Gym Schedule

So in my last post, I "came out" as a someone who goes to the gym.  I've been going since September (hm, about the time my blog postings took a dive) and it's been great.  I haven't been keeping track of my weight or anything, because my two goals cancel one another out: (1) lose fat = less weight, and (2) gain muscle = more weight.  Instead, I'm going by my clothes.  The results?  My pants are more loose, and my jackets and shirts are tighter around the chest.  Exciting!

So I started off only going 3 times a week, but this didn't work so well.  Life would get in the way: I'd have a night meeting, a friend was in town, I was traveling, etc.  There were weeks when I was only at the gym once a week.  This was ridiculous - what was the point if I was only going to go once a week? Then my buddy who's been inspiring me put a suggestion in my head: go EVERY day.  At first I was dubious.  I am super busy individual and wasn't sure I could commit that much time to the gym.  But I had goals and I wasn't going to get there by only going once a week.

Let me tell you: going daily turned the equation upside down.  Instead of the gym being something that intruded on my schedule... gym became the default in my schedule.  It was assumed that I would be at the gym every day, and people expected it.  Suddenly, I was at the gym 5 to 6 times a week.  Yes, I still had night meetings and other random things, so it wasn't actually EVERY day.  But I found it was easier to go every day, then alternating days.

Sweat

Let me start with a confession: I love working out.  Love it.  I love how my muscles get all bulging from the blood rush.  I like wearing the meshy gym clothes.  I really enjoy that worn out / wet noodle feeling I get after a long work out.  But in a weird way, I'm most fascinated by my sweat.

Before you get all grossed out, let me tell you: I don't normally sweat.  Like ever.  During 90 degree weather and high humidity, I'll get a light sheen on my forearms and maybe under my eyes.  People sometimes mistake this weird eye sweat for crying, but I only do that for the Titanic film.... curse you James Cameron!!  Anyway, I digress.  This is about gym sweat.


This gym sweat is a novelty.  I am not used to it dripping down my body.  Who knew that sweat in your eyes stung?  And it's crazy when you're so sweaty that you can't wipe away sweat 'cause you're so sweaty.  I am fascinated by this.

This is also one of the clearest indicators that I am working my body out.  I have long term goals of fat reduction and muscle growth.  But I'm not really going to see those results for many months (if not years).  But sweat?  That is a direct indicator that I am using my body and pushing my limits.  It feels good.

So next time any of you are sweating, take a moment to appreciate the awesome things your body is capable of.

Small Steps Versus Canyons

A common theme I've been noticing in my thoughts has to do with small steps versus canyons. To explain the metaphor: I am told by many that you need to take small steps to see growth, improvement and change. I'm told this with the health care bill. I'm told this at work. I'm told this by almost every rational person I know.

But I'm not rational, I'm a Romantic.

Contrasting this is a phrase I learned about a year ago: "You can't take small steps across a canyon." I heard this phrase at a "Designing for Bicycles" workshop. Sometimes, the best thing to do when re-designing, and re-thinking something is to break with the past and start completely fresh.

This appeals to my sense of the Romantic, but I fear jumping across a canyon and landing someplace where I don't want to be. So when is "canyon hopping" appropriate? When should I accept small changes that don't do enough?