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This is my 3rd challenge since joining. I thought I was a monk at the beginning, but throughout the discussions in the first two challenges, and the mini-challenge here at the Guild, I've found my place. I used to play Ragnarok Online (across 3 servers until the last one shut down), so that tends to be my personal go-to for metaphors. I reached level 98 Assassin-Cross on 2 of those 3 servers. So here goes my 3rd challenge goals: I’ve spent 10 weeks in HiddenTemple, and now I’ve picked my class. From Novice to Thief, I’m on the journey to become an Assassin. I’m giving up Prontera Fields, I traversed the MorrocDesert to find the Guild, and now I’m moving over to Payon to gather XP. I’ve seen no changes in weight or measurements, and I wonder if I’m not eating enough overall to build muscle, although I have improved slightly on my workouts. So here goes for challenge #3. As I can’t lose the momentum, I make my challenges 5-weeks-long. 5-Week Challenge (Assassin: Weeks 9-14): I - Strength: 7x a fortnight - NFA Modified Level 1: A - Full squats instead of assisted. Knee press ups instead of elevated. One-arm Dumbell Row instead of bodyweight. Add 12s one leg balance in middle set. Add 5 alternate lunges at end. - NFA Modified Level 1: B - Inch worms instead of wall walks. One leg balance for 12s not 5. Add 3 capoeria gingas at end. I - Balance: 1x a week, 5-mins - Complete Capoeira Ginga, Kata, Shivanata, Dance or Yoga, Extra NF Challenge [Boss or Mini-Challenge] III Energy: 5x a week - Include protein with 2 meals a day - Cut down to 2 ‘unhealthy snacks’ per day - Use sugar content to gauge ‘healthier’ decisions - Morning Routine: 1 minute Metta practise & Sip Water - Evening Routine: 3 Breaths Druid Exercise, Complete Gratitude/Positive Data Log Here goes nothing!

In the past, NF challenges have been great for me. But the last 2 years, since I had my second child, I have been neglecting myself, and the challenges didn’t work for me. Than lately, I was desperatly trying to regain my previous routines, from when I had only one kid, with no succes and much frustration. Until I realised that my general situation changed, and that probably what worked in the past wouldn’t work anymore. That maybe I had to switch things up completely and figure it out again. Since then, I have been way more relaxed about this, and let the flow of the days guide my goals, with only an “intention of doing x” to guide me. And it’s much better. As usual, for me a new year means a new intention, theme or mantra. 2015 was “be present” and I don’t feel I achieved that at all. I think the word was not the right one. Reflecting back, I actually “drifted” most of the time. For 2016, after a week of self reflextion, thinking, and brainstorming, life gave me the answer : BALANCE. Now is the time to put more focus and intention in my days, to achieve more balance. Time for me, time for my kids, my boyfriend, a little of everything I love, less of things I don’t. With the new guilds, I feel like I should go in the druids the way my goals are, but at the same time, Adventurer is more “me”. I’ll stay in adventurers for now. I guess I consider myslef a curious druid, thisty for adventure and trying new things ! Main goal : Achieve balance by fulling my well first with exercise, clean foods and sleep. To enjoy family life, be more patient, calm, loving and compasionnate. Slow down to enjoy the moment and be mindful. Mind : incorporate the SAVERS mirable morning routine, before everyone else is awake. I aim to do this in about 15-30 minutes each morning. - Silence : 2 min meditation (eventually up to 10 min) - Affirmation “every day, in every way, I am getting better and better” - Visualisation : see myself being calm, patient, in a place of love, mindfull, in control of my emotions during all events of the day, especially in parenting - Exercise : do some spine stretches and twists & tree pose. - Reading : “the life changing magic of tidying up” by Marie Kondo; then apply my learnings. - Script: bullet journal for the day + 3 things to be grateful for Shape up: Move 30 minutes daily - Run 2-3 times a week, after work with my kids while my BF is prepping dinner. - Blogilates’ august month every day for 15 min or more in the evening (aiming at 30) - Yoga : get back into my yoga classe on Thursdays for 1.5hours Fuel: breakfast everyday + calories - Take the time to eat some proteinated breakfast every day, like eggs and bacon, frittata, egg muffins, quiche, etc - Bring a second breakfast/snack for the am - Put a scandishake in my morning coffee to add calories Sleep: 7hours a day - Wake between 5h and 5h30 - Go to bed at 10pm Tidy: get back into a daily habit for 15 min a day. Tidy home, tidy brain. This makes me calmer, and brings more clarity in general. It eases tension as well. In my mind, a little goes a long way. - Wash dishes - Check laundry - Pick up around the house - Continue the Konmari method throughout the house - hoping to tackle these this mont: o Clothes o Books o Papers o Komono general o Komono office o https://www.pinterest.com/pin/319122323576061842/ Fun : Om shawl KAL - Start and maybe finish my om shawl with the knit along group

