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I am not an insane person. A little (a lot?) weird and quirky and I'm okay with that, but I'm not straight up insane. So why have I been doing the same thing, and expecting different results? This question has come to a head lately when an unusually hectic schedule was placed on top of my usual gamut of goals, and I crumbled under the pressure. Pushing oneself can be a good thing, but pushing past the brink is not. So this challenge is about taking a BIG step back, and showing myself some serious love and care. My schedule is still a little bit crazy, so the focus is going to be on reducing stress, showing my body and my mind that I treasure both, and having some fun. Eat more fruits and vegetables. This is a great goal for the summer anyways. And I like vegetables (I can take or leave fruit - not that I don't like it, I just don't particularly care if I eat any or not). At any rate, I eat some form of vegetable at most meals, but I want to drastically increase the volume to both bolster my micronutrient intake, and hopefully crowd out less healthful choices. My goal is 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day (1 cup leafy greens or 1/2 cup other veggies or fruit = 1 serving.) Eat more mindfully. I've tried this in the past, and mostly found it tedious. But that's largely because I am utterly addicted to reading/browsing/watching TV while eating which is a terrible habit. 1. Pause before meals to contemplate the source of the food, the nutrition it will give my body and my gratefulness for it. 2. No multitasking while eating. Taste the food. Chew it. Enjoy. I am going to give myself a little leeway with breakfast, as I eat it at work, at my desk. But for Lunch and Dinner, for sure. 3. Eat outside when possible. I love the idea of bringing a blanket to work and having a mini-picnic daily. Grass between my toes, sunshine, so good. This should also help with the no screens etc while eating. Relieve stress My goal is to engage in at least one form of stress relieving self-care per day, from the following options (May add to this list as time goes on. I also know exercise and walks and books and tea help with this too, but I want to go above and beyond my usual strategies). - Meditation - Yoga - Painting, drawing, crafting or creative time in general - Foam roll - Write down things I am grateful for - Go fishing - Get grounded (bare feet to earth) - Go for a nature walk. (Does not count walking the dog around the neighbourhood - although of course he can come too! Nor does the disc golf course count. Needs to be an actual forest.) Love myself: I am guilty of negative self talk - I try to catch it, and shut it down, but kind of like with the veggies, it's not just enough to stop with the bad stuff, it needs to be pushed out by good stuff. I am committing to a daily pep talk to myself. I'm going for a full-out every day streak with this one! Keep up on the Gardening: I have a tendency to be all gung-ho with this at the start of the year, and then burn out quickly. I really want to have a nice yard this year to enjoy! We've gotten a good start on things, but there are still some major projects to complete, plus the usual maintenance. 1. Amend soil in balcony bed, and get flowers planted. 2. Make new raised bed along side of house. 3. Clean up back parking area and branch trimmings 4. Mulch under apple tree (and other beds once plants have come up). 5. Weed at least weekly! 6. Water potted plants daily. Steps: I am still trying to hit my 3,650,000 steps in 2017 goal. Plus walking totally counts as self-care Aiming for 77,000 steps per week. And that's it. I will definitely be on here celebrating all the activity I do, but I'm not making myself a workout or a biking goal. I just want to be healthy and happy, and I am pretty confident that this is the way to do it. I know these goals are a little nebulous, but I need a break from the structure of SMARTness. I am also hoping that this will help me finally shift towards a focus on health, rather than the ever looming spectre that is my weight. I can't just not care about it... but maybe I can channel a more productive and kinder attitude towards my body, and come to reach my goals from that direction.

Back to the Shire, a Gardener's tale. Wikipedia: Samwise Gamgee - Hobbit Families Now many of you may know that my grandfather Samwise Gardner, was originally known as Samwise Gamgee. Yes, thé Samwise Gamgee that traversed the world with his friend, Frodo Baggins. Oh how he enthralled us as little urchins with many a tale of adventure! Spiders as big as houses! Trolls! Orcs! And daring fights! Fearsome creatures, but also breathtaking Elves, scary Dwarves, and fighting Boulders! Our best times however, was spent in the garden. While teaching me to nurture the plants, just so, he would tell of the The Lady of the Light, Lady Galadriel. Oh how she had my head spinning with awe. The braveness of Queen Arwen, was also often mentioned in his tales. But there were more tales than just the one about The One Ring! Oh so many more... I'm no way near as good a gardener as my grandfather was, but ours is the duty to look in on those trees that he planted so many moons ago. As my boys and I take to the road once more, to visit these places near and far, I hope to entertain you on some of those tales of old. It is nearing winter solstice here in The Shire, the best time to leave on such an adventure. First we must get to the Ents, to help us persuade some plants to move to new homes; spread their roots, literally, to rest, then start new green pastures. Each place we venture to should have a little box, a treasure chest of sorts, where we place little trinkets as keepsakes, to show that we had indeed been there. Our hope is to find all these treasure chests, and be able to leave this generation's trinket as well. MORNING ROUTINE Now grandmother Rose taught me to always have my ducks in a row, from sunrise till the dark of eve's. So for this coming adventure we will have to start a new morning routine. I'm focusing on making the green points part of my routine. The rest is pretty much set. (5h30) Make coffee and stretch my joints Bible study (6h30) Make breakfast - feed animals - clean and tidy up (7h30) Family Devotional (with aunt and mom) over W.app Prayer Group (8h30) School work and/or sport AFTERNOON ROUTINE There are various things I need to do every week. Some preferably on set afternoons, but I can chop and change depending on the weather, etc. for some. Sunday (first day of challenge) - Gardening Monday - Laundry Tuesday - Walk (Playball/Soccer) Wednesday - Gardening Thursday - Laundry and D.F.D. Friday - Walk/Geocache TO DO's Finances: April and May Proof Reading SLEEP Now a gardener cannot work if she has not had sufficient sleep. I know this, and my gift does not come to the fore if I don't sleep enough. Lady Galadriel was very adamant that enough sleep strengthened her "Gift for the Earth", especially after long arduous days of walking from planting to planting. It lifts the mood and gives energy, enough to spare, and then entice little seedlings and saplings to push their roots deep. 21h00: Shower - Tidy kitchen - final prep for next day (get meat out to defrost, pack and switch dishwasher on, etc.) 21h30-22h00: In bed - Go to sleep!

