Resolution

Don’t overthink it; just do it now.

Reflecting

New Year’s resolvers can get in the way, but will almost all be gone by Valentine’s Day.  They mostly set audacious goals then quit.  Instead, set goals that you are likely to hit – somewhere in the range of an 80-90% probability of success – collect small victories, then reset with each win.  Start (literally) today. 

Old goals are depressing and counterproductive.  Keep them fresh and keep doing something about them every day.  I am so grateful for the people who keep me consistent.  Next weekend is Christmas Eve and Christmas, yet I will still be running, lifting, and rolling.  We’ll meet up for trail runs at 5 AM each day and my Jiu Jitsu coach is still showing up to train. 

Training

Whiteboard:

7-6-5-4-3

• Back Squat as heavy as possible

• 15 GHDs

• 100 feet sandbag carry each round as heavy as possible

Then an hour 1-on-1 with a trainer/coach.  It was brutal.  This is our fourth together and the hardest four workouts of my life.  My biggest struggle is to get psyched up to lift, but also settled down enough to shut up and listen to what he says.  I’m a work in progress on that and every other measure. 

Next run:

I’ve been experimenting with passive training, specifically with lighter weights that I keep on full-time.  I’ve gone several days with 10 lb x2 ankle weights.  The weight is easy but they take a bit of getting used to because you build up momentum which feels clumsy.  They are terrific for wearing while doing upper body workouts that involve leaning in (such as dumbbell rows) because they really anchor your footing.  My daughter thinks they look like I got arrested and am wearing ankle monitors and she’s pretty sure that is what the neighbors assume when they see me walk to the gym wearing them. 

Fueling

I served three 8-rib venison racks at my CrossFit Christmas party.  People just grabbed them like meat lollipops and ate them right off of the bone with their hands.  Savages.

I also thought it would be appropriate to have feats of strength for the door prizes, so brought a bottle of champagne for whoever had the best grip strength.  Lots of contenders around 170 pounds, then someone almost crushed the machine – it goes to 198 lbs and he gripped it with over 196 lbs. 

For snacks, I’ve been eating a lot of Icelandic or Greek yogurt.  The best brand is Oikos Pro but it is a little hard to find.  For flavor, just chop up and add the fruit to match its flavor or maple pecans for the vanilla (Pro has the best macros but flavor needs an assist from some toppings).  Runner up yogurts for the macros include Oikos Triple Zero, Ratio, and Siggi’s.  I love having healthy snacks conveniently located to avoid unhealthy temptations.  I eat when I’m hungry, then stop eating when I’m not hungry anymore, which is well before I’m full. 

To get it right, I try to eat slowly, chew my food, and pay attention to my body.  Not just when I’m tasting the food, but over the whole day I try to take cues from what makes me feel good.  Without suffering or depriving yourself or relying on long term goals, hedonism can be exploited for healthy eating as long as it is 24 hour hedonism (including how food makes you feel) and not 24 seconds hedonism (just tastiness). 

Supplementing

People overthink alcohol.  It is the one drug treated as a default that you use it.  Put whatever you want in your own body, but just remember that it is absolutely a drug and not a very good one at that.  The correct dose is zero, even over the holidays.

Measuring

Recovering

Time for some serious PT and massage.  Been away from both but trying to squeeze both in my calendar.  My lats are so tight that it is restricting breathing, so hoping deep tissue massage might help that.  My elbows and knees are struggling to recover and I want a PT to point me in the right direction for sustainability. 

Closing

For Christmas, I hope you are with your favorite people doing the things you love.

Clearing trails.