As we enter the second half of 2013, I made a decision to repeat the 10,000 kettlebell swing challenge that I did in January (I did 11,120 one arm swings with the 20kg bell). Why? Well the challenge is a re-boot of the entire system. Life has been crazy lately, April, May and June have been complete scheduling chaos.
It is, as AB the bag drop professional at the Dye Club in Myrtle Beach would say, "It's ALL GOOD, Al!" "Be Thankful." I love that guy and his attitude, and I always look forward to seeing AB.
Well anyway, two graduations, my daughter Alexa from college, and my son Viktor from high school, started off the month of May. A major change in plans in late May when Viktor received and accepted his Air Force Academy appointment, then travel on vacation for 10 days in Myrtle Beach, graduation parties and then travel to see Viktor off at USAFA in Colorado Springs. Needless to say my schedule has been not very regimented, and my training and eating hasn't been the strictest.
Enter the Kettlebell one more time! July is normal. For the first time in many years we are not taking a two week vacation in July, I'm staying home the entire month. So 10,000 kettlebell swings seems like a grand idea. 31 days to get the job done.
I started out on June the 29th and 30th by doing 250 swings each day with a 20kg bell just to get back in the groove, a warm up. Then I started the journey July 1. I switched to a 24kg bell at the half way point of 5000 swings, which was on July 10. I'm ahead of schedule but I know there will be days where I just can't hit the volume needed, so it makes sense to have a few hundred swings in the bank.
What is the magic?
#1 having a BIG goal is always a good thing, the 10,000 number is so daunting that most people would not even try to attempt it.
#2 the BIG goal, forces you to make a plan. If you set a goal, the next step is to put a plan together on how to achieve the goal. You may have to tweak the plan as you go along, but keep the goal in mind.
#3 the BIG goal gives you a purpose, I look forward to doing the swings, have a purpose.
#4 document the BIG goal and the progress, social media allows you to put yourself out there, who cares if no one responds, you know what you are doing and it makes you accountable.
#5 once you reach your BIG goal, you now have a baseline to go from, improving oneself is one of the joys of life.
#6 sense of accomplishment is a good thing, it is better when it is your own goal, not some made up sales goal by some big corporation (if you have ever been in corporate sales you can relate).
#7 there is no better exercise movement than the RKC kettlebell swing, so 10,000 of them means you are getting good exercise
#8 weight loss and muscle building, try it an you will see, don't take my word for it
#9 better sleep, is there anything that people want more than better sleep? (except more sex)
#10 it is just a BADASS goal, telling someone that you did 10,000 KB swings in the month, gets you crazy looks
OK, that's the magic for me. This will re-boot my entire system and my life. I had such a great experience in January that it makes sense to give it another go. Moving from the 20kg to the 24kg means I am improving upon my previous experience. I am also continuing to teach my KB class three times a week and started back lifting, using the Easy Strength program again.
As I progress and finish this goal, I will probably think of more "magic" to add to the list.
Stay Strong! Set goals and achieve them. As I tell my son Viktor, WAKE UP, KICK ASS, REPEAT! Picking the right goals makes that process FUN!
Al al@ironsolid.com
No comments:
Post a Comment