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I don't think I have ever been this excited to start a new year or a new challenge! 2017 was difficult and January was useful to take stock of where I am and what I want to do with my life. The answer is: do more of the things which make me happy, judge less, and be healthy. (Also, swear less.) I will try to maintain this momentum throughout 2018, so I am here setting up the basis for all the 2018 challenges to come! The quests themselves will change, but these 3 goals will largely remain the same (unless I reach one of them mid-year, then I will change!). It took a long time for me to identify these three priorities, and I intend to pursue them fiercely! I am falling short of a metaphor or a picture of someone I want to emulate. Because this is the year where I reclaim MY life and live it the way I want, without too much interference from others. So, let's say that I want to be, as often as possible, as happy as I am on this picture (or happier!). This is me and my sister at a k-pop concert last year - few other moments were as happy as that in our lives! (I am on the left, in case someone is wondering ^_^) Ultimate goals for 2018: 1- Be healthy, and not be ashamed of my body, specifically lose 22 kg 2- Stop judging readily and be more accepting of others and myself, specifically stop putting myself down 3- Use my free time to do things which I enjoy, specifically DO things with my hands on top of having intellectual hobbies For February, let's start with basics and establish good habits! Quest 1: Establish healthy living habits! - Note what I eat every day - No need to try to limit what I eat yet, just take note of patterns, feelings when I eat a bag of M&Ms (or want to) and be mindful of what I eat - Try and sleep 7 hours per day (this means in bed by 11:15pm, 10:45pm on Thursdays!) (I am currently around 6 hours, so 7 should not be impossible!) - Exercise a little every day (I currently exercise 5 days a week, but I am inclined to rest and not do anything physical on weekends) Quest 2: Flex my non-judgmental muscles! - Try to catch myself when I am being judgmental and instead try to understand others' point of view - Listen to Judgment Detox - Write down 1 thing to be grateful of every day Quest 3: Try out new things and see what makes me happy - Try 1 new restaurant or 1 new dish (cooking a new recipe is okay too) per week - Move furniture around a buy a piano and realize my life-long dream to actually learn how to play - Start my own online shop selling stickers and trading cards Side quest: stop swearing. Method: when I am about to swear, use another word. If I already swore, repeat the sentence without the swear word. Continue until extinction of swear words or sheer exhaustion. I feel like I am waking up from a loooooong slumber where I was on the sidelines, on the outside looking in. I learnt a lot, but did not DO much, because I was afraid of failing, because I should not, because I did not know how. I want to let go of this feeling and embrace failing, and be more active in life! More details tomorrow so I don't make this post too long!

Frank Castle aka the Punisher is probably the ultimate Determinator, and I'm going to be channeling that determination and discipline in the lead-up to the holidays. Previous Challenge Stats STR - 31.75 | DEX - 52 | STA - 53.25 | CON - 85 | WIS - 56.5 | CHA - 50.5 Waist 29" Belly 32" Hips 37.75" Thigh 22" Weight 159lb Body Fat - 26.31% Goals Goal 1: Rest I'm not the greatest at taking care of myself, and it's kinda a problem. If I would do things like sleep enough and do mobility, I would be a lot better at the rest of my life. So I gotta work on that. +2 CON +2 WIS +1 DEX 11pm bedtime Daily mobility Remember to fill out my Pixel A Day tracker Journal once a week Read - to hit my Goodreads goal I need to read three books by the end of the year Goal 2: Refuel Track my food, hit my macros. 2-3 variances a week, depending how big the variance is. Log it, track it, and make sure it’s worth it. Avoid all the sweets and cookies and such at the office. +3 CON Goal 3: Resupply Get shit done: Christmas shopping - K/B, mom, dad, M, J/A (have ideas for dad + M + J/A) Do some (more) baby knitting - socks, mitts, etc. Go through kitchen cabinets - especially the cupboard where all my plastic bags are and the cupboard where my beer/wine empties are Do the mending Clean out my desk drawers Work on to-read magazine pile - 7 magazines read +3 WIS Goal 4: Move 5k x2/week Pullups Lift x3+/week - get my accessories in +2 STA +2 STR The Road So Far Week One 11pm 0/7 Daily mobility 4/7 Pixels - up to date Journal 1/1 Macros 6/14 Get shit done - got some of my Christmas shopping done, and have (some) ideas for the rest. Why are guys so difficult?! 5k 0/2 Pullups 7/7 Lift 4/3 Week Two 11pm 1/7 Daily mobility 5/7 Pixels - Dec 7 Journal 1/1 Read - working on book 1/3 Macros 12/14 Get shit done - Christmas shopping progress, did some knitting 5k 2/2 Pullups 6/7 Lift 3/3 Week Three 11pm 1/6 (not counting the night we went to the late show of Star Wars) Daily mobility 5/7 Pixels - Dec 17 Journal 1/1 Read - finished book 1/3 (Slaughterhouse-Five re-read) Macros 5/14 (didn't bother to track while I was at my parents', I know it was bad Get shit done - Christmas cards sent, shopping progress, knitting progress, reading progress 5k 1/2 Pullups 3/4 (3 days away with no pullup bar) Lift 2/2 (had to cancel one day because my body wasn't cooperating) Week Four 11pm 0/7 Daily mobility 3/7 Pixels - up to Dec 20 Journal 0/1 Macros 3/10 (not counting Sat/Sun) Get shit done - Christmas shopping done, made progress on the magazine pile and knitting 5k 0/2 - weather didn't cooperate and I didn't do it on the treadmill Pullups 2/6 Lift 3/3

