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Of all the exercises I’ve done running is by far the one I hate the most. I don’t know why I’ve suffered through so many miles of running. From the first step I take all I can think about is the end.

A few years ago I went to a chiropractor who told me that my body is not built for running. He said certain people can run and be ok but not me. Over time, he said, that my knees and back would develop issues. So why did I run all those years? The challenge? Honestly I was too lazy to find something I enjoyed doing so I just ran.

One of my best friends is so passionate about running. He runs a few marathons a year. In 2007 I ran the inaugural ING half marathon. I trained for 3 months, got up before sunrise and ran in sub-freezing temperatures. I finished in under 2 hours. It was an extraordinary experience and I’m glad I did it, but I won’t be doing it again. Running works for him.

I will add that the times I ran with said friend were great moments of fellowship and I enjoyed that part immensely. However the running part of the deal was hard. Would I run with him again? Yes, but only to spend time with him, not because I enjoy running.

You must find something you enjoy for exercise or else you won’t do it. There are so many different activities you can do: yoga, plyometrics, weight training, boot camp, jump rope, biking, hiking, tennis, soccer, rugby, martial arts and the list goes on and on.

Finding activities you enjoy is your responsibility. Find it, do it. You’ll get better over time. I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in plyometrics and biking. That’s how I’ll get my cardio. I will always lift weights, I love doing that! Nothing beats the pump! I encourage you to get into the best shape of your life. Just do something!

Yes P90X has been talked about a lot lately here. I’m loving it. The program is challenging and fun. You’d think I’d be getting paid as much as I’m talking about it. Come to think of it, P90X should advertise here!

I slacked off on exercising for a while because my routine was boring. P90X is far from boring. It’s fast-paced and intense. The program has given me a new excitement and drive to get fit.

Today I got a pull-up bar and a yoga mat. I was doing yoga on the carpet and my feet were sliding everywhere. I couldn’t even do downward dog without sliding. Even after the 90 days over I will do the yoga. The stretches hit parts of your body you normally can’t get to and you feel great for hours afterward.

The bottom line is you have to want to workout. I heard a great statement from John Ortberg a few weeks ago at a leadership event. He said, “Should will always be defeated by wants to.” Want is the defining factor.

I do P90X because I want to have lots of energy, look good and stay in good shape.

Do you exercise? Why or why not? Why don’t you want to? Why do you want to?

Today wraps the 2nd week of P90X. I noticed a slight improvement in the execution the second time around. I also notice a huge increase in my energy level. My low energy level was the biggest wake up call that I needed to get back to exercise.

Tony Horton and the gang are like your buddies at the gym. They are there to help you and push you. Some folks say Tony is annoying. As a former trainer I say he is outstanding. Tony is all about good form and not injuring yourself. He’s corny at times but the bottom line is Tony motivates you to keep going.

Tomorrow starts week 3. Here’s to looking good and feeling good.

This morning I finished the first week of P90X with X Stretch, a whole hour of stretching. Stretching lingered as a weak point for me over the years. I didn’t enjoy it. However I knew I was short-changing myself and more importantly, risking injury.

Back in 2002 while doing incline bench press I strained for an extra rep. I got off balance and dislocated a vertebrae only by a few millimeters. In a few days turning my head even slightly produced severe pain. That was my first trip to chiropractor. It took a few weeks to get everything lined up again. My chiropractor explained that the injury resulted from lack of stretching. From then on I made a point to stretch.

Fast forward a few years and I’m not stretching again. I’m so happy that stretching is a big part of P90X. I can already feel the difference. I am learning new stretches and feeling the benefits.

Yoga X is my first experience with Yoga and I love it. I love the challenge. It’s not easy but nothing on P90X is easy.

Week 1 is done. 11 more weeks to go. Looking forward to taking those after photos and seeing some changes.

Today I started a 90 day journey called P90X. I remember hearing the guys in my last small group talk about it, how it was tough and challenging. I got a copy of the program this week and completed day 1 which was chest and back plus the ab ribber.

The workout is lots of push ups and pull ups. I was able to hang with the pros for most of the workout. I don’t have a proper pull up bar right now so I used the used the back of the stairs in my basement. P90X is like having a personal trainer working out with you. This guy is good. The energy is up and he definitely pushes you.

