Month: April 2023

Today is Day 60, and you have no idea the rush of feelings that are flowing through me right now.  I’m excited, a little disappointed, feeling good about myself, proud even, healthy feeling, tired, energized, yeah…a little of all of the above!  I’m excited and feeling good about myself because I FINISHED the challenged!  I’m also a little disappointed because it is over and it’s been such a great experience.  I know that there are options to keep going, and I haven’t seen them yet, but I have a few other things to take care of first.  I’m feeling healthy, and energized, because of the program.  Physically it has done wonders for me, feeling stronger, more energized most of the time, like my body is working better than it used to!  I am also tired (some pretty long nights trying to get it all done), a little worn out physically because of being so tired and trying to keep up with the challenge and all of the rest of my life at the same time.  It isn’t always easy, when you have 4 kids, and business to help run, relatives to care for, a dog, and lots of appointments out of town…starts to get more and more difficult at times!  But all in all, I’ve made it!  I’m an official graduate of the program!  This is like my 10th or 12th attempt, and I have finally graduated!  That feels good, really good!

I’m not going to lie and say it was easy either, there were times I was ready to quit, that Kat had to talk me down from following through with it.  There were times where I couldn’t see straight because of how tired and worn out I was, but I got through that too!  There were times where life took over for part of the day, and I realized near bedtime that I hadn’t finished the tasks needed for my 6, and had to stay up another hour or three getting everything finished up for that day, so I could get 4 hours of sleep and start over!  But even with all of these struggles, it was all WORTH IT!  The excitement of getting it all done, of being able to say I can do 100 Mr. Spectaculars in a day, to say that I can ride 13 miles in an hour on the recumbent bike, to say that I did a total (if you include the Mr. Spectaculars) of 190 push-ups TODAY, when I couldn’t even do 10 the first time I tried the challenge.  That alone, is awesome!

I have to, in all honesty, thank Kat, my wife, because if it weren’t for her support, encouragement, talking down, and being my biggest cheerleader through the whole 60 days, I wouldn’t have made it.  I also have to thank the bigs, as they were huge help too with things like helping load and unload cars, watching littles, and so many other little details!

So…It’s Over!  What now?  I have to take a couple weeks away, to get some health things sorted out, get through a couple of doctors appointments and minor procedures that have been postponed to complete the challenge, then we will see where I go from there!  I know I want to keep working out, even if I use my own portions of the challenge, or some minorly modified version?  But we will see…because doing it again is not completely out of the question, it might just have to wait a while so we can get caught up on company work, household projects, and some extra time with the wife and kids!  They haven’t really seen me much for the last 60 days.  These things were sacrifices I had to make in the moment for the challenge, and they wanted to do so, but that doesn’t mean that it needs to stay that way!  We will see, in a couple of weeks, what I’ve got going on and how I’m going to keep my fitness journey going! I will be back, because I still have more weight I want to lose.  I still want to get more of me in better shape, some more restructuring, if you will. 

So what I will do, is say thank you for reading this far, for those that did, and look for more entries in the future on TLC…because I will be back! 

My last Master Class video for the Professional Domain is here:

Here we are, Day 59…almost surreal feeling!  They decided to throw in a few twists being Day 59, which was interesting!  Morning workout they called Hybrid Day, with various parts of other workouts all thrown together to keep this short 4 day week balanced, is my guess.  Took me a few to get the hang of it, but got through it well enough!  They mixed Horizontal Pull-ups with Hamstring Hell for the first set, Bicep Curls, Overhead Tricep Extensions and Seated Russian Twists for the second set, then for the third set they set up 1-Leg Hinge Lifts, Sit-ups, and stretching!

Then, when I was used to doing Sprints on Wednesdays, they threw another curve ball in there and it is now a Ruck Day, with a 50 pound pack on!  I’m glad I looked at the workout page last night so Kat and I could adjust plans for the day (I stay in town for Sprints Days, but run errands out of town on Ruck Days!).  I was able to get my 50 pound pack together and take it with me first thing this morning, then got in 2.53 miles in my 60 minutes, which for hiking through the nature trails was a great distance for me!  Felt good after that to get the pack off, as my shoulders were definitely tired, but sat for a while and had a snack, which helped!

