Written in January 2023. These started as two tiny posts on the same day, so I’ve put them together.
Part 1: The goal is 100. The start is 1.
There’s a saying: aim for just one. One rep.
I think it means this: even if it’s only one, get your body moving. Actually do something.
If you want to go for a run, commit only to getting up and putting your shoes on. If you want to write, commit only to picking up a pen. Get the body moving first.
My final goal is 100 push-ups a day. But I always start with one.
The trick is to fool your brain. Your brain wants to drift toward comfort, so you keep telling it, this is nothing, no big deal, and coax your body along before the brain can steer it to the couch.
It’s easy, so just do one.
Do one, then rest.
And then, once I’ve done one, I just go for it, as many as I can.
My brain falls for this more often than you’d think. Smart brain. Terrible negotiator.
Part 2: Why 10 pull-ups means something
People who are good at pull-ups are rare. If you can pull off about ten, you’re probably near the top. The rest of us mostly just hang there. It’s a level you only reach by working at it with focus.
Why do I care?
I want my life to be a little more fun than it is now. For that, I need to be actively creative. And for that, my brain needs plenty of nutrients and oxygen.
So I need to eat good food and keep my brain active. Keep my blood clean. Get enough sleep.
And the thing that oils that whole machine is moving your body and sweating. It scrubs off the rusty parts, flushes them out, and gets everything circulating.
Making time for that regularly isn’t something just anyone can do.
That’s why steadily working toward 10 pull-ups, with pulling exercises, means a lot to me.
Note: this is just my personal routine and motivation, not fitness or health advice.