So, according to my MS Project spreadsheet (GEEK!) I am 35% through my goal (100 pushups for 100 days, the double century). For those that might be Math challenged, that means I’ve done 100+ pushups for 35 days in a row. As of early last week, I was enjoying it. It was challenging and I was making up games with it. Case in point, when I started out, I would allow myself only whole increments of 10. So if I did 35 pushups, it only counted for 30. Then I started to push myself a little differently. Like I would never allow less than 20 pushups. This wasn’t that challenging unless it was late at night and I already had done 90 pushups, so now I had to do an extra 10. Currently there was only one day that I only did 100 push ups, I did two sets of 50 back to back with about 2 minutes in-between. It was what I consider challenging. I am now up to doing only sets of 40 +. My shoulders are starting to ache just thinking about doing them. On the plus side, the consistent pushups have added some mass to my upper body. Several people have commented that I lost weight. Of course I haven’t, I’ve actually gained weight, but if your chest and back grow, it makes your waist look smaller.
But that isn’t the point of this exercise… what have I learned from this little ordeal? First of all, when I started to show improvement in my upper body, I didn’t hate pushups as much. I didn’t like to do them, but I went through a couple weeks where I did not loath them as much. Now though, especially since I have to do sets of 40, I’m back to loathing them. And when I say loathe, I actually mean hate, as in detest. Actually , is there a stronger word? Detest just doesn’t sound strong enough. My shoulders have been aching a lot and I have to start my rotator cuff exercises again. More than that, it takes a considerable amount of will to start my sets now. I’ve noticed that more times than not, I’ve had to do most of my century at night before bed. So I’ve come full circle. The only reason I am doing pushups now is because I am willing myself to do them.
I’ve learned something. First of all, in physical fitness, it’s important to keep your work out fresh. It’s also important to keep it consistent. I’ve made progress in my physique because of consistency. The problem with my shoulders is because I’m not building up around the consistent exercise. More to the point of the exercise, though, is the amount of will it takes to do something every day that you hate (loathe, detest, abhor). It’s an important lesson in life.
We have a lot of sayings in the dojo that come from basic Buddhist principles. One of which is “Happiness is a choice.” Right now, I’m not loving my job so much. I’m having a hard time getting up in the morning, and I have to admit, I’m partaking of the IPA at night regularly. It’s taking a lot of will power just to drive to work. So, how long before this becomes unbearable (read into this loathe, detest, abhor)?
Happiness is a choice. I can either decide that this commitment to the double century is good for my spirit and enjoy the process, or I throw it away and make my will power a little weaker. If I keep loathing the process of doing the pushups every day, then I’m going to be sucking a bit of will power every day. Eventually this makes us stronger, but I have to think that it can also make you sore, like working out the same body part every day without rest. Your body breaks down. Does your WILL break down the same way? By “not loving my job so much” am I also making my “will muscle” sore? Happiness is a choice. Can I come to grips with this and start loving the PROCESS of my employment? I really don’t know, I have to work on it, but right this moment, I have to do some pushups. C-ya!