I did start a new book for now, because I finished The Abolition of Man yesterday, and decided to start Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.  I won’t be able to finish this book by the end of tomorrow, but as it is the second book for this week, I think I’ll be OK!  I’ll keep reading it after the challenge is over so it won’t be a waste or anything!  Thus far, it has quite an intriguing beginning!  I’ve really been enjoying reading some of the classics of literature for part of my books in the Mental Domain throughout this challenge.  I decided to compile a list of the most recommended books of all time, tying together a number of other lists I found online, and compiling them all together to see how many times a book was recommended.  When I wasn’t reading books that were self-help, or business related, this is where these books came from!  I’ll have to post it on TLC soon and link it here when I do!

Outside of that, super excited for tomorrow to be the last day of the challenge!  I’m ALMOST THERE!

My Master Class video for the Emotional Domain follows:

Today was an interesting day, somewhat the same as the usual, but a few things got thrown off today!  Morning workout went well, Circuit Day today.  Main set was 20 minutes long, with As Many rounds As Possible, and consisted of a 200 meter run (600 meter bike sprint), 10 Dumbbell Thrusters, and 20 Renegade Rows.  Second set was all core work with various planks, superman holds, and seated Russian twists.

Afternoon workout got waylaid by some of our errands today, so ended up at the gym instead.  Felt good though because I ended up getting a full 3.02 miles in on the treadmill in my 60 minutes.  Felt good getting through that, because that is definitely either a new best, or a new second best, not sure.

I also finished my book already for this week, which was The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis.  Was an interesting rejection of materialism and how it might in fact lead some to believe that they would then need to reject themselves and each other, which would in turn end up a denial of our own existence.  At least that’s my take on it.  Was definitely An Interesting Read!

Otherwise I think I’m just tired from the late nights lately, so hoping to get to bed soon tonight.  My Master Class video for the Social Domain follows:

Today was a long one for me, and a little bit exhausting, but that is solely because I was up past midnight last night getting everything for the Challenge completed, which was totally my own fault.  I’ve managed better today at least, so here I am 3 hours earlier than last night!  YAY!  Take my victories where I can get them, you know?

It started out well in the morning with Chest Day!  I’ve actually come to enjoy chest day, with Bench Press, Incline Press and Dumbbell Flys being the prominent exercises, along with stretches, Flat Bench Knees to Elbows, and Reverse Crunches filling in.  Went well enough and only took about an hour and five minutes today, which is pretty good with 57 push-ups to start! 

Part of our errands were an absolute mess today, but it’s our own fault for not checking the calendar and remembering that we rescheduled one appointment.  Will actually look at things next time, that’s for sure!  From there got to my favorite park and was able to get my warm-up exercises and a full 2.13 miles down in 45 minutes.

I got half of my book for this week read already, maybe even a little more, so finishing it up next day or two should be good, and I’ve already been able to complete my Gratitude Journal for today and all of my logging and a couple of my bible studies.  I’m feeling good in the end, but am pretty darn tired from the late night last night.  Looking forward to getting More Sleep Tonight!

My Master Class video for the Spiritual Domain is here:

Here is where self-discipline comes in, and some days I just don’t have it.  Because of this I have to get it done late into the night.  During the day I get caught up with work and household tasks, helping family achieve their goals for the day, working through the little things with them instead of focusing on my tasks for the challenge.  Then dinner is done and I’m in this place where I realize that I still have a FEW things to do tonight to finish up and not skip a checkmark!

I got my morning workout done easily enough in the morning.  It was a Circuit Day with Pull-Ups and Weighted Sit-ups in the first set, Dumbbell Rows and Glute Leg Lifts in the second, then Horizontal Pull-ups and Hamstring Hell in the third.  This is where it works on core strength and the rear end and back some.  It’s a good little variety compared to the other days, with a fair amount of floor work.

