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A Sassenach in a strange new world! This is my 2nd Challenge and I think Adventurers is a great place to be! My life is in a bit of influx at the moment as I just started a new job 6 weeks ago... right at the beginning of the last challenge. I went through a vigorous 5 week classroom/testing program and it really exhausted me. Still I managed the challenge pretty well. Now I am doing a 2 week on the job training with a temporary schedule. This time around I am aiming for more flexibility in workout choices and times. Looking at my schedule (and my family's ) a week at a time. With the new job and these new quests I am excited to see what adventures come my way!! Main Quest: Through the stones... Lose 50 pounds of fat, gain strength and endurance. My motivation is better health, more energy and to be ready for a dream trip to Scotland in 3 years. Quest 1: Healer and Scientist Stay under my calorie goal 5 days a week A Sassenach is knowledgable... about which plants and animals to eat. She is wise about what is poisonous and what is used for healing. Ever aware of her environment and what her body needs to stay healthy. In my First Challenge I did pretty well at keeping to my calorie limit and lost 6 pounds. Starting the new job with a routine and no time to snack helped a lot. Towards the end I did start to slip a lot and the weight loss stalled. This challenge includes dieting hurtles like halloween, my kid's birthday, thanksgiving and all the treats that come along with it! Goals: - Eat whatever I like and no off limit foods. - Stay under 1800 calories, 5 days a week. Allowing 2 days go over. - Take it easy on the simple carbs and sugars, as those tend to be calorie busters. - Prep my breakfast, snacks and lunches for the work week. - Weigh myself once a week on Sundays. Do body measurements at beginning and end of challenge. 5 days a week: A 4 days a week: B 3 days a week: C 2 days a week: D 1 days a week: F Quest 2: Be strong like a highlander. Workout 5 days a week A Sassanach is brave and strong, able to rise to the occasion in any situation. This adventure will test her stamina and strength at every turn. She will need to be flexible in both body and mind to keep see this adventure through. In my First Challenge getting in workouts was my hardest quest. I decided I need to be a bit more flexible with my workout choices and times. Perhaps focus week to week as my schedule changes, the weather does it's thing, the holidays kick in. Ideally I want to get in some cardio and some strength training. For cardio I'd love to get outside walks, but for days that can't happen indoor exercise via WiiFit, dancing or zumba will work. For strength I do a combo of bodyweight and handweights. I also have a small fitness room at work and will check that out when my permanent schedule starts. I also just got a FitBit and need to figure it out. 5 days a week: A 4 days a week: B 3 days a week: C 2 days a week: D 1 days a week: F Quest 3: Slainte Mhah! Drink 8 oz of water every morning To keep her body fluid and her mind sharp, a Sassenach needs to keep well hydrated. But if whiskey isn't available a sip of lovely spring water will do! I have never been a good water drinker and I know getting hydrated in the morning is a good thing. So my quest is to simply drink 8 oz in the morning, every day. Hopefully this will set me up to drink lots more water during as the day progresses. 7 days a week: A 5 days a week: B 3 days a week: C 1 days a week: D Quest 4: Around the campfire. Maintain work/life balance A wise Sassenach knows she can't go it alone! She must share her passion for life and learning with others. Good stories and good friends go hand in hand. When I was unemployed I had a lot more freedom to be creative, explore hobbies and see friends. It was wonderful! I vowed to not let that slip away again. I am still working on logistics of this quest. - 3 times a week one of these options needs to happen: - See a friend in person for socializing! - Play a game or go somewhere fun with my family! - Enjoy a personal hobby like colouring, sewing, crocheting, etc... - Computer or TV time does not count. Nope. Nope. Nope. 3 days a week: A 2 days a week: B 1 days a week: C Tulach Ard!