Well, it’s been 13 days since the start of the “Back to Life Challenge” at Life – The Evolution of Personal Training, located in the ACME shopping center in Somers Point. The challenge is for the month of November and includes some substantial prizes. I don’t think I will be in the running, however, as the weight loss has been a little slower than anticipated. I weighed in at 213 pounds (yikes!) on Nov. 1. This afternoon I checked in at 207. That puts me roughly on pace to get down to my goal of 195 by the end of the month, although I will certainly have to kick it up a notch over the next two weeks. The goal was to lose 18 pounds in 30 days. Currently I’m on pace to lose about 13. R. Lee Ermey would not be happy with this kind of result. I feel like I am on a good track though. Starting to feel more in shape and having more energy. And the pants are getting looser, so that’s always a good sign! During the challenge we have been focusing on flexibility, mainly in the hips and legs, where many people struggle with their range of motion. One of the trainers at Life, Jason Plum, is like Gumby he’s so flexible. When we do straight-leg kicks it seems as though he can kick his leg clear over his head and just keep going in a full circle until it’s back on the ground again. I am nowhere near that level! This week we were introduced to the bosu ball and the rope exercises. The bosu ball, if you are not familiar with it, looks like a one of those exercise balls that has been cut in half. Just trying to hop on it and keep your balance is tough enough … try doing a few sets of curls with 25-pound kettlebells. Not easy, but that instability forces you to focus hard on your balancing and makes the exercise that much tougher. The ropes are pretty self-explanatory. Long, heavy ropes attached to a hook at the base of the wall. We did several different exercises with these today, focusing on the shoulders and core. I imagined myself being at some sort of NFL pro day, although I probably didn’t look as cool as Matthew Stafford while doing it. Overall, however, a very good workout. Had a good sweat going and was really working the shoulders, back and stomach muscles. Definitely starting to feel the soreness in my stomach muscles with all the bosu work, but it’s a good kind of soreness. The kind that lets you know you are getting something done, while at the same time reminding you of how much work you still need to do. I’m interested to see what’s in store the next two weeks. I’m going to have to dig deep to accomplish my goal by Nov. 30. Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays.