That's not a sentence I thought I'd ever write. Growing up I played ice hockey and soccer and ran track. I was always in shape.
In college I rock climbed four or five days a week. I had shoulder muscles on my shoulder muscles. I had triceps on my triceps. I could do (wait for it... wait for it...) NINE pull-ups in a row. It was rad.
But then I went to graduate school and spent all my time hunched over my laptop writing papers. The time I had where I wasn't hunched over my laptop writing papers I was either working dozens of hours at an internship, teaching classes at a local university, working as a teaching assistant at the seminary, or (most often) all three. After days like those I would be lucky if I could cook dinner before I collapse onto the couch to do the next day's reading.
I learned a heckuvalot, but I sure didn't exercise.
By this point in the post, if you don't know me personally, you're probably picturing a giant, flabby person. That's the thing, though - I haven't really gained any weight. This is good and bad. Good because I still fit in my clothes, but bad because I had no real incentive to get back in shape. Why bother?
Well, now is the time. This summer I've spent time with family in northern Wisconsin and I have decided - nay, vowed - to get back in shape. No matter what. At any cost. My rationale is this: if I can't exercise now, with no real time commitments, I will never exercise again.
Fifteen days ago, I began ninety days of insanity.
I began P90X.
P90X is basically a 90-day boot camp to get in great shape. It's a big infomercial seller, but my parents had the good fortune to find it at a local thrift store for $20.00, so I'm doing it for free right now. You exercise for between an hour and an hour and a half six days a week at intense levels. You work out your arms, legs, abs, and cardio. You push yourself to the point of wanting to throw up. It's insanity, I tell you!
After two weeks, my everything hurts. On the upside, I am beginning to see a bit of toning in my arms, legs, and abs. And I'm sleeping better than I have in years. I mean, like the dead, sleeping. It's glorious.
Daryl's doing it with me. It's hard. It's glorious. It's necessary. It's time.
We'll keep you posted.
3 comments:
As awesome as this sounds, I have to admit that my favorite part was probably where you used the word "rad." But also, way to get in shape! I am a little jealous (but I don't like exercise, so only of the time and results).
One of my Wheaton roommates used "rad" all the time, so I now feel the freedom to do it, too. Love it.
Don't be jealous yet - I have 74 more days to survive this madness, then we'll see. ;)
hahaha i have to laugh because both you and daryl look great and fit even if you maybe don't FEEL so fit. but i have always said that it's all about how you feel, not how you look. so i'm excited that you guys are back to working out together and having some fun at it! i want to hear more about this workout, it sounds like something mike and i should be doing before the wedding!!
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