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I'm Bee! For the past six months I've been focusing on my health and wellness through nutrition and mindfulness. Over the course of 3 years I gained about 30 pounds and struggled significantly with depression, anxiety, and accumulating health issues. After many failed attempts at restrictive diets and all-or-nothing workout regimes, I finally found that taking a simplistic approach toward changing my eating habits a little bit at a time allowed me to develop a greater awareness and appreciation of what I put in my body. I also dug deep into the core of my compulsive overeating and began to repair my relationship with food while rebuilding self-confidence. In the second half of 2015 I lost almost 15 pounds, quit my soda addiction, and transitioned to a fully vegan diet. I'm happier and healthier than I've been in a long time! I have many goals on the horizon and I'm ecstatic to be starting a new year (for perhaps the first time in my life) with a positive outlook on the months to come. Back in college I was a very basic runner (a few miles a few times a week). Since then I've been itching to get back into running but have never been able to find my groove; I either start too fast too quickly and injure myself or don't follow through in order to build a habit. I'm SO excited to get started again. I've been reading books and asking questions and setting myself up to be successful one step at a time. I'm not concerned about speed or distance at this point - I'm just ready to lace up every day and discover what works best for me. Main Quest: Within the next 6 months, my goal is to drop 1 dress size and be able to run a 5k. Run and/or Walk 30 Minutes/Day As a newbie runner I'll be following the Couch to 5K app, which calls for a walk/jog three times per week. The rest of the week I'll decide: either adding walk/jog days, or simply taking a long walk. This coincides with my need to walk our dogs more often. Why every day? I need to build a habit. I only have to commit to the 3 days of C25K -- if necessary, the rest of the days can be a slower walk. 5 STA = 37+ successful days // 4 STA = 36-32 successful days // 3 STA = 31-28 successful days Stretching/Flexibility Work Daily Whether it's a basic stretch after my jog or a yoga session, I need to loosen up my limbs. I always struggle with sore knees when I first start running, and know it has to do more with my strength and flexibility rather than the act of running itself. 3 DEX = 37+ successful days // 2 DEX = 36-32 successful days // 1 DEX = 31-28 successful days Snacks = Fruit, Veggies, Nuts/Seeds My nutrition has improved tremendously over the past six months. Inherently, in cutting out all meat, dairy, and eggs there are far fewer junk food/fast food items readily available that I'm interested in eating. I have increased my fruit and veggie intake and worked to balance my sweets intake. Chips, however, are something that have wiggled their way into my daily snacking habits. Like soda, chips are something I can certainly live without. Update: As noted above, I'm a bit of a compulsive overeater. And as much as I've started to balance some of my eating habits, I have found over the past few weeks that I can easily replace one bad habit with another. Last challenge I committed to not eating sweets, yet replaced that habit with eating chips. I am already forseeing that I'll replace chip-eating with sweet-eating. So instead, I'm sticking to my original plan at the end of the last challenge: snacks are limited to healthy, whole food options. 4 CON = 37+ successful days // 3 CON = 36-32 successful days // 2 CON = 31-28 successful days Finish 4 Books in 4 Weeks Brain food. 3 WIS = 4 books // 2 WIS = 3 books // 1 WIS = 2 books ... Possibly to be updated with some stats and more refined quest descriptions. For now - lace up!

Aaaaaaaand here we are. Brand new year, brand new challenge. Time to come out with guns blazing!.....or bats....maces......crossbows, whatever suits your fancy, and gets you motivated! For me, this challenge, technically this year, and my ultimate epic quest can be summed up in one sentence......... To train and eat with a purpose. And by train I mean mace work, running, lifting or whatever I put my mind to in this coming year.....do it, and do it with enthusiasm......with conscious thought, and with reason and intent. Last year kinda fell flat, but part of the reason for that was because I was going through the motions, but not really putting a purpose behind it. Doing it just to do it because it was habit or what I thought I SHOULD do, but without fire or drive behind it. This year, that's my focus.....not to do something just to do it, but because I WANT to.....because it makes me feel good and gets me where I want to go. Purpose. So, with that Harley is picking up Harley's Mallet and heading back into the game! Harley Mission 1: Mace Work I began mace work last challenge and fell. in. love..... So, I am continuing it this challenge. I may add some lifting back in at some point, but the mace work is my focus this challenge. I am aiming at a rep goal of 415. Once I hit that (which should happen well before this challenge ends) I will readjust my workout with some new moves (shout out to my friend jc) and move up to a 12 lb mace. This mission means Harley must put in 3 mace workouts for that week. All three means she wins that week's round, 2 means she loses one battle but still passes, and less than two means she lost that round. And I don't intend to let that happen. Harley Mission 2: Outrun the cops. Being evil ain't easy.......and you never know when you will need a backup plan when you run out of gas on a caper. this means speed........ and flexibility................ This mission includes to things, C25k and GMB. The aim of this mission is to get back into the C25k program on a consistent basis. I've been doing runs on and off but not advancing in the program. I will pick it back up starting with week 2 of the program. The other part of this mission is to increase my flexibility and become more limber. I will admit to not being a big fan of yoga and whatnot because I'm not terribly flexible. But, with a nagging knee injury and a consequential tightness in my left hip and thigh from a previous surgery it's a good time to get things loosened back up. I think it will aid the running and everything else. And since we are still in the midst of winter this can be a backup for when weather keeps a run from being feasible. The GMB program can be found here (fabulous site, thank you bestie twin )....... https://gmb.io/ This mission means Harley must put in 3 run/GMB workouts minimum for that week. All three means she wins that week's round, 2 means she loses one battle but still passes, and less than two means she lost that round. Harley's Mission 3: Water, water everywhere........... This is a goal I have used a number if times because I tend to get out of the habit easily. I am not big on drinking things period, with the exception of coffee. I can go all day without drinking anything. And Harley is smart enough to know she can't function at her best if she's dehydrated. It affects my desire to snack and eat more, I know dehydration also causes me headaches. But, this goal will also be a two parter in that the overall idea here will be to put more purpose into what I'm fueling my body with so that I get the best results from everything else I'm doing. This mission means Harley must eat and drink with purpose for 6 days that week with one day a week to be a bit more reckless. 5 or more days means she wins that week's round, at least 4 means she loses one battle but still passes, and 3 or means she lost that round. First week I have to get in at least one (20 oz) water bottle each day and no snacks or sugar, week two increases to two water bottles a day, week 3 will be 3 and so on. And finally........ My life goal is motivated by my friend Bluethunder......and a shoutout to Teros for his help with inspiration. Because girl needs her down time, Harley is going to do some reading! Lol, this means one book minimum per challenge. I'm currently listening to the first book in the Dresden Files and would like to work through the entire series. And there we have it! I shall end this with my favorite running song because Harley has a sense of humor. Now let's move it! Onwards and Upwards!!

2016 Year of the viking, Challenge 1 Preparing for the summer raids So now that i have your attention with that grand opening. For me 2016 willl be the year of the viking, what does this mean? Well it means i will run the strongman viking run on all 3 lengths, 7Kms, 13Km and 19Kms and earn my viking torque. http://strongviking.com/ To get this done i need to get in shape for the runs and thus the theme of this challenge will be preparing for the summer raids. Because the runs will be around summer. How does one prepare for the summer raids? There are 3 parts to preparing for the raids. Part 1 Strength. The strength part of this challenge will be fairly simple. It will be focussed at boddy weight training to increase my effective strength. I don't have to be superman strong but strong enough to lift myself over some obstacles. I set up a little training schedule for myself. it is based on 3 days a week boddyweight training and i have to stick to 2 times a week for half points and 3 times a week on average for full points. This is a steep Hill but i like to push myself Part 2 Endurance. The endurance part will be all about getting my ass ready to run the 7Km's. This challenge i will start with the zombies run c25K program to get myself ready to run 5kilometers at the end of 8 weeks, I figure that with a little extra training the 7km's should be a piece of cake. The gradation for this challenge is the same as the strength part. 2 out of 3 on avrage only means half of the points. Full points is 3 times a week average. Together with the strength part i have 6 days a week of training. Part 3 General well being. In order to keep myself happy there also is the general well being part. This holds up 2 goals wich are more personal and not really Strongmen related. 1 Lose weight. Starting this new year i will try something new regarding my diet. I will intermittent fast on a low carb diet. The fasting part will be the folowing, i can start eating as soon as lunch time has arrived. 12:00 and i can't eat after 20:00. This gives me an 8 hour eating window wich should help me regulate what i consume. Combine this with a low card diet except for friday (Because cheat day reasons) i should be able to lose some weight. Depending on the new rules i will ad scores. 2 Work on posture. Part of this is taken along in my training regime with Pilates excercises, the other part is very simple. Watch my back and force myself to sit straight and stand straight. Same goes here, as soon as the new system is released on the 4th i wll make scores for this.

Getting ready for Memorial Day 2016 Hello! New to Rangers but not a newbie. I've been with the Assassins for several challenges. I thought I'd switch things up for the new year and try the Rangers in order to prepare myself for the Memorial Day MURPH. Last year I did the MURPH for the first time modified. I did ring rows instead of pull ups, box push ups (24"), and "wogged" the mile runs (my squats were RXd!!). It's been a year, I'm getting stronger all the time, so while I'm not ready for the body armor I am ready for banded pull ups, a lower box for push ups and to run the run. I have sort of a phased out plan in my mind that I'll roll out over the next 5 months but here's my base plan to get started: Prep for MURPH Challenge Fitness Quests 1. add 1x weekly run to my exercise routine (5 pts per run/20 total) This run is outside of whatever running I do at xfit. Plan to use c25k program to build endurance. 2. add 1x weekly CINDY to exercise routine (5 pts per CINDY/20 total) CINDY will happen outdoors at whatever park works into my schedule. Plan to be doing pull ups with a super stretchy band which is in the back of my car at all times and using park bench for the push ups. Diet Quest 3. return the 7 pounds I got for Christmas (3 pts per pounds lost/21 total) Joining the husband unit in his Dry January challenge should help as well as logging my meals on MFP to keep track of my carbs (@70g daily). Level Up Life Quests 4. practicar mi español! (1 pt per practice/20 total) I'm taking a beginner spanish class 2x weekly starting January 4th. Practicing spanish on the class days won't be a problem, it's on the other days of the week where I'll need to step it up. The goal here is to practice 15-30 minutes on those non-class days (5 days each week) para aumentar mi confianza de hablar español. 5. get to know the Rangers (5 points per mini-challenge completed/20 total) Jump in and join in on the Ranger mini-challenges. I really enjoyed the Assassin mini-challenges not just because they often complimented my challenge goals but because I got to meet so many cool people. Looking forward to a similar experience with the Rangers! So there it is! Hope my goals are Rangerly enough for a former Assassin For those of you meeting me for the first time I'm a 47yo SAHM living in beautiful Washington State with the husband unit of 21 years and our three boy children (16 yo twins + 12 yo singleton). For old friends, thanks for finding me and cheering me on!

