An Introduction to the World

[Reformer]

 

The swirling sand blew and whipped around the gnoll, his black-spotted rust mane fluttering in the breeze much like that of the long, thin scarlet bands that trailed from his wrists and ankles.  The bands of a slave.  A former slave.  But he has now been set free, though bought at a terrible price that only seems all the more incredible and indescribable as he blinks back the glaring sun, beating down on him and the hot ground beneath his feet.  Now, a warrior in the service to the most High and Mighty Warrior, he must go forth as a member of the Church Militant not out of obligation or fear, but of gratitude.

 

What now, then?  He looks over his shoulder to his family, the whelps, their mother and his two elders sheltered under a jet-black rock outcropping with similar bands  around them fluttering in the shifting whispers of a wind.  The desert is a cruel mistress and survival comes only to those that are brave and consistent.  And consistency brings hope.  And life.

 

He is now who he was not before.  Reborn.  Renewed.  Reformed.  Grrralln of Three Scars shall be spoken no more...he has been given a new name.  Reformer.  But who is he?  Why is he?  What does it mean to be free, a new creation?

 

*-*-*-

 

I struggle greatly with "flavor of the moment syndrome"^tm in that I pick up interesting hobbies, personally satisfying skills or deep interests only to drop them after a few days/weeks for the next shiny bauble.  In order to combat this, routines must be established with accountability, trackability and desire to complete (don't break the chain!).  I don't have specific goals for things like physical fitness as I want to first establish the routine of completing these tasks and then work towards specific goals.  Therefore:

 

Starting Stats

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 194 lbs

Measurements: TBD

 

Main Goal: Create and Maintain 10 new activities

 

All individual activities are weekly assessed with the following breakdown (with the "no/not" items inverted) and then averaged for the overall goal progression:

• 6-7 times a week: A (100%)
• 4-5 times a week: B (75%)
• 2-3 times a week: C (50%)
• 0-1 times a week: F (0%)

For weekday-only items items (indicated with an *), the grading is as follows:

• 5 times a week: A (100%)
• 3-4 times a week: B (75%)
• 2-3 times a week: C (50%)
• 0-1 times a week: F (0%)

Goal 1 (Spiritual/Mental): (+3 Wis / +1 Cha)  (+2 Wis / +1 Cha)

• Quiet Time/Prayer
• Scripture Reading
• Not Snoozing the alarm clock
• To read 3 books
• Posting my results on the NF forum

Goal 2 (Physical): (+2 Str / +2 Sta / +1 Con)  (+2 Str / +1 Sta)

• Gym / Running *

Goal 3 (Skills/Chores): (+3 Dex)  (+2 Dex)

• Visiting the garden for weeding/harvesting/oversight
• Dry Fire (rifle and/or sidearm)

Goal 4 (Nutrition): (+2 Con / +1 Sta)  (+1 Con / +1 Sta)

• No lunch desserts *
• No drinking during the week *

Mini-Quest 1:

• SMART analysis
• +1 WIS (at six-week completion)
• COMPLETE

Mini-Quest 2:

• Signature and community engagement
• +1 CHA(at six-week completion)
• COMPLETE

Mini-Quest 3:

• Article research and application (sleep)
• +1 CON(at six-week completion)
• COMPLETE

Mini-Quest 4:

• Assign attribute points to quests, show percentage allocation and update signature
• COMPLETE

Mini-Quest 5:

• Post/share your favorite recipe in Campus Tours
• +1 CON (at six-week completion) 
• COMPLETE

 

 Any feedback/support would be greatly appreciated! Also, a thanks to the character generator created by Nuala for the Gnoll suggestion.

