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So last challenge, I chilled out so much that I forgot to post much on the forums. While the time away was a nice break, I've rested and recuperated enough. Like many others, my workout schedule has suffered over the holidays. Time to get back to basics. Motivation: I absolutely love this feeling of being able to wear what I want without self-consciousness. I love bounding up stairs and running after buses without feeling like I'm going to die. This. I want to keep this. Main Quest: Climb, Ninja, Climb! Preparation For Ascent... I'm really not a marathon chick. Long distances really bore me. So does spending more time than I absolutely have to at the gym. I dig short, sweet, communing with nature. I'm challenging myself to keep on maintaining throughout the winter in order to be in prime hiking condition, come spring. Fitness Goal: Love Thy Workouts (+3 STR, +2 STA) Namely: 4 workouts per week, mix of 3 weight sessions & 3 cardio sessions. Need to be especially diligent, as I'm cutting back on the personal training sessions (once monthly). Digital tracking has never worked well for me. Instead of fighting against myself, this time I'm going to track the old-fashion way - scribblings on a wall calendar. Diet/Budget Goal: Love Thy Body (+3 CON, +2 WIS) Somewhere in the first part of the year, I'm taking a trip to China. I'm also saving up for a mortgage - scary new territory ahead! Need to severely cut eating out without dampening the fun. Here are the tentative 'rules' I've cobbled together with the help of my Stealthy Ninja Bastards: Pre-purchased things don't count (groupons, gift card balances, generous friends, etc). The goal is net zero balance in the Restaurant line of your budget.This doesn't equal Anti-Social month. Have potlucks. Dinner parties. Tea at your place or theirs. Go to a play. (I will be attending many.) Brew coffee/tea for on-the-go. Or have it at work. Try not to slip in pre-packaged food / soups / meals into your grocery budget. This is all to get you prepared to pack enough food for your day! Take that balance and put it towards something nice/useful. For me, I'm imagining my next trip / downpayment. Don't try to overcompensate by going hog wild on the grocery budget. It might go up a bit because you're not eating any meals out, but it's also not the time to buy those bacon covered truffles (I have no idea if these exist in a grocery store. Probably.) To help me on this challenge, I'm subscribing to a cool list I found on Lifehacker. All She Cooks: 52 Weeks of No-Repeat Meal Plans. Life Quest: Body Hack (DEX +5) One of the reasons I don't stretch enough is that I don't incorporate it into my day. As with many people at a desk job, moving around and being mindful is essential. I'll be looking into ways to turn stretching into my norm. Any suggestions / programs / hacks on what works for you are highly appreciated! It all may look basic, but I also have a few side projects on the go. I'm getting used to reviewing on a quick turnaround basis for a local lifestyle site, and that's fuelled a few creative projects. Amazing how a little reorganization can refocus your energies! But on this forum, I'll stick to the things that I absolutely need. Thank you all for sticking with me! Here's to a fantastic 6 weeks- full steam ahead!

I'm really, really lucky. Just wanted to get that out of the way, because what follows might sound a little bit like these first world problems. I assure you madam (or gent), that is not the case. I love being on the go. I can't stop thinking about that next hill, challenge, or awesome experience. Cliched enough as it is: life is short. The thought keeps me up at night and what compels me out of bed every morning. It's what drives me to say yes in fear of missing out. As awesome as that sounds, I've been feeling like this little guy as of late: I've said yes to too many things at once. It used to be that personal health would be the first thing to go in times of stress, but now with three past challenges under my belt, I've fortified myself against slipping and losing all of that progress. Which is great - except I'm bloody tired most nights and don't become particularly refreshed after weekends or vacations. Main Quest: Path To Greater Stamina, Everywhere It's time to strike another balance between my newfound enjoyment for exercise and the other facets of my life. Time is our shortest and most precious commodity. I'm trying become more selective without giving offence - coming up with different strategies of saying 'no' that doesn't leave the other party in the gutter or without options. Goal 1: Downsize Without Sacrificing Happiness (+5 CHA) Get used to saying 'no' to something on a frequent basis. Come up with different strategies on how to say no without offending. Prioritize what matters to me, and work towards those goals. Write it down. Goal 2: Find Better Efficiencies (+3 DEX, +2 WIS) Stop procrastinating. Identify one new area of blockage on a weekly basis and come up with personal deadlines to get things done. Goal 3: Bring On The Zen (+5 WIS) Block out one weeknight for an appointment with myself, and do something meaningful to recharge during that time. MotivationTo stop chewing my nails as a way of coping with stress.To take time out for people who matter most to me.To live in the moment instead of thinking about the next. The challenges above sound deceptively simple, and I think that's the whole point. I'll be maintaining all of my previous challenges (cardio, BW, working with personal trainer, eating well, stretching), so this is one additional layer of mindfulness on top. Instead of measuring myself up to a certain standard, or against the achievements of others, it's time to go flow.

