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Bast takes on a new adventure... Well, here we are again at the start of another 6WC...I'm amazed at how much I learn with each one!! This round, most of my goals and quests are going to stay pretty much the same, with a few minor adjustments here and there...but that's no real surprise, is it? I mean, I've been doing my quests and reaching my goals, but I want to keep it up, right? It's all about those baby steps... So once again, I'm playing to my strengths...which I noticed last round that my greatest strength was my printed spreadsheet. It kept me on track when our internet was down for two weeks, and I really missed it (and often caught myself looking for it to check off my activities made habits!) during the break! I'm also going to work more on my weaknesses, the greatest of which, I noticed, was my NF posting...I didn't do my updates in as timely a manner as I would have liked (not counting when the internet was down). There are also more than a couple of additional challenges to this challenge...first of all, my Hubby will be on leave for the first two weeks of this challenge, so staying on track with him around will definitely keep things interesting! Secondly, he'll also be rejoining the Rebellion as a Recruit, so I'll be cheering him on! I'm hoping that him pursuing his own 6WC Goals and Quests will help keep us on track during those first two weeks of leave... In addition to that, my diet and activities will coincide with my Hubby's Challenge, as he will be gearing up for his PRT, so following the same diet and exercise schedule will the be the best way to help support his efforts. I'm also going to be lending an extra helping hand to my Guildmates, so I'm hoping that I can do a good job! I'm not sure of any specific theme again this round...but that's OK, flexibility is one of my strong suits...literally and figuratively!! Epic Quest: Defeat my Mortal Enemy... Epic Quests are just that...Epic...it's for the long haul, so there's no real grading system for this, mainly just a do or don't...work towards it or not. Fibromyalgia is evil...ask anyone who either has it or knows someone who does... It's a battle harder than most realize... There is no cure... Treatment is a guessing game while playing musical meds... Many people either don't realize it exists or ignores that it does... To me, Fibromyalgia is my Mortal Enemy...it is the Ultimate Boss Battle...one that I will most likely fight for the rest of my life... But that doesn't matter, I refuse to roll over and let it take over my life, I will continue to fight...for myself, for my family, and for all others whom it affects! My Epic Goal is total remission!! Sure, it may seem lofty, but I've already come so far!! About 10 years ago or so, I could barely walk, even when using a cane, I was drugged out of my gourd most of the time and the docs told me to get ready to spend the rest of my like in a wheelchair...that's when I said "screw that shit!!!"!!! I fought tooth and nail to take back my life... I'm doing much better now...I'm off the meds (except on rare occasions), off the cane (even more rarely needed) and have lost a decent chunk of the weight I had gained. Yeah, I stumble from time to time, and I still have my bad days, but they are getting fewer, farther between and not as debilitating! So I'm keeping up the baby steps...primarily proper rest and staying active...to continue to fight the good fight! I remember that even when I have a bad day or two, it's not the end of the world, and as long as I am nice to me, it's OK...I can always do more tomorrow!! And I will cheer on and assist anyone else struggling with this Monster and hopefully inspire them to not give up!! Main Quest: Loose the belly flop... I'm not exactly a bad size or weight, but I do have a bit of excess around the middle... It's something I've been working on for a while. During the last 6WC, I had a major victory in this category that helped me to improve my body image...I had lost enough inches while gaining flexibility that I could fasten my brazier behind my back for the first time in I don't know how long!! That gave me a boost in my motivation to keep it up!! Now, I'm still not where I want to be...I've got a section of my lower belly (8" by 16" area about 2" deep) that still needs to go away... I can't calculate it like a cube, but that's my target...to loose that extra flop! I've never had a perfectly flat belly, even when I was at my peak youth and fitness...my anatomy has always had a small belly "pooch"... So I don't expect to ever have that "perfect" or "6-pack" abs. But I would like to get it down to when I was at my healthiest! The last couple of 6WCs, I've set the goal at 12" lost, mainly for easy point calculations. However, I keep coming up short (8, 7.5 and 9 inches lost, respectively). So I'll embrace fractions and make my goal 10 inches lost! Grading: 1 point = 1 inch lost 1.5+ points possible per week --> 10+ possible total Reward: +1 CHA Beginning Stats: Weight - 125 # Ribs - 30" Waist - 30" Belly - 35" Quest 1: Be Adventurous and Active... I know that in order to reach my Main Goal and put a dent in my Epic Goal, I need to remain active. So I'm going to do a bit of a revisit of this Goal, with a few changes. First, I'm going to drop my "regular" weekday activities to 3...this could be my Yoga, NFPW, biking, walking, Barre, whatever. However, I'm going to get adventurous and try something totally new each week...this could be a group class at the gym (there are lots of free options), a new workout option from NF or other source, or unique activity option that presents itself...pretty much any activity I've never done before (or haven't done in a very long time)! I hopefully I'll gain 6 new options to use in future 6WCs or maybe a new favorite!! Lastly, I've notice that since I started tracking my activity using a pedometer, I'm blowing my bonus goal of 15 miles per week out of the water! So I'm going to raise it to 20 miles per week...let's see if I can keep it