[JediNickD] World 3 Level 9: "I am One with the Force and the Force is with Me"

[JediNickD]

Welcome back for another episode of The Exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge.. World 1 was my first extended stay through 22 challenges.  I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a new direction for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in a Boss Fight slaying some mighty big goals.  In World 3, I continue to develop my fitness, getting my body in the best shape of my life, even with the Degenerative Disc Disease and crooked spine causing all types of pain in my back, hip, legs, neck, and shoulders.  Through physical therapy exercises and karate, I maintain my spine and back muscles to slow down the advanced aging.  I'm not planning to be playing rugby or football again in this lifetime, but I'm not giving up hope on the possibility either... Rebellions are built on HOPE!

 

I'm just going to keep on L-I-V-I-N, fight the good (and healthy) fight, and level up my life!

 

Challenge Lesson: "I am One with the Force and the Force is with me." 

 

 

There aren't many quotes that can so clearly define a Jedi, but this is definitely one of them, spoken, repeated, and chanted by Chirrut Iwme throughout Rogue One.  Chirrut is a Guardian of the Whills which is a religious order of monks and protectors of the Temple of the Kyber who preach about the Force to pilgrims visiting the holy city of Jedha.  Chirrut is not a Jedi, though in the novelization of Rogue One he achieves a level of Force sensitivity to pull off a couple amazing feats.  That level of Force sensitivity comes from his deep commitment to serving the Will of the Force evident in his chanting of the quote.  He is not gifted in Force talents like the many Jedi, Sith, and Force-users seen throughout Star Wars, but he has a deep understanding of the Force being an energy field which connects and binds all things.  He has deep beliefs that even if he is not gifted, that he can still feel and interact with the Force through being calm, focused, and committed. 

 

Commitment, Understanding, and Belief are the foundations for any religious or spiritual person seeking to connect with supernatural beings or forces, whether for prayers, enlightenment, or forgiveness.  Chirrut follows the Will of the Force to be enlightened and asks the Force for protection in a few instances.

 

I could go into the details of how Chirrut appears to actually be protected by the Force to serve a greater purpose in bringing balance to the Force (in delivering the Death Star plans to a farm boy on Tattooine), but deconstructing the Star Wars movies is not what I like to do with these lessons.  Instead, my goal is to apply the quote in context to the real world for Jedi like me.  

 

For anyone seeking to accomplish a goal, Commitment, Understanding, and Belief are the foundations to build on.  Commit to it by making it a priority over other matters, understand the resources, obstacles, stakes, consequences, and rewards for the goal to develop a plan, and believe that you can do it which may require you to take a leap of faith. 

 

I am One with the Force and the Force is with me.  I am One with Life and Life is with me.  I am One with my Goals and my Goals are with me.  

 

My Main Quest and Mission:

My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow.

 

World 3 Level 9 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly. 

  DEX +1, STA +1
   

• Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 80 weekly. 

  STR +1
   

• Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 400 min total, 100 weekly. 

  STR +1, DEX +1
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 720 min total, 150 weekly.  *Belt test on January 28th, so I loaded an extra 120 mins to account for it.
  DEX +1, STA +1
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 4.  Watch portions and make healthy choices for 24 of 28 days.  Track lunch portions, especially.  Track "fasting" after dinner nightly.  I'm looking to continue to cut down on snacking and desserts after dinner.  I need to ensure I have a calorie deficit or I won't continue to lose weight. 
  CON +2
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 260 Tasks or Projects, with at least 65 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (8), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (8), Toastmasters Speech and Training Development (8), Mentoring (6), Charity Work (10), Jedi Training (8), Self Preservation (16), Reading (16), Church Work (14), Job Work (10), Business Projects (10), Dishes (20), Laundry (16), Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming (20), Other Chores (20), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (30), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (6).   
  WIS +3, CHA +3

 

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($160 carried over)

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 70 or more tasks, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. 
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 65 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour:

• setup 2018 Extra Life donation page
• write/plan/record a 2018 Extra Life Kickoff Video
• get involved in Extra Life Baltimore Guild and Cecil-Con recruitment booth
• revisit Wizard Laser Tag (look into Recoil game app and tech) for Epic Nerd Camp
• draw up plan for Jedi website
• investigate VHS-to-DVD conversion

CONSEQUENCE 2: Lose $10 for each week without a Business Project hour.

