Blog Six - Back To It

I can say it was due to the consistent level of snowfall or the flu I had but that would not be the truth. Those reasons did keep me from going for a day or two, not for 2 weeks. So I tricked myself into being near the gym and then guilt tripped myself into it. I only did a 10 minute workout but it felt good to be back though I felt my body saying, "Hey! Hey! Don't do that!"

Blog Five - No Days Off

I took this past Thursday off from the gym. I did a bit more snow shoveling and the soreness continued in my upper thigh/ass bottom so I shrugged off going. That choice has resulted as an increase in my blood sugar level. I had notice that it was significantly better controlled than ever before (ever!) and today it is slightly off. (Not unmanageable) So, for my next experiment I'm going to see how much exercise I need purely for maintenance and how much for "improvement".

I'm thinking 10 - 15 minutes on the bicycle per day. To reduce the inflammation/soreness I'm having from the seat I'll alternate bicycle and elliptical. Though I'll have to learn how to use one properly.

Blog Four Part A - Shoveling

Well I did make it to the gym. Before I made it there, however, I also had a fair bit of shoveling and snow management to do. So I did not push myself as hard, in the gym, as I would have wanted to normally. I should add that my sore buttocks are becoming a hindrance. I got in one 7 minute difficult warm up and was in a 20 minute moderate bike routine when my butt really started becoming uncomfortable. I gave up at the 10 minute mark. I'll probably go for an elliptical machine or something to give my ass a break.

Blog Four - Snow Day Dammit

Well I'm sure most of us know about the whopping amounts of snow descending upon us. I was actually debating a day off as my ass hurts from the damn bicycle seat. Of course I was feeling bad about myself because I could do some other exercises. I just enjoy the bicycling.

Hopefully the snow will stop and the roads will clear up. I'll get in then.

PS: I didn't make it a second time yesterday.

Blog Three - Day 4 Mixing It Up

Okay, I got a little bolder today.

First I started my routine with a difficult rated warm up on the bicycle. Wasn't too difficult (I could have increased it further during) but it got my sweat started. After 7 minutes the warm up was complete. Then I proceeded to do 4 sets of 10 crunches (on a machine), then I spent a fair bit of time on a back lifting machine. (You sit on it and rotate your back up and backwards lifting the weight.) I decided that 15 repetitions would be good and I started it at 70 lbs. Each set I increased the weight 30 lbs until I reached 190 lbs and then I reversed the cycle. From there I went to two legs machines, spread and close, for about 40 repetitions each. Closed out with the bicycle again on moderate warm up to finish out and start winding myself down.

I feel good, very good, and I find myself delighted at this new aspect of my life and thoroughly annoyed that I have not been doing this all these years. I'm starting to remember how much I liked working out way back when.

PS: I'm probably going to be heading to the gym for another 15 minute set on the bicycle later this afternoon. My ass still hurts though!

Blog Two - Day 3 Exercising

Much better day as I had little problem moving my ass to the gym. Twice in one day. The first time I did 20 minutes on the bicycle and the second I did 7 minutes. My current goal is to do 30 minutes twice a day however I'm running into one small (or large) problem: My buttocks start to get sore on the bicycle seat after 15 minutes or so.

So I guess the first trouble is not just building up my cardio from zero to living but to build some callouses on my ass.

Blog One - Day 2 Exercising

Okay, I'm going to blog this stuff as the only way I'm going to succeed in this change is bringing in my friends and family. The simple gist is this: I'm getting old. I'm already fat. I've got risk factors coming out of my hind end and my diabetes (type 2) got out of control.

I'm tired, truly freaking tired.

Of what? Well, I realize that I did not have to be in this position. Ultimately it was a lack of discipline in my life that brought me to this state. I've proven time and time again that I truly can achieve anything I set my mind to however time and time again I've shown that I don't always set my mind to the right things. This ends now.

Yesterday I worked on a treadmill for 12 minutes. I'm a klutz with the thing. I tried walking and keeping my hands on the bars. Found out later that was stupid (Of course during I thought it was stupid). Sadly my heart rate accelerated over 140 and hit 150 at one point. Too much and I wasn't even walking more than 2 mph. I wisely stopped and rested.

Today, I got on a bicycle. I did 20 minutes and maintained a heart rate of 120 - 130 beats through out the entire exercise. I'm no expert nor have I been doing any physical therapy but I think I recall that is about the right way to do things. Also, I did not stress my breathing. I kept it calm and relaxed even though I did work up a good sweat.

I'm going to close this first entry by saying yes, I know I didn't post my current weight. I actually don't know it right now (though a recent exam has that detail) and I don't want to know it right now. In this stage of the process I need to find motivation and stay focused.

Not more bad news to encourage any more sloth on my part.

Yes, I'm monitoring my blood sugars, taking my meds, and eating right(er). However I don't like where my blood sugars are and the trouble I'm having keeping them in check. So, exercise is one part of the diet & exercise prescription I did not try... at all. That is going to change.

I quit smoking cold turkey because I decided that I was going to quit.

I am going to go from Fat Shar to Thin Shar.