To Those About to Sweat, I Salute You

Every once in a while it’s nice to get some positive feedback — from non-family members. Today, I received just that at the gym when not one, but two, people asked me for training tips. Now, granted, they might just as easily have asked me for advice on how to eat an entire pecan pie in 30 minutes or less — I still have a lot of weight to lose — but at least it’s nice to know that I have a few things going for me.

Of course, I know for some — those that have even more weight to shed than I — having others notice and comment on their progress is unlikely. Sadly, among its other negative properties, excessive body fat has a way of obscuring the positive changes one is undertaking (and sometimes the scale is a willing accomplice).

So, to those who toil in anonymity, I salute you. Anybody who works hard has my respect and admiration — especially you nuts running on the treadmill as though you’re being chased by a pack of rabid dogs.

I'm Not Crazy, Just Obsessive Compulsive

Ronnie Coleman

Sometimes — well, a lot of times, really — I wish I wasn’t so impatient. Maybe it’s borne out of my career disappointments, maybe it’s just age (although I thought people got more patient as they got older), but when I want something, I want it yesterday.

So it’s little surprise that this Challenge has been testing what little patience I do have. Even though it’s unrealistic — and I know it’s unrealistic — I can’t help but want to see my weight and body fat going down every single day. Even though I’m on track and I can see the positive changes, I want my waist smaller — today! I want ripped abs — today!

When I’m not neurotically obsessing about these things, I feel good. Luckily, I haven’t lost much muscle mass as I’ve tried to trim down and I continue to tinker with my diet to find that perfect balance of nutrition and exercise.

Today (Sunday, Jan. 27), I’m going to meet with a trainer friend of mine and we’re going to do some bicep exercises. As 8-time Mr. Universe Ronnie Coleman used to say: “Gotta get bigger, baby!” 

Of course, Coleman was full of #$%! It’s true in my case.