The Summer of Health and Fitness

Well, as we approach the "official" last weekend in summer - I thought I would do a recap of what my summer looked like here in Dowling Park, Florida. In May, Dan and I decided that we would not do any traveling this year - due to many issues from gas prices to inflation and not feeling as if we should let go of any money (i.e. the purchase of a camper or purchase of any cruise tickets - which would also mean airline tickets). So, how do you think we decided to do with our long wonderful summer in the great state of Florida? How about - EXERCISE!

Seriously, Dan and I were sitting in the hot tub in the Copeland Center (our indoor exercise, swimming pool, hot tub building) and we made a commitment to each other to go down to the exercise room every WEEK day for three months and see what kind of difference in our bodies it would make - we even shook hands on it - which made it official. The next day I made each of us a chart with weight and different measurements on it (chest, waist, hips, upper arms and upper leg) - I mean, I was SERIOUS! We agreed we would weigh in every Monday and only take our measurements once a month.

Starting the first Monday in June (June 2nd) we trooped down to the exercise room - I jumped on the treadmill and Dan on the bike. The first week we each did 20 minutes at our preferred method of torture.

On Monday of the second week it was time to weigh in - I lost 1/2 a pound - Dan 3 pounds. So, I added two different exercise classes - one called "Walk and Stretch" which is a combination of aerobics (45 minutes) and yoga (45 minutes) and the other a water aerobics class. Then I also did my 20 minutes on the treadmill.

The third week weigh in arrived - I lost another 1/2 pound - Dan 2 pounds. I was doing my two classes, had increased my time on the treadmill to thirty minutes - upped my speed and incline AND was doing 20 minutes on the bike. I was really working - Dan was still doing 20 minutes on the bike daily (He was complaining every day, but he was still going). I mean what was he complaining about - he was only working for 20 minutes a day and had lost 5 pounds in two weeks - I was working between 1 and 3 hours daily and had only lost 1 pound - but I kept telling myself I was developing muscles and they weigh more than fat - Yeah, right.

Week four arrives and it's time to do the measurements - weight - NO weight lost, measurement - 1/2 inch on upper arms, and 1/4 inch on upper legs - NOTHING in my chest, waist, or hips - Dan - lost another 2 pounds (he wouldn't do his measurements, but he had lost 7 pounds in a month and I had only lost 1 pound!)

Okay, now I was really serious - everyday an exercise class - 45 minutes on the treadmill -speed 4 - with spurts at 5, incline 4.5 AND 45 minutes on the bike. I kept asking the instructor WHEN am I going to start this great feeling after exercise - right now all I felt was exhausted!
She said "Give it 6 weeks - then you'll start feeling it". Okay, that meant another week to go - I can do this!

Week six had arrived - Monday, water class and an hour and a half in the exercise room. Man, I'm tired and I really don't feel that well - maybe I'm coming down with a cold. Tuesday - Walk and Stretch and another hour and a half on the treadmill and bike - let's add some weights today - still don't feel well. Once I get home- take a shower, let's lie down for a little while. Six p.m. and I wake up - get up, fix dinner for Dan, go back to bed and sleep all night. Drag myself out of bed and go back to class - sleep all day, eat, back to bed. I can't keep this up - what's wrong with me????? Wednesday - I can't drag myself out of bed, much less to exercise - I spend three days in bed. Finally, I get back to class and ask my instructor what happened - you know what she said???? I was over training!!!! OVER TRAINING - ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I can't lose any weight, but I can over train! FORGET IT !!!!!!!!

Now, that doesn't mean I don't go down to the center and work out occasionally - I even go to a few classes, BUT, I don't do an hour and a half in the weight room or any of the foolishness -
and you ask about Dan - oh, he gave up at week four - so much for the summer of health and fitness!!!

Until next time America!