When we work out, we are changing our bodies… we are moving muscles, moving ligaments, moving ourselves. We are making ourselves better physically and mentally.

A designer has stated that we look at our worst…

We all know we aren’t at our most attractive after working out. But how bad could we possibly look? I mean really?

Bad. Extraordinarily bad. Like we-shouldn’t-go-out-in-public bad.Nick-Nolte-on-a-bender bad. Snooki-on-a-Tuesday-night bad. Our proof: French photographer Sacha Goldberger snapped images of joggers in Paris immediately after a sprint, then again a week later in their regular clothes, in roughly the same pose. Place the portraits side by side, and the evidence crystallizes into incontrovertible fact: Running is an invite to the ugly tree.

…however, I contend that we look our best when we exercise. You may be thinking that is insane. However, when we exercise, we are exposing ourselves to others. Our humanity, our frailties, and our inner selves. We are one with our workouts, and our workouts are one with us.

When in the weight room, we are all in essence equal. We are all battling against our bodies. Some may be lifting more, and some may be lifting less, but we are all lifting against the capabilities of our bodies in their current state, and working to change those states in the future, and thus change our bodies for the better.

via How Ugly Do We Look After Exercising? | Co. Design.

This week I have really been in the swing of things. The new “series” began Sunday, and I have been “in the thick of it” for four days straight now. Rest days are coming up for the weight training.

Today I was lifting after work, and it gets fairly frustrating when I go to the larger gym. At the small gym near my house, the plan isn’t very big, so it is easy to find things if people move them around. However, there is only one of each thing, so its hard to get a good workout during peak time. During the training at the larger gym at peak time, it gets pretty messy.

Dumbbells and barbells could be anywhere in the gym. I have found weight plates and dumbbells sitting next to the exercise “machines”. I am as guilty as anyone of bringing weights out of the free-weight area, and I don’t see any issues with this if you are using it, and if you return it when you are done. The problem is that last part, in that the equipment never seems to make its way back.

Tomorrow will either me a cardio day, or a cardio day plus the last weight day in the series; if I just do cardio tomorrow, it means Friday is a weights day, Saturday rest, and Sunday back in the saddle for another round.

I feel like I am making progress these days. I really do feel like I am losing weight, and my body definitely feels more in-shape than it has in recent years. While my weight is not dropping heavily at this point, my ‘body fat’ level is continuing to drop.

Working with the trainer on Monday, we were discussing this; he said “well your weight may not drop much”, to which my response was “well it will have to drop at some point, I seriously doubt I will weight 280 pounds when I get down to 18-20% bodyfat.” Unless someone is slipping me some hardcore ‘roids.

I really do feel like things are beginning to come together for my workouts and health efforts.

Today was supposed to be my day back into the gym after a two day rest. However, I did not make it into the gym today. The reasons are varied, but there is one overwhelming reason why it happened… and it is that I just wasn’t committed enough to the cause today.

Commitment is everything when trying to establish a healthy lifestyle. Now, some argue that being the “gym rat” by going in all the time is not healthy, but I contend that my need to lose weight, gain muscle, and be healthier requires a certain level of sacrifice. Generally speaking, hardcore gym work is to make up for years of neglect to my body.

Tomorrow I must return to my commitments, which include getting back into the gym. The plan is to go in the morning, after a Sunday sleep-in and breakfast.

I must commit myself to this effort, and I know that if I am not totally committed, I will not succeed. You must commit yourself, you must dedicate yourself to the cause.

Today was a decent day at the gym. It wasn’t a fantastic day, mind you, but it was a good day. I pushed out six different body parts, but only three sets in my supersets instead of the normal five. In reality, this was what I expected of myself given that I am working with the trainer tomorrow.

I also did some abs work as well, something I have definitely been neglecting in my workouts. The reality is that you can’t succeed holistically unless you have a very strong core. So often we ignore our abs when we are overweight because we aren’t people trying to achieve six-packs. In fact, strong abdominal muscles are important for everyone, and not just for appearance sakes.

A strong core is critical for your workouts, as it will greatly improve your posture. Good abdominals will also help with digestion and overall health, as well.

Also cranked out 20 minutes on the elliptical machine in light mode.