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But rises again harder and stronger. This is my first GOT themed challenge! I'm at a low point of my life. I just got fired, which means I have to go back to the job I recently quit (if they'll take me back). Also, I'm running out of ways to deal with my anxiety, going out with someone new (which increases such anxiety) and with a lot of things in the air. I'll be focusing on respawning, and rising harder and stronger than ever. Goal 1: Rising Harder and Stronger I recently made an investment in myself. I signed up for a new gym, an expensive one, but near my house and with everything I need to get stronger. My goal here is simply to go there at least 3 times a week and get stronger. I was tempted to change again to the warriors but that would clash with another of my goals. Goal 2: Trust the Maesters' Advice. I'm running out of tools to deal with.... everything. So my second goal is to seek professional help. That means therapy and nutritional help. Since this sounds very simple, I guess it'd evolve over time: attending therapy sessions, following the nutritionist advice and sticking to a meal plan. Goal 3: I demand Trial by combat. I've been neglecting my training lately. What are our guild words? We are Monks. We're not lifters, we're not runners. We do not plow the fields or toil in the mines. We fight for what is ours. My goal is simple: Do not skip any training session. Goal 4: You're the Lord Commander of The Night's Watch... So, Command. I've been neglecting the guild for a long time. My goal is to be here, stay here, lead from the front and provide a mini-quest for the guild each week. (Brace yourselves) I can't promise I'll be every day in every thread (that's for The Three-Eyed Raven @Kishi) but I'll be focusing on embracing my leadership qualities and lead with confidence and example and stay here and fight with my brothers.

THEN: Ok, so I (barely) finished last challenge. Last time I wasn't sure if I was going to finish it at all. This time, I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with the Monks for the whole duration of the challenge. I have a few things to consider, but I might spend some times with the Warriors... I still have a week to decide, I guess. NOW: Ok, so awkward introductory biography first....just in case you're a Warrior reading this. My name is Gabriel, my username used to be Spauracchio, and I'm the fastest man ali... no, wait, that's not it. I joined NF in 2011 but since the creation of guilds, I've hanged around exclusively with the Monks, being their first Guild Leader. Now, in order to accomplish my goals, I must become someone else. I must become something else. I am Supergirl... The Shogun. I'm beginning an adventure around every guild in NF. For a long time I've been curious about weight lifting and learning the ways of the warriors, and I believe it's the fastest way to accomplish my goals. Also, due to some circumstances, I can't "perform" as a Monk. It's a not a big deal, it happens to all of us at least once, right? Well, not to you, obviously, most of you are Warriors... but then, again. I'm using the opportunity to explore other guilds. Also, I live in Venezuela, my own Gotham, Night Vale, Lian Yu; a country immersed in a great political conflict and essentially a dictatorship regime that practically turns my life into a video game in Titan Mode. I try not to talk about it, but it might come up once or twice in my updates. So, before the depressive train wreck beings, let's go to my goals, shall we? Also, it's my first time as a warrior, so be gentle. I'd appreciate any help, guidance and advice in the ways of the warriors. Fitness Goal: Get Started on Weight Training Join a gym (I'm the smart guy to start weight lifting and joins a gym when the trend in NF is bodyweight training, but I've been doing that for a long time but I need more structure and discipline and putting my money on the line, I've learned I get more results that way) making sure they have a free weights area. Starting Strength: I'm starting my warriors education with "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe, I found this 4 week guide that seems great and that's the point, basing my workouts on weight lifting instead of bodyweight workouts. BACKUP PLAN: If money, country, or any other reason gets in the way, I can always visit The Hyperbolic Time Chamber, that's the name I used to this Functional Training Class they offer at my job on Monday, Wednesdays and Friday. It's free and it's very easy for me to attend there, but again, it's mostly bodyweight stuff. NO EXCUSES PLAN: Seriously, if I can't either go to the gym or train at the THTC... I'll make my goal to workout at home, no excuses, even if it's the old habit of body weight stuff, that's worse than no training. Diet Goal: Get ideally two, at least one daily paleo meal. My main goal in NF has mostly being weight loss. I usually eat twice a day. I do IF (16-8) and so far, my body's gotten used to it and it doesn't bother me so much I can do practically every day. I've been eating clean once a day but I can't always get to do it as much as I'd like *ahem* third-world problems * ahem*. So I'm going for two paleo meals a day, but If I get to eat only one... I'll consider it a victory and go easy on myself. Diet Goal: Get comfortable with an arsenal of recipes. One of the things I admire from the warriors, is that they seem the most diligent nerds (they are the nerds' nerds) with their mealpreps. I've got a bunch of paleo recipe books in my kindle and I want to get comfortable cooking them. I'm also going to put my alchemist hat and start converting Venezuelan dishes that are not particularly good (unless you're in a bulk cycle) for losing weight. So expect lots of exotic dishes being turned into healthier alternatives. Hopefully, I won't be doing many sex-with-your-pants-on things. Life Goal: Get Warrior Smart Okay, I recently got a couple of gigs as Web Content Writer with non-Venezuela based company. I'm basically writing my way out of a post-apocalyptic situation. But I'm not a professional writer. I need to set a routine, and make it a habit instead of a way of entertainment. I'm also studying German, but I usually study on Friday's night (NERD) on the eve of my lesson. Aaaand, I'm also focusing on my warriors education, so I'd yell victory if I get to do at least one of these three things every day. Write at least 30mins. Study German Read some Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength So, Warriors, let's see what you got! =D Oh, also, ICYM, I have an obsession with Invader Zim.

