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A few years ago, I dyed my hair blue/green/purple. People called it mermaid hair. And over the past few years, I've come to realize that I felt like I'd become a (rather subpar) mermaid--a maiden, insecure, and trying to go (but often fighting) with the current of the waters around me. There's nothing wrong with being a mermaid, but I don't much like the water. Recently, I started having visions of the dragon. Of flying. Wisdom. Strength. And I've decided to embrace this image for my next chapter. I turn 44 at the end of this challenge, and I'm bored of feeling like an insecure maiden pushed wherever the water takes me. I'm tired of constantly being underwater. It's time to level up, transform, get out of the water, and head for the skies. So I disappeared a few months ago. A catch up on recent happenings: I'm starting to feel like an adventurer again.... The Challenge: Become the Dragon Dragon Form 80,000 steps per week. Action: Aim for at least 10k steps per day. Experiment with my daily diet. I'm plateaued at a weight I don't like and while it could have been worse given the stress of the last few months, I really want to start moving down toward my goal weight again. Action: Experiment with reducing/eliminating snacks again, but also avoiding more UPF (ultra processed foods). Dragon Wings Soar, and feel like an adventurer again. I have a lot of annual leave saved up, and itchy feet. We moved to Owlshire wanting a place we'd not feel like we needed a holiday from. But that doesn't mean we never want to go anywhere! I want to take some trips with the Enting--around the UK and possibly into Europe this autumn or spring, while we're not tied to the academic calendar. Traveling alone with Enting sounds like an adventure enough! Actually, though, he's a good little traveler. But first I need to research and plan them.... Action: Begin research and planning for a trip (or trips) in the autumn. Dragon Heart Work on my confidence and banish my imposter syndrome. I'm still new to my industry and the studio has moved me up very quickly. Most of the time this is because I was already doing the role and they were just changing my title to match. And it's not like I'm a newbie out of university--I had leadership roles in past industries, too. But it all feels... way more than anything I was expecting to happen. I need to catch up in confidence and own this. Action: Daily affirmations and spiritual growth. Dragon Horde There's a lot of clutter in our castle. I want to clear out some, so the rest of our treasures can shine. I also want to go through my wardrobe and get rid of anything that doesn't suit me anymore--in fit, in style, etc. I want a wardrobe full of things I love--and wear. Action: Sort my clothes and make at least one trip to the charity shops. Other spot decluttering at least once a week. Shiny Treasure Could I be a dragon without treasure? I realized recently that while I'll probably never get a tattoo, I do really like meaningful (to me) jewelry to mark life occasions. So if I feel I succeeded at this challenge, I have permission to purchase a piece of shiny jewelry. ... onward and upward!

