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I was struggling to think of a theme for this challenge - in NF of yesteryear, I loved doing fun, fannish challenges, usually with complex spreadsheets and real-life roleplaying. Last challenge, I picked a theme that felt somewhat interesting, but it didn't really reflect my goals and I didn't feel like I engaged with it aside from the goal post. As I put my goals together this week, hemmed and hawed over theme options, thought about roadblocks from last challenge, I realized... maybe I don't need a "theme." Maybe this month is just about simplifying and streamlining. So that's where we are. This challenge I'm using Habitica to track my info, and a spreadsheet to collect all that data and analyze it. Each goal has the Habitica tracker under the spoiler cut. And yeah, this feels like a lot of set up, but it actually should make it easier to track in the long run! 👟 Exercise The plan is to build on the awesome C25k success I had last challenge and add in even more exercise fun. I'm on Week 5 of C25k currently, and planning to stretch that week out a little since it's a steep change from previous weeks. Ideally I'll be finishing up the program right as this challenge ends. On the strength building side, I'm going to restart the ol' NF Bodyweight Workout, twice a week (thanks for the idea, @MezzotheLefty!) C25k 3x a week = 15 total NF Bodyweight Workout 2x a week = 10 total 🥦 Eat Paleo 4 Days a Week Okay, paleo-ish. I'll probably keep putting half and half in my coffee and using ketchup. So maybe this is more "low-carb" than paleo. But the idea is to eat more or less grain- and sugar- free, to fill my plate with vegetables, and to break out of the carbo-loaded diet I've been eating for the last 3 years. Hopefully some weight loss will come along for the ride. Notice it's only 4 days a week though, because, baby steps here. Even 4 days a week is better than I'm doing now. Paleo 4x a Week = 20 total 🍴 Healthy Food Habits IF 16/8 8 glasses of water a day No binge snacking No sugar before 4pm There's a lot going on here, but this is all stuff I've done before and been successful at, so the idea here is just to keep building these habits and keep up a streak of healthy days. There's nothing too challenge or restrictive, just reminders to not go nuts on the snacking or the sugar and to prioritize drinking water. Everyday = 35 total 🏠 Minimize | Organize | Optimize This is part of my on-going effort to declutter and beautify our house. I have a checklist in my Bullet Journal that's pretty granular - each space should take less than 2 hours. This includes: thoughtful decluttering, donating/selling anything we don't use, making sure this is the right "home" for everything that does stay, clearing space so that new things can come in or be relocated here, zhuzh-ing up the look to make it more beautiful or functional. The plan is to do 2 spaces a week. 2 spaces a week = 10 total Spreadsheet Of Tracking

This year, I'm doing a "one milestone per challenge" kind of relay-challenge. Challenge 1 was 5 push ups, challenge 2 was taking a 15km hike. I meant to also work on milestones for next challenges, but somehow I got severly ill in December, injured my hip a little in January and fell down and hurt my wrist just before last challenge. Last challenge I dropped everything that hurt my wrist, which lead to me just achieving my milestone goal of hiking 15km. Now that I've found a good hand therapist for my wrist, I can start making it stronger again. The volume of the physio exercises is quite high (3x20 band pulls in 3 directions, 3 times a day, and holding a wine bottle straight 3x30s in 2 directions), so that will be my main goal. I've also secretly started running, and up to now I haven't gotten even a hint of injury yet. However, if I'll make that my main challenge goal, I'm sure to jinx it . Lastly, I'm going to work on my squat mobility, since my ankles are dangerously tight at the moment, and because my wrist issues I'm not stretching my hips enough either. In short: 1. Do physio exercises every day (4 pts per day) 2. Do 1 minute of deep squat every day, and one other exercise every day (2 pts per day) 3. Run 3 times per week, doing every week twice of a C25k program. (5pts per run) Maximum number of points: 285.

As some people know here, I am a Bowler. This challenge, I have signed up for all the bowling. haha. First we start off with the USBC Open Nationals Tournament in Las Vegas, Nv. I fly out on Wednesday the 29th, and return home on the 1st of June. Thursday I bowl team event (3 games) then Friday will be double and singles. (6 games total). The day after I get back, I signed up to bowl a Match Club "fun" day event. On June 15th, I bowl in the California State Tournament. Team/Doubles/Singles all in one day (9 games). Then I have two different Match club bowling events on the 22nd and 23rd of June. (One travel out of town). Still in June, i have two more Match club events on the 29th and 30th (both travel out of town) This, plus my normal league bowling haha. Summer league is starting up, and this summer I am only bowling one league. So, I have a lot of bowling headed my way. Along with some bit of traveling. This challenge will be pretty similar to last challenge. I'll add in a few things to try to kick it up a notch. I did decent in the last challenge when I wasn't trying to self sabotage myself. Hopefully, this challenge I can keep that under control. Goal#1 - Tracking, Keto, Calories, and Intermittent Fasting Pretty much the same formula as last challenge. Though this time, I am going with some Max numbers. Last time I wanted to be close to 2100 calories on my workout days. I gave myself a but of room though. I re-looked at my target macro numbers, and am going to try go with 2100 calories MAX on working days, 1700 MAX on rest day. This means 2101 calories is over. I am also continuing with IF. My current goal is 18 hours fast. I am going to keep that this challenge. I might toy with the longer fast this challenge, but we shall see. I also need to make sure I am under 20 grams of net carbs each day. All this while tracking everything. Chronometer for food, and LIFE for fasting. During the days I am in Vegas, I am not going to worry about tracking in Chronometer. I think I will just get too frustrated trying, will play it by ear I suppose. 2100/1700 MAX Calories - 4 points 18 hour fasting done - 4 points Under 20 grams of net carbs - 4 points 12 points per day. 84 points per week Goal#2 - Run, Walk, and lift things. Be Active! I am currently following the RunDouble 5K Improver plan. I am not doing 4 runs per week. Instead I am sticking to my 3 day run schedule for now. This pretty much means I run a 5K, then the next time I run intervals. The intervals seem to change distance or resting times every couple of times. Along with this, I am keeping to my step goal of 10,000 steps per day. I still also have my goal to someday do a pull up. Hopefully, this year. I won't get there if I really don't start training for it though. Workouts will still be on the non run days. Week 0 I am going to look into creating my own bit of workout schedule, or even see if there is a plan I should follow. I think I need to start doing a bit more targeted workout vs randomly picking 4 exercises to do. This last bit I want to try having more active minutes in Fitbit. I want to target 100 minutes per day. My plan is to get in my normal walk time, then each hour or so, make sure I get in a few steps. I will work this out a bit more during Week 0 I hope. Overall though, I want to get away from having to just rely on one big walk or run to get in the steps for the day. It would probably be better to move more often instead of sitting there. Run the 5K improver on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays - 4 points each day Workout on the non run days Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays - 4 points each workout 10,000 steps per day - 2 points 100 active minutes - 2 points (this may change) Sunday is rest day 6 points per day. 36 points per week. Goal#3 - Rest up I need to make sure this sleep is on lockdown. I may even work on changing my sleep to go to bed a little earlier. We shall see. For now though, pretty much the same as last challenge. 10:30 PM off the computer and start reading. 11:30 PM time to get to bed. My gamer night (Saturday night) never has set hours. So the plan is to Log off the game within 15 minutes of us being finished. Then get in 30 minutes of reading before heading to bed. Off to bed at 11:30 PM plus reading done - 4 points per day. Gamer night, log off in 15 minutes, and read for 30 minutes - 4 points 4 points per day, 28 points per week Goal#4 - Create that positive headspace I want to get myself into a good frame of mind each day. Or even before going to bed. I'm not sure what will be best for myself yet, but I want to explore my options here. Last challenge I struggled with some self sabotage. It's really just those mind games going. This challenge (particular in week 0) I want to find something that works for me. Maybe I use a meditation app to help out, or I just have to spend 5-10 minutes focusing on a positive aspect for me that day. Pumping myself up for the day. Using the Mindfulness Coach app, complete a Mindfulness training session each day. Training session completed 4 points per day. 28 points per week. Measurements:(Week 0 / EoC) Neck: 17.44 in / Chest: 46.22 in / Waist: 48.30 in / Bicep (L) (no flex): 14.84 in / Bicep (R) (no flex): 14.29 in / Forearm (L): 11.77 in / Forearm (R): 11.92 in / Thigh (L): 25.59 in / Thigh (R): 25.55 in / Weight: 255.9 lbs / 266.1 (week 1) / Points: Week 0 - (05/20 - 05/26) - test running ideals Week 1 - (05/27 - 06/02) - 0/140-176 (if I can track) Week 2 - (06/03 - 06/09) - 0/176 Week 3 - (06/10 - 06/16) - 0/176 Week 4 - (06/17 - 06/23) - 0/176

