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Darkfoxx 8: Moving Through 2014 With A Slew of Kicked Asses In Her Wake Darkfoxx 8: Leaving No Ass Unkicked Darkfoxx 8: Kicking All The Ass In 2014 Darkfoxx 8: Never Leave An Unkicked Ass Behind Ok, so I went off on a little tangent when trying to come up with the theme of this challenge cycle. My Die Hard references evaporated months ago, and I’m too lazy to look for awesome nerdy .gifs. So, tangent time. Like my girl and NF partner in crime Fonzico, this is my one-year nerdaversary as well. W00t W00t. <<< hey, lookee there, it’s a gif. Boom, bitchez. I can’t freakin believe I’ve stuck with this Nerd Fitness business for a year - a whole. freakin. year. And I’m not even ‘over it’ yet. This is pretty much unprecedented, and I have my merry band of constant friends to thank for it. Thanks guys for the support, the harassment, the ass kickings, the internet parties, the woots, and the loves — I totally wouldn’t still be on this journey if I had to go it alone. *ahem* Tough it up, there, Darkfoxx - enough of the mushy stuff and on with the show. Main Quest My overarching mega goal still hasn’t changed - I’m still pumped about doing Mudderella in May. This has been my goal to work toward for 3 challenges now, and I’d like to think that everything I have done in that time gets me a little closer to my goal of finishing all 5-7 miles without dying. I’m still nervous and excited about Mudderella - and I only have 5 months to go! Goal 1 Fitness. I’ll fully admit I’ve been a complete and utter slackass the last week of 2013/this first week of 2014. I finished last cycle (barely) - and then family came to town. Sure, we walked a bunch (I clocked 9 miles one day, with 3-something as my lowest day), but that’s all I did. And I ate like there was no tomorrow. Carbs akimbo. This week I’ve done exactly zero of the things. I nursed a cold and watched Twilight Zone. Twilight Zone isn’t going to help me get to Mudderella. Working out will. So, I’m going back to my old favorite - HasFit. I’ll be starting up the crazy intense Hero 90 program at the start of this challenge, and it will run me all through this cycle and the next. After this craziness, I’d *better* be able to Mudderella - it looks intense (in a good way). I’ve missed Coach K and it will be good to have him egging me on again. Goal 2 Metrics and Moar metrics. My diet has gotten away from me at the end of this year - hellooooo white potatoes - and I need to button that shit back up. Goals are the usual 100 grams or under of carbs, 70 grams or over of protein and 1500 or so calories. I’m still doing My Fitness Pal - and I’m adding my new buddy - the FitBit Flex to the mix. Not only will I be tracking my food this go round, I’ll also be tracking water (again - I slipped on my water intake during our weeks off), sleep patterns, steps, and fitness minutes. Goal 3 Keep this ‘moving rapidly through space’ thing up a little. This can’t be a hard and fast goal. I know HasFit is going to completely kick my ass. I know it’s the middle of winter. But … I found myself actually enjoying going out and doing my Zombies, Run 5k trainer — even at 30 (or even 20) degrees. And I have the gear for it, so I’d like to keep it up. I will consider even one extra time out a success here. Week 3 has a prescribed 60 minutes of cardio (+ 6 minutes of abs) day - and I’ll definitely go out for that - the plan is to do 2 regular Zombies, Run missions for that workout. But I want a little more. I’m not sure when I’m going to pull this off - should it be on the day I do a 30-minute HIIT workout? after 20 minutes of MMA training? give up one of my coveted days off? It might kill me, but I’d like to do it once. And if I never feel like I can manage it? Well, that will be a shame, but I won't let it ruin my jam. Life Side Quest Address the DVD mess. I’ve been waaaaayyy too lazy to keep up with the semi-broken DVD storage solution I have (all DVDs stored in paper sleeves in an apothecary drawer chest in alphabetical order). I have tons of DVDs that need sleeving - and things need to be gone through to ensure everything