Another early morning at the gym. Fifteen minutes at level six (up from level five) on the elliptical. Walked a quarter mile before pulling 100m on the rowing machine in six minutes -- my form is getting better and I'm extending back far enough that it is essentially working in 100 sit ups as well as the other awesomeness that is the rowing machine. Walked another quarter mile, then jogged a quarter mile, then hit the glute extension (12 reps each leg at 70 pounds), the inner and outer thigh machines (2 sets of 12 reps at 70 pounds each) and the back extension machine (24 reps at 70 pounds) and 16 inclined sit ups. I simply could not do more than 40 pounds on the tricep machine, so I set the weight at that and did twelve of them. After that, swimming a mile was a respite, and five minutes in the hot tub was golden.

At home, Vivian was a delight as we made breakfast and changed her into her uniform and went to school. I turned the stale bagels into slices and toasted them, and they are delicious, a perfect accompnaiment to some lemon ginger tea.

I'm starting to see definition in the arms and increased firmness in the abs. I can definitely feel the improvement in my back and core. The scale says I've hit 125, and I'm really ok with that. I can feel the weight finally, finally!! coming out of my face, even if only a little. I'm probably going to need new swim shorts by April, since the waist on the ones I have is getting a bit loose. I feel really positive about the way I look for the first time in a decade.

The biggest bonus is the way I feel, which is way better overall from a couple months ago. I definitely have more energy throughout the day, and feel less cranky in general, less discouraged. I am still an emotional wreck about things at times, I grant you, but for actual reasons and not because I didn't have enough energy to feel good. Peace is possible.

Oh, and I just found out about the FitBit Blaze that is coming in March. I totally need one, but that's not important right now.

In other news, today is day nine of not smoking.

Getting to the heart of the matter

A short morning at the gym helped me focus on what really gets results: twelve minutes on the elliptical at a level higher than usual followed by five minutes (1000m) on the rowing machine, glute extension at a higher weight, and inclined situps. All in less than 30 minutes.

At home, we made breakfast (i had roast beef, hard boiled eggs, swiss cheese and a garden salad with red wine vinegar) and took Vivian to school, then got more cinnamon tea and splurged on coffee drinks -- that was absolutely nice, but overall not worth the outlay in cash, and I see a real tightening of the discretionary budget over the rest of the challenge.

Running Gets It Done

Ten minutes on the elliptical, then five minutes (1000 m) on the rowing machine. Arms arms and more arms on the machines, and inclined sit ups, glute and back extension this morning, then a nod at the pool on the way to the hot tub.
Because some days are like that.

It was a full day outside the gym. Errands and acupuncture, then a meeting and lunch, then errands and Vivian pickup and a couple more errands. I just landed at home and am nursing a sore spot with an herbal compress I whipped up. Fortunately there is just enough golden noodle soup left over today for dinner. I'm seeing a restful evening with an early bedtime.