Gettin my groove back!

The hardest part about going to the gym is going to the gym.

I joined the gym again after a year and something off. It is shocking to me how fast you can lose muscle mass, and how long it takes to get it back. Any trainer will tell you that muscle has memory. My muscles have dementia. I am not complaining thought, I deserve it.

So here is my routine:

I get up at 4:13 am (because that is my birthday)

I Leave the house at 5:00 am

I walk/run on the treadmill at a 5% incline at a speed of 4.2 – 5 for a 20 minute warm-up. You don’t start burning fat until after the first 20 minutes. Doesn’t seem fair to me, but that is what they (trainers) say.

I then get on the Elliptical or Arctrainer for another 15 – 20 minutes. My resistance is not that high right now. I’m just trying to stay on the thing at this point. I remember the days when I stayed on the Archtrainer for 45 minutes at a level 8! Memories…

Then the weights:

Sunday – Shoulder, Abs
Monday – Chest, Abs
Tuesday – Biceps, Abs
Wednesday – Back, Abs
Thursday – Triceps, Abs
Friday – Legs, Glutes, Abs

I have chosen to do one main muscle each day for time purposes. I get to focus on this one muscle, several different ways. I do each exercise for three reps and then on to the next one. I do three to four different exercises for each part except on Fridays. Fridays are my favorite, LEGS! I don’t work on Fridays, so I can spend more time at the gym on this. I end up doing eight different exercises for my legs. They need the most work!

For all of you Android or iPhone people, I have found an app, “Jefit”. I have several exercise apps on my phone, but this one seems to be the most complete. You can set it up on your computer and sync it to your phone. It keeps up with what I have done, what ones I didn’t complete the reps on, and my progress. It also gives you a countdown to the next exercise. It also has animation for the different exercises. I find that most helpful. You can also enter custom exercises.

OK, now onto the guys at the gym. Men say women are vain, HAHAHAHA! Go to the gym! I don’t think I have EVER seen so many men/boys looking at themselves like this before. They will actually walk from one end of the gym to the other while looking at themselves the whole time in the mirror! I do end up chuckling a little bit because I have yet to see one women check themselves out in the mirror. I don’t want to see myself in the mirror.

I do agree that working out makes you feel better. I know I don’t look any better, but I do feel better. You even walk a little differently. Not sure why. Maybe a little more self-confidence? I love the muscle aches also. At least I know I am doing something. Last week actually wore me out, and one night I was in bed by 7:45. I have been sleeping better than I have in a long time, and forgot just how good that felt. I have thought again about getting my personal training certificate so I can add that to the things I can do. Ya never know…