After more than 5 years on my list, I’ve finally decided to do something about this goal. As part of my new year’s resolution, I vowed to get in shape. I injured myself earlier this year as a result of just being overall lethargic, so I started exercising.

I teach at a primary school and some of the teachers said they wanted to do a competitive basketball game; primary teachers vs. secondary teachers. I decided that this was my opportunity to start conditioning myself to playing basketball again. (We didn’t fare so well, by the way, in our game, but that’s another story.)

I researched several different conditioning drills, and began to implement them into my program. One set of those drills was to help increase my vertical leap. Just two weeks ago, I stood below the backboard and marveled at how it dwarfed me. It seemed impossible that I’d ever even touch the backboard.

But I kept at it, and all the while I noticed my weight had started to go down and I felt really good about myself. Just this morning, I touched the bottom of the backboard! I was so excited, but was also spent after a few more jumps. I only hit the backboard that one time, but now I know that it’s possible and that I have to keep at it more, and soon I can set a new goal for myself.