Post-Workout Review (PWR) #1

My plan is to do these PWR's every week on Sunday, but I ended up having finals and final projects, and didn't make the time to follow up after that first week, or continue the workout. However, I've started again this week with more success.

So, let's review some things I learned that first week:

• Lesson 1: Set aside time at the beginning of the week, with at least one contingency time (in case something comes up).
• The biggest reason I neither reached my target that first week, nor kept up the workout until this past week, was I didn't have the foresight to set aside the time ahead of time. 
• Lesson 2: When planning a workout take all variables into account and plan accordingly. 
• In my case, I have a toddler. As such, if I am going to take him on my "Pokemon: Go Workout" I have to be sure he's up for it. The one time I took him out, it didn't end well. I grossly overestimated his patience and how long he would put up with the cold, plus it was before his nap time... like I said, it didn't end well. BE MINDFUL OF VARIABLES.
• Lesson 3: If, after all is considered, the target goal (20k in this case) is not feasible (that first week I tried I still had school as well as being a stay-at-home dad), then adjust the target. 
• This will no longer be necessary for this particular workout, but I may need to implement in the future. 

Pokemon: Go Workout, Introduction and Part 1

The first step to working out is simple: Go. Work. Out.

Despite the enormous number of catch phrases, inspirational speeches, etc, it's still not as easy as it should be. But honestly, simply getting out and doing something is the best and most crucial first step to getting hooked on getting fit. It's even better if this workout regular, so that I can start to establish a routine. Once I have a routine, things get a whole lot easier.

So, I decided to base this first themed workout on Pokemon Go, using the app and a SMART goal structure. (SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, and Time-bound)


POKEMON: GO WORKOUT! (Part 1): 

Walk/Run 20k in one week, using the app to track progress. 

• This 20k can be spread out throughout the week in any way (ex. 5 days of 4k, with 1 rest day, etc etc). 
• There are no restrictions when/how much to run/walk. 
• Feel free to stop for Pokestops, catch Pokemon, even battle gyms. 

REWARDS: For now, the built-in rewards for the game. 

(However, if I can keep this up enough to step this first program up a notch or more, I'll earn the right to buy myself a workout shirt/hat/something.)

Fighting Back With Fitness: An Experiment in Motivation

I didn't realize it until I lost it, but I used to be in good shape. However, things went south and in just one year I let it all go, so now I am in the worst shape I have ever been. I used to be part of something. I had a uniform, I had a future, I had a purpose. I had completely absorbed it as a key part of my identity, as it represented everything I valued and hoped to be. And I lost it.

Turns out, I have been suffering from depression and anxiety, which has increasingly been taking it's toll on me until I broke. I ignored the signs and brushed off the warnings, and now I'm paying the price. All because I was afraid. I was afraid of the implications, the stigma, and convinced myself that accepting that I needed help meant I was giving up. Little did I know succumbing to those fears created a self-fulfilling prophecy that cost me almost everything. I didn't face my depression and anxiety. I didn't fight.

But not any more.

I've put off writing this, because frankly I'm still afraid. I'm afraid to start and afraid the fail. I didn't use to be afraid of failing, I used to dive in headfirst, work hard, and if I failed I wouldn't give up, I kept fighting. But now I feel like I've failed so much that instead of fighting, I freeze. I don't like that. I don't want to keep laying down, letting life pass me by.

It's time for a fresh start. I love working out. It feels really great once I start, and I know that if I make a steady habit of it again, I'll love it again. Once I love it, I'll (eventually) see the improvement I want.

But I need motivation.

Getting out of bed, making the time... it all comes when I find the motivation, the will to actually do it. To that end, I'm going to try something.

More than ever, after succumbing to depression I've clung to the nerdy side of me-- Fantasy stories, Zelda, and other games/shows/etc. For one, it was one of the very few parts of my personality and identity that remained in tact. It also provided escape and a false sense of accomplishment.

If I continue as I have, the negative consequences of turning to these things will outweigh the  positive. To that end I decided to use the style, structure, and excitement from these things in order to fuel my creativity and help stoke the fire of motivation I desperately need if I am to succeed. I'm going to create workout plans based off of things I like and love, things I really invest myself into from games like Zelda and Pokemon, to shows and movies like Star Wars, Arrow, and Captain America. Not only that, but I'll be creating rewards and achievements patterned after the Achievement-based sense of accomplishment from gaming.

In this nerdy theme I'll end from a fitting and inspiring phrase from a favored book of mine, The Faded Sun trilogy:

Shon'ai. It is cast.