This is it, what you have been waiting for, the poop challenge! Or the colon health challenge, if that is more your style. Which would be a shame. This idea started as a joke, but then I was told by at least one person, they would be disappointed if I didn’t do it. If you think this is going to be a log of my bowel movements though, you will still be disappointed. I’ve had multiple bowel surgeries and have the official diagnosis of SLOW COLON. Hahahahaaaa. Doctors are hilarious. Okay, onto this challenge. Build a Log Cabin Water: 5 bottles of water per day (mine are 22 oz, so around 100 oz) Eat and log here which high fiber foods I ate each day (use bullet journal to keep a running list for reference/ideas) Cardio 2x per week, any amount, this helps with regularity (still training for the 5k in October) Post daily poop facts (aka colon health shit) as appropriate That Outdoorsy Cabin Life Check garden/plants daily Try to make 1x week cardio be outdoors

Hello all, I've fallen off the internet a bit, but I am clawing my way back to the forums and just in time for the 4 week challenge! I'm setting out my goals as such (from the nifty worksheet): Put House in Order (Konmari Method) 4 Weeks of Calorie Counting, goal is 1,200/day Zombie 5K Meal Plan for the week, and making one shopping day. I have already started the KonMari method of putting my house in order, but I am hoping I can finish it up in these 4 weeks. My reward to myself (another chore) is to paint my living room when I am done. Hello, Batcave upgrade! I'm also trying to measure my calorie intake. Somewhat as a diet plan, but also because I like collecting information like that, and I feel like I can't help but course correct decision making if I am actively keeping track. Using "MyFitnessTracker" which I saw suggested by someone in the FaceBook Group. Zombie 5K, I'm using the Zombie Run 5K app, and it's time to get back to it. I am on week 3 now, so will be working through the program in the next four weeks. And meal prep/planning. I'm trying to save money this way too, by making my grocery shopping an all at once errand, and not picking up more than I need as the days go on. It should mean more time for running and gardening after work. Monday is my shopping day, with planning going into it on Sunday. That's about it... but really, I'd love some help with accountability. I am thrilled that as I write this the "MyFitnessTracker" pinged my phone and told me I hadn't logged my lunch today... which is true, I've not had a chance to eat lunch today. Planning will help with this, I do hope. Any plans? Ideas? Friendly advice? RECIPE IDEAS? I need all the help and suggestions I can get there, I love them. I'm a vegetarian, if that makes any difference. Paleo-ish, but not super much. I eat pretty healthy already. But recipe ideas make me happy! PS, if you're interested in my big mega plan, I filled out the worksheet here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHD01rm1i72EPEqmMX8NEBuE3GMinTrkeWV0nxZ0rNo/edit?usp=sharing

Ok, ok, we're not going to be quite up to his level of shenanigans out in the wild, but we'll hopefully be exploring some unfamiliar terrain. We'll be trying out this geocaching-thing. The "we" are again, the boys and I, as I try to up their activity level this challenge round. Due to my choice to take over the gardening the last month and a bit, I haven't had time to really get out there walking or playing or just get out with them that much. With geocaching, we'll be looking for that cache or "treasure" which should be fun, or at least adventurous. HEALTH : DAILY Water/Tea Food (the boys and I) Sleep Bible Study The boys don't have a problem drinking a lot of water. I need to drink at least 1x bottle of water, preferably some rooibos during the day as well. I'll be tracking our food. Mine is more serious, to establish a maintenance level where I can function normally while still doing gardening, some strength, walking, etc. Sleep is usually a struggle. R5 for me, and R2 each for the boys for each night we manage to go to bed on time! Me: 22h00 - Boys: 21h00 WORK : WEEKLY The Must Do's Every Week Gardening: Mowing OR pruning OR weeding OR planting (1-2x/week) My Strength Circuit (1x/week) Geocaching (1x/week) Dry Fire Drills (1x/week) Rocco does Playball, and may join the jnr soccer team. We'll see. Adam walks with me while Rocco does Playball. I need to get them a bit more active, since we've all gotten a bit lax since I took over the garden work. That is why I decided to introduce geocaching to them. (All thanks goes to @Elastigirl for all the ups and downs we might encounter ) Seriously, it sounds like the right kind of thing for us: not too much wild, some adventure and looking for "treasure"! If the boys help me in the garden, I'll pay them R10 each/day. When we all go on a geocache (successful or not), we each earn R10. If they do any of the active XBox Kinect games, or play by themselves/together outside for 30min. and more, I'll pay them R5 each. TO DO LIST: The Must Do's During the Challenge Finances: Update spreadsheet - March - April Proof Reading: +- 1hr = 1x session (not the whole book at once, which is 400+ pages) Update telephone and birthdays books Sewing: block out filter covers - slippers - fix Serenity's seat Other things that pop up - they usually do I'll give myself R10 for every month of finances I update. Yeah, I suck at keeping up to date on finances. Wanna Do's During the Challenge Camp in the garden with the boys, even for half a night's sleep under the stars (ok, tent or shelter will be preferable) Chop some fire wood Climb high up on the ladder to pick some avo's (mil would be very happy) EDIT: Added Learn some rope knots Look at the stars (search for known constellations) I'll give myself R10 for everything I manage to do on this list.

As shocking as this might be, for those of you in the know, I’ve never done a Farscape challenge. *GASP*. Zotoh Zhaan is a delvian from the TV series Farscape and my NF character is Delvian Nomad (Warrior). Delvians are a plant-based species. Every character race test I’ve taken usually puts me as one of the elementals, and as such decided I wanted to be a plant last January. So I've been low key a plant for over a year now. Interpret that how you will. Underpinning this Delvian challenge is that many Delvians are deeply spiritual and this will serve as a reminder to me to remain calm and forge ahead. I died last challenge in the form of a 3 day physical and metal breakdown of sorts from various stressors. Delvian Daily mobility (at least 5 min, up from 3 stretches per day in the last two challenges) 3 bottles of water per day (minimum) NEW (but did appear in 2016, mine are 22oz bottles) 30 minutes of gardening per week NEW (because it’s gardening season you guys, includes houseplant care) Nomad One Zombie 5K training session per week (I ummm, signed up for a 5k in October) One hike per week (can be replaced by a second Zombie 5K session if the weather is ugly) Warrior 20 min of glute/core work per week (up from 15 min last challenge) 15 min away from my desk each work day to refocus and energize, 30 min of work per day on the grant I have due this fall (work goals are under warrior because warriors get shit done) As a recap for you all, for 2017, I repeat a challenge goal until I think it is an ingrained habit. These goals are mostly repeats to help me achieve my 2017 goals. This may seem like many goals, but several of these are close to being a habit and being moved out of the challenge and into the fiber of my being. Hence why lifting is not a goal, I will do that regardless. As always, message me for my Instagram handle if you would like to follow along for hiking and gardening pics as well as squat videos. My sincerest apologies in advance that Farscape is old enough that there is not a deep well of outstanding, stellar even, gifs. Edited to add: I'm currently on a reverse diet, after 3 months of cutting, that runs through the end of this challenge perhaps longer.

