Machete: Lonesome Road

[Machete]

 

Same pattern in my last challenge; started with enthusiasm, and ended up dropping off. Honestly I don't even remember what happened the past month, but from what I can see at some point I saw a new psychiatrist out-of-pocket and I'm off my old meds and am just on one now. Liver's doing a lot better with it. Primary care put me on calcium blockers at some point, and I've been attempting to go to the gym more times but seem to fall off every other week, either from just feeling beat-up or injury. I don't recall being light-headed after practice for a while now, so that's probably good. Got a stress test coming up to see if the heart's functioning properly.

 

Wife's unemployed again, but I'm trying to not think about how the bills will be paid as I can barely remember to shower as is. I always barely make it on time for work, and everyone who used to train with me isn't there anymore. Lately I'm not even sure I still want to coach anymore. Hopefully it's just part of my current state of mind and will go away eventually, because without that I can't really see anything else for me. Best thing I can do right now is keep myself alive, keep holding on to my sanity, try to keep the house in order, and just hope for better days. It's a solo playthrough on hardcore mode, and I probably can't count on any NPC assistance.

 

THE WASTELAND SURVIVAL GUIDE

 

 

I notice I've been running out of steam after a week, and I imagine it's because I'm not taking care of myself. So I first things first--I need to take care of the basics, then I need to do them well. I'll have three basic goals which I'll have the option to either just achieve or crush. They'll be accompanied by strategies/habits that can help me achieve said goal.

 

SLEEP: I don't know how long a person can go without sleep, but we probably need it every day.

• Track my sleep (do the basics); 50 hours of sleep a week (do them well)
• possible strategies:
  • lights out time
  • no caffeine after 1700
  •  

WATER: I've been craving and drinking a lot of sweet drinks. This is probably because I don't drink enough water to begin with.

• Track my water intake (do the basics); drink a gallon a day (do them well)
• possible strategies:
  • drink a glass of water before the morning energy drink
  • carry a water bottle
  •  

FOOD: I've pretty much been eating out every day, probably because I don't ensure that there is easily-accessible food in the house. This is bad for my health and my wallet. I also only end up eating 1-2 meals a day, and that probably isn't enough to sustain my training, work, and recovery.

• eat and track 3 meals a day (do the basics); 150g of protein (do them well)
• possible strategies:
  • meal plan on Sundays
  •  

 

 

Here goes nothing...

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Mental health challenges are tough, and I can't imagine how hard things are right now. I'll be following along rooting for you.

[Sylvaa]

I'm here because I'm always here for you!

 

Question about your food goal: is your focus on eating three meals a day or eating food from home? Because you talked about how eating out is bad for your wallet, but your goal is about eating 3 meals a day. Meal planning is hard. Especially with mental health issues. Is there any meet in the middle solution that wouldn't be overwhelming, but would allow you to have more food available at home?

[juliebarkley]

23 hours ago, Machete said:

WATER: I've been craving and drinking a lot of sweet drinks. This is probably because I don't drink enough water to begin with.

• Track my water intake (do the basics); drink a gallon a day (do them well)
• possible strategies:
  • drink a glass of water before the morning energy drink
  • carry a water bottle
  •  

Would those little drops that you can use to flavour water be helpful in the transition period?

[sarakingdom]

1 hour ago, juliebarkley said:

Would those little drops that you can use to flavour water be helpful in the transition period?

 

Hell, keep using them. Whatever works. A gallon is a lot of water, and you can probably get that shit with vitamins in it for added goodness, so have at it. In the summer, I'll do anything that gets the fluids into me.

 

I'm a believer in not choosing hard mode without a known benefit.  Insert quote about not letting perfect be the enemy of good and all that.

[Machete]

22 hours ago, Sylvaa said:

I'm here because I'm always here for you!

 

Question about your food goal: is your focus on eating three meals a day or eating food from home? Because you talked about how eating out is bad for your wallet, but your goal is about eating 3 meals a day. Meal planning is hard. Especially with mental health issues. Is there any meet in the middle solution that wouldn't be overwhelming, but would allow you to have more food available at home?

