Simon Sez

The one good thing about international travel is the 24 hour gyms that are usually well equipped.  The bad thing is putting up with security going through and asking what this pill is and that zip lock bag of powder is.  No problems though, I made it through second/third world security just fine.  I’m amazed at how quick my body has responded to both the supplements and training.  I travel better, sleep better and overall have a much better outlook on life.  I feel stronger and more capable of obtaining my goals - physical, financial, personal and business goals.  This site has been a fantastic tool!  Thanks BB.com

I found this new exercise that kicks my butt and I enjoy it.  Sitting on a ball with my feet tucked under the corner of the wall, I leaned back using my core to hold myself in a 45 degree angle.  Ease back slowly to just below flat then back up.  A crunch we’re all familiar with.  Now add free weights in each hand and do a series of presses while making the sit up motion.  On my third set I became brave and decided to roll my arms out as I returned to neutral working my back, arms and chest.  Back to center and repeat.  Not the best description I know but it was one heck of an exercise.  I’ll have to take pics and show…. correct technique is critical.

I found this great hiking trail that if full of all sorts of distractions.  Yesterday I managed to hike it for about three and a half hours, came back and took my mountain bike out.  Gone approximately 6 hours in total with my heart rate around 175 average.  The feeling was fantastic when I came back.  A few weights and I felt like I could conquer the world.  Thanks for all the feedback and encouragement.

I broke down this weekend and made it all about training.  My wife has been a huge source of encouragement and she even went along with me on my cardio outing.  Both Sunday and yesterday was filled with mountain biking, hiking and swimming.  I didn’t realize it but before long I was several miles in to the exercise and didn’t even realize it.  I guess the benefits of a supportive partner and an inspired outlook on life helps make for a great weekend.  The weight training was equally as good thanks to a busy local gym and friends I hadn’t seen in months.  It’s good to have long weekends to connect.

I hope off days are allowed.  I started yesterday behind.  Woke later than normal and rushed through the day.  Tons of meetings and driving.  I saw the golden arches and cringed.. it looked soooooo good.  I broke down and did the drive through on my way to the next meeting.  At the meeting there were cookies in the middle of the table.  UGGGG… so many temptations staring at me daily.  This type of day teaches me quite a lot.  First, wake early and get the juices flowing.  Do something early to get my metabolism on track.  Also, the power of breakfast is amazing.  Something to start the body off on a good course.  Both I didn’t do yesterday but learned my lesson.  So, here we go today.  Woke early knowing I had a day of travel and a good night of fun ahead.  I started with a :30 minute hike and some free weights.  All-in-all an hour of work to start the day.  Grabbed an apple and banana as I checked out and headed to the airport.  Now I’m in San Diego - which if you haven’t been is a fantastic and healthy environment.  Great inspiration.  I just checked in and found a great hotel work-out room - WHEW!  But my body is telling me I started the day off well and the rest is going to be equally as energizing.  Jazz Fest is tonight and I’m sure much fun will be had.  I’ll chalk yesterday up to an Off Day!  We should have a category to check those off too!

One of the advantages of traveling is all the hotels.  One of the disadvantages of traveling is all the hotels.  The one I’m in at the moment has a quasi work-out facility.  You know the one, it’s what they have just before they either redo the whole thing or offer you free day passes to the local gym.  One universal machine, one tread mill and a beat up stationary bike.  So, being the resourceful guy I am, I managed to head back to the room and get a pretty damn good workout using my own body mass!  Push-ups and variations on the push-up, sit-ups, crunches, etc. and of course lunges.  If I had two chairs I could use those like crazy for dips, leg lifts etc. but no such luck.  Combine that with a good run and viola, the workout ensues.  Not the best but it will do for a day.  What’s funny, after the run I walked past the front desk where I was told "we have a workout room here too sir… "  Hotel life is wonderful at times.  It teaches you creativity!

Well, I was basically kicked in the teeth today to the point I didn’t want to do any physical exertion.  Some things just bring you down.  But, as with all things, this too shall pass and we turn the page and move on.  I conjured up the energy to find a gym and go at it.  This hotel gym, like many, had no one in it.  I could do anything I wanted and I did.  I had a short chat with myself and pushed the garbage from earlier in the day aside and went at it.  Arm and upper body day… started out with a Lifetime cross country ski machine for 35 minutes with my heart rate averaging around 180bpm.  Moved on to a progressive arm exercise rotating from hammer curls to preacher curls then back.  Triceps then lats and back. Then to the pool for some sun and reflection (and a few laps to keep the juices flowing) and I was feeling pretty good about the day.  Walking back to the hotel room I was thinking… I’m very happy at the overall benefits training can provide.  The mental and physical uplift feels good.  Now for a huge protein shake and I’m going to catch up on work!

