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Activation routine - 5 10s plank, 5 10s superman fly, 20 slow lunges, 20 slow pushup, 5 min run Main routine - 5 rounds of 1 minute on 1 minute off hands off explosive push-up followed by high plank knee tuck My reps was 9-9-9-9-7 lost steam at the last set 186 calories (18.6 chips, couldn't get up to 20 :() with 175 bpm Stretch - some yoga stretches for knee and back Used soft pad to reduce impact on my shoulder (left one had arthroscopy) and elbow. Not too happy with my pushup form yet would love to get some advice. if you are going to try this out let me know your rep counts, calorie and heart rate also. https://youtu.be/ZRcNSIv_5fo

Hey all! I'm in the process of getting ready to go to Navy OCS (Officer Candidate School), and one of their requirements is that I be able to perform 50 pushups in two minutes. I am a 6'1" male, 21 years old, weighing 177 pounds. Up till now, I have only really worked on my legs/running when I work out (and I'm pretty fit in terms of my being able to run long distances at speed), and I meet all the other fitness requirements, but I have not really invested much time in pushups. I can do 22 in two minutes without breaks while maintaining form. Here's my question: I have the option to go to OCS earlier than I otherwise would, arriving a little over a month from now; it's an option that I would really like to take, if possible. Do you think I could reach the benchmark of 50 pushups in two minutes in time if I really dedicate myself? Is that asking too much of my body in too short a time? At any right, I am fine with going to OCS at a later date, but would like to know whether you all think it's possible or have any ideas for me to reach my goal. Thanks! James

I'm noticing some back pains on my pushups. Here's a video: https://www.jotvid.com/video/gLV6fHUL_qA. Trying to figure out what to adjust to prevent injury.

Hey everybody, just thought I'd start a thread to see if anybody else does weighted pushups, how much weight they can handle, and what everybody's thoughts are. Currently my personal record is 8 reps with 35 pounds on my back. My ultimate goal for these is to be able to do atleast 6 with my body weight. Let my know if you thank that's a realistic goal.

Hello fellow Assassins. Since my major Quest is gonna be about mastering a couple of bodyweight excercises i decided on joining you. (and a great part because of a great post by Hazard) I know i am a little late at the party but that's because i have been ill at the end of last week and beginning of these. So i just now had time to wrap everything up (and workout got dibs). So i will be updating this topic with more info later this day. Good luck on your Challenge everyone! Challenge First of all, i wanna say for me this is gonna be a 5 week challenge. I'm writing this on my first day on vacation. Next friday we will be going home again. Monday after that my challenge will start. A balanced foundation. So i want my body summerready before summer. Allthough last challenge worked huge towards my BF% this will still be my main focus. Just inserted because i'm so damn proud! But i also want to start with a balanced body. At the moment everything is really going good. Running is at good pace, stronglifts is coming along nice. Kickfun and Crossfit lessons are heavy but really doable. Ab workout is really hard, but i can see that's hard for everybody. But the thing i really lack at the moment is my upper body strength. Pushup are going much better but can use some work, and i still can't do a proper pull up. Not even one!!! And that annoys me! So i'm gonna work on that. My main quest pushups and pull ups. I'm gonna go look for some program on both and make them a quest to maintain. I'll get back to you when i found a proper program. QUEST1: PP-Plan At the moment i'm thinking about doing these 2 programs: www.50pullups.com and www.hundredpushups.com I'm not saying my goal is to do 50 pullups or 100 pushups as i know that would be almost impossible to achieve in the 5 weeks i'm training for this. Keeping things SMART. Also i want to keep on doing the Stronglifts program and kickfun and crossfit lessons. Even the occasional run will take place because i just really love doing these things. These are the programs i'm gonna follow, but if i feel they are too easy or too hard i'm gonna look for something else. So now another hard part. When to do these excercises. When i am able to do my stronglifts at home i want my week to look like this: Mo: Stronglifts Tue: Grouplesson Kickfun Wed: Stronglifts Thu: Grouplesson Crossfit and Ab workout Fri: Stronglifts Sat or Sun: Running (4-6 miles) So i'm thinking about doing my PP-plan (PushupPullup-plan) on tuesday wednesday and saturday. So my week will look like this: Mo: Stronglifts Tue: Grouplesson Kickfun / PP-plan Wed: Stronglifts Thu: Grouplesson Crossfit and Ab workout PP-plan Fri: Stronglifts Sat: PP-plan Sat or Sun: Running (4-6 miles) I'm gonna think of a scoring system by the time i made the other Quests (head is buzzing with information at the moment!). Scoring system: 3 times a week is 15 times in a 5 week challenge: A= 13 or more B=12-11 C=10-9 D=8-7 QUEST2: MaintenanceThis quest is about Maintenance. I'm a little bit worried that all the work i did in the previous challenge will slowly fade away if i don't keep on focussing on it. So this quest is gonna be about maintaining my habits made in the previous quests. Especially the nobinge and nobeer quest, they aid a lot when i'm being held accountable. The workout part of last challenge isn't gonna be a problem. I actually would just look some more days in a week so i can do more different workouts. Also the lifequest is something i enjoy and i feel is very usefull. So i'm gonna keep on getting up a little earlier then i was used to, no need for that to be accountable on. So this quest is gonna be the nobinge/nobeer quest. As with the first quest scoring system will be determined later on. This is it for now. Now first, lunch and then, lunges!!! Scoring system:I'm gonna make a total of these, so when: "i binge" or "i drink beer (more than 2 days a week)" i'm gonna add one to the counter.A=0-2 B=3 C=4 D=5 QUEST3: Healthy WeekendsThis quest has to be about introducing something in the diet. Everything is going really well during the regular workweek (mo - thu) but in my 3 day weekend (fri - sun) there can be a lot of bad food. So normally there are 3 meals a day, which makes 9 in total for the weekend. This quest is about making one "day" healthy. So that's 3 meals in a weekend. One breakfast, one lunch, one dinner has to be "healthy". This doesn't have to be on the same day. Scoring system:Counting the healthy meals per weekend, 3 meals a week is 15 meals in a 5 week challengeA=13 or more B=11-12 C=9-10 D=7-8 LIFEQUEST: ProcrastinationI'm an expert in procrastination. As well at work as at home. So i'm dividing this up in 2 parts:At home: Do at least one chore every week that is long overdue!At work: Do more work!Haven't made up yet how to specify the "at work" part. Nor do i have an idea how to score that one. Tips would be great! Scoring system (on the home part for now):5 weeks = 5 choresA= 4 or more B=3 C=2 D=1

Hey all, longtime reader, first time poster here. I hit the halfway mark on the 60 Day PLP Challenge, and I'm feeling great! I never thought I could do 40 pullups, and it's surprising to me every day I do one more. I'm so glad I found this site! With the help of Nerd Fitness, I eat better, look better and feel better. I've attached my before and during photos. Each one was taken right after my workout. Along with the PLP Challenge, I'm also doing a workout routine of squats with weights, bent over dumbbell rows, dumbbell bench press, and 4 1-minute long planks. I was never athletic growing up. I'm a movie and music nerd. I was in concert band, marching band, and jazz band all throughout school. After working my 9-5, I used to love just sitting around finding new music and watching movies. Now, exercising is included on that list, thanks to Nerd Fitness. Woot! Thanks for reading, B

Ok, finally managed to take a couple form check videos where enough of me might be visible enough to critique. Squat: http://vid1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag163/eewallace/2014-10-9-squat_zps8977d57d.mp4 Pushup: http://vid1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag163/eewallace/2014-10-9-pushup_zpsedf9ce33.mp4 Standing lunge: http://vid1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag163/eewallace/2014-10-9-lunge_zps4be516ff.mp4 Squats have felt pretty good. That front view one looks a little wide, but I think my knees are at least tracking ok; it's a little hard to tell without a better view of my feet, though. I didn't realize until I made the pushup video how much I was bending my neck over to look down toward my feet. Does the first one at least look ok? Lunges have felt a bit off as long as I've been doing them, though better since I've focused more on staying upright. Looks from the video like I'm stepping a bit across my body instead of straight forward, which probably isn't ideal. Anything else wrong there? I completely forgot to get a side view of the lunge to check upper body position, but can do a new one tomorrow if it's needed to give proper advice.

Hi all, I embark on the BBW challenge tomorrow, and I'd like to confirm that my basic form for the pushup and the squat is correct. Comments? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QCOJ_zPG1I&feature=youtu.be and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyH3rp7D1ms&feature=youtu.be