THE CURSE OF THE 3RD WEEK Stand against The Demonic Ferret's reign, before it is too late.... The challenge is removing the curse. This challenge, there. will. be. NO CURSE ! The 3rd week must score an "A" or at least a "B". Challenge Items: Demonic beings killed will show progress. 1. Timely SLEEP TIMES - Score (YES/NO) 2. Productive RACE VS WASTE - Score (YES/NO) for speed-productivity instead of time-wasting 3. Clear VISUALIZE - once (Mon) Short term goals, long term goals REMEMBER - daily (Mon to Fri) Purpose, Death, How MEDITATE - daily (Mon to Fri) Love, Gratitude, Energy 4. Energized WORKOUT - 4 to 5 days/week (Some activities may overlap. Never train on Sun) x2 Strength Training x2 Bodyweight x2 Muay Thai This is also a Productivity Race Bricks built will show progress. -- Linking this to the Monkey Tamers United group challenge. At my best Lay bricks: CREATE VALUE ! ASAP Waste no time Optimum health and mental condition must be prioritized

Hey. Psst! Yeah, you. Do you want to know a secret? Come, pull up a chair, scooch it close; let me tell you what I know. It won’t take long, because it isn’t much: LOVE IS GREATER THAN FEAR. Let me pour you some tea while you think that over, because that’s it; that’s all I know. I have spent a lifetime looking for answers, thinking I found them, watching them crumble or dissolve or simply disappear. But not love; never love. And it’s possible that the Beatles were right all along, that love really is all you need. Now, I’m not talking about the kind of love when a seventeen year old boy kisses a sixteen year old girl on a summer evening. That’s amazing and all, but that’s not the universe-centering sort of love that I’m on about. I’m talking about the love that comes from the core of your body and radiates into everything, without end, beyond the outer edges of Kuiper belt, still going strong, without taking anything out of you, never depleting, only connecting and lifting you higher. That kind of love softens everything before it, warms everything it touches, breathes life and fresh air all around. And it’s ours, whenever we want it. It is there in the grass, in every argument, no matter how far off track we have gotten. It is there in the wind, in the rain, in cubicle farm. Take a sip of tea. Love is in there too, and if you feel for it, you can feel fear and hurt recede, melt away. This challenge is about living in love, that kind of love, every day, even when I’m angry or hurting. Especially when I’m angry and hurting. Join me, if you care too. It’s simple; it’s free. It’s not exactly easy, but what is that is worthwhile? Either way, enjoy the tea.

STARPUCK SEEKS HER DESTINY IN A SCAVENGER WORLD It has been just a few months since our young heroine discovered her affinity for The Force and began down that fateful path. Having been a timid girl for most of her youth, the teachings of the dark side drew her attention quite thoroughly. There was strength and determination to be found in their ways; passion, strength, power, victory... chains broken by freeing herself from that which held her back. But not all was well with such wild, uncontrolled emotions and as she learned to master those passions, she found that an even greater need was yet unmet... Balance. Fate would have her find an ancient text, written and notated by many of the wisest of Jedi... The Jedi Path, an informative manual that outlined life as a Jedi from initiate up through the ranks of Master. She took to this journal and began to study it, and through it, found the Jedi Code and its tenets. Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force. Now, as she strives to learn more about the code that goes against the teachings of the Sith that she had first studied, she finds herself being sent to distant worlds where she will have only her wits, and the Force, to guide her. Perhaps she will find the balance that she so desperately seeks... perhaps she will find a part of herself she did not even know could exist. Ahem! Was feeling a bit creative and so yeah, that happened! It totally ties in though, I promise! You see, I will be on my epic adventure vacation through all of Week 2 and so I needed some way to work that into, and around, the challenge. GOAL #1 - Emotion, yet Peace The whole trip is a push out of my comfort zone because this is the first BIG trip that I am not traveling with either my father or sister as back up/veteran travelers. AKA, the Padawan is out on her first mission where she alone is in charge. I believe that my natural tendency is toward anxiety, so I am going to make a conscious effort to find peace when I am beginning to get anxious. My form of meditation will be prayer. Because I'm really bad at this. Really really really bad. This will be a perfect chance to work on developing a new habit. So as not to overwhelm, and to keep things attainable, we're starting off with a very small goal. Prayer and Meditation: 3x/week + whenever anxious. GOAL #2 - Ignorance, yet Knowledge This one is fun! This is my food and eating goal. The ignorance side comes from the fact that I am NOT counting calories- ie, I am ignorant of my caloric intake! The yet Knowledge side pertains to my goal of making smart decisions and choosing healthy, real food 80% of the time or better. To steal a term from @Tanktimus the Encourager - I will allow myself so many variances per week. These are my 'living life' indulgences and to be enjoyed without guilt. Variances Schedule: Week 1 : 2 Vacation : 5 Week 3 : 2 Week 4 : 2 GOAL #3 - Passion, yet Serenity This has to do with all the things I am passionate about. Which, on any given day is enough to tire out four people. I often joke that I need shadow clones so I can do all that I want to do in a given day. Art is really progressing nicely and I want to maintain this new habit as it forms. I see progress and I've stuck to it even when it's been hard and frustrating. This is SO important for me. My RPG nights, and hockey, and everything else also has to find a place - so the goal is to find a place of serenity between the things I do, rather than overdo one or another and burn out. Continue Art Work: 3x / week (*vacation week allows exceptions) Step out of Routine, explore your world: 1x / week Examples: A more significant hike, a bike ride in a new area, meeting with friends instead of playing online, doing things that others like even if it's not your favorite thing, try new things, pull out an old hobby, etc. GOAL #4 - Chaos, yet Harmony This is my exercise goal. Basically. I am not going to pick how many times a week to do which thing or anything like that. It will be chaos! And yet I plan on relying on the habits I've been building over the last several months to just get things done. The goal is body harmony. Listening to my body, while still training in a variety of ways. I'll continue to strength train, adapting to what I can do while on vacation. I'll continue to run or bike ride to enjoy the summer weather and keep my body in motion. On days that I don't do too much, I will walk, or be otherwise active. In short, I will keep my body in motion, resting when it asks me for such, and try to find a balance. Force Move: 5x/week engage in any kind of activity that goes beyond sitting around. Force Rest: 1x/week engage in rest, active rest allowed. BONUS GOAL : Do a Star Wars themed photo shoot while at White Sands National Monument. Because... seriously... this place is perfect for it. Only hurdle is getting a costume put together in time!

