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Welcome to the exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It seems like forever ago that I joined this site and started my first challenge. Judging by my level, you might say I'm right! But level and experience mean nothing unless lessons learned are applied in your life. This website has given me practical knowledge in goal setting and planning. Throughout my life, I have been applying that knowledge. In my career, in my job, in my home life, in my Toastmasters training, in the gym, in my Jedi training, and even in my video games! Throughout the next few challenges, I plan to focus my Jedi lessons around this passage from Return of the Jedi where Obi-Wan says that quote: This challenge, I'll focus on the quote in bold by Obi-Wan Kenobi. In this part of the conversation, Obi-Wan plainly states that Luke cannot escape his "destiny". That word destiny implies a predetermined path laid out for Luke. That predetermined path is the ultimate struggle of good versus evil (light versus dark sides of the Force) in the Star Wars galaxy by being the son of Anakin Skywalker and being powerful in the Force. Being a Jedi and weilder of the light side of the Force, Luke cannot avoid his confrontation with the dark side, because it will hunt him down to either recruit him or destroy him. Since Luke cannot kill his own father, he decides there must be another way. He confronts Vader and the Emperor on his own terms by surrendering, then we all remember what happens. The lesson to take away from this quote is to confront your problems on your own terms. Do not let your problems chase you down or haunt your dreams. The dark side will find you. For Jedi, confronting the dark side is their destiny. It can be defeated with intitative, accountability, and honesty by taking ownership and being confident that a solution will be found. Doing so will give you an advantage over the obstacle and sometimes force the solution to appear one its own. That is what confronting something on your own terms means. Now, on to the CHALLENGE! My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow. I'm changing things up for this challenge by eliminating all the Side Quest Goals. I'll still use the Excel spreadsheet and Battle Log, but I will not set any specific weight or rep goals. I am adding a new training technique and incorporating what I learn from the MAX Workouts eBooks I bought recently. The new training technique is a Complex workout where you move through a series of excerises without putting the weight down. MAX Workouts stresses power and intensity while working the whole body in one workout to achieve maximum fat burn and build lean muscle. I'm taking both concepts and combining them to something I call Combo Complexes. An example is Deadlift into a Bent-Over Row then a Squat into a Overhead Press, 10 reps each with the same weight. My plan is to eliminate the time consuming and boring cardio from my workout routine. I loathe running more than a mile. I'll do it on occassion, but I don't want to rely on it to keep my weight in check. My main quest with attribute points is below: FITNESS: Build STA +2, STR +2 and DEX +1 by conducting powerful and intense Weight Training for 20 minutes or more, three times a week. Schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (optional). FITNESS: Build STA +1, STR +1 and DEX +2 by conducting muscle recovery Training for 20 minutes or more, two times a week. Schedule is Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (optional), Sunday (optional). DIET: Build CON +2 by eating healthy 35 times or more, eating unhealthy 16 times or less and count their calories, drinking 200 fl oz of Dr Pepper or less, taking care of my skin and lips by applying moisturizer 80 times or more (twice daily), brushing (twice daily) and flossing (once daily) 120 times or more. LIFE: Build WIS +2 and CHA +2 by completing two Toastmaster Speeches, completing Lesson 4 of my High Performance Leadership project, and completing 2 IJRS Personal 101 lessons.I'm three lessons in to my High Performance Leadership manual, but I'm in the bulk of the work now inlesson 4, which I won't complete until May. I finished my second Competent Leadership manual and have only one speech left in my third Competent Communicator manual. I have 1 speech left for my Advanced Communicator manuals. I plan to do a Speechcraft training session for the 1 hour training session I need to do for my Advanced Communicator Gold, so I can earn my DTM. My Club Coach and Area Governor roles are going very well. Jedi Training is progressing. I'm hoping to finish the course this spring.

Summer Challenge [ July 27th - September 6th ] Backstory "...." Challenger Overall Goal: Finish an OCR the weekend after this challenge ends (September 12th or 13th) and conquer every obstacle. Explanation: I've wanted to do one for ages, but there was always something that preventet it. Not this time! Last weekend I found out that there will be two races in September close enough to where I live and I decided that I'm gonna finally do it (either a Tough Mudder in Bavaria or a Spartan Race in Austria). There is enough time to prepare (I'm not starting from scratch!), I've got the financial means and the time to do it and there is nothing else on my mind right now that could distract me. After that decision was made, I sat down today to plan my preparation for it and since it is almost exactly 6 weeks away, it crossed my mind that a NF challenge would be a perfect preparation option if one started right about now.... And thank god, this one actually did. Okay, I'm three days late, but what the heck. I've had good experiences with challenges, although not the last couple of them. But that was probably because my overall goals were to broad; and you can't get much more specific than "finish that race". Since my last challenge try I've been working out more or less consistently. Short recap of the last year: I did standard calisthenics mixed with some crossfit-type bodyweight workouts, finished GMB P1 at the novice level last winter, started kettlebel training a couple of months ago (I actually did a beginner class with my mom, which was pretty awesome for her and me) and I started GMB F1 (also novice) a couple of weeks ago. On to the SUB-GOALS 1) Continue with GMB F1 also known as my Star Wars Goal: Jedi Training Stats: DEX 2 I CON 1 I STR 1 Grading: 4 workouts and 2 mobility sessions per week are 100% (=A). 5 sessions equal a B 4 sessions equal a C 3 sessions in total (50%) equal a D 2) Calisthenics and kettlebell workouts also known as my Agents of Shield Goal: Operations Bootcamp There will be pull-ups, won't there? And push-ups, swings, snatches, running and what not more. To weed those out, who'd better stayed at communications or science. But not me.... There will be a big variety, some short, some medium and some long workouts, But they're all gonna be intensive. Stats: STR 2 I STA 2 Grading: 6 workouts per week are 100% (=A). 5 workouts equal a B 4 workouts equal a C 3 workouts in total (50%) equal a D 3) Supported by a good nutrition also known as my Teen Wolf Goal: Avoiding Mountain Ash This means a paleo-inspired way of eating, especially nothing with a label that has words like "sugar (no matter what alias)" or "askllksjhgs (also known as words I don't know the meaning of) or can't pronounce". Also no cakes and sweets, even if homemade, because they are my personal mountain ash. Stats: CON 2 I CHA 2 Grading: 6 clean days of eating a week = A 5 = B 4 = C 3 = D Complemented by LIFE GOAL 4) Study also known as my Old Kingdom Goal: Learning the Charter Although I'm working now, I'm still studying for two things: A] psychology, I'm finally gonna get my degree next summer B] languages, because I like learning them, this may include brushing up on my Spanish and Japanese but mostly concentrating on Czech, which I just started. Stats: WIS 3 Grading: 8 hours of studying a week = A 6 = B 3 = C 2 = D Because my challenge goal is a week after this challenge officially ends and because week 1 has already started, the rest of week 1 will be a transition period. Meaning I will do it as good as I can and I will also grade it, but it will not count for the overall grading (Instead week 7 will). Now, lets see if I can overcome those obstacles and finally leave these crazy woods.....

For so long she had wandered on the planet. Unsure of what she was to become. She had gone too far to turn back, but was scared to move forward. There was something drawing her to continue. A feeling that could not be ignored. The old ones used to talk of the force, and the temples where the Jedi would train. Could this be what she felt? There was a strange man in the village when she was little and she still remembered what he told her.... “A path will be placed before you. The choice is yours alone. do what you think you cannot do. It will be a hard life but you will find out who you are†- Qui-Gon Jinn Seems like every challenge I set off with these crazy goals of doing all these work outs and making all these changes. Giving myself a little more wiggle room this time. I AM GOING TO CONQUER THIS CHALLENGE! Quest 1: Food - take vitamins (+1 for each day taken) - Eat 3 meals a day (+3 pts per day / +1 for each meal) - drink at least 2 L tea or water (+1 for each Liter drank, in 1/4 liter incraments) - cheats: No more than 5 cheats a week, this includes alcoholic drinks and food. (-10 for each additional) quest 2: - Martial arts at least 2x per week (+5 per class) - Do some sort of moment outside what would normally be required for work/daily activities on non martial art days (+1 per 10 mins) -squats/counter push ups/lunges each time tea/water is refiled, or to keep from sitting more than 90 mins at a time (+1 per set) Quest 3: - Read and/or study (+1/ hour) goal of at least 6 hours a week - clean/pickup the house for at least 15 mins (+1 per cleaning session) goal of 4 per week - post progress here at least 3 times a week. (+1 per check in) no more than 1 point per day - Bonus points: things that are not part of the challenge but I would like to do Make doctor appointment by the end of the first week of the challenge- +5 completed 7-30-15 Do something creative- +2 for each 15 mins spent Figure out how to make boutineers for sisters wedding +2 Clean off dining room table +2 Look into 14four/whole30/weightwatchers Book venue visits Finish first draft guest list Start wedding note book (needed?) Book engagement photos TRACKING SHEET Yellow belt test skill sheet Week 3 pick me up: if at least 275 points are achieved by week 3 then - We Didn't Play Test This Either (We didn't Play Test This At All Expansion) Week 6: If total is at least 546: 1 hour massage. If total is greater than 575:

