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Kiwi's 7th Challenge - Kiwi tris harder aka I really wanted to sit this challenge out but knew things would go downhill If I did. I have just spent many weeks on the road and in the air and yesterday finally arrived at my new home in Mexico. I totally fell off the edge of my last challenge so am going to try to pick up things again and get back on track. Long story short I spend a week in bed depressed and have gained heaps of weight. But Im out of that now and am pleased to be finally at my new home. I have rediscovered my love for triathlon after my brief dabble last challenge, thus my new main goal is: Main Goal Compete a sprint distance triathlon (this is probably a long way off more to do with traveling and actually finding a race) And yes that is compete not complete, lets face it Im pretty competitive and miss the racing side of things. Goals - will add points and details in soon. 1) Swim bike run each once a week. 2) Join a gym (hello aircon!) and do 2 gym or body weight exercises a week 3) Diet related goal* - I am thinking about including a 1x week IF (maybe 20 hours/one meal) and I was playing around with this last challenge and quite liked it. Life Goal Be a tourist once a week - Although Im swamped with report writing at the moment, I need to take time out and explore my new home. This means visiting a new place, climbing a mountain, general adventuring, sailing the boat, etc. My adventures here should have some kind of healthy aspect related to them eg walking, climbing etc and not margaritas or tacos*. Other info: So it is CRAZY hot here, and is around 40 degrees during the day and last night we got down to a low of 35 C. So exercising in this is going to be challenging! Im not a fan of sugary electrolyte drinks but perhaps I will need to think about things like that now. Also I guess Im going to have to be up with the sun and exercise as early as possible before it heats up. Also I might be going to Northern Idaho for work with very little notice. But I will deal with that when it happens. * Margaritas and Tacos - my nemesis Corn and sugar. Seriously If Im going to budge the weight I gained last month I am going to have to sort my diet out. I will probably add in a diet related goal here too.

Hello Scouts So I've been on my own little journey since about January 2012. If you've read any of previous challenges, you'll know my story. The short version is I've dropped about 65lbs in the last 18 months. I have a demanding job that takes me away from home every day. I work 8 hour days, but spend at least 5 hours a day on public transport. My schedule is variable, and changes on a week by week basis. So I can't have a stable 'work out' routine... hell, I can't even have a stable routine, period. I can't attend gyms. I can't really attend classes. Everything I do have to be in my own time. Else I can't / won't stick to it. That said, I'm not lazy. As a by-product of my last challenge, I ended walking 181 miles over the course of 6 weeks. I'd say that's pretty damn spiffy. Main Quest: By summer next year, I'd like to be a dress size 12 (currently UK size 16), 200lbs, and preparing for my first triathlon. This first challenge with the scouts is about starting to build endurance in the three disciplines - in some cases, from nothing. I want this to be about building the behaviours and endurance that sees me getting all three activities in per week. I'm not too worried about speed or distance. This is all about increasing the length of time I can do all activities. Trouble is... I'm not sure if - given my schedule - I'll be able to train enough in time for June. So this is me, trying. Putting in the hours and genuinely trying to see if I can find time in my day to work out enough to be in a good enough place to do the tri next year. My running is my most advanced skill - that said I'm still only half way through the couch-to-5k. I don't have a bike. And I haven't ever swam. So this is my challenge. My challenge to take my endurance in some of these disciplines from - in some cases - 0 to... something. To do this, I will... #1: Run! Pretty simple. This goal is around making sure I get back into the habit of going on 2 x 40 minute runs. Ideally, I'd like to continue on with my c25k - currently on week 3. I'd like to be comfortably get to week 7. I've never progressed beyond week 4, and given my current fitness level, I don't want to 'move on' if I'm already struggling - which realistically - will happen. During my first challenge I tried to get to the end of the c25k; I got stuck on week 4. Because I knew I had to "move on", but physically couldn't, I gave up. Determined to be more realistic. A: 2 - 3 runs a week, and achieving week 7 on c25k. B: 2 - 3 runs per week. F: <2 runs a week. STA - 3, CON - 2 #2: Swim! I have 0 endurance at swimming currently. I haven't been for years. A: 1 x 30 minute swimming session per week with >5 lengths done on each session. B: 1 x 30 minute swimming sessions per week with <5 lengths done on each session. F: <1 swimming session per week. CON - 2 #3: Cycle! Gotta buy me a bike first! I have 0 endurance on this too. I haven't owned a bike for about 8 years. A: 1 x 30 minute cycling session per week with >2 laps of the park (total of around 5 miles) done each session. B: 1 x 30 minute cycling session per week with <2 laps of the park. F: <1 cycling session per week. STA - 1 , CON - 2 Side QuestsStudy! I'm (supposed to be) studying so much. I'm studying to be a Yoga Teacher. I'm studying to be a life coach. I'm studying to be a dietician. All via home-study. And... I haven't touched the books for at least 6 months. I have all this money invested in my development, and I've not done anything with it. A: 2 hours studying per week. F: <2 hours studying per week. WIS - 3, DEX - 2. Walk! I'd like to try and beat my 181 miles from the last challenge in 6 weeks. With increased running, still traveling for work, lack of a car ... I'd like to approach the 200 miles within 6 weeks. That'd be pretty sweet. 181 miles beaten: Treat myself to some kind of MP3 / iPod device. Currently, all my 'on the go' / running / walking music is stored on my phone. Which holds about ... 30 songs, and absolutely exhausts my battery. If I beat this challenge, I'm going to treat myself to a new music playing device. Motivation I'm doing this because I push myself mentally, and emotionally daily. I enjoy seeing how much my body can do. I'm also due to be "walking down the aisle" in 2015, and I'd love to be in the best physical shape of my life. I'd like to buy clothes off the peg. I'd like to feel normal in my own skin. I also don't want to come last when I do my triathlon. I have no ambition of coming in first... but I'd like to not come in last. That's it for me. As long as I'm not the one in the last position, I'll be happy. #Starting Stats# Height: 5"7' Weight: 237lbs (January 2012 = 302lbs) (total loss = 65lbs) Bust: 44" (January 2012 = 57") (total loss = 13') Waist: 36.75" (January 2012 = 56") (total loss = 19.25') Hips:46.25" (January 2012 = 59") (total loss = 12.75') Let's do this.

