Balsquith: Out in the wilderness

[Balsquith]

Balsquith: Out in the wilderness

 

I am in the wilderness at the moment, not literally, but in a state of discontent where I don’t really know where I am at the moment or where I am going – a.k.a. the wilderness.

 

Clearly I got into this wilderness somehow and I can find my way through it somehow too. Whilst the way out isn’t clear to me at the moment, it is clear to me that I am not going to find my way out by stopping moving and wallowing in my discontent – I need to keep myself moving forward

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar

 

There is no sugar in the wilderness (except for maybe some fruit and honey if you are lucky).

 

My main vices in this department are:

 

1. Biscuits and sweets when there are some of them in the department (this happens almost every evening)
2. Occasional burst of hunger at work (and no suitable healthier snack to hand) leading to a trip to the bakery (this happens 1-2 times a week)

 

I will aim for 5 days out of 7 where I stay away from sugar.

 

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness

 

Out in the wilderness you can’t afford to make excuses about not being able to exercise; you need to be fit enough to tackle whatever comes at you.

 

In the past I have been full of excuses about why I can’t exercise:

 

1. I can’t exercise in the evening as my girlfriend is watching tv and it is strange and demotivating to be working out in the area next to the couch at the same time.
2. I can’t exercise in the kitchen in the morning before my girlfriend gets up as there is not enough space and the floor is slippery.

There is some truth in both of these statements, but neither of them is really a reason why I shouldn’t do any exercise at all.

I will aim to exercise daily in the morning in the kitchen, this will be either:

 

·         7 minute burpee test (I managed 52 last Saturday as a challenge baseline)

·         Plank workout.

 

Goal 3: Meeting new people / improving relationships

 

The wilderness is a lonely place; strength in numbers and companionship are the best ways to survive.

 

I am quite bad a keeping in touch with friends and family. I am also quite bad at getting myself out in the world and meeting new people. I don't mind being on my own, but I also greatly enjoy being around my friends. Unfortunately most of my friends seem to have left so I am a little bit back to square one. This goal is about keeping in touch better with friends and family and possibly cultivating some new friendships.

 

I have 4 main tasks I want to put into action:

 

1. Make/send a birthday card to my Dad

2. Send a get well soon card to my friend who had a skiing accident

3. Send 'Happy Easter' cards to those friends (who I haven't contacted for a while) who find the day significant

4. Join/attend a drawing class

 

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness.

 

Lots of people in the wilderness speak my language - but it isn't their language. Maybe learning this language will help me to feel more that I belong and can do simple things - it might even open up routes which I haven't seen before that lead me out of the wilderness.

 

I live in Austria but I speak English all day. I am not a very confident person when it comes to languages so when my broken German comes out it is usually answered by English. In principle there is nothing wrong here, communication was accomplished, but it doesn't feel right to me. I live here and I should speak the language, I am not a tourist so it leaves me feeling like I don't really belong here. I want to use this goal to push my German study forward but also to challenge myself to show so courage and actually get out there and try to use the language even if it is met by an answer in English.

 

30 minutes focused study = 1 point

Using German (courage) = 3 points

 

Pass mark for the week = 10 points

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

I hear you on the sugar front - it is EVERYWHERE - and it can be hard to find something healthy quickly.  Can you bring jerky or nuts to work??

[Balsquith]

Hey Chris-Tien Jenn,

 

Thanks for dropping by. I now have a large bag of nuts installed at work which has worked great so far this week. Evenings at home have been challenging as there are biscuits and chocolate lying around everywhere, but a bit of remaining willpower has so far sufficed.

[Balsquith]

Mid-week progress

 

Despite the fact that I only put my goals up on the Wednesday I was in operation from Monday onwards and therefore have four days to report on already.

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar

This goal has gone very well. I set myself up with nuts for snacks at work and despite some difficult evenings (I can't just throw away all the biscuits, sweets and chocolate in the apartment) I managed to avoid any of my vices.

 

Goal 2: everyday fitness

Here's where things haven't gone so well, or unfortunately if I am honest haven't got at all. I wanted to set myself a baseline for burpees at the start of the challenge so I could see if I got better. It was tough work and I only got to 52 in 7 minutes, but it was a target to beat. However, my legs were so sore for the next few days (probably easing off on Wednesday) that I didn't hit the challenge running. Then all the excuses kicked in and I haven't got anywhere - yet! I plan on rebooting this goal over the weekend when I can exercise during the day.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

This goal hasn't started yet - as it will mostly be defined by larger weekly tasks

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness

This goal has started in principle but not in practise. I haven't planned it into my day or prioritised it yet. This will also be rebooted at the weekend to get some momentum.

 

Very much a 'meh' first part of the week. The sugar goal went very well, the others haven't really got off the ground.

[Balsquith]

Week 1 Progress

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (5/7)

This goal went well, until the weekend where I ate a few biscuits and a coulpe of pieces of chocolate. Overall a great start.

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (1/7)

This goal was plagued by excuses and didn't get off the ground. I went ice skating on Sunday to get this started. This goal is being rebooted and I have a plan for the 2nd week of my challenge to get this moving.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

This goal have started already, but hasn't. I plan to start this goal in week 2 when my exercise goal is moving.

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness

This goal didn't get started. I have a plan written out for week 2 so hopefully I can begin to build some momentum.

 

Overall a very slow first week. 1 great acheivement and 3 goals that didn't really get started. I now have a plan at least so hopefuly that should translate into these goals being tackled.

