Picture
Today starts a new month and new months begin with new goals, not to mention new aches and pains.  March is a month that I need to kick up the intensity of my cardio workouts, and begin being more religious on my dietary intake.  My food intake is most important this month because, coming in April Spring will be upon us and I MUST reach the goals I have set for myself.

My first goal for the month of March is to dramatically increase my duration and intensity of my cardio workouts to burn more fat.

 My second goal is to increase my lean protein intake and reduce my red meat intake and simple carbohydrates to ensure I maintain the lean muscle mass I have worked so hard to gain.  I need to maintain a more balanced diet of lean protein, vegetables, legumes, beans and high fiber foods. 

The third goal is to concentrate on more structured sleep patterns, attempting to join the “early bird workout club”.  This will allow me to get more done in the day by getting my workouts out of the way and secure the more lean muscle mass.

My goals to good health aren’t all about gaining just muscle mass, it’s also about strengthening my tendons, ligaments, and supportive muscles that give my body the needed strength and balance for overall health and fitness.

Today, I completed an intense chest workout, but felt I just need a little more.  I kicked up my treadmill work out by pausing the treadmill every 5 minutes and doing 40 pushups.  I ended up doing 20mins on the treadmill and taking my chest muscles to a needed failure.  Yes it was a good day in the gym.


 
Picture
Well, I didn’t start today working out at the gym like I hoped I would have.  Life happened as I said earlier I wouldn’t let happen.  The good news is I have a terrible itch that only the gym can scratch.  I will make it to the gym tonight, and I will reach the goals I have set for myself.  Oh, that’s right I haven’t set any formal goals.  What the hell am I doing? 

It’s obvious to me that there’s a ton of things we must do to properly prepare for a healthy success, but one of the most important is : setting goals.  We have to have a goal to strive for, a goal that keeps us motivated to redeem the ultimate prize.  Our goals have to be simple and easy for us to accomplish.  I need to start setting my goals to set me up for success and not for failure.  My short-term goals have to be short enough to accomplish in a few weeks, this giving me the opportunity to be rewarded for my hard work and preparing my motivation for my long-term goals that lie ahead.

First, we have to commit to getting healthy.


 I have made the commitment by doing the work.  I have started this blog to hold me responsible in my commitment to getting healthy.  Also, I have positively changed how I view exercise and the importance it has in my life.

 Second, we have to commit to an event that holds us responsible for our goal. 

 For example I have committed to competing in the Oregon Warrior Dash in September 2011.  This is my long-term goal.  I have 7 months to prepare, allowing me time to get in shape and heal from any injuries I might encounter along the way.  Also, I’m not a professional in the fitness world, so I know that I will be making mistakes along the way.  

“Success seems to be connected with action.  Successful people keep moving.  They make mistakes, but they don’t quit” ~Conrad Hilton~

This is a new beginning, so I will start today with my simple goals.  I will stay on task and along the way I will adopt more goals to challenge myself physically and emotionally.