Duty - Responsibility - Adventure - Freedom We can do the impossible - And that makes us mighty A little poetic license taken to Captain Mal Reynold's words This challenge the Super-family takes it to space! We got ourselves a Firefly class "ship", called Serenity and we are going to spread our wings! In order to win against the Alliance, Reavers, and everyday happenings, we need to pull our socks up and work together. For everything we do, we earn points. Those points will see us through each week's battle(s). (Each week will be based on a different episode of Firefly.) Points are earned through the following: HEALTH: Water (1 bottle/day = 1point) - Elize: 10p/week min. Tea (1 mug = 1point; 2 mugs/day) - Elize: 14p/week. Breakfast (healthy b.fast = 1point each; 4 b.fasts/week) - Adam/Rocco: 2x 4p = 8p/week. Lunch (healthy lunch = 1point each; 7 days/week) - Elize/Adam/Rocco: 3x 7p = 21p/week. Milk (1portion = 1point; 4 portions/week) - Adam: 4p/week. Milk (max 4portions/day; 1point/day/week) - Rocco: 7p/week. Sleep (go to bed in time every night = 1p/night) - Elize/Adam/Rocco: 3x 7p = 21p/week. 85 points minimum per week WORK OUT: Weeding 1x/week each - Elize/Adam/Rocco: 3x 10p = 30p/week. Mowing/Wheelbarrow push 1x/week each - Elize/Adam/Rocco: 3x 10p = 30p/week. Strength 1x/week - Elize: 1x 10p = 10p/week. Dry Fire Drills 2x/week - Elize: 2x 5p = 10p/week. 80 points minimum per week EXTRAS: Kinect/FreePlay/Sport/Walk - Elize/Adam/Rocco: 5p each/day. LIFE/ADMIN: Bible Study: Every day = 1 point - Elize: 7x 1p = 7p/week. Finances: Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb (5p each completed) - Elize: 1x 5p = 5p/week. Proof Reading: Read a section (30min-1h) each week (5p each sitting/day) - Elize: 1x 5p = 5p/week. 17 points minimum per week - ALL done + 3Bonus points! EXTRAS: Contract: Thoko - Elize: 5points once off. Serenity: Paperwork finalised - Elize: 20points once off. Serenity: Checks / COR / Drive around to buy parts, etc. anything that takes time - Elize: 5p each instance. AVG POINTS/WEEK: 185 Food: 2x variances allowed for the boys every week. 1x variance allowed for me every week. Must reach at least 175p every week. For every point under 175, I must do a burpee! Each week starts at 0 points. The boys earn money for activity/exercise and going to bed on time: Weeding: R10/each Dump cut grass (wheelbarrow push): R10/each Kinect/Free Play / Walk / Playball: R5/each Go to bed on Time: R2/each

I'm older (wiser?) and last year was an eye opener, a wake up call to what my life could be like. This year I'm testing my boundaries, strengthening them in places, breaking some down and going all out, as I've found my strong, safe place. I'm safe with My People. I'm Ready! I'm Healthy! I'm Alive! I'm Home! I'm Free! Let's Go! * I'll be away during week 3, so adjusting days to a 3 week challenge + week 0 to work out the kinks. We are coming back on the Friday, and that Saturday morning early I take part in The Muddy Princess.* Health: Water & Herbal Teas: 1-2x bottles a day >>> 20 days to pass >>> 25 days to qualify for prize Extra point if I make flavoured water/iced tea Sleep: At least 7hrs a night >>> 20 days to pass >>> 25 days to qualify for prize Food: One new recipe / change from the regular, each week >>> 5 days to pass >>> 8 days to qualify for prize Blessings: Blessings received, Blessings given. At least once a week (do not count for pass/fail) Something physical to/from friends/strangers; Visit retirement home; What I see and hear; Something I write for someone. Ideas welcome Prize: One Two qualifications achieved is minimum I need to earn the prize(s). One top extra for each extra qualification achieved. New exercise mat. I need to buy hubby and the boys new ones, but I'll use my old one as extra incentive New exercise top (cotton -something like this) with or without support inset Exercise: Project work may be subbed for cardio, strength, or mobility Cardio: Walking or mowing - 1x/week >>> 4 days to pass >>> 6 days to qualify for prize Strength: OCR workout - 1x/week >>> 4 days to pass >>> 6 days to qualify for prize Mobility Stretches - 1x/week >>> 4 days to pass >>> 6 days to qualify for prize Self Defense - 1x/week >>> 4 days to pass >>> 6 days to qualify for prize Prize: Two qualifications reached is minimum I need to earn the prize. New OCR top (not cotton!) - moisture wicking Projects: Finish the cat tree (mobility) Put up shade netting on the side of our new veranda (stoep) roof (mobility) Cut our hair! (if I had a patience goal...) Gardening/Mowing (strength)

Enough said for now. More to come. Quick recap of missing time. Got a job as a cook working 5am to 2pm 4-5 days a week. Big change. Enough sleep is a challenge. working out is a challenge. I just needed to improvise, adapt and overcome! good news.....I am starting this challenge at 195 pounds. I finially broke the fluctuations between 198 and 204 I was stuck on all spring. I have been getting 10,000 plus steps a day ( thanks @Jarric @Heidi @RES And Chris (someone help me with his name on here) for doing challenges with me on Fitbit. It really helped. That and I don't sit down at all on my 5-2 shift. Also not working from home has keep my eating in check. Even though I eat healthy and almost 90% paleo, I still ate too much for my activity level. I skip breakfast now ( I don't suggest this for everyone, it just has worked for me) and eat lunch when I get off work. Then a dinner of meat, 2 vegtables and maybe 1/4 carbs if I didn't have carbs at lunch. I don't track on MFP. goals this challenge nutrition........stay doing what I am doing. exercise.......10,000 steps a day, everyday strength.......BBWW 3 times a week and lift on universal gym 2 X a week. simple, easy and just adding in one thing. Will work on some life stuff ( big changes in hubby's job coming) and pampering myself but no goals this time around. Swampling, Wild Wolf, RES and 10 others like this

When I quit my job at the end of last challenge, I kinda threw myself into a frenzy of keeping busy. I took on a bunch of projects so that I wouldn't be sitting around without people contact or achievements to earn, and I was determined not to sit at my computer all day. Hence my absence from Nerd Fitness ..... Mr. Wizard and I joined the Society for Creative Anachronism, and I threw myself into getting ready for our first event. It was something I had always dreamed of doing .... now seemed like a good time to join up. I made outfits and wooden camp chairs (yes, I'll post pics ....), and we both took up archery ..... and went to the local archery practice sessions organized by the Baron. Since our local group was co-hosting, I even jumped in to help get the site ready and cook for the feast. Turned out that preparation was more fun than the event. For one thing, it rained off and on, which put a damper on the archery and fighting events. I did see one rapier instruction session, which looked pretty cool. But the heavy fighters looked like they were just swinging wildly, and the archery targets were drawn images on cardboard - which didn't look impressive. Mostly, people ended up sitting around under canopies and mostly ...... drank. While people were in costume, they were not really "in character" at all, and no one was paying attention to the competitions even when the weather cleared off for a while. They were not even careful to hide plastic and labeled bottles. (The event stewards were pretty frustrated.) When we got home, Mr. Wizard and I just kinda felt ..... Frankly, the Ren Fest would have been more fun, especially in costume. While we could go to another event next weekend, I'm considering going up to the Ren Fest to enjoy the food and music instead. Since tomorrow is my birthday (!), I'm relaxing and enjoying a whole BIRTHDAY WEEK!!! Meanwhile ...... back at the 4-week challenge ....... I am focusing on activities and less on a lot of measurable goals. I have more than a touch of ennui, but at least I'm still trying!!! BIKING Yea ... do it. I am getting out for at least an hour each day when it isn't raining. And I am aiming to bike to do local errands, unless I'd have to carry more than my panniers can hold. 5K Races - September 11th and 18th The 11th is a local run associated with the Defeat of Jesse James Days, and the 18th is my rescheduled Color Run up in Duluth!! I'm going up for the whole weekend for the Color Run. SO ...... I'm doing training runs every other day. ARCHERY Mr. Wizard and I practice at least weekly, and I aim to get in another 1 or 2 sessions at the local archery range on my own. I really need the extra sessions to build up my upper body strength!!! MINDFUL EATING I am still with the Weight Watchers program, in part because of the local group leader is so inspiring and fun. I've hit another plateau ..... after losing 20 pounds ..... but measurements show that my body composition has improved a lot. FIND A PURPOSE I'm chipping away at some house projects, but after the SCA event hit the "RESET" button on unrealistic expectations, I'm casting about for something that inspires me.

