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Hello world, My name is Brad. I am a 31 year old male. I live in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, but I am originally from Baltimore , Maryland. I went to culinary school in 2010 and work 60+ hours a week in kitchens. I am also just beginning a career change, studying computer science. It's always been a hobby of mine, and might as well fill up my cred stick while I can. My nerd cred is pretty legit. I've been lurking the corners of the internet since AOL was a brand new idea. I lurked newsgroups for years, idled many an IRC channel. I love. board games like Axis and Allies, and Settlers. Spent my first paychecks completely on Warhammer 40k mini's. I love pen and paper D&D. I read trashy Sci-Fi fiction. Also I've played a few years in a LARP that you may or may not have seen in a documentary on Netflix. At the beginning of this year(2015) I decided that I had to make alot of changes in my life. I was 'skinny fat'. 6'3" and 230 isnt that bad, but I was somewhere near 30% body fat. If you read the above paragraph you can Imagine I wasn't spending alot of time playing sports and eating right. I was a very heavy drinker (6 nights a week, blackout status), and a heavy smoker (pack a day). I was 240#, hungover and unhappy. My female counterpart had found another adventuring group, and I was wasting away in /local. Six months later I am completely sober and smoke free. I am down to 185# or so, and probably look the best I ever have. I started with a general body weight circuit in the mornings and progressed to SL 5x5 which I am about 7 weeks into now. I did my first chin up ever a month or so ago, and can now rail off 5 in a row. My diet is much better. Although when you are eating gas station cheeseburgers at 4 am, crying to the ending of "Rudy", there really is no where to go but up. I am having success with changing my lifestyle, but I can start to feel myself getting content. Ive been lurking around multiple fitness boards and reading alot of source material. NF looked like a good fit to help push me beyond 'looking and feeling good', to fully accepting a healthy lifestyle. LIFE GOAL: Gain 10# of muscle in 6 weeks. (Achieve at least 195# body weight) Quest #1: Sacrifice at the Iron Temple 3x a week. Complete 2nd half of SL 5X5. This is something I had been doing for a while. At first I had no plan at all. I was hitting whatever machine felt good. My arms got way too big. I started SL 5x5 and found a plan. I'm about 6 weeks into and I want to continue it, without missing any more sessions. Quest #2: Pilgrimage to Mordor. Get halfway(229mi.) to Rivendell in 6 weeks. The guide to walking to Mordor is how I found NF initially. I walk a ton. I work on my feet. I hit 3-4 miles a day on my android app, and that doesn't count the 8-10 hours where I'm actually at work and the only time I sit is on the toilet. Its about 5.25mi./day. I need to get a fitbit, which I wanted anyway. My lifting is about to get heavy, and this will be my only dedicated cardio. Quest #3: Keep using those Health Pots. 3k Calories/day; 235g protein/day. I want to pack on 10# of muscle in 6 weeks for like 4 straight challenges. That's 40# of muscle and It all starts with diet. I have actually been hitting those numbers, or close too for a while now. I want to hit those number EVERY DAMN DAY. I want to be huge. I want to crack the sidewalk. It starts in the kitchen. My diet is currently full of protein. Low on carbs and bad fats. I've been reading up on all this for 6 months now, and want to develop a system to help me put it into action.i want to use MyFitnessPal to track everything. Also I want to set up a pars list for my kitchen, to help with grocery shopping and meal planning. Finally I need to watch my munching at work. 2 french fries every 5 minutes for a couple hours adds up. LifeQuest: I have some vacations coming up, which will be full of anxiety, and also expensive. I'd like to just make it 6 weeks sticking to my first challenge and being active in the forums here. Setting up my plans for food tracking and workout tracking and sticking to them. Getting 7 hours of rest a night. Gotta Start somewhere! So, NF, I venture forth into the starter area. Ready to explore, grab some loot, and power on!

Introduction: Greetings all I am Crawdadr (Russel) and as is obvious I am new to this site. I am 37 year old male and recently hit 250 pounds of bad weight. My life is mostly sedentary with a job in an office and most of my free time gaming or hanging out with the family in doors. In the past I have really enjoyed lifting and two weeks ago I started again. Also two weeks ago I started to adjust my diet to fit within my goals of a healthier me. One of my biggest issues has always been staying the course in with my goal setting so this will be a challenge for me almost as big as the goals. Oh and I am always an Orc in anything I do that allows it so that is what I will be. Because I mean really why choose any other race? Main Quest: Lose fat and improve my strength Quest 1: Get to the Gym twice a week for the first two weeks, then three times a week for the final four weeks Quest 2: Increase all of my lifts to where they were before I got hurt Quest 3: Maintain my carb controlled eating with no more than one cheat day a week and when I do cheat not to gorge. Life Quest: Read to my kids before bed more often during this challenge Measurement: A = 16 days, B = 14 days, C = 10 days Reward: A = +2 CHA, B = +1CHA, C = +0.5 CHA Motivation: I got hurt lifting last year and I just kind of let it all go. Recently I hit 250 pounds and not the good kind of weight and that is a no go amount for me. So now I am looking to keep motivated and get fit. It would be nice if I can look good for Gen Con as well.

