Feb. 10th:

45 minute spin class, after calling the gym at 4:30 AM to reserve a bike -- and glad I'd done so, since again, the class was entirely filled. This was a pretty tough class, too.

Tomorrow I'm off downstate, and getting my usual exercise time in may be challenging. I'm going to see whether I can keep it up throughout.

Feb. 10: 40 minutes stairclimber.

Totals:
10 days
615 minutes

Feb. 11th:

45 minutes on the Stairmaster stepper, upping the resistance to eight, rather than the usual seven, which wiped me out during the last 10 minutes. I was mostly holding the hand rails then. It's a point of pride with me not to do that, but I did grab on toward the end.

Then into the nearby Dunkin Donuts for a large black coffee with a turbo shot added, and home to pack for the long drive.

Whew, I did get that workout in.

Feb. 12th:

15 minutes arc trainer, resistance at nine, and intervals, and found this a bit too easy
60 minutes back and biceps routine, and on several exercises using the Gravitron rather than the lat pulldown machine, because I like this particular model of the machine. I really ought to try doing one completely unassisted pullup, just to test myself, but I am afraid that if I fail, I'll feel like all my weekly workouts from the fall through the winter have not advanced me very far.
45 minute spin class with the frenetic 25-year-old instructor, who started out class with "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" as a tribute to Whitney Houston


Back in my old gym, a place that I went daily, almost without fail, so it became a second home to me or at least like a workplace. It was good to see the familiar faces and people welcoming me and asking how I'm doing and how the rebuilding project is coming along. This gym is no longer the acme of perfection to me. There are some aspects of the Upstate gyms that are better, or rather, there are tradeoffs. (Bigger workout areas because of cheap rent & more equipment Upstate, but fewer specialized classes, less emphasis on marble & hardwood finishes & cool lighting & thus less psychological comfort, better towel service, better free bath amenities.) But a small annoyance was something I forgot, that they have no 12-pound weights, only 12.5 weights, so I got in a lot fewer reps than I usually manage before failure. That will be a challenge when I finally return.

One of you regulars here might know where to cross-post this.

Just read about a site ("O magazine Feb. 2012 issue, pg. 103) where people can log their exercise, score points, and the site's corporate sponsors convert the points into dollars and donate them to your favourite nonprofit.

These are the people who set this thing up, according to their own website.
http://www.plus3network.com/aboutus

This is the home page for the site.
http://www.plus3network.com/

Dagmar

Feb. 11: 90 minutes Bikram yoga

Feb. 12: 40 minutes stairclimber

Totals:
12 days
745 minutes

2 days off over the weekend, which is just the way the ball rolled this weekend. Not necessarily the plan for EVERY weekend.

Today, day 5 of the 30-day Shred.

Feb. 13: 30 minutes body pump
30 minutes strength training

Totals:
13 days
805 minutes

Catching up:

Feb 13:

60 minutes arc trainer, aerobic intervals, resistance at nine, at Gold's Gym on 54th Street, almost next to the old Studio 54, my second time there. It's fun figuring out which of the gym goers are actors and actresses.


Feb. 14:

15 minutes Stairmaster, resistance at eight
60 minutes shoulders, biceps and triceps workout
45 minutes arc trainer, resistance at nine, hill intervals

I was tired from my long trip back, during which I'd cried several times, but pushed myself back out to the gym once I'd unpacked. I thought the gym would be quiet on Valentine's Day evening. It really wasn't.

Feb. 15:

45 minute spin class, a tough one, with the instructor who's into "push point" and heavier resistance. Again, the class was completely full. I'm getting used to telephoning at 4:45 AM to reserve a bike, and I'd better never forget.

Feb. 14: none-- first day missed in February.

Feb. 15: 30 minutes Turbo Kick; 30 minutes strength/band training

Totals:
14 days
865 minutes

Feb. 16:

15 minutes Stairmaster stepper, aerobic intervals, resistance at eight, and I must admit to grabbing the handrails several times
60 minutes arms, shoulders and triceps, with bench presses and pushups
45 minutes recumbent bike, resistance at nine, then at eight, with me doing one-minute intervals


Very sore and stiff today, and me in a crummy mood and ready to snap at people.

Feb. 17:

90 minute endurance spin class, which started at 5:30 AM, and was run by the young instructor who likes to keep us doing different moves and uses short, frenetic songs. This really did me in. I didn't even feel up to very much stretching afterward, though it was a pleasure to walk out into the weak winter sun under a clear sky.

I've now eaten an energy bar after class -- a low glycemic one -- and had two cups of decaf, but still feel as though I could nod off at my desk. Which wouldn't be wise, as I've got a decent amount of work to do by the end of the day.

Feb. 16: 60 minutes Zumba

Totals:
15 days
925 minutes

Feb. 18:

Ran four miles, avoiding some icy patches on the road, which was otherwise dry. Another labored run, during which I didn't find my stride until maybe 30 minutes into it. But I heard robins squabbling, and a bluebird in the place where I'd spotted a bluebird before, and passed a lot of deer tracks.