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So, it's been a rough few years & it's time to get back to Rangerly things. This will be ongoing: spreading over several challenges as I'm trying to ease back into a regular routine. Goals: Run a 5k, eat healthier & learn to crochet

Welcome to the 2024 challenge...on Jan 2nd it will be 10 years since I joined the forums... My main goal was then and still is weight loss, for health reasons as well as I want to look good (to me) naked. I’ve learned this doesn't get easier when you get older. I don’t want this to be a focus for the rest of my life, I want to build some habits/routines so it becomes second nature and I don’t have to think about it. I also want to be around to watch my grandkids grow up and be able to do things with them, as well as continue to do things I enjoy well into the future! In 2023 it was all about the struggle. This year, I’m going to be set, I’m simplifying things for consistency and I need less clutter in my life, also working on my mindset. I don’t have to track “all the things”. The three most important things for me regarding weight loss are sleep, exercise (though that’s debatable) and what you fuel your body with (tracking). Exercise is debatable because you can lose weight without it, but I feel better when I do it. I know not everyone needs to track what they eat, and I no longer use an app to do this because it got to the point it was too much, but I do put it on my spreadsheet to keep myself accountable, and it also helps with meal planning and creating my grocery list. All SET ( S )leep - ( E )xercise ( T )rack - And because it wouldn’t be an RES challenge without some 5k’s Upcoming Items 12/16 - Reindeer Run 5k - Done, 54 Minutes 12/17 - Candy Cane Course 5k - skipped 01/27 - Java Jog 5k 02/11 - Couple Shuffle 5k 03/09 - Time to Paddy 5k 06/22 - Hometown Half 10k 07/07 - Firecracker 4mi 08/10 - Summer Sizzler 15k 09/28 - Donot Stop 10k 10/20 - Spooky Sprint 10k 11/10 - Turkey Trails 10k

So I know better than to expect a lot of the main goal to happen during the holidays, I enjoy food way too much and holiday baking is a thing in my house. My two main goals for this challenge will be trying to increase the number of nights I get over 7 hours of sleep, and working out first thing when I get up instead of waiting till 7am, because that hasn’t been working out well at ALL! Too often I find a reason to not do it. I’m going to be working on a modified 10k training plan, since I scheduled one on the 16th and haven’t really done anything to prepare for it. I've noticed as much as I enjoy them, it's a lot different when you don’t have someone to do them with, or even encouraging you. I need to move past this mindset and remember I’m doing them for me. After this challenge I’m going to take a week off for the holidays, then I’m going to start with the 5k training plan I did previously, after that I’ll do the full 10k plan, then, depending on how it’s going, I’ll move into the ½ marathon training plan. Some of you may remember I did the 5 and 10k plans back in 2019 and managed to lose 30lbs. Having a more active job at the time probably played a factor as well LOL. The Struggle... ( S )teps - ( T )rack - ( R )est - ( U )pdate - ( G )o - ( G )lance 5x week - ( L )ift 2x week - ( E )xercise (treadmill) 4x week - Done - 🌈 Not Done - ⛈️ My personal life is improving. I am doing my best to keep doing the same…therapy is a big part of this, journaling is another part. I'm going to continue doing this, as well as working on getting back to me and what I need in my life. Upcoming Items 12/16 - Reindeer Run 5k 12/17 - Candy Cane Course 5k 01/27 - Java Jog 15k 02/11 - Couple Shuffle 5k 03/09 - Time to Paddy 5k 06/22 - Hometown Half 10k 07/07 - Firecracker 4mi 08/10 - Summer Sizzler 15k 09/28 - Donot Stop 10k 10/20 - Spooky Sprint 10k 11/10 - Turkey Trails 10k

