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Welcome to the Kailersaurus exhibit!! The Kailersaurus is a simple creature, with simple needs. As the curator of this exhibit, I will do my best to translate for her. 1. The Diet - From August 1 thru August 30, We will put the Kailasaurus on a strict Whole30 diet. Our caretaker Danielle will accompany the Kailersaurus on this adventure, as she has done before. 2. The Activity - Six days a week the Kailersaurus keeps active. 3 of those days will include dinochores around the den, 3 of those days include running, yoga, or other fun activities. Either way, you are all welcome to come observe what she taken up on each day! For research purposes we'll report any activity in which she indulges. 3. The Rest - 4 out of 5 work days, the Kailersaurus will be in bed by 11 PM and lights/electronics out by 12 AM. No couch counts as "bed" in this context. 4. Life Quest - Last Challenge we put make-up on the Kailersaurus each day before work. This was wildly successful, and we would like to build upon that. In addition to make-up each day, we will now style the Kailersaurus to wear her hair down at least once a week as well. (No buns, braids, or ponytails)

I'm a very driven hobbit who works harder and harder until she accomplishes her goals. Often I push a bit too hard... until I fall completely to pieces. Last challenge ended with the threat of falling to pieces. I don't want to go there. Maybe if I take enough time to stop DOING new stressful things, I will enjoy BEING the hobbit I am. Maybe it's time to simply be my whole hobbit-y self. Maybe it's time to refocus on the things that I know are good for me. Main Quest: Lighten the Load At the end of this challenge, I plan to hike the presidential traverse in New Hampshire with friends. I'm going to use this challenge to care for my body as a whole and hopefully drop fat in order to tackle this challenging new hike! Starting Stats (7/14/2014) Weight - 177.5 lbs Caliper Body Fat - 26.1 Body Fat Calculated - 27.2 Waist - 38" Hips - 41" Chest - 38" Thigh - 25.5" Arm - 14" 1) Whole Mind [+4 STA] - Meditate 6 days per week I need to get my mind back in the right place. I've been flirting with meditation for a while and finding that it really helps me to be aware and accepting of myself in the moment. I'm commiting to follow the plan outlined in Full Catastrophe Living and use the matching app that has the guided meditations. One week down, seven more to go. 2) Whole 60 [+4 CON] Last challenge showed me that I will game any food system that I come up with. Also it's too easy for me to "get behind" and give up on posting photos of my food. I started a whole 60 (my longest yet) on 7/14, which means that I'm currently finishing up day 12. Sept 11th (the first day of our hike) will be day 60. Perfect! I already feel so much more at home in my skin. Anybody wanna be good food buddies? 3) Whole Body [+3 STR] - Bodyweight Training 3x per week. I love doing bodyweight stuff at the playground (or at home when it's raining). Plus, this will give me the functional strength that I need to lug my pack through Mordor the Presidentials. Side Quest - Foam Roll [+2 STA] Time to get my IT bands ready for the mountains. No more excuses. Life Quest - Make Music [+2 CHA] - 3x per week This is good for my soul, mind, and mood. Sounds like the perfect supplement to a challenge searching for wholeness. Ready, rebels?

Hi everyone! I'm Teros and this will be my 9th challenge. I slumped the last 2 weeks of the previous challenge because of depression and then a massive screw up in terms of eating. I'm a sad panda because of this I'm fixing that this challenge by coming back http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxcWbOZ-AC8 What helped me immensely was believing in Consistency>Intensity last challenge. I want to keep going with this by building a full everyday routine. This challenge I'm aiming for a Flawless Victory 1) Whole 30- Gotta eat right. Nothing else to say. 2) Cold Showers- I just started taking cooler showers in the morning. It's tough to not turn the heat up but I do feel better so this is something I want to get used to. I've read a bunch of benefits from taking cold showers. 3) Workout Routine- I want to work out everyday but the amount varies per day. I at least want to get a 20 minute walk in everyday in the mornings with my dog before I have to go to work. On non-work days I'll be doing: Walking & P/L/P & Sledgehammer & Kettelbell & Sandbag. Any mix of those. I'm currently up to 30/30/10(rows) and I hope to get up to 50/50/50(rows or upgrade weight) by the end of the challenge. 4) Survive g/f's family OR something else to be named later. Last year was a clusterf$@k when her family came up. I went from eating relatively paleo pre-family to eating donuts and Doritos for breakfast and feeling sick to my stomach every single day. Literally ate take-out 2-3 times a day, every day, for a solid week. It spiraled both my g/f and I into eating more horrible garbage for months until I did my first whole 30. I want to have a plan and I want to make sure my g/f talks to her mom so we have a couple of planned cheats as opposed the garbage-thon we went through. *Possible #5* Meditate on the wall of positivity for 5 minutes a day: Points to be figured out later.

The theme here is to be a consistency monster. I've realized that Consistency>Intensity so my goals this time is to create a cycle that I don't want to break. 1) Whole 30+ Always one of my goals because of how much it helps me. Eating right consistently means I'll lose weight. I didn't lose 45 pounds by cheating myself. I need to stay consistent with it; no matter how boring it might get. How I felt on the whole 30 was way better than if I wasn't and I need to remember that. +4 Con 2) Walking If I'm going to do a Spartan Race, I need to be able to handle walking long distances. I'm starting off with walking 2.2 miles a day. Once that feels easy for me, I want to steadily increase it. Again- consistency>intensity. No need trying to hike 10 miles and burn myself out. +3 Dex 3) PLP - Pushup + Lunges + Pullup Program. I can't do pullups yet, but that's why I'm going to do heavy rows until I can do inclined rows with my bar + cement blocks. I'll try 10 of each when the challenge starts and do that a couple days and then continue with increasing the reps. Sledgehammer workouts when I feel like I have extra energy worked out great last time, so don't worry- I'll be hammering away yet again (Sub-goal here: do 500+ Pushups over the course of the challenge) +4 Strength 4) Staying Positive. I haven't ironed out the details of this yet, but there is a lot of heavy stuff I'm dealing with right now and I need some mental clarity. If I'm depressed and stressed out- I won't be able to handle the other things. So this has to be a priority. Maybe a positive affirmation a day or something? Not 100% sure, but I'm thinking something along those lines. +4 (Determined Later)