Themeless Confusions... OK, so after an unscheduled hiatus, I'm returning to Nerd Fitness to try to get a better handle on the fitness side of the hiccups called life... While I figure out the new format and all the changes that have happened in the forums and with the Challenges, please bear with my renewed newbieness! Since I first joined the Rebellion at NF, my fitness interests (as well as abilities and recommendations from having Fibromyalgia) were kinda across the board...but I quickly found my niche with the Assassins Guild. Despite the recent changes to the Guild classifications, I'm still pretty much all over the place; however, I still consider myself to be an Assassin rather than categorized as an Adventurer. With the new changes to NF, there have been major changes to my world...which intimately impact my fitness abilities (and allowances per Dr's approval)!! Sadly, many of the things I enjoyed about being an Assassin (like Parkour) are now on my no-no list... And to make matters even more complicated, I'm in a place (US Military Duty Station) that does not support the members of the local population in the same predicament as I am (which, ironically, is about 1/8 of the base denizens!!)! So, in addition to figuring out the new NF Rebellion formats, I'm having to figure out what & how I'm going to work "appropriate and Dr approved" fitness back into my life!! I'm going to break down each week of the challenge by continuing the same weekly increments I set up from my Lessons with Dr. Frankenstein 4WC at the start of the year, since those weekly increments keep me on track with my physical progressions. Although each of my weeks actually "start" on Wednesdays, I'll keep with the Monday through Sunday schedule of the 4WC...so each of the 4 weeks will begin in one progression and end in the next...confused yet? For this go around, I'm going themeless...kinda can't think of one that's currently applicable anyway...I may resurrect my last challenge theme next go around...we'll see. Also, I'm just putting down some bare bones for now...I'll figure out grading scale (do or don't, pretty much), point allocations (based on new NF format), and rewards (besides getting healthier!) and edit them in later. Quest 1: Healthy and Adequate Weight Gain... OK, so in pretty much all of my past 6WCs, I was always looking at weight/inch loss. However, I can no longer do that...because I'm actually SUPPOSED to gain weight!! But I'm supposed to gain it slowly and steadily. However, in the last 25 weeks, I have only gained 2 pounds instead of the recommended average of 17 pounds!! At my last checkup, the Dr. said not to worry about it because I'm eating well and we are both healthy. But I do need to make sure that I don't gain more than about 1 pound a week and definitely don't loose any, either!! So I'm just going to monitor my weight (which does fluctuate a bit due to occasional large meals and random bathroom inadequacies...) to make sure I don't gain too much too fast nor loose any. Week 24: 127.5 pounds Week 25: Week 26: Week 27: Quest 2: Find something to do... OK, so I need to find things that are Preggo-friendly and then actually DO them!! Walking, Swimming and Prenatal Yoga are on the OK list...however walking without a destination is boring, I'm not much of a swimmer (and there's no water aerobics class available), and while I'm fine with doing yoga, I'm a bit nervous about doing it sans instructor (no prenatal yoga here either!). So each week I need to do some homework/research to figure out something that I'll be allowed to do and then do it! Right now, I want to clock at least 15 miles per week on my pedometer...non workout related...which means parking at the farthest part of the parking lot, taking the stairs when able...basically...don't be a slug...LOL! There's lots of info out there touting the pregnancy benefits of swimming, but as I said before, I'm not much of a swimmer. So I'm going to "play" in the water...not much for swimming laps, but I could probably walk in the chest level water for resistance...heck, even just "bopping around" will be doing something! I'll go and pick the brains of the people I meet for ideas and suggestions..who knows, maybe I'll find something fun about it...I need at least 30 minutes of this each time I do it. Walking is another recommended activity...one that I tend to find pretty boring...well, unless I'm going somewhere or am walking around enjoying something (a garden, park, museum, etc)...but walking around my neighborhood (or on a treadmill) for walking's sake....BLAH!! But I do have a friend who suggested that we walk the golf course together...hmmmm...has potential. This also has the 30 minute time frame. I want to get back into my Belly Dance practice...it has lots of core, abdominal and pelvic floor advantages..but I'm out of practice. I need to get back into this. Again, at least 30 minutes per session... I also need to work on some Prenatal Yoga...I've already done some research, now I just need to apply it. Yup, you guessed it...30 minutes is the goal. Modified Barre and Pilates are also recommended...need to do more research and play with it a bit...30 mins per session... Hubby read Steve's article about the Green Arrow Workout and wants to try it out once his PRT is over (on Friday)...he also wants me (and others, if he can persuade them) to do it with him! LOL! Well, it looks like I should be able to do the Intro (beginner) level...at least for a while...so I'll try it and see if it's doable...at least until my bump gets in the way... So right there, that's something for every day of the week! Plus a few extras to mix it up! I'll figure out how often, but I'm thinking that I need to do something at least 3 times a week for starters... Quest 3: Eat, Sleep and Pamper... This one's gonna be easier said than done...I'm already pretty good about eating healthy and taking my meds with my meals...but I do forget sometimes...or I just don't want to eat when I'm feeling particularly queasy... And when I do eat, I can't eat much..no room with my tummy's downstairs neighbor vying for more living space! LOL! And speaking of the gizzard denizen...that's where sleep issues come into play as well...apparently my bedtime is it's party time!! LOL!! I've been OK about resting, putting my feet up and taking naps when I have the time...it does help...some. But I would like to get better about relaxing, resting and doing little things to pamper myself while I still can... I'm not too sure on how I'm gonna work this one...need to ponder it a bit more, I think... Life Quest: Prepare for the Inevitable... This one's gonna be interesting...this will include multiple aspects of preparation...laying the proverbial ground work so that either the action is one that can make life easier later or will provide proper information to be utilized at the appropriate time... One way to prepare is by taking a class, watching a video or reading a book/magazine/article about what's going on now, and how to prepare for what all happens in the coming stages! Another is meal prep...basically stocking the freezer with pre-prepared meals that are "heat and eat"...when I cook a meal that is freezer friendly, make a double or triple batch and freeze the extra for later. And since I cook healthy and from scratch, I know these will be exponentially better that what one might find in a store's freezer section!! I also means that when life gets painfully hectic (in more ways than one) once I get closer to the 40th weekly increment, I won't have to worry about cooking...or relying on Hubby's cooking! LOL! One more preparation regards cleaning and organizing...We've got too much stuff here and our spare room is PACKED!! So for starters, I need to clear out clutter...sell, give away or trash what we don't need/want/love and ship home what we won't need in the next year. Next, organize the "stuff" we do need/use...especially the things that will be useful around the 40th weekly increment and after... I also need to re-examine our budget and plan for the upcoming expenses...and purchase what needs to be purchased in advance so it can be set up with time to spare before it becomes necessary...I like to have a little wiggle room (read relaxation) before the "have-tos" set in and take over! ...and then there's the garden...this will be our last season in this house (PCS due by next Spring)...so I need to downsize what I've got. I also need to stay on top of my succession plantings and weeding so that by the time the 40th weekly increment comes along, it will be pretty much self-sustaining with minimal effort...just harvest and enjoy! Et Al... I normally wrap up my quests with any "extras" I'm planning on doing...Guild Minis, PvPs, Accountabilibuddies...but I'm not sure what, or even if, I'm going to do anything additional this go around. I've already got a lot on my plate, both personally and with the 4WC... I'll just have to see..

