By Israel Lagares on January 12th, 2009
My Mind is There, My Body…Not So Much
I came to the realization that my body just simply can not keep up with my mind. I am mentally focused and want to crank out more, but my body can’t produce the results I want them to. I know it’s only temporary, but I can’t stand it!!! Today I took a step in the right direction by pushing my body. I ran at a high speed (high speed for a 300 lb man, so keep that in mind) for 5 minutes straight. My body wanted to stop at 3 minutes, but I kept pushing. It was a great victory! It’s been a while since I posted a real video, so enjoy. The camera was a little shaky since I had just finished working out.
on 
on 
on 
Haha great video. Having the best body and maintaining it is essential for all health and fitness regimes
I concur.
It seems to me the main issue you are encountering is a problem with endurance. I don’t think exercises like squats with weights are going to help you with this. I would focus more on bodyweight exercises, using a high number of reps. Perhaps Hindu Squats? You mentioned that you do bodyweight exercises. Have you tried these?
- Dave
I’ve already started seeing some results with what I have been doing, but yes I do hindu squats.
I’m a firm believe that anything we want in life begins in the mind. Good insight here!
My elliptical KILLED me the first few times. You get used to it – just like anything else.
I’ve been jogging, running, HIIT on the treadmill, walking or doing the Arc trainer (kinda like the elliptical), squatting and killing it on the lower body workouts for almost 2 years. The other day I got on the stationary bike and did HIIT for 5 minutes and my legs were screaming!!!!
But I know what you’re saying. I hate coming of a rest and having to back up a bit on the intensity or whatever. Or those days when I just can’t seem to hit a number I did last workout. It always comes back though!
yeah, the bike is underrated by most for HIIT. all you gotta do is crank up the resistance and boom. Thanks, DaleK
Cool video Israel, but I guess I would say listen to your body and from the sounds of things, you have already over-trained. Listen bro, “no gain, no pain” is for idiots! Pain is an indication that we have done something wrong. Soreness is another issue, but if you can’t last more than 6 minutes on an elliptical, it has nothing to do with your muscle endurance or your conditioning, you’re legs are shot! Think about it this way. Judging by your frame, which is very similar to how I was when I was your size, your lower half is the strongest part of your body. To be honest with you, you should work out your lower half much less than your upper body because of this. Stop squatting so much because your lower body gets a workout everyday from supporting your frame. Since we’re blogger buddies, I have a little challenge for you. For the month of February, the only leg exercise I’d like for you to do is 25 hindu/bear squats three days a week. Hey, have at it with your upper body as you can bench, pull, and push what you want with the iron, but give your legs a “tonic” break. Oh, and if you keep doing so much cardio, you’re going to overtax your central nervous system which is never a good thing. Consider picking up a weighted vest from Walmart and go for leisurely walks with 10-20 lbs strapped on with the family. To rev up the intensity a bit, simply find hills to walk up and down or use your steps–be creative. Also, if your calories aren’t in check then you’re simply spinning your wheels in the mud. Diet at this point of the game is actually more important than training to a certain degree. One last thing, I like to tell guys that it’s ok to strive for the body of a sprinter, but you need to have the patience of a marathon runner to get there . . . (I thought about using the example of the two bulls on the hill from the movie “Colors” but I went with the athletic analogy …)
You and your damn challenges! It’s on. I think…we’ll see in February. Thanks again for the valuable input.
No problem Israel, and it’s really not a challenge. I’m just trying to trick you into giving your “ham-hocks”, as my thighs have been called many times, a rest. Out of all the information that I’ve passed on to you, I know that if you take on this so-called “challenge” you’ll thank me the most because not only will your legs get a needed break, but you’ll be able to squat more after taking a month off! I know it doesn’t sound right, but trust me on this one my friend. I’m glad to see you back and “focused”!!!
I’m back and open to things, as I want to not just do one thing as I get in shape. The more I try the better because I learn what works, what challenges, and what doesnt.
Glad your back on track Isreal, good luck in 09
Thanks, I’m for sure gonna be stacked!
Hey Israel,
I’m with you… only with me it is injuries. I started running again on new years but my right knee started hurting after about one week. That makes it harder to do a kick boxing workout on the heavy bag.
So know I have to stick with bike riding and a boxing heavy bag workout until my knee heals.
In my case my wind is ok but I get injured easily so I have to constantly figure out what I haven’t worked in a while.
And if only my body could keep up with my mind. I was wondering about when you were doing wind sprints… If I stressed my legs like that my knee would really be hating life.
Hang in there.
John W. Zimmer
Hi John, I think in just a week, things have turned around. I feel so good now and not in any pain. The elliptical still gets me though, Im up to 7 and a half minutes. I’ll get it eventually!
Try drinking a lot of water in between weight training to avoid muscle fatigue. Nice singing too.
Yeah, I think it was just my first real week back that kicked my ass.