Hello Nerd Fitness community! I feel quite excited joining this community after having followed it for the past year and a half. There is nothing like this specialized community, and I am so proud and so honored to be a part of it. It is something that inspires me both as a fellow rebel and as an aspiring wellness enthusiast. A little about me/ my 'stats': - 20 Years Young - Four foot nine inches tall, small boned, 'delicate' appearance (too tall to be a Hobbit… but too short to be an elf; I am a hybrid of the two at this time) - Was bullied for small stature all my life - Brown belt in Hap Ki Do; had to stop trainings at age 13 to focus on studies - Artist (once considered a career in concept design) - Writer (have tons of novels in the works; I also run a blog) - Yoga Teacher in Training (going to be certified hopefully by the end of the year; early 2015 at the latest) - Semi-Self-Taught Contortionist (double jointed in legs; Ministry of Silly Walks for the win!) - Aspiring Creature Actor (in short, a Creature Actor is your typical actor playing atypical roles either in makeup- ie, Abe Sapien, Hellboy- a suit- werewolves in Underworld, the demon in Knights of Badassdom, gorilla suits- or a motion capture suit- Gollum, Caesar from Planet of the Apes, Davy Jones. I've played a child zombie in a student film and regularly attend a local horror convention known as Monsterpalooza dressed up as Samara from the Ring. My ultimate dream is to collaborate with director Guillermo Del Toro, someone I consider to be a father figure and spiritual mentor. See why next. - Survivor of emotional/psychological abuse (from age 8 all the way to 19) from a parent, whom I am now estranged from. Let's just say during that time I was at an all time low physically and mentally. This parent manipulated me and convinced several doctors I was the one with a problem. I've been accused of an ED, depression, dementia, and anxiety because this person could not admit that what they were doiing to me was wrong. Thankfully, a combination of things helped to save me: Faith/Hope, another parent, and director GDT. His films reminded me of the power of my imagination and inner strength. I wanted to stop being a victim, and stood up for myself. A child attorney helped me to break free of custody from the abusive parent and turned it over to the other one whom I live with at this time. - Currently healing from nearly a decade of poor health. My metabolism is very fast. When I was abused, I felt little need to do anything. I did not starve myself intentionally. I did nothing all do. No eating, drinking, or even reading. I literally spent my days sitting in a corner crying my eyes out thinking I did not deserve any happiness. This period of time has caught up with me. See below: - Digestive is pretty off. Not going into TMI territory, but consistency varies, even with probiotics and enzymes. - 'Diet' (I hestitate to say this, as I am not in to lose weight) is mostly plant based. I initially went all out vegan because of my yoga training and the fact that I was always sensitive to animal treatment. However, I am considering turning a new leaf (no pun intended) and dabbling with something along the lines of paleo. I still LOVE my veggies; when I was a kid, they called me popeye, because I ate tons of spinach (and strawberries… my two favorite foods; I was a weird kid). But maybe the excessive fiber is too much for me. I also have noticed that certain minerals that would otherwise require a heavy load of certain vegetables can found in a few ounces of salmon or chicken. - There are a few books I have read and taken some merit from along my health journey- The Body Ecology Diet and The Beauty Detox Solution. Both focus on digestion, and have helped mine considerably, but still I struggle. Am curious about reading Your Personal Paleo Code and Primal Blueprint - What stops me from eating more animal foods is mainly guilt, and a small fear that it will stick in my digestive tract and make my digestion worse. Several health experts claim meat can rot in your intestines for days, and I sense there is something wrong about this notion. Is there evidence to prove this correct? - Goals: Health, Strength/Tone, and Confidence. Health: Fix that gut. No more IBS, or sitting on the toilet for hours. Quick, clean, and efficient. Improve skin health; lacks a certain glow at times. I want to be healthy to fulfill my creative, health, and life's goals. It is about quality. I refuse to ever step foot in a hospital, unless I am giving birth. - Strength/Tone: Because of my small size and 'weak' appearance, growing up I was often the target for bullies. Even my fourth grade teacher made fun of me. If the wind blew, he would pick me up off the ground and shout, "Hang on, kid, the wind is going to blow you away!" In fact, it was a customary for most kids to pick me up out of no where and literally toss me up and down. What's worse is that this carried on all the way to high school. My goals right now are to radically transform my body. Something strong, flexible, and lithe. My stature and size is very small. Too much muscle makes me look bulky, but I am looking for long, lean, and functional. Like a dancer's, or a female Bruce Lee (another small guy! taller than me, but still an awesome example of immense strength without bulk; I LOVE martial arts, and he is also one of my inspirations… one day I hope to study Jeet Kune Do, Shaolin martial arts, Gung Fu, Capoeira and Ninjitsu). Abs would be nice, but my upper body is especially susceptible to being stick-thin and weak. My legs are the easiest to tone up, but overall I want a total body change. And, I do not want to devote a ton of hours each day to maintain the physique. I am looking for a good base ground that I can maintain year round. Zuzka Light, a female fitness personality, is a good example; she looks relatively the same 365 days a year. Confice: I do love how unique my body is. Before any change, I believe you must first love yourself, and where you are. I am grateful to have a body, and a damn good one at that. But, it needs a little bit of help. We have work to do, and I embrace the journey, as I change not only physically but mentally as well. Given that I aspire to work as a creature actor and yoga instructor, my body is going to be judged, and will dictate what jobs and opportunities are available to me. I am very self-conscious with my arms exposed, be it a tank or swim suit; afraid of being called anorexic (thin shaming is just as bad; body shaming in general is horrible, no matter what the size) and weak. My family does not support me in my endeavors. I grew up without a mother figure in my life… in fact, my 'mom' was the parent who abused me. And I was always a tomboy and continue to be one to this day. But there is a part of me that wonders what it means to have someone say you are beautiful. No one has ever told me that because of the fact that with my current physique and height, I could pass for a twelve year old. I am twenty years old and people think they need to help me lift things or refrain from profanity because I appear so infantile. I know I am greater than all of these things. That is why I am reaching out to this community. I need an army to help me out. There is a Dragon inside of me- a Dragon ready to be reborn and take back a life that was once denied. A life of limitless possibility and magic. I believe in the power of evolution, and the time has come for that to take place. Who is ready to join me and help me along?

Hello, fellow Rebels! I've already made an intro ( Don't Slay This Dragon! ) to myself, but I'll describe my body type to help set some background- Petite- 4 foot 9 inches tall Bone Structure- Small. Delicate. (Have been 'tiny' all my life). Fast metabolism. Ectomorph. Cons: Too much muscle gives a bulky appearance; I've been there. I end up looking more 'boxy' and get a thick waist. Dietary Restrictions: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Cannot digest dairy. Currently plant based, but have been incorporating animal foods a few times week for dinner for the past few months. Goals: Body Sculpting - Strength, flexibility, and stamina - Tone (there I said it- as any other word escapes me at the moment): Arms (especially the shoulders), core, and calves. - More flexibility; I need to be careful, however, as I am hypermobible in my back. Currently training to become a certified yoga instructor. A lithe physique. Panther like? Lean, strong. Something that can be maintained and not unrealistic (ie, NOTa bikini competitor's body). Some good examples are dancers. Zuzka Light. A body that relatively stays the same all year round, and is healthy and fit. Current Training Schedule: Mon- Strength Training, Abs, Yoga/Stretching Tue- Rest Wed- Body Pump (strength training based) class at gym, Yoga Thur- Body Combat, Martial Arts-Inspired cardio class at gym. Yoga/Stretching Fri- Yoga, Pilates Sat- Strenghth Training OR Body Pump class at gym, Yoga Sun- Yoga (light), active-rest day I was noticing subtle improvments for a while, but now I've reached a plateu, ad it seems as though nothing I can do is going to give me any muscle/tone. Weight range: 7.5- 40 pound weights; I alternate between light dummbell work and the machines at my local 24 Hour Fitness. Ideas and observations are welcome!

