Year: 2023

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Day 10 – Sooner Rather Than Later

Had a pretty great day today!  Morning workout was legs, which wears me out at the time, but then they feel pretty good all day so long as I keep them moving.  If I get to just sitting for hours they can stiffen up a little, but honestly they haven’t been bad lately with that either.  I know I’ve been hydrating well for the last week and a half, as I’ve been tracking it in my Fitbit app, and am almost always reaching my goal of 64 ounces, frequently getting in the 90 to 100 ounces range per day. That probably is a good thing, as I’ve heard good hydration can help prevent muscle cramping, but I also don’t know how true that really is??

My afternoon workout was another Sprints day which I do at the gym on a recumbent bike (I’ve mentioned this before) and because of it got compliments from the gym owner for just rocking it on the bike.  He told me that if I keep that up, I’m guaranteed to get somewhere with my goals!  That was very kind of him, and was nice to hear, so it brightened my day a little.  Kat also told me how proud she was for sticking to my guns with this program and kicking butt with it (even if it does kick mine back every so often).  That also made my day extra wonderful.

Because my Sprints day was at the gym, I was able to just hang out at the park and get  a couple of my other tasks completed, talk to my beautiful wife for an hour and a half about all sorts of great, deep, wonderful subjects.  It was one of the more in depth and meaningful conversations we’ve had in a while where she wasn’t frustrated at my inability to listen.  That really felt good, and when I made that realization later in the day, like really sunk in, put a very large smile on my face because I know she feels listened to this time.  I’ve had a very bad habit of interrupting her with my own ideas, which has had her very frustrated with me at times.  Thankfully that’s not today, which feels really good.

As a bonus, I got all of my tasks completed by 8:45 pm tonight, so looks like I might be able to get a little extra sleep tonight, unlike the last 3 nights in a row of getting to bed after 11:00 pm.  That is a HUGE victory for me as I am starting to wear out a little with only 5 or so hours of sleep each night, so here’s hoping I get a little extra energy for tomorrow from the extra sleep!  Will be nice to get to bed Sooner Rather Than Later!

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Day 9 – Another One Bites the Dust

Day 9 is in the bag!  Got workouts done fairly well with morning workout completed in an hour and 15 minutes this morning, and a full hour walk.  Had a little less time today in between appointments having to ship a package.  Also had to get our little guy in for an additional appointment today, but I’m still getting it done!

Kat and I have been having a great time with our new Bible Study and the group we are in to do it with, as they are all such believers like we are, and we’ve all been connecting well through it.

The Mindfulness session this week is a single 10 minute session to listen to, which keeps it relatively easy for me, and I was able to watch my Master Class video while walking today which was great!  I tried to do it yesterday, but forgot to bring my Bluetooth headphones and just can’t bring myself to leave audio on full blast at a public location like that, it’s just disrespectful to the others in the park and the wildlife.

All in all it was a busy, but easy day!  Another day down!

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Day 8 – Another Week, Another Victory!

So today is the first day in Week 2 of the Deliberate Discomfort program.  I get to start a new book after finishing the Deliberate Discomfort book last week.  For this week I’ve chosen 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington.  The first 3 chapters have been easy reading which I like in it’s own way, and have only touched the surface of what the rest of the book is to bring, but in general it is about maximizing your own potential and being able to get 12 months’ worth of tasks and stuff completed in 12 weeks.  Sounds like something I’d truly like to accomplish!

Today’s workout was mostly just a repeat of last Monday’s workout, outside of the extra push-ups I’m doing as my Bodyweight Exercise of Choice.  My first victory was the ability to just get on the floor and knock out 18 push-ups straight (8 for being day 8, and the first 10 for my warm up).  I remember when I first found this program I was only able to do 2 regular push-ups and then had to resort to knee push-ups because of how little strength I had in my arms and abs, so this is a massive improvement already for me.  At the beginning of this attempt at the challenge, even doing 8-10 in a row was a real challenge, so 18 straight felt good!

I also found, thanks to my wife, a Keeping Track check list page for my Tul notebook, which has been amazing to be able to just jot down all of my daily tasks for the challenge and any other accomplishments I want to do every day, and have a full weeks of check boxes to just check off and make sure I didn’t miss anything.  These pages have been invaluable!

