Tarly Tries to Take Over the World: II -- Dealing with my scatter-brained sidekick

[Stronkey Kong]

 

Hi Nerds.

 

Let's begin with a couple relevant background details. I started NF in 2013 in the middle of a PhD dissertation to combat the effects of the sedentary grad student lyfe. I got stronger, at least prevented my weight from blowing up mostly. Unfortunately, I never finished that PhD. I never seemed to get anything done.

 

Fast forward to last challenge, I finally realized and accepted that I may actually have ADHD. It explains A LOT, including the abandoned PhD, my many failed, half-assed NF challenges, my messy apartment, etc. After leaving grad school I worked in an Amazon warehouse for two years, and now I'm working as a CNC machinist. Like the majority of my middle school and high school report cards said, I'm "Not working to potential."

 

Now I'm trying to get another Master's in Electrical Engineering (online) and working on projects at home to turn things around. And to lose weight I'm following a slightly modified version of the Mediterranean diet, and have been riding a stationary bike (hamster wheel) to burn calories. Now I'm realizing I need to fix my flexibility, posture, and retain a bit of strength so I'm going to add in some yoga.

 

I'll be building off of last challenge. If you want to see how I did with that go to my Previous Challenge Summary.

 

Now... On to the challenge:

 

 

Since, I'm learning Electical Engineering, I ought to do what EE's do best: build gadgets and try to take over the world. And what better metaphor for an EE with ADHD than Pinky and the Brain. Brain represents all my ambition, intellect, and executive functioning, while Pinky is the ADHD part of my brain that just wants to goof around, have fun, and press colorful, blinking buttons. In order to deal with achieving goals, Brain needs to manipulate, distract, and control Pinky.

 

 

Just for context, all of this is happening in a BuJo to keep Pinky under control.

 

Nutrition:

Old stuff:

Maintain current nutrition plan.

I keep a weekly log of how many servings by food group on Google sheets: Food Log It has a rough idea of serving numbers and describes the serving sizes if you're interested in the details. I post links along with my weekly summary when I update the spreadsheet with what I track in my BuJo.

I also track measurements in my body composition log for feedback: Weight Log and Track Record. Question: These two sheets are in the same workbook; Can you access other sheets or just on sheet at a time with these links?

New Stuff: 

Add a daily reflection/challenge. Every day I'm going to reflect on what I ate during the day, look for something to improve on and come up with a challenge. Like, I ate too many grains today, tomorrow when I feel like carbs, have fruit instead. Also, on my weight tracking sheets (see below), I track weekly min and max weights, so if I set a new max or fail to set a new low I might reduce a meal, cut fat, or exercise, etc.

 

 

Exercise:

Old stuff: Do at least two workouts on the hamster wheel each week.

New Stuff: Do at least one yoga session each week.

 

 

These last two are basically some of the bigger Todo's with sub-todo lists that I want to get through.

 

Trying to take over the world (Brain): I need to finish the online course I'm currently taking. I should have finished it last challenge, but I'm close to done. Then I'm going to work on some other projects at home and maybe at work to gain more experience and catch up on some knowledge/skill areas I'm lacking in. Also, I need to plan out how I'm going to pay for more coursework.

Finish current online EE course:

• Finish week 4
• Finish final week, project and quiz
• Start on my minimal retro game, multi-console emulator
• Pay off a credit card... I can put the next course's tuition on it once i have a zero balance, and that will be my source of 'student loans' for these online courses for now.

 

 

Managing ADHD (Pinky):  Right now I'm only self diagnosed. I have an appointment set up for July 13 to find a therapist to work with. At the moment, I am just accepting that I have ADHD and carrying on as if I did which means getting more organized and finding ways to keep myself focused on getting things done... BuJo! I'm also forgiving myself for my past mistakes. I still get bummed from time to time because I didn't get something done or make the right decision in the past. And the mistakes I'm currently making. I get all uptight trying to control my behavior often or beating myself up. I just have to let go of that.

• First mental health appointment on July 13 at 3:00 pm
• Take BuJo everywhere
• Update BuJo weekly
• Let go of and forgive mistakes

 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I fink so brain, but how do we know if Shirley Bassey even has that many vegetable peelers?

[Stronkey Kong]

15 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I fink so brain, but how do we know if Shirley Bassey even has that many vegetable peelers?

 

I almost did this challenge with the Rangers because well, it's all about Ranger brain isn't it.

[Snarkyfishguts]

2 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

Let go of and forgive mistakes

I love this challenge, but I love this part most of all. 

 

I believe in you, buddy. Go forth and take over the world! 

[Stronkey Kong]

 

Day 0.1 -- because my weeks run Sat-Fri

 

Nutrition: Did the usual. Then I did some reflection on what I've eaten the last two days and that would be too many grains. I'm gonna have my usual bowl of raisin bran in a couple minutes, but for tomorrow my challenge will be to go grainless for a day -- no grains for 24 hours.

 

Exercise: I did a pretty lame 30 min and 320 cals burned on the wheel. I feel slightly better for having done it, but more time and intensity would have been nice.

