Simon Sez

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.

I’ve been watching this site for about seven months now.  I’ll log in from some hotel in any given city and read with amazement and admiration of all the stories, journeys and interaction that I see.  Oh and there are some gorgeous people here too!  For the longest time I’ve attempted to stick with one training program or another.  All of my goals were more objectives and wishes as opposed to hard realizable and realistic goals.  One thing about me that I’ve learnt, when it comes to setting goals and focusing, it may take me a while to mull it over and weigh the options, but once I make up my mind I’m off.  My biggest challenge is my schedule and probably the solitary reason for not staying with any other program.  It can be quite awkward having a personal trainer "phone the session in".  Yes, I’ve had them do that.  After visiting this for some time, I concluded that this fits my current lifestyle and schedule perfectly!  I can get feedback and tips from YOU.  Yes, the loyal and energy filled posters, bloggers, email-ers and modern day communicators will be part of the next stage of my life.

Today I decided to jump in with both feet and the rest of my body following.  Woke early - I’m in the Pac. NW of the U.S. so that was easy - hit the eliptical machine for 30 minutes, worked upper body with free weights for arms and shoulders, machines for my back.  About 90 minutes from walking out the hotel door to walking back in and jumping in the shower.  Off to work with that energy - you know the feeling - that buzz you have after a work-out.  For lunch, ate healthy and actually declined a happy hour invite to come back and work on this, stretch and pour over a few new fitness magazines.  Men’s Health and Men’s Fitness Journal are two of my favorites at the moment.  Feeling good and confident about this new commitment.  Hoping to meet some wonderful people and you never know, may train with you while I’m traveling!  Simon Sez "Bring it On"

Welcome to the Bodybuilding.com BodyBlogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!