Year: 2023

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Day 50 – Only 10 Days To Go! YAY!

That’s right, today is Day 50 of the 60 days of the Deliberate Discomfort Challenge!  I’ve never even made past about half this far in the past and I’m excited to be here.  You would not believe how much stronger and healthier I feel from this challenge!  I have been able to push my own limits both emotionally and physically.  This challenge has also tested my patience more times than I care to admit, but in the end it’s totally worth it.  I can tell you, that outside of a couple of set appointments that I already have scheduled, I will continue to work out and get healthier after the 60 days are up!

Admittedly, I’m looking forward to getting a little bit of my time back that is used for the challenge related tasks, but on the overall, there’s been a great deal of improvement in my mental state, my self-confidence, and my self-esteem even, because I’m finally losing the weight I’ve been wanting off for years!

Part of me wants to have a solid week of cheat meals after the challenge is over, but the other part of me acknowledges that if I were to do that I’d end up so sick because my body just isn’t used to the preservatives and grease of most restaurant foods any more!  I don’t want to end up unable to move because of stomach cramps and nonsense related to eating garbage again!  Chances are I’m going to maintain clean eating for the most part.  With diabetes in my future there is already a lifetime limit on sugars and simple carbs that turn into sugar for my diet anyways!  There is already so much that I can’t have anyways, so why ruin that, you know?

Anyhow, today’s workout was our basic Chest Day, like it has been for the whole challenge, outside of weight increases and a few minor additions, it really hasn’t changed much.  Bench Press, Incline Press, Flys, Knees to Elbows, the usual!

Afternoon cardio I wasn’t sure was going to happen due to severe thunderstorms last night and into the morning, so I wasn’t sure my favorite park was going to be dry enough or not.  Thankfully I jumped out as soon as I got there and started my warm-up and went straight into walking, and was able to get my full 45 minutes in without getting rained on!  Put in a solid 2.16 miles.

Also re-started reading Start With Why for this weeks book!  It started talking about how people can sense when things don’t feel right with certain companies, because the product either lacks a Why, or the company’s Why doesn’t match the buyer’s own.  In order to have a majorly successful business and product, you need to know What you are making/selling, How you are making/selling it, and most importantly you need to know Why you are making/selling it.  Companies that don’t have a Why figured out, and people that don’t know Why they are working places, end up resorting to various forms of manipulation in order to sell products/services to you.  Rebates, coupons, comparing features, free shipping, all of these are solely meant as a manipulation to entice you to buy a product or service.  Certain companies stick out, like Starbucks, Apple, and Disney because they don’t sell a product, they sell something that lines up with your lifestyle or special interests and they know Why you live that way!  They also choose the same Why to do what they do!  All of this is worth thinking about, especially as a business owner.  I need to start thinking more about Why I do things, instead of just What I’m doing or How I’m doing it.  There needs to be balance between those 3 aspects.  Most people and companies are lacking in the Why which is what throws them out of balance, forcing them to resort to their manipulations.

Either way, despite my tangent, I’m super excited for the next 10 days to finish out!  Can you believe it, Only 10 Days to Go!  YAY!

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Day 49 – Lots of Checkmarks!

Always enjoy a good day full of God and church!  I enjoy God every day, but sometimes when the Word is spoken well it just fills the heart and head with positive feelings that you just carry through the rest of the day.  Today was one of those days.

I was able to get my weights workout in before church this morning, which was a Circuit Day filled with pull-ups, weighted sit-ups, glute leg lifts, dumbbell rows, horizontal pull-ups and hamstring hell (the official name of the exercise)!  I’m getting pretty regular with getting my workout done in about an hour to an hour 10 most days now, instead of it taking me an hour and a half or more the last times I worked on this challenge.  But those times I didn’t get very far either!

After church we were able to get our new overhead microwave installed in the kitchen, then straight back to the gym for me, thanks to some inclement weather.  I don’t actually own a proper rain coat so I am unable to go out exercising in the rain and wet weather.  One of the down sides to coming from a state that was full of desert, I guess.  I was able to get my move on with my cardio however getting a full 3.1 miles in 60 minutes today which is a pretty good clip walking for me.  Felt good!