[Balsquith]

Week 2 Monday

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (6/8)

Success! Managed to steer clear despite a looming chocolate bar.

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (2/8)

Success! I managed to build on the success of yesterday by doing some tabata burpees before work.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

This goal still hasn't started.

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness (0/8)

I had planned to do 30 minutes of study but lacked the necessary motivation in the evening. I did some little bits and pieces but didn't get a plus mark for the day.

 

A good start to the week for goals 1 and 2. I am hoping to add goal 4 in slowly, but maybe need to find time in my morning before work as my motivation in the evening seems to be lacking.

[Balsquith]

Week 2 Tuesday

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (7/9)

Success! No temptations today.

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (3/9)

Success! I did a plank workout - not much but as planned and it keeps me moving forwards.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

This goal still hasn't started.

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness (1/9)

Partial success: I am going to give myself this one. It wasn't really as focused as I would have liked, but I did spend more than 30 minutes reading a somewhat challenging book in German.

 

Another good day for goals 1 and 2. Goal 4 started, albeit with the area I am already best at (reading) and in a not all that focused way - but it started which is the main thing.

[Mr_Willes]

Good to see your dedication to the challenge. Sugarchallenge is really admirable, i heard it can be a vicious enemy, congrats on doing so well. Keep it up!

 

Fitness is coming along, my tip there would be to start small. I find burpees rather demanding. Maybe doing some alternate easier exercise (but higher volume if you want to have the same effect), like airsquats, lunges, and said planks. Hopefully that will motivate you more to start your workout.

[Balsquith]

Hey mr_willes,

 

Thanks for encouragement - I am really happy that at least 2 of my goals are beginning to gain momentum. The sugar challenge has been good, it is much easier to say no when you have it as a fixed goal.

 

I hear you with the fitness. I am starting relatively small and have now done burpees twice this week without ridiculous soreness (at least at the moment) so I think I have found a good spot to be in for the time being. I will think about adding airsquats and lunges as alternatives too, although I am not really doing much leg-specific exercise at the moment due to a slightly torn quad muscle.

 

Now I just need to get my other goals up and running too

[Rurik Harrgath]

Momentum is huge, so milk it for all it's worth!  Getting a solid start to the challenge really helps you manage the in-between weeks.

[Balsquith]

Hey Rurik,

 

It is amazing how powerful having goals written down is. I didn't get my goals set down until half way through the first week and even though I had technically had them in my head and had started working on them it was all a bit half-hearted until I had actually written them down. I now have goals 3 and 4 written down (half-way through week 2) so hopefully this will motivate me with these.

 

Small wins seem to be the key for almost everything!

[Balsquith]

Week 2 Wednesday

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (7/10)

My colleague offered me Serbian chocolate that his parents had sent him from home - it was less about craving sweetness and more about building connections with my work-mates (although it also tasted great!). A fail for the limiting sugar goal but maybe a win for the improving relationships one!

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (4/10)

Success! I did tabata burpess again and managed to reach the heady heights of 34! That is 2 better than Monday.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

This goal still hasn't started (barring eating chocolate!)

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness (1/9)

Lots of good intentions - not so much action.

 

A busy (and long) day at work meant that I didn't get as much done as I probably should have with my goals - but an enjoyable day nonetheless.

[Balsquith]

Week 2 Thursday

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (7/11)

Oh dear - no excuses here, I felt like desert after dinner and there was a big piece of chocolate in the cupboard calling my name - willpower totally spent today

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (4/11)

Oh dear - My girlfriend got up at the same time as me so my normal morning routine didn't happen. In the evening I maanged to twist my knee a bit (just from walking) which shows how fragile my body is at the moment (hence why I should work more to make it less fragile) - this however wasn't really an excuse as a plank workout would have fitted perfectly here. I am a little concerned about my knee hurting now though - no burpees for me tomorrow.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

Activity planned for the weekend.

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness (7/10 pts/wk)

Success! I stepped twice today and had significant interactions in German (6 pts). I almost had another one but my willpower was at an end and I chickened out.

 

For my best goals (1 and 2) today wasn't a great day, but for my German courage it was fantastic and I will take that.

[Balsquith]

Week 2 Friday

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (8/12)

Success!

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (5/12)

Success! Despite my knee feeling not so great today I did a plank workout to complete this goal

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

Activity planned for the weekend.

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness (7/10 pts/wk)

Oh dear. After all the successes of yesterday I didn't do anything today

 

An ok day, but I would really love to put in a day where I complete all my goals. 

[Balsquith]

Week 2 Progress

 

Goal 1: Limit sugar (9/14)

It was a difficult week for this goal. On/off for the whole week.

 

Goal 2: Everyday fitness (6/14)

This goal came to life this week. 5/7 for the week, so not perfect but big strides in the right direction. The fact that it stumbled a bit in the mornings and didn't get done in the evenings due to excuses has got me started with thinking about joining a gym again - then I won't have the fallback to my evening excuses.

 

Goal 3:Meeting new people / improving relationships

I succeeded with this goal by completing one of my planned big tasks

 

Goal 4: Learn the language of the wilderness

This goal got underway and there was some success including 2 bouts of courage which saw me end the week with 7 points. Less than the 10 point pass mark but a week with some positives. I now need to back this up by some focused (and planned) learning.

 

This week was a strange week I made an effort in all areas and managed to get somewhere on all of my goals but didn't quite set the world alight on any of them. I don't think that my 4 goals are in any way too much for me - I just need to be more focused on getting them done.