First 2 weeks reflection

Earlier I set the goal for myself of working six days a week by mid-November. I have definitely not achieved this goal - I don't have my notebook with me, but I'd guess I've been working maybe four days a week: one or two of lifting, two or three of rugby.

I'm not about to get too down on myself. I have also done a LOT more planning than I've ever done before (for example, starting this blog). Additionally, I need to consider that my goals were set as an "off-season" lifting program, when in reality I attended rugby practices three weekdays of the past two weeks and played a challenging two-day tournament this past weekend.

Finally, I have also been trying to work in a PT routine for my shoulder, on the advice of the orthopedic I saw two weeks ago. I've never done PT, so it's been frustrating to do a workout that takes as long as my usual full-body strength lifting programs but feels much less productive.

General observation: when I am tired, hungry, or generally crappy feeling, I'm less likely to work out.

Summary of the bad:
- did not meet goal of 6 days of work/3 days of lifting/week
- did not complete shoulder PT daily
- have not been eating enough
- have not been sleeping enough
- have been making excuses for myself for not working out


On the positive side: It's very clear to me that working out (lifting, running/sprinting, rugby practice, even core workouts and shoulder PT) make me feel better. As does sleeping and eating healthily.

Feeling better means I work out more. Working out more means I feel better. I think the equation is obvious.

I have also done some planning and gained a little weight: my (not-very-precise) scale indicates I've gone from 132ish to 135ish.

Summary of the good:
+ planning
+ gained 3ish pounds
+ made the conscious realization that working on my fitness has a positive effect on me
+ made the effort to go out and play a LOT of rugby - attended a Furies practice and two GW practices of my own volition


Overall: Planning is all well and good, but in the end it's not making me bigger, faster, or stronger. I had damn well better improve my performance by the next reflection!!


For the end of the month:
- work out 6 days/week: lifting 3 days, core work 3 days, sprinting at least once a week
- do shoulder PT EVERY DAY
- eat and sleep more
- start recording weight, body measurements?
- PLAN LESS - DO MORE
- Remember: working out makes me feel better, so NOT DOING IT when I feel crappy is counter productive!

First month goals

First two weeks of November:
- work out (strength workout or core workout or rugby) 6 days/week
- eat 3 meals/2 snacks per day
- buy a scale

By the end of November
- Incorporate sprinting/interval training into workout

Brainstorming

Just a brain-dump of ideas...

- Give up alcohol? Or maybe one drink/night min.
- Start exercise log
- Ortho (PT) for R shoulder (R elbow? R wrist? R knee?)
- Get daily planner!!
- List of what I need to do, how often
o Schedule?
o ACL – once a week
o Strength – three times a week
o Sprinting 3x week
o Core 3x a week
o That thing where you jump a lot and it is hard Plyometrics! – 1x a week
- Make inspirational signs for laundry room gym
- SET GOALS!!!
o And ways to measure them