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Hi all, this is Jezarean. This is my second attempt at my first challenge. Last Nov-Dec I attempted a challenge but a couple of weeks through I received some very distressing health news from my doctor and I ended up a complete wreck and didn't finish. So now I'm back! I want 2015 to be a year of health and vitality. MY 6 WEEK CHALLENGE!! I want to get my mind and body back to a healthy state. I want to make conscious, mindful decisions when it comes to my life. In order to do that I need a reboot. The goals I have chosen will help me refocus my body and my brain. They will also help my motivation when it comes to making healthy choices. MAIN QUEST Each week: GOAL 1) Bikram Yoga x3 (+2 STR & +2 DEX) A= 18 Classes (+2 STR & DEX) B= 15+ Classes (+1.5 STR & DEX) C= 12+ Classes (+1STR & DEX) D= 9+ Classes (+1STR & DEX) E= 5+ Classes F= 3+ Classes or less GOAL 2) No gluten (+ 2 CON) A = 42 days (+2) B = 35+ days (+1.5) C = 28+ days (+1) D = 21+ days E = 20 days or less GOAL 3) Walking 3 hours (+ 2 STA) A= 18 Hours (+2) B= 15+ Hours (+1.5) C= 12+ Hours (+1) D= 9+ Hours (+1) E= 5+ Hours F= 3+ Hours GOAL 4) Practice Trumpet 2 hours (+2 WIS) A= 12 Hours (+2) B= 10+ Hours (+1.5) C= 8+ Hours (+1) D= 6+ Hours (+1) E= 4+ Hours F= 2+ Hours MINI QUEST WEEK ONE: SMART GOALS (TICK) For completing this mini quest you will receive an additional +1WIS at the end of the 6 weeks. MINI QUEST WEEK TWO: MAKE FRIENDS (TICK) For completing this mini quest you will gain an additional +1 CHA Let's do this! CTR ALT DEL

Today, for the first time in over 2 years (possibly even 3, I'm not 100% sure) I was able to touch my toes from standing! This was my only real goal related to flexibility, and my first major goal to be reached. A few years ago, when I was big into my martial arts and was practising Tae Kwon Do three times a week, I could do this fairly easily. It was necessary for all the overhead kicking and such to have nice stretchy legs. Plus it was just plain easier as a teenager. But all that changed when the junk food nation attacked. Not exercising and packing on the pounds destroyed all my flexibility. Boo. Anyway, I'm seriously happy to be able to do this, partly because it's something of a milestone for me, and also because it's an indicator of my current levels of exercise, seeing as all my stretching is done post-workout. It feels pretty nice not to have completely stiff, weak legs any more. Hopefully this will help me move onto more advanced things Hooray for hitting my first major target in my fitness journey

Main quest: Get big and strong. How to get there: Eat stuff. - I need to eat the food to fuel my gains. I still don't want to track because what a pain in the ass, but I'm going to focus on eating lots of protein and good carbs. And yummy veggies. And not so much cake and ice cream and things. Lift stuff. - Continue my workout plan. Because I lurves it. But lift stuff wisely. - I'm really getting to the point where I need to be doing stretching, foam rolling, etc. So I want to do this at least 3x a week. Life side quest: Don't suck at life. So...here's my plan. -build up 12 hours of sick time at work (I think). I get 4 hrs per pay period (2 weeks). So, yeah, 12 should be doable- as long as I don't call in sick. Haha. -take my meds. Every day. This is also going to require a dr appt because I am almost out. Sigh. -spend 15 minutes a night cleaning/decluttering/doing dishes/something. This is going to be challenging but seriously. I'm an adult. I need to learn to not suck at life. Fitness side quest: Complete the exercise physiology course I signed up for on Coursera. Even though I'm totally overwhelmed by it right now. If I can't complete the course due to not having enough basic knowledge (sarcoplasmic reticulum, wtf is that?!?!) I want to get through Hank Green's biology crash course (thanx Catspaw!).

SO I just lost 1.2kg, and my gut has started receding, Now how to keep it off?

So I currently max out at a whopping 2 consecutive chin ups (on a good day). For some reason, I decided this evening that instead of just going for that, I would try a pull up and see if I am able to finally get myself more than 1-2 inches off of the ground. Apparently I can. Pulled myself ALL THE WAY UP. Caught myself so off guard I thought I must have done something wrong or imagined the whole thing. Walked away, started getting ready for my pickup ultimate game this evening, went back. AND DID IT AGAIN! Wooo! Take that, pull ups!