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Hey Nerd Fitness! It's been a while since we've hung out, and I've missed you! I haven't been around on the boards and challenges and such because I've been having an amazing time with life. Also, I've been evaluating a lot of my goals and habits, and I’ve discovered that 6-week challenges don’t really work for me. I was able to complete my first challenge very well, but my second and third attempts were bails. I felt obligated to report to my guild and update them with progress, and it was easy to lose focus of why I was doing the challenge. I wasn’t doing it because I signed up, I wasn’t doing it because if I stopped I would be letting my guild down, but that’s how it felt. I know the challenge threads are supposed to be super free-form, but if I didn’t report a day, I was guilt-stricken. So I shifted focus. Instead of worrying about my challenge progress, I just focused on me. What makes me want to keep going? How do I motivate myself and press on toward my goals without crashing or losing focus? It’s been quite a journey, and I’d like to share it with you. First off, I’m a 20-something with a desk job by day, and a swing dancer/instructor/competitor by night and weekend. Fitness has never been my thing. Dance, music, and board games, please! But I want to get fit, I want to be healthy, and I’d like to not die at the Cornucopia. At the beginning of 2015, I was a member of a cheap gym that was close to my office, but far from my home. I knew there was no way I was going to lug all the things I needed to get ready in the morning to the gym, so morning workouts were out. I tried to create a habit of going to the gym after work, but I had conflicts with commitments on most nights of the week, and if anything came up with friends, it was easy as pie to drop that workout and go do coffee/dinner/movie/etc.; on top of which, I travel almost every weekend for dance or to see family, and I was having an incredibly difficult time establishing routine. So basically it was a mess of inconvenient. Meanwhile, literally in my backyard (I can see it from my back porch) is the best gym in my city, with an awesome facility, classes at all hours of the day, knowledgeable staff, and all the good things. But I just saw the cost. Finally I admitted that my cheap route wasn’t working. I decided to try a month at “the fancy gym†that would allow me to be up in the morning, get ready at home, and then go about my day and life. It was amazing. I made a commitment that if I was in town and could go to work, I could get up a little earlier and go work out. The decision was made. I would lay out my workout clothes before I went to bed, and I knew every weekday morning, I would be at the gym at 5:30. I didn’t have to talk myself into working out every day. I didn’t have to convince myself that driving that extra 2 miles in hectic traffic after a long day of work was worth it, the decision was made. And because I didn’t have to make the decision, I went. It was working. After a couple of months in the new routine, I had been tracking my weight and keeping a pretty close eye on my caloric intake, but I saw very little change. In fact, I was gaining weight with very little change in my % body fat. So I decided to take advantage of some of the services at the fancy gym and signed up to do a resting metabolic assessment. I discovered that about 60% of my daily energy was coming from carbs, and only 40% of my energy was burned off fat. My trainer challenged me to try a diet where I ate 100 grams of protein every day, limiting myself to about 100 grams of carbs, and eating no breads, pastas, etc. Being a total carb-aholic, I was devastated. But if that’s what it was going to take, I said ok. That was about a month ago. I’d love to tell you that I’ve seen drastic changes (I did at first – dropped 5 lbs in 2 weeks!), but honestly, I have a long way to go toward figuring things out. But for now I’m super happy with the plan I have, which looks like this: Food: ~1400 calories per day (more on heavily active days) 72 fl oz of water every day Training regimen: Monday: Treadmill, 30 min, and stretching, usually dancing in the evenings Tuesday: Barbell strength training (group class) Wednesday: Treadmill, 30 min, and stretching Thursday: Barre (group class) Friday: Treadmill, 30 min, and stretching Saturday: Off, often dancing/hiking Sunday: Off My new routine has been great for my mind and spirit as well. I also made the decision that treadmill time is non-fiction time. Either my kindle will read to me as I jog, or I’ll load up a podcast on my phone. It’s a body and brain workout all at once! After I get home, I have time for coffee, reading my Bible, and praying before getting ready for work, which was something else I had really struggled with before. TL;DR So this was a super long post, but basically, I’ve made huge personal progress in my health and fitness life by simplifying, and in some ways eliminating, the decision to work out. I just do it. Same thing with breads – I just don’t eat them. So this thread is less of a battle log and more of blog of progress, that I will update on my own time, at my own pace. I might one day decide that a challenge is worth committing to, but for now, this is what works for me and is what I think I can stick to. If this inspires you, please comment! I’m totally up for talking fitness stuff!

