Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Physical Fitness Challenge

Remember the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge back in elementary or junior high school?  You had to do so many things: push-ups, chin-ups, 50-yard dash, etc., and to pass you had to do a certain number of reps and run in a certain amount of time.

Although it’s been a long time, I remember bits and pieces of this test, especially the fact that I couldn’t do a full chin-up.  Not even one.  Hence my latest training goal, which is to be able to one and then some!

I’m working through the program in the book: The New Rules of Lifting for Women.  I sort of limped through Stage 1, not exactly motivated, but started to pick up speed toward the end.  Now, near the end of Stage 2, I am feeling a LOT stronger!  I mapped out the seven stage program on my calendar, which will take me through summer.  I’ll finish Stage 4 in mid-May, which is perfect timing, since I’ll be able to take a break while I’m on vacation.  Stage 7 finishes in early August, at which time will be my test.  I wonder how many I’ll be able to do??  

At least 5 – that would be outstanding!

3 comments:

Vicki W said...

I did a similar self-challenge with myself a couple of years ago. I d remember the PE tests in grade school and I was horrible. I've never been able to do a boy's style push up. So I decided to see how many I could do. The first day I couldn't do 1. I eventually worked up to 20 and then my DH told me that female Marines only have to do 25. That was all the incentive I needed - I got up to 40 before I screwed up my back in the fall. I will get back to them soon!

Deb Geyer said...

I too remember the Presidential Physical Fitness tests in elementary school. It was so ridiculous because I had never done a chin up in my life and out of the blue they "test" me to see how many I can do... Of course it was 0!!

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Excellent idea to motivate yourself to keep going. I am going to try this myself! Thank you.