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This is my first challenge with NF, and I'm really excited to get stuck in. This challenge coincides with a big change in my life too - I'll have just moved to London to start a PhD, so I'm looking at this as a new start or a blank slate, and a chance to move away from all the bad habits and routines I've gotten into whilst I've been at home over the summer. Logically, my challenge will focus on establishing patterns, routines, and a healthy outlook which I think will be easier to stick to if I make it part of my 'London experience' to begin with, rather than later adapting my life to fit around fitness goals. I need to incorporate flexibility into my challenge, because I'll be working at the uni bars, sometimes until 3am, and I know that going for a swim at 8:30 the next morning just wouldn't happen. Motivation! I'm running the Wimbledon Commons HM in October, aiming to do the Santa Pola HM in January, and I have a target to do a triathlon in 2015. My motivation for this challenge is to get fitter for these challenges, and hopefully smash some PBs! Main Quest: Establish the fitness base to be a strong triathlete. Quest 1 - Fitness: Stick to my weekly workout routine (3 runs, 2 swims, 3 bodyweight sessions) Measurement: A = 44 - 48 workouts over the 6 weeks, B = 38 - 43 , C = 30 - 37, D = 20 - 30, E = <20 A = 3 STR, 2 DEX, 2 STA, B = 80% C = 60% D = 40% E = 0%. Quest 2 - Diet: NO FIZZY DRINKS - I've recently really upped my intake of these, and they make me, my skin, and my mouth feel horrible. I tell myself because they've got no calories in I'm ok, but can feel the negative side effects raging in my body! Measurement: A = 38 - 42 fizzy drink free days, B = 34 - 37 FDF days, C = 30 - 33 FDF days, D = 26 - 29 FDF days, E = <26 FDF days A = 3 CON, B = 80% C = 60% D = 40% E = 0%. Quest 3 - Socialise: Try out the university running and swimming clubs, and if they're not for me, then local groups. If they're not for me, then hey ho, at least I tried! I think this is quite an important goal for me because I've never seen myself as sporting, athletic, etc. and have always felt like I wouldn't fit in teams or sporting groups. This is a prime chance to banish those thoughts and prove myself wrong! Also, they offer coaching sessions and such which would increase my technical ability (hence WIS points). Measurement: A = tried a running and a swimming group, B = tried either a running or swimming group, C = tried neither A = 3 CHA, 2 WIS, B = 66% C = 0% Life Quest: I'm having a hard time thinking of a life quest, because I don't know what my PhD-life will be like - so my current life quest will just be to achieve my three quests. Measurement: A = Achieved 3, B = Achieved 2, C = Achieved 1, D = Achieved 0.

Hello, Rangers (and anyone else who happens to be reading)! I'm late to the party once again, but 100% on board! It took me a long time to determine exactly how I was going to lay this challenge out because the goals I set for myself last challenge started to feel like they were in conflict with each other. I want to be sure that won't happen this time around. I have a better idea of where my life is headed than I did two months ago, so this challenge will be about making that journey as smooth (and as kick-ass) as possible. Eat the good stuff. I still like the idea of not putting strict outlines on my food plan because I don't have all that much control over the food we eat and I don't want to feel guilty. I also want the way I eat to feel natural and not forced. Eventually, I'll have my own house and the only say on what goes into my body. I don't want this part of my life to feel like a checklist, but I do want to keep things healthy and exciting! I've developed a deep love for the Nom Nom Paleo blog and it's the inspiration for my first goal this challenge. I will try a new paleo recipe each week. This could be a dinner for my community, lunch for one, or something I make in larger quantities for use throughout the week. It just has to be paleo and something I've never made before. Note: This past week saw a sort of casserole made with spinach, mushrooms, bacon, garlic, and other yummy things with little hollows in which eggs were cooked. Completely delicious. [+3 CON] A: New recipe each week! B: 5 new recipes C: 4 new recipes D: 3 new recipes F: I fear dietary change. Run from zombies. If you were around for the end of my last challenge, you may recall that I'm training for a half-marathon. Why am I doing this, you ask? Well, you're a rebel. You're probably not asking that question. I ask myself