Search the Community

Since I am re-watching season one of The Witcher, finally watching season two, and listening to an audiobook version of Blood of Elves over the next few weeks, I thought it appropriate to theme this challenge after The Witcher. As has been my trend lately, I will break my challenge goals into two parts: Physical and Mental. Physical: For this goal, I am returning to a training plan I followed a few years ago: the Primal Blueprint plan. The university gym is closed this week, so I need a schedule that is flexible and does not require the gym but still asks for strength workouts as well as cardio and HIIT workouts. I will continue to use Darbee as a source for workouts while intentionally choosing workouts that match the Witcher/fantasy/warrior theme. Also, I plan to do most of these workouts outdoors in nature whenever possible. I will link a video below that shows a Witcher workout and explains a few of the reasons why it is always a good idea to train in nature. Monday – Sprint Tuesday – Lift Heavy Things/Bodyweight Exercises Wednesday – Move Slowly, Play or Rest Thursday – HIIT/WOW Friday – Move Slowly, Play or Rest Saturday – Lift Heavy Things/Bodyweight Exercises Sunday – Move Slowly, Play or Rest My diet during this challenge will be similar to the Darebee Modern Hero meal plan: 1/2 plate fruit/berries/veggies/mushrooms/healthy fats, 1/4 plate protein, 1/4 plate healthy carbs. Additional physical goals: morning stretches, "grounding" every morning, cold shower daily, 10,000-12,000 steps M-F I plan to mix this up by lifting heavy objects such as cinderblocks, logs, sledgehammer, etc., doing bodyweight exercises, and using the gym, as well, for dumbbell and kettlebell . I can also use the "Move Slowly, Play, or Rest" days for such things as yoga, tai chi, stretching, etc. Mental: For this goal, I am returning to my morning routine of prayer/meditation/scripture reading, as well as breath work. It does not have to be Wim Hof breathing but does need to be some kind of breath work. 0445 wakeup pray/meditate/read scripture at least 5 minutes of breath work The video below is a discussion on how to "train like Geralt" by training in nature and using such things as clubs, the Gada (mace), and kettlebells. It also discusses using hybrid moves and meditation.

'Hither came Rurik Harrgath, wild-bearded and sullen-eyed, axe and blade in hand; a ranger, a reaver, a slayer; with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the wild places of the world under his booted feet...' It is impressive enough to have a will like iron but what is sublime is to have a spirit like fire, for fire shapes everything that is within a man... ~ ancient Vrykul proverb. Level 1 Half-Orc WITCHER (Blood Hunter/Ranger) [0 / 5000 XP] [BLOOD ALCHEMY] (+CON): MyFitnessPal tracking and mindful nutrition (read: don't eat like an asshole) weekly. Worth 30 XP daily. [FURY] (+STR, DEX): Five workouts minimum for the week. Bonus +XP for multiples! Worth 20 XP daily. [DISCIPLINE] (+INT): Post on the Forums, do the things. Total Experience Points earned maxes out at 50/day, tallied weekly, monthly, and I level up at 5000 XP (which should be approximately every annual quarter if I stay on track). XP can be hoarded through an extra workout or other significant achievement and applied to a day found lacking, and points allocated can be rearranged at the outset of any week. I have also flavored my Witcher signs as reminder goals: [AARD]: A powerful knockback, Aard focuses on carefully navigating potential sabotaging social situations and overconsuming alcohol. [IGNI]: The sign of fire, Igni reminds me to find motivation and inspiration in everything I do, through music or interneting or gaming. [YRDEN]: Slowing foes in an area, Yrden slows the world down around me allowing full commitment to hobbies. [QUEN]: Quen summons a powerful personal shield around its caster, representing the importance of Me Time to recharge. [AXII]: A sign used to influence and charm others, Axii is a reminder to guard my energy in general and participate in some social activities. Last challenge was my trial under fire while I rebuild routines and harnessed my Hatred and Discipline to actually accomplish my goals. January wasn't my best performance but ultimately it served as the testing grounds to figure out what is going to work with my itinerant lifestyle and I think I've managed to lockdown a few things that work, so we'll stick with that going forward. My mantra for this next challenge is to be Lean and Hungry like a Wolf. With deadly focus and a swift blade, nothing can stop me now!