This is my first challenge as a Druid and I am so incredibly excited about it! If you would like some background on me and my chosen namesake, here is my previous challenge where I explained a lot of stuff and where Snow White's story began To continue Snow White's story: Snow White had been living in the woods for a while now, and the cool, crisp fall had been overthrown by a harsh, long, brutal, painful winter. Snow White was doing the best she could to defeat the darkness, the bone-chilling cold, the stinging wind. She had trapped beavers and raccoons to use their plush fur for warmth, she had done her best to keep herself fed and nourished to maintain her strength (despite the disheartening lack of game and berries), and she tried to hole herself up in the hollow of a tree for as long as she could to remain warm and save her body from the deep, endless cold that threatened to freeze her flesh within minutes of exposure. But her body was so worn, tired and depleted from the struggle of trying to keep herself fed, protected and warm in the harsh, barren winter that she became very ill.... her skin turned to fire, her body shook violently with chills, her throat became raw, her ears, head, neck and body ached and throbbed, her muscles gave up, her mind became blurred, her appetite disappeared and her stomach threatened anarchy. There was nothing she could do but try to muster up enough strength to drag herself to the river for a drink of water and to her frighteningly meager stash of food buried under the weeping willow tree. Snow White could only pray that winter's cold would give way to summer's warmth before her body gave up altogether.... Now to update you on my current situation. I got sick on January 30th with mono and a double ear infection, so as I write this, this is my 29th day of sickness. It has been beyond brutal. I started with a fever, stomachache, earache, headache, chills, body aches, sore throat, exhaustion, dehydration, nausea and no appetite. The fever and the chills left after a couple days, but the rest of it has stayed around for 29 days, along with extremely swollen lymph nodes all the way from my ears down my shoulders and back and an insanely swollen spleen, which has caused me to have pain right under my left breast 24/7, along with difficulty taking deep breaths and feeling sick and full very quickly whenever I eat. For the past week, they have been afraid that it was going to rupture, so I have been at the hospital every couple days to monitor the situation. I am finally getting good news! The swelling is going down and today was the first day that I have been better than the previous day! I am very glad, because I have a very busy and stressful life. I am currently a senior at Drake University studying politics and history, I sing and tour with Drake Choir, I work 21 hours a week at Nationwide Insurance and I am the recruitment director for a Congressional campaign in MN. I will be moving there in June after I graduate to work as the assistant field director. I also have a huge family that I have many responsibilities with and I am a local political activist, and I hold several positions in local politics. I desperately need to get well to graduate with good grades, keep up with my two jobs, my family and my activism. My main quest is to heal! I need to make sure that I take care of my body and allow it to heal. I have difficulty eating enough, drinking enough water, sleeping enough and not running myself to death. It has been a long, painful, difficult winter physically and emotionally. It's been a really hard winter in my life and I am ready for it to end. 1. My first goal is to eat Whole30.... but not until the nerds leave I am SOEXCITED because some of my closest and most favorite nerds in the WORLD are coming to visit me this weekend!!!!!!! Actually, erm, the first one gets here in 38 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I'M EXCITED?! LMAO. Anyway, I will eat Whole30 from Monday, March 3rd-Sunday, April 13th AND I will drink 64 oz of water (at least; I'm still really dehydrated). Also, I will do my best to take my vitamins and supplements. I'm a bit forgetful. But that's not a requirement, just something preferable. I will be blogging everything I eat every day and whether I meet these goals. I will be keeping track of the days (if any) where I don't fulfill all of these requirements, A = 0-2 days without a problem = 3 CON points B = 3-5 days = 2 CON points C = 6-8 days = 1 CON points D = 9-11 days = .5 CON points F = 12+ = 0 CON points 2. Sleep 42 hours a week! This averages 6 hours every night. This sounds really easy, but I have massive amounts of homework to do, I'm an insomniac, I like my alone time at night annnnd yeah. I have trouble sleeping. My sleep week will go from Sunday/Monday sleep until Saturday/Sunday sleep. I'll keep track of it on my battle blog and on here. Here's my grading system based on number of weeks I achieve this goal! A = 5 weeks = 2 CON points + 1 WIS point B = 4 = 1.5 CON points + .75 WIS points C = 3 = 1 CON point + .5 WIS points D = 2 = .5 CON points + .25 WIS points F = 1-0 = 0 con + 0 WIS 3. Exercising 3x a week for at least half an hour. I didn't define what type of exercise because, right now, I am limited to walking and very easy, careful yoga. The intensity of workouts I am capable of will increase each week (hopefully), but I definitely want to keep active, whether it's just walking and yoga or whether I'm running by the end of the challenge (I really hope so!!! I miss running!) Here's my grading system based on the number of workouts I miss! A = 0-2 workouts missed = 3 STA + 1 STR + 1 DEX B = 3-4 = 2 STA + .75 STR + .75 DEX C = 5-6 = 1 STA + .5 STR + .5 DEX D = 7-8 = .5 STA + .25 STR + .25 DEX F = 9+ = 0 points 4. I have missed so many classes because of mono and being at the doctor or the ER, and I am so often tired and in pain from mono that it's really hard to force myself to go to class some days. But this needs to happen. I can't be skipping class in my last semester, with so much on the line. My goal is to not skip a single class for the next 5 weeks! My grading scale will be based on the number of classes I miss until the end of the challenge. A = 0 classes missed = 2 WIS + 2 STA B = 1-2 classes missed = 1.5 WIS + 1.5 STA C = 3-4 classes missed = 1 WIS + 1 STA D = 5-6 classes missed = .5 WIS + .5 STA F = 7+ classes missed = 0 points Side quest: I am a Christian and I am dissatisfied with the amount of time I spend reading the Bible or praying right now. My heart is often stressed, anxious and overwhelmed right now, and I know that the best way to calm my heart, find shelter and gain strength is to read the Bible and pray. I won't grade myself on this because that feels wrong somehow, but I'll be making little notes to either track how often I do so, just so it reminds me to do so more often. I am very excited to get going on this challenge and I am thrilled to be a Druid! Thank you for reading my challenge, and I wish you the best of luck in your challenge! Long live the rebellion! P.S.: Special thanks to Mel_Issa for helping me come up with the framework of the challenge, LorenWade for the Classic Crime song that's been keeping me going when everything feels cold and dark, AlienJenn for nursing me through mono from 1,000 miles away, and all of my dearest NF friends for loving me through a dark couple months and making me smile when nothing else could; you all know who you are

I'm mid-challenge, and it's Friday. Sounds like the perfect time to start a Whole30 eating plan, right? Right! Okay. I'm coming from a semi-paleo eating history, so some things will be harder than others. I'm already off sodas (regular and diet) and artificial sweeteners, though I was using stevia. So, no more stevia. Or refined sugars, which are my nemesis and the real reason I've decided to do the Whole30. Time to slay the sugar demon. I've been gluten and grain-free for about a month. The cravings are still there, but they aren't as intense as they were at first. Honestly, it was harder giving up soda than it was to give up the bread. The Whole30 doesn't allow quinoa or buckwheat -- not really grains, but close enough, apparently -- so those are off the menu for the next month as well. I will be leaving it in my pantry (rather than tossing it), as the gluten free stuff is expensive. I don't think I'll have that much of a problem with temptation on that front. (Any other famous last words?) Yeah. I'm doing the Whole30 with quinoa pasta in my pantry. Moving on. My next big hurdle is dairy. I've been drinking almond and coconut milks instead of cow milk since January. But the cheese and sour cream. And the cheese. Did I mention I will be giving up cheese? *takes a deep breath* Okay. I can do this. It's only a month, right? Thirty little days. I should mention that my roommate, while supportive, is NOT giving up cheese or dairy. There is cheese in the 'fridge now. My cheese monster complains loudly when I neglect it. I am fully aware that cheese is an addiction for me. Fully. Aware. But I am stronger than congealed milk. And I'm stubborn. And I am not going to cheat on my Whole30 with cheese or cream or any of it. Okay then. Let's do this! Edit: I wanted to embed a video of Ze Frank's Invocation for Beginnings, but the still picture that displays is NSFW due to a printed F-bomb. So, you can look it up on YouTube (It's NSFW due to some language), but I can't put it here.