[Important note: I'm posting now, and may be around a little for week 1, but I'm on stay-cation this week and won't officially start challenge activities until everyone else is on week 2. I'll make up for it on the break before the next challenge... probably. ^^;] Breaking news from the Goodfellow Cluster! Early this morning employees of the Ettin Conglomerate arrived for work at asteroid mining facility H414n and were surprised to find a group of heavily armed mobile frames guarding the docks. A representative for the group claimed to be acting on the collective will of laborers throughout Ettin territory who have been demanding improved wages and working conditions to no avail for several years. They stated an intent to guard the entrance to this mine against all intrusion until their demands are met, and have called on workers in other Ettin Conglomerate facilities to rise up in solidarity. While rumors of dissatisfaction within the Conglomerate have circulated since it severed ties with the Free Allied Ergotacrocies over 25 years ago, this is the first such act of open rebellion. You may recall our report last week regarding a shipment of advanced charged particle weaponry and SK-1 "Imp" mobile frames that had been reported by manufacturer Phayze Fructification, inc as "seized by pirates" during transport to the Oberon Tvier Solar Energy Collection Array. We reached out to PFi to ask if these could be those same units, and executive spokesman Destin Puck had this to say: Puck: "There is simply no way of identifying the stolen units short of examining the serial numbers etched onto the inner frame on the left underarm, and I'm certain that the thieves burned those off with a plasma welder long before selling the frames to whoever has them now. Even if these were the same units, PFi bears no responsibility for what may be done with property that's been stolen from us." More on this story as it develops, but for now let's turn to Alex for the latest on the Trundleball Quarterfinals! Alex? -- TL;DNR: Pointman - Ring Row/Bridge Progressions 4x/week GWACS - Post 2x/week to this thread + 4x/week in other threads Ground - Movement 15min 4x/week Pound - Meditate 10min 5x/week Let's get rebellious!

I dialed it waaaay back last challenge, and I did pretty well. I'm in a much better place now than I was four weeks ago. Keeping on keeping on. Rebuilding, making my life sustainable and happy. Challenge goals: Mind: be kind to myself, meditate, look after my emotions, ask for help when things are hard, share. Body: move my body, stretch, get outside, get in the pool. Work: write (fiction and cover letters), submit (manuscripts and resumes), learn (video editing software, website building). Content warning: I'm a tree-hugging queer nonbinary polyamorous kinky hippie. I do the weird stuff. Questionable links will be marked.

