Mathematics Challenge

I like numbers. So I decided to try this concept for fitness in the upcoming months:

Make everything number-based.

For example, I am reading The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper. There are 21 rules to learn and follow, but to be able to adapt to 21 rules in just a day, or even a week, seems a bit crazy. So I am going to take it one rule, one day at a time.

At the same time, I'll be incorporating my own daily goals into my routines. Mathematically, I will adapt a new rule per day for three days. On the fourth day, I will add a personal goal. In total, it should take a month to adapt to all the changes. I will be starting with a personal goal, and then jumping into the 21 rules.

Here are my seven goals:

1. Workout daily. I've always loved the phrase "go big or go home," and exercising just three or four days a week doesn't seem like enough. Plus, then I get lazy(ier) and end up telling myself I can always work out tomorrow. Until I don't workout at all. This way, there is no debating with myself on whether I have to exercise that day.

2. Mediate at least once a day. I learned how to do this from an Indian doctor, and I never felt less stressed than when I was meditating regularly. I miss it.

3. Weigh in daily. I know there is some debate about this, but Bob says that sometimes it is easier to handle the stability of watching your weight every day than waiting until the weigh-in time each week. 

4. Blog every day. This timeline goes along with my sentiments from #2. If I say my goal is to blog three times a week, it doesn't happen at all because I am a serial procrastinator. 

5. Sleep well. This means through the night, seven to nine hours, on the same schedule every night. Of course, emergencies happen, and there is always that chance that I will get a job with a schedule to throw this off. But I can adapt for that.

6. Log my food. I'd like to be really optimistic and say that I will count calories, but I hate doing that. For this month's challenge, I am just trying to write down what I eat so I can look for eating patterns and make sure I'm not overloading on sugar or underestimating my water intake.

7. Worship my skin. I am fortunate enough to have skin that has yet to show signs of aging, sun damage, or any serious blemishes. But I know that won't last forever if I keep skimping on sunblock, fail to have a skin care routine, and sleep in my make up. 

In addition to my seven challenges, I will incorporate the 21 Skinny Rules from Mr. Harper. Since they all pertain to eating well, I tried to make the above seven habits relate to other aspects of my own wellness.

Finally, when I am working out I'd love to get into a routine that had me doing cardio and yoga daily, and then alternating days and muscle groups with strength training. The mathematics challenge for this comes in with the body weight workouts and kettlebell exercises. I also have the Wii Fit, so that should some in handy, too.

Basically, I am going to try and out-compete myself. My first time through any of my exercise routines (I have almost a hundred options at this point) I will go my hardest, and record my reps. The next time I do that routine, I will try to beat my previous numbers. Once my muscles adjust to a workout, I will change either the workout, the number of sets, add weights, or adjust the individual moves to more difficult positions. 

Here's some numbers to finish off this post:

It takes six months for a change in routine to make enough neural pathways in your brain to become a routine.

I run (walk) an 18 minute mile.

Your muscles become accustomed to a workout routine after you complete it 6 times.

I need to lose about 150 pounds.

The ideal amount of time to wait before training the same muscles group when strength training is 2 days.

My BMI is about 46.

A healthy BMI is 18-24.

It takes four weeks for you to notice a change in your body, eight weeks for your friends to notice, and twelve for everyone else.

Until tomorrow, folks. Hopefully. Monday's challenge: Workout daily.