For those that don't know, each year I bowl in the USBC Open Nationals tournament. This year it is being held in Las Vegas. I bowl May 30th, and 31st. That will be in week one of the next challenge. So all kinds of chaos to prepare for then. I know a few people there that work the event each year, plus I have been bowling with a group of people for awhile now. This once a year thing is basically the only time I see them. This year, I want to make as big of a impact as possible. Last year I bowled in New York, I was 325 lbs. I am currently at 266 lbs. I still have plenty to lose. So I hope I can drop a bit more for that shock and awe reaction Not to mention just being healthier in general. For my birthday in November, I went running to see how far I could go. I only last 1/2 mile. Now I am almost about to hit 3 miles. Last challenge I had struggles with my eating. The shark blood fest mode was in full swing too many times. This challenge, I hope to curb it back again, with a bit more strict rules for my eating. As always, I still have my goals for this year. Things like run a 5k (official), do a pull up, and hit below 200 lbs. I am almost there in the running, but I need more work on the pull up area. Weight loss will come as I control my foods as well. So here we go. Goal#1 - Control your foods This goal will have a few challenges in it by itself. Last challenge, I got back to tracking everything I ate, and got use to fasting windows again. This challenge, I want to add on to that, and give myself some limits. I have mostly been keeping it keto, but I have had too many days where I have over carbed and ate all the peanut butter. Time to get my mindset back in the game and make sure I am under 20 net carbs. I've also checked out some macro calculators to help with where I should be with my calorie intake. I think my working out days I want to be at 2100 or lower. Rest day, is closer to 1700 (even less really, but I am giving myself a little bit extra). To help amp up my fasting, I use an app called LIFE to track. I want to have a minimum 18 hour fast. Different start times is fine, but I honestly want to be done eating by 6 PM. There are times when that gets stretched out due to whatever reasons. Calorie goal hit or lower (2100/1700): 2 points per day Net carbs hit (20 grams or lower): 2 points per day 18 hour fasting (or more) hit: 2 points per day 6 points per day. 42 points per week. Goal#2 - Exercise you must! Last challenge was a bit hit or miss with workouts. I was pretty solid on my runs, and I was killing that rest day This challenge, I need to get my workouts into a regular habit. Don't give up and just not do a workout because I don't think it is a good enough workout. ANY workout is better then no workout. I am not sure if I want to try following a plan kind of workout, or just kind of wing it like I did last challenge. That is what I will use week 0 to help with. For now it is wing it, but hit the proper days. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Running is going to continue. My problem is the C25K ends during week 1. So I need to figure out what I am doing next. Come up with my own runs, like 5k distance, and fartleks. (can do in the app) Do I for for more distance and start the 5K to 10K program. Last, do I do the improve 5K plan. I am thinking one of the last two. They basically have aspects of my made up running in them. I'd love to get my 5K distance to 9 minutes a mile. Will I do that with one pass through of the program, I doubt it. Still, it was kind of one of my goals way back when I did a 5k for real. the 10k sounds good, because in 6 weeks I could be running up to 6 miles. That seems insane to me. This is assuming I don't have setbacks. I am still quite large after all as well. Weight loss will of course help with both running programs haha. I do have a couple of weeks to decide on my running path, but I want to get it nailed down soon. Hopefully, before week 1. I have decided to finish the C25K program, then move on to the improve 5k program. I will stick with the same running days. Running done Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2 points per run Workout done Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 2 points per workout 10,000 steps hit each day: 2 points per day Sunday is rest day 4 points per day. 24 points per week Goal#3 - Get sleep in Last challenge was better for me, but I still let my sleep slip up way too much. I also have my one gaming night that I would let myself stay up later. The problem is, I would really go for it and stay up till 2 or 3 AM. Even with rest day the next day, it always killed me. I watched out this last Saturday, and we were done before 11 PM. There was no need for me to be up until 2 AM. I need to get myself some restriction there too. Similar times this challenge. Off my computer/TV/whatever at 10:30 PM. Start reading. Currently reading the Culture Novels. At 11:30 PM, head to bed. Gaming night. Off the computer by 11:15 PM or earlier (unless we are all on doing something still). Basically give myself 10-15 minutes to wrap up stuff. Then get to reading. Read until midnight, then head to bed. This should hopefully get my brain settled down enough for me to get into bed and get some sleep. Gaming Night off to read by 11:15 PM, off to bed at Midnight: 4 points per night All other nights off to read at 10:30 PM, off to bed at 11:30 PM: 4 points per night 4 points per night, 28 points per week. Goal#4 - Use week 1 to finish your computer area So since we have moved into our apartment, I never really finished unpacking or setting up my area. I guess I always hoped we would just move out soonish haha. Well, that isn't happening, and we will be here for 2 more years. My son is out of school during week 1, so why not use that time to finally finish unpacking and setting up he area around my computer desk. Basically a gorilla rack, and book shelf area. Maybe this could be an entire challenge length deal. The biggest work just needs to happen that first week I think. Maybe I will even try getting a before and after picture It is something that has needed to be done for awhile, I just have been lazy about it. If I happen to get it all pretty much setup week 1, then I may switch this goal to getting a couple of Lego set built. Of course be displayed in said area No points, just get it done. So there we have it. Nothing too fancy, but things I want to get nailed down to help my Vegas trip will be a successful one. Measurements: Neck: 16.92 in / 17.44 in (Kinda sure I didn't have the same spot at measure) Chest: 46.77 in / 46.22 in Waist: 49.92 in / 48.30 in Bicep (L) (no flex): 14.88 in / 14.84 in Bicep (R) (no flex): 14.76 in / 14.29 in Forearm (L): 12.12 in / 11.77 in Forearm (R): 12.12 in / 11.92 in Thigh (L): 25.59 in / 25.59 in Thigh (R): 25.55 in / 25.55 in Weight: 263.8 lbs / 255.9 lbs Points: Week 0 (4/15 - 4/21): test run Week 1 (4/22 - 4/28): 56/94 - 59% Week 2 (4/29 - 5/05): 78/94 - 82% Week 3 (5/06 - 5/12): 50/94 - 53% Week 4 (5/13 - 5/19): 84/94 - 89% Total Challenge: 268/376 - 71%

