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Because it's expected by now... So in the middle of the last challenge I lost my mind...and signed up for Kickboxing classes They are honestly a lot of fun, even though they make me realize how out of shape I am! Made some not so good food choices over the weekend and ended up with a flare up that made me realize why I don't eat those items anymore...time to recommit to myself and my challenge. I'm currently heavier than I've ever been in my life according to the scale this morning...that includes pregnancy (the first one I gained 50 lbs and was the first time I'd ever been over 200 lbs, currently being the second) Challenge 1. Kickboxing 3 times a week, only exception is holiday schedule or if I have a 5K (doing both would be better) Had to reduce kickboxing to once a week, the repetition was too much for my neck damage. 2. Portion sizes, even though I eat strict Paleo it has still been too much, keep tracking food and keep carbs under 60. Keep my Sun Basket subscription to help with this one because the easier I make it the more likely I am to stick with it! (One cheat a week is currently allowed.) 3. Hold myself accountable...since school isn't a part of my schedule anymore it seems like I'm at loss of what to do with my time. During season at my job I'm not at a loss of what to do with my time, but I need to hold myself accountable to checking in on my goals here, since we see what happens when I don't....I credit NF and the amazing people I've met here (and not wanting to let them down) with the progress I made before, and will again. Check in at least 3 times a week. My spreadsheet link is in my signature, as is MyFitnessPal. Yes my spreadsheet goes to the end of the year and you are welcome to steal my format if it helps you, I break it down into quarters, ymmv. Not comfortable with sharing my current measurements just yet, but plan on taking them at the end of every challenge with a +/- type thing... Upcoming 5K's 11/23 - Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic (rain) 12/3 - Out of Darkness Walk(overdid it, could not move) 12/9 - The Super Run (rain) 12/16 - Terrain Race (with the current condition of my neck I don't think I'll realistically be able to do this one, plus $10 parking ) 12/22 - Run Santa Run 1/06/16 - Healthy Start 5k 1/13/18 - Best Damn Race (10k) 3/10/18 - Gate River Run (15k) 4/21/18 - Never Quit Run

Hey guys, Better late than never I always say! While yesterday threw a slew of distractions at me I got a perfect window today to post my second challenge and my first one in the Rebel group. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Ratynda and where my last challenge focused on a broad group of topics meant to get me to broaden my thoughts towards new opportunities, this one will hold a lens to my progress in what I've established and measure out progress in a more tangible way. As I got to know myself better, I started to realize what motivates me and what drains me, and this month I'll be taking steps to enforce or eliminate those respectively. So without further ado.... - Complete three structured weightlifting workouts a week, based on push/pull split. - Increase to the weight specified for the following lifts by the end of the challenge. - Bench Press: 110 LBS - Squats: 105 LBS - Deadlift: 100 LBS - Overhead Press: 25 LBS - Limit eating out to one lunch per week, with the rest consisting of pre-made food. - Limit Video Game play to three days out of the week. - Attend one class for a new type of physical activity that I have never tried With my workouts, I am finally getting back into the swing of thrice weekly splits, and with that I came up with a new program to try, In which I focus on progressing on the four big lifts listed above every week for a foundation of strength, then stratifying my workouts to different muscles under the push/pull category. For example I might start with bench Presses and Overhead presses one day, then target back and biceps with some rows, Lat pulldowns, and Bicep curls. I want to steadily get a feel for how quickly I can progress in my big lifts, so I went with some targets that I thought would be reasonable to reach but still a good challenge, with no shame upon failure to reach them. Of course, these weights do not keep bars into account. The next two goals are targeted at reducing two of my vices, spending money and video games. While sometimes circumstances require buying food out, after spending sometimes a whole week only going out to eat, I can recognize how easily that drains my wallet, where I should be saving for travel. Games on the other hand are innocent enough and something that I love doing, but I recognize that when I spend days in a row playing them when I get home, I end up not accomplishing much, falling behind on my sleep, distracting myself during workouts, and just generally feeling mentally negative and unhealthy. This will allow me to enjoy the games in a healthy amount that doesn't require policing exact time. With the extra time I have, I will be stoking my fire for physical activity and finding new ways to exercise, leading to my last challenge. It can be any class or structured exercise, as long as I have not already tried it before. My gym has a myriad of group classes that should be perfect for this goal. And that concludes my goals for this month! Short, sweet, and to the point. If anyone has any tips, suggestions, or feedback for me along the way, please let me know. Until then, lets get this challenge started!

GREETINGS REBELLION!! I am Wraiven but those whom know me well call me Mitch Jnr. I have been working on leveling up my life and developed my quest log in a way to grow, not only for me but for the benefit of those all over the world. Since I can remember I have always been a very giving person and gathered joy from tasks that not only helped me be a better man, but also to help others grow too. Since my Father (Mitch Snr) passed away started really struggling with depression and anxiety in recent years and it's truly effected my growth and attitude towards what I always believed of myself. It could be chemical or it could just be my mind trying to avoid the pain of failing... But that's not gonna happen! Since joining the Rebellion I decided to dedicate a whole year to trying to change some lives and it's really had an Impact on me too. 17 has always been my favourite number soooo I decided in 2017 I was going to do a Charity Challenge called 'Songs and Smiles' to help raise funds for Kids with Cancer, Mental Illness and Poverty/Famine. This requires me to do a song a day to bring smiles and provoke thought/nostalgia every single day and then people could share and possibly donate if they could. A simple premise but alot of people seem to like it. So far we have raised over $5000 and had 250,000 views on Youtube. My Dad always wanted to help kids with cancer because when he had it he always beleived he had lived and they deserved a chance to aswell, so I am doing this all in his memory and I hope all of the rebellion can join me too and become a SMILE SAVIOUR! DONATE: http://bit.ly/2iRw2vO GOFUNDME: http://bit.ly/2jXoQ5f FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2hFp6UY TWITTER: @MitchJnr Mass <3 Mitch Jnr

