More Disclipline

I havent been posting because I have just been doing the workouts in the morning, 3-4 times weekly, and nothing really to say except that as my body gets used to them, I have to do more reps, go faster, or add more routines to the morning workout. I try to stay mindful that form is still the most important factor after heartrate and duration, not number of reps.

In addition to the problem of calorie intake discipline (not a diet, but when and how well balanced the meals are), I have discovered a new problem to overcome.  I still have weak knees.  They have always been underdeveloped, but now I have to be extra careful when doing squats and other exercises, not to strain them and cause injury.  This is probably why I was always a better swimmer and lousy runner! 

This condition annoys me greatly, and I have decided that the only solution is to overcome it by strengthening my knees over a long period of time.  I dont think there is any other way to deal with the situation effectively... because I am surely not going to avoid a whole category of exercises just because of my knees!

Discipline

I had an enjoyable workout this morning; it is much easier to do your routine when you are fully rested and eager for the day to begin.

I realized this morning that getting up in the mornings and doing my routine faithfully is not nearly as challenging as the discipline of eating good food, and doing so on time.  Last night, when I got home from work, I eat some baked beans, and that was it.  I was too lazy to cook a proper meal, and have been far too lazy to prepare meals in advance.

Half of my personal transformation is burning calories; the other half is taking them in properly.

Frustration

It wasnt clear to me until now, the extent to which my computer is a part of my everyday life.  Yesterday, my PC fried after a power outage, and so I am using a laptop temporarily in an inconvenient place in the house until I can get a replacement.  This makes the use of my blog and other sites less than convenient!

Today is a full workout.  I am going to stick with the BodyRock.tv 'absolute beginner workout' this week, and then move on to intermediate routines.

...

I ran through all of Zuzana's routines in record time (for me) and they are definately getting easier.  To keep that sweat level up, I also ran in place and did jumping jacks for 5 minutes afterwards.  It is gratifying to come out of the long Thanksgiving holiday strong!

The Inner Voice

Its Saturday after Thanksgiving, and I had that small battle with my inner voice that I have, up until now, usually lost.  You know what I am talking about; the voice which says, 'awww, put it off until Monday, it is a holiday weekend...'

My inner voice is lazy and selfish, so, if I have committed to a course of action, I resort to making 'deals' with myself.  This may sound a bit silly, but it is a technique which works for me.  I offer two rewards to that voice, in exchange for just getting up and doing the workout: an extra hot shower afterwards, and, this moment when I am done and I can look back and know I didnt quit.  I specifically and consciously think of such things as rewards, and soon my inner voice gets into the habit of regarding them that way, too.

Further rewards are coming in the future, such as my 3 week weigh-in to see if any weight has been lost.  Of course, in the long run, sticking with it and transforming my body into a healthy machine full of life is the ultimate reward.

Trainers say, 'listen to your body,' and this is what they mean.  Get to know that inner voice, not just on the exercize mat, but throughout your day.  I promise you, Inner Voice will make things a lot easier for you if you listen and give it rewards and incentives.

Post Turkey Day

I slept in and did a light extended warmup routine, instead of a full workout.  Just enough to get blood circulating and to stretch.  Tomorrow, back to the regular routine!

Inspiration

I finally decided to start working out again, after about 5 years of inactivity, when I stumbled upon BodyRock.tv.  This exercize site features videos of a stunning and cheerful model named Zuzana who works her way through various levels of sensible routines, as well as commentary about diet and lifestyle.  Most of the routines I will do match what is done on this site.  In fact, my first workout was from her Absolute Beginner series of 6 videos. 

I encourage you to take a look at the site and get inspired like I have.

Rules of the Game

I've just started working out again... my first day 'back on the wagon' of exercize was 11/23/2009.  So intersperced with my chatter about fitness techniques, philosophy, and people, I am going to log my activity.  Some people religiously keep a journal; that is not my goal.  My intention is to chronicle my own progress as I work my way back to a sustainably healthy lifestyle, and to show that you dont need expensive diets and costly gym memberships, although those can certainly accelerate your progress.

What you need is a goal and the willpower to commit to the time and energy it takes to reform your body.  If I can do it, so can you!  A friend pointed out to me that the Thanksgiving holiday was bad timing for getting started with a workout program.  I say, I have 3000 excuses to put it off, and (pats my tummy) 30 reasons to get started immediately.