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Whew! Where do I begin with how wild life has been lately? Some pretty major changes to our family dynamic (good changes but also difficult) have occurred recently, and I just haven't had the opportunity to be active here. However, I do have some goals I want to set for this challenge, and I hope those of you who have been patient with me will continue to be so. Also, I recently accepted a position as a Language Arts teacher at the same high school I graduated from 25 years ago. It feels surreal, but I am honored and eager to begin. Forgive me this introduction before I get to my goals: I recently joined a community called The Fifth Direction, which has reawakened my creative spirit. It is inspired by poet Robert Bly and the Mythopoetic movement. If you're not familiar with the Mythopoetic movement, fear not; I'll talk about it more in a later post. Short version: it seeks to view life through the lens of story, especially ancient stories (i.e. myths, folk tales, legends, etc.). I have really been exploring how my growing interest in poetry and myth impacts my own faith and spirituality. I was at first concerned that much of it would "debunk" it but instead have found that it has deepened it. Reading scripture through the lens of story and myth and reading stories and myths that are similar and, at times, very parallel to stories in scripture, has reminded me of the omnipresence of God's Spirit in all things. I am also writing poetry again. Robert Bly said that he was inspired by poet William Stafford to write a poem every morning, and eventually Bly published these poems in a book aptly titled Morning Poems. I plan to take similar inspiration and write a poem every day during this challenge, as well as read a poem every day (and share it here, of course). I have also transformed my morning "routine" into something more akin to a morning "ritual" that includes prayer, reading scripture and poetry and stories out loud, meditating and doing breath work. I have not done well recently with my nutrition. I think part of the issue is I have approached it more as a disciplined practice rather than a spiritual one. Fasting has deep spiritual roots and therefore should be meaningful and have reason beyond just "cutting calories." I plan to continue my workout routine, which includes three days of strength training, one day of sprints, three days to move slowly/play/rest. Which day for what is usually determined by life. So, my goals for this challenge: Write a poem of my own every day and read/share someone else's poem every day. Continue my morning ritual: scripture, meditation, breath work, etc. Fast from 7 pm to 11 am daily except on strength training days; also fast for 24 hours every Sunday and Wednesday (I may post later about why I chose those two days). And that's it. Short and sweet and simple. To the best of my ability, I plan to be here daily and hope to not only post but also visit many of your challenge post, as well. Thank you if you've sat with me this long. I hope you will continue to visit and feel welcome here.