Weeeeeeeeeellllllllllll I just put together this whole themed post and didn't copy it all before hitting submit and it all vanished into the ether. Way too annoyed to retype it and find all the links, so here's the short version: Last month was great, made a lot of gains in pushups, pullups, and handstands. Downside: possibly too much for my rotator cuff. Giving it a rest for a week, then easing back into it. Still, yay! Zootopia rocks. If you haven't seen it, at least listen to the main song, "Try Anything," that, I feel, sums up the NF attitude pretty well. It's on repeat on my workout track a lot. Found a parkour article that talks about "training without actually training;" focusing on all the little things that you don't have time to do in classes, but that will nevertheless help with parkour. Things like aiming for foot placement at a certain spot, using objects around you to help change directions, and being more aware and interactive with your environment. I tested incorporating it into a walk this past week and it slowed my time, but made me much more aware of movement and environment. Probably also made me look silly, but... Goals this challenge: Not-train: Hit foot placement 100% of the time. Incorporate other elements of the environment into my walk Walk the rail: There's a 50-foot section of guardrail on my walk. Overcome fears of balance and injury and walk the entire length. Rest and return: Give my shoulder time to recover then resume pull-up/handstand training, mindfully. And last but not least, life goal: Sew a dang skirt already. Stop putting it off and just do it. If the pattern works, get more fabric and do it again, but get the first one done for frick's sake! For the second time: onward!

Brutal Bears Finds Balance Introduction Boss: Kuvira Health: (50/50) Brutal Bears the Lava Bender: Possible Attacks:

It's that time again, time to get to work. It's been a hectic past few months for me and I'm ready for a new start. Parkour Goals: 1. Work on my balance skills by adding balancing exercises to my parkour routine. 2. Work on my vaults. I can only really do three and I would like to improve those three and then expand upon them once I've really mastered them. Those vaults being; Step, Lazy, and Speed. Strength Goals: 1. Be able to do a pull-up. I'll do this by using the NF pull-up guide. I would like to be able to do a pull-up by the end of the summer. This goal is a bit tentative but we'll see.

Brutal Bears Survives the Zombie Apocalypse Prologue: So, I am coming over the rangers for the first time; I never thought I would be here! I have traditionally been a warrior, but life has been difficult. I work 70+ hours a week managing a drug treatment center (and my cell is the emergency line), I'm a full time college student, and I don't get much "free time". I have recently had a lot of fun jogging, because I just love to get outside and sometimes I just can't get to the gym. I think I would like to try some unconventional training, like mace training at some point; but, this challenge is just to stay balanced and keep things fun. I would like to make a zombie survival challenge based of the great app "Zombies, run" this time and see what happens... so Rules: If the health of Abel hits 0 I lose. I will roll a D20 each day for damage and various workouts help heal build up the town. Health can not exceed 25 The Goal: Survive 5 weeks of the Zombie Apocalypse Abel Township Health (19/30) Missions

I'm working on de-compartmentalizing my feelings. I'm working on reaching out for help when I need it, as well as sharing how I'm feeling with the people who care about me. This mental work is my priority right now. I'm doing so much mental heavy lifting that my physical stuff has all but stopped. My knee (for which I did six months of physio) still hurts, and the toe that I broke at the end of February still hurts. It's nearly biking weather. I have my swim stuff at the office ready to go any time. And yet, I can't bring myself to exercise. I know that exercise will help with mental stuff, but it's a secondary priority. Third priority is job stuff. Getting a new one, working on writing with the intent to publish, and getting more clients for my second job. I need to do this to get myself out of my current situation, because it's never going to get better. So! Challenge goals: Mind: be kind to myself, meditate, look after my emotions, ask for help when things are hard, share. Body: move my body, stretch, get outside, get in the pool. Work: write (fiction and cover letters), submit (manuscripts and resumes). (NSFW lyrics!)

I had a little talk with Master Tenzin the other day, and he agreed to consider recommending me for the Order of the White Lotus! There's a catch though, like always... I JUST shaved my beard... ><"The combination of the four elements in a single person is what makes the Avatar so powerful, but it can make YOU more powerful, too." - Grand Lotus IrohObviously, I'm no Avatar (after seeing how bad at it Korra is, I think I prefer leaving that job to someone else!), but that doesn't mean that I can't benefit from an understanding of the principles and practices used in other bending arts, so I've been sent on a pilgrimage of sorts.First stop: The Water Tribe!TL;DNR: 1x10 "Short Bridge" 4x per weekBalance Training: 3 min 4x/weekStretching for side splits - 4min 4x/weekMorning Qi Gong: ~5 min 5x/weekSeated Meditation: 10 min 5x/weekMovement Training: 10 min 4x/week Let's get wet! EDITED repeatedly because the dagone pics wouldn't show!!! ><

