LadyShello: The Battle of Wits has Begun

[Shello]

I hit a breaking point last challenge.  I've been pushing myself too hard and keeping myself stuck to too strict of an ideal.  On top of that, my mood was taking a nosedive and I wasn't coping well with my challenge goals or with life.  I backed off a lot and had to spend some time evaluating what I need for my sanity and what my goals really are.  If I keep pushing too hard, I'll break.  But not pushing hard enough gives me anxiety about losing ground.  This challenge focuses on balancing the goals for the success of my future self and the sanity of my current self.  

 

I have always struggled with balance and have had numerous challenges devoted to it.  And here I am again. But now the balancing act is between the perfectionist, overachieving part of me (future self) competing against the sane, living in reality part of me (current self). [Disclaimer: this does not and should not imply that I am actually sane.]

 

And the Battle of Wits has Begun...

But it's so simple. All I have to do is divine from what I know of you: are you the sort of man who would put the poison into his own goblet or his enemy's? Now, a clever man would put the poison into his own goblet, because he would know that only a great fool would reach for what he was given. I am not a great fool, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool, you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.  

 

Don't be a Fool.  Eat Right

Eating the right foods is still 80% of the battle.  If I could just manage this part I wouldn't have to worry so much about losing ground.  I need to be strict enough keep from gaining fat and also to keep from feeling like crap.  But I need to have some wiggle room to enjoy what I'm eating and be able to make changes based on my body and my what's going on in my life.  My varying daily calorie goals really work but not necessarily on a strict schedule.  In an effort to make this a SMART goal, here are some guidelines:

• Food is Fuel, not comfort - make healthy choices
• Food should still be enjoyable 
•  Aim for the varying daily calorie goals but allow for a range of 1450-1650 calories daily, 1800-1900 on weekend
• Weekly average should be in the low 1600's

 

You’ve made your decision then?

 

Not remotely.  Because Iocane comes from Australia, as everyone knows, and Australia is entirely peopled with criminals, and criminals are used to having people not trust them, as you are not trusted by me, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you.

 

Be Honest.  What is Your Goal and Your Why?

During the last challenge, after backing off of my goals, I took the time to evaluate what I was doing and what my goals were.  I was doing things for the sake of the goals and losing sight of the Big Why.  Once I stopped paying so much attention to my goals, I found that I still did many of the same things because I wanted to do them or because they would help me reach my mail goals.  This made the same activities much more enjoyable.  I don't want to do things anymore because I have to.  Even things I don't want to do I am doing for a reason.  I may not want to go to the gym some days, but I am more likely to get satisfaction from going anyway because I deserve to be strong AF than if I go because I made it a goal and now I just have to suck it up and do it.  Keeping in touch with the goals and the why will help me make good choices most of the time and also keep me from getting too stressed about the times that I don't make good choices.  

 

Main Goal: Achieve goal weight status (around 160-180 pounds) and be strong and agile.  

Mini Main Goal: Arrive at the Elusive Onederland  

 

Big Why: Losing the weight I have lost so far has given me freedom.  Freedom to do things I once thought impossible, the freedom to comprehend that I can do anything I really set my mind to, and the freedom to test my bounds.  I do not want to lose any of this freedom.  I need to at least maintain the weight loss.  I also want to set a good example for my daughter.  She is at a very crucial stage where I can no longer dictate exactly what she does.  Too much pressure will cause her to push against what I want for her.  I need to set the example so that she can have the tools to start her life in a better place than me.   It also pays to remember that part of setting a good example is to teach her how to fail and get back up and that success does not mean being perfect.

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.  

 

Wait til I get going!  Where was I?

 

Australia.

 

Yes, Australia. And you must have suspected I would have known the powder's origin, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.

 

Stop and Think.  Don't just do what's in front of you. (aka Self Care)

I have a tendency to keep mental lists of things that need to get done and then I go on autopilot and keep doing things on the list.  Such and such has to get done on this day or it messes up my entire schedule.  I do this until it's the end of the day and I'm tired and just want to escape to my room and recharge alone.  I am learning to take cues from my mood and take a break when I need to. Sometimes my future self needs to let some things go so that my present self can, well, be present. By being more intentional with my time, I can recharge before it's a dire need and I can be more present and do fun things with family. I have found recently that by doing this I might actually get more stuff done. 

This aspect of the challenge can manifest in many ways and is my no means a SMART goal.  But here are some guidelines:

• expect less
• be flexible
• get enough rest
• be mindful
• allow for more downtime

 

You’re just stalling now.  

You’d like to think that, wouldn’t you?!  You've beaten my giant, which means you're exceptionally strong, so you could've put the poison in your own goblet, trusting on your strength to save you, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you.

 

Be Strong and Active

Taking breaks for myself is fine, but I still need to stay active.  The trick is balancing these.  This was really tough over the last couple challenges where I was adding activities to my goals with the right intentions but because I HAD to do them, I was starting to resent those activities.  I want to focus on activities that not only aim towards my future self’s goals but also ones my present self can enjoy.  Since changing my outlook on this I have started rucking again and enjoying it.  Guidelines for this goal:

• Do something active daily
• Lift 2-3 days a week
• Anything counts - walking, rucking, yoga, GTG, Shovelglove.  Just pick something that matches energy levels and time.

 

But, you've also bested my Spaniard, which means you must have studied, and in studying you must have learned that man is mortal, so you would have put the poison as far from yourself as possible, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.

 

There's more to future success than just being strong.  Be Productive Too.