DISCLAIMER: This challenge has nothing to do with the show Supernatural. Sorry if the title is misleading. Late to the game, but blessed to be able to join this challenge. After some serious (but not severe) life challenges... ... I've found myself lost amid the chaos again. Bad eating habits and not staying active have taken a toll on my health lately. I used to be the guy who hardly gets sick, but now in the course of two months I've had a respiratory infection and a stomach virus, and my stress levels have been higher than typical. So, I return to something that used to both bring me joy and help me stay consistent with my workouts: lifting heavy objects Upon visiting their site this morning, I came across a new-to-me RPG style workout program called Pathfinder. After a closer look, I've decided it's a perfect way to get back into caring for myself with some physical training. And, as has become part of my true nature, there will also be plenty of poetry to accompany this adventure. PHYSICAL GOAL: Lift heavy objects as often as possible. I've had to modify my goals since the first time I posted this, but I'm beginning to realize that I need to return to simple and practical. I'm finding opportunities to run but struggling to find time to follow a prescribed workout routine, so I've decided to start lifting heavy things again. This includes cinderblocks, logs, stones, kettlebells, weights, and my own body whenever the opportunity presents itself. They key is to lift mindfully, focusing on specific muscles/muscle groups and specific movements. NUTRITIONAL GOALS: I will eat mindfully, selecting foods that nourish my body and don't leave me feeling blah after eating them. From the Harvard School of Public Health: "Eating mindfully means that you are using all of your physical and emotional senses to experience and enjoy the food choices you make. This helps to increase gratitude for food, which can improve the overall eating experience. Mindful eating encourages one to make choices that will be satisfying and nourishing to the body. However, it discourages “judging” one’s eating behaviors as there are different types of eating experiences. As we become more aware of our eating habits, we may take steps towards behavior changes that will benefit ourselves and our environment." Seven practices of mindful eating From SAVOR: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life Honor the food. Acknowledge where the food was grown and who prepared the meal. Eat without distractions to help deepen the eating experience. Engage all senses. Notice the sounds, colors, smells, tastes, and textures of the food and how you feel when eating. Pause periodically to engage these senses. Serve in modest portions. This can help avoid overeating and food waste. Use a dinner plate no larger than 9 inches across and fill it only once. Savor small bites, and chew thoroughly. These practices can help slow down the meal and fully experience the food’s flavors. Eat slowly to avoid overeating. If you eat slowly, you are more likely to recognize when you are feeling satisfied, or when you are about 80% full, and can stop eating. Don’t skip meals. Going too long without eating increases the risk of strong hunger, which may lead to the quickest and easiest food choice, not always a healthful one. Setting meals at around the same time each day, as well as planning for enough time to enjoy a meal or snack reduces these risks. Eat a plant-based diet, for your health and for the planet. Consider the long-term effects of eating certain foods. Processed meat and saturated fat are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer and heart disease. Production of animal-based foods like meat and dairy takes a heavier toll on our environment than plant-based foods. I do not plan to switch to a plant-based diet, but I do plan to increase the amount of vegetables and fruits that I consume and reduce processed meats. MENTAL/SPIRITUAL GOALS: I will re-instate my morning practice. I will read and post one poem a day, as well as write a poem of my own every day. MORNING PRACTICE: 0415 wakeup prayer/contemplative meditation scripture reading breath work cold shower BONUS CHALLENGE: Read Becoming Supernatural and complete the recommended mindfulness exercises. And that is my challenge. As always, I am grateful to those of you who have faithfully encouraged me and followed me on this journey, even while I was away from the forums. I look forward to continuing with this new adventure.

Whew. It has been a hell of a summer. And today marks the official end of my summer break. If you followed my last two challenges and you were let down that I kind of dropped off, I apologize. A lot has happened in life the past few months (good things, mostly, but still a lot). I'm keeping this challenge simple and familiar, while also blending a routine I tried to stay consistent with during my last two challenges: daily poetry. But I also need to get back to routine now that I am returning to work. So, I am focusing on my morning goals: 0415 wakeup drink a full glass of water prayer/meditation/scripture reading breath exercise (WHM, box breathing, etc.) strength workout (at least 15 minutes) cold shower Some bonus goals: read a poem/write a poem every day walk at least 12,000 steps every day seek adventure and beauty every day And that's it. As I said, keeping it simple, trying to rediscover some neglected pieces of myself before I dive into anything crazy. Oh, speaking of crazy, I am planning to participate in a 15 mile group run on trails this Sunday in the New River Gorge, which recently became the first (and only) national park in West Virginia. Wish me luck.

Oh god, is there a new challenge already? OK: Still trying to learn the dance from last time Choose a poem and learn it by heart Bike adventure - ride my new bike from here to Cambridge and back. Done! 10k run on the 23rd - be prepared! Then revert to one long, two short per week Eat sensibly - paleoish and use some sort of portion control That'll do.

Welcome all to my next challenge. I know my presence here was scarce last few challenges, and I cannot guarantee that won't be the case again this challenge. I almost chose to not participate in this challenge, but I'm starting to feel as if I need it. My family and I recently experienced a loss that I will discuss in a later post. But I will do my best to show up, both for myself and for my fellow Adventurers. If you have followed me for some time, for this challenge you can assume all the other daily habits are locked into place (early rise, prayer/meditation, scripture, daily workouts, running trails, etc.). However, for this challenge I am going to focus on a few new healthy habits that I would like to implement, as well as a few extra but relevant challenge goals that hopefully become regular habits, as well. 30 burpees daily daily breathwork (practice with a variety of styles) read, write, and share a poem a day (even if it's bad and even if it's short) My purpose for this challenge is inspired by a quote from Robert Bly: "My feeling is that poetry is also a healing process, and then when a person tries to write poetry with depth or beauty, he will find himself guided along paths which will heal him, and this is more important, actually, than any of the poetry he writes." As I shared in my last challenge thread, I used to write poetry, but it's been years. My recent interest in the mythopoetic movement has re-ignited my creativity and my poetic mind. It really is incredible how thinking poetically changes how you view the world. There is a language to poetry than seems internal and sort of... ancestral. Most importantly, as Bly said, I need to heal. I am not broken or damaged, but I am definitely wounded. My hope is that my re-ignited passion for poetry will help with this. So, in a sense, I will continue to channel my inner wildness but incorporate poetry as a tool for tapping into that part of myself, as well.

