Starpuck - Resilience is Greater than The Gloom

[starpuck]

Assault on the Gloom Monster! - again

 

I am quite literally, copying and pasting a challenge from October 2018, lol.  Why?

 

Autumn into winter is my most difficult time of year because the shortening days, the degrading weather and grey skies all weigh on me heavily.   While I've never been clinically diagnosed with S.A.D. I would be surprised if they said I didn't suffer from it.     Autumn and winter is brutal for me, yo.    I cannot let the Gloom Monster derail me every year, so we are doubling the efforts to avoid the trap that will turn me into one of the Gloomfallen.

 

RULE #1 - Consistency, not Perfection will damage the Gloom Monster!

I've spent the last 4-6 weeks getting into a very good routine with strength workouts.    I work out so that I am strong and physically fit enough to move through life in a way that allows me to enjoy a lot of things.  I also know it is great for aiding the mood and guarding the emotions against attacks from the Gloom.   

 

Exercise at least 5x a week.

Continue strength training 2-3x, fill in other days with any kind of non-laziness.   

 Basically, anything 20m or more that has me up and about, can count for this. 

 

RULE #2 - To keep the soul healthy, the body must be nourished.

I'm on a good streak with tracking my calories, and it is currently not causing me any rage, stress or tantrums.  I have taken a couple months off of tracking.  I've held the line with my weight during that time, but I would like to shrug off at least half of the pounds I put back on after hitting my all time low.     I am going to start off this challenge with tracking again.  Both because I think I need the refresher, and also because my sister will be tracking food again after meeting with a doctor about her weight gain.   I'm hoping that I can help her by doing this along side her.   If not, it's always a good re-focus for myself.

 

Track Food in MFP 7x / week.

Plan for 1 Fun meal / week.

 

 

RULE #3 - A sharp mind keeps a sharp sword.

So, this was mostly about art back in 2018.   I've not done that hardly at all for the past year and it shows.   As I had always wanted art to be a means of practicing "a thing I am not super good at, but will continue even thought it doesn't come fast or perfect" - I would like to get this going again.   I almost always get re-inspired during Inktober.  So I just need to make time for this.   It will also include other creative outlets and anything that makes me put down the video games.

 

Sketch  a few times a week!    3x / week

Reconfigure desk to set up an EASY tablet access point.

D&D Prep 1x / week

 

 

RULE #4 - Face fear, conquer lies.

I don't even know how to quantify this, and that typically marks for a bad goal - but this is so dang important right now.    Any ideas you all have on it, I am open eared.     Some ideas floating to work on this are:  

Gratitude Note Daily

Positive Body remark Daily

Change 'doom' What If's to be a what if 'best case scenario'.

Continue Devotions

Find a small group / even if it's online to help me with faith side things.

 

 

Side Goals for the journey:

1. Really hone in on the budget app.  Use it for every single thing purchased.
2. Get outside, even when it gets cold and bleh.  "Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." ~ Standing Bear  (Read this at a N.P. once and loved it.)
3. Recreate 1 movie inspired gif per week!
4. See at least 4 houses to start getting ideas of what works and what doesn't taste wise.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I'm excited to see your Inktober stuff.

[Happienumber]

5 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I'm excited to see your Inktober stuff.

 

Absolutelyy seconded!! 

 

10 hours ago, Starpuck said:

I've spent the last 4-6 weeks getting into a very good routine with strength workouts.    I work out so that I am strong and physically fit enough to move through life in a way that allows me to enjoy a lot of things.  I also know it is great for aiding the mood and guarding the emotions against attacks from the Gloom. 

 

Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing how it goes!

[Artemis Prime]

On 9/7/2021 at 12:54 PM, Starpuck said:

RULE #4 - Face fear, conquer lies.

I don't even know how to quantify this, and that typically marks for a bad goal - but this is so dang important right now.    Any ideas you all have on it, I am open eared.     Some ideas floating to work on this are:  

Gratitude Note Daily

Positive Body remark Daily

Change 'doom' What If's to be a what if 'best case scenario'.

Continue Devotions

Find a small group / even if it's online to help me with faith side things.

