Day 42: Planned to Take it Easy

I had planned to take it easy today.  I am slightly sore from my full body workout at the gym yesterday and was going to rest after all it was supposed to rain today.  As you may have guessed by now it didn’t rain and I have a complete inability to relax around my house when I there are things to do.

There was a small shower this morning, afterward the sun came out and it was a beautiful day which made especially hard to sit still.  Of course there is always thing to do in my yard and garden.  I spent a good chunk of the day outside working. 

I was having trouble lifting my arms over my head this morning and as I worked outside my muscles seemed to have loosened up.  This evening was a different story. As the evening wore on I become even more sore, as of right now I can only lift my arms about shoulder high. 

I haven’t hurt this bad since the first time I did Body for Life.  If you have never done Body for Life, let me describe this particular brand of pain to you.  It’s a book by Bill Phillips when you open it both the front inside and back inside cover have pictures of regular people who have submitted before and after photos of themselves.  Some show dramatic transformation. 

I broke the book out and gave it a quick scan since it has been years since I read it and yes it is one of the many diet books that litter my library.  At the heart of this break though is more calorie restricition.  In order to loose weight there are several things you have to do.  You have to:

1.       Lift Weights

2.       Follow his training guide.

3.       Restrict your calories

4.       Use supplements and protein shakes.

You will be able to build an impressive physique but remember if you ever stop doing numbers 2, 3, and 4 then all you will go right back to where you were.  That is what I believe is the problem with most of these diet and exercise books.  None of them say that if you revert back to your normal self you will blow back up like a balloon. 

Back to Body for Life.  Bill gives you a regimen for workouts that you have to follow.  They include multiple sets and increasing weight as you go.  Even starting with low weights leads to pain.  On my first attempt at Body for Life I had trouble putting on my own shirt for three day and walking was just as bad.  Sucking down all the protein shakes and vitamins supplements get expensive quickly. 

Body for life is a great way to loose weight and get in shape but the problem is maintaining.  It is completely unrealistic to think that you could continue doing this for you entire life.  Eventually the desire for pizza or hamburger always gets in your way. What I really need is a book that explains how I can be me and get in shape. 

Daily Recap:

Matt:     30 Minute Jog

             40 Minute Mowing the Yard (Yes it counts)

Kelly:    TBD