It's my seventh challenge and I'm ready to do this! Whatever this is. I'm ready for that. --- Quest #1: Workout 3x per week (continuation/upgrade from last challenge) My yearly goal is to work out 2 x per week. I'm eleven workouts behind, so if I just add one extra per week, it's still gonna take nearly the rest of the year to catch up...which means it's definitely time to scale this up. The good news: I'm feeling really motivated to workout more. The bad news: More workouts take more time. So I will keep these workouts short and sweet. I will do them before work in the morning. I will succeed. Quest #2: Lights out at 10 pm (continuation from last challenge) I am still committed to getting to bed earlier, and my partner is in on it. Strategies that will help: Not overscheduling myself, heeding my alarms at 9:20 that I need to get in bed. Quest #3: Write a poem every other day and post it before 9 pm (continuation/upgrade from last challenge) This quest messed up my bed time quest last time because I like to stay in bed and write. I also feel more pressure to produce really good poems as the project goes on longer, so I spend more time on them. Which is fine--but I'd like to have a deadline. Quest #4: Manage my $$ (new quest!) I used to be A+ 100% amazing at keeping up with YNAB and various other money-related tasks. It's been minimum two months since I've done that. My partner and I have a shared money date (as we call it) and I have a solo money date where I sit down and do a bunch of boring money stuff and usually have a treat as well. I will reschedule my solo money time because it's still in the middle of the day on Tuesday...even though I haven't worked for myself in almost a year. I am committing to at least one session of one hour per week of managing my money, whether it is on my own or with my partner. Overall thoughts I wish I were doing a nutrition quest but I think the upgraded time commitments on both money management and workouts is going to be a lot to handle. I've pretty well built a habit of eating veggies where possible (okay, I don't order salad when I eat out because it makes me sad) so I'll keep up the basic levels of good eatin' I currently have.

...and decided to share it outside my blob of close friends. It's a few months old, now, but remains the first thing (as far as poetry) I've written in a long time. Don't actually have a reason for posting it, especially considering it's probably cringe-worthy having only been edited twice. *Shudders* _____________________________________________________________________________________ ~ One Day ~ Oh, you who weep for a past full of dreams, watching your young love grow old; days drag on, wretched, made slow by your pain, but even so, there's a faith you can win. Sleep, though dark storm clouds blanket the moon, rest while cold rain beats the window. Thunder might shake you, trapped deep in your bones, but even so, you will come to no harm. One day, one day, your woes will all fade; lift up your eyes to this small, feathered hope. One day, your grief will melt in the air: suffer to cry for now without shame. Offer your tears to the One Who will keep them, Who knows you and won't let you go. Hold fast to courage; there's a light on the water, and it's a good light that ever will glow. Oh, you who weep for old pleasures fled, lost in a world of regrets and despair. Peace can be fickle, and joy can be vain, but even so, there are things that remain. You stumble blindly through shards of stained glass, heartsick from a lifetime of unending care. Your feet bleed rivers, your body is spent, but even so, your spirit goes on. One day, one day, your woes will all fade; lift up your eyes to this small, feathered hope. One day, your grief will melt in the air: suffer to cry for now without shame. Offer your tears to the One Who will keep them, Who knows you and won't let you go. Hold fast to courage; there's a light on the water, and it's a good light that ever will glow. Oh, you who weep for a corrupted embrace, clear vision tainted by thick crimson mist. Poor innocence, it never was meant to last, but even so, there's a little bit left. There is a pathway that's guarded by giants, stretching narrow and steep across a bleak land. All the flowers are dead, no birds can sing there, but even so, paradise waits at the end. Sorrow will pass as a harsh winter snow, as famine-swept fields or fire on a green meadow. Take heart, take heart, for ghosts linger long, but in time, they'll grow kinder, and one day, will be gone. One day, one day, your woes will all fade; lift up your eyes to this small, feathered hope. One day, your grief will melt in the air: suffer to cry for now without shame. Offer your tears to the One Who will keep them, Who knows you and won't let you go. Hold fast to courage, there's a light on the water and it's a good light that ever will glow. And it's a good light that ever will glow. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If parts of this sound familiar, ("Oh you who weep for a past full of dreams", "grief...melt in the air", "offer your tears...") that's because they come from the character Aramis in Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers"...for some reason, I decided to have a go at expanding it, and this was the result. I think the original intention was to use it in a fanfiction, but haven't actually got around to it yet.