This will be my 5th challenge but 1st with the rangers, I've tried the Rebels, Adventurers, Druids, and Assassins so far. I want to build off the success of my 5k training last challenge but add in some strength training since my wife commented that my arms are starting to look smaller. I think after I successfully complete this challenge I should be ready to get promoted from Jedi Padawan to full fledged Knight. Epic Quest: The same as it ever was - One handed handstand like Luke on Dagobah, and once again I want to get my body weight down to 180. At the end of last challenge I was 215. If I can get to the 200-205 range I would be ecstatic. Quest 1 - Outdoor running 3-4 times a week. I use the Zombies...Run app and have enjoyed it and noticed an improvement in my running. I'll take whatever my finish time is for the 5k I'm running on 5/31 as my start point and build my goal off of that. The grade will most likely be based of a percentage improvement in my 5k time. I finished at 32 minutes flat. I shooting for a 10% improvement in my 5k time so at the end of the challenge I should be on a 9 min/mile pace. Quest 2 - My wife commented that my arms were getting smaller last week. With my focus on running I've ignored lifting heavy things. Since I myself am heavy, 215-220 lbs, I will be lifting myself. I'll create a body weight routine to complete on my non-running days. Quest 3 - Junk food is the devil and my greatest weakness. All this running I've been doing has not outpaced my fork. Summertime is my favorite with fresh fruit all around but I need to eat veggies as well. My work has a small salad bar in the employee cafeteria and I need to visit it more often, $3.00 per plate, they don't weigh it. I will eat a salad for lunch 4 times a week. Life Quest - I want to improve my golf game so that means I need to practice. Once a week I will either play a round of golf or hit a large bucket of balls at the driving range. I'll iron out the exact details of each quest before the start of the challenge but these are the 3 main areas I want to focus on.

My thoughts are clouded, the path ahead is no longer clear. The Force is discordant within and without. I set out now on a long and lonely road. With only my wits and my lightsaber I must find the way to harmony Before the Dark Side's grasp becomes too strong. ------------------------ I've found myself feeling pretty scattered for a while now. It's harming my concentration, my work, and my home life, because instead of being able to focus and get things done, I've been getting nothing done instead. Every spare minute is spent zoning out, just trying to recover for the next thing to come along. A lot of it has been the recent surge in my busy-ness at work, but that's not really a good enough reason. I've also been fighting migraines for the first time in five years, which only come to me in time of very high stress. As I discovered during the last challenge, my body is under pretty high levels of physical stress thanks to my two- to four-times weekly attendance at my Kung Fu and Lightsaber classes. When I tried adding significant physical challenge outside of my regular sessions, I ended up injured instead of improving. I also thought that I could grab a little more day by waking up early, but with the changes in my schedule lately, that ended up being counterproductive as well. I'm an introvert by nature, and instead of spending most nights home relaxing and unwinding, I'm now spending them at high-energy martial arts classes, which I think is part of the mental stress. I don't want to stop going to class, though, which means I need to explore other ways of getting my stress in line. To wit, I'm going to let my Sifu and my classes handle the physical side for this challenge, while I focus on the mental side, before I end up spending every night taking 1000mg of ibuprofen and hiding in a dark room just to stay sane. --------------------------- I Harmonize the Mind The dark and the light are lost in the mist. Only within my own mind can the path back to the light become clear. I'm bringing meditation back, baby. However, since I don't want it to be overwhelming and put myself off right away, I'm going to back off my usual self-requirement of 10 minute meditation sessions and just drop back to 9, at least to start. I'll probably increase it again later as the habit comes back. Goal: 4 9-minute Meditation Sessions Per Week (Total of 24) -------------------------------- II Harmonize the Space One's chamber is a reflection of one's mind. Bring the outward into alignment, and thus, align the inward. I've been living in the same space for three and a half years now. My office is a room above our garage, which is very nice and quiet and peaceful, for the most part. However, it's lit by one lamp on an ugly lighting track that I hate (came with the house) and a second floor lamp with an LED bulb that I like much better. Unfortunately, I've always been kind of terrible at keeping up a space. I tend to hold onto things way past when I need them, especially things like boxes and small knickknacks. I honestly think that even though my space is nice and quiet, the constant chaos that it lives in is probably subconsciously contributing to my stress. Though the space in the room is limited, I think that it could be put to much better use if I actually spent some time and cleaned it up. Goal: Spend 5 minutes a day, at least five times per week, cleaning my office. (Total of 150 minutes) Space re-purposing can come later. -------------------------------- III Harmonize the Spirit As the Force flows through me, I must also flow through it. With my spirit aligned, I may yet wrest myself free of the Dark Side's grasping hand. I'm not really a religious or spiritual guy. I don't subscribe to any religion nor mystical beliefs, though I have often felt that Buddhism and Daoism both hold some value beyond their more 'religious' aspects. I do, however, love philosophy and enjoy a good debate on the subject. So, this goal is going to be a bit more relaxed than the others. I recently read Living the Martial Way by Forrest E. Morgan and really enjoyed it. I feel like there's a lot more that I'll get out of it as I continue to learn and grow in my martial arts as well. For now, I'd like to pick up a few more books in this same vein during the challenge and read more about martial ethics and bushido as a living system. I might even pick up a volume on Zen while I'm at it. ---------------------- In the meantime, I'll keep attending Kung Fu class as often as I can and let my physical development progress naturally through that path. Naturally I'll also keep talking Kung Fu and Lightsaber here as much as possible, because we get to have some awesome discussions! =)

