EternalJourno is a party pooper: "It's time to get back to work!"

[FatboySuave]

Introduction: My last challenge went off the rails because I allowed myself to get into party mode and it was difficult to recover. I won a bet against my boss by getting down below 200 pounds, but after that I started celebrating too much. Then my birthday just passed, so I did even more celebrating. I ate a lot of things I shouldn't have eaten and didn't do as much activity as I should have done. As a result, I think I'm back up to the 205 range, maybe more.

 

Because I neglected my quests so much, I find myself way off from where I should be mentally. Whereas before certain thoughts and choices were becoming second nature, I've lost my way and I'm allowing myself to revert to old patterns. In order to stop this, I'm going back to basics. All of my quests will remain the same. I need to refocus on making these things habits. These are life changes; not temporary endeavors. I think I may need to revisit some mindset materials to get my brain back in the right place. I also need to update my daily battle log. I think that was the initial thing that threw me off this past month.

 

Main Quest: I want to keep losing weight, but I'm not sure where I want to set the next benchmark. I'm thinking of trying to reach 190 pounds by the end of the year. So that's 15-ish pounds in about 2 months. That seems doable.

 

Quest 1: Complete my assigned Bodyweight exercises three times a week and complete a cool down afterward. I will update these daily on my battle log if you want to see details and follow along.

A = Complete workout/cool down 3 times a week.
B = Complete workout/cool down 2 times a week.
C = Complete workout/cool down 1 time a week.
D = Complete 0 workouts/cool downs in a week.
F = No physical activity.

 

Quest 2: Walk and/or jog every day with my dog Booklet and complete a cool down afterward. I usually track these with the RunKeeper app on my battle log as well.

 

A = Walk/cool down 6-7 days a week

B = Walk/cool down 4-5 days a week.

C = Walk/cool down 2-3 day a week.

D = Walk/cool down 1 day a week.

F = No walking/cool downs.

Quest 3: Drink less alcohol.

A = Have no more than 3 drinks per week.
B = Have no more than 5 drinks per week. 
C = Have no more than 7 drinks per week.
D = Have no more than 9 drinks per week.
F = Anything more than that. 

Quest 4: Cook paleo meals more often, eat out less. If I do eat out, I will find healthy/paleo-ish options.

A = Eat out no more than 2 times a week. 
B = Eat out no more than 4 times a week.
C = Eat out no more than 6 times a week.
D = Eat out no more than 8 times a week.
F = Eat out more than 8 times a week. 

Life Quests: I told myself I would set up an appointment with my physician to talk about my mental health, but I kept putting it off during the last challenge. I still want/need to do this. I also really need to work on my sleep habits. I've been showing up late to work too often lately. I'd also love to be able to wake up early enough to walk Booklet in the mornings before I go to work.

Motivation: I feel like my lack of self confidence is a big obstacle that gets in the way of enjoying life and taking chances. I'd like to look good, so I can feel good and live life to the fullest.

[SaltyDragon]

Welcome back. I, for one, do not think you derailed as much as you say. But either way, let's do this!!

[Butternut]

You know I'm sure in Booklet's eyes you have no reason to have a lack of self confidence  

 

following  

[Jormungand]

21 hours ago, EternalJourno said:

These are life changes; not temporary endeavors.

 

That is a mantra we can all get behind. Everything you've put together for this challenge is practical and applicable in daily life. You have a lot to build off of, so let's get to it.

[FatboySuave]

14 hours ago, SaltyDragon said:

, for one, do not think you derailed as much as you say.

 

I do have a tendency to make mountains out of mole hills, so you're probably right. But not working out for an entire week, or week and a half, just made me feel so lazy. And I was eating A LOT of fast food. And it got to a point where I felt like I could sense my brain switching gears, like things that would usually be easy-ish choices were getting difficult again.

 

9 hours ago, Butternut said:

You know I'm sure in Booklet's eyes you have no reason to have a lack of self confidence

 

Booklet likes to lick my stinky feet and eat the cat's poop, so clearly her standards are very low, lol.
 

2 hours ago, Jormungand said:

You have a lot to build off of, so let's get to it.

