I Got 99 Problems, but a Bench Ain't One.

The Festivus in July (see what I did there?) will begin with the airing of grievances. 

I got a lot of problems and you're all going to hear about it. 

1.) If planet fitness has a bigger weight section than you, just close shop now. Thanks.

2.) Working out on the road is difficult. You put all this effort into traveling, you want to make the most of your time exploring and/or being social. This past week I went to Soccorro New Mexico for a work training. I didn't know anyone and wanted to make friends fast... but there was the gym calling my name. Fortunately, I was able to combine the three and went running with a group of guys through the mountains. Score. That only lasted a day though. They just wanted to drink the other days. Can't say I blame them. 

3.) Speaking of drinking, it's really depressing that alcohol packs so many empty calories. I've cut back a lot, but I really miss my glass (or bottle) of wine at night, my craft beers, and my good old whiskey.

4.) Cookies are way too delicious. Especially when you're sitting in training all day and need a midday pick-me-up. Take it from me, apples, protein bars, and hard boiled eggs don't cut it. Not when there's cookies around the corner. (I only had one cookie and 1/2 a pastry from the snack table this past week in NM. Will power!) 

5.) I understand why Achilles was taken out by being shot in the heel. Seriously, that hurts! My right leg, just under the calf, starting bothering me yesterday at the gym. Pretty sure I've strained my Achilles tendon. Great. This probably means I need to start stretching more.

6.) I have a love hate relationship with stretching. On the one hand, I love doing it. On the other, I always run out of time and forget to do it in the car, shower, or wherever I tell myself it'll happen. One day I stretched in the sauna and it was heavenly. Basically hot yoga without all the creepers. But seriously, ain't nobody got time for that. 

And now as Festivus rolls on, we come to the feats of strength.

I guess everyone has their best lift. Mine is definitely not squats. I struggle to get down to 90 degrees without any weight, let alone with a loaded up bar. It's just not natural. I'm not saying I'm alone in this, it's just that other things came so much easier. Bench presses, for example, are like second nature and always have been. I asked for a spot from a rando yesterday for the first time because I knew exactly how much I could do and I knew it would be a struggle. I have no such sense of clarity when it comes to squats. So that's the mission. Learn how to do a freaking squat so I'm not one of those top heavy triangle people you see. >>>

Stop crying and fight your father.