Hello and welcome to my first challenge thread. My name is Alex and my handle means "Seize the Power". Background I've joined the Rebellion at a turning point in my life. I recently moved towns, am in the process of changing careers, and ended a 2 year marriage with a woman who I've known for almost a decade. Over the past 5 years, I let my body go to hell and along with it much of my self esteem and drive. When I graduated college in 2010, I was a buff 185lbs (beer gut aside). Mid last year, I was a portly 250. I am 5'10. I finally started counting calories and lifting heavy, going hard for several months, getting myself as low as 210. I fell off the horse and have been fluctuating in the 220-225 range for the past few months. I have used StrongLifts 5x5 and MyFitnessPal as my primary tools. I also do light cardio: walking/elliptical trainer/treadmill. I'm sick of yo-yoing and I finally feel mentally tough enough to focus and accomplish my current objective, which brings me to the following: Main Quest Weight Loss - Specifically, my initial goal is to hit 199lbs, dropping below 200lbs for the first time in about 4 years. Additionally, I would like to accomplish this goal by my 28th birthday on August 5th. So how am I going to chip away at this during this challenge? Quests 1. 1875 1500 1760 or less net kcal from food per day (Updated for calorie goal adjustment and accuracy); I will use MyFitnessPal to track and I am not going to sweat macros that much, though I will be aiming for at least 150 grams of protein per day to help out my muscles. 2. Follow StrongLifts 5x5; I got pretty strong off this program last year, but it's been a few months, so I am going to drop down significantly on the weight to begin so that I don't injure myself. Starting working weights will be as follows: Squat: 205lbs Bench Press: 185lbs Deadlift: 205lbs Overhead Press: 95lbs Pendlay Row: 95lbs 3. At least 30 minutes of cardio per day; This can be walking outdoors, using the elliptical/treadmill, whatever. This is primarily to aid with my net calories goal as well as get me into a habit of daily activity. I don't have to go particularly hard, especially on recovery days. It's a matter of getting it done. Life Quest Shower and apply skin treatment products daily; Disgusting as it is, I let my hygiene suffer amidst the recent chaos in my life. It doesn't help that I have skin condition that was exacerbated. I am being treated by a dermatologist, but I need to do my part. Getting this under control and rebuilding a hygienic habit will certainly do wonders for my self esteem. Motivation My motivation is to transform myself into my best me. I want to put my best self forward in this new world of sorts. I'm in a new town, I'm exploring new career opportunities, and I'll eventually be reentering the dating scene. I want to seize the power to change and seize the power of being a better self. Mini Challenges: Week 1: +1 WIS Week 2: +1 CHA Week 3: +1 CON Week 4: +3 STR, +1 STA, +1 DEX, +1 CON, +1 WIS, +2 CHA Week 5: Week 6:

Hi, my name is Harbard, and I'm an alcoh--I mean--this is my first challenge. I have a desk job and twin toddlers, so my fitness and energy levels have taken a nose dive over the last two years. By the time my kids are big enough to notice, I want to be an inspiration to them. I want to be someone they look up to as an example of achieving goals through hard work, and perfecting both mental and physical culture. Plus, I'd like to be stronger, so I don't blow out a disc picking one or both of them up. I'd also feel better as a dad knowing that if I ever needed to physically protect them for some ridiculous reason, I'd actually be capable of that. The way I intend to accomplish this is: Main Quest: Gain enough strength and technique to compete in a Powerlifting competition before the end of 3 years. Quest 1: I've been back lifting now for about 8 weeks. I'd like to add the following amounts to my main lifts over the next 6 weeks: Squat: 65 lbs Bench Press: 30 lbs Deadlift: 70 lbs Overhead Press: 20 lbs Measurement: A = meet all 4 goals, B = meet 3 of 4 goals, C = meet 2 of 4 goals Quest 2: Learn the proper technique for Power Cleans and incorporate them into my routine Measurement: A = start by the second week, B = start by the third week, C = start by the fourth week Quest 3: Increase my stamina so I can perform three full sets of chin-ups at the end of one of my workouts. This is already part of my routine, but has been a weak spot since the beginning. Measurement: A = 3 sets of 10, B = 3 sets of 8, C = 3 sets of 6 Life Quest: Finish reading A Feast for Crows, because it's been tough to make time for reading, and I'm finishing these novels almost as slow as George R R Martin is writing them. Measurement: Pass/Fail Motivation: I want to be a dad my children can be proud of, because I'm already so proud of them. EDITED on April 8 because I decided it was unrealistic for Bench and OHP to progress at same rate

Main Quest Bench Press my bodyweight using dumbbells. I will calculate this by using a 1rm calculator, I'm not actually going to try a 1rm with dumbbells alone in my garage - that would probably be a dumb idea ;P Quest 1 Stick to my workout plan of 4 short, efficient, strength workouts each week. Record everything on a spreadsheet, and strive to make steady improvements. Quest 2 Make an account on MyFitnessPal and track calories each day. Calorie goal staying between 2000-2500 each day to slowly reduce weight over many months, but stay strong enough to improve lifting. Motivation - Staying strong and healthy for my little girl (she is 8 weeks old) not only to teach her about being fit and healthy in the future, but to make sure i'm still around, and active until an old age.

I took my blood sugar this morning and it was over 300. I have refused to take insulin because it's stupid to fix a problem with his the problem was made and insulin makes weight loss harder. My goal is to lower my fasting blood sugar. My three steps to getting there are working out 4 times a week for at least 20 minutes, eating at least two home cooked meals at home, and talking at least one supplement that help with blood sugar regulation every day. My life goal is to spend less than 120 in eating out over the next six weeks. My name is Chris and I am a food addict. I know better and I do the opposite. I have done this before and quit when life got rough. I will not be that Chris six weeks from now.

Hi everyone, This is my first challenge and first time posting on NF. Hoping it will give me a bit more accountability and stop making excuses for myself! Main goals: Get stronger, lose BF while maintaining muscle. I hope to achieve this by following CBL, today I have started 10 day prep of ultra low carbs. It would be great to hear from anyone else who has any experience with this. I aim to lift heavy x3 a week, following a wendler for squat, deadlift and bench. Current: Height: 5ft 8 Weight: 83kg 1Rep max Deadlift:120kg Bench:50kg Squat: 100kg

I've started and stopped way too many times recently and yet I know my goals are achievable. I managed to use a recent knee injury as an excuse to stop exercising altogether and packed on 10lbs. Well, the knee isn't fixed yet and some days I can barely walk, but dammit, diet is 80% of the battle. No more excuses! 6-week goal: 12lbs gone. Forever. Never coming back. Ever. I know from past experience that 2lbs/week is very attainable for my body. Daily step goal: 10K steps Weekly Workout Goal: 3X/week heavy lifting (upper body only due to knee injury) Let's do this!

