One-A-Days

OK, so I am flawed. In many ways. One glaring flaw I am trying to combat is a lack of self-discipline when it comes to doing things that are good for me, but are not fun. Like eating proper meals. Or eating vegetables. Or NOT eating candy, sweets, or ice cream. The one that bothers me the most though is my natural ability to avoid exercise.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m active. For a 49 year old, I’m even spry! I play sports (fun), I’ll take on a challenge in a heartbeat (fun). I coach volleyball (fun). But, to lift weights, do push-ups, or go for a run is akin to pulling teeth.

Now the paradox (which I believe most of us non-exercise junkies share) is that when I DO exercise, I like it! I like the results. I feel like I’ve accomplished something. I feel healthier. But, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why, with all of these positive reinforcements, I still couldn’t keep to an exercise program!

One day, a little bit ago, I happened upon the answer.

While exercise has positive effects and makes me feel good (and glad I did it), it’s still NOT FUN. So, simple…but the answer eluded me for years. And, to be honest, I can’t think of a way to make it fun! I’ve subconsciously tried. I found a coworker who suffers from the same aversion to regular workouts, and challenged him to a competition. That worked for a few months until one of us won (yes, one of us simultaneously lost). And then, it was over.

So, with my goals (which include maintaining an exercise program) flush in my face, I have decided to find a way! My latest plan of attack is One-A-Days.

In “Fit for Eternal Life” by Kevin Vost (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933184310/), I learned about a quick, easy, and impressive weight lifting regimen. The core of the program is the use of weight machines (to ensure good form), doing only 5 or so exercises, doing only ONE set, no more than 8-12 reps, and do them to FAILURE. So, the only hard part is learning how much weight to use in each exercise so that you can’t do more than twelve, but can do at least 8. As you get stronger, and can do more than 12 reps, you add weight. With only five exercises, and therefore only five sets, and no more than 12 reps…you can do the full workout in less than 20 minutes. This is also timed because each rep follows a rule for so many seconds for push and the pull parts. It’s actually pretty neat. I recommend it to anyone looking to build body mass, get in shape by using weights, and is on a tight schedule.

I did that one for about 2 months before I lost the rhythm and then stopped.

I actually hope to do it again…but this time I plan to sneak up on it with One-A-Days.

So, here’s my idea. And before you tell me how lame I am, let me give this disclaimer – If you have trouble sticking to (or starting) an exercise program, this may work for you. If you’re an exercise machine, then yes, this will seem lame.

One-A-Days is a simple – EACH day I have to do at least ONE exercise, one set, to FAILURE. That means, any exercise (weights, aerobic, or anaerobic) non-stop until I can’t do even one more. Pushups? You’ll find out how many you can do in one set. Max it out. Sit-ups? To Failure. Bench Press? To Failure. Leg raises? To failure. Squats, curls, triceps pull downs, or Lunges? TO FAILURE. If you choose to lift weights, like Vost teaches, try to find the right amount of weight so you fail between 8 and 12 reps. But, hey, if you end up doing 30…that’s fine. Just do it to FAILURE.

Now, you may have guessed that it helps to log/track all of this. So, you know what exercises you’ve done, what weights are optimal, and what parts of the body you’ve worked. The good news for me, is that I actually like the part of the exercise program where I collect, track, plot, and analyze the data. What can I say? I’m a metrics geek.

One BIG warning. If you choose to do Free Weights (not on a machine) and you choose an exercise where you can’t drop the weights (like bench press) YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SPOTTER. Since by definition you will NOT be able to put the bar back…since you’re doing it to failure!

Another benefit of One-A-Days is that it’s easy to mix up the exercises and not get bored. If you don’t have access to weights, do pushups. If you don’t have a lot of time…use weights. Just make sure you do at least ONE each day! So far I’ve done 6 days in a row. I plan to maintain it for 90 days! If I can make it a habit (30 days), hopefully I can do it for life.

If I get it to be a habit, and I feel daring, I may move to Two-A-Days! And after that the skies the limit! Well, actually, three is the limit. I figure, every book I’ve read, says that your body needs rest, and they all suggest taking a day off. So, I figure some exercises you can do every day (like core – ab work for example), and I should be able to do Three-A-Days safely.

OR when I get One-A-Days to be a habit, instead of Two-A-Days, perhaps I’ll do the Fit For Eternal Life program for a month at a pop.

Regardless…if I can reach the goal of doing One-A-Days every day, I’ll be better off for it. BTW, I tried this with prayer (as the fulfillment of my wife’s birthday gift wish) and it worked great. I started with five decades of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and I found myself adding people to pray for….and now I say 13 a day. I’ve maintained this for over a year…so I know it’s possible.

Wish me luck!

P.S. Some of you don't have Gmail and therefore can't post comments (or at least that's what I'm told). Feel free to send me a comment for posting via email, and I will post if for you.