Welcome to the First Pushup Quidditch Cup! This is a team PvP and is open to all Rebels, regardless of age, guild or experience. The match will officially start on USA Monday, April 14th. Sign-up will be open until USA Sunday, April 13th. Sign-up is now closed. Players and spectators can follow the action on the NF Quidditch Spreadsheet To help out the Sorting Hat, we're doing a 1 minute AMRAP set (As Many Reps As Possible) of any pushup variation you like, to get an idea of fitness levels. There's a chart at the end of this post showing point values for a variety of pushup types. There's no minimum requirement or expectation, this is merely to help keep the game fun for everyone. For those interested, we'll be doing another AMRAP at the end of the challenge period to see how far we've come....kudos will go to most improved, MVP, etc Here are the rules and descriptions of the various positions: Rules This competition will last 6 weeks, and will be broken down into 6 separate games, with the first game being an exhibition match to get the feel for it, and learn how to play.There will be 4 teams: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and SlytherinEach team will contain 6 players: 1 Keeper, 3 Chasers, and 1 BeatersTeams and positions will be assigned on day 1 of the challenge. Positions will be subsequently assigned each week.Matches will last 5 days, starting on USA Monday, and ending on USA FridayWeekly scores will be tallied and the top 2 teams will play for the Quidditch Cup and Silver medal, while the bottom 2 teams will play for Bronze Medal and Wooden SpoonPositions/Scoring Points are scored by completing pushups which equate to a point value, (see variations below). When a player completes a series of pushups, they will need to reply to this thread to count them. All points will be tallied at the end of the week, once the game is complete, however 'unofficial' scoring is likely to take place in the meantime to help everyone know where they and their teams stand. Chaser: The Chaser does pushups to score points. The more pushups completed, the more points scoredKeeper: The Keeper does pushups to negate points scored by the opposing team. Their score is subtracted from the points scored by the opposing team's Chasers. Beater: Beaters use pushups to counter the effects of the other team's Keeper and Chasers. When points have been earned, the player nominates an opponent on the opposing team and any points scored will be removed from the target player's tally. Any beater who does not assign points to a target will have their points spread evenly across the opponent's players.Game 2 Rule amendments: No more caps There will be no more Seekers. The Snitch: see below Scoring has changed: see belowScoring Amendments All players are required to do a 60 second AMRAP, using any pushup variation(s) before playing Each player's beginning AMRAP score will represent their 'scoring set' To score points, player must complete a full set equal to their Scoring Set value Each completed set is worth 10 points Keepers still offset points, Chasers still score points, and Beaters still choose who to offset againstPoint Calculation Example Player BarefootDawsy has a 20 point AMRAPDuring the game, BarefootDawsy completes 90 pushups90 / 20 = 4.5. 4.5 X 10 = 45 points. Don't worry, the spreadsheet will calculate scores. Just post the pushup points value for your reps, and the rest will be handled automatically.Rounding to the nearest 5 points is permitted. Players who failed to do an AMRAP test will be assigned a score (at the moment 20 seems fair)The Snitch From this week, we have abolished the Seeker position. To keep somewhat in line with HP Quiddtich, however, we're going to have a Snitch. Since many players here have expressed their ignorance and/or ambivalence of Harry Potter, I thought it fitting that the Snitch will be a Harry Potter trivial question asked by a member of one of the other teams (yay! right? right? crickets?). The first person to answer the question correctly will win an additional 100 points for their team. To get the ball rolling, I will be asking the first question. It will go out to players of the Slytherin vs Hufflepuff game. The winner of the Snitch Question will be responsible for asking the Snitch question of the Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor game. The winner of that question will ask the first question the following week, etc. Hope this makes sense. Google, etc will be permitted for answering the questions. For those of you who don't know much about HP, don't worry, there are heaps of great HP trivia sites out there (again, Google is your friend). Each player can only try to answer the Snitch question once for each question asked, and only if the question is posed to the player's team. All other answers will be disregarded. Pushup Variation Values leaning against wall = 0.25 pointscountertop = 1 point for every 3 pushups (rounding allowed)on knees = 0.5 pointsstandard pushup = 1 pointsfeet elevated (decline) pushups = 1.5 pointsdiamond pushups = 1.5 pointsclapping/side-to-side pushups = 2 pointsdive-bomber/hindu/pike pushups = 2.5 pointsone arm pushups = 3 pointsGame Schedule (Game winners in BOLD) Game 1 (Exhibition) Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw vs Slytherin (April 14-18)Game 2 Gryffindor (124) vs Ravenclaw (0), Slytherin (163) vs Hufflepuff (58) (April 21-25)Game 3 Gryffindor vs Slytherin, Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff (April 28- May 2)Game 4 Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw vs Slytherin (May 5-9)Game 5 Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw, Slytherin vs Hufflepuff (May 12-16)Game 6 (Cup Final) 1st place vs 2nd place, 3rd place vs 4th place (May 19-23) Week 6 - Quidditch Cup Final First Place vs Second PlaceThird Place vs Fourth Place

21.02.2014 The Main Epic Quest of Anna Laurentina da Mazovia, also known as Igi, chapter 1: Progress Towards Parkour Do the Beginner’s Bodyweight Workout 3-4 times a week and advance it every time I feel it’s too easy for me (especially focus on arms).Go to the climbing site at least three times.Limit the sweets and take my pills every day. If at the end of these six weeks I will be able to do at least one full pushup or pullup, I will consider the challenge successfully completed and the goal fulfilled. Life Quest:Go to the ophthalmologist, order contact lenses and try them. Health Quest:Stop biting my nails and fingertips. Additional objectives that I would like to fulfil over the course of these six weeks (not necessarily): - spar with my friend at least once, - go to the park to start climbing trees, - buy a pair of fitness shoes. My motivation is simple. I want to be worthy of the name Assassin.I want to be a well-rounded, well-educated, fit woman full of life.I want to feel the freedom coming from running free and looking at the world as if it was mine to get and climb onto.I want to feel the joy of pushing my boundaries and achieving something I never have done before.I want to experience new things and enjoy life in its every colour and taste.I want to be a part of the Brotherhood, feel strong, happy and understood in my hopes and dreams.I want to make my Mentor proud. I want to look at myself and say, “This is the woman who has achieved something in her chase to freedom. This is a happy woman.†I am Igi and I will be an Assassin. I WILL be an Assassin.