No pictures of me, yet.......hubby installing pole next weekend. Nothing like starting off my first challenge as a Ranger with a bang huh? For those of you who don't know me quick introduction... Been with NF 2 years off and on. Really improved eating during that time and since I have began focusing on exercise have lost total of 20 pounds. Have 40 more to go ( goal 160) I am 46 yrs old ( born in 1969) and live in Iowa. ( born and raised in Illinois) Love music/movies from all eras and genres. I am a HUGE science nerd. i was very athletic and active all through high school and college but something happened in my mid thirties. ( there is muscle under there I swear) i have a quick wit and a smart mouth but would die protecting my friends. i talk way to much so you probably never want to meet me in person. i can start a conversation with a tree anyone who knows me here can feel free to add in anything else notable about me. NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE PORN Pal. As in MFP. Log every morsel of food that goes into my mouth. ( @DrFeelgood, @SomeGuyFromScotland Insert comment now). Looking to stay between 1300 and 1700 calories a day to lose weight but I will adjust if necessary based on deficits. I am pretty Paleoish. I do allow rice, potatoes, corn, beans and cheese sparingly. Try to not eat bread or pasta at all ever ( that is how I got here) but I will have home made pizza with a really thin crust. I love to cook and have a huge raised bed garden. I will post pictures of food for everyone's pleasure. Own it. Exercise is something I hate. I would rather do functional fitness which is challenging in the winter. Now that the weather is nice I am In Like Flint. Basically my goal is 30 minutes 6 days a week. I will do a mix of stuff from DVD's and videos, utilize my Gold's Universal home gym, @deftonaBest Ass in London workout with BBWW, or what ever toots my horn that week. I try to get my heart Rate going and lift heavy stuff. Reach my my step goal and extra BW exercise goal each week. Tried for 10,000 steps a day but settled for doing more than the following Week as a goal. Heidi the Druid master and I do challenges to keep motivated. I will also goal myself to do some sort of BW exercise All week to hit 300 of them. I like to change it up each week. This week is planks. Network. I love being a part of NF and have met many wonderful people here. I will be involved with a PvP challenge of sorts with Deftona, @Wild Wolf and @Heidi I hope to travel lots of threads and get inspired to do other activities. It is easy for me to not exercise but with needing to do it for others or against others I will get it done. You will also see weekly life goals and things to do pop up here but I want my main focus of this challenge to be nutrition and exercise. if you have any questions please ask away. Also comments on goals always welcome.

During my last challenge I established some strong workout habits by giving them major priority and it was awesome. Daily exercise is truly magic for me Working out a lot took lots of time, but I got confirmed again that where there is a will there is a way.... Now there is a lot of things I'd like to get done with and for my family, some of them uncomfortable, some of them urgent and important, all of them would improve life quality for us, lots of things I'd like to get done for our house and garden and last but not least again for the most important home I have - my body, so this challenge will hopefully see me do it all: Lucky fire dragon takes good care of her lair and family 1. Taking good care of my dear ones Not sure yet how to structure this best, was thinking of points but ended up with a list instead, will include the regular things in my weekly spreadsheets and cross out on the list right here Regular tough and tender love: - check both A's and T's homework every single school day (total of 10 due to holidays) - make sure T practices her drums and recorder daily (total 28) - read a short section in diary of a whimpy kid with A daily to improve his English skills (total 28) - tidy up T's room with her once every week (which is a major adventure for both of us and I am hoping doing it more often will improve that. I told her I will give her an hour for that every weekend - more tomorrow as we will have to sort through a lot of things then - and if we don't need the full hour because she kept it neat herself we can play a game instead or go roller blading hope that helps as incentive) total of 4 - study with A for his school 2x 30 minutes every week (total of 8) List of other goodies and/or necessities to be taken care of this challenge: - get R good sun glasses - take R to skin doctor for funny toe nail - sign R up for driving lessons - cancel the saving contract we have running for her in order to fund said driving lessons - take R shopping for clothes - look through A's clothes and take him shopping - look through T's clothes, hand on what's too small, try out waiting things, shop if need be - get A's bike lights fixed - get T's bike lights fixed plus new bell for bike (don't what it is about those lights, ugh) - go roller blading with T (at least 3x throughout challenge) 3/3 - play with A on trampoline or go roller blading and him on waveboard (at least 2x throughout the challenge) 2. Taking good care of house and garden - Tend garden and/or unclutter something in the house for 100 min / week (which one it is will be depending on weather and urgency) - plant strawberries on balcony with T - wash and clean car inside and out - get summer wheels on - sort through own clothes and hand on things not worn any more 3. Taking good care of my body and mind Adapted Goal - Continue daily exercise first thing in the morning, for week 1 I will do: - follow Integral Strength Training by GMB (currently 3 sessions per week) - Ring workout is optional whenever I want to (and have strength left from IS and pole ) Continue pole training 4x / week Add rope skipping 3x/ week Add 5 min hula hoop every day (only when the mood strikes) Walk at least 3000 steps every day (I know that is ridiculously little for most of you here, but for me it can be challenging on many days as I work from home and spend most of my time in the house) Journal or meditate 10 min/ day Keep up French lessons with Memrise, Duolingo and/or other means - no time goal here, as mini challenges pushes me plenty as is 4. Taking good care of my skin and nails These usually get so neglected with and it's time for them to get spoiled a bit more and shine so they get their own goal... 5 minutes/day taking care of either nails or calluses (can even be just one or two nails as long as something gets tended) For most of my life I used to bite my nails super short and while I don't do that anymore, they don't get much care yet either. I cut them short now and don't smoothen them afterwards, the nail polish I put on my toes in February is still on in remnants... you get the picture. It won't take that much time to do better here and a little bit every day will go a long way. My hands have developed some calluses from the hoop and ring training (funny enough pole doesn't create any) and one tore open a few days ago. Fortunately I discovered that I had bought one of those rough stones to use on callused skin a long time ago (when I intended better skin care as well lol) and found out that smoothed all the rough edges on the torn callus perfectly so now it won't rip any further, yay. So treating the calluses from time to time with that stone will probably prevent them from getting ripped in the first place, or at least I hope it might. 4 peeling massages over course of challenge This will be a whole new experience, I have never ever done any peelings before Somehow turning 40 made me think of all kinds of new stuff, like I gotta turn into a classy lady or something lol, but I think it will be real nice for my dear skin 4 salt baths over course of challenge 4 nights with wet socks (socks soaked in warm salt water, dry woolen socks over plus towel and wham comfy detox cleanses overnight ) can also be replaced by a salted 15 min foot bath Spending at least 10 minutes / day outdoors Come rain or shine, I have to get out there. Am pale like a sheet at the moment and won't wait for perfect weather to change that. Plus oxygen... never to be underestimated!! This can happily be combined with goal nr 2 (gardening time) What else is new? Oh yes, I got a fitbit charge hr for my birthday so I am now all distracted by checking how my heart rate is doing, how many steps I've taken, what it counts as exercise and can't wait to see what it thinks of pole training (have slacked this week zero, but Sunday will tell!!) and I guess it would give plenty material for more challenges.... but considering how full this one is right now (and believe me there was more that could have come in lol, but I'm shshing it ) I decided to wait on that... As is I'd be one suuuuuuuuuper proud fire dragon if when I managed all of the above this coming challenge!! Won't beat myself up if for some reason I don't but boy would it be cool if I did it, squeeeeeeee What helped me last time tremendously was @mr_willes pushing me on in a PvP that had us report on each other's threads how far we were along with our workouts. So if anybody would like to try that out, I'd love to do that again! But be warned, I might not be as nice to you as you know me I can be quite competitive when it comes to it. In the end I'd love to see both of us have straight A weeks though, of course. That is the very best feeling for sure. Let's do this thing For tracking: homework check T 10/10 homework check A 10/10 music training check T 11/28 get room shiny T 4/4 study with A 6/8 read dwk with A 5/28 roller blading fun T 3/3 waveboard fun A 3/2 tend garden (or unclutter house) 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 meditation 20/28 Integral Strength 10/10 pole training 12/16 > 3000 steps 27/28 nail / skin care 23/28 peeling massage 4/4 salt bath 5/4 > 10 minutes outdoors 24/28

