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Oh, bother. I was not planning to challenge in this round. I thought perhaps I would just lurk and cheer other folks on, because I don't really have a lot going on except "keep doing what I'm already doing." But having accountability and friends to cheer is always good and there are a few things that I ought to probably bother about Walk like Eeyore Walk for 15 minutes every day. Ideally in the evening, with dog. On days that schedule or weather makes that impractical, around the campus at lunchtime or even around the inside of the large academic building. I'm depressed, have been for a while, and I didn't even realize it until I started throwing pity parties for myself about things that simply didn't warrant them. Walking helps. And it's spring, generally nice weather (wicked humid, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ), and I have a walk-friendly neighborhood and a beautiful walking path around the campus. Bounce like Tigger Nothing fancy here. Keep doing IS 3 or 4 days a week. There's a fair bit of jumping in IS. Eat like Rabbit A salad a day. I have vegetable ... issues. I don't eat nearly enough of them. I feel much better when I do eat enough of them. There are some I even like. But the easiest and surest way for me to get a reasonable amount of vegetation into my bod is salad, which I both like and find easy and convenient to make. That's enough for now.

Last month's theme was NO. Saying no more, noticing opportunities to say no, and removing distractions and input. The theme I set up for March was "f*ck yeah or no". I want to do stuff I only feel f*ck yeah about. But, I'm struggling a bit with this philosophy. a) I have to do boring stuff like go to work. b) I get tired of "f*ck yeah" all the time. Instead, I want to focus on mindfulness, processing, and being intentional about what comes into my life. The same as before, but an amped up version of "no". Combat the FOMO. I want to involve myself in experiences that are good enough I want to live them twice, I want to keep being aware of how much I take on, and I want to be a little bit bored. I want more downtime than I know what to do with...it's not my strong suit. Q1: Salad every day! Same as last challenge--a salad every work day (4 days a week). Last month was pretty easy but I want some more time to settle into this habit. Q2: Skill practice/flexibility work Last challenge I wanted to do one session of skill practice/flexibility work per week. This challenge I'd like to do two sessions per week. Q3: Daily Social Media Check-in Last challenge I set up some tracking and kept my social media use down during work hours. It was pretty effective, but it didn't touch any social stuff I did on my phone or my home laptop. I just want to track if I've accessed Twitter or Facebook on any device, each day. How many days can I go without checking in? I found last challenge that the longer I went without going to Twitter/FB, the less interesting it was to me. And I want to track why I went to social media each time. I've also tried to turn off my Google Now feed on my phone...but it isn't working. So I want to track how often I go there. Q4: Daily Writing Write every day for 15 minutes. Any kind of writing. The end. I haven't been getting enough sleep so FIRST AND FOREMOST that has to stop. But I'm pretty good at regulating that, so no official quest. -- A few obstacles: My partner's parents are coming to visit for a week I'm going to a HUGE HUGE conference the last week of the challenge. It's always crazy intense and exhausting, and as I've gotten more involved in the community, it gets more and more exhausting. I'm already overwhelmed trying to figure out where I'm going to be when. So, I'm going to do a special challenge week like I did last year, adjusted based on what I learned: Goal 1: Stay hydrated (3 nalgenes per day) Goal 2: Lie down on the floor for ten minutes every day. Goal 3: Bring sneakers so you can work out in the swanky hotel gym. Goal 4: Check-in with my conference buddies at least once a day.

I have been having trouble with keeping challenges going. Taking a simple tack for the moment and will aim for the following in the next 4 weeks: Daily Salad Daily Workout Daily Spanish

Hello fellow nerds, I am a person who, if I have someone to compete against, can be dedicated but without a specific goal has a tendency to be a little ADD, oh look a cookie! So here is the challenge Starting thanksgiving day you will have several ways to earn points 5 points for every mile run( no stoping to catch your breath) 15 points for every mile of swimming( no stoping to catch your breath) 10 points for a heavy lifting session 2 points for every mile walked 15 points for an hour long group class Food: 5 points for a veggie salad meal(iceberg lettuce doesn't count ) 5 points for drinking a minimum of 50 oz of water in a day 5 points for a green smoothie meal 2 point for turning down a sweet by a well meaning friend or family member Deductions: -5 points for skipping a workout just because you don't want to do it or try to make a lame excuse. -3 points for EACH piece of candy, pie, cake,cookie,sweet,or confection consumed( I make these for Christmas presents so I have to resist them being in the house all month) -5 points for drinking less than 30oz of water a day If this sounds like something you want to do let know and we can get started!

