Before And After

I was a certified personal trainer for a little over a year. After we lost our shirts in our hotel venture (click here if you don't know that story), I studied and was certified by NASM (the National Academy of Sports Medicine). I worked for a gym in Santa Barbara, California. I enjoyed some of it — motivating people, making them feel better about themselves, having access to great facilities whenever I wanted. But, as a new trainer, it wasn't the kind of income I had been used to before the hotel and we were in a very large hole. Added to that, the gym had a significant ultra-conservative Mormon and Christian fundamentalist population. I found many of the gym members and a number of my clients intolerant and insufferable, so I didn't stick around long enough to gain the experience and knowledge to become an exceptional trainer.

MY CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER GLAMOUR SHOT (2004).

Still, I continued to enjoy working out and have stayed in decent shape, although never the shape I'd like to be in. I let my gym membership here lapse some time ago because, although the staff was pleasant and the facility was very nice, I never felt connected there. I've done random routines at home but have really needed a focused, consistent plan. When we were preparing to move to Spain in 2011, I realized I might not have access to a gym right away and I wanted some new inspiration for the workouts I'd be doing at home. I bought a great book by Mark Lauren, "You Are Your Own Gym." I've used the book on and off, but I finally wanted more structure than that alone provided. So, I went to their website and purchased the videos, which include entire routines. I officially started the program this week. The workouts are part of a program designed for miliary special ops forces. It's challenging and I love it. I'm committed to doing these workouts three days a week. You'll be my confessors if I don't. Oh, the shame.

SNAPSHOTS FROM TODAY'S "YOU ARE YOUR OWN GYM" VIDEO.
(CLICK TO SEE THE SWEAT.)

I'm already motivated and back on track. But Tuesday on the beach I witnessed an amazing transformation that looks like much less work. A man stood up at random intervals, faced the sun, and held his arms in the air for twenty seconds. Then, he sat back down. (Click the two "AFTER" pics to truly appreciate the change.)

FIRST 'WORKOUT' OF THE DAY.

FOURTH WORKOUT OF THE DAY.

AN HOUR LATER, A SLIGHT VARIATION ON THE SAME EXERCISE. ELBOWS BENT.

AMAZING... 

Let's get physical. Some things are timeless.