For Your Consideration--Where I want to be when this is all over

Over the last number of days I've been looking at this whole endeavor and trying to figure out why I am doing this, where I want to be and where I see it leading me in the future-I guess one could call it 'setting goals'. I hate the idea of setting goals because I have two facets of my personality that tend to work against each other. One part of me is an over-achieving perfectionist while the other is a a lazy procrastinator. I always set overly loft, ambitious goals that no one would ever be able to reach and thus my procrastinator side says 'aw, no worries to do it tomorrow' so when the set backs happen my perfectionist side yells "EPIC FAIL". Having said that I realize that setting targets and benchmarks does make it easier for one to work toward the end result so here is what I've come up with:

1. I would like to work toward a 1 minute lap. Based on my result that would be a little over 50 second reduction. I realize that will not allow me to make AIC but seeing as I'm coming from a place of absolute sedentary behavior and ill health for the past 15 or so years I think it's realistic.

2. Participate in training or physical activity AT LEAST 4 days a week for a minimum of 1 hour

3. Ensure proper meal planning and avoid 'junk' through out the week.

4. I will keep a progress journal and post at least once per week on the blog.

My intention for this period it to not sweat the small stuff. Treat every gain as a victory no matter how small and every set back as a minor blip on the radar and no matter the outcome be pleased with all I accomplish.

My Goals

My goal was originally to meet the minimum standard for application for the AIC. However, as I have met that already in two categories and could easily in the third, I decided to revise for the sake of a challenge. Currently, my goal is to meet the minimum MALE standards for the AIC course. If I land somewhere between the male minimum and superior stage, I will be very happy. If I can come close to Lt Mather on the run, even better. In fact, I might even go so far as to say I will be within two minutes of him, whatever his time is. :)

As a side note, I decided to bypass the female "superior" standard as it seems ridiculous. How one push up takes you from minimum standard to superior I will never understand...

My intention, as defined by CV Hollis, is only this: I will get fitter, I will do it and it will be done.

Chappell...out.

615 Staff go Head-to-Head in Initial Test

Wednesday, January 27th marked “Game On” for the Head-to-Head participants of the 615 Fitness Challenge. This year’s focus is on “Leading by Example” as such, 615 staff members lined up to complete in the Cadet Fitness Test – a test comprised of three basic exercises to ensure your physical activity level:

• Sit-ups – Timed under 60 seconds
• Push-ups – Consecutive without breaking form or rhythm (women can perform with bent knee support)
• 2.4km Run – Just aim to compete it (within a certain amount of time)

Capts Neil Wolthers (615 Commanding Officer), Sara Chappell (Administrative Officer), Doug Matheson (Training Officer) along with Lt Liam Mather (Standards Officer) and Civilian Volunteer Jenn Hollis lined up to “compete to complete” their initial test and gage their fitness level. All in an effort to meet AIC’s (Athletic Instructors Course) fitness standards. Read below for results:

	Sit-Ups	Push-Ups	2.4km Run
Capt. Wolthers	44*	29*	15:20
Capt. Chappell	41*	23	13:33*
Capt Matheson	47*	20	13:38
Lt Mather	57*	45*	12:04*
Jenn Hollis	44*	2	24:18
*Indicates at least minimum standard on the AIC test

AIC Minimum and Superior Standards as of 2010

	Men	Women
Sit-ups
Minimum	42	36
Superior	50	39
Push-ups
Minimum	29	25
Superior	31	26
2.4km Run
Minimum	Less than 12:15	Less than 14:45
Superior	Less than 11:15	Less than 13:45

So with those standards out of the way, it’s time for our competitors to set their goals.

Stay tuned…

Thanks egos, I'm training to run!

I guess I've been silent too long - it's time to chime in. I'm not on the competitive band wagon with this challenge, instead I'm using this to set tangible fitness goals.

My New Year's resolution was to lose weight and get in shape (yes, cliche) by doing some kind of activity for 30 mins/ twice a week. Ha! Until this week I was on fail. I managed to get to free yoga at LuLuLemon for the past two Sundays but this week, WIN! Yoga on Sunday, the gym yesterday and today. Both gym days I worked throught a fitness plan made for me by a friend with personal training experience.

Hopefully I can keep this up! As long as I remember my goals and treat the gym like an appointment - go right after work before I go home and get comfy.

This week's goals: To work on sit-ups and push-ups via the 100 push-up challenge http://www.hundredpushups.com/ and to do the 3rd gym day in my fitness plan .

PT – Good for You, Good for Me

In the winter of the 2009 – 2010 training year, staff members of 615  Bluenose Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron set out on a challenge: Ensure maximum participation in the Metro Region Sports and Drill competition and; Ensure all members of the unit were capable of completed the standard Cadet Fitness Test.

To accomplish this, a voluntary challenge was put out to the unit staff first, “Complete the AIC (Athletic Instructors Course) entrance PT test – with as many staff members as possible aiming for minimum acceptance standard”. This test is comprised of:

2.4 km Run.

Consecutive Push-ups, and

Sit-ups timed under 60 seconds

The challenge was issued. Many of the staff answered. Some will go head-to-head, others will detail their journey as they get “back on the horse” of fitness.

On January 27, the Fitness Challenge will Begin!

What this blog is (or will be) all about:

This blog is intended to become 615 Bluenose’s Fitness Hub – a place to quickly report on sports teams; post standards, results and news on the Air Cadet Organization’s two chief athletics courses (ITPE&RTC and AIC); and inspire others to get back at, or get started with their own fitness routines.

What You’ll find in the some of the Categories:

All articles that are not related to the staff Head-to-Head challenge are posted under the “General” category along with any other specific themes they may cover. All Head-to-Head competition can be found under the category with the same.

Intentions

As someone who practices yoga on a semi frequent basis(I'm clearly a weekend yogi) I've been introduced to the concept of setting an intention for your practice. Setting an intention, most simply put, is saying one word or phrase that will define your practice and help you get through the 'tough' parts aka where you are gritting your teeth as your hips seize, your ankles buckle and you topple like the tree you are supposed to be.

Since I began this in yoga I've also started to transfer it to my diet( "yes, I will enjoy chopping all these veggies for my stir fry when I really want onion rings) and other areas of exercise...aka that dreaded place know as the gym. I realize it may sound hokey but it really does help. You can set an intention for this whole insanity we're signed ourselves up for or one for each day or workout.

It's like setting a mini goal that will help you stay motivated through your session of p90x, running 5k on a treadmill or spending 5 "cleansing" (see long, painful) breaths in downward facing dog.

2.4k, eh?

So, for fun I decided to drive the 2.4 in my truck today. It's far. It almost took me 10 minutes to drive it. My right ankle hurts from holding the gas pedal down for that long.

I Guess This Means 'It's On'

I guess this means 'It's On'.... Better get on this running thing. I'm so not a runner. 2.5 in 20 mins is realistic for someone as out of shape as I. It's not too lofty or ambitious, I hope. Oh, for those not doing optional activities on Sundays, there is a free yoga class at Lulu Lemon @1030!

Oh boy. Here we go...