Now that I'm working with a trainer and lifting weights, I decided to start a log. At least there's some variation in my daily routine.

But I don't know the names of anything, so please excuse me and feel free to chime in with corrections.

Monday: Weight lifting session--1 hour

3 sets of 15--machine that involved lying down and pushing slab type thingie with my legs and feet.

3 sets of 12--a different machine that involved lying on my stomach and pushing out one leg at a time on a smaller slab type thingie

3 sets of 15--walking lunges, without weights

3 sets of 12--weight-assisted chin ups

lots and lots of arm thingies with free weights. And when I say lots, I mean lots.

3 sets of 15--some sort of shoulder and back machine (rower?)

a ton of abs work--floor exercises, including some Pilates

Followed by 20 minutes of power walking.

I have no idea if this was a good workout or not, but I was very tired when it was over.

Must learn the names of things and the weights I'm using, right?

Today is cardio day. Walked at 4 mph rate for 50 minutes. Everything HURTS from yesterday's workout. But today's walk was lovely, because I did it on the grounds of a beautiful old estate, which has a variety of paths, some paved, some just packed dirt, some up and down steep stairs, some hills. And the weather is absolutely perfect.

Another weight training session on Wednesday. Am using heavier weights now, yay! The trainer says I'm doing very well and will tone up quickly. However, my back is beginning to hurt a little, so I think I have to take it more slowly.

Yesterday was cardio day. Three miles on the treadmill and an additional half mile on the track. I have the settings at 4 mph and a 2.0 incline. I actually find the incline easier on my feet.

Today I was planning to lift weights without the trainer, but chickened out. I think I still need LOTS of guidance, lol. So I did my walk instead. New Radiohead CD, this one of B sides. My review: two thumbs down. Definitely prefer OK Computer, although that tape of the 1997 live MTV concert is also terrific.

Raining. Gym closed. So the fallback was my Beginners' Pilates tape, which I haven't done in about a month.

And I'm proud of myself. The last time I tried this tape, I couldn't even do the MODIFIED exercises. Today I did the entire tape, the unmodified way. The weight/strength training is obviously making a big difference.

Yeah RoseTattoo - Isn't it wonderful to realize the improvements you're making?!?! It can be quite the head rush - and do wonders for the self esteem and ego !

Sorry you didn't like your new Radiohead CD - I thought you liked everything they did . But the walk on the estate grounds sounded marvelous and I'm sure it was thoroughly enjoyed!

Love the weight descriptions ! I knew what you meant, but for your comfort level, learning the names might be a good thing . It'll also be easier to keep track of what you do once you branch off and do it without the trainer being present. Which, BTW, I think it was wise of you to not do the weights on your own until you're more comfortable with them.

You're doing absolutely great, RT - I'm very proud of you !!! You should mention the back pain to your trainer - she will be able to tell you which moves to modify or lighten up on to relieve the pain.

Hang in there RT - you're doing great and have made wonderful progress thus far !!!!

Thanks, Shadow! It's always so nice to read what you post--I feel cared for. I appreciate your words so much.

This morning I did try the weights without the trainer. She had written everything down for me, and there was another trainer there to help when I got completely stuck. Which was frequently, since I have no kinetic memory at all. I felt a tad buffoonish standing there and staring at the weights as if I'd never seen them before, but everyone was very helpful. So I managed to get an almost complete workout--although I did cheat on one of the upper body exercises, in a complete fog over what I was supposed to do. And I avoided the chin up machine since I did't want to fall off it again without the trainer to assist me back on.

Nope, no Radiohead for me today. The air is getting too chilly for depressing music. I need to find something warm and fuzzy, lol.

25 min.moderate cardio--it's my free day.

Hmmm - not much of a "free" day if you're exercising, huh ???

Just knew you'd say that, Shadow!

It's apparently ok to do an extra couple of moderate cardios per week, according to one BFL guru. And since I like that advice, I trust that guy.

Today was LB and it was ok except for the hamstring part, which was done entirely with free weights. I can't do lunges without falling over, lol, so that part didn't go very well. The other hamstring exercise was a straight leg deadlift, which I *think* I executed properly, except maybe I was rounding my back a little too much. Need to focus on looking ahead, not down. It would help to find an exercise to substitute for those dratted lunges.

Quads are fine, did really really well on the leg press (45 on each thingie) and higher on the leg extension than I've ever gone (40). I think next time I can go even heavier. Calves were ok, mine are for some reason unusually strong, so neither exercise was a problem. Abs were fairly easy--I think I need to find a more challenging exercise.

Worked out on an empty stomach and didn't throw up or pass out, so I guess I'll do that again.

Tomorrow is my favorite, 20 MAS (HIIT), and then Wednesday I have to figure out what to do about having weight lifting and Pilates on the same day.

RT - How are the hamstring deadlifts done? Until your balance improves on the lunges, you should either do them with NO weights or do them as stationary lunges. Some find dips to be easier than lunges if you would like to try those instead . But even if you go for the dips, do them with NO weights too until you get your balance. It's very easy to tear your knee doing these with weights and no balance!

Glad you survived doing it on an empty stomach ! I've done it for years and trust me, it's not fatal . It may not be for everyone, but I couldn't imagine doing it any other way!

The abs are probably easy for you because of all the Pilates you've been doing .

Take it easy on that HIIT tomorrow! We don't want you feeling like you've been hit run over by a steam roller :lol!

OK, slight change in plans. I did UB instead of HIIT today because I didn't want to do UB on the same day as Pilates (tomorrow).

Chest: machine chest press, weight range of 1 to 2.5. Tried a set of 4 at 3, but only got 2 reps. Last set of 12 at 2.5. Dumbell bench press, X12 at 10.

Back: Wide grip lat pulldown, range from 2.5 to 4. At 4, form was off, so lower next time. Last set of 12 at 3. One arm dumbbell press, X12 at 12. Go heavier next time.

Shoulders: Seated dumbbell press, range from 5-12. Last set of 12 at 10. Bent over raises, X12 at 5. Form is way off. So fatigued that even 5 was a problem.

Biceps: Seated dumbbell curl, range from 7.5 to 12. Last set of 12 at 10. Incline dumbbell curl, X12 at 8. This was fine, assuming I was doing things right.

Triceps: Crash and burn! Bench dips, who knows if I was using right form. Extensions, same problem.

I'm not sure I have the stamina to do all five exercises in one day. Anyway, improvement today in the way the chest and back went, also shoulders for the most part. Think I have the size of weights right.

Thanks, Shadow! I always appreciate your advice!

Progress ground to a halt today, as I tried to do Pilates and HIIT on the same day. Obviously a stupid mistake on my part. I got through 10 minutes of the HIIT and quit. I *may* attempt it tonight, or I may just chalk it up to experience. Anyway, the Pilates felt GREAT--just what my sore muscles needed.

I think chalking it up to experience sounds like a winner !!! You can exercise again tomorrow - you don't need to do it all today .

Thanks, Shadow.

Today just a little cardio--honest. 30 min. moderate pace on the EFX, average hr 137, max hr 154.

Then did a bunch of situps while complaining to Tina about my cholesterol results, lol.

Okay - I guess that's not so bad !