GypsyHeart stands and gazes over the moors...

[GypsyHeart]

Greetings fellow rebels!

 

My name is GypsyHeart and I am a wanderer returning to the rebellion clan. I did my first challenge here in 2013 and did three more challenges until 2014 when I left to roam the wilds. Today I find myself back, knocking on the door of a rebel base, looking again for shelter and support. So here, at the beginning of 2018, I begin my fifth challenge.

 

My story is one of endurance through long battles, but 2017 brought me some rewards. I had a good start in life, but since the age of 13 have suffered from chronic recurrent depression. This became severe at university, when I had to take two years out from my medical course. I was barely able to eat, did not have enough concentration to read (I've loved books since I was tiny), so tired that a two minute walk to shops required several days recovery, and couldn't do anything except lie in bed or on the sofa and feel miserable. Having any kind of job seemed impossible, and I was sure the only escape was death. (Wow, what a miserable paragraph! It's ok folks, read on...)

 

Fast forward to today, and after fighting back at life with the help of God, I passed my medical finals last year and have now been working as a doctor for almost six months. I love my job (most of the time!) and am healthy enough to lead the life I wish.

 

Exercise has been part of my recovery, going through phases of achieving more or less, and trying different things. However, when I started work I moved to a new town by myself and in the process of establishing a life and friends and working a very busy job I have managed to let the exercise habit slip and haven't done any since last summer. (When I was lucky enough to be trekking in the Himalayas, but that's a different story!)

 

So here I am at the first step of a new challenge.

 

Big outcome goal: Be able to do a pull up.

 

Health Goals:

1. Go to the gym three times a week.

        - As stated, literally go to the gym, as in turn up at the building. If I work out, bonus!

        - My actual plan is to do three rounds of the beginner bodyweight workout.

2. Continue eating a healthy diet.

        - I do quite well at this generally.

        - Sort of avoid sugar, eat more veg, I am allowed ice cream on a Sunday (wahoo!)

3. Please, for the love of all that is good, go to bed on time.

        - Sleep trouble and me go way back. I just need to woman up about bedtimes and stop     being an idiot.

        - I believe the exact term for my current achievement of this is "meh"

Life goals:

4. Read one chapter of the Bible each day.

        - I used to be on point at this. Fell off the wagon. I don't foresee too many difficulties in re-establishing the habit.

 

Goal Explanation:

Being a bit of a challenge/life restoring/therapy etc. veteran, I know these are not SMART goals, they don't tick boxes, they are not prescriptive enough, and HOW ON EARTH will I ever know if I have achieved them?!? Hold your horses, planning enthusiasts, I hear your cries.

 

Some of these are deliberately vague. If I hold myself to too many 'must do' items, I get burnt out/rebel/implode and end up back where I started. Sometimes I must be gentle with myself in failure, and let myself get back on the wagon. Sometimes I must be strict and merciless otherwise nothing will be achieved. So I have pitched each goal at the level I think it needs to be.

 

As well as gymming, I do some yoga classes, and I have developed a need (a need as in a passing fancy say? A strong, unyielding need, Mr Gibbs. [Anyone with me? Possibly not, haha]) to try kick boxing, so I am going to try a few classes. And I want more hiking in my life as well. This is fun interest territory, not goal stuff though.

 

Also, the thought of being strong enough to do a pull up is exciting! I currently cannot do a full push up/press up. Watch this space, kids!

 

Looking forward to kicking January's ass with you all.

 

[Jedediah The Wolf]

Welcome aboard mate! I too struggle with depression and having let my exercises slip. However, I am making a change this year to put depression down! If you'd like to keep track, check out my challenge, we can keep each other accountable

[Rhovaniel]

Welcome back to the fold, @GypsyHeart! How is your challenge going?

 

A lot of us on here suffer from anxiety and/or depression, so we know where you are coming from. 

On 1/6/2018 at 2:31 PM, GypsyHeart said:

Also, the thought of being strong enough to do a pull up is exciting! I currently cannot do a full push up/press up. Watch this space, kids!

Till a couple of months ago, a full push up was beyond my capabilities too. Now, I can usually get 5 in a row. It's exhilarating watching yourself develop and become stronger  You'll get there!

[Rhovaniel]

Hi! How is your challenge going?  

[SkyGirl]

Hey @GypsyHeart! I rediscovered you on my own thread from a few weeks ago, and thought I'd see how you were doing! Your goals resonate really well with me, particularly the bedtime one (as I sit with purple, heavy-lidded eyes in my recliner at 2AM, pounding this out) ...

 

Have you been keeping up with your goals? How are you feeling about them?