Having survived the Island of Lost Souls, Ruby-Wan Kenewby uncovered a hidden cavern at its heart, potentially the one that would lead her to the prize she had been searching for--the idol. Ruby-Wan still had a ways to go, however. Reaching the base of the cavern would take days, and if this was the ancient tunnel system of legend she suspected it was, it could take her weeks to reach another gate. She didn't have that kind of time to waste, so having replenished her rations on the island and sharpened her blades, she headed out down the megalithic causeway, remnants of a perplexing and long-forgotten civilization that may never be rediscovered. Ruby-Wan wasn't alone, though. Something had followed her from the surface. She had sensed its presence shortly after entering, and for caution's sake, assumed it hostile. Best make good time, then. If we can avoid a fight, all the better... Ranger Challenge: Causeway to Hell Maintaining my previous goals from Vol. 3 and making them into habits, the following additions will be specifically for this challenge. To build and fine-tune my previous goals into habits, cheats are being introduced: workout everyday (1 rest day allowed if needed, using it as a meditation day preferred, also a meditation session can fulfill the daily workout goal) eat cleaner proteins and carbs (cheat meals need to be allotted and preferably reserved for time with friends if unavoidable) get up before 9 am every day (1 lazy morning can be allowed as a cheat day provided I get up by 10:30 am and it doesn't affect my work days) 1) Fit Goal: Get back into Jogging regularly (jog 3 times per week) - Ruby-Wan is being hunted and must stay ahead of her pursuer. When I was at my best I jogged 5-6 times a week anywhere from 20-60 min non-stop. It wasn't about speed, it was about effectiveness and endurance for me. 2) Diet Goal: Level II difficulty (1 cheat meal every 2 weeks) - What's in the pack is what Ruby-Wan has and most of it is a necessary evil. Mostly. This is referring to the Modern Hero Diet I successfully implemented last challenge at a level I difficulty, so it's time to crank it up a notch. 3) Diet Goal: Reduce intake (280g per meal of non-free items) - Rationing food on the journey and making every meal count. Portion control has been the single biggest challenge for me my whole life, and can make being healthy overly confusing and difficult without careful planning or easing into all the work necessary to be successful. Even if I'm motivated to eat healthy, I'm usually turned off by calorie counting and calculating stuff, especially since I make most of my food from scratch. 4) Life Goal: Find 3 hrs a day to do art - If a fight is inevitable, Ruby-Wan must be ready. I have to switch gears from my long-term career goal to building a good back-up plan and something to make me stable now as well as rebuild my savings (insurance sales. bleh). It sucks, but I need to stay on track long-tern need something beyond part-time jobs that can help me actually have a life. (Open to suggestions if someone has a better idea.)

aka 'My First Ever Challenge' Hi! My name is Wepeel. This is me: I'm the bespectacled gentleman, not the baby girl - in case that wasn't clear. I'm just an average dude with next to no fitness ability trying to become Jason Bourne. I got married three and a half years ago and was, on my wedding day, at my lowest weight/peak-iest level of fitness since the advent of adulting. I've since put on 15 pounds (#marriage) and have slipped into complacency on the fitness front. It's time to get back on track. Often the thought of looking good at the beach or proving to one's ex that one is totally better off without them is inspiration enough to get one's ass to the gym. Not I! says the wepeel. I'm leik sooo totes an ENTP you guys; what gets me amped up is seeing/listening to/experiencing something awesome and then wanting to go and do likewise. So some of the things that get me cranked up enough to go embarrass myself in the gym/the park are watching the Bourne films (love them so much), wanting to be Luke Skywalker (or Rey, I have no shame), and watching my Dodgers play historically amazing baseball. But especially watching Bourne. Hence the title of my challenge: I'm going to Bourne the shit out myself. This is, of course, incredibly nerdy. But then, Nerd Fitness, right? My mate @Laghail has reminded me that it's easy to take for granted that a central concept of artistic expression is to inspire, or in-spirit, the work, and thereby the interpreter. Stated differently, Bourne is hella inspiring. I mean look at this guy: Over the long term, I want to get lean, get strong, reduce my body fat percentage, and increase the endurance, diversity and functionality of my workouts. This won't be fully accomplished over the course one challenge or even ten, but Challenge Numero Uno marks the first step towards the goal of Bourning myself awesome. So I've actually been pretty good over the past several weeks. Since 7th July I've been mostly sticking to my goal of 1,870 calories/day (logged in myfitnesspal) and have been exercising regularly (Couch To 5K, Freeletics Bodyweight workouts and full body workouts in the gym). I'm down eight pounds (though I currently have family in town and that is sabotaging my diet and exercise efforts, but only for a few more days). But I want to be more regimented and intentional about sticking to and expanding on my current efforts/successes. Soooooo here are my goals for the duration of this challenge: Fitness C25K 3x/week. I'm currently on Week 6, so I'm on pace to complete the programme by the end of this challenge, providing I don't miss a run. Freeletics Bodyweight workout 2x/week. I'd like to potentially move this up to 3x/week for the next challenge, but let's see how I get on first. Dumbbell Stopgap programme 1-2x/week. The idea is to get my feet wet with free-weight strength training, boost my confidence, and then possibly/hopefully move onto beginners barbell training for the next challenge or thereabouts... Diet & Nutrition Stick to my goal of 1,870 calories/day.* Log food dutifully into myfitnesspal. Reduce my daily sweets consumption.** Levelling Up Get to bed by 22:30 every weeknight; I'm aiming for a minimum seven hours of sleep each night. Find time to read everyday, even if it's just a page from a book. Spend less time with my smartphone and more quality time with my five month old daughter - she doesn't deserve half a dad and half a 6s. * Unfortunately I am starting this challenge smack in the middle of a weeklong holiday. My family are visiting from the States, and we're all back at my in-laws this weekend because my kiddo's getting christened. This means I will be eating as healthy as I can, when I can, but I'm not going to be trying very hard (ok, at all) to stay within my calorie limits until after the parentals leave on Tuesday. Probably not the discipline of a CIA operative, but we have no evidence that Jason Bourne would handle being a frazzled Londoner and father of an infant any better. We just. don't. know. If this is a problem for you, Also, I have two or three working lunches over the course of this challenge. Unlike having my family in town, I will be trying to order healthy, nutritional options and stay within my daily calorie goals. But you know how it can be. Even Jason Bourne has to adapt to setbacks sometimes. Life, oh lifeee, ohhhh lifeeeeee, oh liiiife. **I like sweets too much. A candid photo taken of me yesterday afternoon: And while I've been doing quite well over the last month cutting back on British sweet treats, eliminating them entirely seems untenable at the moment. So my solution is a few squares of dark chocolate after dinner. Also (for those in the UK), Wilko may or may not be doing their half price pick and mix over the August bank holiday weekend, so I may opt to insert a cheat day in there... I think that's it. A modest first step towards a seriously healthier, fitter me. I'm gonna shred some fat and get jacked, boy. Slowly and awkwardly, like a fit turtle. [How I see my future self] [How everyone else sees my current self when I'm working out in the gym or the park] The name's Bourne. Wepeel Bourne. Let's do this shit.