I was having trouble with my book Start With Why and having time to read as much as I would like, so I switched books for now to The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis instead.  I should be able to finish that book tonight so it will complete a book this week, which meets the requirements!  I’ve really enjoyed The Great Divorce thus far and can’t wait to see how it ends!  I’m going to keep going with Start With Why and see if I can’t finish it for next week’s book.  I’m really interested in it, but it is definitely a slower read for me as it has a fair amount of technical/scientific method type writing in it.

To top it off this week, my Gratitude Journal was about getting stuff done.  Thanks to my wonderful wife being on fire for to do lists this week, and just getting stuff done and helping others get stuff done, we have been able to knock a number of household projects off the list, get some of the car troubles fixed, and get some stuff cleaned up around the house too!  I’m thankful for her dedication to it, and got the ability to get stuff off the list with the whole family!  Lots of Checkmarks!

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Day 48 – One Way Or Another!

Days are just getting easier each day, I think.  The workouts still throw me from time to time because of the new exercises that I’ve never heard of, but I also find myself capable of doing things I didn’t even know existed, and had I known about them I would not have thought myself capable, like Alligator Push-ups!  Have you ever tried to do push-ups and crawl at the same time?  If so, you were doing Alligator Push-ups.  They were part of the Valor Challenge today!

My day started with Arms Day at the gym.  I was able to increase my weight some, using 15 and 20 lbs. for most of my arm work, still using 8 and 12 pounds for some tricep work, but to be honest my arms were the weakest part I had doing into the challenge this time around!  It was good to have the regular routine here at least and I was able to just crank through it all.

Immediately afterword however, was Valor Challenge, which after Arm Day, was quite the challenge.  Because I had increased my weight for Arm Day, my arms were considerably less capable than usual and were having a hard time with the Alligator Push-ups requested.  The overall Valor Challenge set was 4 rounds of:  100 Step-ups, using a weight vest if needed, 100 m Run (I did a 300 meter recumbent bike), and 10 Alligator Push-ups.  Because my Arms were already pretty toast from earlier, it took me a little longer than I expected, with a final time of 31:36 to get it all done.  But I dug in and got it done!  The rest of the Valor Challenge information from Mission Six Zero is as follows:

Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
SGT James Matthew Treber, U.S. Army (Green Beret)

As you go through the challenge, please think about Sgt James Matthew Treber.  This Valor Challenge was suggested by our teammate, Joe Serna.

21 July 2008:  On Saturday, near Khosrow-E Sofla in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Treber’s Humvee rolled into a riverbed on a night patrol. Treber and two other members of his unit drowned.

He died doing exactly what he wanted to do. The military was in James Treber’s blood.  “It’s something he wanted to do when he was in high school,” said his father, Gordon Treber.

Just seven months after his wedding, Treber was deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Only two months into his deployment, Treber and two other members of his company were killed when their RG-31 mine-protected vehicle rolled.  After recovery efforts performed by the rest of the combat convoy, Sergeant First Class Joseph Serna was found alive but suffering from hypothermia and hypoxia.

An investigation into the events that led to the rollover of their RG-31 MRAP was conducted by the Combined Joint Task Force – 101.

Serna’s sworn statement reveals that, in the immediate aftermath of the rollover, he was trapped in the passenger compartment by ammunition cans and unable to free himself as water began filling the vehicle.

“I was covered in ammo cans so I couldn’t release my seatbelt, at which time the water began to fill up inside the cab (and) I became totally submerged in my seat,” Serna said in his statement, according to the release. “I felt a hand come down and unfasten my seatbelt and release my body armor. Sergeant Treber picked me up and moved me to a small pocket of air.”

That air pocket originally was Treber’s, who had been sitting one seat ahead of Serna during the operation.

However, once Treber freed Serna from where he was trapped, he left that air pocket to Serna after determining that there was not enough air in that particular pocket for both men to breathe as the two struggled in the darkness against frigid and rising water, the release said.

“He knew there was not enough room for both of us to breathe so he went underwater to find another pocket of air,” Serna stated. “Once he re-emerged we attempted to open the door and hatches with no success.”

Serna’s statement indicates that he blacked out shortly thereafter and, before his comrades were able to save them, Treber, Simmons and Rada Morales all died.

“Sergeant Treber’s selfless actions are in keeping with those traditions internalized within the ranks of our regiment,” Brigadier General Michael S. Repass, commander of U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, said in the release. “Valor and sacrifice were not mere words to Sergeant Treber. Rather, he lost his life living the Warrior Ethos. The great sacrifice and courage which soldiers like Sergeant Treber exhibit each day inspire us to protect the values and ideals of this great country.”

