The Next Step

So when I first started this whole adventure to a healthier me, Matt encouraged me strongly to pick a workout regiment that I could modify or change to my liking. He expressed that if I start a certain program and I don’t get the results I want after a period of time, I should not feel bad about changing workouts.

Yesterday I realized that I am not being challenged enough, and that I want more out of my workout than what Power 90 can give me. Although many people have suggested “graduating” to P90X (which is Power 90 Extreme), I’ve decided to go without something that is more cardio focused.

Even though I am 50 lbs overweight I have noticed something about my stamina and fitness level. Over the years despite my weight gain, I have been able to bounce back into a fairly strenuous workout. Although I am carrying around a lot of excess fat, I never feel winded when I climb the stairs (like so many of my fellow Korean teachers who weigh 90 lbs do). Without exercising for months and months I can quickly pick up a jogging regiment or a step class. I hiked for 3 weeks on the Appalachian Trail, and while I was certainly pushed extremely hard and had many head between my knees moments, I was still able to hike up and down mountains for 8 hours a day. On my longest day I hiked more than 21 miles.

I remember back at college working out with one of my best friends and dorm room mates. I had just starting working out after a few months and invited her to join me. She swore she had been working out nightly for weeks, but when she got onto the treadmill next to me, she could barely jog for 1 minute before having to walk. She weighed around 110 lbs. I am saying this because sometimes I need to remind myself that just because someone is thin doesn’t mean they’re in shape. Koreans are the best example of this. I live in a country where only 3% of the population is overweight. You are hard pressed to find any clothing above a size 4 in most stores. Obese Koreans have to shop online or travel to Seoul to shop in the “plus” or “big” stores (that are normally frequented by foreigners). The majority of Koreans, frankly, look amazing. They are so fashionable and girls are always donning mini skirts and high heeled boots, regardless of season or weather. But when taking a closer look, you realize that it’s all for show. Watching an average Korean climb a mountain (aside from the old, tougher than leather ajummas and ajosshis) is pretty pathetic. If you are able to stare at an average girl’s legs (without drawing too much attention to yourself), you notice that there is absolutely zero definition. I have seen so many times Korean women try to pick up items to carry back from the grocery store only to make it 3 feet before handing it over to their counterpart.

Just because I am overweight doesn’t mean I have to start “slow”. It doesn’t mean I automatically start sweating profusely when I walk more than half a mile or have to pause between each staircase. People have preconceived notions about all obese people and frankly, it’s just another stereotype.At first I had convinced myself that I needed to take it slow and order the P90 instead of the P90X, because so many people had warned about it being too difficult. Now I am realizing that I was downplaying my level of fitness simply because I’m fat.

Well, not anymore. Even after graduating to level 3-4 of the P90 I am finding myself not challenged enough. I need more cardio, I need a tougher workout. I want to be drenched in sweat the entire time and feel absolutely amazing when I’m finished. Right now I am not feeling that way.

I’ve decided to try a program called Turbo Fire. It’s an intense cardio burning workout that looks like a ton of fun. I had absolutely zero fun doing the Power90. It was so boring and frankly, I dreaded it every night. Hopefully this new program will inspire me to finish it.

Along with switching cardio workouts, I am going to make a few big changes to my routine. I am going to try extremely hard to workout in the mornings. Yes, you heard me. I have a lot of trouble getting up in the morning, but I think this will be the best way for me to stay focused, commit to the program and stay on a schedule.

It’s all starting Monday!