is in order. Ideally, I need to come up with a new system that will actually allow me to figure out what all I have - but I’m not holding my breath for that one until I make the jump to all-digital storage. For now, I’d be happy with all my DVDs being safe and orderly. Fitness Side Quest The handstand craze from a couple of months ago sounds like fun. I think I’d like to work on that. No big pressure to perform here, I’d just like to give it a go during this challenge cycle. Starting Measurements (taken 01.02.14) Neck at narrowest: 12" (up 3/4" from last cycle start) Bust under breast: 31" (static) Waist at narrowest: 27.5" (up 1/2" from last cycle start) Hip at widest: 40" (static) Thigh at thickest: 20.5" (up 1/2" from last cycle start) Arm at widest: 10.5" (up 1/2" from last cycle start) Weight at wakeup: 123.9 lbs. (down 3 lbs. from last cycle start) Height: 5 ft. 2 3/4 inches (5’2†for measuring purposes) According to the FitBit scale, my BMI is: 22.67 (28.2% fat) - dead mid normal range According to calipers, my BMI is: 23.4 - mid-low ideal range

So... I hate running. I despise it. It makes my man boobs hurt, BUT I have found a way to make it all fun and worth while. ZOMBIES! I use to do a human vs zombies game with a bunch of friends... and strangers...and i was in really good shape and i was healthy, but after i moved and became homeless for a year or two i let myself go... it didnt help that i dated a girl who decorated cakes... but knowing that zombies motivate me i downloaded Zombies,Run! I love it. the story is great and it gets me moving and motivated. if any of you dont have it i reccomend it. I have never been excited to run before now. But i am training to be a runner and getting ready for the apocalypse and the color run. hopefully not in that order. wish me luck!

Ho there, Runner Fives! Or would that be Runners Five? Either way, all Abel Township runners (or walkers, or bikers, or however you take your Zombies, Run!) are welcome. Sign ups can be found here, on the Cross Guild tab. Stay safe out there!

I'm very new to the NF community and while I'm not sure the 6-week challenge format will work for me I'm hoping it will at least help me make some friends here. My theme for the challenge is The Blank Canvas. I've always been very bad at goal-setting because I'm easily paralysed by indecision and the enormity of committing to any one path, and that reminds me of the terror of a blank canvas or blank page. So this is me dipping a tentative toe in the goal-setting waters. Main Missions To run 5K shod without stopping or slowing to a walk by the end of January. To run 1K non-stop barefoot by the end of January. Side Missions Volunteer at a trail-running event in February to give myself some insight into how competitive running events work and get a sense of how to go about managing a longer run for myself, as well as network with other Perth runners. Research, and possibly make contact with, any group of barefoot runners in Perth, to ask questions about transitioning and hopefully get some encouragement so I don't give up on the whole barefoot thing. I'm feeling pretty demoralised by it. Goals To assist in achieving my main goals, I plan to maintain a 6-day exercise week. THIS HAS BEEN AMENDED - the current plan is in the quote box. - Fridays and Mondays will be (shod) running days, when I will complete at least a half-hour Zombies! Run! mission (preferably an hour). - Saturdays and Tuesdays will be biking days, when I will ride at least half an hour attempting to maintain an elevated heart rate, as far as practicable and safe (I'll be mostly riding around suburban streets). - Sundays and Wednesdays, I aim to walk/jog some distance barefoot to a nearby park (there are lots so distance will vary) to complete the Beginner Bodyweight Workout. This goal is tentative at this stage due to the demands of my job and my deep and utter loathing for the BBW. I know it features strengthening movements that will assist me in my aim to be a better runner, but if it has the effect of turning me to the dark side (i.e. hating the whole challenge) I will drop it unceremoniously.

