Vilkacis

On the topic of food addiction, I'm just gonna throw this out there. I've got a friend that's in AA, has been for 15 years with not a drop crossing his lips. We've gotten talking a few times about alcohol, drug, and food addiction, and how food feels like it would be one of the hardest to break. You NEED to eat, that's fact. Yes, you COULD eat healthy, but with all of the additives in the "tasty" food, you feel better with it. It's all legal, fairly cheap, and VERY easy to get your hands on even at 3 in the morning (most places). Alcohol and drugs, once you've broken the habits with them, you don't NEED them to live. As an aside, I have never had an addiction to drugs or alcohol, so this is strictly my thoughts as an over eating food addict, and I this is by no way meant to belittle those struggling with ANY addiction. They are brutal, and I couldn't fathom the strength it takes to kick those.

Right now my shoulder work consists of the push-ups on the counter, and stretches after and sporadically during the day. I buggered my left up pretty good a few years ago ramming a snow shovel into ice and jarring it, and I find if I push it too hard it flares up again bad. I've got to start incorporating more shoulder and knee work though. My favourite stretch for my shoulders is clasping my hands together behind me and pressing them down towards my butt while lifting away from my back. Don't know if that makes sense written like that, but damn does it work. haha I will definitely have to check that out! Sounds very interesting. I keep bouncing around between a zombie survival guide for kids or a series of a band of survivor kids either as picture book or chapter book (like Geronimo Stilton style) Yeah, that's what I keep saying I need to do, but then I get overload trying to figure out what I want to batch cook and/or freeze. I need to settle on a few recipes that I know and maybe try adding one or 2 each week until I've got a group of staples. The food you posted on your challenge sound amazing, I might need to give them a go! I think I remember reading that, it was huge when you finally decided to try the floor for the first time. Are you still rocking push-ups? Or more sticking to the weights now? I think for myself I'm going to do the wait until 30 reps (I'm at 20 no pain on counter height) and then progress down to kitchen chair, then repeat. I'm gun shy to push too hard because I know the pain that comes from fucking up my shoulders.. Speaking of, I did my exercises again this morning. I'm enjoying the feeling I get, the pump in my chest even after my couple of sets. My quads definitely need more work, they're sore after 10, which is slightly surprising after how much stair work I do in my job. haha There too, I know that if I push them too hard I'll be no good at work, and since that pays my bills, I need to be a bit cautious for now, until I'm up and running with my photoediting and writing and don't need the physical job anymore. Writing was forgotten about last night, but I DO journal every night and have for almost a year and a half, so at least I had pen to paper.. Going to do a bit of writing this morning after my post to make up for missing my copy, then get down to brass tacks on the book, settle on a style, and hopefully get at least a character or 2 fleshed out. Diet is where I'm struggling right now. I'm fairly good at my protein intake, but I'm still eating some carbs and snacks that I shouldn't be. I need to find alternatives for when I want a snack, change my habits.. 🤔

haha It really does, easy to get distracted. Though at least if it's something productive, I don't have to feel as bad. Thank you! She's got a bad gut which is something I'm trying help her address, but sometimes she doesn't want help and eats things she knows will bother it, and then complains when it bothers her..haha I think it's in her DNA that if I say or suggest something, it's a terrible idea or something like that, but if one of her family or friends says the EXACT same thing, it's a brilliant idea. 🤣 Diet is a work in progress. I haven't sat down and actually written out a meal plan, so that is what I'm going to do tonight after work, though next week I'm going out of town for work with my boss and they're providing meals all week, so it's going to be just me picking from what's available. Rocked out a couple sets of pushups this morning and a set of squats. Chest and shoulders are starting to feel better already, hoping to shift from counter elevation to chair elevation soon. Squats have knees feeling a bit better, I just find my balance is shite right now, so I wobble in the seated position. It's coming though, and almost no pain in my knees during or after, so bonus! Last night we had our power out for an hour and a half while they did maintenance. I took advantage of the time to do my writing my candlelight, then my 6 year old and I took our dog for a walk. As the power was out all over our town, it was pitch black (they were fixing the substation). I had my flashlight to get us down the stairs and onto the road, but once we were on the road, I shut it off. My daughters reaction was one of the highlights of my night. She was blown away at all of the stars she was able to see and kept staring up and talking about them. We live in a very small town (1200 people total) so it's not like we can't see stars, but the magnitude with NO LIGHT AT ALL was fantastic. As we were walking back home, the power flickered back on, and she was so disappointed she kept begging the power to go back out again. hahaha I told her this weekend I'd take her for a drive down a back road away from town and we could star gaze for awhile. -Vilkacis

