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Howdy all! Wanted to get in here and get my battle log set up for the next challenge. My previous challenge should be in my signature. I am a little HTML inept. I can do it but man it takes a few tries LOL. I will start off by saying I am proud of my effort to have actually finished my first ever 6 week challenge from start to end. I had (past tense) a horrible, horrible habit of just dying off. Didn't matter the challenge or where it came from. If you gave me a good 2 weeks in I would be surely gone by then. Someone on the Facebook Nerd Fitness Academy group mentioned the Habit RPG app and miracle of all miracles its working for me. I love that little app! Its so silly and nerdy but hatching pets, feeding them, and buying protection gear for my character is so much fun. My main goal in the last challenge was simply to finish it. I had goals like exercise 5 out of the 7 days, tracking food, and what not but my main, main goal in my heart of hearts was to complete the challenge. So here I am a newly minted graduate of the league of Recruits. Whoo hoo! A little more about myself... I am currently 6 weeks into see a chiropractor/physical therapist for an SI joint issue (done by poor posture of all things so sit properly in your chairs LOL). From what I felt 6 weeks ago to now is dramatically different. I was in nightly pain and the lack of sleep, consistent good sleep, was not great. I'm back to sleeping like the dead so I am quite happy. I am also doing dramatically better with my seasonal depression from where I was 6 weeks ago. I have my light box, St. Johns Wort, and getting back out for walking/running to thank for that. So here is to the next 6 weeks!! Looking forward to checking in with some fellow Rangers!

Hi everyone, I'm starting my second challenge now, the first was a reasonable success, even though I'm always harsh on myself. http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/62304-better-very-very-late-than-never/ A little background, I decided to start worrying about fitness at the start of August 2014, since I was quite significantly overweight weighing about 95kg (210 pounds). I'm 6'3 tall, so that was quite overweight. In the next six weeks, I lost 10kg by eating less (but very badly) and working out almost every day doing relatively low intensity cardio workouts. From mid-September until Christmas, I worked out about twice every week on average, and lost 10kg again, bringing me to 75kg now (165 pounds). I went from not being able to do a single knee pushup in August to now being able to do over 20 incline pushups. In March, I discovered Nerd Fitness, which relaunched my motivation. I took my before picture after losing 20kg, which I find quite ironic. Since I've gone on a Paleo diet, except for Saturdays for carb cycling and social occasions. I also signed up for a karate class for the first time in a few years, I loved doing karate but when I tried a class in September I found it too physically challenging, since i was in very bad shape at the time. Bonus: what "race" do you think I am if I'm 6'3 with "normal" weight and somewhere between a thin and athletic build? Quest 1: Karate - After the last karate class of the school year, start doing 2 karate training sessions alone per week, including technical training and drilling combat techniques and katas OR an HIIT workout. A - 12 + total B - 10-11 total C - 8-9 total D - 6-7 total F - less than 6 total STA Quest 2: Workouts - I'll be doing an internship in Belfast this summer, I need to find a gym there and workout at least 3 times/ week while I'm there and twice/week before and until I'm there at home or in the local gym (I'm too lazy to check if I'll be there before the challenge ends) A - 12 workouts B - 11 workouts C - 10 workouts F - Less than 10 workouts STR Quest 3: Stretching - Do leg raises every morning, 20 on each side per leg, and a complete stretching routine at least once every 2 days. A - 21+ stretching routines and leg raises every morning A- - 20-21 stretching routines and leg raises every day, sometimes not in the morning B - 16-19 stretching routines and 30+ leg raises C - 12-15 stretching routines and 25+ leg raises F - Less than 12 stretching routines and less than 25 leg raises If there's a different grade between leg raises and stretching routines I'll average them and round down. DEX Quest 4: Life goal - My exams are in a few weeks from now, there are about 650 students in my university class, but so far I've gotten a good start this semester. A - Rank top 10 in my university B - Rank top 15 in my university C - Rank top 25 in my university F - Rank below top 25 in my university WIS