 

REWARD 3:  $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training lessons.  $10 for each completed IJRS lesson.  Need to get back to the formal training at IJRS.
CONSEQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without working on a Jedi Training lesson.

 

REWARD 4: $1 for each night of fasting after dinner.  Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities, but no dessert or snacking.   

CONSEQUENCE 4: Lose $2 for each day without fasting.  Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal.

 

REWARD 5: $1 for each day with a small, healthy lunch. 

CONSEQUENCE:  Lose $2 for each day without a small, healthy lunch.

BONUSES: 

  Life:

• $5 for healthy grocery shopping (once a week only)
• $5 for healthy meal prep (once a week only)
• $2 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.

  Workout:

• $5 for 10 or more sprints in one workout.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running more than 3.5 miles in a workout.
• $5 for running below an 8 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running below a 7 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running 2 miles in less than 18 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running more than 40 minutes.  (once a week only)

 

PUNISHMENT:

• After January 7th, lose $10 each day with weight above 152.5 lbs.  Giving myself some time to get my weight back down, but I feel so much better when I have been below 152 lbs.

[UnquietBones]

"There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow." ...I think I might need this. *grabs quote and runs off with it*

 

Sounds like you have everything locked and loaded for this next challenge! I like the balance of the Bonuses and Punishments, I may have to steal those as well later this year. *makes notes* Which belt are you testing for?  (I remember a coworker telling me about the test for one belt her daughter was going for and it sounded crazy hard!)

[iatetheyeti]

I love how you've set this up. Following along

 

And I have to agree with UnquietBones, the no boss level, only tomorrow line is pretty great!

[Starstuff]

Always great to see another Jedi. Following!

[JediNickD]

On 12/29/2017 at 4:53 PM, UnquietBones said:

"There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow." ...I think I might need this. *grabs quote and runs off with it*

 

Sounds like you have everything locked and loaded for this next challenge! I like the balance of the Bonuses and Punishments, I may have to steal those as well later this year. *makes notes* Which belt are you testing for?  (I remember a coworker telling me about the test for one belt her daughter was going for and it sounded crazy hard!)

 

Thanks for the praise!  The goal is to just continue to improve each day.  Kind of the opposite of the Office Space quote: 

 

"So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life."

 

My life only gets better with age!  (though my spine, shoulders, knees, and knuckles kind of disagree ;-) )

 

As for the incentives, I found I needed something to push me a little harder to do some things outside my comfort zone.  Money is a great motivator for me.  I love getting paid to do something, but supporting a family means spending my hard-earned work dollars on them first, then I am always being charitable with much the rest of my earnings.  I just never feel the need to spend money on myself.  My incentives here are about squirreling away some of my hard-earned work dollars just for me.  So, every once in a while I work a little harder, get a little more done, and Daddy gets a new pair of shoes (or video game, board game, etc).

 

What belt?  Well, martial art schools have a lot of leeway in how the do their belt hierarchy since they are mostly independent entities.  For my school, it is White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Red, Purple, Brown, Probational Black, Black.  I'm testing for Blue Senior at the end of January which is having three or more stripes, then Red in March when I have all the stripes.  The tests are more for showing off skills, then being graded pass or fail.  We stripe in class for pass or fail at the skills.  The stripes are specific for each belt but generally fall into these categories:

 

White - Creed (memorizing a lesson)

Yellow - Form (Kata)

Orange - Combinations

Green - Lower Body Strikes

Blue - Upper Body Strikes

Red - Application (typically, a board break)

Purple - Full Review (everything from White belt up to the belt you are testing for)

 

Red Belt combinations involves a lot of skipping double kicks, so balance and targeting are important.  The Red Belt Kata is Tae Guek 5 (from Taekwondo).  The meaning of the form is wind, which means there is a lot of circle motions. 

 

The school is geared towards getting kids and adults familiar with discipline, safety, and confidence.  The instructors are all very friendly and fun.  It is just a great environment for learning, growth, and friendship.  There are no tournaments and not a lot of pressure, but they do make it clear how important practice, preparation, commitment, energy, focus, and attention to detail are for success.

[Sea Level]

Greetings! Here to follow along for the awesome.

[WhiteBeltBrowncoat]

Like everyone else already said, awesome quote. Following along!