It's been a long time since my last challenge and even longer since my last successful challenge. This is my third try at level 5, and I'm determined to finally master this level. My Stealthy Ninja buddies and I are cheering each other on. Because life is crazy, I'll mostly be posting on Facebook, although I'll check in here weekly. I'll also be doing most of my tracking through Todoist which is a to do list app, and has been a lifesaver for me over the last couple of months as I've started using it every day to keep track of my life. Main Quest I'm ready to start pushing limits: running more, running faster, lifting heavier weights, building a stronger, healthier self. I want strong, solid habits that will carry me through tough times.. This is longer term than just a few months. I want to lose weight and get stronger. It will probably take at least a year or two, with regular plateaus built in, for me to lose enough weight to weigh 150 pounds (or less,) which is the upper end of the suggested weight range for my height. I'll judge more by how I look and feel than by the number on the scale. This isn't just about getting SKINNY, though; I want to be able to do more, live longer, and look better. One of my big intermediate goals is to to run (jog, NOT walk) a Warrior Dash. I'm working up to that with daily cardio exercise and monthly 5k races, some of them trail races. My short term goal is to run the Warrior Dash in May 2015. Motivation I don't want my fitness level and size to limit what I do anymore. Current Missions Fuel myself properly and earn CON+2 by Eating ONLY when I'm hungry (1 pt per day) Eating ONLY real food--minimally processed meats, veggies, fruits, nuts, and minimal dairy (1 pt per day) Drinking plenty of water (1 pt per day) Eating ONLY between 9 am and 8 pm (1 pt per day) Exercise every day, with a Zombies Run 5k workout twice a week to earn STA+3. I'm starting with walking 1.8 miles on other days, but may mix it up later with some strength training. Improve my health, get stronger, faster, reduce stress, live longer and earn CON+1 by sleeping 7-8 hours every night. Life Quest Calm and focus my mind, reduce stress, live longer and earn WIS+2 and CHA+2 by meditating for 15 minutes every day (1 pt per day, 1/2 pt for any meditation time) Bonus Quest Build strong habits by succeeding in ALL the quests for this challenge. Scoring: CON+1 for All B's or higher on all challenge goals CON+2 for All A's on all challenge goals STR+1 STA+1Grading A (100%) 34-42 days 25-30 workouts B (75%) 25-33 days 19-24 workouts C (50%) 16-24 days 13-18 workouts D (25%) 7-15 days 7-12 workouts F (0%) 0 - 6 days 0 - 6 workouts

This was a really good set of goals last challenge, but I completely flaked during all the holiday madness. This challenge is a reboot to focus on building solid habits. One thing I learned last challenge is that I've actually changed how I eat: even without working on the challenge, I continued to eat in a way I can sustain and continued to lose weight. Main Quest I'm ready to start pushing limits: running more, running faster, lifting heavier weights, building a stronger, healthier self. I want strong, solid habits that will carry me through tough times.. This is longer term than just a few months. I want to lose weight and get stronger. It will probably take about a year for me to lose enough weight to weigh 150 pounds (or less,) which is the upper end of the suggested weight range for my height. I'll judge more by how I look and feel than by the number on the scale. This isn't just about getting SKINNY, though; I want to be able to do more, live longer, and look better. One of my big intermediate goals is to to run (jog, NOT walk) a Warrior Dash. I'm working up to that with weekly strength and cardio training and racing regularly. I've finished two 5k races so far, and hope to run another 2 races between now and the Warrior Dash on May 10, 2014. Motivation I don't want my fitness level and size to limit what I do anymore. Current Missions Fuel myself properly and earn CON+2 by Eating ONLY when I'm hungry (1 pt per day) Eating ONLY real food--minimally processed meats, veggies, fruits, nuts, and minimal dairy (1 pt per day) Drinking plenty of water (1 pt per day) Eating ONLY between 9 am and 8 pm (1 pt per day) Get stronger, faster, and more flexible and earn STR+1, STA+1 and DEX+1 by completing 4-6 workouts every week, alternating strength, flexibility and cardio workouts, and stretching for at least 10 minutes after each workout. Improve my health, get stronger, faster, reduce stress, live longer and earn CON+1 by getting up with the alarm clock every morning (1 pt per day.) My logic is that working the going to bed end hasn't been successful, so I'll try working the getting up in the morning end. going to bed a little earlier every week or two. Starting point is going to bed by 11:30 each night. Life Quest Calm and focus my mind, reduce stress, live longer and earn WIS+2 and CHA+2 by meditating for 15 minutes every day (1 pt per day, 1/2 pt for any meditation time) Bonus Quest Build strong habits by succeeding in ALL the quests for this challenge. Scoring: CON+1 for All B's or higher on all challenge goals CON+2 for All A's on all challenge goals STR+1 STA+1Grading A (100%) 34-42 days 25-30 workouts B (75%) 25-33 days 19-24 workouts C (50%) 16-24 days 13-18 workouts D (25%) 7-15 days 7-12 workouts F (0%) 0 - 6 days 0 - 6 workouts