Introduction: Hi, I'm Tecrin, and this is my first real challenge. I've been on and off NF for about a year now, but I need something to keep myself in check! And this time I was actually back on NF in time to get in on a challenge from the start, so a challenge it is then. I am not a newbie to fitness, I've been working out regularly since June 2011, back when I was massively overweight and unhealthy, and managed to knock off 20 kg in the span of 9 months, mostly by doing cardio and light weights at high reps. I got into weight lifting about 2 years ago when I started benching an empty oly bar and haven't looked back since. I'm in love with deadlifts. I have a love/hate relationship with squats. I would consider it the highest of achievements if I could haul my heavy self up into an unsupported chin-up just once in my life. Apart from lifting weights, I like going outside for some exercise-related fresh air. I would like to be a runner but I go out for walks far more often than for runs. I've been steadily gaining weight again since last summer. It's funny, really: I track my food intake fairly regularly, and apart from struggling with macros from time to time, my daily intake is usually pretty good. But it's the binge eating that gets me. There's been a lot more of that in these past months. Part of it is to blame on health issues (eczema) resulting a bad immune system, which, combined with sleepless nights can leave me with barely any energy during the day to even function normally (these are the 5-cups-of-coffee-to-function kind of days). But those days can trigger binges out of boredom or sadness or as a habit or just because I'm eating mindlessly. And those binges can trigger more of those bad feelings. If it's really bad, it can spiral down for quite a few days before I manage to break out of it, and those are the days when I don't do anything active at all because I can't get myself motivated enough and I eat like shit because hey, I'm already a sad fatty, why bother? I've been reading the book Mindful Eating, but it feels a bit too woo for me at times. But then I found the mindful eating ftw! topic, and it was an eye opener. Taking the mindless eating bull by the horns with some practical advice and a support group is way more up my alley! So for my first trick challenge, I want to practice mindful eating to help me get rid of harmful eating patterns, and getting my energy and workout mojo back. Main Quest: Practice mindful eating to work towards a weight of 80 kg before the end of 2015. Learn to recognise triggers and anticipate binges. S.M.A.R.T.? Specific: I want to fix my mindset to help me lose the weight I've gained from the binge eating. While the main goal isn't specific, the sub-goal is: weigh 80 kg by 31 December 2015! Measurable: That's easy. Step on the scales. The main goal is only measurable in how I feel. I am hoping to generally feel better by the end of 2015 and experience less downward spirals. Attainable: The sub-goal would mean losing 18 kg in 8 months. This is an attainable goal. The main goal would mean practicing mindful eating every day until it becomes a habit. Realistic: The weight loss goal sounds a teensy bit daunting, but also doable. Mindful eating is a skill I wish to acquire for life, so practicing a skill every day if you want to master it sounds realistic. Timely: The weight loss goal is a time-restricted goal and therefore measurable. You can't really put a time-restriction on learning a life skill, though. Sub-quests: - Go for a run on Sundays, no excuses. I have found that working out gives me energy and happy thoughts, and even though I suck at running, I do enjoy it, so making it a habit to put my shoes on and go out for a run every Sunday in order to improve my mood for that day or even that week will help with the main goal. A= went every Sunday, B=missed one, C=missed 2, D=missed 3, E=missed 4, F=missed 5. - Go to the gym 2-3 times a week (depending on time constraints, I can only make it 2 times for at least until the end of April due to treatments for my eczema (ugh, rather be lifting) ). This was a habit, but it's the first to fall by the wayside too. Right now, my gym time is more limited, but my old routine was Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and I want to get back to doing just that. A= 2 times a week for the duration of the challenge, with at least 3 weeks of 3, B = 2 times a week for the duration of the challenge with 1-2 weeks of 3, C = 2 times a week, D = failed 1 week out of 6, E= failed 2 weeks out of 6, 3 = failed 3 weeks out of 6 - Eat veggies at least once a day. Veggies are good for you. Eat more veggies. If I eat veggies instead of biscuits, I get bonus points. (right?) A= I've been a good girl and ate all my veggies. B= I missed 1-2 days of eating my veggies. C= I missed 3-4 days of eating my veggies. D= I missed 5-6 days of eating my veggies. E = I missed a whole week of veggie eating. F= I fail so hard at eating veggies I missed more than a week in total. Grading my main quest: A = I can see considerable progress in my eating habits, I binge less, I've lost a considerable amount of weight. C = I have picked up some good mindful eating habits, but I haven't lost any or any considerable amount of weight. F = I see no change at all and may have even gained weight. Life quest: Keep the house clutter-free. A clean house helps with a clean mind. (oh my, I'm wordy!)

My introductory post can be found here. At this point my main goal is to drop body fat, increasing muscle mass/lifts is a welcome side effect. In reality this may be more of a 5 "and a bit" week challenge as I'll be departing to the UK for a wedding at the end of March, I'll shift to purely body weight routines for the last week but diet may be an issue. Main Quest Lose weight/bodyfat (3kg+) whilst maintaining or increasing strength/muscle mass. I had 98kg listed in my introductory post, apparently this is now 99.3kg. Some is possibly muscle but I'll put the majority down to festive season excess. Quest 1 : Complete four gym sessions a week utilising free weights and bodyweight exercises, must also include mobiliy work. (typically a combination of Agile 8/Limber 11) Quest 2 : Complete minimum two light cardio sessions a week. Quest 3 : Follow dietary plan unerringly. I eat at a deficit with lean protein, vegetables, fruit (post workout carb source) and brown rice. Interimittent fasting is utilised with a 16/8 window and one day of "cheating" followed by a 24 hour fast. All food intake will be logged using Myfitnesspal, success will be defined as hitting calorie goal intake with approximate macro breakdwowns. Life Quest Quest 1 : Get to work prior to 9:30am each morning. I'm lucky enough to have a job with flexible working hours, on occassion I may be working after midnight but will attempt to reign this in as it does mess with my sleeping patterns. Happy to take any input on board. i.e. if I've done this completely wrong and should make a few modifications. <Edit> Condensed down to three subquests for main quest re: week 1 challenge, also gussied up the formatting a tad. </Edit>