 

These all sound like great ideas. Part of my "live in the moment" kick was inspired by the realization that I was projecting way too far into the future and stressing myself out with stuff that might not even happen. What really helped me was focusing on bite-sized chunks like "what is the next step in this project?" "what part of this is within my control?" and "what can I do today that will count as a win?"

[Cheetah]

[starpuck]

Warming up slowly on this week zero biz.

 

I've been tracking since Tuesday with no tantrums and that's awesome.  I've even found that I am coming up under the 1500 cal mark on most days, whilst still including evening snacks and sweet treats.   I caved in and bought my preferred soft baked cookies, and last night had two with great  pleasure and no risk of binging.   Sometimes a moderate amount of what you really want is so much better than small amounts of a lot of things trying to curb the actual craving.   

 

Just got my second strength work out in this week, keeping my 2x/week streak alive.   Pull ups are really, really bothering the tricep/back of arm business, but good news that - my chiro just called and managed to get me bumped from the 15th to Saturday.   That unfortunately cuts right into the middle of what I was planning to be a bike ride day but the arm getting some care is a big priority right now.   I will see if TheBoy is willing to go with me and either get breakfast before hand, or lunch right after at some cool new place.  

 

I have my BuJo mostly set up and am trying to get in the habit of pulling it out at work and at home so I see it.   I also added a section called "Motivation Bug" for when I am struck with the mood to do ALL the things.  I will write down what I was feeling a fancy for, and try to get back to it when I can!

 

I made a workout gif today.   Another salute to Starbuck from BSG.  (I think I actually have better form than she does, lol - my elbows try to point back instead of straight out (which is not good for your shoulders peeps!)

 

 

I am off tomorrow to go to the county fair with my family.  A bit of a tradition for us and always a fun day with my nephews!   Really excited for that.    Will try and get some fun and silly pics!

[obax]

I'd say not only is your form better, that gif is all around just more badass

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

57 minutes ago, obax said:

I'd say not only is your form better, that gif is all around just more badass

Agreed.

Starpuck>Starbuck.

[Cheetah]

1 hour ago, obax said:

I'd say not only is your form better, that gif is all around just more badass

 

I agree also.

[DarK_RaideR]

I too agree with the rest.

[Jarric]

On 9/7/2021 at 5:54 PM, Starpuck said:

• Recreate 1 movie inspired gif per week!
• See at least 4 houses to start getting ideas of what works and what doesn't taste wise.

 

Not gonna lie, I'm real excited about these two goals in particular.

 

Also, you've reminded me that Inktober is a thing, so now I'm looking forward to that.

 

And I too agree with the others, and would add that you have better arms than Starbuck.

[starpuck]

Week Zero Wrap Up

 

Exercise at least 5x a week.

- Actual:: 2 Strengths, 2 Moves, an all day walk at the fair.  Kind of counts?

 

Track Food in MFP 7x / week --::--  Plan for 1 Fun meal / week.

- Actual:: 4 tracked for sure solid.  I actually tracked on the fair day, but it was super guesstimates.  Sat/Sun I went off the rockers again.

*Sure, a fun meal was had, with all the post fun meal binging to follow.  😠  This needs to be addressed.

 

Sketch  a few times a week!    3x / week --::--D&D Prep 1x / week --::--  Reconfigure desk to set up an EASY tablet access point.

- Actual::  I did actually do some pencil sketches 2x this week.  I sorta was okay with one and hated the other.  Gosh I hate losing practice on stuff.

No prep and desk set up wasn't yet tackled.  But it's zero week.  No biggie.

 

Gratitude Note Daily / Positive Body remark Daily / Change 'doom' What If's to be a what if 'best case scenario' / Continue Devotions / Find a small group (even if it's online) to help me with faith side things.

* Nothing touched on these.  I think I jotted down a few things to be thankful for one day whilst doodling in my bujo, but that was it.     Well, devotions are a no brainer now.  I think I will hit a 365 streak by end of year!

 

SIDE GOALS

Did not use Budget App whole weekend, damnit.

Spent all day outside on Friday petting farm animals!

I did make a gif!

Nothing on the houses yet.