I know this is not new to any of you and I might be years behind some of you. But I finally took the plunge and I did it. I actually made it through 30 incredibly researched and thought out days of no sugar. This was for me and my family and trying to take yet one more step closer to being a better version of myself. first the bad: - I still craved Mt Dew every single day. That never went away. - I don't like cooking. I never had, and this is the most amount of cooking that I have ever done in a short amount of time. - The grocery bills were MUCH higher than normal. However, we didn't buy a single thing like snacks, quick lunches from wherever, drinks or anything like that at all for a month. So that kind of evened out in the end. - The amount of research and planning I did each week took several hours on and off. However, having everything planned out and ready made the week a whole lot easier. I knew what I was making, I knew what I needed to take out of the freezer, and Alex was able to see what was on the menu for the week. - Sugar or high fructose corn syrup is in almost everything. EVERYTHING. So there was a lot of label reading and frustration there. I even found it in salsa. Why is it is salsa? We eventually ended up having to make all of our own mayo and dressings and stuff like that, which took more time, resources and my poor blender. Now for the good: - I 100% feel more focused and clear headed. It took a couple of weeks for that to kick in. But it without a doubt affected my mind for the better. I of course still forget some things and make mistakes, because I’m human. But the difference is staggering; nothing that I can prove outwardly really, but inwardly it is so much better. - Previously, I lived with a stomach ache every single day of my life: Until this month. I was so used to having a chronic stomach ache that not having one was unusual. 30 days of virtually no stomach aches. That blew my mind. - I have become more confident in my cooking. I still didn’t enjoy the process all that much, but I liked the outcomes and the cooking knowledge increased 30 fold. For example: I know how to broil something now. I have found a myriad of ways to use my Dutch Oven. And where has citrus zest been all my life?! Delicious! And then there are frittatas. Oh frittatas. You are a staple in my life now. - I found myself only eating at meal time. I hardly snacked. And that 2 o’clock wall that most people hit every single day. That never happened. I had the energy to go straight through. The work day seemed shorter and I was more productive because I was more focused for longer. - Fruit became sweet to me again. - It definitely gave me more energy. I still went to bed completely knackered because of all the cooking and extra things that I had to do. But I had the energy to DO all of those things. - And despite the amount of meat and olive oil and things like that…I still lost 8 ½ pounds just by cutting out the sugar. - We ate at the table sometimes twice a day together. This was a nice side effect that we enjoyed so much. We went from being roommates to being married again. - There were maybe only one or two things that I made that both my husband and I were “meh†about. We liked most everything we ate. We were satisfied, we felt good and nothing just felt heavy in our stomach. It was natural. But, here are my favorite meals, Top 5: 1. Pistachio Encrusted Cod with Sautéed Broccoli Rabe and orange wedges. (Day 8 Dinner). 2. Chicken Salad with homemade mayo. (Day 4 Lunch). 3. Prosciutto Wrap Chicken Stuffed with Apples and Spinach with a side of Kale Chips. (Day 17 Dinner). 4. Homemade chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries. (Day 18 Dinner). 5. Every frittata that we made. Which I think was 4 or 5. Want to thank my husband, who did the dishes every night so that I would have a clean kitchen to cook, and for being so on board with this whole thing. If you weren’t as stoked and as supportive as you were about all of this, it would have been so much easier to give up. So what’s next? We’re going to try and do more of the same with some tweaks to help with the budget. I will still have a piece of cake at a birthday party or something nice on date night (which are few and far between.) But I am not going to let it be a daily thing. I will make it a TRUE and honest treat. I will add honey sometimes and cheese on some occasions. I am not having bread or pasta yet though. Here are some books that I read/am reading throughout all of this: Grain Brain by David Perlmutter, MD It Starts with Food: Discover The Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. The Story of the Human Body by Daniel L. Lieberman Near a Thousand Tables by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto Article links: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/diet-fitness/tried+warn+about+sugar/9503788/story.html http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/display.cfm?id=19990303141416 http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar.html

During the last challenge I built some good habits, including walking at least 20 minutes every day. I've found some good solutions for getting past hurdles which previously got in my way, such as using the Wii Walk It Out game for making indoor walking more fun than a treadmill. These were exciting major breakthroughs for me! For this challenge, I want to maintain those habits and start focusing on the next most important ones. Main Quest Backpack the Washington state portion of the Pacific Crest Trail in August of this year. It's just over 500 miles, and will take approximately 4-5 weeks to complete. To fulfill this Quest, I need to develop: A strong back for carrying a load: I will follow the Back Rx exercise program as outlined in the book. (I failed miserably at this during the last Challenge, so this will be my main focus this time.) Strong legs for hiking up and down mountain trails: I will continue to follow the 10,000 squats program (2 days exercise plan, 1 day rest). (According to "Crossfit Foundations", the squat is the primary foundational exercise to begin to develop maximal fitness. Last challenge I completed 28 days of the 110 days in the program, and had 9387 squats to go. I'm going to start where I left off and keep plugging away at it. My form still needs major work--need to go deeper and keep torso more upright.) Endurance for walking every day: I will walk at least 40 minutes every day. (Last time I built a habit of walking at least 20 minutes every day, so I'm doubling it this time. I actually expect to walk quite a lot more than that. With the Wii I can easily do 60-90 minutes a day without even thinking about it. For the PCT hike, I plan to average about 15 miles a day hiking 6-8 hours per day.)Diet Side Quest Continue to eat according to Whole30 as much as possible, and develop a repertoire of family recipes. (Last challenge I completed the Whole30 and the recommended reintroduction of food groups. My strongest reaction was to dairy, though cultured dairy--yogurt, hard cheese, etc.--seemed to cause only mild bloating, if any reaction at all. I felt so good using the Whole30 eating plan that I've decided to use it as a maintenance program to help me get down to my goal weight. I will avoid non-Whole30 foods as rigorously as possible, allowing small variances when eating out. It's very difficult to eat perfect Whole30 when eating out, but 95% is doable. It has been a huge relief to find a way of eating that is healthy and allows me to maintain good energy all day while at the same time not being complicated or making me feel deprived. Now I need to focus on maintaining the habit.) Life Quest Finish writing my locavore cookbook. (Last challenge I worked at formatting at least one recipe per day into my book manuscript. I didn't do very well on that goal toward the end of the challenge, but I made enough progress to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just want to get this project off my plate and wrapped up.) Tracking This time I'm trying out Joe's Goals for a tracking tool. (See this post for details.) If I do everything as planned, my perfect daily score would be 5. This is a real time image, so should be an accurate picture of where I am every day. Note that the chart shows a whole week, even if some of those days haven't happened yet. And here's a progress bar for the 10,000 Squats Program (I won't finish during this challenge, but it will show how I'm doing). Every 10% is 1000 squats: 14.55%14.55% Motivation My first two motivations are the same as always: First, I believe the negative effects of physical aging are largely the result of years of unhealthy habits. If I was 25 and my knees ached, I would try to change any habits causing that problem. Instead, when we are 65 we just say, "Yeah, I'm getting old." I'm not willing to take that approach. I'm going to see just how healthy I can become by the time I'm 65 (I'm 62 now). So my first motivation is: "I want to be radiantly healthy." Second is a mental/emotional/spiritual motivation, and the reason I chose backpacking for my Main Quest. When I first left home and went out on my own, I used to backpack a lot. I felt so free. Carrying everything I needed to live on my back, I could go anywhere, do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I want to feel that sense of freedom again. My lack of fitness is the only thing stopping me. So that's my second motivation: "I want to feel completely free." Recently I've identified a third aspect of my motivation. As I've been working toward my Main Quest, I've realized that as much as anything this project is about getting reacquainted with myself. I've gone through a lot of experiences and transitions since I was actively backpacking in my twenties, and I haven't really taken much time to consider how it has affected me in the long term. I've been too busy simply living my life, adapting and reacting to circumstances as I go. How have I changed in the process? What have I learned? How am I different or the same as I was then? Who am I now? Who do I want to be? "I want to rediscover and fully express the core of who I am." And so the goddess' path into wisdom continues...