The afternoon/evening had a few things that made us change plans, but I have to admit that I’m writing this much earlier in the evening (because I’m done with all of my tasks) than I have for the rest of the full 8 days!  That is a plus, and another Victory!

I’m thanking the Lord for my victories, and I’ll pray you have victories of your own soon as well.

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Day 7 – Miracles Abound!

Today was, truly, a very busy, very crazy day in some ways, but we owned it!

First of all Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings are church, which means that we only have about 4-5 hours left in the middle of the day to get stuff done.  Morning workout was able to happen before church began, which was great!

When we got home, we stopped for lunch, then I was off again for my cardio workout.  By the time all that was done, it was getting everyone ready to leave for church again as the Bigs had a Youth Rally to go do at church, which put us all at least half an hour sooner than expected.  After being there for our Bible study and then spending time waiting for the kids we found out great miracles were happening in the Youth Rally!

In addition to that, even with the shortage of time, I have been able to get all of my tasks completed, which although smaller than the miracles in the Youth Rally is a miracle on its own!

I’m so thankful for finding friendships in this new town and area, having a great Bible study group that we are totally connecting with and getting to know.  I’m thankful for getting all my tasks done, including both workouts and all the journal requirements, etc.  It’a ALL done!!!  Yay!

Also, the third miracle of the day…I’m finally back into it all emotionally!  Had a lot of reflection time at the gym today, and got some of it figured out.  Tomorrow should be easier to get motivated and get going, let’s see how I do, shall we?

On the overall, couldn’t have done it today without both God’s help, and my wife’s amazing support and love!  How amazing is that!  Thank you, Lord, for all the Miracles!

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Day 6 – Cloudy Weather?

Day 6 – Cloudy Weather…

So not only is it blustery with rain today outside, but I’ve had this partly cloudy feeling myself lately.  I’ve finally realized that I’m just not breathing well during my workouts and in between both.  My allergies are kicking into high gear and I’ve got moderate to severe congestion, which is draining into my lungs, which is constantly making me cough.  Not being able to breath is keeping me up at night for coughing fits, and making me pause my workouts for a minute or two here and there.  Not breathing is making everything feel undesirable, which is the blah feeling I’ve been talking about for the last couple of days.

I’m getting through it…with the help of some over-the-counter congestion meds, and cough drops with a cough suppressant in them, but I can’t wait for it to be over with.  I’m hoping I can just get better sleep tonight and cough less!

One of my victories today though is that we got to sleep in for two hours (we decided ahead of time last night we would because we were both so worn out), and still get everything done.  I still had time to spend with my family after brunch for family conversation, and I was able to cook brunch for them as well. 

I was also able to complete my Valor Challenge, which is a required part of the Deliberate Discomfort Challenge.  So I completed the Valor Challenge in 28.5 minutes which is a pretty long time, because I was super tired after my morning workout, and sit-ups are hard when coughing regularly.  But I got through it, and it was all in honor of a fallen soldier.  This is the information I received for the Valor Challenge this week from Jason Van Camp, CEO of Deliberate Discomfort.  The person talking is Jason, not myself in this description:

Deliberate Discomfort

VALOR CHALLENGE
Staff Sergeant Rob Pirelli, U.S. Army 

As you go through the challenge, please think about Staff Sergeant Rob Pirelli.

Rob and I served together on Operational Detachment – Alpha (ODA) 072. I was his commander and he was my 18C (Engineer Sergeant). During a day-time operation on August 15, 2007, to kill or capture high-value Al-Qaeda targets in the Diyala Province IVO Lake Hamrin (Iraq), Rob gave the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action.

Pirelli, 29, of Franklin, Mass., enlisted as an infantryman in Dec. 2003. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2005, and was assigned as an engineer sergeant with 10th SFG (A) Fort Carson, Colo. He had recently begun his first tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.

Pirelli’s military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officers’ Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Arabic Basic (Modern Standard Language Course).

His awards and decorations include two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Pirelli is survived by his parents, Robert and Nancy Pirelli; brother Shawn, and sister Stacey, of Franklin, Mass.

