Day 78: A Cumulative Process

I always try to remind my clients that training is a “cumulative process”. It is hard to see all the great effects exercise has on your body (and mind for that matter).

The other day I was playing around with my heart rate monitor and realized it has a “files” section that tracks all the days exercised, hours exercised, and calories burned that I have logged since I got it. I was amazed to see I had exercised 90 days for a total of 110 hours (over 4 ½ days of pure exercise) and burned nearly 35,000 calories. 35,000 calories!!!! Oh my gosh. That is 35,000 extra calories that would be stuck to me if I hadn’t exercised. Yuck.

Sometimes it is hard to see what we are doing. It’s hard to chart our progress from day to day. But when you recognize this is a cumulative process that isn’t just burning calories, but also building muscle, strengthening bones, and increasing aerobic capacities each and every day, you can’t even begin to imagine the positive effects this has on your health…muscles, bones, heart, etc.

Every day counts in this process.

Which direction are you going today?

Day 71: Set Backs

Just so you know, set backs happen to everyone in training and weight loss.

Everyone.

They are the real test.

When you have an injury, or you get sick, or you go on vacation and your workout schedule is messed up and your eating patterns are in disarray, what do you do?

Many of us like to use these times as excuses…but we all know that’s exactly what they are. Just excuses.

If you’re sick or injured or on vacation, with a little planning you can still eat healthy.

With injuries and on vacations you can still find ways to workout. My sister who has been suffering from plantar fasciitis and can barely use her feet is the perfect example of someone who is determined to keep going, no matter what. She has continued to exercise and lose weight through resistance training and biking. How many people would say in her situation, "Well, I can't really do anything because I can't use my feet." ? She doesn't let it stop her. In fact, I think it makes her more determined.

Most injuries only limit certain aspects of your training...some form of exercise is still possible for almost everyone.

Instead of deciding to use a set back as an excuse, look at it as an opportunity to focus on other aspects of your health or training.

Lance Armstrong broke his collarbone a few months before the Tour de France, but he didn’t let it stop him…it just made his story all that much more amazing.

Set backs can make you stronger…if you let them.