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Hi, I'm Vix, and I used to be an alcoholic. Actually I prefer the term "wino"--so much classier and lady-like and all that good shit. Thanks to several unfortunate roads in my life converging at the end of 2012, I saw that I was approaching a catastrophic clusterfuck of a future if I didn't stop and get my act together. So I entered something I call "life rehab" wherein I'm re-evaluating every aspect of my life and actively trying to improve myself mentally, emotionally, and physically, all recorded daily in a life rehab notebook. Getting my body back on track seemed the least important at the time, and ironically it was getting my ass back to the gym that made all the pieces of my self-improvement come together. A lot has changed in the week since I had that revelation but I'll yada yada over that part for now. Here I am! Ready to level up in awesomeness. Specs gender: female age: 32 height: 5' 8" weight: 192 pounds but I have always been 20 lbs heavier than I look thanks to thunder thighs size: 14 Bionic Woman When I was 18, I had major reconstructive surgery on my spine. A 10" titanium rod and four seriously huge bolts fused four of my lower vertebrae together. It's all peachy-keen now (yay for fantastic posture and a seriously badass scar), but since then I've hesitated to do any free-standing lower body exercises because I want to make DAMN sure I have perfect form when I've got 275 lbs hoisted on my shoulders. Since my back doesn't curve in the normal way, it limits a lot of the ab/core exercises I can do. Imagine C3PO doing sit-ups. My Fitness Style I'm a brute force kind of girl. I like to throw things around and grunt and sweat and track a quantifiable improvement to my performance over time. Been trying to get back into free weights but it's hard to gather up the ovaries to go to that side of the gym with guys whose biceps are as big as my thighs. Not that I'm one of those little bobble-headed blow-up-boob Barbies who lift 2.5 lb dumb bells and I'm like YOUR PURSE WEIGHS FIVE TIMES THAT BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR FUCKING YIPPY DOG IN IT YOU IDIOT. It sucks being such a weakling in upper-body when my lower-body is built like a bull. I was considering signing up in the Warrior category but I think I need to work on building endurance with things like running more than 3 miles at once so I came to Ranger. What it finally took for me to jump back on the gym-junkie wagon 1. Realizing I look like a bloated caricature of myself 2. Chronic depression. Because lifting weights and sweating a lot is better than crying in bed for days at a time. 3. Becoming single again. Gym = sausage-fest FTW Changes & Accomplishments I've already made in 2013 1. Threw out (nearly) all junk food from my house. What little remains is tucked away somewhere forgettable and difficult to reach to discourage giving in to cravings. 2. Threw out all booze. Put a gold star on calendar for every day I don't drink because stickers make everything more fun. Or at least suck less. 3. Stocked up on a wide variety of healthy food and I'm actually eating it. 4. Rearranged fridge and pantry to encourage healthy eating 5. Read a lot about paleo diet and best strategy for exercising (most of it on nerdfitness.com lately!) 6. Nearly lost my sweet tooth << I NEVER thought that would happen. I once wrote Blue Bell Ice Cream a very passionate email about how they should have an IPO so I could buy stock in them. 7. Keeping track of everything I eat, work-outs, and measurements. Six-week Goals 1. Do 10 push-ups in a row 2. No longer crave alcohol even under circumstances that would normally trigger cravings 3. Run 5k without stopping 4. Lose 1" in waist 5. Wean myself off of dairy & grains (but cheese!!! THINK OF THE CHEESE.) Six-month Goals 1. Do a pull-up unassisted 2. Do 10 burpees in a row 3. Run a half-marathon 4. Lose 3" in waist 5. Follow a full paleo diet Long-term Goals 1. REPAIR--if possible--the damage I have already inflicted on my body with alcoholism and frequent sugar binges. 2. PREVENT injury/disease when I'm older, particularly osteoporosis and diabetes which run in my family. 3. MAINTAIN: create a personalized structure for eating, living, and exercising healthy that I know I will be able to maintain on my own years and decades into the future. 4. MARRY Steve Kamb. Thank you in advance, everyone. I'm sure I will love being a part of the NF community. NERD LOVE!!! xoxo Vix

