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The Green Poison. That’s what they’re calling it. No one knows where it came from, who made it, or why. It swept across the city, devouring block after block. Life as we know it broken down, most of the population dead or dying. For those of us left, it’s a fight to survive, to keep from being exposed. Some went at it alone, while others had friends or family left to help scavenge. There’s only one rule: You get sick, you die. You don’t get sick, you live. At least until the Rikers get you. Or you get caught in the burst of a Cleaner’s flame. Sure, there was the JFT, but they were becoming fewer and fewer, losing ground to the more vicious groups. They didn’t have the firepower, or the skill, to hold them off forever. They needed help. There was a buzz, the smallest of vibrations against delicate skin. A faint glow through fabric. The end of the sleeve was pulled up to reveal a much brighter glow. An orange circle encased in cool black metal. Activation. ______________________________________ "When we were activated, we knew the situation was bad, worse than anyone knew. We are an elite, highly skilled group of embedded agents. They only call us when everything else has failed. We have no rules, we have no limits. Our job is to protect what remains. We are your co-workers. We are your neighbours. We might even be your friends, but when we get the call, we leave everything behind. We are The Division." It was a signal...that the normal lives we led...were gone. As you may know, I am not the only one doing a Division themed challenge this time around. I probably am the only one doing a Division theme across 6 challenges, though. Yup, you read that right - 6. Is this crazy? Yeah, probably. I can only hope that I don't get sick of it before it's all said and done. If that does happen (or I just really want to do something else), I have a way of combining and shortening my current plans. Easy peasy. These next two months are going to be quite laid back compared to what I have been doing, at least so far as fitness. On April 4 and May 2 I am going in for surgery to have my ICLs replaced, one at a time. For those unaware, these are permanent contact lenses I had inserted in my eyes last fall to correct my vision. The problem is that the current lenses are not sitting properly, and there’s a chance that this could cause cataracts down the road. With cataracts would also come a loss of some of my vision. To avoid that whole lovely situation, I’m having them replaced now with a smaller set. What this means for the challenge: Week 1 - zero activity, except walking. No bending over, no getting water near my face. Driving will be pretty much impossible the first 3-ish days post-op. I will also be away from the boards up to a full week while my pupil contracts back to normal. Screens are not so much fun to use during the first week due to lingering light sensitivity. Week 2 through 4 - I will be pretty limited as to what I can do. I won’t be able to lift weights or overexert myself (boo, no crossfit), but I should be good to do bodyweight exercises, some light cardio, and yoga type activities. I will move forward with this plan so long as I get the ‘OK’ from my doctor during my 1 week follow up. Goal #4 will be tentative until that time, and possibly adjusted. Over the course of these 4 weeks, I will be racking up experience points; these will help me level up in anticipation of the next challenge. As with all games, I will be starting at level 1. Each goal has it’s own rules and point system. At the end of each week, I will also have the chance to collect various item drops (supplies, ammo, etc.) - a tally of these will be kept in this spreadsheet for future use. I may or may not update/adjust this system as I go. Depends on how it all ends up working out. Here is the current Leveling system: Lvl 2 50 EXP Lvl 3 70 EXP Lvl 4 90 EXP Lvl 5 110 EXP You guys should check out The Division: Origins videos Mission 1: Sleeper Agent Hack my sleep | CON 3 | WIS 3 | Complete at least 5 days per week (Sun - Thurs) I will be following the short-term recovery tips/advice I found in this Lifehacker article. EXP (per night) Wk 1 - No caffeine after 5pm Week 1 = 2 pts Wk 2 - No alcohol less than 2hrs before bed (plus all above) Week 2 = 3 pts Wk 3 - Minimize/eliminate screen use 30 min prior to bedtime (plus all above) Week 3 = 4 pts Wk 4 - Adjust body temp, AKA: hot/cold showers (plus all above) Week 4 = 5 pts Other: Go to bed 15min earlier each week until I find the best time for me to go to bed and be well rested. Week 1 will start at 11:30pm. Mission 2: Consumables Hack my diet | CON 2 | CHA 2 | More Veggies/plant life (1 meal per day) EXP More Protein (100-116g/day) - 2pt per category (protein, veggies, water) per day. 6pt per day combined total. More Water (>60oz/day) - Can gain 1 extra EXP point per day when I eat veggies at a more than one meal. - EXP points determine drop chance Special Drops: Drop Chance: Canned food (veggies) - increases healing effect 6 pts - 20% chance Energy Bar (protein) - instantly removes negative status effects 8 pts - 40% chance Water (water) - increases damage dealt to elite enemies 10 pts - 60% chance Soda (water) - reduces cool down on skills 12 pts - 80% chance 14 pts - 100% chance 50/50 chance of getting water or soda when collecting a Water drop. Goal 3: Encounters Walk for at least 30 min | DEX 2 | STA 1 | Week 1 - 3x walking EXP Week 2 - 4x walking 5pts per walk completed Week 3 - 5x walking Week 4 - 5x walking Special Bullet Drop (random): Explosive Bullets Incendiary Bullets Drop Chance: Wk 1: Wk 3 & 4: 5 pts - 30% chance 5 pts - 20% chance 10 pts - 70% chance 10 pts - 40% chance 15 pts - 100% chance 15 pts - 60% chance 20 pts - 80% chance Wk 2: 25 pts - 100% chance 5 pts - 25% chance 10 pts - 50% chance 15 pts - 75% chance 20 pts - 100% chance Goal 4: Skills Follow exercise plan | STR 1 | STA 1 | TENTATIVE UNTIL CHECKED WITH DOCTOR Week 1 - OFF due to surgery EXP Week 2 - minimal to no activity (check with Dr.) 5pts per workout Week 3 - 4x exercise Week 4 - 4x exercise Grenade drop (random): Drop Chance: EMP 5 pts - 25% chance Flashbang 10 pts - 50% chance Fragmentation 15 pts - 75% chance Incendiary 20 pts - 100% chance Shock Tear Gas

Hello all! I found this site years ago, but have been a little shy about joining the Rebellion officially. My fiance and I are getting married this year, and we're both trying to change our eating and workout habits (or lack thereof). Just the push I need to find some backup in my journey! I'm happy to be here and hope I can find some folks like me </unsolicited personal introduction> Anyway, I love science, psychology, tech, and interesting things about humans and our behavior. I listen to podcasts like Radiolab, You Are Not So Smart, and The New Man. They've all touched on something called a "Flow State" that is supposedly the ultimate level of focus and clarity. Being "In the zone" or a "zen state" of mind. Like Neo in the Matrix or something. Have you ever experienced this? Do you believe it's a real thing or just a new buzzword? Can you purposefully get into a Flow State? What are your thoughts about this?...

Are you able to still have a social life? How do you manage working out and diet? What are your sleep patterns like? I started working night shifts about a month ago and I am having a really hard time adjusting my routines to my new work and sleep schedule. I'm hoping to get some ideas and advise from others who may also work night shifts.