This is my 8th Challenge, I have gone a long way on my journey to the best version of myself, and have achieve things I thought would take a whole lot longer, but still, there is work to do, kilometers to be swam, ridden and ran, to get to my long term (fitness) goal: IRONMAN Texas 2015 (3900m swim, 180k bike 42k run), that's a huge goal and I know I have a lot to do. Currently I have swam 3700m in one session (pool), ridden 50km and ran 7k, so there is room for improvement. Last challenge I intended to improve on all three, and as much as my swim got longer (and better), my run/bike suffered a bit, and as much as I think it was great progress, I need to improve on all three sports to be an Ironman, so here it goes: Main Goal Ironman Texas 2015 Challenge Goals: 1. Just keep swimming: I've successfully joined the "master's team" (read old fart swimmers), and plan to keep on training with them, at LEAST three times a week, to maintain current swimming level. 2. Back to the road: Resume my running, run at LEAST two times a week, to be able, at the end of the challenge to comfortably run 10k on a regular basis. 3. Hey! There is a bike somewhere as well!: get back on the bike, no specific goal, just avoid neglecting it, so ride at LEAST four times diring the 6 week challenge (focus on the bike for the next challenge). Life Goal: 4. Biking with the little monkeys: Both of my kids know how to ride a bike, but barely, so motivate (and maybe push) them to actually use their bikes, specially little monkey #2. Bonus: 1. I will get a free month membership at a local gym (October), so give it a try, maybe some classes and stuff, or at least lift some heavy useless things, just for the sake of it. 2. Run a sprint triathlon in Manzanillo, September 22nd, already signed up, goal is to improve my previous time (1:52, in Puerto Vallarta). 3. Some sort of additional training, maybe hiking.

Hi Scouts! I'm baaaack! Challenge #3 for me, and I learn a little bit more about myself each time around. So I continue to grow as a person and athlete, and modify my goals accordingly. Yay! MAIN QUEST: Break 42mins in a 10k run, at the end of an Olympic distance triathlon in 2014.You want specific? How's that for specific! I learned from the last challenge that I get overly ambitious and unrealistic about the time I have available to train, and the timelines I give myself to reach my goals. So a half ironman triathlon isn't feasible (especially not in the 10 weeks I gave myself last challenge), whereas I could train enough to kick ass at the Olympic distance (0.9mi swim, 25mi bike, 10k run). This requires getting more speed in, as I was focused more on ironman distance in years past, so I can go long and slow, but now I want to go short and fast! I'm extremely motivated by time goals, and right now can't even run 42mins in an open 10km (I did a 45:15 a couple weekends ago), but I have sub-42 as my goal for the next 12+ months, that'll give me time to work up to that level of fitness. I signed up for a modified Olympic distance tri in 3 weeks (challenge mid-point) and then there's the Army 10-miler 5 weeks into the challenge. I have a whole long-term plan to reach this main quest, which will keep me from being impatient and try to rush into things. Goals: 1. MORE SLEEP! 7 hours minimum per day, even if that means taking naps.Since the first challenge, I've hardly ever gotten enough sleep, what with trying to be a supportive girlfriend to Mr. Mulan's stupid evening shift schedule. So even if he doesn't come home until 11:15pm-ish, I'm going to try to get a collective 7hrs of sleep, so I'll try taking some naps if I know I won't be getting enough sleep overnight. 2. Swim 2x, bike 3x, run 3x per week for the first 3 weeks. Run 5x/ week the second 3 weeks.The first half of the challenge will focus on triathlon training for my upcoming tri. I've got a schedule drawn out, but it basically is 2 swims, 3 bikes, 3 runs per week, so I'll do my best to hit all those sessions. In the second half, I've got the Army 10-miler, so I'll swap out one of the swims and one of the bikes for 2 more run workouts. In the triathlon "off season" I plan to focus more on running 5k's and 10k's so this is basically the transition point in the year from triathlon focus to running focus. 3. Continuing eating gluten-free/dairy-free (mostly paleo) with 5 "hall passes" per week.I'm not perfect and when I try to be, I end up getting stressed out and binging on stupid stuff. The Whole30 was too strict for me, so I came up with a more reasonable eating template, which is primarily gluten-free/dairy-free (mostly paleo). But I know I'll still want to have a beer/cocktail or some ice cream every now and then, so I'm allowing myself up to 5 "hall passes" per week. LIFE SIDE QUEST: Blog once/week on my new personal finance blog.I paid off my credit cards 2 weeks ago, HOORAY! So my next huge gigantic goal is to pay off my $95k in student loans. YOWCH. I started a new personal finance blog a couple weeks ago and plan to blog at least once a week to keep me accountable and motivated. Here it is for your viewing pleasure: The Great Bacon Payoff. Good luck everybody and thanks for reading!

