The movements Brad taught me emphasize velocity. Each one explodes from its starting point. So you start a chest press with the handles at your shoulders, then punch both arms straight forward as fast as you can. I have tried this kind of movement with weights and it is very hard to keep them under control. It also bangs the joints. The resistance bands don’t seem to stress the joints at all. And sitting here three hours after my workout, I can feel that my muscles were just as surprised as I was.
A nice half hour of intervals on the elliptical finished off the sweaty part of the night, then stretches, a sauna, and shower.
I’m still pretty stoked about yesterday’s weigh-in, but there's thin ice ahead. The next few days are going to be stressful at work. I am only planning to take Wednesday off at the gym, but getting there tomorrow is going to be a squeeze. We will be working in the conference room for most of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday which means little walking and lots of noshing. I’ll make sure there are plenty of veggies in arms reach. I really don’t want to backslide now.
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. - Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis
A lot of the men at the gym workout in front of mirrors or watch themselves as they do curls or whatever. Maybe they’re watching their form, maybe their just admiring how great their muscles look. I don’t really look that great yet, so I avoid the mirrors. But here at home, I find myself feeling new shapes and ridges in my shoulders and arms that I’ve never felt before. my knees are actually smaller than my calves. My body is changing and it kind of fascinates me to watch the changes.
And sometimes I wonder, when my body has completed this strange metamorphosis, will I change on the inside? Will I be more confident? More assertive? Will I become a bully or a gentle giant? When I stop thinking that people see me as fat, what will I imagine that they see? What will I see?
Just like the sub-300 pound mark and the sub-40 inch waist, I guess I’ll have to wait to find out.
I’d hate to do all this work and just find a skinny fat man inside.
Peace,
Pennsy
I love that you included that quote. I have read that story close to 15 times and find different meaning every time depending on where I am in my life. I actually think of that EXACT quote often before exams and hope that I can morph back into my normal self soon.
ReplyDeleteI doubt you'll be disappointed by who you find hiding underneath your layers. Someone who sticks with you for your entire life just on the off-chance that he'll see daylight is not the kind of guy who disappoints.
Rooting for you, as always!
K