 lbs?! You go Alex! Keep up the good work and good luck quitting smoking I'd suggest yoga for balance and flexibility. Even if you don't want to get into some of the full on poses, some basic stretches will do wonders for you.

Oooh I'm intrigued! Are you just going to do the 1779 miles to Mordor or do the whole there-and-back?

I live in Vegas as well. Any week will probably be fine for me

A few days in, time for a status update! Goal 1: Run one mile without stopping Progress: I'm staying pretty steady at a little over half a mile without stopping. I've noticed that having one long song to listen to has been keeping me more motivated than a few shorter songs. Maybe I just need to find a ten minute song to keep up my momentum? Goal 2: Regain back walkover Progress: This has been slow going with my wrist. I'm going to try to take the next few days off as far as bridges and handstands go to let it rest up a bit more. Maybe do some armstands/bridges in the mean time Goal 3: No fast food Progress: So far so good! Need to get to the store today to stock up on veggies for the upcoming week Goal 4: Study French at least 5 hours a week Progrès: Comme çi comme ca. I've been trying to listen to conversations on Livemocha and understand what they're saying without using the transcripts

More to come, I'm sure, but I want to be able to say I've accomplished all of these things Run a mile in under 7 1/2 minutes Run a 5K Run a half marathon Run a marathon Complete a Warrior Dash Complete a Spartan Race Complete a Tough Mudder Race 10 pull ups Front flip Back flip Aerial Read 50 books in one year Become fluent in French Become fluent in Polish Get my Associates degree Get my Bachelors degree Learn to play an instrument Start a book club Learn to play poker Visit all 7 continents Visit all 50 states Explore the Amazon Visit Belize Walk on the Great Wall of China Live in Paris for a time Visit Barcelona Visit Egypt Go to Argentina by myself Obtain dual citizenship Visit Poland Swim in the open ocean Go white water rafting Go cliff jumping Ride in a hot air balloon Backpack through Europe Go sailing Go SCUBA diving Shoot a gun Go snowboarding Go on an African safari Attend a pro football game Attend a pro hockey game I've done some of these things already, but I don't think I really appreciated them as much as I would now or in the future, so back on the list they go!

Have you started using the app already? It seems like fun but they don't have it for Blackberry Also, congrats on quitting smoking cold turkey. I've had friends that have tried it before so I know it takes a lot of determination!

Great job on your weight loss so far, Breakfast! What kind of exercise routine/diet have you been following?

Welcome! :] It's nice to see a fellow gymnast and your goals are pretty much what have been going through my head the past few weeks as well.

Starting about midway through, but it's never too late, right? Plus I'm too impatient to wait for the next six week challenge :] STR: 2 DES: 3 STA: 2 CON: 2 WIS: 3 CHA: 3 Since I'm starting half way, I'll only allow myself half the points. Goal 1: Run one mile without stopping (+2 STA) Why: My stamina has always been pretty abysmal and since I've always had some heart health issues, I want to cardiovascular activities How: Right now I can run a little over half a mile without slowing down to a brisk walk, so I'm just trying to extend that. I'm not going for speed this time, so I'll be going at my normal running pace of 6 MPH. Goal 2: Regain back walkover (+1 DEX, +1 STR) Why: Gymnastics is a passion of mine and ideally I'd like to be able to tumble again. This is a good starting point How: I lightly sprained my right wrist a few weeks ago, so I need to ease into this. Starting with back bend kickovers and working my way back to the seamless walkover Goal 3: No fast food (+1 CON) Why: Sometimes I don't pack lunch for work. Sitting at a desk all day and eating that crap is NOT setting myself up for success. How: Prepare lunch the night before. Also have some precooked chicken and frozen veggies that I can grab in a pinch Goal 4:Study French at least 5 hours a week (+1.5 WIS, +1 CHA) Pourquoi: I've been wanting to become fluent for years and while I have some basic knowledge, I'm not where I want to be Comment: Work on my conjugation and speak it more so I get over my self consciousness of my accent I can do this

I've been poking my head into some of the challenge threads and they seem like fun. I can't wait for this one to be over so I can join in haha

Great mentality! I was saying that exact same thing to my sister last night. I've heard good things about the C25K program. I'd love to know your thoughts on it as you go through it (easy to stick to? is it a challenge?)

Welcome! I'm excited to follow your journey on doing a backflip :]

Thanks for the support :] Everyone here is so inspiring and knowledgeable. I can't wait to become more involved!

Hi! I'm KK and I guess I'll give you some back story :] I'm 25, work full time, and go to school part time. I was extremely active when I was younger (a few years of ninjutsu and figure skating, as well as dance and competitive gymnastics from the time I could walk until I was 18). I'm currently 5'8" and about 125 lbs, so I'm by no means overweight but I'm not in great shape either. I've been wanting to get more fit lately but haven't known exactly how to go about it. Gymnastics was really my passion but it's been difficult since I've gotten taller :] I've been trying to find some schools that offer "open gym" though so I can get back into tumbling. Basically, I've been trying to eat better (vaguely paleo, but not super strict) and taken up running. Reading about lifting has interested me lately. I'd really like to get some upper body strength back since that would be pretty essential for tumbling. I do have to admit that I find it intimidating though and don't want to embarrass myself at the gym haha Anyway, I've been reading the blog for a while and after surfing the forums a bit it seems like a great community!