Hey everyone! I am a nerdy swedish woman in her 30's and I wish to participate in this 6 week challenge! When I read about the 6 week challenge in the newsletter this morning, I reacted as if this challenge were directed to me. So, I started to plan. I am in a fase right now for metamorphosis but as many I have obsticals, as weight and back problems. I know both of them will ease if I just level up. So I hope I can do this here. I already eat sufficient of healthy food, all though to fatty and to much, and less greens than I acctually thought. And my back is hindering me in many ways. But now its changing. And its all thanks to you guys here on Nerd Fitness. My goal is to continue my training in Shaolin Kung Fu which I started this year, and to regain my mental health and strength. To succed I have to: 1. Out walking for an half or and hour each day, and some excersises at home. 2. Eat 50% greens with every meal. 3. Be Optimistic! 4. Having realistic goals (I am not going to be a Kung Fu master after just one level, right? ) 5. Ceep track and find support here on Nerd Fitness. I know I am a day late, but i will catch up. /Janni

I'm the Granahammer and I'm just brand spanking new to this whole nerd fitness thing. I'm joining a challenge because I get really into challenges in general and this will keep me way motivated. Me: normal size, short, fairly weak female. I used to kick so much ass as a competitive fencer. Now alas I am lazy and useless physically. I plan to change this in very small incremental ways that will eventually help me get back to being an asskicking swordfighting ray of bubbly happy sunshine. Goal: lose 10 pounds, 5 during this challenge and 5 during the next one. I will reach this goal by replacing soda and juice and beer with water and tea and perhaps the odd diet soda for a treat. I drink a lot of sugary things so this alone may be enough to make me lose the weight. I will also walk for 15 minutes everyday first thing after work. While listening to the foo fighters. #inspiration Goal 2: I will gain strength and be comfortable doing basic workouts found here on nerd fighters. I will overcome the inertia and awkwardness I feel whenever I try to start training. I will do this by completing two strength workouts found at the nf academy each week for the first four weeks, then level up to three times a week for the last two weeks. Life challenge: complete my work AT WORK instead of bringing it home so that I'm a happy healthier me (and friend, and girlfriend, etc) P.s. looking for an accountability pal if anyone is interested!!

Here I'm Daikaiju, other places I'm Stalking Slasher, and I'm here to Start and Finish this challenge!!! Starting base lines; I'm 5'5", weigh 158lbs, get tired after 10 push ups (though I can force my way through more, not as well), and at this point call it quits after 6 laps of the road biking loop I ride with my neice (25.7 miles) and I'm usually completely out of breath afterward. So here goes nothing!!! Main Quest: I'd like to attend sparring at my Kung Fu school without being severely winded by the end (I have problems with my stamina, partly due to failure to pace myself properly, not attending, just not taking better care of myself, if I can get my general fitness up I know I'll do better, I did do better once so I know it's possible! So that's my main goal) Quest 1: I'll tackle my diet on a whole, with 6 minimum healthy meals (approximately 2 days of healthy eating per week) and keep track with MyFitnessPal Quest 2: Work on my stamina!!! I'll be doing at least 3 one hour activities a week. One of which will be attending the sparring class no matter how poorly I percive myself to be doing. Quest 3: I will drink no soda for the duration of this challenge. I don't drink much any way any more, so this will be a conscious exercise in making healthier choices. Life Quest: I will set aside 10 minutes of each morning and evening to cleaning while playing music to keep away the monotony. (The one thing I really don't like doing much of, but is necessary for normal function, and to keep all the little bugs away!)

So I'm starting a couple of weeks late but that's ok, it's my first 6 week challenge so I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. My main quest is to do at least 1 chin up by December 31st. Starting weight - 77kgs and a body fat of 28%. This 6 week challenge goal is to complete Level 1 of Steve's road to pull ups which is Bent Over Dumbbell Rows. As I am a woman of nearly 6ft, with little upper body strength, I will be aiming for a weight of 18-20kg @ 8 reps x 3 sets to complete this challenge. Wish me luck! Last week I completed 14kgs @ 8x3 along with: Strength Training Sets Reps/Set Weight/Set Lat Pulldown 3x 8x 33 Mid Lat Pulls 3x 8x 38 Close Lat Pulls 3x 8x 42 Machine Row 3x 8x 33 Standing cable pulldown 3x 8x 15

