[JediNickD] World 5 Level 5: "I have spoken."

[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, Arthritis, Disc Fissures, and more.  Through physical therapy exercises and karate, I have maintained my core and back muscles to ease the pressure off my spine, but in the end I defeated World 3 by transforming my life into a new form.  With chiropractic care healing my spine, reaching the high ranks at karate, blazing through the new Toastmasters education program called Pathways, and working to complete Novice rank at IJRS, World 4 was something new everyday.  I have moved over to the Monks to reach for more diversity in my workouts and culture as my focus has been more on my karate training in the recent months.  As I actively take on more responsibility of coaching, mentoring, and teaching in all aspects of my life, I can see a different me forming on World 5.

 

I just keep on L-I-V-I-N, fight the good fight lightin' it up, and level up my life! 

 

Challenge Lesson:  "I Have Spoken."  

 

Quote

The Mandalorian

 

Kuill:  "I have spoken."

 

I used to be terrible at public speaking.  Now, I have many others looking at me on how to get better at it.

 

I was talking to one of my Toastmaster proteges yesterday.  She is determined to get organized and not be so flustered with things she has procrastinated.  She wanted to know my secret.  Secret?  First, I let her know, that I don't always have it together and that she should never compare herself to other people.  Instead, compare herself to the previous self.  Look at individual growth and progress.  I like to say, "compare yourself to yesterday."  Second, I reminded her that everyone is in a difference place with things going on that you don't see from your perspective.  Lastly, I let her know what I do to keep myself from procrastinating. 

 

I take notes, constantly.  If I write it down, then I'll better remember it and be reminded of it.  I create a to do list and check them off as I complete them.  I add due dates to my tasks.  I have others keep me accountable.  Depending on the task, I have NF, Habitica, friends (fellow Toastmasters, martial artists, co-workers, etc).  As an engineer, it is easy for me to categorize and compartmentalize tasks and information in my mind.  Notes and Excel spreadsheets help keep everything straight, but my brain is accustomed to those methods.  She'll need to find what works for her. 

 

Another Toastmaster at our club officer meeting pointed out how I "always have an answer or idea".  His point was that I'm good at leading the club because I just happen to know everything about Toastmasters and the club.  Well, I've been doing it for 8 years and by "doing it," I mean, doing everything there is to do in Toastmasters, except climbing the District executive ladder or beyond, of course.  I haven't looked at a Toastmasters project or goal and balked.  Instead, I grind through everything and learn every nook and cranny.  That's how I got DTM, and that's how I got to the District stage in a humorous contest, and that's how I got invited to instruct at trainings.  I know a thing or two, because I have seen a thing or two.

 

Anyway, I'm good at these things not from talent, but from pure effort.  I put in work and it shows.  Now, I have spoken.

 

 

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.

 

I'm using Habitica and Excel to track a ton of things, so I may make some changes below to better integrate them, but I'm sticking to the basics drawn to 5 Weeks.

 

World 5 Level 5 Challenge:

FITNESS:

Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 400 min total, 80 weekly.  Track time and distance. 

STA +1
 

Walking: Fortify the Spine - 1250 min total, 250 weekly. 
CON +1
 

Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight - 400 min total, 80 weekly. 

STR +1, STA +1
 

Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 700 min total, 140 weekly.  

DEX +1
 

Karate: Training and Practice - 1250 min total, 250 weekly.  Track progress towards belt.  Track improvement on all material. 
DEX +1, STR +1
 

DIET:

Lean Body - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 5.  Looking to maintain 150 lbs or less while shrinking my waist and building muscle.
CON +1
 

Keep on cutting out the crap - No CheezIts, limit snacking at work, cut down portion sizes.  Drink more water.  Track fruit and veggies for 5 cups a day.
CON +1

 

LIFE:

Get Stuff Done - Complete 115 Hours of various Chores and Maintenance, with at least 23 hours each week.  Chores and Maintenance are the following areas (goal hours for challenge)

Dishes (16), Laundry (10), Cooking/Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming/Trash/Other (32), Yard Work (2), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance (10)

          WIS +1, CHA +1
 

Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC!  I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X".  My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old.  I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on.  What box can I check?  What have I been procrastinating?  What am I focusing on?

          WIS +2, CHA +2

 

 

INCENTIVES!  Wait, scratch that.  No incentives this round.  Revamping for another time.

[chemgeek]

Sounds like a fun challenge!

 

I don't know if your Toastmasters protege might find this helpful but I tend to find planning and making sure I understand the assignment help too. For me, if I didn't just forget (which is addressed by my own notetaking systems), it's usually I am avoiding because I feel anxious because I don't understand or don't know how to get it done. 

 

Also can I say kudos on staying active despite chronic pain? That's not easy. I admire your determination.

 

[Defining]

That looks like a pretty hardcore challenge!

