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--- Strength, flexibility, functionality. Assassins want it all. The only tool needed is you. --- It is the year 2217. Cybernetic technology has reached the public domain. Government and terrorists alike are scrabbling to buy up and use any and all technology in the fights against each other and to control and scare the general public into submission. The general public are sick of having their lives thrown around between the higher authorities and have taken matters into their own hands; creating private armies and training to fight for the underdogs and people unable to fight for themselves. Friends of mine were part of these armies but I had no intent on joining. Not until we were walking down the street one day and attacked out of the shadows. My friend and her superior fighting skills was fine but I was hurt. I woke up 6 days later to find they had upgraded my badly damaged right leg with the very same cybernetic equipment that had started this war in the first place. I would be back stronger then ever they said... Once the technology was fully fused with my human body. It would take weeks before I was ready. Once I was, I would be working for the very same Private Military as my friend. They were the ones who paid the cost of the still-rather-expensive technology now holding my shattered ankle together... And I would be working to pay that debt off. Cyborg Assassin Wannabe Step 1. Hand-to-hand combat training. While I'm waiting for my new leg to heal I gotta get up to speed with my basic training skills. QUEST 1: Bodyweights Erry Day. After surgery with 8 screws and a plate added into my leg, I am 4 weeks into 6 weeks of no weight bearing, and started doing some basic fitness on the 1st of February. If I can't use my legs I might as well catch up my upper body and core strength up a little bit. All strength will be helpful upon my glorious return to fighting the government roller derby. Do +1 push up, tricep dip, clamshell every day. Do +5 seconds of Superman hold and V-Up hold every day. Step 2. Stay Limber Simple enough. Assassins gotta be ready for anything. Having cold muscles is the best way to get beaten in combat. QUEST 2: Warmup before each exercise session. Do a dynamic full-body warmup before doing exercise. I'll be using the one we do at training before skating. It moves the whole body and is great. Bonus points for doing it more then once, during the day, between technology sessions. Step 3. Know Thy Enemy If I'm going back into battle I have to know what I'm up against. Knowledge is power? QUEST 3: Be one with the Derby I also don't want to lose touch with my teammates and the sport I love so my next goal is to watch a few games of roller derby on the internet every week, taking notes if I like, to see how the pros play the game and what I can incorporate into my practice when I do finally get back. I will also try to go to training despite being unable to skate, because I can help the others and observe any new stuff they might learn. Bonus points for taking notes while watching games / watching training. Watch 2 games of Roller Derby weekly. (Preferably on Monday & Thursday, before training) Bonus points for taking notes at any time, or watching extra games. Step 4. Be ready at all times. Assassins always have to be ready to jump up and go somewhere, just in case. QUEST 4: Be a responsible technology user Most of my couch-surfing activities will inevitably involve the TV, Xbox or my computer, so if I'm going to be staring at screens for the next 3 weeks I need to do so in a responsible manner. This means no all-day marathons without eating or moving because that's just not healthy. 10 minute breaks every 1 hour of technology. So far it seems to be quite effective. I am forced to get up and do things like eat, or do my body weights exercises; things I could / would put off for "one more quest." Bonus points here for any extra self-care I might do while I'm stuck at home. Might as well spoil myself a bit with this forced holiday of mine. 10 minutes of break for every 1 hour of technology use. Bonus points for extra self care done. Doing nails, face scrubbing, meditating, etc. --- Strong, functional, and flexible - I was all of those things. At the end of 2016, my body was (becoming) a weapon! 2017 was going to be my year of kicking ass and taking names in Roller Derby and life and 11 days into January I had to go and break my ankle. Phooey. So I've had to take a step back* and figure out how to continue getting stronger and better while I can't actually walk. Or work. Or drive, or skate or even leave the house without help. Being at home is terribly unmotivating for me so I've returned to the rebellion for the goal-setting and motivation that I need to actually do something, instead of just sitting on the couch bingeing on Dr. Who and not moving for 6 weeks. *haha! It's funny because that's how I broke my ankle. Near the end of this challenge (on the 27th) will be my 6-week post-op appointment with the surgeon that operated on my ankle. He will hopefully say I can start weight-bearing with the moonboot on and doing some basic ankle exercises. I completely underestimated just how much I enjoyed being as active as I was, so this challenge is all about keeping up some sliver of exercise without stressing my ankle. I need it to recover so I can get back to skating and working and going to the gym!!