[About Me] Hello, My name is Justan. [introduction] While I have not been very active on the NF forums, Iv'e been reading nerdfitness articles for the past 3 years or so. I would always read the articles and get motivated to start working out / eating right for a few weeks before quitting. It wasn't until about 6 months ago that I decided to get serious about health and fitness. Since then iv'e already lost about 30 lbs, went down 3 pant sizes, 3 shirt sizes, and feel much better about myself. But alas improvement never ends, which is why i'm here now - to get even better. [Main Quest] My main quest is to reach 10% body fat. Even after losing 30 lbs I am still sitting at roughly 21% body fat, which for me is unacceptable. [side Quest #1] I have already been intermittent fasting for the last week. I only eat between 12:00 - 20:00(Noon - 8:00pm), and I do my best to eat mostly Paleo. I will continue to follow this routine to reach my goals. While I don't count calories I try to eat 1300 calories per day or less. [side Quest #2] Do strength training on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Do interval training on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Do distance running on Sunday, and work out my abs / core every single day. [side Quest #3] Drink at least 5 glasses of water per day, drink less sugary beverages [Life Quest] As my life quest I want to get a job between now and the end of this challenge. As well as finish everything I need to do to prepare for starting college. [secondary optional quest] Actually remember to keep this post updated at least on a weekly if not daily basis.

Hello! I'm late to this challenge so it's 4 week challenge for me. I hope I'm doing this right. I'm a US size 10 and I'd like to go back to what I was 3 years ago - a size 6 by the end of November, 2015. I miss my old clothes! I enjoy doing yoga a lot and biking when the weather allows it. I like taking group fitness classes at my local YMCA because I don't like working out alone.I work at a computer from 9-5 and don't move around much during that time. I LOVE food. I love tasting new flavours and experimenting with my cooking. I would like to be to get strong and flexible and be able to do a handstand someday. Main Quest: Fit into a US size 6 Quest 1: Do four 1 hour group classes a week. I'm currently doing 2 yoga classes and 1 barre class a week. Measurement: A = 4 classes/week, B = 3 classes/week , C = 2 classes/week, D = 1 classes/week, F = 0 classes/week Quest 2: Keep my calorie intake below 1270/day. I do this 3-4 days a week now. Just need to get consistent. Measurement: A = 7 days/week, B = 5 days/week, C = 4 days/week, D = 2 days/week Quest 3: Bike to work everyday. For this I need to suck it up and wear a raincoat on rainy days- it's like a 10 minute ride to work. Measurement: A = 5 days/week; B = 4 days/week, C = 3 days/week, D = 2 days/week, F = 1 days/week Life Quest: I want to start my own business selling screen printed posters and tea towels. My illustration / visual design skills have gone rusty from lack of use. I need to practice to get better again. I'm going to create 2 screen printable designs a week. Measurement: A = 8 illustrations in 4 weeks, B = 6 illustrations in 4 weeks, C = 4 illustrations in 4 weeks, D = 2 illustrations in 4 weeks, F = 0 illustrations in 4 weeks Motivation: 1. I have a suitcase full of clothes I don't fit into anymore. I'd like to wear them now. 2. To have my own business. 3. Show off my hand stand!

So here lies my official battle log for my annual goal....completing at least 1 chin up! I have a competition going with my sister in Sydney who can do one first - from free hang - no cheating now. Although she is a good 20kgs lighter than me, I won't let that stop me from giving it my best shot! I have taken Steve's articles on pull-ups on board, and have set out my 6 week challenge to help me get there. I am currently working from stage one, aiming for 20kg single arm dumbbell rows. Once there I will move on to supine rows, negatives and assisted pulls. Is there anyone else out there working towards this same goal? Would love to hear from you.

Howdy fellow druids, DrLee here - hardcore meditator, and, uh, totally stagnant otherwise. I'm getting started on my 6-week challenge, which is to get moving again by walking at least 3 days per week. I tend to drop weight quickly once I start moving, and from past experience I know that it's reasonable for me to lose 10 pounds in this time period. So let's do this! I'll post weekly updates here to stay accountable. Thanks for the support!

Hey all, I am a newbie to the challenge thing but I am looking forward to doing more about my overall fitness and general well being. I am a science-nerd and spend 90% of my time thinking while sitting in one place. I was once a competitive athlete many moons ago, but injuries along with family, and a day job have dominated my schedule for years now. I think I am ready to get my crap together and do more with what I have and not whine about what is not my reality. Main Quest : Lose some excess weight and develop more overall body strength, especially in legs and back How am I going to do this? Quest#1: Daily workouts before work. Every other day following the basic beginners body-weight routine and gradually moving to more advanced routine. One days that I don't "feel" like doing it at least get on the treadmill and jog for 1 mile. Quest#2: Eat less meat and cook more at home. Being at work 10-12 hours a day makes cooking pretty hard, even if my wife cooks I always manage to find myself somewhere out to eat. I have been studying the evolution of the human diet and have found tons of research that make a strong case for less meat and more veg (NOT PALEO, however I do not endorse fad diets). So I am going to get in touch with some local shops and farmers and start planning my food purchases a month ahead and meal prep weekly. This way I will avoid the take-out syndrome. Life Quest: Stick to my F-ing budget. I am horrible with keeping the books balanced!!! How? Go to a zero balance style of budgeting. Allocate all money for desired use immediately, even miscellaneous cash for take-out. Stats Height: 5’9†Current Weight: 195 lbs Goal weight for 6 week challenge: 185lbs

