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This challenge will hopefully take some of the success from my last challenge and build/improve upon parts of them. I limped away last time injured, sick, and overwhelmed at work. I'm slowing recovering from the injury, mostly over being sick, and things at work are settling into a dull roar (which is fun). I tore my hamstring slightly trying to accomplish a heel-hook rock climbing in the last challenge. Normally, I'd have a climbing goal and a running goal or some other aerobic workout but that doesn't seem to be in the cards right now. So it's time to get creative. Strength Training Goal: Increase reps by 30% Based on my regular set of (mostly) bodyweight exercises, I want to increase my reps by 30% on average. Below are my most recent numbers of reps. It seems weird to see so many nines. The calculation will average all of the individual exercise's increases (if pullups go to 10, (3*10)/(3*7)=142%). I'll accomplish this by strength training 2-3 times per week. This frequency will decrease if I can go climbing so I'll have to make that into a strength workout or figure out another path. Starting Reps Pullups - 3x7 Inverted Rows - 3x9 Rings Pushups - 3x9 Dips - 3x9 Overhead Dumbbell Press (10 lbs) - 3x20 Grading 30% - 4 Str 25% - 3 Str 20% - 2 Str 15% - 1 Str Core Training Goal: Focus For both fitness and appearance reasons, I'd like to develop my core muscles. For the past two challenges I've included a half-hearted core workout. This go around I want to step that up a little. I'll do this workout twice per week for a total of 12 workouts. I get one "miss" allowed. I may or may not do a before/after pic for this one. The Core Workout 1 min plank 1 min right side plank 1 min plank 1 min left side plank 1 min plank 3x15 second L-Sit on Rings 3x10 Crow Pushups Knee to Same Elbow 3x10 Crow Pushups Knee to Opposite Elbow 3x15 Pushups Grading 11 Workouts - 2 Cha, 2 Sta 9 Workouts - 1 Cha, 2 Sta 7 Workouts - 1 Cha, 1 Sta Eating Goal: Avoid Cracker Equivalents I love salty crunchy food. It's the best. But crackers and their kin are essentially worthless for me. I heard the phrase "cracker equivalent" regarding hiking food and love it, so I'm using it. I have a fairly high metabolism and get grouchy and dumb when hungry. But if I eat cracker equivalents, I just need more fuel and seek another snack. In order for the results of Goal 2 to show up, I'll avoid cracker equivalents at work and after work. Dessert crunchy food is allowed because it's historically better moderated and because, hey, I don't want to hate life completely. Grading Based on workdays 90% or better cracker avoidance - 3 Con 80% or better - 1 Con 80% or less - Nothing Life Goal: Dating My Wife My wife has been kind enough to support me in assisting to teach a mountaineering school this spring. We are both really busy and it's a big deal that I'll be gone a lot. She deserves something in return so this goal is to go on 4 dates over the challenge. That is more than we have been on in a long time (we do a lot together, but not really dates). Any suggestions would be appreciated. We do tons of outdoor, physical things (like rock climbing) together. I'm looking for ideas of a more "typical" or "romantic" nature. Grading 4 Dates - 4 Cha 3 Dates - 3 Cha 2 Dates - 2 Cha 1 Date - 1 Cha