Week 7: Turn it up A Notch

Let’s take a quick look at our 9 week fitness journey…  After all it is about the journey.

1. Keep a journal & Set SMART goals
2. Eat Smart & Stay Active | Burn more calories than you eat & drink
3. Expect Setbacks
4. Sleep is Important
5. Muscle Confusion works – Mix it UP
6. Balance – Life & Fitness

You are well on your way to better fitness and reaching your goals.  This week’s focus is on Intensity.  Intensity is essential to creating change.  Thanks for following my weekly advice – Keep up the great work.  If you are ready to turn up the intensity and not sure how, please reach out to me so we can implement a personalized training plan.

Take Action Today – Don’t wait until the New Year.

Jason

Week 1: Getting Started

Get a journal, tell your friends & family about your decision to get healthy, set some goals and get started.

This coming week is more important than it appears.  It is physically pretty easy, but represents change and the beginning of a new process.  Start by making the decision to make a change and getting serious about making the time each day to work on your health.

Step 1.  Get a journal – record as little or as much as you like, but make sure you capture your diet trends, activity and general feelings each day.  Some of you will love this part and some will hate it.  Find your style and keep track.  This is a much more important aspect than you would think.

Step 2.  Set your goals - record your base weight, resting heart rate or any other physical or physiological measurement as your starting point and set some goals of where you want to be this time next month, 6 months, year, and 5 years.  (We will go into more details on these check points, but trust me you want to take the time to think of them all.)  I will also add that you should make sure you use S.M.A.R.T goals.  I would love to get some dialogue going on this topic so if you would like to know more please post a comment below or send me an e-mail.

Step 3.  Get Started – Make sure that you dive right in.  Create a schedule that works for you.  This is the beginning of a wonderful new process, one that can make a huge difference in your lifestyle.  

“Learn to love the process.” – M.Jordan

Road Warrior Health & Wellness Challenge II

Road Warrior Health & Wellness Update: 

Three months ago while travelling for work in Raleigh, NC I found a local fitness publication at the hotel that caught my eye.  Like most travelling salespeople I usually grab the USA Today, but this trip I grabbed this local publication and was intrigued by all of the races coming up in North Carolina.  I love signing up for an event whether a run, bike, or triathlon every few months and there was an ad for the Hickory Nut Olympiad (http://hickorynutolympiad.com) which had a full weekend of events for all ages and interests.  I was sold.  I signed up that week for the Sprint Triathlon and put it on the calendar.

I enjoy training and working toward getting a PR (personal record) or placing in my age group.  I always set a goal to shoot for and then just do my best.  I wanted to participate in one event each day of the Olympiad, but knew that our family schedule may not permit.  It turns out my oldest son had a soccer tournament the same weekend so I skipped the 25 mile bike ride Sunday to the top of Chimney Rock so that I could attend his final day of games .  I did however arrive Friday night in time to sign up for the 10k Dam Run which started at 7pm.  As with many races I started out way too fast and before I realized it I was half way through the run and still feeling great. I pushed through and quickly knew that I was looking at a PR.  I caught the group in front of me and did my best to hang on until the end.  I finished several minutes better than any previous 10k and was shocked that I performed so well despite all of the hills.  I was feeling great going into the weekend.

When I woke up the next morning to my 5:30 alarm I was feeling the effects of my PR from the night before and knew it was going to be tough day in the mountains.  I had a tough swim, felt great on the bike and was completely spent on the run.  I pushed through the pain and was very pleased with my overall accomplishment, but I did not earn a PR or age group win.  I did love the challenge and the beautiful views during the race.  This venue was absolutely amazing and I hope to have my family and friends with me next year to enjoy this amazing weekend together.

I would encourage all of you to find an event near you, set some goals, train smart, and enjoy the challenge.