Is it possible to have too much energy?  I recall from my previous attempts at physical fitness stardom I’d have something of an obsessive reaction to working out.  I’d always want to do it.  The problem, as I’ve learned is my eagerness undermines long-term objectives.  So, I have the urge to hit the weights again or do some cardio but in my mind I’m holding back so burn-out won’t set in.  I have heard stories of people burning out and dissatisfied about the whole process.  Having all that energy can backfire.  

So, I went on a good hike after work.  Spent about an hour hiking around.  For the most part, it gave me the fix I needed.  The only other issue I’m noticing is diet.  I will do some homework on the correct foods and supplements.  More on that as I progress through my research.

The worst part of a night like last night is paying for it the following morning.  I can feel the toxins in my body trying to get out.  So, this morning I woke early, put in an extra fifteen minutes (hour total) on the bike and sweated that garbage out.  Did four sets of squats and leg presses with increasing weights , lunges and about fifteen minutes of good stretching.  Now I’m back to normal and facing the day.  Gotta love how our bodies react when you push through it.

I’m a good guy.. really I am.  I buy dinner and drinks for anyone.  I sit at social events and will talk to a brick wall if I need to in order to get a rise out of someone and make them happy.  I’m equally comfortable with the waiter as I am with the Governor.  My better half even thinks I’m way too generous.  Well, last night was one of those times.  I was at a fancy ball.. Government folks, lots of vino and low calorie foods (I’m being sarcastic there) and oh so many diversions.  Those two guys on my shoulder, the one on my right that preaches restraint and the one on my left who is the bastion of hedonism were no where to be seen.  But the hedonistic one has ruled the roost for the past few years so I’ll take it as progress that he took a respite for the night.  I sit there next to a wonderful stately lady who clearly had more bling than most third-world countries have in their treasury.  The other side was a suit of some sorts.  But the killer, I was served one of my favorite vinos of all times - a Duckhorn 1996.  I knew one of the guys on my shoulder should stand up and make a statement.  But no.. even they knew my commitment and need to make the decision without either one of them.  Either that or they chickened out and were having more fun with the waitress in the section to my left.  Anyway, I took a sip and another sip and another sip.. yes, I blew the glass away like it was the first grape I’d had since prohibition.  It was good.  

Fast forward to a few hours later.  We (the group of folks I wound up entertaining) decided to head to a local cantonese restaurant for some after drink dinners (yes you read that right) and being the guy I am, I plopped down my credit card.  Here we go…. drinks, food and the lousiest jokes I could come up with were flowing - I didn’t participate in the drinks and food because I still had that after work-out buzz happening and the enjoyment of my favorite vino still lingering in my taste buds - and its all just flowing like crazy.  All of the sudden, that hedonistic son of a b&*^% that WAS sitting on my shoulder decides to show up.  He apparently drowned the guy on the other shoulder because that one certainly didn’t show his useless butt from there on out …and when he did, he hick up’d.  In hind sight, those two went to the strip club with the waitress from the banquet.. I’m positive.  So here I am, having a few more cocktails, succumbed to the temptations of downtown Seattle, Washington, mad at my guardian angels and wondering where the cab is so I can go back to the hotel.  I go to the bartender - the saint of them all - and ask for MY bill.  Oh the surprise when I had the whole group on my tab.  I turn to discuss this with the others and… they were stealth.  I knew they were somewhere but they were gone!!!!

Here I am, buzzing from a great work-out, good things are happening, I’m dedicated and have pulled the trigger on the work-out regime, I’ve had a glass or two of good beverages (Yes, that will slow to a crawl soon) and met some fantastic people again.  And, I’m holding the check.  They were the stealth friends for the night.

So here I am, a few (three according to the receipt) glasses of vino down.  Holding the check for all the food and beverage, knowing how guilty I’m going to feel in the morning about drinking and buying the multiple rounds and consuming things that get me nowhere toward my goal.  But you know, I look back on it and what do I see.. three glasses of wine, all I had was fruit and veggies, I had some wonderful conversation with fascinating people and I have a 24 hour gym at the hotel!  What else could a guy ask for.. ok, maybe a few other things but that will come later.  Gotta love the pay required for a good dinner.  Tomorrow another town and another gym!    I’m enjoying day one on my new adventure.  Great focus.