every time I go running longer than I think is possible (weekly), but that's another story altogether. I love the feeling I get after running, but not so much the desperation and emotional pain I tend to feel around mile 3. I want to be able to run farther and faster and am already amazed at how much more I can do than a few months ago, but it's a long process. I need to make sure I stay on track, so my training will be a big part of this challenge! Zombies, Run! is my go-to for staying motivated. Just yesterday, I ran my longest distance yet. 6 miles! And I'm not dead! Yaaaaaay!!! [+3 STA] [+1 STR] [+1 CHA] A: Four runs per week, including one long run. B: 1-3 runs missed C: 4-5 runs missed D: 6-8 runs missed F: I will be one of the first to be eaten by zombies. Just breathe. I've found that more regular meditation has been helpful on so many levels. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and in plenty of other ways, I feel better when I take the time to just feel. I haven't developed a practice yet, but I definitely want to. I'm figuring out what that looks like for me very slowly. This challenge, I will be sure to continue exploring. My meditation tends to take different forms because I've found it difficult to sit down and reflect on a regular basis. I don't really have the kind of space I'd like to do it in (i.e. not my bedroom or somewhere people are constantly walking in and out of), so sometimes I do it while I'm running or working out or need to take a step back from things at work. Each day, I will have at least five minutes of silence, yoga, or dedicated meditation (perhaps using the Stop, Breathe, & Think app I downloaded last challenge). [+1 WIS] [+2 DEX] A: Some form of meditation almost every day. B: 3-5 days missed C: 6-8 days missed D: 9-12 days missed F: I lack focus. Practice being a web professional. My year of service will be over in about three months. Major sadness. I've made the decision to stay in Detroit, but I need both a job and a place to live for that to become a reality. I want to do web design and development, but I don't have any professional experience and very little practical experience at all. I'm working on that... I had this past week off and went through the whole web design track on Treehouse. There's just a whole lot to know and it's difficult to know where to start as someone who's never really had a paying job before. I've got a redesign project I'm working on, but I keep learning about things I want to use (Sass and mobile first responsive design being prime examples) on the site and feeling like I don't know how to move forward. I need to work on not being so afraid to be wrong that I don't create anything at all, so this challenge I will spend at least half an hour a day in some web design related activity. This could be training videos, networking events, meeting with a mentor, reading documentation, or (*gasp*) actually working on the website I'm supposed to be building. [+2 WIS] [+2 CHA] A: Web stuff just about every day. B: 3-5 days missed C: 6-8 days missed D: 9-12 days missed F: I may have to move back in with my parents and work at McDonald's. I'm starting to feel a bit less like the chubby friend and a bit more like someone who knows how to take care of their body and spirit. My progress definitely slowed last challenge, but I'm ready to kick back into high gear! I got the invitation to my college roommate's wedding today! I want jaws to drop when I'm back in New York the week before!

The foundations are set. The stars are aligned. My VO2max is substantial. It is time to put it to the test. It was a long and arduous journey to overcome a marked weakness in cardiovascular capacity and bipedal locomotion. After nearly five years, a man has finally trained enough in order to be a mediocre runner and a non-pathetic walker. It is time to transition from training to doing. It is time to start moving. "The slower we move, the faster we die. Make no mistake, moving is living." - Up In The Air THE QUEST A half-marathon cometh, and a man intends to partake in one's very first. Ebb and Flow: Log in 22 miles of running before the event, and 12 total days of lifting. (STA +2, STR +2) Testing The Waters: Participate in the Tobacco Road Half-Marathon and finish in under 3:00:00. (STA +4) Waves in All Things: Participate in at least 2 other physical events. (DEX +2, STA +2) SIDE QUEST Spanish Waters: Complete 30 modules of the Pimsleur Spanish Beginner Course. (WIS +2, CHA +1) THE MOTIVATION http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ijCSu87I9k Machete at your service, scouts.