Ok, back in full time for this challenge. I've been kind of floating these last few months. I've also been way overeating, which makes it hard to lose weight I have my Nationals bowling tournament coming up at the end of May. I want to see if I can drop a bit more weight and be in better shape to give everyone that shock and awe. A few of them I only see once a year. Plus, I have been in this rut now, and I need to get out of it. I need to get in some bowling practice too, so maybe this challenge, or next I will start it up. Goal#1: Food tracking and Intermittent fasting I have been off and on with this over the last month or so. I want to get back at it. I want to get fasting added back in with my tracking. 11 AM to 6 PM is my planned eating window. I can go longer before my first meal, but no eating after 6. I want any temptation for snacking to go away again. Track all the food in cronometer. I have an idea of where my calories should be at, but I will run some calculators too to get an idea as well. I'm sure not over 2300 depending on how hard I am working out, and running. Tracking + fasting = 2 points per day. 14 total for the week. Goal#2: Get in the rest I have been really bad with this. Sleep pattern is all over the place. I feel tired, and it makes for worse decisions during the day. I need to get my routine back, and get my much needed resting in. 10:30 PM off the computer/TV/whatever. Get to reading. 11:30 PM off to bed. Forgot to add that I do let myself have a gaming night with friends on Saturday. So I will not count that one night. 5 points per day, 30 points per week. Goal#3: Move it! I want to continue to get my running in. I had some setbacks with being sick. Starting back on Week 4 Day 1 on Monday for C25k. I also want to get in workouts. Last time I tried, I think I tried to pile up too much. I am doing it somewhat this challenge, but changing things up. Run days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday Workout days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Sunday is rest day. I want to also make sure I hit 10,000 steps on my fitbit. For my workout days, I want get get myself into the gym, but give myself many options as well. One time per week, I want to get to the gym to workout. I can go all 3 times if I wish, but 1 time per week for sure. I've been watching Celtic Warrior Workouts (Sheamus from WWE) and his series of Brave Change workouts. He is doing whatever workouts, just getting outside his comfort zone. As a wrestling fan, it is kinda cool to see him interact with the others too. Plus, you think some of the workouts are not bad, but you see how much they kick even his butt. Now, I am not doing these workouts myself.. yet Still though, kind of inspiring. I am going to look up a few different workouts I can do, and switch things up each time. That way I can keep things fresh. Running day 5 points. Workout day 5 points. 10k steps each day 5 points per day Sunday is rest day. 60 points per week. Goal#4: Check in! I have been no been checking in as much as I should have. This first week is minimum days at my son's school, so I will probably be sitting there all day. (other then running and walking around a bit) No excuse to not be able to check in here then. I am going to add points, just to make it more that I will want to do it 1 point per day. 7 points per week. Points: Week#1 (3/18 - 3/24): 92/111 = 82% Week#2 (3/25 - 3/31): 108.5/111 = 97% Week#3 (4/01 - 4/07): 0/111 Week#4 (4/08 - 4/14): 0/111 Measurements: (probably only weight this time) Weight: 269.9 lbs /

Spring is coming, the robins are singing for the first time all year, and I’m getting fired up after a long, cold, lazy winter. Throwing my lot in with you crew of Rangers if you’ll have me. I am staring down a big birthday in a few weeks and if I can’t be at my fittest by then, I can at least do what I can to be at my fiercest. So, getting my bully back this challenge! Big goals: Stronger, leaner, focused-er. Challenge goals: Fitness: 2 weights sessions each week 3 yoga sessions each week 3 Couch to 5K sessions each week Food: Track each day in MFP Weeks 2 through 4: hit 200-500 cal deficit Focus: Check in here at least once a week Say no to things Music (practice piano, choir, choreo) at least a little each day

2018 saw the return to the Nerdfitness Challenges for me. I went full Keto, with only a couple of times leaving it. While I participated in each challenge, they were far from perfect. Still, I made progress.I dropped over 100 lbs last year. I tied my lowest recorded weight of 257.6 lbs, with a couple of more days to get even further down before the official start to 2019! I've been thinking of what I want for goals for this coming year. Last year really was about me getting back into a healthier lifestyle, and trying to drop all the weight I could. I still have plenty of weight left to shed off, but I also have other goals in site. For 2019, I want to focus on 3 main goals. #1 get to 200 lbs (or lower) Now weight loss is a side effect from all the other things I do. I will continue to go on my Keto journey. My first milestone will be to reach 250 lbs. Then 225 after that. I think it will probably be harder to lose this weight, then the previous bunch. Still, I must try to do the best I can. I bowl in a Nationals tournament each year. Last year, people say me at 325.8 lbs. 2019 I bowl at the end if May. I really want to shock them all with how much I have changed #2 Run a 5k I have enjoyed running again, though these last couple of weeks I have not done it. My week 0 for the challenge, I plan on getting back into Week 3 of the RunDouble C25k app. I have only ever run one official 5k race. I want to run one this year. I don't know which one, or when. I should finish the app in Challenge 2. So we shall see then. #3 do a freaking pull up I have always wanted to be able to do a pull up. We had fitness tests when I was in 6th-8th grade. I was able to pull off on cheating pull up then. Never before have I even come close to being able to do a real one. So why not choose to focus my goal there. It might not be possible for me to pull it off this year. I believe that I can though. With this in mind, I want support these goals with my challenges this year. For this challenge: Goal#1: Keto on, IF, and tracking I think last challenge proved to me that I was probably eating too few of calories. I will still be eating at a deficit, but I am going to be putting in more work. I might change this a bit during/after Week 0. I need to see how it feels. For now my goal is to stay Keto, do Intermittent fasting, and track everything in Chronometer. I want to make sure I don't go over 2100 Calories each day. (might need to adjust depending on how much the workout days add) I might try to add an extra "Be in a deficit 250 calories extra) or something. Also Sunday I may eat lighter because it will be my rest day. 5 points per day, 7 day total of 35 points Goal#2: Train for the pull up It is time to nail in some workouts. I've been watching quite a few videos, and training structures. For the most part, I am going to follow James Grage's 20-10-10-15 method of lifting. My previous set of workouts I was usually able to get done in 15 minutes or so. This time, I am adding more variations, and I will have to use the gym here at our apartment complex. I am also going to use some park equipment or in home workouts if I have too. I have this issue. I can plan the workouts, I can talk myself into getting them going. Then I walk in, and see someone else is using the equipment. It is game over for me. It has been the same with walking too. Days my son was out sick, I didn't go walk. It changed my routine.So I need to embrace the change. So this challenge, I am working with a Plan B in mind. This week 0 I am going to be doing some of Plan B. If my planned workout can't be done, then I default to Plan B This goal, I do workouts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I have a simpler body weight routine to do in the morning after I drop my son off at school. Then I want to do some lifting weight type workouts after I pick up my son from school. 5 points per workout. 10 points per day. 30 points total. Goal#3: Run into 2019 I am starting Week 3 over in my C25k app. I will finish in the week before challenge start. This time, I am doing my run days on the same days as my workouts. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I also want to keep my step goal going. 10,000 steps per day. Sunday, is a complete rest day though. 10 points per run, 5 points for each walking day. 60 points per week. Goal#4: Read and sleep I have to bring the sleep goal back in for the first challenge at least. I have been working on getting back into my routine this week, but I have been off. I will stay up for New Years eve, but otherwise the plan is to get back on schedule for challenge start. Get off the computer by 10:40 PM to go read. Then get in bed by 11:40 PM. 5 points per night for sleep, 5 points per night for reading. 70 points total per week. Total points per week 195 I was going to make a posting goal too, but I will just try to get it in Week 0 is going to be my test week to see if I can make this all work. I know I will be having some serious DOMS, but I must push on! Measurements - Start (01/01/19) | Finish (02/03/19) Neck - 17.28 in | Chest - 47.00 in | Waist - 48.89 in | Bicep (L) - 14.29 in | Bicep (R) - 14.21 | Forearm (L) - 11.92 in | Forearm (R) - 12.08 in | Thigh (L) - 24.64 in | Thigh (R) - 24.37 in | Weight - 254.8 lbs Points: Week 0 (Dec. 31 - Jan. 6) Week 1 (Jan. 7 - Jan. 13) - 0/195 Week 2 (Jan. 14 - Jan. 20) - 0/195 Week 3 (Jan. 21 - Jan. 27) - 0/195 Week 4 (Jan. 28 - Feb. 3) - 0/195