Hello to my fellow nerds, lifters, and generally awesome people! I'm jollysoul. So, I'm pretty new to the powerlifting scene, but I've been drawn to it for a while now. It's so fun and intriguing! In order to get more experience under my belt (har har), my main goal/quest is to log 100 lifting sessions by the end of November 2015. Obviously that's longer than 6 weeks, but hey, what can I say? I like to think in the long term. Anyway, in order to reach said goal I'm going to: Quest 1: Lift 2-4x each week (Squat, DL, Bench) Quest 2: Track my food intake every day (eating crap kills the gains...) Quest 3: Um...I only have 2, but I feel like I should have 3 to "complete" the list. Yep, I'm a little weird... Life Quest: Finish reading 2 books Motivation: Getting stronger and being able to reach my potential strength-wise Well, that's it about me. I look forward to completing this challenge with all of you!

This is my first time with a 6 week challenge. I'm most excited about getting to know awesome people will cool unique interests and seeing our bodies and minds change together. Main Quest I will lift three times per week and add visible muscle mass. I will eat a high fat paleo/ketogenic diet and monitor my metrics with wellnessfx.com I will meditate 5-10 minutes everyday to build awareness and control Side quests 1: Listen to a new podcast once a day to keep learning and building knowledge and wisdom 2: Get finances in line so I am free from money stress and worry. Say hi and let's do this together. Add me as a friend.

So I had a basement flood last June that derailed my challenge and then I got lazy. REAL lazy. I've been lifting steadily following a (sort of) Starting Strength program since January. As of 4/7, My lifts were: Squat: 230 3x5 Seated OHP: 145 3x5 Barbell Row: 170 4, 5, 5 Bench: 205 3x5 Deadlift: 245 1x5 Also cause I want my arms big: Barbell Curls: 75 3x7 OH Extensions 75 3x8 Still thinking about how I'm going to set up my 6 week challenge. I'm getting to plateaus on a lot of my lifts, so I'm not sure how to set my goals. I've recently hit and just recently broken plateaus on OHP and Bench, and still stuck with barbell rows. With Curls and OH Extensions, I'm hitting plateaus too at around 90lbs. I've dropped weight now for the second time on those lifts and working back up to see what happens. After that, I'm out of ideas. If anyone has advice on that, please help.

Hello there ladies and gentlemen of Nerd Fitness, I've been a lurker here for some time and decided it was about time I posted. I've been slacking a bit lately and need some support in continuing to go to my gym and become a mighty Warrior! (Or Ranger, haven't fully decided) My goals are micro-ambitious: I'm currently following a StrongLifts 5x5 program with my current stats at; Squat: 50kg Bench: 35kg - 37.5kg Barbell Row: 32.5kg (needs a LOT of work) Overhead: 27.5kg Deadlift: 70kg I intend to push these a bit higher; Squat: 60kg Bench: 45kg Barbell Row: 40-42.5kg Overhead: 32.5kg Deadlift: 85kg This is mainly because so far I've only managed to get to the gym twice a week between uni, volunteering, and mad weekends in town. Also, because I might actually achieve these stats. Nutrition-wise I'm doing ok, one advantage of living in Denmark is everyone is obsessed with fitness. But I'm still a pretty heavy drinker (Australian abroad) and occasional social smoker (it's bad, I know, don't hurt me!). I've cut back to almost no smoking already, and am switching from beers to ciders/wine instead. Not ideal but it helps. Welp, not a lot else to add except am I doing this right? http://www.havefunnytime.com/images/college-graduate-dog-166810.jpg Because if I can improve my thread let me know

