Monday, April 8, 2013

Nerd Fitness 6 Week Challenge Review!


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Today marks the end of my first Nerd Fitness 6 week challenge. Since I posted my initial challenge goals on the blog at the beginning, I thought I'd share my final progress report here so you can see just how much can be accomplished in six short weeks of work!

Challenge Starting Weight: 162.4 lbs
Challenge Ending Weight: 153.4 lbs
Total Loss: -9.4 lbs (I was hoping for more, but considering my struggles with food/con-going during the course of the challenge I'm pretty happy with this!) 

Final Measurements: 

Bust: (Starting 38") 36.25"
Waist: (Starting 41") 36.5"
Hips: (Starting 44") 42"
Thigh: (Starting 22.25") 20.75"
Calves: (Starting 16.5") 15.5"
Bicep: (Starting 12.5") 12.25"

Total Inches lost during challenge: -11 inches (That's pretty BANANAS!)

Before Photos: (NOTE: I wasn't going to post these photos on the blog, but I feel like the progress really shows and hopefully it inspires you guys to start taking photos to mark the changes in your body!)
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After Photos:
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Fitness/Nutrition goals:
  • Take at least one Yoga class a week.
    • I aced this 100% and even took an extra class one week.
    • I made some great progress with The Wheel and the Crow that I intend to continue with a more rigorous focus in the next challenge.
      • Reward: +2 STR
  • Complete "Zombies, Run 5k Training"  3x/week.
    • I never missed a run, not even at PAX East! I found a hotel with a gym and made sure I got my training in at 6AM so I could enjoy the con guilt free for the rest of the day! I'm loving my runs more and more each time and I'm getting ready to do my final mission for the app on Friday of the week! I can't wait to see my first 5k time so I can make some PR goals for the next challenge!
      • Reward: +5 STA
  • Complete at least two 45 minute training sessions on the elliptical per week.
    • Passed with flying colors! Never missed a session and got in plenty of Xena: Warrior Princess episodes while I trained. Win win! AYIYIYIYIYI!
      • Reward: +2 DEX
  • Learn to cook three Paleo meals by the end of the challenge.

Life Goal:
  • Write at least 2 new blog posts a week and create a logo for the header. 
    • I posted retro blog entries here every day and wrote my two new posts without fail every week. 
    • Having the deadline was really crucial for me. I find that having a back log of drafts is very useful and I will definitely continue to do that as time goes on. 
    • Very soon I'll be moving to a 2 post per week publishing format. Readers, feel free to vote in the poll on the left sidebar.
    • Added bonus: My reader base blossomed from under one thousand to over ten thousand unique views in just 6 short weeks! 
    • Sadly, while I did make progress on the logo with my graphic designer, the incredible Annie Stoll, she's been busy with some pretty amazing new clients! I'm so happy for her success and I'm honestly just blessed to have her volunteering to help me with the site. She's the real deal, people! Soon you'll see her amazing work at the top of the blog every time you stop by! The lesson I learned here was that I shouldn't make a challenge goal that depends on anyone's actions but my own in the future, but I know the finished product will be worth the wait!
      • Reward: + 2 WIS
        • I subtracted 1 point from the original proposed reward for not finishing the logo.

Final "Level Up Your Life" Stats for my forum signature:
Hearthsinger the Wandering Bard
Level 2 Halfling Ranger
STR 4 | DEX 3 | STA 7 | CON 5 | WIS 6 | CHA 4

The next challenge starts on Monday April 15th, so if this looks like something you want to try, check out their forums and start preparing your goals so you can participate!

In closing I want to thank the Nerd Fitness community for welcoming me with open arms, commenting on my progress during the challenge, and encouraging me through the rough patches. Your reactions to my results have been so overwhelming and supportive. I'm proud of myself, but I'm lucky to have found you guys and honored to have shared this challenge journey with you!

4 comments:

  1. Very brave of you to post those photos! I can't believe how your butt has all but disappeared. You are looking fantastic and it just goes to show you that a change in appearance isn't always in the poundage. 9 pounds is nothing to scoff at in 6 weeks, but what's most significant here is how toned up, strong, and healthy-looking your figure is becoming.

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    1. Thanks Em! :) I wrestled with whether to post them on here for a while, but then I was just like... people need to see that lbs aren't the whole story and also how motivating it can be to take these HARROWING photos of yourself haha! When I compare this to the VERY FIRST pic I ever took... It's like... astounding. I'm completely dead in the eyes in those photos- like some sort of souless behemoth. Maybe one day I'll post them... but I don't know lol. Thanks for all the love and support <3

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  2. I'm so proud of you and how far you've come! You're tiny! I am following your example and have lost 10 pounds and one jean size in 3 1/2 weeks. I really need to add more cardio but for right now some exercise is better than none, right?
    You look great but more importantly, you seem happy.
    GO YOU!

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    1. Thanks so much for the support. Happiness is the ultimate goal! So proud of YOU for getting your booty in gear and acting on wanting better health! A lot of times that's one of the hardest things to do. Congrats on all your success so far! When it comes to the cardio (which is definitely important!), find something you love and you'll be way more motivated to do it!

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