2018 marks the year that I came back. I came back to the NerdFitness challenges, and I came back to be a much healthier version of myself. My biggest failure, was to gain all my weight back so fast. October 7th, 2014 I was 257.3 lbs (my lightest). September 21st, 2015 I was 385.2 lbs. 127.9 lbs gained in less then a year's time. I floundered over the next 2 1/2 years or so, only getting to 367.6 lbs at the beginning of 2018. My Day 1 back at it. I wanted this to me my defining year. The year to help erase that horrible failure of a year. So far, I am doing it. I haven't dropped as much as I wanted so far this year, but I am almost to that 100 lbs barrier. I am damn proud of that. It hasn't been easy, and I have struggled with keeping up with my challenge goals. I've let things slip for one reason or another. I looked back at this last year of challenges. Most are very similar. I have tried building some up from a slow start. This challenge, I am going all out. I am bringing my mega challenge in with a bit of everything I have done this year. Only my to do list isn't making a spot on the list. Time management will be key for me here. I've already been mentally planning out the days/hours that I will need to accomplish everything. I really want this challenge to end up being my best of the year. With a little luck, maybe I can get to that lowest weight ever mark. At least by the end of year anyway. I plan on continuing this challenge the rest of the year. Goal #1 - Keto eating, with a deficit Yes, I am once again having a Keto goal. I will be doing IF as well. 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM is my eating window. Last challenge, I played around with hitting deficits. The goal was to hit >500 calories each day. Most days I did this, and a few I did get >1000. So this challenge, I am stepping up to >1000 Calorie deficit. My other goals will work into this. The more work I do, the more I can eat Keto + IF + 1000 calorie deficit = 5 points per day. 35 points per week Goal #2 - Read, and Sleep Yeah, this has been a constant in my threads all year as well. I have struggled, and still struggle to maintain a good balance here still. So this must remain in to help get me going. Computer off at 10:30-45 PM. Then I read. Reading done and off to bed by 11:30-45 PM. I give myself a few minutes for the transitions. Reading by 10:45 PM = 5 points In Bed by 11:45 PM = 5 points. 70 points per week. Goal #3 - Walking with a chance of running Last challenge I really was upping my step goals. The last week I was getting in 10k most days. So this last challenge, the goal is for me to hit 10,000 steps each day. Part two of the challenge is to start my C25k app again. The plan currently is to do runs on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 10,000 steps each day (Sunday rest day) = 5 points per day. Running done Tue, Thur, Sat = 5 points per day. 45 points per week Goal #4 - Workout! This right here, has been a problem goal all year. Each time I have tried it, I have failed it. I need to try again though. I am going to keep it simple. Squats, Barbell Rows, incline push ups, and door jam negative pull ups. Workout days on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I might throw in some alternate workout at a park. Same basic exercises, just no dumbbell rows there. Next year, I want to be able to do a pull up. So working this in will help me move that direction. Workouts done Mon, Wed, Fri = 20 points per workout. (I really want this done) 60 points per week Goal #5 - Posting to Nerdfitness, and Blogging I have majorly slacked in this department, and I want to get doing it every day. My other times I had this in the life goals and didn't grade it. This time, it gets points. I plan on having some time each day, just so I can post here, and make a blog post each day. NF posts made = 5 points per day Blog posts made = 5 points per day 70 points per week Goal #6 - Take the Linux course Awhile back, I did a partial Linux course. It really sucked, and I didn't finish it. This time, I am doing the free course from edx.org. https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-linux It says 8 weeks to finish. So I don't expect to finish by the end of the challenge. I do however expect that I will work on it some each day. 1 hour per day at least = 5 points 35 points per week. This challenge is kinda nuts. It's against the rules, but I kinda like it. I feel like I really want to try to push this one. To add another wrinkle into this all, I started to apply for some work. Money is tight, so we could use extra income. One place is a 12 hour shift 3 days one week, 4 the next. Not sure what hours, but it will wreak it all haha. If I get a job, and it interferes, I will just have to rework the problem. Must continue forward! Measurements Start/Finish: Weight: 265.1 lbs / Points: Week 1 - (11/26 - 12/02) - 310/315 - 98% Week 2 - (12/03 - 12/09) - 250/315 - 79% Week 3 - (12/10 - 12/16) - 0/315 Week 4 - (12/17 - 12/23) - 0/315 Bonus round! Final week of the year - (12/24 - 12/31) - 0/355

I ran a half mile without pausing for a rest!!!! *victory dance*

Good afternoon to all my fellow beginners! I made a stab at NF a year or so ago and allowed life to get in my way, so here I am again making another go at it with Challenge number one of 2018. I'm already facing a few personal challenges outside of the norm (work/kids/husband/etc). I have fibromyalgia, am dealing with an injured hand that is keeping me out of the weight room and in physical therapy, and have spent the latter half of 2017 and into this new year dealing with some sort of chronic hives issue - yippee So here I am again making another go at it, despite the adverse conditions, with Challenge Number One of 2018. Gogogogogo!!! Current Stats Level: 43 Ht: 5'11" Wt: 190lbs Quests for 2018: Lose 40lbs Quality time with DH Get out of debt Manage my stress/anxiety/depression Build my brand Four Week Challenge Round One: Begin C25K Training (Minimum of 3x/wk) Build a Workable Budget Meal Plan for Work Lunches and Dinner 5x/wk Double Cleanse Daily

