My Journey With Health And Fitness – And Here Comes The Rain

Last day of strength bench press training today. I had so hoped I could do as well as I did with the back squats on Tuesday but right at the beginning of the class the instructor tempered our expectations. Apparently since the squats are all about strength in your legs, it is easier to increase the amount of weight you are lifting. However, our upper bodies have far less strength so she recommended only going up 5lb at a time. After a nice warmup we got to it and I was surprised how much heavier 85lb was compared to my original max of 70lb. I had 3 tries at doing 90lb but just couldn’t do it. Oh well, I increased by 15lb and that is quite an accomplishment.

The weather is about to get really crappy the next several days. They are predicting a lot of rain starting tonight which of course means the dreaded treadmill. I am really not happy about this. I have so enjoyed almost exclusively walking outdoors for the past 2 months. Truly I am really tanned meaning I am all set for Mexico. And, because of the strength classes, 2 days a week I had been trying new routes so that I could walk to the gym.

What actually bothers me the most is that I am going to have to cut down on the amount of walking I have been doing. Most days over the past several weeks I have been walking 4 hours a day plus doing a fitness class. Some days I do two 2 hour walks other days the walks get broken up but still I get in 4 hours. Moreover, I have been targeting walking up a hill 3 times a week and have been meeting that goal. That is all going to stop once the rain hits.

The problem I have is that I can’t do more than an hour on the treadmill at one time because I find it seriously boring. I absolutely hate just walking basically in place and in my garage which quite frankly does not have the nicest scenery. I am determined to get in at least 2 hours a day which I admit is better than nothing. As well, the stupid ankle has been bothering me a bit so maybe this will be a good move. As well, given the strength training I have been doing maybe I can add an hour of weight training (in the garage) to the mix.

I will get through the next 5 days or so and then get back up to my regular walking. Sigh, reading this I realized that I am absolutely obsessed.