This month is about arm strength. Nothing says strng arms quite like holding one's entire body up with ones arms. For July's Pretty Muddy for Cancer Research, I imagine the extra strength gained doing this will be a fair advantage. So here's what we're gonna do! Main Quest: Execute a free standing handstand by the 4th June. (18XP, STR +3) I did my first ever wall handstand yesterday... On the sofa. Do 20 minutes of handstand related work every day. (16XP, STA +1) I'll get there if I just... Keep... Trying! Modify my workout routine. (16XP, DEX +1) Everything seems a bit overwhelming trying to fit in 3 days of strength, 3 days of running, 5 days of horse riding and 1 day of swimming plus 7 days of handstand training on top of work and chores and life.. So we're gonna squash all the weight training into one day, all the bodyweight training into another, swimming once a week, running twice and riding 5. We'll see how doable that is. Work on hand grip by hanging off of things. (16XP, CON +1) What's the point of having strong arms if you can't get a good grip on whatever it is you need to haul yourself over? Do 10 strict pushups daily. (16XP, CHA+1) I can't do 10 strict push ups in a row. So they'll be done throughout the day, a little closer together each time until they're done in one go. Side Quest Save £400. (18XP, WIS+3) I saved £300 last challenge so the hole in my savings account wouldn't be too dire when I booked my holiday. Now I need to start building i back up, while saving for spending money for the holidfay at the same time! All in all, I think the bigggest challenge here is going on in my head. I've always been too chicken to do anything head first - handstands, cartwheels, diving.. It's all terrifying. I can't even jump into my bed with it's 300000 pillows and cushions without putting my arms up first. So this'll be interesting!

After a few years off, many chronic and on-going health problems, still to be resolved, I am back. Each challenge, I have pushed myself and either achieved my goal or come close, however this time is different. This time I need to find balance between my physical health and my fitness goals. Each of these pull me in competing directions and fitness always wins at the expense of my physical well-being with frequent injuries and reoccurring fatigue. With this in mind my goals need to show this and need to alter this mind set. I was set in a guild when I was last active in the forums, as a assassin, however, no longer able to do yoga, I am not sure where I fit, I don't want to feel like I am less then others as I can not and should not do certain activities, as this is an area of my life I am still struggling with. I like the idea of being a rebel where I can do a little of everything as I can no longer focus my skills on a single area until I heal my joints and my overall health. Main Quest I am always challenging myself and pushing my limits, this year has been know as the year of adventure! - I have signed up and am finishing my first half marathon in early July! - I am completing an 3 day, 54km hike in September with my best friend and my husband. - I leave on the trip of a life time in November and trekking Everest Base Camp. Goal 1 - mandatory rest days I will rest at least 1 day a week from all planned exercise for the full four weeks. Goal 2 - focus on getting out rather than distance. Stop if pain reaches an 8 out of 10! With my half-marathon fast approaching (July 3rd), I keep pushing myself despite my extremely painful joints and reoccurring illnesses. I know and am confident in my ability to complete the race in a decent time, so instead of beating myself up if I don't complete the distance on the PLAN each day I need to ensure that I just GET OUT! If the pain is too serve and over an 8 (with 10 being eaten by a shark), then I stop, regardless of the plan, my feelings or how far I then need to walk home. Goal 3 - Complete all of my physio workouts For 3 weeks I will complete all set workouts from my physio at least 3 days a week. I have been slack and this has impacted my other workouts and this needs to be prioritised. Goal 4 - No alcohol or grains This is a bet with my husband that we have had now for 2 weeks and it finishes at the end of June - I just can't forget it as I HATE to loose. I have a few big events coming up and this will get more difficult, however, I am hoping that as we are doing it together this will be the easiest goal to achieve.

