Monday, February 21, 2011

Boot Camp - Pushing the Limits

After some physical setbacks in weeks three and four, I attended the first Boot Camp for Rob's Big Losers last Saturday. Those who have been privileged to serve our country and endure a genuine military boot camp know that the process is rigorous, failure is not an option, and the rewards, while delayed, are worth the effort.

Our Boot Camp was held at the Eastside Y on Saturday, February 19 at 8:00 a.m. That's right, 8:00 a.m.! All 32 of Rob's Big Losers were present and "eager" to begin. The circuit included six stations in which we were to do the assigned exercise for one minute and then "rest" during our transition to the next station for 30 seconds. At first glance, the stations looked challenging, but doable.

Station One was the burpee. We used to call this the squat thrust, but the burpee added a jump at the end. Check out the video below and imagine doing that for one solid minute.



During our 30 second rest we transitioned to the next station, which was a lunge and a 90 degree turn at the waist while holding a dumbbell in front of us. We would alternate legs and turn our upper body in the direction of the leg that with which we stepped forward.

We then moved on to a rowing type exercise using two dumbbells. For this exercise we would bend our knees, bend the upper body forward slightly, keeping our head up and facing forward, and lift the dumbbells in a rowing motion toward our chest.

Our next exercise used an "X" on the floor. We were to jump from one part of the "X" to another, or step continuously from one of the four sections of the "X" to another for one minute. Looked simple, but after the first four exercises, my leg muscles were screaming for mercy and felt like lead weights.

After using our body in a miniature game of foursquare, we moved to an exercise called the "Arnold" press. It was modified to include a dumbbell curl prior to lifting the weights above our head and turning our hands as we lifted them. This was one of the few that I could continue to do with only a mild burn in my arm muscles.

The "final" exercise was a squat or deep knee bend while holding dumbbells on our shoulders or at our side. The coach assigned to this station would help us alter the moves such as spreading our legs out, holding the dumbbells in front of us and doing the squat lowering the dumbbells between our legs.

Keep in mind, we exercised for one minute, "rested" for 30 seconds, during which we moved to the next station. This routine continued for about 30 minutes, after which we left the gym and went to the group exercise room and did another 30 minutes of "Body Combat." Punches, kicks, twists, constant motion for one-half hour. All I can say is I was glad when the instructor let us get the mats and do some abdominal work and then finished with some stretches.

Why the detail? Only to point out that I have never challenged myself to push the limits of my body's capacity to endure strenuous exercise. My style has always been to seek the easy route. Settle for what was good enough.

In Jr. High and High School I stopped playing baseball because I would be required to run two miles a day. In college, I took the courses that had the easiest professors, or allowed me to take the course pass/fail. In my work life, I often choose to leave a challenging situation rather than develop the skills required to surmount the difficulties. In my Christian life, I often took the road most traveled to avoid appearing fanatical or off the deep end.

My journey with Rob's Big Losers is about far more than losing weight and regaining a better level of health. That may have been my initial desire, but pushing the limits of my physical endurance is helping me to see the need to do the same for my spiritual health. There is no place for carelessness in a Christian's life.

Solomon penned in Ecclesiastes 9:10a (NLT), "Whatever you do, do well," and I might add with all diligence. Matthew Henry commented about verse 10, "believers have to prove their faith, adorn the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation." Jesus' job description for the Christ-follower includes, "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine" (Matthew 10:38, NLT).

This journey is about losing myself to a higher purpose. It's about learning to die to myself and follow in the steps of the God who created me with full abandon. Ultimately, my desire is to take the road less traveled and push the limits of my commitment to my God, my family and my community. Only then will I truly make a difference, and hopefully challenge someone else to join in the journey.

Remember, ALWAYS make a difference!!

No comments: