JediNickD Level 13: "Let go your conscious self and act on instinct."

JediNickD · January 3, 2014

In Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker in the fundamentals of the Force and Jedi. Aboard the Millenium Falcon, Obi-Wan dispenses this very important description of the Force during a lightsaber training exercise:

[Luke is training with his lightsaber and a laser remote aboard the Millennium Falcon.]
Ben Kenobi: Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.
Luke Skywalker: You mean it controls your actions?
Kenobi: Partially, but it also obeys your commands. [Luke gets shot by the remote.]
Han Solo: [laughs] Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.
Skywalker: You don't believe in the Force, do you?
Solo: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls my destiny. [Kenobi smiles] Anyway, it's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
Kenobi: [gets up and takes a blast helmet] I suggest you try it again, Luke. Only this time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct. [puts the helmet on Luke, which covers his eyes]
Skywalker: But with the blast shield down, I can't even see! How am I supposed to fight?
Kenobi: Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them. [remote shoots Luke] Stretch out with your feelings! [Watches Luke succeed in blocking the lasers] You see? You can do it.

Instinct, impulse, and intuition are all very similar concepts with subtle differences. Sometimes first impulse is correct, sometimes it is off. This is because it is untrained. Impulses are formed by instinct and intuition. Instinct are reactions breed into a being from years of survival. Intuition are learned reactions based on knowledge and experience. Meditation can help quiet the mind to understand the subtle differences in your instincts and your intuition.

Quieting your mind and carefully listening to your intuition can assist you find an answer to a problem quickly, even without all the logic and reasoning worked out, because your intuition is tapped into your stored knowledge. The information is there in your brain, but accessing it takes time. Your intuition can access this information and bring the answer quicker than you can actually think through the process yourself.

My main quest with attribute points is below:

FITNESS: Build STA +1 and DEX +1 by Running 15 miles and Sprinting 1600 meters total.
FITNESS: Build STR +3 and DEX +1 by completing 250 minutes of Sports Training in 5 sessions and meeting at least 75% of my fitness side quest goals.
DIET: Build CON +3 by eating "Healthy Meals"* 20 times or more, eating Snack Food 5 times or less, drinking Dr Pepper 20 times or less, brushing my teeth 80 times or more (twice daily), and flossing 40 times or more (once daily).
LIFE: Build WIS +3 and CHA +3 by completing two Toastmaster Manual Speeches, completing one Leadership Series Speech to earn my Advance Leader Bronze in Toastmasters, and completing three lessons from the IJRS Personal 101 and Spirituality 101 Manuals in Jedi Training.

* - "Healthy Meals" means no grease, minimal fat and calories, mostly veggies, meat, and fruit, while avoiding starches. Breakfast is not included in count.

SIDE QUEST CHALLENGE GOALS

FITNESS
- Barbells
  - Back Squat = 200 lbs, 60 reps
  - Bench Press = 190 lbs, 60 reps
  - Overhead Press = 90 lbs, 30 reps
- Dumbells
  - Bench Press = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Fly = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Overhead Press = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Standing Curl = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Row = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Side Raise = 35 lbs, 60 reps
  - Goblet Squat = 80 lbs, 60 reps
  - Tricep Ext = 70 lbs, 60 reps
- Bodyweight Exercises
  - Leg Press = 1100 lbs, 60 reps
  - Box Jump = 31 in, 60 reps
  - Lunge = 30 lbs, 60 reps
  - Burpee = lbs, 100 reps
  - Mount Climbers = lbs, 120 reps
  - HS PU = lbs, 60 reps
  - Pull Up = lbs, 60 reps
  - Chin Up = lbs, 60 reps
  - Hammer Pull Up = lbs, 60 reps
  - Dip = lbs, 60 reps
  - Dive Bomber = 0 lbs, 60 reps
  - Push Up = 0 lbs, 240 reps
- Abdominal Exercises
  - Crunch = 0 lbs, 600 reps
  - Bicycle Crunch = 0 lbs, 600 reps
  - Leg Lift = 0 lbs, 200 reps
  - Side Leg Lift = 0 lbs, 300 reps
  - Oblique Twist = 0 lbs, 600 reps
  - Side Bend = 0 lbs, 600 reps
  - Side Raise = 0 lbs, 400 reps
  - Rollout Wheel = 0 lbs, 240 reps
- Cardio
  - Sprinting Distance = 1600 meters, 20 reps
  - 50m Dash = sec, 5 reps
  - 200m Dash = sec, 5 reps
  - Medicine Ball = sec, 5 reps
  - Shuttle Run = sec, 5 reps
  - Jogging Distance = 15 miles, 10 reps
  - 3 mile Jog = min, 1 reps
  - 2 mile Jog = min, 3 reps
  - HIIT = 60 min, 5 reps
  - Sports Training = 250 min, 6
DIET
- Diet
  - Dr Pepper = 20 qty
  - Snack Food = 5 qty
  - Healthy Meals = 20 qty
  - Floss = 40 qty
  - Brush Teeth = 80 qty
LIFE
- Family
- NF Community
  - Challenge Thread = 6 qty
  - Battle Log = 40 qty
  - Epic Quest = 6 qty
- Toastmasters
  - Manual Lessons = 2 qty
  - Officer Duties = 600 qty
  - Club Series = 1 qty
  - Meeting Roles = 3 qty
  - Table Topics = 2 qty
- Jedi
  - IJRS Personal 101 = 2 qty
  - IJRS Spirituality 101 = 1 qty
  - Jedi Reading = 500 min
- Geocaching

