May 16: 30 minutes Turbo Kick class, 30 minutes Amped up Abs class (ow!)

Won't get any exercise in today because dh and I are going to our first scuba lesson today-- but it's all in the classroom from 5-10 pm. I've got to pick him up at 4 so exercise will be out of the question unfortunately.

Totals:

13 days
745 minutes

Friday, May 18th:

15 minutes Stairmaster stepper, resistance at eight, aerobic intervals
60 minutes back and biceps routine, the usual lat pulldowns and dumbbell work
45 minutes back on the stepper, resistance dropped to seven, aerobic intervals

An excellent morning to be in the free weight area, as it's nearly unoccupied, and the brilliant sunshine is putting me in a good, summery mood in spite of myself. My winter of work with free weights has really helped my arms, and just in time for the bare-arm season.

I remember when I used to dread the warmth of summer, which meant exposure, showing publicly the parts of me of which I was most ashamed.

Of maintenance, I ask myself sometimes: Is all this work worth it?

A thousand times yes, when I think of how it used to feel. Once, I endured two "sad" seasons: Deepest, darkest winter and the muggy heat of summer. I still don't like a hot, humid climate, but I'm used to sweating hard, since I do it every day, and I feel ... acceptable ... in shorts and sleeveless shirts.

Thursday, May 17:
-15 minutes elliptical at resistance 5, incline 10.
-3 x 10-12 arms routine. My bent-over dumbbell row is getting stronger FINALLY!
-3 minutes running on treadmill. Forget that!
-20 minutes HIIT on elliptical. Almost died but did not.

May 17: none

May 18: 60 minutes approx swimming, treading water, snorkeling...

Totals:

14 days
805 minutes

Saturday, May 19th:

Nothing, as I took a bus at 6:15 AM and spent the day in Manhattan and Westchester County, not getting in until 1:30 AM Sunday. More walking than I've been doing Upstate and more subway stair climbing. For the first time, I noticed how many people have a very hard time on the subway staircases. Particularly those with strollers, let alone the handicapped.

Sunday, May 20th:

Not many people in the gym on what feels like the first real day of summer that's fallen on a weekend. I'm sure we're going to flirt with the 90s today.

15 minutes Stairmaster step mill, aerobic intervals, resistance at eight
60 minutes shoulders, biceps and triceps with dumbbells, trying to keep to 15 lbs. as much as possible
45 minutes back on the Stairmaster, same setting, pouring sweat despite low expenditure of calories on the machine, likely due to humidity in the gym. Well, maybe this is good, as my legs ballooned insanely with retained fluid last night during the bus trip back from NY, and any shedding of that has to be good.

Monday, May 21st:

45 minute spin class, getting my butt kicked, as I was surrounded by fit, tanned runners, and I am pale, and don't look like a greyhound
15 minute Pilates routine afterward, working from memory, as I forgot my little piece of paper with my routine. I am always carrying little pieces of paper with routines written on them, usually on weight-training days.

Something about Mondays brings out people to the gym. Atonement for the weekend, I'd imagine, or a desire to start the week well. I don't know, but it's one of the busiest days in every gym I've ever belonged to.

May 19: 90 minutes hike with Dewey while meeting up with a Doxie group.

May 20: 100 minutes Bikram Yoga-- different instructor and he went at least 10 minutes over-- he apologized saying he couldn't see the clock without his glasses!

Totals:

16 days
995 minutes

Saturday, May 19: 12 mile mountain hike in Petersburgh Pass on the Taconic Crest Trail. Less challenging than the other 12 mile hike, and faster - we finished in 6 hours flat.

Tuesday, May 22:

15 minutes Stairmaster stepper, aerobic intervals, resistance set at eight
60 minutes chest, biceps and triceps, with a scary moment bench pressing when, on that last lift to failure, I set down the left side up on the higher hook but couldn't get the right side further up than the lower hook, so it was sort of slantwise over me. This is why people have spotters. There was no one in the free weight area but a trainer working with another woman. I did not want to yell and interrupt the lesson, but would have if the situation was scarier.
45 minutes Stairmaster stepper, same setting, getting wiped out by the end.

May 21: 30 minutes Body pump class, 30 minutes strength training class
This instructor scares me. I know she has young kids. I sure would be afraid to live with her! She is tough.

Totals:

17 days
1055 minutes

Monday, May 21:
-15 minutes elliptical, resistance 5, 1.73 miles.
-Upper body weights routine. Added 3x10 superset for bent-over dumbbell row, graduated to 80 lbs on lat pulldown machine
-5 minutes treadmill x 2
-2 x 10 dumbbell squats with two 25-lb dumbbells.

May 22: 60 minutes U Jam class

Totals:

18 days
1115 minutes

Wednesday, May 23:

45 minute spin class with the tough instructor, and me feeling remarkably good, like I could ride and ride
15 minutes Pilates routine afterward, again feeling pretty good. I don't understand these days, though I love when they happen -- maybe it's a matter of getting more sleep the night before.

Tuesday, May 22:
-1 hour Zumba class. The second half was taught by a VERY buff instructor who incorporated a lot of tae bo esque moves. Much more challenging, I liked it way better!

May 23: 30 minutes Turbo Kick class, 30 minutes Strength Training class

Totals:

19 days
1175 minutes