[nmap]

Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the excellent ideas.

Actually, I do a minimal amount of weight lifting - I go to a small gym and do 30 minutes of cardio workout and 10 minutes on a universal machine, 5 times per week. It's better than nothing, but not much.

I can hold onto the firearm well enough (Glock 22, 155 gr. Federal Hydroshoks), and hit the target at usual civilian training distances of 15 yards or less - but the shots lack the precision I would like. I'm also unhappy with my speed and effectiveness when I try to do a double-tap.

My goal is simple enough - I want to improve my self-defense abilities (yes, I know I need to be more specific). It's my opinion that some of the long term economic trends will increase the crime levels, and hence the likelihood of facing some challenges in the years ahead. But you make a good point about "caveats" - excuses for failure mark a poor beginning for any project.

I'll take a look at the goal setting material you mention; decades ago, I went to a motivation seminar that emphasized writing down goals. I was amazed at some of the things I got done.

Thank you again. I'll find that racket ball and start squeezing.