I have optimism [gym]
Today is the second of 3 early mornings for me. I am determined that if I'm healthy and going in to work, I will go to the gym 3x a week. Durn it. Due to a new all-time high number at the doctor's office, changing the ratio of cardio/weights in favor of the former seemed a good and wise thing, so today I made good on that for...er, the 2nd or 3rd week in a row. I'm not quite willing to do more than that in response to stupid numbers, but dude. It's not even the worst of winter. Historically, it will only get worse, and summer is filled with ice cream I cannot say no to.
The deal is, Monday is divided relatively evenly- 20 min. cardio, remaining time (it varies radically thanks to the crap bus/train schedule) on weights and stuff. Wednesday is cardio-centric, so 30 min. of whatever and a few key things, like pushups. Well, no surprise- it is SO much easier to bike for 30 than do elliptical for 30, but it was done and I felt very very gratified that I did it, although the latter half was spent with me acting as my own personal drill sergeant arguing that 10 minutes wasn't so long... 6.... 4.... 1 1/2.... I must redo my playlists so I don't have to keep skipping the slow stuff. 180 beats per minute? OK!! Friday is circuit class, which is good for elevating my heart rate, but also is sort of lift- centric. It's also a group activity so bolsters me through the boring that is working by myself.
I had tried to get to 1 real pull up then sort of bailed on it. The gym owner, Danny, asked me about it last week and razzed me for letting it go, so I'm trying again. Why not. Rob was in today, and gave me some very good pointers on how to get there. I'll use the Smith machine and do reverse push ups on 'em using my own body weight + changing the level of the bar to work up to a real, honest to god, hanging from the bar pull up.
The big picture view- Things I'm extra proud of specifically for today- 1. doing the full 30 minutes of "running", 2. getting to 2.7 miles. (I want to get to 3, pls. I have to see if bumping it down a resistance point or two will get me there). 3. Doing 40 pushups. I didn't do them all in one go, but I did it. I think I need to do them every day but that hasn't actually translated into doing it.
And of course, Monday is Bollywood dance class, which is faaaabulous! If anyone wants to come check it out sometime it's from 8:30-9:30 outside Davis. Very energetic, the instructor is amazing, and you don't have to commit to anything to do a drop-in. Reshama usually has a different routine every week, so it's not like you're walking into a well-polished workout that everyone but you knows. The extra great thing about this whole new experience is that it's actually getting a bit easier. I don't feel as winded, although it might just be certain routines are easier than others, but still. I am always glad I go. She also teaches Sunday 12-1, which I'm trying out this week since she's on vacation for the next 2 Mondays.
So, go me? Yeah! Go me!