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My mother died in October (at age 85). My daughter got married in October, and she and her new husband are starting to talk about having kids. This has prompted some new soul searching on my part - and some thinking about what I want to accomplish in my life. And some thinking about what I want to BE as a grandma. (Disclaimer - my daughter is not yet pregnant and doesn't plan to have kids for 2 years, which gives me time to lose 40 pounds .....) I was a "cool mom." My daughter looks back on her childhood with fondness - at horseback riding and rock climbing and hockey and soccer and cheerleading and theater and Girl Scouts and videogames - and appreciates how she had freedom and support (I was involved in everything but cheer) to do a lot of different things. That kinda ended when she went to college and I began to slide into habits of an empty nester. I gradually started to internalize the messages that say "you shouldn't be doing that" or "you shouldn't dress like that now that you're over 40/50/60/whatever." Truth is, I want to have FUN and BE FUN. I want to be the grandma that shows my grandkids how to do cartwheels and handstands. Takes them rock climbing. Knows the names of all the constellations and birds .... and who will dig for worms, go swimming, take them hiking, and can help them find well-hidden geocaches. I don't want to be like all of the grandmas in my family (who are, unfortunately, sedentary lumps perched on top of atrophied, skinny legs) who sit around doing needlecraft, or bake a lot of unhealthy foods, or sit in front of TV or computer. I want to beat the expectations of my family and avoid the stereotypes of what a middle-aged woman does and how she dresses and acts. Specific goals will evolve over time, but .... there's the current list!!! Fitness Lose weight and gain muscle (127 lbs and 21% BF by May 2017 - when my daughter will graduate with her Ph.D.) Do a chin up unassisted (again) Do a crow pose Do a handstand Travel Go to Greece Go to Rome Go to London Do the Unexpected Blackbelt in karate Do a Zombies Run Do the ZR Virtual Race Volunteer as a zombie at a Zombie Run Do a bubble run Do a color run Do an obstacle course run Do a 5K Do a 10K Do a half-marathon Bike to work (at least during decent weather ....) Keep Learning Master's Degree Doctorate Learn modern Greek Get my Personal Trainer Certification Defeat the Fashion Police Wear tights and a tunic Wear tights with a skirt

Hi, I am working towards the one arm pull-up (not the one when you hold your wrist or shoulder....or whatever else) and I´d like to ask if there is someone who already achieved it and how..... I know there is a lot of videos and blogs and other forums on the internet on this topic but I´d like to ´´meet´´ someone who has already done it and ask some questions like... How many 2 handed pull ups should I be able to do before attempting OAP? Should I get there thru the weighted 2 handed pullups or follow progressions? (archer pullups, typewriters, around the world, 2finger->1finger) What do you think about machines supporting your weight? (think its called gravitron) Also if you got your OAPs recorded it would also be nice to see....

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

Ok, for real this time, I really REALLY want to get going with my chin ups and pull ups!! We've had an ongoing battle over the last two challenges, and so far I've lost. It's been a wee bit discouraging. No more! Even though I will never have this level of fluffy-tailed greatness, this guy is still my role model Main Quest: Achieve chin up (and then maybe even pull up) glory Quest #1: Keep up with the Beginner Bodyweight Workout 3x per week, gradually adding difficulty. Make sure to keep up the good stretching work! Reward: +4 STR +1 DEX Quest #2: Follow the Pre-Armstrong Pull up Program on non-BBWW days. Also, make a tracking chart.http://armstrongpullupprogram.com/the-pre-armstrong-workout-for-pull-up-beginners/ Reward: +5 STR Quest #3: Don't help the gravity nemesis. Eat well! Eat only 7 servings of grains or sugary treats per week. Also, REMINDER: two bowls of cheesy popcorn does not equal one serving. No cheating. Reward: +3 CON Quest #4: Floss floss floss! Cause who needs plaque weighing them down? I have never ever been able to do this consistently, and I really want to start. I think I will have more success in the mornings, since at night I tend to forget / be too tired to feel like bleeding. Floss 6x per week. Reward: +1 CON +1 CHA(Shiny teeth and nice gums mean charisma power, right??) I'm also going to make a better effort to keep posting on here, even if things aren't going super well. But of course I hope it does go well Grading:A= 85 -100% completed = Full points B= 70 - 85% completed = 0.75 points C= 55 - 70% completed = 0.5 points D= 40 - 55% completed = 0.25 points F= Aint gonna happen!!

Okay, so every time I try doing pull ups, chin ups, curls, and even cable rowing, my inner forearm tendonitis comes back with a vengeance. I can't get more than a few reps in before it gets pretty bad. I tried taking a month off pulling and curling motions, and the only benefit is that the pain isn't present all the time any more. I really, really want to do my chinups. I don't care so much about curls (never have) or cable rowing (because it's lame). Barbell rows don't seem to bother me so much, but it might be the change in body mechanics putting stress on my joints differently. But as far as pull ups and stuff, it doesn't matter what grip I use. I'm strong enough now that I can do wide grip, neutral, supinated, whatever. I can fight through the pain and grind the reps out, but that's just idiocy. I've tried looking up some remedies for this and the best advice I've found thus far is stretching and rest. What I can't figure out is that it seems no matter how long I take off from doing these moves, it always comes right back. I've been dealing with this since January. I'll stop for about a month, try them, it comes right back, stop for about a month, etc. I will not be seeing a doctor unless the pain becomes an issue in other lifts or becomes constant and starts interfering with my life or my job. As it stands it's only ever been an issue during pullups, rowing, or curls. For a brief period several months ago I did try to fight through it and went on doing chin ups every day, and the pain became a constant burn all the time. I only did that for about two weeks and threw in the towel. Here we are three or four months later and the problem seems to have never resolved. Please help if you can. I miss chin ups.

Guys, I did a chin up! A real, live legitimate chin up, from fully extended arms, to chin above the bar, with NO help! I even have a witness This was a goal in my first challenge which got waylaid by an injury, so I made it a goal again this time (3rd challenge) and I FREAKING DID IT! I am officially, absolutely and incontrovertibly stronger than I was. WOOT!

The topic title says it all in a nutshell. I discovered NF back in June 2012, and my mission has been to get stronger and healthier since then. Thanks to all of Steve's posts, various different resources and my recently-purchased copy of The Rebel Strength Guide, I hit 19 chinups over 4 sets during yesterdays workout. That is my personal best. Thank you all for being there and for being like-minded! HUZZAH!!!

The topic title says it all in a nutshell. I discovered NF back in June 2012, and my mission has been to get stronger and healthier since then. Thanks to all of Steve's posts, various different resources and my recently-purchased copy of The Rebel Strength Guide, I hit 19 chinups over 4 sets during yesterdays workout. That is my personal best. Thank you all for being there and for being like-minded! HUZZAH!!!