 

Haha right now the 3 meals a day, because I doubt I'll order out that many times (though I have been known to surprise myself). The planning's for making sure there will be meals that can be prepped within 20 or so minutes. The eating out is still an option, but if there's food here I probably won't resort to ordering nuggies.

 

2 hours ago, juliebarkley said:

Would those little drops that you can use to flavour water be helpful in the transition period?

 

38 minutes ago, sarakingdom said:

 

Hell, keep using them. Whatever works. A gallon is a lot of water, and you can probably get that shit with vitamins in it for added goodness, so have at it. In the summer, I'll do anything that gets the fluids into me.

 

I'm a believer in not choosing hard mode without a known benefit.  Insert quote about not letting perfect be the enemy of good and all that.

 

Yeah, I'll probably get some flavor mix in. I'm eyeing maybe Gatorade or some other electrolyte mix.

[Sylvaa]

4 minutes ago, Machete said:

Haha right now the 3 meals a day, because I doubt I'll order out that many times (though I have been known to surprise myself). The planning's for making sure there will be meals that can be prepped within 20 or so minutes. The eating out is still an option, but if there's food here I probably won't resort to ordering nuggies.

 

I hear you - my rental is in a super low delivery zone, which has absolutely limited the amount of times we eat out (I'd rather cook than leave the house).

 

I will say this in every relevant thread, bagged salad mixes and shredded chicken. Super easy to put together, pretty tasty, and limited dishes (granted, you do have to be a veggie eater). 

 

11 minutes ago, Machete said:

Yeah, I'll probably get some flavor mix in. I'm eyeing maybe Gatorade or some other electrolyte mix.

 

I've been doing the zero calorie Gatorade mix (the little single serve packets) after my runs. I know it's not the "best" electrolyte mix, but it definitely does the job. I find it's a little strong for me, so I end up mixing it with more than the packet calls for (like 30 - 36 oz of water). 

[Terra]

Here to support you my friend!  Training has its ups and downs, stay strong.  

[Machete]

Tough week. Lots of work, only able to hit the three meals on Wednesday and Thursday. Kept procrastinating on the grocery shopping, and my treasonous wife kept ordering food without me.

 

SLEEP:

Thu - 4h

Fri - 5h

Sat - 7.5h

Sun - 9h

 

WATER:
no tracking

FOOD:

no tracking

[Machete]

SLEEP:
Mon - 9.3h

Tue -  6h

Wed - 4h

 

WATER:
none

 

FOOD:

Mon - 175g

Tue - 145g

 

Week started out okay, got some sleep and able to hit some workouts, then I totally shit the bed. Trying to distract myself from the depresso by staying preoccupied, I hit like 48 hours of Skyrim and shared a bunch of memes. Did a bunch of tests which pretty much ate up Tuesday and Friday. I was able to mow the lawn and clean the garage today though. I'll try to finish those the rest of the week and maybe do some studying done.

 

I got the powdered Gatorade and Krampade for the drinky drink, and I've been getting my hydration subjectively better; I just need to keep track of what I'm drinking.

 

WEEK'S STRATEGIES:

• cook and store some meals on Monday
• 2300 bedtime
• carry my Nalgene around

[Terra]

I see progress...  Take care my friend!  

[Machete]

On 8/16/2021 at 10:24 AM, Terra said:

I see progress...  Take care my friend!  

 

Thanks! Yeah, much smaller steps than I'm used to, but bigger than nothing (which are the ones I usually take). Haha

[Machete]

A little better. I'm going to try to do a Wednesday check-in, as that seems to be when it goes downhill. I probably stop paying attention again.

 

SLEEP:
Mon - 8h

Tue -  7h

Wed - 5.5h

Thu - 5h

Fri - 6.5h

Sat

Sun - 8h

 

WATER:

Mon - 64oz

Tue -  64oz

Wed - 32oz

Thu - 32oz

Fri - 32oz

Sat

Sun - 32oz

 

FOOD:

Mon - 132g

Tue -  94g

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 

[Terra]

 I see you having some success!  I see sleep happening, even the 5 hours is better than nothing.  And you are drinking water most days. Both wins! 

 

I will be looking for your post tomorrow...