MrHyde · January 6, 2014

Toasmasters, huh? I've been thinking about joining myself. Does it actually work?

Best of luck on your challenge.

JediNickD · January 6, 2014

Toasmasters, huh? I've been thinking about joining myself. Does it actually work?

Best of luck on your challenge.

Oh, it works... Toastmasters has been the best thing I've ever done for myself. I used to be terrified of public speaking. In two years, my confidence and presense in public engagements has improved dramatically. I am more enthusiastic about speaking to groups than I ever thought possible. Toastmasters also gives me the opportunity to take on leadership roles and practice leadership skills to better prepare for future career opportunities.

It is self paced, but you only get out what you put in. I attend meetings 5 times a month now. Most clubs meet twice a month, so I have now joined three clubs to get more opportunities to practice. Personally, I needed a culture change to get me out of the shell I had been building since middle school. I felt emmersing myself was the only way to keep from chickening out.

Everyone starts Toastmasters for different reasons and will struggle with different obstacles, but everyone in Toastmasters is there to improve something, which leads to having a group of people with common goals to support eachother in their quest for success. The involvement of the membership is why it works.

JediNickD · January 6, 2014

I did measurements last night and weighed in this morning. No goals for it. I just want to start tracking my changes better.

all inches

Chest 39.5

Belly 38
Butt 39
Waist 36

Left bicep 13.25
Right bicep 13.25
Right quad 23
Left quad 23
Left ham 23.5
Right ham 23.75
Right calf 15.75
Left calf 15.75

Weight 167.2 lbs

JediNickD · January 7, 2014

I did a prepared Toastmasters speech today. I did ok, but my eye contact stunk, because I hadn't memorized or rehearsed well enough. I give a similar speech for the Leadership series next week, which will be longer and I had already worked on extensively last month. I think I should do better, but I better rehearse my butt off to be sure.

Also, I bombed a Table Topics speech. My topic was "If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?" In hindsight, I could have just talked about learning from failure and being a moron first. Maybe I could have come up with a good story too. Instead, I blanked and babbled about how moron show people bad examples, then lost in what to talk about I decided I could do better with the first half of the question explaining how electricity doesn't necessarily "come from" electrons but is the action of electrons, but I didn't want to get technical, so I left it hanging with a piss-poor explanation, which made me seem arrogant and stupid, at least I thought. Panicking to fill the time I tried to go back to the morality part, but couldn't figure out anything else to say.

I felt it was a train wreck of a meeting for me considering how confident and eupeptic (word of the day) I felt going in. I'll be better prepared for next week.

JessOfAllTrades · January 9, 2014

I've heard really good things about Toastmasters. I'm fairly outgoing and social, but my public speaking skills have gone to the wayside since I stopped all performance-aspects of life. I may have to look into this.

Also, love your goals. The amount of data and numbers is staggering! Hope your challenge is going well.

JediNickD · January 10, 2014

Challenge is going well! Except I tweaked my right hamstring this morning doing squats. Hopefully, it is good for tomorrow morning's jog.

I do hope you decide to do Toastmasters. Not only will you get the opportunity to practice your speaking and leadership skills, but you will get to meet new people who will be inspiring and supportive (a great place to increase the amount of positive influences in your life!).

