Working On Working Out

I was going to call this blog, "Back in the Saddle" but didn't for two reasons. 1. I think Joel already used that title for one of his blogs and 2. I am not really back in the saddle. I merely sat in the saddle one time and considered sitting in it again a couple of other times and that is not a very good title for anything.

I finally reinstated my gym membership. I bought a new pair of work out pants in an size appropriate for my new, more maternal physique, used some Christmas money to buy an new ipod shuffle to try to trick myself into thinking exercise is fun and hit up the Lifetime Fitness across the street. Entering the gym for the first time in a long while I was wishing I was wearing a t-shirt that said, "I had a baby kind of recently. That is the reason I look the way I do." I don't think they make those.

As I made my way to the rows of dumbells to choose my poison, I thought, "I'll just pick up something light and go up from there." I did not go up from there. I might as well have curled a couple of cans of soup at home.

After my intense upper body work out featuring some Arnold presses with 7.5 lb. dumbbells and some upright rows with a barbell that didn't have any weight on it at all, I figured I should get in some cardio. I hopped on the treadmill in front of a flat screen with CNN playing in closed caption not realizing that reading while walking makes me motion sick. I decided to walk 4 miles per hour, a decent clip but one I've easily managed before. About half a mile in I was panting like I was in the last leg of a marathon and tripping over my feet trying to keep up. I decided to check my pulse thinking it was up there....like 170 or so. It was 190. From what I hear, that is very high. I just told myself that the the treadmill pulse gizmo was inaccurate and kept on. I didn't die, so don't worry, that's not how this blog ends. About a mile and a half later, I decided that I'd rather be home sitting on the couch so I left. Three days later, my arms are still pretty sore and I am considering a second visit to the gym. Although I would hate to burn myself out too quickly.