And the number of dwarves is seven. So far during challenge, I’ve come up against - kicked the ass of - and danced victoriously over the corpses of - (more than) seven dwarves of crappitude (but this is challenge cycle 7 and I’m running with this seven dwarves thing, dammit). Let’s revisit, shall we? Challenge 1: Recovered from the dreaded ‘using the holidays as an excuse to do jack shit and eat like crap’ time of year. Got back to eating right and working out twice a week. Dwarf 1: Lazy Challenge 2: Lost enough weight to just about fit back into my skinny pants, pushed myself harder with my workouts, and worked on leveling up my wardrobe. Dwarf 2: Chubby Challenge 3: Slayed the demon of dehydration, pushed myself further with working out, started on my long metrics journey, and forced some crafts out of my head and into the world. Dwarf 3: Thirsty Challenge 4: Kept going with metrics in fitness & food, worked to find other employment, and leveled up my food photography. Dwarf 4: Photo-y Challenge 5: Kicked the ass out of workouts by starting a 90-day warrior challenge, kept up with my metrics + went even further with a Whole30 challenge, tried to de-stress where possible, looked for a damn job and researched ways to have even more metrics in my life. Dwarf 5: Stress-y Challenge 6: Finished my 90-day warrior challenge, kept going with my food metrics, added more metrics for supplements, fell down on a pushup challenge, made my food blog more user-friendly, and consulted a professional re: kettelbells. Dwarf 6: Warrior 90-y I’d say I’ve been steadily building my arsenal over the past 11 months and working toward being more badass overall. Main Quest This hasn’t wavered in the past 2 cycles and won’t be changing until it’s completed. I have signed up to participate in Mudderella NY/NJ this spring (May 10) and am working toward being fit and capable enough to not only finish - but finish without dying. This is my first time even thinking seriously about accomplishing anything even remotely close to a fitness activity and I'm equal parts excited and scared. Goal 1 This challenge cycle, I’m taking a little break from my HasFit video routine and giving the Nerd Fitness Academy program a try. I’ll be doing the Dumbbell Division Lvl 1 workouts 3x a week. This is going to be hard for me (it already is - I started last week) as I am not good at self-directed workouts in the slightest. I get confused and suck at counting reps. So, this isn’t going to be my favorite or the easiest thing. Drama leads to growth. Goal 2 Continue on with my Zombies, Run! 5k trainer app. I’m on week 3 right now and these workouts run 3x a week. I can do this - I bought some cold weather pants & tops and I can totally kick this dwarf's ass. I just have to remember that I can do this when it’s 30 degrees and dark. Dark and cold won't kill me - and neither will intervals. Goal 3 Keep it going with the diet metrics. Eating no more than 100 grams carbs, 70+ grams protein, and around 1500 calories seems to be working for me - I’m going to keep it up. I’m darkfoxx on My Fitness Pal, too, so check out my stats if you wanna. Life Side Quest Borrowing from NF friends’ past challenges, I really need to address the monster(s) in my closet(s). Really. It’s kind of ridiculous. My living room closet is a black hole, the pantry is Hong Kong level crowded, a closet built to house a washing machine has been dubbed the ‘closet of shame’, the linen closet is pretty much a solid wall of crap, my office closet is full of things I haven’t seen in the 2 years I’ve lived in this apartment, and my bedroom closet always needs some TLC. Fitness Side Quest Since my 6 week program won’t take me all the way through to the end of challenge, the side quest here is going to be to immediately start up with something else. Most likely the HasFit Hero 90 program. I may allow for a week of zombies only here - I haven’t decided. I'll be finishing up my 5k app at the same time as the NF Academy program and I might just jump to a week or 2 of regular zombies, run app to advance the story a bit. Starting Measurements (taken 11.11.13) Neck at narrowest: 11 3/4" Bust under breast: 31" Waist at narrowest: 27" Hip at widest: 40" Thigh at thickest: 20" Arm at widest: 10" Weight at wakeup: 126.8 Height: 5ft. 2 3/4 inches (5'2" for measuring purposes) According to my FitBit scale, my BMI is: 23.19% (mid-normal). According to my calipers, my BMI is 28.2%/18.5mm avg. of 3 (lower end of average range for my age).

Hello! This is my second challenge, but I only got to do four weeks of the last challenge because I started late. So, I'm here to try again from the beginning. Some of my goals and motivations are the same as those from the last challenge, but I also changed some. Main Quest My main quest is to continue to improve my overall health and fitness, and to reduce stress by exercising and meditating. Missions 1. Run 3x per week with the Zombies Run app. Grading: A - No missed days B - 1-2 missed days in a week C - 3-4 missed days in 2 weeks D - 5-6 missed days in 2 weeks F - 7-8 missed days in 3 weeks 2. Do bodyweight exercises 3x per week. Grading: A - No missed days B - 1-2 missed days in a week C - 3-4 missed days in 2 weeks D - 5-6 missed days in 2 weeks F - 7 or more missed days in 3 weeks 3. Meditate for at least 10 minutes per day. Grading: A - No missed days B - 1 missed day in a week C - 2 missed days in a week D - 3 missed days in a week F - 4 or more missed days in a week Life Quest I must study for my final exams. Grading: A - Studied at least 2 hours per day B - Studied at least 1.5 hours per day C - Studied at least 1 hour per day D - Studied at least half an hour per day F - Studied less than half an hour per day Motivation My motivation for exercising is to get stronger and healthier, so it takes less effort for me to do everyday activities such as carrying groceries from the supermarket. Also, with final exams right around the corner, I am motivated to exercise and meditate to reduce stress. Making sure I study for my final exams will also help to reduce stress and guarantee that I get good grades in all of my classes.

