-JB-’s Perpetual Journey

Today I visited All American Gym in Lakeland, FL and trained.  I have been there before, but not to work out.  Louis Baltz, the owner, introduced me to a form of torture that I HIGHLY recommend everyone try.  It was the first day I have ever used chains or bands on any lifts.  I got the pleasure of using them on flat bench today.  I started off with 3 warm-up sets (just normal weights), then 5 sets with chains, and 2 sets with bands.  The chains move and sway as the bar is lifted, forcing you to use your stabilizing muscles to a greater degree than normal.  It also seemed as if I was contracting/squeezing my pecs and triceps more.  When the bands were put on the bar, it was as if the bar was alive and trying to wiggle out of my grip.  It was amazing.  Once I was finished with that, I did 4 sets of close-grip presses.  My triceps were done after that. 

 If you’ve never tried chains or bands, they are incredible.  It’s certainly a crazy, unique feeling.

The New Year is here and soooo many of the millions of resolutions that were made are already dust in the wind.  People make resolutions and are so gung-ho about them at first, then slack back to their old ways oh so quickly.  I do not make resolutions any more.  They’re pointless to me.  Let’s get real here: On January 1st at the stroke of midnight, does life suddenly take a hairpin turn and you instantly become a better person?  Why couldn’t this ‘resolution’ have been made 2 months ago?  What the heck were you waiting for?  Is there something magical about the 1st of the year? 

Change is hard.  Change needs to be thought through and planned out before you put it into action.  Some things need to change gradually (quitting smoking or other bad habits, beginning an exercise program, starting a new diet, etc).  I have already witnessed a crazy amount of folks fall off the wagon and it’s only 11 days into the New Year!  Just one example: A personal friend of mine just started a new workout program as of January 2nd.  Paid for a gym membership and has visited a total of 3 times.  Three times in 9 or 10 days does not get the job done.  Trust me, I let them know how I feel about that.  Change is hard.  There is no magic potion, pill, or spell that can make it any easier for you.  What people don’t seem to understand is that by making a resolution, they are not just changing one tiny thing; they’re making a lifestyle change.  It’s uncomfortable.  It’s different.  And, again, it’s hard.  We, as humans, tend to shy away from difficult tasks.  The easier and more convenient it is, the more we like it.  After January 1st, the attempts to keep the resolutions begin and most realize very quickly that they have bitten off more than they can chew.  Instead of scaling back a little, they choose to give it all up: they get stressed so they pick up another cigarette; they’re sore from working out so they avoid the gym never to return; they eat a bite of junk food and think that just this one time won’t hurt, not realizing that ‘this one time’ happens all the time.  To make a change you must commit to a different lifestyle.  When you don’t follow through, these commitments become false commitments.  False commitments = lies.  Why do you want to lie to yourself and to your family/friends?

It all comes down to discipline.  What are you REALLY willing to change?  How are you going to do it?  How are you going to avoid reverting back to your ‘comfort zone’?  If you’ve already fallen off the wagon, what are you going to do now?  Throw your hands up and accept failure?  Nice - way to go, quitter.  Are you just going to wait until January of 2009 and try again?  Any day is a good day for change. 

Before anyone goes jumping down my throat here and telling me how wrong I am, I just want to say that this are simply my own personal feelings and observations.  I’m not here to insult anyone.  If you are insulted, I will not apologize.  The best way to prove me wrong is with your actions to maintain the promise and commitment you made to yourself…