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At the end of the Second Age of Middle Earth, the Last Alliance of Men and Elves marched on Barad Dur and faced off against the armies of Sauron. As the battle neared its climax, the kings of both?men and elves lay dead and the victory for which Sauron had labored for an engine age was at hand. Then suddenly Ilsidur took up his father sword and cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger, leaving him defeated. But not completely His body was destroyed and his tower overthrown, his friends and companions scattered. But he did not give up. The great tower of Barad Dur still had it's foundations. The ring was lost but not destroyed, and his servants were weakened but not destroyed. He still had hope, but it would take time to rebuild. A long time I kind of feel like how I imagine Sauron felt at the end of the Second Age. I have worked for years to reach a point at which I thought things were going well but suddenly with the end of cover restrictions, getting cover and then recovering and recuperating I have lost much of my strength, endurance, and skills. I feel like I am in a worse place than I was years ago, but I still have 2 key things: hope and a solid foundation. I can work with these, but it will take time. For now I am going to focus on only the highest priority: food. My challenge this time has only 1 item: 1. Don't overeat. Stop when full and don't eat when not hungry. Simple but not easy I will work on other things when the chaos around me settles a bit; and that probably won't happen until next challenge.

[Preamble] Hi rebels! I’ve been on a challenge break, but recently started doing a Daily Weekly Battle Log/Epic Quest with some longer term fitness plans. I thought I’d join the holiday challenge madness and see if I can do a bit more! [About Me] I’m a 42 year old American woman living in the forests of England with my British husband and pre-school son. I work (remotely) on the narrative side of gamedev and when I’m not doing that, I’m tending to my garden, doing needlework of some sort, playing games (of various sorts), and exploring our local woodlands. [Goals] My fitness goals are pretty simple right now: Reach Mordor Finally finish my (tracked) journey to Mordor. I’m 1100 or so miles away! I’ve been wanting to complete this challenge since the early 00s (when it was called the Eowyn Challenge), and I’m sure I’ve been “there and back again” several times over, but I’ve never managed to track the whole thing. I want to finish my route to Mordor by November 2022. My ongoing goal is 20 miles a week, but for this challenge I’d like to stretch it to 30 miles a week. Eat PAI About this time last year, @oromendur introduced me to PAI, which wasn’t working well for me as a satifying metric early on, but I’ve decided to start tracking it again. For this challenge, I want to build up to an average score of 75 (and if I get there before Christmas, maintain it). I’m also shatteringly close to reaching my weight loss goal for the year, so hopefully I can hit that, too! Tracking will be done with a minimum of weekly updates, and of course will include plenty of photospam. Admin note: I always start on Week 0, and I track from Monday-Sunday. Week 0 is going to be an odd one—I’ll tell you more about it later!

I have decided to continue my LotR themed challenge since I am in the midst of a 30 day challenge that is relevant to what I was struggling with last time. I'll copy and paste my challenge goals below: I have been wrestling with the urge to read the LotR series again, so what better way to motivate me than to theme my challenge after LotR. I could use some inspiration and heart from some of Tolkien's heroes. As this challenge progresses, I will no doubt be channeling some of the traits of some of my favorites, specifically the race of Men because I find myself identifying most closely with Tolkien's human characters. . Lately, some... temptations have arisen, so it is also fitting to work through a challenge that themes these temptations as the pull of The One Ring. And so it begins. Goal 1: Resist The One Ring "Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said. Even if I were such a man as to desire this thing, and even though I knew not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take those words as a vow, and be held by them. ‘But I am not such a man. Or I am wise enough to know that there are some perils from which a man must flee." -- Faramir For this goal, I will be channeling Faramir, who is without a doubt my favorite of the characters who successfully resists The One Ring, even though he had reasons outside of the Dark Lord's power to take it from Frodo. I also identify with Faramir's struggles to make his father proud, to know that he isn't the favored son, and his choice to be peaceful and merciful by nature: “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” Without getting into specifics, this goal focuses on recognizing when and why these temptations occur: what triggers them and what is the best way to resist them. Faramir's quote above also brings to mind scripture: "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." -- 1 Timothy 6:11-12 learn about these temptations and what hidden dangers lurk within them set boundaries and barricades against temptations; arm and fortify yourself against the attacks of the enemy be brave and stand strong when you can, but have an escape plan remember BRACE: Breathe, Remember the truth, Accountability Call, Escape the situation if you get lost, call out to your fellowship of brothers to help you find the way again fast and pray to build discipline celebrate victories and milestones, but remain resolute and do not lose your temperance Goal 2: Build Strength, Wisdom, Courage, and Heart to Become Who You Were Meant to Be "But I am the real Strider, fortunately. I am Aragorn son of Arathorn; and if by my life or death I can protect you, I will." -- Aragorn For this goal, I will be channeling Aragorn because of his strong heart, his wisdom, and his courage, which grows as he breaks free of the shame of his father and steps into his destined role as heir to the throne of Gondor. Aragorn is aware of his flaws and weaknesses as a man, but he strives to do good by serving others. He faces peril, inspires others into battle, and fights courageously for his fellowship. None of this would be possible if he had allowed himself to get weak or distracted or lose his self-control. He is also faithful to the cause of defeating evil and to the love of his life. He is watchful and alert, wise and intelligent, humble and modest by nature but also mighty and proud when necessary. Some aspects of this goal will look familiar if you have followed me for some time. awaken before dawn pray/meditate/study scripture & other books of wisdom fast daily (intermittently) eat whole foods (mostly plants) drink at least 64 ounces of water daily WHM breathing daily (I really need to get back to this; it clears my head and may help stave some of the temptation triggers) read at least 30 minutes every day (LotR, of course) spend at least 30 minutes every day in nature strengthen the body (stones, log, sandbags, cinderblocks, sledgehammer, buckets) spend time with my queen; this includes going to bed with her and not staying up late Goal 3: Rebuild Your Heart and Your Kingdom "For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning." -- Aragorn, speaking of King Theoden Theoden is a good example of someone who, as he grew older and more tired, allowed himself to become misled and lost sight of his true purpose as king. It corrupted him and led to the usurping of his kingdom by evil forces. Once he is set free of this spell, however, he steps into his role as king and, in spite of the bleak outlook, fights for his people and for the good of all Middle Earth. For this goal, I am both literally and figuratively referring to my "kingdom" (as in my home, my domain) meditate on/reclaim my purpose as husband and father (as "king") spend time with daughters; hug them, play with them, go on adventures with them keep my current house in order: clean daily, keep the yard clean and mowed, make necessary repairs work on the other house, as well, at least twice per week; be assertive but clearheaded when any obstacles arise