Hey everybody, reckoned I might as well start me a log on here. Let's see now background info Height. 6 ft. 1.83 m. Weight. 195 lbs. 88.5 kg. Neck. 15 in. 38.1 cm. Chest. 42 in. 106.7 cm. Waist. 38 in. 96.5 cm. Hips. 39 in. 99 cm. Thighs. 24 in. 61 cm. Calfs. 15 in. 38.1 cm. Biceps. 14 in. 35.6 cm. Forearms. 11 in. 27.9 cm. Reason for working out My family has a history of heart disease, diabetes, and all in all bad health. I'm working to put that off. I've already been sick enough in my life. In 2012 I spent five months not being able to keep anything down. Had to have my gallbladder out in June. That's after having an appendectomy( I'm proud of myself right now cause I spelt that right on the first go) in January. So two surgeries, 60 pounds lost and a whole lot of missed school later I decided I needed to take better care of myself. That and I want to look good. Primary goal Be as healthy as I can. My main aim here is to get to around 200 lbs. with 10% body fat. Secondary goals Publish a book Do 6 pushups with body weight on back Run mile in under 5 minutes Finish a qualifying course on American Ninja Warrior And lots of other stuff. My ultimate goal above all others is to be the best man I can be. To serve the Lord, do his will, and make it to Heaven when I die.

Sovellis groaned as he woke up on the hard stone floor of Noor's mountain hut. This wouldn't do. "First thing we need to work on is making a better bed. Stone is not kind to my poor spine," he grumbled, "and I'm guessing we're going to be out here for a while." Stretching the stiffness from his limbs, he got up and looked around. The giant cat was laying on top of Noor, and the dog, Dael, was laying on top of the cat. The sight made him smile. He tried prodding his friend, who appeared to still be asleep. No reaction. So strange, her skin really felt like stone. Sighing, he got dressed and headed out into the cool sunny day. If she was still asleep, he may as well explore a bit and get the lay of the land. <------<<< Okay, so finally getting this post up. I had some family stuff that needed to be taken care of, but now that's out of the way. Still kinda processing stuff, but I think I can finally move forward with the challenge. I've moved over to the assassins because I want to work more on dex based stuff like slacklining. I'm trying to keep going on the habits I've been building in previous challenges, re-trying a failed goal, and adding in some new goals. This challenge will be done partly in conjunction with my friend Noor (her challenge post can be found here: Breaking Stoneshape ) Anyways, here's my goals for this challenge! 1. No Taverns in the Wild Redeux (CON): A = 1 day or less of drinking a week B = 2 days of drinking a week C = 3 days of drinking a week F = more than 3 days 2. Nimble Hunter (DEX): A = 5 days or more a week doing slacklining or archery B = 4 days a week C = 3 days a week 3. Warrior Poet (CHA/INT): Write a limerick a day! A = 38 days B = 32 C = 28 4. Make Ishu Proud (STR/STA): Keep up the strength and cardio training! A = 38 days B = 32 C = 28