☆☆☆ ☆ Main Story, Goal 1: get back to pre-wedding weight (Goal 2: Pass avg fitness test Goal 3: 25% or less body fat Goal 4: gain post apocalyptic survivalist fitness level Goal 5: ???) Quest 1: Workout 3x a week! (09/12 +3STR, 07/12 +2STR, 05/12 +1STR) Quest 2: Primal 80/20 + 90g max weekly avg + 1500 max weekly avg! (3/4 +3CON/1CHA, 2/4 +2CON/1CHA, 1/4 +1CON) Quest 3: Weening off dairy! 10oz max weekly. (3/4 +3CHA, 2/4 +2CHA, 1/4 +1CHA) ☆☆☆ My motivation ☆☆☆ 1. I want to be a good example for my sisters and future children 2. To optimally manage my mental health 3. I want a healthy relationship with food 4. I want to be more comfortable in my skin 5. To be able to better participate in walks, hikes, and other outdoorsy things I once enjoyed 6. To be able to be pregnant safely and have the energy to play with my child (disclaimer: I have jacked up ankles and very literally weak core muscles that don't even activate properly when exercised, so if I got pregnant while being in my current physical condition I likely could render myself immobile) 7. I want to be able to protect myself 8. To better my chances at having a long and healthy life with my loved ones 9. My husband 10. Myself ☆☆☆

2015 was a great year for me, but I want to make 2016 even better!! There are already big plans in progress for this year, but I don't want to be totally underprepared for everything. The first few things to happen to me this year will be the new roller derby season and us going on holidays, then moving house soon afterwards. I want to continue building habits to make all of these things go smoothly so I can enjoy everything this year throws at me! Goal 1: Exercise to build Strength and Confidence Fitness levels are handy for roller derby. I am also a better skater when I have confidence in myself! 2 Yoga Sessions 3 Body weights sessions Goal 2: Fight the Grime! Follow Fly Lady's routine. The very most basic one for now! Daily self-care routine: Brush Teeth, wash face, get dressed to shoes Declutter a room for 15 minutes daily Clear and wipe the kitchen sink Do something with the laundry Goal 3: De-clutter the Darkest Corners ... of the house. Throw out 1 box of stuff weekly, donate 1 box of stuff weekly. Goal 4: Holiday Planning! These things really need to be done before I go away or I'm going to be stressing last minute. I also know that I am totally able to put these things off until last minute even though they need to be done. Organise travel sickness fix - make a dr's appt Plan tours for holiday Prepaid debit card for spending money Buy a Suitcase.

Introduction: I am a 50 year old mother to three wonderful children who had the nerve to grow up and leave me with no one to chase after and romp with. With my activities (playing with my kids) slowly changing from participant to spectator (got to love watching football) I slowly lost my strength and endurance without even realizing it. As long as my work kept me active (I am a nurse) I was able to hold my own, however changes in jobs eventually led me to where I am now (mostly pushing papers and playing phone tag with doctors). So when I couldn't make it up the one flight of stairs without being out of breath and stopping because my legs hurt I started to think that it might be time to get into a new routine. My Main Quest: To be able to do simple tasks without feeling out of breath and tired; to move the stone with ease and begin to budge the boulder. To once again hit the dance floor and not think to myself "hope someone knows CPR and when did this song get so long". In order to regain my lost abilities I will follow the rules of a healthy life; move, eat well and move more. Quest 1: To take a walk with my husband at least 3 times per week, either during lunch breaks or on the weekend. Bonus: walking the dog in the evening. Quest 2: To refrain from raiding the bosses candy jar (personally I think she is out to sabotage everyone....she never lets the darn thing get empty). I will take only one piece no more than twice per week and only on the worst days. I will look for other ways to deal with the stress. Quest 3: To do the beginning body work out in the mornings alternating w/ a modified interval training (This is a huge challenge...mornings are not my thing). My goal initially will be to work out 3 days per week. Life Quest: To get my little friend (a very special patient) walking! To visit her as often as possible, playing with purpose and getting her back to where she once was.....just a hop skip and a jump away from walking on her own. Better yet, bring her home. Motivation: I want to enjoy new adventures with my grown kids and my grandchildren. You are never too old to play!