In the afternoon I was able to get my cardio walk in by walking around our property a dozen times or more.  Altogether I put in 2.37 miles in 60 minutes, and had the company of my eldest son, which was nice.  We talked about a number of things, and it felt good to get an update on his life.

I was able to get some of the little stuff done earlier in the day, like my Gratitude Journal and some of my logging of tasks, but neglected the finishing of my book for today until the very end.  I ended up late just reading the book.  It was a bit of a struggle because of how late it was getting, had to do everything I could to stay awake and conscious enough to actually read it, which was hard.  But I pushed through and got it done!  Doesn’t matter how late, I’m not going to miss a step, especially this late in the game, period.  Kat’s not pleased that it’s taking me this long, and I don’t blame her because I should have read more during the day, and it’s my own fault that I didn’t.  But at least it’s done now!  Crisis averted!

Start With Why was, in the end, a pretty powerful book.  There are some slower parts where you are reading about all the examples the author has provided, and it feels like you are doing over and over them again.  But there are small subtle bits that he is adding each time to point out the true necessity of starting with Why to do anything.  You should have a reason, and not just be reactive or have a “because I should” mentality.  You should be more intentional and have a true reason why you need to get everything done in your life.  If you don’t have a reason, something to pursue, values you want to put out front, something, then what are you really doing with your life?  If you don’t know, you need to figure it out, and probably sooner rather than later!  That’s where I fall, I need to figure out my Why!

I was, in the end, able to get everything checked off, after midnight, but it was Another Late Night To Get It DONE!

My Master Class video for the Mental Domain is here:

So, Master Class is over as of yesterday, as there are no more videos to watch!  Except, what’s that?  I have to record my own video for the next 6 days?  Yes I do, one for each of the 6 domains of the challenge even!  Can I tell you I’ve never done a video before?  I haven’t in any way possible, but that’s all about to change today!  This is a new frontier for me, and I’m thankful, honestly, to have a new limit challenged and broken even.  I’m ready for this one!  I’ll post my video at the end.

This morning’s workout was one of my favorite days, Arms Day.  I know my arms feel like rubber at the end, and all worn out, but I enjoy having stronger arms, and quite like the fact that I can do this routine well.  What is getting challenging is the Body Weight Exercise of Choice that I have to increase every day of the challenge before I even do my first warm-up.  I made the choice to do push-ups as my exercise, and being Day 55, I get to do 55 push-ups before my warm-up.  It’s getting touch, but the one thing I appreciate is the fact that push-ups are not in the warm-up on Arms Day!  Thank you Mr. David Hageman for that blessing!

After the regular Arms Day workout, being Saturday, I also have a Valor Challenge!  Today it is nicknamed the Mogadishu Mile and consists of 4 rounds.  Each round you need to do 19 Ground to Overhead with either Dumbbells or Kettlebells (I chose dumbbells), 19 Front Squats (with your dumbbells), 19 Dumbbell Push-ups, and a 400 m run (with your dumbbells).  I, of course, have to modify that to do 1200 meters (approx. 0.75 miles) on the bike instead of running, but I still had my dumbbells in my hands like I was running with them.  Your dumbbells or kettlebells are your battle buddy through this part of the exercise, is my understanding.  The rest of the information for the Valor Challenge, from Mission Six Zero, is here:

---

Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
CPL Kristopher Daniel Greer, U.S. Marine Corps

As you go through the challenge, please think about Marine Corporal Kristopher Daniel Greer of Ashland, Tennessee.  This Valor Challenge was suggested by Mission Six Zero team member, Joey Jones.

CPL Greer received a traumatic brain injury as a result of an IED explosion during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. on August 6^th, 2005, that also claimed the legs of Marine Sgt. Joey Jones, an explosives disposal expert. CPL Greer was 25 when he died two days later.

Corporal Greer, Sergeant Joey Jones, and Staff Sergeant Eric Chir worked for seven days to find bombs in the Taliban stronghold of Safar Bazaar and had detonated more than 40 of them. Then one blew up unexpectedly while they were inspecting a suspect pile of mortars and tubes at the back of a building barely 50 yards from the compound where the Marines were sleeping.  An emotional Capt. Nathan Opie described the scene, saying: “They got Greer and they got him pretty bad.  At that point he brought me over there to Greer and I saw the EOD techs as well and we just started getting them on stretchers and getting them out of there.  Greer was lying on the ground, with a head injury. Near him lay Jones, who had lost both his legs. Chir had taken a lot of shrapnel, but was still able to walk.”

