Thursday, July 15, 2010

Vanity vs. Health

When it comes to working out and "eating right" there is a fine line that often walked between health and vanity. Every person is unique, and has unique physical characteristics about them. The "super lean guy" hates himself because he can't put on weight and feels inferior because of his size. The hugen can't stand when he looks at himself because even though he can bench press 400 lbs, he has no definition. The culture we live in puts all kinds of terrible pressure on us to forfiet this idea of "uniqueness" and all strive to look like the guys on the cover of "muscle and fitness," or the girl on the cover of "maxim." All men are supposed to look like Ivan Drago in Rocky IV- you know huge broad shoulders, massive chest, and chiseled abs. All women are supposed to look like Marrissa Miller- tight stomach, well endowd, and hour glass shape.

If these are you goals, then I suggest you quit your job, say goodbye to your friends, family, and social life, invest in a personal trainer and nutritionist, and consult a plastic surgeon. Working out and eating right are not all about "the look."

Sure it's niced to be noticed once a while for how we look but if that is the only reason for exercise then get used to dissappointment because you'll never be satisfied.

We eat healthy so that we can get the vitamins, minerals, and other essentials our body needs in order to live (and workout). We exercise and workout so that we can use our bodies to train, to relieve stress, to boost energy, to function properly, and to feel good about ourselves.

The only thing that matters is your own personal goals and desires coupled with your own willingness to stay dedicated. If your goal is to run a half marathon, then make the necessary sacrifices and train according to your schedule and run a half marathon. If your goal is to lose weight, then make the necessary sacrifices to eat healthy and exercise regularly. The only person you can blame is yourself if your not reaching your goals. But remember to not be so hard on yourself either, set realistic goals and reach them. Congratulate yourself for a job well done, and set higher goals. If you continue on this path you will, without a doubt, be satisfied.

Monday, July 12, 2010

1 Round Insanity Complete

In all of my training, in any sport, no other type of workout has pushed me to my limits the way this program has. Think of the 400 meter sprint, you know the one where at the end it feels like you can't breath and all you want to do is collapse because your lunges burn so bad. That's kind of what Insanity 60 makes you feel like, except you do it for at minimum 30 minutes and at the high end 45 minutes. Seriously though, I ran the Chicago Marathon last year, and I am more exhausted and physically spent after one of the MAX workouts than I was after that race! I am excited to do another round of it coupled with some distance runs for the Chicago Half-Marathon, because it has increased my endurance and speed like whoa. I ran the marathon last year at a respectable 7:25 pace; I have gone out and run a few 6 milers over the past few weeks just to see if I could improve. Sub 7 minute pace each time. Giddy up!

Needless to say Insanity 60 is just that, insane. Not only has it improved my endurance, I also have increased in core strength, and even got some size back in my upper body. You can't help but shred fat from this workout plan, some of the workouts you can burn over a thousand calories in just under an hour. Those calories being burned are the ones that are the hardest to burn too; this is the baddest, meanest, fat shredding workout you'll ever try.

Baby steps, you know like from the movie "What about Bob," Baby steps. It's how we acheive real goals, its how we conquer our biggest challenges and obstacles. We take small, but effective, properly planned out, baby steps. In the past 4 years, I have taken working out pretty seriously, I have taken proper eating, somewhat seriously. I have been able to lift real heavy weights, and I have been able to run and swim really long distances. And what I have realized is that I love all of it, and its all good. But none of these "acheivements" could have been possible, without taking the baby steps along the way. The best way to run a marathon, is one mile at a time. The best way to swim 2.4 miles is 1 lap at a time. The best way to press over 400lbs is 1 pound at a time. Its real easy to get discouraged from working out, because of the lack of "instant gratification" that we all desire so much. But I want to encourage anyone out there that is feeling down, because they can't "see" the results from their hard work, to first look at what your goals are, to see if they are realistic, and two just keep going. Keep pushing and keep "going to work", because even though it may take years to accomplish your goals, the "baby steps" are what will get you there.