Lifting To A Healthier Me

Its been almost two weeks since I joined the local YMCA so I could work out and keep active during the cold winter months and I have to say, so far it's going pretty good.

Not knowing what it would be like I was rather oblivious to the rules, both written and unwritten surrounding life in a gym. Don't get me wrong, it's not a big deal and very reasonable and responsible. The simple things like wiping down machines after you've used them makes total sense. And I like that fact that this place is very clean and well looked after.

I honestly don't see what the big deal is with mobile phones though. They don't like you taking photos or using your phones in the gym. Granted, I realize there are creeps out there but some people rely on their phones for work or to stay in touch with family. I can understand them not wanting photos taken in the pool area, but if I'm working out and want to take a photo of myself using a machine, where's the harm in that? But I know it's easier just to make a blanket rule to ban all mobile phone use so there's no confusion. Truth be told, I see people using their phones all the time. It doesn't bother me in the least, provided you're not snapping shots of me in the shower.

A look at my progress so far.

As far as the actual workouts and exercise goes, I'm pleased with my efforts so far. I've been to the gym every day except one since I joined. I usually do intervals on the treadmill for 30 minutes to start each visit. I'll walk at 6 km/h and jog at 9 km/h, alternating between each one every few minutes. I'll also increase the incline so I'm always going uphill. I try to walk 3.5 kilometres and burn around 360 calories in the 30 minutes. I usually work up quite a sweat.

I'll then move into the strength training portion of my visit. I usually alternate between arms one day and legs the next. I'll also throw in some abdominal, back and shoulder work as well. The first couple of days I felt some pain using muscles I hadn't used in some time but to be honest, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

While I don't have any official routine, I have some favourite machines I use to work the muscles I want to target. Some day in the future I may target more specific areas but I just try to get in a good general workout.

Most days so far I just keep to myself but I have chatted with a couple of friendly and fit ladies and I've also run into a few guys I haven't seen in quite some time. It would be nice to have a regular workout buddy to help push each other but I'm doing pretty well on my own so far.

I'd like to keep going at least 5 days a week and take the weekends to rest if all goes well but of course other things come up that could throw a wrench in those plans. Like my eating, I'm trying to make going to the gym part of my daily routine and plan my days around it. So far it's going well.

Slowly Getting Healthy

I thought it might be time for a quick update on my weight-loss journey for those of you interested in my progress and particularly for those of you who don't follow me on Facebook. 

The Battle of the Bulge continues. My last blog posting on the subject, my weight at that time was 321 pounds. I was 3 pounds shy of reaching the 100 pounds lost goal. Since that time, I've not only surpassed the 100 pounds lost mark but am on my way to reaching my next goal of getting under 300 pounds.

Currently, as of my last weigh-in, I stand at 311 pounds. That equals a total of 107 pounds lost so far.

Obviously I'm thrilled with the way things have been going and I certainly hope they continue to go this way. The changes in my body and the way my body feels have been wonderful. The simplest tasks that people take for granted aren't so simple for people of size and I've noticed that a lot of things that I had trouble doing at my worst weight have now become much easier. Things like getting dressed, tying my shoes and many other everyday tasks that I found to be somewhat difficult now are much easier to do. I feel human again.

It amazes me how much losing this weight has made a difference. My hope is that if I can continue to lose more weight and get to a healthier weight, the changes will continue to take place.

Losing the equivalent of a teenage girl has made a big difference in reducing my aches and pains. My ankles which would often be quite sore after walking or climbing stairs now rarely hurt me at all. I'm happy to report that I've been out golfing over 20 times this spring and I have yet to get a golf cart. I'm walking the golf course and climbing the hills and while I do get a little winded at times my recovery is rather quick. I have a spring in my step that I haven't had for many many years.

It's my hope that I'll continue to lose weight and feel even better and not sink back into the abyss that I was in before. I've found energy I forgot I had and I try and make use of it as much as possible. Knowing that I'm accomplishing my goals without the aid of surgery and just strictly from my own willpower is very satisfying. For those who chose to have surgery to aid in their weight loss I commend you for taking that step towards a healthier lifestyle. For me however, I knew in my heart that I could succeed without a doctors assistance. The option is still there should I fail in this endeavor, but I won't.

As I sit here at 311 pounds, my next goal is in sight as I hope to get below 300 pounds by my birthday on July 17. If I can reach it before that would be great and if I don't reach it by my birthday that's okay as well as long as I get there eventually.

I still haven't really set a long-term goal. I just want to get as healthy as possible and lose as much weight as possible. My wish when I started was to get back to the weight I was when I played football which was around 260 pounds. Ideally I'd like to get even lower than that. But I don't want to get ahead of myself, I just want to take it one day at a time and one meal at a time and hopefully it will all work out in the end.