"The best shape of my life!"

tappae

So, my main goal this year has been functional physical fitness. I wanted to get into "the best shape of my life," and I've been defining that as beating my PRs at every distance I've run and also at several feats of strength: push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.

The story of my running PRs is found on my blog:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/tappae/view/operation-burn-up-the-track-452094

The strength story is a little shorter.

I had never really tested max push-ups before last year, but had never done more than 25 or so. Last year, I got up into the 40s. This year, I went through the "100 push-ups" plan a couple of times and managed 57 earlier this month.

Pull-ups have always been a struggle for me. I couldn't do a single one for most of life, both as a youth and then again as an out-of-shape adult. Three years ago I managed 1 chin-up and couldn't do another one for a whole week. I worked at them off and on until I could do 10 and then I switched to pull-ups. I did 11 consecutive pull-ups earlier this month. I really had hoped to do 12, since I managed 11 one time back in high school. So it's a tie, but I'm calling it a win since I'm over 20 pounds heavier now than I was then. Today, I did 13 chin-ups, which is my most ever.

I stopped doing sit-ups and crunches regularly when I realized that I was working my abs plenty with the push-ups and pull-ups but I still managed to improve on my self-administered fitness tests. Beating my high school record of 63 in one minute was a big ask since it was something I was pretty good at then, but I just managed it earlier this month with 65.

So, I'm 35 and I'm in the best shape of my life! I'm not about to rest on my laurels, though. Next year will be even better!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

So, my main goal this year has been functional physical fitness. I wanted to get into "the best shape of my life," and I've been defining that as beating my PRs at every distance I've run and also at several feats of strength: push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.

The story of my running PRs is found on my blog:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/tappae/view/operation-burn-up-the-track-452094

The strength story is a little shorter.

I had never really tested max push-ups before last year, but had never done more than 25 or so. Last year, I got up into the 40s. This year, I went through the "100 push-ups" plan a couple of times and managed 57 earlier this month.

Pull-ups have always been a struggle for me. I couldn't do a single one for most of life, both as a youth and then again as an out-of-shape adult. Three years ago I managed 1 chin-up and couldn't do another one for a whole week. I worked at them off and on until I could do 10 and then I switched to pull-ups. I did 11 consecutive pull-ups earlier this month. I really had hoped to do 12, since I managed 11 one time back in high school. So it's a tie, but I'm calling it a win since I'm over 20 pounds heavier now than I was then. Today, I did 13 chin-ups, which is my most ever.

I stopped doing sit-ups and crunches regularly when I realized that I was working my abs plenty with the push-ups and pull-ups but I still managed to improve on my self-administered fitness tests. Beating my high school record of 63 in one minute was a big ask since it was something I was pretty good at then, but I just managed it earlier this month with 65.

So, I'm 35 and I'm in the best shape of my life! I'm not about to rest on my laurels, though. Next year will be even better!

This is fabulous news and I'm so proud of you--you so ROCK!

BenKnowsFitness

Big congrats and major props. :drinker:

Abruneaubunny98

Good for you! I think given yourself a goal is a good idea. Something to work towards for yourself. Each step being a small, but important victory. Thanks for posting your story, I'm just getting starting on my fitness journey and can use all the helpful tips I can get.

Dave198lbs

awesome on the pull ups

start working on pistol squats and diamond push ups

good work

StaceySuperfly

Great job! How exciting to get yourself to the point that you are doing better than when you were a teenager! Keep on challenging yourself!

Colbyandsage

Awesome! Proud of you and there is no doubt you will be posting better results next time this year,

You motivated me a few weeks back to look at the military fit tests and I am going to take one tomorrow to see how I score. Can't do the 2 mile run since my running route is really icy at the moment but I can base that off of a previous run.

I am setting some of my 2013 goals similar to what you did in 2012! Thanks for the idea and motivation! :drinker: