A Good Start

Yesterday after work I dusted off my gym shoes and started my rather ambitious weight-loss program. I plan on losing 30 pounds by the end of September.

I confirmed that my starting weight is 160. How I got to 160 is beyond me... I am very careful to eat well. It's gotta be the desk job. I guess that even if you stick to a healthy diet, it doesn't mean bupkis if you sit on your fanny all day at a computer screen. (Gee, I wonder if I can sue my employer for creating an unhealthful working environment...?)

So (just so I can keep track), here's what I did: 15 minutes at medium intensity on recumbent bike as a warm-up. 15 minutes on rowing machine at high intensity, 15 minutes on treadmill at medium incline at 4 mph (walk-jog speed). 100 reps on "Roman Chair" -- both sides (abs and lower back). 15 minute cool-down and stretch. I wanted to hit the elliptical machine because I always get a great cardio burn on that, but the line was so long, I'd still be there. I did suprise myself in the stamina department. I worked out pretty hard, yet my heart rate stuck to a reasonable 150-160 BPM through most of it. Although I did discover that listening to "The Young Dubliners" while rowing is a great way to make my heart rate spike up to 189. Must re-think my iPod playlist.

So tonight I will do a similar cardio workout (hopefully I will be able to score an elliptical machine this time), and then a leg/glute weight routine. Then Friday it will be back to abs and lower back.

Here's my plan:
Cardio every day (M-F)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Abs & lower back
Tuesday: Arms & upper back
Thursday: Legs
Saturday: Perhaps a Yoga class or swimming? Or maybe a good day of gardening.
Sunday: Rest

Since I tend to pack on muscle bulk really easily (eat your heart out, guys) I thought I'd keep the arms & legs to one day a week each. And since I seem to always have a back ache, I figured that my core muscles seriously need strengthening.

A good plan, to start, I think.