The other day, my manfriend asked me why I had been sticking with the healthy kick this time around. (Given, I then bullied him into going to the gym after an exhausting weekend roadtrip.) I searched my brain and came up with two personal triggers: the sinking feeling of being mistaken for a pregnant lady on the bus, and the very expensive Mass Effect one-piece sitting in my closet, tags still attached, intended for a friend's wedding in Mexico this fall. Those were the basis of my last two challenges here. The long-term 'why' owes in a large part to the NF community here; all the friends I've made, the ridiculously strong teammates who now make up Stealthy Nerd Bastards 2.0, and the extreme geekiness that ties us all together. I've never been so motivated in my life to see something through. I'm accountable to everyone here as I take small steps into reclaiming my ninja status. I can't wait to see the improvement in myself after a few more challenges. Main Quest: Ninja Preparations For Battle I have a love-hate relationship with preparations. When I play a game, the preparation (grinding) always gets me down. I know I have to do it in order to get to the next city/level/boss, but doing so really, really sucks. Same thing with general fitness - I know I should stretch and eat the right things in order to support all of my activities, but it always gets pushed to the backburner. What better way of making sure I do all that by making it the foundation of my challenge this time around? That being said, I think I'm good with sticking with the Assassins this time around. The types of flexibility/movement I've seen listed as assassin-y pursuits interest me - Ido Portal, Animal Flow, Prasara, Mobility WOD. A big part of why I don't stretch enough is simply because I'm bored of 'normal' yoga. I'm not about inversions and head/handstands, and I'd rather focus on the movement itself. Goal 1: Ninja Get Stretchy 15-20 minutes a day. Every day. My shoulders and neck are constantly aching, and my posture is terrible. I'm hoping to see some noticeable improvement at the end of this challenge. I'm also going to be experimenting with body rolling. Payoff: DEX +4, STR +1 Goal 2: Ninja Get Whole30-y (CON +3, STA +2) On a whim, I'm joining rogaecia's Whole30 program. We'll be starting next week and finishing a few days shy of the end of this challenge. It's a perfect time for me, as the manfriend is leaving for a month to see family, and I need something to keep me on track. Otherwise, my diet tends to go down the tubes. Payoff: CON +3, STA +2 Goal 3: Ninja Maintain The Status Quo Bodyweight workouts 3x / week, cardio 4x / week. Personal trainer is still mixing things up. I don't think I'll have a problem here, so have weighed the payoff accordingly. Payoff: STA +1 Life Goal: Complete Geeky Coursera Course Comic Books and Graphic Novels. I've never gotten into comic books, and that's a crying shame. Do all the readings, lectures, participate in the forums. Learn some new worthy knowledge. Payoff: WIS +2, CHA +2 Motivation I don't want to live in pain on a daily basis. I don't want to continue to ignore the aches and creaks in my body while I continue to push it further. I don't want injury to bog me down as I sneak around corners and hide in shadows. Because that wouldn't be very ninja-like. I'm in my late 20s. The time for change is now. Join me, comrades!