bye

For those that don't know (ie: follow me on Facebook), I was in a car accident on April 9. I went from 3x's/wk dumbbell workouts to not allowed to move due to a severely sprained ankle and posterial tissue damage on my right leg. In other words, I was on crutches and/or a wheel chair for 3 weeks. I took the POST exam for the Torrance, CA Police Department on May 15 and found out that day that the PAT would be June 22 for those that passed both written and oral. On May 15, I had yet to be cleared to even start back into a slow run training. Long story short, I've been released to slowly start running training in an effort to work towards hire with the Torrance PD, but there's not much else I'm allowed to do. I feel kinda like The Doctor when he wakes up; unable to stand, non-responsive, you know, the usual. So, ON TO THE CHALLENGE! "Before I go, I just wanna say one thing. Rose Tyler, you were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic." -9th Doctor I was fantastic before the accident. I had gotten my squat weight up to 200lbs and my deadlift to 185lbs. I had done d full deload on all Strong Lifts exercises and then had an issue crop up in my low back. I switched out to dumbbells and had been doing very well with those for about three weeks when my world froze in place. It's easy for me to sit here and say, "I used to be good..." and live in the used to be's. Used to be's, however, don't turn into will be's. And I will be fantastic again! To become fantastic, yet again, I will start getting up earlier 2 days a week and spend time meditating in my faith for at least 15 minutes. By doing this, I will return to my roots--to my Faith--and become stronger, spiritually; something I am, regretfully, lacking. This is the Life Goal. Challenge: 2 days in prayer/meditation in the mornings Rewards: +2 WIS; +1 CON "I'm The Doctor, by the way...Nice to meet you, Rose. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!" -9th Doctor I hate running. I hate it with a passion. I know, however, that if I expect to be a police officer, I'm going to have to run. I remember I ran a 5K in about 35 minutes the last time I did the C25K program, but I skipped a lot of days. This time around, I'm running on a sprained ankle. I've managed two days of running training before the gaming convention killed me this past weekend (...when Oracle is your Plan B costume and you need it...probably bad things are, well, a foot). I'm feeling better, so I need to start my training again, listening to my body and not my time, etc. I've been told by the Personnel Director at Torrance PD that I am more concerned about my PAT scores than he is. Still, I want to do my best. My goal for this challenge to be able to run 3 times per week by the end of the 6 week challenge. I have 3 weeks to get ready for the PAT. I've started using the Zombies, Run! ap (which makes running fun) and I'd like to get my 5K time to 30 minutes. This may be unrealistic given the sprain, so any advice on this would be awesome. Challenge: Run training 3x's per week by challenge end; 5K in 30 minutes Rewards: +3 STA; +1 CON "TEA! That's all I needed! A good cup o' tea!" -10th Doctor All anyone ever needs is a good cup o' tea--and an immaculate diet! Prior to April 9, I was doing well with a full-spread Paleo/Primal diet, complete with green, leafy veggies, fruits, meats, etc. Since April 9, however, it's been difficult for me to stand in the kitchen and cook. My husband's been doing it and he's not even remotely paleo/primal. I need to get back to my healthy eating. I miss it and feel so much better when I eat that way. It's good for my body; it's good for my mind; it's good for my skin, of all things. I've gone back to swallowing cups upon cups of black coffee and increased my alcohol intake. I need to swtich back to my beloved tea (now with coconut creamer & crystals), decrease my alcohol intake, and increase my water intake. Hydration! It's not that I eat poorly; I just don't eat balancedly nor do I eat regularly. I may even get that mug from ThinkGeek! Challenge: 5 days, 3 meals per day, properly balanced Paleo/Primal diet. Rewards: +2 CHA; +2 CON; +1 STA "Everything's got to end sometime. Otherwise nothing would ever get started." -11th Doctor Everything must end. Everything. Happiness and joy; pain and suffering. We're only given a certain amount of time on this planet and it is what we make of it. And I'll be damned if I'm going to allow my life to be shortened simply because I'm too afraid to move! I've been cleared to start running (a dangerous proposition), but I've also been cleared to start using dumbbells--only 10lbs, max of 15lbs, right now. "Barbie Weights," I called them. "REHAB WEIGHTS!" I was corrected. So, my final goal for this six week challenge is to start into a regular dumbbell workout routine, 3x's per week, starting with 10lbs weights. It's time for the fear to end so the regeneration can begin! Challenge: 3x's/wk Dumbbell workouts Rewards: +3 STR; +2 CHA

