Goal… To Achieve

Since a nasty ankle injury removed me from the pool back in early  winter of 2002, I’ve not been quite as active on the workout front though the appetite seemed to think different. I was a 185 lbs frame that was swimming 400 Individual Medley just under 4 minutes and 30 seconds, training between 6 and 12k per day in the pool, and likely consuming at least 8,000 calories in the same period. Literally it didn’t matter what I ate, I just burned it away in time for the next slice. As such, my exodus from the pool was met with a weight increase, topping out at a pudgy 220 at my heaviest. Since then my “fitness” goals have been more associated with losing weight than trying to achieve. This time around I’m adding a new page from an old book to help me stay on the fitness band wagon: Achievement.

Setting the Goal of Achievement

It’s simple really instead of saying, “Okay, I’m going to work out until I’m X’lbs”, I’ll be focusing on milestone achievements. So here were my goals prior to last week’s initial test:

Push-Ups: 83 consecutively.

Sit-Ups: 57 in 60 seconds

2.4km Run: 9 minutes

After the initial test it became clear that the sit-ups needed to be adjusted. The push-ups almost seems manageable after the initial test results (45), though adding another 37 is going to hurt a bunch! The run is what’s going to break me – I've not gone under 9 minutes since age 16, and then I only went an 8:40 at what I would have considered one of my peak times for fitness level. But that’s beside the point, here are my goals going forward:

Push-ups: 83 consecutively

Sit-Ups: 65 in 60 seconds

2.4km Run: 9 minutes – or at least 3 minutes ahead of Chappell at the end.

Training to Achieve

So in replace of the calorie counting journal (though I’m keeping a nutrition journal as of this week – something I suggest to all), I’ll be setting weekly goals thanks in part to a training program I’ve started called P90x (the “X” is for Xtremely Cute Basket of Puppies – or more appropriately the X is for this) which will likely destroy me thanks in part to the muscle confusion and sheer core intensity of the program.

So week 1’s goal was to finish week 1 – which I did. Because the program makes you record your workouts (how many reps, weight, etc.) I will be aiming for a modest 25% increase in chin-up and push-up reps, while maintaining my rep count in weighted exercises but increasing the weight by at least 5lbs.

Accountability

One of the things that has always bit me in the end was not having someone there to keep me accountable. When swimming, I had a coach who could tell when I was putting in the effort, logging the weight room time and things like that, but when working out on your own you don’t really have that driving force there. So I’ve set-up a Google Calendar with another friend who will be doing the P90x program with me. We log our workouts each day we’re supposed to, and when one doesn’t the other gets on their case – oh, and this staff challenge and blog thing doesn’t hurt either.

Stay tuned for next week’s update on my P90x-a-thon and I might even take you on a little tour of the “gym”.

 

Mather out.

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.