Welcome back for another episode in the Adventures of JediNickD! It seems like forever ago that I joined this site and my first challenge. Judging by my level, you might say I'm right! But level and experience mean nothing unless lessons learned are applied in your life. This website has given me practical knowledge in goal setting and planning. Throughout my life, I have been applying that knowledge. In my career, in my job, in my home life, in my Toastmasters training, in the gym, in my Jedi training, and even in my fantasy football league! Throughout the next few challenges, I plan to focus my Jedi lessons around this passage from Return of the Jedi where Obi-Wan says that quote: Quote This challenge, I'll focus on the quote in bold by Obi-Wan Kenobi. In this part of the conversation, Obi-Wan mentions a theme that is prevalent throughout The Origial Trilogy. Nature is good, technology is evil. No where is it more prevalent than in Return of the Jedi when the Ewoks aid the Rebels in defeating an advanced Storm Trooper army at the Battle of Endor. There is a book called "Star Wars and Philosophy" edited by Kevin Decker and Jason Eberl which includes a chapter on this very subject titled "A Technological Galaxy: Heidegger and the Philosophy of Technology in Star Wars" penned by Jerold J. Abrams. Using Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of technology, Abrams separates technological experience into two categories, ready-to-hand and present-at-hand while explaining the process of enframing. He uses real life and Star Wars examples to help explain the concepts. Lastly, Abrams points out how present-at-hand and enframing is the path to the dark side. Ready-to-hand is our primitive tool-use relation, where we experience tools and the external environment as natural extensions of our bodies. This application of technology is considered in tune with nature. The tools are used to care for our homes, each other, and the earth. Abrams explains that ready-to-hand is the light side or Jedi application referencing Yoda’s existence on Dagobah as perfect example as a Jedi applying only ready-to-hand technology which I’ll get into later. Present-at-hand is the opposite of ready-to-hand. We are detached from the environment by way of high-tech tools due to our basic attitude towards the universe. This comes from advances in science which allow us to see deeper into nature and gain control of natural processes. In essence, we are challenging nature to reveal itself to us as something for us. Everything natural is put under a microscope. Heidegger calls this process “enframingâ€. Nature’s elements are classified as resources to be consumed. Forests become “lumber†and rivers become “hydro-electric powerâ€. Abrams considers this the dark side or Sith application referencing the Death Star as the ultimate example of present-at-hand technology and enframing. Darth Vader a walking example of enframing. When is the last time Darth Vader smelled a flower or watched a sunset? In The Original Trilogy, we only see him stand on metal floors except in one scene in "The Empire Strikes Back" where he is inside the Hoth Rebel Base (excluding Luke's cave experience, which isn't really Vader, but a hallucination). Anakin Skywalker, the man who would become Darth Vader, exclaims to Padme in Episode 1 "I'm a person." In Episode 2, he begins the enframing process by losing part of his arm and having it replaced with a robotic limb. With Yoda’s home life on Dagobah contrasted against the Death Star, there is no doubt which is the path to the dark side. Yoda lives a meager life in a hut molded out of mud. He only consumes that what he must to survive. He utilizes no technology outside of rudimentary tools and utensils; therefore, leading the perfect example of a ready-at-hand technological experience. It is very possible to live as Yoda does on Earth. Amish and Mennonites do it every day along with many African and South American tribes and even other communities dedicated to living a wholly natural life. These communities are very isolated to the rest of the world, which means a Jedi would not be able to serve the greatest good of the world in one of these communities; however, they would be able to serve the greatest good of the community and nature of the planet. Yoda hides in isolation, preventing Darth Sidious and Vader from discovering him while preventing himself from fighting the dark side and protecting the galaxy from a tyrannical government. He is able to preserve the nature of Dagobah by only employing ready-at-hand technology, but he fails to help protect the galaxy. Technology may be leveraged in many ways, but fall into the two categories of ready-at-hand and present-at-hand, which are defined by how it is used by humans. Photography when used to post "selfies" and such falls into present-at-hand, but when used to promote and educate about nature, natural experiences, and such it falls into ready-at-hand. Jedi must be careful with how and why they use technology. Now, on to the CHALLENGE! My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow. I'm keeping it similar as last challenge with a couple upgrades while keeping in mind that Thanksgiving falls in the middle of the challenge. My main quest with attribute points is below: FITNESS: Build STA +2 and DEX +1 by Running, Sprinting, Hiking, Biking, Rowing, Rollerblading, or Training (HIIT or Sports*) for 20 minutes or more, three times a week. Get to the gym once a week at lunch time (or on the weekend) for an extra work out.Winter is here and that's when I tend to mail it in, so I'm going to turn up the pressure by going to the gym at lunch time at least once a week. Schedule will resemble TuWF, MWTh. FITNESS: Build STA +1, STR +3 and DEX +1 by meeting at least 95 % of my fitness side quest goals. I've switched around a few exercises to my fitness side quest goals. Going for another 100%. DIET: Build CON +1 by eating "Healthy Meals"** 34 times or more, eating "Unhealthy Food"*** 18 times or less and count their calories, drinking 230 fl oz of Dr Pepper or less, taking care of my skin and lips by applying moisturizer 80 times or more (twice daily), brushing (twice daily) and flossing (once daily) 120 times or more. Looking to make more small strides. I will be counting calories, but not as a goal this time. LIFE: Build WIS +3 and CHA +3 by completing two Toastmaster Speeches, participating in Table Topics thrice and Meeting Roles four times, working on my High Performance Leadership project by recruiting students for a Speechcraft, successfully completing the Area Speech contest, and completing 2 IJRS Personal 101 lessons.I'm three lessons in to my High Performance Leadership manual, but I'm in the bulk of the work now inlesson 4, which I won't complete until May. I finished my second Competent Leadership manual and have only one speech left in my third Competent Communicator manual. I have 1 speech left for my Advanced Communicator manuals. I plan to do a Speechcraft training session for the 1 hour training session I need to do for my Advanced Communicator Gold, so I can earn my DTM. My Club Coach and Area Governor roles are going very well. I'm holding a speech contest in March and assisting one in April. Jedi Training will take a backseat this challenge. I'm hoping to finish the course this spring. I have 5 lessons left, so 2 this challenge and 3 in the next should complete it. To improve my project management and proposal skills, which are vital to rising higher in the ranks of my contracting company, I decided to take some online courses. I just finished Acquistion 101 which is a prereq for just about every course at the University. I signed up for the next course which ends on April 12th. * - Training or playing Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Swimming, or Racquet Ball ** - "Healthy Meals" means no grease, minimal fat and calories, mostly veggies, meat, and fruit, while avoiding starches. Breakfast is not included in count. *** - "Unhealthy Food" means anything with excessive grease, fat or sugar, empty calories, or any meal void of veggies or fruit. Breakfast is not included in count. NOTE: By these terms, a meal can be neither healthy nor unhealthy. These are neutral meals which I still need to watch my portions on, but will not be tracking this challenge. CHALLENGE GOALS: SIDE QUESTS FITNESSBarbell ExercisesDeadlift = lbs, 60 repsBack Squat = lbs, 60 repsIncline Bench = 155 lbs, 60 repsDecline Bench = 155 lbs, 60 repsBench Press = 240 lbs, 60 repsOverhead Press = lbs, 60 repsStanding Curl = lbs, 60 repsDumbell ExercisesBench Press = lbs, 60 repsFly = lbs, 60 repsOverhead Press = lbs, 60 repsStanding Curl = lbs, 60 repsHammer Curl = lbs, 60 repsInverted Row = lbs, 60 repsSide Raise = lbs, 60 repsForearm Curl = lbs, 60 repsReverse Forearm Curl = lbs, 60 repsForearm Twist = lbs, 60 repsGoblet Squat = lbs, 60 repsTricep Ext = lbs, 60 repsMachine ExercisesTricep Pull Down = 65 lbs, 120 repsLeg Press = 1320 lbs, 120 repsSingle Leg Ext = 125 lbs, 120 repsBodyweight ExercisesBox Jump = in, 100 repsLunge = lbs, 100 repsBurpee = lbs, 60 repsMount Climbers = lbs, 120 repsPull Up = lbs, 60 repsChin Up = lbs, 60 repsHammer Pull Up = lbs, 60 repsDip = lbs, 120 repsDive Bomber = lbs, 150 repsPush Up = lbs, 500 repsAbdominal ExercisesCrunch = lbs, 600 repsBicycle Crunch = lbs, 600 repsLeg Lift = lbs, 200 repsSide Leg Lift = lbs, 350 repsOblique Twist = lbs, 600 repsSide Bend = lbs, 600 repsSide Raise = lbs, 200 repsRollout Wheel = lbs, 300 repsReverse Situp = lbs, 300 repsCardio ExercisesSprinting Distance = meters, 20 repsJogging Distance = miles, 6 reps3 mile Jog = min, 1 reps2 mile Jog = min, 2 reps1 mile Jog = min, 3 repsDIETDiet & HealthSkin and Lip Care = 40 qty Dr Pepper = 230 fl ozHealthy Meals = 34 qtyUnhealthy Food = 18 qtyBrush & Floss = 120 qty LIFECareerFamily & HomeChores = 50 hrsNF CommunityChallenge Thread = 6 qtyBattle Log = 40 qtyEpic Quest = 2 qtyMini Challenge = 6 qtyNew Follow = 1 qtyFriend Thread = 6 qtyToastmastersManual Lessons = 2 qtyMeeting Roles = 4 qtyTable Topics = 3 qtyJediIJRS Personal 101 = 2 qtyJedi Reading = 500 minGeocaching

Hi there! I think I'm going to include the remainder of my posts in this forum (Here is a link to my original post...) http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/61302-my-jedi-training-continues/ I am not feeling like I've kicked off this challenge on the right foot since about 2 days ago I came down with a killer virus which derailed Sunday's body weight workout goal. I'm going to get back on track and do it today to make up for it, but I knew I had to listen to my body and let it rest before pushing myself too hard. I have been kicking some butt and still doing my yoga and mile walk/running, so that's on schedule and my Paleo diet goals are still on track too looking forward to getting completely back on track

I have decided upon 5 challenges. 1) Figure out how I want to roleplay my way through this. I have an idea, but I need to research back accurate back story (yeah, I 'm one of those). +1 Wisdom 2) Limit myself to a single can of diet coke a day. Long term goal is weaning myself off it entirely. +1 Con 3) Cook myself at least 2 entirely paleo meals a week. +1 Con, +1 Cha (everyone likes a good home cooked meal) 4) Practice lightsaber forms at least 15 minutes a day. Studying videos does not count for time spent. +1 dex, +1 str 5) Lifestyle- Make my 52 week savings challenge deposits on time. I have direct deposit, so I need to actually go to the bank and get cash each week to do this. +X gp I will at some point write this up in story mode, as soon as item 1 is figured out.

