5BX Chart One Three-Quarter Checkpoint

Today, I am three quarters of the way through Chart 1 of 5BX having started Level A-.  I am quite excited and proud of myself for sticking with the program and making it to the final letter grades.  Doing my math, my last day of Chart 1 will be Easter Sunday, appropriate considering I started this program in response to giving up video gaming for Lent (and no, ending on Lent was not planned).  With all the push-ups, half miles, and whatnot so far, there are a few things on my mind as Chart 1 closes.

One problem I find I am having lately is motivation.  There are some mornings I wake up and the temptation to skip a day is present, that I've done this so much up to this point that one day of not exercising wouldn't hurt.  I think part of it is also I am coming to the end of Chart 1 and my mind is trying to get me to rest on the laurels of my progress so far.  It's like part of my brain is saying, "You've been at this for over a month.  You're stronger, flexible, and have better cardio endurance.  Congratulations!  Now get some rest."  Still, knowing there is progress to be made gives me that bit of "umph" to do my exercises for the day.  While I have passed my plateau for push-ups, my running has stagnated a bit (I'm confident I can do the mile run in a satisfactory time at the start of Chart 2, I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it at an A+ level...yet).  Having my timer and Google Sheets (how I keep track of my progress) on my tablet's home screen is a good daily reminder to exercise as well.

Google Sheets: Tracking progess while also fostering a sense of accomplistment.  The lone red cell is when I did the stationary run instead of my regular half-mile.

Today is my last day working at Madison Middle School before Spring Break.  After my work shift, I go out to the track and run my half mile (I did get permission from the principal first).  However, because I won't be at the school again until March 28th, I won't have the convenience of my regular track.  On weekends, I go to other tracks around Eugene to run.  However, not having my regular daily access to Madison won't exactly help the motivation factor.  But I digress, THESE are the A levels.  This is my test to see how truly committed I am to this program.  I guess if I'm really out of a place to do the half-mile, I could substitute it with the stationary run.

I am in the home stretch for Chart 1, but I know this is the start of a long journey for me.  I'm still curious to see how well I do in Wii Fit U when Lent is over, but I also realize that my health and fitness should not be contingent on a video game.  This isn't about a score on a video game, but about how I can improve myself.  I plan to give these last twelve days my best and be ready for Chart 2.