[Einar]

Sounds like you've got a pretty good range of things you want to set into habits.  Only thing I see is that your goals and how they factor into your scoring system seems a little vague to me.  Are you going to try to do 6-7 different things a week?  Are you going to choose something, take running/gym for example, and do that multiple times a week?  If so is that going to count as 1 thing for your scoring or x things depending on how many times you do that activity per week.  I understand your main goal is to maintain all 10 habits, but I think you'd have better success choosing a couple of them to focus on now, then next challenge choose a couple more, ect.  I just imagine trying to hammer in 10 new habits in 6 weeks sounds like a recipe for failing at least some of them which could easily lead to backsliding and potentially quitting all of them

[DarK_RaideR]

Gnolls are such a wonderful and overlooked race. I'm here for the story and support. And the gnolls

[Reformer]

Viking-Doc: Some very good feedback.  I'm going to try to do all of these activities as many times a week that I can (or not, in a couple cases).  I'll then average out how many times I do each in each section and then apply that to the overall goal.   For example, for goal 4, say I eat lunch dessert two times and Drink only once during the week.  That would be one "A" (Drinking) and one "B" (Dessert).  Averaged out, that's an 87.5%.

 

I do see your point, though, on perhaps being too much at once and creating frustration.  This will help me know if it is or not, and for the next 6 week challenge refine it down, potentially, and be more specific.  Your concern is very valid and we'll see if it plays out or not!

 

Dark Raider: Thanks!  I really hadn't given them more than a passing thought until I got that result in the quiz and since then, have been quite intrigued.  Hopefully I'll be able to incorporate some of what I've found into the RP element as things move along.  Thanks for the follow and support!

[Reformer]

Day one, Week one, and already a mini-challenge awaits.  Am I smart enough to make my goals SMART?

 

I think that Doc Viking was looking towards this in his previous posting and his words make a great deal of sense so let's run down the questions and see where I stand.

 

1. Is your overall quest achievable (over a short or long period of time)?  Is it reasonable?  It is achievable over both a short and long term length of time.  Is it reasonable?  Yes, though not easy.  Nothing in life worth doing is

2. Do your 3 quests all build towards your main quest in little ways, or are you taking on too much? Do your quests have sub-quests or is it just one thing to focus on?  Yes, they build towards the main quest and they do have sub-quests in that they break down into individual actions.

3. Are your main goals realistic? Can you scale them to smaller steps to fit your life better, even if it will make it take a little longer to achieve them?  I could scale them in the sense of a few this challenge, a few more the next, etc.  I think that the large number will help me see where my desires are, what actions I have trouble with and where my motivation lies (or not).

4. Are your goals able to be measured and tracked?  What will you use to track them?  Yes and I will be utilizing Todoist as the reminder and this forum as my blackboard.

5. How are you grading your goals?  Are they pass/fail (“every dayâ€, “not even once over the six weeksâ€)?  Is there a reward for the effort, or are you only grading yourself on whether or not you “lose the weight†or “run the distanceâ€?  I am grading my goals with pass/fail (did I do that action or not?) and then averaging them for the overall score.  The reward is mental/physical discipline itself though the idea of cookies does tempt me...

6. What is your plan for continuing/altering/grading those goals if you become ill or injured?  I would likely be able to still accomplish most everything regardless of an illness or injury as I'm not necessarily measuring performance goals (i.e. deadlift 500lbs).

7. Did you take into consideration any special occasions (Labour Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc) that may occur during the challenge?  What modifications do you need to build into your goals for those?  No, I did not, and shame on me.  Birthday, three "business" trips and the 4th of July might have an adverse impact here.  Also, I need to modify the gym action as the weekends should be utilized for rest. 

8. Do any of your main goals conflict with each other? Will one goal make it hard to do another?  No and no.

9. Do you already have the time in your schedule to actually complete the goals you’ve set?  If not, what are you planning to do to make time for them?  I have the time, though I need to make the time.  We do what we truly desire to do and I need to reform my mind to desire that which I need to do, not simply what is easiest or that which I desire at the moment.

10. Are you trying to build multiple habits, or is all your energy focused on your main quest?  Multiple habits.

Overall, this was helpful in that it helped me realize several short-comings as well as hone myself on my goals.

 

Feedback, as always, is requested and appreciated.