I'm super proud of myself. I have successfully complete a Whole30 challenge. No sugar AT ALL for 30 days. And I feel GREAT! Now seeing if I can stretch that to a full 6 weeks.

Hey guys! It's a new year and that means a new look at how I lived last year. I've decided that I want to be able to sign up for the Marines either before or on my birthday. So I only have four months to be ready. I can do this! Also I have a Super Spartan I have to get ready for that'll be starting Jan. 25, and I'll be running with another Nerd, the fabulous, Badass, and totally hardcore AWKWARDACTIVE!! And I'm really determined not to do a single freaking Burpee, or slow down AwkwardActive. Goal 1: Train 3x a week: My training goal for this challenge is: 50 FULL pushups 100 Hanging Leg Raises 2 Chin ups 50 Squats with 100# sandbag A+: Surpass at least two A: Accomplished goal F: Failed set goals Goal 2: Exercise and Stretch Concho Everyday: This should be simple enough, I'll obviously postpone this goal when I'm gone to my race. A+: Complete goal and take Concho hiking 2+x a week A: Complete Goal F: Miss two days Goal 3: Workout my Brain: This is my discipline, for me, anything mental related is hard. I have a really short attention span to certain things and tend to zone out when bored. Like Walter Mitty (awesome movie!). A+: Memorize "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe, something I've always wanted to do! A: Work and study everyday. F: Nothing. Goal 4: Grip Strength: If I want to achieve what I've been dreaming to do, then I need the grip of Hercules. I want to learn how to rock climb after all. A+: Hold onto the bar past a minute. A: 1 minute F: Not even a minute. Life Goal: Finish the Super Spartan. Ready to make this year the most memorable of my life!

With it being the new year, I've been very reflective and I've never stuck to anything besides nerd fitness. Within 6 months I dropped 4 pants sizes and I'm a lot stronger now. I want this to be THE YEAR. This is the year that I take everything I've learned and finally finish my weight loss quest. Main Goals: Lose 140 Pounds / Complete a Spartan Race I don't know how far I am on the weight loss since I haven't weighed myself since May, but clothes have been a good indicator that I'm going in the right direction. I don't want to get discouraged over how much left I have to lose. I'm just eating healthy and exercising and my body will take care of itself. 1) Do a whole 30. (+4 Constitution) I did a complete one back in september. I did 3/4 of another one in november. Cookie day ruined that and I gained some weight back. I'm completing this one. I started Jan 1st. 2) Sledgehammer Workout 2-3x a week. (+4 Strength) On a whole 30, I lose a lot of energy in the beginning. So when I start this, I'll be working out twice a week. Once I get my mojo back, I'll do 3 times a week. 3) Make more gym things. (+4?) i want to make 2 sandbags with handles for farmer's walks and such. I also want to make another kettelbell so I can be more balanced when I do certain exercises. 4) Read more. (+3 Wisdom) I need to think about this one a little bit. I want to read but I'm just not sure how much would be a goal/challenge.

..... Just like with the Second Right of Ascension, you have to have your spirit and your mind in the right place, or you will fail. My motivation hasn't been lacking even though I've been doing challenges (last two notably). Due to injury setbacks, I've lost my focus and my motivation, my head isn't in the game and I need to get my passion back. This has to stop before I dig myself a hole and undo all the hard work I've managed to accomplish. Okay, so maybe my challenge won't be THAT intense, but it DOES involve WHOLE30, which, to some people, might be more painful than the ritual of 20 painstiks Main Quest: To do a single pull-up. This has been derailed due to a shoulder injury, but I'm working through rehab and I WILL GET THAT PULL-UP DONE. This is my long-term goal, so it isn't going to change no matter what I'm going through currently. Mission 1: - WHOLE 30 After a much needed "Water Shed Moment"/"Come to Jesus Meeting" I have decided to join Darkfoxx & Fonzico in doing Whole30 to clean up my diet. Specifics: 1. Take a week to read, understand, and prep for Whole30. (Week 1) 2. Do Whole30 with no relapses or excuses starting Jan. 13th - Feb. 11th (Week 2 - Week 6) 3. Share all food/drink consumption with my accountability group, aka take a picture before consuming to be truthful and focused. Be open for criticism and encouragement, be willing to make changes. (Week 1) 3. Track with a spreadsheet Week 1 Mini-challenge revision Mission 2 - Rehab Gotta continue shoulder rehab Specifics: 1. Shoulder rehab 2x a day, NO EXCUSES, NO SLACKING. - Last time I slacked, rehab doesn't work if you don't stick to it exactly like the doc expects. (Start Week 1) 2. Track in spreadsheet Week 1 Mini-challenge revision Mission 3 - Strength & Cardio Fitness I'm in the middle of doing the Zombies 5k, so I should keep this up. I don't like "rapidly moving through space" but with the Z5K, it is fun and rewarding. Also I need to set-up a workout regimen, likely consisting of bodyweight exercises. I've recruited Surge_Supra to give me some direction with where I should go here. I believe (if my health returns tomorrow), that I'll be doing a benchmark workout tomorrow or Wednesday and then we'll proceed from there. Specifics: 1. Perform any combination of Zombies 5K and bodyweight exercises 3x a week. If more is done, great, but this is the bare minimum. 2. Track with a spreadsheet. Mission 4 - Family Fitness I am a good dad. I have been making time for my kiddos, but I need to get back to including my daughter in my fitness. That got derailed when I injured my shoulder, but need to get back on track. Specifics: 1. Make it a point to do something other than sitting around the house with the kids 2x a week. I realize this will be though during these winter months, but I should be able to figure something out. (Start Week 1) 2. (you guessed it) track with spreadsheet. BONUS: Mission 5 - Gratitude A big part of getting my head back in the game is to get my focus back on what matters. My passion will return and remain when I start showing gratitude instead of stink'n think'n. This doesn't just need to be acknowledging something I should be thankful for, but this should be "gratitude that changes a person". Specifics: 1. Carve out time each day to meditate and really thank God for something in my life. Shooting for 42 days here, no skipping, just like with Whole30, skipping resets the whole process. 2. Track with spreadsheet. I'll come back later to do grading scores perhaps, but for now, time for bed! G'night NF!

