"What's a gym? Oh, a gym." -- Homer Simpson

Good ol' Homer Simpson.

So I just got back from the gym. They got a membership out of me, but for two reasons: 1) they have an awesome bar for pull ups and chin ups. 2) Yoga. They have some beginner Yoga classes and are adding more next month. I've been wanting to do it for some time. Now that I have a membership, I have to go to get my moneys worth.

There wasn't a whole lot of people there. The first thing I noticed as I began to work out was how my muscles felt on the machines. I found that I could achieve a burn quicker, but it felt easier to cheat, and the burn didn't last very long. After using resistance bands and doing exercises like push ups, you feel energized, yet you want to collapse from exertion -- in a good way. The machine burn just doesn't go as far. It's no wonder machine muscle doesn't last as near as long.

It was fun using free weights again for a change, but still, not as near as exerting as a resistance band. Those bands make you fear them, that deep burn within. The free weights, well, you get over them pretty quickly.

I really surprised myself on the pull ups. I expected to really struggle to pull myself up, but I cranked through the first three sets no problem. This was probably the most defining moment in my realization of my new found strength. I've noticed it before, but not like this.

I started chatting with the owner and got to mention the PCP briefly. She thought it was pretty interesting, and agreed that fitness, diet, is an everyday choice. And therein lies the rub. As the PCP comes to a close for us tomorrow, will we continue to choose, every day, to be healthy, to be fit? I think this is where encouragement and community comes in.

Just today, I learned that one of my best friends bought some resistance bands and a jump rope. He's totally ready to do this, and I hope that we can be a good influence to each other, keeping each other accountable. That's what I need more than anything at this point -- accountability.

Let's be honest: I'm not a very reliable person. Patrick has had to get on me from the beginning about getting new pics up. Sometimes I honestly forget about things. Sometimes I am unbelievably busy. Most times, I'm really distracted. A lot of times, I'm lazy. I've had this curse for some time where I always want to try something new. I struggle to finish something I've already started.

That has been my absolute biggest flaw for some time, and I don't exactly know what the solution is. I know it involves a change in mindset, but I'm not entirely sure how to get there. I admit that I need to change, but when someone confronts me, I get defensive. How do I extract myself from this pleasure seeking, distraction oriented society? That's an honest question. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I need more criticism. I need further refinement. This is a call for help.

The PCP has further revealed in me this need to change. I _am_ a complete jerk face. This is my flaw. I don't expect to be perfect, but I sure as hell expect to improve. I can't keep floating like this. Perhaps I need a PmCP, a "Peak (mental) Condition Project."