Treber was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group based at Fort Bragg. During his 2-year, 7-month military career, Treber earned the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

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

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

From there I was able to get my cardio in at the gym, due to heavy rain, and was able to post 2.27 miles in 45 minutes, which was a pretty decent time, although I’m thinking of increasing my speed soon and seeing how I do.

I’m still behind on some of my reading of my book this week, Start With Why, but it’s been very interesting learning the difference between companies that promote themselves with the What they do or the How they do it, instead of promoting themselves with their Why they do it.  Those companies that promote themselves with their Why statement, end up growing beyond their products into lifestyle brands like Apple and Starbucks.  They are not just a computer and a coffee company, they are a company that thinks differently and a company that is an experience instead of a purchase.

The only other things I’m behind on are my bible studies, which aren’t directly Challenge related and aren’t required, but I’m hoping to get them caught up tonight and tomorrow as well.  I will get them caught up, One Way Or Another!

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Day 47 – Deliberately Embrace The Discomfort!

Today had it’s challenges but on the overall was a good day!  It started off all wrong, and I couldn’t do my workout in the early morning like I usually do.  I was able to get it done a little later in the day, which was good, but it did take me a little longer having to look up new exercises again, like Mini Leg Blasters and Hippity Hops, but I got through it all!

Was able to get home today without errands, which was nice, and got my cardio in just after lunch.  It was a slightly grueling 60 minute ruck with a 40 pound pack today.  The pack slowed me down some, so only got 2.73 miles in.

Had a little extra time today to get stuff done, so got some more reading done, but still a little behind on that and my bible studies!  Otherwise it got done in the afternoon to evening!

Had some very meaningful conversations with my wife today, so we were able to get through a few of the challenges that hit us early today.  By late afternoon we had forgotten the intensity  of our challenges and were laughing it up at dinner with the kids.

Master Class videos lately have been about motivation, and how making the choice to proceed with something is half the battle, and how you have to stretch your limits regularly to grow.  It’s guaranteed that if you don’t choose to start something, you will fail.  You have to really put yourself out there sometimes to excel, and get ahead of the masses.  Get used to being uncomfortable, Deliberately Embrace The Discomfort!

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Day 46 – Let’s Hear It For Tomorrow!

What a day!  Had a great workout in the morning, getting some Shoulder work completed.  Was running all over the gym today using different equipment and barbells, then dumbbells, then a flat bench, then back to dumbbells, etc.  Altogether, though slightly sore, I’m feeling like it was a good push in weight training today!

After getting a few work errands handled, I went to a new park to get my walk in.  Although it works well enough, I don’t think I like this park as much as my usual park as most of the walking path here is along the parking lots and tennis courts, instead of just in the middle of the nature preserve and trees like my other place.  But if I’m on this side of town, it’s still effective, so will keep it in mind.  Even with having to figure out new routes through the park, I was able to get in 1.99 miles in 45 minutes.  Was a warm one outside, which was a nice change in some ways, but I did miss my shade trees!

Rest of the day got all set aside for a while, due to some automotive issues, which we sorted out well enough in time.  Thankfully God sorted some of it out for us.  Praise God for his discernment in these matters today, and Kat’s ability to hear it!  The place we took one car, just feels like a scam artist to us, so we just picked up the car and won’t be going back.  Seems like the problem we were having also just randomly corrected itself, magically!

Once we got home and got some dinner in everyone, we were able to start finishing out the Challenge Day items.  It’s all gone relatively well, got a touch of reading in, although I’m a little further behind that I’d like, but I have a good day to get caught up scheduled for tomorrow!  Let’s Hear It For Tomorrow!

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Day 45 – Can You Believe It?

That’s right, we are on day 45 of 60.  Three quarters of the way through, into the home stretch!  Almost there!  I’m actually not showing it well, but…I’m really excited about this!  I can’t believe that I’ve been able to get through this far!  I can’t believe how much transformation I’ve gone through, inside and out!

My morning workout was a basic Leg Day, with the newer exercises from last Wednesday, like Bulgarian Split Squats, and 1-Leg Hinge Lifts.  These newer exercises aren’t my favorites, some of them are even a little tough on my knees and are a little uncomfortable, but they are also working my legs Hard!  That’s a great thing, and I’ve noticed how they are leaning out my legs a bit.  The other night while on the treadmill, I noticed that my legs were looking leaner, and that maybe it wasn’t special effects!

