GoodDoug is joining the circus, again

[JuiceeTarget]

The ringmaster pauses as the spotlight shines down upon them. They can hear the crackle of the microphone waiting for them at the center of the ring. Waiting a heartbeat longer for dramatic effect, they take their practiced walk to the microphone hanging from high up in the ceiling. It will allow their voice to carry throughout the venue while seeming like they are speaking normally and sometimes even whispering conspiratorially.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Children of all ages! Welcome to the Great Ranger Circus!" they pause to allow the applause to reach just the right point and they continue, "Tonight, you will be amazed at the skills from all of the guilds, running, tumbling, juggling, and feats of strength. You will laugh, you will gasp! You will be entertained."
With that, the lights go up, the music surges, and the show begins.

 

My exercise routine is trending better, and I've been having success with mixing juggling and handstands into my morning workout routines. I have a circuit I am calling the "circus circuit" that seems to be really helping me stay motivated. I have been working on some new juggling stuff lately, and that feels good to work on something and see slow progress. I still want to get my handstands better and now want to start adding ring pull-ups to my routine. I am also looking to be more creative and to find ways to incorporate joy into my daily routine.
So, why not a circus themed challenge!

Food
Snacks are for the audience, not the performers

• I will make sure to not eat the sugary crap that I've been eating too much of lately
• I will make sure to eat healthy, real foods as much as possible
• I will strive to eat fewer grains (exception made for the sourdough I am working on perfecting)

Exercise
Practicing for a show requires strength, endurance, and control

• I will continue to do two runs per week if not more
• I will continue to do GMB Vitamins 3x per week
• I will add in Circus Circuit* at least twice a week
• I will do a ring workout** twice a week
• I will intentionally stretch twice a day

Mental
Always be learning new tricks

• I will read (or listen to an audio book) every day
• I will work on new juggling tricks with balls every day
• I will work on juggling clubs every day
• I will write once a week

Emotional
Clowns have to show the full range of emotions

• I will do gratitude work every night before bed
• I will spend time working with the kids on projects (including cooking, building, drawing, painting)
• I will spend time hanging out with my wife
• I will take time to learn about my own role in the racial inequity in the world right now
• I will learn how I can make a difference in our world

Rest
Between shows is the time to rest up for the next show

• I will listen to my body and mind and rest on days when I need to
• I will not take more than two of those rest days per week
• I will check in with NF Forums, but not feel like I have to do more than "Like" other people's posts if I'm not feeling it

* Circus Circuit:

3 sets of the following

• 10-20 Lunges while juggling three balls
• 10-20 full squats while juggling three balls
• 3 handstand kick ups and holds against the wall or freestanding
• 30 seconds of hollow body crunch hold
• 3-5 press pike pulls (from plank, pull feet up towards hands ending in a somewhat pike position)

** Ring workout:

(subject to change as I figure out what works for me)

2-3 sets of the following

• 10 scapular retractions
• 15 second flex arm hang
• 5 negatives
• 5 assisted pullups

 

Looking for gifs I found this terrifying one, so this is what you get

[fearless 2.0]

19 minutes ago, GoodDoug said:

 

Emotional
Clowns have to show the full range of emotions

• I will do gratitude work every night before bed
• I will spend time working with the kids on projects (including cooking, building, drawing, painting)
• I will spend time hanging out with my wife
• I will take time to learn about my own role in the racial inequity in the world right now
• I will learn how I can make a difference in our world

 

 

that's really touching and awesome! ❤️

[JuiceeTarget]

Rewards! I forgot I was going to do rewards this challenge.

 

For exercise, for the next three weeks, if I maintain the run, Vitamins and Circus Circuit goals consistently I will be getting myself the Revolution Swell board and add that to my goals.

 

For mental/creative if I can get into the woodshop and finish my two outstanding projects, I will get myself some more wood. I also want to get into engraving, and leather working, and everything really. I'm a Ranger, I want to do all the things... but I am also wise enough to know that I need to slow down and focus if I want to get anything actually done. 

 

For eating/cooking, if I can get to the end of the challenge without feeling like I completely blew it, I might reward myself with the Shun Classic 6" utility knife. My favorite knife is the Shun Classic Chef's knife and I've been eyeing this one for a couple of years now. I need to come up with a measurable goal if I'm going to have a reward... I'll think on it.

[Novaurora]

I love this challenge.  One of my early ones was circus themed too.  Your categories are great.  Adding juggling to your workouts is creative.  

[Salinger]

Here for you Doug

 

[Mad Hatter]

Circus circuit - love it!