Lessons from Dr. Frankenstein Welcome to Class... This will be a multiple parter...which has actually already started. The lessons will be over the course of about 9 to 10 months and broken down into thirds, and further into 40 to 50 weekly increments (or "lessons"). These lessons have actually already started during the last NF 6WC. And with the new NF Challege format being 4 weeks, I'll have to make a few modifications. No biggie!! I'll play a little "catch-up" on the previous Lessons, 1-7 here in the "intro" to the new Challenge, then fill in for Lessons 8-11 for the Challenge. Lessons 1 through 6: Recap... Lesson 1: Class starts when?!?... OK, so in keeping with the Monday through Sunday schedule...We'll just say that Lesson 1 began November 17th, 2015 (although it "technically began the 18th, a Tuesday), which was smack in the middle of the final NF 6WC of 2015. So for this week's Lesson, I pretty much worked on that, not realizing that the Lessons had started! Lesson 2: Class can't be starting yet... This Lesson was during the Thanksgiving Holiday, and I was still oblivious to the fact that the Lessons had already started. This was Week 4 of the final NF 6WC of 2015, and that's what I focused on. Lesson 3: Lab and Practical... The Lessons "officially" started this week, with the first Lab and Practical... It was the results of both the Lab and Practical which made these Lessons possible. Otherwise, we'd be waiting to start class in another month or so. Lesson 4: Waiting for Class... This was the final week of the last NF 6WC of 2015 (and later, I would discover, the last 6WC ever!). I passed, barely, but was very tired and busy with Holiday parties and activities around base. So much so, I never quite got around to posting my final scores and updates...but that's ok...no one was following my thread anyway. Lesson 5: Late for Class... Now here's where I discovered that I was actually "late" for class. This Lesson included another Lab, and the results laid the ground work for a week of research, setting up appointments and visiting the local Medical Center. It was here that I met a few of my fellow "students", and received some basic instruction, and the future Lessons got plotted. I also got an inside scoop regarding formal diagnosis, blood and urine tests, and got a flu shot (which are evil!!)...which resulted in me getting the flu for the second time this year!! I also started feeling more and more tired and hungry. Lesson 6: Catch up from Tardiness... Despite the Holidays, this week's Lesson included some more formal instruction, a trip to the ER and extra housework...which was technically unrelated to the Lessons...Hubby sliced his finger & it took over 2 hours to stop bleeding...then we was exempt from chores until it healed. No surprise that I was feeling tired more, but my appetite continued and my chest started to feel sore and heavy. I also noticed that I would feel nauseous before mealtimes...so basically when I needed to eat, I felt nauseous, and when I ate, it went away! Lesson 7: Formal Instruction... OK, so there will be a few public "classes" for me to attend from time to time...This week had the first. It was very informative, but boring. My classmates were pretty blase and not interactive, and thus the class was pretty much death by PowerPoint...although they did hand out a useful packet of information (pretty much everything that was presented, including the PowerPoint slides). I also tried to restart my c25k, but I did it too early in the morning (I think)...I ended up having severe pain in my Right Knee and the outside of my Left Foot...I think I may have misstepped in the low light of the early morn and This week also resulted in me getting extremely bent out of shape (which normally doesn't happen) due to being lied to and over 4 hours of my time wasted!! It actually caused me to loose my appetite!! And I didn't feel nauseous when I skipped meals... But luckily, I found a way around the conundrum, but I remained agitated about the whole ordeal for a few more days... NF 4 Week Challenge: Lessons 8 - 11 OK, so for the next 4 weeks, I'll be working on the Lessons 8 through 11 with Dr. Frankenstein. I'm currently breaking it down much like I have done for previous Challenges. I am still trying to figure out the new format (some info hasn't been posted as of yet), so there may be a bit of adjusting later on as the need arises. I have my grading scale in place, but I may be tweaking the rewards as necessary...I think the new format is getting away from the assigning of points and leveling up (as well as trying to do more of a letter grade scale, whereas I prefer the numerical point system with percentages!). I suppose we're all in the same boat, having to relearn what we thought we knew and revamp everything! Epic Quest: (4 points possible) Defeat My Mortal Enemy - Fibromyalgia in Remission As always, my Epic Quest is to beat Fibromyalgia into remission. This is my ongoing quest. I will put up a weekly inspiration to help keep me motivated and to remind (and hopefully inspire) others that they are not alone! Since this is a once a week thing, I need to post one now for Week 1... Grading: 1 point = posting an inspiration each week (1x/wk => 4 points total) Reward: +1 WIS, +1 CHA Main Quest: (4 points possible) Grow as a Person In the past 6WCs, I've focused on inch loss vs. weight loss. However, in order to create life, I must grow as a person in all ways...spiritually, mentally, emotionally and definitely physically! However, the key is to control the level and rate of physical growth. Some of it will come in the form of gaining more...more tissue, muscles, bone, blood and other fluids. So here, my goal is to monitor how much weight I'm gaining to make sure it's at the proper pace and I don't overdo it! Between Lessons 1 and 12, I can't gain more than 5 pounds, maximum (less is OK, but more is bad!)! Broken down, that's less than 1/2# per week (average estimate). At Lesson 1, I weighed 125 #. By Lesson 5, I weighted 126#. Now, at the beginning of Lesson 8, I'm still at 126#. According to the charts, I'm still currently on track in the "normal" range, even though I haven't gained much, and that's OK (I don't need to try to "catch up"). If I break it down, then I should not gain more than 1.5# every 2 weeks (maximum)... But as long as I don't gain more than 3.5 pounds by the end of this Challenge, I'll be good! Grading: 1 point = less than 1# gained each week (1x/wk => 4 points total) Reward: +1 CON Quest 1: (20+ points possible) Reboot Active Lifestyle I definitely need to be active! It takes a lot of strength, flexibility and energy to create life! Since I don't have the cool, spinny, rolly chair skills of Dr. Franken Stein, I'll need to get a bit more creative! Needless to say, some of my original intended activities are now off the board...rats! So I'm taking a slightly different approach. I'm going to continue with my c25k, but with a twist...I'm restarting it and only doing it twice a week rather than it's recommendation of 3 times a week. Since it's an 8 week program, I won't finish it this Challenge...but it may take me longer than 2 Challenges to complete (if I ever do). My goal here is to work on endurance without over exerting (which was my problem last round). I'll repeat weeks for as long as it takes until I'm not totally wiped out after each run, and if I never complete a 5k, that's OK with me, as long as I'm keep my endurance up. The thing is, I like the way the app does it's intervals. Due to the Fibro, I can't keep up a sprint or hard run...I do my c25k intervals as a walk and jog (and slowly increasing the speed of my jog). All the other intervals apps I've seen have the jogs and sprints as the longest, with only very brief walks. For me, the walks give me a break (so I don't over exert myself), while not being so long as to let my heart rate slow too much (jog gets it up). So unless I come across (or someone suggests) a good walk/jog intervals app (no sprint), then I'll stick with what's working so far! I'm also doing something I had gotten into before (a few years ago), but kinda got away from when I moved. So for twice a week, I'm doing a 30-minute Barre workout (10 minutes each, arms, legs and core). I'm going to do something "extra" once a week. I got the kibosh on doing Body Pump and Body Combat...and pretty much anything that is impact or balance related (bye-bye Parkour)... So I may go swimming (if I have another leg issue, this may replace c25k), do Yoga, bodyweights or perhaps start learning how to strength train with free weights. The thing is, I need to be active 5 times a week for 30 minutes to maintain good heath and lessen the chances of problems arising while creating life. I'm also going to keep my "bonus point" option with my pedometer. My goal here is to incorporate more movement throughout my day. So for every week that I clock 15 miles on my pedometer (not counting c25k), I'll get an extra point! Grading: 1 point each = c25k (2x/wk => 8 points total) 1 point each = Barre (2x/wk => 8 points total) 1 point each = "extra" (1x/wk => 4 points total) Bonus point = 15 miles per week (non-c25k) Reward: +1 STR, +3 DEX, +1 STA Quest 2: (48+ points possible) Proper Nourishment Ok, so I've got a lot of people lecturing me on what is healthy/not healthy for me to eat...and it's driving me NUTS!!! The one that really got to me was in Lesson 7 when I was "informed" that the Federal Government passed a law in 2015 that milk fat is unnecessary and unhealthy for adults and children over the age of 3 and is not to be consumed. WTF?!?!? Let me get this straight, a political agency, not a health organization, is going to determine what we are allowed to eat?!? And considering health professionals and dietitians note that the natural fat in dairy contains vitamins and minerals and is the kind of fat our bodies need verses the unnatural fats found in processed and "junk" foods. Besides that, I grew up on milk straight from the cow...and so did everyone I know, and none of them are obese! OK, sorry about that...I'm still steamed over that whole episode! Anyhoo...I'm going to maintain my healthy diet, and try to incorporate the "extra" recommended foods I normally don't eat (like peanut butter and fortified cereals) as well as increase those I already do (fruits & veggies, beans, eggs and whole milk). I'm also revisiting a previous trend...I still need to clear out more from the food stores (pantry and freezer inventory). On a side note, Hubby is doing the Leptin Diet again this round in preparation for his Command Fitness Leader training at the end of the month. Although I've done this with him in the past (in order to be supportive and not "tease" him by eating what he can't have), I cannot do so this time. I'll have to make smaller meals so I don't get burned out on eating so many leftovers and hope I don't tease him too much with what I'm having that he can't! I also need to be better about taking my daily supplements, so that's on here too... Grading: 1 point = each healthy meal incorporating inventory (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point = taking all daily supplements (7x/wk => 28 points total) Reward: +1 CON, +1 WIS Quest 3: (68+ points possible) Routines and Sleep So this will be another reboot...with the Holidays and all the vacation time, I've kinda gotten out of the habit of going to bed early (since I could sleep in). But now, I'm also have more sleep issues...I'm finding it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep and get up in the morning...not to mention all the extra fatigue...Dr. Frankenstein never told me creating life could be so exhausting! Oh well, I guess I need to mention that that should be added to the course description... Anyhoo, I'm going to focus on healthy routines. I need to take better care of my skin and teeth right now...I have a tendency to not do these things on a daily basis...basically I forget (oops!). So far, it's not been a problem, but during the course of these lessons, it could start to pose some issues. Therefore, washing my face and brushing my teeth at least once a day (each) will be essential, as well as going to bed 8 hours before I need to be up (no penalty if I don't sleep well, just as long as I'm in bed on time) for 5 days a week. I'm also going to try to moisturize my skin (entire body) at least twice a week (especially after a soak!)...It's winter, so the air is dry and so is my skin! All that dryness isn't good for my skin and can actually make me a walking Tesla Ball!! Pampering bonus points will also be doable...before bed soaks are always nice! Grading: 1 point each = wash face (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = brush teeth (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = 8 hours bedtime (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = moisturize body (2x/wek => 8 points total) Bonus point = something pampering Reward: +1 CON, +1 CHA Life Quest 1: (88+ points possible) Ready the Laboratory My life quests will be mostly a repeat of past ones...First, I need to ready the Laboratory. In order to do that, I need to stay on top of my Dailies, Zones and Missions as well as doing the Weekly Home Blessing. I also need to work on getting rid of the stuff we don't need/use. With the closure of our base thrift store, donating stuff will be more difficult, so I'll need to post to sell items on the local FB sale pages. I'll post 10 items weekly, and update daily. Whatever doesn't sell by the end of the challenge (or has been posted for more than a month) will get either tossed or dropped off at the other bases' thrift stores (when I'm making a trip to said base). I also need to focus on reclaiming the Project Room. I'm not really sure how I'm gonna do this one just yet...for now, I'll probably just say do "something" in that room once a week. Until I actually get the chance to get in there, this is a good first step. I'm also gonna grant a bonus point for every box cleared and for ever 10 items sold. Grading: 1 point each = WHB (1x/wk => 4 points total) 1 point each = Dailies (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = Zones (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = Missions (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = post/update 10 sale items (5x/wek => 20 points total) 1 point each = something in Project Room (1x/wk => 4 points total) Bonus Point = clear out 1 box or sell 10 items Reward: +1 STA Life Quest 2: (52+ points possible) Havoc Maintenance This is going to be mostly about desk time. I need to stay on top of my schedule weekly and emails daily, post my FB inspiration (mostly for sis and friends) and NF updates weekly, do some Assassin Ambassadoring daily as well as post my Assassin Mini updates...but perhaps that one should be left as part of doing the Mini's themselves... That looks simple enough, right? Grading: 1 point each = Schedule (1x/wk => 4 points total) 1 point each = Emails (5x/wk => 20 points total) 1 point each = FB Inspiration (1x/wk => 4 points total) 1 point each = NF update (1x/wek => 4 points total) 1 point each = Assassin Ambassadoring (5x/wk => 20 points total) Reward: +1 CHA Life Quest 3: (24+ points possible) Franken Studies Yes, I'm very tardy...even though Lessons 1 through 7 have come and gone, I am still behind in my studies. I was bad and didn't keep up on it all over the last few weeks...OOPS! So now I need to get caught up to get back on track. So if I can do at least 2 Lessons per week (shoot for 3), I should be caught up by the end of the Challenge. The goal here is not so much a per week, but a total of 11 Lessons complete. I also need to work on my Herbology and Finance Studies. I will do at least something for each once a week. I will shoot for completing a Chapter in Herbology (that included projects and homework), and some sort of reading or Continuing Education in Finance. I will continue to look at finding a job...but since that hasn't panned out in the last 2 years, I will also include investigating blogging as a business. So for this Challenge, I'll focus on a weekly research for each. If I'm able to do extra lessons (like in Franken Studies or Herbolgy), those can be "bonus" points. If I get an actual job interview, that will be a bonus point. Grading: 1 point each = Franken Lessons (2+/wk => 11 points total) 1 point each = Herbology Lessons (1+/wk => 4 points total) 1 point each = Finance CE (1x/wk => 4 points total) 1 point each = Job Search (1x/wek => 4 points total) 1 point each = Blogging for Business Research (1x/wk => 4 points total) Bonus Point = Job Application, Job Interview, "extra" Herbology Lessons Reward: +1 WIS Support the Assassin's Guild: Mini's and Ambassadoring But that doesn't matter...I'm here to support my guild!! With all the new-fangled changes to Nerd Fitness this year, a lot of people have gotten in an uproar and even more are confused...including me...(confused, not uproar). They have re-defined what each guild represents, and with that, I don't fit into any particular guild anymore!! My fitness style is that of someone with ADOS (Attention Deficit...Ooooh! Shiny!!) on crack!! Since I grew up in the country on a farm, I have a hard time getting into "fitness" in the modern (traditional?) sense...I don't do gyms (don't know how to use the equipment and when I've asked, I've been made to feel stupid), I don't get into a lot of classes (and the ones here aren't very interesting, and the ones that are now are on my no-no list), I am into a lot of sports/sporting activities that just aren't available around here. So thus the conundrum...I bounce around at trying different things to see if something clicks with me...sadly nothing really does (I get bored with the current mindset of "exercise" and "fitness activities"), so I change it up every Challenge (bored now...). With that being the case, based on the new definitions, I would belong in ALL the guilds, except Warriors (but if I end up playing with free weights, that won't apply any more), and sadly my no-no list now kicks me out of the Assassins (bye-bye Parkour <pout, sniffle, pout>)! However, the Assassins are where I started, where I've thrived and where I feel my heart belongs! So despite the re-definitions and personal restrictions, I will continue to support the Assassins Guild! Mini Challenges I haven't checked on these yet...still trying to get my challenge up with all the changes and my own scheduling hiccups... Per usual, they will be posted weekly and with their own reward system. These are always a do or don't, which includes posting and updates as necessary. We'll have to see how the changes to the NF Challenges will affect the minis...I hope they don't get discontinued... Ambassadoring Of course, it's always an honor to help budding Recruits find their way to a Home Guild... However, this round will be especially hard with all the changes to NF, to our Ambassadoring procedures and Mr. Wilies (who spear headed the Ambassadoring changes) going over to the Rangers... My goal is to do a little something in this area 5 times a week. Next Week's Focus... Ok, so I'm getting this thing up a little bit late...ok, a lotta bit late! And I'm already behind in my Lessons. So I'm going to have to work hard this week to get on track... In addition to what's listed for my Challenge, I also have a few extra appointments to juggle as well as put together my Challenge Spreadsheet...that thing keeps me on track so I don't forget (overlook) anything!! Time to tighten all the loose screws so Lesson 8 goes like clockwork...

