I decided to give a friend a call to chat while driving to the gym. I started off by saying that I didn’t feel like exercising. The followed up with the foul mood they were in. Before long, the conversation turn into a complaint festival. It’s not hard to find people that will feed into your negativity. We all have it. Still, I was headed to they gym, so I figured at the least I would get in a sub par work out. I figured some exercise is better than none.

I was dreading the thought of exercising. I had visions of turning my car around and heading back home. I wanted to just go to bed and worry about not working out later. As I pulled up to the gym, I noticed a familiar vehicle. It belonged to a mentor of mine who is a fitness guru. God must have know that I needed the extra push this morning. The first thing he said was “What’s up slim! Man you have lost a lot of weight!” Being the human I am, that immediately changed my mood. To myself I was like “yeah, I’m really going to work out today!”

After putting in about 1.5 miles, I came back inside and started my routine for the day. I was shown a few finer point of some of the exercises I was doing that made them much more challenging. Call me crazy, but a part of me likes the pain and discomfort that comes along with being challenged in the weight room. I guess the more appropriate thought would be that I like conquering the pain and discomfort. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.

After three rounds of a strenuous workout, the bad mood I started my day with turned into an appreciation for the challenge. I am so glad I did not turn that car around and listen to the voice in me that was telling me to give up. I battle against this demon on a weekly basis. I don’t know if it will ever leave. What I do know is that the stronger I become, the better equipped I am to deal with things. I always hear that coal must first undergo pressure in order to turn into a diamond. I know that the success I am looking for exists. In fact, it lives inside of me. I will remain constant in my efforts and I will not give up on becoming the person I am supposed to be.

Dreams Mean Work!

There are numerous mind games I have learned to play against myself to help increase my focus. You see, once your body gets to the place where it is physically able to run, the biggest obstacle you will face is your mental ability to endure longer runs. Take today for example. I ran over 5 miles. I always run with a set of headphones on, but sometimes my music gets confused with my GPS signal and it shuts off for stretches. I have learned to let my body go and allow my mind to go to other places. Often, I take the opportunity to reflect on solutions to problems I am having. I often refer to running as a time to meditate. There is a peace that comes about once your mind and body are in rhythm. You can hear your heart beating. You can hear yourself breathing. You can even hear the sound of your footsteps upon the pavement. There are other times when you forget that you are running. Those are the best. It’s as if your body is on autopilot and your mind checks out. It is during these stretches that you build the ability to run long distances. It will drive a person wild if they start running and immediately start looking for the end. There is so much to be learned during the run. Much in the same way, there is so much to be learned during the journey of life. They actually parallel one another. Now, this is not to say that running is the only way to reach this place. There are many. However, running is what I know, therefore, it is what I choose to speak on. Only a runner can understand the peacefulness that occurs to them while out on the route. Running is an addictive drug. Once you get the right dose of it, your body has trouble doing without it. Try it for yourself and find out.

Dreams Mean Work!
Documentation beats conversation:

Last week I did 5 miles as well, but the terrain was much more flat.  This week, I raised the bar a bit by taking on a few more hills.  It was definitely a challenge, but I ran the hills instead of walking them.  This definitely makes me realize how much of an impact the work I do during the weekdays  has been.  My body has definitely gotten stronger.

In addition, the weight loss has become more visible to me.  That’s one of the reason’s I wanted to do a video blog about this journey.   I had lost weight before, however, I didn’t keep a record of my progress, nor were there any photos or videos that I could go back to and visibly compare my progress.  That won’t happen this time around!

Thank you for spending a little of your time with me.  As always, remember:

Dreams Mean Work!

Today’s Run Route:

Lately though, I have been noticing a change in not only how I feel, but in my physical appearance. This happens a lot when I am lifting weights and looking in the mirror. It’s almost as if I can see what lives underneath the weigth I’ve put on. That’s a great thing because it gives me hope that I will one day get there.

One of the biggest changes I have make to my diet was to reduce the amount of sugars I take in. The best way for me was to drink more water. Juices and other beverages have been my biggest source of sugars. By removing them, I notice how the cravings I once had for certain foods. Without going into the science of this occurrence, I know that I have been able to restore a sense of balance in my body. Cravings , in many occasioins, are a sign of inbalance Restore your balance and reduce your cravings!

Dreams mean work!

I knew that when I started this journey, I would need to add weight lifting to my regimen. I consulted with a mentor of mine who said he had something to show me. Little did I know that he was speaking about Resistance Training Bands. The bands offer a unique, highly mobile. low impact way to build strength. The key is proper technique and rapid movements. That was the way to burn fat and increase muscle tone. Since I have no plans of ever competing again physically, there is no need other than vanity to show I can bench press 300+ pounds (yes I can still bench press 300+ lbs!) So I became curious about using the bands.

I must say that I have been extremely happy with them. I can workout in a gym, at a park, in my driveway, in the swimming pool-it doesn’t matter! This simple, yet genius “machines” have made all the difference in my return. You may have even seen T.O. (Terrell Owens) using them in the swimming pool during an episode of his reality show. I figure if T.O. looks like that and uses the resistance bands, then there must be something more to them than meets the eye.

In fact, you will find resistance training bands at any major college sports program around the country. Some for rehab purposes, and other for speed and agility training. I’m probably waaayyy ahead of the fitness curve here, but my the way my body feels now is proof enough for me and in time, the way I look will serve as proof enough for you.

I also notice others with weight issues who come to the gym to work out. I watch them struggle with free weights. Many times, their body isn’t strong enough as of yet to make that jump. Their technique is an issue as well. I know from experience that when the body isn’t strong enough to handle a movement, it begins to compensate. It has become easy for me to watch others exercise and tell who is hurting another part of their body by lifting with the improper technique or just flat out trying to lift too much weight. I don’t say much due the lack of a relationship. One day though, I look forward to holding a few classes to teach others the things I am now learning. Resistance Training Bands will definitely be a large part of that.

Dreams Mean Work

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Dreams Mean Work

Dreams Mean Work