Noddy has a mission. She needs the money to buy proper gear, so she definitely needs to solo the dungeon alone. She's always been a lone wolf. It has prevented her victory many times, but she really has no other option as LFG failed miserably. But this time... this time she'll reach victory! Here's for her main quests: Learn skill Firestorm Noddy needs to be fit so she can learn the two component spells and launch them into one powerful magic attack. Hit the gym at least 2x week; Eat BLE modified version + record it on MFP; Make notes of weight and body measurements. Gather relics from the trophy rooms The dungeon has several bosses and trophy rooms. Noddy has to collect relics from all of them and sell them later to make money. Plan at least 1 weekend in a different country; Plan visit to Portugal; Check nearby heritage. Form a guild of allies Although she's gonna solo the dungeon, Noddy needs allies on the outside, to help her with new adventures. She really needs to start being a better friend. Speak with friends; Plan days out. Reach current gold cap Noddy had a lot of gold saved up but spent it all on a new mount. So now she needs to do it again to buy new gear and possibly a house in the not so near future. Save for new gaming laptop; Start new extra savings account to buy a house. So... let's see how this goes since it'll be my first challenge ^^ I'll probably check in weekly since I already have my grinding log in which I put my foods and exercise for accountability purposes.

This is my first 4-week challenge. Here we go! 1. Main Goal: Lose $1,000.00 in Quarters (lose 50 lbs). I need to lose one of these. Challenge: Stick to 1,200-1,500 calories a day. I will log everything I eat on My Fitness Pal, I will stick to it for 4 weeks without a cheat day. 2. Main Goal: Keep up with Shannon (BFF who is running circles around me) Seriously, look how much fun we had after the last race. Can we do it again? Challenge: Restart the c25k. Stick with it for 4 weeks (well, 9 weeks really but let's stick to this challenge). 3. Main Goal: Two Wheels and Two Feet (bike and walk everywhere) Please walk me, I love it Challenge: Walk the dog every day for 4 weeks. Must go at least to the park and back. 4. Main Goal: Mangata (develop yoga practice) One step at a time Challenge: Study 25 mudras, incorporate into practice That's it for now. Carry on, nerds!

Hello fellow rebels! I'm a bit new around here, been lurking for a little bit, and wanted to go ahead and make a place for my first 4 week Challenge. I recently had a bit of a wake-up call in my life, and am ready to lose weight and get fit. I want to get There (healthy), and never come back to the way I have been living my life. I have always been kinda overweight, but I am currently the heaviest I've ever been (well within obese) and I'm ready to change. I've made some half-assed attempts at weight loss in the past, but I intend to stick with this. This is for the rest of my life, not just til I lose some weight. I am still doing a little underpants collecting before the actual challenge starts, but this is what I am thinking for my challenges, they may change a little until it actually begins. I am thinking of having 1 diet challenge, 1 exercise challenge, 1 mental challenge, and 1 wild card. Quit Fast Food and Soda: I've been eating absolute garbage for the last couple years and I'm going back to eating good food, not just something greasy and salty that I put in my mouth because I'm bored. That said if a Jimmy Johns unwich is my lunch I'm not going to throw a fit. I'm just going to my every effort to eat the healthiest thing on the menu. As far as soda, I've been drinking way too many. It was not uncommon to drink 3-5 sodas a day. I am currently on 1 a day until I finish off this 2-Liter of Mtn Dew. I get migraines occasionally and I have had caffeine headaches trigger migraines in the past so the 2-liter is at attempt to ween myself off caffeine a little more gently. That is the only reason I'm not cold turkey quitting pop. OK so I'm cheating a little with 2 parts but here they are anyway Go for a 15 minute walk, at least 4 times a week: I recently moved to MT from AR but have been unable to enjoy it much because of my weight. The altitude has taken some getting used to as well. By walking more often (I also live on a mountain so my usual walk if 1/2 mile down, 1/2 mile back up) I'm hoping to better acclimate and just get in the habit of moving more. For most of the last 5 years or so I have led a very sedentary lifestyle. I want to break the inertia and become a body in motion, and I'm sure that my dog won't mind the extra walks either lol. Exercise minimum 3x a week (in addition to walks) and track results: This is just another case of hijacking the accountability of the challenge to help build a new habit. I am going to be doing the beginner body weight workout and I'll see how that goes. Meditate daily, minimum 3 minutes: I want to expand my knowledge and practice when it comes to meditation. I have only done a small amount of meditation in the past but have recently rediscovered it and found it to be a very helpful and powerful tool. I will also research better meditation techniques and attempt to implement them. I am focusing mostly on mindfulness meditation right now, but I plan to expand in the coming weeks, months and beyond. Brushing/Flossing Etc: I have had some problems with my dental hygiene in the past and I want to improve that. I am ashamed to say that I only brush my teeth about once a day right now. I want to make it a habit to brush 2x a day and to floss at least every other day, so i thought that this would be a good means of enforcing the habit until it becomes routine. Here is the slightly modified list for the official 4 week challenge: I welcome any feedback and am looking forward to the official challenge starting. I've already started all the above and have been including them for a few days now. I am eager to start my journey to a healthier me and I don't want to wait another day. There is a part of me that says to wait until the challenge starts, but the way I see it that is one week healthier I can be. I think I will start my data collection 7/1/2017 so I have a nice and easy 6-month time frame for measurement comparisons. Wish me luck and I wish all the other rebels out there good luck with their challenge! Thanks Bilbo, but I think I do need to get going out my door. Staying here hasn't been good for me. I Need to step out on that road, lose my feet, and just see where I might be swept off too. It's time to start MY adventure.

