The Body Rabyd – “No, I Don’t Know What I Weigh.”

Inevitably, because people know I work out fairly regularly the question comes:  “So, How much do you weigh?”  I sigh deeply at that point and calmly respond: “I don’t know.”  I actually am so committed to not using the scale to measure fitness that when I started this latest round of 12 weeks I didn’t even step on a scale to start off and probably won’t even look at one anymore.  My measures are far more intangible these days and probably better at gauging success.

1) How do I look in the mirror naked?  I have spoken on this before but both me and the late great Jack LaLane agree.  This is not only the best way to keep yourself motivated but measure your completion which really is that person in the mirror.  The goal is to beat what that person in the mirror can do right now with something better.

2) How do I feel?  This I know can be misleading but I know when I feel well and have overall wellbeing more by feel than actual numbers.  Not an excuse to not monitor actual indicators of health but feeling good is not a bad way to go most of the time.

3) Did I do the workout today?  Honestly, this really is a day by day thing.  Jesus words about taking no thought about tomorrow but concerning oneself with today are very applicable to fitness.  You can’t do anything about yesterday’s crappy workout and tomorrow workout is tomorrow.  How are you doing today?  It I more important for me to do a workout and do it well if possible than stepping on a scale.  I am often asked what the best exercise program is and my answer is always – “The one that you actually do”.  All programs work in some way if you do them.  The only program that does not work at all is doing nothing.  Nothing generates nothing results.

The one thing I never base my success on is the scale or BMI.  Body Mass Index and the scale on give you a number and someone else can have that same number but be in better shape than you or worse shape than you.  Remember that.  Neither prove anything.

Flexibility –  Stretching is going really well.  I can’t find my beginner videos on yoga.  I hope to soon but in the meantime the full body stretch I am doing is definitely preparing for the future.

Cardio – My treadmill and bike are bot broken so I am left with doing something pretty simple.  Picking up the pace during lifting.  Cut down rest times between sets by about 25% and that breaks a sweat so I think I am OK but I really am upset about the treadmill breaking.  Hopefully the weather will get much warmer soon and I can do something outside.  Anybody have an old tire I can use a sledgehammer on?

Strength – Really doing well here.  Looking at my logbook for this last week, I broke 200lbs. on a couple lifts.  Still below what I used to do but it is progress.  My goal is that by the end of Spring I will be back where I was which is 300lbs. for both deadlift and squats.  Yes, that was on the final set of a 4×12 so we will see where we stack up by the end of Spring.

Nutrition – once again just trying to watch things but not so much I can’t enjoy a night out or some good tasting food from time to time.  Heading into Summer, I will probably go Paleo-Diet style and focus on meat, veggies, fruit and nuts.  That way I can head to picnics and BBQ outings in the summer and still eat well but avoid the chips and such carbs as I don’t really need.

In 2016, I may switch Summer to a Strength Building time and Spring as cut time.  Fall and Winter might be better served as building muscle time.  I am not a competitor and no longer have the desire to be but I would like to enjoy the Summer and not worry about what I eat at social occasions at that time.  Besides, combining Strength focus and summer heat might still keep the weigh very much off my body.

Blessings and Cheers!!!