Well well, just couldn't stay away forever. Its been a long time since I did a challenge. Life has tossed me a few recently, didn't feel the need to add to the mix. But now, I'm ready. This is my challenge to finally get me out of the Adventurers( which are awesome) and move onto a more specific class. My goal was always to get to Lvl 5 before moving on because I just could not make a decision. That has been remedied. So here goes: Overall Challenge Goal: Ready to join a specific class. -Build good habits -Clean up diet -Real Pushups! ( I don't feel like I can go on without this) 1. Real Pushups +5 STR -15x 20lb dumbbell bench press- 3 sets ( currently max at 12 reps) -25x knee pushups- 1 set ( current max 12) 2. Never miss a day at the gym +3 STA -anything counts (cardio, trainer, bodyweight, class) -try 2 new classes ( these are free...duh) 3. Splits ( or something closer) +3 DEX -20 mins stretching 3x a week minimum (current depth....sad/pathetic/my squat is lower ) Diet. Clean it up +2 CHA - reduce daily sugar intake ( down to 0 in coffee, slowly) ( 1 less sugar per week until 0, not less coffee, i'm not crazy, I go to work before the sun) -unsweet tea ( usually half/half ), more tea at home, less crystal light etc -cut carbs to special occasions only ( don't buy any more potatoes/rice/etc, replace with veggies) Life. Start a Life Change +2 WIS -Get serious about my guitar- play at least one song a day -Budget diligently. Track spending, plan, save 100$ for Camp NF ( I want a t-shirt and gas money to get there) -school application and financials, plan to boss for reimbursement Prequel Mini Challenge Done +1 WIS Spreadsheet used to track everything. Will post on updates.

Race: Runty ogre? Maybe a dwarf. The kind with whiskers and a deep and abiding love of malt beverage. Desired Class: Adventurer. Maybe Assassin? Main Quest: To do a full, honest-to-goodness pushup (this one's gonna take a while). Complications: I'm 33 years old, 5'6", 280 lbs, have early onset arthritis in my right knee, an unstable kneecap, and recently-diagnosed hypothyroidism. I've spent the last year in and out of physical therapy to strengthen my quads etc enough that I can walk up and down hill without my kneecap popping/tearing out. I've been cleared by my doctor to do these exercises, and losing weight and getting strong is the best thing I can do for my knee/myself right now. Motivation: I have always, always wanted to be able to do a full body pushup and have never been able to do one. I will have to be a lot stronger than I am and also lose weight in order to do a pushup, but it's a goal I'm willing to sweat and groan and really dig in for. Mission 1: Do the beginner bodyweight workout 3 times per week, starting with a half set for the first 2-3 weeks. Modifications: I will start with inclined pushups on this challenge, on my high kitchen counter. Walking lunges may be modified to make sure my knee stays stable - I may also move these and the jumping jacks to the front of the workout when my stabilizing muscles are less tired/kneecap is less likely to pop out. Pass/Fail: 3 weeks of 3 times/week half sets, 3 weeks of 3 times/week full sets of the workout. Mission 2: Log my food every single day for 6 weeks. I'm very experienced with the system I use and have weighed/logged my food for weeks before, when I was in physical therapy. Logging my food makes me make a lot better choices and generally keeps me to ~2000 calories per day, and according to the armband I wear that's anywhere from even calorie intake (on a day with no exercise) to a 500 calories deficit, on average. Pass/Fail: Every meal and snack of every day measured (or, if need be, estimated) and logged no later than the day after, for six weeks. Mission 3: Take a 30 minute walk every day. Other incidental walking does not count, even if it's recorded on my armband as 30 minutes+. It must be a dedicated, I-am-going-for-my-walk excursion to build the habit of taking time for dedicated, sweaty-time exercise. Time and distances will be recorded, but benchmarks don't need to be met for this mission's pass/fail. Pass/Fail: Take a 30 minute walk every day for six weeks. I know that none of these goals will get me directly to a pushup during these six weeks. They are rather all about building the habits that I will need in order to get there, which I think will take me a year or so. When I can finally do a full pushup, I'm going to get a tattoo that I promised myself years ago. This journey is also not going to stop with a single pushup. I have a huge list of things I want to do that right now I just can't, that all require losing 50+ lbs and getting much more fit. I want to hike in the mountains near my home without feeling like I'm going to die. I want to go rock climbing. I want to skydive (I'm over the weight limit!). I want to bike commute again. I want to take Aikido classes. But beyond anything else I want to be healthy and strong, and this is the way I'm going to start. Also, hello! What a neat community you have here.

This is a bit of fun, pushup PVP between @Blaidd (scout) and @dominic (ranger). Expect dominic to pull Blaidd's leg as much as possible along the way but also encourage each other Anyone else is welcome to join in, in fact the more the merrier so please come along for the ride, even if you join late or whatever. Rules: You need to "score" 150 points a week for the last 5 weeks of the challenge. If you do more than 150 that's good for you but the extra doesn't count towards the PVP, this is capped to prevent psychotic competitive injury (mainly from the berserk warrior oh ok mainly to stop my arms falling off because I'm too competitive!) You can score points by doing different types of pushups: - leaning against wall = 0.25 points - on knees = 0.5 points - standard pushup = 1 points - feet elevated pushups = 1.5 points - clapping pushup = 2 points - one arm pushups = 3 points Special note: If you haven't progressed to full pushups yet, count your level as 1 point, i.e. if you can only do knees pushups you can count those as 1 point. If you can do regular and you get tired so have to switch to knees those are 0.5 points. The prize: Whoever completes the least number of points has to donate equivalent of US$10 to a charity of whoever completes the most number of points choice.

