First Workout of 2023

Workout Log 001

Today’s workout was tough! Normally I feel strong for the Monday’s workout after my one rest day a week on Sunday. I suppose me staying up pass my bedtime last night is the most likely cause. I’m early to bed and early to rise like clock work at the same time everyday, weekday, weekend, high water, low water, or whatever. I aim to make it the same. Getting your body used to a set sleep and wake time is the first step to sleeping better. It’s always harder to get up in the morning when my normal 7-to-8 hours of sleep time has been disturbed. I sure didn’t feel like getting out of bed when the alarm went off this morning, but that didn’t matter.

So what was I doing up pass my bedtime? If you know me, you know that doesn’t usually happen. After dinner last night, I decided to watch Netflix. My habit has become to spend about 20-to-30 minutes looking at trailers before deciding that there is nothing worth watching and then getting up to do something else. Last night was one of the rare occasions when I did stumble onto a movie that was worth the time it took to watch it. It was called the Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. It is set in Africa and based on a true story. Most of the movie shows a level of hardship most of us American’s cannot comprehend. I do feel the need to tell you that it has a happy ending though. I didn’t want to stop in the sad middle parts, so I had to see it through to the end before going to bed. It made me late going to bed, but I’m still glad I saw this movie. It reminded me of two things; 1) how many little every day blessings I have been taking for granted; and 2) The Lord’s revelation of the kingdom principle about the one to whom much is given, much will be required (see Luke 12:48). I went to bed with the fire to pray and work fully stoked.

Back to today’s workout. At 46 degrees F, it felt warm compared to last week. This was my A workout with the kettlebell being the centerpiece. Of all the gym/fitness equipment I’ve have ever owned, the kettlebell is by far my favorite. It is literally as good as a whole gym in one compact iron ball with a handle. I like to drive when I travel so that I can always take it with me. The snatch got the call for the random 20 reps this morning. These were made doubly hard due to the fact that I wasn’t feeling particularly strong today. I still consider this a good workout though. It’s just it wasn’t among my best. This is common to all, completely normal, and to be expected from time to time. These less than great workouts are still vital though. Anybody can have a great workout when they are feeling strong and have more than enough energy for the work, but feeling not strong and barely able to get it done builds mental toughness far better than the feeling great workouts ever could. And this type of mental toughness transfers to every aspect of life.

I’ve decided to try increasing the frequency of my workouts this year. Hitting each A and B workout three times a week instead of the two each I’ve been doing for the past few months. I’ve also deceived to make my C workout into the second workout of the day. Maybe with the jump rope and only one superset of calves each day. Not sure how my body will respond to this somewhat large increase in frequency and volume. Like they say in Colombia…vamos a ver.

PLANNED	ACTUAL	COMMENTS
Start/Finish – 0430/0600	04:22/06:45	First day back to work is tomorrow for me, so I wasn’t too concerned with the time.
Daily Min (Feet)	as planned	a little mentally distracted
Jump Rope Tabata	as planned	Reached a milestone. Didn’t catch the rope at all. Will continue at least another week with no change to hone the groove.
Vitalizer	not planned	I had forgotten to take my pre-skin brushing sup (niacin 250mg) before the jump rope, so I took it after and did ten minutes here to await the flush.
Skin Brushing	as planned
Ab Wheel	as planned	10 reps on knees
Kettlebell	as planned	Goblet Squat 10 reps Australian chin-up 10 reps Swing 10 reps each arm Dive Bomber Push-up 10 reps Snatch 4 sets of 5 reps each arm
Mandatory Poses	as planned	I got through it, but I was left totally out of gas when I finished.