Hi! I'm new, but I've been reading the blog for about a month now. (Just long enough that I missed out on the last challenge.) My goals for this are: 1.) Run a 5k without stopping. I've been doing C25k for a while (I've just finished week 4), and I am about to sign up for a race with my friend Feb. 9th. It's tough in the super-cold weather, but having my dog whimper at me on days that I don't take her for a run is a built-in guilt trip for me. My boyfriend also tries not to let me slack on my runs. I think I'll add 4 STA for this when I succeed! 2.) Go to sleep when I'm tired. I know this sounds vague, but because of my work schedule varying, I can't commit to a certain number of hours per night. I had a terrible habit of staying up too late all the time watching TV or staring at the Internet or drinking. This last week, I've been more careful about getting enough sleep, and I'd like to keep it up. It makes me happier when I wake up, which makes me have a much better day. I'll try to get in bed by 1 a.m. most nights (except when I'm still at work). When I've done that for a whole 6 weeks, I'll add maybe... 1 WIS and 3 CON because it's a good idea and it'll make me healthier. 3.) Don't Eat Sugar. This includes any additives that are basically sugar. No honey, or other "natural" sugar things either. I've been doing the "Whole30" for a week now, and that'll be done before the 6 weeks is up, but I can still leave out sugar for the two weeks after that. I'll try to stick pretty closely to the Whole30 program, but I'm not sure I can manage 7 weeks without cheese. I got rid of all of those things from my house when I started, and I'll make sure to continue reading labels so that nothing gets snuck in that way. I keep a food journal (with pictures) so I can stay accountable to myself. This one seems like it'll be... 1 CHA because eating healthier will make me look better, 2 CON for being healthier, and maybe 1 WIS for the willpower it'll take. 4.) Apply For College. I know that this is a simple-sounding thing, but I've been telling people "I'm going to go back to college" for a couple of years now, and at this point all that's stopping me is my overwhelming fear that I won't get in. My friends have given me some contacts to talk to, and I'll see if I can get a meeting with the Dean of the engineering department, but being 18 credits away from having a degree is a terrible place for my life to stalemate. It's holding me back. I need to get over it. I don't know if this one is really worth a lot of stat points, mostly just a huge weight off my chest and a hurdle in my life overcome. I suppose it'd be 2 WIS for being the smart choice and 1 CHA because people like college students more than they like young people working in customer service. This is really long-winded, but I'm trying to figure out exactly what I need to do, why, and how. Let me know if anything I suggested should be tweaked. This is my first post, and my first attempt at a challenge, and I'm pretty excited. Current Stats: 5'7", 170 lbs. Last night's average pace: 7:21 minutes/km Longest run without stopping: 4.08 km Days so far without sugar: 7!

Hello All, first timer here. I found the site at the beginning of last week, and after much reading (and subbing class work) I'm ready to start! By the way, I'm totally winging this, so if you've any recommendation to help tweak plans, or how a goal is set, advice is much loved. Starting Point:Weight: ~179lb.Height: 5'5.5"41-39-42 Able to do (without rest):2 "Real" pushups, 17 2.5' incline pushups. 20 sec Planks40~ish bicycle crunches.38 squats QUEST JOURNAL - Goals & Definitions: Quest: Training from an Elven Hunter1) Lose Weight and get fit with Basic Parkour Training and Aikido practice (up to 7th or pre-6th Kyu). End Goal: Lose Ten+ Pounds by end of challenge. Do Ten+ full push ups.I've posted a list of basic recommended exercises for parkour beginners on my wall, along with all the training I remember from Aikido class.Spend at least 10 minutes daily working through the list, increasing reps by +1 every two days. Minimum time +5 min for each week.Weigh-in, photo (personal) and measurements on Sundays, so I don't stress about progress in between.On days I hurt too much to do the harder exercises, it is acceptable to replace training with 20 minutes of stretching. +5 minutes for Yoga with each passing week.Skill Points: STR 3, STA 2, DEX 1 Rewards: Archer's Gloves (Rare), Gatherer's Satchel (Common) Quest: Herbologist Training 2) Eat a Paleo-themed