And we're back with another challenge from our fine sponsors. During this challenge, looking at my workout records, I will level up a lot of the exercises I am currently doing. A few months ago, I set up a level hierarchy for the body weight exercises I've been doing. So far, for most of them, I'm still on level one, except for leg exercises, where I'm at level 2. But for most of my level 1 exercises, I'm very close to my "magic numbers" of reps and sets (12 reps per set). And that's just one part of my challenge. Here's what I hope to accomplish this go-round. Goal 1: Fitness: Level up many exercises +3 STR, +1 DEX, +2 STA Here I'll list my current exercises and the ones I'll graduate to. I plan on keeping this updated throughout the challenge so people will know where I'm at. If I'm able to level up 4 exercises, I will give myself full marks. If not, I will scale attribute points accordingly. There are some in this list that I know I won't advance in (both types of planks), but I'll list them here anyways as added motivation. Also, you'll notice that I still have assisted pull ups on the list, even though I got my pull up in last challenge. This is because I want to be consistent and graduate my way fully off of these, continuing to build strength. For this reason, I'll also continue to rock the negative pull ups. LEVEL UP PROGRESS: 50% Pushups (Level 1) --> Decline Pushups (Level 2)Diamond Pushups (Level 1) --> Pike/Jackknife Pushups (Level 2)Assisted Pull ups (Level 1) --> Chin ups/Pull ups (Level 2)Assisted Pistol Squats (Level 2) --> Pistol Squats (Level 3)Squat/Lunge Combo (Level 2) --> Bulgarian Split Squats (Level 3)Side Planks (Level 1) --> Knees to Elbows (Level 2)Planks (Level 1) --> One and one planks (Level 2) *My threshold for leveling up an exercise is 4 sets of 12 for rep exercises, and 120 seconds for timed exercises. *For assisted pull ups, I move on from a weight offset once I hit 12 at that weight, and add a lesser weight to the bottom.Goal 2: Body Fat % Down to 25% or less +1 CON, +2 WIS This has been an overarching goal of mine since the end of last year. I have had this goal in mind for every challenge I've participated in, but up until now, I've set myself mini-goals to make this one more achievable. Well, it's finally within reach. When I started tracking body fat the day after Christmas last year, I was just over 32%, so reaching this goal will be a huge victory. And, of course, if I can go further down during the challenge, I certainly will. Starting BF%: 26.06%Will reduce by at least 1.06% to get to 25% or less Goal 3: Lose 1" from around my waist +2 CHA Getting to 38" around the largest part of my belly has also been an overarching goal for awhile. And this one is also now within reach. Starting measurement: 39"Goal measurement: 38" Life Quest: Play guitar for at least 5 minutes, 5 times a week Research and purchase a car +2 DEX, +1 STA, +1 CHA Last challenge, I think I was a little overzealous trying to play for up to 2 hours a week, especially considering my workload. 5 minutes a day is a lot more easily doable and is much easier to scale up if i'm really enjoying what I'm doing. My car has been starting up very rough, sometimes taking a good few minutes to actually get it up and running. This has been exacerbated by the fact that the weather has become much colder (thanks, almost-winter!). It is also very old (21 years), so it's probably time. My goal is to get a car that is model year 2005 or newer, that gets good gas mileage, is very reliable and not expensive to fix/run, and is going to last me for a good long time (read: I will drive it into the ground). COMPLETED 9th December! So there you have it. Check back tomorrow for my initial weigh-in numbers.

