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My Happy New Year I’ve been blessed in abundance in 2022, with the end of the year glittering with moments of miracles and love. That doesn’t mean it was easy, or simple, or that there isn’t work left to do. In many ways, this land of abundance is alien, and I’m making my way into 2023 a little star-struck from it all, and with no small amount of culture shock. How to live in this space, amplify it and honor it? How to make sure I don’t squander the gifts with a scarcity mindset, or from anxiety? How can I go forward in love? This is a time of having set down the weapons; the sword stands at rest in its scabbard; the bow has been unstrung. There is no fight and I have no enemies. The Way forward is one of gentleness, a time of tending to my Self and my Spirit as I would tend a newly-laid garden bed, rich and fertile. In the lunar calendar, this is the end of the year, a time when all things should be squared away, buttoned up, and arguments ironed out. For the Celts, this was a time of looking forward as the earth tilts towards the light, culminating in Imbolc, a time to sweep the house and set the fields to right for the coming gifts of Spring. The Christian liturgical calendar brings Epiphany, a time of revelation and gifts, the joy of the end of waiting in the dark, the manifestation of the miracle. These traditions focus on looking at our everyday lives in ways that we can prepare for the coming abundance, making ourselves ready to receive very real blessings. This challenge, the goal is to take stock, see what’s what, and make a plan from there. Will there be a spreadsheet? Possibly, but the numbers are less important than the measurement. Because the universe loves me and wants me to be happy.

Tomorrow is my monthly measurement day. So we can have a base line for comparison I am going to share my measurements from the beginning of November. Weight = 118kg Bodyfat % = 36.44 Bodyfat Weight = 43kg Lean body weight =75kg Neck = 45cm Chest = 129cm Waist = 127cm Hips = 116cm Thigh = 61cm Bicep = 35cm Tomorrow we will see what changes occur with my old lifestyle activities. Then each month we will see what the new changes will be wrought upon my flesh as I transform into the Lycan Ranger.

Hey friends, How often do you weigh yourself? I feel like in the past I have stepped on the scale on an almost daily basis. I realize that on a day to day basis, weight will fluctuate for sure. Seeing the weight loss helps cement why I'm doing this in my mind and is a little intrinsic reward. HOWEVER, I feel that in the past seeing my weight drop, especially at the start, has enticed me to cheat here and there and eventually fall off the wagon. So, how often do you weigh yourself? Right now I'm leaning towards every 2 weeks or each month.

Hi, my name is Vri. My goal is to lose my prego weight... from 2 years ago (haha!) I want to go into alternative modeling and cosplaying, but sexy cosplaying. Most importantly just feel comfortable and look badass naked! Bumping uglies while cosplaying is like a fantasy for me. One I will achieve. Anyways, this log is a daily log. I will be posting... + weight in pounds + measurements in inches (chest, waist, and hips) + summary of my day My dreams will come true, and I will defeat my demons. Woo!

