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Hi! I figured I'd post my story here, and there might be a chance somebody will see it and become inspired. I stumbled upon NF while looking up recipes for kale chips. I was 16 when I found your website, and probably in the worst shape of my life. I would occasionally eat healthy for a week or so, and maybe do a few pushups a month. The first article NF article that I read was the Beginners guide to Pull-ups. I was intrigued, did a little more research, and discovered the NF blog. I was really impressed by the Beginner Bodyweight Routine and started doing it every other day. I also started making small changes to my diet. After a while, I found the Kettlebell Routine and started doing that instead. A few weeks in, my cousin (Who was looking to lose a few pounds) came over to my house and joined me in the kettlebell routine. We now workout over webcam every few days. I have also started to implement 20 seconds of courage in my life, and I try to protect the asset at all times. Combining exercise, diet change, and IF, I have managed to drop a lot of weight, and at a recent family gathering, I walked up to greet a cousin who I hadn't seen in a while, and his jaw literally dropped. He said "Holy c***! Isaac, You have lost SO MUCH weight!" That hasn't been the only time I've been randomly complemented like this. A few days before, a random woman at church came up to me after mass. She asked, "Are you losing weight?" I replied that I was. She said, "Your face looks so much thinner now!". While this creeped me out slightly (Why are random old ladies gauging my weight?), it also made me very proud. Because I see myself every day, I really haven't noticed any weight loss, and I depend on others to let me know I'm losing weight. However, since I've fixed my diet and started to exercise, I have felt so much stronger. I've gone from doing 0 pullups on Jan 1st to being able to do 5 in a row now, as well as doubling the number of pushups I can do. I am now doing the Semi-Advanced Bodyweight Routine every other day, and I've just started to learn parkour. I can say without any doubt that none of this would have happened if I had not found Nerd Fitness. Everyone on the forums has been super helpful as well. I just wanted to write this and let everyone know how grateful I am for their continual help and support. I also hope this story inspires other rebels to level up their lives as I have done.

My journey to becoming a curvy, strong, and flexable badass. I am currently working on : Flexibility- a full Herron with leg straight Endurance- run two miles without walking Strength- Squat: 3x10 with 75 lbs Dead lift:3x10 with 90 lbs

Hey there! I'm new around here... just getting started. My first goal is to friend 5 people who have been part of this Nerd Fitness community for awhile, specifically people who have some experience, have gained some success, and who have been around the block. If my own goal is longevity, then it's best to focus on longevity. What better way to start out? I know this is only a minor thing, but that's sort-of the point! I want to get a few quick wins and build upon my little successes. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I want build momentum and move towards real successes. What better way to start? This post is my first post. It's mean't to be an act of good faith. I'm not sure where I fit in around here but I look forward to moving forward. Thanks, everyone! In kindness, Adam

The app I use to track my gym workouts provides a summary at the end, showing (among other data points) the total tonnage moved during the workout. Generally my workouts move about 10 tons. For my next challenge, I was thinking I'd set a goal of increasing the average tonnage per workout each week. So Week 1 might be an average of 10.1 t/workout; Week 2 I'd try to push it up to 10.5; and so on. Does this seem like a reasonable goal to set, or am I setting myself up for disappointment? Is it going to be too hard to increase weights in a meaningful way in short spans like that? My concern is basically that I'll either increase in meaningless amounts for the sake of a nominal goal (10.1, then 10.2, then 10.25, etc) or that I will increase in more significant amounts, but only to find that I've started way easier than I should have. My current workouts don't feel too easy, of course...

I was going to do last challenge but didn't...so my goal is to: Start working out regularly...to be healthy, more flexible and to reduce stress. Mini goals: I will work out 3 times a week doing bodyweight exercises and cardio 2 or 3 times a week. I will incorporate yoga poses at least 4 times a week to increase flexibility. I will work on breathing techniques learned in a yoga breathing workshop at least 3 times a week to help with stress. Life goal: I will save $300.00