[JediNickD]

Crushing the pull ups, muscle ups, toe to bar, push ups, and dips.  It was a lazy weekend, though.  The kids and I are still recovering from colds and ear infections.  We skipped karate on Saturday and church on Sunday because the older one didn't get out of bed until after 9am, then went back to bed at 10.  Staying home and watching football, I still tend to get a lot done around the house.  And the kids needed some dad time.  Next weekend, we won't have the luxury: Toastmasters training Friday night, probably karate in the morning, then a birthday party in the afternoon on Saturday, and on Sunday I have a committee meeting after church, then football games to watch.

[WhiteBeltBrowncoat]

Lazy weekends are necessary to keeping one's sanity. It never seems like there is enough time during the week to keep up with everything and recharging on the weekend is needed.

[JediNickD]

After weeks of practicing my form and combinations for Red belt without much class time due to holiday and weather cancellations, I felt confident in my practice and earned my stripe for combinations last night in class.  I also received my letter of recommendation for Red belt.  I'm excited that they are confident that I'll be ready by the end of the month, but I have FOUR stripes to earn.  I am hopeful that I am crushing it with what I need for them (and I'll get the Creed stripe with a bit more memorization), but class attendance and instruction will play a factor.  I don't always get to go to the class which helps me progress, such as Adult class last week was an introduction to Nunchucks.  Awesome and fun, but nothing to do with my belt progress at that level.  It'll help later on to have that experience, but I needed someone looking at the details of my form to ensure I am doing things right.

[JediNickD]

Spar Class last night was all about timing.  We worked on finding opportunity for attack.  We ended class with a two rounds of Sparring for Points, which was a first for me.  I did ok in my first match, but I was too offensive and allowed openings.  I was more patient in my second match.  

 

Giving a Toastmasters Training tonight for Club Presidents.  I'll be talking about having a vision and communicating it to members.  Should be fun!

[JediNickD]

I setup my VHS-DVD conversion software and burned my first disc last night, "The Barbarians", a 1987 film starring the Barbarian Brothers, a personal favorite from my childhood, with many quotes which serve as inside jokes between me and my brothers.  I'll need to watch the DVD to ensure the quality and that it works on other devices. 

 

I setup my Extra-Life donation page and made my initial donation. 

 

I started looking at the Cecil Con advertising and sponsorship stuff, not just for Extra-Life Baltimore Guild, but also for my evening Toastmasters Club.  I brought it up at the meeting last night.  There was a little interest, but most the members agreed that the District and other clubs could benefit and support the effort.  The cost is higher than I would have preferred, but I am willing to front a majority of the cost if members are willing to volunteer.  The main pieces for advertising which would require the volunteering efforts, an info booth (table) and workshop, are both free and would go a long way to promoting the clubs. 

[JediNickD]

I've been working on Bar Muscle Ups, but I'm looking for more progression exercises to get me there.  I don't like the kipping, because of my back, but this video broke down the progression to exercises which will strengthen my back, hips, glutes, abs, and neck to make kipping not suck so bad.

 

 

 

[JediNickD]

152.0 lbs, working on that diet.  I've got red cabbage and carrots this week.

 

Karate form is kicking my butt.  I've been practicing the pattern for weeks, but last week the instructors gave me 3 details to work on, then yesterday they gave me 2 more.  At least I striped for double crescent kicking, breaking with a hook kick. I worked it hard this morning.  Hoping to yellow stripe for form tomorrow and review purple stripe on Thursday. 

 

[JediNickD]

Earned the Yellow stripe for my Taeguek 5.  So many details to improve, but I progressed with each class so I earn the stripe.  It is an awesome kata, but I don't think it is my best.  I will improve more by Sunday and could feel more confident about showing it off; however, I think my combinations would be a better spotlight, but I think I'd like to break a board with a back fist, instead.  For my stripe, I have to break a board, but we use the plastic break away boards for practice breaks.  I decided to do a back fist, even though I'd seen others do it, then wince in pain.  I obliterated the toughest plastic board with my back fist with a little residual pain, but no different than any other break.  But it wasn't wood break, so I plan to use it again.  The last move of Taeguek 5 is an upper cut back fist which is also a consideration.  I have to run it by an instructor, so I'll see what they recommend. 

 

I still have to earn my Purple stripe, so more class tonight and probably tomorrow.