My best effort (so far) to try and comply with the new rules of the rebellion: DA RULES Main Quest. Ironman Texas 2015 triathlon, that's 2.4 miles swimming, 112 mile bike and 26.2 miles running, all done someday in May, 2015, in under 17 hours. Specific (6 week goals) For the duration of this challenge I will: 1. Complete Xterra triathlon Tapalpa in under 2:30hrs, (MTB/trail sprint distance), august 4th. 2. Keep on training, increase my mileage to 15k continuous run, 60km bike, and swim 2000m in under 50 minutes. 3. Complete AT LEAST three brick workouts (either bike-run or swim-rum). Side Quest Get my tax situation fixed, I've been off the grid for a while and now my new job is, well, serious, I need to do a lot of things to get that done, but I should be able to issue receipts by the end of the challenge. Motivation Be the best version of myself I can be, to set up an example for the little monkeys, and to feel happier overall. Thread err, done? Team Not really a functional team, but "team quite good" is still as working just as good as it has ever been! Starting Stats: german, level 6 monkey scout Weight: 87 kg Longest run: 7.5k Fastest run: 5k in 30ish minutes Longest bike: 50k (road) 40k (MTB) Longest swim: 2000m, in 52 minutes Disclaimer: As opposed to 18ck, I am not ready yet to settle down a proper, structured set of goals, so please consider this a rough draft while I give it a little more thought.

Balancing Nutrition and Workouts Last challenge, I did a Whole 30 and tried to exercise 6 days a week. I lost weight and got through my workouts, but I honestly feel like there wasn’t a good balance between exercise and nutrition. I had a really bad race where I did a Aquathlon (1 mile swim/3 mile run). My workouts felt like they lacked an “edge.†My swims got slower, my runs stayed slow. I did a 6 mile running race this morning, and my pace was over a minute per mile slower than my 10K P.R. It was also even slower than a 10K I did in February, where I pushed a stroller. I was happy with the race nonetheless, because I ran the whole thing and finished with a smile and lots of energy. It wasn’t a disaster like the Aquathlon, where I had heart palpitations. I had lots of happy thoughts throughout the 6 mile race today. Still, I think it would be fun and interesting if I could train and: 1) Have lots of energy, 2) Eat a healthy diet, where I feel in control and 3) get faster. At this very moment, I’m having trouble deciding on a race. I’m not sure if I want to focus on running (10K or half marathon) or do an Olympic distance triathlon. But the challenge is starting tomorrow, so I am posting it and will start working towards the goal of balancing nutrition and exercise. So here are details on my plan for getting there. 1) Have lots of energy. I’m going to log how I feel, so that I can relate it my eating and training. I’ll put how I feel down, and say at what point in the day I ran out of energy if I do. I was trying to figure out how to grade myself fairly, but sometimes how I feel is out of my hands and I feel like at this point the best I can do is gather information by which I may set other goals in the future. 2) Eat a healthy diet, where I feel in control. I will be basing this on a Paleo diet, pulling from different ideas I’ve read from others and what I feel like will work for me. Here are the rules: · No refined sugars or concentrated sweeteners, other than a teaspoons of raw honey a day. · No dairy, other than whey protein. · No grains, except rice. Rice will be limited to the day before doing a speed workout and a small amount or rice flour in a post workout smoothie. · Exceptions will be made on my husband’s birthday, my own birthday, and the week where I am taking a camping trip with my family. Afterwards, I will get right back on the wagon. · Will drink a recovery smoothie after workouts an hour or longer. Will drink one as I feel the need for shorter workouts. · Will attempt to place a greater emphasis on starch than fat. 3) Get faster. Once a week I’ll do a little bit of speed training for running. Swimming and cycling will be focused on low heart rate work. Life Goal: I am embarrassingly bad at keeping up on current events. I’ll listen to podcasts while I do my evening chores. Side Goal: Keep working towards that pull-up I had as a goal for my first challenge. Here is a link to a spreadsheet where I’ll track my goals: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqM3GxxHrk9SdEJyN1pDVmhFdFkyNU10YmtZLWtMa1E#gid=4