Sunday is the last day of my current Master's course (Final Grade 96.50% A=WIN), Next course begins 12 Oct. During this month I have a heavy event schedule. Goal 1 Do All the Stuff 20 Sep Macon Run or Dye – Team Run EPIC WIN 27 Sep Ruck March – volunteer EPIC WIN 5 Oct Destin 5k- Run /Walk -Individual EPIC WIN with a PR 11 Oct Sushi Making One Day Class – For FUN WIN Oh My Stars this was too much fun 18 Oct Martial Arts Competition - Goal compete in 3 events (adjusted by instructor) 24- 25 Oct Haunted History Tour – Guide 25 Oct Zombie Run 5K Individual (unless I can find a team to join) OBE How to achieve Goal 1 -Train for all the Stuff Be at the dojo only 3 times a week (don’t let this take over) Prepare for 18 Oct competition. (Sword form, Short Form, Fan Form, Musical Sword Form, Pairs Bo Form) Train to run no less than 1 time a week (failed at this all summer) Figure a way to do this before leaving for work. Complete 1 task on the to do list each week (failed at this since March) Sewing, Jewelry repair, House project, Garage project Support for Goal 1 - Maintenance Eat Better - drop the Pepsi Maxx habit cut back on unscheduled food intake cut back on treats Sleep Better Go to bed on time. No snooze buttons Reinforcement for Goal 1 - Injury Prevention Warm up. Knee Rehab. Move slowly with new skill. Cool down and stretch after. Worry about all the other problems and things as they come, but don't stress over it. Do what I can each day to find balance with the non strength areas (consistency, paper management, time management, procrastination, and self sabotage )

Main Quest (creative story line to be added … soon?) Quest 1 Learn it: First and foremost- My Master’s Class and Certification Training. For the next 7 weeks I am in student mode. First priority is maintaining my GPA. Quest 2 Work it: I’m tired of trying to track maintaining the house /garden/yard. These are not things I keep track of, and trying to keep track of them is making me nuts. So I’m not going to. What I am going to keep track of are what I schedule i.e.: training at the dojo, 5K training runs, walking the dogs. 5 days out of every week I will be doing something that involves me being a sweaty mess. It’s up to me to decide what days I want to do what on, as long as I do 5 a week, it doesn’t matter what activity I do. Quest 3 Track it: Keep track of what I have and have yet to do each week. Keep up with the mini quests. Keep track of when things are due. Keep track of my accountability buddies and the forums. Quest 4 Lose it: Drop 5 pounds Target 188 lbs. Have a side of happy… I’m going to go through my clothing and remove anything that is unfashionably large. For every 4 shirts I can’t wear anymore I can have 1 clearance sale new shirt. For every 2 pairs of pants I can’t wear anymore I can have 1 clearance sale new pants (only if they are work type) No single item may cost more than $15.00. I need to be properly dressed at the office but I’m not spending much time at this weight class so no need to spend a bunch of money here. This was added because a favorite outfit no longer fits properly and my décolletage is not as discreet as it should be, especially with my ID badges pinned on.

Started the week off with a personal best. 3.58 miles pace 14:59 total time 53:37 That is just shy of 5 minutes faster than I have ever run before. ... Flies like the wind.... or more honestly a light breeze.. but for me it was FAST.

Do we have any Linux wizards among us? I've been handed a work project and I really need someone to talk to about this, who could answer a few basic questions and provide me with a "go that way" nudge. Help a dragon out?

