A different way of working out

I posted a blog entry last week from Jillfit's Tara Ballard on her journey from an exercise addict finding a new way to workout that provided better results in less time. I had a friend comment that he thought her article was crap and clearly trying to sell something. Admittedly, I didn't believe it either when I first heard about it. Tara actually started me down this new way of exercising. (For more details, see here.)

I had just spent the last 18 years doing as much cardio as I could log and lifting 3 sets of 10 for every body part possible. I have run 2 marathons and 6 half marathons. I started distance running because I wanted to get in shape and lose weight. At the end of the 2006 marathon season, I was more flabby and injured. At the end of 2007, I ran two marathons but was not lean and eventually my body (and my mind) started breaking down on me when I tried to continue the long distance running.

It was 3 more years of complaining about how unfair it was and being really unhappy with myself. Working hard but not getting any where near what I wanted for myself body composition wise. I had convinced myself that I was lazy and worthless.

Finally, I stumbled across Metabolic Effect and Jillfit. These groups got me thinking about workouts in a a whole new way. The theme: heavy weights and high intensity. Get to where you are breathless and burning.

I remember thinking:

1) I hope this works as I know there is this woman on facebook who brags about spending about 2 - 2.5 hours a day working out and if I can do it in 15 -30 and get the same results then THAT is friggin' awesome!

2) I am PISSED I didn't learn about this earlier so much time and energy wasted.

Now I CrossFit 3x a week and do yoga and I am so much closer to the body I have always wanted. I am comfortable in my own skin. It has taken a while for me to get my head around this short but more intense working out. I often say to people I will never distance run again. Now that may or may not be true. I will never distance run again to get in shape (You don't run to get in shape, you must be in shape to run!). I might decide to do it for the solitude, for a challenge, for the companionship.

I see so many people out there running to lose weight, to reduce body fat and I wanted so badly to tell them... there is a different way!!

Do your Best.....

And forget the Rest!!

You hear Tony Horton saying that all through P90X.

I did not really connect with this phrase until I heard Tony speaking at the 2010 Beachbody Coach Summit. He was talking about his "11 Laws of Health and Fitness". (BTW, great talk from Tony and is available online).

Tony's Law #2 is Consistency. Tony recommended working out at least 21 days a month. Show Up. Be Patient. Follow Through. Do Your Best and Forget the Rest.

Tony said some times just showing on up any given day to work out is success. If you do part of the 90 minute P90X Yoga X workout.. that is better than not pressing play at all and sitting on your couch instead.

Some times I am disappointed that I cannot keep up with the video. Why don't I have that kind of energy? Why can't I do all the moves like the people on the DVD can?

F That!! You know what - I showed up dammit! I am here.. and I am giving my best... even if some days that is 20 minutes of a 60 minute workout. Some days it is doing 2 workouts a day because that is what I want to do and that is the energy I have! Either way I am showing up and doing my best...whatever that might be for the day!

Don't let it get you down if you can't do every thing that the person next to you at the gym can do or the people on video are doing. You are getting in there and trying it!!

Comparison is the death of self development... now go out there and do YOUR best and forget the rest!!

Thanks Tony!!