Battle Log 1 Measurements: Weight = 96 lbs Waist = 27in Neck = 12in Chest = 31in Biceps = Left= 9in Right= 9in Hips = 33.5in Thigh: Right= 18.5in Left = 18.5in Calf: Right= 12.5in Left = 12.5in Goal Weight is 115 - 120 lbs Oddly my right and left sides are the same size. At least I won't have to worry about a dominant arm or leg (: Calorie Intake: Goal = 2445 per day I have 1 week calculated on by fitbit app no point in adding in a whole week on the first check in. 5/7 days with the right amount of calories. I'm proud of the accomplishments I have done so far. Going from 1 meal a day and never drinking water besides once a month usually if that xD Who know's how I am still alive. Unhealthy as hell but I'm working on it. I will also be adding any recipes that I've tried out that I think are good. If you have any yummy recipes you want to share i'm all ears; I get bored with tastes easily and always have to have flavor or I just won't finish eating it. The paleo diet was made for me I love me some veggies(: Water: Goal = 64 oz or 8 cups per day 3/7 days ): This is one thing I definitely need to work on even if I have set reminders on my phone while at work. Workouts: Basic for now until I gain strength A= 3 rounds total Step Up - 5 reps per side Bodyweight Pushup - 5 reps Pull ups- 8 reps Finish With: Side Plank - 2 sets of 40+ seconds per side B= 4 rounds total Assisted One Leg Squat - 10 reps Assisted Straight Arm Support - 15+ second hold Wall Slides - 8 reps Finish With: Bar Hang - 2 sets 30+ second hang C= 4 rounds total Start With: Jump Rope Singles - 3 sets of max consecutive reps Lateral Jumping Squat - 6 reps Bodyweight Pushup - 5 reps Assisted Chin Up - 8 reps Finish With: Hanging Scapular Retraction - 2 sets of 10 I mix up my own thing in between workouts If I'm not satisfied with how much I've done. Always pushing harder (: I will be working on barbell bench press, flat-bench dumbbell press, rows, etc. later on; once I've accomplished my basic goals for gaining strength. Not drinking water and never eating can do that on your body. I miss how I used to workout with my dad all the time. I was a lot healthier back then; lol my dad was in the military so he didn't take no for an answer when it came to working out. R.I.P John Wayne Johnson; I will be visiting him this memorial weekend. He will have been gone 1 year coming up this august. That's all I have for now; Time for some dinner.

Well that last challenge blew by! Not that I managed to log on much towards the end...but I did keep up with my tracking! This challenge will be much more stable! No movesNo trips (planned yet!) I loved my main challenge (track things) last month, so I'm keeping it. This time, I'm adding on to that main challenge: Not only will I continue tracking my food...but I will track to Marco goals! Last time the intention was just to get in the habit. I made it to a 25 day streak in myfitnesspal GOAL 1: Hit the Macros I have a spreadsheet started for that with some nice formatting to make good/bad days stand out. Marcos I care most about: Carbs (total): 50 or less dailyCarbs (net): 25 or less daily Calories: 1300 - 1400 (WEEKLY AVERAGE.)(I don't care if calories aren't a nutrient. Macro means "big things that are trackable" in this usage to me) The other two big hitters: Protein: 80-100gFat: around 100g Keeping these in check should result in weightloss I've been sticking to those, mostly, for the last couple weeks. I've been exhausted, but that could be a variety of factors. I am down 10lbs in January, so that's a start! Goal 2: Don't watch much Netflix Thats what I've done when I got home nearly every day...so many better things I could be doing! Actual Goal? Read and study too. Goal 3: Have Fun I want to make fun a priority! Not just going drinking with coworkers either... Is: Meeting new people, going to the city, going for walks. Learning to maintain my bike, sleeping in sometimes, planning trips...fun! Is NOT: Working on weekends, or more than 55 hours a week.