up! Grading: 1 point = each activity (NFPW, nature trail, yoga, biking, archery, obstacle course, etc.) <3x / week> 1 point = each new activity (group class, workout, activity, etc.) <1x / week> 1 point = each weekend activity <1x / week> 1 point = bonus for 20 miles pedometer cumulative for the week 5+ points possible per week --> 30+ possible total Reward: +2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 STA Quest 2: Eating on a Mission... Ok, so this one will a be a bit interesting... Since my hubby is working towards getting within the specs of his PRT, I'm "dieting" with him... We're doing what's called the "Leptin Diet" in order to detox, cleanse and reboot our bodies in order to give our sluggish metabolisms a kick start! During this 6WC, we will see the end of Summer and the start of Autumn...so gardening will be a bit interesting. I will be rotating seasonal crops, so my harvest may be limited. Luckily, I can incorporate the local Farmer's Market to help ease that deficit! On top of that, we will be getting creative with our meals in order to utilize our excessive inventory in the pantry and deep freezer (courtesy of friends PCSing out and giving us all their grocery items!) into healthy dishes. Add to that the fact that we are entering my favorite season where pumpkin spice everything abounds!! Definitely a challenge...especially I'm allergic to anything that says "diet" (artificial sweetener allergy, which can kill me...)!! Grading: 1 point = each fresh local produce dish <5x / week> 1 point = each meal utilizing current pantry or freezer inventory <5x / week> 10+ points possible per week --> 60+ possible total Reward: +1 CON, +1 WIS Quest 3: The 3 R's - Revisited... Yep, ya'll know the 3 Rs...Relax, Rest and Repair!! I've done well with this one in most of my 6WCs, but it's imperative in keeping up on my Epic Goal! Proper rest gives my body the chance to heal itself, lessening the pain, as well as granting proper energy to be active...which helps lessen the pain as well... It's a cycle...rest = repair = less pain = energy= activity = rest... So yeah, no changes here...just going to keep up the good habits! Grading: 1 point = each relaxing evening <5x / week> 1 point = each mind clearing evening <5x / week> 1 point = each 8 hours ensured bedtime <5x / week> 1 point = bonus for pampering myself 15+ points possible per week --> 90+ possible total Reward: +1 CON, +1 CHA Main Life Quest: Control CHAOS... I didn't do too bad with this one last round...but I need to keep it up cuz there's still lots more to do!! A couple of slight changes...dropping the number of points by switching a couple of activities (the ones I tend to not do) to bonus points. This should help me to get all the points I need, while granting a couple of bonuses if I do that "little bit extra"! A potentially major "bonus goal" here is to get our Project Room cleared out so that we can use it again... Grading: 1 point = Weekly Home Blessing completed <1x / week> 1 point = Daily Zone Detail Cleaning <5x / week> 1 point = Daily Zone Mission <5x / week> 1 point = Daily Cleaning Routines <5x / week> 1 point = each area decluttered & organized <1x / week> 1 point = bonus for each box cleared 1 point = bonus for 10 items sold 17+ points possible per week --> 102+ possible total Reward: +1 STA Life Quest 1: Getting Stuff Done... This is a partial repeat from last time. I found that I had a few weaknesses in getting things done. I had great improvement in my scheduling practices, but there were a couple of areas that I still had issues with...specifically with NF postings. Now, granted, part of that issue was hindered due to a two-week hiatus of internet service. However, that was only two weeks out 6...I totally sucked on my own the other 4 weeks!! So I'm continuing my practice of scheduling, but also going to incorporate doing my NF postings and daily personal emails in order to turn those weaknesses into better habits! Grading: 1 point = schedule created & maintained <5x / week> 1 point = daily emails <5x / week> 1 point = post NF Weekly Updates <1x / week> 1 point = check & post NF minis <5x / week> 16+ points possible per week --> 96+ possible total Reward: +1 WIS Life Quest 2: Study and Labor... This one is a total repeat from the last 6WC. Considering that we are stationed overseas in a non-English-speaking country, I am greatly limited in both educational and employment opportunities, and with today's level of internet-based technology, it's no surprise that my studies and job search venues are all online. So, since I had internet issues for over two weeks last round, I didn't do as well as I would have liked. So...this goal will be repeated, almost verbatim. Grading: 1 point = each Herbology unit completed & exam passed <1x / week> 1 point = all Herbology homework/projects completed per unit <1x / week> 1 point = Financial Continuing Education work completed <1x / week> 1 point = research job opportunities <3x / week> 1 point = bonus for each application submitted 1 point = bonus for each interview 6+ points possible per week --> 36+ possible total Reward: +1 WIS, +1 CHA More than a little bit extra: Do my part to support my Guild... This 6WC gives me a unique opportunity to step up and do more for my guild than just play and fight along side. Although I'm saddened by the reason why, I am hopeful that those reasons are quickly and painlessly absolved! Until then, I will do my best to ease any burdens and continue being encouraging to others while having fun with the Minis!! Grading: No points here...just a do or don't based on opportunity and situation. Any additional awards are based on whatever the mini's grant and the joy that comes from helping others succeed... For now, PvPs are up in the air. Although I did have some fun with the Adulting PvP last round, I don't know if they will be running it again. On top of that, I think that starting a new and different PvP might be biting off more than I can chew right now. So let's just wait and see what will be... See ya'll in the Challenge...