Afternoon cardio was Sprints Day, which I initially thought was going to be long and arduous, but turned out to be considerably less arduous than I thought!  The notes had me starting with a 3 mile ride (1 mile run), followed by 1.5 miles once, then 2 sets of 0.7 miles, 4 sets of 0.2 miles, and 8 sets of 0.1 miles.  Each of these had breaks in between ranging form 2 minutes to 30 seconds, the shorter the Sprint, the shorter the break.  All total I rode the recumbent bike to 10.84 miles in under 40 minutes.

I was able to get a number of errands handled today, and then was able to get back into the program in the afternoon, after Cardio, but after than I’ve been all wrapped up today, so not much else got done for challenge tasks.  I was able to tend to my Mindfulness and get my Master Class video in this morning, but not much else since then. 

I did have a great conversation with one of the front desk ladies at one of my stops.  Shared a great deal with me today that I won’t get into, because it’s not my story to tell.  But what a great story!  Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with that opportunity!

Either way I’m still excited that we are so far into the Challenge, and that there’s really only about 2 weeks left, Can You Believe It?  I can’t!

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Day 44 – New Least Favorite Exercise!

For the morning workout, guess what they sprung on me?  Any guesses?  A NEW EXERCISE!  How dare they, right?  LOL  I will admit that it is my new least favorite exercise, maybe second least favorite, I haven’t decided.  Mr. Spectaculars aren’t my favorite either!  I’ve been told I can’t talk negatively about these two exercises on Facebook, in the Deliberate Discomfort Members Group, because they’ve received warnings on hate speech around these two people (they aren’t actually people, and I don’t know if they are named after people or not, they are in fact just exercises).  The description that they give for the Curtis P., the new one sprung on me this morning, is as follows:

Start with an empty barbell and add weight every 10 reps as your form and tempo allow.  1 Curtis P. consists of Hang Clean, Front Squat, Lunge with each leg, followed by a Push Press (all while holding the same barbell).  Now do it 50 times!  Yep, that’s what I got…but you know what?  I did it! 

Thankfully the second Main Set was core work with Superman Holds, Side Bridges, Front Planks, and Seated Russian Twists, which almost made this set feel relaxing!

Rest of my day went amazing well.  I found out that one of the Deacons for my church uses the same gym and had a great conversation with him this morning.  I was able to get my Master Class video in wile working out as well.  I was also able to read my book while waiting for a doctors appointment, and got my Mindfulness in while doing my walk.  Today I was able to get in 2.62 miles in 61 minutes, but I also have been walking most of the day, so currently have almost 11,000 steps logged as well (including the walk).

As you can see, things went well, and I can praise God for watching over me and the family today, helping us have a productive day and helping me get enough done that I don’t have to be up half the night like I have the last two nights.  Thank you Lord for everything, even my New Least Favorite Exercise!

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Day 43 – Near Fail, But Not!

Today’s morning workout was Chest Day, with nothing for the most part out of the ordinary.  There was a new person there, doing some serious lifting, but otherwise a quiet and empty/peaceful gym.  The rest of the day was a little haywire, but successful enough.  Was able to get 2.28 miles in on the treadmill today in 45 minutes as well, but not until much later than usual.  I almost forgot to go for my walk altogether.  I sat down at 8 pm and checked my list and started thinking to myself, “Did I go on a walk?” and the only answer I could muster was, “Nope!”  Had I not made that realization, I would have had to recycle instead of finish the challenge soon.

So after my walk, I was able to sit down for a couple of hours, get my reading in, my Gratitude Journal, and finish up the rest of my tasks.  I’m a little behind on some of my Bible studies, but other than those, I’m actually in a decent place overall.  I’m still making up for the lost time I experienced yesterday, having to stay up until 1:30 am and all.  I even, for a very short time tonight, fell asleep at my desk. 

I’m starting a new book today, and this week I’m reading Start With Why by Simon Sinek.  It is supposed to provide me with the ability to inspire others as a leader and perform in an inspirational way.  We will see how that goes, but thus far it uses the examples of The Wright Brothers, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs of Apple, and Martin Luther King Jr. for people who lead and inspire others.  Some pretty good company there!

