Being disciplined is hard for me

I have not been doing these two things that I should every day: devotion and gym. 

The thing is I strategize to do them together. I find that each of the activity discipline the other. The reason I can go 30 minutes on the stationary bike is because I want to finish reading a chapter in my devotion material. And the reason I can finish reading and meditating on the material is because I can't get off the bike. 

I used to be able to do this every week day because I need to drive my son to school anyway. I will be early and I might as well go to the gym. 

But now I have to use a different motivation. Maybe the morning traffic? Get out early before the congestion worsens.  

Let me try it out this month. At least I have a goal: do this every week day this month.

pearlie

Finally, an hour

After almost 10 months of working out in the gym every workday, albeit with several breaks with the longest one during the last two weeks, I finally did an hour on the stationary bike at a moderate level of 5. For a person who practicality hated exercises and had no shame in being sedentary, I've certainly come a long way.

pearlie

Back to the gym

I've been "pontenging" the gym for almost two weeks and it felt so great to be back on the bike!

pearlie
Note: "ponteng" is "playing truant" in Malay (the participle -ing is my informal English use of the word)

Gym Balls

I have been using a gym ball on and off during my personal training classes. I've used one for weight training this morning.

I also rested a bit while sitting on it and it felt so comfortable I've decided to purchase one to use at home. Although some have warned that it may not be suitable ergonomic and biomechanic wise.

pearlie
Photo source: Public Domain Pictures

Sweating profusely

I have a problem I need to solve but I do not know how.

I go for a daily one-hour workout in the gym before I go to work in a gym a few floors below my office. It is very convenient and the timing is perfect.

However, by the time I step out of the gym, walk to the lift and get to office, I will be drenched in sweat.

I have been showering in cold or tepid water and not hot water. I thought since the reason we sweat is because it helps cool the body down and get rid of excess body heat, I help cool it down further with cold water, and so why do I immediately start to sweat again when I walk out of the shower stall?

I fell sick last week and took a break from gym but when I felt slightly better I was back exercising. This time I took hot showers and I felt cooler when I complete my shower. I tried it again today taking a real hot one but I was back to sweating like crazy on my way to the office.

So what gives?

pearlie

DIY Snack

When in first joined the gym, I was instructed by my personal trainer to cut down on my meal portion intake. But I asked him, how about snacks? I can sometimes get really hungry at work. He said to munch on nuts.

And so I got myself some roasted almonds, my favourite.

But one day, I saw and bought a bag of roasted almonds with dried cranberries. It was a delightful combination - crunchy aromatic almonds with sweet tangy cranberries.

But soon I was mixing it myself, since I can't find it in the other supermarkets I went. Much cheaper and just as yummy!

pearlie
Photo source: AllisonKnott, MS, RD

My first circuit training

This is how I feel now after a circuit training with my gym instructor this afternoon. Thankfully it is a Friday, workday is half over and the weekend is merely hours away.

pearlie