To the gym!! to the gym!!!

I had stopped going to the gym for almost 16 months. Sure - I had loads of excuses - work related travel being the prime one. It was like 3 weeks out of the country and 1 week back almost every month. On top of that I had sprained my left foot such that the Achilles tendon acts up once in a while. Doctor claimed that it was an inflamed tendinitis. Medication did not really help. So I can be walking alright one moment and hobbling the next. I would have to stretch my heel against a wall to get it okay again. So I quit the gym since I could not use it for one reason or another.

I guess they missed my money (not me really), and they made me an offer in the last 3 days of Jan. Come back, all is forgiven. Just pay monthly fees. No additional fees. Heck - I knew I was packing in the pounds (or kilos) since stopping. With my new job, travel will be a lot less. So what the heck, let me go back and try to get sub 100 kg again.

Mandy, the fitness consultant who attended to me was adamant that she could not reduce the monthly charges. Not unless I was her husband. Then it would be RM90 per month. I told her - okay, let's get hitch that day, sign up and I'll divorce her the next day (after getting what's due as the husband!!). It was worth a try!!. It also reinforced what someone else had told me about the way I looked or how people perceive me. Apparently I look all serious and stern (that's what Mandy said) when I first meet up with strangers. Within 5 to 10 minutes, they realize that I am really a pussycat who can joke. I was putty in her hands. So no surprises, I signed up.

Today, I went in for my first session to re-familiarize myself with the workout instruments. I manage to put in 15 minutes on the cross trainer at level 8 and an average 120 spm (speed per minute?). 10 more minutes on the treadmill at 5.5km/hr. I stopped at 10 mins because I felt a slight cramp creeping up on my calf muscle. Long time no brisk walk - that's why. I even managed to row 2000m on the rower.

As today was the first session, I did not want to overdo it. So I cooled down and went home.Starting stats:
- Weight 114kg (ouch)
- target weight 96 kg by end December 2008.
- Methods include giving up the group breakfast during office hours at the risk of being anti social. No indulging in the company provided breakfast in the morning. Lunch with the group limited to once a week ( 2 max under special circumstances like overseas visitors).

I have at least one auditor to make sure I keep to this. Ian - do your stuff