Setting Goals for 2023

You’d be forgiven for thinking I completely fell off the fitness bandwagon in 2022, given the tumbleweeds blowing about this place. That couldn’t be further from the truth, given that I trained for and successfully completed London Marathon (not quite in the time I wanted, thanks to an injury, but that’s another post for another day). What actually happened was I fell off the blogging bandwagon… not for the first time. Anyway, now seems as good a time as any, so I’m jumping back in with some goals for 2023.

Getting back on the sober train

This isn’t a goal, so much as a means of completing my other goals. I know that my performance and energy levels are massively improved when I’m consistently sober, and if I want to make the most of my training this year it’s got to happen. I’m not too worried about it, having completed several sober stints previously.

Do a powerlifting competition

The big one! Having entered several competitions and failed to compete each time (cancellations due to covid, injury on my part) I am absolutely determined to finally make this the year I do it. I have my eyes set on the West Midlands summer comp in July, which gives me about 6 months to get my shit together. 2022 was very run-focused to make me marathon-fit (again), so it’s really just a case of getting my strength back up by lifting consistently, week in, week out.

Complete my run leader training

I started the Leadership in Running Fitness training earlier this year with a view to giving back to my local club having consistently run with them for circa 10 years. I completed the online modules, but need to submit some video exercises and its causing me major issues. Because I keep putting it off, it’s built up to be a huge issue in my head, and I’m overthinking myself in circles and getting nowhere. I need to take my friends up on their offers of help (if they can stop taking the piss long enough) and pull my finger out and get it done. This should help me with…

Keeping my running up

Although I have no long races planned for 2023, I absolutely don’t want to let my cardio fitness slip (more than it already has over a lazy Christmas). I’d like to be running 2-3 times a week, up to 10 miles max per run, to keep things ticking over from a stamina POV and help keep my heart in shape.

Get my weight back down

I’m usually loathe to set weight related goals for anything other than powerlifting competition classes, but the impact of drinking regularly on my body fat levels is undeniable and it’s impacting both my health (increased body weight tends to make my PMDD worse) and my ability to fit into half my clothes. I’m hoping that dipping back into sobriety will help my body fat percentage drop a little, giving me back my competitive advantage and saving me the cost of a new wardrobe! I don’t intend on tracking/dieting at this time, and therefore don’t have a specific number in mind, but will know when I’m back somewhere comfortable for me.

So there we have it… my fitness goals for 2023. Let’s see what this year brings!

Lead photo by Moritz Knöringer