Self-discipline

I just couldn’t do it. Usually I’m good with self-discipline. Well, I’m good with self-discipline on most issues.

You might be reading this now and are thinking, “self-discipline from the guy who drinks 20 beers a night without thinking anything of it?” Yeah, well, I choose to drink 20 beers a night. I never said I wanted to cut down or anything so there are no discipline infractions there. God I love my beer.

But lifting weights at night in the basement just ain’t hacking it. Usually I get home from work and the parent’s house around 6:30. I’ll write in the blog for a bit while I eye up the other half of the basement. Before you know it it’s 7:00 and, like tonight, there’s some sporting event on TV that I want to watch at 7:30. So what are my choices: lift weights for a measly 20 minutes and take a shower to catch the show or put it off till tomorrow when I’ll have lots of free time to lift? Lately I’ve been putting it off. And putting it off some more. Then it gets to the point when I can’t remember the last time I lifted. Needless to say, this isn’t the ideal workout structure.

I came across a little cash this weekend. I went to the casino three times, one time against my wishes. Friday I won $200, Saturday afternoon I won $300 and Saturday night, after the non-gambling Renter begged me to go, I lost $400. I’ll never do that again. Just because someone isn’t tired and wants to do something isn’t a reason to go to the casino. I could have been up $500 for the weekend. As it sits I’m only up $100.

After a good weekend of drinking I ended up spending that $100. But that $100 was bonus money; I still had my two week budget in my pocket. So today I decided I’d break down and join the gym again.

I walked in to the gym and was delighted when the college kid behind the desk informed me it would be $57 till the spring semester, $65 if I wanted the towel use (which my sweaty body definitely needs). Halfway through the registration process the gym manager walked around the counter and shook my hand.

Gym Man: Where have you been?

Me: Ah, I thought I could lift weights at home at night but I just can’t do it. I have enough equipment but like tonight there’s MNF on so I won’t be lifting.

Gym Man: Well, it’s good to have you back.

I can’t wait to get started again. After reading too much shit on the internet and screwing around with my workouts I’m going back to the tried and true method that got me to where I was: Tuesday chest, Wednesday back, Thursday shoulders, and Friday arms. And don’t give me shit for not including legs in there; I’m still hobbling around like Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant. At least I don’t look like his assistant – yet.