Since there is a two-week gap between challenges this time, how about something simple and fun to keep yourself active in the down time? Even though it looks like it's only a 1-week break, after all, do you want something to keep your motivation and activity level up between now and the next challenge? The League of Extraordinary NERDS (accountabilibuddy group) has a solution for you! Join our Walk-a-thon. It's like a marathon, except that it lasts two weeks, can be fit into nearly any schedule, and you don't have to run unless you want to. The goal: Between 12:01am Monday 4/6 and 11:59pm Sunday 4/19, walk, run, or jog 26 miles. That's less than 2 miles per day. Any foot-powered locomotion counts. Walking around at work? Counts. Jogging on a treadmill? Counts. Sprinting to catch the bus? Counts. Just use your feet to go a total of 26 miles in 2 weeks. This is obviously more of a challenge for generally sedentary people, or people who really only lift/swim/bike/do yoga/other non-foot-based activity for their usual exercise. Most Scouts probably won't need 2 weeks to get this done! But that's okay. If you prefer to set a longer goal than 26 miles for the two weeks, just be sure to mention that in your first post. I will be tracking the leaderboard by percent complete of your desired total, which makes it more fair for all. (If you feel that you are incapable of reaching 26 miles in 2 weeks, but would still like to particpate at your current fitness level, it is also possible to adjust your total goal distance down. However, I would encourage you to at least try for the 26 miles. 2 miles per day is actually not as hard as it sounds!) How to track: Although it is ideal to use a pedometer to track exactly how far you've gone, not everyone has a pedometer. Just do your best to accurately count how far you've gone. You could try using google maps to check up your loop around the neighborhood, for example, to find out how long it really is. If you must, just estimate your walking speed and multiply that by how long you walked. Use whatever tools you have. Leaderboard: Lightning: 26.7/26 100%100% Marvel (TheMarvelPrincess): 40.3/40 100%100% theholliesangel: 26/26 100%100% Presea: 72.38/70 100%100% Milo: 26.23/26 100%100% RDNottingham: 33.8/56 miles 60.3%60.3% Jenn (JMitch): 6.35/13 48.9%48.9%

Hey I'm Mark and I did bad on my last attempt at this. I didn't even make it more than two weeks. I am going to just redo my challenge verbatim and hit it harder and better. Main Quest: Get down to at least 250 pounds. (This will take a while) Quest one: Go to the gym at least three times a week or a total of eighteen days. A=18-17 B=16-14 C=13-9 F=8 and under Quest two: Pre pack lunches for work so I don't end up getting drive thru. A=100-90% B=89-80% C=79-70% D=69-60% F=59% and under Quest three: Eat breakfast at home before work. A=100-90% B=89-80% C=79-70% D=69-60% F=59% and under Quest four: Go on a hike at least 8 times even if its not to someplace new. A=8 B=7-6 C=5-4 D=3-2 F=1 and under Motivation: I need to get healthy so I can get out and do cool things and play with my nieces whenever I go back home, and to fit comfortably in a plane.

My challenge goal is to lose 8 pounds by the end of May. This breaks down to about 1-1.5 pounds per week. My interim goals are to walk 7 miles each week (preferably one per day) and to count my daily caloric intake to between 1200 and 1800 calories. My Life-Side Quest would be to host the first charity event of the year for a nonprofit I started with a friend of mine. We're planning a gaming marathon to raise funds, but both of our lives have gotten pretty busy over the last few months, putting the project closer and closer to the dreaded Back Burner. The vision is to connect college gamers from across the U.S. with each other and host semester-long challenges to benefit communities around each campus on a local level. Being one who's prone to anxiety, procrastination is a common enemy that I find myself battling on a frequent basis. By acheiving my physical goals, I'm hoping to build the self-confidence to pursue my dreams of building the nonprofit more aggressively. I want to be the man my wife first met since before we were even dating. I want to rediscover the zest for life I had when I didn't doubt myself so much. Anyway, that's me.