Hey, I'm Jigme (jik-mei)! I'm a zen archer. Pretty much every Sunday for the last four years, I've put on a funny-looking skirt and shot an extra large, unbalanced bow in the general direction of a target. I would like to keep doing that until I'm about 120; then, I'll probably take it easy and go every other Sunday. Nah, just kidding. I'm probably going to do that more often. Now, it would make sense for an archer looking to improve to work on back and shoulder muscles, but that's not what I'm going with this time around. The thing is, I've been dealing with this pesky little chronic illness for the last three or four years, which causes fatigue, weakness, and general aches and pains. It sucks trying to practice when you don't have the energy to leave the house. Thankfully, I recently started a new medication that works a lot better than my old one, and have been able to do some cardio. I'm halfway through the 8-week Zombie Run's Couch to 5K program, and it's been doing wonders for my mood and energy levels. I've even been able to bike four miles to the office. So, for this challenge, it would be great to: 1. Run 3x/week 2. Bike to work 3x/week 3. Go to yoga 2x/week Running in a 5K race in November would be pretty cool. Running it in less than 30 mins would be even cooler. I've been on track so far.

Hello! I'm Severine. I've been here for just over a year. I've had both successes and failures, and lately I've started to feel like they're cancelling each other out and the result is stagnation. It's why I took last challenge off and just did a battle log instead: I was messing up most of the challenges in a repeating pattern, stuck in a rut. I'm basically working on all the same fitness/health stuff I was working on last year. I don't like it and it's frustrating. And let me be honest: the problem is not lack of knowledge. The problem is not lack of time or equipment. The problem is follow-through, adherence, discipline, and persistence. The problem is me repeatedly making excuses and finding reasons not to do the stuff I know I need to do. The time away from challenges was helpful and I feel ready to tackle a challenge again. And the theme came to mind sort of by accident: something that keeps coming up in my threads is the fact that my grandma is a badass who I really love and respect despite her flaws, and many of my problems would be solved by listening to the things she used to tell me when I was a kid. A recent picture of my mum and grandma. At the time they were 54 and 82: My grandmother and I are extremely close - she basically raised me, and I lived with her instead of my mother for a long time. My childhood was complicated and the details aren't relevant here, but suffice it to say my grandmother was more like a mother to me, and my mother was more like an irresponsible older sister. So what's the advice I need to follow? Well, my situation is that I know what I need to do and the problem is just bloody doing it. And here's what my grandma would say about that: 1. Cultivate Self-Command Grandma is a big fan of what she calls self-command: "doing what needs to be done without stopping to think about whether you want to do it or not." My grandma had many years in her life when the question of what she wanted was not something she had the luxury of considering. It made her miserable sometimes, and she had some terrible coping mechanisms, but she always did what needed to be done. And I should be able to avoid misery and other bad side-effects, because my situation right now is so much more fortunate than hers was back then. More than anything else right now, I need to cultivate self-command. I have found in the past that it's self-perpetuating, and various scientific studies have shown the same: we have a finite amount of willpower in a given day, but over time our pool of available willpower is something that increases with use. This means doing the things I know I need to do every day: Exercise every day, even if it's just a half hour walk (1 POINT) Morning routine (glass of water, stretching, Hobonichi) (1 POINT) Track my food (1 POINT) It also means tackling procrastination: every day I need to cross one thing off my to-do list. I get 1 POINT for doing anything on the list and 1 BONUS POINT if the thing I do is something I really don't feel like doing. 2. Reject the Victim Mentality I remember so vividly when I was 13 and something really bad had just happened to the family, and I was pretty distraught. And my grandmother was consoling me in a very loving way. But then when she started to talk about me going back to school the next day I started to cry and said I couldn't. I said I could get a note and everyone would understand because of what had happened. And she said, "Oh yes, everyone would understand. But many times in your life you will have to choose whether you want to be someone whose failures are understandable given what you've been through, or someone whose successes are surprising given what you've been through." I have never forgotten that, and although I do believe in having compassion for yourself, I think that sometimes the strongest expression of self-love is expecting the best of ourselves, believing that we're capable of carrying on despite difficulties, and pushing ourselves to be better than anyone would expect given the circumstances. This part of the challenge is mostly about anxiety. I have it, and it's a problem. But I don't want to let it define me or limit me. I don't want to become less capable or more fragile. And currently it is affecting my health adversely, because I have emotional eating issues and a lot of why I'm overweight is that when I'm stressed or anxious or sad, my impulse is to eat for comfort. I'm in therapy, which is helping, and I just started meditating a couple weeks ago and I am finding that useful too. So here's how this will work: Going to therapy once per week is worth 5 POINTS (except the one week I'll be on vacation, which doesn't count) Meditating is worth 1 POINT every day Every day I am tempted by emotional eating and I do something else to cope instead (music, tea, walking, writing, etc.) I get 1 BONUS POINT. 3. Face Up To My Mistakes If past challenges have taught me anything, it's that I am going to have days when I screw up. My past pattern is a lot like this: things start off well. I feel awesome and I'm engaged in the challenge and my enthusiasm is high. Then something happens and I miss a day or two of goals, and then I feel guilty because I am no longer perfect. (Perfectionism is a real problem for me). So I decide I'll just not post until I get myself back on track and can report success instead of failures...but being absent from the boards and having lost my streak of perfection makes it easier for me to feel like it's okay to make exceptions and fail some more. And then I avoid the forums more because of the guilt. Sometimes by the end of the challenge I'm posting on everyone else's thread but not my own. My grandmother made a lot of mistakes in her life. Serious ones that, in some cases, really hurt people. I remember as I grew up and found out stuff about her past, I really struggled with integrating it into my image of the woman I knew, who was very different. She was ashamed, but she never hid it or denied it or tried to get people not to talk about it. She believed it was important to face it, to bear the discomfort of confronting it and the pay the price for her previous actions by letting people know about what she had done. She also had an immense amount of compassion for people who had screwed up: she believed in second chances and helping people make amends. She volunteered in prisons, and she took homeless acquaintances and friends-of-friends who were detoxing into her home for weeks or months at a time, to help get them back on their feet. She understands fallibility and she understands that people are complex and that you can't completely judge a person based on a single moment or action. So the final requirement is that I post every day, no matter what is happening, and report on how that day went. 1 POINT per day and, although this may sound counter-intuitive, I get 1 BONUS POINT for reporting in on any day when I have met less than 50% of my goals. Okay! So that's the challenge. I'm going to make another post with details of my grandma's life for those who are curious. Also I will continue to update my battle log if there are details specific to OCR training - I'm working to get ready to run the Fenway Spartan Spring in November!