I'm back, sort of. I miss the challenge. I've been watching via WildRoss...but, I have not been able to do much of anything, because of more surgeries, moving, and blah blah blah(cue Charlie Brown's teacher voice here) It's time. The time is NOW. I have lost 25 pounds since Jan 1, and I only have about 100 to go. I have lost much muscle strength, but that can be regained! The time that I have wasted eating wrong and not exercising, to the degree that I could have at whatever time and place I was at, cannot be regained. But I can say right now, right here, NO MORE! I will not be 100% paleo to the detriment of friends and family...and our times together, but I will be 100% paleo to the best of my ability, and I will make mindful choices for leaving this protocol that has brought so much health. I have been given some limitations for my exercise...main caution? listen to your body....if it hurts, stop. recoup. start again. I made some friends here a long time ago, and I dropped off the face of the earth. Well, not really, I had more surgery. I was embarrassed that I couldn't do any challenges. And, I felt like a loser. That stops NOW! I don't know where I can get to, I don't know what long term goals to set, but I do know that I have to do MORE today than yesterday...and that has been my goal. If I have to take a day of rest so that I can go further tomorrow than yesterday - THAT IS TAKING CARE OF ME TO GET STRONGER! A day of rest, or a week of rest after long stressful events, is going to be important...and, I was afraid to put that on here. I am here again, in order to be inspired by my husband, and our daughter...and anyone else that chooses to be part of the rebuilding of Lady WildRoss. I'm glad to be back...

Okay, so maybe that's a bit dramatic. Basically, I'm continuing the simple goals from last challenge, with a bit of refinement. 1. Eat Well Hubby is doing Whole30 (voluntarily) (what?!?!?!) so I'm being supportive and doing it too. I do need to re-slay my sugar dragon anyway, since I went a bit off the rails over the course of December. I'm not going to be overly obsessive in completing a Whole30, since that way madness and self loathing lie (and I fought that pretty successfully last time), but I do see a lot of value in the program and attempting it is a good way to get back on track. So meal planning, no counting, no macros, just intuitive eating of only the good stuff. 2. Be Active Goal is 2 lifting sessions, 1 running session, 1 yoga session, and assorted mobility. I've been feeling just generally uncomfortable, and I really think its a combination of slouching, inactivity, and zero mobility for a few months has taken its toll. I feel like body comp is going in the right direction, despite eating all the (terribly unhealthy) things, so keeping active and varied with an emphasis on good solid lifting session is all I need for now. 3. Be Nice to PrincessHeather I'm about to start my final semester of my MPA, so I get to do a crazy big research project. I have the nonprofit picked out and the blessing of their executive director, and my project will center around gathering survey data of their clients (people with varying levels of developmental disability, from ages 6 months to elderly), and I will need to have a full prospectus of how I will proceed by the end of January. So the first part of "be nice to Heather" is to just hold it together, not panic, and get the first major chunk of this thing done. Part two of "be nice to Heather" is to continue job hunting. My work is making me nuts, it's a company wide systemic problem that we don't hold managers accountable for anything so turnover is attrocious and I just hate the merry-go-round feeling of being the poor HR schlub who tries to stop the revolving door. I've also become really convicted that my calling in life is to help the disadvantaged, and want a career that helps me focus that feeling into action. I've put in approximately 10 job applications at nonprofits around town and got my first interview call today, so I'm off to a good start I think. It's out of my control to a certain extent, but I would love to have a new job by the end of this challenge. Starting Stats Weight: Waist (natural/belly button): 30/34 Hips: 40 Thighs: 23 each/37 around Calves:15 Biceps:10

The Great Wholetexalypse of 2014 Have you heard? The nerd herd will be coralled to Dallas in January! Loren Wade needs to get his shit together. So here's a bunch ridiculous apocalypses I must endure before then. Am I prepared?The JunkpocalypseWhole 30 82Starts 10/31/13, ends 1/23/14The Fatpocalypse15% body fat.If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit.The Spendpocalypse No more spending on non-necessities.Anything else, I need > 2 approvals from:emceechammyDarkRavenApprovals:$15 Full length door mirror for progress pics.$5 a week for FNM.IncentivesWhole 82emcee = buddy shirtschammy = favorite dinnerHaikoo = crochet adipose babyNo SpendingDarkRaven = airdrop survival packsUpdatesDay 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 7Day 8Day 9Day 10Day 11Day 12Day 13Day 14Day 15Day 16Day 17Day 18Day 19Day 20Day 21Day 22Day 23Day 24Day 25Day 26Day 27Day 28Day 29Day 30Day 31Day 32Day 33Day 34Day 35Day 36Day 37Day 38Day 39Day 40Day 41Day 42Day 43Day 44Day 45Day 46Day 47Day 48Day 49Day 50Day 51Day 52Day 53Day 54Day 55Day 56Day 57Day 58Day 59Day 60Day 61Day 62Day 63Day 64Day 65Day 66Day 67Day 68Day 69Day 70Day 71Day 72

It seems that I am coming late to the party on this one. I know so many people have either already done this or simply preach the benefits. I've known for some time now WHAT I needed to do, but I couldn't seem to get my head there to start. I am giving up sugar. Totally and utterly for 30 days at least and more if I can. And if you know me, you know that that is a HUGE deal. This isn't me just arbitrarily saying, "No more Mt Dew for me!" without making a plan to succeed. As you all know Sugar is a drug, as addictive as narcotics. It's a poison, it might take years to kill you. Sure it tastes amazing, but that's how it gets ya. I have a plan, I've already set it up. Now I just have to execute it. On Saturday my husband and I are going to the store to get the groceries for the week. I have already made a menu for the week and made the shopping list. I know this will be "hard". But I am determind. And my hubby is an amazing support. I will be impossible to live with for a few weeks, so for those of you whom I see reguarly. I apologize in advance. I need your patience and your encouragment. This is not vanity, I am diong this for my health, for my mind and for my family. So i ask for encouragment and help keep me accountable.

Main Goals: To Lose 100 Pounds / Complete A Spartan Race It's time to kick it into high gear with my RPG character: 1) Finish another Whole 30. I started my 2nd Whole30 on Nov 1st, so I'm chugging along with it. +3 Strength, +2 Constitution 2) Warhammer 3x A Week. I want to have a base workout, and then start adding some new exercises into the mix to keep things fresh. I'll also be including stuff from Challenge #3, which is.... +5 Strength 3) Make some new gym equipment. I want to make a kettlebell and a tornado ball. They both look like fun and they're something new to use to mix it up with my warhammer. I want to make a 25lb kettelbell and a 45lb kettelbell. +3? 4) Prepare for hobo xmas. I have created a holiday much in the same light as festivus (although I never knew of festivus before coming up with my idea). It's anti-commercialism. It's all about making gifts, getting joke gifts, and finding the cheapest and worst possible gifts ever. Creepy doll with a black smudge on it from the holiday bazaar for 2 bucks? PERFECT. I have a huge stockpile in the laundry room that reaches the ceiling so I need to sort it all out, make some of the gifts, and start wrapping them up since I DESPISE rushing the holidays. +2?