THE SILVER ARCHER: BOOK TWO Chapter 2 Banish the Shadow Mistral was sitting at a library table with her back to me when I slowly pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside, my mud-caked boots making jarring sounds that ricocheted off the polished marble floor and high stone ceilings. She did not stir or turn, and I carefully pushed the door shut, then stood with my back against it, gathering up my will to hide the crackling stiffness of my battered joints and the throbbing, infected pain of the wounds on my hands and arms. I should have cleaned up before coming, I realized, and glanced quickly down at my palms to be sure no blood was oozing through the hastily applied wrappings. "So." Mistral's voice was chilly, and she laughed slightly under her breath, still without turning around. "You decided to return." I swallowed the tightness in my throat. "I did." She sat in silence, but I offered no explanation. I was in pain and in no mood to explain myself or apologize for doing what I had to do - I just wanted this to be over so I could go wash the mud, clay, blood and sweat off my aching body. After a heavy moment, she spun around abruptly and faced me with eyes blazing under furiously knit brows. "Do you care to explain yourself?" she roared. I opened my mouth, but she continued: "Do you think you're entitled to this training? Do you think you can just attend when you feel like it and skip off when you don't? I have bought this opportunity for you with my own labor, because I knew you had potential to become one of the greatest archers I have ever trained - but for the year we have been together, you have been unreliable, emotional, irresponsible, and childish. I lose when you decide to refuse my authority and go your own way, Sky Elvenword - I lose, not just you!" She angrily took in my torn, dirty homespun garments and slack posture, and angrily snapped a hand at me. "Since you are clearly able to take care of yourself and decide what you should be doing, Miss Silver Archer, how about you just take off into the world and see how that turns out for you!" Drawing a deep, tired breath, I pushed off from the door and walked over to the desk, where I looked quietly into her face for a moment, then lifted the heavy sack of gems from my shoulder and threw it onto the table with a crash that rattled the library. The sack spilled open and the crystal-blue elven gems rolled out, as big as her hand, ten perfect gems mined from the dark mines of the eastern lands of Middle Earth. She stared at them in wonder for a moment, then snapped her gaze back to my face. "Sky, you didn't ..." I leaned on the table and looked steadily into her face, too tired to summon anger. "In the time I have been away," I said quietly, "I went home to help Ayre and Aki fight off an attack that nearly cost Ayre his life. I stayed with them at the Guildhall to help Aki nurse him back toward health, and as I worked alongside her, I developed an infection in the life-wound on my forehead - the Elder poisoned me when he filled me with the Burning, and I became very sick. The Kallanas and I had to care for each other, according to the doctor's instructions. As I began to heal, I met a traveling warrior from the West who was sent to find me by a strange prophecy - I was supposed to bring him back with me to the Temple, but we were separated during our journey through the mines. We met a balrog and had to fight him together." I paused for a moment as a flood of painful memories washed over me, and I bit back the crying words that nearly tumbled out of my chest. "I couldn't find him after the battle. I was trapped and wounded in the bottom of the mines, so since I could not move quickly, I began to extract these gems on my way back toward the surface. I carried them with me because I knew they would help pay for the next part of my training - even though I was wounded and the weight and roughness of the sack kept the wounds in my hands from healing. I don't know when I will be able to throw my powers again because they were so badly torn and infected." I crossed my arms under my cloak and looked at my teacher through heavy eyes. "I do value my training, Mistral. That's why I came back. I wanted with all my heart to stay in the mines and look for my friend, or to stay in the Guildhall with the Kallanas - or most of all, to wander off into the woods on my own and never return. But I didn't. I came back. I am here, bloody, wounded, tired, and sick, because I vowed to learn how to use my powers as the Silver Archer and as a Protector. And that vow is more important than what I feel, or what I want." Mistral slowly rose to her feet and looked down at me, her forehead creased and her gaze urgent and uncertain. "You've changed, Sky," she said quietly, and her eyes grew misty as she reached out to gently take my head in her hands and press her forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and felt her quiver slightly with emotion. "You are noble and brave, my young friend. I didn't realize that you are no longer the frightened halfling whom Ayre asked me to take under my wing. You are a true warrior, and you have the heart of a Protector. Your body may be small, but one day you may be the strongest of us all." All the emotions of my terrible journey started to churn up inside me and I felt hot tears flood my eyes, but I pulled away from Mistral and shook myself hard to force them back down inside. I looked up and met her eyes firmly. I would be strong - I would channel the horrors of the balrog, the anguish of reaching out for Tristan and finding empty space, the ripping pain of the gems weighing against my bruised shoulder; and I would use them to strengthen my hands and my heart. But to my surprise, Mistral broke into my thoughts by pressing two fingers firmly to my forehead and frowning into my eyes. "Not that way, Sky. Not that way. Don't press all the sadness and anger down inside and let it turn your heart to steel. I promised Ayre I would help you stay sensitive and gentle, so you could feel the pains and hopes of the world; and I will keep that promise. Before you go back to your training, the first thing you must do is to feel all the darkness you have kept inside all these weeks - then, together, we can banish the shadows from behind your eyes and allow you to shine your light once again." ----------------- Challenge goals:

I'm carrying over similar goals from the last challenge. I don't have travel or anything planned that will disrupt my schedule in the way I did last challenge, so it makes it a lot simpler to plan out! So that means I have no excuses for not meeting my goals, right? Previous Challenge Stats STR - 31.75 | DEX - 51 | STA - 51.75 | CON - 83.5 | WIS - 55 | CHA - 50.5 Weight - 164lb Waist - 29 3/4" Belly - 33 3/4" Hips - 38 1/2" Thigh - 22 1/2" Body Fat - 26.6% Goals Goal 1: Sleep Sleep is the foundation of everything, and it’s time that I buckle down and just do it properly. I know it effects my abilities mentally and physically, because I’m always tired, so it’s time to see what I can do when I’m sleeping enough. I wake up at 5:30am during the week (sometimes 6:30am if I’m extra tired), so that’s going to drive my bedtimes. I’m not sure how much sleep I actually do need, so I’m going to start with an 11pm bedtime (6.5 hours sleep) and see how that goes. If I need to, I’ll move it earlier in stages until I hit a good spot. CON +3 Goal 2: Cardio Yep, for some reason I decided to play a sport that’s cardio-heavy… So I have to do cardio between now and spring training, otherwise I'll die. I’m thinking 2x 5k, and 3x intervals/HITT/sprints. STA +3 Goal 3: Food Track my food, hit my macros. 2-3 variances a week, depending how big the variance is. Log it, track it, and make sure it’s worth it - quality variances only! Meal prepping is going to be a big part of this one. CON +3 Goal 4: Mobility I have 3 key lower body and 2 key upper body mobility protocols that have really been working for me. Ideally I would do all 3 lower body at a time, and/or both upper body ones, but it takes a bit of time to get through everything, so instead my goal will be to do either my upper or lower body protocols every day. DEX +3 Goal 5: The List WIS +3 Do some baby knitting - socks, mitts, etc. Go through kitchen cabinets - especially the cupboard where all my plastic bags are and the cupboard where my beer/wine empties are Do the mending Clean off the top of my desk and my desk drawers Work on to-read magazine pile Unofficial Goals Grease the Groove - use the damn pull-up bar! On Sunday I was able to do A Pull-up, I want to do more! More NF! Regular updates here and more keeping up with other people's challenges Remember to fill out my Pixel A Day tracker Be on time to Toastmasters Journal once a week The Road So Far Week 1: Official Bedtime 11pm 0/7 5k 1/2 Intervals 2/3 Macros 7/14 Mobility 4/7 The List - no progress Unofficial Pullups 1/7 NF 2/7 Pixel A Day - caught up to Oct 26 On time to TM 1/1 Journal 1/1 Mini - done Week 2: Official Bedtime 11pm 0/7 5k 1/2 Intervals 1/3 Macros 5/14 Mobility 3/7 The List - cleaned off my desk - now to keep it that way! Unofficial Pullups 1/7 NF 6/7 Pixel A Day - caught up to Nov 5 On time to TM 1/1 Journal 1+/1 Mini - done Week 3: Official Bedtime 11pm 0/7 5k 1/1 Intervals 1/2 Macros 9/14 Mobility 1/7 The List - nope Unofficial Pullups 0/7 NF 3/7 Pixel A Day - caught up to Nov 12 On time to TM 1/1 Journal 1/1 Mini - done Week 4 Official Bedtime 11pm 0/7 5k 1/2 Intervals 0/3 Macros 8/14 Mobility 3/7 The List - lots of knitting! Unofficial Pullups 0/7 NF 3/7 Pixel A Day - caught up to Nov 15 (currently caught up fully) On time to TM - N/A Journal 1/1 Mini - done