Second time around! New to the Assassins Guild, and excited to learn and roll with the punches. My first challenge was a success: I dropped 1.5" off the belly and more off other measurements, got my start in exercising consistently and eating healthily. Now it's time to get serious. I'm joining the Assassins because I'm on a quest to regain my Ninja status. I've struggled with establishing a committed BW workout, as it's so much easier to see results when you're pumping along on the treadmill. I love speed over endurance, as I tend to get bored easily. While I've tried things like (indoor) rock climbing and headstands in the past, injuries and a lack of strength has never allowed me to progress very far. This time around, I'm hoping to develop a solid base to build on for the future. Motivation: I want to appear comfortable in a bikini by the end of summer. I know that seems to be a pretty shallow goal, but I've never felt comfortable baring the midriff. This is for me, not for anyone else. (My manfriend keeps on thinking the girls will shrink as a result.) -- CHALLENGES -- Main Quest: Climb, Ninja, Climb! (Beat Personal Best Up A Mountain by The End of September) Last challenge I did my favourite local trail, the BCMC, in 1hr and 14min. I'd like to beat that personal best by the end of summer. This will be my loose test of improvement. It will also occur halfway through the challenge, so I can determine if I'm on track or not. Goal 1: Continue working out 4 times a week (+4 STA, +1 DEX) This hasn't changed much since the last time, but keeping it consistent will do wonders in making sure I don't fall off the bandwagon. Anything goes: running my typical treadmill intervals, biking up a storm, doing zumba after work (just bought a trial month). Sweat, sweat, sweat. Goal 2: Incorporate bodyweight workouts 3 times a week (+3 DEX, +2 STR) This is the new one. Last challenge, I was only concerned about getting to the gym enough times out of the week. Now I'm starting to look at efficiency within my workout. I do weights sporadically, but not enough to work the entire body. Goal 3: Continue eating well (+2 CON)Right after the challenge, I got diagnosed with an ulcer. I have absolutely no idea how this happened (was eating so healthy at the time!), so an added caveat will be to stay away from the foods that might exacerbate the condition. I'm on meds and feel much better already, so I don't think this will keep me from hauling ass this challenge. As with last time, I'm allowed up to 2 freebie meals per week. Life Goal: Do the Non-White, Non-Married Version of 'MWF Seeks BFF' (+3 CHA) I've been reading MWF Seeks BFF, and while my situation isn't anywhere as drastic as moving to a new city, I would like to increase my social activities and reach. I'll try for 1 new connection or social activity per week with someone new or someone I've lost touch with.

I'm a 20-something working professional living on the Canadian west coast. I work long hours in the creative industry and relax over video games & engaging books. I used to be a high-level ninja - 10 years ago, I was a black belt martial arts instructor. The reflexes and training are still there, but hampered by an old injury and an abysmal lack of stamina. Confession first: I've let myself off easy. Due to my diminutive height, it's been easy to feel like I'm doing 'all right' when compared to everyone else. I'm an avid hiker from spring to fall, and have recently gone car-free, so I walk, bike, and transit everywhere. I also squeeze in yoga at least once a week. I figured that was a good enough strategy to shed the winter weight once the parkas came off. (That was a joke.) What changed: This year, I've been disturbed by a few instances when strangers assumed that I was pregnant. I've even had one woman try to give me her seat on the bus. It was the worst feeling in the world. (Nothing against pregnant women at all. You ladies are beautiful. I'm just not one of you.) With a friend's resort wedding coming up (not much to hide behind on those sandy white beaches), I've made the commitment to take the reins to my health and form a consistent, habit-forming lifestyle that appeals to me. Starting stats: 5'3, 140 pounds Belly: 34" -- CHALLENGE -- Workout At Least 4x / Week: +2 STR, +3 STA Deets: targeted training routines, including interval training, tabata-inspired sets, etc. A: 4x+ / week, 30 min each B: 4x / week, 30 min each C: 3x / a week D: 2x / a week F: Sitting on my ass Eat a Clean Diet: +5 CON Deets: starting with this meal plan with a few substitutions, limited to 2 meals 'free' per week A: Follow the plan, 100% B: Slip up once or twice C: Slip up more than that D: Slip in fast food F: Give up and crawl under a rock. Or become said rock. Lose 2" off my "Pregnant" Belly: +4 DEX Deets: measurements weekly A: Lose 2" B: Lose 1" C: Lose 0.5" D: No inches lost F: Inches gained Still Finding The Time To Game: +1 WIS Deets: crack open the console at least once a week A: WIN! (no brainer) F: LOSE the easiest challenge ever... That's all I got so far. Feedback appreciated!