和 敬 西 洋

So I went to the gym and got one of those freebie profile things done by a trainer - according to their measurements (the scientific 'pinch test' method), I'm about 30% body fat and for my age, should be between 20 and 25%. Which basically means, after the math is done, I need to lose 8-10 pounds of fat.

Given that my gym goal is to be more active and lose either 10-15 pounds and/or 4-6 inches from my hips, I'd say I'm doing okay. I'm not going to shell out $200 plus personal training sessions, of course, but I do get a freebie session that will at least give me a chance to get some feedback on how to use the equipment (like, is there a way to use the elliptical without my knees buckling?) or do a proper push-up, etc.

My legs are sore - I was told my hip abductors are weak and sucky because I spent 9-10 hours a day in a chair, so I went and used those machines until I couldn't stand it. At least I recover quickly; now I'm just rubbery and uncomfortable, rather than having a hard time standing.

And now it's movie time, because I have Netflix stacking up. ^_^

So, Fridays are good gym days - not too packed because people are going out to drink rather than exercise. There's also a 6:30pm dance-aerobics class that looks interesting, and a Sunday yoga class I'd like to try. I don't know what I need for the class, though - I have a mat, brick, and I *think* a strap. I don't know if I need anything else. (This makes Friday, Sunday, and possibly late Tuesday or Wednesday as my gym nights - the weekday crowd is apparently thick until about 11pm.)

Set up my membership today, and found my ideal routine - 20 minutes at a fast walk on the treadmill (enough I have to take long strides just shy of jogging, but not so much it's hard to breathe) then the corner circuit of different weight machines for about 30-odd minutes depending on how crowded it is, then another 20 minutes on the treadmill, again at a fast walk (incline optional but interesting). MUCH easier to use the treadmills than the ellipticals or other cardio equipment - less fussy, and I'm less likely to injure myself because my knee buckles unexpectedly when I use the ellipticals. Something about the motion and the angle combined, and it's hard not to fall over. (Weirdest sensation in the world is getting off of the treadmill. It's like I'm still sort of floating in fast-forward for a moment or two.)

Current weight is 163. The real progress is my hips, 43" from 44.5" two weeks ago. Some of that is no doubt water weight from That Time Of The Month last week, but still. My goal is 150-155 in weight and 39" hips. (This may or may not be unreasonable, measurement-wise, as my high hip is about 38" and I have a very curvy backside no matter how thin I get, but I can still hope...)


I really should write inspirational kimono measurements on my mirror instead of weight goals: 142 x 175 x 68cm or something, rather than my Real Size: 150 x 175 x 74cm (something unattainable using current kimono fabric bolt widths - I'm gonna learn me some sewing!).

So, if I can keep up the 3 days/week at a routine that gets me to the point of uncomfortable but not in pain (the weight machines are all set to something ridiculously low like 1 or 2), I'll get some muscle tone if nothing else, and hopefully shed a few inches, if not pounds. *crosses fingers*