Back at the gym… day two

I thought I would share with you my experience with going back to the gym for after more than 6 months of off-and-on exercising.
I used to be one of those people that would exercise every day, sometimes more than once a day, not in a fanatic way, but purely out of pleasure. There is an extraordinary feeling of witnessing the transformation of your own body, and if you pay attention, of your whole being.

Day one was a drag as I could think of a million reasons why I should stay home and not go to the gym. Oh, I have tried the workout at home method, but I guess right now I don’t have the self discipline to do it every day. Once it becomes a ritual in itself, I am sure I will exercise at home when I get too busy (for real) and cannot leave the house.

My goal is to go to the gym every day… e v e r y     s i n g l e    d a y.
I exercised my upper body, trying to expand my chest and breath better, feel more open. I was sore today, but not too bad, my arms mostly. It is amazing how my muscle (fiber) on my upper body vanishes if I don’t keep at it.

Today was day two, and I focused on my thighs, toosh and… oops, now that I think about it I totally forgot the calves. Oh well… more chances for me to walk tomorrow. I pushed it a little to bring it to a sweat and I know I will be sore.

In the process of blending this in my day, I thought of a few things… maybe you can relate:

How to make it a routine
I discovered that what works for me is attaching it to another routine… luckily I have two gyms on my way home, so all I have to do is stop at one of them after work. That way I don’t get home and talk myself out of it once I get comfortable. That brings me to number two.

What time of the day I would most likely have the energy to do it
I tried to work up in the morning, but since my day starts at 6 am, there is no way I will cut two more hours of my sleep in the morning. So, for me, after work is the best time. Plus I have a pretty sedentary day.. once I am done going to the gym actually feels good.

What motivates me to do it
I thought about it, and yes, it is a combination between looks and the feel good, but I think, what really motivates me is to have that reservoir of energy and strength I used to have 6 months ago.

There is also a way I do my workouts that I discovered works well when doing it daily. One day I focus on my upper body, one day on my lower body, with abdominal exercising each day. That way I can give the muscles some time to recover in between.

The exercises are a combination between machines, weights and my own body weight. Looking at the people that seem that they know what they are doing, is a great trick to learning a few new things. Mostly I pay attention on each exercise on what muscle is being worked, making sure not to force it and get injured.

Can’t wait for tomorrow. I can already see a shift in overall attitude.

A delicious pasta dish is coming up tomorrow. Be sure to check it out.