Getting Extreme

I've been lifting weights most of my life. It's something I've really not stopped doing since I was 14. I've had periods where I've taken time off. A day here, a week there. I think the longest stretch was three weeks. And that was just last year when we went to Denmark and Italy.

Weight lifting is something I am good at. I'm not really any good at other sports. I've tried most of them. Baseball (I am pretty much afraid of the ball), basketball (too short), football (can't take a hit very well), racquetball (not coordinated enough and I tore my calf muscle a couple of years ago--thanks Jav--so I'm hesitant to get back in the court), tennis (see racquetball), swimming (I was in the "rock" group all through high school), hockey (I walk like a duck, so skates have never been too forgiving).

But give me some dumbbells, barbells, and weight machines, and I am in my element.

The problem is, I am 39 years old now. My body doesn't respond to weights like it used to. I lift six days a week, alternating body parts, and you'd think I'd look like I did when I was 18. Not the case. I just don't have much variety in my routine, sticking with the general philosophy of low-medium weight and high reps.

I'm not a big fan of fad diets/routines. I've never tried South Beach, Atkins, the Blood Type Diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or any of the other "miracle" programs that are out there. I've known people who have, but none of them have ever been too successful. They wind up back in the same situation they were in, sometimes worse, because those programs (in my opinion) are tough to maintain.

I'm a believer in "lifestyle." Give me a program that has variety, is forgiving, and offers something new and exciting and I am ready for it. Several years ago, my friends Bob and Bernie and I tried Body for Life. It's a six day a week exercise program and it offers a solid "lifestyle" diet, suggesting six smaller meals a day and a full "cheat" day (where you can eat ANYTHING). It worked for all three of us. I was teetering at 190 lbs back then (2001) and needed to drop at least 20. And I did. And I have pretty much kept it off. I don't follow the BFL diet anymore and haven't for several years. But I have kept that philosophy in my mind as I pick foods to eat.

Since I feel like I am hitting another wall, I have been looking for options to help. BFL was good, but not good enough. My weight is fine (who can't stand to lose 5-10), but my body is shifting as I get older. Shifting. I guess that's the nice term. Sagging. Maybe that's the better term. I've got things moving south I haven't had drop that way since I was a baby.

Whatever the term is, I am always honest enough with myself that when the time is right to do something different, I seek options.

There's a group of people at work who started this ChaLean Extreme program. It too, is an exercise/diet/lifestyle program that, while I was skeptical at first, seems like something that is sustainable. It's a program that has the philosophy that weight training is the key to burning fat. There are three 30 day exercise program DVD's to follow (you workout with the DVDs) and the key is using heavier weights for up to 12-12 slow reps.

Cyndi and I are going to try it. We'll have an official start date, but right now we will just try the different DVDs to get used to the new program. I tried one this morning and had low expectations. 38 minutes later (that's the whole workout), I was sweating, my muscles were fatigued, and I was excited. I think I will take measurements and before/after photos to see if I can really see a difference.

As I get older, and dare I say flabbier, something has got to change. I guess getting Extreme ,may be the way to do it.