The main difference between those who succeed and those who don't, is that winners set goals and achieve them, and losers don't.
I've been setting goals, but I'm not sure how many of them I'm achieving. And lately, it's gotten worse.
For example, last week I only exercised one time. One run, on Monday, and after that, nothing. Maybe that doesn't sound so bad. Actually, it is.
Weeks ago I wrote: How To Lose 5kg in 10 Weeks. It may have been more appropriate to have written: How To Gain 5kg in 5 Weeks. I have heard though, that it is better not to weigh yourself in the first two months after beginning a change in lifestyle. A large amount of the initial weight gain is the body holding onto water, which it considers an emergency supply as the body isn't sure why it is exerting itself suddenly. That may be true, but if one decidees to lose weight, and find one gains (even as a natural reaction), this should, for a mentally strong person, serve as an added incentive to train even harder, and see results as soon as possible. So that hasn't happened and I am disappointed with that.
I've also set financial targets and have seen these withering away. Recently I received two electricity bills totalling almost W400 000. That's obscene in an attitude of saving. There are some expenses that are clearly my fault, and because of my own laziness and lack of alertness. Others less so. But technically, money flows are pretty much that personals full and total responsibility. So I want to hold myself accountable to that.
My school told me on Friday that my salary is being cut by W200 000 (about R1 100) because I am not teaching the full 6 hours daily quota.
So there's an account of the setbacks.
Here's a projection for a renewed effort firstly, in terms of exercise
The new goals for each week leading to the Terry Fox run at the end of the week, and marathon in November are to:
- Do Pilates (10-20 minutes) 5 x Week (probably not over the weekend)
- Running (including hills and on the track) 4 x Week
- Cycling (Monday, Friday and Saturday/Sunday) 3 x Week
- Swimming (Wednesday and Sunday) 2 x Week
- Pullups (Monday) 1 x Week (increasing to 2-3 sets of 10)
Total: 15 Workouts
Total Time: 10-15 hours
In terms of financial, I won't provide too many details, but the good news is, in mitigation of recent expenses I am starting some extra work this week, starting tomorrow actually, and later in the month am starting something else.
I've also begun preparation for returning to South Africa. I responded to at least 3 jobs posts (looking for a writer) about a week ago and have heard nothing from them. In South Africa, when I job is advertised, they literally get a hundred people responding to them. That can be demoralising over a period of time.
But I have had some success and prospects seem good in terms of the local community where I am from, meaning that I might well get involved in the development of family land and possibly get involved in one or two other projects related to people and areas that are close to me. So that is a good sign.
I believe exercise is a crucial component of what keeps people healthy and in a positive state of mind. I know it keeps me balanced and happy not only in terms of health but in other areas. It refreshes the body and mind, helps one to cope with stress, puts things in perspective. One of the best bebefits is what it does to one's state of consciousness. It lifts the spirit. Running makes me feel happy (as opposed to depressed) and energetic(as opposed to apathetic), so I would like to be stricter and more disciplined in this area. Particularly running. Triathlon is a long way away, but I can actually begin to prepare for doing a marathon which is only 2 months away.
Lately I have not maintained a good pattern (of training) and I believe this lies at the root of my malaise.
When you're exercising the focus, motivation and energy spreads to all the other areas of our daily lives. That balancing is important.
No comments:
Post a Comment