JoshG

"It’s been months now since I left the shaman’s hut. Disoriented and alone I wandered the forest for days. The pain of the work that the shaman did on my shoulder still lingers. Not fully disabling, but ever present in the background. I heard the sound of voices and meandered in that direction. As I broke through the tree line, I stumbled upon a crossroads in the middle of the forest. At the crossroads sat a small inn. The sounds were coming from inside. As I opened the door and step in I was greeted with the sweet malted smell of fresh ale. I pulled up a stool and sat at the bar. Wallowing in my own self-pity, I began to drown myself in ale. The hours turned into days, the days into weeks, and the weeks into months. Finally, after months of imbibing far too much food and ale, something snapped. Something deep down in the pit of my soul started forcing its way to the surface. I set down the cup and stepped back from the bar. As I walked out the door I came to the crossroads. So many choices and I have no idea what waits for me at the end of any of them. I do know one thing, I can no longer stay here. I stepped into the middle of the road and picked a path. Eyes burning from the sun, in worse shape than when I landed on this isle and a little hungover, I traveled slowly but deliberately down the road. And so, my journey begins…" Recovering from shoulder surgery took it toll on my body. Im about 15 lbs heavier and i was already 15lbs heavier than i wanted to be at surgery. Finding the motivation to even want to return was difficult. I kept saying "next week. I'll start next week". But next week will never get here. there is only today. So I found my way back to the Rebellion and I'm glad I have. I am ready and I have taken the first step to leaving the crossroads. I will be joining you soon, fellow Rangers.

Been gone a few months and just found my way back. What have i missed? Things dont seem to be as active or am in not looking at the right posts?

"It’s been months now since I left the shaman’s hut. Disoriented and alone I wandered the forest for days. The pain of the work that the shaman did on my shoulder still lingers. Not fully disabling, but ever present in the background. I heard the sound of voices and meandered in that direction. As I broke through the tree line, I stumbled upon a crossroads in the middle of the forest. At the crossroads sat a small inn. The sounds were coming from inside. As I opened the door and step in I was greeted with the sweet malted smell of fresh ale. I pulled up a stool and sat at the bar. Wallowing in my own self-pity, I began to drown myself in ale. The hours turned into days, the days into weeks, and the weeks into months. Finally, after months of imbibing far too much food and ale, something snapped. Something deep down in the pit of my soul started forcing its way to the surface. I set down the cup and stepped back from the bar. As I walked out the door I came to the crossroads. So many choices and I have no idea what waits for me at the end of any of them. I do know one thing, I can no longer stay here. I stepped into the middle of the road and picked a path. Eyes burning from the sun, in worse shape than when I landed on this isle and a little hungover, I traveled slowly but deliberately down the road. And so, my journey begins…" Recovering from shoulder surgery took it toll on my body. Im about 15 lbs heavier and i was already 15lbs heavier than i wanted to be at surgery. Finding the motivation to even want to return was difficult. I kept saying "next week. I'll start next week". But next week will never get here. there is only today. So I found my way back to the Rebellion and I'm glad I have. I am ready and I have taken the first step to leaving the crossroads. I will be joining you soon, fellow Rangers.

And the weeks continue to roll on. Yesterday I had the follow up with the surgeon who said I can ween off the sling. She was amazed at the range of motion i have on that shoulder (she moved it manually, i still dont have the strength to move it in most motions myself). I was also able to hit the max height on the wall ladder and added more strength training to my PT.

Physical theropy is going well. Started working on some strengthening this week. I can almost reach the top of the wall ladder while facing forward. For those that dont know the wall ladder is a vertical piece of wood with groves in it that you climb with your fingers, so that you dont use your shoulder muscles, to help regain range of motion. This is a huge improvement form last week when i could only go about halfway up. My posture is killing me however. i sit at my desk duing the day all slouched over so by the end of the day everything is stiff and and look like quasimodo "the bells!!!"

With week one done i have found that Im still having the same issue with Beer. I have limited my eating out and when i do its usually healthy. The Beer on the other hand is still bringing me down. I dont think about it if its not in the house. Unfortunately my wife is not on board with the no beer in the house experiment. just need to keep at it. Fitness With PT I am healing well. I am also starting reminders on my phone so that i remember to do the daily PT exercises. Life Its been a lazy week in the life segment. Dealing with healing up, and work issues, i havent spent much time on myself. Goal adjustment for this week is to get atleast 2 chapters read by friday in Level up you life.

Surgery done. Physical Therapy under way. Boars are too tough right now but if i get them before they grow up then I can still thin the herd. this is not a setback just an alteration of the quest Collect 50 curly tails Diet (Lets clean it up) Eat lunch out only 1 days a week. Have a beer only 2 days a week. (did well with this last month try and keep it up this month) Fitness Continue Physical Therapy exercises throughout the week. Work on lower body flexibility 3 times a week Level Up Your Life Finish "Level Up your life" meditate 3 times a week

As this challenge wraps up, lets see where i stand. Diet With the help of my wife and some lunch planning I have met my goal of only eating out 2 times per week. With the help up being on medication, post surgery, I have met my goal of beer less than 2 days a week. now to just keep that up while Im weaned off the meds. Fitness I have been unable to do the bodyweight workouts because of the surgery to my shoulder but i have been doing my PT exercises at least 2 -3 times a day. Less walking than I would like but Im hoping to get out more this week. Life During the mediation week of the challenge I rocked this it has tapered off since but Im planning on rolling back into it this week. Thanks for all the support and I look forward to coming up with next months challenge.

ya the only issue is some things, like push-ups cause me to flex the bad shoulder to maintain balance which can sometimes cause the area to spasm and send waves of pain through my arm.

Okay ill give it a try. let me clear it with my physical therapist tomorrow.

Sorry crew but with this week's challenge and shoulder surgery last week, I will not be able to participate. I will try and make it up in future challenges. Keep on ranging.

20 more min for me.. helps wind down to get ready for bed

Today was the first real physical therapy. It was painful but not as bad as it will be. Therapist started me off slow with just two new movements. Didn't get any meditation in. Was a very busy day.

18 min for me today

Session 2 of in home pt done. A little more stiff during this one than this mornings. Ice pack on. I get to finally take a shower in a few hours. I'm very excited about this.