I still have NO idea what I'm going to do for this challenge. I just know I want to be part of it. Ok, so is the even of the challenge start and I still have NO idea what I'm going to accomplish for this 4 weeks. I also have NO IDEA if I'm gonna stick to it this time (huge laughter explosion in the background) so I'm just gonna ninja roll with it. GOAL ONE: Figure out other goals. Seriously, dunno. GOAL TWO: Do some workout everyday. Ever since school (my reason for waking up early) began, I started bookending my days again and I included some push-ups in my morning routine. Some days I do them, some days I don't. I've been pretty casual about my workout lately because I'm thinking of joining a gym and betray all of you and run away with The Warriors but considering I live in Gotham/Night Vale I don't know if that's gonna be actionable because of reasons. So I'm taking matters seriously and making a goal to workout every day in some way or another, even if that means doing some push-ups. GOAL THREE: Deliver the fatal blow to sugar. Don't let anyone tell you living in a post-apocalyptic-ish, dystopian third-world nation has no advantages! Putting aside sugar shortages, everything with sugar on it has become increasingly expensive and that helped me reduce my consume of soft drinks, snacks, and sugar itself, except on fruits). I believe it helped me lose one pants size during the summer, (You know you've lost weight when even your second graders tell you about it) but I still have some from time to time. I want to deliver that fatal blow and for the next four weeks I'll consume nothing with sugar on it. GOAL FOUR: Have at least ONE paleo meal a day. Again, something I've been doing already regularly, but on a off. I want to do it seriously and stick to it. GOAL FIVE?: THE BRAIN TRUST MEETINGS. Sad part about living in Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane? Missing your friends outside of it. Almost all of my closest friends either have left the country or they lived abroad already and I've meet them through this guild. But still, some of them offer me advice and keep me accountable on my escape plans. So in a way of keeping myself accountable, I'm choosing one day a week for a particular member of the brain trust. I'll engage that person on that particular day, talk to them, fake genuine interest in their lives and then bother them with my problems or shock them with the latest episode of Venezuelan Horror Story. Good thing is that if you're a member of this guild, you get a sneak peak of that series every day I update this challenge. Bad thing is that if you're a member of this guild AND a member of the brain trust, you get both the sneak peak and the uncensored director's cut. Hey! Turns out I DID have an idea of what to do for this challenge.

Diet Goal 'Knowing is not enough, we must apply'. — Bruce Lee - Be accountable for my nutrition Respect my intermittent fasting schedule (11:30am - 7:30pm)Track what I eat and drink every day and share it publicly. (myfitnesspal account here)Bad Guys: Coffee AddictionSocial Pressure from Peers I eat withPower-Ups: Green TeaOrigami (Origami replaced Smoking on anxiety-dealing ways list).Future Boost: Performing the 'I Told You So' Dance to my Doctor next time I check on her (I told her I'll weigh less instead of just maintaining my weight).New Smaller Clothes Fitness Goal 'Willing is not enough, we must do.' — Bruce Lee - Be accountable for my workouts Never miss two workouts in a row.Track and share your workouts.Bad Guys: Snooze Button (I train at 4AM)Power-Ups: Two Steps from Hell.Future Boost: New Smaller ClothesMr. Incredible Lifestyle (I want to do that nodding thing in front of the mirror). Martial Arts Goal 'Using no way as a way, having no limitation as limitation.' — Bruce Lee - Be accountable for your training Train at least twice a weekTrain at least once a week with someone elseBad Guys: Willpower Suckers (The things when I get home after work)Power-Ups: My Training PartnersMotivational Videos (like this one)Dojo Rivalry (Someone opened up a TKD "school" in my neighborhood, I can't let that happen).Future Boost: Black BeltMy Dojo Life Goals Bookend my Days ‘Take Pride in your Pregame and your Pregame will take care of you throughout the day'. — Brett McKay (Art of Manliness) I've been following these routines on and off the few last weeks. They set the tone of the rest of my day and when I successfully follow them, everything becomes easier. As the quote says, they take care of me. I just want to make sure I do them religiously and not just occasionally. My Morning Routine: · Wake Up Before Sunrise (4AM) · Drink a Big Glass of Cold Water · Perform Vigorous Calisthenics · Take a Cold Shower · Groom · GTFO 'I Have A Plan... Attack.' — Captain America My Evening Routine: · Write a new entry in my journal · Create a Daily Attack Plan · Yoga · Self-Compassion Meditation · Cool Down Shower · Bedtime Story · Lights Off Bad Guys: Willpower SuckersEvery TV Series that I watch.Power-Up My whole routines are a power-up in themselvesFuture Boost: None, I'll just enjoy the ride. Track all expenses and stick to my budget. 'What am I, some sort of wizard?' — Spezzy Bad Guys: The Neverending List of Useless Crap I Want to BuyPower-Up: "Look at how much you've saved!" ReminderFuture Boost: My Christmas List!