I usually have to drag myself to Planet Fitness to work out.  I walk in thinking, "I don't want to do this."  Mostly, I don't want to use the recumbent bike.  It's torture.  It's definitally easier if I have a really good ebook to read, though.  Today I rode it for 30 minutes, and I had it on level 3.  The first time I rode the bike I couldn't ride more than 5 minutes on level 1. 

After I rode the bike I worked out on 14 machines.  The machines, although working me hard, are easier than cardio work.  The bike makes my lungs work harder and it works my entire body at once, instead of a single area at a time.  If I do the machines before the bike, I don't get far on the bike.  It's not a good idea to tire myself out before starting the bike.   

I worked out for a total of one and a half hours, and I worked hard.  After I worked out I used the massage chairs for 15 minutes.  Although I was dragging my self into the gym, I left with a feeling of total euphoria.  It's always this way when I work out.  I walk away feeling like I have accomplished something.  That I am moving forward.  I feel like nothing can stop me.  It's incredible.  It's better than any chocolate high.  No...seriously...it is!

When I first started working out I could barely ride the recumbent bike for more than 5 minutes.  I could only do 1 set of 10-12 reps on each machine.  My highest time on the recumbent bike was 27 minutes, just a couple of days ago.  I've been doing three sets of 15-20 reps (depending on the machine) lately.  Yesterday I walked 3/4 of a mile for the first time in many years. 

All this exercising doesn't come without a price.  Some days my back and knee hurt so bad that I have to take a few days off of exercising.  I don't push myself to exercise until I feel pain.  I push myself to do what I can, and let my body tell me when to stop.  Usually the pain comes on hours later, or the next day.  Then I let my body tell me how long I need to relax.  When you have spent as many years laying around and getting NO exercise as I have, pain when you finally use those muscles is inevitable. 

The trainer asked me if I want him to work up a new routine for me since I am getting stronger.  I told him that I have already done that for myself.  My body tells me what it needs and doesn't need.  If I'm feeling achy in my shoulders then I don't use the machines that work my shoulders, until my shoulders tell me it's okay to try again.  Our bodies are amazingly smart.  They will tell us what they need.  We just have to learn to listen.

Those of you who know me know that I love action movies.  Olympus has Fallen was totally awesome.  When I watch action movies in the theater (it doesn't feel the same watching them at home) and I see someone running, it always makes me want to be able to do that.  I want to be able to survive a zombie apocalypse...or a mugging for that matter.  I don't want to be the slow, fat, easy target.  Heck, I'd settle for being able to run to my car when I'm late for work.  I've done so much damage to my back and knee that I doubt I'll ever be able to run any marathons, but a quick jaunt out to the car would be nice.