Okay, These 4 week challenges are great and all but I think for now I am going to amalgamate everything in the one log. That way my disjointed rambling posts will have some sort of backstory and probably make more sense. xD If you don't know me already (sheesh!) I am 24, australian, working in hopsitality, learning roller derby, and trying to live my aussie dream of owning a house with my lovely partner and gardens and no people and shit. Yeah! Most concise intro so far. Last challenge I focussed on tracking my food (having just come back from a 2-week holiday including an all-you-can-eat buffet) and trying to do some exercise and keep my house clean. The house cleaning plan got de-railed a little bit because everything ended up getting packed up and dragged over to our new house, so I have a clean slate to start again with good housework habits. (also, Mr. Tea said he'd buy me a dishwasher so booyeah!) For the next 4 weeks (at least, probably longer!) I want to be focussing on unpacking the rest of the boxes and throwing out anything I don't need, cleaning the old house, ticking off things on my house-moving list, and getting some sort of garden happening, as well as keeping the new house looking somewhat presentable. Awesome! I also want to re-route my derby focus to be working on the last few things that I need to pass my minimum skills, as well as get good at skills that come in handy in games but aren't necessarily skills that are demanded of you. I've been feeling a bit 'meh' about training since coming back from holiday but we've also had a string of public holidays depriving us of all our training sessions, so I need to get back in there! DERBY SKILLS LIST; 27in5 (currently 24) 360 transitions (at faster speeds!) side-skating / T-skating backwards crossovers pushing through walls core bracing THE HOUSE MOVING LIST: Get a mailbox - done, just need to put up Organise internet - waiting for tech support - still. Call the electricity company Order Gas Bottle Build a dog-fence Put in doggy door - completed (thanks dad!) Clean old house - Put bins out at old house Grab lemon tree from old house Take a load of rubbish to the tip Change addresses at various places (requires mailbox!) - Vehicle license + new license photo. - Car Insurance - Debit card - Superannuation - Work - Dentist - Spotlight (:P) Unpack Rooms; - Formal lounge - all the spare furniture is in here - move extra furniture to the shed - Ensuite - need to move a chest of drawers in for storage space - Craft Room Just gotta put my desk back in there Misc. Things Put up a washing line Oil the hammock stand Change ensuite shower head Stockpile wood for winter Got a good few weeks worth at least; ~ 8-10 wheelbarrow loads for now.

Past history I am am going to WAR with my weight. It will be defeated. Overall goal is 2 pounds per week but I don't obsess with the scale. I also win by feeling better, clothes being looser and inches being lost. I am looking at this as a 4 week challenge with this week being a prep week. Workout-. This is the hardest for me. I have arthritis in both hips and sciatica from walking funny because of the arthritis. I need to lose weight to help with this and I need to exercise to lose weight but the pain keeps me from exercising. i don't like it as an excuse but I need to proceed carefully and if I can just do a little more each day it will help. This time around I am goaling myself 30 minutes of exercise 6 days per week. I have a mix of things I can do here at the house that will envolve some cardio and some strength. This will be ever evolving as challenges go on and I hope to enroll in water aerobics soon. 24pts available. A-C grading. +3 STR and +3 STA Accountability. I have a good handle on what I eat but I tend to eat too much. Also what works for me in weightloss mode is to limit carbs. To hold myself accountable I will utilize MFP. I need to do some math and look at total calories and carbs and will probably adjust weekly. I will hash this out and post goals at the begining of each week. Main thing here is to log everything. I am also going to post food porn at least one meal a day here. 28pts available. A-C grading +2 WIS and +1 CHA Reach 9,000 steps daily and do 300 body weight exercises each week. I average about 7,000 now so just a few more. With the weather turning nice this should not be an issue. My Fitbit is great and is a motivator. The body weight exercises are in addition to the workouts. I can break these up through out the day and this has worked for me in the past. I will pick an exercise to focus on each week. Squats, lunges, push ups will be used the most but suggestions are welcome. Graded pass/fail. +1 STA Simple and straight forward but works for me. I really need to focus on exercise to loose weight. Don't get me wrong diet is uber important but I have a pretty good handle on that except for portions. I would also like to kick the pesky diet soda habit I got back into and also do some pampering of myself weekly but I will address these things in my daily battle log. I want,this challenges focus to be getting back to exercising. Of course there will be MUSIC TRIVIA every morning at least during the weekdays. Smut is always appreciated as is suggestions and comments. I need some motivation from my peeps! Push me! Pull my hair, whatever has to be done to get me 20 pounds lighter and I think that exercise will be much easier.