[Reformer]

Of course, after writing a fair amount of RP and results, the browser thought that it would be humorous to travel back to the previous page and not save any of my work.  I should know by now that writing in an application that auto-saves is a proven process but I've had to repeat a few grades at the School of Hard Knocks.

 

Week One

• Day One
  • Goal 1: Complete.  To clarify (and I'll edit it after this), I want to read 3 books total, not that I'm reading three at the same time.
  • Goal 2: Complete.  On a scale of 0 (I'm sitting down simply turning oxygen into CO2) and 10 (an ambulance is providing on-site standby while I'm still lying on the gym floor), today was a 4.5.  The additional sweat was due to the veritable heat wave that we're currently experiencing.  I'm currently starting Military Athlete's Bodyweight Training Plan and I can share the exact exercises if there is interest.
  • Goal 3: Complete, though the dry fire will occur after I complete this write-up (Scout's Honor!)
  • Goal 4: Complete
  • Overall a good day and one to solidly build success onto.  I will be going on an unexpected "business" trip for a few days which will likely challenge Goal 4 more than anything else.  Honestly, I'm already thinking about my failure which means that I need to redouble my efforts of discipline and self-control.

[Reformer]

Week One

• Day Two
  
  • Goal 1: Complete.  Halfway through two so on quite the roll.
    
  • Goal 2: Complete.  Another 4.5 exercise, though that's because on the last shuttle run, I realized that the distance should have been 25 METERS, not 25 feet.  No wonder I had all that extra time between sets...
    
  • Goal 3: Got into the garden in the morning but I'm out on business so N/A on the second.
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.  I really wanted a beer with the excellent green chilies but since they didn't have Negra Modelo Dark, I declined.  Does abstention due to unavailability count?
    
  • Overall, a good day and mind over matter persevered during dinner.  Tomorrow will be another battle...wish me luck.
    
  
  

[Blaidd]

like me it seems you're a serial starter.  It just means you haven't found something that you're passionate enough about to become obsessed

 

You might notice that someone has added a tag to your post.  This is not to box you into a corner but rather because your goals or lifestyle have links to the guild you've been tagged and we'd like to bring you to the attention of one of their guild ambassadors. These ambassadors will be able to offer you advice, encouragement and support on your goals.  You don't even have to wait around for them to come introduce themselves to you, you are more than welcome to pop into the Adventurers' board and introduce yourself to the guildies there. I am also around to answer any questions that you might have so do not hesitate to PM me.

 

Good Luck with your challenge

AB xx

[Reformer]

Thanks for the tag and comments, Blaidd.  Here's to obsession! :cheers:

[Reformer]

Week One

• Day Three
  
  • Goal 1: Complete.  No book reading but I'm still progressing there as it's completion, not reading every day.
    
  • Goal 2: Complete.  Another 4.5 exercise, though I did need to quit just before completion due to timing issues.
    
  • Goal 3: N/A on both (out of town)
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.  Mind over matter again...beer with mexican food is a serious temptation.  Here's to the chain!
    
  
  

[Reformer]

Week One

• Day Four
  
  • Goal 1: Failed on Posting. I'd like to say it was because I had to get up at 0330 to catch a flight that destroyed my day but that's just an excuse. 
    
  • Goal 2: Complete, though only 3/4 done do to needing to run to t-ball practice after my flights.
    
  • Goal 3: Garden yes, Dry Fire fail.  See goal one for excuse.
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.
    
  
  
• Day Five
  
  • Goal 1: Complete
    
  • Goal 2: Complete.  I'd label this one a 5.5 as the 4 mile run AFTER leg blasters wasn't exactly fun.
    
  • Goal 3: Complete
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.  To be fair, I consider Friday nights "weekend" and a drink (or two) tonight was very welcome and enjoyable.
    
  
  

[Reformer]

Week One

• Day Six
  
  • Goal 1: Complete.
    
  • Goal 2: N/A (only weekday workouts)
    
  • Goal 3: Complete.
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.
    