Hi! After three tries at my first challenge, I finally made it! So now I will have a go at my second challenge. So, my main quest is to lose weight. (Being awesome, strong and hot included) This is the reason why I choose Adventurers. (Also, because I like trying new sports out, even if I will stick to running for now). My goal is to weigh 110 pounds. ( I am pretty small, so no worries - still healthy weight for me.) Right now I weigh 140.2 pounds. I lost 4 pounds on my last challenge, so I am hoping to keep that up. (I also lost two pounds this week...does this count to this challenge? ^^) So, for that I will: Goal 1: Stay under 50 grams of carbs every day. I stayed under 20% last challenge, but I also noticed that the percents aren't doing it for me. (Hey, I am at 21%...I know, i will eat some cheese and bring it at 20% again, which clearly NOT the way it is supposed to work. 20% was about 60-70 grams for me, so now I will make it slightly more difficult for me). +3 Constitution, +2 Charisma Goal 2: As in my previous challenge, I will wear my fitbit and log everything - AND I will stay under my given calories on loseit! +5 Endurance Goal 3: I will go running three times per week and do the half-marathon training plan. I've took part in a Trail 10K this autumn, but I wasn't so well prepared...so now I will have a go at a half-marathon end of may. +4 Dexterity, +1 Strength. I won't do a side/ life quest and try to keep it simple. I took this half year off to do research in a lab...NOT done yet, but have to start classes again, and I have to start with the block that is considered the most difficult of all. Yays. So as a un-official life-goal...err..I am going to survive the next 5 months. May the Games begin! (Tomorrow ^^) Summary week 1: Running 3 times per week: Fulfilled 2,5 times. 83% Staying under my calories: fulfilled 6 out of 7 days. Staying under 50 g of carbs: 6 out of 7 days. 86% So that's an A! Yay! Summary week 2 Going running: 2 out of 3. 67% -C Staying under my calories: 5 out 7. 71% - C Staying under 50 g net carbs: 4 out 7. 57% - C So... a C it is. Summary week 3 Running: 4 out of 3 - An A! An A+! Calories: 5 out of 7. A C. Carbs. 2 out of 7. 29%. A D. So a C altogether. Summary week 4 Running three times a week: F Calories: 4 out of 7. a C. Staying under 50 g net carbs: Also 4 out of 7. Also a C. A D altogether, Anyway, summary of week 5: Jogging three times: check! an A Staying under my calories: 3 out of 7...a D. Staying under my carbs: 1 out 7...that will be an F. a C! :-) Summary week 6 Going running: yup, three times. An A Carbs: 1 out of 7. an F Calories: 3 out of 7. a D Which also makes it a C. And a C for the whole challenge.

Leaving Westros... The lone wolf has survived thus far, from Winterfell, to Harrenhal and the Twins, up the Trident, to the Saltpans... But now, it's time to cross the narrow sea, and winter is coming... am I ready? The Main Quest... Surviving during the war of kings is tough, but surviving as a lone wolf may prove to be even more challenging. The long nights, and the endless days of travel require endurance, determination, and willpower beyond all else. There are 21 kilometers of road to travel ahead to get from the Saltpans to the narrow sea, where the whole future lies ahead. It's going to be tough, and daunting, but crossing that distance is the only way to escape the war, and who knows what lies beyond Westros... Missions to that end... Swift as a deer: run three times each week Calm as still water: yoga twice a week Fuel for the journey: eat a whole foods, plant based diet six days of the week Life Quest... Fear cuts deeper than swords: do something extraordinary and unexpected each week Motivation... “the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.†Jack Kerouac On the Road I need to get out of my current rut of having no energy, and no passion. Points... Each week points (as a % of days completed) will be awarded for completion of each mission/quest. An average for each week will be determined. At the end of the challenge, an average of all 6 weeks will be determined from the weekly averages, and a 'success!' will be a 6 week average of 85% or greater. Reward TBD ... right now I'm leaning towards new running shoes.

SIFTER'S MAIN QUEST: BE HEALTHY. BE FIT. BE STRONG. This challenge is going to be by far my most difficult, but all of the below are stepping stones that must be hit to reach my main quest goal. Diet continues to be the area where I need the most improvement, so two of my goals will be focused on "cutting the crap" -- from my diet and attitude. From the first two challenges I know I am not ready for flexibility, I must be rigid with my guidelines, and I thrive off a weekly plan. CHALLENGE 3 GOALS: #1: DIET - 90% of meals will be modified-paleo. I have taken baby steps over the last year, especially the last 3 months to get here. 21 meals/week; therefore 19 must be modified-paleo. Action Plan: Review weekly social obligations on Sunday evenings.Meal plan & prep weekly.Measure: Accountability Worksheet -- in my signatureFood Diary Voice Memos -- Trying something new here. Before I eat, I will record a voice memo where I have to state all that I am about to eat. At the end of the day I will listen to the memo and report what I have eaten in my thread. My thought is that it will make me think twice before I eat "crap". If I don't think twice, I will have to listen to the memo at the end of the day and at least reflect.Grading: Weekly grade: # of modified paleo meals/ 21 meals = % gradeFinal grade: # of modified paleo meals / 126 meals = % grade> 90% = A+90% = A85% - 89% = B80% - 84% = C< 80% = F --- grading this way b/c I have been between 80-85% on meals for about 3 months now​ ​​#2: DIET - Sayonara Sugar Step #1 In both of my previous challenges I sadly sought and found ways to eat more sugar than I should have, without compromising my goals...bad Sifter. Not this time, unless I choose to fail. I will start eliminating more sugar from my diet by cutting desserts/sweets more, even clean/paleo desserts. 