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I'm not new to NerdFitness, but I am new to the forums. Back in May, I started taking pole dancing classes, which remind me of how much I actually like being active when I find something I enjoy. After pole dancing for about four months, I realized I actually want to look like I pole dance. So yeah, I'm vain. But this motivation works for me. I have about 74 lbs to lose, and at 2 lbs a week, if I don't plateau, or gain any weight *fingers crossed* I can have that off by my birthday next July. Current habit changes I'm working on are only drinking water, going to pole classes four times a week (not that hard, I love it, just have to fit it in with my work/family obligations), and cutting out carbs for one meal a day. The last three weeks I've been pretty good about water, I only lapse about once a week, which I'm taking as a victory. The hard part is the carbs, because I eat every meal with people, and they ALL comment anytime they notice me eating something "abnormal," or just slightly different than I normally would, and it sort of puts me off it because it draws attention. I know I just need to get over it, but I'm such a socially awkward introvert, that for me, that's a lot harder than it sounds.

I posted this on my IG two nights ago. I'm still reeling from the excitement! Not to mention, muscle soreness reaches its peak 48 hours after a workout, so I can barely move because I'm so sore. But I couldn't be happier!

Hey Assassins! It's been a looong loong while. My last challenge/NF activity was in May/June! In the meantime, what happened? - Finals - Holidays - Moving abroad - Starting university Right. That's a lot. But now +/- 3 weeks after I have moved in to my new place, I'm ready to hop back on the wagon and level up again! I made a list of 'first steps' to take before starting out again: - Sign up at the local gym - CHECK - clear your apatment from all kinds of junk food - CHECK - Clean up your working space for a clearer mind - NOT YET CHECK - Go to the supermarket for a big haul of NF Academy Level 10 food (basically full Paleo) - NOT YET CHECK I've been having a lot of gut issues and am currently being treated for it, but the main nutritional influence it has is: no gluten, dairy, starches or sugars, therefore level 10 is basically my only option Okay, okay. Don't want to wander off too much. Here's what I'll be working on for (at least) the next 6 weeks: 1) Main Quest. I CANNOT STRESS THIS HARD ENOUGH, THOSE LAST 15 POUNDS GODDAMMIT. (Hope I made that clear to you, ahem) I'm taking measurements tomorrow, progress pictures today. Will take them every week, just to see how much it changes over time. Not only that, I signed up for pole fitness classes, and I'm absolutely loving it. By the end of these 6 weeks, I want to be able to master the ''Chair Turn'', which is the only one i really struggle with right now. How will I do that? - Of course, attend all Pole Fitness classes - Do my usual yoga 3x/week - Kettlebell workouts, 2x/week - 1 barbell workout. NB: These aren't all meant for that ONE turn, but they improve overall performance, which is obviously what we're aiming at 2) Life Side Quest. Okay, this one is rather easy to me. I started my Applied Physics degree two weeks ago, and the workload is huge. Every 5 weeks we have an exam, so we're supposed to study and revise every single day just in order to make it. Therefore, my life side auest is simply to study well, without neglecting my fitness/nutrition goals and vice versa! So my workout schedul looks like this: Monday: Kettlebells Tuesday: Pole fitness Wednesday: yoga (mainly restorative) Thursday: Kettlebells Friday: Yoga (balance + inversions) + any cardio (spinning/running/swimming/...) Saturday: Barbells Sunday: yoga (restorative) + long walk (easy cardio) It looks like a lot, but it's what I need in order not to mentally crash from all the math during the day Will keep in touch

Main quest To hold an Iron X long enough for a photograph Three goals Build upper body strength Build core strength Get lighterTrackable version of the 3 goals (in addition to usual pole classes/gym/contortion) Mon — 3x10 pullups, 3x10 floor core exercises, 10 elbowstands dismount Tues — Handstand conditioning, 2x10 pole crunches each side Wed — 3x10 pullups, 3x10 floor core exercises, cardio, 10 elbowstands dismount Thurs — Handstand conditioning, 2x10 layback crunches Fri — Cardio, 2x10 pole crunches each side Sat — 3x10 pullups, 3x10 floor core exercises, 10 elbowstands dismount Sun — Handstand conditioning, 2x10 shoulder mount crunches each side Other goals Try out capoeira More about me and my quest I am on a neverending quest to become stronger, more agile and just more badass in general. Pole lets me do that while I am having fun. I am SO far from being able to do an Iron X, but if I keep meeting these daily goals I will be there one day soon enough. Anyone else into pole dance/pole fitness/other forms of aerial fitness? I also want to try parkour some day. And maybe lyra. Oh, so many things to try, so many different quests worth aiming for. But, one thing at a time.