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Hi All, My first Recruit 6 week challenge pulled up just short of completing when I injured myself in the final week - a small hernia, which was pretty painful I can tell you! Anyway, I've worked back from there to actually complete my original goals this week! 100kg Deadlift, Squat 80kg, 60kg bench press, 40kg OH press. I'm far more comfortable with those weights and far stronger than I was in Jan/Feb. I'm really, really happy about that. You have no idea. I'm 40 years old, and very very overweight. My plan two years ago was to get under 100kg (220 lbs) and to do that I needed to drop 40kg (88 pounds). In my first year I lost 10kg (22 lbs) and was on track to lose another 10kg this year, but since I injured myself in Feb, my weight has crept up 5kg - back to my weight over ten months ago. So furious with myself. So - this challenge is perfect timing. Now my Jan-Feb challenge strength goals are complete, it's time to focus on the other parts of wellbeing - fitness & weightloss. Main goal: Lose 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs) a week for six weeks. I will accomplish this by completing my side goals: Continuing 5x5 Stronglifts program each week. I have no lifting goals, just focus on form and increase as it feels good. Gym twice a week for 30 minutes cardio - I'm thinking 10 minutes bike, 10 minutes cross-trainer/ellipsis thingy, 10 minutes rowing. 10,000 steps on the weekend. An hour's walking at the local park will get me across the line on Saturday and Sunday VB6 - I know Paleo is popular here, but I find sticking to Vegan Before 6pm as much easier guide for me. Essentially, no meat or dairy before 6pm, and a sensible dinner. I'm a family guy with a budget, so dinner can't be prime steak with fresh veggies every night - rice or potato has prime spots on our plates and gets eaten my all four kids. Don't injure myself. Listen to my body, back off when appropriate. I am aware 'losing weight' is considered a cop-out crap goal here at Nerd Fitness but I figure when you are as overweight as I am, it is still a valid target. I already go to the gym three days a week and have only slipped weight recently. I'm responsible of course, but I've had a dramatic shift of work hours (12 hours days locked in meetings for around six weeks), including eating work supplied in-meeting food (a grazing table, the worst kind) for lunch - and dinner - over bringing my own lunch. Plus Easter chocolate. Life side quest: Finish Practical Programming for Strength Training by Mark Rippetoe. I have obviously read Starting Strength (which led me to 5x5 Stronglifts) and now I've hit reasonable weights (at least, reasonable for me) I want to see how to keep progressing over time. In six weeks, literally two days after this challenge finishes, my wife and I are off on a cruise of some South Pacific Islands. This challenge will make sure I have get-up-and-go to play and swim and snorkel with my two eldest kids that are coming with us - and do those activities all day long. I can't wait. It's also why side goal number 5 - don't injure myself - is so important. For the last two years I've injured my shoulder, achilles heel (jogging) and had a hernia. I have no desire to mess up during the lead up. Anyway, perfect timing NF once again - here goes Recruit six week challenge number two!! Chris

Hi I'm Sarah and I'm new to Nerd Fitness. I started following the blog December 4th and the first step is admitting you have a problem. The problem is I love this site! I can't get enough of it so today I decided that I would become a real life member. Geeee!!!

Main Quest: -- Lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks Goals: 1. Walk at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time 2. Drink 3 or fewer sodas daily 3. Give up candy (eek!) Life Quest: -- Go to sleep by 10:30 p.m., nightly.

Hi all, I'm Beki, I'm new & I'm flabby. I've managed to start the beginner strength training workout - keeping it realistic at 1 cycle this week so as to not overdo it. Baby steps onto the bus, Bob... I'm researching the Paleo, as I think it would be very good for me (my body doesn't seem to like sugar anyway), but that's going to be step 2, as I'm no cook & need to get my head around it. But soon... Anyway, looking forward to the journey - cuz those "before" pics I took yesterday aren't pretty! , Beki

Hi, I found these forums about 2 weeks ago and have read up on a bunch of paleo things. I'm trying to iron out a menu/food plan but I'm hitting a roadblock for the evenings. I'm a sweets junkie and I get antsy between 6-8pm ish. Are there any good EASY paleo desserts that can scratch the late-night itch? Also, I wanted to create a 'lvl up' character and do the6-week challenge on the next cycle. Where/how do I go about doing that? Thanks. Even writing about this stuff makes me feel nervous and antsy but people here seem to be pretty cool. so...Hi