I worked on this a lot earlier this year and finally found a system that works for me.  I’ve gotten away from using the system.  Plus my dark moods has made it more difficult to get stuff done.  In order to make it easier to get myself going, I need to at least make the weekly list.  When I did this before I would choose any 3 things from the list daily to accomplish.  This time I need to do at least 1 thing.  I have found that recently, the more lenient I am with my expectations, combined with allowing myself more free time, I am actually getting more done.  But it starts with a list.  

 

You’re trying to trick me into giving something away.  It won’t work.

 

It has worked.  You’ve given everything away.  I know where the poison is!

Then make your choice.

 

I will, and I choose…. What in the world could that be?

[Shello]

Home of the Gratuitous Spreadsheet

because spreadsheets make me happy

 

[Shello]

THE FINE PRINT

 

Goals are listed in order of priority.  If any of them conflict, I will favor the highest ranking goal without it counting against the other goal. 

•    For instance, if I need to get to the gym to get my 2nd lifting session in but I really need to recharge then I'll just stay home, guilt free. 

 

The 80/20 Rule.  80/20 rule applies. I'm not holding myself to a 100% goal.  But it can't be a free for all either.  If I am following my goals at least 80% of the time, it's a win. 

 

Exceptions.  There are two holidays that fall into this challenge and I'll make exceptions for both of them.

Halloween is Monday of week 1.  We always order pizza after the kids have done their trick or treating.  Plus there is candy. 

Thanksgiving is Thursday of the final week.  We'll be travelling the day before and then I will not be in charge of Thanksgiving dinner.  The day after is traditionally home made pizza night.  I'll just be ending my challenge early to accommodate 

[DrFeelgood]

Wow, 9 days early.  That's gotta be a record.

[Sloth the Enduring]

*a nitwit arrives*

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[Shello]

Just now, DrFeelgood said:

Wow, 9 days early.  That's gotta be a record.

 

Technically it's only 3 days early since I'm starting right away on Monday.  

[deftona]

Woop, new challenge! Let's do this! 

[Shello]

11 minutes ago, Sloth the Enduring said:

*a nitwit arrives*

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Where?  I don't see one.

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Inconceivable! 

[Shello]

1 minute ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Inconceivable! 

 

[Maigs]

Following! I had a sit down with myself recently too to evaluate what my actual goals are. It's good to do a reset on that once in a while

[DrFeelgood]

55 minutes ago, LadyShello said:

 

Where?  I don't see one.

 

 

Well, I could have sworn I saw something. No matter. First, let's drink. Me from my glass, and you from yours.

 

[Shello]

 

Well, I could have sworn I saw something. No matter. First, let's drink. Me from my glass, and you from yours.

 

Well played.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Muir]

Following! With The Princess Bride, how could I not?

[jonfirestar]

Spend too much time focusing on the details and you forget the goals. Sometimes we all learn this the hard way I'm happy to see you evaluating your priorities and working on a more sustainable approach. 

[Snarkyfishguts]

I love The Princess Bride so much, and I love your challenge!!

[Shello]

On 10/22/2016 at 6:49 AM, Muir said:

Following! With The Princess Bride, how could I not?

Excellent!  Glad you have you.  The Princess Bride is my favorite movie ever.

 

On 10/22/2016 at 4:38 PM, jonfirestar said:

Spend too much time focusing on the details and you forget the goals. Sometimes we all learn this the hard way I'm happy to see you evaluating your priorities and working on a more sustainable approach. 

I think I learn everything the hard way.  

 

1 hour ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

I love The Princess Bride so much, and I love your challenge!!

How could you not like the Princess Bride?  Glad you're here. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

1 hour ago, LadyShello said:

Excellent!  Glad you have you.  The Princess Bride is my favorite movie ever.

It's one of my girlfriend's three favorites.

[Shello]

It's one of my girlfriend's three favorites.

Now I want to know what the other two are?

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[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Sound of Music and...

maybe it's only two. For some reason I thought there were three.

[jmk]

 

 

You will crush this challenge Shello!

[Muir]

6 hours ago, LadyShello said:

Excellent!  Glad you have you.  The Princess Bride is my favorite movie ever.

 

It's one of my favourites as well. The others being The Nightmare Before Christmas, and all of the Harry Potter films.

[DrFeelgood]

14 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Sound of Music and...

maybe it's only two. For some reason I thought there were three.

 

Maybe you had the Sound of Music on VHS like I did growing up.  It was on two cassettes.

[Shello]

14 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Sound of Music and...

maybe it's only two. For some reason I thought there were three.

Lovely Choice!  So these are a few of her favorite things?  

 

13 hours ago, jmk said:

 

 

You will crush this challenge Shello!

Yes!!

 

10 hours ago, Muir said:

 

It's one of my favourites as well. The others being The Nightmare Before Christmas, and all of the Harry Potter films.

 

Nightmare Before Christmas makes it to my list.  Other favorites, not nearly as universally known, are Corinna, Corinna and Where the Heart Is. 

 

17 minutes ago, DrFeelgood said:

 

Maybe you had the Sound of Music on VHS like I did growing up.  It was on two cassettes.

 

My high school performed the play.  I was on set and costume design.  Our theatre dept was pretty spectacular.  We did 3 showings and umpteen rehearsals so I watched a lot of it. 

[Sylvaa]

In for the love of The Princess Bride! It is also one of my favorites!

 

I read Where the Heart Is. I loved the book so much, I haven't brought myself to watch the movie.