04/16/15 Having completed my first quest after arriving in town, I've decided to apply to the Ranger's Guild. I believe they will be able to guide me in the future as our interests and talents are more aligned than others' in the community. They've given me a list of tasks to complete over the next couple of fortnights, and I will do my best not to fail. I intend to keep up with my current duties and strive to complete this new quest as well. -Malakir Here we go. Challenge two, and the first with the Rangers! Main Quest: Regain strength, endurance, and flexibility after spinal surgery. Smart Quest One: "Keep on keeping on" (+3 Str, +2 Stam) For this quest, I will be continuing my 5 workouts per week, my tracking via myfitnesspal, and my calorie goals of 2200-2400 per day. Full points = no days missed 3/4 points = 1-2 missed 1/2 points = 3-4 missed 1/4 points = 5-6 missed No points for 7 or more misses Smart Quest Two: "Intelligent choices" (+3 Wis, +2 Con) Here I will be cleaning up my diet. Following a mild IIFYM model I plan on getting within 2% of my macro goals each day WHILE making sure that vast majority of that food is unprocessed/freshly prepared goodness. Currently too much of my intake is coming from a bag, box, bottle, or can. I'm going to do my best to make sure most of my food is coming from as close to the source as possible with as little processing as possible. Full points = no days missed 3/4 points = 1-2 missed 1/2 points = 3-4 missed 1/4 points = 5-6 missed No points for 7 or more misses Smart Quest Three: "Mobility is key" (+3 Dex, +2 Cha) Before surgery I was very flexible and had great mobility in almost all of joints. Post surgery, that has changed a bit. My hips are tight and so are my hamstrings. For this quest I plan on introducing some mobility work three times a week, intermingled with my workouts. Stretching/Yoga/Foam Rolling TBD. Full points = no days missed 3/4 points = 1 missed 1/2 points = 2 missed 1/4 points = 3 missed No points for 4 or more misses Life Side Quest: Get my household projects completed. This will include clearing out my garage, scheduling the electrical work to be completed, and getting quotes for some of the other work we would like to have done. I'll be doing as much of the labor and materials purchasing as I can, and will learn to do what is feasible, but where licensing or insurance concerns will be a factor I will be hiring local professionals. LOOT: A happier wife, and a nicer house to come home to. Bonus Loot for Quest Completion: IF I am able to complete all of these quests with no more than 1 missed day per quest AND I am able to make headway on the Life Side Quest, THEN I will reward myself with something I've had in mind for quite some time. A Squat Rack and new Bar/Plates for my home gym. These would go a long way in helping me complete my main life goals and open up more training possibilities for the future. Here we go! -MAL

Hello, I am new to nerd fitness and wanted to know how to start a 6 week challenge, when I try it says its "locked" what do I do? Thanks!!

Hello everyone! So I finished my brief tutorial for the last challenge. Now, it's time for the real deal. I'll keep my specific goals from my intro challenge. These were though for the last two weeks, so I guess I should continue improving upon them. I need to create a sense of discipline. So, I added three more side quests that might help me do just that. May you all find success! Main Quest: I want to look like a skinnier version of Wolverin, but also become stronger and healthy. Specific Goals: -Do Level 1 of the "No Gym Challenge" every day. -Eat Paleo for 16 out of 21 weekly meals. (5 quality cheat meals, no garbage or fast food) -Respect a sleep schedule of ~8 hours with natural sleep cycles. (1 cheat day a week, but only Friday or Saturday) Side Quest: -Keep desk clean. -Medidate. -Keep list of daily activities. -Update blog with a daily picture (and a day recap if I have the time). Motivation: -Girlfriend's grin upon seeing me shirtless washing car... (Yep! I'm still going in with my cliche!) MINIS: #1 DONE! +1 WIS #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Picture #1:

Off I go again, into the unkown of my own brain wondering if I still have the drive to finish what I start. My overall goal is to drop 60 pounds by next spring. I often start down the road but never finish!!!! My little goals that I will use to measure these will be: -My total carlorie intake will be 2245 cal per day. -I will run four days a week. -Lift weights to increase my bench, squat, and clean by 40 pounds each. I also want to read two paleo books and finish one FAA test. Thanks for the extra boost I needed to start this quest again!!!!