Hey all, This is my first NF challenge, so apologies if I'm not doing this correctly. Anyways, here are my goals: Run 10k Race without stopping (STA +5) Anyone else here use the Zombies, Run! app? Makes long runs so much more fun! I've been building up my running steadily over the last two years, but am finally making steps to longer races. 10k here I come! I'm grading this one on a pass/fail basis as I either successfully run the 10k I registered for on 7/4 or I don't. Strength train 2 x week (STR +3) I've got the cardio down, but would love to build up my strength as well. My goal is to get two good bodyweight workouts in each week in addition to my 10k training. A: 12-10 workouts B: 8-9 workouts C: 6-7 workouts D: less than six workouts.No eating after 9pm (CON +2 CHA +1) I do well with my diet overall, but fall off the wagon at night. There's no reason I need to eat that late, and it cuts out a lot of my junk carbs when I just say, "No, the kitchen is closed." A: 1- 3 cheat days B: 3-5 cheat days F: 5+ cheat daysWork out a budget for the summer time (WIS +4) Summer is the slow season in my work, and I've been a little too free with my finances lately. Time to get the big girl panties on and work that stuff out. This one is also pass/fail. I either do it or I don't. To keep myself accountable I'm keeping workout logs on evernote and with my little running widgets. I've got my support system in place and I'm ready to get things done!

The rain fell heavily against the stone as Fear made his way up the mountain pass to where his dojo was located... The journey had been long and full of pain... It had taken it's toll on Fear, emotionally and physically... Rounding the bend, he found nothing but ruins. A fire had burned the entire place to the ground. Based on the state of things, it had been this way for some time... Fear fell to his knees, feeling that terrible loss, screaming out in rage! Why! Why had so many things, people, places that were dear to him been taken away in such a short time! "What have I done wrong!" he screamed at the top of his lungs in the middle of the storm... but there was no answer but the flash of lightning and a crash of thunder, miles away. Fear sobbed... he cried out from the depths of his soul, with more pain that one person can bare, and then, darkness embraced him, and the world he knew crumbled away completely. ----- "I was so cold, so alone...and the next thing I remember was dreaming...I haven't done since I was a child." Fear said, swallowing down pieces of fish quickly. "I feel like I haven't eaten in a life time." "You haven't." said the figure sitting across the fire from him in a raspy voice, face hidden under a long black hood. "Arise and go forth. The fires of rebirth are upon you. The cold flame consumes you and you will be remade." "Am I...Dea-" Suddenly that cold feeling ran through Fear again. The fire disappeared and the rain was pounding once more against stone. He awoke, laying face down on the stone. Opening his eyes to see the rain, mixing with fresh blood. Rolling over, he quickly got to his feet and surveyed the area. 4 men, dead, lay around him. "How...how did I...what..." Fear struggled to comprehend what happened, the last thing he remembered was screaming and the lightning flashing. "There's nothing left for me here...I must go home..." Fear stood, turned, and began the long journey home... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been a while NF! How the heck are ya? I've gone through some REALLY rough crap lately, hence the story stuff above. My emotions, spirituality, and physicality have all taken a hit. I've put on weight, my stress has increased, and frankly, I'm really frustrated with how I look and feel. So, F it. I need my support, friends, and family to push me and help me out... A big thank you to Kibcy and Croman Red for keeping in touch with me throughout this. I REALLY appreciate it more than you know. Thank you so much! So here we go. I'm late, but as they say, better late than never.. 