Hey Assassins! I've been on quite the NF hiatus, and during that time, I decided that I didn't feel like my current fitness journey fit the 6-week challenge format. However, I missed YOU, and I was dying to tell people about the cool progress I've made in figuring out my training regimen! So instead of posting in the challenge forums, I made a battle log, which is less of a battle log and more of a blog that I will update at my own pace, as interesting things happen. You can find that here, and read more about my journey the past several months. I'd love for you to join me on this journey! In the meantime, I'll be lurking around the challenge threads too. See you around! AnnaBJoyful

Last challenge I went back to basics in the Adventurers, focusing on general wellbeing as a goal. I included some fitness, but mostly worked on my mental health. Now I feel in the right frame of mind to up my game and get back to the Assassins. I've been swing dancing for a few years now. However, I've hit a plateau and want to focus on bringing my dancing to the next level. To do this, I will make time to work on movement skills I currently lack, add in more workouts to improve my core for dancing, and pay attention to my diet. My dancing prowess is the primary motivation here, but weight loss would definitely be more than welcomed and I will keep track of my weight and measurements as well. Stats End of last challenge: Weight: 199 lbs Chest: 43" Waist: 35" Hips: 44 1/4" End of this challenge: Weight: tba Chest: tba Waist: tba Hips: tba Main Quest To improve my dancing ability, focusing on core connection and styling. Quests: 1) Dance solo Currently I do 2 to 3 hours a week of partner dancing where I can practice my connection. However, I rarely get to practice styling variations so I plan to make time to practice solo jazz. Goal: 30 mins/week Grading: 1 point for every minute of solo jazz + 1 STA, + 1 DEX, + 2 CHA 2) Strength train To improve my dance technique and connection, I need to be stronger. I want to especially focus on my core, which is severely lacking. Goal: 2 sessions/week Grading: 15 points per session + 3 STR 3) Log my food Food is where I struggle. I like dancing, hiking, and many forms of exercise, but food is where I falter. I will post everything I eat on my daily reports to this thread. Goal: Log food every day Grading: 5 points per food log + 1 WIS Side Quest: Fix my back I've been having recurring muscle knots in my upper back/shoulder (rhomboid/trapezius area). This is probably caused by having a desk job and very large, heavy breasts. It seems the best way to remedy this is to strengthen my back muscles in order to oppose my overworked pecs. I'm looking into back extension exercises, but need to see a trainer who understands muscle isolation. Goal 1: Schedule private pilates session Goal 2: Back stretches 2X/day to keep knots loose. Grading: 30 points for session; 1 points/ stretch session + 2 STR Grading Scheme A = 600+ points B = 550+ points C = 475+ points D = 350+ points F = less than 350 points --- "I want her to be a flapper, because flappers are brave and gay and beautiful." - Zelda Fitzgerald

What's around the river bend? This is my second challenge, and my first as a Swing-Dance-Ninja-Assassin. For those who don’t know me, I’m a 25 year old with a desk job and a passion for lindy hop and all other swing dances. My Level 50 is:To wear a size 4 in pants (currently a size 8)To be able to dance all night long and never have to turn someone down because I’m too tiredTo be a recreational whitewater paddler For my first challenge, I focused on maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, exercising 3-4 times a week, and eating mostly paleo but always with a caloric deficit. I feel like I stayed on target really well despite some stressful days and a business trip near the end, so I’m excited to step it up a bit! But before I jump into that, I want to recap some lessons learned: My digestive system does not thrive on paleo dieting. I wish there was a simple solution to figuring out the perfect diet for me, but as far as I can tell, my system likes to function with at least a little bit of dairy and bread. I’m going to be experimenting with other diet habits this time around. Sleep schedules are awesome, and I feel really comfortable that my mind and body recognize the importance of keeping a 10:30 bedtime and 6:30 rise time. I don’t think this is enough of a challenge any more to warrant a mission. Goal accomplished! My weight on a scale means nothing. During the last challenge I gained 2 lbs but lost an inch off my hips. The only measurements I’ll