That is the exact picture!! hahaha Fantastic, and great to hear that you're still rocking through them. I had a massive tire in my back yard back then, but had to move and had no room at my new place so it had to be left behind. I'm hoping to get one again sooner than later and putting it in my garage for workouts now that I bought a house. The only down side is my garage is just a tin shell over a dirt floor and our winter days are between -10c to -40c.. Not something I have an easy time dragging myself into. DUDE!!! You are my fuckin hero. That is amazing progress, and a fantastic idea on the chalkboard. And swearing at your arm is hilarious, and evidently effective, so keep that up, I look forward to seeing how much you improved next post!

Thank you for the words of encouragement, I appreciate hearing (reading?) them. I's always good remembering I'm not the only one going through all of the things! Got my copy practice done last night, though I almost didn't as I was practicing my photoshop instead and lost track of time. Felt good to still push on and get it done instead of saying "Meh, it's all good, it won't hurt to miss a day.." This morning I got my pushups, squats, and hip thrusts in again while my coffee brewed, and I'm back on my computer to get more practice in on photoshop. It's going to be one of the ways I start making an income over the next while, so I want to have many of the "basic" retouching skills well under my belt and as second nature as possible. My wife wasn't feeling great the last couple of days so there was no yoga, but I'm going to try again tonight. Even a 5-10 minute session would do her great! Thank you again to those that come and creep!

Teros, it's been years since I've been here, but you always left an impression on me. I remember reading your epic posts (sometimes length, sometimes content, always full of feelings), and your image of your red tire with your sledgehammer and home made kettlebells is always in my mind. I especially loved your pumpkin one. Do you still have/use any of your DIY stuff? I haven't gone back and caught up on all that's happened in your posts the 4 years since I've been on here, but I was sorry to read about your mom.. I remember you mentioning multiple times trying to get her to get onto Whole30 with you, I'm sorry that it turned out as it did.. I'm happy to see you still rocking it on here, and I will be following along with you getting myself back on track. We are going to fucking rock this year, can't wait to see what progress you have in store!

Good morning! I missed yesterday completely and this morning will just be a short touch base as I have other things I need to get onto. I fucked up and had a McDonald's chicken mcmuffin yesterday morning. 2 of them, actually. I slept like shit the night before and my kid was up a few times, so I was exhausted and couldn't find the willpower to stop myself when I went there for my coffee. Work was busy with a lot of stair climbing and running around, so that helped, but I couldn't shake the shittiness I felt from eating them, Supper was a couple of small chicken pot pies. I realized while hunting for supper that I am not actually equipped currently to start my slow-carb, so it's more of a modified and better eating thing until I get a meal plan figured out. I didn't end up doing any exercise besides work, but I DID get my writing dump done, so definitely a win on that front. Last night was much better, I slept a lot better, and when I got up this morning I did some counter pushups (my shoulders won't let me do regular yet), squats, and thrusts while my coffee brewed. Feeling great though! Time to go rock some stuff!

Owning your shortfalls is a huge step, and one that I'm currently struggling with as well. Congrats on noticing and addressing your frustrations! You've got this, baby steps are better than no steps.

That's a good idea, and one I honestly hadn't really thought about. My brain is trained for one dog/bun. haha Have to definitely keep that in mind next time! The yoga was basic but felt really good. My wife was down with last night, and I'm hoping to continue the trend. She feels better too when she does things like that, so it would be great if I can have her fully committed to even something simple like that, even every other night. Today and tonight was better. I did some canned chicken and a bit of mayo (which I know isn't the healthiest but it's what I had) and some eggs for lunch, then ground pork and eggs for supper. Breakfast was coffee, which isn't exactly a slow-carb approved breakfast as there's no protein, but I'm seeing how I feel doing IF as well, 16/8. I know I shouldn't push myself TOO hard (it didn't come on in a day, it won't come off that way either) but right now I feel comfortable doing it. If I start to feel like cheating because I'm starving or having issues with the IF, I'll drop it and do strict slow carb for a bit. Copy was written tonight, and exercise wasn't fully completed, but I did do some pushups. I'm back to work again which is a lot of stand to squat and up and down stairs, so my legs were already sore. Going to push through it tomorrow and try for at least a few squats, then do some hip thrusts.

