Day 56

Week 7, Day 4 Eccentric Lower done. It's easy to love an exercise that you feel good about or you do well, but to embrace an exercise that you struggle with or just flat out don't like is hard to do. My nemesis for this workout would have to be the Albanian squats. I really think they were called something different in P90X, but it was the same thing. One foot up on a chair and the other leg lunged out and then squat with that knee over the ankle. This exercise has a balance and core component and the resistance component then add in the eccentric or negative rep aspect and it makes for a very tough exercise. There are other one-legged squat type movements or at least one, but this one to me is the most intense one.

I like this workout. I pretty much like all of them so far. I really do enjoy the resistance workouts more than the core and cardio ones. That is just who I am. That is why this block has been so fun and why I have been able to push more and see better results. The core type workouts I try to push, but the gains there are very slow because I have so much work to do. I do them and I try to go to failure. I know that embracing those types of exercises will pay big dividends later. I just have to be diligent and keep focused on why I am doing this. The changes will happen and the results will come.

Tomorrow is Incinerator and the last resistance workout this week. I have MMX on Saturday, but that is more like a cardio workout. Pushing hard will be the focus tomorrow as it is an upper body workout. I will have to really bring that intensity and focus.  I will still have my pushups and planking to do, but I will be doing the last 2 days over again on the planking. I did do my plank today before the workout and was able to hit the 2:30 mark, but I feel that I still need a couple of more days at that time before moving up to 3 mins. Doing them before anything else is key for me to be able to keep somewhat on track.

Yesterday was a memorable day for me in another aspect. I started back as a Beachbody coach and ordered my Chocolate Vegan Shakeology and the 21 day Fix program. I don't have the tracking number just yet as the distribution center is in Ohio and they are a bit delayed with all the snow. I am excited to get started and learn how to help others the way Mike Ryan is helping me. The trend of obesity needs to stop, and it will take everyone to do that. We all will have to have a hand in that, not just a select few. Almost 70 percent of adults 20 and over are overweight and/or obese. That number as I posted 2 days ago was 2009-2010. Do you really think the numbers are better. I don't. I see more ads for Taco Bell, McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King and KFC. Now that may be attributed to better and more health conscious decisions and they are fighting for every dollar or they know that the more they show you their food and how affordable and easy it is you will chose it. I don't have that answer, but I do know that obesity is on the rise and doesn't seem to be stopping. People are looking for weight loss or fat loss options, but most are quick fix things or gimmicks that don't really work.

The key to fat loss is to eat clean and in moderation and to include an exercise regimen that will burn calories and promote lean muscle growth. There really isn't the need for magic pills or gimmicky plans. It's about effort and commitment to both nutrition and fitness. You may be faced with challenges, obstacles, doubters and naysayers but all you have to do is stay committed and keep putting out effort and you will see results and you will be successful. It isn't failure to not achieve your goals or not have success. Failure is not even trying.