Gym Rat Progress

I was able to put the scale out of my mind for 95% of my gym experience last night. I hopped on the treadmill and started jogging. This time I built up toward a faster jog. I wanted to test my body and make sure it was okay (no pain).

Here is what I did:

1.0 miles – Speed 3.9

.25 miles more – Speed 4.0

.25 miles more – Speed 4.1

Remaining .5 miles – Speed 4.2

And there was no pain, no discomfort! I was feeling awesome in fact. I felt strong and steady, and I could tell I’ve made progress just from last week.

Remember how I tried to explain the new fancy gym’s weight machines? I had a hard time describing it properly. I believe I said it used the whole body in a fluid motion. Well I found a website with a visual of how the machines work. Here it is: HOIST Fitness. There are lots of descriptions of the weight machines but the most important part is the picture! Check it out.

I had to increase the weight on a few machines because they were too easy. I focused on:

Shoulders:

(shoulder presses)

-Deltoids

-Trapezius

-Rotator Cuff Muscles

Abs and Back:

(Ab machines, plank, Medicine Ball/Russian Twist)

-Upper Back

-Lower Back

Arms:

(bicep curls, triceps extentions, seated triceps dip, Lat Pull Down)

-Triceps

-Biceps

Chest:

(cable cross, chest press, Pec-fly machines front and back)

-Pec Minor

-Pec Major

I came across a leg machine for the inside of the thighs and the outside of the thighs:

I’ve been working the inner thighs on the machine for awhile now. I use lighter weights and do it carefully in order to strengthen my hips and legs without re-injuring my IT Band. I’ve avoided using the machine that specifically works the outside of the thighs.

Last night I did a set of 10 reps on the Hip Abduction. I’m not sure if I should be doing it.

QUESTION: Does anyone know? If you had an IT Band injury, did you avoid the Hip Abduction machine or did it help strengthen your hips and legs?

I’m really not sure. I would love advice!

I spent some extra time working on my IT Band/Hip strengthening physical therapy. I caught my reflection in the mirror and that’s when the thoughts of the scale returned.

I’d made it almost my whole workout without thinking about it. Then I thought about it. To be honest, I REALLY couldn’t see those supposed 3 pounds.

I had a good workout. I felt strong and competent as I left.

Gym Stats:

Time: 1:33

Calories Burned: 579

The downside of working out at the fancy new gym (which is close to work) is that it’s pretty far from home. I was starving after my workout. It was time to break out one of the Car Snacks.

160 calories. Delicious too.

When I got home, Michael and I made dinner together. He cooked the spinach and cheese ravioli from Costco.

I made a salad.

This morning I stepped on the scale again. Morbid curiosity, a glutton for punishment…whatever you want to call it. I was 1 pound lighter than yesterday. Ridiculous contraption!

And no, I did not stand on the scale tiptoed to make the number smaller. 😉 It’s weird that there’s a pound difference in just 24 hours. Maybe my theory of too much salt is true. Tomorrow I will have an official weigh-in and measurement and call it good for the rest of the month.

QUESTION: If you are a weight lifter, what is your favorite machines to use?