I everyone, thanks for stopping by and checking on me. This challenge finds our dragon adrift in time. Time seems to be something out of sync with her these days. So much to do so little time to do it. Jumping from one task to the next (often before the first task is complete leaving it undone.), while never seeming to get to all the things that need doing. Shes frustrated and being pulled by the forces of nature in too many directions. Paper is still attacking her. She clings to the small successes, to keep her spirits up. Weight 199.0 Final Goal Weight 145.0 Goal for this challenge 195.00 The first 30 lbs came off relatively easy, it was new fat. I had only a few years above 200. The rest has been here so long... (last time I weighed 145 was in 1990). I was 145 when I got pregnant with first baby. I gained 76 lbs with him, and never saw the lighter side of 165 after that. I finally got down to 165 and got pregnant with second baby. Never saw the lighter side of 175 after him. Got to 190 in 2006. After that every time I got close to losing something the then spouse sabotaged my workouts and my diet. I have been in this gain lose loop ever since. With the change of marital status came a fight to lose the weight. Another health battle has it jumping up the scale and then a 6 month doing it wrong period, jumped it to my highest ever. 226. Something had to give. I charged myself with undoing all the bad I have done to my body in the last 25 years. OK this is a ramble ... my apologies. ************************************* SMART Quest One: My over all mission and reason I’m here is to lose weight, get strong, so I can be healthy. Be a comfortable size 12. There is no way to lose 53 lbs. in one challenge. So I am focusing on losing 5 lbs. Weight 199.0 Final Goal Weight 145.0 Goal for this challenge 195.00 How will I do this? Moving I will continue to run with the NWFTC on Tuesdays 4 runs out of the 6 weeks Bonus points for talking to 2 new people I will attend Tai Chi classes 2 days a week 12 classes out of the 6 weeks Go through short form opening sequence at least twice each day. I will upkeep the yard I will spend time in the garden 3 days a week at least 10 mins I will continue to make yard improvements that are cost zero or inexpensive where free is impossible. 18 garden work days out of the 6 weeks SMART Quest Two Reduce the number of objects in my world. Purge the habit of buying new things that are fun to have but just end up taking up space. Just as it is not reasonable to lose all the weight I need and want to in one quest, the monumental task of clearing out my world will take longer than one challenge. Purge I will clear my desk of paper File what must be kept Shred what has collected in the shred bin Go through one 1/2 drawer of file cabinet I will clear my closet of what no longer fits Try on and remove any item that no longer fits properly Even if it fits if I look Frumpy in it ... it goes. Crafting Mending I will move sewing table into the new craft area created last quest. I will tackle the sewing jobs that have accumulated since I lost my sewing space. Sprucing up I will chose 4 of the house decor projects to complete. By necessity they will be small in scope projects that can be completed in less than a single day. Cost zero/ under $40 projects ********************************************* Check back to see the Dragon's Saga Intro... (still being written)

EPIC QUEST Turn into At end of previous challenge More details on my Epic Quest, and my regular lifting workouts, are in my battle log. MOTIVATION To be happy, healthy, sexy, and inspire awe. QUESTS for this CHALLENGE Objective #1: Drop 6 lbs of Fat Fat = (-0.082 x weight [lbs]) + (4.15 x waist [inches]) – 94.42 Taking starting measurement in the morning Objective #2: Raise the Dragon (Flag) This; lower, better, more . . . Objective #3: Fly the Dragon (aka. develop a back lever) Turn this . . . Into this . . .

I went big on my first two challenges. Too big. Too many changes and flights of fancy nothing sustainable and translatable into the real world. This challenge I’m going to try something else. I got caught up in the mindset that everyone else is doing all these wonderful energetic and healthy super things. I should do something every day… but I don’t. I plan it out. Life comes in and turns it over. I struggle to arrange my life into unfamiliar patterns. This results in unrealistic time expenditures and an overall feeling of failure. So I’m not going to fall for that this time. My Mission. Lighten the Load ~ both within my body and within my domain SMART Quest One: My over all mission and reason I’m here is to lose weight, get strong, so I can be healthy. Be a comfortable size 12. There is no way to lose 80 lbs in one challenge. So I am focusing on losing 5lbs. Weight at the beginning of the challenge 214.5 (Side note I have been fighting this battle since I decided I had to lose 80lbs December 27, 2012 I weighed 211. I made it down