Obligatory Pre-Challenge Brain-Stuffs: I've had a lot of success over my past few challenges, my last one was a bit of a let down because life threw stuff at me but I still managed to overall improve myself I think. However, while I've seen vast improvements with my health, strength and flexibility, I feel like I haven't been seeing much progress looks wise. And while most of my brain is like who cares you're stronger and awesomer, there's that part of me that is like... but summer is coming (here?) and I'd really like to rock out a bathing suit and not feel super self conscious. I know this is due to my eating. I know I can't outrun my plate. This has been the hugest struggle for me since I started my fitness journey, what I don't do well at more often than not during challenges, and what sets off a domino effect of not hitting my goals. One bad meal can easily turn into skipping a work out in my world, and as many awesome habits I've set through this challenge format eating well is just not one of them. I've tried counting calories, counting macros, counting nothing but eating things that are obviously healthy, I just haven't had the motivation. I think it's because in the past I focus on other habits at the same time. But now I've got my workout habits set basically in stone and I can nix all those other goals that I'll do anyway and this challenge I am going to be 100% focused on what I put into my body. And it's going to be boring. How boring you ask? Let's see. tldr: Raxie needs to eat moar better. Mission 1: Home Cooking I will prepare 6 dinners a week for myself. Only one night of ordering out allowed. Each of these dinners will be made of up of: -1 or more protein -1 or more whole grain or potato -1 or more green veggie side (avocado does not count here, but is a welcome addition to any meal) -NO DAIRY. Dairy makes the tummy have the owies. Grading: +4 CON max. % of weeks met awarded. Mission 2: Salad I will eat a salad every day. EVERY. FREAKIN'. DAY. This can be a side salad if neccessary. Grading: +4 CON max. % of weeks met awarded. Mission 3: Alcohol That's right, kids. Raxie is not going to drink alcohol AT ALL this entire challenge. I have a feeling this actually going to be way easier than putting limits on what I actually drink which has been super difficult for me in social situations in the past. This way I can just hang out with friends and tell them I'm not drinking straight up, instead of having a couple and then trying to convince myself to not or explain why I've switched to water "so early". As a note, this isn't meant to be me giving up alcohol forever, just kind of a detox to my system in this area. Grading: +4 WIS max. % of weeks met awarded. Diet Quest: Snacks So all my missions are diet related anyway, but here's another. Try a new snack each week that will help curb my cheese craving. I think this is a huge problem in my prior attempts, I just told myself I'd have to suck it up during my cravings. This time I will be prepared! Each week I will buy or create a snack that has cheese-like properties to help pre-emptively curb my cheese addiction. Will most likely be mostly nut-type-things. I will post here each week on how well the snack helped (or didn't) in curbing my cravings. If I find something I like I still want to try something new each week so I can have an arsenal of snacks that work by the end of this challenge. Grading: +2 WIS max. % of weeks met awarded. Life Side Quest: Water I've been slacking on the water intake since I rocked out a water challenge 2 challenges ago. Time to start tracking this again and get a handle on it once more. Goal: 100oz/day. Grading: +1 CON max. % of weeks met awarded. Mini Quests: Bye-Weeks Challenge: Quest One: I have been working on crow for the past challenge and a half and I got it at the end of the last one, and now I'm interested in headstands. I know I can do a tripod for a millisecond but I want to work on it some more! I've never really worked on it before though and it hasn't gone along with any of my goals, so I'm gonna try to see what I can do tripod-wise 2 or 3 times before the next challenge. Quest Two: I fell behind on my Zombies, Run! 5K training last challenge and I was hoping to be ~halfway through it by now. I'm going to start over with it, but instead of waiting for the beginning of the next challenge I am going to get week 1 out of the way and do 3 runs next week. Quest Three: Go see a movie! The boyfriend and I LOVE see movies in theatres and we only do it about twice a year, there are a few things playing right now I know we both want to see. So I should make this happen. Oh and also give myself a bath day with a face and hair mask. I try to do this every 4-6 weeks and it's been like 3 months. So two things for quest three. Because yay happies! Ranger Optional Mini Challenge Feats: Endurance Feat - Run/walk drills from Zombies, Run 5K training 2x/weekStrength Feat - OHP 1x50+ lb (right now I'm at 47.5lb) Speed Feat - Hold tripod stand for 10 seconds Combat Feat - Go on a *good* hike with some significant elevation gains. Healing Feat - Meditate 6x/week Rescue Zombie: And I'll also be following along with AlienJenn's Zombie mini challenge too, because why not? Alibi: The last week of this challenge I will be going on vacation with the bf to Alaska, so this challenge will only be 5 weeks long for me. I think I am actually going to start tomorrow (Tuesday) for this so I've still got 6 weeks to form a good habit of need eating like poop.

After 8 months and gaining 10 pounds, I'm back and ready to start my journey to health over. A series of old injuries flaring up, carpal tunnel surgery, recovery, and over work has taken me out of the game, with bad results. I'm the heaviest I've been, but I'm also more determined then every to make it better. I already made a respawn post with more details (here), but I'm already starting to make progress into getting healthier again and hopefully this challenge will help. Onto my goals! Goal 1: Go to the gym 3 times a week (with weeks starting Monday). Even if I can only get a 20 minute work out in, it's better than nothing. I do have a couple super busy weeks during this challenge, but I should be able to make this happen. Goal 2: Eat at least one salad a week. This may not seem like much, but I've been eating a lot of meals on the road and have been getting very few veggies in my system. Obviously, this is an issue. One salad a week is a small, but hopefully helpful, way to start making that a habit again. I plan on eating many more than 6 salads over the course of this challenge, but I want to start with goals that I can definitely achieve. Goal 3: Eat a protein-based breakfast every day. I'm already pretty good at eating breakfast, but sometimes it's cereal or the dreaded McDonald's drive-through. In between eggs and protein shakes (both of which I enjoy), I should be able to make this happen. I just got two blender bottles so that on my super busy mornings, all I have to do is through it all in a bottle and go. Not a part of the challenge, but as part of my respawn is also doing 50 squats a day during the month of January and 1 minute of planking a day during February. So far I've been about 50/50 with this, but the only days I've missed have also been gym days, so I'm not beating myself up about it. There you go! I already accomplished all three of these goals today, so I'm off to a good start and hopefully will keep my momentum up.