Let's try this again! I really considered this time posting in the druids or adventurers, but then I saw "Strength, Functionality, Mobility." That's exactly what I want, if a little more rudimentary, so I'm here to stay. I want a grass hut. Now before you go thinking, “what?†allow me to explain. My friend has an uncle whose life quest was to marry a nice girl, have a great family, and retire to the beaches of Hawaii where he would live in a bungalow (grass hut) and surf all day. The grass hut isn’t something that can be arrived at, photographed, and left with nothing more than fond memories; it will be a continual journey through life. My first challenge was about doing my physical therapy after surgery and creating good habits. It wasn't perfect, but that's kind of the point of a first challenges isn't it? It's not supposed to be easy, and now the goal is to improve with the following challenges. Though, nobody ever begins the story thinking they’ll save the world, destroy the ring, and kiss the pretty lady (or gentleman!). So, I’m willing to take this how it should be; one step at a time, carefully because the night is dark, and someone moved all the furniture. GOALS 1. I started this one a little early! I decided to do the GAPS into, and I started on the 20th. It's actually way easier and not nearly as terrible as I thought it would be. It's not that I'm craving soup, but I really enjoy eating it, and my body seems to like it. 2. Continue with physical therapy and work in my plans five days a week. I'm still on recovery, so it's mostly PT, walking/jogging, lots of mobility, and body weight. 3. Identify and use methods to relax. My first challenge identified this as a major weak point, and possibly the point of failure for the last one. Life challenge: I take my DLPT on the 24th, so until then PASS IT! After that, if I pass, I'll begin studying for some CLEP tests I'd like to get done this year. First off will be biology because it's the most fun and motivating to study.

After completing a true Whole30 back in January, I'm ready for action. Main Goal: Drop body fat percentage by 10%. Not going to happen overnight, and that's okay with me. Here's the plan to get that started and going. Goal #1 (+3 CON): Stay eating Whole30. I came off the Whole30 at the end of January and never should have. So I'm going back. I started last Monday and plan on keeping it going through the entire challenge. I plan to follow a good deal of their recommendations about meal-planning too, not just the required rules, with Steve's advice for losing fat tossed in (more fats on rest days, more carbs on workout days). Goal #2 (+3 STA): SLEEP. Eating Whole30 has greatly improved my sleep, but not completely. I plan on GETTING up and going to bed at the same time every night. 5:30am was when I naturally woke up (hungry) during the last two weeks of January, and I'd like to get in bed BEFORE 9pm to help regulate my sleep cycle even more. Goal #3 (+3 STR): Exercise. Three times a week. I'm going to pick up on my strength training routine where I left off. Goal #4 (+3 DEX): Correcting my posture, all of it. Pick up and continue with my anterior pelvic tilt stretch routine and do it EVERY. DAY. I also plan on adding some general posture therapy into it as well. It came from an article about how you can reset your balance or something to the Earth itself using simple baby movements. I wish I could find the article, but alas, the Google Machine is failing me. I will be adding posts with some starting stats, a link to my challenge spreadsheet for added accountability, and the routine for APT/posture and workouts.

