Uncle.

Alright.  Yesterday I whined a bit about the lack of cardio I had discovered in Chalene's workouts so far.

I'm sorry.

 Forgive me, Chalene.

 I didn't realize you had hidden, "Burn Intervals" in the middle of each week and coupled this hour long work out with an additional 10 minute ab workout.

I guess I thought the intervals would include weight lifting, since that seems to be the trend going down for this program.  I did not anticipate the hour long experience consisting of lots of jumping, kickboxing, squatting, lunging, jumping jacks and the like - plus light weight lifting reps strewn within.  The intervals go quick and you keep moving. I was successfully sweating and breathing hard about 5 mins in, and actually grunting a bit by the end; responding to Chalene with comments like, "Are you kidding me?" and "There's more?"

But truthfully.  I like feeling like I've worked hard.  And after the workout I walked around outside for a bit and was just thankful for the gift of health I already have - the gift that I am receiving in this journey - and the gift I can give to the next generation in my family as I work to break off, honestly, generational bad habits that have been passed down.

Something I was thinking about today during the workout was BALANCE.

I tend to be a person who goes full force into something and then fizzles out. When I go to the gym I want to work everything out, leave no stone unturned.  I've rarely accomplished this, but for whatever reason I feel somewhat obligated to do it.  Maybe this is where some defeat has entered into my camp over the years - if I can't do it all-  why bother?  I'm used to doing workouts that also try and incorporate everything into one workout.  But ChX is different.  The balance of mixing intense interval training in the midst of weight lifting, focused ab work, and even stretching into a week's worth of workouts is giving me a whole new perspective on fitness.

Maybe workouts don't have to look like going to the gym cranking out 3 miles, hitting the weights, and doing crunches every time.  Maybe the days when I'm not completely spent from cardio but my muscles are sore from lifting are worth it - and maybe this variety provides balance to a lifelong journey of health.

It makes me think of a sculptor before a slab of marble.  What use is it to intensely cut away only one place in the stone - the sculpture really comes to life, when you vary your approach, your intensity, and your tools.

It's good.  I need balance.  Not just in working out, but in life.  Lots to think about today.

Still awaiting my shakeology...should arrive tonight.  Looking forward to sharing more about this product, and looking forward to trying it out!