"How long has it been? Two months, three?" The Ranger pondered, staring up at the weathered and ragged leather roof of the barracks tent as he lie on his cot, suspended precariously above the mud on little more than a set of uncertain sticks. Unable to either rest nor find the will to train, he found himself listening to the heavy, quick pitter-patter of raindrops against the roof as they beat down upon the encampment. "Time seems to hard to keep track of when you are never certain how much of it you have left." Dark, angry clouds stirred in the sky that summer morning, mixing and intermingling with one another as far as the eye could see while they rained hard upon the Ravenguard Forest below. It may have been day, but the dark clouds covering the sky blocked out any hope of seeing the sun. Isaac Clark was a young man, this summer marking his 18th in this world. Ever since he was a boy, Isaac had been enlisted and training in the Imperial Ranger Corps, a subsection of the Imperial Military dedicated to scouting, covert raids, and unconventional warfare, when need. When he was younger, Isaac used to daydream about the foes he may face while he was doing his duties. He did not imagine, however, the predicament he and his countrymen now find themselves in. Two weeks before Isaac would have officially finished his training and been granted full status as an Imperial Ranger, the tensions that had been simmering just underneath a thin veneer of civility for as long as he could remember had finally boiled over into mass conflict. The emperor was a cruel and strange man, well-known for having a first of iron, made for crushing dissent and opposition. His reign was one held together by fear and mistrust. Men and women abducted from their homes in the night, entire villages and vital farmlands burned to the ground, all at the emperor's behest. It had always been a tolerated, if not shameful, aspect of culture in Iminia. Isaac grew up under this rule. He remembers seeing the Emperor's Guard, an army in its own right, marching to raze a church that belonged to a dissident priest in his village. The Guard nailed the door shut with the priest inside before setting the building ablaze. That day was forever set into Isaac's memory, and will be there until he dies. The military had never had any part in this oppression, as the emperor preferred to trust these horrible duties to his own Guard. Roughly three months ago, the Emperor executed one of his most prominent generals for speaking out against the widespread suffering the common people faced. Many of the remaining generals, along with much of their men, began a rebellion which now split the Empire of Iminia in two. Isaac's platoon leader, James, had approached his trainees just as the rebellion was beginning, and promised an immediate promotion to full Ranger status if they came with him to join the rebellion. All but one of Isaac's fellow trainees took the offer, and they left that night, taking with them all the weapons and supplies they could. They all had grew up resenting the system that oppressed them, and were filled with an idealistic fury at the death of a general many of the soldiers revered. Ever since then, Isaac's life consisted of moving from remote camp to remote camp, occasionally scouting or skirmishing with Royalist forces alongside more experienced men. He was new, and so he was never trusted with any of the more important missions handed off to the veteran Rangers. It frustrated him. He wanted to prove his worth, but was given no opportunities to do so. And so, he now found himself in yet another remote camp, this time in a solitary clearing in the deep heart of Ravenguard Forest, on the northern edge of the Empire, waiting. "Up and at 'em, boys." He was pulled out of his daydream by a gruff voice at the entrance of the tent. The voice belonged to Marius, Isaac's direct squad leader. "We've got campfires to the south." Unexpected campfires meant Royalist soldiers. Isaac hauled himself off of his cot, planting his feet firmly on the ground as he filed out of the tent alongside side the rest of the rangers in his squad. He had better hope his training up to this point was enough. My challenges Hey everyone! So, better late than never for my first challenge. 1: Build Endurance by walking or jogging daily. I've recently found this fun app called Zombies, Run! and it has really been helping me enjoy jogging by providing a fun, game-related system and interesting audio stories. I have always wanted to take my cardio more seriously, and this is a great chance! 2: Scout the Region (Go hiking at least twice this week). I am a huge fan of hiking, and now that it is getting warmer, I feel like this will really help improve my mood and indulge in the part of me that loves exploration. 3: Write Reports (Journal). I have a journal, but I am terrible about writing in it. So, I am committing to writing in it at least three times this week. 4: Prepare for Combat (Strength/Weapon Training). I will commit to doing additional strength training outside of my usual gym time. This can be anything from bodyweight training, to practicing proper form and technique with some of the wooden weapons I have at home! 5: Scavenge to Supplement Rations (Monitor Diet). I will be more strict with my calorie intake, as I often find myself snacking too much for not real reason other than it being a bad habit. So I will work towards eliminating my snacking while eating better foods to keep me satisfied longer, while trying my best to stay at or just under my caloric intake goal daily. I'm new to all of this, so please tell me if you think my story is too long or convoluted, or if there is something I'm not doing or doing wrong! Thanks so much to everyone!

Morning crept up over the horizon on the shore of a small island. The red sand shimmered and gleamed as the rays began to tickle them and spread warmth across the deserted beach. On the very edge of the beach, was a small figure. She was disheveled, her long brown hair tangled and knotted and green eyes were red from tears. Her toes had dug themselves into the cool sand and she sat curled with her arms hugging her knees. There were no tears now, they had dried themselves up and she looked weary. As the sun ran across her and began to warm up the sand around her, she blinked and closed her eyes, a look of peace coming over her face. Yes, it was time. She leaned back and stood up, shaking the loose sand from her baggy clothes. They were very large, hiding a large frame and the draping fabric made her look even bigger. She looked out to the ocean and smiled, a determined look in her eye. “I will return.” she said, looking out at the dark water longingly, before turning and leaving the beach. Hello all, my name is Cassandra and I’m a mermaid who has been banished to the land and longs to return to the sea. I’ve allowed myself to descend deep into emotional and physical depths in my time, but I know that if I work hard I can become happy and healthy with my new lot. Perhaps it will even allow me a chance to return to my home! I suppose in general, I wish to become a fierce warrior and healthier to boot! I’d love if you’d help and follow me on my journey to be a better me. Also, anyone know where I can get a decent kelpshake around here? One of the worst things I miss from home… But I suppose that’s the lot of a landlubber! My goals for the first month of my new journey are as follows! 1. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (exercise for at least 30 minutes, x5 days a week) 2. I ate what? (keep a record of the food I eat, be it through pictures or trackers) 3. It’s a masterpiece! (finish x4 pictures of my art to-do list every week) <- please note I work very quickly on art, so this could all be done in one day if I sat down and did it, tbh 4. Rinse and Repeat (up my laundry game and do x2 full loads every week) I have already had a tutorial week since my introduction to this amazing community and have nearly fully succeeded in my goals! Okay, well I made the exercise goals and missed the first day for food… And no art… But I’m working on it and I’m striving to work that much harder! After all, who doesn’t want to level up and be an amazing, fierce, mermaid warrior?!

I was watching several proper form videos to make sure and I'm doing things right when a fitness "guru" mentioned he was trying the no sitting challenge for 30 days. I know sitting too much is bad for our health, so is standing too much. Has anyone else tried it? Is it really that much of a benefit to not sit so much? Also, what if you have a job that requires sitting? I'm looking into a standing desk for my work, but standing too much it's good either! I'm thinking of trying the challenge if it's a good idea.

Soooooo! I am getting in on this new challenge too! Last challenge was a sort of "grand" return to these fine forums, and I had a lovely time doing it, and could not wait to sign up or volunteer as tribute for the new challenge! My goals in four parts are thus, this time, not all fitness oriented, because Summer's coming and I have art to make! 1) I have a FitBit. Time to make use of it's nifty app. I'm aiming to hit my step goal (10,000) everyday, but the goal is more to track food, water, sleep, and calories in/out. I tracked calories last challenge with a different app, but I am trying to take advantage of the Fitbit's all-in-one-stop-shop-ness. (This is the "pattern" part of my title, in that I am trying to sort out my eating, drinking, sleeping patterns) 2) Here's where things get more interesting, and a bit more... ME. I am building a Rick for DragonCon (ala Rick & Morty), I've not been publicizing this, but I try to bring a new puppet down every year. I've been leaning on #PuppetCapaldi from Doctor Who (you can google it, I actually show up!) but his tenure as The Doctor is ending and I feel the need to move to a new puppet. #PC is still coming with, I might even give him a new hair cut (wig). But his days are numbered. I LOVE having grumpy old man puppets, I don't know why. So I am making a Rick with mechanical eyes and brow. This is a huge step in my mechbuilding, and I am attending the National Puppetry Conference in June (during this challenge) to pick up tips from the incredible Jim Kroupa, who I studied with last year, and just wrap my brain around it all and STOP BEING SO SCARED OF JUST TRYING TO BUILD SOMETHING. Anyway, it's going to be a lot of work, but it's going to be fantastic, I hope. 3) JAPANESE. I am trying to head back to Japan to study Kuruma Ningyou Puppetry with a master there. I've been invited, which is stellar, but I want to brush up and rebuild my Japanese. Right now I have been using Memrise (I've paid for it at a discount), and I just need to keep up once-a-day practicing. This will be most difficult when I am at The O'Neill (Puppet Conference mentioned above) but I can make it work. And if I fall off the wagon, I can climb back on. Just trying to keep it a priority. Japan is freaking amazing and I need to go back. 4) My last part of my goal was going to be veganism, but I am not sure. Really it was going to be "Freeganism" because I wasn't going to complain if someone made me something that had egg in it, or dairy, I am just not that picky, or pretentious. But for myself at home, I was going to cut out dairy and animal byproducts. I am still on the fence about how much a actually care about this though. I am a vegetarian and have been for 15+ years, so that's not going anywhere... but veganism interests me, I just don't have the commitment to it. That said, I am interested in trying it out, veganism with intent rather than vegan-by-accident. Maybe I'll book mark that for the next challenge. PROPER GOAL 4) Zombie 5K Training. I tried this last challenge and utterly, utterly failed. I just couldn't get my schedule to fit it in. I am attempting 3 evenings (or mornings?) a week with this app. I just need to do it. I intend to keep up running at The O'Neill, so that's a goal the conference won't shove-off. And maybe I'll eat a bunch of vegan lentils after. Oh, and keep running shoes and clothes in a bag in my car, with an inhaler, so I am always ready to go. That's about it, I would still love accountabilibuddying! It helped me SO MUCH last challenge!