Introduction: I am a 50 year old mother to three wonderful children who had the nerve to grow up and leave me with no one to chase after and romp with. With my activities (playing with my kids) slowly changing from participant to spectator (got to love watching football) I slowly lost my strength and endurance without even realizing it. As long as my work kept me active (I am a nurse) I was able to hold my own, however changes in jobs eventually led me to where I am now (mostly pushing papers and playing phone tag with doctors). So when I couldn't make it up the one flight of stairs without being out of breath and stopping because my legs hurt I started to think that it might be time to get into a new routine. My Main Quest: To be able to do simple tasks without feeling out of breath and tired; to move the stone with ease and begin to budge the boulder. To once again hit the dance floor and not think to myself "hope someone knows CPR and when did this song get so long". In order to regain my lost abilities I will follow the rules of a healthy life; move, eat well and move more. Quest 1: To take a walk with my husband at least 3 times per week, either during lunch breaks or on the weekend. Bonus: walking the dog in the evening. Quest 2: To refrain from raiding the bosses candy jar (personally I think she is out to sabatouge everyone....she never lets the darn thing get empty). I will take only one piece no more than twice per week and only on the worst days. I will look for other ways to deal with the stress. Quest 3: To do the beginning body work out in the mornings alternating w/ a modified interval training (This is a huge challenge...mornings are not my thing). My goal initially will be to work out 3 days per week. Life Quest: To get my little friend (a very special patient) walking! To visit her as often as possible, playing with purpose and getting her back to where she once was.....just a hop skip and a jump away from walking on her own. Better yet, bring her home. Motivation: I want to enjoy new adventures with my grown kids and my grandchildren. You are never too old to play!

Introduction: I am a 50 year old mother to three wonderful children who had the nerve to grow up and leave me with no one to chase after and romp with. With my activities (playing with my kids) slowly changing from participant to spectator (got to love watching football) I slowly lost my strength and endurance without even realizing it. As long as my work kept me active (I am a nurse) I was able to hold my own, however changes in jobs eventually led me to where I am now (mostly pushing papers and playing phone tag with doctors). So when I couldn't make it up the one flight of stairs without being out of breath and stopping because my legs hurt I started to think that it might be time to get into a new routine. My Main Quest: To be able to do simple tasks without feeling out of breath and tired; to move the stone with ease and begin to budge the boulder. To once again hit the dance floor and not think to myself "hope someone knows CPR and when did this song get so long". In order to regain my lost abilities I will follow the rules of a healthy life; move, eat well and move more. Quest 1: To take a walk with my husband at least 3 times per week, either during lunch breaks or on the weekend. Bonus: walking the dog in the evening. Quest 2: To refrain from raiding the bosses candy jar (personally I think she is out to sabatouge everyone....she never lets the darn thing get empty). I will take only one piece no more than twice per week and only on the worst days. I will look for other ways to deal with the stress. Quest 3: To do the beginning body work out in the mornings alternating w/ a modified interval training (This is a huge challenge...mornings are not my thing). My goal initially will be to work out 3 days per week. Life Quest: To get my little friend (a very special patient) walking! To visit her as often as possible, playing with purpose and getting her back to where she once was.....just a hop skip and a jump away from walking on her own. Better yet, bring her home. Motivation: I want to enjoy new adventures with my grown kids and my grandchildren. You are never too old to play!

The good news: my next assignment will involve jumping out of high performance aircraft, while in flight. I've been here before. I was out of control. A heart warming success story. The bad news: That was 20 years ago. Now I'm domesticated (marriage, kids, mortgages, and a ridiculous number of pets). The Quest: Rise to the occasion. I have 6 months to get into "Airborne" shape. Lots of running, lots of calisthenics, lots of lifting, and lots of stretching. Basically more of everything. The goal is to bounce, not break, when I hit the ground. Goal 1: Run. I can go long, but now I gotta build my speed back up to acceptable levels over shorter distances. Exception, week 6, I'll be hiking the highlands of Scotland. Goal 2: Push ups, sit ups, pull ups. As many continuously as possible. Airborne is just a different way of saying "stupidly high reps", I dunno why. Its important to be able to do more than the young-uns though, their piteous cries for mercy as I break their will to live warms my soul. Goal 3: Joint rotations, stretching, jumping drills. Gotta protect the machine. Limber and bouncy. Level life: Moderation, organization (say it aint so!) and consistency. Healthy eating choices, reasonable amounts, drink only on Fridays and Saturdays (Scottish Distilleries are the exception, but moderation still applies). Soft living lately. Gotta harden up. Time to get serious again. Organize the admin side of the house to OCD levels. 18 hours from anywhere doesn't leave much room for slack. 6 months is enough time to get ready, more than I've ever had before, but it goes fast. Easily squandered. Oh, and I'd like to do one day a week of high volume weights just because. Sorry, no stripping down to sexy pink/glittery spandex while pole dancing. Too much fur and flab, just looks wrong. Like a bear in a pink tu-tu. My motivation? Ready or not, here it comes!