 

 

Zero week is for starting to warm up to goals and stuff, so in that regard I feel like I did the thing.    Plenty to sharpen up on, but my motivation and moods are still really all over the place.       Had a lovely time with my family at the County Fair and didn't go too crazy on food while out there.    I had some sirloin bits and new potatoes from a stand as lunch, split an elephant ear with my nephew, and had two lemon shake ups.  I bought some homemade fudge there... two little 4oz flavors, neither of which survived past Sunday.   At least it won't mess me up this week?

 

I also got into the chiropractor, who Graston techniqued my bum arm.  It wasn't my tricep at all, but rather a lat that was so fired up it was hinging the tricep to complain.  The procedure itself is god awful, but even by the time I left, the knot/twinge was almost all gone and as of today, I only have the bruise and skin tenderness.

 

 

Had lovely ESO dungeon trials, where our RP guild cleared veteran Sunspire!     Sunday's D&D game, after a few weeks off, was back on and I was tickled pink.    My genasi barbarian offered to try and navigate for her buddy, the deep gnome Mezzanine, whilst he drove the new Scavenger vehicle we got down in Avernus.    The DM said, "Roll 2d4, and don't roll doubles."  I replied, ala Bee from Bee and Puppycat, Don't tell me what to NOT dooooo!  And proceded to roll doubles.  So we all had a big laugh and we got lost and the next day we got ambushed by an infernal warlord.    I am having so much fun playing a barbarian though.   She super Mad Max rolled out of the vehicle and went at them on foot, while they were on their motorcyle things and it was so bad ass.

 

That brings us to today, where  work has been calm enough I could engage in a quite interesting discussion over on NF discord!     Tonight should be a bit of beat saber, then some relaxing with one of the various games I feel in the mood for.  Including Hades, which I really want to play.

[Mr_Willes]

On 9/7/2021 at 6:54 PM, Starpuck said:

Autumn into winter is my most difficult time of year because the shortening days, the degrading weather and grey skies all weigh on me heavily.   While I've never been clinically diagnosed with S.A.D. I would be surprised if they said I didn't suffer from it.     Autumn and winter is brutal for me, yo.    I cannot let the Gloom Monster derail me every year, so we are doubling the efforts to avoid the trap that will turn me into one of the Gloomfallen.

 

Late yes, but please let me help with stuff wriiten above this silly sentence with the word written all wrong, please, thank you.

 

Also hi fren!

[starpuck]

Very hectic day today... started off from last night perhaps?

 

I left my backpack at work, which had my bujo in it, and my heart rate monitor.  I somehow managed to still do my beat saber at home, despite it 'not counting' since there was no record of it, lol.   I couldn't mark my bujo, but that's alright.  I will get it updated tonight.     We were down a person for vacation today, and the girl who covers him, ended up at the urgent care and hospital due to suspected kidney stone issues!!  So we were then down TWO people.   Me and the work wife have been covering the whole load ourselves all day.    Despite the chaos, I still went out and got a speed run 5x5 workout in.   Squats, bench, rows and crunches, 5x5 (5x15 on crunches) then some stretching and back to the ground.  Pretty amazed I didn't let the situation at the office dissuade the workout.   

 

I should set some time aside tonight for some art, but after such a nutty day, the pull to veg out with video games is strong.   Food, as per usual during the week, is easy peasy lemon squeezy.    Dinner is left over stuffed green peppers.    Super tasty, but my food intake lately has me feeling still very hungry very quickly after eating.   Could be related to impending sharks and their damn feeding frenzy like behaviors!

 

Need to find a way to get those side goals tracked or sorted out, otherwise they are going to slip through the cracks.

 

 

 

 

[Cheetah]

Good job getting the workout done!  Keep it up!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I agree with 🐆

[obax]

Sounds like a heck of a day, good job getting the workout done anyway!

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Following!

 

Love the movie gif idea. And we’ll done getting in a workout even though you couldn’t count it with the fitness device 

[starpuck]

It is Thursday afternoon update time.

• Food has been tracked and under control.   Woot.
• I have done 3 cardios so far; two beat sabers and a run today.   The run has already triggered a bit of the groin thing.  Darnit.
• 1 strength done, another tomorrow is planned.
• I've been to the chiro twice to fix the shoulder / lat thing and that's coming along.
• No art yet, but planning on some today. 

