The Gym Does It -- Again, Part II

Today was yet another long day (they all are these days). Since yesterday was a long one and I still had to get up at the normal time, I didn't get enough sleep. But I woke up feeling OK. And then I worked until 10 tonight, a 13-hour day. Yes, far too late, but here's the important thing -- I still feel good. I feel as if last night's great workout carried over to today.

Now, maybe that's really not the case, but if I believe it's true, it doesn't matter. And I do believe it.

So anytime you feel too tired to get to the gym, think about what it can do for you over the long haul, which is give you more energy.

The Gym Does It -- Again

I got home after work tonight and didn't feel at all like going to the gym. I was exhausted after yet another long day, and my stomach has been killing me (probably stress from work). But of course I did -- it's one area where habits are good things.

What happened? The workout was great, and my stomach even quit hurting for the first time in days. I felt so good that I went into the yoga room at the end with a stability ball. Starting at one end, I put my feet on it with my hands on the floor, basically in a pushup position. By piking up, which pulled the ball forward, and then walking my hands ahead, I made my way across the room. It's a great core workout. I had to stop just four times, by far the fewest ever.

And how did I feel when I left? Great, absolutely great.

Time for a New Plan

I've started a new workout plan. I wish I was at the point where I could create my own plans but I don't trust myself to do that yet. So I go and find programs by great trainers.

The latest is from Robert dos Remedios, the strength and conditioning coach at College of the Canyons in Southern California. Never heard of the school? I hadn't either. But with dos Remedios' help, the school turns out champions. And he was named National Strength and Conditioning's Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Professional of the year in 2006.

The program follows my philosophy -- train like an athlete instead of a bodybuilder. So the moves are multi-joint instead of isolated like a bicep curl. The end result is that you build a body better suited for just about any sport, or life in general, rather than one that would look good at a bodybuilding competition (though you'll also look lean and powerful).

One other great thing about the program, from the book "Men's Health Power Training," is that it's easy to customize to the amount of time you have. You even can pick the exercises. Another great feature is that it appears you could use this book for years by changing exercises or even goals.

Try It, You Might Like It

At 43, I've learned to snowboard, and it's one of the best things I've ever done.

I already surf and skateboard, so I had a leg up when it came to snowboarding. But it still was tough to learn. The first time I went out, I got a lesson at a small mountain near New York City. The lesson wasn't very good, I fell a lot and my technique was lousy.

This past weekend, I went to Vail and had a great, all-day lesson. My instructor was 42 and has snowboarded for years. After a day of his instruction on the beginner slope, I ventured to the blue slopes by myself on Sunday. Was it scary? Damn right it was. But I used what I learned and while I fell a good bit, I was better each time down.

My instructor was impressed with my staying power on Saturday, especially since I'd had little sleep and was at a high altitude. While my body was tired Sunday, I still was able to ride for about three hours.

My experience told me two things. First, being in shape paid off yet again. It made it much easier to pick up and enjoy something new. Second, even if something is a bit scary, try it. It'll invigorate you and remind you what you can actually accomplish.

The Phenomenally Fit

Writing about Jessica Biel's dedication to fitness the other day reminded me of an article I read years ago about how she, Jennifer Garner and Hillary Swank got in shape for movie roles. I was struck my two things about the article -- it made the point that famous people have to work just as hard as any of us to get in great shape and we can get in just as good shape as they can.

Give the article a read, and the sidebar that goes into more detail about their workouts.

A Perfect Example of the Ideal Workout

Jessica Biel is a celebrity who's serious about fitness.

If you saw her in "Blade: Trinity," you saw a sculpted body that still was incredibly feminine. Why is she in such great shape? Because she sticks with basic moves, moves such as chin-ups, and uses intervals for her cardio.

Super-trainer Josh Hillis has a rundown of her workout here.