to 198 in Feb 2013, but then I made a series of dietiary mistakes thinking not having a scale would help and ballooned to 226. So now here I am no closer to my goal but making headway against the weight I gained this winter) How will I do this? Join in on the NWFTC Run on Tuesday. (Bonus for talking to 2 new people at the run) Miss the run day - make it up on my own, must bring all three dogs with me. Join in on Hot Yoga on Thursday. (Bonus for attending one other class during the week or weekend) Miss the class - Make up another class on Fri/Sat/Sun Eat Better Strip pantry and fridge of all junk food (Bonus for not giving into stress/comfort snacking) My Paleo /Primal friendly foods only (with the oatmeal and the dairy components) SMART Quest Two Reduce the number of objects in my world. Purge the habit of buying new things that are fun to have but just end up taking up space. Just as it is not reasonable to lose all the weight I need and want to in one quest, the monumental task of clearing out my world will take longer than one challenge. So I am focusing on 4 rooms of my house. (front bedroom/back bedroom/little bath/kitchen) How will I do this? Each area will be stripped of all objects, but the heaviest of furniture. Carpets cleaned/Wall repair/Touchup paint or Wall cleaning/Fixture cleaning/Furniture cleaned and polished. Purchase of new light fixtures and decor disallowed. Only objects that serve a purpose, have value to me, or belong there will be allowed to return to that room. All others shall be banished to the garage. Garage Sale/Craig's List all possible objects - Get rid of it ANY and ALL money gained goes to car loan. I will not purchase anything new that is not specifically or immediately needed, and can’t be substituted with an object I already own. The purpose for this is to stop buying new stuff. Use what I have or do without. Life Quest To take control of my life, rather than letting my life control me. My reward for this will be a full day of doing nothing but sitting in the sun at the beach. *********************************************************************** For centuries the dragon has gathered baubles and bits, piling them into every corner of the castle, and scattering them across the countryside. She blithely perched herself amongst it all and drew comfort from the sweet offerings of the Keebler minions. Time passed, and the dragon grew careless, allowing servants of Sugar and Frito-Lay settle into her lands. Laughing in delight as her minions offered up Pepsi and all manner of hidden calorie laden nom noms. She grew complacent, and large. No longer did she explore the world beyond her castle grounds. No longer did she stretch her wings and soar to the distant horizons. No, sadly she gave up exploring and eventually caring about the world outside. Her castle became the perfect place for the dreaded Stuff Hoard, a feral band of pack rat evil doers to set up camp. Their efforts increased the ever growing mountain of debris in the land. No corner was left bare. They occupy every nook and closet, sabotaging every effort at organization. Their greatest weapon is paper. Slips of paper here and letterhead sheets with coordinating embossed envelopes there along with files and folders piled upon bin and desk in a quagmire of office supplies. Their brothers in arms Impulsepurchase Gang draining the tiny shimmering pool of financial resources and returning a wasteland of filmy plastic baggies. They are insidious, and find amusement in taunting the dragon with her weakness for retail therapy. (Dragons do love their shiny new things) Until one day the dragon stood up and she looked around, and she was alone against these tiny creatures that had it in for her. The betrayal was brutal. These were her friends, her boon companions, the very ones she depended upon for glimmers of happiness and joy, or so she thought. Yet it was not so, her well being meant nothing to them. When she finally began to see the mess around her, she was tempted to just give up. To just lie down again upon the ever growing mess, and allow herself to expand with it. Then a magic screen showed her that there was a way out. There was hope and a bright promise of a land wiped clean of these villains. Armed with tools forgotten and unused, she began to fight back. Her battle cry shook the night’s sky “No longer shall I be a victim of these callous villains. I shall wrap myself in confidence, and battle them tooth and claw until my castle and body is free of their influence.†The Dragon will prevail. ** Updated my goals... 15 Apr 14 Pre -challenge quest Week 1 Quest I have new buddies... previous buddies I joined a new creative group. I have non- NF buddies I am now claiming my +1 Charisma Week 2 Quest I downloaded Cruise CTRL - Logged training run -personal best time first run with it. I only scheduled one run this week I am claiming my +STA Week 3 Quest focus and meditate 1+WIS Week 4 Quest Week 5 Quest Week 6 Quest