2 desserts per week allowance. Action Plan: Review weekly social obligationsMeasure: Accountability WorksheetFood Diary Voice MemosGrading: Weekly grade: 2 desserts or less = A3 desserts = Cmore than 3 = FFinal grade: 4 point scale -- 6 weeks -- 24 total points available.​Total # of points accumulated / 24 total points available = % grade​​90% - 100% = A80% - 89% = B70% - 79% = C60% - 69% = D<60% = F​ #3: FITNESS - 4 Runs / 2 Strength Training Workouts In reflecting on the first two challenges, I had trouble building on my fitness progress. Last challenge, I focused so much on my side quest of half-marathon training and push-ups that I totally slacked off on the rest of my strength training. Need some balance and focus, as running, strength training, and cross training are all important in my main life quest. So this challenge I will add back in 2 strength training workouts. Hopefully next challenge I can add back in an additional cross training day. Action Plan:Schedule workouts into my Google calendarComplete strength training workouts before the kids get up.Measure: Accountability WorksheetGrading: Weekly grade:​4 runs / 2 strength training workout = A (4pts)miss one in either category = B (3pts)miss two (any combination of the 2 categories) = C (2pts)miss more than two = F (0 pts)Final grade: 4 point scale -- 6 weeks -- 24 total points available.​Total # of points accumulated / 24 total points available = % grade​​90% - 100% = A80% - 89% = B70% - 79% = C60% - 69% = D<60% = F SIDE QUESTS: ​LIFE: Cut down on my screen time -- specifically internet / social media. 1 hour/day on internet, 5 days a week​Action Plan -- 20 minutes morning, 20 minutes mid-day, 20 minutes night. I might even us a timer. Hoping the 2 day allowance will make this easier for me!Measure -- Accountability WorksheetGrading:​Weekly Grade: 5 days = A (4 pts) 4 days = B (3pts)3 days = C (2 pts)2 days = D (1 pt)1 day = F (0 pts)Final Grade: ​4 point scale -- 6 weeks -- 24 total points available.​Total # of points accumulated / 24 total points available = % grade​​90% - 100% = A80% - 89% = B70% - 79% = C60% - 69% = D<60% = F​​FITNESS: Run my first half-marathon on September 28th -- part of my fitness plan. Currently on week 9 of my training plan.45 push-ups in one set -- part of my strength training plan. Following 100 push-up challenge plan. Currently can do 20 in one set. MINI QUESTS: I participated in the mini-challenges during my first challenge, but didn't in my second challenge. I found I was able to focus better on my goals if I didn't participate. I also spent a lot less time on the computer. Hoping I can find a balance during this challenge, b/c I really enjoy the comaraderie! ​ MOTIVATION: My family. Setting an example for my kids to be healthy, fit, and strong. Good luck fellow scouts! Lets kill this challenge!

It's been a while since my last challenge, which thankfully was for awesome, life-leveling-up reasons (I bought my first house! Holy crap, I own a house), but I've also been, shall we say, not entirely consistent in my pursuit of my other major life goals, like training for the impending zombie apocalypse. So, this challenge is for me all about getting back into the swing of things in preparation for my next big adventure, which is... Main Quest: Run a Half-Marathon Outrunning the undead hordes requires some serious endurance, since they may be shambling, but they can shamble for a looooooong time. Someday, I'd like to be able to run an ultra, but that's a ways off yet, so my next big endurance goal is a half-marathon. Specifically, I'm planning (barring disaster and/or injury) to run this half-marathon, which is near where I lived during high school and manages to run past or through nearly every place I used to hang out at as a teenager, including my parents' old house and the street my high school was on. I figure nostalgia is a good motivator (I'm seriously considering loading my phone with some 90's grunge rock, too, in case I need a pick-me-up along the way), plus I know where the good donut and ice cream shops are along the route are (I kid...probably). Mission 1: Run, then run some more (+5 STA) Because the walking dead don't need rest days. Like I mentioned, I've been really inconsistent about my running the last few months, partially due to the move, partially due to the tendon I strained while moving, and partly because once I stopped running regularly it was easy to make excuses to skip more runs. So, this is all about getting back into the habit of running more frequently without increasing my weekly mileage too much. Therefore, my