I'm carrying over similar goals from the last challenge, and adding a couple, and rearranging things a bit Previous Challenge Stats STR - 31.75 | DEX - 49 | STA - 49.75 | CON - 82 | WIS - 55 | CHA - 50.5 Weight - 162lb Waist - 29.25" Belly - 33" Hips - 38.75" Thigh - 22.25" Body Fat - 26.45% Goals Goal 1: Sleep Sleep is the foundation of everything, and it’s time that I buckle down and just do it properly. I know it effects my abilities mentally and physically, because I’m always tired, so it’s time to see what I can do when I’m sleeping enough. I wake up at 5:30am during the week (sometimes 6:30am if I’m extra tired), so that’s going to drive my bedtimes. I’m not sure how much sleep I actually do need, so I’m going to start with an 11pm bedtime (6.5 hours sleep) and see how that goes. If I need to, I’ll move it earlier in stages until I hit a good spot. CON +3 Goal 2: Cardio Yep, for some reason I decided to play a sport that’s cardio-heavy… and then voluntarily decided to go play an even more cardio-intensive version of that sport on Thanksgiving/Oktoberfest weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving = beginning of October). So I have to do cardio between now and then, because in the last month and a half I’ve done basically none, especially compared to the amount I was doing from May-July between playing rugby, practicing rugby, and riding my bike to rugby. I’m thinking 2x 5k, 3x intervals/HITT/sprints, and 1x something else - maybe swimming. The weekend of week 3 and all of week 4 will be a bit different due to Thanksgiving/visiting Stratford/Ottawa adventures. STA +3 Week 1 Monday - weights/intervals Tuesday - weights Wednesday - Thursday - weights/intervals Friday - 5k Saturday - intervals Sunday - 5k/swim Week 2 Monday - weights Tuesday - weights/intervals Wednesday - 5k Thursday - weights/intervals Friday - 5k Saturday - intervals Sunday - swim Week 3 Monday - weights/intervals Tuesday - weights Wednesday - 5k Thursday - weights/intervals Friday - 5k Saturday - Oktoberfest rugby 10s Sunday - Oktoberfest/Thanksgiving Week 4 Monday - Thanksgiving [weights/intervals?] Tuesday - weights Wednesday - 5k Thursday - weights Friday - Ottawa Saturday - Ottawa Sunday - Ottawa Goal 3: Food Track my food, hit my macros. 2-3 variances a week, depending how big the variance is. Log it, track it, and make sure it’s worth it - quality variances only! Meal prepping is going to be a big part of this one. CON +3 Goal 4: Mobility I have 3 key lower body and 2 key upper body mobility protocols that have really been working for me. Ideally I would do all 3 lower body at a time, and/or both upper body ones, but it takes a bit of time to get through everything, so instead my goal will be to do either my upper or lower body protocols every day. DEX +3 Goal 5: The List WIS +3 Finish going through clothes/inventorying Left side of closet - upper and lower PJs Bras Shoes Outerwear Purses Do some baby knitting - socks, mitts, etc. Go through makeup Clean out espresso maker Go through kitchen cabinets - especially the cupboard where all my plastic bags are and the cupboard where my beer/wine empties are Update workout log from notes on phone Unofficial Goals Grease the Groove - use the damn pull-up bar! More NF! Regular updates here and more keeping up with other people's challenges The Road So Far Week 1: 11pm bedtime 0/7 Intervals 3/3 5k 0/2 Swim 0/1 Macros 4.5/7 Mobility 6/7 Pullups - tried to remember to do them, semi-successful NF - posted here or in other people's threads 5/7 days Week 2: 11pm bedtime 0/7 Intervals 2/3 5k 0/1 Swim 0/1 Macros 4/7 Mobility 6/7 Pullups 2/7 NF 4/7 Week 3: 11pm bedtime 2/7 Intervals 1/2 5k 2/2 Macros 4.5/7 Mobility 4/7 Pullups 0/7 NF 1/7 I think? Forgot about tracking this Week 4: 11pm bedtime 1/7 5k 1/1 (replaced with group training) Macros 2/7 Mobility 3/7 Pullups 0/7 NF 3/7

Grinder and the gang loaded up in “Phantom”. When Drone started her up Myrik learned how she earned that name, not a single sound came from the tank. “Best of luck you two. Remember we need 15 minutes to get out of the city.” “You got it boss we will set the timers for 25 minutes and harry them from the roof. Myrik grab that long rifle from the weapons locked and set the timer on the kit for 25 minutes and then head to the roof I’ll be up after I set the other timers.” Myrik grabbed the rifle, set the time and made his way to the roof. Once up there he set up the rifle like Shade taught him and kept look out for the Orks. He heard them before seeing them. Several on foot came around the corner hooting and hollering when the turrets popped free of their hidden alcoves and ripped into the Orks with abandon only a heartless machine could muster. The column of Orks stopped just outside of the detection range of the turrets. That didn’t stop Myrik from putting several down from the roof top before Shade appeared on the roof across from him with an assault cannon. With a clear view of the mob of Orks hiding just out of Myrik and the drone’s sights she unleashes the weapons righteous fury on the Orks when the tank came into view. Shade trained her sights on the tanks main cannon and drained the magazine, dropping behind cover she reloads the magazine checks her watch for time and puts a whole other magazine into the tank before calling out to Myrik “Time to go, cut the power to the turrets and head towards the east I’ll be right behind you.” Myrik did exactly as directed and heads towards the eastern edge of town looking back once to see Shade making her way towards him with two rucksacks and a 2 extra rifles. Just as she reaches Myrik the base and the whole block surrounding it go up in a large explosion followed by a second smaller one. “Well there tank is down, let hope Lone Star pins the damage and deaths on the Orks. Okay time to get going, we got about three hours of good light and I would like to be at least 15 miles from here before sunset. Here is your pack it has everything you’re going to need, also these packs share a link if we get separated we can find each other by using the link in the top pouch. You got all that? Good time to get going.” Okay now for the Challenge: Lift: My work schedule has changed an I am now on 12 hour shifts for the next 2 months at least which will allow me to workout in the base gym for an hour and a half every shift. I need to pick a weight lifting routine that will work for me but once i do I will follow it until the end of the month. Run/Swim/Bike: I need to keep with the cardo so these 3 things when I can. My goal will be 15 miles this month Read: I picked American Gods and will be reading that this month. Others: Keep track of my calories still even though I am going into a bulking phase just to stay in the routine Get my dashboard lights fixed. Find out why my bedroom is hotter than the rest of the house. Work on meal prep.