My data gathering is complete, and, as became clear in the first week, my biggest issue is planning /time management. I have a plan to deal with that, and that plan is to let someone else do most of the planning! In the middle of last challenge, Husband and I joined the NF Academy. This challenge will be all following the plan contained in there. Plus some roller derby, and hopefully a bit of cycling. My goal for week 1 is to get through the mind set stuff, and then start the actual challenge with the nutrition section. I haven't read through that part in great detail, so I don't know how far I'll be able to get in 4 weeks. Which means scoring will be based on following the plan, however far I get. I'm also still doing roller derby, and in fact I'm going to be trying out for a league on the 19th. I'm very excited and a little bit nervous about that. Especially since I haven't been on skates in over a week because I got sick, and I'm not likely to be back on them until late this week at the soonest, because I'm still getting over the flu. So, I really hope I have a chance to recover before then and I don't get out there and look like I haven't been on skates in forever. I'm still theoretically still working on cycling so I can start riding my bike to the bus, but I haven't made it to the class in so long I'm pretty much starting over with that. For a life goal, I would like to get my garden planned. I have a feeling by the time I can get anything ready it'll be too late to start from seeds, but I can still get small plants to put in there! Edit: Can't believe I forgot to mention that I'm also working on increasing how much I move around during the day. For that, I cut my goal for steps down to 5k per day, to start. Once I've met that goal for a week, I'm going to increase it by 1000, and then repeat, until I'm back up to 10k/day and meeting that consistently.

It's both wonderful and also rather annoying how much my mood improves once I start getting regular doses of sunshine. This beautiful weather has me playing outside, getting the yard/garden in order, and generally energetic and optimistic about life. I think you'll find that reflected in this challenge! Goal One: Move it! Part A: Kettlebells 2x per week Same old, same old here. Tuesdays and Thursdays, we kettlebell. Go muscles! Part B: Go for a bike ride 2x per week My bicycle situation has been resolved! (Bike was stolen in the fall. I am taking over hubby's bike - which was actually too small for him, and fits me just fine - as we have found a new-to-him bike.) I'm planning to start bike commuting full time in May - my bus pass runs out at the end of April, and I don't want to buy a new one until September at the earliest. I need to get my cycling muscles back! The 2x per week thing is a bare minimum, and ideally should include one longer ride (10km+) per week. My commute is just over 4k each way, so that should be good. I also plan to bike in to work a few times before the month is over, but that will be in addition to these rides. A : 16+ B : 14+ C : 12+ D : 10+ F:<10 Goal Two: Eat it! Good food, that is. Hiroro reminded me of something I said a long time ago about fighting cravings with deliciousness, and it made me realize I was missing an opportunity there. I kept making these healthy, but uninspired meals, and then not feeling satisfied and either eating something else entirely or in addition. So I am going to combine more interesting, healthy meals with some good old fashioned food prep to minimize room for error. That's the strategy in order to get to the following goal: Metrics: 3 points per day, 6 days per week Carbs: <100g Protein: >80g Calories: <1800 A : 70+ B : 64+ C : 58+ D : 52+ F: <50 Goal Three: Step it! Get over 222,222 steps in the next four weeks. Just for fun. A : 222,222+ B : 202,202+ C : 180,180+ D : 167,167+ F: <159,159 Goal Four: Live it! This is a laundry list of things I'd like to accomplish in the next month. -Remove all leaves and other dead vegetation from the yard, front and back. -Prep garden beds for planting. -Prune trees. -Build raised bed in back. -Organize spare room closet. -Take donations in. -Organize entry way and front closet. -Take in cardboard recycling. -Clean out broom closet. -Organize hall closet. (Can you tell I have a closet problem?) A : 8+ B : 6+ C : 4+ D : 2+ F: 1 or less

I might still be working on this a bit, but here is my new challenge! I tried to make all the quests support each other - running counts as outside time, outside time counts on my to do list, etc. Also, my to do list is flexible enough that I can adapt for anything that may come up - as long as I plan it the night before it counts. Quest 1: Get Moving! I will continue working towards a pull-up three days a week. And I will be adding in couch to 5k. Tentatively, I will be running on T, TH, Sa and doing bodyweight progressions on M, W, F, with an extra rest day on Sunday. Quest 2: Be Productive! I will create a daily to do list (trying out some apps along the way). I will earn 3 points for making the list and 5 points for using it as a schedule for the day. Each task I cross off my list earns me points - 1 point per 5 minutes spent on it. *80 points = 100% Quest 3: Get Outside! Everyday I will spend at least 2 hours outside. My focus during this outside time will be gardening, but running and other activities also count. To account for springtime weather, time over 2 hours on another day can help make up missed time on rainy or windy days. Only time missed due to weather (or unavoidable commitments) can be made up. Quest 4: Simplify! Decluttering, reorganizing, and generally heading towards simplicity and less stuff. Task points will be a flat amount, as opposed to time spent, since this will encourage speed rather than overthinking and dwelling. 5 points per task. *Daily goal is 5 points. Make-ups allowed by doing extra on other days. Quest 4: Craft! Do at least one task daily to prepare for upcoming craft fair. *pass/fail - progress made or not made To pass each quest I need at least 85% success. 1 day per week is a rest day and doesn’t count against my score - it doesn’t have to be the same day for all quests. Rewards: TBD

So I have a few active goals I'm working towards: 1) Bodyweight exercises or go for a run before breakfast 2) journal every week day with breakfast 3) do more social things with friends and make new connections 4) further my gardening and photography skills Battle log day 1. - Bodyweight routine? Check! - Journaling? Check! - Social goal? Rejoining my martial arts school next month to reconnect with friends (and hey, cross training) and writing this post, so check! - Gardening? Starting seeds this weekend, so also check! - Photography? Daily snap taken, check! Today is a good day and is off to a good start. I have a lot of things I want to achieve this year (yes it's March, I'm just now getting around to posting, gah!) and I feel my momentum is good. Not sure how often I want to update here, but probably a few times a week. I'll also likely jump in on the next 4 week challenge at the end of the month. Go team, and such!

This is basically a redux of February, tweaked slightly! 1) Bodyweight and C25K rotation I started a weekly routine last week (though I skipped yesterday for reasons relating to the annual spring dog poop clean up and have a double session today... Sometimes being an adult interferes). Monday, Thursday, Saturday - C25k. Zombies, Run! version Sunday, Wednesday, Friday - BW Routine (taking from startbodyweight.com) as set up on google docs BW consists of - Squat progressions, Pull up progressions, Handstand pushup progressions, Leg raise progressions, Dip/Pushup Progressions (alternate session for these, thank the deities, fuck you dips!), horizontal pull progressions, and plank progressions. I'm also currently starting each session with deadlifts, but as I add more weight I won't continue doing them every session. 2) Adulting Redux Still need to sort clothes Still need to sort books Vacuum once a week Water House plants once a week Need to start outside yardwork, but I'll have to think on how I want to tackle all of this (and weather can still interfere!) 3) Pet care! Tis time for the spring shedding bonanza! Brush the dogs and the cats once a week (do the dogs outside if nice enough). Walk both the dogs 2 times a week. Dedicate 15 minutes a night to playing with cats, either with laser pointer or lure. Cuddle with all nightly (not like this doesn't happen anyway )

Back in a solid groove after the Xmas fiasco! Hooray! 1) Add in a body weight workout in the style of the Bodyweight 666 Beginner, while continuing to do yoga 3-4 times a week. The intial session for all of them will be the first progression as warm up, and advance two for the five sets. The routine for February will be as such: Beginner sample routine (3 days a week):Week 1 – Week 4: Volume phase – recovery periods of 1-2 min between sets.Day 1: pull ups, push ups, squats, abs and coreDay 2: pull ups, handstand push ups, squats, abs and coreDay 3: pull ups, dips, squats, abs and core 2) I have an assortment of odds and ends to do around the house. So each week I will complete one task:Week 1 - put together weight bench and rack that are still sitting in the way in the entry wayWeek 2 - I have been meaning to cut down my book collection. I like books, but I think I've fully moved to ebooks and they are just takingup room now. Get a spread sheet set up with all the books I'd like to sell on ebay, with their weights for mailing, and get pictures taken.Week 3 - The last few pieces for our home gym area will be here. Finish setting all this up, and buy some cheap tall mirrors to put in there. Also get my bluetooth speakers set up in there.Week 4 - Lots of clutter has accumulated in both the kitchen and in my room. Sort through and get rid of seldom used or redundant kitchen equipment, and go through my clothes getting rid of old ones or ones I rarely wear or don't fit. 3) I have been neglecting my plants and procrastinating on setting up seedlings. Water plants once a week, and get one tray of seedlings planted each week (for a total of 4). AND DON'T IGNORE THEM AFTER PLANTING. Heh, Water trays once a week after planting.