It is Friday, so this is coming a little late, but I did start the challenge on Monday and will have Battle Logs from then to post soon. Welcome back for another episode in the Adventures of JediNickD! It seems like forever ago that I joined this site and my first challenge. Judging by my level, you might say I'm right! But level and experience mean nothing unless lessons learned are applied in your life. This website has given me practical knowledge in goal setting and planning. Throughout my life, I have been applying that knowledge. In my career, in my job, in my home life, in my Toastmasters training, in the gym, in my Jedi training, and even in my fantasy football league! Throughout the next few challenges, I plan to focus my Jedi lessons around this passage from Return of the Jedi where Obi-Wan says that quote: This challenge, I'll focus on the quote in bold by Obi-Wan Kenobi. In this part of the conversation, Obi-Wan is explaining how perception frames how you think and what you think. The things we believe are true have a foundation built from our perception or view. It is difficult for us to believe in anything without an experience to back it up whether it is first, second, or third hand. These beliefs give us a background for comparison, a springboard for decision making, and a basis for logic. If something appears true from one perceptive, but false from another, then one can encounter difficulty whether someone is hiding your family's past from you or whether you are counting squares in an IQ test puzzle. The difficulty is from seeing only a portion instead of the entire thing. Qui-Gon Jinn drops this very lesson on Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace when he said, "... remember, your focus determines your reality." There is a story about six blind men who were asked to determine what an elephant looked like by feeling different parts of the elephant's body. One feels a leg and says that it is like a pillar; one feels the tail and says that it’s like a rope; one feels the trunk and says that it’s like a tree branch; one feels the ear and says that it’s like a hand fan; one feels the belly and says that it’s like a wall; and one feels the tusk and says that it’s like a solid pipe. Each is only experiencing a piece of the puzzle. Together, they can complete the puzzle. I’ll let Werner Heisenberg summarize my thoughts. “We have to remember that what we observe is not nature in itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning.†To understand any new concept or situation, search for the other perceptions or points of view. If you ask the same questions and use the same methods, then you should expect the same answers. Try something different, or even unusual, to get a better view on reality There is a saying about not understanding until you've been in someone else's shoes. When you are confronted with an idea you do not understand or a problem which you can not solve, try changing your shoes, because perception determines your reality and reality is more than meets the eye. Now, on to the CHALLENGE! My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow. I'm keeping it similar as last challenge with a couple upgrades while keeping in mind that Thanksgiving falls in the middle of the challenge. My main quest with attribute points is below: FITNESS: Build STA +2 and DEX +2 by Running, Sprinting, Hiking, Biking, Rowing, Rollerblading, or Training (HIIT or Sports) for 20 minutes or more, three times a week. Get to the gym once a week at lunch time (or on the weekend) for an extra work out.Winter is coming and that's when I tend to mail it in, so I'm going to turn up the pressure by going to the gym at lunch time at least once a week. Schedule will resemble TuWF, MWTh. No light days. Only heavy, dark days where I sweat like a waterfall. FITNESS: Build STR +2 and DEX +1 by completing 400 minutes of Sports Training* and meeting at least 95 % of my fitness side quest goals. I've switched around a few exercises to my fitness side quest goals. Going for another 100%. DIET: Build CON +2 by eating "Healthy Meals"** 32 times or more, eating "Unhealthy Food"*** 20 times or less and count their calories, drinking 240 fl oz of Dr Pepper or less, taking care of my skin and lips by applying moisturizer 80 times or more (twice daily), brushing (twice daily) and flossing (once daily) 120 times or more. Looking to make more small strides. I may get back into calorie counting everything to help with portion control. Something to think about for next challenge if I misbehave. LIFE: Build WIS +3 and CHA +3 by completing two Toastmaster Speeches, participating in Table Topics thrice and Meeting Roles four times, completing one lesson from my High Performance Leadership manual, and by completing 4 IJRS Personal 101 lessons. The High Performance Leadership manual has been thoroughly cracked as I'm two lessons in already, but I'm in the bulk of the work now. I finished my second Competent Leadership manual and have only one speech left in my third Competent Communicator manual. I have 6 speeches left for my Advanced Communicator manuals. I plan to do a Speechcraft training session for the 1 hour training session I need to do for my Advanced Communicator Gold, so I can earn my DTM. My Club Coach and Area Governor roles are going very well. Jedi Training is a bigger focus this round. They are one week lessons and I typically take too long between them. I'm hoping to finish the course this winter. To improve my project management and proposal skills, which are vital to rising higher in the ranks of my contracting company, I decided to take some online courses. I just finished Acquistion 101 which is a prereq for just about every course at the University. Next course I can delay a little because it is two parts with the second being a classroom session at the end of April. * - Training or playing Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Swimming, or Racquet Ball ** - "Healthy Meals" means no grease, minimal fat and calories, mostly veggies, meat, and fruit, while avoiding starches. Breakfast is not included in count. *** - "Unhealthy Food" means anything with excessive grease, fat or sugar, empty calories, or any meal void of veggies or fruit. Breakfast is not included in count. NOTE: By these terms, a meal can be neither healthy nor unhealthy. These are neutral meals which I still need to watch my portions on, but will not be tracking this challenge. SIDE QUEST CHALLENGE GOALS FITNESSBarbellsIncline Bench = lbs, 60 repsDecline Bench = lbs, 60 repsBench Press = 230 lbs, 60 repsOverhead Press = lbs, 60 repsStanding Curl = 110 lbs, 60 repsDumbellsBench Press = lbs, 30 repsFly = lbs, 30 repsOverhead Press = lbs, 30 repsStanding Curl = lbs, 30 repsRow = lbs, 30 repsSide Raise = lbs, 30 repsForearm Curl = lbs, 30 repsReverse Forearm Curl = lbs, 30 repsHammer Curl = lbs, 30 repsHammer Ext = lbs, 30 repsGoblet Squat = 110 lbs, 60 repsTricep Ext = 60 lbs, 30 repsTricep Pull Down = 57 lbs, 120 repsBodyweight ExercisesLeg Press = 1310 lbs, 120 repsLeg Ext = 240 lbs, 120 repsPull Up = lbs, 60 repsChin Up = lbs, 60 repsHammer Pull Up = lbs, 60 repsDip = lbs, 120 repsDive Bomber = lbs, 150 repsPush Up = lbs, 500 repsAbdominal ExercisesCrunch = lbs, 600 repsBicycle Crunch = lbs, 600 repsLeg Lift = lbs, 200 repsSide Leg Lift = lbs, 350 repsOblique Twist = lbs, 600 repsSide Bend = lbs, 600 repsSide Raise = lbs, 200 repsRollout Wheel = lbs, 300 repsReverse Situp = lbs, 300 repsCardioSprinting Distance = meters, 20 repsJogging Distance = miles, 8 reps3 mile Jog = min, 2 reps2 mile Jog = min, 2 reps1 mile Jog = min, 4 repsDIETDietSkin and Lip Care = 40 qty Dr Pepper = 240 fl ozHealthy Meals = 32 qty Unhealthy Food = 20 servingsBrush & Floss = 120 qty LIFECareerFamilyChores = 50 hrsNF CommunityChallenge Thread = 6 qtyBattle Log = 40 qtyEpic Quest = 2 qtyMini Challenge = 6 qtyNew Follow = 1 qtyFriend Thread = 6 qtyToastmastersManual Lessons = 2 qtyOfficer / Governor = 1000 minMentoring / Coach = 400 minMeeting Roles = 4 qtyTable Topics = 3 qtyJediIJRS Personal 101 = 4 qtyJedi Reading = 500 minGeocaching

So, I don't really have a choice for my challenge theme this time. As those of you who hung out on my last challenge thread might know, I'm taking a Lightsaber Dueling class with my Hung Gar Sifu... and it starts tomorrow! While part of me wishes that I could be a good Jedi and follow the path of peace and harmony, the truth is, I know myself too well for that. There is no strength in chaos, but strength can be found in both peace and passion, wisdom in both ignorance and knowledge--for who is wiser, he who claims knowledge where none is found, or he who admits to himself and others that he simply does not know? Attachment may help or hinder--when one is attached to trivial things, the truth is clouded, but when one reserves attachment for the things which truly matter, the purest light is found. Perhaps it is arrogant of me to believe that I can find a better way, but in my eyes, the Sith are selfish and the Jedi blind to the harshness of reality. I shall walk the Third Way: balance, combined with good judgment, to achieve true harmony. So, past the philosophy and on to the challenge! Goal 1: Spirit Meditate daily to gain insight into self and the world. Minimum meditation will increase week-over-week to drive improvement. Meditation at kung fu and/or lightsaber class DOES NOT COUNT--this should be quiet morning or evening introspection. Week 1: 5 minutes Week 2: 6 minutes Week 3: 7 minutes Week 4: 8 minutes Week 5: 9 minutes Week 6: 10 minutes A: 42 meditation sessions (WIS +3); B: 40 meditation sessions (WIS +2); C: 38 meditation sessions (WIS +1) BONUS: Extra +1 WIS if 50 meditation sessions (meeting minimum requirements) is reached. ---------------- Goal 2: Skill I am already committed to twice-weekly Kung Fu sessions, and for January, I am also committing to once-weekly Lightsaber Dueling sessions. This means that I have three classes per week to attend to increase my strength, speed and skill. I am doing the lightsaber class with my wife--if she decides not to continue into February, I may not be able to continue that, so I am not going to count that as part of the challenge. If I end up going into Feb with lightsaber, I will consider it a bonus. A: 3 classes/week (Jan), 2 classes/week (Feb) [16 total] -- (+2 STR, +2 DEX) B: 2 classes/week (Jan), 1 class/week (Feb) -- [10 total] (+1 STR, +1 DEX) C: 1 class/week (Jan), 1 class/week (Feb) -- [6 total] (+0.5 STR, +0.5 DEX) ---------------- Goal 3: Discipline Returning to a goal from my very first challenge. My body feels better when I fast regularly. I do better without breakfast, but sometimes I find that it's easier to slide into eating something than it is to wait until lunchtime, and I want to break this habit. Going straight from where I am to fasting every day is likely asking too much of myself, but I will do more than the three times a week that I accomplished in my first challenge. I am aiming for five per week for the duration of the challenge. A: 30 16-hour fasts (+3 CON) B: 24 16-hour fasts (+2 CON) C: 18 16-hour fasts (+1 CON) ----------------- Life Goal: Judgment, Strategy, Knowledge I've started to learn the game of Go with a fellow Hung Gar student. I don't really want to quantify this goal, but I'd like to make this a reminder to keep playing games against my phone and iPad. I may also use this space to sort of journal my learning process with the game. ------------------ I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's progress with this new challenge!

