Okay, so why worry about exercising

In line tonight at a spaghetti-dinner benefit and a guy I have known for years came in behind me. As a matter of fact, we happen to share the same birthday. He asked the normal question -- you still running? Okay, it has been years since I was a runner but it was a big part of my life so people ask. I admit that I am now a walker -- and almost don't mind that title, most of the time. But, I might think to myself, why bother? So, I asked this guy a question -- you still working or have you retired. Turns out he has not retired but was out of work for nearly four months, a month for each of the bypasses of his recent heart surgery. One thing regular exercise does is let you know that you are at least doing one small thing to help protect yourself from that dreaded diagnosis -- bypass time.

August 12, 2008

1 -- Got up for an okay walk this morning; it was Sylvia's first day back at work. Goal is to again get to the Y for the rest of the workout.
2 -- Have been getting to the Y with regularity and yesterday pushed a little harder on some of the exercises. Benched with dumb bells and started with 60lbs. I think I had one set of six and it might have been eight. Then went down by fives through 55, 50, 45. Other exercises worked a few more pounds and I only go up a little at a time because my goal is to continue lifting not seeing how much I lift once.
3 -- Was very glad to see the Hartsville Streets or Parks crews trimmed the branches of trees adjacent to the bike trail. That will make that part of the trail better. Those using the bike trail will find it enjoyable though a caution on the Washington Street portion -- the storm drains are too recessed and if you hit them you could be in some trouble.
4 -- Listening to MOSCOW RULES by Dan Silva while walking. It is a good story and some of the exciting parts help me move faster on those early morning walks.
5 -- Memo to self -- "It really does feel better to be at the Y than making excuses for not being at the Y."

Working More, Enjoying More

So, the past couple of weeks the Y has been the place. Got there for a pretty good upper body workout today and am starting to get back on school time, which is one way of saying I am getting out of bed before 5 so that I get those four miles in by six. Combining the walking with the lifting is feeling good. I am starting with push ups and hit 35 in one go today. Totaled at 50 and then did the workout 00 chest, shoulders, back, triceps and biceps -- staying well within limits and may have to start extending a bit because of that no pain, no gain tradition with which I grew up. Still pretty much working the body for life type of workout -- just losing most of the intensity of the increased weights. Today, I could tell I wasn't talking or wasting time between sets because I finished in 48 minutes.