Saturday Night Binge

Only two things have kept me off Netflix this afternoon - the Patriots’ game, and the writing of this blog post. Over the last eight hours, I have done little more than get pissed off, watching ‘Making a Murderer’. If you aren't engrossed along with me, my guess is you have either…

1. already watched it
2. decided you will watch it soon
3. done the same with a different TV series

Viewing in bulk presents the following problems - you don’t get a damn thing done, your legs fall asleep from too much sitting, and you begin to incorrectly identify yourself as an expert in the subject matter. Of course, the convenience of getting to finish each episode commercial-free, and the immediately available next episode, obviously eclipse the aforementioned problems. The ultimate effect is that you are a satisfied viewer.

Unlike binge watching, binge exercising lacks positive effects. If you work out for ten days in a row, then proceed to skip the gym for the next ten, you won’t see progress. Yo-yo exercising is close to as ineffective (for health benefits) as not exercising at all. You've lost 12 pounds over the last 15 days - and that’s great. But if you fail to continue your efforts, you will certainly re-gain those 12, plus more.

In order to reap the benefits of working out, one must adhere to a long term plan. Consistency is the most important factor.

Steven Avery spent 18 years in prison as an innocent man. You can manage bettering your health with consistent exercise for a year. 

2016 Comin' In Hot

What's your New Year's Resolution for this coming year?

Or do you have several New Year's Resolutions?

Or maybe you are one of those people that have your life together and don't set resolutions....

"If I want to make a change in my life, I don't need to wait until a specific date to start, I just make a change."

That's called not having fun. 

To have fun, every once in a while you should....make food choices poor enough to cause mild depression....don't workout for 1 to 15 days in a row....refuse to be responsible with your decision making....wonder how you're going to climb out of the bottomless pit of misery you were Sparta-Kicked into....decide that your best bet is to wait for a specific future date to get things back on track, and in the meantime continue to let loose and be careless. When things are going this bad, you can't just up and stop on the spot....you need time to prepare for the abrupt lifestyle changes that are creepin' up.

I'm the master of getting it back together on Monday. Most weekends I end up abusing my diet to the point that I refuse to do anything more than go from the bed to the couch. When Monday comes around, it's time to once again slap myself in the face with the consumption of bland food and the attempt to train the same way I did last week. It's always a struggle but the pattern always continues.

I prefer to make resolutions on this micro level, but for those of you choosing a macro-based approach, what better time of year to put a good plan into action than New Year's Day (forgot about new year's day parties) January 2nd? It is the ultimate reset button. The day of the year literally starts back at 1 and to me, it seems perfectly acceptable to associate new habits with the brand new year....just like I do with each new week. 

As long as we balance out the periods of gluttony and inactivity, with periods of disciplined eating and hard work in the gym, you and I will both be fine and happy. 

Are you on the weekly or annual plan?