Day three, end of week one

Week one is behind me. I started with the protein powder Wednesday, no I bought it Wednesday and took my first drink of it Thursday morning. Tried it first with milk, liked it, then at lunch tried with water. Not as good.

So, today, I drank it with milk after my run and then after my workout, both times with milk. I’m taking 30grams at a time, which I just realized is nowhere near the suggested dose. I should consume I gram for every pound I weigh. So I should boost the 60grams I now take to 180grams.

And that would help, I’m sure. I’ve been feeling week and tired and hungry. I’m surprised how quickly this change came on. I mean, I just started working out. I guess I thought I had some reserves of fuel somewhere.

We worked the same routine as Wednesday. It lasted an hour. The weights were the same, except for the pec deck. I did a 30-40-30 there. Felt good. And for my tri’s I started with 10s, jumped to 25, which was too much, then finished with 20s. I need to work on my form there. I think I was just tired today, but it was hard to focus. That was the last exercise, minus the abs. I rolled crunched on the ball. It was killer. I shook for the first set. Only got 12, holding each for 5 secs or so. Then I could only do 8 the next two sets. That should hurt tomorrow.

I learned, after I did my military with easy 10s, that I need to challenge myself each set. I have to assess myself – asking, “What weight will get me 10-12 reps and no more?” IT felt good when I applied that. I especially felt good on the pec deck. Just because I was lifting more than I thought I could.

I just brought Same to be boarded for the first time, as we’re headed off to Oxford, Mississippi for a creative nonfiction seminar with Lee Gutkind. Seems appropriate I mention that here, as I will no doubt use something I learn there as I write this memoir. I decided to drink some more protein while I was at it (dropping off Same), which amounted to 60 more grams. 120 on the day. Now I just need to eat lunch…

First day in the gym

I got a late start. It’ll take some tweaking to fit in this gym time in to my morning schedule. Came to school with a school bag, my monk bag stuffed with clothes, soap and a kitchen towel, and leftover minestrone, a pbj and an apple which with hopefully hold me over until 9 – when I get to go home. I wore my maroon Centenary soccer t-shirt, blue adidas shorts and blue diadora shoes.

I droped off the food in the fridge at the HPC and brought my monk bag to the gym. I handed over my card at the front desk, the attendant scanned it, and walked around and then asked about the locker room. Get a key over there with your card, I was told. Didn’t know which locker was mine, not a labeled key, so I went back. 100. Went up to the weights on the second floor. Looked around. Didn’t really have a plan. Chris said take it easy, get my muscles used to lifting again. I put 40 pounds on the bench, lifted it once. Took 20 off. Did three sets of 5. Felt fine. Incline was busy, so I did the sit and pull – the rowing one – not too bad. 55 pounds maybe. Did the pull down next, same weight I guess. Moved over to the incline. 10 pounds. I tried for three sets of ten but only did what I could without crossing the line. The quad lift was next to the incline so I did 3x10 of 90 pounds. Felt fine. Looked for more upper body. Back preferably. Watched a woman doing a dip machine. Did that next. 100 pounds. Then switched it to the chin up. Same weight. These were tougher. The machine I could hear rattling beneath me. I walked across the way to look at the ab stuff. I tokk advantage of a stretch caontraption for my chest. I read about using a ball for legs and core. Saw a guy using it for core and then switch to a medicine ball, side to side.

Hard core people there. Two people, as I stood around, asked if I was waiting for the machine they were using, but I wasn’t.

Shower was fine, nice enough. Next time I’ll bring a bigger towel.

Now I feel good. There’s a that high I had forgotten about. Adrenaline, even after that light workout. I foulnd myself thinking anything was possible. I can fix the scooter on the back patio. I can do the reading I need for today.