Keep It Simple, Stupid!

When working out, some fitness "gurus" like to participate in all sorts of exotic routines where they do moves most of us normal people have never heard of. Even in P90X, the most current workout fad, there are all kinds of moves and positions that are somewhat complicated and make us wonder if they are really worth doing (Superman-Banana anyone?). Now I'm not trying to bash P90X, because I know for a fact that it works from my own experience. However, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a toned body, do we really need all those long fancy workouts?

What about taking the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep it Simple, Stupid) we all learned in school and applying it to our workouts every day? Sure, there's the whole "muscle confusion" craze that requires a person to do a handful of different moves throughout a longer workout in order to keep from reaching a plateau. But what about all the people out there who don't have the time nor the care to look like Tony Horton?

I say let's go back to when workouts involved nothing more than your own body weight. No more weights, no more machines, just you and a pair of tennis shoes (well and hopefully some clothes too...). Back when working out didn't require you to spend 2 hours at the gym carrying around a gallon of water and trying to look like you knew what you're doing. Let's try to keep it simple people.

I'll leave you with the ever simplistic words of the great Confucius:

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

The Burpee Diet

This week I've been contemplating my diet for the upcoming 2012 Burpee Marathon. Now for all of you that know me, obviously know that I am not Fat Bastard from the Austin Powers movie franchise.

I don't "eat because I'm unhappy" nor am I "unhappy because I eat". Sure, I do love the occasional Grilled Steak Stuffed Burrito from Taco Bell or the Chicken Biscuit and tater tots from Chick-fil-a, but one thing I've come to understand as I've gotten older is that it's time to start eating healthier. So, I figured why not start with this experiment.

With that being said, I've decided to cut back on a number of items throughout 2012, and I've listed them below:

- Soda (does not count Gatorade/Powerade)

- Candy (does not count Dark Chocolate pieces)

- Fast Food (side note: If I am in a predicament where fast food is all that's available, I will opt for the "healthy menu", i.e. Fresco tacos at Taco Bell, salad at McDonald's, etc...)

- Anything fried (that includes donuts...)

- Alcohol (Beer and Liquor, does not include the occasional glass of wine)

- Junk Food (i.e. Potato Chips, Fruit Roll-ups, Sugary Cereal, etc...)

I'm sure to some, this list seems like some sort of cruel and unusual punishment, but I know to fully participate in a healthy lifestyle, I'm going to have to give some things up along the way. I'm also going to do my best to watch my calorie, fat, carb, and sugar intake, but I don't necessarily plan on keeping a written record of this. Although I know these are important elements of a diet, I don't believe that a person should feel imprisoned by their obsession with counting calories...

Giving up certain foods and eating in moderation are two obvious keys in my mind to living healthier. Of course, you've got to be able to walk the walk if you're going to be talking the talk...

As Francois de La Rochefoucauld so eloquently stated:

"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art."

L&R,

Drew

It's All a Mind Game

To me, as I'm sure with many of you, working out has always been a task. Something that I know I have to do to stay healthy, but not something I particularly enjoy. Sure, there are some things I love about it, like being outdoors or being able to run circles around the old guys playing basketball at the gym. But getting in shape has always been a big mind game for me.

"To get off the couch or not to get off the couch." That always seems to be the question. One that I know plagues more people out there than care to admit. But what can we do to keep our minds in the game?

There are several things I've attempted in the past to help try and push me along. One being to buy expensive work out equipment. Quite obviously that doesn't work out well for anyone...Just ask your parents, whose Nordic Track has been collecting dust in their "fitness room" for the past 15 years. I've also tried setting multiple alarms to wake up early and run, I've purchased different "energy boosting supplements", and even looked up the "Brad Pitt - Troy Workout" to give myself a little motivation. After all of this, the conclusion I've come to may be pretty obvious for some but has taken me years to come to terms with.

I've finally realized that everyone is different. Plain and simple. Duh... There is no "perfect" way to stay motivated that works for everyone. All you can do is continue to search for ways to keep your workouts fun and fresh. Now does this mean I will forever be searching for the key to unlock my handcuff from the couch? Most definitely. But throughout this experiment, I'm hoping I can learn more ways to mold my mind into a work-out loving machine.

I'll leave you with a fun quote from Yogi Berra:

"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."

Chew on that one for a while...

L&R,

Drew