[JediNickD]

150.8 lbs  Getting there.  Red cabbage, carrots sticks, lettuce wraps, and my wife has been cooking healthy this week.  Racquet ball and a set of 4 Archer Pullups.  Kipping Pullups don't feel good.  I'm going to work on the Snap Superman and Hollows.  Karate tonight.  Test on Sunday.  WOOT!

[JediNickD]

Purple Belt and I broke wood with the back fist from the last move of Taeguek 5.  It was a little awkward and off balance as I hadn't thrown that back fist to break before with a follow through, but I destroyed it.  I've got time to work on the landing and follow through to make it look great this weekend.  I got another detail to work on for Taeguek 5 and a lot of praise for how it looks right now.  The meaning of the form is Wind, which has a flow and ballet-style to it, but my personal style is breaking.  I crush every move throwing my body into it.  For Taeguek 5, there are a few moves which should flow naturally into the next.  I just need to take my breaking style and follow through into the next move.  I can't wait for the test, but more importantly, I can't wait to prepare the crap out of that form tomorrow. 

 

Lower back is sore from crashing into a wall playing racquetball on Thursday, then throwing around a hundred side and round kicks at karate.  Recovery this morning went really well, so it shouldn't be a bother tomorrow or Sunday. 

[otterbyte]

 

On 23/1/2018 at 9:43 AM, JediNickD said:

I've been working on Bar Muscle Ups, but I'm looking for more progression exercises to get me there.  I don't like the kipping,

 

Apparently, once you become an Epic-level gymnast, you don't need to kip to muscle-up; you achieve some sort of anti-gravity effect, it looks like?  

 

 

[JediNickD]

12 hours ago, otterbyte said:

 

Apparently, once you become an Epic-level gymnast, you don't need to kip to muscle-up; you achieve some sort of anti-gravity effect, it looks like?  

 

 

 

Always been impressed with anyone who can work the rings.  Incredible strength.  That's how I want to do muscle ups.  More like a hover up ;-). 

 

That dismount though! 

[JediNickD]

154.2 lbs

Ate a whole pig yesterday.  I was so hungry after the karate test, I couldn't help myself.  Skipped dinner and only had a snack at 8pm. 

 

We had a long test on Sunday, but it was awesome.  Everyone was on fire.  So much energy and confidence.  It was a fantastic experience.  My break was awesome.  I'm a Red Belt now which will put me at the front of most my classes.  Just another driver to push me towards excellence every class.

 

This morning, I did Archer Pull Ups, Toes to Bar, and what I like to call a slow-motion kip Pull Up.  I also worked on snap hollows and supermans.  I ended with snap waist pull ups or rows.  I strained my left shoulder and neck a bit with the ladder, but it won't keep me from karate tonight.  I need to start learning my new stuff!  I'm going to watch some vids on Taeguek 6 during lunch.  WOOT WOOT!

[JediNickD]

Thursday

======================

151.6 this morning.  Racquet ball in the morning, then Karate practice at lunch time.  Back and hip are sore, but I can feel the flexibility increasing.

 

Last night, I striped for my triple kicks and easily broke a 10 in wide, 1 in thick board with my round house.  I want to try breaking something more difficult with the round house. 

 

======================

 

Friday

======================

154.4 lbs.  Weight fluctuation is a thing... Back is sore, but I did some pull up work after a recumbent bike ride.  Then stretched it out with my physical therapy exercises. 

 

Wrapping up the goals is all about getting the chores done around the house prepping for the Super Bowl party.  I'd like to get started on my friends VHS-DVD conversions, but I have to be able to monitor, which is difficult on weeknights.  Should get it kicked off tonight. 

 

Lastly, the kids have Jump Rope For Heart.  I'll be setting up their fundraising web-pages and collecting donations from family.  Maybe they can do it themselves on the Kindles?  Hmm.

[JediNickD]

World 3 Level 9 Challenge GRADES:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly. 

  DEX +1, STA +1  A = 590 min, weekly goal met each week.  Racquet Ball played a big role.  I may need to add more minutes to make me get in some longer runs.
   

• Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 80 weekly. 

  STR +1  A = 390 min, weekly goal met each week.  Crushing Pull Ups, Push Ups, and Core.  Leg work was mostly cardio, stretching, and balance.  I didn't push the legs this challenge.  Not something I'm worried about, but something I should think about.
   

• Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 400 min total, 100 weekly. 

  STR +1, DEX +1  A = 520 min, weekly goal met each week.  The back needed extra work this challenge. 
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 720 min total, 150 weekly.  *Belt test on January 28th, so I loaded an extra 120 mins to account for it.
  DEX +1, STA +1  A = 940 min, weekly goal met each week.  I can already see Purple Belt form and combos taking a lot of extra work for the next two challenges.  Also, I'll be taking an Aikido Workshop on Feb 17th.  I feel like my weekly goal needs to be around 200 min (which I hit each week).  I'll probably set it at 180 min, because that matches Level 7 and 8 better.  Level 9 was definitely a higher degree than those two, but I don't want to set the bar too high out the gate.  Step it up slowly for success.

DIET:

• Weight Control - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 4.  Watch portions and make healthy choices for 24 of 28 days.  Track lunch portions, especially.  Track "fasting" after dinner nightly.  I'm looking to continue to cut down on snacking and desserts after dinner.  I need to ensure I have a calorie deficit or I won't continue to lose weight. 
  CON +2  A = My weight was moderately successful.  I did well with portions and healthy choices.  I did ok with fasting.  I need to keep up the effort.   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 260 Tasks or Projects, with at least 65 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (8), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (8), Toastmasters Speech and Training Development (8), Mentoring (6), Charity Work (10), Jedi Training (8), Self Preservation (16), Reading (16), Church Work (14), Job Work (10), Business Projects (10), Dishes (20), Laundry (16), Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming (20), Other Chores (20), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (30), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (6).   
  WIS +3, CHA +3  A = 300 tasks, weekly goal met each week.  I got a lot done on the house, taking care of the animals, cleaning and other chores (like garbage, cooking, and kid homework).  I took good care of my mental health and sanity.  My formal Jedi Training took a back seat to my Toastmasters stuff.  I need to work it in.

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($160 carried over)

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 70 or more tasks, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. 
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 65 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

4 x $10 = $40 

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour:

• setup 2018 Extra Life donation page CHECK
• write/plan/record a 2018 Extra Life Kickoff Video
• get involved in Extra Life Baltimore Guild and Cecil-Con recruitment booth
• revisit Wizard Laser Tag (look into Recoil game app and tech) for Epic Nerd Camp
• draw up plan for Jedi website
• investigate VHS-to-DVD conversion CHECK, and got started!

CONSEQUENCE 2: Lose $10 for each week without a Business Project hour.

8 x $5 - $10 = $30,  Mostly, just the VHS and Extra Life page.  I won't be able to attend Cecil Con as it is the same day a my vacation to Great Wolf Lodge for my daughter's 10th Birthday.  I did set up two Toastmasters events at Cecil Con for the clubs to recruit new members, but that doesn't count here. 

 

REWARD 3:  $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training lessons.  $10 for each completed IJRS lesson.  Need to get back to the formal training at IJRS.
CONSEQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without working on a Jedi Training lesson.

5 x $1 = $5, weak sauce since none of my efforts were for formal training at IJRS.

 

REWARD 4: $1 for each night of fasting after dinner.  Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities, but no dessert or snacking.   

CONSEQUENCE 4: Lose $2 for each day without fasting.  Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal.

21 x $1 - 7 x $2 = $7

 

REWARD 5: $1 for each day with a small, healthy lunch. 

CONSEQUENCE:  Lose $2 for each day without a small, healthy lunch.

28 x $1 = $28, perfect score

BONUSES: 

  Life:

• $5 for healthy grocery shopping (once a week only) 4 x $5 = $20
• $5 for healthy meal prep (once a week only)  1 x $5 = $5
• $2 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.  (16 + 3) x $2 = $38

  Workout:

• $5 for 10 or more sprints in one workout.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running more than 3.5 miles in a workout.
• $5 for running below an 8 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running below a 7 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running 2 miles in less than 18 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running more than 40 minutes.  (once a week only)

 

PUNISHMENT:

• After January 7th, lose $10 each day with weight above 152.5 lbs.  Giving myself some time to get my weight back down, but I feel so much better when I have been below 152 lbs. 
  8 x -$10 = -$80, First two weeks, I was still getting down, then I had some fluctuations at the end of the challenge.  Going to work to keep this one here for Level 10.