I like my username - FortBacon - and I usually feel LIKE bacon - like a big piece of fatty meat. In fact, I would go as far as to say I feel like a street-delicacy I encountered in Ukraine called salo - which is pretty much a slice of fatback (emphasis on the fat), fried, peppered and sold on the street. You can read more about this questionable treat here. So, I would like this challenge to kick off my year-long quest to transition from feeling like this... To feeling like this... The Big/Main Quest - Lean Out (without losing what little muscle I have) and get the career settle (more of a caveat, but same timeline and just as important) From now until summer (and probably through the end of 2014), I shall lean out - and would love to fit into 36" waist I should probably shoot for smaller waist than 36 at my height - but I gotta start somewhere that's currently out of reach - 36 for now... and I don't know what's possible with my particular combination of health stuff (primarily thyroid). Progress, not perfection. 3 FITNESS QUESTS (Nov 11 - Dec 22) * NUTRITION - Whole42 - the ever popular whole30 extended through the duration of our 6 week challenges (yes - including Thanksgiving) * EXERCISE - 3x per week, go to CrossFit (maybe 4 times per week, but at least 3) - with an emphasis on SCALING - I'm not trying to RX and hit a stress wall - just trying to burn off my glycogen stores, keep some strength and boost my metabolism (while doing the mobility, endurance and strength thing without succumbing to the pressure to overdo it) * HYDRATION - water water water - shooting for 72 oz per day (that's draining my nalgene 3x's per day) and restrict coffee to 1 cup a day. The coffee will be the hardest part, but I need to take it easy on my adrenals and rehydrate my body!! Life Quest - Complete first run-through of CAIA Level 1 study material I'm working on my career while I do this - trying to get to a family-sustaining job and into a home town that I can live in long-term (whether that is where I live now or somewhere else in a year - unsure - I just need to hurry up and settle on it so I can move my parents to where I can sustain the family... life... so crazy). I would love to be self-employed, but for now I need to feed the kid and save up the monies!!!!!! Getting the CAIA will be very helpful in getting that "set job" in a long-term town (my current job is considered short-term and transitional by most in the industry). Wow -that is wordy. Let's summarize and make it nice and tidy and measurable and doable MAIN QUEST: In a year, lean out to <36" waist and be on a strong career path 1) Whole42 - get fat-adapted and clean the body of the processed foods, grains, dairy and legume 2) CrossFit 3x per week (and maybe 4 times) - scaled - just burn the glycogen and keep the strength 3) Water - 72 oz water per day and only 1 cup of coffee per day LIFE - Complete first run-through of CAIA Level 1 material (exam is in March) WHY? I am the big kid now - as my last challenge ended with major health crisis in the family, I discovered that I may someday be responsible for the parentals... while being husband to a WONDERFUL wife. I need to get healthy so I can be around and honor the body God gave me... and be the best I can in my career (in my job, appearances matter - sales and all). I love my wife, my son and my parents and I know how good I feel when I'm in shape (energy levels, confidence, etc.). So many barriers have been removed, and it's time. Debt is finally gone, my job is supportive and flexible, my parents are healthy, and I learned a ton about food prep and cooking in my last challenge. It is time to fix the body! I'm very excited about this challenge. It's such a transitional time - like I finally pulled my family out of a bog and we can start moving again! Very very excited.

I'm stoked to be joining the Assassins for my second challenge! From my last challenge, to keep my eye on the Main Quest: Last challenge, I lost approximately 7 pounds (177 to 170). My goal is to get to 150, which is a good weight that allows me to build strength and burn fat, and then fine-tune body comp from there. I'd estimate maybe two more challenges after this one to get there. I definitely improved my strength and flexibility - yesterday, I redpointed an outdoor climb I started last challenge, so that was very exciting. So, this challenge, my main quest will be the same, but my objectives will be tweaked and simplified based on lessons learned last challenge: 1. Sharpen skills on the rock: Get to the rock-climbing gym (or even better, outside!) at least twice per week for at least 90 minutes at a time for as long as my schedule allows. (Lesson: take it where I can get it. Some days might be four hours of climbing, others only one. Baby requires flexibility.) 2. Regain strength and flexibility: incorporate four home workouts into weekly schedule. This should alternate between interval sprints/calisthenics in the park, P90X, a climbing-specific hangboard workout (related side quest: install hangboard that is chilling in my living room), and yoga DVDs. The day after the most intense workout of the week, allow an active recovery day with just a long walk for exercise (> 1 hour). (Lesson: classes require too much time out of the day. Also, strength is equally important to flexibility, and it has also been severely compromised. Find a few intense, short home workouts to fill in the gaps.) 3. Target body comp: Keep carb count below 100 g/day by adhering 90% to Paleo guidelines (I do consume limited dairy and tolerate it well). Do a Whole30 - but make it last the whole challenge. So I guess it's a Whole42? Lesson: tracking is a pain and not really necessary. Use an eating plan that has proven effective for me in the past.) Overall, this amounts to one workout per day and a strict eating plan that does not require daily tracking. Life Quest: Determine new career path. This is going to require a lot of introspection and industry research.i Motivation attached!

As the weather transitions to wet and cold in this part of the world, I reorganized my efforts after having a back injury and illness. It gave me time to clarify and fine-tune my goals. Here are my goals for this challenge: Main Quest My Main Quest continues to be the same: Backpack the Washington state portion of the Pacific Crest Trail in August 2014. To fulfill this quest, I need to develop: A strong back for carrying a load: I will follow the Back Rx exercise program as outlined in the book. Strong legs for hiking up and down mountain trails: I will follow the 10,000 squats program (2 days exercise plan, 1 day rest). According to "Crossfit Foundations", the squat is the primary foundational exercise to begin to develop maximal fitness. At the end of this challenge, I will do the Tabata test for squats recommended in the same article to see if I'm ready to move on to other foundational exercises. Endurance for walking every day: I will walk at least 20 minutes every day.I'll track all these activities using Lift.do. Diet Side Quest Edited per this post: In order to be as healthy as possible, I want to learn as much as I can about the nutrition I need. I will follow the Whole30 plan for the first 30 days of the duration of this challenge, and then follow their reintroduction recommendations to learn which foods I may or may not be sensitive to eating. I've joined the Holding Whole30 v2.0 accountibilibuddies squad for extra support in this quest. I'm also reading It Starts With Food by the program authors. Life Quest I will add at least one recipe per day to the manuscript of the cookbook I'm writing. I'll track this at Lift.do. Motivation First, I believe the negative effects of physical aging are largely the result of years of unhealthy habits. If I was 25 and my knees ached, I would try to change any habits causing that problem. Instead, when we are 65 we just say, "Yeah, I'm getting old." I'm not willing to take that approach. I'm going to see just how healthy I can become by the time I'm 65 (I'm 62 now). So my first motivation is: "I want to be radiantly healthy." Second is a mental/emotional/spiritual motivation, and the reason I chose backpacking for my Main Quest. When I first left home and went out on my own, I used to backpack a lot. I felt so free. Carrying everything I needed to live on my back, I could go anywhere, do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I want to feel that sense of freedom again. My lack of fitness is the only thing stopping me. So that's my second motivation: "I want to feel completely free." And now it begins again...

