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My first challenge as a Ranger... Yay! . Supremely happy to be here. Just finished strong with my first challenge over with the Recruits, and now I'm chomping at the bit for the next challenge. Note on the name...can't change it until I get 90+ approved posts, but Raven Firestorm is what I use over at the Academy... I'm working on fixing a "posterior tibular tendinitis" issue, which kind of puts a damper on a lot of the physical stuff I'd really like to be doing.... No long bouts of walking, hiking, or anything even mid-range impact. But I think I've come up with a plan that will keep me going until this pesky issue is taken care of. Every firestorm starts with a spark, right? So here goes... Q1: Complete a minimum of a 10 min. daily meditation. Grading will be based upon the percentage of days completed for the full duration of the challenge. Hoping to gain some WIS and STA for this one. Now granted, this isn't exactly a very physical challenge, but I've always imagined Rangers as types who have complete control of their emotions. They can turn things off and on at the flip of a switch in order to be able to focus on the sh** that has to get done. Seriously, if you're in the middle of a battle, you've got to be in the zone! My focus ability is sporadic at best ") so I'm borrowing one from the Druids on this one and leveling up my mind muscles. (Note, no issues with tendinitis on this one ) Q2: Find some way to get in 20 min of cardio every day. Grading will be based upon the percentage of days completed for the full duration of the challenge. Hoping to gain some STR, DEX, and STA with this one. I'm really a noob, I mean really a noob. Not particularly overweight, but WAY out of shape. The way I see it, Rangers have to be able to run the hundred miles even before they get to the battle. And then they've got some more kicking a** to do. I'll be working on my strength training per my usual Academy prescribed routine, but I also know that I need that stamina! Since anything with impact on my arch is out, I'm looking at swimming, rowing machine, biking (stationary or road), kayaking, or juggling (upper body until I can get back to using my legs). Any other suggestions would be helpful since I've pretty much run out of ideas at this point, and I like variety. Q3: Track a 1410 calorie meal plan on MyFitnessPal every day for the duration of the challenge. Half of the grading will be based upon the percentage of days logged for the duration of the challenge, and half the grading will be based upon my ability to keep to the 1410 calories (I'm giving myslelf some flexibility per day + or - some calories, as long as the overall average stays as close as possible to 1410). I'm hoping to gain some STA, CHA, and WIS with this one. Here's the kicker... I'm mostly vegan, and gluten intolerant. Yup! ;P this is going to be a real experiment to see how my strength, and stamina are affected. I've been working on gaining strength for a month or so, and I'm finally starting to feel my body getting stronger, but I really want to start addressing my body fat percentage. Currently it's been sticking at about 30%, and my ultimate goal is to get down to about 20%. Now, how am I going to reduce my body fat while maintaining my muscle? I don't know if this is going to work, but I figure I've got to start somewhere. If anyone has had experience with this, I'd appreciate some input. I might crash and burn, but the flames should be fun to watch! I've got a couple of vegan bodybuilding books that I'm using as my guideposts... Wish me luck? LQ: I love these quests! My last one was spent keeping my kitchen counters clear of dirty dishes. I turned into the dish Nazi and couldn't be happier! . I am now going to invoke the powers of the laundry witch and see if I can't magic up some ability to overtake the laundry demon that has possessed my house. One load of laundry a day... That's the deal. Trust me that barely even begins to cover it. I have two and a half boys (aged 9, 12, and 40 respectively). We all participate in some type of physical activity. Soccer practice alone 5 days a week! My boys and I have school uniforms, then there's our dog, 5 bedrooms, ... 'Nough said? I think I did over 15 loads of laundry during Memorial Day weekend... and I didn't even finish! I'm hoping to gain some CHA with this one. Grading will be based upon the percentage of days of the total challenge that I wash AND fold AND put away a load of laundry. So I'll be hanging around doing some prep work before the challenge starts (mostly with the diet stuff). And I'm putting together my ideas for the mini challenges . Totally psyched! Can't wait to see what everyone else has planned!