Today I'm starting to "feel" the lifestyle changes I've been undertaking with full effect. I am sooooo tired today, and I've been craving sugar, chocolate, and sitting on the couch. I have still been doing my workouts and eating Paleo, but I think my body is finally starting to detox from all the crap food I've been eating recently and all of the xtra daily activity, resulting in having a serious case of wtf. Whenever I have a chocolate craving, I've been drinking a nice cup of hot tea to substitute, but so far it hasnt helped with the cravings. I'm hoping in an other week or two I'll be fully adjusted physically to continue with the challenge (hey, if it was easy, it wouldn't be a "challenge, right?) My morning walks with my "Yoda"(aka my 14 month old son) strapped to my back are going well. I imagine myself in Dagobah undergoing my journey to Jedi Master. "Try not. Do, or do not."

Originally I wanted to give the Druids a try and posted there. They are great folk over there, but I kept checking out my friends here. So, sorry for leaving you guys and going over there. I am a monk. It hit me like a ton of bricks! The urge to mastery. I have studied and practiced taijiquan (tai chi chuan) for almost 30 years and I cannot manifest the empty mind consistently in combat. I have on several occasions had bullet time happen and evaded things that made me see the promise and potential of taijiquan. Now I want to manifest that empty mind on command. I really resonate with Richard Dragon (DC Comics) here. I need to leg go of my past and the tragedy of my Army unit getting wiped out. To that end I will begin practicing taijiquan 3 times a day for 40 minutes a shot. This is probably against all the good advice I have heard all my life, but I used to practice more than that. As I said, I have almost 30 years experience with taijiquan. This gives will give me over 1000 minutes of practice a week and over the 6 week challenge it will add up to over 100 hours. Along with this I need some strength training. The arthritis in my hips and shoulders is making me take a break from trail running and I also really hate to run in the cold. I have a great program called Convict Conditioning, so I am going to follow it. It is basically body weight stuff and perhaps someday I can do this like my hero.... Finally, weight loss. In the last 6 months I have lost 45 pounds going from 250 down to 205 pounds. I am using a calorie counting app called Lose It and I love it. I am getting a normal shape again and that is a good thing. I really need to be fit to keep up with these guys. This series really inspired me. So: 1- Taiji 4 times at 40 minutes a shot a day. 3 points Wisdom (Why wisdom? Its a moving meditation.) 2- Convict Conditioning. 1 points Strength. 3- Keep logging the calories and daily weighings. 2 points Agility. Skinny equals more benefit from the agility aspect of practicing so much Taijiquan. Not sure on the points, because I skipped a challenge and forgot how to do it. I'll figure that out later.

I'll give it a go in the dailly battle logs. Seems like a good way to help myself keep on-track. I chose the user name, M.O.S., to represent Master of Self/self-mastery which is my number one goal right now. I've done P90X a couple times and I met my goal of completing my first Spartan Race. Now what I need to do is find consistency on a day-to-day basis with my fitness and nutrition. I'll use this battle log for greater accountability.

One of my greatest downfalls in personal improvement is procrastination and lack of accountability. I'm hoping by creating this log and forcing myself to update it I will break the bad habit of skipping a workout or eating junk food since no one else will know. My Starting Stats Age: 35 Weight: 230lbs Height: 6'0" Blood Pressure: Slightly higher than "normal" BMI: 30.78 (Obese Class 1) Body Fat %: Unknown but I would guess in the mid to high 20's Diet: Mostly healthy with many moments of weakness H20 Intake: 32-64oz/day Exercise: Minimal Sleep: 5hrs/night The Goal Weight: 180 BMI: Normal Body Fat: 18% Diet: Mostly Paleo H20 Intake: 128oz/day Exercise: Sword Training, Body Weight Workouts, C25K Sleep: 7hrs/night

Greeting fellow nerds, I found this site while searching for a way to get in shape and more specifically learn how to wield a lightsaber. I recently purchased and heavy grade dueling saber for a Star Wars costume and would like to learn how to actually wield it. As I stumbled upon the site and began reading several blog posts I began to realize that this may be the type of program I've been looking for to reach some of my personal goals in fitness and nutrition. Since this is an introduction post I guess I should introduce myself. I'm a 35 year old father of two (a 4 year old and a 16 month old, both girls). I'm a manager at a casino so I'm on my feet walking around 1/3 of the time and behind a desk the rest. Since having children my exercise time dramatically decreased, I used to run a couple 5k races each year and played Rugby 9 months out of the year. As the title of the post suggests I'm a huge Star Wars fan, I'm still a faithful SWTOR player (Prophesy of the Five server in case anyone else plays), I have a huge collection of Star Wars things and have read just about every novel in the EU universe over the last 20 years. I plan on signing up for the academy on Friday and a few of my goals are Lose weight - get down to 185 lbs, currently I'm 6'0" 227lbsIncrease strength - I would love to someday be able to do a one handed hand stand like Luke did on Dagobah.Increase flexibility - My back and legs are so tight and can't touch my toes without bending my knees.Build up my endurance - I want to run a 5k in under 24 minutes and eventually move up to a 10k.Learn enough about sword fighting choreography and perform at the local Renaissance Faire.

Sixth Challenge [ September 15th – October 26th ] In the land of the dritch Background story Cuckoo, cuckoo. A bird's call is waking me from my slumber. I'm surrounded by trees, some are violet, a few magenta but most are plain purple. Yawning I get up and look around, a strange feeling in my heart.... It takes a few moments, but then I realize what's wrong. I have no idea, where I am and even less how I got there. “Are you lost?â€, said a voice from the branch above me. A feline creature is hanging from there and looks at me with his inverted face. “Who are you?â€, I ask the strange being. “I'm a grinning cat, what else? But the more interesting question is, who are you?†“I'm........ I'm....... I'm.....â€, I stutter, realizing, that I don't have the slightest idea who I am. “You don't know who you are, neither where you are? Seems like you are in trouble!â€, the cat laughs, loosing its grip on the branch and floating through the air. “Can you help me?†Nervousness starts to surround my thinking. “That depends, what kind of help do you want?†The cat slowly rolling through the air. My mind is spinning speedily to decide which question is the right one toask: “Where am I?†“Why, in the land of the dritch, of course! She rules this forest and surrounding areas with her temptations, you see them hanging from the trees, don't you?†His paws pointing to the right, where cakes, candy and other sweets are attached to the trees, where normally fruits would bee. “Don't eat anything she offers you, or she will control your actions forever!†“What else can you tell me?†I'm still not sure, who I am, but it becomes clear to me, that I must be some kind of warrior. A fighting spirit is rising in me, awakened by the feline warning. “I don't know more than you do, really, although I possibly remember more than you! But here is someone, who may be able to help you...†And with this the grinning cats arms and legs disappeared, tail and body followed until only its head remained. Then that, too, became invisible, the shining teeth in the form of the waxing moon remaining only. At first I didn't understand, but then I see it. The moonshine is concentrating on a gigantic mushroom in the next clearing. Warily I come closer. An almost undescribable creature as big as the cat is sitting there. It's green, that's the only thing, that is sure. But apart from that, numerous hands and feet, pointy ears pointing at the side and a judging yet benevolent stare; all wrapped up in a brown-beige robe. “Who are you?â€, I want to know and get the answer I somehow expected: “Answer that question I will, after who you are you told me.†“I can't, I know my current limits.†“But break them, you will. If my counsel you remember, that is.†“I don't....†“Time I don't have to repeat everything, I thaught you. But two pieces of my advice you'll get from me, to fight the dritch!†“I'm listening!â€, I say and sit down in front of the mushroom. “First, don't remembering you are you say. But you do! It's in you: Mind what you have learned save you it can! Be consistent in the basic aspects of your training and you will have the power to fight the dritch!†“My memory is like a library full of foreign books. But I will work on understanding and following them!†“Paradox might seem the other thing: You must unlearn, what you have learned! The wrong way brought you into this forest, of all, that you have learned in this time you have to get rid. The fear, the inflexibility.†“I will do that, too. Is there more I need to look out for?†“The rest you already realized on your own: This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted...†Goal 1 – Continue bodyweight workout “Mind what you have learned. Save you it can!†3 STR / 1 STA / 1 CHA In general this means doing three workouts per week of each the following exercises: -Pull-Ups (Following 7 weeks to 50 pull-ups) [extra points if I make it to 10 unbroken pull- ups] -Push-Ups (Following a progression leading up to one-hand push-ups) -Pistols -Planks/Hollow Body Grading: Each workout is worth a point. 1 succesful workout equals 8% and 12 succesful workouts equal 100% Goal 2 – Don't eat anything the dritch made, lest you be forever trapped “This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted...†1 WIS / 2 CON / 2 CHA The dritch is the queen of temptation. To escape her claws, I must only eat real food: Veggies, meat/fish, fruit, nuts, eggs, dairy etc. Grading is easy: 1 successful day a week equals 15% and 7 successful days a week equal 100%. Goal 3 – Non-strength related basics “You must unlearn, what you've learned!†1 CON / 1 DEX Consinsting of stretching and/or working on hand-balancing/hand-stands before going to bed for at least five minutes. Grading is easy again: 1 successful evening a week equals 15% and 7 successful evenings a week equal 100%. Life Goal – Make your voice heard 2 WIS / 1 CHA This one only starts in week three and is a simple pass/fail: Create a blog and publish at least three texts.

