I gathered my sneakers, old shorts, and an x-large t-shirt and drove back the next day to do 2 miles (at 3 or 3.5 mph) on the treadmill and 2 miles on the stationary bike. I signed up for a class on the exercise machines. A good start and, since I was on vacation, I stopped in every other day. Treadmill, bike. Treadmill, bike. Walk around. Try a couple of exercise machines after the instruction. I quickly got my average cost per visit down to lower than past memberships!
I discovered that my analytical mind could busy itself by trying out combinations of distance and speeds. If I go 3.5 mph, why not 3.6? How about 4.0, to me, a magical number since I had read that a 15 minute mile was a nice brisk walk. How about monitoriing my pulse rate and target levels? What shows were playing on the TV channels?
A routine was established in January and February. Once or twice a week after work gym sessions, plus once and often twice for longer times on the weekend. Supplemented by the two or so less intense walks at lunch, I started walking an increased number of miles a week. The TV helped, particularly on weekends....finishing a half hour (drivel) show added more time exercising!
The net:
- I gravitated toward the treadmill.
- I discovered that, after about a half mile on the treadmill, my pulse rate stabilized and I was able to breath more evenly.
- Manipulating the distance and speeds was a fun intellectual activity
- I went under 210 pounds and thought, "That's cool, I wonder if I can hit 200."
Next: diet and my first 5K
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