Starting over

I've been doing this sparkpeople thing off and on for a while. I constantly update my start date and current weight thinking "this time I'm gonna stick to it" Well I have finally found the motivation to stick to a weight loss plan and am hoping that sparkpeople will help keep me on track to losing weight. Two really big things are happening in my life. One requires I lose 30 pounds and the other would be really great if I lost the 30 pounds.

So...here's the deal. I have decided to enlist in the Navy. This after 3 years of inertia. I got a big reality check yesterday as to how out of shape I am for the Navy. I am no where near being able to passing PRT standards. To pass PRT in the Good-High (which is my aim before I enter basic training) the requirements are:

Run 1.5 miles in 14:00 minutes --- right now I'm just trying to run the whole thing without taking walking breaks. I can run about a block before I'm ready for a walk break. I'm going to purchase a stop watch so I can time my run/walk intervals and try to run a little more each time...at least 30 seconds more each time. I run everyday and take a one day break. Plus side is I've lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks.

Sit-ups --75 in 2 minutes. Right now I can do about 15 in a row and then I feel like I'm done. My goal....do 2 sets of sit ups twice a day every day as many as I can, then add 2 more the next day.

Push-ups --30 in 2 minutes. Right now I can do about 11 very sloppy push ups. That will not fly in basic training. I need to strengthen my core so that my mid section doesn't slouch when I do a push up. My goal -- do 2 sets of push ups twice a day every day as many as I can, then add 2 more the next day.

Swim -- I haven't even tried the swimming portion yet. I don't think I have the lung capacity or endurance to swim for longer than a minute. The PRT requirements for the Good-High are 500 YD in 11:15/ 450M in 11:05.

So.....anyone who would like to join me in my training would be more than welcome. I would like to work out with people of all different fitness levels...people on my level for support and people with a higher fitness level for endurance and motivation.