Kara gritted her teeth as she raised her shield up to ward off the blow of the sword arcing through the air. Metal met metal in a clang that resounded through the air and jarred all the way up through her arm and her body, shaking her with it's strength. A flurry of curse words flew past Kara's lips as she countered the attack, bringing her own hammer up and sending it crashing down on her enemy. He brought his shield up to deflect the blow then twisted in a maneuver she had not seen before that allowed him to block and attack almost simultaneously. The shield on her forearm was brought up to counter the swift attack and he simply shrugged the efforts off and continued to rain blow after blow at Kara. She struggled to protect and defend and find a way to attack herself, even as her strikes seemed to show little to no effect on her opponent. The young Valkyrie cursed and attempted to roll away from her opponent as he let loose a barrage of attacks swifter than she could anticipate or protect herself from. She let loose with a torrent of curse words as she put some space between the two of them and warily eyed the man moving after her. She had the strength of the Gods, she stood toe to toe with the denizens of the Nine Realms, and yet to him it was as if he was under assault from a fly. If not for the shield in hand there was no doubt that her body would be a mass of cuts and injuries. As it was head to toe throbbed, every slash and thrust deflected sending jarring pains and aches all over. The shield arm was suffering the brunt of it and Kara knew the next day her limb would be unusable and numb with bruising and pain. The rhythm of battle was interrupted by a sudden shift in tactics on the part of her enemy. A sword was brought up as if to attack and Kara moved to block it. Out of the corner of her eye she saw, too late, his shield coming up to be used in the attack as well, the dual attack shifting her focus to move away. But it was too late,. She had already moved her own block and shield and even as she turned to roll from both blows the shield caught her entire right side firmly across her breastplate. She flew back on to the ground and he followed her down. With one hand he slammed the shield down, pinning her weapon in place, his weight upon her shield and his sword brought to her neck. A sharp sudden motion and she felt the sting of the cut as the sword slid across her neck, leaving a shallow cut to mark his victory. “You lose Curly One†“I know. No need to state the obvious, you Old Goat!â€Expletives followed her comment and he managed to raise his brow even as he pulled back and stood up off of her. “I was not aware one could do that with a hammer, my face and a sheep. Perhaps you can demonstrate with your own at the next feast.†“Perhaps I can use my hammer on that tiny excuse for a manhood you claim instead?†“Such a violent young woman.†He reached down and grabber Kara's hand, yanking her to her feet with a smirk. “One would think you could channel that into fighting better yet I find you, once again, laying on your back before me.†She shot him a dirty look, practically snarling at him and his comment. “I fought fine you Goat! I would have had you in another few blows.†“Pah. You had nothing Valkyr. You're blows were like that of a gnat biting at a horse. You were exhausted swiftly, easily. You did not anticipate or react quick enough to my change in tactics, too stuck in the idea of hack and slash. No doubt you are still swimming in last nights mead. You are ill prepared for the battles ahead with the abysmal training you've received. How are you to survive battlefields the world over much less Ragnarok when you cannot even spar with me. You will take no souls for Asgard and Valhalla the way you are now!†“What shall I do then?†Her insults were gone, the bravado shattered with the truth. Her eyes shifted to her teacher seriously and he nodded with a smile. Finally she would take this seriously. “You will build up your strength. You will exercise your body. You will train in battle and defense. Stop filling your body with bread and booze. Being a cup bearer does not mean you have to drink enough to pass out every night, Curly. You will prepare. You will listen. You will rise as a Valkyrie, not a silly girl any longer.†Goal One: Strength "Come, Curly. Follow me and I will show you what you need to do with that hammer of yours and a few other items I have." Her teacher guided her through the practice yard and took her to piles of discarded leather from armor crafting cut offs. "Stand here. Hit the leather. Don't stop until I say." "You want me to hit....leather? Why?" He sighed and eyed Kara fiercely. "Do as I say Valkyr, or leave and let me find another student who can listen." Growling the Valkyrie lifted her hammer and began to slam it into the pile of leather over and over. Being born with the strength of the Gods is all well and good but when the Gods and other beings of the 9 realms are your enemy and are stronger than you that must change. You need to build that strength up to stand toe to toe with Giants. For this challenge I will do 3 strength exercises a week, a combo of Maces and Crossfit. Goal Two: Endurance "Keep running." "I haven't stopped, Goat!" "You're slowing down, Curly. Keep moving or they'll get you." "They haven't got me yet!" "Shutup and run or they'll bite you!" The gnashing of teeth as one of the hounds chasing Kara lunged at her calf reiterated the point and the Valkyrie turned to keep running, trying to ignore the pain in her side as the weight of her armor slowed her steps and burned in her lungs." Being strong and facing down Frost Giants or a handsy drunken Thor is only one aspect. Valkyries live on battlefields and collecting souls sometimes means taking part. Being strong doesn't help if battles are long and drawn out (or if you're running around tables to elude Thor until Sif can knock him cold and drag him off.) To be the best Valkyrie you need the endurance to withstand enemies in battle. I will do four endurance/cardio based workouts a week, any mix of Rucking or C25K sessions. Goal Three: Defense "Why don't I have my weapon?!" "Because I took it from you." "And?" He growled, turning to backhand her, the blow ringing through her face and ears, leaving her gaping at him. "Because if an enemy manages to take it from you it won't be a slap you'll be facing." Any further comment was cut off by a growl as Kara leaped through the air to land on him and begin pummeling him with her fists, making him laugh. "That's it, girl. Now you understand!" Knowing how to swing a hammer and block a shield is one step in being able to fight. Learning more than one way of fighting and moving is useful along with improving agility and flexibility. One can never say when they may be stripped of their weapons in battle. To this end I will do one Krav Maga session minimum a week. Preparing for battle of any kind is the task of a true Valkyr! Goal Four: Buck Furpees! He watched the young woman as she cleaned out not only her armor and weapons but even the sweat stained under tunic. He hovered, making sure every last drop of moisture was dried, that no rust would be forming on her gear. Then observed her sharpening her sword and checking over the mace for any weak points are cracks. "I would have thought hitting you with this would have made it crack, as hard headed as you are, Old Goat." "There you go, thinking again." She snarled but he merely chuckled, causing her to shake her head at him in disgust. She muttered obscenities under her breath but keep working on her gear and making sure it was ready for battle. Preparation is a key to battle. Going into a fight means taking care of yourself, your armor, your supplies. It means knowing what you may face and being ready for whatever is thrown at you. Being prepared for me means facing the dreaded Burpee head on. I will be doing the Spartan in June and Burpess will inevitably be a part of that. I must prepare, even as I curse them. Every week I will do Burpees before bed and when I wake up. Each additional week I will add on 5 Burpees until I can easily do those I need to in preparation to become a Spartan Valkyrie! I will start with 5 my first week. Goal Five: Nutrition Halfway through throwing back the cup of mead Kara found it wrenched from her hand and thrown to the floor. The young woman turned to face the einherjar she was sure it was and found her face to face with her teacher. The snarl that had been forming died on her lips and she stared at him pouting. "That was my mead." "What did I say." "To stop swimming in my food and gorging myself." "So..." She frowned and bit her lip but reached out and grabbed some meat and cheese and fruit to eat along with a tankard of cold, refreshing....water. Ugh. Swilling wine and mead and beer is all good for any Cup Bearing Valkyrie. But feasting and drinking until one is swimming in it is not. The body must be ready for battle along with the mind and reflexes. Stuffing my face is not part of that. The holidays are over. Time to Ranger Up! I will eat 2 primal meals a day every day of the week, allowing myself one day to eat Primal only once. The day is my choosing but it does not mean I will gorge. Only that I can relax and let myself embrace my inner Valkyrie with a little good food and good drink. Life Goal: Live Winning a battle is all well and good but one must learn life is not always about the next battle, the next fight. One must enjoy and live. Fear must not hold back your life. So every challenge I will pick one new thing to do, one thing I am uncertain of or afraid of. I will do it and will conquer it. I don't know what it will be each time. It may be something small and simple. It may be life changing. But it will be done and I will post in my wrap up what I did each challenge. Completing each challenge I will award myself a static set of stat points (subject to change with tomorrows release of more info) based on what my focus for each challenge was. At the end of everything if I have achieved all my goals I will reward myself with something from my list. My newest tattoo. Piercing. Massage. New athletic gear. Kara listened to all her mentor laid out for her and nodded with a sigh. She looked at the looming edifice that was Valhalla and watched those inside. The souls of countless warriors in battle taken before she had come along and there would be countless more she would add to the teeming mass. She could not approach this as casually as the others may. She was collecting souls for battle, for Ragnarok and she was determined they would not lose, no matter what the Norns and the prophecies claimed. Asgard would stand strong, she would serve the All Father. She would do what it took. “Let us train some more then, Old Goat.â€

it's a bizarre double post. argh!! see real challenge here.

