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In my last challenge I realized my legalism about sticking to barbell workouts was holding me back. With my current work schedule the way it is I don't feel like I have time to lift (I could make the time, but it would take more willpower than I'm willing to expend) and lately I haven't been. By letting go of powerlifting for the time being, I can give myself permission to do other kinds of strength training. That way they are the goal and not a concession. I'm going to do a mix of bodyweight and kettlebell workouts. Yoga is still going to be around because I feel better when I'm flexible. Intuitive eating is still going to be a thing. I'm also bringing back Goal tracking and signature line check lists. I'm also going to be tracking this during zero week. Goals: Body Weight Workouts: Get 8 done during the challenge Kettle Bell Workouts: Get 4 done during the challenge NF Yoga Workouts: Get 4 done during the challenge Walks: Get 4 2 mile minimum walks in during the Challenge Intuitive Eating: Do it, but don't track it, because that defeats the purpose of intuitive eating. Also make sure I keep cooking. That's pretty short, so here are some gifs.

Last night I decided what my goals are going to be for this challenge. I'm still working on meeting all the required reps and time of the Beginner Body Weight Workout. So that's my Main Quest: to perfect the Beginner Body Weight Workout (BBWW). To do this, I will practice the BBWW workout 3x a week. Measurement: working out 3x each week: STR +7. Working out mostly 3x, but sometimes 2x: STR +6. Working out mostly 2x but occasionally 3x: STR +5. Quest 2: Participate in the Rebellion. To do this I will update my challenge thread 3x a week and participate in the Guild Mini's. I will also participate in Accountabilibuddies and encourage new rebels. Measurement: Update challenge 3x a week AND do all the guild mini's: WIS +3. Update challenge 2-3x a week and do some of the guild minis: WIS +2. Update challenge 1x a week or less, and not do any of the guild minis: WIS +1. Life Quest: Clean up the yard! I have alot of brush to get rid of, leaves to rake, small trees to cut down, and bushes to prune. Measurement: Complete all 3 items (brush, leaves, pruning): +5 Charisma for my property. Complete most things (some brush, some leaves, some trees, some pruning): +3 Charisma for my property. Complete only a little of each: +1 Charisma for my property, as in "E for Effort". I have a high motivation to get this life quest done by the beginning of week 4, because my husband's parents and siblings are coming for a week's visit. I also need to not get bogged down in tiny details, like sifting all the volcanic rock and replanting all the daylilies.

Main Quest: to perfect the Beginner Body Weight Workout (BBWW). To do this, I will practice the BBWW workout 3x a week. Measurement: working out 3x each week: STA +7. Working out mostly 3x, but sometimes 2x: STA +6. Working out mostly 2x but occasionally 3x: STA +5. Quest 1: increase my plank time from 20 seconds to at least 35 seconds. Measurement: Increase plank time to 35 seconds: STR +5. Increase plank time to 30 seconds: STR +4. Increase plank time to 25 seconds: STR +3. Quest 2: Participate in the Rebellion. To do this I will update my challenge thread 3x a week and participate in the Guild Mini's. I may also participate in Accountabilibuddies and encourage new rebels. Measurement: Update challenge 3x a week AND do all the guild mini's: STA +3. Update challenge 2-3x a week and do some of the guild minis: STA +2. Update challenge 1x a week and not do any of the guild minis: STA +1.

Introduction Hello all, my name’s Secra. I am a level 0 Dwarf who is excited for her first challenge. When I started school in the fall I weighed about 210-215lbs, and have since put on more than the “freshman 15†(current weight: 243lbs). Most of my day is spent sitting down learning or studying, so incorporating more movement (or any really) into my routine is important. A majority of the weight that I gained was due to stress eating and study snacking, so making the move to a healthier diet will be key to helping me lose the weight (and feel better in general!). One of my study buddies and I have made a pact to meet up at school M/W/Sa to work out and study, as we both do better when we have someone else to hold us accountable! Main Quest: Lose the weight I’ve gained since starting college (33lbs.) before the end of Spring Semester (June). Quest 1: Wake up every morning and go for a 10 minute walk to start the day. (To set the mood for the rest of the day and try and wake up without caffeine) Measurement: A-C goal is achieved, D/F goal was not achieved A = 42/42 days B = 41-36/42 days C = 35-30/42 days D = 29-24/42 days F = ≤ 23/42 days Reward: +1 STA Quest 2: Cook a paleo dinner (at least) once during the school week (Mon-Fri). (Making healthy meals is easy for me to do on the weekend when I’m less tired, but I’m more likely to pick convenience over quality after a busy day at school) Measurement: A-C goal is achieved, D/F goal was not achieved A = 6 successful weeks B = 5 successful weeks C = 4 successful weeks D = 3 successful weeks F = 1-2 successful weeks Reward: +1 CON Quest 3: Be able to complete 2 sets of full reps of the Beginner Body Weight Workout by building up through workouts 3 times a week. (This one is going to be my biggest challenge, I couldn’t even get through one full rep the first time I tried it) Measurement: A-C goal is achieved, D/F goal was not achieved A = 2 sets of full reps B = 1 set full reps, 1 set of ¾ reps C = 1 set full reps, 1 set of ½ reps D = 1 set of full reps F = 1 set of > full reps Reward: +1 STR Motivation: So my hips and lower back stop hurting! So I can stop avoiding the mirror, and feel comfortable in my body and clothes. And, so I’m not exhausted all the time.