Hello, my name is Lolavictrola. I has a quest. This is a first draft of what will likely be a "living document". I'll draft and change and add, because I truly believe that our goals should be ever-evolving. 2016 Epic Quest Completing each goal will add x points towards my level ups! STA (Stamina): Athletic goals that boost my ability to move... for longer! STR (Strength: Athletic goals that boost my muscles! DEX (Dexterity): Athletic goals that boost my flexibility and speed! CON (Constitution): Personal goals that boost my career, finances, or similar! WIS (Wisdom): Personal goals that boost my knowledge or experience! CHA (Charisma): Personal goals that boost my self-esteem or add recognition for hard work! Adventurer Goals Walk a mile in under 20 minutes +1 STA Walk a mile in under 15 minutes +1 STA Run a 10 minute mile +2 STA Run an 8 minute mile +3 STA Hike a new trail +1 STA Hike 5 new trails +3 STA Hike 10 new trails +5 STA Do 1 push up +1 STR Do 10 push-ups (can't do one now!) +2 STR Do 100 crunches in a row, no stops +2 STR Sign up for a 5k +1 WIS COMPLETE a 5k +4 STA Take a dance class +2 CON Do a barre class with zero mods +4 DEX Vogue Goals Fit into a size 24 pants +2 CHA Fit into a size 20 pants +3 CHA Fit into a size 16 pants +5 CHA Cover my back tattoo +2 CHA Get another piercing +1 CHA Have a "Dirty Thirty" bday party +2 CHA All About Me Goals Get my own place +5 WIS Get car that's less that 5 yrs old +2 CON Cut my personal belongings in half +3 WIS Go on a weekender by myself +5 WIS Visit Montreal +5 WIS Organize room completely +5 CON Like a Boss Goals Get contract renewed for 3rd year +5 CON Get continuing contract +10 CON Artiste Goals Write 10 new poems +2 WIS Write 30 new poems +3 WIS Get another poem published online +4 CHA Get a poem published in print +5 CHA Finish a rough draft of a nove l +5 WIS Master my antique sewing machine +2 WIS Make a dress +3 WIS Sew a unique design +5 WIS Knit something complicated +2 WIS Sell a piece of art +5 CHA Write a song +2 CHA Master Level Goals (worth more, as they are complex or challenging to complete: Max 20) Get my writing published in major pub +10 CHA Record an album +10 CHA Make over $5,000 on Etsy +15 CON Start my own business +20 CON Buy a house +20 CON Buy a new car +15 CON Get engaged/married +20 CON Earn a black belt in a martial arts disc +20 STA Run a half-marathon +20 STA Get certified to teach a fitness class +10 DEX Visit another continent +15 WIS Become conversational in a 3rd lang +15 WIS Become conversational in a 4th lang +20 WIS Do the ZombieRun +10 DEX Do a split +10 DEX Make Heart & Soul a 501c3 +5 CON

Weighed myself today, my goal having been to break 250lbs. 247.5lb! *roars* This panda of magenta hue is a happy panda today!

I've been working on pull ups for about 2 months at this point, even from before I found nerd fitness. I started with your stereotypical pull ups, just moving myself about the height range of my head - chin over the bar, head below the bar, repeat. After coming here and reading a wealth of information on the subject I found that a true BEASTLY pull up is done from a dead-hang, every rep. Just even reading that I knew I was in trouble, and it was humbling to even try more than one at the start. My goal for about the last month has been to hit 3 sets of 5 of true dead-hang pull ups within a bodyweight circuit routine, and today I finally DID IT! Actually I made 6/5/5. I've been stuck around 5/4/4 for weeks, so this felt like a pretty big deal for me! Oh and the pants: today I'm also wearing a 34 waist for the first time in years! W00t!

Hello to all! I have been struggling with writing my goals for a bit, but after reading some of the great posts here I am inspired to get started with my first challenge Overall goal: to be the fittest I can be. This includes dropping fat and gaining muscle to drop one full dress size. Life goal: more organization in my home. I have a few baby steps I am working on to this end. Measured steps: by the end of the challenge I will have done or be doing the following-- 1. continue my paleo transition -- shift to only one cheat meal a week 2. increase body weight workout from one (current level) to three complete circuits twice weekly 3. sprint two times a week, (3- one minute sprints each session) 4. Do a set of three chin ups (can't do one now) My motivation is my family. I want to be my healthiest so I can enjoy every minute with them and set a good example for my children. Hopefully this makes sense to someone other than me. Best wishes and luck to all starting a new challenge!