Apropos of nothing... it's really hard to google "Crossfit Gif" and come up with something that isn't making fun of it. Just sayin'. So, an introduction, since I don't think I've been here before and you probably don't know or care who I am. My name's Thrillho. I've spent most of the last 3 years with the Monks, training for the Tigerbalm Internationals, training for West Coast Championships, training for two non-consecutive Ellismanias... I like to fight. I'm not particularly good at it, but I like it. I'm 36, 6'3", 272 lbs, father of three, and we've got a busy-as-feck life. My wife is in school full time and works full time, my kids are 9, 11 and 15 and have a crapton of activities, and we've all got our share of fun health quirks. My weight has yo-yo'd over the years between 240 and 270, though considering I started at 335, that's still not bad. Not great, but not bad. I've got my fifth Storm The Hill Mini Marathon this year in September, and I'd like to make this my best showing ever (after last year where my time slipped by two minutes, and my son's IMPROVED by TWELVE MINUTES.) I've taken the last month off of martial arts, due to mental health and stress issues, and it's already showing massively in my fitness level. SO... I moved all my weights and my punching bag into the garage, and I'm trying to get into a new routine with my dang dog. See, no-one else really walks the dog, so I spend about two hours a day doing that. The dog doesn't let me JOG... some herding instinct causes her to try and physically stop me if I start running. So... that's out. So I'll just use my time with her to walk and loosen myself up, and... well, I'll get to all that in the challenges down below. I've also got a whole dark pantry full of food issues, which I will be working on concurrently with this challenge, but by and large this challenge is just about the exertion side. So! ... ok, challenges will go here as I eventually start thinking of exactly what they'll be. Plus, I need to find some fun gifs to go with them. Probably Supernatural related.

Fnnngh. FNNNNGH. FNNNNNNGHHHH SIZZLE POP! Ah, that's better. Salambander here, although I guess I'm Gurdris now. Named after my most recent D&D character, Gurdris Frostbeard. I have respawned as Salambander so many times I felt like a fresher start. So, not a respawn but a regeneration entirely. All knobs have been twisted back to zero, and the neutrinos have mutated back to their original states. Long time no see! Things have happened. I'm engaged! And the ring didn't fit a month ago but now, 5kg down later, it does. It's a handy () reminder of my weight goals. I have a personal trainer! And he is a wizard with a foam roller. DOMS fear me now. But he can't speak any English so it's a little tricky. I got promoted! And now I'm in a leadership role and have to control my emotions much better. Eep. So, respawn. New goals, new 4 week quest. I'm starting early and I figured I'd keep things simple by having it all in one battle log, since I don't want to burn out and disappear again. I think I'm going to run this planning week as a tutorial level though. Oh, hey, have you met Kaeilia? She's awesome; we live in the same city and today I introduced her to NF, and now we're accountibilibuddies and eagerly anticipating this challenge. Without further ado, les goals for le now Fitness - complete a streak of 10 unmissed workouts, totalling 20 with my trainer Nutrition - track every bite on MFP and follow my trainer's diet plan Mental - read before bed every day Life - do laundry twice a week (folded and put away) Tracking them in my spreadsheet. Starting small and planning to go big. July is going to be much harder as I'll be in Dallas and everything usually falls apart around then.

Intro to come... Snuggles has been improving her physical therapy and (with great hope) this will be the last time it will be listed as a challenge. She has adjusted her physical therapy time to fit in during her morning break. This will open time up at lunch for other activities. For this challenge she will aim for weekdays/ 3 full sets, weekend days/ 1+ full sets. Squat 10 times Quadriceps Stretch, Hold for 15 seconds 3 times both sides Shoulder Rolls, forward and backward, 10 count each Trunk Rotation 10 times Dog to Camel pose 15 time (2 sets instead of 3) Spinal rock 10 times Bridge 10 times Spinal stretch, Hold for 15 seconds 3 times both sides Week #1 of my challenge = .75(STR) & .75(DEX) Week #2 of my challenge = .75(STR) & .75(DEX) Week #3 of my challenge = .75(STR) & .75(DEX) Week #4 of my challenge = .75(STR) & .75(DEX) Snuggles is also going to begin exploring a less processed food in her diet. She will eat what she has on hand, but will start looking for alternative. The true challenge with this is that meat and dairy will also be kept to a minimum. The first week will be spent researching both foods that can be added, but also different cultures and seeking new spices and flavorings to enhance her food. Week #1 of my challenge = .5(CON) Week #2 of my challenge = .5(CON) Week #3 of my challenge = .5(CON) Week #4 of my challenge = .5(CON) Finally Snuggles needs to start incorporating her many interests into her daily routine. A schedule is in the process of being set up, but for a brief review… Saturday- French practice w/ breakfast, general shopping and cleaning, knitting practice, 30 minutes lock picking practice Sunday- French practice w/ breakfast, 30 minutes knitting practice, 30 minutes lock picking practice, social activity Monday- French practice w/ breakfast, knife practice in the evening, 30 minutes knitting practice Tuesday- Weight training in the evening (If weights still haven't arrived, 30 mins at the park), 30 minutes lock picking practice Wed.- French practice w/ breakfast, knife practice in the evening, 30 minutes knitting practice Thursday- Knitting Lunch, Weight training in the evening (If weights still haven't arrived, 30 mins at the park), 30 minutes lock picking practice Friday- French practice w/ breakfast, Knife fighting class “If the supplies haven’t arrived for necessary activity, substitute with doable one” Week #1 of my challenge = 1(CHA) Week #2 of my challenge = 1(CHA) Week #3 of my challenge = 1(CHA) Week #4 of my challenge = 1(CHA) Builder Goals- Continue to track healthy all habits Take time to write 2 times a week Take 5 minutes, 2 times a week to meditate Walk every morning to work (plan alternate activities for evening) Follow healthy eating from past goals Pass- Gain 1 (WIS) Fail- Lose 1 (WIS)

