THE FOUR DEMONS

DEMON OF TIRED The DEMON of tired is most apt to strike when other events during your day have caused you stress or you are pre-occupied with something else. Sitting on your shoulder he quietly whispers to you that you've had a long day and it's ok not to train balls out or better yet not to train at all. I am amazed at the number of people that succumb to this DEMON and justify their actions by stating "I don't want to overtrain". Understanding that the body is capable of dealing with massive amounts of physical stress helps you differentiate from being actually burned out a bit and overtrained and under-rested as opposed to looking for an excuse to be lazy.

DEMON OF PAIN This DEMON manifests itself right towards the end of a set. Of course he always appears during your perceived moment of failure rather than your actual moment of failure. We've all seen this demon at work in the gym. You watch somebody doing a set of bench presses and they just "STOP" for no apparent reason other than the fact that the set started to become uncomfortable. "Fatigue makes cowards of us all", this has been proven by Pavlov and a whole slew of scientists. However, where the DEMON OF PAIN is concerned, with a lot of people "The thought of fatigue makes cowards of many" Actually taking a set to true failure is a foreign idea to most because it is HIGHLY PAINFUL and UNCOMFORTABLE. They have already surrendered to the DEMON OF TIRED before hand. "Bending over" if you will, before even trying to fight back. Most people who do this also seem to confuse the idea of being injured with the idea of being in pain. They are not one and the same. If one is injured, they often experience pain, however if one is experiencing pain this does not necessarily mean they are injured. The DEMON OF PAIN blurs the line between injury and pain so that you can rid yourself of any guilt for training like a *****.

DEMON OF CONCENTRATION In the gym, the only thing that matters is the workout at hand and in particular, the exercise you are currently doing. The DEMON OF CONCENTRATION has his way when you are distracted by what someone else is lifting, what someone else is wearing, what someone else is saying of what someone else looks like. I fully appreciate that for men in particular, the advent of thongs and lycra spandex can make battling this DEMON difficult, but knowing the ways in which he operates goes a long way to defeating him. If you feel your concentration lapse, quickly pull yourself back to the task at hand. In the long run you will understand that there is a time and place for everything and you cannot have it all at once if you expect to excel in anything.

DEMON OF CONTINUE Day in and day out you will be faced with the afore mentioned 3 demons only to realize that you have to get up and face them all over again. This realization is the DEMON OF CONTINUE. Here is where the "I'll train tomorrow's" and the "I'll eat good tomorrow's" start playing in your mind. Anyone can stay structured and focused for one month, even three months or six months. But can you stay focused and on your path and face the DEMONS everyday for the REST OF YOUR LIFE? That is the question. This is where you can gain ground on those that are seemingly so far ahead of you now. They won't be able to beat the DEMON OF CONTINUE. But trust me if you do, you will surpass them very quickly. A few years ago people would have laughed at the idea of Ronnie Coleman being Mr. Olympia now it appears as if nobody will beat this guy and he will be the best Mr. Olympia of all time in terms of his physique. The same can be said about Nasser. He competed in 30 pro shows before his constant battling of the DEMON OF CONTINUE paid off in one of the most massive physiques to ever step on a pro stage.

It’s a beautiful morning here in Tennessee – the sun is shining but thankfully it is a little cooler & so quite so humid. Hopefully it will be cool enough to start a little running in the mornings soon. Luc has had to fly to Hartford for the weekend to pack up all his furniture & stuff in the house he has rented out there so it can be moved here next week. His company move program expires next week & as we haven’t managed to sell here there is now even less incentive to accept a low offer. He has been trying to negotiate an extension with them but has had no luck so we have decided to take the house off the market for a while & move the rest of his stuff here at his company’s expense while we still can. The upshot is that I am spending the holidays on my own, but on a positive note Luc has agreed we can have satellite TV & internet installed as we are staying – which means I will be able to stay in touch more easily. His not being around for the weekend has also removed the temptation of alcohol! We are also planning to invest some more in the house & have started by ordering a refrigerator as the tenants stole the one here. I have been using the tiny under the counter bar fridge since January which has been challenging to say the least so I am really excited – the new fridge arrives on Wednesday & I’m planning a trip to Whole Foods to celebrate & stock up on healthy treats!