So, I skipped last month because I was starting to burn out on tracking ALL THE THINGS. So I tracked mostly none of the things (kept up with weight lifting tracking tho), and now I'm a little more refreshed after vacation (and a little over sugared tbh, 'cause birfday). And now I want to solidify some progress! Fun stuff this month: - I'm doing Aerial Silks for the first time on the 22nd! I'M SO EXCITED - PixelPop festival is at the end of the challenge. I don't have a booth this time, I'm going to go JUST to go! Fitness So, when I started at the Academy I was kinda miffed that rangering was "running AND lifting!" And I was all "Meh. I don't run." I later understood rangering is actually ALL THE THINGS, and also ...I started running Schedule: Sunday: PT Weight lifting Monday: Run Tuesday: Weight lifting Wednesday: Run Thursday: Weight lifting Friday: Run Saturday: Rest (or something) Goal for weight lifting: I'm aiming for intermediate levels according to this. Right now I'm at 210lb on deadlift, 170lb on squat, and 85lb on bench. So bench needs to come up to get an intermediate level. I want to get to competition levels, but I don't know if I'll actually compete or not. S: Increase bench M: To at least 100lb A: Yup R: To get into intermediate level T: In the next month We've been watching a lot of One Peice lately, Zoro is my fav Goal for running: We're planning to do a 5K in late September, and need to start ramping up our training! I'm basing my speed off my husband and he's not doing super great (his endurance started super low though), so I want to be encouraging but I don't want him to get frustrated. S: Increase run time M: Sustain two 10 minute runs A: Maybe? R: To prepare for the 5K at end of September T: In the next month Fun fact: I'm Haku. Food We're in a bit of a budget slump, so more eating at home is better. I'm learning how to bring lunches to work! That makes me an adult, right? I've also stopped tracking my calories and trying to learn more mindful eating. It's a little scary, but I have some good habits in place (no more than 10g sugar per hour, protein primary, carb secondary, fats on gyms days, yaddiyadda). So seeing how that goes. The plan: Lunch: Bring food to work 4x per week Dinner: Have dinner at home 3x per week (I haven't been tracking this so much yet) S: Increase food prep M: As above A: Yup R: To better my food intake and budget T: In the next month Current cooking skill: Probably won't burn down the house Looooife I'm taking Japanese, but we're on break! So I need to practice, because we're increasing in difficulty after summer break (read: kanji!). I'm also helping out with multiple events at the Japanese Festival labor day weekend, and desperately need to practice Rakugo! The plan: Practice at least 2x per week (at least once Rakugo and seiza, at least once terminology and kana) S: Practice Japanese - rakugo, seiza, words, kana M: At least 2x per week A: Yup R: To have a solid foundation of my Rakugo story, feel comfortable in my kana and words, and seiza for 20 minutes (or die trying) T: In the next month Rakugo! Bonus gift for seiza:

My daughter just turned 7 months last weekend, The fact that I now have a child should no longer be an excuse not to take care of myself so here I am, feeling like I'm starting back at ground zero but I have a plan!! Run a 5k (I have promised myself new running shoes once I can run a 5k with no breaks) -Continue the C25K Program - Run 2-3 times a week Eat Healthier (I'm back at work, and once I get off I want to snuggle my baby and not cook so fast food has becoming an option waaay to often) -Eat out fewer than 2x a week -Only have soda while out Do a Pull Up (I still have never been able to do a pull up, it's like a life goal) -Continue Pull Up Progressions as part of Strength Work out -Work Out 2-3 times a week Keep a Neater Home (My house has been borderline gross lately and I'm over it) -Create a cleaning schedule that works for me and DH -Follow said cleaning schedule

Another four weeks another challenge. Hi there, I'm Korranation! Long time lurker and fellow rebel Adventurer. I recently degree in higher learning, and like most graduates, I didn't get a job straight out of college. I'm here to level up into the world of adulting. And I like my challenges like I like my life... filled with relatable memes, funny gif, and bad puns. I've been laxing in my routine so I need to kick things up a notch. I'm here to go from this to this... Quest 1: Exercise Run in the morning/evening with the dog 2-3 times per week strength training 2-3 times per week Quest 2: Clean(ish) Eating Cook home meal 3-4x wk Quest 3: Scheduled Rest no electronics after 10pm/ in bed before 11pm/ wake up early Level Up Your Life (LUYL) LUYL 1: Job Hunting/ Skill Set Unlocked send out X amount of applications per day Finish daily xp goal on Duolingo Finish +1 training video on LinkedIn LUYL 2: Check the check check off BuJo daily/weekly lists check off Habitica dailies I know this seems like a lot, but this isn't even half of what I've got down on my Habit RPG dailies and BulletJournal lists.

From 3/19 - 4/15 Animuse will... Challenge 1: Wake up at 6AM on weekdays I/We have been REALLY bad about what time I get in to work. I'm super privileged to work at a place that doesn't really care, but I want to get more out of my day, so leaving earlier would be cool. Also because... Challenge 2: Begin Couch to 5K! My husband's coworkers want to run a 5K in September, and my husband wants to go with. I... don't run. It's like the last ranger thing I DON'T do. So like a good(?)ranger, I'm gonna learn how. And do it in the morning. Or the evening if I don't get up on time. Schedule is M/W/F, weight training is T/Th/Su, so that works out pretty well. Challenge 3: BUDGET MAH SELF We have some credit card debt we want to pay down by May, and... that isn't happening. So we did a DEEP dive tonight of our finances, and we've budgeted $100 per week that I can use from the debit card for food and things. So we'll see how that goes. Challenge 4: MAYBE COOK MORE OR SOMETHING See Challenge 3. Last challenge I just wanted to track if I ate at home or not (and I plan to continue that, 'cause not so much) but bonus points if I attempt to meal prep or bring food to work.

Another challenge, another chance to conquer. Let's do this! I'm super stoked for this challenge! I'll be doing a five-week challenge this time around, but I will be evaluating me quests on a week by week basis and edit, change, swap, or remove any quests as necessary MAIN QUEST Land a new job and get fit doing it WEEK 0 QUESTS QUEST ONE: badland training (WEEK 0) alternate between strength training and running in the mornings and do x4 per week (I'll be using the superhero app from six to start for strength and a C25K app for running) QUEST TWO: saving food rations (WEEK 0) meal prep breakfast, snacks, and dinners (lunch will be dinner leftovers) find out the family's schedule so meal portions are enough find recipes for meal prepping hunt down the food cook the food QUEST THREE: bunkering down (WEEK 0) read a book +30 minutes before bed/ go to bed before 11 pm and wake up early/ get+7 hrs of sleep LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE QUEST: badland bounty hunting (WEEK 0) sit down after morning routine and send out at least 3 applications WEEK 1 QUESTS QUEST ONE: badland training (WEEK 1) alternate between strength training and yoga in the mornings and do x4 per week superhero app from six to start for strength and a youtube yoga videos) QUEST TWO: saving food rations (WEEK 1) Count calories and input water into MFP at least x5 per week QUEST THREE: bunkering down (WEEK 1) Shut off all electronics before 10:30 pm, read a book +30 minutes before bed/ go to bed before 11 pm and wake up early/ get+7 hrs of sleep LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE QUEST: badland bounty hunting (WEEK 1) sit down after morning routine and send out at least 3 applications