All in all, I had a pretty decent day for a Saturday.  Outside of challenge tasks and a few basic household duties, it was easy, mildly quiet (as quiet as it can be with 4 children at least), and worked out well.  Let’s hope this provides a little clearer skies for me in the coming days and not so much…Cloudy Weather!

God bless you all today!

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Day 5 – The Struggle Is Real!

So, here I was thinking that my mood would improve from yesterday, and even though the day went well and I was still getting everything done, I still just wasn’t into it.  I still sort of working solely on autopilot today.

The morning workout  was another Circuit Training day with a series of planks and Seated Russian Twists for core work.  It wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t excited either…I think that was the problem, just wasn’t excited about anything.

Afternoon cardio was a 60 minute ruck with a 10 pound pack.  For this I went to my usual park, but chose to use the nature trails instead of the paved walking/running path.  This slowed me down some, so my distance was still 2.6 miles in 60 minutes, however it did provide a sense of variety which was nice.  Different paths, different scenery, and you’d be surprised how heavy 10 pounds feels after wearing for an hour!

Some of my time at the park got interrupted by a last minute errand, so I had to squeeze in some of my tasks later in the day that usual, but still got through it.  I’m getting  resourceful these days, making sure I watch my Master Class video while waiting for the children, etc.  Truly multi-tasking, which is not usually in my nature…so that part of me is a little surprising to find, but I like it!

I’m not getting quite as much work completed as I’d like, but I’m still at least getting some done…so there’s that.  I’ve also been able to make sure I don’t fall further behind, or fall behind to begin with on all of my bible studies, which feels good too!

Still, even though I’m feeling much better about it at the end of the day, like I can see how it was actually a really good day, I’m still trying to figure out the blah nature I felt this morning through mid-day.  Is it just tired?  Is it something else?  I don’t know, but I do know…The Struggle Is Real!  LOL

Have a great day friends!

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Day 4 – Let the Struggles Begin…

So, today wasn’t easy…which I knew a day like this would come, but didn’t expect it on Day 4!  I didn’t sleep well, didn’t want to work out, didn’t want to walk, didn’t want to call anyone…just wasn’t feeling it today!

Don’t get me wrong, despite feeling that way all day, I very begrudgingly did it all anyways.  The workout took a little longer than usual, the Gratitude Journal entry was much harder to do, just staring off into space for a few.  Trying to think of something you’re grateful for when you are feeling like doing anything is tough, Real Tough!

In the end, got to see a few good deeds at the park where I do my walk.  Took a few deep breaths, knocked out a few of the easy things first then just got up and Took the Next Step! (For those of you that have attempted this program and/or read the Deliberate Discomfort book, you’ll understand the deeper meaning to that statement).

All in all, didn’t enjoy today much.  Still feel good about getting exercise in, steel feel healthier and stronger than I have in a while, which I like, just didn’t enjoy getting there today.  I think it’s all because I’m just plain tired today…

Hoping to get all my other responsibilities done shortly and see if I can’t turn in early, maybe rest up better for tomorrow??

Let’s see how that goes, shall we?  Good night!

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Day 3 – Positive Change for the Win!

So this morning’s workout wasn’t too horrible, I got off to a slightly late start, which threw it off a little, but I was still able to lumber through it (just wasn’t feeling it today, but I think I’m just tired from poor sleep last night).  Today was Leg Day…needless to say they are a little sore, but not too horrible thus far.

Got just about everything else done by noon, including Social, Emotional, Spiritual, and Mental.  The only things I had left (besides writing this blog post) were the Master Class video for today, and my Cardio, which was Sprints!  As I am unable to actually do running due to knee injuries, I must convert my running workouts to walking or I can use a recumbent bike at the gym.  Today that’s what I did. 

Because the effort is less per mile on a bike than running, I usually tend to triple the distance to get equivalent effort, and round up when rounding is needed.  For example, today called for 400 meter Sprints, so I calculated it out to .75 miles on a bike per Sprint.  With the two minute rests in between, and the warm up and cool down, I did a total of 9.01 miles in 31 minutes on the recumbent bike.  What shocked me most was how absolutely sweaty I was afterwards, just soaked.  I know that’s probably gross to some, but it means it was a great workout to me!  Felt good afterwards too!  I was also able to do my Master Class video while riding, and then get caught up on some of my bible studies too, so that was great as a multi-tasking efficiency! 