I'm tossing this in here to get started. Never fear, I will expand upon the concept throughout the thread. LAST CHALLENGE of the year - how did that happen?? It was rollercoaster for me. At the beginning of the year, I had some definite plans. And some indefinite ideas that I thought I would be able to work through during the year as the Hunt for the Mojo. It didn't exactly play out as envisioned. I didn't lose weight -- but I didn't gain weight either. Body composition is about the same. I did one fun run. My online coding job ended up being such a disaster that I quit and ended up working retail. Self-loathing .... and yet another move .... derailed plans to cook nutritious foods. And ultimately, I did not find my mojo. I suspect it is like Dorothy finding her way home. I have the power within me .... I just have to realize it. So, it is time to save what I can of the year and adjust my mental orientation. If it is going to happen .... weight loss, new job, fitness, social life .... it is up to me to make it so. This thread seems to be developing a shoe fetish. So ... goals ...... +3 CON: eat a rainbow daily +3 STA: finish C25K again and do a fun run +3 STR: Chinups @ 115 lbs of assistance (24 reps) +3 DEX: Yoga or mobility work 3 times per week +3 CHA: See someone (other than my husband) every day Some are progress goals and some are endpoint goals. I think the mix helps keep me focused. I'll be running 3 times per week, doing strength training 3 times per week, and doing yoga class three times per week. Since I'm not currently working or taking care of my mom, that's reasonable - the yoga will help with stretching and mobility. Tracking will be done publicly on ...... Tracking spreadsheet of badassdom AND, I am hoping to really participate in the guild mini-challenge this time. I know nearly nothing about Mario (shocking considering my research field), but it looks fun.

I am currently doing a recomp, this is my current program: Here is what my macros will look like: Training day macros = CAL/PRO/CHO/FAT = 1600/150/150/44 On non-training days, I will drop 4 fats, 35 protein and 30 carb Non-training day macros = CAL/PRO/CHO/FAT = 1300/115/120/35 And I have a Refeed Meal once a week consisting of carb loading. (ex. spaghetti, chili, ect.) Here is my basic meal plans for training/ non-training days: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/36495-ashps-battle-log-recomp/page-2 Weight Training Program 3 times per week (M,W,F) This will be: (including warm up & acclimation sets) Monday (Chest & Arms) Flat DB Bench: 4 sets of 6, then 2 sets of 15-20 at 40-60% Incline DB Bench Press: 3 sets of 4-8 reps, then 2 sets of 15-20 reps at 40-60% DB Curls: 3 sets of 6 reps, then 2 sets of 12-16 sets at 40-60% Lying DB Tricep Extentions: 4 sets of 6 reps, then1 set of 15 at 40-60% Wednesday (Legs) DB Lunges: 3 sets of 16-20 (8-10 per leg) DB squats: 4 sets x 12, 12, 10, 8 followed by 1 set of BW squat jumps x 20 DB RDL : 4 sets of 10 DB Calf raises: 3 sets of 20 Friday (Back and Shoulders) Bent over DB row : 4 sets of 8-12, then 1 set of 15 at 40%-60% Inverted Rows: 3 sets of 4 - 8 Seated DB press: 4 sets of 6, then 1 set of 12-16 at 40%-60% DB rear lateral raises: 3 sets of 15 Knee Raises number to be decided T, Th....currently C25k, Sat. Zumba/ bellydance practice Sunday OFF Love you guys! â¤ï¸

Bast Assassinates Holiday Horrors Well, it's that time of the year again...when we all go nuckin' futs trying to find, create and give the Holiday Spirit. But I can't help but be reminded of the filk "12 Pains of Christmas", especially after how the last few years have gone for us...all stress with no giving, just taking on the parts of others...it made us (me, especially) feel like everyone around us were taking advantage of our loving and generous natures. I would always end up over doing it...working too hard trying to make everything "perfect"...and end up not enjoying anything. But not this year! I plan to take the baby steps I need to so that I can have an enjoyable Holiday and destroy all the things that create havoc! Epic Quest: Stealing Christmas from Fibromyalgia This will be my first Holiday Season with the Rebellion. So I'm looking at what I can do to keep Fibro at bay instead of ruining what should be a happy and enjoyable time of year. Throughout this Quest (Main and Life) are little things that, if I do them, can help reduce my stress and allow me more time to enjoy the Season. I will continue to post in my updates a weekly Fibromyalgia inspiration, as well as when I feel I need a little extra motivation. I also hope that this helps others who also fight this (or similar) battles. I've contemplated adding scoring to this aspect of my progression, as it is present on each of my Quests for every 6WC...but I'm not sure how to score or award. So for now, beating Fibro is its own reward...it always is!! Main Quest: Baby, It's cold... Since I began with the Rebellion, I've worked on inch loss vs. weight loss. I do pretty well during each 6WC, loosing an average of about 7 inches, but severely falter during each break, regaining an average of 5 inches! And this round was no exception...I had gained back all but 1/2 a pound and 1 inch from my starting stats last 6WC!!! AAARRRGGGG!!!!! I need to work on breaking that cycle!! So this round, I'm going to focus on maintenance rather than loss, which if I'm successful, will come in quite handy during the Holiday Feasting! So I'm going to grant a point for maintaining my beginning inches, with only a +2" fluctuation from beginning stats. Bonus points will be awarded for any loss over 7" (since I tend to loose 7" per 6WC anyway). On an interesting side aspect of this, I'm going to try a little experiment...I read a blurb on Facebook a while back, about freezing fat cells and thinking it was a hoax, I did some research. I discovered that not only wasn't it a hoax (I found several scientific articles and research papers on the subject), there are also companies (mainly stateside) that do it as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. It's called "cryolipolysis", and there were a couple of the medical reference articles that suggested that similar results could be accomplished by using ice packs a few times a week. So I'm going to try it. Keeping in mind, it's an experiment, so points are for conducting the experiment, not the results! However, ending the experiment before the end of the 6WC due to any ill effects will still result in a success. Grading: 1 point = applying ice packs to "pooch" for 1 hour <3x / week> 1 point = maintain inches with only +2" fluctuation from beginning stat <1x / week> 1 point = bonus for each inch lost above 7" 4+ points possible per week --> 24+ possible total Reward: +1WIS, +1 CHA Beginning Stats: Weight - 124.5 # Ribs - 30" Waist - 30" Belly - 34" Quest 1: Reindeer Games So a few changes this go around...I didn't include yoga last round, and it really showed! I've lost a lot of my flexibility just in that short amount of time! So I'm going to do the Do You Yoga's 30-day Yoga Challenge. If I do it 5 days a week (Monday through Friday), then I'll complete the entire thing by the end of this 6WC. When trying out Parkour Training last round, I discovered one of my issues was endurance...especially in the area of running...but since I'm waaay out of practice, I'm going to take the advice of a Ranger (who's post I read on another's thread) and try the C25K program (couch to 5k), which builds you up slowly, with workouts 3 times a week. My other major problem was that I can't take a hit like I used to, so I'm going to also work on body conditioning...other wise known as "impact training" or "armor building". I'm going to do this twice a week, between the c25k days. I know I'll probably be starting small, so it'll be a do or don't thing, rather than a how much or how long...I don't want to over do it and end up flaring! My hubby wants for us to run together, but he's been running regularly (as part of his PT), and we are at totally different speeds and stamina levels...that and he wanted to do it in the evenings, but that's a bad time for me...my energy is best early in the day, and by the time he get's home, I'm busy cooking dinner and I definitely don't want to run after dinner and before bed!! So we compromised on doing evening walks three times a week. We've tried to do this before, but always peetered out pretty quickly...I'm going to add it for now as a regular point, but may make it a bonus point later (if we only do it once a week or so...). I've also been asked by some potential students for me to teach Belly Dance again...so I'm going to check out the possibility for that. If I do it, it may replace the Hubby walks or just get added to the system. But that'll be a wait and see. Last round, I totally failed on adding a new activity each week...so this time, I'm going to add it as a bonus point. My other bonus point will be the usual weekly mileage. I'm sticking with the 20 miles for one point grading, but that 20 miles will have to be non-workout mileage...between the runs and the walks, that'll be a couple extra miles each week alone! I will be tracking my mileage for each workout...just to see how much (and how far) I'm going! Grading: 1 point = Do You Yoga 30-day Challenge <5x / week> 1 point = Couch to 5k <3x / week> 1 point = armor building impact training <2x / week> 1 point = Hubby walks <3x / week> 1 point = Bonus for new activity/class attended 1 point = bonus for 20 cumulative non-workout pedometer mileage for the week 13+ points possible per week --> 78+ possible total Reward: +2 DEX, +2 STA, +2 STR Quest 2: Seasons Eatings So this will be somewhat of a repeat from last round. We have waaay too much food in this house that needs to be eaten...there's a PCS tradition among Military Families, that when it's time for a family to PCS, all their food gets given to their friends who are staying (movers won't pack the food). This is why we have a deep freezer and a regular freezer full and a pantry that's overflowing...we had several friends PCS during this past year!! It'll be out turn to PCS in about a year or so, and I don't want to continue this particular tradition. I've tried to give away the food that was given to us, some stuff went to others that we knew, but for the most part, it all stayed with us, but it now has to go!! So the challenge will be to cook healthy meals using primarily the current inventory. Shopping will be limited to regular use items (milk, coffee, cat food, toilet paper, etc) and recipe fillers (like onions or seasonings, etc) so long as the bulk of the recipe utilizes current inventory. Once certain aspects of the inventory get used up (like protein or veggies), then they can be purchased and a new inventory list created and kept so that we know what we have and how much of it! I realize that Thanksgiving is smack in the middle of this 6WC and the Holiday Baking Season will wrap it up, but that's OK. By that point, there should be enough of a dent that I will actually have somewhere to put a turkey!! Grading will be for each meal in which inventory is utilized, with the goal of using as much as possible! Hubby was concerned about possible failure here, so currently, the goal is for 5 meals a week...but this may get adjusted if we go way over regularly. A bonus point will be awarded for each area that is able to be cleared, organized and inventoried. Grading: 1 point = each meal utilizing current inventory <5x / week> 1 point = bonus for each area cleared, organized and inventoried 5+ points possible per week --> 30+ possible total Reward: +1 CON, +1 WIS Quest 3: Batteries not included... As slight adjustment on an old classic...Over my past few challenges, I've been really good about getting plenty of rest and relaxation...which is crucial for someone with Fibro...but I've noticed that my before bed routine is a bit lacking. I have on my daily task list as my before bed routine to clean the kitchen (now, I just put away leftovers), put things on the launch pad (get things ready that I need to go out the door with the next morning), wash face, brush teeth and lay out clothes. All of which, doesn't normally take very long, but I just don't seem to get it done... I also find myself getting a bit burned out from doing my self-guided meditations. I figured this would be a great time to do the Do You Yoga's 30-day Meditation Challenge again. And of course, I need to go to bed 8 hours before I need to get up. All three of these I will do 5 times a week (Sunday through Thursday) to get a jump start on the work day the next morning! I'm also going to grant a bonus point for pampering. This will include things like doing a hair treatment, facial, mani/pedi or even soaking in a hot bath. It will not include anything that would be considered maintenance or "special" care due to injury or illness. Grading: 1 point = Before Bed Routine <5x / week> 1 point = Do You Yoga 30-day Meditation Challenge <5x / week> 1 point = go to bed 8 hours before alarm <5x / week> 1 point = bonus for pampering 15+ possible per week --> 90+ possible total Reward: +1 CON, +1 CHA Life Quest 1: Harnessing Holiday Havoc I still haven't gotten these habits down, so this will be an almost complete redux from last round...with one exception...I'm adding the Flylady's Holiday Cruising Missions. Granted, they've already started, and will technically end before this challenge, but there will be a few final missions that will go up until Christmas, plus clean-up missions after. One thing I'm going to work on here (and in cooperation with LQ2) is doing things more timely. It may seem like a lot, but before this duty station, I was able to get up at 0600, do all these things, work 2 part time jobs, fix dinner, and was able to relax a few hours between dinner and bed at 2200! Now I just need to figure out how I did that! I'll probably run a timer during the first week to see how long it takes me to do all my tasking (without getting sidetracked) so I can assess where I need to focus on improving. Grading: 1 point = Weekly Home Blessing (WHB) <1x / week> 1 point = Daily Cleaning Routines <5x / week> 1 point = Daily Zone Missions <5x / week> 1 point = Daily Zone Detail Cleaning <5x / week> 1 point = Holiday Cruising Missions <5x / week> 1 point = Area decluttered and organized <1x / week> 1 point = bonus per box cleared 1 point = bonus for 10 items sold 22+ points possible per week --> 132+ possible total Reward: +1 STA Life Quest 2: The Holiday Line Up... And here's another redux...I'm doing OK with the scheduling, and NF posts and updates, but the daily emails keep getting vastly overlooked. This round, I'm going to work harder on scheduling "a time for everything"...I seriously need to track my time and activities so that I know where my time is being spent and on what...since I'm not getting much accomplished that I would like, and my days aren't particularly any shorter than they were when I lived in Negishi and got all this stuff done and worked 2 part-time jobs!! Grading: 1 point = creating & maintaining schedule <5x / week> 1 point = daily emails <5x / week> 1 point = NF weekly update <1x / week> 1 point = NF minis, posts & ambassadoring <5x / week> 16+ possible per week --> 96+ possible total Reward: +1 WIS Life Quest 3: Deck the Halls with Holly or Money... In case you hadn't noticed, my Life Quests are all pretty much repeats from last round. It's not that I'm unimaginative...I mean, I kinda am (but that's not why), it's just that I still need to work on improving in these areas! For this one, I'm incorporating "practical applications" as bonuses for both Herbology and Finance. It hurt me when I was sick...I was using what I had already learned, but was too ill to actively study (spent an hour reading the same paragraph at one point). And I'll be assisting (possibly teaching or teaching the one who will be the instructor) with a class later this month on Holiday Budgeting, so there's a practical application in Finance. I still need a job, so the same bonuses for applications and interviews/follow-ups will apply. If I am able to procure a job, then this aspect of this quest will be completed and I'll adjust the figures accordingly. Grading: 1 point = Herbology unit completed with passed exam <1x / week> 1 point = Herbology homework / projects <1x / week> 1 point = Financial Continuing Education work <1x / week> 1 point = Financial study (read article, book, magazine, etc.) <1x / week> 1 point = research job opportunities <3x / week> 1 point = bonus for Herbology practical application 1 point = bonus for Finance practical application 1 point = bonus for each application submitted 1 point = bonus for each interview / follow-up 7+ possible per week --> 42+ possible total Reward: +1 WIS For the Guild: An Assassin for all Seasons... I don't think I'll have a choice in whether or not I participate in the minis again this round since it will be Hubby's first time as an Assassin, so this will be interesting. Since the minis always have us divided up, more or less at random, into team, we could be allies or competitors...but either way, we'll still have a lot of fun!! The theme this time is "Super Mario Assassin All-Stars", but only the sign up has been posted so far. Per usual, this will be a do or don't scenario. If I participate, I get a point and whatever the reward that gets allocated by the awesome Guild Leaders! I will be serving, once again, as an Assassin Ambassador, so I'll be doing my part, along with my fellow awesome Ambassadors, to help usher in the latest victims, er, I mean, Recruits! LOL! Grading: No grades, just a do or don't. Reward: TBD per mini Next Weeks Focus... Monday starts the Challenge, so I'll be working on posting my beginning stats and measuring a few things (like time for tasking and mileage staring stats for run, etc.) so I know where I started to accurately chart my progress. We've got a lot to do and only six weeks to do it, so let's get started! See ya'll in the Challenge!! Ready or not, here I come, Week 1...

