By way of update, I’ve graduated from Phase I of the 20/20 Lifestyles program; going into my fourth week in Phase II.
That means I work out with Penelope only twice a week and check in with my nutritionist every fortnight.
I’m still at the gym six mornings a week because, surprisingly, it feels good. And I started layering in some intervals on the treadmill. You have to understand that I never thought I’d walk a 12:30 mile again when I started with Penelope in July. But now my “rest” speed on the intervals is 12:45. While my “work” speed isn’t going to win any races, it’s still a matter of amazement that I can actually move in some form approximating a jog.
Even for two-minute intervals.
On the food side, I’ve actually had a couple of glasses of wine over the past three weeks—whoo-hoo! But for the rest, I’m still on the weight-loss (as opposed to maintenance) track. I’m about 70% of goal, and feeling pretty good.
Well, except that the intervals have buggered my knees. Or exacerbated the existing condition. My physical therapist diagnosed uneven muscles around the knees, so I’m laying off the intervals, doing some killer stretches(evidently intended to even out the muscles) and buying the most expensive pair of running shoes I’ve ever owned.
(I spent 30 minutes at Super Jock ‘n Jill, trying on shoes, sprinting up the hill next to the shop & then reporting back to Morgan, the sales clerk, on the level of pain shooting through my knees. I’m satisfied that however these manufacturers architect their wares, the designs really do make a difference.)
Well, it was either shell out for the runners or give up the intervals. And after working out six days a week for four months, I’ve got the bug, and I just can’t be satisfied with the elliptical contraption.
So: 15 weeks after start, feeling demonstrably better, getting into my skinny clothes and looking forward to pounding the pavements around town.
No comments:
Post a Comment