Hello everybody and welcome to my first Challenge. My name here is Sam Ashen, but that has nothing to do with my real name. Fifteen days ago, I discovered this website while surfing for information. Within 24 hours, I joined and started posting. This is very unusual for me - Normally action like this requires a Potion of Heroism to make the 20 seconds of Berserker Rage easier. I completely identify with Steve's statement, "I am a Nerd. And I deadlift." My goals are very much Warrior Goals. A little over two years ago, I was on another forum and it was discussing Squats, Bench Press, and Dead Lifts, and the 5x5 Stronglifts program. It had an appeal to me and the moment I tried it, I was hooked. When I started, I had trouble staying focused and motivated and I had rotating knee issues, hip issues, hamstrings that refused to move, tight glutes and not in the good way. I was a train wreck - if the choo-choo train could get going fast enough to qualify as a train wreck. The past year I gained a lot of weight, but made a lot of gains. On my signature, there are some links. I linked the Introduction because it gives more detailed information about the path I have taken so far. The short story is when I finished high school, I was 135 pounds (61kg) dripping wet and I gained weight at a rate of about 5 or 6 pounds per year until I moved for the first time to a different state. (country even) Since I was setting up a new life, I joined a gym and started a long practice of working with trainers. I had a long pattern of making great progress for several months, then gradually go back downhill. When I moved to the state I am currently living in, five years ago, I checked in at 217 pounds (99kg) and exhibited the same pattern. From the outside, this is very frustrating to watch. Here is the Quest List I am going to check off over the next six weeks: 1. Keeping the Records: An Apple a Day. Maintain the daily food log. There are 42 days in the six-week Challenge. There are 42 days to check off. +1 CON when complete Putting up Numbers! Maintain the daily exercise log. There are 42 days in the six-week Challenge. There are 42 days to check off. +1 STA, +1 STR when complete Rinse and Repeat! Review the food log once per week. Make one healthy change per week. There are 6 weeks in the six-week Challenge. There are 6 weeks to check off. +1 WIS when complete 2. Leveling the Cooking Skill: Eggs are your friend. Boil 3 eggs per work day. There are 30 work days in the six-week Challenge. There are 30 days to check off. +1 CON when complete Yes, you can Cook! Prepare one creative meal per week. There are 6 weeks in this Challenge. There are 6 weeks to check off. Bonus points if no fire trucks show up at my house. +1 WIS when complete 3. Leveling the Social Media Skill: Until you upload a video, all those numbers you post mean SQUAT! Get on you-tube and upload a squat video. Check when done. +1 DEX, +1 WIS when complete Of course, not even the Starting Zone Quest list is complete without a boss fight! No self-respecting boss is without minions, so here are the minions: Bench Press. 5 sets. 5 reps. Bodyweight. It does not matter what I weight in at. This is my goal. Although it does not matter where these numbers cross, it is really a weight loss goal disguised as a strength goal. The last time I checked was last week and I am 15 pounds away from this goal. It will be checked once per week. So either I lose 15 pounds of body weight or I gain 15 pounds of bench press. Somewhere in between would be ideal and the number I have in mind is 195 pounds or 89 kg. +1 STR when complete Now we are ready for the boss fight! The name of this boss is: 2/3/4 1. Bench Press. 1 Rep. 2 Plates. 225 pounds. 102 kg. 2. Squat. 1 Rep. 3 Plates. 315 pounds. 143 kg. 3. Dead Lift. 1 Rep. 4 Plates. 405 pounds. 184 kg. +1 STR when complete Alternatively, we can decide to pass on this Boss Fight until the next Challenge and work on form. Exchange +1 STR for +1 WIS or Exchange +2 STR for +1 WIS, +1 DEX. The last time I checked was on Monday, February 16. 1 and 3 are already in the books, but we are 20 pounds away on the Squat. As mentioned above, this means SQUAT until there is a video - so we are going to have to figure out how to get the video uploaded. Reward: Achievement: 2/3/4, baby! Oh yeah. Motivation. I can sum up my motivation in a single word. DING! DING! 5 sets of 5 reps at body weight! DING! 3 plate Squat! DING! 2/3/4, baby! Hmm. Maybe I should write this up in several places at home and at work. Hmm. Maybe I should make one of these the password for my computer at work I have to change every 60 days. Questions? Comments? Insults? If I start an Accountabilibuddies group titled, "2/3/4, baby!" would there be joiners?

Hey All! I joined NF a little over a month ago and I am really feeling great! I decided that I am ready to try my first 6 week challenge. My motivation is to increase my strength and energy so I can play with my son and do my job (nurse) without hurting myself. Main Quest In one year I will be strong, able to work without being sore afterword. I will be a person who exercises at least twice a week. I will drink water every day. I will go outside with my family at least twice a month. 1st fitness goal: I will continue to do 2 strength training and one yoga workout per week for the next 6 weeks. 2nd fitness goal: I will drink at least 1 liter of water each day for the next 6 weeks. 3rd fitness goal: I will eat a high protein-low carb breakfast every day for 6 weeks.

Newbie to the Nerd Fitness forums. I am excited. I thought I would join in on this 6 week challenge! Main Quest: Find "wuv, twu wuv..." for myself. I have been quite the Negative Nancy lately. It's hard to have self-respect and self-worth when you are constantly undermining your every goal. I used to tell myself, "Get used to disappointment." Truly, that is no way to live my life. I have had a rough year of not following my eating plan, injuries prohibiting making any progress regarding strength (followed by a long list of excuses prohibiting me getting a workout in), and a lot of hurtful intrapersonal communication. I found myself thinking, "And YOU: friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless! Do you want me to send you back to where you were? Unemployed, in Greenland?" But seriously, I just figured it was about time I stopped being my own enemy. Time to find some goals, stick to 'em, get healthy, and get my brain right. Cause, "If you haven't got your health, then you haven't got anything." The Three Terrors of my Fire Swamp. I mean... my goals. 1. Eat right: Doing the Whole 30. Strict Paleo for 30 days. (But what about my Keurig and my delicious coffee creamer !!!!) 2. Strength Train 3x a week and Cardio 2x a week. Mini goals: Get 10 pull-ups. Squat 125 (1R) Get 15 push-ups. Conquer Pistol Squats 3. Record in a journal one positive thought every. single. day. And so it goes. Just gotta remember that nothing happens overnight. After all, "You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles." Oh! And obviously, I'm a big Princess Bride fan. "Anybody want a peanut?"

I know Nerd Fitness is down on the Dark Side, but we're not talking about the unhealthy fad dieting dark side here! We're talking about the "No-holds barred, Channel your passions, Smash all obstacles, Defeat all challengers, Free yourself from the bounds of your own doubts" Dark Side! For my first Nerd Fitness challenge, I'm drawing inspiration from the SWTOR Character that I've drawn my name from, and the unique blend of Mandalorian and Sith Traits that make him an unstoppable monolith of morally questionable Power Main Quest: "The Making of a Sith Lord." Establish a significantly more intense, maintainable baseline of activity and Strength Total Level 1 Stat Rewards STR:3|DEX:2|STA:2|CON:1|WIS:2|CHA:0 Total Level 2 Stat Totals: STR:3|Dex3|STA:3|CON:2|WIS:3|CHA:0 Sub Quest: "The Discipline of the Mando'ade," Strict Adherence to a Workout Routine (STR:2|DEX:2|STA:2) Sub Quest 2: "The Power of the Dark side," Strength Training to lift 165 pounds in 3 major lifts (Deadlift, Bench press, squat) (STR:1) I'm currently training around 100. I stepped back from 110 to 85 because I started doing 3 sets instead of 1, but I want to recover the ground I've lost and make more progress. Sub Quest 3: "Imperial Rations," (CON:1|WIS:1) I eat out way too much. I used to be a lot better about this, but I spent a lot of time traveling and in hospital waiting rooms last semester, and that's really mucked things up for me. My job now has zero physical activity, which is an even bigger reason to stop putting crap in. I want to reduce the number of times I eat out to 3 per month. Because February is almost over, and I can't think of a good way to metric out the last week, this quest will begin on March 1st. Side Quest: "Mysteries of the Force," (WIS:1) Spend 1 hour each day reading something intellectually stimulating/professionally relevant. I'm going to be bouncing back and forth between History, Information Security, and Philosophy Books include Countdown to Zero DayAugustusImagining the InternetDeus In MachinaGeorge Washington's Secret SixGeneral Topics Include: Studying for Security+ CertificationGeneric Sources include: MSN and Pulse News AggregatesISC Diaries and News posts

