October 23, 2014

KnitOrMiss

So, in the late hours last night, and the wee hours of this morning, I had the continuing conversation with my sister, who is very fit at this stage in her life, about making a plan. I have unofficially set a goal to complete a Warrior Walk sometime in the year I turn 40. (I was originally aiming for a Tough Mudder, but my body needs a bit more repair/planning time for that, I think.) I am 38. So in 2016... I'm excited, intimidated, overwhelmed, feeling ridiculous, and all those things.

So, we were working on a workout plan to move me from current almost non-existent level of fitness, closer to a beginner level of fitness and health to help me get one step closer to my goal. She will help me modify and add to this routine as I accomplish it's many goals...

Normally, I am a planner in every other stage in my life, but in fitness/health, I have always fought myself so much, so I've stayed in the space of no set goals, leave everything loose and nebulous with general direction. So this is a complete change for me.

What about you - do you do better with a plan? Or are you like the me I'm fighting not to be anymore - that requires a distinct lack of plan so you have nothing to fight against/rebel from?

maoribadger

Hmm well my.ocd means I am big on lists, goals you can quantify and numbers generally.

So I have goal tracking apps on my phone for.running, weight lifting.and weight loss as well as some generic.goals ie tough mudder is one.of mine.

KnitOrMiss

Warrior walk is more like a 5K with the same obstacles, whereas Tough Mudder is 10-12 miles... Definitely a better starting point for me.

I am borderline OCD (OCD in certain areas, but not many things like some I know), so I use all the tracking apps and such, I'm just cynical enough that I don't trust them.

Oh, and lists and I aren't friends. I make them so lovingly, but then they run away never to be revisited until the accumulate to the point where they are making a mess of themselves...LOL

wennim

I am another by the numbers person. I need to see things in black and white for them to be acknowledged. Organizing five kids schedules has led me to have to write everything down. As far as weightloss has gone I needed to schedule it in and know exactly what I will be doing each day or I know I won't do it. I even make a point of prelogging my calories on a lot of days just to make sure I know what I can and can't eat.

PatrickB_87

I find small goals to help, at least in the physical fitness. Usually by making events of them. So instead of making sure I have hit a certain number It helps me to know I have completed a certain event. That way it's not about the numbers its about the activity.

In my case they are usually bike routes. I have obviously designed them to be certain distances that will challenge me but it's just as much about the opportunity to see and experience new places, travel long distances, take a whole day to myself, as it is to hit my exercise or physical challenge goal.

That way I can really enjoy myself and still have fun while being challenged. Which, at least for me, is really important.

We had a post a while back about our exercise bucket list. By Saturday I will be able to cross of a second item from my bucket list.

KnitOrMiss

Awesome, Patrick. I made a blog about the Exercise Bucket list, but I need to update it...to add more things I want to do. It's nifty that you are marking things off...

And I LOVELOVELOVE the idea of making it about events and not numbers... I'm gonna steal that and morph it for me! I started a list of my extra steps and chair squats today. I've been excited every time, so if I talk about burnout, y'all kick me in the bee-hiney, okay?

Wennim, I totally understand what you mean about coordinating schedules. Last job my guy had, we had to do that (1 car). It was more difficult when I was married with kiddo and ex... Awesome that you can pre-log - to be that would be another item that would bring out my inner rebel! Now why my inner rebel can rebel against fat, laziness, and procrastination, I don't know, but I'll work on that!

maoribadger

My ocd isnt so much about germs as I had some treatment for that and its quite well controlled but Im big on numbers and symmetry and needing to tap/touch things certain times/ways. Its way better than it used to be though hospital flooring stresses me out because of the lines on it but Ive chilled out big time since the kids as you simply cant manage it with two little tornados around the place. But I use it to my advantage with the goals and lists. I can pack for a holiday like nobodies business! So yeah I am a massive numbers geek and its working out well with MFP and exercising. I aim to improve my numbers every week be it weight/inches/times taken to do a circuit and I log them all in my phone which has about a million goal tracking or fitness tracking apps on it. Makes me feel I can see a difference which isnt immediately apparent to me in the mirror.

I'm making I guess you could say a bucket list or early new years res list. So far I have it to complete a tough mudder and a 10k run which could be a huge challenge. My mum also wants me to do the half moonwalk with her

mikesgirl4evr

I am definitely a list person. I have lists for everything. Back when I married my first husband they all made fun of me because everyone associated with the wedding in any way had a To-Do list with dates when things needed to be accomplished. I have daily lists, weekly lists, monthly lists, shopping lists (by store), lists to accomplish goals, you name it and I'm sure I have a lists for it, lol.

shballa

I think that is why MFP works for me. The organization of it. I can see exactly what my food allowance is for the day and can plan my food out. Just the general "eat less, exercise more" never worked for long. Whenever anyone asks how I lost weight, I tell them it's all just math.

carostad

Not much for lists here. Although, I do make lists when I'm travelling, but only consult them to make sure I remembered everything, which I mostly do. So, I guess I make lists, but they live in my head and I occasionally write them down.

But, a plan? Not me. Plans defeat me. I must reach every milestone, or I give up entirely. Or, I procrastinate and think I can complete whatever item at the last minute. Homeschooling my kids has helped me break those bad habits, but it's still something I struggle with.

And, I'm pretty defiant too, lol. So, give me a goal that I didn't create myself and screw you! I won't do it!

I really *want* to be a goal maker and achiever, but it's just not me. My life could totally use some organization, but it doesn't bother me enough to do anything about it. My kids are clean (mostly), fed, educated and entertained. My house is manageably messy, but can be cleaned quickly when guests are coming. I have several projects in progress (crocheting, reading, house stuff) and the important ones get completed when I feel like it, mostly in a reasonable time frame.

But, Carly, I jogged this week. Just for about 100 feet. I did it! Left me completely breathless afterwards for a loooong time, and my ankle told me I'm not quite ready for that yet, but I did it. I wouldn't have, if I hadn't read about you jogging. So you inspired me to try. Thank you!

Caroline