After taking the last challenge and a half off I've pretty much destroyed all the progress I had made. So this challenge will be all about getting back at it. Sorry doodlies, I won't be doing any dancing. I'm going to shoot for three main goals. Strength, endurance, and being an adult. Strength: Since I fell off the wagon with lifting I am starting over with stronglifts 3x/week Endurance: I'm starting a C25K on the days I don't lift 3x/week, and the working on some muscular endurance with some good ol' Military bodyweight training. Depending on the weather as we go into this season I may try to throw in some rucking as well. Be and adult: I'm going to set aside at least 10 minutes every day to clean up my room and keep it clean/organized. I'm going to practice German a little every day. I won't play games on my phone or watch movies until I have done these two things as they are my biggest time wasters.

Tiggs86 Origin Hello everyone! I'm going to try this again. I've settled into my new apartment, gotten using the bus system to an from work down, my kitten is 7 months old and can be left alone for longer periods of time, and most of all I've gotten unsettlingly close to my heaviest weight. I'm ready to turn things back around. There are 35 weeks until my 30th Birthday and I would like to be a least back to my weight when I was at my best during my adult life-157 pounds. This was acheived the first year I had joined NF, and was training for Run For Your Lives 5k. Main Quest: Lose 25 pounds by my 30th Birthday, August 7th 2016. "With the strength of Hercules, the wisdom of Athena, the speed of Mercury and the beauty of Aphrodite, she's Wonder Woman." Goals: #1 Strength of Hercules: Squats, sit-ups, push-ups 100 a total of 12x this challenge. (STR 4) #2 Speed of Mercury: Couch to 5k a total of 15x this challenge. (STA 4) #3 Beauty of Aphrodite: No Fast Food No Candy. One dark chocolate bar per week. (CHA 4) Life Quest: Wisdom of Athena: Study of Ostomy cerification exams 8 hours per week. (WIS 5) Wonder Woman is special to me as one of my friends from my previous job told me (shortly after we first met) I reminded her of Wonder Woman mixed with Laura Croft. I replied that, that was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me and she was excited I got the reference. She said she felt that "if I was in trouble you would not only save me, but you would kick the guys ass that was hurting me". Five years later, we both struggled all shift to not cry on my last day at work and at the end of the shift she gave me a wonder woman t-shirt saying I'll always be Wonder Woman.

Like so many other mathematical words, adaptive also has a meaning in normal english: characterized by or given to adaptation. Thank you google. Fortunately, a few definitions later it basically says that it is something that can be modified . Currently, I'm suffering from a depression with exhaustion as my biggest symptom. I have no idea what I'll be able to do each week, so I'll have an adaptive challenge. I usually exercise a lot (cycling ~45-60 minutes a day, walking ~30 minutes a day, c25k twice a week and climbing once or twice a week on average), so I don't need more general exercise. However, I do need more energy, a better posture and to stay injury-free. I also want to be able to do some awesome tricks in the future, like a freestanding handstand, a nice bridge, a pistol squat on each leg, one armed push ups, etc. So my single quest for this challenge is: Quest 1: formulate a subquest for each of the following categories every week on Sunday or Monday: a. Posture b. Stretching and yoga c. Push-ups, glute strength and core strength d. Adulting e. Fun Note that I did not include a full strength program, that's because I train my pull-muscles and legs with climbing already. I need stronger glutes to compensate for my quads and calfes, my knees are already starting to hurt because my glutes are not strong enough at the moment. I will use this week to set a (simple) base. Subquests for this week, starting tomorrow: a. Posture: do 3 sets of 5 shoulder rolls during the day, every day of the week (0/4) b. Stretching: do 3 different stretches every day of the week, the stretches must include a calf stretch and a quadriceps stretch (0/4) c. Determine which push-up and plank level of startbodyweight I should start with and do one extra set of push ups and planks. Complement each workout with 3x5 glute bridges (0/2) d. Clean or tidy at least 5 minutes every day, not counting the dishes (0/4) e. Bake a no knead whole wheat bread (0/1)

About 2 yrs ago this is what brought brought me to the NF forums. Well, that and reading Steve's articles. I had once been adamant about lifting. But, after the sixth and all the busyness of life, I had fallen away from it. Connor inspired me.....to be strong.....agile.....able to handle whatever life threw at you. Once here I was......motivated.....and in awe at the support I received and the friends I made. Then I wanted this again...... I did eight challenges and was becoming very happy with where I was. Challenges number 8 I had a fall and severely injured my knee. Frustrated with the fact it wasn't healing right other life stresses and I mostly left NF for a time. A couple of weeks back I came in and was inspired again (you know who you are). The support, the energy.....everything that had brought me here the first time I felt again. And right now I need that again. Life is tough. I was originally talking myself out of doing another challenge and just posting to my battle log. But, a friend convinced me that I should do some fear facing and make time for myself. So, I am back. And I have decided to join the Rangers! I know that I love lifting....and I have recently taken up running, which I am surprisingly enjoying. (Sorry swampling, lol......) So, I feel like the Rangers are a good place for me. Ok, on to my goals for this round: Mission 1: Knee is still not healed right so I am making a debut back into my lifting with mostly body weight for lower body and running. As it holds up I will eventually add weights into the lower body workouts. We will see how this goes, it's a work in progress. And.....I have decided to become a runner. Really was not my forte in the past, but....being a huge parkour fan....and generally needed to both assassins and rangers I figured it was time. And, I think I would love to run a 5k eventually. So, I am doing the C25k program. I am aiming at two rounds. Once through doing it two days a week. This hopefully will give the knee time to adjust as I strengthen it. Then I plan to do it a second round on all the days required. (Goal for future challenge) Here is the current setup: WORKOUTS: (sets x reps) Monday (Chest & Arms) 28 Day Squat Challenge 5 min. Mobility & Stretch 10 min. Cardio Bench Press: 4x6; 2x15-20 (1/2 1st sets) Incline Press: 3x4-8; 2x15-20 (1/2 1st sets) Curls: 3x6; 2x12-16 (1/2 1st sets) Lying Tri Ext: 4x6; 1x15 (1/2 1st sets) Wednesday (Legs) 28 Day Squat Challenge- Rest Day 5 min. Mobility & Stretch 10 min. Cardio Body weight lower body workout Friday (Back & Shoulders) 28 Day Squat Challenge 5 min. Mobility & Stretch 10 min. Cardio Lat Raises: 4x8-12; 1x15 (1/2 1st sets) Bent over Row: 4x8-12; 1x15 (1/2 1st sets) Seated Press: 4x6; 1x12-16 (1/2 1st sets) Rear Lat Raise: 3x15 Tue. & Thurs. 28 Day Squat Challenge 5 min. Mobility & Stretch ab work C25k Saturday (Cardio) 28 Day Squat Challenge 5 min. Mobility & Stretch ab work Cardio: Zumba, Bellydance, Tabata, Yoga, Pilates........whatever I decide on Sunday: OFF Grades: A- all workouts completed, B-5 days completed, C-4 days, Fail otherwise Mission 2: Hydrate.....Hydrate....Hydrate!!!! This is an ongoing mission through all of my challenges. I could go all day without drinking anything but coffee. Black.....very strong coffee. That's not a desire.....well.....maybe...... More a fact. Must get that water in and that is a minimum of 64 oz. Grades: A-64 or more, B-40 or more, Fail otherwise Mission 3: Logging what I eat. I journal what I eat on a daily basis. This does two things for me. Keeps me accountable and gives me something to go on to monitor the physical progress. Especially when I am not adhering to EXACT macros, but a more general idea. I have been slacking on it recently and really need to keep on it. Grades: A-7 days, B-6 days, C-4 to 5 days, Fail otherwise Life Goal-Purge: I desperately need to get rid of some junk. Grades: A-5 days, B-4 days, C-3 day, Fail otherwise I have been posting workouts in my battle log up to now (in Sig.). Since this is Friday and I am a week in, grading will begin on Monday. Okay, time to Ranger up!