Hi - This is my first 6 week challenge on NF. I am a 31yo female married mother of two. MAIN QUEST - Lose 23 lbs of fat, maintaining my 140 lbs of lbm and reach 20% body fat. (These number are obviously a little squishy since they are based on body fat and it's hard to get an accurate measurement, but I didn't want to just say "lose some weight".) Quest 1: Dead lift 70 lbs. (Currently at 65 lbs) ~A: 70 lbs ~B: 69 lbs ~C: 68 lbs ~D: 67 lbs ~F: 65 lbs Quest 2: 5 pull-ups on the pull-up machine with proper form and with pin set to 20. ~A: 5 pull-ups, Machine set to 20 ~B: 4 pull-ups, Machine set to 20 ~C: 3 pull-ups, Machine set to 20 ~D: 2 pull-ups, Machine set to 20 ~F: 1 pull-up, Machine set to 20. OR Any number of pull-ups with machine set less than 20. Quest 3: Squat: for real, with a barbell. Even if it's empty. 45 lbs is 45 lbs! ~A: One set of 5 squats at 45 lbs ~B: One set of 4 squats at 45 lbs ~C: One set of 3 squats at 45 lbs ~D: One set of 2 squats at 45 lbs ~F: One squat at 45 lbs. OR Any number of squats at less than 45 lbs. MOTIVATION: Since November 2014 I have lost 15 inches (zero pounds ). I had my second daughter in July 2014 and have successfully banished the baby weight but have been at a scale standstill since then. I am excited to see how far I can go if I work consistently on improving myself. Maybe the scale will even start to budge! With my recent body fat percentage test (calipers at they gym with my trainer) I have the information I need to see where I want to go. No more arbitrarily selected goal weight based on BMI charts. I CAN'T be 135. I have roughly 140 pounds of lean body mass!! I finally have the tools, information, and resources to make me the best ME I can be. Here I come!

Hi, I'm Mark D, this is my first challenge. I'm a mainframe programmer by profession, my hobbies are fishing, reading, model trains. I'm 51 years old, which probably makes me older than most of the folks here on NF. Last November a doctor's visit revealed that I'd gained quite a bit of weight in the last year or so, and my blood pressure and cholesterol were high. I began a weight-loss program, eating better, walking for exercise. A few weeks ago I discovered Nerd Fitness while searching for body weight exercises, so I joined the Rebellion. NF has been a great help and inspiration to me. I've modified my diet, while not going full Paleo I'm using those guidelines to make good choices in what I eat, for instance choosing veggies instead of fries if I just HAVE to have a burger. As of this morning I've lost 34 pounds since early November. My main quest is to lose weight and get in shape. My motivation is that I want to have a long and happy life (including retirement) with my wonderful wife. My quest for this six week challenge is twofold: 1) Lose ten more pounds. That's actually a pretty modest goal, since I've been averaging ten pounds a month, but that brings us to quest #2: 2) Get stronger. Specifically, get strong enough to do a proper push-up. I've been doing inclined push-ups on a windowsill, and I can do more than I used to, but a true from-the-floor push-up has eluded me. Of course I expect getting stronger to impact quest #1, since I should be adding muscle in addition to losing fat, but I don't think we can consider that a weight gain. I also have a side quest: After this challenge I hope to be strong and confident enough to begin a beginners weight-training program. I'm leaning toward Stronglifts 5x5. I think I'll be more capable and less discouraged if I strengthen up some more before I begin such a program. In mid-April my wife and I are going on a cruise, so I guess looking good in my swimsuit would be another side-quest. So here's how I'll do that: Five days a week I'll walk at least 45 minutes a day. I've been doing that for the last few months and it's been working. Three days a week I'll do the body weight and dumb bell training I've been doing, squats, inclined push-ups (until I can do real ones), planks and dumb bell rows. I'm thinking it may be time to add lunges too, and maybe some overhead presses with the dumb bells too. I'll continue making good food choices, limiting carbs, eliminating sweets, lots of lean protein and veggies. I won't beat myself up if I go off "diet" for a day, I DID marry into an Italian family and we have regular family get-togethers where pasta is featured heavily. The important thing isn't that I go off but that I get back on. Here are my current details. I'm 51 years old, 5'11", and currently (as of this morning) weigh 237 pounds, down from 271 in November. The last time I was in really good shape was my senior year of college, I didn't have a car so I biked everywhere, then I weighed about 210. From looking at the pictures in the NF post about body fat percentage, I'd estimate I'm a bit over the 20-22% picture provided, I WAS more like the 30-32%. Maybe call it 25-27%? My current workout program is three sets each of 25 body-weight squats, 15 inclined push-ups, 25 20# dumb bell rows with each arm, and 45 second planks. The 20# dumb bells are the heaviest I currently have, I'm thinking I need to get something heavier. I generally do the squats and push-ups in the morning and the rows and planks in the evening. Suggestions will be welcome!