Rolling Stoney changes her shape This challenge is all about change for me. 2017 was going to be a big year, but it happened in a way I didn't quite expect. My plan was to cross-train hard, eat well, do the derby, work hard, buy a house... but literally none of those things happened. I broke my ankle. Derby, cross training, working, and being able to cook my own food all went out the window. My partner got made redundant so our house loan got canned. And my boss is selling her cafe so I may not even have a job in a few months. But as of last month I can walk without a limp again and I'm so close to getting back to derby training that I can at least throw most of my focus that way and still feel like I am moving forwards in life. My long term goals look like this; Walk again sans limp. completed 23/3 Be cleared to skate again. (planned 19/4) Skate a whole 3hr training session. (planned early May) Re-Pass my Minimum Skills. (planned June) Play a full Roller Derby Bout. (planned August) Find a new job. My goals this challenge are focussed on adapting to the change that I'm currently experiencing in many parts of life while still trying to complete my current long-term goals. I need to prepare my physical form for my triumphant return to roller derby by cross-training what I can and eating well to fuel said training increase. So going to the gym is a thing. Between working and training I burn energy like a wildfire so I need to prep food accordingly so I don't eat like shit at work when I can't be fucked getting something rounded and healthy. I need to prepare my resume and a portfolio for if or when my job goes kaput so I am ready to attempt to jump into a new job. As a teenager and an adult I've always been a design oriented person and I loved jewellery design. There are two in-house jewellery studios in town that I aim to approach for training and hopefully a job, but I can't do that without a portfolio. And finally I need to keep myself accountable and organised so I'm trying out this whole bullet journal thingo. It's working good, even if mine aren't pretty like the ones on instagram. Change of Body Gym 3x week. (Lower body, Upper body, Core, Cardio & Yoga) I had great plans at the start of the year to continue the cross-training I had been doing in my derby off-season, but that plan got de-railed after I broke my ankle. After 3 months of being immobile I have to start back at the start, but that's okay. I have a gym membership and a plan. I had to split my workouts into upper, lower and core because I was spending too long at once at the gym and it made me reluctant to go more then once a week. My lower body workout it pretty short right now because of my limited ankle strength and mobility, but I need the habit to be there. Yoga can be done at home. Change of Job Work on jewellery/design portfolio, post daily My job is on tenterhooks right now. Potentially my boss may sell her business and the new owners may or may not keep me on. With that and my partner's recent redundancy I have found myself needing a change. After having 3 months off work I realise that hospitality is no longer what I want to do. I cannot do the work for so little thanks anymore. Back in school I was really passionate with design and specifically designing and making jewellery. I don't know what it was about melting bits of metal together but I loved it. There are no jobs available right now but I plan on getting together a portfolio of sorts and approaching the two local studios in town and seeing about a job. I figure I can't do that without some substance so I'm going to use this month to work on some designs. I will post the designs as evidence. If I happen to not want to draw jewellery specifically I can draw anything else and it still counts. Change of Food Meal prep 1x weekly Meal prepping healthy meals was another thing I was getting really good at before I broke my ankle, and sticking to the food I planned to eat was also working really well for my energy levels. When I broke I wasn't totally in control of what I could eat and as I didn't have to leave the house I just ate what I could carry with one hand. Going back to exercising and work means I need all the energy I can get and I can't keep grazing on whatever I can find at work because it inevitably ends up being cake or pancakes or just coffee. It makes me sluggish and bloated and I am perfectly capable of prepping food to take with me. Change of Habit Bullet Journal Daily I'm testing out the whole bullet journal thing, and I think so far it's working for me. While I do tend to drool over the beautiful instagram ones, I don't have the handwriting or the patience or the funds to pay for all the beautiful stickers and many pens to make it beautiful. Thankfully it's also a functional thing so I'm going with that. I'll work on my penmanship later. I need to update my journal every day and use it for anything I can think of. Adding in to-do jobs, writing down my gym sessions, planning meal prep... So far it's working really well for everything and I want to continue feeling organised. It's something I've struggled with my whole life.

I need to meditate, exercise, eat better, and make more art. Why? Because doing all those things makes life more awesome. Goal 1, Meditate. Well, since I such at doing it in the morning on my early as hell work days, i guess I'll just do it in the car. Also, 10 min or more of zazen on weekends, plus attempt at least one hour long session each week. Goal 2, Determine training maxes. I need to get back to lifting, and to me that means following a damn program so i don't fuck around... too much. But, to run a program i need training maxes. Figuring those out will require a few sessions on each lift to ease back in and find accurate numbers. Then hopefully next challenge i can run my program. the lifts will be the usual: Squat, bench, deadlift, and press. I'll be trying to get calculated maxes from amrap sets in the 3-8 rep range. Goal 3, eat better Rules: Meat once a day Cereal is for breakfast only Waffles too 6 drinks per week max Luyl, make art At least one painting each week. I did two today: I was really surprised at how good these turned out. I've been talking about trying to find a way to make a living by painting. The first step is just practicing more and get a portfolio going. Hopefully I'll do enough that I have one or two works to put up for sale. We'll see.

So, I have been a member for ever. Okay, not really, but I have only started posting. So, I live in Japan, I am 43 years old, married with two kids and I lift weights, run(poorly) and do kettlebell stuff. I have recently read, and finished, Level Up Your Life and I can honestly say it was the kick in the pants for me. I want to do other things. Getting stronger is important for me but obviously not the only thing. Living my life epically and showing my kids that they too can do all the things they want are probably the most important things in my life. So a few things training wise, I use a variation of 5/3/1 with kettlebells and running on non-training days. I have recently started yoga and meditation because mobility and mindfulness are two things that I need. I also enjoy reading, but have noticed that recently I have had trouble committing to and finishing a book, so I have around 5 books I am presently working on. Recently I have also begun learning Russian and German, along with Japanese(which I already speak, albeit not well). And finally I have begun to practice doing a headstand, which is very, very slowly coming along. I have no other ideas as to what to write but am open to most questions. If you want to talk about training I can do that, ad nauseam, as for diets, well I don't. I eat to fuel my training with an occasional cheat day to maintain sanity. Finally, I am glad to be here among fellow nerds who want to be awesome.

Hi! I used to hang out here a lot....then I had our second child and life became insanely busy for.....a couple of years! Now I'm back, and hoping nerd fitness can help me once again. I got so much out of being part of this community in the past - and I want to get back to some fitness goals. Right now I'm looking for help, choosing an exercise programme and diet plan. I'm feeling lost with exercise in general, and like I've lost so much knowledge of what to do and how to reach my goals. Some basics about me: Mum of two (read - I will never be happy with my stomach!) I play Roller Derby (during season we train 3 x a week - so that's fairly good cardio). Right now we're on break. 65kg, 168cm I'd call myself moderately fit - in that I'll do 200 burpees or run up a hill near my house or play an intense derby game and not die. I currently eat a mostly low carb diet - no sugar, no pastas, breads, etc. I eat a lot of salad. But I don't track my diet the way I used to - I just generally try to have more protein than carbs, no rubbish (apart from a cheat day), salads and veges instead of sandwiches and pastas etc. Goals: - Lose fat, get more muscle. My bum is SO FLAT - like, seriously, where did my ass go?! - Get stronger. I don't want people to be able to push me around when i'm on the derby track. I want to hit people harder. - Feel better when I look in the mirror/I'd like my clothes to be slightly looser - I don't know if it's because I'm in my mid 30s now, but I feel like it's harder for me to stay the size I want. I've done 5x5 stronglifts before and liked it. I've just finished Core de Force (beach body) and found it good for my balance (which is good for derby) but haven't really felt like it's made much difference to my strength or fitness, and I feel particularly bummed out about it because it's meant working out EVERY day for up to an hour....and with two kids I really resent spending my tiny bits of free time on exercise that doesn't make much of a difference! Ideally I'd love an exercise programme that is going to give me good results, but not mean working out every day of the week. I also know that I need to partner it with the right eating plan for things to work. I'm happy to work hard when I work out - I like to feel like I've DONE something that makes a difference!

