First 6 week trial

[brutalbears]

Hey Everyone, I am really excited to be on here. I have been using the Nerd Fitness Academy for the last 2 months, and I am finally confident enough to come out of the shadows and onto the forums. (not that much better, but its a step) This is my first 6-week challenge attempt. Let me know if you have any thoughts! I am a 22 year old adolescent drug and alcohol abuse counselor (I know its a long title) and my job has me sitting in chair talking all day. I call myself a dwarf because of how strangely stocky my build is- I am a 5'11 male, 200 lbs, obnoxiously wide shoulders, and no legs. I am just all torso my legs are shorter than my 5'7 roommate! I really like the assassin style, and I find it the most fun. If I had to claim an off spec (yest that is how much WOW I played) it would be warrior, and I will have fun also doing weight lifting. On the nerd level, you name it I have geeked out on it. I love comics, video games, books, anime, bow hunting, and D&D. Also, it might be worth saying that I am a recovering alcoholic and addict; I will have seven years sober in April, and I am stocked. So not only is physical fitness important, but working the AA program, so I stay sober, is really important too.
 

The Story Begins:

Recruit Assassin Training

Recruit - Trainee - Apprentice - Disciple - Assassin - Veteran - Elite - Mentor

 

A average results in promotion, B average in stagnation, C average demoted 

Quest Log

~Get 137 miles closer to Rivendell~

131 out of 137

95.6%

95.6%

A= 130-137 miles in 6 weeks-B=115-130 miles C=100-115 miles

A= 3 Sta B= 2 Sta C= 1 Sta

(2 pts already allocated for reaching level 1)

Side Quest: To strengthen you endurance go on at least 5 hikes through the nearby by mountainous terrain

Completing the side quest rewards- +1 Sta +1 Cha

(1 Sta allocated for reaching level 1)

Hike 1

Hike 2

Hike 3

Hike 4

Hike 5 and Bonus

~Complete 10 hours in the Rock Gym~

15/10 hours

A=10 Hours B=8 Hours C=6 hours

A= 5 Dex  + 2 Str B= 3 Dex +1 Str C= 1 Dex + 1 Str

(3 Dex and 1 Str allocated for reaching level 1)

 

~Improve to 5 Pull-Ups~

A= 5 Pull-Ups B= 4 Pull-Ups C= 3 Pull-Ups

A= 3 Str B= 2 Str C= 1 Str

 

P.S. keep playing Assassin’s Creed: Unity for inspirations

 

Mini Quest 1: Update goals to fit within the SMART goal standards-set self up for success= +1 Wis

Mini Quest 2: Make some friends= +1 Cha

Mini Quest 3: The Library= +1 Wis

Mini Quest 4: The Kitchen= +1 Con Recipe 

Motivation: I want to be able to keep up with the kids I work with, feel better, be able to get a date, have more energy, and once I saw a RPG system my brain is hooked on leveling myself IRL. 

[brutalbears]

Progress: Yesterday I completed a 2.9 mile walk, ate healthy, did a 45 minute strength exercise that included handstand practice, 3 sets of 3 pull-ups, and 3 sets of 13 push-ups (as well as other exercises). (P.S. 2 months into working out and those lunges are still killer!)

[Merrin]

I'm just tossing out what I've read here, but I hope it helps. After your first three weeks (I beleive) you get to level up your character. You'll receive 10 points to assign to various attributes. Your first quest seems to focus on endurance (Stamina) so at the first level up mark, you could assign yourself 3 points.

 

Your next quest leans towards Dexterity, what with doing handstands and having the Assassins discipline. So, that could be 2 points perhaps. I only assign 2 because your goal list is a bit shorter than the one for Stamina.

 

The last focus, with pull-ups, would assign points towards Strength. Again, perhaps a 2, because there are less bullet points.

 

That leaves 3 points remaining. 1 point could go towards Constitution, since you plan on working on self-control, with saving money. I think you could add 1 to Wisdom because you're using books towards your goal, and also seeking new experiences (rock climbing and hikes.) That final point could go towards Charisma, if you feel more attractive with the work you've done. Or it could slot into DEX or STR, since your work-outs look like an AWESOME challenge.

 

At the end of 6 weeks, you get another five points, and again, assign them to the areas you feel you've grown.

[brutalbears]

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate having a community to be accountable with!

[brutalbears]

Progress: Yesterday walked 3.8 miles, did 5 minutes of handstand practice-with two quarter handstand push-ups, ate healthy, and got some really good sleep. 

[Evicious]

Awesome goals (meeting all the SMART criteria - well done!) and it looks like you're off to a great start. Keep it up! (Also, I feel ya on the lunges )

[Elastigirl]

Great start to your challenge. One thing to keep in mind is that right now each of your goals has many subquests. I've found that to be a bit overwhelming and hard to focus on all the things. If you start to feel overwhelmed, pick one thing from each of your goals and focus on that. Then next challenge, you can focus on the next thing. It seems like it takes longer that way, but really it doesn't because you end up really solidifying the habit you are currently working on.