 

Taking Over the World: I nearly finished week 4 tonight. I worked pretty hard on this over the weekend. I took a lot of notes on the lecture videos. I wrote down damn near everything. 17 pp. of notes. I took the quiz and got a 7 / 10. I need a minimum of 8 / 10 to pass, and I want 10 / 10. Honestly I'm stumped on these last three questions. I think i have one figured out, but I want to make sure I get my head around the other two as well. It'll happen some time this week.

 

Managing Pinky: I crossed off a bunch of BuJo stuff this weekend. And/or made progress. I had clean the kitchen down, but I wound up just cleaning the stove, top to bottom, behind and underneath. That's usually the worst of it. I'll save the countertops and floor for later in the week.

 

[Sciread77]

13 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I fink so brain, but how do we know if Shirley Bassey even has that many vegetable peelers?

I find so Brain, but where are we going to find rubber pants our size?

[KB Girl]

The forgiving part is really helpful.

Wasnt the bujo method also originally developed for people with ADHD? 

[Stronkey Kong]

3 hours ago, KB Girl said:

The forgiving part is really helpful.

Wasnt the bujo method also originally developed for people with ADHD? 

 

Sort of. It wasn't necessarily for people with ADHD, but the guy who invented it developed it to help with his own ADHD and shared it with everyone.

[Stronkey Kong]

 

Nutrition: I made it 24 hours without eating grains. I noticed I've only got a couple of servings of dairy left, so I'll be avoiding yogurt tomorrow. Tonight I hit my limit on nuts and seeds so it's officially no nut June 16-19.

 

Exercise: I did some yoga... not really a routine but went through the basic warmup stretches and block holds and such. My core is shit and I'm on the verge of wrecking my back. I need to fix this and will be doing more yoga... and I think I'm gonna add a core routine first thing in the morning.

 

TtTOtW: Scheduled a phone meeting for my potential side gig.

 

Managing Pinky: My brain just flooded with a bunch of unwholesome interpretations of what the phrase "managing Pinky" could refer to. Anyway, Nothing got checked off in the BuJo, but it was Monday and... whatever. Shit night at work. Whaterver.

[Snarkyfishguts]

4 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

 

 

 

Managing Pinky: My brain just flooded with a bunch of unwholesome interpretations of what the phrase "managing Pinky" could refer to.

oh geez, man. 😂

[Stronkey Kong]

I felt like I was stagnating. The weekend was nutritionally imbalanced, and I've been a bit moody and irritable. But it looks like last night's new exercise additions sparked a change in the right direction (orange line)

 

 

Oh yeah. Or it's just my weekly pattern. I usually peak on Monday morning and hit a new lowest weight by Friday. But, anyway, I'm down 13.6 lbs. since I started this whole thing (blue line).

 

And I did some planks while my coffee was brewing.

And no dairy will be consumed this evening.

[Stronkey Kong]

 

Tiring night at work. I got there quite a bit later than usual, to find out I'd be training a guy on the job(s) I've been running. So I had to talk and interact with another human, and I had to stay about 45 min later in the night than I like to. On the plus side, I think my training this guy on the job is a sign that the company might be moving me in the directions we talked about in my annual performance review... one aspect of which involved developing and organizing training documentation.

 

It's also a bit strange right now because the usual manager is on vacation. Our next most senior guy is in charge and the whole shop had a different vibe. Better, because the couple of dipshits* we do have listen to him because he sets a better example.

 

I haven't talked shit about my coworkers on my challenge threads in quite a while. When I have more time, I will tell you about DJ Panda PJs**. <sighs>

 

I was hoping to get some wheel time when i got home, but I am wiped out.

 

*They'e a little better than dipshits, I just couldn't think of a better word right now.

**One of the dipshits.

[KB Girl]

The blue line looks great. Going pretty darn fast too. 

[miss_marissa]

On 6/14/2020 at 6:48 PM, Chris Tarly said:

I also track measurements in my body composition log for feedback: Weight Log and Track Record. Question: These two sheets are in the same workbook; Can you access other sheets or just on sheet at a time with these links?

I can access all of the sheets with either link.

[Harriet]

15 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

*They'e a little better than dipshits, I just couldn't think of a better word right now.

 

I spent some time looking for synonyms. I learned some useful new words. I'm not sure any of them a milder, though. 

[WolfDreamer]

Ohhh, man, I totally get the managing the ADHD thing. I've been married for 20 years, and I still drive my wife crazy. And this lockdown has just made things worse.

 

I know you'll knock this challenge out

 

15 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

When I have more time, I will tell you about DJ Panda PJs**. <sighs>

 

This sounds... fun...

15 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

*They'e a little better than dipshits, I just couldn't think of a better word right now.

 

17 minutes ago, Harriet said:

 

I spent some time looking for synonyms. I learned some useful new words. I'm not sure any of them a milder, though. 

 

Knuckleheads?  Half-wits? Bird-brains? 🤷‍♂️

[Snarkyfishguts]

16 minutes ago, WolfDreamer said:

Knuckleheads?  Half-wits? Bird-brains? 🤷‍♂️

Nincompoops, dingalings,  buffoons! 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Goobers, dingbats, People who make noise with candy wrappers in theaters?

