Here we are again, that time of year when I declare that I need to lose a few pounds. Lockdown hasn’t been kind to me but I can’t blame it all on that. A lack of motivation has put a spanner in the works but I am going to get fit or try dying! Yes, I know, it’s supposed to be die trying. However, the point is to not die or even try dying, the point is……..I forget!!
The art of getting fit
There is an art to getting fit and that is to start doing something. Anything, in fact, to get you moving on the right track. It could be going for longer walks than usual or cycling a couple of times a week. The key is to do something. This is where I struggle!
I start something and have all the best intentions, but, something else always gets in the way. A shift change at work or a bad back, maybe a cold or even a rainy day. Then, no exercise for a few days, a week, a month. This time though, I have to do something.
Why now?
In all honesty I have been in dire need of being fitter for a few years. I used to run a fair bit but then stopped after getting an injury. It took me ages to get back to running again (no pun intended) but when I did I ended up with a bad back and swollen knees. So, I stopped to give my aches and pains a rest and never went back to it.
Now, I have gained more than just a middle aged spread around my stomach. I have a full on beer and steak gut. Well, beer and chocolate at least! This is dangerous in many ways as belly fat can cause a multitude of problems. Abdominal Obesity can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and type 2 diabetes. Oh boy, am I in trouble.
Lockdown is to blame
That would be too easy wouldn’t it. Blame it on the lockdown. There is some truth to this though so let me explain.
During the first lockdown people started to exercise more. The weather was nice and exercise was an excuse to get out of the house as there was literally nothing else you could do. I started to do
the Couch 2 5k programme and was beginning to enjoy it when, boom, my back went and so did my motivation.
This lockdown has been different. Its been winter so the weather has been rubbish and it hasn’t been a proper lockdown either. In the first lockdown there wasn’t any shops open other than supermarkets. This time nearly every shop has been open for click and collect which means less time to do things like exercise. That’s what I tell myself anyway!
Just do i……..something!
Could have been a lawsuit there! This is where I am at now. Just do something, anything, to try and get fit and lose that belly fat. It is easier said than done but I must get on with it and rid myself of this excess stuff hanging on to my waistline.
The question is what do I do? Well, I not only need to work on my core but also my upper body strength. In fact, I have to work on most areas if I’m honest!
What’s the plan?
Okay, I have challenged myself for the month of April. The goal I have set is to be able to do 100 press ups in one go. It doesn’t sound much to all the guys and gals out there who do press ups for fun but for me it is most definitely a challenge. I started with 10 and then, yep, you guessed it I hurt my back. Since then I been sick as well but this time I won’t let it stop me! I will achieve my goal of doing 100 press ups in one go.
The other challenge I am going to start in April is to get out running again. I am going to start the Couch 2 5k from the very beginning and get back to a better level of fitness. These two challenges might seem easy to some but I know that it will take a massive push for me to do it, but do it I will. And, you are now my witness to this bold claim so I am accountable to you as well as to myself!
Do you have a fitness goal? Do you want to get fitter this year and finally take the first step? Or, are you happy with the way things are and don’t feel the need to do anything? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading Get fit or try dying! I will be continuing this blog to keep you updated on where I am up to with my goals and challenges, if you are interested of course! Hey, why don’t you send me an email with your goals and I’ll feature you on one of my fitness blogs. Send your email to tony@thebeardedbrit.com.
That’s it for today, thank you once again and take care
Tony
If you are bearded or like beards then don’t forget to check out my series of blogs on A History of Beards. It covers everything from the first man to vikings and up to the present day.