I know it’s the 12th but I wrote my goals on the weekend I just haven’t had a chance to upload them yet! I swear I have started the challenge! This is not my first challenge. I have terrible motivation. I do well for two weeks then just fall of the planet. Two weeks healthy, one month not. But this time will be different. I have measurements, but I’m not posting them (yet, maybe at the end). They are from last week since you are not allowed to measure yourself in a whole30. I’m currently doing an elimination diet (pretty much the whole30). I started last Tuesday 5th November. I’m hoping to clear up some serious fatigue problems I’ve been having, as well as joint pain, pimples, poor sleeping ect. I am not being quite as strict as whole30 (hence why I’m not calling it that). I’m allowing some sulphites and preservatives atm. I just needed to put the main stuff out so I wouldn’t fail if I made a slight slip with vinegar or eating out and give up. I will do this one for the month of November and then a proper Whole30 in Jan/Feb next year. I’m mainly focusing on gluten, dairy, soy and SUGAR (dealing with some serious cravings). I’m trying to keep preservities and sulphites to a minimum and trying to abide by the rules ( no weighting, no calorie counting, no snacking – im stuggling with the last one) Anyway - Main Goal To get strongerTo get fitter Motivation Look better, lose fatSleep better, less sore joints, have more energy, less pimplesGet my life more organised and stop being lazy Because I’m completing an elimination diet (like the Whole30) and doing introductions I wanted to plan times for those and so I made weekly goals. My life goal is to stop being lazy and procrastinating! Which is not a SMART goal. So instead each week I’ve assigned a task that I have been avoiding or I know I will avoid. Some of them are small and can be done quickly, some larger. To meet this goal, I can do the task before the week its due (eg Week 2 task in week 1) but I can’t do it after (eg Week 1 task in week 2). So if I want to do more than one task a week I can. Week 1 11th November – 17th November Elimination Diet Complaint, taking notes on any pains, aches, tiredness and emotional responses to food eg cravings4 Workouts a week including 1 strength sessionWalk/Cardio for 15 minutes x 3 Buy Steve’s Christmas Present + Put away all DVDs into the bookshelf Week 2 18th November – 24th November Elimination Diet Complaint taking notes on any pains, aches, tiredness and emotional responses to food eg cravings4 Workouts a week including 2 strength sessionsWalk/Cardio for 15-20 minutes x 3 Organise outdoor eating area (weed, sweep, set up tables, insect light, BBQ ect) Week 3 25th November – 1st December Elimination Diet Complaint taking notes on any pains, aches, tiredness and emotional responses to food eg cravings4 Workouts a week including 2 strength sessionsWalk/Cardio for 15-20 minutes x 4Clean all windows in house, weed front garden Week 4 2nd December – 8th December 4 Workouts a week including 2 strength sessionsElimination Diet Compliant, introduce vodka 7th December (max 4 drinks), taking notes on any pains, aches, tiredness and emotional responses to food eg cravingsWalk/Cardio for 15-20 minutes x 4Buy more storage for back room and sort out any junk still in there, tidy back shelves and reframe print Week 5 9th December – 15th December 5 workouts a week including 2 strength sessionsElimination Diet Compliant, introduce rice Wednesday 11th December, introduce Soy Saturday 14th December, taking notes on any pains, aches, tiredness and emotional responses to food eg cravingsWalk/Cardio for 15-20 minutes x 4Make and hang up gym motivation/fitness/diet board, Week 6 16th December – 22nd December 5 workouts a week including 2 strength sessionsElimination Diet Compliant until 12.01am Thursday 19th December, taking notes on any pains, aches, tiredness and emotional responses to food eg cravingsWalk/Cardio for 15-20 minutes x 4Practice run of Christmas Eve Dish – dish must be gluten and dairy free! I have a notebook I’m marking my training and meals and commenting on how I feel ect. This will be my main tracking of my goals. I also have a little calendar I’m going to print and mark when I do each of my goals. So Marking Guide Life Pass/Fail All 6 Jobs must be complete before Sunday Night of the due week. Diet Pass/Fail Compliance is defined as no gluten, dairy, added sugar and soy. Limit, as much as possible, other allergens. Exercise ≥26 sessions and ≥11 strength sessions – A 22-25 sessions and/or 10 strength – B 19-21 sessions and/or 9 strength – C 16-18 sessions and/or 8 strength – D <16 sessions and /or <8 strength Take the lowest grade of strength and sessions. Strength is defined as going to gym to lift weights or body weight at home. Boxing at work does not count unless we use weights. Cardio ≥22 sessions – A 20-21 – B 17-19 – C 14-16 –D <16 - F I only get me reward for that section if I get a pass or an A.

Forgive the choppiness of this post, but I am trying to get all this down as quickly as possible. There is something in my brain that says I can't achieve my fitness goals because of my thyroid issues (my doctor has been messing with my levels lately, and I let this get into my head in bad ways). That said, as Loren says "How fit do you want to be and what are you willing to do to get there?" I want to find out just how fit I CAN get, so here is my main goal and challenge goals... MAIN QUEST - 15% BodyFat by next summer - strong and lean and ready for an active summer of outdoor stuff with the wife and the boy! I'm currently around 36% body fat, and I am not strong or fit (though so much better than last year) Specific Goals: 1 - Complete a whole30-adjusted-version of the DOM chapter in 4-hour-chef (want to become proficient in the kitchen) 2 - CrossFit at least 3 times per week (and no more than 5 times per week) with two performance goals: master double-unders (10 consecutive doubles unders) and running form (measured by video footage critiqued by xfit coach - working with BarefootDawsy on how to better measure progress and goals with running form / mobility) 3 - sleep 7 hours a night (I need more than 7, but 7 is huge progress for me) Side goal - dedicate 2 hours per day to business studies - I'm working on my CAIA certification and on having businesses of my own. MOTIVATION - A life fully lived, that is my motivation! Not being embarrassed at the swimming pool; being able to hike for miles and miles; running, jumping, playing, throwing, lifting... I plan to be around for my family as long as possible, and that requires a fitness fix. I really like my family, and they seem to need me (providing food and shelter and stuff)... I want to be around and to be a good example so that maybe the kiddo doesn't go through extended sedentary phases like I did... LIFE FULLY LIVED - that is my motivation - longevity and confidence and energy, God willing.