So I did my writing brain dump last night, and while I didn't do the workout I intended, I did a 10 minute beginner yoga with my wife, which was a win still in my book. And I completely forgot the challenge started yesterday and not today, so here I am posting this morning instead. haha For diet, I kept well until supper when we decided to go meet up with my inlaws for a weiner roast. I ended up having a few hotdogs and buns for supper, only because I had to use my small bbq in the back of our car and they were the only food we had with us. Today is a new day though, and it's going to be a better one!

Thanks, you and me both! haha

Happy New Year to you as well, and thanks for the comment! hahaha Yeah, it's tough when everything causes aches and pains.. I definitely notice my knees don't hurt as bad when I've been doing my squats and stuff though, so I think there's still hope. I'm still up in the air between a childrens book series or post apocalypse setting. Maybe post-apocalypse setting childrens book series. haha That's what I'm hoping the brain dump will help with.

Not sure if you've heard of Ramit Sethi but his book I Will Teach You To Be Rich sounds very cheeky and on the nose, but it's actually a very good read and he has a lot of different ideas on spending and saving. He's also on a lot of podcasts, such as Tim Ferriss, so if you prefer audio teachings, it's a good place to jump into him. So to speak.

Hello everyone, my name is Vilkacis, and I'm an addict. I am addicted to food, to being lazy, and to netflix and other streaming services. I'm also a chronic procrastinator and underpants gnome. That changes right now. This very second. From today forward, I will be more committed to making my health, both mental and physical, a priority. That way I can show up as my best self for not only my wife and 3 girls, but most importantly for myself. I am sick and tired of aching, of constant overeating and feeling so gross that I have to sit down and veg. Usually this affects my mood, and I have a shorter fuse, which isn't fair to anyone. I have just finished setting up a challenge, and if you are interested in seeing what I'm going to do to fix myself, to get on the path again, you can find it here. I currently work doing renovations, and while I love my job, I hate that I don't have the freedom to be with my family and do things with them as I want. For example, when my daughters had breakfast and a book things at school I would have to ask my boss to be able to attend them, which in fairness he seldom said no to, instead of just being able to do it, no guilt. My current problem is I have WAY too many ideas and have always had a hard time in narrowing them down, and/or focusing on one until completion. I have this issue where unless I know I'll be able to do it perfectly, I won't pull the trigger and follow through with it. I am already trying to fix that and have put steps in place, but it will be a daily struggle. That said, I'm going to try and find a life/career board on here to try and stay accountable, and post updates regularly. I'm committed this time to kicking my addictions, and I'm going to make 2021 my year. As they say, madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, so it's time to change things up, and I know I can't go it alone anymore.

As the title suggests, it has been far too long since I participated in this forum, and since I actively tried to get my health and fitness under control. That ends now. While I haven't gone up in weight from where I had been back in 2016, I have noticed as I've carried around this extra weight these last few years, my joints are beginning to get more and more sore, and my breathing isn't as strong as it was. I've also just been scraping by in the life and career department, but that's a topic for another day. This challenge is going to bring me back onto the trail of hunting down my end goal, which has always been the same of 210 down from my current 305. To do that, I'm going to be getting back onto slow carb eating. I did this last year for a spell and ended up losing almost 30# before falling off the wagon and putting it almost all back on. This is an all or nothing, and it only works if I do the 6/1 days with it, which is made easier to stick to with the promise of a free for all day every week. I'm going to do a 5 minute basic bodyweight routine to start the year as well. This will include pushups, squats, hip thrusts, and probably lunges. My legs are quite strong because of the construction work I do, but they could be stronger and able to last longer, and my shoulders desperately need to be exercised and stretched. I always struggle with accountability, so I will be posting daily, even just to say "Hey look Ma, I made it!" Finally, on a life/mindset challenge, I'm going to be alternating days writing for a half hour from 2030-2100. Day 1 will be braindumping in a free flow style to get story ideas out and work towards finishing a book/story this (2021) year. Day 2 will be working on copywriting by practicing swipe files and basically just copying ads that caught my eye and titles that did too into a book to give my brain the feeling of writing those winning words. These will be the stepping stones and building blocks of my future as a solopreneur or freelancer, so I can spend more time with my family. If you made it this far, I commend you and appreciate you dedication to reading about my challenge, and I look forward to our journey together in this amazing world of Nerd Fitness.