So why is exercise so difficult? Why is only 13% of the population exercising on a regular basis? Why aren't gyms stacked, packed, and racked to the back during ALL 12 months of the year? Why isn't home-gym equipment part of everyone's home decor? Why is it so unusual that when one sees a "six pack" of rectus abdominis, we swoon, awe, drool, and gawk as if we'd been witness to a Super Bowl Championship in Kansas City???

Because exercise sucks, that's why!!!

I realize this coming from someone who makes his profession in the fitness industry, my aforementioned comments might seem counter-productive, self-destructive, or just plain odd...

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As a fitness professional dealing with people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, "baggage", and bones to pick, I'm constantly challenged to encourage those friends who come to me with less than a perky attitude to work their bodies. I take a healthy pride in recognizing a client's or student's overall emotional attitude as we come together to throw iron or hold a tree pose.

The truth is no one lives in a vacuum...no one can separate work-life, from family-life or separate financial woes from relational woes. Our lives are connected without bifurcation.

Oh, we atttempt to leave work @ work or leave home issues @ home...but let's be honest, it's impossible. We're complicated beings who have a strong desire to find a peace in all areas of life. So where can we begin to find peace? Where is the perfect place to begin to find order and peace, and joy and contentment that will do nothing but help us appropriately "organize" the rest of our lives???

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So why is water the most important, most critical, more pure element in anyone's diet? Why is the most basic compound on the planet, the most beneficial to our minds and bodies? Why is water so important?

Here's a basic rule of thumb to use when deciding what & what not to put in your mouth when living a healthy lifestyle:

If what you're about to still in that gullet of yours, leaves any kind of trace, residue, "footprint" behind, you may want to question its validity in the "good-for-you" food & drink category...

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YOU ARE NOT EXERCISING IF YOU ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY DOING THE FOLLOWING:

·         Reading a book/ magazine

·         Studying for an exam with flash cards placed on the elliptical machine’s "book lip"

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K, so I had my major "cheat" meal yesterday celebrating the coming of the Easter Bunny and the resurrection of Jesus (ever try and reconcile those two...yeah, me either?)

Back to the point...so here was what was consumed yesterday afternoon:

• BBQ Brisket
• Cheesy Potatoes
• Rolls

And so there it was...and then 75 short minutes later...it hit me: SUGAR COMA. We don't realize how much sugar is contained in the foods that aren't deemed as 'sweets'. And I am continuously surprised about how my own body responds to added sugar to my diet. (fyi...my diet is very strict: very little sugars & salts--contrary to many myths, the answer to a defined physique and six pack is NOT crunches!)

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We’ve talked about it in the past...

We have to CONFUSE the body.

In order for our bodies to develop (not overnight...it does take time...don’t believe the get fit quick stuff--doesn’t work!) into the machines they were designed  to be, we have to continually confuse our muscles. We have to engage in exercise regimens that are contrasting, various, seemingly disconnected.

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