diet at least 50% of the time, keeping everything healthy the other half. End goal: To have switched to a Paleo/Primal based diet, instead of the pizza/rice one I eat. I've scoped out all the locations on campus which would support Paleo related eating habits, and no longer go to the places that won't.Swapped out fried foods and baked goods for roasted foods and fruit.Cut back on grains until february first, when they're completely out of my diet (Reason for slow change is that grain is a large source of fiber for me).Research and menu plan for dorm-friendly, low-mess Paleo snacks and meals (that can freeze well). Have menu ready for next weekend (Jan 19th).Side Quest: Research anti-inflammatory foods & herbs. Skill Points: CON 3, STA 1, WIS 1 Rewards: Small Herb Cabinet (Rare), or Trainee's Manual (Common) Quest: Journey to the Sage 3) Work on my mental well-being and Health. End Goal: Visit and speak with a counselor. Reduce anxiety, to stop the emotional eating triggers - defined by frequency of bingeing. Visit the school counseling office 1+ times a month, to work through anxiety and personal issues. Schedule an appointment.Keep a weekly journal of things that cause me great stress, and work on solving the triggers.Meditate a few times a week to soothing music. Three to four times is desirable. Skill Points: CON 2, WIS 1, CHA 1 Rewards: Book of Wisdom (Rare), or Book of Secrets (Common) *Note from Headmaster: Each week starts on Monday. Side quests may become available with progression. Completion of all side quests may earn additional rewards. Any Student's rewards for quests cannot be obtained unless the quest has been achieved at the basic competency level. Anything lower than a (C) will be dismissed as a failure. Rare Rewards may only be obtained in the event that a mission was completed in full (A), and every other quest grade has been satisfactory (C).

Jadzia. Gender, Female. Age, 23. Height, 5'5". Weight, 165 lbs. This is my first challenge, and I'm a fresh recruit to the Rebellion. I've been successful with weight management in the past but recently I've been seriously slacking. I need a serious kick in the butt, so I enlisted and have accepted the challenge! I plan to: 1) eliminate processed foods from my diet entirely. This means, saying NO to chips, tortillas, white and whole wheat bread (one slice of whole grain bread a day is okay), ice cream and other snacky foods that I crave, but give no fuel to the fire. I plan to accomplish this by clearing out my kitchen of all related items, not going out to eat and resisting temptation! I will not wonder down the middle isles of the grocery store. I will not go for the midnight snack. Instead, I will eat things like veggies and salsa or apples and almond butter. I plan to keep a food diary to help me accomplish this. 2) As a fitness goal, I hope to be able to do at least 1 unassisted pull up by the time these 6 weeks are over. Since I started late, it's closer to 5 for me. I've NEVER been able to do these. There's an assisted weight machine at my gym that I will start using to help me build arm strength. I'll slowly add on the weight and if all goes as planned, I'll be lifting my own weight by Feb. 18th. I won't be climbing up any walls if I can't do this! What kind of assassin would I be?! 3) I want to fit bouldering into my workout at least 3x during the duration. Due to scheduling this will be difficult, but I'll make sure it happens. Just to add to the fun, I'd like to fully complete two V2 bouldering problems. My level-up-life goal 4) I want to change my sleep schedule. I used to work in a casino which had me living on the graveyard schedule since 2008. I currently work a normal day job as a hostess and waitress but never gave up the vampire life style. This leaves very little daylight for getting things done and is probably bad all around when it comes to eating and working out because my internal clock differs so much from the one that I live on. This is definitely going to be my hardest goal to reach because it's a long time habit and I'm a terrible grump when it comes to getting out of bed. haha So, to start, I plan to set my alarm for a couple hours earlier than normal. Then I'll slowly push it back further and further through out the next 5 weeks. By the end of it all I'd like to be getting out of bed by 10am. I realize that's probably sleeping in to a lot of you, but I normally don't get up until 3:30pm/4:00pm everyday. Good luck to all my fellow assassins! Qapla'!