Do you enjoy words? GOOD. I must say that I am frequently intrigued by the languages we all speak and write and think. The hilarious mistakes and the clever creations that squeeze their way out of our brains and other body parts cause me to tingle sometimes, and I hope to spread the tingle around, as well as experience the tingles secreted by others. While you're here, post some interesting linguistic facts you've learned, or some awesome alliterations, or some prime rhymes, or some spacky woonerisms, or perhaps select a word from your personal gualp* of neologisms. OR WHATEVER I LOVE tongue twisters and I make my own up all the time. Here is one: Eleven level elven leather elevator loveseats. Here is another: I discuss the skies cause I decide this guy's eyes disguise this size disc. OH and here is a sentence that is very fun to say: Pick up a couple o' papayas. * Gualp: a moderately large group of objects or concepts sharing varying degrees of similarities in physical or stylistic attributes.

The Nerd Fitness Poet's Corner In this softly lit corner at The Nerd Fitness Pub, poets can gather to share and discuss their original writings. The poets corner is a safe space. Swears might fly without being censored, risky and controversial topics may be brought up: This is the nature of creative writing. So a fair warning to weary wanderers, some things posted here may not be child or work appropriate. But honestly, why are you even bringing your kid into The Pub, or drinking on company hours? Ideally, the corner can be used to keep writers accountable to producing new work. When you are posting your poetry: -It has to be your own work. Plagiarizing is lame and sad. If not your own work, please make that very clear. -Let readers know if you want your piece to be work-shopped, or if you would rather not hear suggestions. -Don't be worried about people judging you. This is an extremely open and understanding community. We would love to see your work. If you happen to know of a user who has writing as a goal, it would be great if you passed this along to them! So poets and poetry enthusiasts, grab a drink, sit down, and show us what you've got! Featured Poets Harnvin Ginn Lantana DinoBytes lolavictrola HalJordanGL

jtggodqos - go big, or go home Main Quest I vow to return to a healthy lifestyle, incorporating good eating habits and exercise into most every day. Goals Exercise: I vow to adhere to the following workout plan every day, with the rare exception.Wed, Fri, Sun: lower body (DDR or calf raises, squats, lunges)Thus, Sat, Mon: upper body (bench press, military press, seated row, bicep curl, tricep curl, lat pulldown)Tue: rest; cardio optionalDiet: I vow to consume no more than 1200 kcal every day, with the rare exception.Writing: I vow toboth journal and write one poem every day, with the rare exception. Side Quests Minis: I vow to at least consider the Mini Quests each time, though I am not required to participate. My Motivation I vow to adhere to the above requirements, because I'm fucking sick of how I look, and I'm tired of this Depression.healthy eating and regular exercise are good for the body, and writing is good for the soul. Notes the "with the rare exception" clause must be validated by Brian -- if he deems it acceptable, then I can evoke it. this ensures I don't let myself "cheat" too much.I must input every day's progress on both my spreadsheet AND my NerdFitness thread. this ensures accountability. Links spreadsheetMyFitnessPalFitbitFitocracy Icon for Hire - "Get Well" lyrics

