I’ve discussed training schedules and books and all kinds of other things when it comes to getting into shape (although not so much about controlling your diabetes–that’s coming) and while all of that is useful, the ultimate lesson I learned was this:

there is no substitute for hard work.

There are days like today when it’s alternating between incredible heat and humidity and rain and I don’t feel like working out–but I force myself to do something (like lifting weights when I get home). There’s mornings where I get up at 4:45 and just want to roll back over and sleep.

While I’ve not been as diligent as I want to be, I know this: if I don’t get up and get on the bike, or put on my running shoes and hit the road, or at least stretch and lift weights, there’s no amount of reading, studying, or planning that will make up for my being lazy.

Hard work can substitute for a lot of things, but there simply is no substitute for hard work.