The ab ripper slayed me. I couldn’t keep up with them at all. That’s good. I have a lot of progress to make. I also liked that he didn’t press you if you couldn’t keep up with them. The folks in the video are completely ripped. I don’t feel disappointed at all.

I took my before photos yesterday and was disappointed in myself. I’m not happy with the current state of affairs. The photos do not lie. In 2008 I was fit. Over the last 2 years my workouts have waned and the diet has slipped as well, allowing too much ice cream and Fox Bros. BBQ.

My energy level has decreased too and that’s not good. I need lots of energy to complete all the projects I have. I encourage you to join me. Why are you putting it off? Who’s with me? I’ve put this out to the whole world now so I’m accountable.

You know that I started a new project this year, WorkingInMusic.com. From now on all music related posts will be there. Please add that site to your reader.

Here on JamSmooth.com I plan to continue focusing on dating, relationships and other JamSmooth adventures, but also exercise. In 2005 after the distribution company I worked for relocated, I decided to become a personal trainer. I got certified by the American Council on Exercise. I trained over 50 clients of all ages that year. It was a very rewarding job.

Fitness, health, nutrition and exercise are some of my greatest passions in life. So I am going to share that passion and enthusiasm for you. Who knows, maybe we can create a community who gets fit together, sharing our victories and encouraging each other? I think so.

Taking a rest from the dating series today. It is Sunday.

I complain about cold weather incessantly. I hate it. Loathe it. Detest it. It is punishment to me. It is the most uncomfortable feeling. No matter how many layers I have on, I am still cold. My hands and feet become ice blocks.

Drinking lots of hot tea is one solution and space heaters help. The best solution for me is exercise. Getting to the gym, lifting weights and doing cardio raises my body temperature and keeps me warm for hours.

What about you? What do you do to stay warm? How do you combat this wretched cold?

Many of you know that last November I took a vow to not date for an entire year. The vow came at the perfect time. I was obsessed with women, dating and attempting to find one. Often I’d go on 2 dates a week. I constantly checked my e-mail hoping for a reply from Match, Craigslist or Eharmony. What I constantly got was depression, unmet expectations and disappointment.

On November 19th, the dating sabbatical, as I call it, will be over. I’m grateful I did this. I learned how misguided my priorities were. I was shown that I was looking to women for validation they cannot give. Women cannot validate a man, only God can through Jesus Christ. I was shown how my lust sabotaged my interactions with women.

When I took women and dating completely out of my life a clear vision emerged. The importance I placed on women proved immaterial.

The pressure is off now. As I prepare to date again I’m under no illusions. I see that I have the power and the choice. I’m the one who choses to spend time with a woman who is worthy.

A few weeks ago I was talking to an older woman at a party about my sabbatical. She asked if I’d written down the 10 qualities of the woman I wanted. I’d definitely thought about it but I hadn’t written anything. So that night I went home and wrote down 10 qualities, 10 things I require in the woman I will date and eventually marry.

Here they are, more or less in the order of importance, with some explanations:

1. Loves Jesus. Is a follower of Christ and puts Christ first. Committed to being a Christian wife.
2. Physically attractive.
3. Physically fit. Committed to exercise and does it regularly.
4. Eats healthy. Committed to a diet of nutritious, life-enhancing foods and cooking.
5. Fiscally responsible. Keeps a budget. Saves and spends wisely. No debt. Also tithes!
6. Into music, entertainment, art, books and films. Someone who will watch all the weird Netflix movies I get.
7. Enjoys travel. This is a given because, as a rule, women love to travel.
8. Not materialistic.
9. Wants kids and to raise a family.
10. Not co-dependent. A woman who has her own hobbies and interests, bringing a new perspective and challenging me.

It doesn’t seem like a tall order to me. I could’ve kept writing more too. I have no doubt there are plenty of women who fit this description. I’ve been putting myself in situations where I am more likely to meet this type of woman. I also believe God wants to honor my commitment to Him. So I’m hopeful I’ll meet the right woman at the right time.

I’m not desperate anymore. I’m cool and relaxed. God has shown me that yes a woman can enhance my life, but a woman is not the way to happiness.

If you know of any single women who fit the bill, you know where to send them!