Search the Community

Kraven has always been my favorite spidey villain, hence the title. For all those who read spiderman, i suggest you read kraven's last hunt if you haven't already done so, it's certainly my favorite comic book arc of all time. Anyways... I've decided to join monks because i do martial arts (Jeet Kune Do). So I'm basing this challenge around my bw strength and skill training. So my 3 goals are all geared towards said goals. Goal 1: Continue my bodyweight training 3 days a week I've been doing bw training for some time now. I prefer it over weight training, though i do use weighted calisthenics. My routine will be as follows: Warmup: L-sit and Handstand skill training Workout A: Weighted Dips (hopefully assissted HSPU's as well) Weighted Pullups Weighted Pistols Workout B: One Arm Pushup progressions Weighted Inverted Rows Assisted Glute Ham Raise Grades: A = 3 days a week B = 2 days a week C = 1 day a week Goal 2: Do at least 5 min. (if not more) of shadow kick-boxing on days I don't train I've been having trouble establishing this for some time, so i have to force the issue now. I want to use this time to work on my techniques, practicing head movement and all my techniques. I'll likely work in takedowns as well. Grades: A = 4 days B = 3 days C = 2 days or less Goal 3: Stay within 50 calories on MFP I'm a fan of using MFP, and have been using it for 2-3 months now. I think its a great tool, but lately i've been going outside of my calorie goals. This has to stop, so i'm making it a goal to stay within 50 calories of my goal every day. Grades: A = Within 50 B = Within 75 C = Within 100 or more I'll be averaging my grades for the week, then posting at the end of each week.

I'm writing my new challenge:

Okay, so in this thread I think it'd just be fun to introduce myself as a Martial Artist/Boxer. And, as far as I figure, posting some videos is the best way to go about that. I'd love to hear what you guys think(*cough*feelfreetoholdback*cough*); tips and tricks are always welcomed! So, I started out like this(please don't get the wrong idea. I didn't make this 'highlight' video because of some big ego; I was just having fun. I know I was pretty terrible XD): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcejShyUpiA I progressed to some point fighting martial arts; namely, Kajukenbo. My Total Point Fighting Record: 3-3-0 This is the latest of my point matches(I've since quit this martial art). I am the one in all black and white(left side): And, since quitting this Martial Art, I've taken up Boxing. I've not competed yet, as I haven't been training super long. The latest footage I have of my Boxing is here(I'm in the black sweater):

I'm considering starting a PvP for boxers and martial artisits that is kind of like Simon says. The concept could hopefully allow the participants to learn new moves and teach others new moves as a sort of information exchange. It would require a video post from the participants and possibly some considerable setup time and logistics planning on my part, so give it a read and give me some feedback: The first person to start the challenge would begin with a 3 hit combo on a heavy bag, the participants would try to copy the combo, and after successfully repeating it, show their own 4 hit combo, which the participants would then try to replicate adding a 5 hit combo afterward and so on until nobody could top that person, who would receive a point. The person to post a response first would be the combo to top next in the challenge, and there would be a 48 hour window of inactivity before the latest combo is deemed the winner and a point is awarded. The person to earn the point would provide the new 3 hit combo. First to 5 points wins. Logistically speaking, I would probably set up a youtube account and give the login info to the various participants, then change the password at the conclusion of the challenge or something like that. Let me know if anyone is interested or has some feedback.

Hi Everyone, I have been training in Hsing-I Chuan (Xing-Yi) for around 20 years and am learning Bagua and Tai Chi. These are considered an internal (soft) styles of martial arts opposed to external (hard) styles like Long Fist, Wing Chun, and Eagle Claw just to name a few. The internal styles do not look like a fighting system but if you have a well informed instructor you will learn that each movement can be broke down into useful technique. I guess my question would be I don't feel like I fit into the Druid group and want to be part of the Monk group but it is all external styles of martial arts. And am wondering if there any others who train in internal styles and hope I can bring attention to the true nature of these styles. I am looking forward to the discussion.