Hisme's Fight with the Chimera Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, but despite the challenges I have so far in my life been thankful for the monsters. Even though they are terrible they teach me important lessons. From the Siren of Shyness that I battled growing up to the Workaholic Witch that I struggled with one year in college, I was lashed, I rose up again, and I conquered. I was awesome. Then came the Chimera. The Chimera is a particularly terrifying monster because it's a mismatch of several other beasts. I've had smaller chimera enter my realm before, but once I glimpsed them in their entirety I always figured out a plan of attack that vanquished them. This one, however, is a very long sort of beast and I haven't been able to see in its entirety yet. So far the information I've gathered is the following: The Chimera is made up of a combination of Loneliness, Job Loss, Feelings of Letting Others Down, Unfitness, Loss of Control in My Life, and Self-Insecurity. The worst thing is some of these monsters I've beaten before, but they've now returned with a vengeance as part of this amalgam. To make things worse, for the first time in my life I was poisoned by this monster with the side-effect of Depression which, though minor, has negatively affected every aspect of my life. I've tried two Challenges here previously and the poison of depression that the Chimera forced into my veins caused me to do less than my best. But this time I have more determination than ever. This time I will win this 6-week battle and take a step toward winning this war against this Chimera. I know it may take me a few challenges to do, but I WILL do it. Main Goal for This Challenge: Win Back the Fields of Confidence (aka gain some of my lost self-respect and awesomeness so I'll have more "umph" in the next challenge) Quest One: Stronger Arms Punch That Chimera in Its Stupid Face (+3 STR) I started out with "do a full workout with pushups, squats, dumbbell rows, etc." my first challenge and quickly realized I could barely even do a pushup. It was discouraging. Challenge two I made a more realistic goal but the Chimera's Depression Poison hit and knocked me off my groove. This time I'm doing a tiny challenge, because if I can do this and then move up just a little but then eventually I'll develop both the physical and mental ability to continue becoming more awesome even if I am having a stinky day. By the end of the six weeks I will be able to do ten real (not knee) pushups in good form with extreme gusto and ease. I will train for this by doing as many pushups as I physically can in good form every other day, increasing by one every two "workout" days. Grading for quest one: A: Don't miss a day of pushups, able to do 10+ pushups as described above. B: Miss 2-3 days of pushups, able to do 8+ pushups as described above. C: Miss 4-5 days of pushups, able to do 6+ pushups as described above. D: Miss 6-7 days of pushups, able to do 4+ pushups as described above. Fail: Miss 8+ days of pushups. ******* Quest Two: Better Stamina Run Rings 'Round that Monster (+ 4 STA) I hate running because I'm so unfit it makes me feel pathetic, but I can walk. I aim to go on a walk (and/or dance) 3x a week. I've been doing this consistently for a couple of weeks now and I can already feel my stamina increasing (I no longer pant by the end of this one particular trail but am completely comfortable) so I want to keep that up. Grading for quest two: A: Miss zero days. B: Miss 2-3 days. C: Miss 4-5 days. D: Miss 6-7 days. Fail: Miss 8+ days. ******* Quest Three: Better Flexibility Able to Roll with the Punches without Hurting Myself (+1 STR, +1STA, +2 CON) I will stretch and/or do yoga for at least 15 minutes EVERY DAY. That's right. I can skip Sundays because I'm usually in a dress for church but besides that... EVERY DAY. This always makes me feel better for the rest of the day and makes me more willing to get up and make good choices while at my sedentary desk job. Grading for quest three: A: Miss fewer than 5 days. B: Miss 5-10 days. C: Miss 10-15 days. D: Miss 15-20 days. Fail: Miss more than 20 days. ******* Side Quest: Seek Another Kingdom (+2 WIS, +2 CHA) I lost my job just after college when the company suffered a huge financial loss and could no longer afford to keep me. It sucked, but at that time the Chimera hadn't entered the picture so I was fairly hopeful. Maybe this was my chance to start my own business, something I'd always wanted to do but had been to afraid to! I started freelancing graphic design and illustration from home and haven't been doing badly, but the poison has been hurting my business by making me too afraid and apathetic to care about getting new clients or marketing like I should. I also have realized that even though I'm an introvert I really like working with and around people and I'm lonely All of my friends live elsewhere. THEREFORE, I've decided to stop freelancing full-time and get a job at a design firm. In the next six weeks I plan to start the job application process. The goal here is to start the process of job searching, not to get a job, because that's not something I can totally control. Week One: rewrite and redesign resume. Week Two: design resume accompaniments (designers have extra stuff for resumes, BOO) and choose portfolio pieces, begin a list of potential jobs by adding 3 companies you intend to apply to Week Three: assemble portfolio, add 3 more companies to the list Week Four: finishing touches on portfolio and resume, apply to the 6 companies on my list Week Five: Apply to 3 more companies Week Six: Apply to 3 more companies Exceptions: If I get a job interview with any of the companies before the challenge is over, I can replace applying to another company with interviewing. Grading for side quest: A: Keep up with weekly tasks. B: Miss the equivalent of one week of work, essentially deleting Week Six. C: Miss the equivalent of two weeks of work, essentially deleting Weeks Five and Six. D: Get resume and portfolio totally done but don't apply to any jobs. Fail: Fail to get resume and portfolio done. ******************************* Skirmishes (these are other mini-goals and desires for my life that I have but that don't count towards my points): 1) Continue eating well and going gluten-free, try to eat less sugar. 2) Read my Bible several times a week, eventually every day. 3) Play with my little brother more often... he's always asking me to and I'm always too busy He won't be this little forever! 4) Call my out-of-town friends more often and stay connected with them. 5) Wake up early every day and don't lay around on the couch for hours - get started with good things immediately. 6) Get on and participate in the NF Forums more often so I can be held accountable and so I can see that other people are going through this journey too. I'm not alone.