 

Thanks, buddy!

 

Yesterday was a pretty good respawn day. That pre-workout dread kicked in heavily so I was really thinking about skipping my workout. Even during my warm-up, my body just didn't feel super great and I still thought about bailing. But the first round of my workout was good and I convinced myself to get through the rest! Then I took Booklet on a short walk. AND I completed a cool down. So I felt really good getting back into the groove of things. However, I did pig out at dinner with a few beers and cake to celebrate my friend's birthday. But I don't feel so terrible about those choices. I'm ready to get back on track with everything else. I think I'll try to take Booklet hiking today. We haven't gone in almost two weeks.

[Vibrantella]

3 hours ago, EternalJourno said:

So I felt really good getting back into the groove of things.

Good start to the challenge!  

[jenkofb]

I can relate to a lot of what you wrote. Once I'm on track, it's pretty easy for me to stay focused, but if I slip off the path, I have a super hard time finding my way back. I think it definitely has to do with just making a habit of it, and also to some extent, gaining momentum in the journey. The habit is necessary for the momentum, though, so it's like I have to really have that part down first - then momentum takes over. 

 

Good luck with the challenge. Looking forward to seeing your habits turn into momentum!

[SaltyDragon]

5 hours ago, EternalJourno said:

Even during my warm-up, my body just didn't feel super great and I still thought about bailing.

 

I get this all the time. Some days, you just can't shake it. But usually, once you get past that warm-up phase, something out of nowhere kicks in, and everything goes way better than you thought it would. I love that feeling!

[Jormungand]

Sometimes the best accountabilibuddies have four legs.

[misterblueberry]

Awesome , I need accountability buddies . 

[FatboySuave]

18 hours ago, jenkofb said:

I think it definitely has to do with just making a habit of it, and also to some extent, gaining momentum in the journey. The habit is necessary for the momentum, though, so it's like I have to really have that part down first - then momentum takes over.

 

Dude, you nailed it! In a way, momentum works the other way too. I feel like the more often I decided to eat fast food, the easier it was to make that decision the next time and the time after that. I was just falling harder and faster like Andy Samberg in Hot Rod when he's rolling down the hill:
 

 

5 hours ago, Jormungand said:

Sometimes the best accountabilibuddies have four legs.

 

Booklet is definitely a huge motivator in getting me off my ass and out into the world. Around this time last year, I was kind of terrified of the prospect of going on walks outside — mainly because I felt like people would be watching and judging me. Now, I imagine people watching me but thinking things like, "Wow, look at that guy and his super well-trained dog! I wish I looked like that! I wish I could go out on walks every day like them!" We went on a good hike yesterday in our usual spot. It was very much needed.

Here's a photo. I promise I'll get a photo of Lil' Book next time.

 

[Butternut]

On October 26, 2016 at 2:34 PM, EternalJourno said:

 

Booklet likes to lick my stinky feet and eat the cat's poop, so clearly her standards are very low, lol.
 

 

I just read this and laughed so hard.

 

5 hours ago, EternalJourno said:

Dude, you nailed it! In a way, momentum works the other way too. I feel like the more often I decided to eat fast food, the easier it was to make that decision the next time and the time after that. I was just falling harder and faster like Andy Samberg in Hot Rod when he's rolling down the hill:

 

Great reference! I love that movie. This is me. Once I say "oh I'll just do it today" tomorrow is even easier, and the next day, and the next day, etc. 

 

Ypu know when ever I see a bike rider I am instantly inspired to ride. So when I'm riding I always wonder if I inspired someone. Same feelings happen when I see people walking their dogs. 

[FatboySuave]

14 hours ago, Butternut said:

Once I say "oh I'll just do it today" tomorrow is even easier, and the next day, and the next day, etc. 

 

So true!

Also, when did you add quotes to your signature, Butternut? I just noticed it now and I really like that idea. I may have to steal it.

[Butternut]

19 hours ago, EternalJourno said:

 

So true!

Also, when did you add quotes to your signature, Butternut? I just noticed it now and I really like that idea. I may have to steal it.

