Change Five: Move To A Goal-Related Fitness Plan

I think the fittest I’ve ever been was between 2000 and 2002, and I’ve always held that up as my gold standard (in contrast to my current, corpulent self). The problem with striving to reach that level again is that a lot of different factors conspired to make that possible, and it’s a confluence that will never happen again. I was running then. A lot. There were a few 10Ks and one half marathon, and it seemed like I was always training for something. And when it was too cold to run I was a fairly steady gym goer. But this was all because I had loads of time on my hands. I was living in Georgetown with my parents, and for two of those years Sarah was still going to school in Guelph. Also, all but about three of my friends had moved from town by then, so a lot of my nights were free. Generally speaking, I was fit because I was constantly exercising because I didn’t have anything better to do.

Since then, I’ve been totally unable to keep up any kind of regular fitness regime. At first I’d blamed this on laziness, and work, and travel, and sure that’s part of the problem, but the main issue is that I keep aspiring to get back to the regularity of those glory days. And when I miss a workout and then get out of routine for a few days, I get frustrated and then give up totally. Then two months later I start again, and then I chuck it again, and it’s just a never-ending cycle of brief bursts of activity followed by bag upon bag of Doritos.

All this to say—as I’ve already blown in my subject line—I want to switch to a more goal-related fitness plan (i.e. rather than go to the gym three times a week, aspire to do three consecutive push ups). I think I’ll be happier this way, more successful this way, and working out won’t be such a damn chore.