Last challenge was a hot mess. I tried! but things came up. I think I did reasonably well considering: * a week 1 emergency health thing (not me) and a trip to florida to mug with my sick daddy-o (still doing awesome, by the way) * a week 2 presidential election that resulted in me being actually depressed for the first time in literally forever, and requiring lots of quiet self care * a week 3 where we had the kids every day b/c of their mom's work travel, impinging on our planned gym time for goals, and * a week 4 with a planned and much enjoyed visit to iceland and england instead of american thanksgiving. and then I wrapped it up with * a week 0 that was all about me traveling to houston for training - which meant wednesday I left the house at 3AM and I returned at 1AM on Sat. ZOMG TIRED. So ima just gonna do that last challenge all over again. additional bonus facts/exciting conditions: my husband lost his job last week, it's the holidays, we have the kids all during Week 1. (sidebar: losing the job is not terrible. We are going to evaluate our ability to send him to school full time spring semester to continue working towards his goal of shifting careers into shoe design and shoe manufacture.) * go to the gym. schedule it in for at least 2x a week at the gym. My husband is in still, and maybe this will be doable even when we have the kids all the time in the mornings, because he can just go home to make sure that Thirteen has managed to get out the door in good time. I had said that next challenge I want to start the dojo weight lifting, but I'm going to give myself until january. Even though it will make me look like that january gym starter guy. but whatever. * learn the pull-ups. I'll be 40 in April. KEEP PRACTICING. this looks like: hanging from a bar and pulling in my shoulders every day I'm home. move on to negatives. pull-up assist machine / bands are available but for now I need to focus on grip strength and getting a little movement in from hanging. the key is REGULAR. * track my food more carefully. extra double important during the holidays! track every day. Don't ever have to catch up the next day. * check in on my goals! hard learned obvious lesson of the summer/fall: if you don't check your goals, you won't actually do anything to achieve them. DO THE THING WITH THE GOALS. get something written down every day, if you can. regular stuff will occur, that being: running outside when I can, doing tkd 2-3x a week, dojo saturdays etc. Ideally I'm active 5-6 days a week. I picked up a discounted hulahoop class on cyber monday, and it would be amazing if I worked in more stretching/yoga. OK, got it? SECOND VERSE JUST LIKE THE FIRST A LITTLE BIT LOUDER AND A LITTLE BIT WORSE.

I think I need to do a challenge. So I am! I fell out of a lot of healthy habits I had been building earlier this year (see: daily mobility; movement 7 days/week; etc.). I still eat pretty paleo during the work week but I also let a lot of junk through for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I has excuses but those are silly and what I really need to do is try to slowly build back up again and focus on the future. I’ve got a lot going on this month as I’m sure many people do… December activities: Wed. 12/7/16 – Xmas supper club with friends Sat. 12/10/16 – Ugly Sweater 5K Sun. 12/11/16 – SO’s extended family Xmas party Fri. 12/16/16 – Friends Xmas (and a birthday) party Sat. 12/17/16 – Friend’s family Xmas party Sat. 12/24/16 – Dad’s family Xmas party Sun. 12/25/16 – SO’s family Xmas gathering and Mom’s family Xmas gathering Sat. 12/31/16 – NYE partayyy Goal 1. Weights 10 weight-lifting sessions. I will be aiming for 3/week but don’t want to dive back in too strongly and get burnt. Goal 2. Cardio 10 cardio sessions. GASP. Welp, I’ve gained about 17 lbs over the past year or so and feel like I need some endurance in my life. Plus I like to do 5Ks and OCRs. Goal 3. Yoga 4 yoga sessions. Goal 4. Eat At home. All of the parties I’m going to this month will be homemade food except one. I really should not need to be eating at a restaurant (or take out) at all this challenge. I will allow myself two visits to a restaurant and two coffees that aren’t plain nut milk lattes. Extra pride points if I don’t use those visits!

Well, it's been a while... 6 months or so I guess. I don't even have a clue. And the last few challenges I did here had pretty poor results. For the past few months I've just existed. Nothing has really sat well with me and I've yearned for times past or future. I recognize the patterns and can feel the slow spiral into a fugue state of depression from which recovery will be so much more difficult. So I'm back. Starting fresh, hence being in the REBELS thread Last time I felt truely good about myself I was working out and eating healthy(ish). A big catalyst was access to a gym - the psychological devision between "workout time/space" and everything else was a great benefit to me. I enjoyed the workouts and the sense of achievement when I hit a progress goal. So... One step at a time. I prepaid 6 months of gym membership the other day and that removes 90% of my excuses. Goals: Will be updated and given more detail over the next few days. Gym 3 times per week at a minimum. - starting gently, I'll be looking at some steady state cardio. Not my favourite thing but It'll help get back into the swing of things. - I'll restart my strength training with bodyweight exercises and the machines for few weeks, before moving on to free weights again. Keeping weights low for now, high reps to develop ligament strength and endurance. - I'll add in some kettlebells as "functional" training too. Limit of 16kg KBs for now. Study: Started a digital project management degree recently, which has helped give me a bit of a shove towards getting my head out of my ass (and demonstrated a need to do something to immprove my energy levels). - keep on top of my units and workshops. - set up a weekly google hangout with my team AND STICK TO IT. Karate / HEMA: My course might end up preventing me from attending my usual wednesday evening karate class so I need to keep up practice in my own time or possibly go to one of the "sister clubs" from time to time. My twice a week HEMA class needs to become once a week. - Karate: keep practicing and investigate alternate training night. I've found that working through my katas is a good warmup for exercise, so might be able to kill two birds etc... - HEMA: Limit it to just Sundays but work on quality training. I have been going through the motions somewhat lately. That'll do for now. Will edit / update soon.

So I learned a lot of things during the last challenge, and got to experience some different kinds of progress than what I'm used to. Namely, I've gone from what I've termed 'milquetoast lifting' to 'actual proper lifting'. Before, I would lift weights, possibly even regularly... but it was never very HEAVY, it was never very HARD, and it was usually on the machines that really impair range of motion and actual progress. More recently, I've been enjoying the fact they moved about 1200 pounds of dumbells up to the track zone of the Sports Centre, where I work out, along with a lifting / climbing / boxing cage with Olympic bars. After some half-assed beginnings, I started to actually see progress, something that I am wholly unused to. So I pushed myself a little harder. Go a little faster. Up the weights more. Show up a little earlier. Add an entire set of lifts. Increase my reps. Go until I'm drenched with sweat and breathing hard and then go even further. My own dog is named Pippi and is about 10x bigger than Punchy. I added more than 50 pounds to my squats, and more than doubled the quantity of overhead kettlebell presses I can do (stuck with the 25 lb kettlebells right now), and my grip and forearm strength has gone up considerably. I've gained eight pounds, but my belt still fits exactly where it always did, and the mirror confirms that I've added some real muscle to my shoulders and arms, and I can only assume to my legs. I've got recovery soreness keeping pace with me, because I'm always trying to push myself just a little harder, and that feeling is what keeps me motivated. That deep, tight burning makes me feel good. And helps keep me warm in the bitter Canadian winter... So that's going to be the focus of this next challenge... or rather, trying to control my diet while maintaining my CURRENT progress is going to be the real challenge. I kind of am... Challenge The First - Gym Lifting Keeping up with my 3x a week at the gym, with the entirety of the focus on squats, heavy carries and overhead presses. My legs feel stronger, my back feels stronger (finally), my arms LOOK better which is pretty hilariously awesome for me, and other than some chronic foot pain (which is probably mostly due to how cold it is and my pre-existing dry skin problems), everything feels pretty great right now. It has, however, highlighted some deficiencies. I also keep making this face whenever I put a toque on my head... Challenge The Second - HOME Lifting This is where I will focus on the OTHER major muscle groups, particularly the chest and core more. That's right... my most hated of workouts. The pushup. I HATE pushups. I suck at pushups. I am a fat guy with terrible upper body strength (relative to my size, at least), and pushups always drove home that I had very uneven amounts of strength. That particular inequality is getting worse as the rest of me gets better, so it's time to make some changes. I don't know what my RULES for this one are going to be. I want to try and figure that out this week. It may be like my September lifting, seeing what works, pushing myself, and seeing how my body responds. Additionally I want to work on lunges and twists, since my hips and knees need a little bit of work outside of just SQUAAAAAAAATING which keeps leaving those areas unnecessarily tight. Sproing! Sproing! Sproing! Sproing! Challenge The Third - The Joey Falcone Diet Plan "Stop eating, you fat bastard!" .... OK, obviously not 'stop eating', but my snacking has been really, really out of control for the last couple weeks... months... pretty much since the entire fiasco with my mom started, coinciding with the entire fiasco with Princess Ninja. Also Hallowe'en, with giant Costco packs of Wagon Wheels left around the house. And my beef jerky delivery from work, which is always tastier with cheese. Also the big bags of protein granola constantly going on sale for 75% off. Also my wife keeps buying bagels and croissants. Also it's hot chocolate season again. Also... yeah, also also also, I've been eating constantly. More healthy stuff, but also more UN healthy stuff. With all my gains from lifting I managed to con myself into thinking I was just helping with recovery! Yeah, recovery, that's what's going on. I NEED to eat this bag of Turkey Stuffing Flavored President's Choice Potato Chips. For my legs! So I will be getting back into portion control, and MORE WATER AT WORK. Those two things are huge. Hyuuuuge. Mark Hunt: Child Murderer Challenge The Fourth - Makin' With Tha Word-Putting Princess Ninja is done. It's available on CreateSpace and Amazon, as well as in person (just drive to my house! Here, I'll give you directions...) NaNo is done. English 205 is one week from being done. My distractions are done... and I can't ignore that what I REALLY want to do with my life is what I actually can do, and keep putting off. I wait until 'the time is right', I wait until 'there's nothing to do at home', I wait until 'I feel like it'... so I wait and wait and wait and then I'm back at work and I waited too long. And that needs to stop. I fixed the plot and world issues with all three of my serials, and now it's time to hit the ground running with ALL of them. RUNNING! Runningrunningrunningrunning... so every week, I want to produce one complete installment of one serial, approx 4000 words. Because once I start, once I REALLY start, I know I'll have the drive to keep it going. I would have way, way too many imaginary friends to thank...

