If there was an event at the Olympics for making excuses not to train, I would get the gold medal! I have wonderful intentions but if I am having an off day, I know deep down it won't happen.
I have set some things in motion to make sure stuff happens:
- Daily text message - My beautiful friend Erin and I exchange text messages at the end of the day to state what exercise was done for the day, if we ate well and what we plan to do tomorrow.
Do not underestimate ACCOUNTABILITY
- Workout with friends - I know that at certain times I have people that are expecting me for a workout. Not only do I get a great sweat up but it is great hanging out with great people who share my health goals and are there to kick my arse if I need it.
Do not underestimate SUPPORT
- Plan B - I know shit happens. Zoe might have a bad day, Trent might be late from work, it might rain etc etc. I need to have an option ready in case of emergency. I have little circuit ideas that I can do around the house. I'll blog these soon. I do not like sending Erin a text message telling her I have done nothing.
Do not underestimate PREPERATION
So far these are working for me and I am feeling better about reaching my goals I set out earlier.
During my time as a personal trainer I was amazed at how many people had "bad backs". I would very carefully plan their session to ensure I did not cause any further pain for them. There would be no medical diagnosis for the back pain but they would tell me during certain exercises "I cant do this it hurts my back". Nobody knows your body like you do so I would just make the required adjustments and carry on.
It is only now I understand the pain most of them were feeling and describing to me. There are some exercises I struggle with because I have very little ab strength yet. My abs are not strong enough to take the load so my back muscles take over and that is when I get the pain/discomfort. Nothing a little check of my form or scaling back the weight can not fix.
It amazes me to think back at the number of people that have stopped exercising all together because it makes there back pain worse. These people that have no medical condition or reason for the back pain that is! In acutal fact it is continued exercise that will strengthen their core and make those movements not only pain free but everyday life easier.
As frustrating as it is for me to be starting at a beginners level, I know that it will set up a great foundation for me to smash any previous records I had set myself.
So I need to learn to love the plank again, GREAT!
This week I have been very slack and missed opportunities to sweat it out. It has been easy to make excuses to stay indoors. From Zoe's first cold, the chilly weather and just not being organised enough, I have let myself down.
Normally I am chomping at the bit to get going for my workout and it got me thinking about why I might be lacking the extra motivation I normally have...
GOALS!!!!!
I still have not set myself anything to work torwards. Now more than ever I need a reason to seperate myself from my precious girl, to make myself get organised and brave the freezing conditions outside.
I had set myself goals prior to Zoe arriving but they are not important to me anymore. I now need to set myself targets to achieve that:
- Are important to me so I stay on track and dont make excuses
- Have a set date to be achieved by
- Can be measured. I need to know when I have "made it"
I have made the following promises to myself:
- First 10km run to be completed on 14th October 2012. Aim for 60min finish
- Perform 5 full push ups before Christmas
- Learn how to play tennis before summer 2012/13 finishes
- Create a workout that is like playtime with Zoe before Christmas (need to wait for some more limb/head control first)
It is out there now and I can not take it back. This is very exciting and hopefully keeps me going.