[Stronkey Kong]

1 hour ago, WolfDreamer said:

Ohhh, man, I totally get the managing the ADHD thing. I've been married for 20 years, and I still drive my wife crazy. And this lockdown has just made things worse.

 

I know you'll knock this challenge out

 

 

This sounds... fun...

 

 

Knuckleheads?  Half-wits? Bird-brains? 🤷‍♂️

 

1 hour ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Nincompoops, dingalings,  buffoons! 

 

1 hour ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Goobers, dingbats, People who make noise with candy wrappers in theaters?

 

Hmm... none of these is quite accurate. Keep 'em coming. 

[Harriet]

Prannock, arsehat, s'wit (from morrowind)

[Stronkey Kong]

 

I'm open to exploring other languages to find the insult as well: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/573354/hilarious-german-insults

 

DJ Panda PJs is definitely a bit of a teletubbyzuruckwinker. The other guy, the guy I'm training might be a combination of a rotzloffel and a bananenbieger.

 

I will reveal one fact at a time about DJ Panda PJs: 1) The PJs part of this appelation refers to the fact that he sometimes wears pajama pants to work... in a CNC/metal shop. <scratches head>. I understand the impulse to be comfortable, but we need durable fabric. <sighs>

[Stronkey Kong]

Nutrition: I've gone way over on nuts/seeds, but I figured out why. Over the weekend I had a couple of old avocados in the fridge so I decided to use them up, so I cut them up and mixed them with some pinto beans. Because avocados are oily, I figured counting them as a regular vegetable would be misleading so I counted them as nuts since they're nutritionally more similar. So that was like 4 servings of nuts burned up on those avocados. Now I'm not worried about overeating nuts/seeds, because I'm not. I'll probably go over by one serving this week but that's no big deal. Also, I haven't had much fat/oil this week so that will definitely balance out against all the walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds I'm eating.

 

Also, I count startchy/sugary vegetables as fruits. Potato = fruit. Winter squashes = fruit (also scientifically correct). Carrots are the starchiest vegetable that I'll count as a vegetable. And of course, all the fruits that are posing as vegetables: tomatoes, peppers and such, are vegetables.

 

Wheel:

 

 

55 min, 500 calories... at a med-low intensity.

 

TtTOtW: I got some reading done at work.

 

Managing Pinky (giggles): While training the rotzloffel/bananenbieger, I was surprised at how focused I've been training him. I was wondering if the ADHD thing was just all in my head. Then I remembered the side discussions we were having about nuc-yuh-ler (his pronunciation) energy and space travel. Then while I was doing my reading, I definitely had to re-read a lot paragraphs. I understand op-amps and instrumentation amplifiers better, in fact, it's starting to click, but man my mind can wander far off the page quickly and never get on track. This is the area where I think the medication would help me... reading and comprehending a bunch of information in a dry, voiceless text.

[WolfDreamer]

10 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

And of course, all the fruits that are posing as vegetables: tomatoes, peppers and such, are vegetables

 

Imposters!

 

10 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

I got some reading done at work

 

That's good!

 

10 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

nuc-yuh-ler

🤦‍♂️

 

Glad you're conscious of how your ADHD affects you and what you may need to help adjust it.

 

Keep it up!

[Harriet]

6 hours ago, Chris Tarly said:

 

I'm open to exploring other languages to find the insult as well: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/573354/hilarious-german-insults

 

DJ Panda PJs is definitely a bit of a teletubbyzuruckwinker. The other guy, the guy I'm training might be a combination of a rotzloffel and a bananenbieger.

I showed these to my German. He laughed at the teletubbyzuruckwinker, but said rotzlöffel is for unpleasant children, and he didn't understand bananenbieger. But then, he's a socks-with-sandals-wearer. 

[Stronkey Kong]

7 hours ago, WolfDreamer said:

 

Glad your conscious of how your ADHD affects you and what you may need to help adjust it.

 

Keep it up!

 

Thanks! BuJo-ing helps manage external events and responsibilities, but I don't know how to make myself pay more attention while I'm actively reading and studying a thing. I'm tired of reading things two or three times because I drifted off in thought.

 

5 hours ago, Harriet said:

I showed these to my German. He laughed at the teletubbyzuruckwinker, but said rotzlöffel is for unpleasant children, and he didn't understand bananenbieger. But then, he's a socks-with-sandals-wearer. 

 

He once got into an argument with the nightshift manager because he was kicking back with his feet up watching Netflix on his phone and the manager told him to stop. We're pretty laid back because most of the night crew is fairly self motivated... and older. But what he was doing was pretty much taking advantage and not showing the right respect and discretion for bending the rules. He threw a little tantrum for being told not to slack off so much... "But I'm no-ot!" I actually heard him say.

 

 

He may be 25 or so, but rotzloffel* still applies. When you're 25, you just roll your eyes, get your shit together, and talk shit about the boss behind their back to a sympathetic co-worker like an adult.

 

* sorry, I don't know how to umlaut