  
  

[Reformer]

Week One

• Day Seven 
  
  • Goal 1: Complete.
    
  • Goal 2: N/A (only weekday workouts)
    
  • Goal 3: Failure (no dry fire)
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.
    
  
  
• Week-one roundup tomorrow.
  

[rathlan]

Looks like you have some great goals.  Good luck

[Reformer]

Thank you very much, Rathlan.

 

Edit: Sorry, I addressed you by your status, not name!

[rathlan]

I would be quite keen to see the exercises that are part of your Bodyweight training plan. I am always interested in seeing how other plans are structured.

[Reformer]

Reformer surveyed the vista from the lookout point, watching as three of his whelps tumbled in the spiny grasses that shot up through the rocky soil in stark defiance to the blistering sun.  It had been one week since his freedom and it was time to take account for his time spent, what had been accomplished, what remained to be done and how well he did what he did.

 

He cleared his mind as he breathed in deeply through his snout, the hot air and sand drying out his nostrils and making them tingle while the bright sun tried desperately to sear through his eyelids.  While he had begun spending time in reading and silent prayer and meditation, it only clarified the need for further study, deeper reflection and more time to be spent.  Most days had been only a perfunctory skimming of the holy writ and rushed silent words on still lips; this was neither his desire nor his mandate.  If he was to sharpen his mind, deepen his commitment and commune with his God, it would not be done with simple actions...it requires depth.  His other study had gone well, as travels throughout the desert had given him time to read during the long journeys.  Reading had not been a pastime that he had ever considered and loathed it to a degree.  After all, gnolls were hunters foremost and true; reading was time not spent honing the warrior spirit and body.  As Reformer read, however, he slowly began seeing that this was not the case.  "Leaders are readers" is an adage he came across again and again and if he were to truly lead himself and his family in this desolate waste, he needed more than a strong body; he needed a strong body, mind, soul and spirit.

 

Shifting his gaze to a small rock overhang, he spied the clawmarks that adorned the wall, each for a successful (and vigorous) physical workout.  Now that he was anathema to his father tribe, the constant sparring, battling and activity was not available to hone his body to the biological sharp edge that it had been before so he had to purposefully set out to complete it himself.  He had done well this week, with 5 marks adorning the wall.  Some days had been more strenuous than others but he knew that progression and building a foundation was very important to future gains of strength and mettle.

 

His right hand instinctually tightened around the grip of his battleaxe as he looked over its haft, a snarl exposing his right incisors creeping over his maw.  There were only 4 marks for the 7 days that he had wished to spend honing it (and him) in its use.  Without the near constant raiding that pervaded his former life, continual diving into the pool of the combat mindset was critical if he were ever called upon to defend his hearth, home or family.  The battleaxe could be his greatest asset or the height of hubris, a mind thinking it prepared for a situation that it truly is not.  Looking past a small rise was the garden, it seemed to be growing well but small weeds were sprinkled throughout the area, peppered to-and-fro like rocks that formerly occupied the area.  He wished that he had more time to spend there and while they had harvested some, it seemed that a few minutes every day was insufficient to keep the invading plants at bay.  He tried to give himself the benefit of the doubt...who had heard of a gnoll farmer?  He chuckled to himself at the thought, though the reality of his situation demanded such an effort.  It had been quite the steep learning curve as his mind and heart yearned for meat but the pickings in the desert were scarce and supplementation was a requirement for life.

 

Reformer thought back to the excellent meals surrounding the stewpot that his gracious mate made and the self-control and discipline it took not to do her a disservice by eating poorly when he was away on hunts.  It was also a great challenge to abstain from his favorite mead or grog during the week, as many other sojourning hunters imbibed.  He had no qualm with it in itself but saw it more of a discipline of the mind than a problem to his body.

 

Turning to face the wind, his mane blew in the bluster and he smiled a toothy grin.  Success breed success and he looked forward to the challenges that were to come next.