Hi Scouts! It's time to get down to business...to defeat the Huns! Last challenge got me back into pretty consistent triathlon training and better eating habits. I learned so much and have applied what I learned to my goals this time around. Thanks again for all your support! I <3 this forum!! MAIN QUEST: Race a half ironman in 10 weeks. And by race, I mean go as fast as I possibly can and see how close I can get to breaking 5 hours. I've broken 5 two times, but it was over 4 years ago and I haven't raced that distance since then. I'd like to get back to feeling fit and fast while working a more demanding job and work schedule. Goals: 1. Training volume of swim/bike/run (+ strength) 10 hours minimum per week. 10 weeks of 10+ hours of training should get me back to a higher level of fitness. I plan to bump it up to 12hrs as the race gets closer, and I feel 10-12 hrs is a reasonable time commitment with everything else going on in my life. (Got the consistency going during the last challenge, but volume was only 7 to 9 hrs, with one really paltry 4.5hr week.) I'm also incorporating two pull-up/push-up/plank routines per week into my training program, unlike last challenge when I procrastinated until the end of each weekend and failed on that goal. I've gotten my long bike up to 50-60 miles consistently and my long runs at 1.5hrs. I haven't swam more than once a week though and want to hit the pool 2x/week minimum this time. 2. Complete my first Whole30 (possible extension to Whole45) and focus on becoming a lean machine, rather than losing weight. I've focused on my weight for way too long. I lost about 3 lbs during the last challenge, but gained it all back in the week after from lots of ice cream. I have some disordered eating habits (including binging behavior) from my sordid athletic past, and want to slay those dragons. So I don't want to get too obsessive about calories or how much I weigh and will not be logging my food at all, just making good choices every day. The Whole30 rules can be found here, but I will be making some modifications to support my longer training efforts--like allowing white potatoes. I won't be a total Nazi about "unapproved" oils but I will be eliminating nuts and nut butter as those are too easy to binge on. I do want to focus on getting faster and stronger, and know if I get leaner it will help--increasing the power-to-strength ratio and all that. So I did weigh myself before starting the Whole30 (I got a headstart on Thursday, 7/25 as eating crappy post-challenge really bothered me) but also took a bunch of measurements. I'm going to focus on shrinking down the measurements and making sure I eat enough to support the amount of training I do. 3. Prepare each night for the next workday. I learned from the last challenge that preparation is KEY! This will include packing lunches (and possibly brekkie if swimming right before work), packing work clothes (I bike commute every day now) and/or swim gear, and prepping training gear for post-work workouts. This will give me NO EXCUSES for missing workouts, eating badly, or being late for work! LIFE SIDE QUEST: Organize the apartment!!! I moved into my studio back in early January, and then Mr. Mulan followed suit and moved in 4 months later. We always seem either really busy and out of town, or really lazy when we stay in town, and we've just got random sh*t everywhere that needs to be organized. Especially for two people in a 600 sq ft studio apartment. I want to donate stuff, re-organize, consolidate, sell some things, etc. oh god, there's even boxes that haven't been unpacked yet. Less chaos and less stress!

Well, here I am back for challenge number 6. I want to write a super cool one but I am in a hurry right now, and I am going camping with the kids this weekend, so I will come back and fix it. I have decided to run Ironman Texas in 2015, so I am almost two years away, but most of my training and goals will be somehow directed to this major goal. At the moment I have run two sprint triathlons, (and a super sprint), so there is a long way to go. Also, the camping this weekend is with my triathlon coach (we call him Yoda), so I may or may not change my goals depending on his opinion and plans for me. Goals 1. Train. make a training plan and follow it, I need to start increasing my mileage, add some intensity / speed work, and in general train more. (+2STA +1CON) 2. Lift. For real, this time, I have been avoiding strength training almost since challenge #1, and now it's REALLY important to change that. Plan to follow. (+5 STR) 3. Push Limits. So far, I've run 7.5k at most, and my longest race has been a 5k, or 5ks at triathlon, but Ironman is 42km, so, the bar must be raised ASAP, during this challenge I shall run 10k, preferably an organized race, and in less than 90 minutes. (+3STA +1DEX) 4. Life. I have to promote the firm I am currently an Associate of, so I must reorganize the dossier, and contact a lot of prospects, goal is to dedicate at least 4 hours a week, for the 6 weeks. (+4WIS) Starting Numbers: STR 12 DEX 3 STA 20 CON 13.8 WIS 15.6 CHA 7.8 Weight: 87k Edit: Added points and starting numbers.