Being Day 3 I’m also excited to know that I’m about half way through the book for this week, which means I’m on a good pace to finish it on time.  The mental task of reading a full book each week was one of my worries when I first began this challenge because I’m not the fastest reader, but I found that I get plenty of time now to get it done the way we’ve organized my schedule, so worry no more!

I also had a great conversation with a  friend of mine about working out, getting healthy, and creating and maintaining positive change!  That was motivating!

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Day 2 – Busy, Busy, Busy!

I must say that today was just plain busy!  Was able to get my Circuit Training workout completed in a little under an hour and a half, which isn’t bad because some of that was figuring out equipment locations around the gym and then doing a cycle.  Altogether I should be faster next time because I already know where everything is!

Got my cardio in as well, getting in 2.6 miles in an hour. Was slowed down a little due to an insole of my shoe starting to ball up and rub on my foot.  Had to stop and fix it temporarily to finish the walk, and will see if I can find another set by tomorrow morning to get them set up for tomorrow’s walk.

Otherwise everything was just appointment after appointment, after Challenge task, after Challenge task, etc.

I will say, that I’m feeling great.  I knew what was coming so I did some working out over the week prior to help minimize the soreness and stiffness experienced when hitting it with hard workouts suddenly.  That has been a blessing, truly, because I just feel amazing each day, lots of energy and just feeling healthier after working out regularly for the last couple of weeks (even if it’s only Day 2 of the Challenge).  Got quite a bit done in my time frames allotted, so feeling good about that!  Nice and comforting feeling when follow through has bene reached.

The one slightly boring part of the Challenge right now is the mindfulness, but that is probably because I’ve done full meditation and lots of these breathing exercises in the past, so going back to this basic level to start is a little boring.  The notion of having to do the same 5 little breathing exercises all week is less than exciting, but I get it…get through this part and work our way up.  I’m sure there are a number of people, guys especially, that have never experienced this type of mindfulness at all.

Overall, had a good day!  Let’s see what tomorrow brings??

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Day 1 – Let’s Tackle It!

OK, so I’ve been trying to do this Deliberate Discomfort challenge for a while now, with numerous attempts to complete it all resulting in failure.  Mostly that was all poor planning, or poor follow through on my part (more poor follow through, to be honest)!

I found this challenge a couple of years ago now, and have been excited to complete it because I know it will be good for me.  Harder than I care to admit at times, and pushing my limits in all of my comfort zones and even getting me beyond my normal limits too, in positive ways.  I have high hopes for this challenge and what it will accomplish for me, when I finish it.

Despite all of the other attempts, Kat and I have renewed our intentions towards better health, and this is the program I am using!  I’ve worked up to it a little, now that I know what I’m getting into.  We have made sure that for the next 60 days that we are both committed to success in our programs, and once and for all getting the weight off and getting into shape.

I’m currently 6 foot tall, and weighing in at 273 I’ve got about 50 pounds or so I’d like to lose.  Now, to be honest, I’m not stuck on that number because my real goal is to get into better shape and feel good about myself.  If I’m in top shape, but end up at 240 or something, I’m not going to make myself suffer to get 20 pounds of muscle off of myself.  If I end up losing a ton more weight and my body wants to be in shape at 200, that’s fine too.  The number in the end is unimportant when compared to the desire to be in great shape instead of being out of shape.

We’ve tackled it all, from nutrition and healthy eating to time scheduled for my workouts and cardio, to time scheduled for making phone calls, writing in my Gratitude Journal, and all the other facets that the Deliberate Discomfort Challenge contains.  I’m prepared, I’m ready, and starting today I’m going to tackle it!

Part 2 – Today I was able to bust through my morning workout in about 1 hour and fifteen minutes.  They’d like it to be closer to an hour, but one step at a time.  I was able to get in 2.4 miles walking in about 53 minutes, which isn’t the best, but I included a natural trail that slowed me down due to the uneven ground, etc.  The requirement was 35 minutes of running, but I can’t run due to a lack of cartilage in my knees removing high impact exercises from my repertoire.  I’ve been able to get everything else accomplished today, although admittedly I’d like to get further in my reading, but it was also a day full of appointments and other commitments, so I should be able to make up for it tomorrow.