AlanBarber.Org
Friday, April 09, 2004
The Planning Stage
I spent some time last night and this morning thinking about what I was planning to do. I think one of the reasons so many people fail at diets and getting into shape is that they don't have a real set goal. People look at themselves, realize their fat and just say, "I need to loose weight." They say they'll go on a diet but because they have no real goals to focus on end up failing.I've decided to focus on three key areas.
First will be weight loss.
I'm by no means morbidly obese but according the BMI (Body Mass Index) chart I am in the overweight category. I am 5 foot 10 inches and weight 180 pounds according the bathroom scale that I just weighted myself 10 minutes ago. The BMI says that's an index of 25.8 and considered overweight which is a 25 to 29. The normal range is 18 to 24 so the chart says for my height to get a 24 I need to be at 172 pounds. Actually that's rounded down. If you check the mathematical BMI formula 5 foot 10 inches and 172 pounds is a 24.7. To actually get an even 24 you should at 167 pounds.
So my overall goal will be to loose around 15 pounds and get to 165 pounds. That'll put me at 23.7 on the index and nicely into the normal range.
Second will be to shape my upper body.
Right now I'm just a flabby tub of jello. I have a spare tire, love handles or whatever you like to call it. Basically, there's this extra hunk of fat on my belly that I'd like to get rid of. It's nice to dream about washboard abs and the like but I'm just going to be realistic and focus on flatting the stomach and waist.
I have minor case of the man-boobs so I'll also work on defining my pecs as well. Again I'm not going for body builder super pecs but if I can remove some of the fat and firm them up I'll be doing good.
I'm looking to shaping my upper arms too. I'm just looking to tone up the biceps and triceps a bit. Basically, remove the flabby undersides and make the tops look a bit more defined.
Third and finally, my goal is to be able to walk to class, go up a flight of stairs, etc without being winded.
It's sad really when you get winded just walking to your classes every day. If I can just up my health to where that's no longer a problem I will be doing great.
So there we have it, my three overall goals.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to achieve them. Since I don't want to join a club I'll have to figure out things I can do on my own to do it. That'll be what I do today. I'll start reading up and form a guide for myself to follow. It will include what exercises I need to do to tone specific areas, a reasonable and realistic weight loss time table, etc.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not doing a crash course diet just to dump some quick pounds. I'm looking at a long term improvement of my health. If it takes several months to loose those 15 pounds and get my body in shape so be it. This is about improving myself for the rest of my life not just to look good for some special event.
on 04/09/2004 at 10:21 AM
www.fitday.com (my dad lost 50lbs using that)
www.bodybuilding.com (good articles and printable progress charts)
love ya