I've been absent for a while, and the things that happened while I was absent have led me to return with a lot of changes regarding how I approach fitness, so it's time to start a new Battle Log. While I was gone, I spent 6 months working with a holistic nutritionist. It was challenging and ultimately rewarding work. I learned a lot about the power of mindfulness and meditation. I learned that when I am under stress, I tend to get out of balance very quickly. Also, I learned that when I'm in a time of great creativity where I'm inspired to put forth a lot of energy on my art, I get out of balance. Those 6 months were great, having the personal support of a nutritionist daily. But then a great amount of stress was introduced to my life, and guess what? I got out of balance. Way out of balance. I felt so lost that I went to get a tarot card reading. And the reader told me I was out of balance (well, that wasn't surprising, was it?). He also advised me to let go of some of the burdens I am carrying and be a better judge of how much I can carry at once. He said my values and goals were in the right place, but the execution was off. It made me realize that that's pretty much the story of my life; tons of good intentions, but a poor plan (if any plan at all) on the execution. It's no wonder that I'm so easily pushed out of balance. So, right now I'm in the early stages of crafting a plan to get back into balance. I'd like to have the first phase planned out in time for the next six week challenge. I'm also going to join the Druids during that challenge, because it's pretty clear that my goals are much more Druid-oriented this time around. Here are the things I need that I will build my goals around: Sleep. Sleep is the first thing I sacrifice to overwork, or to creativity, or to stress. It makes each of those things worse, not better. I need to get enough sleep everyday, and the rest of my schedule must get out of the way of my sleep instead of the other way around. Mindfulness and meditation. Once sleep is restored, I need to set aside space for daily reflection. Currently I write Morning Pages in a journal every day, but I need to make that time sacred and truly do them first thing in the morning, which is the intention. I need time for meditation as well, perhaps after work each day, or before bed in order to wind down. Eating right. I need to give up processed food as entirely as is possible. I need to eat out only socially, during my weekly Artist's Dates if that's part of the date, and when travelling (I am currently in the habit of bringing food with me when I travel, but local cuisine is part of the joy of traveling, and being at Balance definitely means taking in joy. But of course, my dining out choices can also be good choices). I also need to be eating at least 5 fruits and veggie servings a day, with an emphasis on veg. I need to eat a variety of veg, rather than just relying on the same favorites over and over. I need to eat nuts daily. I need real whole grains (brown rice, millet, and oats; not processed foods labeled "whole grain"). Honey instead of sugar. I need easy meal prep as well, because the thing that makes me give up healthy eating habits is usually time. I need to exercise daily, at least five days a week. I need to get outdoors for exercise when I can. I need to start exploring good places in my area for hikes and long walks. I need to work on ways to exercise even during difficult times. I tend to sacrifice exercise right after I sacrifice sleep when I'm stressed and time is at a minimum. I need to work on my art regularly. I'm an amateur leather worker, and so I need training time to build my skill. I need to work on orders I currently have, and on building up stock for an online shop. I need to make things I've never made before in order to get the experience. I also need scheduled play time where I just experiment with dye and tools, with the freedom to fail, to see what may come out of it. I also need to find a way to balance exercise and art. Usually I feel like one of these crowds the other out, as if art and exercise are at war with each other. I need a peace agreement between art and exercise. They need to live in harmony. I need to examine the burdens I place on myself that throw me out of balance. Why do I do that? What can I do to stop? How do I do a better job of saying no, or asking for help, or simply acknowledging that I'm making things harder than they need to be? It's a lot, right? But I've declared myself a Jedi Apprentice, and I'm starting the work here and now (apologies for the color coding if it's unpleasant for you to look at; I'm doing it to make the categories easier for me to separate when I reference back to this post). First off, sleep. I need to get to bed at 11 on work nights. On weekends, I need to get 7 - 8 hours of sleep, even if I stayed up late. This is my most concrete goal right now. Secondly, I need to audit my use of time, because clearly time is my biggest issue. It is lack of time that makes me do a poor job of balancing my life. If I were using my time wisely, for example, I wouldn't feel like there's no way I can both have time for art and for exercise. (Fun fact: if I could have a super power, it would be the power of multiplicity. I would be able to multiply into multiple selves. I would also be able to come back to a single body at will, and then absorb the knowledge of what the multiple selves did that day into a single consciousness. This would enable me to get a lot more done without time being a limit. As you can see, I've put a lot of thought into this. This is how obsessed I am with wishing I had more time). After that, I will work on a schedule for mindfulness, exercise, and art. I'm also going to be spending a lot of time looking at time saving ways to get good food easily. I've started making green smoothies, and they are great! It's a really quick way to get a couple of servings of fruit and veg all at once. I'm also going to look into gathering more slow cooker recipes and things I can cook ahead that leave-over well or perhaps can be used for multiple leftover meals. Sorry for the lengthy essay; this first post is mostly to set myself a starting point to reference back to. The quest for Balance begins here!