  

 

Week One

 

Overall a good week with some challenges, especially in the areas of dry fire and the garden.  The workouts, while challenging in parts, were good and enjoyable while I've been able to enlist my eldest (read: wake him up) in helping maintain a regular reading/prayer time in the morning for accountability.  So, the breakdown of week one's scores are as follows:

 

·         Goal 1: A

·         Goal 2: A+ (No failures!)

·         Goal 3: B+ (A in Garden, B in Dry Fire)

·         Goal 4: A+ (No failures!)

[Reformer]

Week Two

• Day One
  
  • Goal 1: Complete on all save Failure on posting to NF.
    
  • Goal 2: Complete
    
  • Goal 3: Failure (no dry fire or gardening)
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.
    
  
  
• Today was a tough one, as I worked for 12 hours and immediately had to turn around and cook dinner and take care of a sick wife.  This didn't exactly leave much time for any of the Goal 2 activities but she's more important than them.  Here's to her getting better soon!
  

[Reformer]

Rathlan, I'll be building a Battle Log sometime today/tomorrow and I'll be sure to let you know when it's up!

[Reformer]

Week Two

• Day Two
  • Goal 1: Complete.  
  • Goal 2: Complete.  
  • Goal 3: Complete.
  • Goal 4: Complete
  • Building on success.

Also, the Week One writeup is here.

[Reformer]

Week Two

• Day Three
  
  • Goal 1: Complete.  
    
  • Goal 2: Complete.  
    
  • Goal 3: Complete.
    
  • Goal 4: Complete.
    
  
  

I was quite tired this morning and dragging anchor this evening.  I think I need to move up my bedtime though the mornings don't leave much margin (0500 wakeup).

[Reformer]

Week Two

• Day Four
  
  • Goal 1: Complete.  
  • Goal 2: Complete.  
    
  • Goal 3: Garden Failure.
    
  • Goal 4: Weekday drinking Failure.
    
  
  

A good day overall and the ankles-to bar (pullup position, then pike your ankles to touch the bar) were an interesting endeavor as I had never really done anything like it before.  Also, had a men's discussion tonight in which I completely forgot and had 2x Guinness because when you're eating Shepard's pie in an Irish pub, you have to drink Guinness.  Seriously, though, I forgot until my ride home in which I kicked myself as things had been going so well in this area.  Concerning the garden, I got back too late (aka dark) to get out and check.

 

On another note, I ordered ON's 100% Whey Gold Standard in Double Milk Chocolate with a BlenderBottle after some research.  I'm absolutely starving after workouts and a little banana isn't cutting it.  Of course, it might be the fact that I eat breakfast at 0530 and don't get done with working out/shower/shave until ~0830 and eat a paltry snack at 0930 before nearly gnawing my arm off and needing to eat something again around 1045 or so.  I better like it, too, because I got the 5lb tub!

[Einar]

 I better like it, too, because I got the 5lb tub!

 

If you don't like it then try blending it up with different things to make it better.  Or if your store has it try mixing it up with PB2 (powdered peanut butter), that way you can have chocolate and peanut butter flavor.

[Reformer]

Doc, thank you for the suggestion.  I did grab some Powdered Peanut Butter (P2B?) at Winco so the option is there.  What are your thoughts on using whole milk to mix the shake vs. water, skim milk or almond milk?  I have no lactose issues and seemingly need the calories as I'm ravenous after workout and usually hungry throughout the day.

[Einar]

Doc, thank you for the suggestion. I did grab some Powdered Peanut Butter (P2B?) at Winco so the option is there. What are your thoughts on using whole milk to mix the shake vs. water, skim milk or almond milk? I have no lactose issues and seemingly need the calories as I'm ravenous after workout and usually hungry throughout the day.

I use almond milk cause it's leaner and I'm looking to cut fat. Skim milk is a lie. I would prefer whole milk personally if boy for the 20% body fat I want to cut.

It depends on your goals, if dairy isn't an issue and you need the calories I'd go with whole milk, but try your different options and see what you like best cause ultimately the one you will use is the best choice

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