Hi nerds! This is my first post, and first challenge. I've lurked around for a while and finally signed up! I think having this community is the push I need to get back into fighting shape. I used to race Ironman triathlons quite seriously, took a break from it a couple years ago, and then started a new job in a new city this past January. I was burnt out after 10+ years of triathlons and haven't swam or ridden my tri bike in 7 months *gasp* but am starting to feel the spark come back. There's a local half ironman in October that I've been checking out, but I don't want to sign up until I actually start training again, because I'm a competitive beast and want to actually do well if when I do it. SO...without further ado, here are my first challenge goals! Diet & Fitness Goals: 1. Wake up at 5am on weekday mornings (5x/week) to swim, bike, or run before work (starts at 7:30am). 1. Swim, bike, or run each day during the week, whether before or after work! (edited 6/11/2013 due to boyfriend's work schedule) Just focusing on getting back into a routine and into the habit of getting up early, and getting it done!currently I'm sleeping in until almost 6am and have been running about 3-4 days/week after work (zero swimming and once a week bike commuting on a hybrid bike). Motivation to train after work is tough after standing on my feet most of the day and it's getting hotter here too, so I'd love to be able to call it a day when the workday is over and enjoy my evenings.Grade scale: A = 27-30 mornings. B to F = 26 or less. (That's half joking--I'm Asian and we all know that even an A- is an Asian F!)2. Do pull-ups, push-ups, and planks 2x/week. My upper body strength is pretty weak sauce, and I use a band to do assisted pull-ups, but my someday goal is to do 5 pull-ups unassisted.currently I haven't done this strength set in...er...2 months Grade scale: A = 10-12 days. B to F = 9 or less!3. Eat paleo on weekdays, and gluten-free (if not paleo) on the weekends. Everyone's got their own version of paleo, I know when I'm sticking with mine. Pretty much grain-free and dairy-free, more potatoes than strict paleo-ists, and sometimes popcorn and coconut ice cream. currently I am pretty good during the week with the occasional office pastries, but weekends with my non-Paleo friends and boyfriend have involved pancakes and pizza and chicken tenders--and wheat really brings back the eczema on my ear, it itches to the point of hurting and looks scaly and gross! I also miss the feeling of eating very clean!Grading scale...TBD. Grading how I eat is tough--I don't want to count calories as I have had disordered eating habits in the past and have gotten way too obsessive about food choices. Level Up Your Life Goal! 1. Meet new people: Do something social with a person outside of work (and not the boyfriend) once a week. One of the hardest things about moving into a new city is creating a new social circle! I really need to find people to hang out with outside of my coworkers and boyfriend, and will try connecting with new people in my apartment building, local running groups or Meetups. Or in the NF community!This social thing can include a double date with the boyfriend, but we both definitely need to make new friends. Bonus goals: sleep 7 hours/night (tougher with the earlier wake-up)have date night 2x/week (very important to have this work/life/exercise balance!)lose 5 lbs. and start moving back towards "race weight" by October! (currently 148.0, race weight is about 138) All right, Scouts. Let's do this! Can't wait to have this community accountability!

A chef walks into a Dojong.... Sounds like the beginning of a joke. I have been slowly getting back into taekwondo in the midst of being a husband, father, chef and recently changing jobs. I have been working on getting back in shape for the past two years and have made great progress thanks to the rebellion and some of my other friends and family. Now I can get back into the dojang in earnest. I will continue the tradition of the elements for my challenge. EARTH: I will journey to the center of the earth and focus on my core. I have loved the results of the BWWs that I have been doing and will continue doing them. This particular one that I have come up with will be hardCORE. I have a vanity goal to have a 6pack abdomen by September when I turn 43. the circuits for this will be 1.wide grip pull ups 3reps X2 side lunge 10 each leg X2 2.exploding pushups from the batman work out 1 rep is plyo diamond, offset right hand high, offset left hand high, wide (4 plyopushups) 3repsX2 hip raise snapkick 10 ea legX2 3. side planks 30 sec ea side X2 superman 30 sec X2 4. Russian twist with 10# dumbbell as many as I can currently 18 ea side hanging leg lifts as many as I can currently 6 As with the last time I will increase reps and sets but not in any particular fashion. 3X a week +2 STR +2 CHA FIRE: It had been a while since I fully suited up for sparring and I forgot how hot you get in all that gear. But I have totally rekindled that burning desire I have to get my 4th degree black belt. So with that in mind Enter the Dojang 3X week with at least 1 sparring session +3 DEX +2 STA WATER: I plan on doing a triathlon on July 7th and therefore will continue the HIIT training I did in the last challenge but since my boys love the pool so much I am going to try to hit that 2X a week and combine the bike and run intervals for HIIT 3X week +2 CON +2 STA WIND: This goal I am going to be the wind in the sails of others and focus on my employees at work. Though I am a chef it is no longer the food that I am directly in control of but the cooks that realize the vision I have. This has been a big change for me but it is the normal progression of becoming an executive chef and along the lines of my motto to copy the masters and so I am deepening the connections I have with some of the great chefs that have molded me and passing that on to my cooks. This one will be a bit free form but I want to focus on developing my staffs knife skills, motivation, pride in their work/profession and leadership. +1 WIS +1 CHA