MAIN QUEST: Become a master of disguise. Or at least an actress who can dance like she’s in Buenos Aires and can perform feats of magnificent skill. … Like a ninja. Pascal, my Spirit Animal for this challenge When the question was posed in the Assassins’ Den last challenge about what kind of Fitness Superhero we aspire to be, I mentioned that I want to be a chameleon, where I can blend into whatever role I’m needed to be (or want to be) easily. It’s part of my whole thing of always striving to be a better actress, after all. And what better role model for an aspiring chameleon than a ninja? QUEST 1: NINJA TRAINING [+2 STR +1 DEX, +1 STA] A ninja is always training, always striving to better herself or himself, always getting stronger, etc. And so, I will endeavor to workout 5x/week. There are some extra requirements to this, however: I must lift at least 2x/week. I must work through pull-up progressions and toes-to-bar progressions at least 2x/week. I must work on flexibility for at least 10 minutes at least 5x/week. The other three workouts must be over a duration of at least 30 minutes/session. This can be cumulative throughout the day if necessary. The flexibility time can count as part of the 30 minutes (and yes, if I work on flexibility for 30 minutes, that alone will be enough to count), as can any work done towards the two quests below. A = Criteria 100% Met | B = 75% Met | C = 50% Met | D = 25% Met QUEST 2: GO NINJA GO NINJA GO [+2 DEX] You thought this was going to be a TMNT gif, didn’t you? There’s no dance party like a ninja dance party! Since I’m always working to improve my dancing, 2x/week, I will work on Latin-style dance basics in preparation for my summer in Evita. Videos: http://www.howcast.com/guides/905-how-to-do-the-argentine-tango/ http://www.howcast.com/guides/909-how-to-samba/ http://www.howcast.com/guides/660-how-to-dance-salsa/ A = 2x/week | C = 1x/week QUEST 3: NINJA BALANCE [+2 DEX] A ninja must have balance. With that in mind, I will work on hand and leg balances and inversions 3x/week for at least 10 minutes. Library of Poses: http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/types/arm-balances/ http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/types/balancing/ http://www.yogajournal.com/category/types/inversions/ A = 3x/week | B = 2x/week | C = 1x/week LIFE QUEST: NINJA BENTO [+1 CON] Going on a mission without a packed lunch is a terrible idea. While I’ve gotten better at bringing lunch to work, my lunches could stand to be healthier since lately they've just been frozen dinners, which are so gross I never even finish them, which is hampering my "get stronger" quest since I’m not eating enough, or I turn to the junk food around the office to get the calories my body is demanding. So, twice a week, I will pack a homemade lunch and bring it to work. A = 2x/week | C = 1x/week SIDE QUEST: NINJA MISSIONS [+1 WIS] What’s a ninja without missions to go on? Even if it is as simple as, "I need that hole punch." Having a to-do list really worked last time to help keep my life in order, and I want to keep that up especially since my life is going to start picking back up with crazy busy-ness. But based on lessons learned from last time, I’m going to make a couple of adjustments: one, that Saturday and Sunday will combine to make one to-do list for the entirety of the weekend; and two, that there is no minimum number of things I need to cross off, as long as I make an honest effort at doing as many things on the list as possible. A = 6x/week | B = 4-5x/week | C = 3x/week | D = 1-2x/week Let's Go Ninja!!!!!!!

School stuff: Leap week 1 Thesis edits to Advisor March 31 Complete 3/31 Conference Presentation April 2 (Epic Quest Moment) Complete 4/2 Thesis to second reader April 4 Complete 4/4 The Core: Languish weeks 2-5 Meetings 1 3 4 Acupuncture 1 3 4 Gym time 1 3 4 T'ai Chi / Yoga / Pilates 1 3 4 Library weekly 1 2 3 4 Ongoing House ideas: Paint entryway April 1-4 Paint kitchen Keep baking Rebuild entrance cover and pillars And something for my birthday. Complete 4/7

Time for an overhaul. I'm burnt out. I'm not working out, and then feeling so guilty about that that I it makes it even harder to start again. I'm cancelling plans with friends when I've never been the type to cancel before. I'm anxious all the time. I need to save my spoons to take care of the source of all of my stress: WORK. So I'm seeking refuge in the quiet grove of the Druids to centre myself, to focus on my mental state, to help me feel balanced again. I finally got my resume updated last week after YEARS of trying, and so the next few weeks will bring all kinds of new stresses as I start looking for something more fulfilling. Challenge goals: Physio stuff: do a little bit of exercising/stretching/foam rolling 5x per week. Brain stuff: be kind to myself, meditate, look after my emotions, ask for help when things are hard. Do something 5x per week. Work stuff: start doing the things and make it happen. Do a thing 1x per week. Daily updates go on my battle log. This thread is for thoughts and stuff. And just as a quick intro/fair warning: I'm a queer agender poly kinky person who does THINGS that are a heck of a lot of fun, but not always safe for work. Hi.

This challenge will involve two races and a bunch of obstacles. I'm viewing it as a hurdles race. The last several of my challenges have been following a workout plan described in Training for the New Alpinism. As you might surmise, this book is intended to help climbers train for mountaineering. I have been completing a mix of running, hiking, weighted hill climbs, rock climbing, and strength training activities. In the midst of the last challenge, I realized that over the next year or so I need to accomplish a good number of house projects. For this challenge, I'm going to try to balance all of these things without losing the progress I've made training over the winter... Skip to the end for the actual goals, this is just some discussion on the various things in play: Races: I do not compete in races very often but I'm really excited for these two. The second race is a big region-wide event, a 12k race with a lot of hills and thousands of participants. I've never done it even though its happened for many decades and I've lived in this area most of my life. I set a goal of 1:12 a few months ago but I'm starting to feel a lot more ambitious about what I can accomplish. This race is April 3rd. The first race is a fast course with no hills, a 10k road race. Officially, I'm running this one to get a qualifying time for the second race. If I finish at a pace of 9:40 / mile or better I get to join the first wave of non-competitive runners. I'm hoping to hit a pace of 8:15 / mile but we'll see. This race is May 1st which I'll count as the final day of my challenge. Obstacles: For the first week of the challenge, I am traveling to Washington, DC. This is a work related trip to talk with my congressmen about issues that affect us at work. I'm really excited, a little nervous, and a little annoyed that it's going to interfere with life. I'm also helping to teach a mountaineering class. This occupies a night and a weekend here and there. Not all of the class translates to training so it's something that I need to work in with everything else. Projects: Rebuild desk shelves Sand and paint 8 window frames and 2 door frames Install lights in our remodeled bathroom Troubleshoot and fix motorcycle Race Goals: 10K in 51:16 12K in...to be determined based on 10K time Actual Challenge Goals: Goal 1 - Run in Balance (That's me in the red) A key concept in mountaineering is to walk "in-balance". This means to have a solid base when you step and to avoid standing in a precarious position. For my challenge, it means I need to spend as much time on life-things as I do on training. I'll add up my time on the following things and keep it equal to or more than my training time. House Projects Cleaning the House Laundry Vehicle Maintenance Yard Work Goal 2 - Zone 1 Training Week 0: 80 minutes (shortened for race prep) Week 1: 300 minutes Week 2: 300 minutes (Travel week) Week 3: 360 minutes Week 4: 80 minutes (shortened for race prep) Goal 3 - Other Training Climbing once per week Strength training once per week Zone 3 training once per week (races will count during race weeks)

