Day 19: Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Well, I really, really had plans to workout on Tuesday, February 10th, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. I was stuck at work until 8:15 PM (after arriving at work at 6:45 AM) and didn't get home until 9 PM, let alone have dinner or take care of any of my other daily responsibilities, so unfortunately, I was unable to perform any kind of workout.

However, on Wednesday, I knew I had to make up for it, and I truly pushed myself to actually feel something on this workout.

I began with a set of 30 curls at 40 lbs. I have upped the set number to 30 (instead of 15) to try to force my muscles to endure some resistance - since the 40 lb. weight does not seem to be "heavy enough" for me to do less in a set to actually feel like I am accomplishing anything. I then did a set of 15 pushups, followed by another set (this time 15 reps) at still the same weight of 40 lbs. (it's the only weight I have) before I finally got onto the treadmill.

The past few workouts at my intervals of 4 MPH for 1:45 followed by 5 MPH for 1:15 has been going rather smoothly, and I thought about upping my time and/or speed for running, but I refrained, since I would prefer to make changes to my routine at the beginning of a workout week. So instead, I ran, and sort of sang along with my music, and what that did, was essentially, make time fly. I seriously could scarcely believe when I completed my second to last run, and only had "one run left." However, that last run, I knew I would push myself - I felt way too good not to.

So, at the 28:45 mark, I pushed the speed up to 5 MPH and began to run. I ran until the "end of verse 1" - which signals in my mind that I am at the 30 minute mark - or essentially, my time running is technically completed. However, I continued, I told myself to "run at least until the end of verse 2" - which I figured, would be about another minute to a minute and a half. So I ran. Verse 2 finally came, and then went. I ran a bit further and then checked the time - 32:30 - I could do 30 more seconds. Finally, at the 33:00 mark I slowed my pace, but only to 4 MPH, where I completed another 30 seconds of fast paced walking before beginning my cool down.

After the treadmill workout, I proceeded to do another set of 30 curls at 40 lbs., 15 pushups, and 15 squats.

In total, I walked for 18:00 at 4 MPH for a distance of 1.20 miles, I ran for 15:30 at 5 MPH for a distance of 1.29 miles, and complete with my cool down, I completed 35:00 for a total distance of 2.55 miles. And I wasn't even really winded, which I think is a testament to this entire workout regime thus far.

As for working my muscles, I did 75 curls of the 40 lb. weight, 30 pushups, and 15 squats.

My body is responding extremely well, and I can't wait to actually, seriously, lose this gut that is still lingering - diminishing, but lingering all at the same time. In time, it will be non-existent.