Sovellis woke with a splitting headache. He felt woozy and disoriented. Looking around, he saw he was back in Noor's stone shack. How had he gotten there? Wasn't he just at the ruins of that tower? Despite feeling awful, at least he could feel that the fae beast's hold on him had been broken. Noor calmly chopped vegetables, layering them over chunks of rabbit meat to start a stew. She ached all over and her mind felt crisped, but it was over for now. The tower was free of beasts and she could finish her research and collapse it's haunted hall. Sovellis was freed for now. "What the hell happened...?" he croaked, his voice hoarse from disuse. How long had he been out? "You were almost taken by a faebeast in that blasted tower. Do you remember anything? Did you accidentally talk to it?" Noor crossed to him and handed him one ofher heavy mugs filled with strong smelling tea Taking the mug, he tried to remember. "Ishu, I talked to Ishu." He shook his head. "But that makes no sense, Ishu couldn't be there. I had to get out, but I couldn't." His memories were a confusing mess, and didn't seem to flit together cohesively. "AH. it stole an image from your mind and tricked you into speaking to it. There was too much magic in that place to be safe." She shuddered, glad that the creature was gone. He stared down into the steaming mug, slumping. "I'm sorry, I should have been stronger. I'm not being any help at all. Just putting both of us in greater danger." She placed one large gnarled hand on his shoulder. "Stop. You know how dangerous fae can be. That's why I waited fro there to be two of us to go back. Had it been just me, it could have taken me I would still be there in its clutches. He looked up at his old friend with a sad smile. "Thanks for saving my life. Again. Heh, my family should have paid you double." She laughed long and hard remembering. "Your family pays plenty well. You should send them a letter after this. Speaking with Ishu for real might do you well." Nodding and fiddling with his signet ring, he sniffed the tea, then took a cautious sip. It was surprisingly good, if rather pungent and strong. "Were you able to find out anything helpful at least?" "Well, I came close to sorting through all the magics and traced the curse to the fae's room. Now that its gone and made a bond to not return, I can go back and finish my work. One thing I do know is that this curse can not be dispelled and has to be survived or bested." "A curse that can't be dispelled? I didn't know such a thing could be done. Damned fae. Sounds like you are doing a pretty good job besting it so far!" He still felt a little ashamed for being tricked and captured by the fae, but he tried instead to focus on his friend's success. "So, back to the tower again?" "Yes, soon. First though we need to make you well again. You didn't eat properly for several days, or meditate." That explained why he felt so horrible. "I'll be fine, I should just need a day or so. I don't want to slow you down." "And I could use a day to research and rest before heading back to work. We shall have stew and relax tonight, spend tomorrow regrouping. Then we can see how well you have recovered and if the fae keeps its word." At the mention of stew, his stomach growled. Nodding, his smile grew as a spark of hope returned to him. "Good plan, especially the stew part!" "I had good hunting today. A brace of rabbits, a small deer. Hunting w iht a cat is so difernt than with a dog." SHe beamed at the large sleeping cat napping inthe sunlight "Heheh, I bet, a predator that large that can also sneak up on things? Terrifying!" He stretched his stiff limbs, trying to feel closer to normal. This quest had not been kind to him so far, but he had to find a way to move forward. <-------<<< Woo! Another challenge! Last one did not go so well for me. My poor elf succumbed to the pressures he faced, but luckily he had his friend Noor there to defeat the fae beast and drag him to safety. This challenge I am back with the rangers, and will look very different for me, because school stuff is ramping up again. I am going to focus on balance. In therapy I realized there were 5 basic areas that I need to succeed in to be a happy, healthy person. Academia, spirituality, physical fitness, chores (basic adulting), and reducing my drinking. I have shown many times over that I can rock any one of these at a time. The problem is that I need to make them all work at the same time. For this challenge, I must do something productive in each category to be counted successful. Four of five categories accomplished is a successful day. This feels uncomfortable for me, because it will place less emphasis on several things I've been doing awesome at and more emphasis on things I've been avoiding. I am also trying to practice greater patience and empathy for myself, but most of the time I still want to kick myself in the face. We will see how this goes, hopefully it works better than the last challenge! Woooo! *dives in* Also, I am starting my challenge tomorrow and counting two days past the official end of the challenge because I mixed up what day of the week it was. Oops.

Hi – I’m Alocin. This is my second go at a challenge – I abandoned one last year while I had some horrible, no-good, very-bad health issues. My backstory is that I lost almost 25 kilos (approx 55 pounds) in 2013-14, through getting a handle on eating better and portion sizes, getting back into swimming, taking up yoga and starting to run (C25K). I was in a really good place for a long time, and was on the cusp of getting down into a healthy weight range for the first time since my late teens/early 20s. Then, about a year ago, I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, as well as regularly working 12-15 hour days. I was at such a low point, and so snarled up in my head, that exercising only made things worse. I had panic attacks in the pool, out running and, most embarrassingly, in yoga class. So, I stopped. And started comfort-eating. However, I have since made a lot of other changes to get better. I got medical help and I changed jobs. But, I’ve regained almost all the weight I lost, I’m back in the ‘obese’ BMI category, I can’t fit into most of my clothes (I got rid of almost all my plus-size stuff!), and my immune system has tanked – I have had every single cold and flu bug going around this year. So, now life is on track, my main quest is to re-establish good, sustainable health and fitness habits. My motivation is a sailing trip in south east Asia in late November. I want to be fit enough to feel unselfconscious about participating in activities like paddleboarding, hiking, snorkelling and helping sail the yacht (as well as being able to easily get on and off the damn thing!) without worrying about being the fat, out-of-breath lady on board. Quest 1: Improve my food intake by (1) tracking calories on MyFitnessPal (2) only eating out/getting takeaway when socialising and making better food choices when doing so. (Defining ‘better food choices’: no takeaway pizza, no McDonalds, no Oportos or similar, no cheese or chocolate pig outs. Limited, planned and accounted-for ‘treats’, eg a piece of birthday cake, are ok, as is limited, planned and accounted-for alcohol consumption, eg an occasional glass of wine with dinner.) Measurement: Calorie tracking: A = hit calorie target every week B = hit calorie target four weeks out of six C = hit calorie target three weeks out of six D = hit calorie target two weeks or fewer out of six Better food choices: A = no fast food/pig outs B = fast food/pig out once per week C = fast food/pig outs twice per week D = fast food/pig outs three or more times per week I’ll score calorie tracking overall at the end of the challenge, and the better food choices per week, then I’ll average the two for the end result. Quest 2: Re-establish my exercise habits by (1) completing a 30 days of yoga challenge (2) doing 3 x C25K sessions per week (3) 30 mins of laps in the pool 2 x per week. Measurement: Yoga: A = 30 consecutive days completed B = 25 consecutive days completed C = 20 consecutive days completed D = fewer than 20 consecutive days completed Running: A = all sessions completed B = 2 x sessions completed and/or 3 sessions with any incomplete C = 1 x session completed and or 2 sessions with any incomplete D = no complete sessions Swimming: A = 2 sessions completed B = 1 session completed and/or 2 sessions with any incomplete C = 1 incomplete session D = no pool visits Yoga score overall, running and swimming per week, then I’ll average them all together at the end. Quest 3: Improve sleeping habits by being tucked up in bed by 10pm Sunday-Thursday, no TV/Netflix in the bedroom, plus eye-mask. Measurement: A = Five nights B = Four nights C = Three nights D = Two nights or less Life quest: Throw more dinner parties/lunches for friends at my place. Being connected to my social network is important for my wellbeing. Plus, I’ll clean my house when they come round – and I can control the menu. Measurement: A = three times B = twice C = once D = none. Concerns/challenges: I’m booked in for a weekend away with friends who are major food and wine connoisseurs in the middle of the challenge. I need to put a plan in place for how to handle that weekend both score-wise and so it doesn’t throw me off track. Additionally, I’ve also been really unwell with colds/flu this year, and it’s smack-bang in the middle of flu season. I need to decide how I’m going to deal with scoring if I get sick mid-challenge. Rewards: I’m not an RPG/gamer person – my nerdery is more the books and politics variety, so the points make no sense to me but, I’m going to appeal to my fashionista side. A: That really super-duper expensive handbag I’ve been eyeing off for months. (I figure the $$ saved on junk food will help towards this!) B: A new work suit. (Even with a B, I think I may shift down a size. If not, I need work clothes!) C: A new pair of shoes. D: Nada.