I decided I need to add two "diet" goals. They aren't diet goals, but they fall under body care and maintenence which is where diet would fall. They are certainly less life and fitness goals than they are diet. Anyway, I need to moisturize my skin. I have too many dry areas that need to be taken care of else I end up with old man skin too soon. Next, I need to apply chap stick more often. My lips dry out constantly in the winter time. Night time is the worst offender for both. The goal is to develop a habit of applying moisturizer and chap stick before bedtime, after brushing my teeth likely. The plan is to put these items in the bathroom with my toothbrush to make it easy. The goal will just be a side quest for now. If I feel like I am slacking, then I'll elevate it to a main goal.

JediNickD · January 10, 2014

I decided to drop the Dr Pepper goal and save it for next time. I'm working on cutting back, but I don't need to track it just yet. Also, I haven't remembered to get a can topper at work so I can put a can back in the fridge to drink the next day. That, I believe, will be the best way to cut down on soda calories and eliminate my dependence on an afternoon sugar/caffiene rush. Next challenge. In place is my moisturize goal above.

JediNickD · January 13, 2014

Hamstring is ok. I rested Saturday. I didn't even give my kids piggy back rides which is difficult to avoid. Sunday, it felt much better so I got a jog in and played at a bounce house with the kids.

Tomorrow, I give my Leadership Series speech which is 15 minutes long. I need to work hard today to memorize it, so it comes off confident.

JediNickD · January 14, 2014

I completed my fourth Toastmaster award today, earning my Advanced Leader Bronze. That Leadership Excellence Series speech was a lot of fun to put together, but 15 minutes is a long time to speak. I'm glad it is over... for now. For the next level, I have to do two more longer education sessions, but at least I'll have a year or more to get them done. ;-)

JessOfAllTrades · January 15, 2014

Glad to hear you've got some good things happening! Rest is definitely good, and I hope the hamstring continues to improve. Congratulations on the Advanced Leader Bronze!

JediNickD · January 16, 2014

Thanks! The hamstring is in good working order. Tuesday I did 930 lb Leg Press and today 100 lb deep Deadlifts. No issues.

Now, if I could just kick this cold. I think it just needs a good run outside. When I get congested like this, running outside tends to break everything up and I can spit it all out. Sub-40 degree rain is not the ideal weather for such a run, so I have to wait until tomorrow or Saturday.

JediNickD · January 17, 2014

I've got my next speech almost written. It is a demonstration speech where I'll be demostrating body-weight exercises. Should be a fun one.

Dentist appointment on Monday. I'm hoping for an approving comment to my improvement in flossing and brushing.

Getting over the cold, but at my doctor's appointment I learned that nasal decongestions could be causing a painful side effect. That's another drug to avoid. I'm just going to dump over the counter medicine altogether. Except Claritin... doctor says that one is safe.

JediNickD · January 24, 2014

I just posted my speech for next week: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/16806-jedinickds-epic-quest/?p=872684

Feel free to give me some feedback. It is an outline for the body, so I can fill in the main points more engaged and less distracted by notes.

JediNickD · January 31, 2014

I had a pretty productive 4th week. Week 5, I'll be on travel and away from my regular gym. Hopefully, I can focus on all the aspects outside the gym and complete some goals. I've got a lot of running to do plus Jedi training to work on.

JediNickD · February 13, 2014

So, Week 6, huh? I'm working hard at my goals, but I'm running out of time. Also, I have goals outside the ones I set here getting in the way. I have 3 speeches for Toastmasters over the next two weeks, which are outside of this challenge. I've been writing and rehearsing for them and even got myself a mentor to help.

I've been trying to get assigned a club coach role since November. Three weeks into the challenge I finally get a response from the District rep. I just started my role last week as club coach for a club near by. I have to help them become a Distinguished Club by June 30th. The first couple weeks are pretty important as I want them to have the "right" impression of me, so they know what to expect of me and they know what I expect from them. Then when I do layout my expectations for them, no one is surprised.

The Jedi Training goals might take a small hit as they dropped in priority. I certainly am going to push to complete them though.

JediNickD · February 13, 2014

Also, I posted my next speech outline: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/16806-jedinickds-epic-quest/page-3#entry872684

Give me feedback. My other two speeches will be similar to stuff I've done in the past. One for my intro to the club I am coaching will be about Goal Setting and Planning with background on the role of the Club Coach. The other is for the International Speech Contest, starting at the club level, where I'll be doing a better version of my humorous speech, "Do Stuff That Scares You".

JediNickD · February 20, 2014

Well, the challenge ended on Monday. My grades are below. I could have done better with more planning. I had to cram a lot in at the end.

