Today I hit the gym at 4 a.m. to do my cardio and abs workout.  I was amazed at how empty it was.  Most of the regulars weren't around.  It was pretty strange.

I learned that it is important to pace yourself when doing cardio.  When trying to beat a distance in a set amount of time (ala Max-OT cardio) you end up at the same distance if you spend your energy all up front and have nothing left for the finish.

I learned that listening to your body is the only way to enjoy success in the fitness game.  My body has basically had 3 days of rest and it is already feeling better than it did at the start of the 10 week cycle I'm in the midst of.

I learned that it is important to pay attention to one's recovery cycle.  By knowing this type of information I was able to identify that my body was exhausted and in need of a rest.

I learned that doing cardio is fun with the right music.  I listened to Avenged Sevenfold as I ran my butt off this morning.  Somehow it was easier to hit the pace I wanted to hit while listening to that.

I learned that alot of older people go to the gym early in the morning.  After talking to one, I was told it is because they have trouble sleeping, so they come to the gym.  I like it.

I learned that timing is everything.  We can make whatever plans we want (ie. a shred mission carefully planned to end on a certain day) and yet our body will tell us whether or not it is realistic. 

I learned that running hard is alot of fun.  I used to run hard as a teenager.  I would do 6 miles a day every single day, 7 days a week.  I see why I enjoyed it so much.

I learned that the Flatten Your Abs workout Level 1 only looks easy.  The reality is that a pelvic tilt done correctly is alot harder than a basic crunch.  Don't believe me?  Give it a shot yourself!

I learned that accountability is who you are when nobody else is looking.  I was taken to lunch today by a client and was tempted to make a bad choice for lunch.  He didn't know a thing about my nutritional plan.  However, I stuck to plan and kept it very low carb and healthy.

I learned that you can make time for something if you really want to.  I managed to get a second cardio session in today because I wanted to.  It isn't about need, it is about want.  When you want it badly enough you can make it happen.

I learned that everything happens for a reason.  Just look at how we all met here online.  There's a reason we have all been brought together.

I learned that my accountability log had an error in the count of how many I've hit.  I corrected it.

I learned that my picture taking and editing takes less than 5 minutes now.  I have it down to a science.

Accountability Log:

	Mission 1:  Day 27 of 40	Accountability
	Meal/Training Plan:  Real-time accountability	Each task completed?
	Day 88: January 21, 2008	Yes or No
4:00 a.m.	Meal 1:  Protein shake with glutamine and 15 g. of oatmeal and 3 glasses of water	Yes
4:00 a.m.	Supplements:  Animal Pak, Glucosamine Chondroiten, calcium, chromium, glutamine	Yes
4:30 a.m.	Workout:  Max-OT Cardio, abs, Max-OT Cardio and 6 glasses of water	Yes
7:00 a.m.	Meal 2:  Protein shake with glutamine, BCAAs and chromium and small salad and 3 glasses of water
10:00 a.m.	Meal 3:  Chicken breast (6 oz) with cashew nuts and large salad and 3 glasses of water	Yes
1:00 p.m.	Meal 4:  Chicken breast (6 oz) with cashew nuts and large salad and 3 glasses of water	Yes
4:00 p.m.	Meal 5: Chicken breast (6 oz) with cashew nuts and large salad and 3 glasses of water	Yes
7:00 p.m.	Meal 6:  Lean ground beef and brocolli with 3 glasses of water
8:30 p.m.	Supplements:  Casein protein, glutamine, calcium and 3 glasses of water	Yes
	Accountability Areas:	Points	Possible
	Meal 1	1	1
	Meal 2	1	1
	Meal 3	1	1
	Meal 4	1	1
	Meal 5	1	1
	Training	1	1
	Post Workout Nutrition	1	1
	Water	1	1
	Pre-sleep nutrition	1	1
	Accountability	1	1
	Daily Totals:	10	10
	Mission Totals:	266	270
	Workout Log:
	Max-OT Cardio (treadmill)	16 minutes - 1.75 miles
	FYA Abs training	10 minutes
	Max-OT Cardio (bike)	16 minutes - 8 miles
	Push up challenge training	40; 30; 30; 25; 42

I learned that if you've read this far, you are pretty interested in what I have to say.  Thanks for that!

Until tomorrow...GET BACK TO LIFTING!