Fitness

This is Post 32 of my fitness journey blogging. Here are links to all of my fitness posts: Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7,Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, Post 12,Post 13,Post 14, Post 15, Post 16, Post 17,Post 18, Post 19,Post 20,Post 21, Post 22,Post 23, Post 24, Post 25, Post 26, Post 27,Post 28 Post 29, Post 30, and Post 31.

Almost 3 months ago (on Sept. 17), I set some new training goals with my personal trainer and friend, Steve Bechtel. (A short video of our discussion, is here.)

With the end of the calendar year fast approaching, I’m chasing down my last two goals. I would like to get these goals checked off the list and behind me. I miss my endurance training, and I want to go full throttle into skate skiing.

In summary, I had 6 goals. The first 4 listed below have been accomplished – at least for the time being.

1. To set/establish a gym record in number of repetitions of front squat at body weight. I did 16 reps.

2. To set/establish a gym record in number of repetitions of back squat at body weight. I did 25 reps.

3. To set/establish a gym record for number of reps of bench press at body weight. I did 5 reps.

4. To set/establish a gym record for number of dips. I did 21.

5. To beat my pull-up record of 19. I’m still working toward this. This is hard work. I hope the end is in sight, but not sure. I managed 16 today. I really don’t want to be doing so many pull-ups in January. I’m getting tired of them.

6. To weigh 129 pounds. I’m still working toward this. I weigh 132 today, down from the 133.5 I weighed in September. This one is the hardest for me. I’m trying to believe it’s possible, but it very well may not be. It doesn’t feel super realistic right now, to be honest.

The problem is that the two remaining goals are at cross purposes. Or, as Steve would say, “If you’re chasing two rabbits, you’ll catch neither one.”

In fact, at the gym today, Steve looked me straight in the eyes and said “You can’t get both of these by the end of the year. You need to make a decision.”

Here’s his explanation:

Well. I like the “impossibility” factor of achieving both of these divergent goals at once.

But I do have some sense, and the risk of getting neither seems greater to me than is the chance of getting both. So for now, I choose pull-ups.

While it’s no fun being reasonable, this does mean I can eat the homemade pecan sandies and drink the egg nog over the holiday. Which is no small thing.

So, already, I feel better.

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

For backstory — and links to all of my fitness-related blogging — see Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7,Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, Post 12,Post 13,Post 14, Post 15, Post 16, Post 17,Post 18, Post 19,Post 20,Post 21, Post 22,Post 23, Post 24, Post 25, Post 26, Post 27,Post 28 Post 29, Post 30, and Post 31.