Hello all, I've fallen off the internet a bit, but I am clawing my way back to the forums and just in time for the 4 week challenge! I'm setting out my goals as such (from the nifty worksheet): Put House in Order (Konmari Method) 4 Weeks of Calorie Counting, goal is 1,200/day Zombie 5K Meal Plan for the week, and making one shopping day. I have already started the KonMari method of putting my house in order, but I am hoping I can finish it up in these 4 weeks. My reward to myself (another chore) is to paint my living room when I am done. Hello, Batcave upgrade! I'm also trying to measure my calorie intake. Somewhat as a diet plan, but also because I like collecting information like that, and I feel like I can't help but course correct decision making if I am actively keeping track. Using "MyFitnessTracker" which I saw suggested by someone in the FaceBook Group. Zombie 5K, I'm using the Zombie Run 5K app, and it's time to get back to it. I am on week 3 now, so will be working through the program in the next four weeks. And meal prep/planning. I'm trying to save money this way too, by making my grocery shopping an all at once errand, and not picking up more than I need as the days go on. It should mean more time for running and gardening after work. Monday is my shopping day, with planning going into it on Sunday. That's about it... but really, I'd love some help with accountability. I am thrilled that as I write this the "MyFitnessTracker" pinged my phone and told me I hadn't logged my lunch today... which is true, I've not had a chance to eat lunch today. Planning will help with this, I do hope. Any plans? Ideas? Friendly advice? RECIPE IDEAS? I need all the help and suggestions I can get there, I love them. I'm a vegetarian, if that makes any difference. Paleo-ish, but not super much. I eat pretty healthy already. But recipe ideas make me happy! PS, if you're interested in my big mega plan, I filled out the worksheet here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHD01rm1i72EPEqmMX8NEBuE3GMinTrkeWV0nxZ0rNo/edit?usp=sharing

LOADING... Hey guys, I feel like I'm currently in the "loading screen" portion of life, meaning that I'm finally getting my head in the game and my butt off the couch, but I'm not sure what the game is. This is a place of anticipation and expectancy, however. I'm finally facing my fear of commitment to myself! I've been making small changes in my life despite the fear of failure or the fear that I'll somehow be the ONE person on earth that making healthy changes doesn't work on. I have some basic goals for this challenge (which I forgot to post about LAST Sunday) and hopefully throughout this week my mystery theme for this challenge will reveal itself~ Consistency is Key - 1. Keep a food log of every meal eaten during the week 2. Keep an exercise log of every bit of exercise done during the week 3. Drink 3L of water every day Teamwork makes the Dream Work! - Have one miscellaneous community workout weekly (Ask my friends to play frisbee/basketball/Quidditch/ect.) I'm really looking forward to putting some success on my sleeve this challenge. I wonder what'll happen! How will this unfold.

Hello! I feel like I've started so many new threads to manage and all. For a brief recap of my respawn and daily logs: I'm Elliott, I'm from Alaska, been a long-time lurker/Rebel. Been primarily sedentary due to a back and leg injury back in 2015, still have trouble with getting around and pain. Don't have a physical therapist or a doctor, my life sucks. Husband's work has comp'd him with a brand new gym membership for the two of us thanks to new benefits structure So... I've started my daily log here and my character sheet here, and I figured it would be nice to get involved with a challenge, since I had the good fortune to walk back into the Rebellion right before one starts this weekend. So, here are my quests for this challenge, based on goals I've already identified: 1) Workout regularly Do a treadmill/elliptical walk followed by resistance band work and stretches 3x a week. Probably Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or something. Aiming for 10 minutes walking, as possible. Some days are bad leg days, and that's okay. Those are days we work more on getting stretchy. On days that I just. can't. do. stairs, I will do stretches and resistance bands at home. 2) Drink more water I'm bad at hydrating, so making a specific goal of drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day is helpful. I have a washed out juice container that I use, and now I'll need to be more diligent to drink. I'm gonna try to set hourly reminders in my phone to drink a couple ounces, so that I make my goal. Also, make sure I drink water before meals. That's gotta help, right? Common wisdom says drinking water before meals helps fill you up, and lord knows I can use that. 3) Work toward getting a regular physical therapist. So, I don't know that I can actually pull the trigger on this one any time soon, since I am unemployed and hubby and I are living on just his paycheck, but we recently got insurance through the ACA market (woo!) and so I should really figure out getting some actual, doctor-led rehab done Go over our insurance plan for exclusions on physical therapy by 4/1/17 Research local out-patient clinics in town and rates (and, let's not kid myself, any financial plans they've got set up) by 4/10/17 Call clinics to see if they're accepting patients by 4/15/17 Points: Man, I used to get so hung up on points, and I see that some folks are using them, but I think I wanna do something different and just register my "grade" for the challenge on two things: How often I did the things I said I'd do, and how I felt each week. I hope to update this log every couple days, and maybe on Saturdays write a recap and a weekly grade. Maybe that will be more useful to me than numbers or letters. Who knows. Here we go meow!