Now that I have proven my mettle sufficient to join the Assassin's Guild, it's time to begin the real quest: Defeat the Princess Link had Dark Link, Ichigo had Zangetsu, Max has the Princess. The internal self we must defeat to truly come into our own. She embodies everything I have been taught to be, everything I have internalized from my culture and surroundings that is contrary to my self. She is the dress-wearing, makeup-smeared, ladylike alter-ego I have been putting on before I leave the house since high school. It is the Princess who has convinced me time and time again that visible muscles are un-ladylike, that talk is better than action, that I must sit in the tower and wait to be saved while someone else fights the dragon. It's time to fight my own dragon. It's time to defeat the princess. For Halloween this year, I'm going as Kara Thrace. I've got 6 weeks to become her. Challenge Part the First: Push down the world Grace, Strength, and Power - Continue progress toward changing my self-image Continue habit of workouts And the ultimate goal for this challenge: do 10 pushups Quest One: Grace (+4 CHA) For nearly 15 years, I have been counting calories. In this challenge, that stops. Instead, I will keep track of quality and will eat no fewer than three times a day. Thin is not the goal. Waif-like "femininity" is not the goal. Grace, strength, and power are the goal. To that end, I have deleted MyFitnessPal from my phone. Grading for quest one: A: Check calories no more than once a week, eat all meals B: Check calories 2-3 times per week, miss 2-3 meals C: Check calories 4-5 times per week, miss 4-5 meals D: Check calories 6-8 times per week, miss 6-8 meals Fail: Re-load MyFitnessPal, miss anymore than 10 meals Quest Two: Strength (+3 STR) As mentioned in my previous challenges, I have a number of legitimate health and structural blockages to fitness. Long-term joint inflammation, vertigo, poor digestion, among others. Because of this, I have to shoot slow and low in my strength goals to keep from hurting myself. My natural competitive nature would drive me beyond what my body could handle and ultimately set me back. So, we're keeping this small. By the end of the challenge, I would like to be able to do 10 pushups. Grading for quest two: A: Do 10 pushups B: Do 8 pushups C: Do 6 pushups D: Do 5 pushups Fail: Any fewer than 5 pushups Quest Three: Power (+3 STA, +2 CON) I've settled into a workout rhythm over the last challenge, and I'd like to not lose my momentum. Currently my rotating four-day schedule goes as follows: Day one: legs, day two: arms, day three: bodyweight/core, day four: rest. During this challenge I hope to keep plugging away doggedly at that schedule, but I won't set any specific workout for each day. I learned from SASX last challenge that mixing up what you do on any given day - while still focusing on the assigned muscle group - can really keep the challenge interesting and engaging. Grading for quest three: A: Don't miss any workouts or rest days B: Miss 2-3 C: Miss 4-5 Fail: Miss more than 5. Side Quest: Words Words are my sword. Hahahahahahahaha, cliche much? Write every weekday. The novel, the screenplay, the short stories, whatever it is, just write every day. A: Write 5 times per week B: Miss 2-3 days C: Miss 4-5 days D: miss 6-7 days Fail: Miss more than 8 days. I'm taking a page from Duality's book for updates here and will keep my rambling text-based posts to my battle log. Grace: 0/21 0/21 0/21 0/21 0/21 0/21 (meals by week) Strength: 0/10 0/10 0/10 0/10 0/10 0/10 (pushups by week) Power: 0/7 0/7 0/7 0/7 0/7 0/7 (workouts/rests by week) Words: 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 (writes by week)

Well life got in the way again and I missed out of the last challenge. At this point all I can admit to is consistently trying. I'd like to turn that into consistently doing. My goal is to fit THOSE jeans. Most ladies have that pair of jeans they love and they want to fit. I have a pair and I am tired of them taunting me. Getting into them and them being uncomfortable with a ridiculous muffing top doesn't count. There are no muffin tops allowed on paleo. 1. Do 1 "REAL" pushup. If I can get to one real pushup, I know I will have had to do some serious work. 2. Cut of HFCS drinks. Have 3 big bottles of H2O a day. 3. Add 25% to my Kettlebell Swing MAX OUT. Life Quest Language clean up. Just because I work with boys/truckers doesn't mean I need to sound like one. Track profanity and reduce by 50%. Side Quest Clean(er) Paleo-no more gas station taquitos or corn chips. Add veggies to meals. 3x bags of frozen veg a week. (12oz bags) or equivalent. I will post my tracking spreadsheet this evening after work.

I've always been "slim" and fairly active (cardio), but until recently I was getting squishier by the day. I gave up wheat around Christmas of last year, which lead to a pretty substantial weight drop, but the squishiness was still there. I decided enough was enough, and started Crossfit about 3 months ago. Since then I've gotten a lot stronger and lost a few inches, but I want more. Ultimately, I want to be stronger (able to lift body weight+ in big 3 lifts), faster (able to run sub 30 min 5k), and leaner (<20% body fat) before my 40th birthday in December. In addition, I’m getting married in October, and want to have beautifully sculpted arms, shoulders, and back. These goals are specifically aimed at improving the look of my arms while adding functional strength and working towards my ultimate goals. Current Stats: Age: 39 Height: 5’2†Weight: 129lb, ~25% BF Crossfit 5X per week 1. Stronger – Strength 3 + Stamina 2 Currently I can only do 2 strict pushups, no pull-ups, and I can hold a 30 second handstand against a wall. By end of challenge I will be able to link 10 at least pushups, at least 2 strict pull-ups (or 5 kipping), and hold a freestanding handstand for 30 seconds. I will work on each daily and weekly grading will be based on the number of days worked. GRADES: A - worked on each at least 5 times per week, B – 4 days, C – 3 days, Fail - less than 3 days. Overall grade will take into account whether I pass or fail at this goal. 2. Mobile – Dexterity 4 + Stamina 1 Since I started Crossfit 3 months ago, I’ve stopped my yoga practice. As a result, I think I’ve lost some of my flexibility. To combat this, I’ll add 20 minutes of yoga and/or mobility work twice per week to my schedule. Grades: A – twice per week C – once per week 3. Leaner - Constitution 3 + Wisdom 2 I currently eat “mostly paleo†which is perhaps more like “sorta paleoâ€. For this challenge I’ll clean it up to 80% paleo. Grades: A - Fully paleo 5 days of the week. B - 4 days, C - 3 days, Fail - less than 3 days Life Quest - DO more Until very recently I did not own a television. Now I seem to watch hours of TV per day. I will restrict my watching to not more than 1 hour per day. During my reclaimed free time, I'll read, play with my dogs/family, or complete various projects around the house. Motivation Aside from the aforementioned wedding in October. 1. I want to like what I see in the mirror. It's not bad, but it could be better 2. I want to be a good example to my family. Eating better, exercising, and watching less TV will help motivate both my fiancé and soon to be step daughter to do the same.

