Hey Everybody!
So it’s goal update time and sadly, I think I have gone backwards in my training… if that’s even possible! So last month I was really close to doing 1 unassisted pull-up. But as of yesterday, I could barely get myself started from a dead hang.
As I process through what might have caused this, I realize I did not increase the amount of weight in my training sets. As a result, I was building muscle endurance rather than overall strength. I was able to rock out assisted pull-ups, but lost focus on the routine I had put in place to ensure success (that was dumb of me!). Instead of setting this as a goal again in this upcoming month I have something different in mind. (Don’t get me wrong… I am going to be able to do a pull-up by the end of the month, but that is not my goal for May).
My goal for me is going to be… RUNNING! I am training for a 5K in July and while that sounds like plenty of time, here recently it feels like crazy muscle tightening and cramps when I start running. Not so much shin splits as it is terrible muscle cramping. So my goal is to learn how to PROPERLY run this month!
You would think that something as primal as running would be natural, but for a big oaf like me not so much!
I have long touted that I was built for comfort and not speed, but running and cardio in general have their benefits and purposes. Let’s face it when it comes to the Zombie Apocalypse running is going to be your #1 go-to! Ok, so I don’t really think there is going to be a zombie apocalypse, but from a personal standpoint I do need to add more cardio in the form of running. If for no other reason so I can spend more time with my bride! She loves to run and as I encourage her to lift, she encourages me to run and the end result is more time together! That within itself is reason enough for me! (Plus, the endorphin rush from working out never hurts for “mommy/daddy time”, but I digress.)
So to recap: this month’s goal – Fail! That’s two months in a row, but it happens. Failure is an option when you are trying. If you never try you can never fail. But failure isn’t a stopping point or a reason to quit. It gives us the opportunity to evaluate, assess, and try again. I could give all kinds of examples of where people tried, failed, and tried again, but all you need to know is that when you encounter failure it is not permission to quit. It is permission to try again, to try harder than you did before!
Also, I have some exciting new things in the works that I will be talking about in days and weeks to come, but know that I am adding something to my workouts that I hope to be very beneficial! If nothing else it will be another layer of encouragement and when it comes down to it, who couldn’t use more of that!
Have a great day, great work out and be safe!
Erik
Erik's Fat Boy Motivation 
Not everything is a failure this month – there’s one thing you didn’t even know you were succeeding at…motivation!!! Reading about your struggles, successes, and everything in between since December 25 has motivated me to get going again! When I get frustrated and distracted, your posts help me stay focused, day in and day out. Even though there have been days this month I haven’t succeeded, I can say in the month of April I’m back to running via C25K (yay), lost 5 lbs (YAY), got 10,000 steps 17 out of 30 days (a concerted effort on my part), eating healthier and feeling more energetic for it (major YAY) and most importantly for me, I learned mercy. In the past, my efforts have always had to be perfect. This time, I realized they don’t – I just pick up and decide every minute is a new opportunity and one step closer; if I stumble, THAT’S OKAY. It’s not an excuse, but it’s not the end either – just take the next step. Through birthday parties, a mini-vacation, and even a pulled back muscle this month I am succeeding – not perfectly, but still succeeding!!!!! THANK YOU for being SUCCESSFUL this month at inspiring and motivating me to keep trying. It kinda sounded like you needed some encouragement and redirection, so I’m returning the favor running buddy 🙂
Thanks Tiffanie! I do appreciate! I was discouraged, not defeated, but your words were awesome and gave me more than encouragement. They were validation. There are times when it feels like no one is reading, but if even one person (like you) is benefiting from my journey then it is worth it! Thank you for reading and thank you for teaching me that dedication sows the seeds of fruitfulness!