Introduction: My name is Justin. I do like coffee, but otherwise I don't cheat being paleo. This is my first challenge, but I'm excited to be here. One of my favorite quotes of inspiration is from Lt. Comdr. Data: "We must strive to be more than we are. It does not matter that we will never reach our ultimate goal. The effort yields its own rewards." I enjoy lifting heavy things, sipping hot beverages, and being outside (not at the same time). It's winter where I am, so I'm mostly strength training indoors right now. I'm looking forward to summer and being back out in the woods, caving under ground, and climbing the nearby bluffs. I'm hoping to get stronger and lose weight. Otherwise, I am currently a student in graduate school, and I am getting married May 9th, 2015. Main Quest: Lose 20lbs by wedding day, currently about 200lbs. Improve Squat 5x5 by 75lbs, currently 135. Bench Press 5x5 by 40 currently 115, Dead lift 1x5 by 40 currently 175, Overhead Press 5x5 by 40, currently 75, Barbell Row 5x5 by 40, currently 95, and be able to do 10 pullups (can do 2 right now) and 20 dips (can do 5 right now). Quest 1: Strength Train every other day following the Stronglifts routine. So, that's 21 workouts in these 3 weeks. Quest 2: Read one fitness related article each day for motivation and information. Quest 3: Wake up everyday at 6:15 am. (This one is going to suck.) Life Quest: Sell an original painting. (This is the bucket list item I am currently working on.) Motivation: I want to look good for my wife, but that's not primary. Primarily, I want to be able to do the things outdoors that I want to do. Sometimes I can't fit into the holes in caves like I want. Sometimes I can't keep up on a hike up a hill like I should be able to. Sometimes, I can't pull myself up to get to a more secure spot when climbing. In addition, I work at a summer camp in the summer, specifically, working with teens, and I want to be a role model for them in every way I can. Not just as a good leader, but also as a man who takes good care of his body and follows after what he wants, who strives to be more than what he is.

Hi! I'm Tracy. This time last year I was part of an online fitness program, and in good shape. Once that ended, I kinda fell off the wagon. Nothing too terrible, but I've put on probably 10lbs of bodyfat because I was not keeping up with my habits or workouts. I've realized that accountability matters for me, so here I am! I'm an Academy member as well, but haven't been that involved. I will be now. A bit about me: I work from home, so have a pretty flexible schedule for workouts. I joined the gym at my community center so I can have access to barbells - last year I was doing bodyweight training and using a suspension trainer, but I really want to build strength in my legs and felt I'd gone about as far as I could go with that. I have Hashimoto's and am celiac and, while not truly 'paleo' anymore ( I eat dairy and some g-free grains like brown rice, quinoa) I cook all my own meals and focus on protein and veggies. MAIN QUEST: To shed about 10lbs of bodyfat. I will measure this with the mirror, actual measurements, calipers. I pretty much know by looking at my belly - where I tend to accumulate fat - where I'm at. QUEST 1: Strength train 3x/week. I am starting with the Barbell Battalion workouts from the Academy, though using db's for arm stuff (for now). So 3x per week, I will bundle up, walk to the gym, and lift heavy things. I've been going about 1-2 times/week for a few months but I want to dig in now and make this a habit. Today, I set 2 PR's for chest press and back squats! QUEST 2: Eat slowly, to 80% full. I'm usually a twice a day, big meal eater and can eat a lot at a time without realizing it. This really helped before, and I'll implement it again. I'll pay attention while I eat, and stop when I am no longer hungry. QUEST 3: 10 full pushups by the end of this challenge. These kill me! My legs are much stronger than my arms and dammit, I am doing 10 full pushups. I have several goals to do with how much I can lift, but for this challenge pushups are my final boss. LIFEQUEST: Go to bed by 11pm latest during the week (Sun-Thurs). I love sleep. I also love staying up reading, interneting, Netlfixing, gaming. I'll be in bed by 11pm latest during the week, because I want to get up earlier and get my workout in earlier in the morning. I love the idea of getting up at 6am and working out - the reality of that, not so much. But I really want to be getting the most out of my days. For now, we'll focus on 11pm sleep. (7am wake-up is a goal too, but we'll just focus on the getting to bed part). MOTIVATION I turn 40 in May. I want to leap into my 40's looking and feeling kick-ass, and just keep getting stronger and better. I'm watching several family members struggle with health issues as they age. My aunt has early-onset dementia, and looks emaciated bc she has no muscle (or fat) on her. My dad has a few minor issues, but again he's got no protective muscle on him... and his knee is bad, and he's been falling. My stepdad, in remission from lymphoma, now has leukemia brought on by the chemo (about 5% of people have this happen - I told him he should start playing the lottery) Things happen, and eating well and exercising won't prevent all illness, accidents, death; but I want to be in the best fighting shape I can be as I get older. I want the freedom to move and live in my body comfortably, easily. It's all about freedom for me, really - I want a body that enables me to do what I want to do. Rocking a bikini in my 40's won't hurt either But it isn't my main motivation, and I don't care if I'm ever fitness-model-esque. Though having arms like Michonne in Walking Dead? Yeah, that would be ok with me!