Side quest: to write all updates to this challenge thread while in-character. _______ Fewer trees on the horizon allowed more light to reach the forest floor, which signaled the last half-mile of road before Granny Nogg would see the walls of the city. Ankh-Morpork was a bustling, multicultural and multispecies metropolis, home to the Unseen University, the Guilds, and the famed City Watch. 'Ahhh', Granny Nogg thought to herself as she passed the open wooden gates and nodded to the Watch officer on duty. 'I've missed ye, Ankh-Morpork.' The city would be home for the next six weeks, and the first order of business was to find Wiggly Charlie. She looked to the rooftops for a familiar landmark: there he was, Wiggly Charlie, the black weathervane shaped like a cloaked man. It stood atop the Bell Tower and marked the location of the Assassins' Guild. As Granny Nogg made her way across the considerable distance to the Guild, she mentally reviewed the course of training she'd be undertaking while at the mercies - if you could call them that (they certainly did) - of the Assassins: Main Quest: To make more progress toward meeting all the required reps of the Beginner Body Weight Workout. To complete this quest I will: Quest 1: Work at the BBWW 3 times a week, increasing the following reps:squats: Currently I can do 3 sets of 16. I will increase my reps by at least one rep every 2 weeks until I can do 3 sets of 19 squats.push-ups Currently I can do 3 sets of 16 wall push-ups. I will increase my reps by at least one rep every two weeks until I can do 3 sets of 19 wall push-ups.lunges: Currently I can do 3 sets of 18 walking lunges. I will increase my reps by at least one rep every two weeks until I can do 3 sets of 21 walking lunges.dumbbell rows: Currently I can do 3 sets of 10 dumbbell rows with 12.5 lbs. I will increase my weight to 15 lbs by the end of the 6 weeks.Triceps Kick Back: Currently I can do 3 sets of 10 kick backs with 5 lbs. I will increase my weight to 10 lbs by the end of the 6 weeks. Hand/wrist dumbbell exercises: Currently I can do 3 sets of 10 of each exercise. Will maintain that level for the next 6 weeks. plank: Currently I can do 3 sets of 15 second planks. I will increase my plank time by at least one second every two weeks until I can do 3 sets of 18 second planks.jumping jacks: Currently I can do 3 sets of 30 jumping jacks. This meets the criteria for the BBWW so my goal is to just continue with this number of reps/setsMeasurement: A= completing all elements of the quest 3x a week. B= Increasing reps for squats, push-ups, lunges, and plank by 75% AND being consistent about working out 3x a week. C= increasing reps for squats, push-ups, lunges, and plank by 50% but not being consistent about working out 3x a week. D= increasing reps for squats, push-ups, lunges, and plank by 25% but not being consistent about working out 3x a week; F= giving up. Str=3 Quest 2: Post to the forums 3x a week for encouragement and accountabilityPost to my challenge thread at least 3x a weekJoin and Participate in an Accountabilibuddies groupMeasurement: A= participating at least one post/comment 3x a week in the forums, B= participating 2x a week in the forums. C= participating 1x a week in the forums . D= participating -1x a week in the forums. F= giving up. Cha=3 Quest 3: Respect my body so I get the most out of my workoutsDrink at least 6 glasses of water a day, 5 days of the weekGo to bed before 11pm at least 5 nights of the weekPost progress photos at least once a month to the Before/During/After Shots! album, "Granny Nogg's Progress" Con=2 ​ Life Quest: To write all updates to this challenge in-character (improve writing skills)To film, edit, and upload a new how-to video for making a polymer clay flower cane to my YouTube channel