My first 6-Week Challenge!! WOO!!1! Let's get right into the weeds. Triathlon Training 6/Week – 4 STA, 1 DEX I have laid out a triathlon training plan for the next few months before the On On Tri on Hilton Head in October. I've already done a Sprint Tri with no training (DO NOT RECOMMEND), so I want/need to be ready for this one so I'm actually competitive. This involves running, biking, and/or swimming once or twice a day depending on the schedule. It may or may not have been shamelessly stolen from beginnertriathlete.com >.< http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=46 https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=a48bcm4eoiklm1f8tpcrbakvi0%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York Now, there is a time management challenge hidden in there as well. There's plenty of time to get the run and bike in during my lunch break, just gotta pull my head outta my butt and do it. On top of that, my only window for the swimming is during lunch, so I absolutely need to make it there on swim days. The training happens 6 days a week, so I'll hafta get my butt up and out the house on Sundays, oh boy... Weight Training 3/Week – 4 STR This one is SMART, but vague... Strength training is Greek to me, and I'm still doing research, so the goal here is simply me going to gym 3/week for at least 30 minutes each time. The exact plan will be made over the course of the challenge, but I need to get there and pick things up and put them down. Free weights only, no machines. Simple (to say atleast >.<) Eat Paleo 5/7 Days a Week – 4 CON Weekend splurges. That's it. I've been doing pretty good right now transitioning with that standard, now I want to be completely committed to 5/7. This is with limited dairy and liquor being ok during the week (Think a yogurt/smoothie, and a glass or two of scotch/whiskey/wine a day) Also, financially I cannot afford grass-fed-free-range-smog-free everything, but I can still do meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Mmmm, sweet potatoes. Dine Out 1/Week – 2 WIS I'm allowed to pay for food prepared for me once a week. Period. I work at a bar on the weekend, and I can usually get some free food there, so I will not count that (Don't worry, fancier bar, sweet potato fries, mmmmm, sweet potatoes). The goal here is to cut down the financial burden of eating out. I'm losing out on saving up for some of my life goals because of my eating out habit, which would be fine except for that whole father-of-a-1-year-old thing. I want to be an example of sensible spending and health for my daughter. And I want a race car one day dammit. So, final stat increase will be: 4 STR, 1 DEX, 4 STA, 4 CON, 2 WIS, 0 CHA = 15 Points! I also want to take the time to make my house what I want it to be. Which means organized and decorated. Cleaning up my garage and office will be my free time endeavors. Lucky Me! I have a broken 87 Mazda RX-7 that has been sitting in my garage so long that it's turned into a shelf. Bad car geek. I would like to have an environment where I can comfortably attack fixing the old riceburner so I can get it back on the track. This will not be one of my challenge goals, but it is something I would like to have started before the next 6-weeker. Measurements and pics to come. Semper Fidelis

Sometimes the Monk has to leave the monastery for a while but he never stops being a monk or planning for his return. Sometimes I feel like atlas holding the whole weight of the world but when I consider its separate elements the burden becomes lighter. The world is made of earth, fire, water and and wind. I will bear the burden of it by breaking it down into manageable pieces. What is the smallest piece of earth but a grain of sand? From a grain of sand i will get the pearl of great strength. Each week I will add one rep to each of my sets of body weight training. +3 STR +2 CHA I will feel the burn of fire. HIIT 1X a week for each: running, swimming and biking. +3 STA +2 CON I will flow like water through a stretching routine, my forms, and my breaking routine 2X a week +3 DEX The wind cries Mary and I will cry with it by reading through the psalms and writing a psalm of my own each week. +2 WIS This challenge doesn't emphasize my TKD that much but it does support it's growth. In October I took a job that really derailed my work outs and diet. Well I tried an an experiment with my eating and it confirmed somethings. One of them was that wheat and sugar really are poison. I had been eating about 80% paleo and training for a half marathon last summer. When I started eating without thought of health my reflux came back as well as afternoon lethargy. Last week I finished a 21 day sugar detox and out went the reflux and my energy has returned and it confirmed for me what I always preached but did not always practice that diet is soooooooooooooo very important. This challenge is priming me to knock two goals off off my epic quest this year. Compete in a triathlon (July) and get my fourth dan (October). Since the triathlon comes first it is getting the focus on this challenge.

Hi Everyone. A good friend referred me to NerdFitness and I'm stoked to be here. Here's my story. Two years ago I competed in my first triathlon and performed pretty well. I trained a lot, ate well, and loved the lifestyle. Since then, I got laid off and moved in with my parents. The stress of it all hit hard, and I ate whatever my folks served up (I love 'em, but home-cooked meals aren't exactly healthy). I started taking odd-jobs to pay the bills and had no routine at all, so no exercise. I've since put on some weight and can barely run a mile anymore. I'm sluggish, self-conscious, and downright tired of it. The good news is things are turning around. I've got a stable job and I'm moving into my own place next week. I'll set my own schedule, control my meals, and have a cardio center inside my apartment building (not much, but no excuses). What I'm looking for is the support to get started and to keep going. For my NF Character, I'm totally a scout. If it's about endurance, whether on flat land, in the hills, or in the water, I'm in. I'm still working on setting goals (any suggestions are welcome!!!). One outcome I want is to fit into the t-shirt I got from my first triathlon. I prefer bodyweight exercises, but I'm open to learning about weights too. Well, that's it for now. I look forward to becoming part of the community!

