Progress is Welcome Change

As the month comes to a close, my fight for fitness - and against fat - continues with Jo Ann Burns’ expert assistance. Even though I’m a little fatigued from it all, I feel like I’m winning. There are days like Thursday, when Jo Ann walked me through the leg strengthening regime once more. Legs are one of my strong points (triceps being weaker than I had ever expected), but I can still feel the pain. The act of walking down stairs serves to remind me of how well the week was spent. Of course, it probably doesn’t help that the cardiovascular exercise I undertake is mostly leg-intensive. running sprints in the heat and humidity of this early summer is also challenging. Today, I had to cut a run short after the third sprint. Limits often present themselves in this fashion, and beg to be pushed. So I keep pushing.

Thursday was also a day for progress measurements. In the chart below, you’ll see a comparison of those and the numbers from May 7, taken at the end of the first week of training.

This, my friends, is progress. Not overnight miracle progress, but a welcomed change nonetheless. It also reflects something very important: cumulative momentum. In other words, the more I work out, the stronger I become; the stronger I become, the more I can work out. This rule can be applied to life in general, and that’s what begins to happen over time. It’s a very healthy mindset. The singular process of focusing one’s mind on the improvement of the whole body strengthens not only physiological systems like muscle groups, but also critical aspects of consciousness. It’s the “Yes, I can do it!” experience. The personal trainer provides a catalyst, but the trainee must want to change, and must understand the benefits of subjecting oneself to considerable discomfort. That’s where the focus comes in.

At this point, if I were to fall out of the program this week, gain 20 pounds and disappear from sight, I would forever be regarded as that guy who bragged so much about how good weight-lifting was, but wimped out early on. For me, this would mean loss of face, dishonor and humiliation, but worst of all, I’d still be fat. One step closer to a stroke or heart attack. Living in a down-spiraling mental state. Giving up, whining, purchasing larger and larger pants. That’s not what I want, though. Who would want that? I also know that my trainer, Jo Ann, would not be happy for any of her trainees to fall short of their goals. She genuinely cares about people who come to her for training, and that’s what makes her great to work with. Besides, she’s a competitive bodybuilder and knows what’s she’s doing. She sets a high standard for all to see, for anyone who wants to reach for it.

Jo Ann in Minnesota Competition

This photo shows Jo Ann at a recent competition in Burnsville, MN. A person doesn’t look like this by watching Food Channel reruns and eating Big Macs. It takes a lot of hard work, and a will to achieve. According to her, though, it’s also a lot of fun. Knowing Jo Ann, I’m sure it is! I see something more than fun and good health, however. I see the body as art - just as a painter paints a canvas, a poet writes a poem or a musician creates a song - the body is a means of expression for those with the talent and passion to make it into something beautiful. Now, do I see myself standing up there on stage, glistening boldly under the lights? No, not really. I see myself as having the health and energy to accomplish other goals. I see myself as feeling pretty good most of the time. Above all, though, I see a world of possibilities that didn’t exist before.  And that makes for a very good life.