Thanks. I did it a couple of months ago. Sometimes I forget their there but than when I see them, it's a great reminder in what I believe in.  It's so easy to get away from what we truly want in life.

[Jayniana Jones]

Following along. I'm with @SaltyDragon on you aren't giving yourself enough credit for what you have accomplished. Even though I haven't been commenting as much as I'd like, I've been reading and I think you're getting more done than you think you are. Just sayin'. 

 

Your challenge looks good and doable. 

[Bookish Badger]

Following along. You're not the only one who had difficulty maintaining the momentum last time. Way to respawn!

[Jormungand]

How was Week One?

[Butternut]

3 hours ago, Jormungand said:

How was Week One?

 

Wondering as well  

[Bookish Badger]

I believe you promised Booklet pics?  

[Bookish Badger]

How's it going?

[Kvedulf]

Hey mate. How's things going? Hope everything is going well. 

[FatboySuave]

Oh man, so many comments and yet no email notifications. And here I was starting to think y'all forgot about me

So remember that clip of Hot Rod rolling down the hill? Well, I've been continue to fall for the past few weeks. But I think I've finally hit the bottom of the hill, lol. And as I stand up and look across the road, there's a giant billboard screaming, "One big jump?" Except I guess it should say something more relevant to my personal journey, lol. Maybe "One more challenge?"

I don't want to bore you guys with details, so I'll try to sum up the past few weeks briefly. Basically, I've been ignoring my workouts and eating a lot of fast food and other junk. Hmm, I guess it wasn't that hard to sum up, lol. The reason for the falling? Maybe, like Rod, I was anger dancing too hard in the woods? Really though, I just didn't want to keep up my habits. I guess you could call it a lack of motivation — although I try to avoid that word these days. It was a definite lack of discipline — that's a better word.

 

This journey has been all about building healthy habits, but to be frank — err, I mean honest, not like Frank, Rod's dad — it was hard work. And it was really difficult to maintain that hard work on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. Doing nothing and eating crap is kind of awesome — at least in the short term it is. When I'm sitting around doing nothing, playing video games, watching Twitch streamers and eating a burger and fries, I have no worries. It's all a nice distraction from chores and work and responsibilities and adulthood. But I know that feeling of joy (or whatever it is) won't last because it's just going to result in me gaining all my weight back and feeling like crap all over again.

 

So I have to remind myself that this journey is about habits and discipline. Yes, it's hard work, but the rewards will be oh so worth it. And the rewards, hopefully, will be a strong body, better emotional and mental health, more confidence, and more adventures. Oh, and a happier puppy, of course, because the more active I am, the more active Booklet is.

 

And speaking of Booklet, here's that photo of Booklet that I promised. As you can see, I actually uploaded it two weeks ago, but I never got around to sharing it here. Sorry!
 

 

I feel like I have more on my mind that I want to share, but I'll leave it at that for now. I'll spread my Creed Thoughts out throughout the remaining challenge. But I really wanna say thank you to everyone who stopped by to check in me! Now I have some catching up to do on everyone's challenges.

[Kvedulf]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't always get email notifications. Seems to be a not of a problem. 

 

We all fall down sometimes. What's important is that we stand back up. And you know why you want to stand up. Just remember we're behind you the whole way. You got this!

[SnowOwl]

Sounds like you have already refocused and are ready to go! I went way backwards and am slowly heading in the right direction again. I think this time the thing that's helping me get over the self-criticism for loosing so much ground is that I know it's possible now and when I started here a year ago I really wasn't sure if it was.

 

 

You have way more determination than me, so I know you can do this!

 

[Butternut]

Dude, think about it, you've only been aware of you healthy habits since what May of this year? It takes a lot to change life styles, sometimes months, sometimes years. (4 years for me) 

 

My husband and I were just talking about how it's been almost a year since he's been making changes and he's amazed he's ok with just having 2 slices of pizza. I've seen that man buy 2 McChickens, 3 double cheeseburgers and a medium chocolate shake and finish them all in a night.  

 

Keep it up man! Also still loving the hot rod analogies!