Back to goal setting, and again, I have pretty much the same Awesome plan! as challenge four (it is actually a 12 week plan, this is part two), but there is a twist: I'll be racing in TWO organized triathlons during the course of this challenge, so while mileage is not going to be impressive (between taper and recovery), I have a good feeling about this thing! Triathlon ONE: Puerto Vallarta, April 28th, Is a road tri, I'll be doing the Sprint distance (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run), According to my training and calculation (guess?), I should be able to finish in under two hours, and by under I mean a few minutes under!, the elites finish this distance in a little under one hour, so I should be able to do sub-2. Triathlon TWO: Xterra Zapopan, May 26th, Is a "trail" race, I'll do the "sport" distance (same as sprint), although it's MTB/trail run, It's not a very technical one (most of the route is in a golf course), and not too hilly either, but still, I don't think I'll make it in under two hours, the goal here is to finish in under 2:30. So, obviously my main fitness goal is to get ready for the races and, well, race, so I'll not be doing any major changes in my life (from challenge four), but I keep on building momentum and habits! OFFICIAL GOALS: 1. Keep on with my Awesome Triathlon Training plan! it has been slightly modified (I'll be swimming three days a week, rest days move to weekends, for family reasons) (+3STA, +1STR +1DEX +1CON) 2. Complete Puerto Vallarta Sprint triathlon (+1STA, +1STR) in under two hours (+1 CHA) 3. Complete Xterra Zapopan Triathlon (+1STA, +1STR), in under 2:30 (+1 CHA) 4. Stay mostly Paleo, I've gotten pretty good at this, so no points this time, will keep posting for accountability reasons only. 5. Kids need daddy: Spend AT LEAST one half day per week (morning or afternoon) on a kid oriented activity: Public pool, bike ride (recreational), park, board games, whatever, one "kids date" each week. This may be tricky on race weekends, so planning ahead will be crucial. (+2 WIS +1CHA) BONUS GOALS: - Swim 2500m in one session - Bike 50+ nonstop - Run 10k nonstop - Do some yoga/stretching sessions - Start some sort of strength training (urgh!) - Keep on working on my new house, a lot of details are still pending. Starting Stats: STR 9 DEX 3 STA 16 CON 12.8 WIS 14.6 CHA 6.3 Weight: 89k

Hello Everyone! Was seriously considering sitting down and contemplating this first post, making sure my signature and pic and goals and motivations were all ready to go before I introduced myself. Eff that. Time to wing it. First, nerd history. Been a gamer my whole life, my father swore that if he heard the background music from Dragon Warrior on the NES anymore he was going to get rid of it! I dabbled in DnD in High School, and am finally involved in a continuous campaign here. I play(ed) Dance Dance Revolution, WoW, Final Fantasy, and am currently involved in just about any game with a story worth my time. I'm also a homebrewer, with about 10 batches of beer under my belt, and an automotive enthusiast. I've done a few track days, flag at some races, and was able to work at the 24 Hours of Daytona last year. As the title declares, I'm a Marine here in SC. This, of course, put my physical fitness as a somewhat high priority in my life, if not by my own choice. >.< However, for years I've just been rolling with the training done by my fellow Marines and not looking into how to maintain myself. The past few years, however, I've begun getting into 5k's and a few bigger races, with little commitment. The breaking point for me was last year when I signed up and payed for the Savannah 1/2 Marathon, and didn't train or show up for it. I've also been consistently weighing in right at the max weight I'm allowed to weigh in the Marines, which will bite me in the butt if I'm ever over. Time for change and commitment. This year, I've ran a sprint triathlon without training for it, and survived, and now I'm hooked. My current goal is to train for and do more then just survive, possibly hit my goal of top 10%. Meanwhile, as a Marine, I need to focus on muscular strength, endurance, and power, so I can't/won't just focus on race training. My food intake was pretty terrible, so I'm switching to a more paleo mindset, though that's proving to be a difficult transition. So. I've laid out a training plan that begins next week for a sprint triathlon in October, and another go at the Savannah Marathon in November (going for the full 26.2). This begins next week. I will be researching strength exercising that will aid me in all those events, but for now I just make sure I get out and do something. As for food, I'm only filling my tiny fridge with paleo stuff (except beer and condiments), and my non-paleo stuff only happens if I eat out. Also, I promised my wife I would start going to Yoga with her occasionally, so that should be interesting. (Vinyasa, heated Yoga, wee?) This will be on top of whatever PT I do with my Marines throughout the week. Anyway. Looking forward to conversating and being motivated with everyone here. I'm a professional forum lurker, but I'm gunna try to be more involved here since it's, you know, my health in question. Semper Fidelis