Well after my relatively successful last challenge I am back and moving forwards again. After a brief discussion with my Bec I have decided to focus on these next three tasks from my list of things I need to be doing to get back on track. So here they are. Goal One: Morning and Nighttime Routines From the Art of Manliness website I have read about the importance of having a routine in the morning when I first get up and one at night before going to bed. So I have written up simple instructions for my morning and bedtime routines. The plan is to stick to them everyday. I think Constitution and Wisdom are the appropriate stats here. Critical Hit: 6+ times per week 4 points Hit: 4-5 times per week 3 points Block: 2-3 times per week 2 points Dodge: 1-2 times per week 1 point Miss: 0-1 times per week 0 points Goal Two: Walking the Dog Our pup Kodi, needs to be walked daily, I need to walk daily. So by putting the two together I have a goal for this challenge. I will use Map My Fitness to track my walks for accountability. Stamina and Constitution will be the Stats for this goal. Critical Hit: 6+ times per week 4 points Hit: 4-5 times per week 3 points Block: 2-3 times per week 2 points Dodge: 1-2 times per week 1 point Miss: 0-1 times per week 0 points Goal Three: Gardening It is spring and we still need to build vegie gardens [i failed to do this in a previous challenge] and get them going. I also need to get on top of the mowing and weeding. We have been at our house for a year and the yard still looks derelict. I am taking responsibility here for that and getting the garden sorted. It is my plan to spend about 5-10 hours per week in the garden. Aiming for an hour per day on average. Fortunately Map My Fitness has entries for both lawn mowing and general gardening. So I will use it to track my gardening time. Dexterity and Constitution will be the stats for this goal. Critical Hit: 6+ hours per week 4 points Hit: 4-6 hours per week 3 points Block: 3-4 hours per week 2 points Dodge: 1-3 hours per week 1 point Miss: 0-1 hours per week 0 points My remaining three points I will give out at the end of the challenge based upon what seems appropriate at the time.

Tune in, Tone up! As soon as you are able Woman I am willing To make the break that we Are on the brink of .......... So if you're tired of the Same old story Turn some pages Same goals. Lose weight, get stronger. Upping the intensity to maximize results. 1. Exercise Red hot mama Velvet charmer Time's come to pay your dues I am not messin' around here. 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Period. At least 3 of which needs to be cardio. Time to work on the middle section. 2. Nutrition. I don't know where I'm going But, I sure know where I've been Hanging on the promises In songs of yesterday An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time Where I have been has been working. I am not reinventing the wheel here. Track calories on MFP, keep calories 1300-1700 range, carbs under 100 g ( dip down to under 50g 3 days), no processed, no sugar, no gluten. There are going to be times that I cheat. Not planning a day because I don't want to cheat, but won't beat myself up if I have a small slice of birthday cake at a party I attend, or I make homemade pizza. I still need to keep calories in check though. Pictures of my dinner plate nightly to keep me in check. 3. Dexterity Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you're always afraid Step out of line, the men come and take you away Why is stretching so hard? General stretching each morning. Either focus routine during the day or general stretching at night. Need to increase mobility in my hips in order to do another goal that I want to include in next challenge. Life goal. If there's one thing In my life that's missing It's the time that I spend alone Sailing on the cool And bright clear water I need to get things done, but also enjoy the summer before it is gone. Will have a to do list each week for projects and then a relaxing activity goal for me also. I will be editing later to add more specifics and a grading schedule.

Didn't finish last challenge. Life got in the way. More later. This challenge KISS--- Keep it simple stupid. Not reinventing the wheel here. Eat right, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Eat right. Back to a stricter Paleo for me. Protein and veggies for breakfast and lunch. I hate counting calories so I am not. I think that if I lay off carbs of any kind until dinner and then just have 1/4 cup I will be fine. Here come the headaches! I will take a cheat day once a week for sugar/alcohol. I have three birthday parties and two get togethers this challenge. Also water, water, water. At least 2 liters a day to start then move to three. Exercise. 3 days of weights and two days of cardio. Rest day Sunday and one other flexible day. Stretching every morning and night. Just basic. Now that it is nice out I can also get some functional fitness in working in the yard and gardening. Sleep. Bedtime between 10:30 and 11. No electronics at least a half hour before bed. Wake up 5:30 to 6. I have gotten to the point that I wake up on my own. On weekends I usually get up at that time, let the dogs out and sometimes go back to bed for a little while. I let my body tell me if it needs to catch up on some zzz's. Make up--- spend some time with friends here. Why is it that as soon as life gets busy we give up what gives us joy? I need some motivation. I will get to all my friends threads at least once a week. If have about 70 but I need to see who is still active. I will post here daily. Now http://youtu.be/6eZUZnH1oAc

Last night I decided what my goals are going to be for this challenge. I'm still working on meeting all the required reps and time of the Beginner Body Weight Workout. So that's my Main Quest: to perfect the Beginner Body Weight Workout (BBWW). To do this, I will practice the BBWW workout 3x a week. Measurement: working out 3x each week: STR +7. Working out mostly 3x, but sometimes 2x: STR +6. Working out mostly 2x but occasionally 3x: STR +5. Quest 2: Participate in the Rebellion. To do this I will update my challenge thread 3x a week and participate in the Guild Mini's. I will also participate in Accountabilibuddies and encourage new rebels. Measurement: Update challenge 3x a week AND do all the guild mini's: WIS +3. Update challenge 2-3x a week and do some of the guild minis: WIS +2. Update challenge 1x a week or less, and not do any of the guild minis: WIS +1. Life Quest: Clean up the yard! I have alot of brush to get rid of, leaves to rake, small trees to cut down, and bushes to prune. Measurement: Complete all 3 items (brush, leaves, pruning): +5 Charisma for my property. Complete most things (some brush, some leaves, some trees, some pruning): +3 Charisma for my property. Complete only a little of each: +1 Charisma for my property, as in "E for Effort". I have a high motivation to get this life quest done by the beginning of week 4, because my husband's parents and siblings are coming for a week's visit. I also need to not get bogged down in tiny details, like sifting all the volcanic rock and replanting all the daylilies.