This is copied from my challenge log, but I'm so excited I'm posting it here too..... 5K was AWESOME I beat my own time by 8 MINUTES!! 50:11 I was like the wind... zipping along... a gazelle in motion... well ok maybe not a gazelle, but my feet were really flying. I was so excited and so proud and there were this group of people by the finish line cheering and hollering as I crossed the finish line. It was so wonderful! I had to stop just after the finish line to let this little girl cut the timer tag off my shoe... that's when my stomach caught up to the rest of me. I was so scared I was going to puke on that sweet child. I just put my hands on my head and kept swallowing, hoping to get moving again before the south rose and started a war. I got lucky a truce was signed over a quarter orange. I am proud to say I ran ~ I did good ~ I didn't puke in public. I won a beer opener and a glow stick bracelet for participating. AND the knee is not swelling!!!! I'm sore, really sore, but not hurting. *happy dragon dance*

Vengefulpear Eats Senzu Beans in the Medi-Chamber! Welcome back to another awesome challenge my Assassin friends Some of you may know that my shoulder is all messed up right now (well not that badly, but it's still on the mend) so this time around my challenge is going to be based around recovery, the final stages of slimming down and life goals! This year was supposed to be the Year of the Dragon, so I went with a Dragon Ball Z theme for this! Rather than just kicking some dragon bottom... Damn you shoulder! My main quest for this challenge (hopefully it wont last any longer than this challenge) is to fully recover and slowly build myself back up so I don't do myself further harm. Anyway! Onto the goals! Goal 1: Eat Senzu Beans (Like a good Assassin) Lose 6lbs +2 CON +1 DEX Starting Weight: 152lbs Last time I had the same goal and managed to smash it! Yay! So this time I figure I'll do the same, as 6lbs is a good amount to lose in 6 weeks. I am getting close to where I'd like to be I think, I'm certainly nearing where my lean body mass used to be. I know that I will have lost muscle whilst not being able to workout as much as I want because of the stupid efficient body. Damn you shoulder! *shakes fist* Now that I have successfully eaten a certain amount for a challenge, I'm going to add on to that to eat right. That's right, upping it to Hard difficulty! So here's what my dietary goals to achieve my 6lb weight loss are this time: Eat 1850-1950 calories per day average (see calorie PVP)Eat 80% paleo (Minimum 5 days per week)Bonus Objective: Eat 100g protein per dayThe bonus objective is there to hopefully minimize any more muscle loss that might occur. Hopefully with paleo that will happen anyway but we shall see! As per usual, I'm going to throw out the calorie PVP for anyone who wants to track their calories The rules are simple, track your calories and see if you meet your target as an average for the week, whoever does or is the closest is declared the winner. And the overall awesome-person/winner is whoever had the most weekly wins! So I'd be honoured if anyone wants to join me https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmtRMwoMwJORdG9zYkU1TVAtSkduTXhMUHZkaFdZYXc&usp=sharing Goal 2: Run Snake Way +2 STA +1 DEX +1 CON Run 650,000 miles, kidding! Actually; Run 2-3 times per week and do interval/sprint training 1-2 times per week Again this will be building on the success of my running goal from last challenge, although I do realise that some of that was down to be not being able to do strength training on its own so I just went running instead. I went running 3-4 times per week last challenge, mainly going for 5km runs and then some longer ones at the weekends. Now I want to add in speed training to help my stamina, fat loss and speed. To make sure I don't feel like I have to go out all the time and just run, I'm lowering the goal of normal slower runs to 2-3 instead of 3-4 and then adding in the interval training at 1-2 times per week. If I keep up with what I was doing in the last challenge then I should be able to achieve that no problemo. Goal 3: Stretchy Stretchy Stretch or practice yoga every day +3 DEX +1 STR This goal is subject to change. But I will stretch and/or start yoga to try and keep myself limber and help along the recovery of my shoulder. Also if my shoulder keeps giving my grief after a couple of weeks of the challenge then I will be off to the doctor so this goal may change to reflect what they say. I'm pretty new to yoga and things so any suggestions on this front would be appreciated Goal 4: Study like Gohan Work on life goals at least 1 hour per day +2 CHA +2 WIS Maybe not just like Gohan, but the boy did study hard! I want to add in this because I do want to kick my writing up a notch this year and we've all got loads of things we want to be able to do but never seem to get around to (right... Right?!). So I want to do them rather than just diddling time away on my computer of an evening not doing a lot. Life goals include but are not limited to: Writing, learning a language, researching for writing, studying on writing, practicing my guitar, meditation And to be clear for my own benefit, practicing Smite does not count as a life goal. Bonus points for hitting 50,000 words written towards the book (I'm on about 8,500 now so that might be a stretch but if I actually sit down and write instead of just splooping paragraphs out every now and again I should be able to do it) That's my challenge, then! I wish everyone the best of luck, I'm sure we can support each other and make sure that everyone achieves the very best they can I look forward to it

Welcome back to everyone to the first challenge of the New Year I hope you all had suitably splendid holidays! My idea for this year is that I'll make it the Year of the Dragon! I know the zodiac has already passed it, but dragons are awesome! This specific challenge dragon-theme.... The dragons from Dark Souls! Vengefulpear's Year of the Dragon: Dark Souls Edition So last challenge started off with a bang! But I pushed too hard, rushed it and ended up fluffing most of the challenge. This time, I'm taking it a bit more slowly, and building those blocks up to make an awesome edifice of health and fitness! Seeing as this challenge is Dark Souls themed! I'm going to pick a dragon for each of the goals, so hopefully by the end of the challenge I'll have four dead dragons at my feet! Goal 1: Fat Loss (The Red Drake) 26 / 42 HP To avoid the deadly flames of the Red Drake you must be light and quick on your feet! Lose 6lbs by the end of the challenge +2 CON +2 DEX Adding In a starting weight, it's pointless if I don't have a starting weight Starting Weight; 159lbs To do this I'm going to eat 1800-1900 calories a day and keep myself as paleo as possible. As per usual there will be a googledoc to keep me on track! If anyone else wants to join in and make it a PVP then please feel free https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmtRMwoMwJORdG9zYkU1TVAtSkduTXhMUHZkaFdZYXc&usp=sharing Goal 2: Strength Training (The Gaping Dragon) 16 / 21 HP To beat this humungous beast you must be strong! Do Strength Training 3-4 times per Week +4 STR I'm going with 3-4 and I won't say what will be in the training so that I can be flexible with what I'm doing. At the moment I want to work on my shoulder area a bit, and see how my pull ups/push ups are doing after the break. Basically everything But I'll slowly take on more as the challenge progresses, doing sets of 4 x 8 of the exercises and then move up to a more difficult exercise when I can do that. What exercises and the progressions shall be posted later This has been changed now because I have torn a muscle in my shoulder, so I'm just doing specific exercises but will try and maintain my 3 sessions a week minimum I'm progressing carefully to avoid being squashed! Goal 3: Running (Seath the Scaleless) 16 / 21 HP Swift feet will help to ensure you're not impaled by the vicious crystals of Seath Run at least 3 times per week+1 CON +2 DEX Last challenge I had the goal to break 25 minutes for this challenge and I'd still like to do that so I'm not specifying how I will be running in the week. To break the 25 minute mark I intend to run 5km runs a couple of times a week, and then also start sprinting regularly. I want to try and be doing regular sprinting sessions every week in a few months. One of my goals for the year is to do a 5km run barefoot (unfortunately it will be on the treadmill for the moment!) so I might do some at the weekend on the treadmill. Goal 3: Sleep (Black Dragon Kalameet) 23 / 29 HP To defeat Kalameet, you must be well rested and sharp of mind. Go to bed at 11.30pm at the latest on weekdays +2 WIS +2 CHA This is something I'm terrible at, I'm always staying up too late and having to get up early for work and then trying to catch up on the weekends. I spend too much time perusing the internet before going to bed (don't we all?) So I'm starting what should be relatively easy and saying I will go to bed by half past 11pm. This isn't enough for a proper 7 hour sleep (I get up at 6am for work) but it's a start and I don't want to get caught in a dragon tractor beam! So that's my first Dragon challenge! I hope you all like it and I look forward to helping support all of you and do whatever I can to help you guys fulfil your goals! Good luck and let's do this!