Y'all remember that feeling? There are analogous things in other games. Anyone ever get the Biggoron sword in Zelda? Knights of the Round in FFVII? You can beat those games without those of course, but it is a damned good feeling to bust out with a ridiculously overpowered weapon and just brutalize your opponents. I want that in my life! Well, not necessarily the fighting giant monsters part (Although that could be sweet too!) But mostly I want to feel that way with my health. I want to be able to become strong and fast enough that things that once seemed like a big challenge come easily. I want to be more than prepared for whatever lies ahead. In short, I want that feels of overkill! There are a couple of reasons that I chose this as the theme to my challenge. One is that I am doing the Spartan sprint again this year, and I really want to push it and see how much better I can do compared to last time. Another reason is because I tried the 20 pull up challenge last time around and failed pretty spectacularly, mostly because I hit a point where I was unable to progress anymore. But by focusing on grinding rather than a time limit, I can shift the results I am looking for and avoid the frustration of not getting done in time. And another is because I want to get better at being consistent in my capoeira training, something I had trouble with in December. So on to the specifics! 1. Train like you mean it! +1 STR, +2 DEX, +1STA My Most monkliest of objectives! At least two capoeira classes per week. I really should be doing three, but I will allow myself to make up for classes missed if I can't go enough times in a week for some reason. I am really hoping to be consistent this time though, I really can't make much progress at this point without training regularly. 2. It's not that cold, just run already! +1 DEX, +2 STA, +1 CON I live in Arizona. It really is not that bad. I know many of you are from far colder climes and still braving the elements. I must run at least 2 days a week, 20 - 45 minutes. I'll allow make ups for this one as well. 3. Conquer the Dawn! +2 STR, +1 CON I will keep using the 20 pull-up program detailed here, but with the caveat of not moving on to the next week until I am completely satisfied with the week I am on. On my off days, I will continue doing my basic bodyweight routine minus the pull ups themselves. Points here for at 5 days a week of working out in some way! 4. Oitro Mundo +1 CHA +2 WIS Anyone remember what Piccolo's name means in Namekian? *Snicker* Anyway, I did not manage to complete my goal of taking a class at another capoeira school last time, I just got waaay too busy. So I am recycling this one, because I think it is important. I need to shake things up a bit, in order to keep improving! Back to work my friends. Look forward to seeing all of your progress!

Ok, so I am returning to the monastery for this challenge. My goals are: 1) Change both sleep and work out patterns to allow me to work out in the mornings instead of as the last thing I do in the day. +2 STA, +1 WIS, +2 CON 2) Add 5 pounds (as lean as possible). I need to up my caloric intake and put on a few pounds to take my strength training further. +3 STR, +2 CHA 3) Add two new forms to my weekly practice: Shui Xing Chuan and Yili Jiju Taiji. I will perform each one 100 times without sacrificing anything from my current training regimen. +2 STA, +1 WIS, +2 DEX 4) finish working on the new costume pattern I am working on in Photoshop. This will be very time intensive as I am still a novice in PS. +3 WIS

Hey guys! My name's Conall and I'm an 18 year old guy living and studying in the lovely city of Brisbane, Australia. I've been moseying around the Nerd Fitness forums and have been champing at the bit to sign up and join in the fun! A bit of a briefer on me (my 'origin story' if you will.) For most of my life I was pretty unfit and generally ate a lot more than I exercised, but around two years ago I started getting a bit more comfortable with myself and developed the confidence to get out there and try new things, exercise and physical stuff in particular. I started doing bodyweight routines that I found on NF, and this has led me to the present day, where I've just wrapped up my first footy season in five years ( I played rugby union for my college ) At uni there is a lot more sports and fitness related activities on offer and I really want to take advantage of them all next semester. I've spent most of my first semester learning my way around the gym, trying to eat well on college food, and getting into a good sleeping groove. Next semester I want to sign up for a martial art- I tried a few karate lessons and loved it, but they don't fit in with my schedule so I'll switch to kung fu instead. I think I'll be joining the Monk's Guild. OK, I think I'm supposed to post a bit about my nerd cred here... MASSIVE Whovian (although I haven't seen the five new episodes yet.. no spoilers!), Sherlockian, and Wholockian, while we're at it. I've also just got into Game of Thrones and ASOIAF and I'm hooked. I'm a fan of period- early 20th century lit (I've just finished Odd John by Olaf Stapleton and am hoping to dig deeper into the Saki anthology I just found at a book sale once I've finished exams). I also sing 80s hits in my college a cappella group. I hope that covers it... I'll post my 6 week challenge goals once I have a bit of a brainstorm and decide what I need to work on first. Thanks guys, hope to see you soon!

I didn't complete my last challenge as well as I would have liked, so this challenge is called 'Getting Serious' because I mean to stick it through until the end. Grr! *tiger face of determination* :b So, onto the goals: Goal 1: Fitness (Boxing) I learned in my last challenge that I really need structure in order to complete my goals, so I will be joining a local boxing club. I will attend one session a week and do one home fitness session as well, or attend two boxing sessions a week (depending on how many sessions the club offers). Home fitness session will include bodyweight exercises, using weights, using the exercise bike, skipping and working on boxing skills and form. Also, my skipping challenge with Ems can come into this goal. STR - 3 STA - 3 Goal 2: Fitness (Rugby) I have joined a touch rugby league to keep my skills up during the rugby off-season. I will attend the one touch session a week to complete this goal. DEX - 3 Goal 3: Diet I have recently managed to lose weight consistently using a calorie tracking app. I will enter all my food and drink every day and stay under my daily limit of 1500 calories. CON - 3 Goal 4: Life goal There were a few things I wanted to do for my life goal, but I've settled on one that I think will be the key to the others: getting up in the morning. *UGH!* I am a night owl and getting up in the morning is my least favourite thing in the world. I am also 'underemployed' at the moment (my work schedule is generally patchy and unpredictable for various reasons) so many mornings I don't particularly have a reason to get up at a certain time. So: 5/7 mornings a week I will get up by 10 o'clock (I'm keeping it realistic for the moment - I'm not going to try to get up at 7am every morning just yet). As a tangent to this goal, I am going to try to do something productive every day I'm not working; so, I'll organise volunteering activities or make sure I do something else during the day: sketching, writing, apply for jobs, etc. WIS - 2 CHA - 1 My plan is to get up on time tomorrow, go do the weekly food shop, meet a friend and her kid and walk my dog with them, then go home and do some stuff I've been putting off (boring filling-in form stuff for my car etc), phone around to find a local boxing club that accepts women, tutor a kid in the evening, then go walk my dog again with another friend. I'm also supposed to drive half an hour away to pick my boyfriend up at some point as well. If I have time I'll do a fitness session too. And I should really tidy my flat. And do some laundry. So I really do need to get up early! So there's my goals! As ever, feedback, advice or pictures of cute animals are much appreciated. Good luck everyone with your challenges!