Once again, I'm getting a little bit of a late start. This past weekend saw two birthdays (including my own), visiting family and friends, and general craziness. On to the good stuff! Main Quest Continue to drop the extra weight and develop a positive body image (still) Active Missions 1. Run like the wind! [+3 STA] Last challenge, I chopped off about a quarter of my 5K time just by actually running the whole thing. This time around, I want to ease my way into a better time. My best so far is 29:38, so the grading will go as follows: A: 5K in less than 27 minutes B: 5K in 27-28 minutes C: 5K in 28-29 minutes D: 5K in 29-30 minutes F: 5K in more than 30 minutes 2. This is wheely hard work! [+2 STR, +2 STA] The first time I tried to ride the bike I got during the last challenge, I failed miserably. It took me considerably longer going to my destination riding the bike than it did for me to return home walking said bike the whole way. The route to the gym is 3.7 miles. It takes me roughly an hour to walk, which is one of my biggest reasons for wanting the bike in the first place. I need to be using it way more than I am and I need to be able to make it downtown on the bike without passing out on the side of the road or taking so long that I need to turn right back around by the time I get there. I'm keeping this one very simple. Bike 120 miles. Three trips to the gym per week would easily cover this, but chances are I'll use other means more often than not. This will also get easier as it gets warmer. Right now, I pity anyone who has to be outside more than five minutes. A: >=120 miles B: 115-120 miles C: 110-115 miles D: 105-110 miles F: <105 miles 3. Find your center! [+3 DEX, +2 WIS] After a visit to the Detroit Zen Center near the beginning of my year of service, I said that I wanted to incorporate more meditation into my life. I want this to become a natural part of my routine, so I'll be doing at least ten minutes of meditation and/or yoga each day. A: >=40 days sticking to the above guidelines B: 36-39 days C: 32-35 days D: 28-31 days F: <28 days Life Quest Break a leg! [+1 WIS, +2 CHA] I agreed with another of the Detroit JVs that I would perform at an open mic sometime in March. I've always wanted to write poetry, but never really given myself permission to do it. It feels like something you have to already be good at to start. That doesn't make any sense, but I can't imagine how some people can articulate their experiences this way. The goal here is to write, even if it's just an idea or a few lines of a poem, every day. Updating this thread and other things I'd do anyway don't count! A: Write at least a few lines every day and perform at an open mic C: Do one or the other F: No poetry Exciting stuff!! This will be my third full challenge and also my third in a row. I've been feeling pretty good about my routine, almost always making good food choices when possible (it's not always when you're a Jesuit Volunteer) and working out or running five or six days a week. There are SO MANY things I want to focus on... a web design project, barbell training, doing a handstand... This challenge, though, I want to keep it practical. I know what sorts of things I'm supposed to eat and I've been pretty successful with avoiding starch as much as possible, so I'm not going to specifically lay out how I'll be eating. I'm going to try a few different things, including tracking my intake, and see what comes of it. It's worth mentioning that Lent is coming up and some of my housemates will be going vegan. I've never observed Lent before, but I will be affected by my community's food-related decisions. I will NOT be cutting out animal products entirely, but I will likely eat significantly less meat. I'm also going to continue to go to the gym for a workout at least three times a week, but will not be keeping track of those workouts as part of my challenge.

Open PVP [12 July '13 to 8 Sept '13] This PVP is a test to see who can increase their max chinups or pullups in a row by the most during the last 4 weeks of the current challenge. Both warriors in training, Dominic has challenged Choronodon for a no guts no glory deathmatch! However the PVP is open to other participants from any guild if they wish to join in, just post in the thread. Starting number: - On the first day or the day before, using a bar, test your max strict chinups or strict pullups, state in this thread whatever you can do more of. These are strict so you must go all the way down and then get your chin above the bar to count a rep. (see video below for an an example of a strict pullup). PVP Rules - The PVP is to see who can increase max number of reps the most by end of challenge. This means who increases the most, not who can do the most. - You can train by any means you want but if you win at the end of the challenge you have to divulge how you trained. Eyes on the Prize - Loser has to write a poem battle ode in honor of the winner. (as basic as "roses are red" type is acceptable) - Photo of your amazing swollen guns at the end of Challenge is optional. So my warrior brethren have you got your war face on? Notes and assistance on form Pullup/Chinup Common Errors. Most common error on Pull-ups & Chin-ups is cheating the range of motion by not going low or high enough on each rep. Not Straightening the Arms. Start from a dead hang with straight elbows, like on the picture above. No partial Pull-ups/Chin-ups.Shoulders Going Forward. It's bad posture & bad technique. Lead with your chest up while driving your elbows to the floor.Using The Hips. Keep your legs inline with your torso.Chin Over Bar. Nose or forehead against the bar is a partial Pull-up/Chin-up. Chin over bar unless you're not strong enough yet.Example of a Strict Pullup:

Hello, lovely to see you This is just a small bit of self-promotion; Iv'e started a new Blog where I plan to write. I love writing and wanted a place to explore a variety of genres and topics. It's still in the early stages though, as am I. I'll do a bit of short stories, poetry, comedy etc. I would love you to stop by and take a look, and, if you are keen, give some feedback. Click here to view: http://jasonforshort.wordpress.com/ Thanks Jason the Kiwi