I was looking through a Women's Health magazine today at work today and saw this article that went along with my newsletter tip. It stated that The Journal of biobehavioral Research reports that in a study where exercisers wrote down ideas that made their effort more enjoyable such as jogging with friends, listening to tunes on their iPod, or trying out a new fitness class, they tended to work out longer and had more fun.  After eight weeks these people were sweating twice as much as those who listed reasons to exercise as, "to lose weight." "Thinking of positive workout experiences rather than abstract ideas makes the experience more enjoyable and motivating," says lead author Laura Ten Eyck, Ph.D. of Texas Christian University. So basically, when you have fun you are more likely to do something, Crazy. Making it fun and a positive experience is your key to keeping FIT. 

I decided to take on Benny's challenge of trying a new exercise this week so I looked through our database of over 500 exercises and found a few that I have never done.  This week I will incorporate the barbell complex into one of my training days (hang clean/shoulder press/back squat).  It looks pretty good.  If you ever run out of ideas for your own training we have a lot of options - from the F.I.T. Club workouts to the workout of the week and the online training.  But sometimes it's cool just to look throught the exercises database and pick out a few you want to try.

 Barball Complex from the Exercise Database

You guys did a great job last week. Weight loss all around. As far as my new challenge goes, we are not striving for absolute perfection, just try to be good most of the time - nobody is perfect!  If you try to be perfect and have a slip-up it will really bring you down. Read this from Gaye:

Chris,

I am so ashamed, someone brought donuts to work, I never ever eat donuts, never ever!!!! but I ate a whole cream filled chocolate covered donut. I have felt ill ever since. I am trying to be good the rest of the month.

Try to be good most of the time and endulge yourself every once in a while.

Stay Fit!

Chris

Talk to you soon, and Look out for the News letter Benny B.A.

WE MADE IT!!!  It wasn't nearly as tough as you thought it was going to be now was it?  Okay, maybe a few things were.  I finished up with a good day.  Natural peanut butter on a whole wheat english mufffin, banana, and skim milk for breakfast.  Smoked turkey breast and cheese (made from 2% milk) on whole wheat bread, yogurt, and pretzels for lunch.  Pizza for dnner - whole wheat crust, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and part skim milk mozzerela cheese - awesome!

So here is my proposition. The main thing we all did this week was give up something (several things) that are bad for us, right?  How about we pick one thing that we will give up for good, or at least for a while.  My thing is going to be late night snacking.  No food after 9 PM.  Let's give it a shot and see how long we can keep it up.  If you're in, let me know what your one thing is.

Talk to you soon, Chris.

I have a BIG confession to make.  As I write this blog I am enjoying an Elijah Craig (12 year old Kentucky Burbon) and Coke - oh so good!  I was really good all day: Kashi cereal with skim milk, low-fat/low-sugar yogurt, fruit, granola, natural peanut butter on a whole grain english muffin, a big salad full of veggies and rotisserie chicken.  I just had a moment of weakness and had to have a teeny-tiny little drink at the end of a long work week.  I will play about two hours of full-court basketball Sunday to make up for it.

On a positive note, I keep hearing from people that are losing weight.  Anywhere from 1-4 pounds seems to be the average. Several have said that they were dying for a glass of wine (Obviously I can relate!).   As a treat for everyone who participated with me this week I want you to have a drink tomorrow night, if that's something you're into. Tomorrow in my blog I will have a little proposition for you.  Make sure you check back with me.

Stay Strong!  One more day!

Chris