Day 88: It Takes Trust. It Takes Just A Bit More And We're Done. [T-Minus 2]

The super-sets just whipped my butt tonight—especially the "V-Sit/Plank" combination. On the upside, it takes me a bit longer to reach failure! Plus, there's no worry about me going to bed earlier tonight. I am exhausted!

Every weekday morning I receive a Note from the Universe. It's a nice little spiritual or motivation message that often makes me think and contemplate. It's a nice way to start the day as I'm trying to get geared up for work. But every so often a letter comes through that just seems extraordinarily appropriate.

Today's missive was one of those.

"People who live only for dessert, E, very rarely enjoy the main course. And sometimes a meal is like life. Bon appétit, The Universe."

I take a look around at a number of my friends and I can see it so clearly. They race around looking for instant gratification, not taking a moment to enjoy the world around them. They don't want the journey, they want to be at the destination. They don't want to work hard for something. They prefer that someone give it to them. Their creedo is "Life is short. Eat dessert first!" And when we get together, you can see that motto in full force.

I was like that until about a couple years ago. Then I started slowing my life down. I appreciate the stuff that I have, but I really don't need the newest and best things. If anything, I'm starting to pare down. I don't need to race here and there—this moment is just as special as the moment I arrive at wherever I'm going. Working hard for something is far better than someone giving it to you—you have more appreciation of it because you know exactly what it took to get or create it. And the dessert isn't more spectacular than the meal—the dessert isn't what's going to sustain you, the well-balanced meal is. Plus the dessert usually only has one flavor, sweet, whereas the meal has a multitude depending on the combination of the items.

Journeys are never easy. There may be some moments when things go quite well, but there's always other moments that are a complete struggle. However, the one side compliments the other. Everyone wants to have that "easy road" and they don't want to face the "rough path". Why not? I am quite certain that tougher route is going to give you far more stories to tell and a greater appreciation of what you accomplished than any fast lane to the big time.

A friend of mine complained today about going to the gym. "Why can't it be fun? Why does it always have to be work?" she moaned. I couldn't respond to her. She won't listen. She hasn't heard a word I've said to her all the time I've been on this program.

If it were fun, then everyone would in Peak Condition. But it's not. It's hard work. You have to sweat, and strain, and sacrifice, and sometimes slog through it—but in the end, the results are so worth it. "Fun" is what got you out of shape in the first place. That was the easy road. PCP is the rough path. I felt every one of those damn bumps, but by god I made it. It's an achievement to be proud of. I did it. No one waved their magic wand and made me healthier. I did it. And I've got some great stories. Some I've shared already, others are still on their way.

At the beginning I wasn't sure how I was going to accomplish this goal that I had set before me. There were just some days when it looked totally impossible. As I near the end of this journey, I look back and smile. It was one helluva ride, but damn it was fun!

Alright team—Amy, Anshu, Jess, Mike—I'm racing you to the finish line! I'll see you there!