Hey all. I'll start off with my breakfast and workout for today, the 2nd of July, 2014. I woke up this morning and did the Beginner Body Weight Workout. I can only do 2 cycles before I absolutely die. Well, it's not quite that drastic, but it's still a solid workout, and I have something to move toward. Stretching afterward, and now I feel great. One thing I have noticed (now that i'm three weeks along, even though this is my first diary entry) is that my posture and daily energy is generally improved by my exercises. A big plus, seeing as I'm going to start playing tennis for sport soon, and soon after, soccer. For my breakfast, I made my usual: A vegetable omelette with homemade salsa. For all those curious, the omelette consists of 4 mini sweet peppers, 4 green onions, 1 cup spinach (uncooked), and 1 egg, seasoned with a little salt and lotsa pepper. For a cooking grease, I use olive oil (Is there even anything else? ) The salsa is a family recipe. I'll post it here if any are daring enough. 1 tbsp Olive Oil/vegetable oil if you don't want any flavor coloring 4 roma tomatoes 2-4 jalapeño peppers, to taste 2 cloves garlic 4 green onions cilantro to taste 3 or 4 mini sweet peppers (optional) salt to taste Add the oil to a large skillet and heat on medium low. Wash all the vegetables. For the cilantro, simply pull the leaves off the stalks. The stalks are a bit bitter and don't blend as well later. Cut the stems out of the tomatoes. Do not peel the two cloves of garlic. The skin comes off much easier after the cooking. Add tomatoes, peppers, green onions, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning the vegetables so they don't burn. After they are done, take them off the heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Cut the bottom of the garlic off (The part that attaches to the bulb) and pinch the other end. The garlic should slide out of the skin very easily. Cut the stems off the peppers. If heat is a concern, one could devein the jalapeños and remove the seeds (This can be done before the cooking for even less heat). Add the cooked vegetables to a blender. If they don't all fit, it's fine to do this in stages. Add the cilantro and salt*. Blend on low until finely pureed. Enjoy immediately, or place in a jar or tupperware container and refrigerate for later use. This type of salsa keeps for about a week, but I've rarely had a batch last that long For a more chunky style, you can use a mortar and pestle to blend by hand, or chop some tomatoes, onions, and cilantro and pour this pureed salsa over it. *For a first timer, it may be better to wait and add the salt later. As usual with salt, try to err on the side of less. You can always add more. If you find you have added too much salt, never fear: Just cook another two tomatoes, puree, and add it to the mixture. Now, for my lunch. I have brown rice and chicken with vegetables, along with a small side salad. My usual beverage is water for all my meals. On top of this, I have a job at a big box grocery store which requires me to walk for about 8 hours of the day. Woot! I'll update my dinner later tonight, or early tomorrow morning.

Previous Challenge: Main Quest: Lose weight Score Goals: 1. Walk 30 mins. During lunch break 5 days a week A+ 2. Do bodyweight /HIIT workouts 3 days/week D 3. Stay on the wagon with Primal/Paleo diet B Side/Life Quest: Make a double monthly payment on mortgage. A+ DONE!! WOOHOO!! Motivation: I want to be fit and healthy for once in my life! The last year I've cleaned up my diet towards the Primal/Paleo lifestyle, but now I need to move my body and drop around 60lbs. New Challenge: Continue improving on previous goals & quests. Focus more on bodyweight exercise. New Side/Life Quest: Save up money to purchase a rowing machine.

YESTERDAY (3/25) C25k Wk7 Day 1 1.46 miles, 18:05 min/mile, 26.21 consecutive minutes (I was feeling good, so I kept going after the 25 minute mark) TODAY (3/26) EXERCISE First stab at the beginner body weight tutorial. I didn't realize how long it would take, so I only left time for one circuit. I was really surprised at how hard it was, too. I am more out of shape than I thought. Didn't warm up enough, either. Next time, I'll run through a sun salutation first. body weight squats: 20 (pain in the right knee . . . maybe it will go away as I get stronger?)(bent-knee) push ups: 7lunges: 20dumbbell rows (25lb): 10plank: 15 secJumping Jacks: 30It's a start, at least. Not sure if I should try again after work, or if I should wait until my next day. FOOD LOG 3/26 Breakfast: Smoothie (1/2 c. homemade yogurt, 1/2 banana, 3 frozen strawberries, handful of kale, 1/2 c. almond milk, and 1 tbs. chia seeds) and 2 cups of black coffee. Lunch: Leftovers (chicken curry, cauliflower rice, and kale salad). I brought a small portion of mixed fruit, too, but it went moldy in the fridge, so I didn't eat it. Herbal tea, no sweetener. Snack: Strawberry C Monster smoothie, three pieces of beef jerky, and a Snickers peanut butter bar (yes, I had a moment of weakness at the grocery store, when running errands took too long. You are all witness to my not-so-secret shame) Dinner: Chicken sausage, red and yellow pepper, onion, garlic, kale, and mustard greens, all sauteed together. Water to drink, then green tea. Snack: 2 squares of cheddar cheese, a banana, black tea with cream and sugar (I know, I know . . .)