Hi all a long time ago I used to be on here under another name. I learned a lot from other people but otherwise achieved little, classic case of collecting underpants. Now I feel like a bit of different person so thought I would come back under a new name and embrace my knightly inner self. from the middle of England, surrounded by castles and history It is hard to not feel a bit like a knight. I reckon knights are the ultimate hero they are strong, tough and dedicated, and also kind and with a good moral compass - not a bad thing to strive for on to the challenge Goal 1 - Eat Like a Knight A little bit like going paleo or 'only eating food your grandma would recognise', But keeping it on theme. sure knights didn't eat perfectly what with beer and cheese but they didn't eat junk food, crisps and cola so for a first step that's good enough. i will eat like a knight every week day with 1 non knightly thing a day (trying to make small changes and not shel, shock myself) Goal 2 - Pull them Home Best way to travel in winter when you have a heavy pack is by sled. Saxon must pull his kit through the blizzard to the nearest town so that he can get warm and rest. In the gym sled push 5 times a session, two sessions a week. Goal 3 - Fight the Darkness been struggling for the longest time to find exercise I enjoy, way back when I used to do western martial arts and really enjoyed it so I'm thinking something similar could be a great way to lose some weight and get active. it isn't really close but there is a kendo group the next town over that I keep thinking of going to and keep bottling out of. Challenge here is to go to a class and give it a try. Goal 4 - Scale the Fortress back in university I used to live rock climbing, now I keep hitting a strange mental block in that I don't want to go back climbing because I know I won't be as good as when I used to go regularly. logically that makes perfect sense - of course I will be rusty. Illogically though my brain doesn't want to handle going back and starting over again. but I need to get past this block to try and fall back in love with something I used to enjoy. Challenge is to go climbing 4 times over the challenge

Last challenge was tough on me and taught me a lot. It wasn't my first rodeo, but I definitely got more from it than from my other challenges. Mainly, I need to take care of myself. My main goal is to make sure I take time for myself DAILY. I'm a serious app junky, so I'm adding a little fun by making sure there's an app to track everything. Obviously, I could just get an app to make a spreadsheet (loooove spreadsheets) but that would be too easy lol. I also want to do a points/rewards system this time around. Meditate - take at least 10 minutes a day to enjoy some quiet and get centered. Headspace app. Stretch - every morning and before bed, minimum 5 minutes. Sworkit & Fitocracy apps. Read - pleasure read for at least 20 min/day. Kindle app. Sleep - get at least 7 hours/night. Language - practice Spanish by passing at least one level/day. Duolingo app Hydrate - drink at least 90oz of water/herbal decaf tea/day. Apple Health app I will be editing this prior to week 1 to add reward system and point system. *******EDITS BELOW***** 10/25 - Afternoon I take Sunday's off for family time. I tried to do a thing for my sig but it had too many lines. Ah, well. I will be grading each task based on completion. At the end of the challenge, I will average each week for a final percentage in each category, then average the categories together. 75% completion in a minimum of FOUR categories = Suspension Training Straps 75% completion for total challenge = The Academy Meditate - 50% Stretch - 100% Read - 100% Sleep - 91.5% Language - 87.5% Hydrate - 54% 10/25 - Morning I have been having a really hard time figuring out rewards. Mostly, because anything I want would be out of my budget at this point *cough*AppleWatch*cough*. However, I have been wanting TRX Suspension Straps for the house. (I am looking at these). Winter is coming and I am going to be needing things I can do indoors. I also really want to joint the Academy. I am thinking those are pretty good. Hopefully, I will be able to come up with a point/tracking system by this afternoon.

Sept 22 Weight: 321.6 Upper Body Strength Day Bench Press Warmup: 45 x 10, 95 x 5, 110 x 5, 125 x 3, 140 x 1 Work Sets: 145 x 6, x 6, x 6 Barbell Row Warmup: 45 x 10, 95 x 3 Work Sets: 115 x 6, x 6, x 6 Overhead Press Work Sets: 105 x 6 Pulldown Work Sets: 100 x 6

I'm using this challenge to shape some new behaviors for the next four weeks. I've had a super successful summer as far as archery is concerned, which is great. Interestingly, I've got a 15K race on October 2nd, so that's going to affect the initial week of my challenge, since I'll be tapering. Lots of yoga and short, quick runs until right before the race, and then nothing for a day or two, and then the race. After the race is over, however, I want to get back into the gym and lift some. I've been spending a lot of time training for the race, so the majority of my workouts are either running or to recover from running. Not to mention I've been taking my son to school on the bike, which amounts to just over 10 miles of commuting by bike every day, half of which is towing him on his tag-along bike. Furthermore, I'm leaning towards getting my sports hernia operated on, so that might take me out for a few weeks, and I want to be as strong as possible before that happens with the idea that I'll be able to come back quicker if I'm stronger. In any case, details forthcoming. Right now I'm thinking it'll look something like: Bike commuting 3x/week (or more, weather dependent) Lifting 2x/week (or more) Yoga or Pilates 2x/week (or more) and.... Sign up for an acting class