For my first challenge, I choose running! Dum, dum, DUUMMMM!!!! All my life I have never been good at running. When I was 15 years old I was selected to run in the Queen's Baton Relay in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games (CG equivalent of the Olympic Torch relay) and I nearly said no because I was so scared I would look like a fool running 500m. Thankfully I had mentors that reinforced to me that this was an opportunity not to be missed and I did do the run, but I was SUPER self conscious the whole time. Fast forward to 23 year old me who starts with Nerd Fitness two years ago and was completely relieved to find a system that told me I didn't have to do cardio to be fit! Winning! I dived right in to strength training, first with dumbbell work outs and now with a barbell. I recently came to a couple of key realisations that I needed to be training more broadly than just weights in the gym. 1. My endurance was not improving as much as I had hoped. 2. The body type I admired and wanted to have myself was one of a diverse athlete, not a strong man. In fact I particularly admired heptathletes that are my definition multi-skilled. (Prompted by the awesome NF article: https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-building-any-physique-or-skill-set/ When I started reading NF I loved the "Classes" idea, and identified immediately with the Ranger guild. I want to by like Orlando Bloom in Lord of the Rings - able to run for days, shift heavy stones, and kill all the uruk-hai (ok, maybe not that last one). My husband would describe it as being a Swiss-army knife, having the tools for every situation. And all of this leads me to: my first attempt to really learn to run. PLAN: Using the C25K App, run 3 times a week for 12 weeks (I know the program is only 8 weeks long but I think I need buffer time to repeat weeks when it gets hard). BOSS BATTLE: Run for the Kids, Sunday 9th April 2017. 4.8km run in Melbourne CBD. I have not registered yet, I am giving myself a week to try it and chicken out if I don't think April is reasonable. It will be my loot for staying on track in training. So, feeling excited, nervous, pumped, hopeful, a little doubtful, and ready to blow my nose at every PE teacher who told me I needed to get my fat butt running.

This challenge is divided into five categories: Mind, Fuel, Training, Home, and Spark. Each day I'll get a percentage grade in each category, along with a daily percentage and rank. I'll also get a weekly percentage and rank. And of course at the end I'll get my challenge percentage and rank. I use a spreadsheet to track all of this. Mind This category covers mindfulness, and well as scheduling. I want to practice mindfulness with eating, posture, and just in general really. As for scheduling, this covers things like workouts and writing sessions. I do better at these when I set aside a time with a little game plan. But as my work schedule varies a lot, I can't schedule everything at the beginning of the challenge, just one week at a time. This will be graded based on how much effort I put into it. Fuel This covers food tracking. I'll be using one of the vegetarian food guide pyramids, and track portions of the food groups. I'll be adding one food group per week to track. So for zero week, I'll be tracking fruit. Week one I'll add veggies. Week two will be proteins. For week three I'll add grains. And week four will be fats. This will be graded based on how close I get to the correct number of portions.Too little or too much will give me a lower grade. This challenge, I'll be aiming for maintenance levels. And we'll see how close to maintenance it actually is. Training I've just started the C25K training program, using the C to 5k trainer app. So I'll try for jogging with the app 3x a week. And I might have a few runs with the Zombies Run app. That depends on when I get new headphones. Aside from jogging, I'll also be working on progressing towards pull-ups and handstands. Plus a few bodyweight workouts along with trying to be more on top of stretching. I might also throw a hike in there somewhere. This will be graded based on effort. Home My apartment is a mess and I really need to fix that. So this will cover daily chores, plus a large project. This challenge, the large project will be sorting through clothes: keep, donate, or trash. And then following through on the donate and trash portions. This will be graded on effort. Spark And this is the NaNoWriMo portion of the challenge. For the rest of October, I'll be graded on effort made towards prepping. Then once NaNoWriMo starts, I'll be graded on how many words I write in a day. My goal is 1800 words a day. That should give me a good buffer. I may add in bonuses and penalties later. Also, any points I earn during zero week are extra points.

Tiggs86PreppingforPOW Hello All I have been absent from the challenges for quite some time for personal reasons and am in need of a respawn. I believe my previous challenge I had mentioned preparing for a camping trip to celebrate my 30th Birthday. Well in August I, my sister, and three of our friends went to Northern Minnesota and spent a week camping and hiking. Over 30miles and 1500 stairs in 5 days! Here's a photo album: http://s868.photobucket.com/user/Tiggs86/library/30th trip As the Starks say: . Winter is my favorite time of year because that means snow which means snowboarding! Every year when it starts freezing at night I start dreaming about it I'm snowboarding. I think this has already started this year as a few times I have woken up in an amazing mood with my calves & quads sore. I FINALLY get to teach my best friend's daughter (who I consider my niece) how to snowboard! She had to write an argumentative paper for school last year, decided to use it to compare skiing vs snowboarding from an injury perspective, and convinced her mom to let her learn. She turned 13 in October and I was lucky enough to stumble across a sporting goods store that was going out of business early this year. I got her EVERYTHING. The board, boots, bindings, helmet, googles etc. I don't think I've been hugged that tightly and haven't seen her grin that big in a long time. I want to get prepared so I can keep up with running up the bunny hill while she is learning the basics of snowboarding. The tow rope is my arch nemesis and I would rather run up the hill than use the dang thing. I also want to be able to help lift her back to her feet if needed when she wipes out as well as help with balance as she is learning how to get off the chairlift. My final motivator is if there is a powder day (pow day!) and I am not working I can spend the day in my version of paradise instead of getting tired after a couple of hours and frustrated because I cannot will my legs to keep me upright on my board anymore. I get so mad because I want to do more but cannot physically/safely do so. My long-term goals include 30% Body Fat, able to run 5k, and finish my WOC certification. (I only have the Continence portion left to certify in as I've passed both my Ostomy and Wound exams. I am going to wait until after the holidays to schedule and start studying for it.) Goals for this challenge: 1) Go to gym 3-4 times per week. Alternating NF Academy workouts and couch to 5k. 2) No fastfood. I am addicted to fast food. Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy's, Arby's, Dominoes etc. I don't even enjoy the taste! Going cold turkey is the way is going to be hard but I won't be fixated on "when should I go this week?". 3) Bring Lunch to work 3 times per week . I have a bad habit of getting lunch at work and that lunch is not the healthy options plus I ALWAYS seem to get dessert. Life Quest) Track spending using Every Dollar App by adding transactions the same day they happen. I end up not putting the transactions in then have a purse full of receipts that I toss without tracking. I'm trying to get a budget in order so I can figure out how much extra I can put toward debt. LOOT: For every goal I complete each week I get $5 to use for a body treatment, whether it's LUSH product, facial, pedicure, massage etc.