I am Odinson_Rising, and I am...unworthy. That, however, will not always be the case. I will find my path, and I will lift my hammer once more. There is plenty of work to be done before that happens, though. I feel it's reasonable to say that I've recently experienced what felt like my own personal Ragnarok. In the aftermath of these life-altering events, I've come to realize that, although I can't control all the things, I want to be smarter, stronger, fitter, and more flexible, so that I can not only endure the challenges of life, but thrive under the worst conditions. I feel like this challenge is a good (nth) first step. First I will continue my exercise rituals. I need to adjust a little bit, so my plan is now to work out at least 5 days a week, with six being preferable, and the 7th being an active recovery day. That means five committed workout days, allowing for some variance during the week, if necessary. Metric=workout commitment met. 5 days=A, 4 days=B, 3 days=C, 2 days=D, fewer=F Second I will continue my studies. I need to dial in my goals a little better, as far as how much studying I'm going to do. As such, I will read(STUDY) for at least 30 dedicated minutes everyday. I will schedule these minutes on my calendar, and I will honor this commitment at least five days a week, with seven being preferable. I'm allowing two variance days each week. Additionally, I will task stack throughout my day. At the end of each day, I will review my activities, and see if I could have task stacked anywhere during that day. I don't have a way to grade this yet, but I'm writing my activities down in an honesty log so I can remember to reflect on them later. Metric=Days studied. 5 days=A, 4 days=B, 3 days=C, 2 days=D, fewer=F Third, I will be looking to increase my water intake. All too often, I replace water with Rockstar. So, I will log all of my water intake, and will shoot for a 2 Liter goal. Metric=volume consumed daily, averaged each week. 2L=A, 1.5L=B, 1L=C, .5L = D, and less than that =F As with many other aspects of my life, I need to regain control of my nutrition. I've enjoyed the keto diet in the past, and I'm going back to that for now. In an effort to give myself tools for controlling my nutrition, I'm hopping on the Keto Chow bandwagon for a while. I've been making and drinking the shakes for a week now, and I enjoy them, which is a plus. For this quest, I'll focus on two macro targets. I will hit my target macros of 121g protein and less than 30g carbohydrates daily. I get 52g protein and 6g (net) carbohydrates from my twice daily shakes. this leaves me responsible for 49g protein and under 24g carbs, spread over the remainder of the day. Metric=yes/no. yes/yes=4 points, yes/no=2 points, no/no=0 points, measured daily, and averaged each week. A=4 points B=3 points C=2 points D=1 point F=0 points GPA = (#POINTS EARNED)/4 I will be treating this, and all future challenges like a GPA, and 2.0+ will be required to call the challenge successful. In addition, I will be able to look back on my challenges and reapproach failed quests in order to improve on them.

Battle Log: 12FEB17 Today my first four week challenge begins. Hopefully, I can stay on track. I have 3 goals: a different workout 3-5 days/week (each workout taken from my various Pinterest pins), eliminating wheat from my diet, and clearing some clutter from my habitat. Tonight's workout courtesy of Obese to beast vlog: 30 second plank x 2 (1 at beginning, 1 at end) 10 jumping jacks x 4 10 hand release push ups x 4 10 lunges (each leg) x 4 5 burpees x 4 No wheat. Reorganized shed. Found 9 articles of clothing to donate, another 6 to reuse as rags. Day one:

OMG I just attempted the Beginner Body Weight Workout for the first time!! and can I just say... It kind of kicked my ass!! But this is definitely woot worthy for me because I was sitting here on the sofa just checking some emails and suddenly a nerd fitness email popped up that said : YOUR FIRST QUEST: Complete your first strength training workout! And, tbh, I wasn't really feeling it. . . Buuuuut then I did it anyway! I only completed one circuit (I couldn't do it three times) but I am still going to congratulate myself on giving it a try and pushing myself. Yes, I had to pause for multiple seconds between each push up (even though I had to do the alternative one on my knees it was still SO hard) but I did ten of them! Yes, it might have taken 8 minutes or so to do those ten, but I still put in the effort and got em done! By the end of the workout I was panting, sweating, and feeling a little dizzy, so I decided to cool off and stretch. In the past I would have forced myself to do the workout three times, I would have felt like a failure, I would have felt guilty, but this time I remembered what nerd fitness is all about. That its about small changes and maintainable effort. It isn't about killing yourself or pushing to the point of pain. And because I didn't push myself to the point of pain or "this isn't fun i hate it", I'm actually looking forward to doing it again this weekend!!!! So woot woot!

Hello! I'm stoked about starting up here! My challenge is to do a high intensity workout at least four days a week, and do "the angry birds challenge" two days a week, as well as keep my eating clean with a 90% success rate, and when I DO slip up on eating that it doesn't become a complete backslide. "No two bad days in a row" thats my challenge for me, I'm working out at home because before I get a gym membership I'd like to show myself I'll actually go and use it. so that's my challenge!

IIIIIIIITTT'S TIME! From the lands of Brazil comes Duke Proteus, a noble warrior of House Pandaren seeking the ultimate prize: who's the leanest by February 8th! For this a I have the HONOR to request my latino heat brother in arms, @The Shogun! Our mutual goal is 110 kilos. I also would like to invite @Br0din, @Laghail, @Sam Ashen and @Volki for mediation and motivation DA RULES: We are Fasting Warriors! To use this powerful tool is to fight compulsion. We fast! Move as you must, push if you want and lift if you can It's free, it's fun! The first prize is 100 XP. I know, it's a big reward, right? Listen kid, I'm fighting a Moderator! Aaand it would be My First Level Up! Come ON!? The second prize is 5 attribute points, even if they don't use it. I NEED POWERUPS!!1! That's it! May the best historical authority title win!!!

So far the only consistency I have managed with the monthly challenges is not finishing them. After skipping a month, this will be my third try. REBEL CHALLENGE: Diet 96 oz water per day ( 30 Day Habit Challenge ) Nutrition: No fast food Fitness Reach NF Level 13 (Currently just under NF Level 10) Level 12 Fitness: Complete one month of workouts ( Strength 3x Week= 12 total) | Level Up Your Life Plan Summer Road Trip Vacation with son 1x per week = Hit that mark! LOOT$$$ Loot for staying with this challenge to the end- Set of Gymnastic Rings