Continuing the story from here. The gathering winds were cold and bit at the ranger's nose and ears. He twitched, briefly, as if to draw his hood up, but thought better of it, and instead stood motionless. "The Stiletto is here. Watching.", thought the ranger. He decided it would be best to show The Stiletto that he, too, could be mysterious and aloof. But he was pretty damned cold, and the wind was growing more insistent. If The Stiletto - as the ranger had started calling him, because of the only weapon he's ever seen the man draw - if the Stiletto was indeed nearby, he was even more silent and untraceable than anyone or anything the ranger had ever encountered. He started to wonder if the mysterious man wasn't nearby at all, but this was the appointed place, and it was the appointed hour. The ranger resolved himself to standing like a statue for as long as he needed. Perhaps this was itself a test... He heard a shuffle of noise from behind him. With only the smallest hesitation, the ranger fluidly drew an arrow from the quiver at his side, and had it nocked and drawn before he'd even finished his 180 degree spin. But that smallest hesitation was too much; The Stiletto pressed his trademark weapon to the ranger's throat, his face grim and uncomfortably close, his body safely to the left of the drawn arrow. Only after the ranger let down his bow and dipped his head did The Stiletto withdraw his weapon, allowing only the narrowest smile to glance across his face. "You'll work on that.", The Stiletto cracked. "And more besides..." My goals for this 6-week challenge: Pull Ups. Each week of the challenge I want to increase the number of pull-ups I do at my workouts. At the end of the challenge, I'll test myself and award a grade based on percentage of goal. The goal is 3 sets of 12 pull ups, with no more than 2 minutes' rest between sets. Pedometer. I will reach 77,000 steps per week. Only motions captured while wearing the Garmin Vivo will count (I don't wear it while fencing, so fencing workouts don't help this goal). Weight. I'll reach 165 during the next 6 weeks, and maintain that weight to the end of the challenge period. Fencing Accuracy. At our fencing club, we have a leather target with a small (1/2") target painted on it. I'm going to make one of those at home as well. Each week I'll average at least 60% hitting that target. Shaved head. Some weeks I don't bother shaving my head because it's time consuming and kind of a chore. Of course, the longer and shaggier I let my hair get, the more time consuming the chore becomes. I know it sounds silly, but I'm always happier and more self-confident with a clean-shaved head. I'll shave my head at least once a week.Points available (for A-grade): Pull Ups - 3 STR Pedometer - 2 STA Weight - 2 STA, 3 CON Fencing Accuracy - 3 DEX Shaved Head - 2 CHA One side goal, but with no rewards or points associated with it: I'm only going to step on the scale once a week.

This is not the first time I have been in this forum. I have attempted challenges before but haven't quite made it to the end. My goal over the next 6 weeks is to finish this challenge!! My name is Amber, I'm a 36 year old Mom to 2 boys and mostly fit in with the Ranger guild. In fairness since I haven't actually completed a challenge I felt I should be here in Recruits. I am signed up for 2 mud runs this year but need to get back into the groove of training. I have been dealing with some seasonal depression and am wanting to get over that hump and back into regular training. Main quest for this challenge: Lose Weight/Get back into the habit of exercise again. I don't feel comfortable putting a number on how much I would like to lose in 6 weeks as I try to stay away from the scale. Still I would like to come out lighter on the other side of this challenge. 3 Specific Goals - 1. Track Food, ideally daily. At the minimum 6 days a week. 2. 5 workouts a week. By the end of the challenge I want to be lifting 3 times and running twice a week. To start with I am just focusing on almost daily exercise be it long walks, weights, or yoga. 3. Water. Hit daily water intake through Water Your Body app. 6 days a week at least. Motivation: I was feeling so much better last year when I was exercising regularly. It helps me out so much mentally. I won't lie and say I have vanity reasons for wanting to get back to working out regularly and eating better but the mental benefits really help me out. I generally stay away from the scale but I do need to get lighter. It will help me during my races and help my hips and joint pain I have been dealing with. So that is pretty much me. I found this really cool HabitRPG app through the Nerd Fitness Academy gals on Facebook. Someone was mentioning the upcoming 6 week challenge and I thought that was something I could really benefit from. Can't wait to get to know other people and see us all reach our goals!

Greetings and Salutations all!! I've heard so many great things about Nerd Fitness in such a short time that I've known about it so I'm deciding to jump in and take my first challenge. Just had a birthday at the beginning of the month and I'm determined that this year for me will be a great year!! Main Quest To be 20 lbs 10 lbs lighter at the end of the challenge Questing Goals 1. To do bodyweight exercises 3 times per week I have never done a regular exercise program ever. The closest thing I would have done would be either classes in college or all the marching band classes back in high school. To help lose weight and build up my body, I plan to make exercising 3 times a week a focus. 2. Drink less than 42 ounces of soda on a daily basis Soda has been a staple of my life for far too long. I need to equip some better fluids going into me. The immediate goal is to drop my soda intake by roughly a third of what I was used to. It's way too easy to drink soda at work so that is my biggest hurdle. And no diet either, seriously limiting the sugar water consumption. 3. Prepare a minimum of 1 complete meal at home It's way too easy to get stuff carryout or prepacked. I need to be more aware of what I'm putting into my body and help make it better than it was. I'm not picking any kind of specific food plan or ideal, just to be more mindful and be able to provide for myself in a better way.