be focusing on are the ones I get from the tape measure and the calipers. I love routine! I love the feeling of getting up in the morning and working out before work! I love the feeling of jogging after a good ab workout – so tight! Yeah, happy things! I also venture into whitewater rafting and kayaking in the summer months. For this challenge, I'm letting the river guide me! The week after this challenge ends I’ll be taking a combined dancing/whitewater vacation (WOOT!). It will be my first time on a river in a hard boat (I've just done single-person rafts in the past), so I want to use this challenge to get me mentally and physically prepared for that! Mission 1:Exercise 4x per week - I'll be continuing my mix of walk/jog intervals in my neighborhood, pilates for dancers exercises, and aerobics with light weights. I'll be focusing a lot on core strength to help with dancing and also rolling my kayak Mission 2:Diet - eat a caloric deficit daily, and drink lots of water! I use a fitbit one to record my calorie burn and sync it with MyFitnessPal to record my calorie intake. The water is a major challenge for me, so I'm going to start with a goal of 2 - 24oz bottles for weeks 1 and 2, and by week 3 I want to be drinking 3 - 24oz bottles of water a day. Mission 3:Devotion - have 30 minutes of devotion time 7 days a week. My spiritual health is just as important as my physical health! I've promised myself for years that I would create a habit of spending time with God as soon as I got a handle on my physical habits. It's time. Side quest:Take kayaking courses. Guys. This is so intimidating. As a child, I HATED getting my face wet, and growing up I would never go underwater without goggles. I hate the idea of being upside down, underwater, with a boat on top of me. You might be wondering, "so why the heck do you want to be a kayaker?!" Well, I love the river, I love the mountains, I love the thrill of navigating the rapids - it's exhilarating and relaxing and beautiful. I just have to get over my fear of being underwater in frigid rushing water. So, I'll be taking a roll clinic so I can learn how to roll myself out of the water. I signed up today. It happens in 11 days. I'm not terrified, but it's going to be tough. I'll keep you updated. So here we go: a new challenge, a new journey! Let's do this thing! (For the record, the kayaker in the picture is not me - but it's exactly the sort of thing I want to do! But that is me in the brown skirt in the dancing picture!)

I've just returned from a weekend of camping and nature hikes and I am ready to kick off the summer season. With the weather warmed up, I am ready for the outdoors and getting back into hiking, cycling, and other summer goodies. As always, I will be continuing on my quest to improve my swing dancing skills; I'm even going to a lindy hop dance camp! Last year, I didn't really have any summer fun due to a stressful job and overly-busy work schedule. Right now, I'm unemployed. While this obviously isn't a good thing, I'm turning it into a positive, taking advantage of some free time, and having some summer fun. Starting Stats Weight: 192 lbs Chest: 41" Waist 33.5" Hips 41" Main Quest My ultimate goal is to lose about 30 lbs and gain strength so I can hold my own bodyweight for swing dance aerials. Specific goals 1) Be active - I tend to get in workout "spurts" then laze around for awhile. This challenge I will be trying to build consistency by being active every day. This could be a hike, dancing, strength training, yoga, or anything at all. + 3 STA, + 2 STR 2) Be acrobatic - I want to learn aerials for swing dance, but I'm starting from scratch. So, I'll be working on learning some simple acrobatics, starting with a cartwheel, which I have never done! + 4 DEX, + 1 STR 3) Be mindful - I'm often not mindful about what I eat. I still struggle with food issues - specifically boredom eating and emotional eating. To combat this, I will be posting EVERYTHING I eat in an effort in accountability. Nothing omitted, even if I fall off the wagon hard. + 2 WIS, + 1 CHA Life Quest Be well-rested Since I've been unemployed, my sleep routine has suffered. I want to get back on my normal routine. Lights out by 11PM 5 nights a week (I need my weekend!) + 2 CON Grading Scheme Main Quest 1) Be active: Engage in physical activity everyday A = Was active 42 days B = 32 days C = 21 days D = 10 days F = fewer than 10 days 2) Be acrobatic: Work on cartwheel exercises one day each week A = Practiced cartwheel exercises 5+ times B = 4 times C = 3 times D = 2 times F = 1 time or fewer 3) Be mindful: Share a daily food log A = Posted food log 42 days B = 32 days C = 21 days D = 10 days F = fewer than 10 days Life Quest Be well-rested: Lights out by 11PM for 5 days each week A = Bed on time 30 days B = 20 days C = 15 days D = 5 days F = fewer than 5 days --- "I want her to be a flapper, because flappers are brave and gay and beautiful." - Zelda Fitzgerald