My latest challenge has not got off to the greatest start – I got the mower stuck in a ditch on Friday & have aggravated my shoulder problem trying to push it out. I have had trouble doing anything the last couple of days including sleeping & am worried I won’t be able to start my course of boot camps on Wednesday. I have been eating cleanly though & definitely feel better for it.

Jeff, I am definitely on the getting off my butt challenge ? My demons are pain & lack of cash at the moment – I have to be so careful what I commit to while I am living off my savings. It’s actually a poor excuse I know as it doesn’t prevent me from cycling or running but I find classes at the gym much more motivating. It’s like an appointment in my diary, I have to be there at a specific time & can’t put it off until later – i.e. damn, it’s too hot or too late to run now, I’ll go tomorrow instead!

Betty, I will have to look up dynamic stretching. Maybe it will help my shoulder.

Julia, have you tried Alexander technique? It’s meant to be really excellent for realigning the spine. I used to get sciatica really badly so I sympathize.

Sal, sounds like you are a good healthy weight for your size. It’s good to give your body a break plus it isn’t healthy to maintain really low body fat for the long-term as it can contribute to osteoporosis. That’s why you should take a break between comps. Speaking of which, are you planning your next one? So sorry I couldn’t get to see you in your last one. I had hoped we would be in Chicago by then & Cleveland would have been do-able from there. Maybe the next one. I get kicked out in Feb because I am only here on a tourist visa. I’m actually lucky they let me back in last time. It was touch & go as my visa is only good for 6 months & then I am meant to stay out of the country for at least as long. Now we have made the decision to stay in Nashville I am desperately looking for a job before the October 1st cut off for work permits, but I only have weeks or so to find an employer willing to sponsor me down here so it’s not looking likely.

Hey Larry! KA-BAM!

Buff, you do look amazing. What comp are you doing?

Have a great day everyone however you are spending it!

Damn, it's good to be back!

Karen

2009 *** Eton Sprints Triathlon - 17th May *** TWO Triathlon - 4th July *** Asics British 10k London Run - 12th July *** Windsor Race for Life - 25th July *** Tri For Life Triathlon - 6th September ***

2009 *** Eton Sprints Triathlon - 17th May *** TWO Triathlon - 4th July *** Asics British 10k London Run - 12th July *** Windsor Race for Life - 25th July *** Tri For Life Triathlon - 6th September ***

 Jeff, thank you for being our faithful leader and getting us off to a brilliant start. All that talk about demons serves as a warning about playing in the devils playground. It is always tempting, tasty and tantalizing but dang the consequences are pure hell.

Always delightful Karen. I hope you are enjoying life in the U S of A. I spent most of my youth being a one woman wrecking crew in Europe, I promise you I had a blast. I hope you are having a smooth transition.  Sorry to hear about your shoulder, I hope you heal swiftly.  Okay, I will be participating in the Fame World championships, G-d willing if the training doesn't finish me off. I have a half marathon first that is my major concern. 

We have really missed you and I think I can speak on the entire teams behalf when I say we are glad to see you back.  

Okay to all of my beautiful, wonderful and valued team mates. I hope your Labor day festivities are enjoyable. Be kind to yourself, and share the love with someone.

Me, well  I had training early this morning, then it was time to share a little kindess and get in the love zone. Hey people life is precious,always take time out for what really matters.

Good work out this AM at Gold's...the place was crowded...guess everyone wanted to get a work out in before the bar b qing!

30 minute treadmill...make up for it tomorrow!

Enjoyed the starting post, Jeff...thanks!

KA-BAM! 

OK, time to kick myself in the butt, think of the consistency that Larry is putting out, and get down to it. No more "taking it easy because I'm just starting back up." No more "Well maybe I can eat more carbs because I think that works for me."

There is no way around it, at this age, without great nutrition and strenuous exercise, I will feel like crap!