So far, the exercise regiment has been going well:
Week of Oct. 12: Returned from vacation. Went to gym on Thu. and Fri. Goal Reached: I went back to the gym. I was afraid that my fervor would pass after the week off, but I kept going.
Week of Oct. 19: Went to the gym four times: Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. Goal Reached: On Friday I bench pressed 225 pounds for the firs time in three years.
Week of Oct. 26: Went to the gym three times: Wed., Thu., Fri. Two Goals Reached: 1) I moved up to fifteen minutes of cardio on the eliptical. Next goal is 20 minutes. 2) I carried my daughter upstairs to bed, and did not have to wait to catch my breath before telling her, “goodnight.”
Week of Nov. 2: Was in Schaumburg visiting family. Went to gym once (so far): Wed.
Things have been going well. I am certainly getting stronger. I do not know how my weight is doing, but that is not really why I am doing this. I usually workout for 45 minutes, and my goal has been to keep my heartrate elevated the entire time. Things are gradually getting easier. For instance, my near-stroke inducing 100 reps on the jump rope can now be done with relative ease. And 20 sit-ups on the incline bench made me want to vomit. Now I can do two sets of 25.
Here’s my problem though: I feel like my body muscles are getting stronger faster than my heart is. I am getting worn out so fast. After doing a set of sit-ups or bench press, my muscles feel like they can do more, but I just don’t have the energy. If I was a car, I feel like my engine just isn’t getting enough fuel. I am hoping this improves soon.
I am also waiting anxiously for the exercise to start giving me more energy. I hear people talk about the fact that when they exercise in the morning they feel better all day. I haven’t gotten to that point. After I work out in the morning, all I want to do is go to sleep, and I am wasted the rest of the day. There was a time when I stopped exercising at night because it made it difficult for me to go to sleep, but I think tonight I am going to try it.
Next Goals:
- Cardio: Do the eliptical for 20 minutes. Next: Run on treadmill for one mile.
- Bench press: Complete a pyramid that ends at 225. Long-Term: Bench press 285 pounds (my previous best when I was 18 years old).
- Jump Rope: 150 continuous reps.
- Sit ups: Sets of 50.
The Fat Pastor 