Gym-bo

Gary and I joined the gym again. We had joined a few years ago and were going 3-4 times a week. We loved it but then summer came and we found ourselves going less and less until we just didn't go anymore and our membership lapsed. So, here we are again.... both quite over-weight and out of shape. This is our 2nd week of going and I can't believe the difference I feel already. I have more energy and feel better. I don't look any different but I sure do feel different and I look forward to going. Plus, we have made a couple changes in our eating. We didn't want to do anything too drastic while we are just starting but the first thing we did was stop eating any fast food. With that, I mean fried fast food. I'm pretty sure a side salad and a plain baked potato at Wendy's are equally as good as one at home. Now, this might not seem like a big deal to some of you but I've got to tell you that my gastric/bowel issues have improved tremendously. I can't believe I am talking about my bowel issues on the internet. Anyway folks, I am here to tell you that I am regular! Regular, I tell you. No more mad dashing to the bathroom after a lunch of burger and fries. I am eating soup and salad and it's staying with me until it's done doing it's thing in my body. The reason I know it was the fast food was last week I had a Happy Meal with Hannah and spent the whole afternoon in the bathroom, all the while cursing that Ronnie guy. Do they put something in the food? Or is it the frying medium that kills me? We also switched our big meal of the day to lunch and are eating smaller, lighter suppers. ... most days. Weekends we still eat dinner at night.

At the gym we are up to 20 mins on the recumbent bike (love that thing) and 15 mins on the Elipitical trainer (we call it The Beast) and working our heart rate at 60-70%. Do you know how slow I have to go on The Beast to keep my heart rate in that aerobic range? It's embarrassingly slow. I always tell the person working out next to me.... "If you hear any screaming, panting or moaning from me while I'm doing this.. it's perfectly normal. " I guess as I get into better shape I'll have to work a little harder to get my heart rate where it needs to be.

I've been doing alot of reading on going from Fat to Fit. I was always under the impression that it's got to hurt to be helping and I'm finding that is not true. I'm aware that I get the most benefit from working in a target heart range that allows my muscles to get the aerobic benefit they need to break down the fat in them. There's a difference between cardio and aerobic workouts and I'm still learning. Any advice or tips that any of you have... would be great!