Day 28

Don't try to figure it out, 'cause figuring is never gonna make you believe. -- Bikram Choudhury

Bikram Choudhury, a teacher of Hatha Yoga to folks like Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones, offers an intriguing mathematical formula to help us understand what happens to our bodies when we aren't consistent with our workouts. Called "the Cumulative," the formula goes something like this:

Day 1 workout = 5 points in the body
Day 2 workout = 5 points in the body (subtotal: 10 points)
Day 3 workout = 5 points in the body (subtotal: 15 points)
Grand Total = 15 points

Fifteen points is good. On Day 3, your body is starting to respond to exercise and believes you're really serious this time. Now let's say you miss Day 2--you lose three points. If you miss Day 3, you'll lose the last two points. When you start exercising again a few days later, you'll be stiffer, sorer, and madder than ever. The math may be crazy, but the lesson is a good one. Don't skip days. It's a drain on your motivation to have to start at zero all the time.

Consistency is the key.