So I dropped out early of the last challenge once I realized that I was trying to do way too much while spending time on three continents in the span of a month. Since this time I'll only be on one continent (though not my current home and with some traveling as well), I'm giving it another go, though I'm going to keep it fairly simple and not that ambitious in hopes of actually finishing. Luckily, I got some great ideas from you guys about goals and learning to meditate that I get to incorporate this time around. Here we go! Fitness/diet/health goals: 1. Learn to meditate + make it a habit. (WIS +2 STA +1) I've been stressed lately and I think it would help refocus my life and maybe give me more energy during the day. Either way, it's worth a shot, and I've never tried before. The plan: Week 1: start trying out different methods to find one that works; practice every day Week 2-4: 5 minutes of meditation every day Week 5: 10 minutes of meditation every day Week 6: 15 minutes of meditation every day Grading: +1 point for every meditation session/attempt. 42 pts = A, 35-41 pts = B, 28-34 pts = C, 21-27 pts = D, 26 or less = F 2. Work out 30 minutes 3x/week. (STR +3 DEX +2 STA +1) The plan: When I'm home: kettlebell routine, punching bag When I'm traveling: push-ups, Steve's hotel workout when I can, or at least some sort of activity that has me moving regularly Grading: +1 point for every workout. 18 pts = A, 15 pts = B, 12 pts = C, 9 pts = D, 6 or less = F 3. Stop snacking. (CON + 3) Seriously, just stop it. I eat far more often out of boredom than out of hunger, and I need to curb that habit if I'm going to maintain/lose weight when I don't have time to work out as much as normal. The plan: Keep no snacks around the house, only eat full meals (2-3x day), stay out of the kitchen when procrastinating. Grading: -1 point for every time I snack, starting with 50 points. 42+ pts = A, 35-41 pts = B, 28-34 pts = C, 21-27 pts = D, 26 or less = F Life goal: 4. Write 300 words. Every. Single. Day. (WIS + 3) I'm writing a lot, but it's all paid word and all non-fiction. I haven't written fiction in ages and I feel like I need to start flexing that muscle again, so I've started a separate journal for daily writing. Grading: pass/fail - 12,600 (300 words X 42 days) or more words written by the end of the challenge.

Much later than I'd meant to get posted (I've been monitoring!) but below is the plan for this challenge: 1) Eating Efficiently Last challenge there was a food-themed thread, and I got a bit inspired. I've fallen off the wagon on making a large meal that I use throughout the week, so the point here is to re-establish that habit. This goal is about making meals that are healthy, and I can bring into the office all week. a) Actual prep time must be under an hour (cooking in crock pot doesn't count, but oven/stove does) Must be usable for 6 meals per week (at least 3 meals per recipe), with veggie (and tofu/seitan sausage) additions allowed during reheat. c) At least 20g of protein per serving Full Credit: Cook (non-reheating) once or twice to reach 6 meals Half Credit: Only 3 meals +2 Stam +2 Con 2) Kicking it with Katas Enjoying my dojo, but I want to make sure I am working at home as well. Full credit: Dojo twice per week, kata 4x per week (or 6x per week if out of town/can't attend dojo) Lose one letter grade each time at-home is missed, two for each dojo missed (and not made up at home). +2 Dex +2 Stamina 3) Rev up Resistance I'm in PT for a shoulder injury, and have lost a lot of upper-body muscle since a lot of my usual exercises aren't allowed. I've got a membership at a weight-training gym, and a personal trainer to help me improve my form and try new things. Resistance training has done wonders in past month so I want to kick it up a notch ;-) Grading: Weight-training/PT exercises and upper-body work 3x per week (gym) - at home can substitute 2 for 1. Lose one letter grade for each missed. + 3 Con +1 Cha 4) Something Sciencey Inspired by Rising Phoenix, one of my goal's this challenge is to become a less shitty scientist. This one is a bit of a two-parter to account for finals. Before summer, I need to go through 2 articles per week that are not assigned in class. After finals, 4 per week. I can listen or read, but there needs to be some notes taken regardless. Grading: Half credit if 1 article is missed, none for 2. +3 Wisdom

Okay, Monks. We're starting a brand new year, and you know what that means: new year's resolutions and goals, new challenges and mostly, the opportunity to rise up and achieve what we want. Go to it, Monks. And Happy New Year!