... but then I ate all the cookies. Long term goal: clean up the diet and complete 3 sets of 20 pull-ups. Be happier and stop comparing myself to others (ahem, social media). Expectations for this challenge: Get rid of the sugar and complete 3 sets of 20 pull-ups with the thickest pull-up assistance band. Stop mindlessly checking websites. Atmosphere: Work is insane because my workload has essentially doubled by taking over other projects and learning new skills. I'm working long hours and my schedule is unpredictable. Right now, my life is work and the rest of my life needs to be flexible around that. Goal 1: Slay the Sugar Dragon The Sugar Dragon is when you have epic cravings for sugar despite the fact that you just ate sugar. Moar sugar!! I've got to get rid of my Sugar Dragon, and this means eliminating all kinds of added sugar from my diet. Sodas, starbucks, candy at work, cookies, donuts, waffles, you get the idea. I've been indulging way too much lately and I just need to rein it in. I also find myself turning into a bit of a dragon when I don't have sugar. Uh oh. Goal 2: Climb up to High Hrothgar! Pullups! I can do about 6-7 pull-ups with an assistance band right now. My goal is to be able to do 3 sets of 20 by the end of the challenge. This is essentially adding a pull-up to each set in my workouts MWF. I also have a pull-up bar at home, so no excuses! Once I reach my goal, I can move down to a thinner band, rinse, and repeat. Goal 3: Be an adventurer again! Just move, and enjoy moving. My life right now is all about managing stress, so if I just want to walk on a treadmill for 20 minutes and listen to music, do it! If I want to do a hard lifting workout, do it! The goal is to just move for 10 minutes a day (even if that's stretching before bed). Most of the time I just want to lay in bed, so moving is key. Life Goal: Disconnect (oh the irony) I sit at a computer all day. And then when I come home, I watch TV, while checking websites on my phone that I checked all day, and I'll often use my laptop to check those websites some more (I'm looking at you, Facebook). So after work, there will be no more social media. Internet is fine if I'm doing something productive (booking flights, writing blog posts, etc) but it really needs to be kept to a minimum. I'm allowing 1 hour of video gaming or TV watching a night (gotta get my Skyrim in somehow) because I have a ton of other activities that get neglected: knitting, guitar, reading, puzzles, playing with kitties, preparing food for tomorrow, laundry, etc etc). Weekends are kind of free, but when I get that "hmmm, what am I going to do now" that typically leads me to mindlessly scanning pinterest, I need to shut it off and do something else. Skyrim and TV watching are mostly unlimited unless I find myself replacing my pinterest habit with Skyrim. That's it for now, more details about "scoring" later. See below! Also, this is my second attempt at a 1st challenge, so let's do this thing! Scoring Goal 1: I start every day with 3 points. If I don't eat any "extra" sugar, I get to keep all 3 points. If I go for 5 days without losing a point, I get 1 extra. A: 126 pts total (3 pts a day for 7 days a week for 6 weeks) F: <126 pts total Items to avoid: anything that is sweet for sweetness sake. Things like cookies, cakes, sodas, juice. Things that have sugar in them but are savory (like bacon) are acceptable. Also things like ketchup, bbq sauce, etc are acceptable. I'm trying to work on the treats, not every pinch of sugar in my diet. Goal 2: A: 3 sets of 20 assisted pullups B: 3 sets of 15 assisted pullups C: 3 sets of 10 assisted pullups There shouldn't be a reason I'm not an A or a B on this considering I can do 6-7 for 3 sets right now. Goal 3: Every day I move for at least 10 minutes, I get an extra point towards Goal 1. That way my motivation to move and my motivation to eat right are intertwined. A: 42 pts B: 35 pts C: 30 pts Life goal: Keep track of where I slip up and why. A: No more than one slip once a week. B 2 slips a week C: 3 slips a week