Mission: Mother Nature with Muscles​ ​Requires mastery of biology and ecology. Requires strength, stamina, and agility. ​Execution: Obj "Ostrich": Run 3x weekly. Note: In the case of tropical storms, may accommodate runs with a 2:4 two-week set. Obj "Holy Anole": Pushups 3x weekly. Require no less than 30. Size of set discretionary. Obj "Armadillo": Core workout 3x weekly. Secondary Obj "Seeds of Knowledge": Pass Biology 6-12 FL Teaching Certification Exam. Note: Pass/Fail. Also, in the case that certificate grades does not come back by end of challenge, P/F will be evaluated by completing the XAM workbook and pretest. Tertiary Objective "Root in Ever Flowing Waters": 64 oz fluid per day, excluding diuretics. Harvest: 2 Str, 2 Sta, 1 Dex. 2 Str. 1 Str. 3 Wis. 1 Sta, 2 Con. Total: 14 Motivation: Integrate nature into the daily lifestream of myself and others (learning and teaching). Be an exemplary human mentally and physically.

My Goals: Level Up! -Read 1 hour per day (>5 days/week)- I already read before bed but not for very long. when I plan my day I will start scheduling in time to read and learn. Diet & Fitness! -Eat 120g protein in 1200 cal (6 d/w)- No cheating on food choices on the "cheat" day, but a day of sanity. I will do this by meal planning before grocery shopping and prepping meals ahead of time. I want to set myself up for: the most convenient thing to eat is what I need to eat to reach my macro goals. I will also record and weigh everything I eat. -Go from 3 rounds of 1/4 miles sprints to 6 rounds at <1:45 pace- I will sprint twice a week. Every 2d or 3d workout, I will add one more round to the workout. If I get to 6 evolutions at the desired pace before the 6 weeks is over, I will begin decreasing my rest periods between evolutions. -20 consecutive proper form push ups (currrently doing 5x5, increase to 5x6 or 6x5 and so forth, etc. Push 3-4 times a week and check max set at 3 and 6 week mark). I can do 48 pushups like the top photo-- elbows flared out. I want to eventually do 50+ like the bottom photo.

Oh nooooooes!!! I think I've been cranking out pushups and progressing with them - but with a mistake in my form. As bashful as I am, I think I need to share some videos so we can see what I'm doing, and then figure out how to fix them. In other words... So here's the story on my pushups. I started doing them this way because I've had a chatty shoulder for ... oh the last year. (Long story short, it's probably overuse from hockey.) Anyway, when I tuck my hands in closer to my chest, my left shoulder almost immediately hisses at me. So, I sort of inadvertantly went to this wide stance on the pushup. I think (hope) the rest of my form isn't too bad. I feel like I keep myself pretty straight and all, but... let me know. (Pre-D&D workout... I wasn't planning on it, so yeah, I got my black skimmers and Gamer Girl t-shirt on, ah well.) I also wonder if this preferred stance came from my having gotten into these bar pushups... (ps, kudos to me for this workout shirt. First 'formfit' shirt I've ever owned in my life lol) Actually, after watching both, I think I have slightly better form on the bars?!? Maybe? So how do I go about correcting the arm placement - and what should I do if the correct arm placement continues to make my shoulder yell at me right away? I don't want to eliminate them from my regime, but I'm also a fan of the 'don't do something that hurts you' mindset. Any suggestions bodyweight peeps?

Hey guys, So after a little weird viral arthritic sickness I'm back into circuit training, and loving being back into it. Getting my energy levels back up, feeling stronger after every time. What I'm after here I guess is a little preemptive advice, as I can feel myself finding some of my routine very easy, and others a little too hard. Firstly, my circuit as it stand is this: Decline push ups x15 Hanging knee raises x10 Dumbell Squats x10 Chin ups x as many as I can do up to 10 Body Lever 1min repeat 4 times. It is intense, but firstly, I'm getting to the stage where the push ups are not really challenging enough. Not quite there yet, but I'd rather have something set in stone to change it up with before my triceps and chest get too bored. So should I be looking at wider/narrower hand positions, one armers, higher decline? Is there a general progression to follow? I definitely dont feel ready for one arm yet, I guess that's the end stage of push ups. Other than that, I've just in the last month added chin ups to my circuit after buying a cheap portable doorway bar. My goal at the moment is to hit 10 chin ups or pull ups in a rep. I can barely hit 5 of either, obviously tapering off after every set. Am I being too impatient here? Someone tell me I am and I'll gladly shut up. It just seems like a wall I cant get over yet, and it's a little frustrating. I'm pretty sure my form's ok, I dont swing around at all, and I'm more or less starting from a dead hang, so maybe I'm just being too hard on myself. However if anyone does have suggestions please hit me up. Thanks!