DECEMBER FITNESS — PART 3

Routine, the sweet order of your life, has been dismantled these past weeks. This you know. You also know you need to go back to the gym to buck up and find your identity. So what's the plan?

First, you've got to light the match that'll light the fuse that'll blast you outta here. 15 minutes of any cardio at an agreeable level will do. You're here and anything is a lot, lot better than nothing. Next, it's crunches, followed by leg raises to the max. Good. Now hit the big time gym floor with instinct and creativity.

Your goal is to cyclically work your chest, back, triceps and biceps. One exercise after another, with a footloose, random, swift continuity. Keep the order, keep moving, and change or repeat any exercise according to feel. Form remains TOP priority, poundage takes a back seat and the choice of exercises is near spontaneous. Reps are 10 to 15 with pump and burn - the target's in sight. This is not a race, but the pace is fast.

And keep smiling. Endorphins seem to kick in as excitement and enthusiasm peak with your stride in this nonstop, athletic training style.

3 to 5 'round-the-gym cycles will do it. The first workout's the hardest. Really, it's not the workout, it's the first steps toward the gym. Pull on those sweatpants and go. Don't even slow down to decide if you want to...just go. The payoff is sweet, and it's just about an hour away.