Alllllrighty so here I am. Newbie headed for the warriors with some assassin/ranger mixed in in the future - I like switching it up and being a well rounded sort of person, that being said I love being strong so thats the foundation. About me: (you all can skip this flavour text ) Ive been a longtime lurker of NF but never actually made an account or participated in the community. Im a university student, 22 years old, 5'7" and ~180 pounds on your average day. Ive played hockey for 14 years up to 2012, I stopped when I moved into the city for university but I was playing at a collegiate level before that. Ive always been on the stronger side and I've loved every minute of it so recently after six months of not working out and eating a deficit (non intentional, just wasn't hungry because sedentary ) I found myself back at the gym and sadly not in the shape or having the strength I used to. Naturally I decided I was having none of that and it seemed like a perfect time to join an NF challenge for real. I did start monday with this but I'm good at procrastinating so I'm just writing up what I'm doing now. Goals: 1. Getting Strength Back: (STR) Restarting my workouts, monday wednesday and Friday routine doing a lower/upper sort of split for now as I get back into it, I just purchased starting strength so when that arrives I'll probably tailor my routine around that instead For now I've been doing: Lower: 5 sets 5 reps (last set max rep…without dropping things on myself because i don't have a spotter) Exercise - (starting weight) Deadlift (145) Squats (95) Hamstring Curls (with a machine) (70 - both legs D:) Calf raises (90) And I've been throwing in my back/pullup progression work on these days. Lat pull (55) Single hand bent over rows (40) Upper: 5 sets, 5 reps ('max' rep on the last one) Bench (85) Clean and press (70) Overhand row (60) Tricep cable pulldowns (20…so 10/arm ...barely puny tri's) Biceps (20) And some core work on these days but not much, plank and a few ab exercises of my choice. Ive been tracking lift weight in excel and will continue to do so I also usually do 5-10 minutes of warmup prior to these, rowing machine and running stairs have been the favourites so far. 2. Feed them Muscles Feed them good: (CON) Eating 60-80% paleo Cutting junk food/desserts/etc back to a minimum My fridge got stocked with veggies fruit and the freezer is full of meat and I have no objections to any of it, delicious. But I love my dairy too much to let it go, am cutting back on it though, bread/wraps/etc are an occasional thing, allowed 2-4 times a week in my suppers. Though I do do wraps everyday (lettuce can't do the job to hold it together) This includes cutting out/weaning off of my junk food and ice-cream/chocolate habit thats gotten bad recently. Typical food plan: Breakfast: Either sausages(or bacon) and eggs or a bowl of fruit and greek yogurt or a smoothie with protein powder and coffee on the side, black. Snack: Piece of fruit or veggies (sliced apple with cinnamon has been the favourite) Lunch: A wrap (tomato slices, lettuce turkey a slice of cheese and hummus or mustard in a spinach tortilla) and some cut up veggies ( a whole bell pepper has been the standard, or snap peas, or carrots, etc) Post workout/2nd Snack: Post workout ill do some protein shake and a handful of veggies or just the veggies on a non workout day. Supper: Usually some variant of meat + veggies, fish and asparagus, stir fry, etc. Yesterday i had a head of broccoli and half a plate of peas just raw with a bit of ranch and hummus though. I usually end up having another little snack sometime after supper, pepperoni sticks or my ice cream/chocolate fix. Trying to wean this one out and replace with tea. 3. Hydrate: (CON) - start with getting at least 2 of my shaker bottles of water drank/day, work my way up to 3. (Coffee doesn't count) 4. Be a good student: (WIS) I have 8 am classes everyday, I don't always make it to them (Some nights I work till 11 or 12) I want to start making it to a minimum of 9 of these every 2 weeks. My favourite student pastime is procrastinating, I want to try and use a two hour break between classes M/W/F to actually get on top of and finish assignments ahead of time. Life goal: I used to do yoga really frequently too, less the meditation and more of the vinyasa/ashtanga/hot yoga style. That being said I want to spend twenty minutes once a week sitting quietly and meditating to manage stress, anxiety, and for the sake of clearing my head a bit.

Hi everybody. I have been following nerdfitness for almost 2 years, it has helped me to lose some weight (15kg), and also to feel healthier and stronger but I think maybe I've hit a plateu. That's why I would like to start a 6 week challenge. Main Quest: To get below 80kg (175lb) and 18-20% body fat. Quests to accomplish the main goal: 1_Eat clean After the holidays I want to clean my diet again. This means, no sugar, no processed food, no bread, low-carb. I will allow myself 1 soda and 2-3 beers a week. 2_Record food daily and keep calories under 2100 This should mean a 2-3kg weight loss in 6 weeks. I have to weight myself this week, but I think I'm around 85kg. I'm using Myfitnesspal to keep the track. I will restart with intermittent fasting, something near 16:8 3_Workout at least 3 days a week I will start weightlifting again, 3 days a week. I would like to add 1 more day a week either walking or running. Life goals: Improve my English One post a week talking about the challenge will help. I would like to hold a conversation in English with a friend at least 2 times in this 6 weeks. Please, feel free to correct if I write anything wrong. I will update soon. Thanks.

Hi everybody! I had to put off starting the 6 week challenge while I figured out a way to work around a little back issue and changed up my challenge goals a bit because of it. But here I am. Main Quest - Bench my body weight I'm 43, female, and live in central New Jersey. I'm a level 7 Warrior at NFA. I used to lift regularly when I was in college, and occasionally thereafter. but I haven't been in the gym regularly for a long time now. A couple of months ago, I decided to take another shot at my long term goal of benching my body weight. Unfortunately, my body weight was 236 at the time, and I'm only 5'2. So, I either had to get really strong, lose a metric boatload of weight, or meet myself in the middle. The latter seemed like the most reasonable option. I'm not focusing on weight loss per se. I'm going for strength and general fitness. Between my workout program, cutting out sweets, and general diet clean-up, fat loss is inevitable. I'm down 13 lbs on the scale, and have built noticeable muscle, so that means over 13 lbs of fat loss. I'm very happy with that, especially since I don't hesitate to eat when I'm hungry. Current weights for main lifts: Bench: 105 (3x5) Squat: 140 (5x5) Deadlift: 145 (1x5) Challenge Goal 1: Add 25 pounds to my squat for a total of 165. Challenge Goal 2: Add 20 pounds to my deadlift for a total of 165 Challenge Goal 3: The Dreaded Food Diary. Bringing the squat and deadlift to 165 would allow me to complete the ".75 of your Bodyweight" quests at NFA, with body weight figured at 220. This may be a bit of a tall order, given my little back issue, but I'll give it a try. I'm doing the Dreaded Food Diary as a way to be more thoughtful about what I'm eating. If I don't want to write it down, that's a clue that maybe I shouldn't be eating it. I'm not going to be counting calories. Wish me luck! I'll report back. p.s. I'm looking forward to my next challenge so I can take my place among the Warriors guild!