The other day, my manfriend asked me why I had been sticking with the healthy kick this time around. (Given, I then bullied him into going to the gym after an exhausting weekend roadtrip.) I searched my brain and came up with two personal triggers: the sinking feeling of being mistaken for a pregnant lady on the bus, and the very expensive Mass Effect one-piece sitting in my closet, tags still attached, intended for a friend's wedding in Mexico this fall. Those were the basis of my last two challenges here. The long-term 'why' owes in a large part to the NF community here; all the friends I've made, the ridiculously strong teammates who now make up Stealthy Nerd Bastards 2.0, and the extreme geekiness that ties us all together. I've never been so motivated in my life to see something through. I'm accountable to everyone here as I take small steps into reclaiming my ninja status. I can't wait to see the improvement in myself after a few more challenges. Main Quest: Ninja Preparations For Battle I have a love-hate relationship with preparations. When I play a game, the preparation (grinding) always gets me down. I know I have to do it in order to get to the next city/level/boss, but doing so really, really sucks. Same thing with general fitness - I know I should stretch and eat the right things in order to support all of my activities, but it always gets pushed to the backburner. What better way of making sure I do all that by making it the foundation of my challenge this time around? That being said, I think I'm good with sticking with the Assassins this time around. The types of flexibility/movement I've seen listed as assassin-y pursuits interest me - Ido Portal, Animal Flow, Prasara, Mobility WOD. A big part of why I don't stretch enough is simply because I'm bored of 'normal' yoga. I'm not about inversions and head/handstands, and I'd rather focus on the movement itself. Goal 1: Ninja Get Stretchy 15-20 minutes a day. Every day. My shoulders and neck are constantly aching, and my posture is terrible. I'm hoping to see some noticeable improvement at the end of this challenge. I'm also going to be experimenting with body rolling. Payoff: DEX +4, STR +1 Goal 2: Ninja Get Whole30-y (CON +3, STA +2) On a whim, I'm joining rogaecia's Whole30 program. We'll be starting next week and finishing a few days shy of the end of this challenge. It's a perfect time for me, as the manfriend is leaving for a month to see family, and I need something to keep me on track. Otherwise, my diet tends to go down the tubes. Payoff: CON +3, STA +2 Goal 3: Ninja Maintain The Status Quo Bodyweight workouts 3x / week, cardio 4x / week. Personal trainer is still mixing things up. I don't think I'll have a problem here, so have weighed the payoff accordingly. Payoff: STA +1 Life Goal: Complete Geeky Coursera Course Comic Books and Graphic Novels. I've never gotten into comic books, and that's a crying shame. Do all the readings, lectures, participate in the forums. Learn some new worthy knowledge. Payoff: WIS +2, CHA +2 Motivation I don't want to live in pain on a daily basis. I don't want to continue to ignore the aches and creaks in my body while I continue to push it further. I don't want injury to bog me down as I sneak around corners and hide in shadows. Because that wouldn't be very ninja-like. I'm in my late 20s. The time for change is now. Join me, comrades!

I proudly announce: rogaecia's 3rd! Hello everyone- I'm back for my third challenge. I have to admit, I cannot believe last week went by so fast. I am dipping a little low energy wise starting out this challenge. My hope is to rev up as the challenge winds down. My main quest: Shrink my Circumference Currently my waist measures 38" at the smallest point and 44.5" at my belly button. I haven't been much to complain about particular parts of my body because it all needs work. Lately I have been feeling pretty good about my arms and even my butt- something I never thought would happen! However, my "muffin top" just started recently started to bother me. I tried on some cute tops a little bit ago that were longer and the area around my belly button made the shirts look hilly, yes, as if there were hills under there. I would like to bring the 38" down to where my belly button is, sometime in the next 6 months. 6.5" is a lot- but I am sure it can be done. Side Quest 1: Whole30 After much deliberation, I decided that I would aim for the whole 30. I saw a lot of incredible work this last challenge that really motivated me. Also, thanks to incredible Sicil, I have been reading It Starts with Food. The idea of resetting my system is very, very enticing. I plan to formally start the Whole30 on 09/23/13 along with Sicil and also because I have left-over meatballs from last week that contain soy sauce. The breakdown: Week 1: Pre-Whole30, finish meatballs, no alcohol, no caffeine, no added sugar, no grains or legumes. Week 2- Week 6: Whole 30​This quest is pass or fail. Which means: PASS! Side Quest 2: Lift I have been using an app called Lift that induces habit forming. Currently I am working on 9 habits: Be grateful for something/someoneStop and enjoy lifeDrink more waterFoodist (eating well) StretchingExerciseCastor Oil PacksComplete bedtime routine (washing face, brushing teeth, etc)Deep breathing exercises​For this challenge I would like to complete all 9 habits 5 times a week. The breakdown: Grade A: 9 habits/ 5 times a weekGrade B: 9 habits/ 4 times a weekGrade C: 9 habits/ 3 times a weekGrade D: 9 habits/ 2 times a week or less. ​Life Quest: Stay on Budget I would like to work on staying within my budget this challenge. I have budgeted $50/week on groceries and plan to stay on that for a multitude of reasons. The breakdown: Grade A: 6/6 weeks on budgetGrade B: 5/6 weeks on budgetGrade C: 4/6 weeks on budgetGrade D: 3 or less/6 weeks on budget​Motivation: Just kidding! Although Tyler the Creator is hilarious- my motivations are: RockNRoll Half-May 2014 Spartan Race-August 2014 Portland Half Marathon- October 2014 and of course: TO LOOK GOOD. And be moar healthy. [[game on!]]

I should start by saying that I'm a Ranger. Well, a Warrior trying to disguise herself as a Ranger! But really, my strengths are in lifting and I really feel like focusing on what I love this challenge - Olympic lifting! Main Quest: To get body weight Olympic lifts! (Obviously this is a work in progress!!) Current body weight: 86.6kg/191lbs (14/9/13) Height: 183cm (6'0) of freaky femurs and positive ape index! (Being all limbs makes lifting a rather interesting adventure!) Current PRs: Clean & Jerk: 60kg/132lbs Clean: 65kg/143lbs Jerk: 65kg/143lbs Snatch: 45kg/99lbs Bench press: 50kg/110lbs Deadlift: 102.5kg/226lbs Back squat: 77kg/170lbs Front squat: 65kg/143lbs Goal 1: Get Rid of the Dead Weight! (CON 2 | CHA 1) I have been eating Paleo for a long time now, but have let a few not-so-favourable things back into my diet. Nothing too horrid in the scheme of things, but my nutrition hasn't been optimal (read: full of sugarrrrrrr) and all it has been doing is supporting the extra body fat that I have. So, I'm going back to basics this challenge! It's Whole30 time again! So that means - * Whole30 for the entire challenge* Attend Whole9 seminar * Read the following books - - It Starts With Food - The Paleo Solution - In Defense of Food - Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It* Drink 2L water per day* Log all food End of Challenge Goal:* Drop 3kg Goal 2: Olympic Liftinggggggggggg! (STR 2 | DEX 2) I LOVE Oly lifts. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It's true... I have the t-shirt! * 3 Oly lifting sessions per week - 2 individual coaching sessions, 1 extra (self-driven or WOD) * Focus on The Outlaw Way lifting drills End of Challenge Goals: * Snatch 50kg/110lbs* C&J 70kg/154lbs (may perform as individual lifts) Goal 3: Shut Up and Squat! (STR 3.5 | STA 0.5) The major thing holding me back with my cleans is my front squat and my back squat is pretty crap for my size as well. I had a knee injury earlier this year, so I wasn't able to squat for quite a while but things are back on track now so I'm gradually building my strength and technique. I am currently half-way through the Hatch squat program and will hopefully finish with enough downtime to re-test my back and front squats before the end of the challenge. * Complete Hatch squat program End of Challenge Goals: * Back squat 80kg (though a body weight squat would be amazing!) * Front squat 70kg Fitness Side Quest: Sleeeeeeeeeeeeep! (CON 2)Nice and simple, but oh so important! * Sleep >=8 hours per night. End of Challenge Goal: I'll allow 2 nights of <8 hours sleep. Life Side Quest: Get Your Stuff Together! (WIS 2) There is so much paperwork lying around in my study, it is beyond ridiculous! So this challenge I am going to file it all away and get into a habit of filing things as they come in. I also think it's about time I went through my old paperwork and got rid of the stuff I don't need anymore. Okay, so it's not quite that bad...!!! * Organise paperwork and receipts into folders* Sort old receipts and paperwork and discard if not required* Submit tax! ugh! End of Challenge Goal: * To have all paperwork nicely filed away and sorted * Tax submitted Alright, let's do this!