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Right, this is my second challenge and my first an assassin. My main goal remains the same, get strong and start to like what I look like in the mirror more As I completely concentrated on bodyweight exercises last challenge I thought I'd reintroduce something I used to love training with kettlebells. Workouts going forwards will be a fusion of bodyweight and kettlebell work. Quest 1: Fusion workout - +4 str, +2 sta Plan here is to work out four times a week combining bodyweight and kettlebell exercise. The routine I'm planning will involve the following: 3 x 20 Diamond Pushups 3 x 10 Kettelbell Cleans (each arm) - this will be upgraded to snatches as soon as I start feeling more comfortable. 3 x 10 Kettlebell Push Press (each arm) 3 x 10 Feet together bodyweight Squat (reps to increase as I get better) 3 x 60 seconds kettlebell swing 3 x 45 seconds full bridge 3 x 40 seconds crow stand Rated as follows: 4 workouts: A 3 workouts: B 2 workouts: C 1 workouts: D 0 workouts: fail Quest 2: Fuel for fusion - +3 con I've come to the conclusion that although my diet seems pretty good I have no idea how much I'm actually eating. Fusion needs adequete fuel so I'm going to start tracking calories every day using myfitnesspal. This will be everyday with no excuses. Hopefully I can then workout if I'm eating enough/too much/not enough. Pass/Fail Quest 3: Stamina to fuel everything else - + 2 sta, +2 dex I've realised I'm not getting much cardio in (I did a half marathon in February and it destroyed my interest in running). I've always wanted to be able to use a skipping rope (I always suck when they get used in martial arts classes) and the carido will complement the strength training. Using a rather awesome Al Kavadlo article I found in a magazine I will be skipping rope twice a week. 2 workouts: A 1 workout: B 0 workouts: Fail Lifequest - +3 wis Read more! When I was a kid I was renowned for having a book in my hand and I want to return to this. I will be attempting to read every day, specifically some life enhancing/motivational material. Doesn't matter if it's five minutes every day I'll still be reading. Pass/Fail

Hi all, Karzam here, and starting my first challenge, albeit a few days late. I'm a 41 year old guy, and have let my body slip over the years for various reasons, so I'd like to get fit, and put some muscle on. I've never really been that much into exercise, being a more cerebral person, so that's part of the challenge for me - but I do actually like exercise when I'm doing it, it's just not my natural choice of 'things to do'...not yet anyway. Main Quest: Increase my Lean Mass to 78kg (currently 74.7kg) Quest 1: Learn how to skip, and be able to do 2 minutes without stopping Measurements: A = 2 minutes, B = 1 - 2 minutes, C = 0 - 1 minute Rewards: A = DEX +2, STA +2; B = DEX +1.5, STA +1.5; C = DEX +1, STA +1 Quest 2: Learnt how to (and do) a pull-up Measurements: A = Full pull-up, B = Partial pull-up Rewards: A = STR +2; B = STR +1 Quest 3: Complete my kettlebell routine - 3 days a week Measurements: A = 3 days per week, B = 2 days per week, C = 1 day per week Rewards: A = STR +3, DEX +2, STA +2; B = STR +2, DEX +1, STA +1; C = STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1 List Quest: Go on two dates (trying to get out there) Measurements: A = 2 dates, B = 1 date Rewards: A = CHA +2, B = CHA +1 Motivation: Basically I'm rebooting my life at the moment, so this represents the physical side of that reboot. I've recently finished my PhD, and said goodbye to a woman who I'd have willingly proposed to (she actually has feelings for me too, but that's another story), so I'm embracing change!

How many people in the NFA community jump rope? Why I ask? I've been googling through the web and I can't really find a solid answer to my dilemna. I found a new love for jump roping (for the Americans) or skipping rope (for the British). As soon as I wake up in the morning, I want to go outside and start jump roping. However, there is something I am very confused about. Do I have to warm up before jump roping? Some people jump rope as a warm up, right? So, if I jump roped as soon as I woke up, wouldn't I be warming up and working out at the same time? Or, does the intensity of my rope skipping determines it being a warm up or a work out? Will I injure myself if I skipped rope as soon as I woke up (I'm an early bird, morning makes me super perky... it's almost like a drug... morning that is)? For well seasoned jump ropers dwelling in the crevices of NFA, what say you on this matter? Is warm up necessary? Can I warm up using the jump rope and just increase my velocity to turn it to a workout? Nightbrother wrote a thread on jump roping, but he was talking about his core too and not really on jump roping itself. So, I am just writing this thread to speak only about jump roping/skipping rope. I hope that is okay. Beginner jump ropers are also welcome to chime in. What advices do you have to share with me, who is also starting out with jump roping (and developing a passion for it)?

I completed my very first (and second) double-under on Saturday during my skipping workout!!!! Still working towards consecutive..... but I got that rope under! WOOOT!