Back to the Nat.

We made it back to the Natatorium today. First time since last Thursday. We walked in the current pool for enough laps to equal a 1/2 mile then got showered and dressed and went to the gym where I attempted my first real workout. I followed the schedule given to me by the fitness experts at PEAK. 2 reps of 8 on 15 different machines with weights varying from 15 to 90 lbs. I'm much stronger with my legs than with my upper body.

David did the machines along with me but only 1 rep of 5 with less weight on the leg stuff and more on the upper body. He's been fighting a flu and isn't back all the way yet. It was interesting that he is stronger on his upper body than I am. I guess that's the male-female thing.

This will be such a good thing for both of us. We can only improve in our fitness.

Met the Machines Today

Today I had my second meeting with the PEAK advisers and was taken on a tour of the fitness machines in the gym. Mercy! I had no idea there were so many machines to push and pull your entire body in so many ways. The counselors have a plan and a schedule for me to follow to use the machines.

Now, if I do my work and ask for help when I need it, I'm sure to improve, even at my age.

Dan, counselor #2, said I was much stronger than he'd thought I would be and that I caught on to the use of the machines very quickly. He said to come in and go through the routine at least twice a week and three times would be better but not every day. Also, David and I will continue our visits to the walking current pool. I'll be showing David the various machines also.

I'm excited about the program and I believe it will really make a difference.

With only three visits to the pool area with David and only two exercise sessions at PEAK, I think I feel more energetic already....and they weren't really full sessions but were learning periods.

PEAK program

To start: yesterday, David and I went to the Nat again. We walked a lot in the current pool, mostly against the current. It really does give you a workout. Amazing. Then we took some turns around the walk/jog track. I walked 3 rounds, David walked and jogged.

Today, my PEAK program began. It was all testing today, my body fat percentage was 36.3! Too high but I knew that it would be. She (Sarah) also checked my flexibility which was really good, my height and weight. She measured my waist and hips. Then we went out into the gym where the machines are. I walked a tread mill for 4 easy pace minutes, 4 increased rate minutes, and 2 minutes cool down. Then we check my leg pushing strength (190 lbs) and my arm pushing strength (70 lbs).

Then we went to do sit-ups and push-ups. The sit-up test was to see how many half sit-ups (scrunches) I could to in a minute. I did a goodly number at a fair pace until I started to feel nauseous, really nauseous. I asked for a container to be close by "in case" but Sarah told me to stop and lay still. I did. Then a horrendous heat flash started. I was unbelievably hot while laying there. I asked for air as it wasn't abating. She opened the door and fanned cool air on me and it gradually cleared and I cooled down but was soaking wet with sweat...me who never sweats. Needless to say, we did not finish the minute nor did we do the push-ups.

I have no idea what that was all about, but it surely put a crimp in my style. I thought I was holding up pretty well until then. My comment was, "Well, I guess I do have some limitations."

Thursday we meet to discuss the results of the tests and set up a program of exercise for me. I suspect we will also discuss whatever it was that overcame me.

Anyway, my plan is to lose weight and inches and body fat and to gain lean weight and strength in general. Sarah said I'll need to lose about 20 pounds. Doesn't sound like much does it? Well, trust me, with my height and bone structure it will be a challenge for me.

Fitness is my goal. Hooray!!

Trial Run

We gathered our swim suits and towels and Nat ID cards and headed bravely out into the snow and wind to GO SWIMMING. We got there and I discovered I had forgotten my new locker lock. David checked all pockets for his thinking I could share a locker with him. But....no luck with locks. He felt he must have set his down somewhere at home. So we laughed at our Trial Run efforts and headed home.

The Nat is open tomorrow noon till 5 p.m. so we'll come back then.

BTW, David's lock WAS in his coat pocket after all. Guess we just were supposed to wait till tomorrow.