Name: Hammlin "Hammi" Race: Wood Elf | Class: Footpath Ranger Leader Level: 17 (STR):43.25 (DEX):36.25 (STA):29 (CON):30.25 (WIS):30.5 (CHA):24.25 Motivation: Pull myself out of the mud pit I feel stuck in and actually make progress on SOMETHING. Main Quest: I Wanna Get Better. (I didn’t know I was broken until I wanted to change) (July 28 to Sept 7) Missions: 1. Inches. I hate taking measurements. Hate it. But, I feel stalled, and I already don’t weigh myself, so I have no idea if I’m making progress. I will take measurements every other week and record gains or losses truthfully. Pass or Fail (+3 CHA) 2. Nutrition. I have spent the last year or so wandering between schools of thought for eating, some work well for me some don’t, but still I float along. Gluten free seems to be my minimum, dairy seems to jack with me (*with the exception of harder cheeses and Greek yogurt), and sugars before 2pm makes me cranky and ravenous. Each day will have 3 components: GF, DF*, SFB42 J 36-42 days = A 29-35 days = B 22-28 days = C 15-21 days = D 0-14 days = F (+4 WIS) 3. Clovers. My last PR of clovers, a November Project end of month workout (35 minutes doing as many loops as you can) I got 8 clovers. I would like to get at least 10 on August 27th. Progress will be made by regular attendance at NP, doing all the workouts, to get faster 10 Clovers = A 9 Clovers = B 8 Clovers = C 7 Clovers = D 6 Clovers = F (+4 STA) Life Quest: 4. Purge. It’s that time of year again- spring cleaning. Mr. Ham and I have accumulated more things, more than we should have, and so it is time to go through the house and clean it up. Zones include: my dresser, our master closet, small closet, guest closet, pantry. Final point for getting it all to the donation zone J 6 zones = A 5 zones = B 4 zones = C 3 zones = D 0-2 zones = F (+4 DEX) TRACKING My Story (challenge history): 1. Wandering across the mountain ranges of the west, I came upon another wood elf, who was running through the tree lined forest. I tried to keep up, because I knew he was waiting for me, but nothing I did would keep me at pace with him. Eventually I slowed, to catch my breath and I lost him. Dejected and worn out, I decided to dedicate my life to keeping up with this other elf... 2. Sneaking through the woods I can feel my senses getting sharper and I begin to wonder if the elf that I'm following, is actually following me... 3. Catching my breath I slow my run as I approach a clearing. Did I get lost? I don't know where I am and the elf I had been following has picked up the pace. My mind... it's jumbled up... my thoughts are foggy... I need to focus. I'll stay here for a while, find my center, and then continue on... 4. After pausing in the clearing to refocus, I see what looks like a beaten down path off to my right. Have I been here before? Walking up to the path, it looks familiar, but overgrown. I take out my sword and slowly start hacking away the brush that seems to have grown in over the years. Yes. THIS is my path. 5. Following the path for what seems like a lifetime I suddenly find myself at the tree lined edge of a beautiful meadow. The sun in the sky that is glaring down on me makes me realize something glorious- I have made it through the woods! Over the hill I see the elf that I have been tracking this whole time. He is napping… This is my chance!!! 6. Running up to the elf that I have been following for what seems like forever, I find myself out of breath. As I slow down and approach him, I see him slow down and turn to me. I don't know if he knows that I have been following him, but I can tell by the look in his eye that he's ok with this. As we start to wander the forest together we notice that things aren't quite as bright and cheery as they were months ago... something is wrong... 7. As we continue to approach the edge of the forest we can feel something bearing down on us. Picking up the pace we stay laser focused on getting out of here. The night has grown darker and the forest is eerily quiet. The wood elf and I look at each other and begin to run. I can tell that the time where we have to battle is near and we really need to stay focused... 8. Standing on the front line, victorious, I wonder "Now what?" I ponder with wise words of a foreigner who taught my people to stay motivated when they feel like they have arrived. The skills I have learned in the past keep me pushing forward. I move confidently north, to find new lands. And that other pesky elf can come with me… 9. On the north side of the valley I see something far away that I can’t take my eyes off of. It almost looks like the mountain side is glistening and the sun is dancing with the peaks. I fall into a trance, staring off into the distance, as if I'm under a spell. A few minutes later I am able to snap out of it, but the lingering desire to see who, or what, had a hold on me begins to push me forward. Is some powerful mage up in the hills, drawing people to him? Or is someone sending out a distress signal, begging for help. All I know is the allure of finding out what is in those hills is forcing me onward. We have mountains like these back home, but I am far from that place, and out of practice. It will take some time to traverse these mighty giants, but I have no choice but to start… 10. From the top of the mountain I can see everything. I have a level of clarity that I've not experienced before and it makes me take notice to my surroundings. I have an epiphany and realize that I need to race home to my family. They have no idea what’s in store! As quickly as I can I need to make my way back down the hill and back to my village… Part of the way down the hill I trip. When I catch myself I see that the sign in front of me has directions. I’m tired of being a follower in my own life. I need to go my own way. I turn on my heels and walk south. 11. Down in the city to the south I find myself in the camp and company of strangers. Although I’m not entirely sure that I can trust them, they seem safe enough. Maybe, I’ll hang back and just observe them and mind their ways. Something inside of me says that these people have information that may be valuable to me and my quest, and I am determined to get my hands on it. Knowledge is oddly alluring and very appealing to my senses… 12. As I spend weeks on end with these people, I start to sense a power coming over me. I am being changed from the inside out- is it sorcery? Magic? Am I evolving? All I know is that I need to stay the course. Over time, my memories start to fade. The days of running through the wilderness with the other elves feel miles away- as if they occurred a lifetime ago. Only the here and now makes sense. I have my plan. 13. The strangers have become less strange and more like family. It feels like I have finally returned to a place where I feel at home and at peace. When I look down I start to notice that my slender Elven legs have begun to take a form of something more resembling tree trunks. When I stand, I can't move quite as nimbly but I feel stronger than I ever was before. In the back of my mind I still remember that I am following something- the dragon... 14. As I wake with a start I feel strange. My heart is pounding out of my chest, and I can’t seem to calm myself down. I am in no condition to face the dragon. I need peace. 15. Relaxed and recharged I pull out my map. I haven’t looked at it in quite some time and it’s almost foreign to me. Over my shoulder I see that elf that I had chased so long. He’s back and there is a stranger comfort in knowing that. I turn back to the map and start down the trail. There is a point in the road where it splits off into three. I see on the map that all three get where I need to go, but one seems most logical. I start down that path… I must find the thing that haunts me. I run until I can't feel my legs and I burn all over. 16. The fire that consumed me begins to subside, but I am still feeling the after burn. I pull a map out of my pack and examine it for water. I tilt my head trying to make sense of the nearest body of water, but the letters suddenly look foreign to my elven eyes. I take some time to sit and focus- after a while it will come to me and I can find the cool liquid that will cool my legs and quench my thirst. I pick up my pack again and though it’s very heavy, I make towards my intended destination, swiftly and confidently. 17. All at once I am out of breath and lost. Again. I feel like I have been here before, if only I could figure out where “here” is. Things look familiar, but I still feel lost. Wildflowers, a stream, a beaten path. What the hell.