When I was 20 my left hip/lower back were injured in a game of Red Rover, and over the years I had been subconsciously favouring that side of my body and now it is significantly weaker than my right side. I've been doing the Beginner Body Weight Workout for the past three weeks and noticed that if I'm not paying attention my body shifts itself to take weight off the left side when I'm doing squats. Today, while I was going through my second set of squats, my body shifted and I hurt my hip/back. I don't want my progress to be affected by this, so I was wondering if there other exercises I could do while this healed, and if I could continue to do the other exercises in the Beginner Body Weight Workout?

My goal for this week was to incorporate ONE set of the BBWW. I finished one (granted, wall pushups, so I did 20 and not 10, and creaky knees, so my form wasn't 90 degrees), and I wasn't dead, so I did another. I STILL wasn't dead, so I finished the third. THREE SETS! I stretched VERY carefully afterward, but even if I am totally immobile tomorrow it will have been worth it I. ROCK!

My goal for this week was to incorporate ONE set of the BBWW. I finished one (granted, wall pushups, so I did 20 and not 10, and creaky knees, so my form wasn't 90 degrees), and I wasn't dead, so I did another. I STILL wasn't dead, so I finished the third. THREE SETS! I stretched VERY carefully afterward, but even if I am totally immobile tomorrow it will have been worth it I. ROCK! So much that I posted twice - please delete one

Hello! I just did the Beginner Body Weight Workout for the first time yesterday. I was able to make it through the whole three circuits (I am definitely sore today though). My question is... the whole three circuits only took me 15 minutes to complete. I feel like I should be doing more, time-wise. Maybe it's because I'm used to my workouts being 40-80 minutes of cardio? I was planning on doing this workout three times a week with some walking in between. My goal is weight loss. Any advice?

No, I don't have an amazingly awesome introduction like some of the kick-ass ones I've read already, and I can't zoom out enough to make this like a game quite yet (I'll get there... my background story for my half-orcishness is already written ;D)... but I'm really getting serious about this... and for me, getting serious is something to take note of. > SO LISTEN UP FOLKS! < Goals: Fitness: Perform the Beginner Body Weight Workout (BBWW) 2-3 times per week. a. Complete 3 BBWWs per week for all 6 weeks (total of 18 workouts) and gain the achievement “Fitness Achiever (Rank 1)†(yup, just like in WoW! They motivate me in-game, so I'm going to steal it for my life!). Awards +1 STR, +1 DEX, +1 CON, +1 CHA (for being that awesome) and earn an A. b. 17 to 12 workouts will award +1 STR, +1 DEX, +1 CON and earn a B c. Anything less than 12 will earn an F. Fitness: Hold a plank for 20 seconds (may be modified if 20 seconds is too easy) a. How? I will work my way up in my BBWWs from the recommended 15s to 20s by gradually adding a second per week. b. Wait, is this really going to be challenging? YES! :’( c. Holding a plank for 20 sec in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd circuits of the BBWW will award +1 STR, +2 STA and earn an A. d. Holding a plank for 20 sec in the 1st and 2nd circuits (but not the 3rd) will award +1 STR, +1 STA and earn a B. e. Holding it for 20 sec in just the 1st circuit will award +1 STR and earn a C. f. Anything else will be an F. Diet/Fitness: Avoid dairy (including cheese), grains and commercially processed foods from waking through at least 5pm (normal dinner time). Goal: 100% Paleo when I’m eating on my own. a. How? I will eat only veggies, fruit, lean meat and nuts at work (brought from home - if I forgot to bring anything, then I will make it a fasting day at work). b. At home I will make a conscious decision about everything I put in my mouth with a focus on staying as Paleo as possible. If I can possibly avoid it, don’t eat it! c. I will also document my diet on my thread to stay accountable. d. Awards: A/B/C for 2/3/4 meals non-Paleo at dinner. Automatic C if I eat non-Paleo at work (exclusion: Jan 21st for my b-day). Life Goal: To get back to my metal weaving roots and complete an average of 1 project per week (6 projects in total). I shall post pictures of the final products as proof (location of pictures to be determined [FB,Etsy,here,etc]). Here are the projects in random order: * Make something substantial out of the stainless square rings. (bracerlet, necklace focal, earrings, etc). * Complete an adult sized chainmail necktie (and have someone who isn't my husband model it) * Make something awesome from the purple Wal-Mart beads I’ve been avoiding using. * Make something for Lindsey. (SS2018 bracer? stretchy colorful bracelet?) * Complete at least 3 more ring size swatches (with label-tags). * Finish photographing my jewelry and complete the set-up of my Etsy store! (I know it’s not making anything, but this is chainmail-related enough to count.) a) Either I do this or I don't. Failure of any sort (except in the event of injury) will result in an F.And there you have it! Thanks for looking and have a nice day.