I love swing dancing. I've been doing the lindy hop for just under 4 years at a local club, just as a hobby. But during the last 3 or 4 months, I've started to really get into it and I'm very jazzed (get it?) to take my dancing to the next level. My ultimate goal is that I want to be able to do some swing aerials. Right now, I am too overweight for this, and (more importantly) not strong enough to hold my own bodyweight during aerials. I probably have between 30-35 lbs to lose. But more than weight loss, I really want to focus on my strength and endurance. My first challenge was all about kick-starting good habits and changing my behaviours around food and fitness. My second challenge was al about increasing the intensity of my workouts and keeping better track of my macros. This challenge is about becoming stronger. Let's get ready to rock ... step, triple step... Main Quest My ultimate goal is to lose about 30 lbs and be able to hold my own bodyweight for swing aerials. Specific goals 1) Be a dancing fiend - I'll be working on some more advanced dance techniques and I'm also hoping to learn how to lead (I have been a follow for the last 4 years). 2 hours per week = 12 hours total. +2 STA, +2 DEX, +1 WIS 2) Be She-hulk - I will do some strength (e.g. BBWW) or circuit workouts. 2 times per week = 12 strength training sessions +4 STR 3) Be a smart eater - I will plan my meals 6 days per week, for a total of 36 days with a mealplan. +4 WIS Life Side Quest Be handy My husband and I have lived in our condo for almost 7 years now and all we have done is paint the living room. We have a long list of things we've been meaning to do for a couple of years. These range from major renovations (replacing flooring) to simple tasks (hang pictures, organize kitchen cabinets). I aim to do 8 home projects (renos, organizing) during this challenge. +1 WIS, +1 CHA Declaration of Motivation "I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." - Baryshnikov Starting Stats Weight: 192 lbs Chest: 42" Waist 34.5" Hips 41" Grading Scheme Main Quest 1) Dance 2 hours per week A = Danced at least 12 hours during challenge B = 9 hours + C = 6 hours + D = 3 hours + F = Did not practice dance 2) Strength train twice per week A = Strength trained 12 times during challenge B = 9 times C = 6 times D = 3 times F = Did not do any strength training 3) Meal plan 6 days per week A = Stuck to meal plan 36 days B = 27 days C = 18 days D = 9 days F = Never stuck to a meal plan Side Quest - Complete 8 home projects A = Completed 8 home projects B = Completed 6 projects C = 4 projects D = 2 projects F = Did not complete any home projects --- "I want her to be a flapper, because flappers are brave and gay and beautiful." - Zelda Fitzgerald

Hey there Nerd Fitness! Like a lot of people, I'm a 20-something with a desk job and not a lot of free time. Or at least, that's what I tell myself. Last spring and summer, I had a gym membership and made tons of progress improving myself, working out at least 3 times a week and eating responsibly. Then I started traveling for work, and my discipline flew out the window. 3 months passed without a foot stepped inside the gym, so I cancelled my membership. Although my weight hasn't changed much in that time, my body mass definitely has, and I'm ready to do something about it. My motivation: swing dance and kayaking. Lindy hop is my earthly obsession. I love swing dance, swing music, swing nerds...it's kind of the most awesome thing ever. When I'm feeling brave (which is most of the time), I even compete! I know getting in shape makes me a better dancer, and I want to dance harder, longer, and be able to do more awesome stuff (like this!). I've been rafting every summer for about 10 years now, and I recently got my first hard boat. I'm terrified that I will have to roll my kayak when I flip, but I know that if I'm going to level up my whitewater skills, I have to learn to roll, and building up core strength will make rolling easier. Plus I just want to be the best me I can be. So here I am, struggling to get back into a healthy routine and hoping that by joining you all on your own journeys to improve yourself, we can all make this a little more fun. What is your favorite benefit of getting fit? Are there any other dancers or whitewater fanatics out there?