 

I have officially and fully backed out of the Wednesday Valheim game.   It feels so much better to have made the decision and followed through.   I just really don't have a strong liking toward those types of games at all, and more so with the groups preferred play style.  I emailed them a simple, 'Hey all, decided to bow out of Valheim going forward. Survival / build games aren't my favorite and the game play was starting to wear me down. Hope you guys have fun slaying beasts and building towers! I'll catch ya on the next game or off-game night!' and that was that.

 

Because I needed a lacrosse ball for some massage needs, I ended up ordering a new pack of the good inking pens for Inktober, and also a second bullet journal because I needed to spend $35 on Amazon Prime to get it all here by tonight.   What's funny is that I jogged to Target hoping they'd have one, and all they had was a $15 'massage pressure ball'.     I was like, 'no way! I can get a lax ball for way cheaper' and found a deal of two balls for $9.50 on Amazon.  Just... had to get all that other stuff because -

 

LOL!  So I ended up spending $43 to get 2 for $9, instead of $15 for one non-lax ball.    It's fine!  This is how my brain works!  I got the item I wanted for WAY cheaper, and just also got other stuff I need / will use also.   LOL.

 

Tonight is left over night, then Starfinder game.    This, unfortunately, is the other thing I am not really enjoying.  But I am going to give it my all with the new character and try to encourage more roleplay with the other players and see if we can stir up something more interesting than map after map of handheld dungeon crawling and Pathfinder style combat and crunch.    I sort of really feel like rearranging my room too - but that's too big of a task to do tonight.   

 

Oh thanks to a few NF rebels on discord, I broke the 100 subs on the Youtube channel I am not actually trying to grow or do anything with.     That said, I've started putting links in the posts so people can nab the song I'm playing, and also added a little title card with map info.  

 

 

That's all for today!

 

[Cheetah]

keep up the good work!

[starpuck]

Fri-Yay!

 

Things to note.  Food remains ok!   Last night I did go over calories, but the goal is to track, so no harm no foul.  I didn't even go over so much as to be out of maintenance zone.    But I really wanted a Hakuna Your Tatas, beer, so I had one.

 

Starfinder game was not too bad.   For those of you who know anime and are familiar with Weine from "Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon" - I have modeled her voice pattern after this little cutie.   Basically, she is a shy but very eager to make friends Strix.    The DM got this new character into the group by having her found in a locked room in the mansion they've been investigating.    Last night they came across a bathroom and she was ecstatic, hurriedly shooing them all out so she could use the loo!   Well, of course, there were zombies hiding in there, so then whilst sitting on the john, she had to call for them to, "Ok okay you can come in!  Come in now, please hurry!"   It was a fun little bit of antic-style RP that this game has sorely been  missing.  Hopefully the new more outgoing and eager character will inspire more people to RP around the constant combat chains.

 

I tried to get some sketching in while playing, and sadly everything was such rubbish.   I don't mean the kind where an artist assumes they are crap but are actually good, no, these were awful.  I am so out of practice and last night was just an even more off night for the pencil.  I threw out every page I doodled in.  But, I at least get to count it as 'art time'.  UGH.

 

I got my 2nd strength in, so I am already 5 of 5 on the exercise.  Everything else is bonus git!

 

 

 

[Artemis Prime]

Whoop whoop for all your progress!

 

Sorry the arting didn't go great, but as my writing group likes to remind each other, bad arting is better than no arting.

[starpuck]

Oh I also did get my 'recreate a gif' done today.  Was requested by @winteraeon and the original gif was:

 

 

Followed by the recreation, complete with office made 'cat ears'.

 

 

 

 

[Cheetah]

The gif is hilarious!

 

Art is like that.  Brilliance is not far off.  🙂

[obax]

Love the gif, and holy cow can you spread your toes out! I feel ya on the art thing, I've been trying to get back to writing lately, I used to do it a lot when I was in school. I'm always so excited with what I'm writing when I'm doing it but it's always crap when I read it over afterwards. But, as Cheetah and Artemis Prime say, art's like that, and bad art is better than no art. My perfectionist brain doesn't like that, but I'm going with it anyway