CHALLENGE: FEB 23RD - APRIL 5TH Okay, so third times a charm people! This will be the third challenge I've started since joining NF. But as of yet I have never made it all the way to the end of the six weeks. Boooooo! But I am forever an optimist. And stubborn. Ridiculously stubborn. So here I am giving it another go. Because my main quest in life is to become a ninja. I want to be able to use the world as my playground, and I want my body to be my weapon. I just need to stop sabotaging myself!! With all that it would be silly of me not to realize that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different result is the sign of insanity. And I am not crazy *shifty eyes* So, looking back on previous attempts I have come to three conclusions: I over complicate things I don't plan well I tend to dive head first and ask questions later. I have always been an extreme person by nature. I either have to go all in or not at all. Each challenge I have made it a little further each time. So I know I can do this. I just have to be smart about how I go about it. Challenge 1 I made it two weeks Challenge 2 I made it four weeks Challenge 3 will see me complete the full 6 weeks!!! GOALS This challenge my goals are simple, and focus around weekly targets not daily so that I don't set myself up for failure. If I have one bad day I can still make it up. My all or nothing attitude makes it hard to accept failure. The goals are also all based around habit building techniques because my previous challenges have all been railroaded by old, crappy habits. Crappy habits that have seen me over the past few years put on almost an extra 20kgs from when I finished university. NOT ANYMORE! Time to get back to basics. Starting small this time. So, here are my goals: 1. Track my food 5 days a week [+3 CON] A: 30 Days (+3)B: >25 Days (+2.5)C: >20 Days (+2)D: >15 Days (+1.5)E: <10 Days (Seriously? Did you even try)2. 70,000 steps a week (+4 STA) A: 420,000 (+3)B: >350,000 (+2.5)C: >280,000 (+2)D: >210,000 (+1.5)E: <140,000 (Seriously?)3. Bikram Yoga x2 a week (+3 DEX) A: 12 Classes (+2)B: >10 Classes (+1.5)C: >8 Classes (+1)D: >6 Days (+.5)E: <4 Days (Go home) RECRUIT MINI CHALLENGES Recruit Goal Week One-Smart Goals: +1 WIS (CHECK) Make goals that are: S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable/Achievable R = Realistic/Reasonable T = Timeouts Week 2 Mini - Making Friends +1 CHA (CHECK) Part 1 - Updating your signature Part 2: Join an accountability group Part 3: Support your fellow L1's WEEK 3 Mini - The Library +1 CON (CHECK) Part 1: Pinpoint the quest in your journey that is giving you the most uphill (or one that you're struggling to achieve) Part 2: Search through NF (forums or articles) to find one that is able to offer some assistance Part 3: Apply it to your challenge (no collecting underpants here). I am starting back at the beginning and rebuilding new foundations. Brick by brick, little by little. Side note: My lovely hubby in all his supportive wisdom bought me a Fitbit over the weekend so if anyone wants to add me and follow my progress my username is Jezarean. PM Me if you want to be friends LET'S DO THIS!!

Hello all! I'm an elf named Xade and I'm here for my first challenge (though I am a week late, 5 weeks is better than none, right?) I have a weakness for making weapons and armor out of whatever I have lying around the house, but I tend to look more like a skeletal warrior than a noble knight when I use them. I just applied for my first job, which will be great because my only transportation is my own two legs and it will give me a little motivational boost to exercise. A little secret about myself is that self-motivation is something I'm awful at, so I figure coming here will help keep me on track, since I'll be doing it for you guys as well as myself! Main Quest: Reach an average weight (I don't know numbers yet) and break my healthiest personal record for push ups (20) by September. Quest 1: Gain at least 5 pounds. Gotta start somewhere, right? I've never weighed more than 140 (I fluctuate between 135 and 140) so diet changes and exercise should break that record. Quest 2: Advance to the next level push ups and rows/pull ups. It's hard to exercise well if you're incapable of doing the expected exercise, so I want to get back to being able to do these. Quest 3: Eat weight-gain paleo daily. It's nice that I don't have such a strict paleo diet since I'm trying to gain weight. It makes it easier to ease in, so I think daily is attainable. Life Quest: Continue maintaining grades without falling behind. I have a bad history of not doing work once I've missed an assignment because it becomes harder and harder to motivate myself to do it, so with the added activity to improve my health, I need to work extra hard to keep from letting myself do that again. As for my source of motivation, I want to be healthier, to be stronger, and to have a better grip on my life. This is a great way to do all 3, and I don't think there's a better one out there, so why not do this? It just makes the most sense, and I like sensible things.