Sovellis groaned as he woke up on the hard stone floor of Noor's mountain hut. This wouldn't do. "First thing we need to work on is making a better bed. Stone is not kind to my poor spine," he grumbled, "and I'm guessing we're going to be out here for a while." Stretching the stiffness from his limbs, he got up and looked around. The giant cat was laying on top of Noor, and the dog, Dael, was laying on top of the cat. The sight made him smile. He tried prodding his friend, who appeared to still be asleep. No reaction. So strange, her skin really felt like stone. Sighing, he got dressed and headed out into the cool sunny day. If she was still asleep, he may as well explore a bit and get the lay of the land. <------<<< Okay, so finally getting this post up. I had some family stuff that needed to be taken care of, but now that's out of the way. Still kinda processing stuff, but I think I can finally move forward with the challenge. I've moved over to the assassins because I want to work more on dex based stuff like slacklining. I'm trying to keep going on the habits I've been building in previous challenges, re-trying a failed goal, and adding in some new goals. This challenge will be done partly in conjunction with my friend Noor (her challenge post can be found here: Breaking Stoneshape ) Anyways, here's my goals for this challenge! 1. No Taverns in the Wild Redeux (CON): A = 1 day or less of drinking a week B = 2 days of drinking a week C = 3 days of drinking a week F = more than 3 days 2. Nimble Hunter (DEX): A = 5 days or more a week doing slacklining or archery B = 4 days a week C = 3 days a week 3. Warrior Poet (CHA/INT): Write a limerick a day! A = 38 days B = 32 C = 28 4. Make Ishu Proud (STR/STA): Keep up the strength and cardio training! A = 38 days B = 32 C = 28

After a brief hiatus in the battle log, I’m back… This will be my last full challenge in the UK . I’m going to miss lifting in kg (among many, many other things). Since I’ve gotten pretty good at the lift, eat, sleep, lift more routine, this challenge is about putting the final pieces together—and namely, about finding balance. I've also added a Sir Terry Pratchett theme (the Tiffany Aching series) for fun--and for appropriately modified Nac Mac Feegle battle cries. Scroll down to the end for the tl;dr version. GOAL 1: Prioritize cutting over gainz [+2 CHA, +1 STR] “Learnin’ how not to do things is as hard as learning how to do them.†For the past year, I’ve focused on getting stronger and I’ve LOVED pushing myself in the weight room. However, the next time I compete I want to be in the 72 kg weight class, which should also be a good walk-around weight for me. Also, I want to finally get my first pull-up, which would be easier if I were a bit lighter. Now that I’ve sorted out the macros, it’s time to stop mucking about and actually make a full-hearted effort to cut—even though that means my lifts won’t move as quickly as they would if I were eating to support them. Expect some grumbling. In order to make this goal less subjective, I’m going to try sticking to some numbers for this goal: +1 pt for every week with total intake <= 15800 cal, while getting at least 1800 cal/day (the minimum is to avoid any crash dieting).-1 pt for any weeks with total intake > 17500 cal (to avoid a “screw it, I’ve already gone over my limit†mindset).Numbers and grading scheme may change if I incorrectly estimated my TDEE or if tracking this closely brings up old daemons. I’ve also allowed for a re-feed in my grading. Grading: 5+ points = A, 4 points = B, 3 points = C Editing during Week 2--this is still the primary goal, but won't have grading or stats points attached to it. GOAL 2: Learn to meditate [+2 WIS, +1 CON] “First Sight means you can see what really is there, and Second Thoughts mean thinking about what you are thinking. And in Tiffany's case, there were sometimes Third Thoughts and Fourth Thoughts although these...sometimes led her to walk into doors.†Meditate at least 3x/week (5+ min. sessions). Because I need to learn how to manage those Second, Third, and Fourth thoughts. Grading: 6 weeks = A, 4-5 weeks = B, 3 weeks = C GOAL 3: Rebuild my running base [+3 STA] “She had heard it said that, before you could understand anybody, you needed to walk a mile in their shoes, which did not make a whole lot of sense, because probably AFTER you had walked a mile in their shoes, you would understand that they were chasing you and accusing you of the theft of a pair of shoes--although, of course, you could probably outrun them, owing to their lack of footwear.†Run/walk 2-3x/week, following the Couch to 5k program. Because I used to enjoy running outside, the weather is now ideal for such forays, and hopefully I now know enough about mobility to avoid getting shin splints again. If recovery becomes an issue, I'll trade out this goal for some other sort of conditioning (probably long walks or rowing). Grading: 6 weeks = A, 4-5 weeks = B, 3 weeks = C Side Quest: Work towards my first handstand [+2 STR, +1 DEX] “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.†Handstand practice at least 3x/week. Because 1) handstands are cool and 2) this will allow me to still see progress in a tangible, strength-related goal if the lifts stall on the cut. Grading: 6 weeks = A, 4-5 weeks = B, 3 weeks = C Life Quest: Love your body challenge [+2 CHA, +1 WIS] “Taint what a horse looks like, it’s what a horse be.†Complete Molly Galbraith’s love your body challenge at my own pace. Because I don’t want to be motivated to cut for the wrong reasons. Grading: finish the challenge (all 28 days) = A, 20+ days = B, 15+ days = C Current Stats Lifting program: recently switched to a powerlifting version of Wendler's 5/3/1 (including joker sets) because cutting on the Texas Method wasn't going to happen. Recent maxes squat: 82 kg (5 RM)bench: 51 kg (3 RM), 57.5 kg (1 RM)deadlift: 120 kg (3 RM), 132.5 kg (1 RM)OHP: 31 kg (7 RM), 34 kg (3 RM)Weight is somewhere ~77-79 kg, depending on the time of day, scale, clothes, etc. tl;dr GOALS: Prioritize cutting over gainz: weekly intake <= 15800 cal, daily intake >= 1800 cal/day Learn to meditate: meditate 3+x/week (5+ min. sessions) Rebuild my running base: run/walk 2-3x/week, following the Couch to 5k program Side quest: handstand practice 3+x/week Life quest: complete Molly Galbraith's love your body challenge "Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! Nae master! We willna' be fooled again!"

Here are my daily goals for this challenge: Q1- 15 minutes of movement Q2 - 5 Freggies Q3 - 5-10 minutes of meditation I don't have any life quests right now because until mid-june it is going to be crazy busy and at this point I just want to get through it. My daughter is graduating this june. In addition to graduation, we have her last dance recital, prom, track meets, college visits and picking a college. I started training for a muddy obstacle course challenge at the end of july. (Not as bad as the tough mudder - it has a beer tent half way thru it. I have started by doing the couch to 5K work out plan and strength training including the BBWW. I will always work at doing chin-ups and pull ups. Gotta love Sarah Connor. I'll add more to this at a later date. I just wanted to get it started so I don't procrastinate. More info. in a bit.

Welcome friends to Challenge Three!! Although we have two weeks til the challenge starts, I'm excited to get on track with this one because I have a theme that will (hopefully) keep my mind centered, focused, and structured for two challenges. Now, introducing the source of my motivations: That right friends, I am using the novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline as the focus for the next two challenges. For the uninitiated, Ready Player One is the story about a contest to find a Easter Egg within a virtual "internet" game with the prize of control of the company and the vast riches of the owner in a future where energy is shaky, the economy is crumbling, and this virtual game is real life for most. The book is FULL of 80s references, which gets me at my core. Plus, the audiobook reading by Wil Wheaton is phenomenal. To begin this challenge, I will be focusing on the first part of the first line of the contest's declaration which reads: Three hidden keys open three secret gates Wherein the errant will be tested for worthy traits And those with the skill to survive these straits Will reach The End where the prize awaits In the novel, three keys, one of copper, jade, and crystal, are hidden within the virtual world of the OASIS that will open three gates to get to the end of the contest. In the book after finding a key, you look for the same colored gate but for the sake of the goals and the activities in the book at the time, I'm splitting my challenge into finding the keys first, then the gates. I've thought long and hard about this and it should work perfectly. Goal One: Running for the Copper Key My journey towards the Copper Key is very much like the protagonist's, Wade Watts. The first key is found in a location that is accessible to everyone in the OASIS unlike other places that require lots of skill or money to reach. I think of this like my discovery of Nerd Fitness, something accessible to everyone, no matter where you're from or what you have. Since Wade had to run to the location of the Copper Key, then so shall I. 1A. Cardio, specifically walking and/or running, 3x per week, 30 20 min minimum (or, at my current speed, about 3K 2K) (18 total) 1B. Prepare for and/or sign up to do a 5K race (C25K program) Goal Two: Working towards the Jade Key With Challenge Two, I feel like I stalled out a little bit, kind of like what happens in the book during the quest for the Jade Key. Wade goes at least 6 months (like the last 6 weeks) without much progress to show for his efforts. During that time though he does realize that there are things that he needs to work on unless he wants to end up not finding the egg. Two of those things happen to be exercising and eating better. Doesn't sound like a bad idea! 2A. Bodyweight Workouts 3x per week (18 total) 2B. 7 Healthier Meals per week (42 total) Sidebar: My definition of Healthier Meals will include anything homemade. Looking to limit/avoid fast food plus try to train my brain to actually eat breakfast every morning. EDIT: No more than 4 meals can come from the same course. So I can't cheat and make 7 healthier breakfasts. I need to get ALL the meals healthier! Goal Three: Discovering the Crystal Key Near the end of the novel, the protagonist has a low moment. Things seem bleak and doesn't see much of a solution (similar to my feelings near the end of my second challenge). It takes the spirit and resolve of one of his comrades to remind him that there is something to fight for, something to keep going after. My feelings towards these next two challenges is remembering that I would probably not be as committed to my goals without the support and help of those around me. 3. Become more vocal in the NF community Sidebar: This goal is still kind of a work in progress. Mostly working with Mental Health or Mind, Body, Spirit So, without further ado, let the hunt for the Three Hidden Keys BEGIN!!

Sovellis woke with a blinding headache, cursing the sun, festivals, wine, himself, and pretty much everything else. Now that the festival week was over, he felt he could use a holiday from his holiday. Perhaps he had gotten a little too carried away during the festivities. Heh, well his father was fond of reminding him that he never did anything half way, for good or ill. He should probably get up. Maybe. Eventually. Then there was the decision between throwing up, having breakfast, or both. He began a fresh round of cursing when he heard a sharp tapping sound at his window. What could be making such a racket? Grumbling incoherently he threw the first thing he could reach at the window. The book hit the wall a good ten feet from the window, utterly failing to deter the source of the torturous sound. With a low growl, the elf climbed out of bed, brushing his long black hair from his face. "Whoever you are, you'd better have a damn good reason for waking me!" he threatened, stumbling to the window and throwing it open, only to have a small bird fly in. He started swearing and swatting at it, but crumpled into a ball on the floor, holding his head. What the hell was he doing with his life? He used to fight monsters and start insurrections, now he was defeated by a songbird."Hey there long ears I hope this finds you well," the voice startled him and he jumped. "Noor?!" Trying to get to his feet, he only managed to trip on a pile of papers and fell hard, swearing again. Only then did he realize that it was the bird talking, and not his old friend. "Of course you sent an animal. Always with the animals." The bird continued, "I am in a bit of a bind in the far north mountains above Soar Craig- you know the ones, where Ingy got that lovely curse and then we accidentally fell through a mountain to Intregoss. I took a job guarding a stupid fat merchant up into the old hall and something... fell on us. Killed my battle boar outright. I should really stick to dogs. tehy are somehow more durable. I am the only survivor, but I am... changed. In order to get myself back, I have one doosy of a quest to go on, and I need my sharpshooter and resident bard to figure it all out. Besides, it's not been the same since the Path disbanded. I miss you Sov. Just whisper your answer to the bird and it will fly it to me. blessings of Jensa be upon us both. Solosu as well." Shaking his head, he stared at the bird in disbelief, then leaned forward. "Noor, you crafty little shit, you scared the crap out of me! I'm not sure how much help I can be, but at least my injuries are healed now. I'm on my way. Can't wait to see you again, you curly tailed quarterling!" As the bird flew off to deliver his response, he leaned back against the wall. What good could he be to her? He was useless, nothing like he had been, but he had to try, right? Alright, that settled it, he had to get up and get dressed so he could prepare for his unexpected journey. <------<<< So! This is my first challenge as a ranger, and it's going to be a tough one! I realized a lot of things in my first challenge that are holding me back. It is time to set things right and get myself healthy, both physically and mentally. Main Goal: Feel better about myself. I suffer from anxiety and depression, as well as some serious self image and body issues. I want to learn to see the good in me, and not just my failures or inadequacies. I plan to attack this on multiple fronts. Goal 1: Trail Rations! (CON) I am cutting all the junk out of my diet. No grains, no sugar (except a small bit of honey in my coffee). I plan to be eating pretty much only lean meat and vegetables. On one hand this shouldn't be too hard, since I don't have a sweet tooth or anything, but on the other hand, I do eat a lot of rice and potatoes and I'm a sucker for potato chips. +3 CON 38 or more days +2 CON 28 days or more +1 CON 14 days or more Goal 2: No taverns in the wild (CON) I am going to allow myself only one day each week when I can have any alcohol at all. I need to stop sabotaging myself with my love of beer. +3 CON 6 or less drinking days +2 CON 12 or less +1 CON 15 or less Goal 3: No jungle rot (CHA) Even in the wilds it is important to maintain a basic level of grooming, something I have been struggling with (yay depression!). I have set up a scoring system for basic grooming tasks such as brushing my teeth, shaving, or showering. I will post that separately from this (this post is getting pretty long already). Goal 4: Climbing through the mountains (STR/STA) I will continue my strength training and C25K (indoor bike if weather is uncooperative). +3 STR/STA 38 or more days +2 STR/STA 28 days or days +1 STR/STA 14 points or days(a completed day will constitute cardio plus either weight training or archery) Life Goal: GRADUATE - I am working on getting my doctorate in clinical psychology. All I have left is internship and dissertation, and both of these have been rather epic quests in and of themselves. Here is a link to my friend Noor's challenge thread! http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/63198-noor-stoneshod-journey/#entry1445491