I've always like the Jedi Knights, guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. And while lightsabers are still in development, and there may not be any "mystical energy field that controls my destiny", the "simple tricks and nonsense" like meditation, Parkour, and sword or stick fighting are very much real. So I figured that since Steve calls himself a Berzerker as a Warrior/Ranger cross class, and I always wanted to be a Jedi, then cross-classing Druid/Assassin/Monk is the closest I'll probably ever come to using the Force. Then, when I was "researching" on Wookipedia to try and come up with some Jedi-themed goals, I ran across the Antarian Rangers. They were a paramilitary force established to assist the Jedi Order, kind of a non-force using Jedi Auxillary. So when I saw this: "To be a Ranger meant knowing how to move in any environment. To blend in with the forest or grassland, to sail, to swim, to dive, to pilot. To be masters of our surroundings. We were good spies, good warriors, very adept at intrusion and escape."―Tyria Sarkin on being an Antarian Ranger Yeah, pretty much sums up my goals right there. Right now, I'm in Explorer phase, working on meditation and building my body into a strong foundation to launch into the more intense Assassin and Monk activities. I'm working the phases into the upcoming 6-week challenges, but this is where I'm keeping track of my overall progress. In the meantime, check out my current challenge!

Running: Training for my first 100K Iaido: Relearn all 8 Kata…… again. Diet: Low carb with one cheat day. This is my tentative running schedule due to change with my fitness. I have some big miles at the end of this and I am not going to be able to do them unless I drop some weight. My 100K is October 11th and if I am not up to snuff I will put it off until April of next year and just do the Indiana Trail 100 mile ultra. Week Ending Aug 3rdrd Weight: Monday- off Tuesday- 6 miles Wednesday-6 miles Thursday- 6 miles Friday- off Saturday- 12 miles Sunday- 6 miles Week Ending Aug 10th Weight: Monday- off Tuesday- 6 miles Wednesday- 6 miles Thursday- 6 miles Friday- off Saturday- 12 miles Sunday- 6 miles Week Ending Aug 17th Weight: Monday- off Tuesday- 6 miles Wednesday- 6 miles Thursday- 6 miles Friday- off Saturday- 18 miles Sunday- 6 miles Week Ending Aug 24th Weight: Monday- off Tuesday- 6 miles Wednesday- 6 miles Thursday- 6 miles Friday- off Saturday- 18 miles Sunday- 6 miles Week Ending Aug 31st Weight: Monday- off Tuesday- 6 miles Wednesday- 12 miles Thursday- 6 miles Friday- off Saturday- 18 miles Sunday- 6 miles Week Ending Sept 7th Weight: Monday- off Tuesday- 6 miles Wednesday- 12 miles Thursday- 6 miles Friday- off Saturday- 24 miles Sunday- 6 miles

Fifth-and-a half Challenge [August 4th - September 14th] Return of the Jedi from the Crystal Caves Very fittingly, in the last challenge my literary alter ego descended into the dark caves of Ilum, to find a crystal for his lightsaber. In the last months I've been kinda sucked into darkness. I've slowly worked on getting out of it again, but didn't succeed. By now I know the way and started walking into the light, but I'm not there yet. It would've been nice, to start this challenge from the start, but I'm not gonna loose momentum by waiting for the next. Anyway, this is "just" a getting back-to-business-challenge with low-level goals. I'll elaborate a little more later. For now, just the general scheme of this challenge: Fitness Quest: Body Recomp Goal 1 - Follow my workout plan every week I'm in week 8 of a 15 week bodyweight programme. I didn't follow it a 100% in the last few weeks, but finishing 100% of the goals for one week is the essence of goal 1. Goal 2 - The next meal is always the most important one Getting your meals at work makes some things easier and some harder. I try to keep my vegetable and protein intake high, but dessert etc. gets too often on my plate. 0% of that is the essence of goal 2. Goal 3 - Trying new and old stuff out I did a lot of fitness related things - not only in past challenges. Most of them didn't make it through the darkness of the caves though. In this goal I want to do something again or try something completely new, at least once per week. Life Quest: Oral Exams Part of the darkness of the past months was that I was almost kicked out of university without a degree. But I asked and prayed for a second chance, and I got it. To use it and to rock those last exams is my life quest for now.

Back in 1998, a group of us started real life roleplaying as Jedi students. It was a great idea until some people took it too seriously .... or treated the idea as a total joke. I got into the best shape of my life and had a great time for 5 years - then I went to grad school and the Jedi groups spun out into forms that no longer work for me. But the whole idea of real life roleplay and fitness goals as done here has inspired me to reclaim the old dream. For the coming year, I have these broad goals: Run an adventure 5K (Zombie Run, Mudder, obstacle 5K, etc. – there is a zombie run in Minneapolis in July) · Running 1. Run 3 days per week and walk or easy elliptical/ stationary bike 3 other days with one rest day per week 2. Weekly: Run Bridge to 10K Week 1 Day 1 (10 min run, 1 minute walk) 3. Weekly time runs: Speed up running intervals from 15.5 min per mile (3.9 mph) to 8.1 min per mile 7.4 mph) (1 min per mile reduction per challenge) 4. 5K with start and stopping for obstacles or calisthenics (such as Angry Birds) 5. One trail run or walk each week – look for messy options, playgrounds, and nature preserve trails in wet conditions 6. Run in poor conditions · Strength training 1. Angry Birds three times per week 2. Meet with personal trainer candidates and pick one, sharing adventure run goal and getting a plan 3. Work the trainer’s plan 4. Practice crawling (military and/or bear crawl) weekly 5. Rock climbing weekly Clean up diet 1. Paleo/primal breakfast & buy a good blender for smoothies 2. Paleo/primal snacks 3. Paleo/primal lunches 6 of 7 days 4. Paleo/primal dinners 6 of 7 days 5. Cook home cooked meals 75% 6. Co-op membership 7. CSA membership and earn to cook locally available foods 8. Gardening Prepare for disaster 1. CSA membership 2. Self defense classes 3. First Aid/CPR/EMT training 4. Hunting/Fishing/Farming/Foraging 5. Lockpicking 6. Bug out bag and plan for rendezvous location (CSA farm?) 7. Stock for in place sheltering for 3 days 8. ??

CLIFFS NOTES: Main Quest: One armed handstand Supporting goal 1: Improve strength and balance Supporting goal 2: Weigh less Supporting goal 3: Be flexible to avoid injury Life goal: Jedi Calm it was absurd, I thought as I wove my way through the spaceport like an invisible phantom. Three short years ago, I had been planted in an earth suburb, eating pizza and watching telly, the oddest thing in my life being a cousin who had died her hair blue. Now I was brushing against beings with blue teeth, blue fur, blue from head to toe, I’d even met a creature that was nothing more than a shade of blue that had to be refracted into a holding crystal to keep from dispersing everywhere. Everything was blasted wonko, and if I stopped to think about it for any length of time, my brain went sliding out my ear and I had to lie still for a while. This wasn’t to say that, apart from the nearly constant imminent death that had stalked me since leaving earth, it wasn’t the best thing that had ever happened to me. It was a rip-roaring ride, and I wouldn’t go back even if I could. But it was also a massive distraction just to keep one’s head above water, and I couldn’t shake the feeling creeping up my neck that I needed to DO something. That my new powers were for a reason, I couldn’t just scurry about aimlessly. To that effect, in my duffle bag, beneath a sweatshirt, a deck of cards, and a pack of pre-cooked bacon (for bacon, it seems, is a universal food group found on nearly all planets, at least the fashionable ones worth mentioning), was a book. A training manual. It said directly in the front that it was meant to be a part of an intense program of training, starting from early childhood and including many teachers and mentors. But I had none of those available to me; not only did I not know where to find them, being on the run from a band of murderous pirates made staying in one location to complete schooling rather inconvenient. But I could work through the book, doing my best, as I hopped ship after ship. I knew I could find the time- I would make the time- to do the excercises, to do my best until I could find a mentor. Maybe somewhere along the way I would find out why this path felt so important, and why I had the dark, pressing feeling that the pirates were the least of my problems.... Ok so I'm going through another chaotic move during this challenge, and last time that derailed me for a YEAR. I refuse to let that happen again. This time I'm making my challenge flexible to see how it works to keep me healthy and working my way towards my goals, allowing for all kinds of mess to break out and not ruin it haha. To that effect... POINTS! Stealing the points idea from RedCedar. I love this, and it should allow me to work towards my goals every day by doing at least SOMETHING that improves my health. Goal one: Increase my balance and strength: There is no chaos, only harmony 1 point for every two minutes spent actively trying to balance not touching the wall 1 point for every minute of planking 1 point for every “level up†in less fingers on supporting hand during strength work (balancing on one hand with 5 fingertips, 4 finger tips, 3 ect until I’m only on one arm) Why it's a challenge: Finding time to practice every day, finding a good place to be upside down in the house i'm house-sitting for the first two weeks of the challenge, and keeping it up when I'm on the road for the third and fourth week of the challge. Why I want to do it anyway: This is arguable the most important part of the progression towards one armed handstands: actually doing them. GOAL TWO: Weigh less: There is no death, only the force Ie I won't die if I force myself to eat right LOL Carbs over 30: -1 point for each carb. I am trying to stay keto here, for more than one reason. The big one being that I feel a lot better brain-wise on keto. When I get higher up in the carb universe, I can feel my ADHD going “WHAAAAA†Now I need some ways to gain food points. Also stealing from RedCedar, 1 point for every serving of veggies. and a whopping 5 points every time I try a new veggie that I’ve never tried before. 1 point for every 10 minutes of “extra activity†on my fitbit. This will encourage me to run in and out of stores and up and down stairs and generally just be more energetic throughout the day. Why it's a challenge: Carbs are freaking everywhere. I ate a chorizo the other day and I found it had 6 carbs per link becuase of added sugar (And I had way to many of them and was feeling sick, which was why I thought to look at the package.) I have to be more diligent about reading packages to look for not only hidden carbs but also preservatives and food dyes which also lurk in unsuspected foods. Why I want to do it anyway: iIn the interest of handstands, I will be able to support myself on my arms better if there is less of me to support. Also I was keto for 7 months this past year and I have literally never felt better, my ADHD symptoms were still there but SO managable. Like I didn't even know my brain could work like that. GOAL THREE: Stretching: There is no passion, there is serenity 1 point for every 15 minutes spent stretchingAutomatic 25 point bonus if I actuallly reach the floor in any of my splits, as that will be a first in my life. Why it's a challenge: I am very inflexible, and I keep losing track of stretching as something that is important. Why I want to do it anyway: Stretching helps prevent injuries and I feel better when I'm more bendy. Also splits and shoulder/uper back mobility are very important in ballet which I'm keeping up with, and I found that HOLY COW my upper back and shoulders are tight, like bending backwards at the barre I can't even see the wall behind me, only the ceiling, and everyone else is like folded in half haha. Life Goal: Jedi Calm:There is no emotion, there is peace 1 point for every ten minutes practicing stances and breathing1 point for every ten minutes of sitting still reading/listening to an audiobook Why this is a challenge: ADHD. Stuff to do. Distractions. Stress. Waking up too late. Why I want to do it anyway: 1. I want to continue rehabilitating my ADHD by adding moments of calm into my day-to-day life2. Time to find a center and figure out what the heck is going on today, better able to make desicions if I can see the big picture without a thousand little screaming voices in my head. 3. I'm headed into what I see being a fairly overwhelming situation up in the frozen tundra, and I'm going to need to find a way to be at peace.