Greer was a member of Company D, 4th Combat Engineering Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, out of Knoxville. Greer was on his first deployment after joining the Marines in April 2006.

Greer was also a firefighter on the Ashland City Fire Department and an EMT. “Daniel has been a true hero, not only in serving his country, but in serving his community as an Ashland City firefighter,” Ashland City fire chief Chuck Walker said. Greer, was a 2003 graduate of Harpeth High School, joined the Ashland City fire department as a volunteer in March 2005 and became a full-time employee two years later.

“He was an energetic and outgoing person and was a great asset to our department,” Walker said. “His father said ever since Daniel was young he wanted to be a firefighter. He was also always passionate about his wishes to serve his country.”

“Daniel was a character. He was very outspoken, and he didn’t mind letting you know what was on his mind,” Walker said.  The fire chief said the death of Greer is the same as losing a family member. “We [firefighters] spend a lot of time together. Even on Daniel’s days off, he would often go hunting and fishing with the other firefighters,” he said.  Walker said Greer’s pride and joy was his family, which included his wife, Stacy, and his young son, Ethan.

“He always put his family first even above the fire department and military,” he said.

Good luck today, guys. May your workout honor his memory.

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

---

Thankfully enough I was able to get a little bit of work in today, along with getting the rest of my challenge tasks completed!  I was even able to show someone else around the gym today and have a conversation about the challenge and his workout today, which is a part of my Social domain, so extra checkmark for me there today early in the morning!

Afternoon cardio went well, but due to the weather had to happen at the gym.  I was able to get in 2.28 miles on the treadmill in 45 minutes.  Kept it up to a decent pace today!  I think my arms were glad they could just hold onto the machine after the morning workout!

Now time for my example of Breaking Through Your Limits, my Physical Domain video follows:

Still in our final countdown, only 6 days left after today!  Morning workout was a Circuit Day, but I had to make some of my adjustments for my knees again.  The first set was Burpees, Box Jumps and Kettlebell Swings, which I had to adjust 2 of the 3.  I have a modified Burpee that I do, and I replace the Box Jumps with Step-Ups instead, then Kettlebell Swings are fine indeed!  Second set consisted of Mr. Spectaculars and Hippity Hops.  I’m fine with Mr. Spectaculars the way they are with Kettlebells and all, but Hippity Hops I have to do like sideways Step-Ups honestly.  From there the third set was some side bridges, Kettlebell Keg LIfts and Bicycle Crunches all of which I can do.  The only adjustment is sometimes for my knees I get an extra matt for padding for the Keg Lifts, but that’s it.  Had a relatively easy time with it, but my workouts are starting to taking a little longer than I’d like having to start with 54 push-ups first thing before warming up, just sayin’!  Feeling good with it though, enjoying the muscle development in my chest and arms!

From there went to my usual errands which all went off without a hitch, including my afternoon cardio which was a 60 minute ruck with a 45 pound pack.  Back and shoulders were a little tired from the pack but that is pretty typical with the rucks for me.  Got 2.43 miles in on the nature trails which was a good clip for me…tried to keep it going today and felt like that was a success!

Master Class was just a quick video today asking for an After Action Report, which was interesting.  They just were looking for feedback for the Master Class portion of the program, so got that all filled out.  They also informed me in that video that for the next 6 days I get to do a video each day, preferably 1 on each prong of the program.  Not necessarily looking forward to recording myself, but again, time to just run with it because I need to stretch my comfort zone more!  Public videos here we come!  I’m not sure where I’m going to get them posted, they may just be in the TLC Facebook group, or in the Deliberate Discomfort group.  If I can figure out how to get them on here I will see about adding them later!

Got some good reading in, some more catching up on bible studies, and the rest of the day went very well actually!  Like the Easy Days!