I've seen a lot of nerds on here talk about charts and tracking their weight loss and workout progress. Well, here you are! An effective little chart where you can fill in your daily workouts (Sunday-Friday) and fill in your weekly weight loss and measurement progress. I've also included average mile time for the week and distance ran. Hope you enjoy it! It's even in Hulk colors. Huzzah! NF Measurement Tracker - Sheet1 (1).pdf

Main Quest - Achieve 20% body fat Goals for This Six Week Challenge - Do the beginner bodyweight workout at least 3 times a week A = 18 workoutsB = 15 workoutsC = 12 workoutsD = 9 workoutsF = 6 or less workouts- Meditate at least 10 minutes every day A = 70 meditation sessionsB = 60 meditation sessionsC = 50 meditation sessionsD = 40 meditation sessionsF = 30 or less meditation sessions- Hoop for at least 20 minutes every day A = 70 hooping sessionsB = 60 hooping sessionsC = 50 hooping sessionsD = 40 hooping sessionsF = 30 or less hooping sessionsLife Side Quest - Read a non-fiction book Motivation - I want to feel comfortable in my body Stats - Height: 5’4†- Weight: 160.2 pounds - Body Fat: 32.1% - Neck: 12.5†- Bust: 36†- Under bust: 31†- Waist: 30†- High hip: 38.5†- Low hip: 44†- Right upper thigh: 27.75†- Right lower thigh: 16.75†- Right calf: 16â€

So next week I'm starting strength training, specifically the StrongLifts 5x5 program. Is it a good idea to keep measurements of gains and losses? If so what measurements should I take? Curious to know what everyone else does in this matter, and how you record them.