[Kishi]

Hey! I'm just dropping by to check in and see how you're doing. Hope it's all going well!

[JediNickD]

Well, my work network has not been cooperating with Nerd Fitness until today.  With the gym and dojo closed, working out at home has been a challenge, but progress is there.  I need to ramp up my workout time and just do it regardless of those around me.  Trying to get them to workout with me or give me the space I need has been the biggest problem limiting me.  I just need to figure out the schedule and exercises. 

 

Thanks for checking on me!

[Kishi]

Absolutely, man! It's no trouble at all.

 

Logistics are helpful for training, but try not to hold onto it too tightly. You might get up tomorrow and find that you have all the time and space you want. And you might get up tomorrow and find none of those things. Either way, the situation will pass, and there's more to productive progress than just training anyway. Stress management, good eating, good rest. These are the times for that kind of thing now more than recently.

[JediNickD]

I have a 10 min squat thrust challenge I have been doing since December.  10 different Squat Thrust exercises, 12 reps each, in under 10 minutes.  Yesterday was my 4th attempt.  I've always made it under 10 min, and I have improved each time, but yesterday I broke 9 mins finishing at 8:50.  I steamed through the first 6 sets in under 5 minutes.  It was smooth sailing after that.  I'm impressed with the progress, but I know I'm not in great overall shape.  I probably couldn't beat an 8 minute mile, or a 40 min 5k.  But I got the Squat Thrust challenge! 

 

Here it is:

 

12 normal ST

12 jack ST (feet together, apart, together, and back up)

12 squat ST (from the high plank, explode feet forward to land in a squat with hands up)

12 push up ST (like a burpee, but no jump)

12 single leg mountain climber ST (drop to a single leg high plank, hop foot forward and back, then back up, 6 each leg)

12 kick through ST (turn to the side, lift arm up, and kick back leg forward like you are break dancing, then back up, 6 each side)

12 Chop Hop single leg ST (quick feet 4 steps, hop to the side one yard, ST on one leg, 6 each side)

12 Angry Mule ST (kick both legs back from high plank)

12 triple skyfall ST (hop into lunge one side, then hop to the other side, then ST)

12 one arm get ups (one arm push up ST, basically drop into a one arm push up, fall on your face, and get up, 6 each arm)

 

You got 10 minutes.  GO!

 

[Kishi]

This looks familiar... Athlean-X?

[JediNickD]

On 3/20/2020 at 7:33 PM, Kishi said:

This looks familiar... Athlean-X?

 

No idea.  My karate instructor gave it to me. 

[JediNickD]

World 5 Level 5 Challenge GRADES:

FITNESS:

Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 400 min total, 80 weekly.  Track time and distance. 

STA +1    A = 480 min, weekly met
 

Walking: Fortify the Spine - 1250 min total, 250 weekly. 
CON +1   A = 1950 min, weekly met
 

Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight - 400 min total, 80 weekly. 

STR +1, STA +1    A = 400 min, weekly met
 

Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 700 min total, 140 weekly.  

DEX +1   A = 720 min, weekly met
 

Karate: Training and Practice - 1250 min total, 250 weekly.  Track progress towards belt.  Track improvement on all material. 
DEX +1, STR +1   A = 1315 min, weekly met
 

DIET:

Lean Body - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 5.  Looking to maintain 150 lbs or less while shrinking my waist and building muscle.
CON +1    A = Tracked
 

Keep on cutting out the crap - No CheezIts, limit snacking at work, cut down portion sizes.  Drink more water.  Track fruit and veggies for 5 cups a day.
CON +1   A = Crap OUT; water, veggies, fruit IN

 

LIFE:

Get Stuff Done - Complete 115 Hours of various Chores and Maintenance, with at least 23 hours each week.  Chores and Maintenance are the following areas (goal hours for challenge)

Dishes (16), Laundry (10), Cooking/Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming/Trash/Other (32), Yard Work (2), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance (10)

          WIS +1, CHA +1   A = I lost track on the hours after I lost access to my work computer and tracking file for two week.  But I didn't stop doing the work.
 

Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC!  I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X".  My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old.  I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on.  What box can I check?  What have I been procrastinating?  What am I focusing on?

          WIS +2, CHA +2   A = Lots of teleworking and teleconferencing while self-quarantining.  Zoom has been a great investment as we are using it for Nerd Camp stuff, Toastmasters meetings, family birthday parties, etc. 

[JediNickD]

While teleworking and self-quarantining, I'm going to take a break from NF Challenges.  I am having to make so many changes to my routine, I can not accurately predict and plan goals.  Hopefully, in 5 weeks, everything is returning to normal, but I doubt it as the US and especially NYC is getting hit hard by the virus.

[Kishi]

Hey, we're all doing the best we can, and we're gonna get through this. You do what you gotta do to take care of yourself.

 

And hey, if you wanna hang out with us, we're always here.