I set out on a new journey; a path that travels through many realms and one that will teach me many things. I often daydream about potential -and must admit that I struggle the most with my friends when I see them failing to push toward their own. Which leads me to the honest confession that I often fail to push the boundaries of my own potential. For me, it's never been lack of effort, or the unwillingness to try in the first place. For me, Fear has been my greatest foe and Perfectionism his best accomplice. The only way I am going to thrive- (because if the past two years has taught me anything, it's that the only thing that stops us from thriving, is ourselves) then I must learn that I can be stronger than my circumstances, and that my hope comes from beyond whatever earthly conditions surround me at any given time. Fear is an illness. If you leave it untreated, it can consume you. I'd like to find some balance in the coming challenges, while picking up a few new hobbies and dusting off some old ones. I'd also like to get back into a healthier lifestyle habit as the past several weeks really had me shut down to 0%. That's going to require facing the scale at least once. While I know it's going to be a number that displeases me, it got there based on my choices. I can't change the past. I can reshape the future. FOOD GOAL The best way to get my habits in line again will be tracking my calories. It usually doesn't anger me, and it helps me make better choices. I'm a big fan of 'more bang for your buck' and that works with food too. Track in MFP 7 Days/Week *Impossible to track treats may be skipped or 'best guessed' but must be limited to once a week. EXERCISE GOAL I feel best when I am keeping in shape. It really just makes every other part of my life better. With winter in full effect it's easier to strength train than cardio, so I will do what's easiest to schedule in. Strength 2-3x a week Fill in other days to reach 5x exercise per week. CREATIVITY GOAL I want to continue drawing and have taken steps (costly ones) to get my desk set up more conducive to that. Draw 2x/week. I'm part of the Bard2022 Gang here, and I have both a full size digital piano with weighted keys (mmm) and a brand new 17 key Kalimba. I was VERY active in music in highschool, but reading music is going to be like brushing up on a foreign language you haven't read in 20 years. Music 2x/week. ESTABLISH A DAILY ROUTINE FOR AM AND PM AM - Devotional / bible study + Positivity journaling. PM - Computer off 20 minutes before bed, Teeth routine + Face routine with good health creams. More to come ... including a 'to do list' to be done during the next 5 weeks.

If Chaos is a ladder, Terror is the chute. One can spend a lifetime climbing for whichever lofty height their ambition demands but find themselves plummeting into the embrace of damnation far easier. We seek, we strive and try not to yield - many crumble and fall to ruin all the same. That same madness which claims so many isn't some fearsome specter in the dark to me though; eldritch power runs as blood through my veins and I fear not its embrace. It emboldens me, empowers and unfetters me. Through elixir and hex and blade or arrow, I wield the powers of Life and Death necessary to maintain the balance between this world and the sinister rifts from dark planes beyond. Hatred, and Discipline, are my tools. The Witchwood calls me inward, the Desolate Peaks whisper their song in my ear, and the Blood Moon greets me as an old friend coming home. I've made my pact and there is no turning back. Yet there are forces far more sinister than I abound. You mustn't forget though - the gloom is my home and I stalk it well. [BLOOD ALCHEMY] (+CON): MyFitnessPal tracking and mindful nutrition (read: don't eat like an asshole) 6 of 7 days/week. [HATRED] (+STR, DEX): Three workouts while away for the week and two at home on weekends. [DISCIPLINE] (+INT): Post on the Forums, do the things. Challenge Inspiration: I am returned unto the Forums, prepared and ready for another adventure in the New Year. A new career calls me away from home during the week to study the secrets of a new Path, carrying me away from my sanctum parabellum but unlocking a world of power just beyond my fingertips. And yet the road I am on is a hazardous one for their are many caltrops and dangers which can lead cripple or lead me astray. I will stay the course, I will be the better man, the ubermensch, and I will carve my legacy into the stone as the Blood Moon rises!

