5BX Chart One Midway Checkpoint

It's been 24 days since I've started 5BX, the Canadian exercise program where participants perform five old-school, zero equipment exercises for eleven minutes a day.  I started the program in response to not being able to play Wii Fit U for my Lenten promise of not playing video games.  As I am halfway through the first level of the program, I figured now would be a good time to update everyone with how the program is going.

First, I am proud to say that I've managed to stick with the program thus far.  Everyday I've done exercises, including the half-mile run.  I've only missed running one day because I was sick, however I did the alternate cardio exercise.  Despite having been on the program for only a little over three weeks, I am noticing positive results.  My flexibility is doing much better and my abs and core are getting stronger (the flexibility and core are very important as that's what my physical therapist told me to keep an eye on after I had my back surgery in 2013).  My upper-body strength is getting better, albeit slowly.  Lastly, when I started running, I would be out of breath right after the first lap around the track.  Now I can go the full two laps without much issue.  Like it says in the book, the trick is to keep at the program every single day.  I'm also happy to say I am still scoring as well as I'd need to pass at the A+ level of my current chart! 

As successful as this seems, there are a few other things on my mind regarding my health and fitness.  For one, I've hit a plateau on a few of the exercises, mainly the push-ups and the half-mile run (I've actually started dipping on the latter).  However, I know the best way to beat a plateau is to keep at it and do your best.  Second, I've gained a bit of weight since I've started the program, but I know that mostly comes from working at a school cafeteria and a lack of sensible portion control (I don't think muscle mass builds THAT quickly, you know?).  The best way to deal with that is...sensible portion control and healthy habits (Mashed potato and turkey gravy Thursdays have become a weakness of mine in the past few months).  Third, there are days when I overdo it.  Sometimes I'll do my stretching past where my body is comfortable and I'll have a backache for a day or so (I'm excited that I can touch the floor again, let alone my toes, but I know have to take care of myself first and foremost).  The same goes with the running.  Admittedly, I think running was what caused my herniated disc in 2012 which lead to my surgery (leastways, I was running on a treadmill when the sciatica started), so I'm conscientiously trying to pay better attention to my body during my runs.

That being said, I am starting to look at the 5BX as less of a workout regime and more like a daily routine, akin to brushing your teeth or something similar.  Do I feel like a Spartan for doing 5BX everyday?  No (then again I'm still only halfway through Chart One, far and away from my "goal" of Level C+ on Chart Four).  Do I feel better overall for doing the program?  Yes, but I think I'd like to supplement this with another activity (eg: hiking ... mainly hiking).  I feel like 5BX is a program which gives you the energy to go out and comfortably be active (it does make mention of this in the book).  It hasn't been the 11-minute daily panacea for fitness, but it could be a stepping stone for other goals.

I'll write about this again at the end of Lent (two weeks from now) and let you know how it goes.  I will almost be completely out of Chart 1 by then and getting ready to start Chart 2 where the exercises get a little harder (eg: from a basic crunch to a full sit-up; knee push-ups to full push-ups; and running a full mile instead of the half-mile; et cetera).  Otherwise, be well and take care.