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Hey! Super excited to get started this time around. So excited I'm starting the challenge during zero week for the first time! Nutrition Quest #1: SKYWALKER METHOD "While staying away from your demon, study it and learn it’s habits. Come up with a plan to help you battle the demon, and then, after you complete the “Stay away from the boss” quest, implement that plan.." --Nerd Fitness Academy Last challenge I tried to do a photo food log, with moderate success. But I'm not feeling motivated by the food logging, and generally am kind of hung up on the diet part of things (very unfortunate since it's the most effective!) I did a quick journaling session about this yesterday and it really opened my eyes to some weird food habits I have and how I might solve them. It made me start thinking a bit deeper about how to tackle these diet changes in a way that fits with me. I want to take my time and figure it out, slow and steady, as I've done with working out. I looked at the mindset modules and found the Skywalker method again. So I'm going to start this challenge out with some sleuthing. Write every day for a week about how you feel and what you are learning about food tracking/diet, etc. Study the demon. Understand what makes it tick and what makes you tick. When you have done this for seven days, make a plan for defeating the beast and get to slaying. Nutrition Quest #2: Soda demon I really feel good about my freggies as snacks progress from last challenge, so I'm going to start improving my soda addiction. The first week of the challenge, I'm going to let myself have as much soda as I want to establish the baseline. Then the next three weeks I will reduce my consumption. Track the number of sodas you have every day. Then create a plan for having fewer of them. Workout Quest #1: 3 BWW PER WEEK I got 7/12 last month. I want to keep at this until I hit it for two challenges in a row! I stole an idea from my dad about trying to hit 208 workouts in a year. I don't want to push myself to four right now, so I modified it to 104. I'm sure I can hit that and it will feel awesome. A workout can be: Bodyweight workouts, dance classes, dance parties, hikes, long walks, bike rides (if my heart rate stays elevated). He gave me his super great workout tracker that helps you know if you're on track or not. Workout Quest #2: SELF-MASSAGE FOR ATHLETES I got Self-Massage for Athletes for Christmas, and I'd like to read it for this challenge. Doesn't do me any good sitting on the shelf. Lifestyle Quest: RIDE YR BIKE I used to ride my bike several times a week, even in the Minnesota winters. Now, despite living in a perpetually sunny place, I really don't ride my bike. It makes me sad. Bike riding is so amazing: It's cheap! It's exercise! It's fresh air! It's so much better than parking! It's good for the environment! It makes me feel like a bad ass! Last challenge I finally got my bike fixed. Now it's time to get in the saddle. Mindset Quest: Miracle Morning I'm not in love with the Miracle Morning book, but I'm really not in love with my mornings as they are. I'm 73% of the way through the book. I want to finish the book by Wednesday and then start the 30-day challenge. Maintenance: 96 oz of water a day 8 hours of sleep a night Freggies as a snack 5 days a week Walk 5 days a week

So...confession time: I didn't do so well on my last challenge (see link in signature). Or at the very least, as well as I hoped: Positives: This was the first challenge that I completed after many tries! I worked out consistently in martial arts throughout the challenge, moving on to another belt. I decided to "reward" myself with the challenge of performing in a tournament at the end of this month. I also got over my fears and I have started sparring again regularly. I also built some awareness about my eating habits (which were a little common sense, honestly) and I've started carrying a water bottle everywhere. Negatives: Was definitely not consistent with my water intake or my food journaling, and because of that my diet suffered. I realized I have very little willpower. To improve on this, I plan on having fixed times to trigger when I drink water: one bottle right when I wake up, one when I go to bed, one at karate class, and one during lunch and/or when I'm commuting in the car (I don't drive every day). Reflection time over: Today is a new day! Main Quest: Lose 20 pounds by July 4, 2015. My little sister is getting married in July, so I'd like to look my best for her special day and start forming good habits for the rest of my life. I joined the rebellion because I would really like to change my lifestyle and be (what I think) would be an ideal weight for me, which at 5'1" is 120 pounds. I will make accurate measurements tomorrow. Quest 1: Track all of my meals using a food journal. This is a redo of a goal from my old challenge, combining both food journaling and my water intake goal (2 liters). This time I will focus on tracking my water intake, writing everything down (good and bad - no judgement), and pre-planning out my breakfasts with a goal of eating 20-30 grams of protein at breakfast. Any recipes and suggestions would be appreciated! However, my challenge is to come up with a new recipe every week (at the end of my usual week summary) and share it with you guys! Food journaling will be done using the 2nd half of my Fitbook. Measurement: A = 42-38 entries B = 37-33 entries C = 32-28 entries Quest 2: Body weight workouts 3 times a week. While the karate classes are great for my cardio fitness, I want to improve my strength outside of classes. In the group fitness classes it's a little difficult to do and I usually end up injuring myself because they encourage speed over good form. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays will be my BW workout days, because they are my easiest days at the dojo (as well as the days that I don't have to get up super early). The workout I will be doing is the Academy bodyweight workout. Measurement: A = 16-18 workouts B = 12-15 workouts C = 9-11 workouts Quest 3: Get my dental hygiene routine straightened out. (Maybe TMI) After a really rough scolding from my dental hygienist for not going to the dentist for several years and having poor brushing/flossing habits, I've decided to make a commitment to change the habit. I have a calendar that I posted in my bathroom, and I will be doing the "hard hat" method to make it stick! For me this means: brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and tongue-scrapping twice a day. Measurement: A = 42-38 days completed B = 37-33 days completed C = 32-28 days completed Life Quest: Weekly Spanish journal entry on lang-8. As a future grad student in Spanish linguistics, I think I need to improve my Spanish abilities. For me, the best way to increase my vocabulary and get feedback is to write entries for native speakers to review on lang-8. Measurement: A = 6 entries, B = 5 entries, C = 4 entries Motivation: I not only want to look good at my sister's wedding (sibling rivalry makes me want to say "look better than her," but I'd be happy if we both looked awesome). I also want to live a long, healthy life where my body isn't limited and is full of energy. More importantly, I want to finally prove to myself that I can finish something I've started. Reward: $35 worth of things from my wishlist on Amazon.