40 days until Disney World!!! MAIN QUEST My MIL is giving our family a trip to Disney World. I looked and it will happen 40 days from TODAY! I will not be the "Fat Dad" that walks around with his kids at Disney. I simply won't allow it. Soooo, my 6 weeks challenge is simple: GET MY WEIGHT BELOW 200! Mini Quests: 1) Walk/Run with my dog at least 6 times a week 2) Complete 100 push-ups & sit-ups 5 days a week 3) Complete 10-20 pull-ups 5 days a week 4) Eat Clean 6 days out of week 5) Only allow sugar treat 3 times a week 6) Get 8 hours of sleep each night Life Quest: 1) Learn to play the guitar. ( I already bought it, now I just have to play it) 2) Learn to speak Spanish

In A New Hope, Obi-wan Kenobi encounters and battles Darth Vader in lightsaber combat. Amid the battle, they trade some banter, the most important being the line from Obi-wan: "You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine." Of course, if you have seen the movies you know what Obi-wan is refering to. Obi-wan becomes a Force-ghost to help and train Luke Skywalker in ways he could not in his physical form. Darth Vader has no idea how influential a dead Jedi Master could be, so he strikes Obi-wan down, which happens to be the begining of the end for Darth Vader and his master, the Emperor. Turning the focus away from the fictional world to see how this statement could apply to real life, I could think of one area in particular that it relates to: learning through failure and defeat. In victory, you may feel successful and accomplish the extrordinary, but you will learn very little from success. There is much to learn from defeat. In failure, you must find the strength and courage to get back up and do it again. My main quest with attribute points is below: FITNESS: Build STA +2 and DEX +1 by Running, Hiking, Biking, Rowing, or Training (HIIT) for 20 minutes or more, three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). For side quests, I increased my Running miles to 25 to train for a 5k on May 24th and increased my biking goal to 12 miles.FITNESS: Build STR +1 and DEX +1 by completing 400 minutes of Sports Training* in 10 sessions and meeting at least 90 % of my fitness side quest goals. Fitness side quests are geared more towards body weight and cardio.DIET: Build CON +2 by eating "Healthy Meals"** 20 times or more, eating Snack Food 12 times or less, drinking 300 fl oz of Dr Pepper or less, taking care of my skin and lips by applying moisturizer 80 times or more (twice daily), brushing (twice daily) and flossing (once daily) 120 times or more.LIFE: Build WIS +4 and CHA +4 by completing six Toastmaster Speeches from the Competent Communicator manual (2nd run), participating in Table Topics twice and Meeting Roles twice, and completing six lessons from the IJRS Personal 101 and Spirituality 101 Manuals in Jedi Training.* - Training or playing Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Swimming, or Racquet Ball ** - "Healthy Meals" means no grease, minimal fat and calories, mostly veggies, meat, and fruit, while avoiding starches. Breakfast is not included in count. SIDE QUEST CHALLENGE GOALS FITNESSBarbellsDeadlift = 195 lbs, 60 repsBack Squat = 215 lbs, 60 repsBench Press = 200 lbs, 60 repsStanding Curl = 75 lbs, 60 repsDumbellsGoblet Squat = 90 lbs, 60 repsBodyweight ExercisesLeg Press = 1200 lbs, 60 repsBurpee = lbs, 120 repsMount Climbers = lbs, 300 repsPull Up = lbs, 60 repsChin Up = lbs, 60 repsHammer Pull Up = lbs, 60 repsDip = lbs, 120 repsDive Bomber = 0 lbs, 100 repsPush Up = 0 lbs, 400 repsAbdominal ExercisesCrunch = 0 lbs, 800 repsBicycle Crunch = 0 lbs, 800 repsRollout Wheel = 0 lbs, 300 repsCardioSports Training = 400 min, 10 DIETDietSkin and Lip Care = 40 qty Dr Pepper = 300 fl ozHealthy Meals = 20 qty Snack Food = 12 qty Brush & Floss = 120 qty LIFEFamilyNF CommunityChallenge Thread = 6 qtyBattle Log = 40 qtyEpic Quest = 6 qtyToastmastersManual Lessons = 6 qtyOfficer Duties = 600 minMentoring / Coach = 300 minMeeting Roles = 2 qtyTable Topics = 2 qtyJediIJRS Spirituality 101 = 6 qtyJedi Reading = 500 minGeocaching

