... on an inTENse workout

There are times when you remember a workout or a performance because of a personal best performance or a winning effort. There are other times when you remember a workout because of injury or because of something funny that happened at the gym.

Then there are times when you are reminded that you haven't been working out as inTENsely as you should have. You promise you'll do better the next time. And sometimes you do and sometimes you don't keep that self-promise.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006, I enjoyed a lower-body workout that was quite inTENse. It was so inTENse that today, two days later, I'm still sore in my quads and hamstrings; feeling the tightness that results from a good pump that follows a heavy lifting session where you're truly hitting your 10s and you've exercised to the point of momentary muscular failure. Ouch! (It hurts soooo good!)

Tonight it's time to spread the 'hurt' around ... Chest, back, shoulders, and arms ... Watch out!

The Optimist's Creed

A friend sent me a copy of The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larsen. It is one of the most inspirational pieces I've ever read. Now if only the Good Lord might help me live it ...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

* Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

* Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

* Make all your friends feel there is something special in them.

* Look at the sunny side of everything.

* Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.

* Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

* Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

* Give everyone a smile.

* Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.

* Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BFL Top Guns and Questions about Motivation

Today I shared the following post on the BFL Guestbook ...

Congratulations
BFL Top Guns

Name Points Last post
John 404,496 2/6/2006
kloveless 219,877 2/6/2006
rebecca74 211,321 1/30/2006
Amy B 204,374 2/2/2006
Roydw3 173,715 2/6/2006
YanT 140,357 1/31/2006
ljhawn 52,384 2/3/2006
Manz75 29,085 1/30/2006

... These eight BFLers are still at it; logging their workouts on-line at dubya dubya dubya dot presidentschallenge dot org

... In the spirit of the upcoming Olympic Games; I declare you eight athletes true believers, achievers, and those who inspire!

Background ... Several years ago a small group of friends formed the BFL Test Pilots group on the President's Challenge website. This was an experiment to see if geographically separate folks might stick with their BFL-inspired workouts and support each other in a long-distance sort of way. The President's Challenge program is today's equivalent of the program many of us -- or our children -- participated in when in school. This program now invites young adults, middle-aged folks, and even seniors to get fit, earn points toward prizes, and use the web as a place to log their exercise. Julie Whitt, Michelle Lee, Rena Reese, and Ken Young joined the Test Pilots or one of the groups that spun out of this experiment. In 2004 these folks became BFL champions. So Julie and I then organized two groups: the BFL Cadets and the BFL Top Guns.

Only eight remain from this community who are still regularly posting their activities on-line. Now in all fairness, others may be recording their efforts using alternative logs. Some folks may have lost their enthusiasm for the certificates and/or medals that are earned thru this program.

But when you think about who starts and who finishes a program; who keeps their New Years resolutions and/or self-promises and who doesn't ... Well you've got to wonder what it is about these folks motivation and dedication that separates them from the rest of the crowd?

I'm not sure I have the answer or answers to this fitness riddle. But I'm sure glad to be associated with these folks if only via a shared interest in the BFL lifestyle and their shared determination to keep at it -- day in and day out.

"Got any Beachums?"

"Unfortunately, many people do not
consider fun an important item
on their daily agenda.
For me, that was always
a high priority in
whatever I was doing."

- Chuck Yeager
Aviator & Test Pilot

... It’s human nature, we’re more likely to spend time doing what’s FUN than what ain’t so much fun.

... Pick the style strength training / cardio-aerobic workouts that are the most FUN for you.

... And then prepare yourself to soar as did Chuck Yeager when he broke the sound ’barrier’.

Believe, Achieve, Inspire.
JL

PS: "Got any Beachums?"

To dream ...

"Valor lies just halfway
between rashness and cowardice."
-- Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Author of Don Quixote de la Mancha
... It occurred to me as I was updating my fitness log that January is history. Today is day 31 of 84 in my present BFL challenge.

... That leaves only 52 days before it’s time for them AFTER photos. That’s only 52 more opportunities to be bold and courageous. 52 more days for ’fueling’ and ’exercising’ and ’extending a helping hand’.

... Do I have what it takes to be a champion? ... Yes, yes -- I think I do hear music!

Come on ... It’s okay to sing aloud. I bet you our friend Chris ’Audiotimekeeper’ Cary is singing ...

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

"The Impossible Dream"
from MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972)
music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion

Believe, achieve, inspire.
JL