Welcome to Fair Middle Earth, my fellow Hobbits! should you accept the challenge - I urge to consider carrying the RING OF POWER through most of Middle Earth. Now the purpose here isn't just to wittily drop LOTR references (tho' that would be nice- who doesn't like a Great LOTR reference)? but to revel in the challenge of walking ALL the way to Mordor in 2018. 3405.5miles! .... I see there is nice little history to this challenge (https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/93325-walk-to-mordor-and-back-again-2017/) congrats to all those that slogged along most of that way in 2017. Lets start it again! so anyways. I myself would prefer something of a text based approach: I shall check my distance and glory in my current destination...

At the beginning of last challenge I was inspired to create a series of challenges based on major battles of Middle Earth. Right now these challenges only contain the exercise aspect of the challenge so I will be adding other goals as well. I decided to skip over the first couple as they are more geared to beginners or at least people who are where I was a few challenges ago. If you are interested in using, viewing, or helping me construct these challenges there is the Link. If you look at the challenges I posted in the other thread you will see that I made some changes to parts of Helm's Deep and I may make more before this challenge begins. It's all about working out the kinks and building a feasible plan. The Battle of Helm's Deep This is the first battle in which the members of the Fellowship had a chance to prepare for battle. Armor was donned, blades sharpened, and the fortress bolstered, though there was little time. The battle raged through the night against a relentless foe of unbeatable numbers. The warriors were tired, their muscles ached under their armor, yet they fought on. This Challenge is about building endurance while maintaining the strength needed to fight under the weight of armor. Q1: Workout Strength: 2 Days a week 5x5. Bench, Military, Deadlift, and Curls both days. Calisthenics: 2 Day a week, Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD while wearing chainmail hauberk. (substitute any workout that mixes strength and cardio, substitute weighted vest and/or ankle and wrist weights) Core: 1 day a week: 1 min Leg Raises, 1 min 1 leg 1 arm row, 1 min Mountain Climbers. Repeat 5 times, no Breaks. Weapons: 5 Days a week, 10 minutes Pell training with heavy boffer weapons. Workout Doesn't Count If I Don't Stretch After! Q2: Diet Consume no more than 3400 calories per day while consuming at least 215g protein. Q3: Work I am trying to work toward a promotion, and have set up a list of things to work on. My goal is to stick to my checklist for the entirety of the challenge. Score is based on percentage completed. SQ: Chainmaile Produce 10 pieces for sale at craft fairs.

The time has come for what Im pretty sure is the first NF Rebel meet up in the South Island of New Zealand! A few of us over at the women's academy just happen to be in South Island NZ at the same time. We are currently thinking the following dates somewhere around Feb 24 - 28 or Mar 3 - 5 possibly in Dunedin or Otago. Ideas - Dunedin is my home town so I can take the fellow rebels on a bit of a tour of the sites (We have amazing wildlife penguins albatross seals etc and the steepest street in the world to run up, beaches, cool rocks and landscapes etc), or maybe walk up a mountain if the weather cooperates, or have a beach walk/run and hopefully enjoy some great coffee. I would love to get our inner hobbits on and go on an adventure. Anyway - just currently in the planning stages right now - so by the off chance there are any other New Zealand rebels around - pipe up!!!!!