HER JOURNEY BEGINS … The calm before the storm always starts with a classic story around a fireplace. While my home doesn't contain a fireplace, I have an unhealthy addiction to candles that could turn into a hefty fireplace if all burnt at once … so let us use those whilst I tell my story. I'm digging that cheese-ball introduction. Hello all! My name is Infinitely North, but you can call me Stacey. I'm a first timer to the Nerd Fitness Rebellion from the great white north of Canada. I found Nerd Fitness only a week ago, so I'm rather thrilled at my spectacularly awesome sense for timing. Below is the information I've put together for my quest. I haven't written a post or held my own thread since my Gaia days (or go-gaia for those of you who also per took in the early years), so excuse me if I'm a little rusty. Quick jist about myself; I am a 23 year old, graphic designer who enjoys hunting and fishing. I'm quite the sharp shooter, but lets be honest … ammunition will run out, so I'll need to out run the zombies. * MAIN QUEST To lose weight (main focus for this challenge), then begin developing a Spartan-esque physic (long term goal). I'll focus more on running during the spring/summer challenges - as I mention below, there is quite a bit of snow outside at the moment so outdoor running is rendered difficult. Therefore, I will start my zombie survival skill set with losing the spare tire around my abdominal area. SMALLER QUESTS • Cut down on refined carbohydrates and begin research on the Paleo lifestyle + Increase STA + Defined when notice of wheat belly is shrinking • Eight is the magic number - eight glasses of water, eight hours of sleep + Increase WIS + Defined when energy levels are up and weight begins decreasing • Follow the Rebel Level 1: Rookie workout plan minimum three times a week + Increase STR + Defined when weight resistance increased and strength increases * I will also be testing out the Zombies, Run! app, but due to the foot of snow currently outside, this might not be a feasible idea. SIDE QUESTS LIFE QUEST Set everything up and prepare for launch of side project. FITNESS SIDE QUEST Hoop dance everyday for at least half an hour (one day off per week). REWARD Purchase a Fitbit of some sort after Christmas. If I receive a Fitbit, purchase the Rebel Strength and Running Guides instead, plus an iTunes spree on some new music for Normetta the II (iPod Shuffle). GRADING SYSTEM CUT ON CARBS/RESEARCH PALEO DIET A - No binges on carbs aside from designated cheat day. B - Less than five carb binges throughout the challenge. C - One carb binge days a week. D - Two carb binge days a week. F - More then three carb binge days a week. EIGHT GLASSES OF WATER, EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP A - No missed days of EIGHT throughout the challenge. B - One missed day of EIGHT. C - Two missed days of EIGHT. D - Three missed days of EIGHT. F - More then four missed days of EIGHT. FOLLOW REBEL LEVEL 1: ROOKIE WORKOUT SCHEDULE A - No missed days of the workout schedule throughout the challenge. B - One missed day of the workout schedule. C - Two missed days of the workout schedule. D - Three missed days of the workout schedule. F - More then four missed days of the workout schedule. SIDE PROJECT LAUNCH PREPARATION Pass or fail. HOOP DANCE EVERY DAY FOR HALF AN HOUR Pass or fail. MOTIVATION To earn my stripes, then show them off. "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." Invictus by William Ernest Henley

So about 6 weeks ago I decided to actually do something about the way I looked and felt - for real this time. - Joined a gym through awesome discount at job (works out to about $24 per month with a rebate, which is fricking fantastic in NYC) and have been going at least twice a week, if not 3-4 times. May not be the highest intensity workout ever, but at least I'm not sitting on my ass. - Made it a thing to eat all my CSA veggies and generally eat less crap and take out (especially for lunch). - And probably most importantly, I quit smoking. From a pack a day to an e-cig to nothing at all. And I haven't stabbed anyone, which is a major plus considering it's a 17 year habit (which is really freaky to write down actually!!). So how am I doing? I feel pretty good with my fitness level - did a charity walk/family event last weekend where I was on my feet for at least 8 miles per my semi-trusty pedometer in one morning which kicked my ass in years past, but was completely fine to go to gym the next day. No smoking and breathing is better, and the weird smokers hacking cough is dying down. Been pretty good about bringing my lunch to work, eating breakfast and all that jazz. Honestly, I ate like crap for a few days through the worst of the wanting to smoke. And I'm still not eating 100% perfect all the time but the past few weeks or so have been fairly good and better than I was before this whole thing happened. But... I'm gaining weight. Pretty sure this is some weird smoking metabolism side effect thing, but it's totally not cool. Trying to be patient and see what happens in a month or so, but really really frustrated right now. So feeling healthier, no smoking, but gaining weight.... 2 out of 3 counts?

I Deadlifted my bodyweight!!! ... Twice! I get that this is still a pretty small number compared to what a lot of people are lifting, but I only really just started Deadlifts properly last week and I though it would take longer then this to hit that target. It gives me hope of increasing my lifts much more in the near future. Very happy I am also loving deadlifts and squats - Im sitting here at work wishing i was at the gym. That is definitely not something that I would have thought possible a couple of months ago WOOT!!

Keeping this short and sweet- my 3 goals for this 6 week challenge are as follows: 1. be able to do 8 pullups on the smith machine 2. level up by cutting the negative self talk and replacing it with words of encouragement 3. rededicate to carb cycling by tracking food daily Not exactly SMART goals but they are realistic ones and stuff I know I can do! Good luck everyone!

I am officially signed up to run in the 4:30 time slot in Kansas City on April 27th!! This is my very first Warrior Dash.. hell.. it's my very first official 5k! HA! This is what I've been training myself for and pushing myself towards with the current 6 week challenge. Building up muscle and endurance in an effort to DOMINATE THIS THING!! Any other Rebels going? Strife and I are going down together, but it'd be neat to meet some other people from the Rebellion. So excited!