First Challenge, woo! *puts on crazy motivational music* Where I want to be: Strong enough to climb rocks and trees and anything else. Fit enough to run away if I'm chased by a Zombie, and climb over any obstacles in my way. Able to cook delicious, good-for-us food for my family on a consistent basis to keep us functioning at our best. Weight the right amount to get top surgery without a surgeon assuming I'm going to spontaneously explode on the operating table. Rich as Croesus (will settle for financial independence). Where I am right now: What is push-up? That zombie better have no legs, or I'm on the menu. (Hell, I'm probably still on the menu anyway... Come back, lung capacity, I miss you!) I can food, kind of, but need a LOT more practise. I have a spare 20kg or so of body fat I don't need any more. Any takers? While I'm technically self-employed, my primary market bottomed out a couple months ago. Currently flailing and living on Centrelink payments while trying to come up with viable income-generating alternatives. Still managing to invest some dollars on the regular, though. The first steps to getting from here to there: Hit my step goal every day. Current step goal: 5,264 The trick is, every day that I hit my step goal, I add minimum 10 steps to the goal for tomorrow. If I hit my step goal 300 days out of the year, that means I'm walking an extra 3,000 steps compared to the beginning of the year. Kaizen in action, yo! I'm tracking this using Google Fit on my phone. Eventually I want to get a fitness tracker again (I lost mine a few years ago and haven't had the funds for a replacement), but right now I'm using what I have. Bonus: if I make 30 days in a row achieving my step goal, I get to mark something off my Epic Quest! Meditate three days a week, for at least 5 minutes each time. I'm tracking this using Calm on my phone. Meditating regularly will help me get control of my brain and hopefully reduce my executive function issues, or at least make me more aware of when I'm experiencing them. It also ties in nicely to: Spend some time every week engaging with my Future Vision, writing my "What's Better?" list and using self-coaching journalling techniques to pull my life forwards. This is based on Mark Forster's Goal Achievement Method, as set out in his book "How To Make Your Dreams Come True". I've deliberately left out a time/day minimum as boxing in the process runs counter to the end goal - utilising the power of the subconscious mind to pull you towards your goals, rather than having to push against mental barriers.

So, here we go! I'm going to commit to my first challenge. I'm posting here in the Rebels forum because I'm not entirely sure of what guild I fit in - although I have some hunches. My background and what I do most often would put me on the fence of Monk and Druid. I could probably lean toward one or the other depending on the goals I plan out but for now I'll stay neutral. I also found that awesome character/guild generator quiz and plan on using it to help sway me and it's just really fun. I was always an RPG fan. Q1: Daily Meditation: Trying to find 5 minutes a day to meditate; also would like to do 15 minutes of Ki breathing at least twice a week. Q2: Workout 3-4x/Week: Planning to start the Couch to 5k workout which helps gain traction on one of my EQs. Other bodyweight workouts, yoga or strength training at the gym. Q3: Meal Planning: I need to better plan the meals I take with me to work. Planning on Sunday nights for the week or packing leftovers from dinner the night before to take the next day to avoid grabbing whatever I find or buying lunch in the cafe at work. Q4: Reading: I would like to read more - this could be books, articles, websites, etc. One night a week set aside to reading for at least an hour, no tv, no phone, just reading. I'm sure I'll come back to either edit or expand this, but I needed to get something down to help me get started. Super noob, first challegne on NF even though I've been a member of the Academy for over a year. I have also joined Rising Heroes and will be incorporating that into my challenge goals as well. - 60W

For my first challenge I’m picking tasks that are just that... challenging. However unlike other times in my life I’m not setting the bar so high that it is unattainable. These things are small improvements I can absolutely commit to and build upon! Fitness: Do something that promotes fitness and wellness for 20 minutes (or more every day for the challenge (up to +7/ week) Dietary: Eat 2 (or more servings of vegetables every day. (up to +7/ week) Level up my life: Schedule my day the night before. Having a plan makes reaching my goals significantly more attainable. I find it way to easy to slack off when I don’t have a plan. “If you aim for nothing you will hit it every single time.” (up to +7/ week) Level up my life: Try something new. Last month I tried a new class and it was so nerve wracking, terrifying and freaking amazing I’m challenging myself to find something new to do again! (+10)

Here I go, trying yet again to organize my life despite my affinity for chaos. So many goals, so many challenges ahead, and yet so much accomplished in 2016 that I'm confident and optimisitic. 2016 was a year of improvements for me: I lost around 50 lbs, give or take 10 or so depending on my bloat level. I got a new job that I don't hate with a passion (used to regularly tempt myself with the idea of hopping into traffic on the way to work, not to kill myself but because an injury would mean at least a day off). I began dressing like an adult- no more hoody and jeans for this guy, as I type this, I'm wearing corderoys, a collared shirt, shawl necked cardigan, and a dress shirt with a Star Wars tie (gotta rep the nerd in me). 2017 is going to continue the trend or kill me as I try. I've got multiple long term goals and a few short termers laid out. Long-ish Term Goal: Run a half Marathon by September- Diet/ Fitness Goal # 1- Do Couch 2 5k/Zombies Run 3 times a week without exception- If I can maintain that pace, I should finish the C25K by March and be able to meet my goal of September. This should assist me in... Long-ish Term Goal: Hit 185ish lbs by April- (Vacation time) Diet/ Fitness Goal #2- Maintain keto 6 days a week- I've had really good luck doing the CKD... kinda. My wife doesn't do it with me so its a difficult lifestyle situation. However, I was able to lose quite a bit of weight with a 5 day a week program. If I can maintain 6 days a week, I should reach my long term goal, exepecially with... Diet/ Fitness Goal # 3- Resistance training 3 times a week- I'm getting a sleeve tattoo done this Saturday so, while I naturally have okay definition, I really need to start trying to build some muscle (I don't want to be showing off my new tat on a spaghetti noodle), expecially with the running and keto diet. Life Goal: Quit Smoking This is already underway. As we speak, I'm jittery and longing to take a nice long drag on that sweet cancer-causing, lung-destroying, burning roll tobacco. It's especially difficult because I don't dislike smoking, I actually enjoy the act itself, I'm just very aware of all the negatives. So I'm 2 days in now, it wasn't really a resolution but I promised my wife I would quit with the new year so now I'm stuck. Also, this should go a long way to helping me with me with my fitness goals. Will Jayfive succeed in his quests? Will his love for lying about smoking cigarettes while eating carby foods and playing video games on the couch overcome his deep desire for self improvement? Will he be able to maintain his discipline? Will he get caught by the zombies? WIll his tattoo look good? Find out on our next episode- same nerd time, same nerd channel.