Charging Through Life

Today I hit one of those small goals on my way to the New Sam; I completed my first month of Barry's Bootcamp known as The Academy!

It may come to be known as the toughest part of my physical transformation. In those first few weeks I had terrible trouble keeping up on the treadmill, I experienced the most excruciating shin splints I've ever known, I had trouble with lighter weights that should have been easy for me, and I constantly felt lost during class. But I kept going every day and I kept pushing myself. I made some nice friends and started choosing heavier weights.

Today I'm running further and faster on the treadmill and pushing 30 to 35lb free weight dumbbells in the various exercises. People in my everyday life have been encouraging me all along but now they are starting to tell me they see results showing. I can't say that I see these changes as of yet, but I'm starting to feel them.

This first month of exercising, for me, was all about proving to myself that I can do this. It was about fixing and reenforcing my foundation so I have strong muscles and strong emotions to continue building upon. And it was about getting my body use to the idea of pushing harder and feeling stronger while shedding fat. I've followed through with the commitment I made of getting up every morning (even though I really don't half to) and getting myself to the gym. I've been diciplined about my diet and significantly cut out crap-foods like soda and processed junk with excess sugar. I've had a Shakeology nearly every morning and vitamins after nearly every lunch.

As I get ready for the month of May, it's time for me to intensify everything. I intend on continuing Bootcamp every morning but I'm going to add an additional 30-min jog and P90X routine in the afternoons. I intend on becoming even more disciplined with my diet by eating a small healthy meal every 3-4 hours. I intend on using protein powders to help feed my muscles more throughout the day and even at night while I sleep.

My problem areas still glare at me with contempt when I look at myself in the mirror. My ass is still disproportionately large, as are my thighs. Most of my jeans still don't fit comfortably and the elastic on my underwear is stretched to the limit when sitting on my hips. But despite not having some miraculous transformation in only 20 workouts, I do take away from this first month a since of accomplishment as well as a since of resolve. I am proud that I completed this first month. I feel a since of progress and improvement. And I am determined to step up my game and attack my physic with greater vigor in this next month. Just wait and see what I can accomplish next!