Greetings, After a rough holiday season that saw me gain some of my hard lost weight back, I knew I needed something that would hold me more accountable this time around. The timing is perfect as the challenge is starting. My story is very similar to most. Fit teen, graduated high school, got a "real" job, moved out, met girl, ate too much while moving less, got chubby, got thinner, got fat, got thinner, got chubby, got educated, got thin, got chubby, rinse repeat. Here I am at 36, once again searching for motivation beyond my two amazing sons. My goals for the next 6 weeks are as follows: Nutritional Goal 1 - Eat Paleo inspired 80% of the time with 1 all out cheat meal. I tend to eat 5 times a day (3 meals, 2 snacks) so that means 28 out of the 35 opportunities I will follow a paleo inspired diet. 6 eatings will be "clean" but not necessarily paleo, and that leaves 1 meal for a cheat. Nutritional Goal 2 - No more soda. Period. None. Fitness Goal 1 - Weightlifting program 3x per week using "weight loss" program found online. Fitness Goal 2 - Do 15 consecutive pull ups. (I can do 7 now) Life Goal - Spend 15 minutes 5x per week "decluttering" I will weigh in and measure later this evening. BUt a sneak preview is (warning spoiler alert) Age: 36 Height: 5'6" Weight: est 185

Normally I'd attempt a creative sort of post, but that's nearly impossible on a Sunday, with my 5 year old son bouncing on the sofa next to me and saying "Look at that!" every 20 seconds. He will get my undivided attention once again after I get my goals typed up. I'll post more details tomorrow. This is my first challenge, despite having lurked here off and on since last summer! Shocking, I know. My goals: Fitness goal- do the Beginner Body Weight workout 3 times per week. (+4 Strength, +1 Endurance) Most points go to this, because it’s my main goal. Need to get stronger! Try one new Paleo recipe per week. I tend to go back to certain recipes, because they’re easy and I love them so. Must shake things up a bit.(+2 Constitution, +1 Wisdom) Eat Paleo for at least 80% of my meals, focusing especially on cutting out dairy and wheat to see if that clears up my perpetual post-nasal drip. Sorry if that’s TMI. (+4 Con) Life goal: Declutter and spiffy up the house. More on this later. (+1 Dex, +2 Wisdom)Starting stats: Weight is 108 kilos, and unless I've shrunk over the past 6 months (which could've happened, I AM getting up there in age), I'm 179.5 cm tall. Bust: 118 Waist: 103.5 Hips: 122 Neck: 38.5 Upper arm (left): 14 Calf (left): 44 (edit to add measurements)

Hello all, this will be my first 6 week challenge. Any and all support is helpful. Goal #1: Drink at least 4 glasses of water every day. +2 CON +1 WIS Starting: I actually started this one last week, I used to drink 3-4 sodas a day, at work, since the soda machines are free. Goal #2: I hope this qualifies, Smoke no more than 5 cigarettes a day, quit by the end of week 6. +3 CHA +2 STA 100%=Quit smoking 90% = <5 cigarettes a day in final week; FAIL = >5 cigarettes Starting: I smoke roughly 10-15 cigarettes a day through the course of work and after. I 'quit' for a few months last year and only occasionally bummed a smoke from colleagues. Most of them have since quit smoking while I started back up again. Goal #3: 50 pushups non-stop at least 3 days a week. +3 STR +1 STA Points are 2x(#pushups) Starting: Depending on the day, I can do 25-40 without stopping right now. I cannot remember the last time that I went for 50, and I really don't do much in the way of workouts outside of cycling (I do plan on working out more than just pushups mind you, but that is a longer term goal). Goal #4: (or in case number 2 doesn't count): Increase flexibilty so that I am able to touch my toes. +2 DEX +1 STA: PASS/FAIL Starting, I can currently reach (when sitting with legs straight) about half way between my ankles and toes. My overall starting point: Height: 5'10" Weight: 137 (as of waking up this morning) Body Fat%: appox 11 (fluctautes 10.8-11.2 on my scale) BMI: 19.2 I think. Note: I will be adding my signiture with attirbute points etc. shortly