I will have to get caught up with Bible studies another day.  Right now it’s time to get some real rest in bed, because I’m done with today.  It was a Near Fail, But Not!

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Day 42 – Yep, Definitely Late!

Will cut to the chase tonight, so I can go to bed!

Morning workout was a Circuit Day working mostly on back and glutes.  Was nice to be back in my home gym today, where I know where all the equipment is and what I need to use!

Afternoon cardio I went out with my eldest daughter, and we walked around the property for an hour.  We put in 2.43 miles in that time and had some amazing conversation!  Enjoyed the time with her, as I don’t get individual time with any of the children very often!

I had to get completely caught up on my reading of The Power of Habit, which was, honestly, a struggle.  Not because the book wasn’t interesting or anything, it was actually quite powerful in its own way, and I hope I have the strength to put it all to use in my life and fix a few things in my habits and routines!  The problem was more that I had to read half the book today, because I was not reading enough each day.  I got most of my other tasks completed today, then just sat down to read, all day long!

The book itself was quite interesting and breaks down habits into different pieces and looks at how you can change them, how they happen, what causes them, why they stick around so much, etc.  Very fascinating and I enjoyed it quite a bit!  It then offers tools to identify the steps of a habit, what you can change, and how.  But it’s also quite the late one trying to finish that book up.  It’s already after midnight here, so I finally finished!  In fact, it’s after 1 am!  Yep, Definitely Late!

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Day 41 – Late, For A Very Important Date!

What a different sort of day!  We were out of town still as of this morning.  I was able to find a gym that had a weekly pass for a decent price, so I could workout while there with 24 hour access, which was nice because I tend to complete my morning workouts early in the morning around 5 am.  This means that going to a gym that requires employees to get in, is usually not going to work!

My morning workout went fairly well, once I located all of the equipment I needed to get it done!  Got it all figured out for Arms Day though!  Really starting to feel the difference in my arms after today!  Chest a little too, as the push-ups are starting to really pay off!  After my initial Arms Day workout, it was time for this weeks Valor Challenge!  This weeks challenge required 2 rounds of exercises after a 1.5 mile bike each round (my version due to my inability to run).  Altogether got it done in 24:43 for Petty Officer Danny Dietz.  Here is the Valor Challenge information from Mission Six Zero:

Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
Petty Officer Danny Dietz, U.S. Navy

As you go through the challenge, please think about Petty Officer Danny Dietz.  This Valor Challenge was suggested by our teammate, Jon Macaskill.  This Challenge directly hits home for Jon. Danny Dietz was in Jon’s platoon. He identified his body, escorted his body home, and was a pallbearer at his funeral.  

His Navy Cross Citation reads as follows:

For extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy while serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task unit, Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Dietz demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan.

Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. 

Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force.

Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. 

By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Dietz’ courageous and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill, and utmost devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.

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

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

It’s always an honor to do the Valor Challenge, and I’m thankful that my family understands my commitment to doing this part of the Challenge every week!

My afternoon cardio workout wasn’t the typical way of doing things, but it is what it is!  We decided to join a little online Geolocation Event that required walking all over the town we were in looking for clues, solving puzzles and riddles, finding more locations, until we solved the whole game.  I decided that we were walking enough after we did part of it so start tracking my progress to see how much more walking we did.  We completed another 1.06 miles in 70 minutes (there was a LOT of standing in one spot reading clues, then walking to the next spot, etc.).  Altogether I think we completed 2 miles or more, but don’t have an exact count.  It was outside, in a slight drizzle rain, and sometimes required us to hustle to the next location because we were being timed!  On the overall we were playing for 3 hours or more, and the whole family also agreed that this should count for my afternoon walk!

I also need to highlight my Gratitude Journal entry today, which I don’t usually do!  I’m thankful for God looking after us today and putting whoever it was in our path that purchased our entire family’s lunch today!  We don’t know who you were, but it was very kind of you to recognize us praying and paying for our lunch just because we were praying in public.  Humbling, and Kind!  Thank you, and Thank God for sending you!

Because of all the travelling I wasn’t able to get a lot of my other tasks completed until after we got home, but they are all done now!  I have a lot of catching up to do in my reading tomorrow, as I wasn’t able to read as fast as I would like on the trip.  We will have to see how that works out tomorrow!  Either way it was a fun day, with lots of adventure, and I’m glad to be home!  I would hate to still be out and possibly end up Late, For a Very Important Date!