goal is to run easy runs 4x a week. Depending on how I feel, I might start upping the mileage of my weekend run toward the end of my challenge, but at least for the first 3-4 weeks, I want to keep my runs under 3 miles. Mission 2: Eat some produce, fool (+3 CON) If my running has been inconsistent lately, my eating has been unspeakable. Suffice it to say that I now have a comprehensive knowledge of Krispy Kreme's summer "salted caramel" menu and I'm pretty sure the guys and the indie pizza joint by my new house all know me by name. Drastic changes have never worked well for me, so I'm going to start simple and take Matt Frazier's suggestion of having a smoothie and a salad every day. Everyone knows it'll be all canned veggies after the Z-outbreak, anyway, so I'd best eat some fresh ones while I can. Mission 3: Pull your own weight (+3 STR) Being able to run from the Z's is all well and good, but it won't save me if I find myself faced with a chain-link fence that I'm too weak to haul myself over. Plus, it turns out strength training plays a significant part in improving running form. Double win! Of course, like everything else, my strength training has fallen by the wayside. Way way by the wayside. I wasn't even the one who carried my free weights to and from the moving truck. So, once again, back to basics, and I'll spend this challenge doing Steve's Beginner Bodyweight Workout 2x a week. Life Quest: Got a story? Write it down (+4 WIS) If there is one thing I've learned from listening to We're Alive! multiple times through while waiting for the last season to start airing (four more weeks!), it's that it's important for people living through the end of civilization as we know it to tell their stories. Of course, the zombies haven't actually overrun the world yet, so my story is currently pretty boring. But that doesn't mean I can't make stuff up! Besides, that half-finished novel on my hard drive is looking pretty sad and neglected, so my goal is to write 500 words, six days a week. All of my other goals, I'm planning to do straight-up percentage-based grading, but I want to do this one a little differently. A (full points) = 500 words a day for an average of 5.5+ days a weekB (3/4 points) = 500 words a day for an average of 5+ days a weekC (1/2 points) = < 500 words a day, but still writing an average of 5+ days a weekD (1/4 points) = writing any amount an average of 4+ days a weekF (no points) = writing an average of < 4 days a weekMotivation To survive the zombie apocalypse and help rebuild human society, duh. But also, my husband and I are thinking we'll be ready to start having children in a couple years, and I want to be the healthiest I can be before getting pregnant, be able to run and roughouse and play with the kidlets when they arrive, and set a good example for them both in terms of healthy living and setting and accomplishing epic goals

After completing my first challenge, and finally successfully running a distance of 5k, I'm ready to step up my running training to the next level. Here are my goals for my second challenge. Goal #1: Run a Half-Marathon Starting Point: Ran 5-miles on 2/22 (~47:30 at an easy pace) How to get to 13.1 Do all of the following once a week: 1. Intervals - I love them! 2. Middle-distance runs 3 - 6 miles at a quick pace (this will be my weak point) 3. Long runs - 6 - 12 miles at an easy pace My stretch goal will be 1:37:36 (I want to beat GreenMatt's time on the Scout's Leaderboard) A sub-goal is to run a 5k in less than 20 minutes. GreenMatt is on the board at 19:44, so I'll try and beat that. Attribute Points: 5 STA Goal #2: Cross-Train Twice a Week Starting point: Occasionally use a stationary bike What kind of cross-training I'll be doing I'll be sticking to the stationary bike, and plan to do intervals of 30 seconds of sprinting and 4 minutes of easy pedaling 4x-7x This is also used to build stamina for the half-marathon goal Attribute Points: 3 STA Goal #3: Power-Lift Twice a Week Starting point: No experience with barbells Starting Strength Just started reading Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe, and it comes highly recommended by my brother as a great program for building functional strength. I'll do two workouts per week, likely on the same day as my cross-training. Attribute Points: 3 STR Goal #4: Write 15 Finance Articles a Week Starting point: I've written about 75 articles for the Motley Fool since the beginning of November. My work ethic has fallen off a cliff in the last couple months. When I first started, I was writing 3 articles per day. They recently gave me a raise, so now I have no excuse not to write as much as possible. I can earn a really great living writing 15 articles a week, setting my own schedule, and working from home, a coffee shop, a friends house, a foreign country, or anywhere! It's a really great opportunity, and I've been wasting it. Not any longer! I plan to write 15 articles per week, and will appreciate an accountability partner on this to make sure I get my work done. (Preferably someone with an interest in finance, who would actually want to read my articles.) So I turn to you, NF community, to make me do my work. Attribute Points: Not sure yet, please help me decide! I'll be posting a list of toys I plan to buy myself for keeping up with my goals soon.