Hi all! So I'm in my last week of training before my first triathlon on April 27th. And I'm fucking sick of training, sick of eating right, planning meals, going everywhere with a fucking suitcase of food, scheduling every second of my life, not being able to sleep in on the weekend. Just overall mentally and physically overloaded and it burst this weekend and I ended up sobbing in the shower, explaining to my partner what the heck is going on. Whew. Okay. So this morning, I'm doing my run/swim thing. 30 minutes of intervals and a ~10 min swim. As I'm walking out, the guy at the front desk says, "Were you on the swim team in high school?" "No..." "Oh well, you really glide through the water. I did swim in high school." ... beaming for the rest of the day. Perfect timing dude, thanks for the awesome confidence boost!! Not to mention I was swimming at a pretty leisurely pace but my watch said I was hauling ass!

Hey all, First challenge for me as well! I am very excited to really get involved with the NF community. I am doing this to have more accountability in my life and to help me train for the many races that I have coming up this year. I think the biggest thing I want to do with this challenge is create some positive and consistent routines to get healthy and fit. Starting Place 5'7" 240.5lbs I can run about 4 minutes without stopping. (Not very well and not comfortably but it is possible.) Goals 1. Cut candy out completely I had completely cut all candy out of my diet for a month until easter and then I started bingeing on candy again. So I will be creating the automation again that I do NOT eat candy period. I found this article to be incredibly helpful in the past and so I will stop the bingeing on candy by creating an automation that say thata I do not eat candy. 2. Run 5k without stopping **after reading the first mini challenge I am considering rephrasing this goal. Perhaps running an entire 5k is not entirely acheivable. It would be the ultimate goal but in 6 weeks, maybe its a stretch. So I think instead I will just focus on running 3 days a week.** I have already started a couch to 5k type program (completed week 3) which I will continue for the entire 6 weeks by running at least 3 times a week. I think this should make it possible to run a 5k. 3. Do weight training 3 times a week. I am not sure yet what I want to do for this, I do have a total gym at home which I might use because squats and lunges are very difficult on my knees. 4. Go to bed at 10pm or earlier every weeknight. I am a terrible night owl and unfortunately I tend to get into the habit of staying up later and later. I need to cut this out, so another automation I think. So it is 11:30pm right now and I think I will go to bed since that is one of my goals. But since I just saw this challenge tonight, I think I will give myself a pass. I will be back on tomorrow to edit this though!

So, this is the start of my fourth challenge, I can hardly believe I have come this far, if my math is correct, I am six months into this journey to be the best version of myself I can be, not so long ago, a doctor told me to lose some weight "If you want to meet your grandchildren" (my daughter is 10 now), but it was not until I decided to take responsibility for my own health (and shape) that things began to move. So, here I am six months later, 15kg lighter and with a plan to run (and bike and swim), my first sprint distance triathlon, the "x-terra Las Lomas", an off-road event with 750m of lake swimming, 20km of Mountain bike and 5km of trail running, on May 26th. This challenge covers the first six weeks of my Awesome Training Plan, I was going to name it "quite good", but last time it did not work, Right 18ck?. Anyway this is the plan: Week 1. Super sprint week. I have signed up for a triathlon next week (march 2nd), it's about half the dstance of the one I am training for, so it should work just fine, this week will be tapering/recovery (I have a duathlon on Sunday), distances and frequency below my current schedule. Weeks 2-6. Training weeks, starting with some easy distances, and building progressively from there, I do not aim to win the sprint tri, but I would like to be able to finish comfortably without worrying about cutoff time (2hr.). I will swim two days a week, run/walk tho days, bike one day and rest one day (mondays), the distances laid on the program are approximate, but it's a good way to know which route to run/bike on any given day. Running willl be using C210K (currently on week 12 of 14, but the next week will be ignored in favor of ligher training for my races), once I finish C210k, I'll run by distance according to the plan. So, Goals: 1. Compete on my first, super-sprint triathlon on March 2nd, and finish close to one hour. +1 con +2 cha ( I hear triathletes are quite charismatic, and I could use some of that!) 2. Follow my Awesome Training Plan, deviations such as events are allowed (like running a 10k or something), and those should be equivalent or better than planned ones, day changes within the week are allowed and one weekend training can be moved to the next monday (rest day), no rolling after that, grading is percentage of training sessions complete. +1STR +3STA +2WIS +1CHA 3. Keep paleo, I have been around five months into this lifestyle, and really like it, I'll allow myself two meals of non-compliance, provided that are minor "faults", and family or big social events. +1WIS +1CON 4. Life Goal, Move, from last challenge I've been house-hunting, now i must finish that process and MOVE+2 WIS +3CHA Current Stats: STR 8.25 DEX 3 STA 13.5 CON 11 WIS 10 CHA .5 Weight: 92k