Here we are at yet another challenge. I was going to keep on using the Pokemon theme, but decided to switch it up for Stranger Things The series was so good, I watched it all in one day. haha. I hope during this challenge, that I build up on some good habits. This will lead to goals next challenge, and well into the future. If you have watched Stranger Things, you know that you don't want to stay in the Upside Down Goal 1: So this goal is to workout 3 times each week. I've done it 4 weeks in a row now, so this challenge should really lock it in for me. I still have some trainer sessions left. I see the trainer on Mondays and Fridays. Wednesday is my day to go on my own. This goal is to help get me stronger. Eventually, helping me get to some of my longer term goals. It will also help me to fight off the demon in the upside down. It comes into this world from time to time to feed. I need to be ready for it (3 points) Goal 2: I want to run again. I need to be quick and nimble to be able to run from the Upside Down demon. No I am still pretty big. I might not be able to complete this right away. I just need to take it one day at a time. If I have to repeat week 1 the entire challenge, then that is what I will do. I started feeling the urge to try this again, because of my gym workouts. The trainer has had some workouts where I do some sprints. I didn't die, so I figure I might be ok to go for c25k again. My youngest is in kindergarten now, so my plan is to do this while he is in school. To add in a bit more, I also plan on walking. Walking will happen on my workout days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. C25k will take place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I may switch to Sundays since our Saturdays are pretty busy. will play it by ear. (6 points, on per walk or run. one day is rest) Goal 3: My food goal this time, is to stop any and all fast food. I do have a bowling tournament on the 1st in Reno. So I might have to give myself some room for the trip. Otherwise, no fast food. Food really has become quite the struggle for me again. So I am backing off in an attempt to wrangle it under control again.I am still going to do my best at food prep, and healthy eating. Just committing to no fast food will help my mind not give into quick and easy. I do want to mention that this doesn't apply to a restaurant style type meal. There are some local places I could eat. I just have to make sure it's not overeating, and the food is actually good quality food. Not some taco bell, or mcdonalds. This goal is setup to help me tackle one of the Upside Down monsters. THE SUGAR MONSTER!!!!! Whoa, whoa. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. That sugar monster gets it's battle next challenge, when I go Whole 30 on it's ass. First though, I need to get No Fast Food down. (7 points, 1 per day) Goal 4: I've been entirely horrible about this. I need to be checking in with you guys. Not only to offer support, but to get support back, and maybe even get to brag about goals I hit. For now, my goal is to come here at least 3 times a week to check in. I figure I can do it after my workouts in the mornings. If I can get in more often, then great. But at a minimum, I want to get here 3 times a week. (3 points) Goal 5: This is really a project goal. I want to make a list. Say 10 goals that I really want to see happen. Some can be long term, but I want some sorter term goals as well. I want to make this list, then then next step would be to make a copy for me to see every day. Maybe something printed out on the wall. I want to get a bit creative with it. Then I can have something I can look at each day as a reminder of where I want to be. Hopefully, it will be a little motivational push I might need from time to time. No real grading on this one, it is more of a fun goal. So there we have it. These goals are setup to try and keep me out of the Upside Down. Measurements: Starting weight: 366.4 End of Challenge weight: 362.4 Grading: Week 1(Sep 25 - Oct 1) : 11/19 Week 2(Oct 2 - Oct 8) : 16/19 Week 3(Oct 9 - Oct 15) : 15/19 Week 4 (Oct 16 - Oct 22) : 13/19 Goal list done? Yes/No: mostly yes Challenge total: 55/76 = 72%

First off, the tactical bit in the titles refer to the Tactical Barbell books not and specific tactical training at this time. I’ve been doing some thinking over the past few weeks and decided that I’m not finished with the military. I finished my contract, deployed twice, and done what I needed to do; but I feel like there is more. I discharged 4 years ago and since that time I have put on around 70-80lbs and lost nearly all my endurance. Since April I’ve been back in the gym consistently doing Wendler’s 5/3/1 and then later a template out of Beyond 5/3/1. These 5 months have helped me build a solid base of strength but haven’t helped my endurance or strength endurance as I rarely did anything more than 10 reps at a go. Starting September 19th, I will have 19 months to reach my goal of being able to reenlist by the time I hit 30. To do so I will lower the intensity of my heavy lifting ( can’t drop this as right now it’s what I love most of training) and will start an 8 week endurance building cycle. The first 5 weeks will be primarily C25K and rucking on days off that the girlfriend works, weeks 6-8 I will work in some HIIT and sprints as well to increase my anaerobic system and some high rep body weight/light barbell work to build up my muscular endurance. I will take my starting height/weight/tape numbers NLT Monday and can use those to break down my overarching goals into smaller more manageable chunks.

Hey everyone I'm here with more questions....I hope that's okay. I am doing the C25K where you run 3 times a week. I'm wondering about strength training for the other 2-3 days. Should I focus on just one or can I do both throughout the week? -What all does strength training involve, or what should it involve weights wise? -What kind of workouts do I do as a beginner? I know there are "back days" and "leg days" and such but how do I cycle through those? -Can I build muscle at home? Without going to the gym? if I am dedicated enough? -If the answer is yes to above, what kind of equipment do I need? -What's the cheapest way to create a home gym atmosphere? (I'm not above using milk cartons filled with water or canned goods if it gets the job done ) To get an idea fitness wise where I am. I can run 3-4 miles. I can do about 5 solid pushups keeping good form...haha yep that's it. I have noodles for arms. Squats kill my knees but if they work I'll do them. I also just purchased "Level Up Your Life" from amazon. Should be here tomorrow. Are there tips in the book as far as strength training goes? Or is it mainly about the character building and diet? Sorry for the gazillion questions! I am so confused and completely lost (aka such a noob) when it comes to the workout side of things and how to build a routine that will help me be successful. If there is even a website/book/article that you can suggest too...I'm taking all ideas here! Thanks for reading all this and for your wonderful help!

After a couple years of spinning in circles, I need to "respawn" again. I will focus on getting my diet in line, and now that the hot local summer is sliding away, I will spend more time walking and running outside. Mission: Run in the Cotton Row Run 10K in May 2017 in a better time than I did it the last time in 2012 (54:50). While I rebuild my running habit, in the short term I need to start eating to train. I read a blog post a few years ago that really stuck with me as a way to measure how well my diet was dialed in. It seems that author is not as active online any more, but the framework is still available in an archive: "Archevore Blog - Getting Started". (More of his thoughts on the paleo movement are found on the Psychology Today website HERE.) I plan to count points each day based on how "dialed in" I keep my diet. I plan to use the "80%" solution as taught by Mark Sisson, so if I slip a little one day I will not let it mess with my relentless forward progress. This is the daily point scale I intend to use, based on Kurt Harris's "Archevore - Getting Started" blog post linked above: 1. Get plenty of sleep and deal with any non-food addictions. Less than 7 hours of sleep, then no points for the day. That means controlling social media (especially before bed), probably one of my worst current non-food addictions. 2. Eliminate sugar and all caloric drinks. Drink water. No sodas, sports drinks, juices, or milk. Don't add sugar to your food or eat things made with sugar or high fructose corn syrup. 3. Eliminate gluten grains and wheat flour. No cake, cookies or pastries. No bread or pasta, whole grain or otherwise. This rule and rule #2 pretty much eliminate anything that comes in a box. 4. 2 or 3 meals a day is best. No snacking. 5. Exclusively whole foods from animals and vegetables. I have completely stopped running for the past six months while I was getting over Achilles tendon pain and avoiding heat exhaustion, so even though I finished a half marathon a couple years ago, I will be in a "Couch to 5K" mode for a little while. The daily point scale I will use for walking and running is simpler: 1. Walk/run one mile. 2. Walk/run two miles. 3. Walk/run three miles. My goal for the challenge is to get 21 points per week, more is better.

First Annual Rebel Run inspired by Nerd Fitness! (Walkers welcome!) This is a virtual 5k so you can participate from anywhere in the world. Check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/The-Rebel-Run-903236796451748/ Or just go straight to the sign-up sheet! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p6hswnfpNL6lciCZkhEg50x-xtaL-OPCNlGcwqTyStI/edit#gid=0