[starpuck]

Huh, not a fan of clowns, but Mr Rogers the Clown is not tooooo bad.    

 

A full plate, but a lot of those things are ... daily habit things?   I think you'll be able to snag them all.

Really well laid out too.

 

Though, why not handstand kick up while juggling?

[Nymeria]

Here for the circus and rings stuff!  

[JuiceeTarget]

7 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Though, why not handstand kick up while juggling?

but with less grace 😜 

[Xena]

On 6/16/2020 at 12:13 PM, GoodDoug said:

Snacks are for the audience, not the performers

Love the way you worded this.

 

Also hope you get the balance board. I want to hear how you like it!

[JuiceeTarget]

Mini zero week update:

I want to make a tracker in my journal for this challenge, but haven't been motivated to sit down and do it. Hopefully I can get to that today.

Food has been fine: I did great and then had a few snacks things yesterday. But I had let myself get too hungry so I need to be better about that. Maybe going back to the protein shakes in the morning might be worthwhile... it isn't a "real" food, but it fills me up and is really simple.

Exercise has been good: Did my circus circuit and my rings workout as promised, also keeping up with GMB Vitamins. Haven't run yet, but expect to get to it today. Gotta get ready for that NerdFitness 5K. Getting my stretching in and it feels pretty good to do it throughout the day like this. Need to make sure I keep up with it.

Learning has been good: Reading every day, juggling every day... in fact my club juggling is definitely improving. It still isn't anywhere near where I want to be, but I can see real progress. But I also need to make sure I take some breaks, as my clumsy throws and catches are making my hands and arms sore. I have a bruise on my wrist from a botched catch.

For emotional stuff, I've been spending time with the family doing things which has been really nice. I've also spent some time seeking out info on racial justice. Now on to figure out how to make a difference.

Rest was almost had yesterday. I didn't do a formal workout, but still managed to get sore and tired from just doing things. I worked in the woodshop a bit yesterday, I got some new hand tools and wanted to give them a good workout. The new No.4 smoothing plane is such a joy to work with... I find I'm looking for things that need more planing just to use it.

 

All in all, I'm almost ready for the challenge to actually start... almost.

 

[Elastigirl]

54 minutes ago, GoodDoug said:

want to make a tracker in my journal for this challenge, but haven't been motivated to sit down and do it. Hopefully I can get to that today.

Same here. I'll check up on you if you'll check up on me, I'm aiming to do mine tomorrow

[Salinger]

Hey Doug, all sounding really great!! proud of you xx

[Xena]

On 6/20/2020 at 10:54 AM, GoodDoug said:

I want to make a tracker in my journal for this challenge

 

You reminded me of something I wanted to do along these lines. Thanks!!

[Novaurora]

On 6/20/2020 at 10:54 AM, GoodDoug said:

Now on to figure out how to make a difference.

What I have found, speaking to my friends of color, is the most helpful things I can do are 1. educate myself and reflect what I can do better 2. educate others (POC are EXHAUSTED having to explain the same things over and over again to people who refuse to educate themselves, so it helps take the burden off) 3. donate money to important causes, 4. be present at protests or even on in your daily life and use your privilege to protect people of color 5. LISTEN  

[JuiceeTarget]

1 hour ago, Novaurora said:

What I have found, speaking to my friends of color, is the most helpful things I can do are 1. educate myself and reflect what I can do better 2. educate others (POC are EXHAUSTED having to explain the same things over and over again to people who refuse to educate themselves, so it helps take the burden off) 3. donate money to important causes, 4. be present at protests or even on in your daily life and use your privilege to protect people of color 5. LISTEN  

Thnx for that

[Salinger]

How are you Doug?xx

[JuiceeTarget]

OK, mid week 1 update:

Food is going ok. I could be better... I keep snacking when I shouldn't. I am still making some good food. I made carnitas the other day that we are going through and I made baguettes last night that I made into jambon beurre sandwiches that were out of this world. I split the dough in half, so I can maybe make pizza tonight. We'll see if we get some mozzarella and other toppings...

Exercise is going well. I'm keeping up with everything but running. Forces are conspiring to keep me from running (e.g. my wife is making me feel guilty for running when she can't right now). I've done two GMB Vitamins, two circus circuits and one ring workout so far. So I am on track to do well there. I am hoping to get a quick run this morning... I just finished the vitamins and have some time before my meeting.