Dear fellow Assassins, I'm writing this to you while I'm working at my lawfirm, which is the daytime facade of my secret life. In the last years this daytime facade, of an mid-30-ish businessowner with three cats has been taken over my entire life. I've even started to believe that this is all there was. But then there was the wakeupcall by Rebel One who reminded me of my true calling. Since then I've been prowling around these perimeters, while I started to recreate my own self-image beneath this mainstream, middleclass, woman. Now I'm joining in this challenge with some tasks: - do (nf) yoga three times a week for increased flexibility - do weight/bodyweight workout (at gym) four times a week - continue to implement lifestylechanges according to my bulletjournal (will post along the way) By the end of this challenge I have succeeded if I'm able to: - weigh in below 105 kilo's - do a clean boxjump (any height) - do a clean precision jump of at least 1 meter - do either one unassisted pullup or 12 assisted pullups in a row - have unearthed more of my true self along the way My startingpoints: I currently weight about 106,5 kilo I can't do a boxjump because I'm afraid to fall I can only to a precisionjump of about 40 cm I can do 3 assisted pullups with minimal assistance of legs (heels on grond like a fulcrum, no use of legmuscles) Day one is on september 26th.

Hi everyone, Just a quick post to say hi and introduce myself. I was encouraged to join by @SpecialSundae (training buddy extraordinaire and answerer of many a stupid newb question from me), so here I am! I started powerlifting 10 months ago and it's fair to say I'm hooked! I'm here to keep myself accountable to my goals, which are to get a 200kg deadlift and to lean out a bit (I might be shooting for the holy grail here but aim high, I guess!) and also of course to chat to some lovely new strong people, some of whom I've met already. Maybe I can offer some helpful advice to others while I'm at it. Looking forward to getting stuck in! I've started my training log already, it's here - thought I'd state my intentions from the outset!

Greetings, I'm new to the forums, but not new to the planet. Been here longer than I care to admit. I'm a married dad and my slowing metabolism and aches and pains are thwarting my attempts to get "back in shape." I'm 6', 196 and I'm pretty sure my BF% is around 22-25%. I'm not obese, and I don't look fat when clothed, but underneath my disguise is a dad bod extraordinaire. Nay, I'd say it's beyond dad bod and into "built like an oyster" territory. In other words, I'm skinny-fat, with slender Grace Kelly shoulders and wide, Amish, child-bearing hips, all being help up by two old-man-looking KFC legs. Here's my problem. I want to gain lean mass, while shedding fat, and also increase my strength and functional fitness. My overall weight loss goal is 25 ibs. My lean mass gain goal is undefined. I just want to be strong, feel good and look good, dahlings. Is that too much to ask? I think the best approach to achieve this goal is probably basic progressive barbell strength training using compound exercises, combined with minimal to moderate cardio, while following a paleo, or near-paleo diet. By the way, although I don't have celiac disease, I am definitely gluten sensitive, although I just love the stuff so damn much. Mmmmm, gluten! I've toyed with 5x5 Strong Lifts and Body Beast, as well as more Crossfit-style programs, like P90X and Freeletics, and I'm not sure which one is best for me. I used to run a lot, but repeated calf and Achillies strains have forced me to slow to a walk. Questions: 1. Is it possible to achieve these goals simultaneously, or do I need to cut the fat first, then build the muscle? 2. If muscle gain is my primary objective, then should I focus on the weights and forego the bodyweight exercises for now? Thanks in advance, all!

ZOMBIES ATE MY RANGERS CHALLENGE! For those that do not know, this was an amazing game originally for the SNES system in which you would adventure through levels 1 or 2 players and gain items/weapons while attempting to save your neighbors. You could die by losing health or by losing all 10 neighbors. I loved playing it as a kid and really need to put it on my retro pie when I get a chance. So I will start with 10 lucky Neighbors/Rangers to be saving. Neighbors: @raptron @Tanktimus the Encourager @DJtrippyT @Jarric @Lifter5 @WorldSparrow @Rinna @Artemis1 @sozzielou @Rurik Harrgath @Thom Ulfhedinn @Sloth the Enduring @Xena @mr_willes @maegs @Rebel Five @bker1370 How Rangers die, simple, I miss doing things I am supposed to be doing in my training and life. Groupings: pills/stretching - miss either each day 2 dead Rangers. lifts/pulls/workouts - miss any each day 1 dead Ranger. low carb/no drinking/correct calories - mess each day and 1 dead Ranger. daily habits - more than 2 missed 1 dead Ranger. So pretty much if I miss a day of taking my pills or stretching, I kill two of you guys. I made this one so harsh because it is so simple to do, there is really no reason to miss a day. Missing a workout, pull ups, lifting etc. One of you are zombie food. This is pretty simple to understand. Injuries will be given special treatment, excuses will not. Caloric intake. I need to lower my carbs to less than 100 per day(some special considerations may apply, not excuses). Absolutely no alcohol unless I am at a special event, and then keep it low calorie/low carb. My calorie limit is 2,600 per day, super heavy training days it may be slightly pushed up, but is not an excuse to go to 7k calories. Any of these messed up in a day results in a dead Ranger. My daily habits are pretty simple, things I should be doing any ways. I can miss up to 2 a day, special considerations when I have things like work all day then a late hockey game I go straight to. More than 2 missed in a day though and one of you guys die. Chores: none - 1 dead Pretty much get at least one thing off my chore list done per day at least. If I fail without a seriously legit reason then one of you die. How to earn bonus Ranger: 3 days of all dailies - 1 bonus Ranger 5 days of lift/pull/workout - 1 bonus Ranger 5 days of pills/stretching - 1 bonus Ranger I can earn up to a max of 20 Rangers. Bonus items: 5 guys cheeseburger 5 guys cheeseburger Chipotle bowl(no rice/wrap) Thai bowl(no rice, 4 buddies) Chipotle bowl(no rice/wrap) Thai bowl(no rice, 4 buddies) wings(3 wings) wings(3 wings) Wegmans Pizza slice Wegmans Pizza slice Pretty much for each bonus item task completed I roll a D10 and get the coresponding item. All food bonuses must fit inside of the intake criteria for the day(calories/carbs). Bonus items disappear once received and a reroll will be added to their slot. Bonus item tasks: Notch all posts on deck Finish all beams Finish framing Finish setting up filter Finish setting up 12 gallon Finish building 75 gallon stand Clean entire Nerd Room Organize minis Organize an entire set of MTG 7 days of healthy intake 7 days of exercise 7 days of stretching/pills SUPER MEGA BONUSES: Finish with X Rangers: 20 neighbors: Rib Eye/Shrimp and a nice low carb side, then go ruck 5 miles with 20lbs 15-19 neighbors: Go buy a new fishing rod/reel 10-15 neighbors: Have a nice dinner out wherever you want 9: Not amazing, Buy something small fish tank related 8: Not too good, open 2 magic boosters 7: Average, you get nothing < 7: You suck, go RUCK 10 miles At 30 lbs That is it, hopefully I can keep everyone alive!