It’s been 2 years since Patient 0. By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late. The major cities were hit the hardest, there are some pockets of us that were able to escape. we got out in time. But not sure how much longer we can survive The City on the other side of the mountain has been overrun. There are rumors that they are coming closer. few survivors have come over the mountains, but we know that it is only so long until the infected find their way here as well. we must build up, ourselves and our compound. We must prepare for what is to come speed and endurance will be an issue when the infection spreads here. (Q1) Zombies, Run! 5k Training:week 1-6 W3 reward: massage ball W6 reward: tiger tail More work needs to be done on the compound. the fields need to be cleared, stones moved. Structures built and reinforced. (Q2) strength training twice a week. when in town this will be cross fit, when traveling, can substitute with body weight, free weights, or weight machines depending on what is available. W3 reward: Buy a jump rope W6 reward: new workout outfit One of the scientists in the group thinks they have found a defense serum. The only thing is it must be continually consumed to work. (Q3) drink at least 2 liters of water a day W6 reward: Get a massage challenges for this challenge: Spending 5 days in Saint Louis for robotics competition, my birthday (not sure what we're doing. all i know we're leaving Friday and getting back Sunday) and a work trip to Ann Arbor for 4ish days. because of these, I'm not doing any food commitments this challenge. I know what I should and shouldn't eat and I'll make the best choices I can. CHALLENGE REWRITE- Q1- it all starts with food a. no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a week. b. no fake good for you food (things like gluten free pizza, cookies etc. They might be "less bad" but they're still not good) c. Eat PHD when at home, and as close as possible given the choices when traveling. Focusing on meat and veggies when eating out Q2- HYDRATE Drink 2+ liters of water a day Q3- Move Do something active for at least 30 mins 4 or more times a week. this should be pretty easy because I walk twice a week with my mom and want to do cross fit at least twice a week. But even when traveling I will do Something active. This is to be in addition to any walking around for sight seeing or normal activities.

"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates... but this is neither a competition nor a battle for supremacy - not a test of wills, but a test of heart. Both of you may prevail, or neither." - Master Eraqus Ventus - Agility "I've become a part of their heart, just as they've become a part of mine. My friends are my power...and I'm theirs!" -Ventus Start on Couch to 5k trainingIn an effort to make sure I do not overtax myself I am only going to make my goal 3 days a week of walking in the beginning (maybe the first two weeks), then progress to the actual c25k program. Oh and yes, I will be counting days spent at any Disney Park as a full walk, cause it is, trust me. Ventus and Terra quests will be done on alternating days. +2 DEX +2 STA Terra - Power "There's darkness within me... So what does that matter? I know I'm strong enough to hold it back." -Terra Push-Up Progressions -PAUSED- Doctors ordersStarting back where I left off with my beginner bodyweight workout. I previously was able to do 6 incline push-ups off of the counter. I would like to be able to do an actual honest push-up by the time this challenge is over but we shall see. Do a push-up progression workout 2 times a week also including planks and dumbbell rows for arm strength. Ventus and Terra quests will be done on alternating days. Beginner Bodyweight WorkoutTake it easy on the wrists, but do a BBWW three times a week. +3 STR Aqua - Flexibility "Try all you want, but you'll never defeat a heart filled with light." -Aqua Beginner Yoga 30 Day Challenge -PAUSED- Doctors OrdersParticipate in the 30 day Yoga challenge. I would like to do yoga 5 days a week so I'll finish all 30 days by the end of the challenge. The particular series I am working with is supposed to be easy enough on the body to be done multiple days in a row. I hope I'm not being overambitious here, so I'm only going to make my goal for 2 times a week. If I find that all three quests are too much to handle at once I will alter them to fit my needs, but I'm going to at least give it an honest try the first week. +1 DEX +.5 CON +.5 WIS Water TrackingWill track all fluids consumed with a goal of 64 ounces of mostly water a day. +2 CON Mickey - Life Quest "Don't you worry, Aqua. I believe in Ven, too. Gosh, he's been as good a friend to me as anybody. And if both you and me believe in him with all our hearts...then he'll have two lights to follow instead of one!" - Mickey Practice acts of loving self-careThis quest will be hard to quantify, and even trickier to track. I may not even want to share this part of the quest, so I hope you guys will trust me that if I say I have done it, I have. Acts of self care can include meditation, positive affirmations, journaling, vent art, aromatherapy, or something as simple as being extra thorough with my skin care routine. My mental and emotional well being must be as important to this challenge as my physical health. I should be practicing self-care daily, however for this challenge I will start the new habit out slowly and make my goal 3 days a week. +3 CHA +1 CON Week One Ventus - A (3/3) Terra - F (0/2) Aqua - A (2/2) Mickey - A (3/3) Week Two Ventus - A (3/3) Terra - C (1/2) Aqua - C (1/2) Mickey - A (3/3) Week Three Ventus - A (3/3) Terra - C (1/2) Aqua - F (0/2) Mickey - A (3/3) Week Four Ventus - D (1/3) Terra - A (1/1) Aqua - A (2/2) Mickey - B (2/3) Week Five Ventus - C (2/3) Terra - C (2/3) Aqua - A (7/7) Mickey - A (3/3) Week Six Ventus - D (1/3) Terra - F (0/3) Aqua - A (7/7) Mickey - A (3/3)

Agent C Starts Anew Overall Goal: To reach body fat of 30%. Goal this challenge: Get back into taking care of myself. Hello everyone, I’m not new to the NF community, some may know me as Minion 25, but I need a respawn. I will be taking my Incontinence Class final next week, concluding the classwork portion of my Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse training and I’ll be starting the Practicum section 4/23/15 (literally THE DAY after my final!). I’ve taken a month long vacation (as far as weekdays go) to do this. I DO still have to work weekends, unsure of how busy I’ll be, but its fewer 12 hour shifts and nightshifts so hoping that’ll give me a better chance at completing this challenge! GOAL 1: Couch to 5K program (8 week program) My friends and I are going on a weekend cramping trip this summer, hike-in sites and rock climbing. I have gained about 15pounds since the last hike-in camping trip, and was struggling then. I would like to have a chance at making it to the camp site without sounding like Darth Vader this time. STA-4 GOAL 2: Meditate 5/7 days. I completed the Take 10 program through Headspace and loved the way it made me feel (an especially sleep!) so I bought a subscription a couple weeks ago, and really need to get back to working with it. WIS-3 GOAL 3: No Fast Food, make Homemade meals. Two eat out meals allowed per week. I am going to be living with friends, during the week, while I do this Practicum (as it’s nearly 3 hours away from my home) and not real sure how the eating is going to turn out but they aren’t the type to eat out all the time and are some of the most supportive people when it comes to my health goals. Everyone else is not helpful "you look fine, you don't need to worry about that" they're trying to boost myself esteem but that's not what I need. These friends are like hey lets go to the climbing wall! Let's go for a walk, that just so happens to include a SUPER steep hill! They see me struggling, let me rest, then ask if I can do more but I also know they are ok if I can't. Which is REALLY helpful because I usually can squeak out a bit more effort if I've got someone to push me a little. Heck this past December we went snowboarding and I finally had to call it quits after 5 hours (!!!) when my "bad leg" could no longer support me. I started falling then not being able to stand from being seated to strap in, to not being able to flip edge to edge to not being able to do my front edge to the last run being taken on my back edge with my hands squeezing my quad muscle to force it to continue to flex and get me down the hill. My leg was so exhausted that when I let go of my quad, my knee would buckle. I was so angry, because we were having SO MUCH FUN. CON-3 Bonus:Push-ups to 100, Squats to 100 program. (10 week program) 3x per week. The C25K recommends waiting until week 4 is over to start this. Grading: A-92% B-84%, C-76%, D-68% Reward $15 for A, $10 for B, $5 for C. Bonus goal: $10 for A $5 for B (must continue through break between challenges) I'll get my STATS up tomorrow

This is my second attempt at a challenge and I'm going to try a smaller approach this time in hopes of sticking with it the whole 6 weeks, then I can build from that progress. Background: I am a 31 year old mom of 2, struggling to figure myself out enough to grow in a “healthy†way. I used to consider myself a “country/farm†girl but now that I have a decent job/career established, I find myself behind a desk for what seems like the majority of my time. When I am not working behind the desk it seems as though I’m frantically trying to figure out how to provide nutritious meals to the husband and little people (one (the 4 year old child, has extensive medical demands including a high salt, high calorie diet! ugh!) and keep everyone happy. Long Term Lifestyle Goal: I am 5' 4" and 160 lbs so I would like to work on lossing 20 lbs or so but ultimately want to get rid of my belly bulge and have more engery and feel “STRONG†but want to be smart about it and will be focusing more on non-scale victories/activies along the way so I’m not putting an immediate deadline on this goal as long as I’m not noticing additional flab to squeeze into the clothes and I’m maintaining overall happiness. I would also like to figure out some physically challenging activities that I can enjoy and grow old doing. Fall 2015 goal: I’ve committed to a 30 miles in 1 day rugged Hike in efforts to raise money to support medical research that could greatly benefit my family down the road. This hike is in September 2015 and scares me ALOT! But I think I can do and am starting to train NOW! So now we have arrived at my 3 measurable goals for this 6 week challenge, that will get me closer to the goals above… 1) Stick with Coach to 5k. By the end of this challenge, I should be able to jog for a continuous 30 minutes and should have a good foundation established to start working on time and/or mileage goals by the next challenge. I don't want to focus on speed at this time but just being consistent with walking/jogging daily with the simple of goal of pushing a bit more (hillier, faster, farther, etc.) each day. 2) Focus/Strength. I have recently become intrigued with yoga. I know very little about it and there are no close classes around me but I've been watching videos and want to start incorporating this into my life but starting slow. I plan to do the beginner body weight routine for strength work for this challenge but want to finish that with some solid but simple yoga stretches. I intend to alternate days focusing on yoga and bodyweight workouts. 3) Eat clean, consistently. This is a CHALLENGE as I tend to make this lots harder than it needs to be. I will do this by committing to plan meals WEEKLY so they are ready to go, easier on me and the family and more likely to be excuse proof. If I know what’s on the “menu†ahead of time I’ll have better luck avoiding the temptations at the office, grandmas, etc. that are around me ALL THE TIME! I will strive to keep our food SIMPLE for the next 6 weeks. That’s the plan, here we go! *I will try to report in with weekly progress updates but will be significantly limiting my “technology usage†in hopes of better time management and focusing on goals. oh and a note to self: be nice to ME...