 

Interested to see your handstand progress. An excellent way to track is videos, bonus for us because videos are so fun to watch.

[brutalbears]

Thanks for the pointers everyone! You all are awesome!

[Elastigirl]

 I am an ambassador for the assassins. Which means, we spy out for potential recruits to our guild after their first challenge, and will come by and cheer you on and answer questions. Feel free to PM me if you have a question, or just need a bit of encouragement.

 

You can go check out some of the thread of assassins and see the kind of things we do. Here are some links you can check out to see what we are up to:

 

 

The Assassin Guild Info & Announcements

 

The Assassins' Den guild chat thread (this is our hangout spot, come join the silliness)

 

The Level 1 Assassin Initiates Q&A/Chat thread (great place to meet other assassin recruits and ask questions)

 

The Assassin Phonebook (not up yet, soon- shows who is doing what so you can ask questions or just go for motivation)

[vinoex]

I like the goals.  Keep it up.

[brutalbears]

Update: yesterday I ate healthy, walked 3.4 miles, did a 1 hour strength workout (including handstand practice), and I had fun on the NF forums. To be accountable, I have to miss tomorrow's workout due to work out of town, but part of work is spending between 10 and 15 hours lifting, moving, carrying, and setting up/breaking down an event-so I'll be doing some physical exersize.

[brutalbears]

 

 I am an ambassador for the assassins. Which means, we spy out for potential recruits to our guild after their first challenge, and will come by and cheer you on and answer questions. Feel free to PM me if you have a question, or just need a bit of encouragement.

 

 

You can go check out some of the thread of assassins and see the kind of things we do. Here are some links you can check out to see what we are up to:

 

 

 

The Assassin Guild Info & Announcements

 

 

The Assassins' Den guild chat thread (this is our hangout spot, come join the silliness)

 

 

The Level 1 Assassin Initiates Q&A/Chat thread (great place to meet other assassin recruits and ask questions)

 

 

The Assassin Phonebook (not up yet, soon- shows who is doing what so you can ask questions or just go for motivation)

 

Thanks for the encouragement, I would really like to join the guild. Any help I can get in doing so would be awesome! 

[Evermist]

Looks like you're making good progress on your goals! Keep up the good work, and let us know if you need anything! If you have any questions regarding the Assassins or just want to hang around and chat, head over to our guild chat and the Q&A thread that my fellow ambassador starsapart posted

 

All the best, from the Assassins' Guild!

[brutalbears]

Update: I have been out of town for work and have not been able to do many of my specific fitness stuff, but I did work my ass off. I ended up with 10.1 miles of walking, and I lifted and carried so much stuff that I am sore as can be today. The 7 inches of snow has made it so I can't go on my walk today, but back on it tomorrow!

[theseus]

Great progress! 10 miles is some pretty serious distance!

[peacecorn]

Great progress Brutalbears! Keep it up!

[jkiley]

Keep up the good work, don't let the snow slow you down!!!

[brutalbears]

Progress: Yesterday I walked 1.2 miles and did a one hour strength work out. I skipped my walk this morning and stayed in bed, and I do not feel good about that. I have been stressed and feeling a bit over worked this week due to the combo of work and finals, so I will have to get creative. 

[vinoex]

I feel you, I had to fight to get out of bed.  I truly believe our toughest battles are in our head and our greatest enemy is our own flesh. 

[Presea]

Hi brutalbears - I'm really interested in doing the 'Walk to Mordor' thing in my next challenge.  Also, I never imagined myself doing a handstand before, but after seeing it as your goal and reading the NF article on it, I'm inspired!  Following to see how it goes for you and for inspiration to incorporate these things into my future challenges.

[brutalbears]

Progress: Another less than ideal day, I got 2.2 miles done. These finals are killer, and I have got to step my game up. I am starting to lose my early start and breakfast!!!! 

[vinoex]

Progress is progress.  Keep at it.

[brutalbears]

Progress is progress.  Keep at it.

Thanks for the support buddy, I hope all is going well!

[brutalbears]

Update: I got 2.7 miles done yesterday. I also did my hour long strength exercise, and in this workout I progressed to three sets of five pull-ups. Though, I think I may have set my sights a little high on the free standing handstands. I have gotten really good at kicking up and doing them against the wall, and I can hold that position for around 55 long deep breathes (yes that is a measurement of time). Regardless, I need to step up my walking, and I also think that walking on my hands all the way up against the wall will help my hand stands. Also, I cooked the paleo sweet potato curry chicken from the recent NF post, and it was delicious! It is my lunch again today.

[vinoex]

Good progress on the pull ups. I'm working my way to them. One day...