Greetings all! I am a newbie who has just completed my first challenge. To identify goals publicly, to name my efforts daily (which I came to find helpful), admitting falling down as well as getting up...all good. I am grateful for companions on the way, for a good word, advice, or a course correction Now that I've read more about the different classes, there is a great resonance with Druids. Meditation/Contemplative Prayer (practitioner and teacher of Centering Prayer), balance (exploring with a life coach), nature (of which I have been developing a growing appreciation over the last several years). And so, the next weeks beginning tomorrow... Diet - Track by My Fitness Pal Fast Food reduced by 50% Keep to calorie goal. Fitness - Track by Fitbit and My Fitness Pal 3 periods of weight work (body or gym) per week 30 min cardio 6 days per week Sundays off Life 10 min meditation daily - Track by Insight Timer 10 min outside per day, which can coincide with other daily goals Listerine daily Reduce electronic consumption: no AM lingering, less frequent email checking Looking forward to living the Druid life with you for the next month! Flaneur (aka sshussett25)

Have any of you ever thought about or implemented balance exercises as a Monk, during your strength training / fitness days? After talking to a trainer at the (fitness) gym, I've been thinking about it. It sounds like a good idea to do so as a Monk (grappling/BJJ), but I was wondering if any of you had any experience with this and maybe some good tips on specific kind of balance exercises. Balance is not something that is really explicitly trained at the dojo I used to go to, however I just moved to a new place and am still browsing new dojo options while I work on my strength/stamina.

This challenge is about making the most of opportunities as they come up. I have a lovely foundation behind me so far this year, and some ends to wrap up, or items to put in place this round. I would like to make the most of my energy and my choices so that I am flexible and available to make use of opportunities that come my way. I'll be continuing with the near-daily gym visits. More than ever I have seen how beneficial they are to my emotional well being and balance. I have a good rhythm with my partner on this front, and it grounds me. We do T'ai Chi once or twice a week as well, and really like it. Vivian, now 5, has become a bit of a gym rat too, and days when she doesn't get in the pool are a bit gloomy for her. The thesis and conference paper final edits need to be completed and submitted and done and dusted by mid March. I'm looking forward to it, and wondering where the universe will lead me once it's all wrapped up. The onerous task weekly list will always be a part of my life, as will the gratitude and affirmations journal.

Any rebels here have any experience with slack line training? I've been thinking about getting one, and what it could do for my balance.

I am an adventuring ranger. Crossfit is usually most of my workouts, but the last 7 months have been off due to my work schedule including a lot of late night work. I have a big trek coming up in September. And just agreed to my first backpacking trip in March. Due to various reasons I have lost strength and cardiovascular endurance. My goal in this challenge is to continue making progress on my weight loss goal. I got a BodPod test last week and it said I am 44% fat so I need to whittle that down. It will certainly help my knees when hiking. And to train toward my trekking and backpacking trips. I have purchased the book The Outdoor Athlete and am reviewing its recommendation for backpacking training. I plan on doing the core workout from Training for the New Alpinism though. Eat at least 1800. The calories are a minimum goal as I have a tendency to undereat alternated by less common overeating days. Eat no more than 105g carbs. I can go over on carbs on physically demanding days to replenish my body. But only adding in another 20-30g tops. I am putting together a training program. 4 days of cardio work or walking. 1 hike a week. Core workout twice a week. 2 strength training days a week to focus on leg imbalances. It might be a bit much with my work schedule. We shall see. Work will be pretty busy for a little while, possibly for the whole of this challenge. So my life goal is to get rest when I can. And get through my to do list of things I need to do this month to prepare for my trips. There is about 10 items on that list right now and it will likely grow.