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Hi everybody, this is my first 6-week challenge and one of my goals is to strength train three times a week. I've been pretty proud of myself since I really started to strength train two weeks ago. I've even moved up from 10-15 lb weights! I'm currently doing the Dumbbell Division workout on the NF Academy. The last couple days though have been hard. This is how I felt like after my last workout: Today's workout consisted of deadlifts (3×8), Push Press (3×8), Lunge (3×20) (10 per leg), Rows (Since I can't do pull-ups yet), and Hanging Knee Tuck (3×10), All with 15lb weights, except for the hanging knee tuck. The first set through I feel fine, the second set I feel tired, and I am pretty exhausted by the third set. Also, since I'm so short (4'11") I have to climb up the machine to reach the pull up bar where I'm two feet off the ground, then jump down afterwards, so the whole ordeal requires extra effort for me. So, my main question is am I supposed to be so tired when I get to that third set? Or should I use less weights? Should I be feeling like I need to take a nap afterwards? Will this all pass when I get stronger (and if so, when??)? And last, but most importantly, can a hobbit become a warrior?? Any help is greatly appreciated!

As summer begins I like to think that this will be the last summer where I don’t go swimming because I can’t stand for people to see me in a bathing suit. I am excited about this challenge, my second, because despite starting late and injured and ending with oral surgery I think I did pretty well on my first challenge. Beginning weight: 239 GOAL 1 DIET: Thanks to the last challenge I am now eating a completely primal diet. I don’t feel like it is a habit yet and I also worry that some days I am not eating enough. So, my first goal for this challenge is to continue eating primal and track it all on my fitness pal. Eat 1450 net calories/day; 50-99 grams of carbohydrates/day. At least 125 grams of protein/day. GRADING GOAL 1: For grading, every day that I track on my fitness pal I get 1 point. Every day I eat 50-99 grams carbohydrates I get 1 point. Every day I also meet my Protein minimum, that's 1 point. Each day I can get up to 3 points. Six weeks x 7 days a week is 42 possible days x 3 points/day = 126 possible points; > 111=A; > 96=B; > 81 =C; > 66=D; Below that = F. Worth: 2 WIS, 3 CON (learning about healthy eating and making it a habit.) GOAL 2 EXERCISE: Last challenge I was dealing with a knee injury that kept me from doing lower-body bodyweight exercises except for what the physical therapist told me to do. This challenge I intend to work my way into lower-body bodyweight exercises while also doing upper-body bodyweight exercises. I plan to do a minimum of three 30-minute strength-training workouts per week. If I do more, great, if I do less I lose points. GRADING GOAL 2: I will record my workouts on the spreadsheet available on the angry birds workout. Each 30-minute workout receives 1 point. Six weeks x 3 workouts a week = 18 points. 15 > A, 12 > B, 9 > C, 6 > D, 3> F. Worth: 2 STR, 2 CHA (increasing strength will increase weight loss and how I look on the outside.) GOAL 3 BE ABLE TO COMPLETE 15 REGULAR PUSH-UPS. This is self-explanatory. I know this doesn’t sound like much but I haven’t exercised regularly for many years. So, right now I cannot do any regular push-ups on the floor. I can do 10 incline push-ups. I plan on working my way from incline, to knee push-ups, the regular push-ups. GRADING GOAL 3: 15 (or more) = A; 12-14 = B; 9-11 = C; 6-8 = D; <6 = F. Worth: 2 STR for A and 1 STR for B. GOAL 4 LIFE: I read The Bible sporadically and have decided that this needs to become more regular. This challenge I will read a devotional and The Bible every day. 6 days a week. I will add a mark in my calendar each day that I read the devotional and Bible. GRADING GOAL 4: 6 weeks x 6 days/week = 36 days in the challenge. 1 point per day completed. >34=A; 31-33=B; 28-30=C; 25-27=D; <24=F WORTH: 3 WIS, 1 CHA (Spending time in The Word of God is the main way to increase Wisdom, and inner peace which helps the inner beauty shine through.) I am excited to start this challenge and love all the support from fellow Nerd Fitnessers!