This challenge is my anniversary as a NF challenger (I was a lurker for about 2 months before) and i've had a wonderful journey so far, learning about myself. I've learnt some really awesome things, but the biggest things i've learnt are my stumbling blocks. Recently I've rediscovered my passion for food - not just eating it, but making it and experimenting with it and the overall feeling of comfort and relaxation that being *active* in the kitchen gives me - which i think has now contributed more than anything to my weightloss these past few weeks. The biggest stumbling block now is: I lack self discipline. Ok! I don't necessarily lack discipline but I get lazy and either don't do something or totally procrastinate until there's just no point in doing it anymore. Also I have this fear-mongering little devil on my shoulder - that has all but beaten my happy angel into pulp - who regularly whispers words of fear and doubt and anxiety into my ear reminding me that it's easier to be lazy than to work at something. How am I ever going to make all the positive changes if I don't learn discipline? The crazy thing is, that the minute I do something, I do it really well. So the Mission this challenge: To accomplish a higher level of discipline in my life through the following quests: 1. Beat the Laziness Demon, by putting boxing gloves on the Discipline Angel. I literally plan on getting into a ring to fight. I've been doing research on gyms/schools in the area that offer Kick Boxing and MMA (I don't know which one I want to do, yet). I think I've settled on a school, but I need to sign up by 4 August and start attending classes at least one evening a week. This will be on top of my 5k running PVP with Nuala that I'm doing and my lifting that I love (don't even think of asking me to stop doing this). Quest Complete: Sign up for classes with a trainer, get the necessary equipment and attend a minimum of 7 sessions Goal: A = signed up + 7 classes, B = signed up + 5 classes, C = signed up + 3 classes Reward: New hairstyle 2. Nurture the Discipline Angel back to health by +50gr daily protein intake and -30gr daily carb intake by 9 Sept. Over the past two challenges, I developed a really good habit of stopping the binge eating and both keeping my calories no more than 5% above/below my recommended daily intake and spreading them across at least 2 meals a day. However, I noticed that I was still not eating enough protein (by a long shot) and eating carbs at a maintenance level. So in order to make this stick, i'm going to gradually increase protein & decrease carbs weekly until i'm at a good level for this challenge (my saturated fat levels are relatively low and the rest are pretty normal). Week 1: Protein +15gr; Carbs -5gr Week 2: Protein +15gr; Carbs -10gr Week 3: Protein +30gr; Carbs -15gr Week 4: Protein +30gr; Carbs -20gr Week 5: Protein +50gr; Carbs -25gr Week 6: Protein + 50gr; Carbs -30gr Quest Complete: Reached weekly goal for at least 4 full different meals. Goal: A = 4 meals, B = 3 meals, C = 2 meal Reward: New Designer Bra 3. Weaken the Laziness Demon by reaching and maintaining a 90-100% snack free day. Sheesh, who doesn't have a snacking problem?! Funny thing is that I don't have a sweet tooth and generally don't like chocolate or candy or cake etc, but towards the end of the last challenge it was like I was possessed and I couldn't get through a day without a cookie and it got worse from there. I didn't recognise this person. I have put in the 90% in order to allow for sharkweek - which is the only time I actually want to eat or enjoy eating chocolate. damn you hormones - and for taste testing my own baking creations on a Sunday night, if the desire takes me (it hasn't yet). All snacks that are banished from my day are on this list and I lose % points for every snack that I consume (as in if i eat 4 cookies, that's 20% gone). In order to actually make this work, I have to have other healthier snacks on hand. I need to get off my lazy butt and prepare these in advance (see, some discipline). I make my own biltong (kinda like jerky but better) and dried fruit and I need to make time to get to the farmer's market to pick up enough nuts for the challenge. Quest Complete: 90 - 100% snack free daily. Goal: A = 90%+, B = 85 - 89%, C = 80-84% Reward: A Pair of Designer Heels Life Quest: Get the Discipline Angel ready to fight by following a set routine It's not surprising that my life goal follows my mission. I feel that I cope better when I have a routine to follow and a lot of the items on my routine are crucial in achieving my quests (packing in lunch and snacks; getting clothes and bags ready for the next day etc). I have a list of routine items that need to be met and I will garner points for each item. Some items are more points than others and that is because they are vital to the mission. Others are relatively low because I already do them or they aren't entirely crucial if missed/skipped. Quest Complete: 85 - 100% routines completed daily. Goal: A = 85%+, B = 75-84%, C = 70-74% Reward: 2x Professional House Cleans Why would I do any of this to myself? It's simple, really! I have an extremely long term goal of being healthy enough to see my nephews grow up and have healthy kids of their own; to be able to slide into a leotard without looking like a marshmallow and (potentially) train other dancers again; to comfortably slip into a wetsuit without looking like a whale and go back to surfing; to just feel physically comfortable when I participate in the sports I love or when I travel around the world; and to outlive my parents (1 month and I beat my mum who had both diabetes and emphysema when she died of meningitis). I don't want to miss out on anything that life has to offer, especially because I already know how sweet it tastes. *THAT* is why I need to learn discipline now!! Starting Measurements: Weight: 127.50kg Neck: 39cm Bicep: 35cm Breast: 131cm Underbust: 104cm Waist: 110cm Hip: 141cm Thigh: 73cm