Mental is going pretty well. I have been reading a bit and have kept up with juggling. I skipped a day of clubs as I am getting a blister/bruise on one finger. So heeding my "Rest" section I took a day off but then got back to it yesterday. It is still a little sore, but doable. And I am getting much better with the clubs. It is almost becoming natural to me. I can consistently get through my baseline of ten left throws and catches finishing with collection (collection is when you stop juggling without dropping.) I am finding that the first couple of throws are a little crazy, but I can smooth it out pretty quickly. Now to figure out how to make the start a little less crazy. I've already written once this week, but should do a little more. Lets see if I can find some time later to do that.

Emotional has been pretty good. I am spending time doing the things that make myself and others around me happy. I could always do more, but feel good with how I am trending. I have started reading White Fragility and trying to absorb that.

And finally, rest has done well. I took some time to take it a little easy when my body was telling me to. But I haven't let it devolve into full on slacking. I'm sure I will mess it up this challenge, but for now I feel pretty good about it.

 

[starpuck]

Nice update Doug!

It sounds so balanced and wise and awesome.

Glad to hear things are going well.   Really sounds like you're leveling up in the how to rest department!  Rest without slacking is approaching higher level difficulties and it's cool to see you own them!

 

[Xena]

On 6/24/2020 at 10:39 AM, GoodDoug said:

I have started reading White Fragility and trying to absorb that.

Me too! I'm almost halfway into it. Lots to think about.

[Salinger]

Hope you are having a good week Doug xx

[JuiceeTarget]

Week one recap:

Food:

Meh...

Not terrible but not good either. I'm going to track today so I can see just where I am going wrong here. I think it is all of my bread and the honey I put into my coffee. Since we started this shelter in place thing I've been drinking a whole lot more coffee and that might be why I'm gaining the fat.

Exercise:

Not terrible, but not where I want to be...

I did all that I said I would do except for the running. I made all sorts of excuses to not run. Sigh, running really works for me. On the bright side, doing my circus circuit and rings has been really good. My arms and shoulders were really sore for a couple of days, but I've mostly moved past that. I feel like I can get a pull-up earlier than I thought if I keep up with this routine over the weeks of this challenge.

Mental:

Almost all of it done...

I did club juggling every day, including one long session that really got the muscle memory in there. I've become much more consistent with it. Practicing every day is just making it better. I've been reading quite a bit and I did do writing. I haven't worked on new ball tricks every day, just a few of the days. I think once my mental energy isn't being depleted by the clubs I can do better with new ball tricks. Though yesterday I practiced under the leg throws and those worked out pretty well.

Emotional:

Meh again...

I did the gratitude work and I spent a little time with the kids and my wife. I also worked a lot and so didn't have as much time as I want. For social justice, I started out strong, and then got emotionally tired. I know that it is a privilege to be able to step away when it gets to me, but I needed to do that a little bit with everything going on. This week I want to get back into reading and doing.

Rest

Nailed it...

I feel pretty good about staving off burnout while still pushing myself. I am hopeful that I am balancing things okay right now. Still need a few corrections, but I think I have it.

 

Overall, not a bad first week. I know what I need to work on (food and running... maybe I can only get food if I run for it?)

 

As a bright note, yesterday went running with my daughter. We had planned to go running many days this week. I was going to bail on here again last night but she pushed me and we went running. It was hard, but we ran the whole time. Now to get into a groove... 

The best part about running last night is that I was really tired from yard work. That was going to be my excuse for not running. But now I know that I can be physically tired and still go for a run. Even if it is a slow one

[Elastigirl]

Looks like a good week.

I'm convinced that the Coronavirus in the air is causing us all to gain weight. 😉Nothing we can do about it, might as well eat all the things and enjoy😁

[fearless 2.0]

Awesome that you ran with your daughter! Things will fall into place I think... Have a good week! ❤️

Even a black person like me takes time out from the uproar in the world now and then... its basic self care! ❤️

[starpuck]

Nice work Doug.    You're moving forward and doing what you can.

On the honey - I dunno how much you put in; but I tried switching to honey instead of sugar since it was more 'natural'.    But the amount of honey I needed to get to the sweetness I prefer, ended up being a full tablespoon+!   And that's like 60 calories.   Meanwhile, 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar do the trick for me at 30 calories total.   Honey is sneaky like that.

Another alternative, - not sure how it rates on the macros, is natural maple syrup.  I did that for a while in my coffee and it was super nice.

 

And yeah, don't beat yourself up for giving a mental break.   The fact you're pursuing it is great.   And having a brain ready to think deep and reflect is important to make it worthwhile.