1. Kick soda...again. - Water, water everywhere, now just freaking drink it! -- NO SODA. Period. Not one. This is a pass/fail. Pretty simple, but an easy way for me to cut those calories down, reducing my intake and helping drop weight again. +2 con + 1 Charisma 2. Get moving...again. - Got a new iphone, starting over with Zombies, Run. I will go running at least 3 times a week, completing one mission each time. It'll continue to help me drop the weight, burn those calories, and get me loosened up and active. +1 Str +2 Charisma 3. Bodyweight... ho! - I will do a bodyweight workout on the days I don't run. Convict Conditioning and/or the NF BW workouts. - +3 str 4. Life goal - Get through this madness, sadness, and funk by doing things that make me happy at least twice a week. (Play a game, parkour, etc.) +1 Charisma for not being such a grouch to be around. Thank you all for your support, friendship, etc. It means a lot more than words will do justice. ~ Fear

The Scout Forum will be rocked for the next 6 weeks by a series of titanic struggles taking place in the skies overhead: Fitness #1: (pu)S(h)uperman Vs Flex Luthor: I'll be continuing with strength work from the last challenge, applying lessons from last time to my regular workouts to achieve better progress. I'll also be bringing in some flexibility work: At least 3 sessions per week, following other workouts, of stretches for scullers, mainly aimed at things I'm not so great at: neck rotation, and hamstrings, plus back mobility work to keep that bendy. Points available will be +6 divided between STR and DEX, depending on which side "wins" (i.e. shows most improvement) Fitness #2: The Crow vs Captain Australia Balance work. Bit of a new area for me, but inspired by the assassins's challenge in November/December I am going to dip a toe in and get so that I can do either the crow pose or a headstand for... let's say 30 sec. I have only the vaguest notion about whether this will require strength, stamina or dexterity or what, so will award 3 x points to myself capriciously depending on what I think when it's all over. Fitness #3: Pant Man Vs Wolverine As pant man, I will work on ramping up my distance running to half marathon distance in time to run in the Woky Half on (i think) the last day of the challenge. I will also be trying to grow a set of adamantium claws. I suspect the second of these will prove tricky, but I can dream. 3 points for either stamina or badassness depending who wins. Level up #1: Ben Zen vs SwearDevil Try to deal with trivial irritations in a way that doesn't involve grumpiness, sarcasm and casual swearing. Basically, I lose 1% for each incident over the course of the challenge and will get points accordingly. Points available: +3 WIS. In the event of total fail on day 1, a bonus +1 CHA will be awarded for swearing stylishly and in Portuguese. -1 for poor format options in tapatalk but I couldn't wait to start, so... -------------------------------------------------- Added X Men challenge goal [13/1/13] I have had some items on my Astrid task list for months now and I can't seem to motivate myself to do them. So to give myself motivation, I hereby resolve to put an X next to each of the following by challenge end: Make an appointment with the solicitor for me and Mrs 18ck to make our wills. (nice cheery one, that... I don't know why I'd want to avoid it!)Give my company website a spring cleanMake a monthly spend chartGet an inspection hatch fitted to the boiler flue. Finish the next chapter in Lathrop and DiasFix the gears on The Beloved PashleyUpdate my books-to-look-out-for-in-charity-shops lists in Evernote (not as easy as it sounds. I want to work out which of PG Wodehouse's books I don't already own but he wrote over a hundred, some of which had more than one title (US and UK) some were published in anthologies, so this could be a couple of hours with a big stack of books and a long list downloaded from a website)Penalty for failure: 50 burpees per item missed Reward for success: +1 WIS for getting all 6 Update 15/2/13 - The flue one has been squeezed out, mainly because we can't afford to do it right now, so it's gone back in the calendar for the end of March. Instead, and so as not to be underchallenged, I will get to the end of the next chapter in Lathrop and Dias (my Portuguese Textbook) with all the written and spoken exercises. That's a tall order for 2 days...