Today I hit the gym at 4 a.m. to do my cardio and abs workout. I was amazed at how empty it was. Most of the regulars weren't around. It was pretty strange.
I learned that it is important to pace yourself when doing cardio. When trying to beat a distance in a set amount of time (ala Max-OT cardio) you end up at the same distance if you spend your energy all up front and have nothing left for the finish.
I learned that listening to your body is the only way to enjoy success in the fitness game. My body has basically had 3 days of rest and it is already feeling better than it did at the start of the 10 week cycle I'm in the midst of.
I learned that it is important to pay attention to one's recovery cycle. By knowing this type of information I was able to identify that my body was exhausted and in need of a rest.
I learned that doing cardio is fun with the right music. I listened to Avenged Sevenfold as I ran my butt off this morning. Somehow it was easier to hit the pace I wanted to hit while listening to that.
I learned that alot of older people go to the gym early in the morning. After talking to one, I was told it is because they have trouble sleeping, so they come to the gym. I like it.
I learned that timing is everything. We can make whatever plans we want (ie. a shred mission carefully planned to end on a certain day) and yet our body will tell us whether or not it is realistic.
I learned that running hard is alot of fun. I used to run hard as a teenager. I would do 6 miles a day every single day, 7 days a week. I see why I enjoyed it so much.
I learned that the Flatten Your Abs workout Level 1 only looks easy. The reality is that a pelvic tilt done correctly is alot harder than a basic crunch. Don't believe me? Give it a shot yourself!
I learned that accountability is who you are when nobody else is looking. I was taken to lunch today by a client and was tempted to make a bad choice for lunch. He didn't know a thing about my nutritional plan. However, I stuck to plan and kept it very low carb and healthy.
I learned that you can make time for something if you really want to. I managed to get a second cardio session in today because I wanted to. It isn't about need, it is about want. When you want it badly enough you can make it happen.
I learned that everything happens for a reason. Just look at how we all met here online. There's a reason we have all been brought together.
I learned that my accountability log had an error in the count of how many I've hit. I corrected it.
I learned that my picture taking and editing takes less than 5 minutes now. I have it down to a science.
Accountability Log:
Mission 1: Day 27 of 40 | Accountability | ||
Meal/Training Plan: Real-time accountability | Each task completed? | ||
Day 88: January 21, 2008 | Yes or No | ||
4:00 a.m. | Meal 1: Protein shake with glutamine and 15 g. of oatmeal and 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
4:00 a.m. | Supplements: Animal Pak, Glucosamine Chondroiten, calcium, chromium, glutamine | Yes | |
4:30 a.m. | Workout: Max-OT Cardio, abs, Max-OT Cardio and 6 glasses of water | Yes | |
7:00 a.m. | Meal 2: Protein shake with glutamine, BCAAs and chromium and small salad and 3 glasses of water | ||
10:00 a.m. | Meal 3: Chicken breast (6 oz) with cashew nuts and large salad and 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
1:00 p.m. | Meal 4: Chicken breast (6 oz) with cashew nuts and large salad and 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
4:00 p.m. | Meal 5: Chicken breast (6 oz) with cashew nuts and large salad and 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
7:00 p.m. | Meal 6: Lean ground beef and brocolli with 3 glasses of water | ||
8:30 p.m. | Supplements: Casein protein, glutamine, calcium and 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
Accountability Areas: | Points | Possible | |
Meal 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Meal 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Meal 3 | 1 | 1 | |
Meal 4 | 1 | 1 | |
Meal 5 | 1 | 1 | |
Training | 1 | 1 | |
Post Workout Nutrition | 1 | 1 | |
Water | 1 | 1 | |
Pre-sleep nutrition | 1 | 1 | |
Accountability | 1 | 1 | |
Daily Totals: | 10 | 10 | |
Mission Totals: | 266 | 270 | |
Workout Log: | |||
Max-OT Cardio (treadmill) | 16 minutes – 1.75 miles | ||
FYA Abs training | 10 minutes | ||
Max-OT Cardio (bike) | 16 minutes – 8 miles | ||
Push up challenge training | 40; 30; 30; 25; 42 | ||
I learned that if you've read this far, you are pretty interested in what I have to say. Thanks for that!
Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!