by Ron Blake
Who are your greatest enemies?
Luke Skywalker battled the respiratory challenged scoundrel Darth Vader. Superman played chess games with the Mensa maniac Lex Luthor. Batman and Robin were vexed with the likes of the Joker when they weren't exploring the depths of their batcaves. You and I have much worse enemies to ward off. These foes rear their ugly heads daily and seek to divert us from our health and fitness goals. The Bangles' "Manic Monday" starts us heading through a sea of procrastination and fitness evasion.
There is the Monday happy hour and 2-for-1 drinks the rest of the night at your favorite watering hole. This double-headed monster lures you from your daily workout with promises of sweet intoxication and the aroma of tangy, mouth-watering boneless buffalo wings. This enemy gets extra fire power during October, November and December with Monday night football. Resistance is futile.
Tuesday night should be your cardiovascular workout on the elliptical machine. However, that new television lineup on NBC isn't going to watch itself. It took scores of actors, directors, producers, grips and cameramen many weeks to compile "Must-See TV." You could just TiVo it all and catch up some other night, but then you would then be terrifyingly ignorant around the water cooler the next morning. That's too dangerous to chance. Bad guys win again!
It's hump day and you'll get back on that fitness wagon that you fell off of earlier in the week. I smell a conjunction, though. But … the guy in shipping and receiving is requesting your attendance at his birthday bonanza at the Hoo-Ha Lounge. The enemy here calls himself "guilt." Your coworkers needle you about missing the retirement party for someone in the claims department. The decision is clear. You can always hit the weights tomorrow at the gym.
Thursday dawns on you and what knave could be lurking to derail your plans today? Out of the bushes and over the grassy knoll are fired two shots. They are in the form of two tickets to that sold-out Erasure concert. No way! Get out! Andy Bell is in town and you've got your claws on some front row seats. You know every lyric to every song. That arm and chest workout can be shelved until tomorrow!
What a concert! You have a hoarse voice but at least it's Friday. Oh no! It's Friday?! There's no way you can hit the gym tonight. Everybody who's anybody will be at that new club in downtown. Those hot DJs from KGAY will be handing out free T-shirts and selling $1 shooters for charity. You have all weekend off work and you can surely make up for missed workout time then. After all, Scarlett, tomorrow is another day.
Saturday brings bright skies and warm temperatures. The phone rings and it's the boys. They're heading for the lake with the boat, sunscreen and a cooler stocked full of wine spritzers. There is no way you can miss this. I know you've said it before. But this has just been an unusual week. You really will get back on track soon. Right?
Sunday comes and you can probably write your own defeat against an evil enemy. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Stay strong against the dark side. With some discipline and some proper planning, you can keep a workout routine and your social life. Know what is important and stay focused. Tomorrow is always the busiest day of the year. Don't let it be that way. Take charge today!