My main quest with attribute points is below with grades in RED:

FITNESS: Build STA +1 and DEX +1 by Running 15 miles and Sprinting 1600 meters total. A
FITNESS: Build STR +3 and DEX +1 by completing 250 minutes of Sports Training in 5 sessions and meeting at least 75% of my fitness side quest goals. A
DIET: Build CON +3 by eating "Healthy Meals"* 20 times or more, eating Snack Food 5 times or less, taking care of my skin and lips 40 times or more, brushing my teeth 80 times or more (twice daily), and flossing 40 times or more (once daily). A
LIFE: Build WIS +3 and CHA +3 by completing two Toastmaster Manual Speeches, completing one Leadership Series Speech to earn my Advance Leader Bronze in Toastmasters, and completing three lessons from the IJRS Personal 101 and Spirituality 101 Manuals in Jedi Training. A

The only place I missed part of a main goal was the sprinting distance. I let it slide for two reasons. I did plenty of running and swimming under sports training. Second, the gym was largely unavailable for my sprinting needs (with the poor weather, Army PT took it over) and the snow covered my 50 and 200 meter sprinting track outside.

SIDE CHALLENGE PROGRESS (54 of 64 Fitness Goals Completed ~ 84 %)

FITNESS
- Barbells
  - Deadlift = 180 lbs, 95 reps
  - Back Squat = 200 lbs, 60 reps
  - Incline Bench = 150 lbs, 7 reps
  - Bench Press = 190 lbs, 77 reps
  - Overhead Press = 90 lbs, 50 reps
  - Standing Curl = 70 lbs, 38 reps
- Dumbells
  - Bench Press = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Fly = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Overhead Press = 50 lbs, 60 reps
  - Standing Curl = 50 lbs, 61 reps
  - Row = 50 lbs, 70 reps
  - Side Raise = 35 lbs, 60 reps
  - Goblet Squat = 80 lbs, 60 reps
  - Tricep Ext = 70 lbs, 60 reps
- Bodyweight Exercises
  - Leg Press = 1100 lbs, 130 reps
  - Box Jump = 31 in, 60 reps
  - Lunge = 30 lbs, 100 reps
  - Burpee = 0 lbs, 100 reps
  - Mount Climbers = 0 lbs, 160 reps
  - HS PU = 0 lbs, 60 reps
  - Pull Up = 0 lbs, 62 reps
  - Chin Up = 0 lbs, 60 reps
  - Hammer Pull Up = 0 lbs, 60 reps
  - Dip = 0 lbs, 70 reps
  - Dive Bomber = 0 lbs, 70 reps
  - Push Up = 0 lbs, 290 reps
- Abdominal Exercises
  - Crunch = 0 lbs, 600 reps
  - Bicycle Crunch = 0 lbs, 700 reps
  - Leg Lift = 0 lbs, 230 reps
  - Side Leg Lift = 0 lbs, 300 reps
  - Oblique Twist = 0 lbs, 700 reps
  - Side Bend = 0 lbs, 750 reps
  - Side Raise = 0 lbs, 440 reps
  - Rollout Wheel = 0 lbs, 240 reps
- Cardio
  - Sprinting Distance = 134.416800041508 meters, 3 reps
  - Medicine Ball = 0 sec, 1 reps
  - Shuttle Run = 0 sec, 2 reps
  - Jogging Distance = 14.7 miles, 9 reps
  - 2 mile Jog = 0 min, 3 reps
  - 1 mile Jog = 1.2 min, 3 reps
  - HIIT = 70 min, 5 reps
  - Sports Training = 295 min, 9
  - Hike = 7 miles, 2 reps
  - Bike = 2 miles, 1 reps
DIET
- Diet
  - Skin and Lip Care = 37 qty
  - Snack Food = 5 qty
  - Healthy Meals = 21 qty
  - Floss = 40 qty
  - Brush Teeth = 83 qty
LIFE
- Family
- NF Community
  - Challenge Thread = 8 qty
  - Battle Log = 42 qty
  - Epic Quest = 6 qty
  - Friend Thread = 1 qty
- Toastmasters
  - Manual Lessons = 2 qty
  - Officer Duties = 975 min
  - Club Series = 1 qty
  - Meeting Roles = 3 qty
  - Table Topics = 4 qty
- Jedi
  - IJRS Personal 101 = 2 qty
  - IJRS Spirituality 101 = 1 qty
  - Jedi Reading = 1635 min
- Geocaching
  - Caching = 6 qty

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JediNickD Level 13: "Let go your conscious self and act on instinct."

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