An Hour a Day Keeps the Losers at Bay

Or at least prevents one from becoming a loser. I let a friend of mine, who has impressively completed the P90X program have the first month of the Insanity work out program. Since we re-initiated it just a week ago, we didn't have the complete set because it was in my friend's possession. We were missing the Pure Cardio disc and had to use the Pure Cardio from the second month's disc.

Pure Cardio is by far the most intense day of the Insanity work out program. It is relentless and although every day is a daunting task, the Pure Cardio day is for sure the most taxing on the body. Its aimed at increasing one's endurance and incorporates workouts from the entire week... Shaun T describes it as thus upon completion of the workout: "that shit was bananas." And that is only the first month's Pure Cardio.

So you can imagine what the second month's Pure Cardio feels like. Good God. I wanted to avoid it today, but as I've learned a great way to motivate yourself and make sure you stick with a commitment, posting what you are going to do on Facebook is very effective. I make it known to others that I am doing something and some people will encourage me, confide that I will do it by a nice helpful comment or a simple "liking it." Then there are others that are just waiting for me to fail. They ache for the opportunity to ridicule me if I fail to do what I say I am. I love it the "Facebook Accountability Method" because the moment someone even hints at doubting that I'll do what I say I am going to do on my status, I instantly receive all of the motivation needed to do it...As if a great body, tons of energy, self confidence, good looks and a dramatic increase in my physical endeavors isn't enough motivation.

The ridicule happened this evening, a roommate tried calling me out on not doing it openly (said roommate has dropped out of the program twice) and a former roommate tried jumping on the high wagon (another Insanity flunky). That was all the motivation I needed to not only get it done, but make sure I continue this drive for sexiness.

I've learned that there are really two kinds of people in regards to the pursuit of something difficult but highly rewarding. The people who get there with hard work, an iron will and the discipline to persevere and the people who for whatever reason, simply don't. People can want and want and want something and the majority of them will fail. The drive is just not there. They fall, but unlike the other types, they don't get up. What's worse, is no one offers to help them get up. Their "friends" try and keep them down.

They don't surround themselves with people that try to elevate them, challenge them and help them achieve their dreams. They instead find themselves surrounded by and succumbing to people that regularly and thoroughly enjoy (perhaps not outwardly) bringing others down with them. Especially when their friends begin to show hints or signs of elevating.

These people used to be a tax on my ego, self confidence and fed into my self doubt. Now they're my fuel.

Thanks. :)