Our last report from Agent H.N. relayed that she had crash landed on an Ice planet during her first deployment. It has been 11 months and 7 days since her last transmission. We must assume her to be M.I.A. I looked in the mirror one more time, shocked once again by the drastic change in my appearance. I have to say it felt pretty stinking awesome. Almost a year ago, I discovered this unbelievable time lord power when I was fatally injured after my ship crash...and woke up as a blonde. Still as bloody gangely as ever, though. I have since been on the run from the band of pirates that caused my regeneration on the ice planet, running from system to system, barely surviving. My training fell to the wayside as I struggled to stay alive. But now, I knew, as I stared in the mirror at my newly regenerated features, red hair and all, that something had to change. This time it had been a deadly plague, one I could have avoided if I had kept my wits about me. This regeneration had been different: a great deal of regeneration energy had been left over. I could still see it glowing around my hands if I tried. I was determined to use this power to help shape myself into what I had to become. And also....there was something else. A new sense of...awareness? of power? I wasn’t sure, but I was certainly going to find out. HEY EVERYONE I’m back!!! And I’ve regenerated....TWICE. So moving to Florida completely derailed me it’s been massive chaos. This is not to say that I didn’t necessarily enjoy the chaos sometimes, but I’ve made absolutely zero progress fitness-wise. I lost a TON of weight (OMG I saw the number 5!!!) and then promptly gained it all back (Booooo). I got to ten push ups, and then lost it (I’m back to 4). I’ m ready to get back to some serious training and I missed you guys!! My internet has also been ridiculously spotty and I finally have real internets now. Updates: School has been going wonderfully, I love learning and it’s an absolute blast so far. (side note: I had wondered about being the same age as my peers....and I hate it LOL. When I was a kid, at first I hated being the 10 year old in high school or the 13 year old in college, I felt like I was going to get stepped on or something HAHA. But now that there are actually students a year or two YOUNGER than me in some classes, it makes me feel like an absolute dunce. haha. I guess it’s all in what you get used to.) So Challenge Goals. Woot Woot Yay Yay. You may not have noticed that in my recent regeneration I became a Gallifreyan Jedi. I have only just begun to be aware of these powers and must train them accordingly. I had a hard time determining my main quest, because this challenge is a bit of an experiment. I want to see what happens when i do a bunch of stuff.... So caveat’s expressed, my main quest is: Hit 159 pounds. Again. *clears throat* Ok So I want to go back to doing a lot of the things that I used to as a kid (and also was skinny as a rail...) I’m not going to weigh myself for the duration of the challenge, because even though losing weight is my main quest this time, I want to go about it by focusing on NOT losing weight. Goal 1: Get out walking/running/playing parkour at least 5x per week. Why it’s a challenge: I am busy. I am not a morning person. I usually get home well after dark. I am not a morning person. I also hate mornings. And that time period before noon. Why I want to do it anyway: As a kid this was a habit of mine. I got up every morning at 5am (WHAT KIND OF PERSON WAS I???!!) and went running in the woods. Running, jumping, walking, rock climbing, swinging on vines. I didn’t do this with the goal of losing weight. I did this because I was friggin luke skywalker with yoda on my back, jumping around and running on rocks and generally having all the fun. I was usually out there for about an hour and 5ish miles before I came back and had breakfast and went to school. That is a ton of excercize to start the day. Plan of attack: Go out and do stuff. I’m really going to try to make this every morning before breakfast, but I will be satisfied if I do it in the evening if i really can’t pull it off earlier. I’m aiming for every day, but a full A will come from 5 days a week, every week. I’m just going to go out and have fun moving around outside, without thinking about calories or whatever. 5 = A 4 = B 3 = C Less = F Goal 2: Dance Breaks What it is: I just recently got a new job (whoooohoooohooo) where I am now working from home. As such, I can get up, move around, eat dinner, whatever, while I’m on the clock. However we are still required to take a 30 minute lunch break. These will be dancing breaks. Why it’s a challenge: My shifts are late and a lot of times my breaks will be like 9pm. I’m probably gonna want to be taking a nap. Why I want to do it anyway: I have wanted for a long time to get back into breakdancing. I used to be fairly good at it in grade school and high school, but then it just kind of faded out of my life. Sad panda. It advances my main quest by being active, and does so in a fun way that I don’t even notice. Plan of attack: I will work on six moves, one per week. week one: 6 step week two: cc’s week three: indian step week four: swipe week five: various freezes week six: 3 step I used to be able to do weeks 1-5, I’ve never been able to do a 3 step so I left it for last, hopefully I’ll have worked up to it by then. I’ll earn an A if I do this during at least half my shifts. So if I work 6 days, this will be 3 times. 0.5 of shifts = A 0.25 of shifts= B Only once a week= C Less= F Goal 3: Push ups, A.K.A. Earth-downs Why this is a challenge: push ups are hard and the last thing I want to be doing in the morning. Because I hate mornings. Why I want to do it anyway: I want to be stronger. I am seriously tired of being a wuss about this, and it’s time I seriously started training for my one-arm push up that I desire so much. All the seriousness. Also I used to do push ups every morning as well, before, during, or after my run/climb every morning. And I used to be able to do 20 of them. It advances my main quest both because it is activity and secondly because stronger muscle is more metabolically efficient. Plan of attack: I was intrigued by this article: http://www.lovingfit.com/fitness/improve-your-push-ups/ and am therefore going to attempt this program on weeks 1, 3, and 5. On the in between weeks I am going to try to do 30 seconds of pushups every morning (full or knee, whatever I am capable of.) I am only going to grade myself on the program weeks, the goal here is mainly to get stronger and build up a base of reps. A full A is to complete all 21 days of push ups. 21 days= A > 18 =B > 15 = C > 10 = D <10= F Life goal: something in russian EVERY DAY I am so lazy about this, I cannot even express. I'm actually disgusted by my level of sloth surrounding this topic. Therfore it is a top challenge priority. Why it is a challenge: part 1: i tend to be kind of intuitive when it comes to languages and I can pick them up fairly quickly (speaking and understanding only). This at first glance sounds like not-a-challenge, but my problem lies in the fact that im the biggest lazy-head when it comes to actually studying. Im making aproximatly the same amount of progress as my fellow students who do about an hour of study a day, and I literally have not cracked a book on this in 3 weeks. I get too caught up in comparing myself to others than looking st what kind of effort im actually putting in. Part 2: I just found out that im dyslexic. Yay. This only took 23 years to diagnose. And now im learning a new alphabet and reading is megahard. Why I want to do it anyway: Re: part1: This is not good. This is BAD. How much progress could I be making if I actually bothered to study? I will be much more useful if I am fluent than if I am just trudging along doing the minimum. Re: part2: Im going no need to be able to read and spell, so yeah. Plan of attack: I need to do at least SOMETHING in russian every day. This could be (best) rossetta stone or pimsleur, (good) workbook work, (ok) reading something in a russian book/website, or (if im super exhausted) listening to a russian song or audiobook or a movie in russian. All the days = A All the days > < 3/4 Of the days = B 3/4 of the days > < 1/2 the days = C Anything less is lazy and = F Alright! Allons-y, vamanos, пойдем, اجازه دهید به, vamos, gehen wir, twende, 我们走å§, let’s go!

In Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker in the fundamentals of the Force and Jedi. Aboard the Millenium Falcon, during a lightsaber training exercise, Luke is able to use the Force to deflect laser bolts while blinded. Han Solo is unimpressed calling it luck. Kenobi responds, "In my experience, there's no such thing as luck." His experience is that of a Jedi Master, listening to the "Will of the Force" and being able to predict or anticipate future events. Using instinct, intuition, observation, and knowledge, one can predict and anticipate future events like a Jedi. Maybe not deflecting blaster bolts, but predicting the motives or actions of another person can be fairly helpful in many situations. I don't rely on luck unless I'm playing a friendly game. It is better to create your own luck by understanding the circumstances and generating favorable odds through use of instinct, intuition, observation, and knowledge. My main quest with attribute points is below: FITNESS: Build STA +2 and DEX +1 by Running, Hiking, Biking, Rowing, or Training (HIIT) for 20 minutes or more, three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).FITNESS: Build STR +2 and DEX +1 by completing 400 minutes of Sports Training* in 10 sessions and meeting at least 85 % of my fitness side quest goals.DIET: Build CON +3 by eating "Healthy Meals"** 20 times or more, drinking 300 fl oz of Dr Pepper or less, taking care of my skin and lips by applying moisturizer 80 times or more (twice daily), brushing my teeth 80 times or more (twice daily), and flossing 40 times or more (once daily).LIFE: Build WIS +3 and CHA +3 by completing one Toastmaster Speech for the Spring Contest Season (practice on 2/25 and contest on 3/8), completing two Successful Club or Better Speaker Series Speeches to earn my Advance Communicator Silver in Toastmasters, and completing three lessons from the IJRS Personal 101 and Spirituality 101 Manuals in Jedi Training.* - Training or playing Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Swimming, or Racquet Ball ** - "Healthy Meals" means no grease, minimal fat and calories, mostly veggies, meat, and fruit, while avoiding starches. Breakfast is not included in count. SIDE CHALLENGE GOALS FITNESSBarbellsDeadlift = 190 lbs, 60 repsBack Squat = 210 lbs, 60 repsBench Press = 195 lbs, 60 repsOverhead Press = 100 lbs, 60 repsStanding Curl = 70 lbs, 30 repsDumbellsBench Press = 50 lbs, 60 repsFly = 50 lbs, 60 repsRow = 55 lbs, 60 repsSide Raise = 35 lbs, 60 repsHammer Curl = lbs, 30 repsHammer Ext = lbs, 30 repsGoblet Squat = 85 lbs, 60 repsTricep Ext = 70 lbs, 60 repsBodyweight ExercisesLeg Press = 1150 lbs, 60 repsLeg Ext = 160 lbs, 30 repsBurpee = lbs, 100 repsMount Climbers = lbs, 200 repsHS PU = lbs, 60 repsPull Up = lbs, 60 repsChin Up = lbs, 60 repsHammer Pull Up = lbs, 60 repsDip = lbs, 100 repsDive Bomber = 0 lbs, 60 repsPush Up = 0 lbs, 300 repsAbdominal ExercisesCrunch = 0 lbs, 800 repsBicycle Crunch = 0 lbs, 800 repsLeg Lift = 0 lbs, 200 repsSide Leg Lift = 0 lbs, 300 repsOblique Twist = 0 lbs, 600 repsSide Bend = 0 lbs, 600 repsSide Raise = 0 lbs, 400 repsRollout Wheel = 0 lbs, 300 repsCardioHIIT = min, 5 repsSports Training = 300 min, 6 DIETDietSkin and Lip Care = 40 qty Dr Pepper = 300 fl ozHealthy Meals = 20 qty Floss = 40 qty Brush Teeth = 80 qty LIFEFamilyNF CommunityChallenge Thread = 6 qtyBattle Log = 40 qtyEpic Quest = 3 qtyToastmastersManual Lessons = 1 qtyOfficer Duties = 600 minModule Series = 2 qtyMeeting Roles = 4 qtyTable Topics = 4 qtyJediIJRS Personal 101 = 1 qtyIJRS Spirituality 101 = 2 qtyJedi Reading = 500 minGeocaching