This Challenge I Will: Be More Consistent "Consistent training promotes the physiological changes which are necessary for better performance, while inconsistent training stresses the body and can lead to injury," says Robert Martin Make It Happen: This is harder than I thought. This is why it’s my primary goal. This is the first stepping stone to attaining all my other goals. This Challenge I Will: Go to Yoga Twice a Week Yoga is my foundation exercise. It gives my body the workout I need and my mind and emotions a centering that brings me happiness and peace. It reduces my stress and makes me easier to live with. Make It Happen: My yoga studio has expanded the classes I can take, so I need to plan to attend at least two sessions a week. There are classes offered every day of the week. This Challenge I Will: Run/Walk with my Dog (s) Once a Week Poor Bitsy, she loves running and I have deprived her of that with my inconsistency. I have to do better for me and for her. Tink is too old to run, and she doesn’t like it but I need to take her for walks more often too. Lucy is technically not my dog but while she is with us I should include her on the walks too. She loves going places. If my son doesn’t take her with them when they move out, and she becomes my dog, I need to try to train her to run too. Make It Happen: Not only have I neglected my health, I have neglected walking with my dogs. This must not continue. I must take them either one at a time or as a pack for walks and runs. I need to do this no less than Once a week This Challenge I Will: Go to the Gym once a Week I am uncomfortable in the gym. I’m old, overweight, and awkward in the gym. So I am going to challenge myself to go there. Do my little workout and get out. With consistent exposure to the environment and the rhythm of lifting, I should be able overcome my discomfort. Make It Happen: I have a lifting plan, and I have watched several YouTube videos and done some reading on proper form, so I am as prepared as possible. This is about learning to be comfortable in the environment not in a focused lifting program. This Challenge I Will: Give Back to the Sport The best way to learn about a sport is to volunteer, so I will sign up to hand water out during the race or assist in whatever way I can. I won’t set a number of times for this because I don’t know how many races will be held in the Challenge time frame. There should be at least one. Make It Happen: I will find a local race and sign up to volunteer. Extended Goals not tied to this Challenge but certainly important. This Year I Will: Stop Giving Up Make It Happen: I will accept that I am starting at a place that is so far away from being fit and healthy that I will not be able to reach all my goals all at once, or even quickly. I will give myself a break, and be kind to my shortcomings. I will work harder and focus on the best I can do. This Year I Will: Run a 5K Make It Happen: The Zombie run next October or the Elf run next December is the goal. If I CAN I’d like to run in an earlier race. If I can actually learn some consistency I should be able to run something in the late spring. Reward: If I succeed at the end of this challenge... I will reward myself with a pair of shoes. I have an unhealthy relationship with food, which I am substituting for a healthy relationship with shoes. I put $50 into an envelope and its taped to my project board. If at the end of the challenge I succeed... shopping we go. If not the money stays taped to my project board and I don't get new shoes. (No cheating and buying shoes anyway... with the exception of better running shoes because that is a need not a want.) The shoes I plan on getting when this is over! Comments/Suggestions/Advice/Random Encouragement are always welcome.

Hi nerd fitness buddies! I am not fever, not flyer, but I an Steve, the creeper-killing cuboid! I will fight alongside the iron, lapis, glass, gold,iron, snow, and ice golems of minecraft against Herobrine and the monsters including wither boss and the enderdragon! I will include running, circuits, pull ups, yoga, and Pilates that I do for fun. Points: Running (every week) 4 Stamina Circuits (every week) 3 Dexterity, 1 constitution Pullups (every week) 3 Strength Yoga and Pilates (every 2 weeks) 1 Strength Assassin mini games (every mini game) 3 charisma

So, in my first challenge, I tried to fly. I gathered courage, I spread my wings, I jumped off the tree. And I went straight down to the forest ground. Ouch. Maybe I should've picked a shorter tree. But, you see, it wasn't that bad, I learned a lot from the fall. And I saw it. That huge dragon whose wings are so big that the wind they make when they flap is so strong that nothing else can fly while it is in the air. My first powerful enemy: Fatlord Lazybreather! I also realized, while on the forest's ground, that the dragon had chained everything under it's domain. It wouldn't allow anyone to break free from that sad situation. Silly dragon. At least it gave me an idea for my future: time to become a dragon slayer and free my forest! Guess which will be my first target? My Quest: To get to 64kg (about 140lbs - 141,1, more specificaly) That means losing 28kg (61,73lbs). I'll be though, but I'll make it! Ever since I was seven - which is pretty much ever since I can remember - I know that I've been struggling with my weight. That always made me be shy, ashamed of my own body. Besides, it's one of the reasons why I was never really good at sports. Enough of it, I say! It is time to take these chains of fat that have been holding me back and throw them at the neverending fire of the Fire Mountains - and, while I'm there, I can wonder why they have such a name. It's time to be free. My goals: - Snack only when truly hungry, not when bored or thirsty, and never less than one hour before a meal. (+2 CON, +3 WIS) - Eat Paleo 4 days a week. The other 3 days are for those days when my mom makes her magically wonderful soup (with rice pasta) and when the college restaurant has no gluten-free meat options, in which case I'll have rice and beans. And for any eventful event that may pop-up, if unavoidable. (+5 CON) - Work out for at least 15 min everyday. Any workout. Any time of the day. I'll just have to move, with no excuses. (+3 STA, +1 DEX, +1 STR) My life goal: To write at least one page of the same story everyday. I want to someday become a publisher writer, therefore, I have to write down a whole good story. No half-assed whole story. No halfway-through good story. One. Whole. Good. Story. And I'll start that with no less than a page a day. My motivation: I've never been good with anything fitness-related, nor quite very healthy, but I want to change that. To do so, I believe the first dragon I have to slay is the fat. Well, say your prayers, Fatlord Lazybreather! You won't keep me from soaring into the night sky anymore! --- And, unless you are Fatlor Lazybreather, I would like to thank you for your support, by either leaving a comment or simply reading this, and to give you a HUGE friendly bear hug!