Taco Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing Yield: 6 Servings For the Salad: 4 Corn Tortillas 6 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce 1 ½ cups seeded and chopped Cucumber 1 ½ cups seeded and chopped Tomato 1 ½ cups chopped Broccoli Florets One can Black Beans, drained and rinsed One can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed 2 Cups Corn For the Dressing: One can Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed 2 cups Cilantro 1 cup Italian Parsley Leaves ¼ cup Tahini One 4-oz can diced Green Chilies, drained 2 tbsp Soy Sauce 1 tsp Chili Powder ¼ tsp crushed Red Pepper Flakes 1-2 cloves Garlic, peeled and minced (optional) Zest and juice of 2 Limes To Make the Salad: Cut the corn tortillas into thin slices. Place the slices on a small baking sheet and toast in a toaster oven for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy. Place the lettuce in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Add the cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, black beans, pinto beans, and corn. Set aside. To Make the Dressing: In a blender, combine the cannellini beans, cilantro, parsley, tahini, green chilies, soy sauce, chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, lime zest and juice and 1 cup of water. Blend on high until smooth. To Serve: Place the tortilla strips over the salad in the bowl and, if serving immediately, pour the dressing on top. Alternatively, if the entire salad will not be eaten at once, keep the dressing on the side to prevent the vegetables from wilting. You will have leftover dressing; store it in an airtight container for 4-6 days in the refrigerator and use it on another salad or as a dip for vegetables.

I just made this! Yum time! I'm not a measurer of things when it comes to cooking unless it's absolutely needed. So, the above is bacon (5 or slices...it came out of the pack weird) with chopped up sun-dried tomatoes (4) thrown in for the last 2 or so minutes. Then I put it in a food processor until it came out bacon-bity. I'm going to serve it on a salad with blackened chicken and a dressing I make of guacamole, olive oil, and whatever general seasoning is in the cabinet. N' mushies and tomatoes! If I hadn't eaten all the eggs this morning, I would throw a boiled one in, too.

Last challenge was a bust. *short story* -minor nagging shoulder injury -persistent foot injury -extreme dislike of job -fruitless job hunting They all piled up in synergistic fashion and made for some record lows I don't want life to keep me from enjoying life or from keeping me away from this place so I'll be doing what I can to make sure that to keep my head above water. Which brings me to my main quest : Don't drown in the sea of life Mission #1 : Check in to NF frequently Daily posts (6 days per week = A, 2 per week = F) Mission #2 : Eat salad Eat 4 big salads per week (4=A, 0=F) Mission #3 : Move at least a little Any movement that increases my heart rate at least a little(7=A, 3=F) Mission #4 : Move forward Study something future job related daily (6=A, 2=F) other goals... -create an account to apply for state jobs -make/go to college counselling appointment -go to doctors appointment on the 14th -install Microsoft Office onto my laptop -make a UHF antenna

Bison Steak! This was my first time trying bison steak. I must say, I prefer beef (but I do like bison burgers). I use Keg Steak Seasoning but salt & garlic would also be good. The sauce is not Paleo, unfortunately... It's 1 part olive oil, 1 part ketchup, and 1 part soya sauce. Mix and marinate! I always cook my steaks on cast iron. I heat it up first then put my marinated steak on when it's sizzling. For a thin one like this, 4 mins per side (5 for a thicker steak). That gets you medium/ medium-rare. I ate this bad boy with a gigantic salad (lettuce, 3 kinds of bell peppers, carrots, celery) My giant salads: Couldn't actually eat this. My neighbour and my cats helped... Add shrimp, white cheddar & strawberries to your salad! Drizzle with balsamic. Mmmmmm This is when I was complaining that I "didn't have any food in the house".... Came up with this:

So I had never heard of a massaged salad, but after trying this, I'm a new fan. I've always read about how healthy kale is but it just tastes so Blech! This changed my mind. Also A Veggie Venture ROCKS! http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/2013/02/kale-salad-to-go-with-avocado-apple.html Ingredients: Kale Avocado lemon juice salt apples nuts You just tear up the kale throw the salt and lemon and avocado in and squish it around (massage it) - the avocado becomes the "dressing". It feels a little gross, but it makes ALL the kale have flavor on it. I could eat this every day. Also go check out ALL of their recipes! http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/