Exercise, Part Three

Did someone ask for another exercise update? No? Well I'll give you one anyway, if only for my own record...

Things are still going strong and I've gotten myself on a pretty regular schedule. I workout for three days in a row: two days on the bike, one day on the treadmill, then I take a break for a day. I'm also doing some weight machines and free weights daily. In the last couple weeks I've started feeling like I've reached a plateau, which as one of my friends pointed out, probably means I need to push myself a little more. I had been doing 8 miles on the bike, which takes about 25 minutes, or 30 minutes on the treadmill, which works out to a little more than 2 miles. Now I've upped it to 10 miles on the bike or 45 minutes on the treadmill. We'll see if that solves the plateau dilemma. Otherwise, I feel great! Working out definitely isn't a chore anymore, it's just a regular part of my day. Even while I was on vacation I worked out a few times (which was a first for me!). There haven't been any drastic changes for me body wise; I've lost some pounds and I think I'm more toned, but then again, it can be difficult to notice these changes in oneself. The most noticeable change for me was when I went to the dogpark and threw the tennis ball- I launched the ball so far across the park, it was amazing!

With each day I continue to work on #14 on my list. I don't think it will ever be a goal I cross off, rather one that I continually revisit and revise, which is okay with me!

Exercise, Part Two

I am sure that you are all eagerly anticipating an exercise update. Have I kept up with my routine? Have I continued to find motivation? I am happy to report that yes, I have kept up my routine! Don't worry, I am as shocked as you are. I'm quite sure that fifteen days of working out is some sort of record for me. Equivalent to an Olympic medal or a Nobel Peace Prize. Truly. It's astonishing. And what's more astonishing is that I'm actually beginning to enjoy myself.

As you recall, it began innocently enough on July 20th after feeling like the ultimate slug in the company of a friend who is a workout maven. One of those rare individuals (are they so rare afterall?) who enjoys working out. It seemed that everywhere I turned people were beginning sentences with 'When I was at the gym...' or 'After I workout...'. With every mention of the words 'workout' or 'gym' I could feel myself slowly taking on more slug-like characteristics. I never used those words; they were no more a part of my vocabulary than 'lima bean' or 'dirty diaper'. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to do something. So I worked out. And then I wrote about it. Somehow announcing my intentions on the blog solidified them and made me feel I'd have to be accountable to someone if I quit.

But I haven't quit. Quite the opposite. Each day I've looked forward to working out. (I have to mention this is likely due in large part to the fact that I usually workout when I should be working. Anything to avoid work, that's my motto.) It's been a non-negotiable part of my day. I haven't considered not doing it. And now I wonder what made it such a challenge in the first place? I haven't found that 'runner's high' yet, but I'm feeling good. Whether it's the endorphins or the sense of accomplishment of doing something I've never really done before, I'm not sure. Of course, it's not all roses. There are challenges. In the last week or so I've been able to begin interspersing my treadmill walking with jogging (this was an absolute revelation for me!). My lungs are able to handle the exertion, but my legs tire quickly and turn from mere legs into pillars of lead. With their sudden unbearable weight they beg me to slow down to a comfortable walk for a few minutes in order to regain their original mass. And just when they are getting comfortable, I jolt them to a jogging pace again. This means at the end of thirty minutes they are dead tired, and climbing the three flights of stairs back up to my apartment is a slow and painful agony. But I'm not discouraged. A few swings of water and a banana later and the pain is a fairly distant memory.

So where do I go from here? I keep at it! At the suggestion of a friend I may try to alter my routine a bit, which is made more difficult by the oppressive Arizona summer, but I'm sure I can come up with something. I may also incorporate some weight training with the cardio. I've been doing a bit of free weights for my arms, but I'm thinking doing legs may help build up my jogging endurance. I don't want to count my chickens quite yet, but I have to say I'm pleased. I still consider #14 on my list a work in progress, but exercise and I have gotten to know each other a little more with each passing day, and we're becoming fast friends.

Exercise

Exercise and I have never been best friends. Actually I'd say we're barely acquaintances. Maybe because we were never properly introduced in our early years. While my brother and sister were busy on the t-ball and basketball and soccer and swim teams, I was busy becoming a future nerd with my glasses and my stack of Nancy Drew books. Having a slim athletic frame probably didn't help me either- why should I exercise, I could eat whatever I wanted and was still a beanpole. This isn't to say that I wasn't an active kid. I ran and played and rode bikes like everyone else, but when it came to sports I was happier to officiate or keep score. I did a little stint of club soccer in high school with a bunch of my friends, but I'm honestly not sure that I contributed much to the games, if at all. But then life starts to catch up to your slim athletic frame and you are suddenly not quite as slim nor athletic (not that I ever was!).

With a few extra pounds following me around I decided to formally acquaint myself with my foe, exercise. It's funny how motivation can be found in the strangest places. A friend of mine talks about exercise in the most admirable and inspiring way. The laps he swims, the miles he runs. I could feel myself turning more and more into a slug with every word until I finally couldn't take it anymore. It seems like this exercise buzz is all around me. Everyone is going to the gym, everyone is working out. Never one to mindlessly follow trends, I know this is one I need to get on board with. Intellectually it reasons it out perfectly, it's just getting the motivation to get off my ass.

Thanks to my friend, I've found that motivation two days in a row. I've heard it takes three weeks to make something a habit, so with 19 days to go I cross off #14: introduce myself to exercise and commit to being his friend. I'll keep you posted on our friendship...