Greetings all, I had a quick question. For the last couple months, I've been doing a lot of general fitness things, working out an hour 3 times a week, cleaning up my diet, trying to get a decent amount of sleep each night despite work, etc. Recently I've become engrossed in the masterpiece that is The Witcher 3 (I'm late to the party, I know), and I was wondering if any of you guys knew what NF class Geralt would fall under, if I wanted to point my plan in a direction that would get me as close to a Witcher as possible without the mutations haha. My guess was Ranger, cause of the endurance to track monsters and people over distance as well as the strength to take them on. Monk could also be a possibility because of his proficiency at hand to hand combat. What do you guys think, both about the class or advice on adjustments I can make to take steps towards that goal?

*For those who know me, this is really similar to my last challenge, but since I skipped a challenge I’m trying to go back to the basics a bit* Also, I just bought an Xbox One, primarily so I could play the new Witcher game. I love it, but NO SPOILERS PLEASE! So that may or may not be taking over my life. Just so you know. (Some of my challenge may or may not be witcher themed….). Introduction: Hi, I’m elvenengineer and this is my third challenge. I really want to get stronger so that I could theoretically swing a giant sword to fight monsters and save people. I started the StrongLifts 5x5 program in my first or second challenge, but had some issues with injuries throughout my fitness journey. It mostly bothers me that my injuries are never from working out, but they affect my workouts. My right wrist is just not happy. Ever. I really need to develop healing through meditation or eating. If I healed when I ate, I would never have any issues. Why can’t we use game mechanics in real life? Main Quest: Get stronger in my upper body! 3 sets of 5 pull-ups or chin-ups is the overall goal, along with 3x20 pushups (where I was several years ago – but I had horrible form) Quest 1: Workout 4 days a week Do SOMETHING everyday- StrongLifts for 3 workouts preferably, but if I get sick or injured, running/walking* for all is acceptable. I started Zombies, Run, and I’m loving it! I’d like to do one longish run a week. I also really like StrongLifts, but I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit due to a wrist injury. That’s why I took up running again. However, for a gym incentive, I’ll give myself one bonus point for strength if I can deadlift my body weight by the end of the challenge! I need to be able to pick up the enormous piles of money I make from playing gwent. Also, my favorite witcher fighting tactic is the ability to dodge and/or run away in between sword swings. So there’s that. Measurement: A = 4 days/week, B = 2 days/week, C = 1 day/week, D = None Reward: A = +1 STR, +1 STA B = +1 STR, C = +1 STA *Note: for a run/walk to count, it must be ≥ 20 minutes Quest 2: Eat better! Okay, I know that’s really vague, so this is how it’s going to go (quantifiably – I am an official engineer now!). Each day I can either: eat a fruit or veggie with every meal OR eat one meal completely paleoOkay, I know this is a little wimpy but I’m giving myself a lot of slack as points go. If I do get 7 days per week consistently for the challenge, I will add a point to each of my rewards. But I want to focus on achievable goals this time, and 5 days/week is achievable to me J [can’t figure out how to tie into the witcher… feel free to give suggestions anyone] Measurement: A = 5 days/week, B = 4 days/week, C = 3 days/week, D = ≤ 2 days/week Reward: A = +2 CON, B = +1 CON, C = +0.5 CON, D=0 Quest 3: Get 8+ hours of sleep per night. I keep leaving this in my challenges because I feel like it really makes a difference in my life, but for some reason if I don’t make it a goal it falls by the wayside. i.e “Oh, I can play the Witcher another hour….†Must be like Geralt and recover from the day. Well I guess he just meditates. Details. Measurement: A = 7 days/week, B = 5 days/week, C = 3 days/week, D = 1 day/week, F = None Reward: A = +1 CHA, B = +0.5 CHA Life Quest: Consistently put 20% of income in savings, and transition from paying a car note to putting money in my investment accounts. Finally paid off my car, but since I’m used to paying it, might as well continue and benefit from it! I wish you could earn interest in video games. Maybe per hour of playing time? That would be awesome, I would have so much gold because I just run around doing side quests and talking to people more than half the time when I play anything. Completed: +1 WIS Motivation: Working/studying in a male dominated field means that physical strength often equals respect. People are surprisingly impressed and automatically assume me more capable when I can help them lift and move things. Also, I just love the idea of being able to lift my bodyweight someday and being able to move things heavier than I am (like giant swords)!